A People Set Apart Parish Staff Pastor.....Rev. Rubin Reynolds Administrative Assistant....Julie Carpenter Administrative Assistant....Sandy Dardeau Bookkeeper.Renae Schexnaydre Business Manager...Kathleen LoCicero Consultant on Call..Sammy Chestovich Director of Christian Formation...Mary Kruse Maintenance Supervisor......Ron Duhon Pastoral Associate.........Robin Richardson PSR Secretary...Sharon Buquoi Jr. Youth Director......Dana Millet Sr. Youth Director....Garrett Tregre January 31, 2016 Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil Mass:....... 4:00 pm Sunday Masses...8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 am Monday, Wednesday - Friday......8:30 am Tuesday Communion Service... 8:30 am Reconciliation Saturdays: 3-3:30 pm and before daily Mass. Other times by appointment with priest. Parish School of Religion Principals: Patricia Sanchez........High School Flory Reynolds.. Middle & Primary School Parish Office Hours Monday - Thursday...8:00 am to 5:00 pm Friday........8:00 am to Noon Telephones Parish Office..... (225) 647-8461 Fax......(225) 647-5125 E-mail:.........stmark@eatel.net New Parishioners: Please complete the registration form which can be found on our website and return to the parish office. Church Certificates: For all sacramental certificates, contact Julie Carpenter at 225-647-8461 Sacrament of Baptism: Baptisms are held the First Sunday of each month, following 11:00 a.m. Mass. Parents of infants and children under age 7 are to attend 1 Baptism Seminar. (If pregnant, attend as early as possible during the pregnancy.) Baptism Seminars are held on the Tuesday following the first Sunday of the month at 6:30 pm. *Baptism of children 7 years and older must go through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults adapted for Children. Contact Mary Kruse at 225-647-8461 Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA): For adults inquiring about becoming Catholic and baptized Catholics who lack Confirmation and Holy Communion, contact Donna Chestovich at 225-938-0985. Sacrament of Matrimony: Christian Burial: Couples need to contact the parish office six months prior to their planned wedding date. Families should contact the parish office, as soon as possible, prior to making other funeral arrangements. Pastoral Care of the Sick: Contact the office in regards to those who are seriously ill, hospitalized and homebound. Emergency calls are made immediately. Vocations for Priesthood and Religious Life: Contact the office of Vocations and Seminarians at 225-336-8779 or visit their website at www.diobr.org. Prayer Line Request: Contact the Parish Office 225-647-8461 Visit our website: www.stmarkgonzales.org for vital information or like us on Facebook:
Schedule of Events January 30 4:00 pm Catholic School Mass January 31 February 4 7:00 pm Parish Mission February 2 8:00 am Divine Mercy Novena (Wk 1) Feb. 2-4 9:00 am Blue Army 10:00 am Moms and Tots 7am Noon Busy Bees February 7 11:00am Scout Mass 3:30pm Jr. Youth Group NOTE: Any ministries with a meeting scheduled during the Parish Mission are asked to reschedule for another time and to please attend the mission. Altar Society News The St. Mark Ladies Altar Society will have a meeting on Thursday, February 11th. This meeting will be to discuss possible changes to the society by-laws. Please try to attend to vote and make a difference. SCOUT SUNDAY: Any girl or boy scout with their leader are invited to our annual Scout Mass on Sunday, February 7th at 11AM. Call Robin at the parish office for more details..is fast approaching. Plan to attend the Parish Mission this week and let God direct you in your Lenten preparations. OLD PALMS can be brought to the parish office to prepare the ashes for Ash Wednesday on February 10th. Fiscal Year 2015 16: Stewardship of Treasure 28th Sunday, January 10, 2016 Building Fund ONE BOOK, ONE CHURCH: The Return of the Prodigal Son books are in. They can be picked up in the parish office. We have extra on hand for anyone who would like to purchase. A Vocation View. Before you were formed in your mother s womb, God knew you. Before your were born, you were dedicated to the Lord. Do not be afraid to respond to God s Call. If God is calling you, call or email Fr. Matt Dupre at 225.336.8778, mdupre@diobr.org, or visit, www.diobr.org/vocations. St. Mark Honor Marriage Mass An Honor Marriage Mass will be held on Saturday, February 13th at 4:00 p.m. for couples who have been married 15 years and over. A reception will follow in the Fr. DeMaria Activity Center. Please contact the parish office as soon as possible at 225-647-8461 if you are planning to attend. Envs, loose cks, ACH & 2nd collection Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time January 31, 2016 Faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 Weekly Budget - /+ Offertory $ 12,794.00 $ 11,826.92 $ 967.08 Maintenance $ 2,580.00 $ 2,730.77 $ (150.77) Pop Coin $ 104.76 $ 104.76 Total $ 15,478.76 $ 14,557.69 $ 921.07 January 2016 Monthly Note -/+ $ 4,825.25 $ 5,694.70 $ (869.45) Thank you for your generous stewardship contributions.
Mark your Calendars 2016 Light Lane Festival Is quickly approaching. We are looking forward to all the wonderful community building activities including: Mini-Pot Competition Silent & Live Auction Car Show Toddler and Tots Parade Super Sweets Competition Fair Store & so much more! How you can help Join us! Contact Stacy @ 647-4323 for the time & date of our next planning meeting. Start working now on your hand-made crafts and other items for our Fair Store. You can drop items off anytime at parish office (during office hours). Consider being a Fair Sponsor! Sponsorships are so important to our success. Individual as well as businesses can be sponsors. Donate items for our Auction! Again, individual donations as well as donations from businesses are appreciated. Make a gift basket with your favorite things, or donate items from your business. For more information, please contact: Auction- Debbie Beaucoudray @ dbeaucou@eatel.net or 225/931-9840 Sponsorships- James LeBlanc @ 225/717-5436 or Kathleen LoCicero@ stmarkmgr@eatel.net or 647-8461 General Questions- Joey Tureau @ jstureau@eatel.net or 225/202-6806 Knights of Columbus Youth News Catholic Youth Leadership Award Scholarships Available Do you know a young Catholic adult who is a faithful role model to others in their school, church or community? The local Senior Boy and Girl winners will each be awarded $100 and have the opportunity to advance to state competition. That winner to be awarded $4,000 to recognized as a promising future Catholic leader! The Knights of Columbus truly care about the Catholic values these students possess. We know these outstanding students have already made wonderful contributions to their communities, church parishes, and to their schools. By participating in the CYLA Scholarship program, a Senior Boy and Girl is offered an opportunity to be recognized as one of the best Catholic students in their respective school! These students are future CATHOLIC LEADERS! HOW TO GET STARTED - The student application form for current year High School Senior Boys and Girls is available on the state website: www.louisianakc.org under the CYLA section. A fillable application and instructions are included on the application. The completed form with signatures can be turned in to the St. Mark Church office. The deadline is by midnight of January 31. For additional information on any of the above KC Youth activities, please contact Eric Kehn at (225) 936-3178 or stmarkyouth@eatel.net. The Annual St. Mark Light Lane Festival is scheduled for April 1, 2 & 3, 2016. Mark your calendars!!! Sponsors who have already signed up for the 2016 Light Lane Festival: Acadian Commercial Contractors David H. Wilcox Ins. Agency, Inc. Cable Plus, Inc. St. Mark Ladies Altar Society St. Mark Ushers Society MB Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc Silver Platinum Platinum Gold Silver Silver Please visit and let our sponsors know how much we appreciate their continued dedication to St. Mark.
Congratulations Confirmation Class of 2016! Kyle Michael Joan of Arc Arant Nolan Todd Francis of Assisi Ashford Dylan LaRon Allen Joan of Arc Aubert Lexie Rae Monica Babin Garrison Martin Anthony Beiriger Kolby Darrell Christopher Blanchard Avery Layne Landry Brignac Blair Renee Mary Magdalene Cook Bryce Mitchell Patrick Crochet Tatum Paige Augustine of Hippo Crystal Christian Ryan Francis Decareaux Allison Claire Cecilia Delapasse Carey Paul Diez Jack Cuyler Sebastian Douglas Kyle Patrick Dugas Logan Scott Luke Dugas Keenen Jude Sebastian Dunn Bailey Nicole Nicholas Dupre Leon Expeditus Faught, IV Renee Nicole Joan of Arc Firmin Seth Paul Gautreau Dylan Wayne Thomas Gilbert Noah James Hathcock Seth Leland James Jacob Joseph Ignatius of Loyola Johnson Meghan Diann Gabriel the Archangel Kardorff Ally Michelle Michael the Archangel Laiche Annie Louise Adele Lambert Shelby Ann Thérèse of Lisieux Landaiche Mitch James Landry Logan Paul Langlois Cayden Clyde Sebastian Leake Lauren Marie Teresa of Avila LeBourgeois Michael Kerr John LeJeune, Jr. Karlie Elizabeth of Hungary Malveaux Brian Keith Paul May, Jr. Brooke Nicole Anne Melancon Jadyn Kaleigh Agnes Mumphrey Angelle Reneé Catherine of Siena Naquin Michael the Archangel C. Nwokorie Cindy Annelle John Bosco Ontiveros Jillian Marie Philomena Parks Brandon Allen Andrew Parr Bailee Renae Monica Ramey Claire Frances Cecilia Renegar Grant Jacob Peter Richardson Ian Miller Francis of Assisi Rodehorst Jayce Marie Agnes Sholmire Blair Adele Blaise Simon Cade Michael the Archangel Sinanan Clint James Gregory Smiley Brandt Thomas Aquinas Solar Jessie Lynn Pauline Stevens Tyler Thomas Templet Brady Walter Thibeau Zoey Elizabeth of Hungary Vicknair Aimee Corinne Jude Thaddeus Vidrine Emilee Ann Teresa of Calcutta Villar Zachary Paul George Williams Ethen Michael the Archangel Womack May God keep the gifts of the Holy Spirit active in your hearts! Amen.
YEAR OF MERCY: WAYS TO BE MERCIFUL Practicing mercy in our lives actually does take practice. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? He heard this and said, Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners. Matt, 9: 11-13 God, who is merciful, desires our mercy. Each month we will offer ways to keep to mercy during the Jubilee Year. Try randomly selecting one each week and putting it into practice. Be creative! January 1) Resist sarcasm; it is the antithesis of mercy: Set, O Lord, a guard over my mouth; keep watch, O Lord, at the door of my lips! (Psalm 141:3). 2) Pare down possessions: share your things with the needy. 3) Call someone who you know is lonely, even if you understand why they re lonely. Especially if you do. 4) Write a letter of forgiveness to someone. If you can t send it, sprinkle it with holy water, ask Christ Jesus to have mercy on you both and then burn or bury it. 5) Learn to say this prayer: Dear Lord, bless [annoying person s name] and have mercy on me! 6) Plan a mini pilgrimage to a local shrine; make an effort along the way to live the corporal work of mercy of welcoming the stranger as Christ. 7) Do something kind and helpful for someone who you don t get along with, or who has wronged you. Youth News Next Meetings Junior Youth Meeting Sunday, February 7 3:30 pm Open to all students grades 4th-7th Primary Youth Meeting Sunday, February 14 12:00 pm Open to all 2nd & 3rd grade students ** Remember to bring a bag lunch Senior Youth Meeting Open to all students grades 8th-12th 2016 PSR SUMMER DATES Parents, please mark your calendars. Summer PSR dates are: Tuesday, May 31st Friday, June 10th. Hope this helps with vacation planning. Please watch for PSR Registration packets which will be mailed during the month of January. Complete and return registration as soon as possible to avoid late fees. High School PSR Dates 2016 6:00 8:30 p.m. February 14, 2016 March 13, 2016 April 10, 2016
First Reading God appoints Jeremiah as prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19). Psalm I will sing of your salvation (Psalm 71). Second Reading Love with its many facets is the most important of the virtues (1 Corinthians 12:31 13:13 [13:4-13]). Gospel When Jesus claims his salvific mission is for all people, not just the Jews, he is expelled by the enraged members of the Nazarean synagogue (Luke 4:21-30). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved THE GREAT HYMN TO LOVE It is doubtful that Saint Paul, when he sat down to write what we now know as the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians, knew that he was penning what was to become one of the keystones of Christian ethics. In this brief passage, he set down ideals about love that have held fast through the centuries. Sometimes we may think that because these are ideals to which we aspire, we are excused from them in our daily living. But what Paul was writing was a letter to his friends, providing them with some sound advice about what it meant and still means to live in love, day by day, as a follower of Christ. We find in his words to his friends a broadening of the great commands of Jesus to love God and neighbor. Today we hear what this love must look like in our own actions, and how it ought to guide our relationships with others. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. Monday: 2 Sm 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13; Ps 3:2-7; Mk 5:1-20 Tuesday: Mal 3:1-4; Ps 24:7-10; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40 [22-32] Wednesday: 2 Sm 24:2, 9-17; Ps 32:1-2, 5-7; Mk 6:1-6 Thursday: 1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12; 1 Chr 29:10-12; Mk 6:7-13 Friday: Sir 47:2-11; Ps 18:31, 47, 50, 51; Mk Saturday: Today s Readings Readings for the Week (Year C) 6:14-29 1 Kgs 3:4-13; Ps 119:9-14; Mk 6:30-34 Sunday: Is 6:1-2a, 3-8; Ps 138:1-5, 7-8; 1 Cor 15:1-11 [3-8, 11]; Lk 5:1-11 The Sanctuary Light Lummis Norwood, Edmond Templet family. Masses for the Week Saturday, January 30, 2016 4:00 p.m. C. J. McKnight, Lummis Norwood, Jan O Brien, Wilma Medine and the Parish Purgatorial Society Sunday, January 31, 2016 8:00 a.m. For the People of St. Mark Parish 9:30 a.m. Alexis Cole Porta 11:00 a.m. M/M Pete Sanchez Monday, February 1, 2016 8:30 a.m. Lynn Jumonville Tuesday, February 2, 2016 8:30 a.m. Mass/Divine Mercy, Rena Thevenot Wednesday, February 3, 2016 8:30 a.m. Helen Jacob Arackal, and the Parish Purgatorial Society Thursday, February 4, 2016 8:30 a.m. Holy Souls in Purgatory, Memorial Guild Friday, February 5, 2016 8:30 a.m. John Willard Tullier Saturday, February 6, 2016 4:00 p.m. Harry Cross Sr., fly, Nathan Bercegeay fly., Carolyn Bercegeay fly., M/M Aubert Millet, Janice Vallee O Brien, Wilma Medine, Edna & Norris St. Pierre, and the Parish Purgatorial Society Sunday, February 7, 2016 8:00 a.m. Raymond Moran, Sr. 9:30 a.m. M/M Lee Decoteau, M/M Louis Roullier 11:00 a.m. For the People of St. Mark Parish The Sanctuary Light and Weekend Mass Intentions are included in the Lector s Welcome which begins 5 minutes prior to each Mass.