3 October 2024
We have quite the confluence of activities this weekend at the church. On Friday night the choir is offering a concert of sacred and secular music at 7:00 pm. They have been working especially hard these past few weeks, and all are invited to the concert. A reception follows the concert in the Parish Hall.
On Saturday at 12:00 noon we have our annual Low Mass with the Blessing of Pets. Every year we offer this blessing near the Feast of Saint Francis. Meanwhile, Sunday’s Gospel is about divorce - a scintillating topic I am sure everyone wants to hear me preach about!
While all of these events are happening, some fencing on the property is being painted this weekend, so be careful what you lean against. As mentioned a few weeks ago, recently air conditioning was added to the preschool classrooms, and this week the office will benefit from the installation of a new AC split system.
Many formation opportunities continue as well. This past Wednesday evening we had our second Catechesis Evening, and it was a lively time of discussion, study, and conviviality. The parish Latin Class continues this Saturday morning, and on Sunday we have our second Marian Talk sponsored by our Guild of the Annunciation. The talk will focus on “Mary as the New Ark.”
Daily masses have also returned in the church. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, Mass is celebrated at 11:00 am in the Lady Chapel, and these masses are not live-streamed. Mass is also celebrated on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm, and on Saturdays at 11:00 am, and these masses are live-streamed. However, please note that this Saturday’s mass is at 12:00 noon, and on Saturday, October 12, mass will not be celebrated due to Diocesan Convention. The parish website and calendar are always up-to-date if you have questions about scheduling.
Lastly, and perhaps the most importantly, during October we are beginning our reflections upon our 2025 stewardship theme: Inspired by Love, United in Purpose. In the coming weeks the parish will have the opportunity to offer their pledge for 2025. Our campaign will culminate with All Saints weekend. On Friday, November 1, we will celebrate All Saints with a High Mass at 7:00 pm. On Saturday, November 2, we will remember the past year’s departed with our All Souls Requiem at 11:00 am. On the Sunday after All Saints, November 3, we will celebrate with one mass only at 11:00 am when we bless pledge commitments. Low Mass will not be celebrated on November 3.
If you started reading this column because you wanted some spicy gossip about divorce, you are out of luck. However, who needs juicy tittle-tattle when there are so many good things happening at St. Mark’s? Please join us.
Father Paul Lillie +
