ST. MARK CHURCH VIENNA, VIRGINIA 22181 World Marriage Day This Sunday is designated World Marriage Day, in celebration and support of those called to the vocation of MATRIMONY. Let us remember in prayer those of our parish community with whom we celebrated this past year: Mary Walsh and Jason Ringer; Maureen Kettering and Gabriel Bayley; Alexandra Pleta and Stephen Proctor; Catherine Piescik and Eric Rogness; Dale Dean and Jean Karle; Courtney McNamara and Kyle Adanti; as well as Ann Berlow and Brett Snyder, at ST. THOMAS OF VILLANOVA, Villanova, Pa. Andrew Hadinger and Michelle Robinson, at ST. ALOYSIUS GONZAGA, Washington, D.C.; Desiree Bindus and Neerav Vyas, at ST. THERESA, Ashburn; Michael Payne and Kayla Heck, at the Eisenhower Chapel, Penn State University; Rose Mario and Jason Risley, at ST. MATTHEW the APOSTLE Cathedral, Washington, D.C.; Hannah Roberts and Peter Boyer, at ST. JAMES, Falls Church; Caitlin Jenkins and Matthew Mead, at HOLY NAME OF MARY, Bedford, Va.; Stephanie O’Donnell and Matthew Osborn, at ST. PATRICK, Midford, Connecticut; and those whose BAPTISM was with us, including Jessica Sozio (12/20/90) and Joseph Apple, at CHRIST the KING, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; Thaddeus Plecha (10/12/85) and Larisa Abel, at ST. MARY, Alexandria; and Alexandria Awesbrey (7/10/80) and Blake Astran, at MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Jacksonville, Florida. Paying Off the Mortgage: Thank You! You contributed $79,602 towards the mortgage in December—and every penny went to that purpose in January. We did not have to take any money from the Offertory Collection(s) to make that payment or to bring our mortgage down to only $454,954. At this point January’s contributions are less than the required $30,000 mortgage payment, and will require us to take funds from the Offertory Collections. PLEASE, let’s ALL pull together—and Pay Off the Mortgage. Let’s make February another banner month for reducing the mortgage! Upcoming M&M Events: February Wed the 4th: After 9:15 Mass Coffee Social— Deacon John on the Bible. Wed the 11th: Trip to National Museum of Women in the Arts—Mary Exhibit Sat the 14th: Valentine’s Day Lunch—Clyde’s in Ashburn Tues the 17th: Shrove Tuesday pancake breakfast—Deacon John on LENT. M&M=Maturing Matters - The 55+ Group of ST. MARK Church—For more information please contact: Barbara Walsh at 703-620-9314 or bawplus7@gmail.com or Anne Shea 703938-9049 or anne_paulshea@yahoo.com. FEBRUARY 8, 2015 Bishop’s Lenten Appeal—Commitment Sunday This week-end, we as Diocese are asked to make a commitment to the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal—and so support our Diocese in its various ministries. With this year’s theme, “Stewards of Christ Sharing Gospel Joy”, we can spread the joy of the Gospel through our support of the BLA. And thank you! Religious Freedom—Let us realize that it is through prayer that we can affect our country and our leaders to respect our right to worship freely. For we ask God to be with us! Join a Small Community of Faith: In the earliest days of our Church, groups of Christians met in homes and shared their knowledge of Christ and the Scriptures. Their meetings helped them to understand their faith—and the way(s) in which they were to practice it. At ST. MARK, Small Communities of Faith (SCoF) gather in homes to discuss the Scriptures, to pray, to share their faith, and to grow in community. Consider joining a Small Community of Faith during LENT. Stop at the SCoF table in the Narthex on February 14/15 to learn more about Small Communities of Faith at ST. MARK. You may also call 703-938-3774 to learn more. Religious Education (RE) Announcements RE Schedule: Due to the President’s Day Holiday, there will be no Sunday, Monday or Tuesday RE classes on February 15, 16 and 17. Vacation Bible School (VBS) – Co-Directors Needed: VBS is closer than you think—July 13 to 17 and ST. MARK is looking for two Co-Directors to lead. Past experience is not required! Please contact Ana Lisa Pinon in the RE office. Spirit Teams for 7th Graders: We are still in need of a few Spirit Team leaders! Spirit Teams are a necessary part of CONFIRMATION preparation at ST. MARK, replacing the service hour component. Contact Ana Lisa Pinon if you are interested in serving as a Leader. Join Us for DONUT SUNDAY Coffee, Donuts and Fellowship Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus After the 8:15 and 10:00 Masses Sunday February 15 - Cassidy Activities Center ST. MARK Catholic School News: Why Choose Catholic School? (excerpted from Why My Kids Go To Catholic School, by Tod Worner) “- a child once shy to speak much in class is soon beaming while reading prayer intentions at the School Mass. - you may receive a smiling email from a teacher telling you your daughter looked up at him and said, “God bless you” because he picked her favorite game in gym class. - staff, parents and students pray for and rally around a spouse who has been sick, a baby soon to be born, or a sixth grader saying goodbye. … our Catholic school is more than just a school, it is a deeply invested community. A community. And in a world grown increasingly cold and harsh, a community of faith and warmth is an immeasurably important springboard in these young kids lives. And in ours. Undoubtedly, this school prepares the mind. But by God, it prepares the soul as well.” FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME TODAY’S READINGS Job 7:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 147 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23; Mark 1:29-39 Today’s Readings come as healing balm in the midst of difficulties. The first chapter of Mark’s Gospel highlights two significant aspects of Jesus’ ministry: His power to heal, and His relationship in prayer with Abba His Father. One of Jesus’ first acts of healing is to banish a fever from the mother of Simon Peter’s wife, as He grasps her hand and helps her to rise from her sickbed. He then cures many in the town who suffer from physical sicknesses as well as mental illnesses (the “demons” Jesus casts out must surely refer to mental or emotional disorders). Our First Reading from the book of Job pictures Job as a very sick man. Job cries out in his miserable state, displaying symptoms of major depression. Job’s discourse ends in hopelessness and despair. Mark’s Gospel is meant to show us that Jesus comes even in the midst of such sickness, hopelessness and utter despair, to heal both mind and body. This healing power is linked to Jesus’ persistence in prayer: though He must get up before dawn and go to a deserted place to pray, He does this because it gives Him the strength to face all the sadness and illness of this world and do His work of healing. As we face our difficulties and illnesses, both large and small, let us do so in great faith and confidence in our Savior’s power to bring healing, strength and light into the midst of darkness, sickness and despair. LITURGY DAY OF REFLECTION: Our Liturgical Ministers will gather this LENT for a day of talks, workshops, and prayer. Our keynote speaker will be Father Patrick McMahon, O. Carm. A number of speakers will lead breakout sessions. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. All interested parishioners are invited to join us. PLEASE EMAIL NANCY NOVELLY AT nnovelly@stmark.org TO REGISTER. Please pray for all parishioners who are homebound and in nursing homes. Please remember to pray for those in our parish who are ill: Charlene Merrill, Milton Smithman, Karen Kuchta, Nur Gangji, Kathy Froelke, Carol Palmucci, Gina McCloskey, Faye Morin, and Betty Fulton. Please pray for the following deployed service people who have ties to our parish: Cpl Zachary A.Cooper, Sgt Jasmine Daniel, QM2 Waters Eric, Sgt Joshua Wyant, Cpl Derek W. Raines, LCpl Christian D. Wilkins, Cpl Rafael De La Torre, MGySgt William McClelland, Cpl Austin Evans, and LTJG John Duffner. MASSES FOR THE WEEK Daily Readings Mass Intentions Gen 1:1-19; Ps 104; Monday, February 9, 2015 Mk 6:53-56 9:15am †Eleanor Gough 7:30pm †Kent Bailey Gen 1:20—2:4a; Ps 8; Tuesday, February 10, 2015 Mk 7:1-13 St. Scholastica 9:15am Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Zak (50th wedding anniversary) Gen 2:4b-9; Ps 104; Wednesday, February 11, 2015 Mk 7:14-23 Our Lady of Lourdes 9:15am †Frank Gadell Gen 2:18-25; Ps 128; Thursday, February 12, 2015 Mk 7:24-30 9:15am †Robert Hartman Gen 3:1-8; Ps 32; Mk Friday, February 13, 2015 7:31-37 6:15am †Jack McNeil 9:15am †Paul McNeil 10:14am Virginian †Wanda Spasowski Date: Saturday, March 7, 2015 Time: 9am – 3pm Place: Cassidy Activities Center COLD AND FLU SEASON IS UPON US: Please use common sense if you are sick. If you do come to church while sick with a cold or sore throat, please be considerate of others and refrain from Communion from the Chalice. Yes, the alcohol content and vigorous wiping with purificator does kill most germs, but it is probably better not to tempt fate! And at the Sign of Peace, again be considerate—as in years past, a nod, a fist-bump, or an elbow-slide can maintain the spirit of Our Lord’s Peace (Thank you, Estelle and Jack!). LENTEN RETREAT: Everyone is invited to attend a Lenten Retreat given by Father Valooran, here at ST. MARK on March 13-15, 2015. Meals will be provided. Please watch the bulletin, and our website (www.stmark.org) for more details! th ASH WEDNESDAY is Wednesday, February 18 . Masses will be at 6:15am, 9:15am, 5:30pm, and 7:30pm. 40 DAYS FOR LIFE begins again on February 18 will go for 40 days. Contact Martha at 703-938-9658 or Piesciks@gmail.com . Gen 3:9-24; Ps 90; Saturday, February 14, 2015 Mk 8:1-10 Sts. Cyril and Methodius (and both Sts. Valentine) 8:00am †Robert Kerrigan 5:30pm †Katherine and William Newman Lev 13:1-2, 44-46; Ps Sunday, February 15, 2015 32; 1 Cor 10:31— Sixth Sunday in ORDINARY TIME 11:1; Mk 1:40-45 8:15am †Marie Ordeman 10:00am †Christopher Deane Morton 11:45am People of the Parish Do you desire to deepen your prayer life? Lord Teach Me to Pray is a 3 part Ignatian prayer series of Ignatian meditation and contemplation, in small groups for weekly prayer and faith sharing. For more information or to register contact the RE Office at 703-938-1948 or Barbara Saladino at saladino.barbara@gmail.com. ST. MARK CHURCH VIENNA, VIRGINIA 22181 Matthew 25-for the Lamb Center, homeless shelter in Fairfax County. Regular Coffee Sugar & Creamer Laundry Detergent Bleach Trash bags (55 or 13 gallon) Plastic Forks Small Styrofoam drink Cups and Bowls Packets of Oatmeal Diapers Size 5 Paper Towel Rolls Plastic Razors Small Deodorant Please support the Lamb Center by donating any of these items in the Matthew 25 bin in the Narthex. These items are desperately needed due to the cold weather !! Shawl Ministry: On February 10 at 1pm the Shawl Ministry will gather to pray, talk and create handmade shawls for those who are ill or grieving. We also make hats and scarves for the homeless and baby blankets for Project Hope. All are welcome to join this ministry. To receive a shawl contact Denise in the Parish Office. Get your Auction Gala tickets! You can purchase them in the Parish Office or by going on line at: http:// events.readysetauction.com/ stmarkcatholicschool/auctiongala2015 Busy Couples Retreat: In honor of National Marriage Week 2015, Bishop Loverde will lead an online retreat for couples beginning on World Marriage Sunday, February 8 through February 14. Each day the Bishop will offer reflections and practical steps for growing closer to Jesus and to your spouse. The retreat will conclude at 10:00am on Valentine’s Day, Saturday, February 14 with a live reflection, Exposition and Holy Mass led by Bishop Loverde at the Cathedral of ST. THOMAS MORE in Arlington. For more information go to http://www.arlingtondiocese.org/couplesretreat/index.aspx. The ST. MARK Book Club will meet at 1:15 on Wednesday, February 11, in Room C-103 to discuss Mercy: The Essence of the Gospel and the Key to Christian Life by Cardinal Walter Kasper. Family PASS (Family Preservation and Strengthening Services) is a local nonprofit that provides financial assistance and support services to families in Fairfax County who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless, and started here at ST. MARK by its founder and ST. MARK parishioner, Suezette Steinhardt. Family PASS provides rent subsidies and connects families with the support services needed to become self-sufficient. This organization’s work is part of Fairfax County’s 10-year plan to prevent and end homelessness in our community. Family PASS is partnering with Stone’s Cove KitBar in Herndon for a “do good things” on Sunday, March 1. Please join us and dine on that date to make a difference. Stone’s Cove Herndon will donate 10% of the day’s sales to help Family PASS achieve its mission to prevent and end homelessness in our community. GREAT food! Lots of fun!! Contact Suezette at ssteinhardt@familypassfairfax.org for more information! See you there!! FEBRUARY 8, 2015 50th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT: Our own ST. MARK parishioner, soprano Sarah Lundquist, will perform a concert of classical works for soprano. Sarah is a highly accomplished opera singer with a degree from Northwestern University. She has graced our Easter Vigils with her beautiful singing for the past several years. Date: Sunday, February 15th Time: 3:00 pm Place: Cassidy Activities Center Intermission/Refreshments Freewill donation Family Movie Night How to Train Your Dragon 2, on February 20, rated PG, 102 minutes. This sequel continues where the original left off. Hiccup and Toothless discover an ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons including the mysterious Dragon Rider. For ages 1-100. Ice Cream social at 6:30. Movie at 7:00. Cassidy Activities Center. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Hypothermia Shelter: Have you noticed—It’s cold and winter’s here! This is not good news to our homeless neighbors who find no room in the Fairfax County shelters. ST. MARK will help nearby church Hypothermia Shelters with volunteers and food again this winter. The next one is: February 8-14, Centerpointe Church, Fairfax Join our group of volunteers-the level of time and talent you may have is valuable, and training is free! Contact Diane Smith 703-620-0629 or e-mail hypothermiashelter@yahoo. com to learn more. Overcoming Sin & Evil at this Year’s Men’s Conference! All men of the parish are invited to the Sixth Annual Diocesan Men’s Conference on March 7. This year’s conference – entitled Victory Over the Common Enemy – will feature renowned speaker Fr. Larry Richards and author Neal Lozano exploring the presence of sin and evil in our lives, and how to overcome them. Breakfast, lunch, and Mass with Bishop Loverde will be included. Registration is taking place now. Please note the new conference location—Foxchase Manor in Manassas. Go to www.arlingtondiocese.org/men for more details or to register. Counseling Corner: Care for the Soul at the Benedictine Pastoral Center. “Is There a Purpose in Suffering?” Sat. Feb. 21; 10:00-12:00noon. Register on-line: www.benedictinepastoralcenter.org/care-for-your-soul.html “Men are all alike in their promises. It is only in their deeds that they differ.” --Jean-Baptiste Molière (1622–1673), French playwright Ellen Murphy, LCSW ST. MARK Counseling Center (703) 281-9671 emurphy@stmark.org www.TysonandMurphy.com FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME High School Events Upcoming Youth Events Sunday FUEL Nights resume February 22nd at 7 - 8:30 pm in the Youth Room The Youth Ministry Annual Ski Trip will be on Monday, February 16th (President’s Day)! Grab your skis or board and join us for a fun day of hitting the snow covered slopes at Roundtop Ski Resort! OPEN TO ALL HIGH SCHOOL & JR. HIGH YOUTH ! 7th thru 12th grade! Download a registration / permission form from our website TODAY! Deadline is Wednesday, February 11th! Cost & more detailed information on the registration form! Jr. High Events Join us this Friday, February 27, 2015 for the next Jr. High event 6:30 - 8 pm in the Gym! Visit us at: youth.www.stmark.org Please fill out a registration form for the 2014-15 school year! Sunday, February 8 6 pm Youth & Family Mass - Dinner - Valentine’s Activity Monday, February 9 Girls’ CLC in Youth Room at 7:30 pm Wednesday, February 11 Boys’ CLC in Youth Room at 7:30 pm Friday, February 13 6:15 am Mass & Breakfast Sunday, February 15 NO FUEL night due to ski trip on President’s Day Monday, February 16 — President’s Day For more information contact Kevin Flores / Eric McDade at 703-938-5656 or kflores@stmark.org / emcdade@stmark.org
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