St. Mark Catholic Parish
"…The seed is spouting and growing…" (Mark 4:27)
Lectio Divina
Posted by on November 20, 2018
Lectio Divina is a Latin term, meaning “divine reading” and describes a way of reading the Scriptures whereby we gradually let go of our own agenda and open ourselves to what God wants to say to us.
The first stage is lectio (reading) where we read the Word of God, slowly and reflectively so that it sinks into us. Any passage of Scripture can be used for this way of prayer but the passage should not be too long.
The second stage is meditatio (reflection) where we think about the text we have chosen and ruminate upon it so that we take from it what God wants to give us.
The third stage is oratio (response) where we leave our thinking aside and simply let our hearts speak to God. This response is inspired by our reflection on the Word of God.
The final stage of Lectio Divina is contemplatio (rest) where we let go not only of our own ideas, plans and meditations but also of our holy words and thoughts. We simply rest in the Word of God. We listen at the deepest level of our being to God who speaks within us with a still small voice.
If you would like to incorporate the Lectio Divina into your life, visit the website of the Order of Carmelites in Italy here: http://ocarm.org/en/lectio-divina. Once there, simply browse for the correct day of the week, and click on “Read more.”
2019 First Holy Communion (Gr. 2’s)
Posted by on September 25, 2017
A letter and blank form is sent home with each Grade 2 student attending St. Mark’s and St. Dominic’s Schools in November. If you did not receive this package, or if your child attends a different school, please pick up a package from the parish office.
November 2018
Dear Parents:
Grade 2 is commonly the time, around age 7, when a person is eligible to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation (First Confession) and First Eucharist.
The Sacraments are sacred mystery and they are at the very root and life of the Church. Our faith teaches that through Sacrament, God becomes present to His Church in a unique way that imparts a grace, and to be considered a full member of the Catholic Church, a person must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. For this reason, this is a very important moment in the faith development of your child because it imparts a Catholic identity.
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life that unites us to one another, to the Church and to Christ Himself, “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” As Catholic parents, I encourage you to take an active role in ensuring that your child has a sufficient age-related understanding and is ready to receive their First Confession and First Holy Communion. Attending Sunday Mass on a regular basis is the single-most important thing you can do as a parent in the Sacramental and Faith Development of your child. Through weekly participation in the Sunday Eucharist and yearly celebrations of the Seasons, we experience a living faith and enter into the life of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ.
The parish-based program will consist of five meetings (see dates below) and will follow the Diocese of Hamilton’s Sacramental Guidelines for the Christian Initiation of Children (which can be found on their website, http://hamiltondiocese.com, by following the link Pastoral Offices and Catechesis).
To request and enroll for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, all candidates should attend one of the Masses on the weekend of December 1st and 2nd, the First Sunday of Advent:
Enrollment Ceremony Mass:
Sat. Dec. 1 at 5:00 p.m. OR Sun. Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m. OR 11:30 a.m.
During this Mass, Candidates will be asked to come forward after Communion
and present their completed form requesting the two Sacraments.
Preparation Meetings:
Candidates are expected to attend sessions 2 through 5. Parents are expected to attend three sessions (Jan. 9, Feb. 20 and April 24). There will be no opportunity to make-up missed sessions.
| Session: | Date: | Time: | Meeting for: |
| 1 | Wed., January 9 | 6:30 pm | Parents only |
| 2 | Wed., January 30 | 6:30 pm | Candidates only |
| 3 | Wed., February 20 | 6:30 pm | Candidates and Parents |
| 4 | Wed., April 3 | 6:30 pm | Candidates only |
| 5 | Wed., April 24 | 6:30 pm | Candidates and Parents |
The Sacrament of First Eucharist:
Sunday, May 26, 2019 2:00 pm for St. Mark’s students
Sunday, June 2, 2019 2:00 pm for St. Dominic’s students
Peace,
Fr. Steve Murrin
St. Mark’s Parish
2019 Confirmation (Gr. 7’s)
Posted by on September 25, 2017
A letter and blank form is sent home with each Grade 7 student attending St. Mark’s and St. Dominic’s Schools in November. If you did not receive this package, or if your child attends a different school, please pick up a package from the parish office.
November 2018
Dear Parents:
Grade 7 is the time, around age 12, when a person is eligible to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The Sacraments are sacred mystery and they are at the very root and life of the Church. Our faith teaches that through Sacrament, God becomes present to His Church in a unique way that calls the person receiving the Sacrament into relationship with Him. To be considered a full member of the Catholic Church, a person must have received the three Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. For this reason, this is a very important moment in the faith development of your child because it imparts a Catholic identity.
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life that unites us to one another, to the Church and to Christ Himself, “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” Therefore, if you are requesting the Sacrament of Confirmation for your child, as Catholic parents, I encourage you to take an active role in ensuring your son or daughter will have a sufficient understanding and be ready to receive the Sacrament next spring. Attending Sunday Mass and receiving the Eucharist is the single-most important thing you can do as a parent, and, in doing so, we enter into the life of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ.
The parish-based program will consist of five meetings (see dates below) and will follow the Diocese of Hamilton’s Sacramental Guidelines for the Christian Initiation of Children (which can be found on their website, http://hamiltondiocese.com, by following the link Pastoral Offices and Catechesis).
To request and enroll for the Sacrament of Confirmation, all candidates should attend one of the Masses on the weekend of December 1st and 2nd, the First Sunday of Advent:
Enrollment Ceremony Mass:
Sat. Dec. 1 at 5:00 p.m. OR Sun. Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m. OR 11:30 a.m.
During this Mass, Candidates will be asked to come forward after Communion
and present their completed form requesting the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Preparation Meetings:
Candidates are expected to attend sessions 2 through 5. Parents are expected to attend three sessions (Jan. 9, Feb. 3 and March 3). There will be no opportunity to make-up missed sessions.
| Session 1 | Wednesday, January 9 | 7:00 pm at the church | Parents only |
| Session 2 | Sunday, January 20 | following 11:30 Mass | Candidates only |
| Session 3 | Sunday, February 3 | following 11:30 Mass | Candidates and Parents |
| Session 4 | Sunday, February 17 | following 11:30 Mass | Candidates only |
| Session 5 | Sunday, March 3 | following 11:30 Mass | Candidates and Parents |
The Sacrament of Confirmation:
Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at 7:00 pm with Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI, D.D.
Peace,
Fr. Steve Murrin
St. Mark’s Parish
CONFIRMATION GOWNS:
All Grade 7’s will wear a red gown (robe) for Confirmation. St. Mark Parish will rent the gowns and distribute them in the parish hall 30 minutes before the Confirmation Mass. Please return the gown after the Mass (or after the photograph with the Bishop). We would kindly ask each family to contribute $10.00 to the parish to help defray the cost of these gowns. Donations can be sent to your child’s classroom teacher (cash, or cheque made payable to St. Mark’s Parish) or brought to the parish office, no later than March 1, 2019.
Legion of Mary
Posted by on October 4, 2016
Join the Legion of Mary!
The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and their neighbour on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries around the world.
New regular and auxillary members for the St. Mark’s Mary, Our Mother of Perpetual Help Praesidium are always welcome!
For more information, please contact: lomstmarks@gmail.com or COME TO ONE OF OUR MEETINGS, held Thursday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in the St. Matthew Room to learn about the Legion and how YOU can become a member!!
Book Borrowing Program
Looking to grow in your knowledge? Have great religious books and sacramentals you’d like to share with others? This year as part of the Year of Faith, our Legion of Mary has put together a Book Borrow Program on the shelves in the St. Matthew’s room. Our new book borrow is a great place for you to pick up free blessed sacramentals and borrow great Catholic books for as long as you’d like. Come and take a look at what is available during your next visit to the parish!
If you are interested in adding to the available books and sacramentals, or if you have any questions, please contact the Legion at: lomstmarks@gmail.com
Men’s Group
Posted by on June 12, 2015
FRIDAY MORNINGS AT 6:00 A.M.
Gather with other Christian men who want to grow their faith.
Although the focus of the discussion is usually a book – chosen from Sacred Scripture or a Spiritual Classic – the priority is prayer and building relationships as we grow closer to Christ.
If you are interested or have any questions please contact Bruce Cutting at 519-745-7490 or bruce@goldroast.ca or simply drop by the church at 6 am Friday mornings … we would love to have you join us!
Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration
Posted by on February 19, 2015
Come and spend some time each week with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Jesus “waits for us in this Sacrament of Love,” where He appeals to each one of us: “Could you not watch one hour with me?” (Matthew 6:40).
God cannot be found in noise and restlessness. See how the stars, the moon and the sun, move in perfect silence. The more we receive in silent prayer, the more we can give in our active life. If you are numb, down and out, weakened by life or simply need a quiet holy place to rest before the Lord, who loves you immensely, come visit our St. Therese of the Child Jesus Perpetual Eucharist Adoration Chapel. St. John Vianney once compared Eucharistic adoration to spiritual sunbathing. You are taking in the warmth of the grace and love radiating from the Sacred Host.
To be there for one hour every week CALL Colette Dokis at 519-576-7490.
WEEKLY CHAPEL EVENTS:
Perpetual Adoration: Spots open, see Chapel
Divine Mercy: Fridays 3:00 pm
Our Lady’s Rosary: 1st Saturday at 10:00 am
Benediction: 1st Sunday at 7:00 pm
Perpetual Adoration: Spots open, see Chapel
Divine Mercy: Fridays 3:00 pm
Our Lady’s Rosary: 1st Saturday at 10:00 am
Benediction: 1st Sunday at 7:00 pm
C.W.L. News
Posted by on January 9, 2015
St. Mark’s Catholic Women’s League Parish Council plans regular events to enhance the spiritual development of our members, support our parish community and provide opportunities for fun and fellowship.
The Catholic Women’s League of Canada is a national organization rooted in gospel values calling its members to holiness through service to the people of God. Over 91,000 League members across Canada provide a strong Catholic voice, presenting resolutions to all levels of government on issues touching the lives of all women and their families.
All ladies age 16 or older are welcome to join the C.W.L. We know the women of our parish lead busy lives. Even if you can’t regularly attend events, you can feel confident that your $25 annual membership fee supports the important work of this organization in our parish community and at the diocesan, provincial and national levels. We invite you to become a C.W.L. member and join us at as many or as few events that fit your schedule.
For more information, email stmarkcwl@gmail.com or drop by the C.W.L. table in the Narthex.
Knights of Columbus
Posted by on September 15, 2014
St. Mark’s Council 9276
MEETS MONTHLY
(4th Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.)
For more info, please visit: www.kofc9276.org
Parish Prayer Network
Posted by on June 8, 2014
St. Mark’s has a Prayer Network
Are you in need of prayer? If you are experiencing loss, sadness, illness or grief, if you are struggling with questions of faith or have a particular concern, please let us know. We have a dedicated group of people who will pray for your request. You can email your request to marysheartofprayer@gmail.com. Your request for prayer can be anonymous if you prefer.
LOOKING FOR FAITH-FILLED INTERCESSORS… If you have a heart for prayer and would like to pray for the confidential needs of others, please send an email to marysheartofprayer@gmail.com.
Lighthouse Catholic Media CD’s
Posted by on July 8, 2013
Available in the narthex: $5 each or $20 for five
We are sure these CD’s will be a blessing to you and your family.
The display kiosk will remain in the Narthex and new titles will continually be added.
Why not listen to them in the car? Of course the CD’s also make excellent gifts for family and friends, and can fit easily into a card. And, as CD’s are often passed on, you never know who might end up listening to them and how the faith may be spread!
