St. Mark Catholic Parish
"…The seed is sprouting and growing…" (Mark 4:27)
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Posted by on October 27, 2022
A Message from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
St. Mark’s Conference
October 2022
Dear Parishioners of St. Mark,
For many years the parishioners of St. Mark Church have supported those less fortunate in our own community through the support of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference here at St. Mark’s.
As you know, as a result of Covid-19, we were unable to continue providing food hampers to families. Food distribution became centralized through The Food Bank of Waterloo Region at that time and a new food distribution system continues to develop.
Our SVDP conference continues to work with the various agencies involved in any way that we can, and will revisit options on how best to use our resources in the future.
While much continues to be unsettled, we appreciate your past support and wanted to let you know what we can as our community needs are as great as ever.
Part of the new food distribution system is the use of community centers being run by the House of Friendship. We are currently in talks with the Forest Heights Community Center to see how we can pool our resources to aid families here in our community.
But for now, we are focused on Christmas. We will be assisting the House of Friendship with this year’s Christmas program by providing volunteers and the use of our parking lot on December 16th. In addition, we will provide financial assistance if possible. The number of families that can be supported through this program has been capped based on last year’s numbers. But they are expecting more calls this year so we have offered to provide direct assistance to an additional 20 families in our area.
Online registration for assistance with food or toys opens November 1st at www.christmassupport.ca. Separate forms must be filled out for food and toys.
You can again find a blue SVDP envelope in your box of offertory envelopes. Any donation you make is deeply appreciated and will be used in our efforts this Christmas.
Sincerely,
St. Mark’s Conference Members
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Available Food and Other Assistance Information
The Food Bank of Waterloo Region supports the Community Food Assistance Network – a system of 100+ community programs and agency partners.
A complete list of Hamper Programs, Community Center Food Distribution and Community Meals Programs can be found on their website:
www.thefoodbank.ca
and click on “Need Food?”
Alternatively, you can call:
519-743-5576 ext. 340
Included on this website for our area is:
Forest Heights Food Program
1700 Queens Boulevard
519-498-7328
This program runs weekly on Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
* Identification with name and address is required. *
If you require support for other non-food services you can
visit the webpage of Region of Waterloo Community Services:
www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/community-services.aspx#
Alternatively, you can call 519-575-4400 and ask for assistance.
The Region’s website provides access to many programs including:
Ontario Works ……….…….. 519-883-2100
Carizon Family Services ….. 519-743-6333
KW Counselling Services … 519-884-0000
The House of Friendship …. 519-742-8327
Salvation Army …………….. 519-745-4215
Men’s Group / That Man Is You!
Posted by on April 17, 2021
That Man is You!
returns Saturday mornings from
September 10, 2022 – April 2023.
returns Saturday mornings from
September 10, 2022 – April 2023.
That Man is You! honestly addresses the pressures and temptations that men face in our modern culture, especially those relating to their roles as husbands and fathers. The program harmonizes current social and medical science with the teachings of the Church and the wisdom of the saints to develop the vision of man fully alive! Visit www.tmiy.org for more information.
This year will feature a new multi-speaker format covering topics at the forefront of our Christian lives: The Life of Prayer, Sexual Ethics, Biblical Scholarship, Faith and Science, among others! It’s the best year yet and not to be missed.
Breakfast begins at St. Mark’s Parish Hall at 7:15 a.m. followed by a video presentation and group discussion. Contact ian.kangaloo@gmail.com with your questions or to sign up.
2022 First Holy Communion (Gr. 2’s)
Posted by on February 14, 2021
THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED ON NOV. 11 2021.
Catholic children in Grade 2 during the 2021-2022 school year are eligible to receive the sacrament in the Spring of 2022. If you would like your child to be included, please email Pam at the parish office (stmark@rogers.com) before January to add your name to our contact list. You will then receive regular updates about the preparation process via email.
2022 Confirmation (Gr. 7’s)
Posted by on February 14, 2021
THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED ON NOV. 11 2021.
Catholic students in Grade 7 during the 2021-2022 school year are eligible to receive the sacrament in the Spring of 2022. If you would like your child to be included, please email Pam at the parish office (stmark@rogers.com) before January to add your name to our contact list. You will then receive regular updates about the preparation process via email.
Financial Support
Posted by on February 12, 2021
Financial Support
If you are able, we hope you will consider continuing your financial support of the parish during periods of shut-down or reduced attendance. When we are unable to open our doors or are limiting attendance due to restricted capacity, it means we do not receive regular contributions to help us pay our bills – which continue to come in.
Three options are available for donating to St. Mark Parish:
Monthly Pre-authorized Giving through your bank account – perhaps the easiest method. You can request more information or enroll in this plan by emailing Pam at the parish office for a form (stmark@rogers.com).
Mail in your envelopes to the parish – 55 Driftwood Drive, Kitchener, ON N2N 3A2.
Online Giving (one-time or monthly) using your Credit Card, PayPal, or CanadaHelps Gift Card. This is done online through the Diocese of Hamilton and your tax receipt will also come from the diocese, but your donation goes to the parish. To use this method, please visit: www.hamiltondiocese.com/covid19parishfund and select *St. Mark Parish, Kitchener* from the drop-down menu (parishes are listed alphabetically by CITY).
Any of these methods would be truly and profoundly appreciated and would help the parish at a time of difficulty.
May God bless you for your generosity!
Virtual Mass
Posted by on May 5, 2020
TELEVISED MASS:
Vision TV
(To find your channel, enter your postal code and service provider at www.visiontv.ca)
Sunday 8:00 a.m.
Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m., 12 noon
Saturday 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m.
Salt+Light TV
Find your Channel or Watch Live
Sunday 11:00 a.m., 10:30 p.m.
Monday–Saturday 6:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 10:30 p.m.
YES TV
Find your Channel
Sunday 10:30 a.m.
Monday–Saturday 1:00 p.m.
ONLINE MASS:
Local Parishes
The diocese has gone to considerable effort to compile a list of local parishes who are uploading or streaming their own Masses.
As well, His Excellency Bishop Crosby will celebrate Sunday Mass from the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King, televised Sundays at 11:00 a.m. on Cable 14 and at 1:00 p.m. on CHCH TV.
YouTube
YouTube offers many channels that upload Daily and Sunday Masses. Here are two popular ones: Bishop Robert Barron and National Catholic Broadcasting Council
Knights of Columbus
Posted by on March 17, 2020
ST. MARK’S COUNCIL 9276
For current info and meeting dates, please visit: www.kofc9276.org
50-50 ONLINE RAFFLE
To purchase tickets:
- visit: https://www.kofcontario5050.com
- click the “Buy Tickets Now” button
- select your desired number of tickets and click the “Checkout” button
- fill in your Billing Information, and under “Organization” please select “Kitchener St. Mark’s 9276”
- then click “Continue”
- fill in your Payment Information and click “Submit Order”
- You will then receive an email from KofC Ontario with your Order Confirmation … this is your OFFICIAL TICKET and must be presented if you win, so keep it in a safe place. You will not receive any physical tickets.
C.W.L. News
Posted by on March 17, 2020
Do you wish you were part of a group that fed mind, body and soul? Do you yearn for a way to ‘right’ some of the ‘wrongs’ in today’s world? All that and so much more awaits for only $40 with a membership in St. Mark’s Catholic Women’s League! Gift memberships are also available for a special woman in your life. C.W.L. Membership Drive launches November 19/20, 2022. Talk to ladies in the Narthex for more information and to sign up, or contact Sue Sawchuk, Organization Chair at 519-277-1898 or email stmarkcwl@gmail.com.
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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 $30 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.
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.”
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.
October 11, 2022 Update:
The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for Adoration
Tuesdays through Fridays at the following times:
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Church
4:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel
St. Mark Catholic Parish 