Virtual Rosary Prayer Group

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20

We had over 100 people join last week. Let's continue every week until our Churches are able to reopen. Let’s pray together.

Thursday 8pm EST (Start Dialing in at 7:50PM **Keep Calling If Busy) Phone Dial in: 712-775-7031 Access Code#: 693689

' Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.'

The mission of St. Mark is to invite, inspire, educate, and lead people to know and love Jesus Christ; to understand and live their Catholic faith; to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel through love and service to one another.”

All Church Masses and Sacramental Events Have Been Suspended Until Further Notice. This Response Is In Compliance With Our Bishop and Government Health Agencies & To Do Our Part To Reduce The Spread Of This Virus and Maintain The Well Being Of Our Entire Faith Community.

1011 Eastwood Road Wilmington, NC 28403 Tel: (910) 392-0720 Fax: (910) 392-6777 www.stmarkcc.net Directory of Parish Staff New Parish Business Manager

Pastor — Fr. Gregory Spencer (910) 392-0720 Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Denise Leuci Vicar — Fr. Cesar Torres Martinez (910) 392-0720 as our new Parish Business Manager, effective

Pastoral Council, Chair — Bob Shields on Monday, April 13th, 2020. She is currently [email protected] serving as an Assistant Principal at St. Mark Finance Council, Chair — Ed Sordellini Catholic School, and we look forward to her [email protected] continued service to our entire parish St. Mark Catholic School, Principal — T. Burton (910) 452-2800 community- with the Church, School and all of [email protected] our associated ministries. She is certainly a School Admissions — Lisa Erling (910) 398-6532 [email protected] dedicated “Servant Leader” who will continue to

serve the needs of our parish. Church Office Staff:

Business Manager —Dennis Ihnat (910) 398-6526 As you know, we initiated a search in February [email protected] for a new Business Manager to replace Mr.

Pastoral Secretary — Mary Byrne (910) 398-6509 Dennis Ihnat, who has been serving that role in [email protected] a transitional capacity since November 2019. At

Office Secretary — Dawn Wood (910) 398-6508 that time, I asked Dennis to take on this [email protected] short-term role to help me steady the course for Youth Ministry — Melissa Quaranto (910) 398-6510 our parish until we find a permanent Business [email protected] Manager. He has done a terrific job in helping Children’s Faith Formation — Anne Doyle (910) 398-6511 [email protected] me out. I thank Dennis for his dedicated and diligent work in carrying out this short but big Music & Liturgy—Angela Daughtry (910) 398-6514 [email protected] task. I also want to thank the search committee

Campus Accountant & HR—Frank DeMonte (910)398-6512 members for helping me in the selection [email protected] process.

Sacraments & Preparation: Reconciliation (Confession) Most of you already know Mrs. Denise Leuci Wednesday: 6:00PM –6:30PM from her tireless work for our parish in many Saturday: 3:30PM - 4:30PM (or by appointment) Baptism, Matrimony & Funerals volunteer capacities and as Assistant Principal Mary Byrne (910) 398-6509 of our St. Mark Catholic School. Mrs. Leuci has [email protected] been a St. Mark parishioner since 1997 and a First Holy Communion — Anne Doyle (910) 398-6511 [email protected] faculty member since 2006 at St. Mark School. I am sure you will join me in giving Denise Confirmation — Melissa Quaranto (910) 398-6510 [email protected] Leuci a warm welcome to our parish as we

continue to focus on our shared Vision, Mission and Core Values. Online Parish: www.stmarkcc.net School: www.smcsnc.org Fr. Greg Facebook: www.facebook.com/stmarkwilm Instagram: @stmarkwilm Diocese: www.dioceseofraleigh.org United States Catholic Conference of Bishops: www.usccb.org USA Catholic News: www.cathnewsusa.com Wilmington Catholic Radio www.wilmingtoncatholicradio.com #StMarkParishILMStrong A Message from Our Pastor THE FOLLOWING PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES ARE Fr. Gregory Spencer TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED UNITL FURTHER NOTICE

Parish Rosary Happy Easter! Or is it? Even though today is Easter Sunday, it Join our Medjugorje Pilgrims in sounds a little strange to me to say Happy Easter when no one is in promoting the first of Mary’s church to rejoice! Now I know how the disciples must have felt when Five Stone Message: Prayer. All are they saw the empty tomb. Both disappointed and amazed. Today, we invited as participants or leaders. begin the long Easter Season of 50 days, meditating on the mystery of Christ's Resurrection. Perpetual Novena Join us for the Perpetual Novena in Our Gospel today tells us about the disciples' discovery of the honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous empty tomb. It concludes by telling us that they did not yet understand Medal. Bring all of your intentions to that Jesus had risen from the dead. Thus, the details provided are not Mary. Booklets are provided. necessarily meant to offer proof of the Resurrection. Rather the details invite us to reflect upon a most amazing gift, that is faith in Jesus and Vespers and Holy Hour his Resurrection. Join us for weekly Vespers and Holy Hour. Reconciliation is also available The empty tomb was first discovered by women. This is notable after the exposition of the because in first-century Jewish society women could not serve as Holy Eucharist. Contact legal witnesses. In the case of John's Gospel, the only woman Angela Daughtry for more attending the tomb is Mary of Magdala. Unlike the other three information accounts, John's Gospel does not describe an appearance of angels [email protected] at the tomb. Instead, Mary is simply said to have observed that the stone that had sealed the tomb had been moved, and she runs to alert Jesus asks us to love him by Simon Peter and the beloved disciple. Her statement to them is telling. spending one quiet hour with She assumes that Jesus' body has been removed, perhaps stolen. him in the Blessed She does not consider that Jesus has been raised from the dead. Sacrament. Increase his divine life within you and deepen your Simon Peter and the beloved disciple race to the tomb, personal relationship and friendship presumably to verify Mary's report. The beloved disciple arrives first with Him. but does not enter the tomb until after Simon Peter. This detail paints April Is Dedicated To a vivid picture, as does the detail provided about the burial cloths. (For the first time, the Shroud of Turin is being LIVE streamed this year The Holy Eucharist due to the Coronavirus). Some scholars believe that the presence of April Devotion the burial cloths in the tomb offers evidence to the listener that Jesus' Christ, hear us. body had not been stolen (it is understood that grave robbers would Christ, graciously hear us. God the have taken the burial cloths together with the body). Father of Heaven, Have Mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Today’s Gospel concludes, however, that even having seen the Have mercy on us. God the Holy empty tomb and the burial cloths, the disciples do not yet understand Spirit, Have mercy on us. about the Resurrection. In the passage that follows, Mary of Magdala April Prayer meets Jesus but mistakes him for the gardener. In the weeks ahead, Soul of Christ, be my sanctification; the Gospel readings from our liturgy will show us how the disciples Body of Christ, be my salvation; came to believe in Jesus' Resurrection through his appearances to Blood of Christ, fill all my veins; them. Our Easter faith is based on their witness to both the empty Water of Christ's side, wash out my tomb and their continuing relationship with Jesus—in his appearances stains; and in his gift of the Holy Spirit. Passion of Christ, my comfort be; O good Jesus, listen to me; Hopefully soon, we too will be able to assemble together into In Thy wounds I fain would hide; our empty church and truly rejoice as never before after a long Ne'er to be parted from Thy side; absence. Happy Easter, even if it is at home! Guard me, should the foe assail me; Call me when my life shall fail me; Bid me come to Thee above, Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam, With Thy to sing Thy love, Fr. Greg. World without end. Amen. More From Our Ministry Leaders #TogetherInChrist

Humor for Locked Down Just be careful because people are going crazy from being in lock down! Actually I've just been talking about this with the microwave and toaster while drinking coffee and we all agreed that things are getting bad. I didn't mention anything to the washing machine as she puts a different spin on everything. Certainly not to the fridge as he is acting cold and distant. In the end the iron straightened me out as she said everything will be fine, no situation is too pressing. The vacuum was very unsympathetic... told me to just suck it up, but the fan was more optimistic and hoped it would all soon blow over! The toilet looked a bit flushed when I asked its opinion and didn’t say anything but the door knob told me to get a grip. The front door said I was unhinged and so the curtains told me to ...... yes, you guessed it .....pull myself together.

My Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

I miss you and our Tuesday night gatherings in the name of our Lord and Savior. Let us pray that in God’s time we will soon resume.

This Palm Sunday, let us reflect on the blessings our Lord, especially for His passion, which opened for anyone who choses Him a pathway to everlasting life.

I’ve included, below, todays Daily e-Spiration. I send them to anyone who asks. Several of you are already on distribution. Occasionally, I ask if anyone else wishes to be added to the list.

Everyone on distribution is a Blind (Bcc) copy. If you wish to be added, please reply affirmatively; otherwise, you will not be added. If any of your friends wish to be added, please ask them to email the request to me. Those of you already receiving Daily e-Spirations need not confirm. You can request that your name be removed at any time.

This is another daily email I send to a Blind (Bcc) distribution list. It is a forward of the daily The Word Among Us meditation. “If you would like to receive a short ‘Daily e-Spiration’ message by email, please contact Wayne Hickerson at [email protected]. All distribution is Blind (Bcc) copied.” Daily Meditation and Scripture Readings 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Matthew 26:39

Lord, I offer this Prayer to the Sick: “Dear Jesus, Divine Physician and Healer of the sick, we turn to you in this time of illness. O dearest comforter of the troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow with your gentle love and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden. Dear God, we place our worries in your hands. We place our sick under your care and humbly ask that you restore your servant to health again. Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge your will and know that whatever you do, you do for the love of us.” Amen. Your Brother In Christ, Wayne Hickerson ATTENTION SHUT IN & ASK RISK PARISHIONERS The Knights of Columbus are offering to run errands (grocery & medication pick up) for our parishioners who are unable to leave their homes at this time due to compromised health and the Pandemic.

If you are in need of this service, please email Larry Greer at “[email protected]” Please pray for our Elect and Candidates as they wait for Baptism and Confirmation until we can come together and welcome them. There is already so much waiting in the RCIA process; they will need your support and spiritual encouragement as they try to stay patient! —Saint Mark’s RCIA

Bread For Life Needs Our Help: As most of you already know, "Bread for Life..." has become a non-profit ( 501c3) ministry ( Bread for Life Senior Pantry). We still provide low-income seniors with supplemental food and daily necessities. We serve any person 60+ years of age, living in New Hanover County. We have 4 food services each month,( at our108 N.Kerr Location ) and other pantry program components at other locations in the county. Our services are funded by private donations, grants and partnership with the CENC Food Bank in Wilmington. The average number of participants each month is 300. We have 68 dedicated volunteers who make this possible, and are devoted to our mission of Matthew 25:35. Thank all of you for your continuous prayers and/ or financial support.Our pantry is located at 108 N. Kerr Avenue ( phone 399-7207), and our mail comes to P.O. Box 12771, Wilmington,NC 28405. Contact name: Sue Kovaleski Phone: 409-8925 ( cell) or 399-7207 ( Bread for Life) Dates requested: Either April 19 or April 26 The Sharing Tree is GROWING with HOPE

The Sharing Tree Ministry began Project HOPE on Palm Sunday, April 5th as a fun and inspiring virtual way to spread love and HOPE during this time of Crisis. The first message of HOPE received was transcribed on a gold heart and placed on the top of the Tree, first. Pink hearts are messages of HOPE from your ministry. The Sharing Tree is anxiously waiting for YOUR message to be added to its branches. Let’s fill the Sharing Tree with Hope!!! Email your 1 (one) sentence prayer of Hope to

[email protected] Each message of Hope received is handwritten on a heart and posted on the Tree. The Sharing Tree will stay lit and grow with hearts until we are able to return to our church and worship together. When that wonderful day occurs, the Hearts on the Tree will be taken down and given to YOU as tokens of the spiritual connection and love we shared during this time of need. God BLESS YOU!

Monica Schindler September 11, 1939 – March 28 2020

On March 28, 2020 Monica M. Schindler, loving mother of six, passed away peacefully at the age of 80 after losing her battle to Cancer.

Monica was a long time resident of Wilmington N.C. And was grateful to be accepted back into the Catholic Faith as a parishioner of St. Mark Catholic Church. Monica prayed the rosary each and everyday. She will be missed terribly by her surviving family and friends.

She was predeceased by her son. Michael Miserendino and her husband Bill Schindler. We will miss you, we love you, Rest In Peace. YOUNG ADULT & YOUTH MINISTRY Melissa Quaranto Director of Young Adult and Youth Ministry Phone (910)398-6510 Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Happy Easter! He is Risen!

Junior Youth Ministry (JYM) Parents & Youth: Don’t forget to check your email each week for ways to work together as a family using that week’s theme!

Senior Youth Ministry (SYM) Parents & Youth: Join us for Sunday Night LIVE!

At 5pm: LifeTeen will host week 3 of the 4-week “Anchored” series on the theological virtues. This Sunday’s theme is “Victorious Love” and will feature Fr. Mike Schmitz and worship leader Andrew Laubacher. Join us at: LFTN.CO/LIFENIGHT

Weekly Challenge: Check in on a family member who is being affected (in any way) by the Coronavirus pandemic

Reflection on John 20:1-9 (From LifeTeen’s Easter Sunday Summit) How can we continue to deepen our relationship with God during the “high points” of our lives? How can we remain faithful to God during the “low points” of our lives? Have you ever witnessed or been given good news? What was the news? What was your reac- tion? Did you share this news with others? Why? Why do you think Mary went to the tomb in the first place? How did Peter and the other disciple react to Mary’s news? Why do you think they reacted that way? What do you think all three were thinking when they arrived at the tomb? What conclusions were they making? What kinds of difficulties do you think they ran into when sharing this news with others? How would you have dealt with those difficulties? Would you have preserved and continued to spread the news, or would you have succumbed to the difficulties and kept the news to your- self? Why?

SUMMER EVENTS: As of right now, Catholic Heart Work Camp and Steubenville Atlanta are still on. We will make you aware of any changes and update you as we are updated.

STAY IN TOUCH! Don’t forget to stay up to date by following us on Instagram @smccyouth, check your email, and join your Remind class (email me for the code)

We miss you and are praying for you! Hopefully we will all be together again soon!

“We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song!”

Melissa Quaranto Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry [email protected] @smccyouth

Confirmation has been postponed until a later date. We will update you as information is provided. CHILDREN’S FAITH FORMATION Anne Doyle Director of Children’s Faith Formation Phone (910)398-6511 Email: [email protected] John 20: 1-9 Witness To Faith Then the other disciples, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed. (John 20:8)

Living the Word: As we celebrate Easter Sunday, I need to mention how different this Easter is for us all. What is an Easter Sunday like without attending Mass and receiving Eucharist? How can we be joyful? Well, even though we are not able to attend in person at our churches, we are fortunate that we live in this day and age where technology brings the liturgy into our living rooms. Talk to your children about what do they see in the church that wasn’t there during the Lenten season. What color is the priest wearing and why? Can you see the new Paschal candle? We are called to be a joyful people! Even though we are not in the pews of our church, we can be singing and shouting, “Christ is risen, Alleluia!” So today, in this time where our church doors are closed, let us remember we are the domestic church. Watch Mass at home, decorate your home with flowers if you can, celebrate the joy of the Easter season. Even though we need to be keep social distancing for each other, perhaps your family can bring a special treat to a neigh- bor or friend. Bring flowers, or a sweet treat; leave it on their doorstep, ring the bell, and back away singing “Alleluia, alleluia, He is Risen”! And watch the joy on their faces!

Questions of the Week: Child: To whom could you tell the story of Jesus’ rising from the dead? Adult: How can you show this week that you truly believe in the resurrection of Jesus? Fun Facts for Catholic Kids: On April 16th, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Benedict Joseph Labre Benedict Joseph Labre was truly eccentric, one of God’s special little ones. Born in and the eldest of 18 children, he studied under his uncle, a parish priest. Because of poor health and a lack of suitable academic preparation he was unsuccessful in his attempts to enter the religious life. Then, at age 16, a profound change took place. Benedict lost his desire to study and gave up all thoughts of the priesthood, much to the dismay of his relatives. He became a pilgrim, traveling from one great to another, living off alms. He wore the rags of a beggar and shared his food with the poor. Filled with the love of God and neighbor, Benedict had special devotion to the Blessed Mother and to the Blessed Sacrament. On April 16, 1783, the last day of his life, Benedict dragged himself to a church in and prayed there for two hours before he collapsed, dying peacefully in a nearby house. Immediately after his death, the people proclaimed him a saint. Benedict Joseph Labre was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1881. He is the of the homeless. You can help the homeless and less fortunate by donating food to our Food Pantry box. When our church opens back up, please help us fill the pantry by bringing in canned and boxed non perishable items. Easter Blessings from Ms. Anne Alleluia! He is Risen! Alleluia! Happy Easter Season to all my families and their children! First, let me say I miss seeing each of you very much! I miss our weekly Wednesday gatherings at Faith Formation, or when I see some of you on the weekends. Even though we are not together at church at this time, it is joyous time now in our Catholic Church and in our Catholic faith! We might not be able to come together at St. Mark Church and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ together, but we can certainly do it at home by watching Mass online and also doing some special activities with our families. I sent many suggestions last week and hopefully parents, you have done some of them with your children. Let us also remember that the Easter season lasts for 50 days! So be joyful Easter people throughout this season. Sing Alleluia every night with your little ones! Praise God for all He has given us! Open your hearts to this joy and share this joy with others (of course from a distance)! God promises us eternal life! Alleluia! If you want to, please share with me pictures of how your family celebrated Easter Sunday! You can email me pictures to [email protected]. Blessings, prayers, and love to you and your families, Ms. Anne Pray for our Sick Lord our God, you give us strength and support Mass Intentions April 13 — April 19 Names will remain on the list for one month from the

time of request. Please call the office or email

[email protected] if you wish to renew. Mon 11:00 AM † Dion Jackel 12:00 Noon † William & Kathryn Klink Daniel Agnelli Francis Keenan Tue 11:00 AM † Timothy Klink Steven Agnelli Hazel Lanier 12:00 Noon † Bob Davenport Marie Basciano Cheryl Marek Wed 11:00 AM † Elizabeth Leonard 12:00 Noon † John Smith Toni Bellingrath Louis Mcclain Thurs 11:00 AM † Paul Janshego Jerry Berger Grace McQuillan 12 Noon † Bob Davenport Michelle Boggiano Max Morin Fri 11:00AM † Clara Carter Ed Boso George Pietraszko 12 Noon † Ruth Anne Boyles Sun 9:30 AM † John Rock, Sr. Lloyd Calkins Omaira Reid 11:00 AM Marie Basciano (Healing) Teresa Carney Val & Don Roberts Patricia Carroll Patricia Ryaczewski **We will contact you if your Mass was cancelled or Abby Coderre Bernadette Secondo you may email Dawn at [email protected] James (Jim) Fagan Maryann Skrapits Dave Fedora Henry Smith New Mass Intentions may be purchased with a Credit Card, Realm or Venmo Payment. Norine Ferko Lenny Szlarski Trish Fletcher Diane Tannenbaum Greg Foppe Bob Thomas Amanda Grimm Annelies Todd Stephen Grimm Felice Van Eron

Eduardo Gonzalez Geraldine Vasquez

Florence (Flo) Hough Mary Fran Watson KellyAnn Hough Holz Madelyne (Lyne) Welch Flowers and Sanctuary Candles are provided by Mary Ellen Humphrey Joseph Wells The St. Mark Parish. We pray for our deceased. Warren Johnson Linda Williams Especially Monica Schindler We offer a special prayer for those suffering from this And Henry Smith. Pandemic, whether from illness or financially. May all who have died, rest in peace. We pray for those working to care for our sick, medical staff, custodial staff, support staff. We pray for those who are keeping our grocery stores clean and stocked. May God Bless You.

The Saint Michael the Archangel Organization would like to invite all of Catholics to participate in the ONE MILLION ROSARIES FOR UNBORN BABIES prayer event for 3 days, May 1st, 2nd and 3rd, we are asked to pray at least one Rosary each day for an end to the surgical and non-surgical killing of unborn human persons. Raymond Cardinal Burke encourages all the faithful to seek the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe...by praying the Rosary for the protection of unborn human life through the campaign of the Saint Michael the Archangel Organization. In order to get an accurate count of the number of Rosaries that will be said, we are all encouraged to register the Rosaries we will pray online at www.SaintMichaelTheArchangelOrganization.org. For each Rosary you pray for this intention during these three days, enter that number online at the St. Michael site. Again, we will be praying for an end to abortion on the first three days of May, so that we may offer a million Rosaries to God and His holy angel, St. Michael, to save our precious unborn. For more information, please contact Judi Paparozzi at [email protected].

SPECIAL & SECOND Please Support Our Church COLLECTIONS Second Collection on During this time, when Masses are cancelled, we face challenges. We encourage April 26th is for the you to set up regular offertory on our new database program, Realm. If you need Catholic Home Missions. assistance, please email Dawn Wood at: [email protected]. Your contributions are appreciated. Or St. Mark’s website https://www.stmarkcc.net/ and clicking on “Donate”