SCHEDULE: Saturdays: 8:00am, 5:00pm - Vigil Sundays: 7:30am, 9:00am, 10:30am & 12:00 Noon Weekdays: 8:00am Holydays: 5:30pm - Vigil, 8:00am, 12:00 Noon & 7:00pm Confession Schedule: Saturday 3:30pm - 4:30pm

NEW PARISHIONERS WELCOME to our Parish Family! To be officially registered, please ask an Usher for a Census Card, fill it out and return it in person, or by mail.

500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, Connecticut 06614 Rectory Phone: 203-377-0444 / Fax: 203-386-8071 • Parish Website: www.saintmarkchurchstratford.org Religious Education Phone: 475-988-7581 • School Phone: 203-375-4291 PASTOR MATRIMONY Rev. Birendra Soreng Arrangements must be made with one of the priests at least 8

PAROCHIAL VICAR months in advance of the date before social plans are made. If Rev. Russell Augustine either party has gone through any form of civil or religious marriage with another person the priest is not permitted to set DEACONS a date for the wedding until the Bishop‘s office has been Deacon Andrew Dzujna consulted. Deacon F. Paul Kurmay Deacon T. Emmet Murray PREBAPTISMAL CLASS DIRECTOR OF MUSIC For those anticipating the birth and subsequent Baptism of Mr. Peter Nelsen (203-650-0768) their first children, class is held on the second Tuesday every other month. January, March, May, July, September, CANTOR Maria Damianou (203-377-0444) November at 7:30 p.m. in the Upper Room.

DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ROSARY Mrs. Patricia Nettleton (475-988-7581) Daily following the 8:00 a.m. Mass/Upper Room

YOUTH MINISTRY Mr. Jared Forcier (203-876-1621) CHOIR www.stmarkyouthgroup.org Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 p.m.

PARISH BUSINESS MANAGER ADORATION CHAPEL Mrs. Susan Lenahan (203-377-0444) The Chapel of Divine Mercy is open from Sunday 6:00 p.m.

PARISH SECRETARY through 10:00 a.m. Saturday 24 hours per day. Additional Mrs. Paula Mollica (203-377-0444) Eucharistic Adorers are always welcome. Please consider volunteering an hour of your time and contact Gary Tennyson ST. MARK SCHOOL at 203-953-1200/email [email protected] or Mr. Scott Clough, Principal (203-375-4291) R. Scott Goodfellow at 203-394-2248 and email

PARISH TRUSTEES [email protected]. Mr. Frank Bevacqua OFFICE HOURS PARISH COUNCIL Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Al Grassia, President (203-258-0668)

PARISH FINANCE OFFICER Mrs. Miriam Costa (203-380-8583)

.  { a           { í               { a  . C"            #   $   FIRST FRIDAY HOLY HOUR WILL BE HELD AT 5:30 IN THE CHURCH Saturday, January 26, 2019 thru Sunday, February 3, 2019 ST. MARK SCHOOL/ST. MARK PARISH: Please join the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Welcome Committee and the St. Mark School as we celebrate Week beginning Sunday, January 27, 2019. St. Saturday Mark School is hosting an —open house“ at the school in the 5:00 Dolores and Joseph Grosso & Joseph Ciccia Parish Center, and St. Mark Parish Welcome Committee is RB Family hosting an —open house“ in the Parish Hall to meet and greet Sunday existing, and potentially new, students and parents. St. Mark is 7:30 Tess Newbauer working very hard to bridge the gap between our school and our RB Tere and Bill Newbauer parish family. All are invited to stop by and say hello to parents 9:00 Nicholas V. Soares, Jr. and students. As the school and parish work to —join hands“ in RB The Henetz Family faith, the Welcome Committee will be hosting an all-morning 10:30 Joan Gorlo meet/greet in the Parish Hall after the Sunday masses. We are RB Husband serving light breakfast fare. This is also a great opportunity for 12:00 Anna May Kovac you to invite your family and friends who may have lapsed away RB Oliver Family from the faith to come meet us and sign-up as new members. Monday All our welcome! 8:00 Andrew Lauro RB Carmela and Carmine Pasacreta Tuesday 8:00 Anna Chupick RB Janet and Michael Collins Wednesday 8:00 All Parishioners Living and Deceased Thursday 8:00 Anna Chupick RB George and Pat Ross Friday 8:00 Daniel Cylwick RB Wanda and Krzysztof Iwaszkiewicz Saturday 8:00 Collective Intention 5:00 Margaret and Edward Keller RB Susan Monk Sunday ST. MARK SCHOOL: "St. Mark School is hosting an 7:30 Edith Benne Open House on Sunday, January 27th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 RB St. Mark Ladies Guild p.m. for grades Prek3 through 8th. All families are invited to 9:00 Wilfred Rodie tour the school, meet with faculty and students, and enjoy RB Edward and Josephine Burns some refreshments while learning more about the St. Mark 10:30 Irene and Frank Kelly difference. For more information please call 203-375-4291 or RB Family visit our website at www.stmarkschool.org. 12:00 Julia and Frank Poniatowski RB Family

LECTOR/EUCHARISTIC MINISTER SCHEDULE

Saturday, February 2: 5:00 p.m.: R. Korpita/J. McGovern (EM), M. Nelsen (L)

Sunday, February 3:

7:30 a.m.: S. Brown/J. DiPronio (EM), P. Nettleton (L) 9:00 a.m.: M. & N. Jankowski (EM), Children‘s Mass (L) 10:30 a.m.: J. Litzie/N. Maco (EM), D. Kikta (L) 12:00 p.m.: L. Baroni/L. Donovan (EM), R. Donovan (L)

UPCOMING EVENTS

January 27: Catholic School Week Begins! February 1: First Friday Holy Hour February 20: Bellarmine Lecture/Fairfield University February 3: Children‘s Mass February 9: A Day With Mary Retreat (Free) March 3: —LifeTeen“ Kick Off Mardi-Gras YEAR-END FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: Year-End March 4: Catholicism/Arts Lecture/Fairfield University Financial Statements have been mailed to parishioners whose April 4: Jewish/Christian Engagement Lecture/ annual contributions totaled $150 or more for the 2018 calendar Fairfield University year. All other statements may be obtained by contacting Susan April 10: 13th Annual Commonweal Lecture/ Lenahan in the parish office. Fairfield University June 19: —Wicked“ - Bus trip to theater/lunch July 12 : Steubenville East Readings for this Sunday may be found in Catholic Community Hymnal Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Section 586C KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: The Knights of Columbus men will continue to pray the Rosary on the 13th of each month for our priests and new vocations. This will end July 13, 2019. Please watch for times in the bulletin.

PARISH NURSES: The Parish Nurses will be taking blood pressure readings after all the Masses the weekend of February 16/17, 2019, at the front entrance of the church. Please stop by to get a reading and to turn in any outdated/unused prescription Online Giving Is Here !!! medications for destruction with the Stratford Police Department. We are set-up with OSV and our link to on-line giving. Step-by- step instructions for signing up for on-line giving are available on the new Saint Mark website, www.saintmarkchurchstratford.org. Click on the —Home“ page, wait for the on-line giving logo, and click on the —start here to sign up“ button. Follow the step-by-step instructions. You will be able to give your contribution to the parish online safely via an encrypted website.

ST. MARK WEBSITE: Our new website has been launched! Frank DeLorenzo and the members of his Communications Committee, along with Jared Forcier, have been working behind the scenes for months to bring us new and exciting features. LENTEN PRAYER AND FASTING: Mary Theotokos Staff photos, On-Line Giving, Youth Group News, an Events Center, 572 Lake Road, Newark, VT 05871, 802-467-3009, Calendar, an At-A-Glance calendar, and the Bulletins, just to invites you to consider a spiritual retreat in the Monastic mention a few things, are included in the website. We hope you Tradition. Visit them online at www.MaryTheotokosVt.org, or like the new —look“ and —content“ of our improved website, [email protected]. www.saintmarkchurchstratford.org.

CAMPS BERNADETTE & FATIMA: Camp Fatima for boys, and Camp Bernadette for girls, are now accepting registrations for the 2019 summer season. The camps, located in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, offer two-week overnight sessions for children, ages 6-15. For more information or to request a brochure, contact Brendan Stackhouse at 603-364- 5851, or email [email protected], or visit and register HANDS TO HEARTS NEEDLEWORK: The next meeting online at www.bfcamp.com. Please don‘t wait as sessions fill will be held on January 30, 2019,, in the Upper Room, at 1:00 quickly. The gift of a summer camp experience could be the p.m. If you knit, crochet, or quilt, or would like to learn, please ideal Christmas present for your child or grandchild! consider joining. New members are always welcome. Donations of acrylic yarn, or cotton fabric, are appreciated, and may be left in the Hands to Hearts donation box in the Upper Room. For the week of January 26, 2019 to February 2, 2019 The Sanctuary Lamp Glows For all the Living and Deceased Members of St. Mark Parish CHILDREN‘S MASS: The next Children‘s Mass with Children‘s Choir will be held Sunday, February 3, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. The Children‘s Masses are well attended, and our children, and their parents, work very hard to promote our Catholic faith.

ST. MARK SCHOOL BOTTLE AND CAN DRIVE: The next collection of recyclables will be on FEBRUARY 2, 2019, in front of the Parish Center, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., rain or shine! Our Stewardship of Treasure Sunday, January 20, 2019 $ 7,802 Sunday, January 21, 2018 $ 10,535 On-Line Giving January 19/20, 2019 $ 316 Readings for the Week of January 27, 2019 Sunday: Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10/Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15 [cf. Jn 6:63c]/1 SECOND COLLECTION SUNDAY Cor 12:12-30 or 12:12-14, 27/Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21 Sunday, January 27, 2019 Monday: Heb 9:15, 24-28/Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6 [1a]/Mk CHURCH IN LATIN AMERICA 3:22-30 Tuesday: Heb 10:1-10/Ps 40:2 and 4ab, 7-8a, 10, 11 [8a and 9a]/ Mk COLLECTION FOR THE CHURCH IN LATIN 3:31-35 AMERICA/CARIBBEAN: Bishop Caggiano is making a Wednesday: Heb 10:11-18/Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4 [4b]/Mk 4:1-20 prayerful request that the Diocese will continue to be generous Thursday: Heb 10:19-25/Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 [cf. 6]/Mk 4:21-25 in support of Francis‘s Collection for the Church in Latin Friday: Heb 10:32-39/Ps 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40 [39a]/Mk 4:26 America/Caribbean. As you know, is -34 taking place in Panama this year. The generosity of the Saturday: Mal 3:1-4/Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 19 [8]/Heb 2:14-18/Lk 2:22-40 is helping the people of the Archdiocese of or Panama to build relationships with one another, and with their Luke 2:22-32 peers throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Thank Next Sunday: Jer 1:4-5, 17-19/Ps 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15-17 [cf. you for sharing your faith with our brothers and sisters in 15ab]/1 Cor Latin America/Caribbean. Your support truly makes a 12:31-13:13 or 1 Cor 13:4-13/Lk 4:21-30 difference.

—Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared…“ (Nehemiah 8:10)

Ezra‘s instructions to the people show us that God does not forbid us from enjoying the good things in life. He wants us to be happy! However, God expects us to be grateful for all that He has given us and to generously share our blessings with those who are in need without expecting anything in return. Adoration Chapel Schedule

CHAPEL SNOW CLOSINGS: When snow or bad weather forces the closing of the Adoration Chapel, we will announce the closing on WICC 600AM radio and post the news on CTWEATHER.com (under closings in Public Organizations). In general, the Chapel will be closed anytime the Stratford Public Schools are closed. If at any time during the winter you feel you should not drive to the chapel, please stay home and be safe.

Pray for: Claire Duff, Marta Kosh, Marilyn Bedford, Stephanie Leko, Ava Christine Gallant, Peter Kiman, Jr., Marie Orlowe, Linda Bates, Janet Onze, Robert Haborak, Lillian Butler, Jason Swarbrick, John Hoffman, Eleanor Somma, Abigail Feehan, Lucille Guglielmoni, Lillian Koegler, Michael Petro, Rose Kovach, Christopher Rascoll, Mark Klizas, Jenna Strickland, Julia, Jyllian Golias, Leo, Pauline DelleFontane, JoAnn Battistoni, Amanda LaPrade, Ann, Jeffrey, Glenn Derbyshire, Harold Warner, Helen Elias, Theresa Mollica, Liana Lowman, Richard Smith, Maurizio Marchese, Thomas and Loretta Foley, Jennifer Hadlock, Kina Silva, Matt Nolting, Alan Lynn, Nicholas Genga, Robert Noonan, Will McKelvey, Samuel Mulford, Bill and Carolyn Novotny, Peter Uzzi, Anne Fahy, Blaise Vitale, Dayna Reed, Ethan Ortega, Fedare Hromjak, Debbie Smelaglno, John Hagas, Shirley Burr, Dolores Larracuente, David Marson, Tommy King, Helen Mills, Richard Silva, Lucille Appleby, Thomas Ettorre, Jr., Robert Ligouri, Rosalina Staltaro, Frank and Barbara Smith, Carolyn Purchowicz, Florence Langdon., Christopher Hayes, Bob Blozzon, Mike Nemeth.

Edward Burns Ruth Curley Mark Christopher Malone Concetta Pape James Rafferty STEUBENVILLE EAST 2019 œ July 12-14, 2019: Teens in WE ARE HAPPY TO WELCOME Emmet Patrick Crowley, grade 8-12, you are invited to join St. Mark SYG to go to recently baptized into the community of the Church, and to a Steubenville East this summer! Don‘t wait to register for this life new, loving relationship with our Lord, Jesus Christ. -changing event. Hear dynamic speakers, experience the power of the Sacraments, and have fun with over 3000 other teens from all over the northeast! Cost is $330 per person and includes all A DAY WITH MARY: A free Marian Eucharistic Day conference materials, t-shirts, meals, and lodging. Scholarships Retreat with the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, Christ the are available. $50 deposit required to reserve your spot, please King Church, 4700 Madison Avenue, Trumbull, CT 06611, register ASAP before the spots fill up!. Contact Jared Forcier for February 9, 2019, 8:45 a.m. œ 3:00 p.m. Inclement weather more information: 203-876-1621 or check status www.daywithmarywest.org. Retreat is Free; please [email protected]. Take a leap of faith, you won‘t be bring a bag lunch. The day includes: Holy Mass, Confession, disappointed Exposition & Benediction, Marian Procession, Rosary,  Conferment of the Miraculous Medal, Fatima video, Conferment of the Brown Scapular, and talks by the Franciscans. Free miraculous medal at www.daywithmarywest.org. Facebook: DWMWest.

CONNECTICUT HOSPICE œ VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The Connecticut Hospice, Inc., homecare division is recruiting new volunteers. If you or someone you know is looking for an opportunity to serve others in your community, we would like to hear from you. Our patients and families are in need of your care and support. We are looking for volunteers to drive patients to and from appointments, companionship, certified pet therapy, and massage therapy. We also have clerical roles available in our homecare office. For more information, please contact Joan YOUTH MUSICIANS: As St. Augustine said, —Those who Cullen at 203-315-7510 or [email protected]. sing, pray twice.“ Ascension, our youth contemporary band, is looking for vocalists and instrumentalists! The group provides FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY œ CATHOLIC STUDIES œ music at our monthly Youth Mass, as well as supporting our Life SPRING EVENTS: Fairfield University Catholic Studies Teen program and other engagements. If you are musically welcomes all parishioners to attend its free lectures. Their inclined and would like to share your talent with the St. Mark mission is to promote an understanding and appreciation of the parish community, please contact Jared Forcier at Catholic tradition. Their spring schedule is as follows: [email protected] for more information and to apply! 2019 Bellarmine Lecture: —Saving the Earth: Ethics, Health Care and the Common Good.“ Wednesday, February 20, 2019, 7:30 p.m. Dolan School of Business Dining Room.

2019 Catholicism and the Arts Lecture: —Art, Sacrament and Poetry.“ Monday, March 4, 2019, 4:30 p.m. Dolan School of Business Dining Room.

Jewish/Christian Engagement Lecture: —Female Faith Leaders in Collaboration: Rabbis, Nuns, and Ministers for (Nearly) 50 Years.“ Thursday, April 4, 2019, 7:30 p.m. Dolan School of WORLD YOUTH DAY 2019: World Youth Day is an event Business Dining Room. for young people organized by the Catholic Church. This year, World Youth Day will be held on January 22 œ January 27, 2019, 13th Annual Commonweal Lecture: —The Last Catholic in Panama. World Youth Day was initiated by Pope John Paul II Boyhood.“ Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 7:30 p.m. Dolan School in 1985. Its concept has been influenced by the Light-Life of Business Dining Room. Movement that has existed in since the 1960s. The 1995 World Youth Day closing Mass in the Philippines set a world record for the largest number of people gathered for a single AN AFTERNOON OF PRAYERFUL REMEMBRANCE religious event with five million attendees– a record surpassed & INTERCESSION: Women, men, families, health care when six million attended a Mass celebrated by in providers, all of us, directly or indirectly, have been impacted the Philippines 20 years later in 2015. Please pray for Jessica by abortion. In response, as we observe the 44th Anniversary Martinez, St. Mark Parishioner, who is attending WYD 2019. of Roe v. Wade, we gather to pray and to seek healing and forgiveness. Saturday, February 2, 2019, 10:00 a.m. œ 1:00 p.m., Basilica of St. John the Evangelist, 279 Atlantic Street, A VISION FOR LOVE AND MARRIAGE IN OUR TIME! Stamford, CT. For more information, contact Maureen

th Ciardiello, Coordinator of Respect Life, Celebrating the 50 Anniversary [email protected] or 203-416-1445. of the promulgation of Humane Vitae an encyclical on love, life and marriage. ST. MARK YOUTH GROUP: Our Youth Group needs Sponsored by the Franciscan Life Center empty cardboard boxes (medium to large size) for their Saturday, February 16, 2019, 8:30 a.m. -5:00 p.m. upcoming Mardi Gras party. If you have any cardboard boxes Sunday, February 17, 2019, 10:00 a.m. œ 4:00 p.m. or sheets you can donate, please contact Jared Forcier at 275 Finch Avenue, Meriden, CT 203-984-6037 or [email protected]. Thank you! $65.00/ adult for both days, lunch included.

To register visit flcenter.org or franciscanhc.org FREE BOOKS: There is a box of free books in the Upper Call: 203-237-8084 for more information Room. The books relate to religious, cooking, and gardening topics. SOCIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE SAVE THE DATE: We invite parishioners to save the date and join us for a bus trip to NYC to see —Wicked“ and have a bite to eat at Carmine‘s Restaurant, Wednesday, June 19. A flyer and further details will be coming soon. For information, contact Ruth Masso at telephone 203-378-1878. Dinner And Wicked Wednesday, June 19th 2019 The Saint Mark’s Social Events Committee is sponsoring an all-inclusive trip to Broadway to view a matinee presentation of Wicked, including dinner at Carmine’s upper west side. Join us for a good time; fun with friends, a great show and dinner in NYC.

Price is $229 per person – orchestra seats. Bus leaves Saint Mark’s parking lot at 9:00 a.m. Space is limited, reserve your seat now!

Complete the form below and mail or deliver to the rectory office: 500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, CT 06614. Make checks payable to: Saint Mark Church. Questions or details contact Ruth Masso – 203-378-1878 ------Name: ______Address: ______Phone: ______No. persons: ______x $229 ea Total enclosed: $______

$25,000 Tuition Raffle for any school: Fairfield College Preparatory School is proud to again present our $25,000 Tuition Raffle. The prize can be used for ANY K-12 schools, colleges or universities or pay back of college loans. The prize is to be paid directly to any K-12 schools, colleges or universities or the financial institution that holds your school loans. Schools must be located and accredited in the U.S. Only 1,000 tickets will be available at $100 per ticket. (500 tickets must be sold for the raffle to proceed. If fewer than 500 tickets are sold, the raffle will be canceled and the ticket purchasers will receive a full refund.) Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Scholarship Fund at Fairfield Prep. The drawing will be held at the Spring Event on Saturday, May 4, 2019 promptly at 10:15 p.m. in the Student Life Center, Fairfield Prep. Winning ticket holder does not need to be present to win. For more information please contact the Development Office at (203) 254-4237 or [email protected].

THANK YOU: Thanks to our volunteers who helped to mail the Financial Statements: Janet Collins, Gail Liscio, Judy McGovern, and Arlene Wojnarowski.

PACKED HOUSE! The 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday, January 19, was packed due to the report of inclement weather for Sunday the 20th.

Here‘s a little sun to warm us up while we work our way through winter!