Services February 26, 2020

 7:00am—Service of Ashes (No Mass)  8:30am—Mass with Ashes  12:00pm—Service of Ashes (No Mass)  6:00pm—Bilingual Mass with Ashes

There will be No Vespers on Ash Wednesday

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.” Masses: Confessions: Sat. 5PM, Sun 7:30AM, 9:30AM, Wed 6-6:30PM 11:30AM & 1:30PM (en español) Sat 3:30-4:30PM Mon-Fri 8:30AM, Tuesday 6PM or by appointment Thurs 6:30PM (en español)

1011 Eastwood Road Wilmington, NC 28403 Tel: (910) 392-0720 Fax: (910) 392-6777 www.stmarkcc.net Directory of Parish Staff Calendar of Events Monday, 2/17 Pastor — Fr. Gregory Spencer (910) 392-0720  9:15 AM—Chapter by Chapter (Room 7) Vicar — Fr. Cesar Torres Martinez (910) 392-0720  6 PM—Cub Scouts Troop 215 (Parish Hall & Room 2)

 6:30 PM—Adult Scripture Study (Room 7) Pastoral Council, Chair — Bob Shields [email protected] Tuesday, 2/18 Finance Council, Chair — Ed Sordellini  6 PM—Bell Practice (Room 5/6)  6 PM— 4th Degree (Parish Hall) [email protected]  6:30 PM—Exodus 90 (Rooms 3 & Evang. A) St. Mark Catholic School, Principal — T. Burton (910) 452-2800  7 PM—Bible Study, Bible & Mary (Evang. Rm B) [email protected]  7 PM—Deanery SET Meeting (Room 7)

School Admissions — Lisa Erling (910) 398-6532 Wednesday 2/19 [email protected]  9 AM— Our Lady’s Rosary Makers (Room 5/6)  4:15 PM—Elementary Faith Formation (Various)

 5:30 PM—Vespers Church Office Staff:  5:45 PM—JYM Dinner & Games (Parish Hall) Business Manager —Dennis Ihnat (910) 398-6526  6 PM—RCIA Inquiry (Evang. Room A) [email protected]  6:30 PM—Junior Youth Ministry (Parish Hall)  6:30 PM—RCIA (Room 7) Pastoral Secretary — Mary Byrne (910) 398-6509  6:30 PM—Empty Cradle (Room 2) [email protected]  7 PM—Hispanic Chorale (Room 5/6)

Office Secretary — Dawn Wood (910) 398-6508 Thursday 2/20 [email protected]  6:30 AM—Men’s Prayer Group (Room 7)  9:00 AM—Bible Study Acts (Evang. Room B) Youth Ministry — Melissa Quaranto (910) 398-6510  9:15 AM—Cenacle Prayers for Respect Life [email protected]  9:30 AM—Women’s Faith Journey (Room 2)

Children’s Faith Formation — Anne Doyle (910) 398-6511  9:30 AM— (Room 7) [email protected]  11 AM—Women of the Word (Evang. Room B)  6:30 PM—Boy Scouts Troop 215 (Parish Hall) Music & Liturgy—Angela Daughtry (910) 398-6514  6:30 PM—Troop 215 Scouts BSA /Girls (Room 3) [email protected]  7 PM—Knights of Columbus Gen. Business Mtg (Evang. B)  7 PM—Columbiettes Auxiliary Meeting (Room 7) Campus Accountant & HR—Frank DeMonte (910)398-6512  7 PM—Choir Rehearsal (Room 5/6) [email protected]  7:30 PM—Men’s Outreach Basketball (Gym)

Sacraments & Preparation: Friday 2/21 Reconciliation (Confession)  9 AM— Eucharistic Adoration (Chapel) Wednesday: 6:00PM –6:30PM  9 AM—Catechesis of Good Shepherd (Old Library) Saturday: 3:30PM - 4:30PM (or by appointment)  9 AM— (Evang. Room A) Baptism, Matrimony & Funerals  9:15 PM—Fiat 90 (Room 7) Mary Byrne (910) 398-6509 [email protected] Saturday 2/22  6 AM—That Man Is You (Rooms 5/6 *This Week Only*) First Holy Communion — Anne Doyle (910) 398-6511  7 AM—Marriage Prep Workshop (Parish Hall) [email protected]  8 AM—Men’s Fellowship (Room 7 & 3)  10 AM—Saturday AM Bible Study (Room 3) Confirmation — Melissa Quaranto (910) 398-6510  10 AM—Secular Discalced Carmelites (Evang B & Library) [email protected]  4:30 PM—Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Old Library)  6:30 PM—Hispanic Meeting (Room 2)

Online Sunday 2/23 Parish: www.stmarkcc.net  8:00 AM—Little Lambs (Room 6) School: www.smcsnc.org  9:30 AM—Children’s Liturgy of the Word (Room 5) Facebook: www.facebook.com/stmarkwilm  12:30 PM—Spanish Sacrament Prep (Room 2) Instagram: @stmarkwilm  5 PM—Senior Youth Ministry (Parish Hall, 5/6, 2, 3)

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 Parish Rosary A Message from Our Pastor Saturdays 4:25pm Fr. Gregory Spencer Sundays 8:55am and 10:55am Join our Medjugorje Pilgrims in For this Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we continue with promoting the first of Mary’s Five Stone Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount on the Way of Life in the kingdom of Message: Prayer. All are invited as heaven. Today’s reading deals with the Law. participants or leaders. When Matthew speaks of “the Law and the prophets,” he actually Perpetual Novena means the whole Scripture. When the Messiah brings the fullness of the Tuesdays after 8:30am Mass kingdom, none of scripture will be done away with. Instead it will be Join us for the Perpetual Novena in fulfilled through Jesus. He does not overturn the Law of Moses, nor does honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous he set his followers free from the Law. He requires his followers to go Medal. Bring all of your intentions to beyond the Law by doing more than the Law requires. Mary. Booklets are provided. The Law condemns murder, anger, adultery and fraud. Jesus condemns even lustful looks. As Jewish Christians who had always been Vespers and Holy Hour faithful to the Law Matthew’s community need a way to understand the Wednesdays 5:30pm difference Jesus and the kingdom he brings have made. They affirmed that Join us for weekly God had always been at work in history through “the Law and the Vespers and Holy Hour. Reconciliation prophets.” But God’s work goes beyond that to be embodied by the is also available after the exposition of Messiah who reveals the definitive will of God. The written scriptures and the Holy Eucharist. Contact Angela their interpretation in tradition are surpassed by Jesus whose life and Daughtry for more information [email protected] teaching are the definitive revelation of the will of God. PS- Today, we welcome Emilie Hart, the director of Catholic Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Charities of the Cape Fear Deanery. She will speak at all the Masses about Fridays 9AM - 9PM how benefits from the funds raised from Bishop’s Jesus asks us to love him by Annual Appeal. Last weekend, we kicked-off the 2020 BAA with Deacon spending one quiet hour with Matthew, who spoke about how BAA funds our seminarians. If you have him in the Blessed not contributed yet or in the past, this is the time to fill out the BAA pledge Sacrament. Increase his divine life card and help the many different ministries the BAA funds. St. Mark’s within you and deepen your personal goal is the same as last year, which is $206,911. Please be generous and relationship and friendship with Him. pray for the success of our BAA this year. Thank you for your generosity! ***Registration for 24 Hour Adoration Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam, Fr. Greg. is Requested. Book by Chapel***

February Is The Month of The Holy Family

February Devotion Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul; Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony; Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.

February Prayer Grant unto us, Lord Jesus, ever to follow the example of Thy holy Family, that in the hour of our death Thy glorious Virgin Mother together with Joseph may come to meet us and we may be worthily received by Thee into everlasting dwellings; who livest and reignest world without end. Amen. News & Announcements New Parishioners “Welcome & Social Committee” We would like to welcome After four years of service, Liz Roesel will be resigning from the you to St. Mark. If you are interested in registering and joining our Chair of the Welcome & Social Committee, effective February 15. Parish, please complete a registration form She thanks you all so much for your time, support, and energy, (located outside the Church Office), by whether you volunteered with her committee or attended one of their emailing [email protected] requesting to join or by stopping into the Church Office events. (M-F from 9AM-4PM). If you decide to join us, we ask that you will consider giving your time, talent and treasure for the Lord’s Win A 7 Day/6Night Trip To Ireland For 4! work. If you have any questions, please The Ancient Order of Hibernians is once call the Church Office Secretary at again raffling off a trip for 4 to Ireland. (910) 398-6508. The trip includes: Round trip airfare to Shannon, B&B lodging, rental vehicle , and $250 Bulletin Submission requests must be per person “mad money” emailed to [email protected] by noon on Tuesday, 11 days in advance of the Raffle tickets are $100 each. A maximum of 200 tickets will be sold. Think of sharing weekend publication. All submissions the cost of the ticket. If 150 tickets are not sold, the prize will revert to a 50/50. Ticket must have a contact name, phone # and sales cutoff date is April 1, 2020 and the drawing will take place on Wednesday, dates requested to be in the bulletin. April 8, 2020. Beginning in February tickets will be sold at St. Mark and St. Mary after Articles are limited to 100-150 words & Masses or you can mail a check for $100 payable to AOH Div.1 to Rich Coyle, 1004 must include the who, what, where, when Plumleaf Ct., Leland, NC 28451 or call Rich at 910-274-8390. As soon as a check is & why. A summary/result article with facts & figures should be submitted within one received, a ticket will be mailed to you. week of the event’s completion. Thank The Ancient Order of Hibernians and The Ladies Ancient you for your cooperation. Order of Hibernians are looking for new members. To become a member one must be at least 16 years old, a practic- Baptism requires a minimum of 30 days ing Catholic, Irish by birth or descent, legally adopted, the wife notice to complete the requirements and to or mother of a Hibernian, or a member of a religious order. Our schedule. Please contact the Pastoral motto is Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity. If interested Secretary at (910) 398-6509 or please contact either Pat Dagnon at 608-732-4715 [email protected]. or Connie McEnaney at 910-686-5498/cell 910-264-1631 for the Ladies and Steve McEnaney Engaged couples must contact the office at 910-686-5498 for the gentlemen. six months prior to their planned wedding date to enter Pre-Wedding preparation. Guest Speaker Laura Phelps Please contact the Pastoral Secretary at Saturday February 29th (910) 398-6509 or [email protected]. 10am-12:30pm in The Parish Hall

Hosted by St. Mark Ministry Curious about the Catholic “Walking With Purpose” The topic Faith? Wondering? of this talk is “Women’s Everyday Seeking A Welcome? Battles and How to Win Them.” Saint Mark's process of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) can help Registration Requested—Contact: Susan DiParisi at you. If you have questions about the 973-960-5044/ email: [email protected] or Anne Moran Catholic faith, please drop by for at 910-616-3342/ email: [email protected]. Inquiry any Wednesday evening at 6:00pm in Evangelization Room A, or contact Paul Townend (910) 386-6468 or  Refreshments will be served. [email protected].  Childcare available-reservation required. 2020 INTERNATIONAL St. Patrick’s Day Dinner/Dance Hosted by Fr. James E. Waters FOOD FESTIVAL Council 12017 St. Mark Church’s International Food Festival Saturday March 14, 2020 is an annual event enjoyed by the entire 6pm - 11pm St. Mark’s Our Lady of Victory Activity Center Wilmington community. The generous contributions from our Sponsors and Donors Dinner catered by the Middle of the Island serving Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potatoes/Carrots, Spinach underwrite the cost of the event enabling us to Strawberry Salad, Penne Pasta, Corn Bread, and Green donate ALL proceeds to St. Mark Catholic Bean Almondine. Beer, Wine, Soda, Ice Tea, Water and School Tuition Assistance and Vigilant Hope. Dessert

Thank you in advance for your generosity. Entertainment featuring The Imitations Many Blessings, Carolyn Landenberg, Only 300 tickets are available, sorry no walk-ins. Director of Sponsorship, [email protected], Buy your tickets now because we will sell out. Proceeds to fund the Knights of Columbus various (910) 398-6552. charities. Raffle baskets and 50/50 raffle

Tickets are $35/person Order Tickets Online https://kofc12017.org For specific requests, send an email (with your order number) to the address below. E.g., "Add us to the O'Sullivan group".

For more information, Email [email protected]

Set Sail with The Holy "You are cordially invited to join the women of St. Mark for Trinity Catholic Kids Camp a monthly evening of reflection, prayer, and community. As Catholic women, we want to build a community based in St. Mark Catholic Church Scripture and prayer. During each meeting we will reflect is hosting a Catholic Kidz on God's Word, pray together, and grow in friendship. Our first meeting will be Tuesday, February 18 at 7pm at Camp Program called: Katherine Prezioso's apartment. If you are interested, Set Sail with The Holy Trinity please text 910-939-0424 or email [email protected] for for children 3 years old through rising 5th grade. the address." The program will be held on: Congratulations to nd th Dates: June 22 – June 26 Vaugh C. Pusey Times: 9AM ‐ NOON who earned his Locaon: St. Mark Catholic Church, Eagle Scout Award Parish Hall last weekend, Don’t miss out on this spiritual adventure of a February 8, 2020. lifetime! Registrations will be open soon! Vaugh has been a long Questions? Contact Anne Doyle at time member of (910) 398-6511 OR [email protected] Boy Scout Troop 215. FAITH FORMATION Melissa Quaranto Director of Young Adult and Youth Ministry Phone (910)398-6510 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Young Adult Ministry is for young adults in their 20’s or 30’s, married or single, with or without kids who are interested in exploring a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through fellowship and formation in the Catholic Faith. Events we host:  Theology on Tap: A monthly fellowship and lecture series designed to educate and promote discussion on various topics. Our next Theology on Tap is March 27 following Stations of the Cross.  Young Adult Disciples Night: The first Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm, following 6pm Mass, in the parish hall. We have dinner, drinks, recorded talk and discussion. Our next Disciples Night is Tuesday, March 2  Small Groups: Contact [email protected] if you’re interested in joining a small group!  Mommy and Me play group: Meets the first Friday of every month at 9am in the nursery. We’ll meet again on Friday, March 6!

For more information and/or ways to get involved in community outreach, contact: [email protected] or join our Facebook group YAASM and follow us on Instagram @smccyam

Please pray for our youth and adults attending the John 6:35 Retreat this weekend!

Upcoming Dates: Junior Youth Ministry (JYM) for anyone in grades 6-8 meets on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:45pm. Feb. 19: JYM 6:30-7:45pm Feb. 26: NO JYM: Attend Ash Wednesday Mass as a family **Each week youth are invited to arrive as early as 5:45pm for dinner. Just bring $5 and rsvp to [email protected]

Senior Youth Ministry (SYM) for anyone in grades 9-12 meets most Sundays from 5-6:30pm. Confirmation preparation is part of Senior Youth Ministry. CrossWalk is our post-Confirmation youth group! Feb. 16: SYM 5-6:30pm *CrossWalk attends Jungle Rapids Social Feb. 23: SYM 5-6:30pm March 1: SYM volunteers downtown with First Fruit Ministry, 6-8pm

Catholic Heart WorkCamp Summer Mission Trip: We are going to Charleston, SC Jun 21-27. There are

only TWO spots left! Contact Melissa ([email protected]) if interested in attending.

Important dates for Confirmation: March 29 at 2pm: Mandatory “Afternoon of Reflection” April 19 at 3pm: Confirmation Rehearsal April 21 at 6:30pm: Confirmation Liturgy @smccyouth **Don’t forget to schedule your “Confirmation Interview”**

Anne Doyle Director of Children’s Faith Formation Phone (910)398-6511 Email: [email protected] 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Matthew 5: 17-37 Jesus said, “so when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5: 23-24)

Living the Word: In Matthew’s Gospel today, Jesus is reminding us that we need not only to understand God’s Laws, but to follow the Law in our hearts. When we do this, we build up our relationship with others and most importantly with God. This week, remind your family to pay attention on how they use their words. Are they being honest with one another? With their classmates? Their friends? Talk to your children why truth and honesty are important to good, healthy personal relationships.

Questions of the Week: Child: When have you taken the first step to make up with someone? Adult: When in your life have you been able to keep the spirit as well as the letter of God’s Law? Fun Facts: On Saturday, Feb. 22nd, it is the feast day of the Chair of St. Peter. The chair? Well, back in the early days of the Church, each Christian would celebrate a “spiritual birthday” --- the day he or she was baptized into the Church. In the same way, a bishop celebrated the day he became and bishop and took over the bishop’s chair in his cathedral. So on Feb. 22nd, we celebrate the occasion of Saint Peter taking over the “chair” as head of the Church on earth. Do you know what day YOU were baptized? Ask your parents to tell you about the day you were baptized ---- and then make sure to celebrate your “spiritual birthday” every year!

Weekly Gifts Feb. 8th & 9th

To Set Up or Edit Recurring On Line Giving Identifiable Gifts $ 25,888 SPECIAL & SECOND Unidentifiable Gifts 2,641 or to receive a Realm invite, please contact Weekly $ 28,529 COLLECTIONS the parish office. Budget YTD $1,084,500 The second collection We will be happy to help you with the process. Actual YTD $ 990,619 on Ash Wednesday Unfavorable ($ 93,881) One Time Gifts may be set up on line by going (February 26th) is for Building Fund Eastern Europe. to St. Mark’s website https://www.stmarkcc.net/ Budget YTD $ 63,500 and clicking on “Donate” Actual YTD $118,576 Your contributions or going to the link Favorable $ 55,076 are appreciated. Combined Total https://onrealm.org/stmarkcc/Give Budget YTD $ 1,148,000 Actual YTD 1,109,195 Unfavorable ($38,805) Pray for our Sick Lord our God, you give us strength and support

Names will remain on the list for one month from the Mass Intentions February 17— February 23

time of request. Please call the office or email

[email protected] if you wish to renew. Mon 8:30 AM † Debbie Waldinger Tue 8:30 AM † Thuan Tran 6:00 PM Daniel Griffin (Special Intention) Wed 8:30 AM † Joseph P. Flannery Thurs 8:30 AM † Brian Ennis 6:30 PM Jason Londa (Birthday) Daniel Agnelli Fri 8:30 AM † Reynold Carrera Sat 5:00 PM † Thomas Higgins Marie Basciano 6:00 PM Toni Bellingrath William Perrault Sun 7:30 AM † Diana Rose Caputo Jerry Berger Rachael Porter 9:30 AM † Ed Basso 11:30 AM † Cosmo Fomaro (First Michelle Boggiano Val & Don Roberts Anniversary of Passing) Lloyd Calkins Carol Ruch 1:30 PM Pro Populo Teresa Carney Patricia Ryaczewski Patricia Carroll Monica Schindler The 6:00 pm Mass on Saturday is celebrated at Christ the King Abby Coderre Bernadette Secondo Catholic Church, our Mission Parish in Riegelwood, NC. James (Jim) Fagan Lenny Szlarski Dave Fedora Bob Thomas Norine Ferko Annelies Todd Greg Foppe Felice Van Eron Martha Gregory Mary Fran Watson

Amanda Grimm Lyne Welch

Stephen Grimm Madelyne Welch Eduardo Gonzalez Joseph Wells The Flowers and Sanctuary Candles are Florence (Flo) Hough Susan Wiggs provided by The St. Mark Parish. We pray for our deceased. Gary Hough Especially Vincent Mooney, KellyAnn Hough Holz Donald Bouton & Martha Gregory. Warren Johnson May all who have died, rest in peace. Hazel Lanier Cheryl Marek

Our Camillus Ministers would be happy to visit and bring Communion to those who are unable to attend Mass regularly. If you or someone you know is homebound, or residing in one of our local assisted living or nursing facilities, please be sure to let the parish office know (910) 398-6508. Please do not make requests on behalf of

others without their knowledge and permission. Divine Mercy Prayer Team Support—If you have a loved one who is gravely ill and in danger of death (in hospice, the hospital, at home or in a nursing home) and would like the Divine Mercy Prayer Team to come to their bedside to pray for them, please contact Amanda Gandolf at (704) 574-5678. The Divine Mercy Prayer Team will pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for your loved one at your request. The 34th Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 215 will be held on February 25th between 5 and 7:30PM in the St. Mark Parish Hall.

In keeping with the Scout Slogan "Do a Good Turn Daily" we'll be turning lots of fluffy, all you care to eat, pancakes along with savory turkey sausage, fruit and beverages. All are welcome to be part of this longest running St. Mark Parish annual social event. Please join with the present Troop membership in doing another "good turn" by helping others in need.

As in the past, kids 6 and under eat free. The meal price for all others this year will be $5. Proceeds will benefit the Sharing Tree Ministry.

It’s time to take a stand for life! Join other like-minded Americans in the 2020 40 Days for Life Spring Campaign in Wilmington. This campaign of prayer, fasting, and peaceful witness for an end to abortion, begins on Ash Wednesday, February 26, and ends on April 5. Location: 2018 S. 16th St, Wilmington, NC (across the street from the hospital). For more information or to volunteer, contact Anne Moran at (910)616-3342 or email: [email protected]. LEGION OF MARY Do you want to deepen your prayer life? Do you want to develop close Catholic friendships? Do you want to grow closer to Jesus and His Mother?

Come learn about the Legion of Mary, a world-wide organization of Catholic men and women, who offer their services to their pastor to aid him in performing spiritual works in the parish. We meet weekly on Thursday mornings at 9:30 in the Cana Conference Room. We have two types of Membership; Active Members: attend weekly meetings and are obligated to two hours of weekly service and Auxiliary Members: who do not attend weekly meetings but Pray the Rosary daily and the Legion of Mary Tessera Prayers.

OUR LADY NEEDS YOU! THE LEGION OF MARY WILL GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO DEDICATE YOURSELF TO HER SERVICE. BY ACTUALLY WORKING FOR HER, YOUR LOVE FOR HER WILL BE TRANSLATED INTO ACTION. For further Information call Nora Hamilton 910-358-8199 or email [email protected] Please Help The Sharing Tree With Personal Hygiene Items February 22 and 23

The Catholic Charities Truck will be parked in front of the church BEFORE & AFTER each Mass

Please bring the following items to Church to help Families in need throughout our counties:  Deodorant Shampoo  Bars of Soap Body Wash  Disposable Razors Pack of wash Cloths or Loofas  Shaving Cream Chap stick If you want to assist or would like additional information about this exciting project, feel free to contact: Sabina Newman at [email protected]

Please Join the Sharing Tree Ministry, we need your helping heart St. Mark Catholic School News