MASS 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
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
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 Deacon F. Paul Kurmay consulted. Deacon T. Emmet Murray PREBAPTISMAL CLASS DIRECTOR OF MUSIC For those anticipating the birth and subsequent Baptism of their first children, class is held on the second Tuesday every CANTOR Maria Damianou (203-377-0444) other month. January, March, May, July, September, November at 7:30 p.m. in the Upper Room. DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Mrs. Patricia Nettleton (475-988-7581) ROSARY Daily following the 8:00 a.m. Mass/Upper Room YOUTH MINISTRY Mr. Jared Forcier (203-876-1621) www.stmarkyouthgroup.org CHOIR Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 p.m. PARISH BUSINESS MANAGER Mrs. Joan Hurley (203-377-0444) ADORATION CHAPEL
PARISH SECRETAR Y The Chapel of Divine Mercy is open from Sunday 6:00 p.m. Mrs. Paula Mollica (203-377-0444) through 10:00 a.m. Saturday 24 hours per day. Additional Eucharistic Adorers are always welcome. Please consider ST. MARK SCHOOL volunteering an hour of your time and contact Gary Tennyson Mrs. Melissa Warner, Principal (203-375-4291) at 203-953-1200/email [email protected] or
PARISH TRUSTEES R. Scott Goodfellow at 203-394-2248 and email Mr. Frank Bevacqua [email protected]. Mr. Kevin Huben 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)
Bequests to St. Mark are strongly encouraged and gratefully accepted. Sugges on: When a loved one dies, advise rela ves & friends to make a dona on to “St. Mark Bldg. Fund” in memory of the deceased, and include this wish in the obituary no ce. FIRST FRIDAY HOLY HOUR DECEMBER 6
A THANKSGIVING PRAYER : We thank you, Father, for Saturday, November 9, 2019 thru the gift of Jesus your Son who came to our earth and lived in a Sunday, November 17, 2019 simple home. We have a greater appreciation of the value and Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time dignity of the human family because he loved and was loved within its shelter. Bless us this day; may we grow in love for Saturday each other in our family and so give thanks to you who are the 5:00 James and Elizabeth Mooney maker of all human families and our abiding peace. RB Terry and Pat Mooney Sunday 7:30 Robert Monk RB Susan Monk 9:00 John, Irene, and Thomas Izdebski RB Gary and Peggy Quiricone 10:30 Jozef and Daniel Cylwick and Romuald Czaplinski RB Family 12:00 David Mencel RB Wife Donna and Family Monday 8:00 Joseph Mastroluca RB Julian Mastroluca and Family Tuesday 8:00 Donegan and Giasullo Families RB Dan and Cheryl Giasullo Wednesday 8:00 Alfred Fusco RB Wife and Family Thursday 8:00 Gregory Wojnarowski RB Bill and Tere Newbauer Friday 8:00 Ida and Anthony Romano RB Arlene Romano Saturday MASS OF THANKSGIVING : On Thursday, November 28, 8:00 Dorothy and Thomas Lain Thanksgiving Day, our Mass will be held at 9:00 a.m. in the RB Family church. This is not a holy day of obligation, but we would love 5:00 Anthony Guerrera to share the many bountiful blessings that have been bestowed RB Family on all of us with you at this Mass. Sunday 7:30 Shirley Murray, 15th Anniversary RB Family 9:00 Ruth Felix RB Family 10:30 Deceased Members of Emil & Hronjak Families RB Family 12:00 Ron Golias RB Wife
READER/EUCHARISTIC MINISTER SCHEDULE
Saturday, November 16 :
5:00 p.m.: A. Minton/D. Robertson EM), M.Nelsen (R)
Sunday, November 17:
7:30 a.m.: D. O’Neill/M. Pastorak (EM), A. McKelvey (R) 9:00 a.m.: D. & K. Foito (EM), J. Baran (R) 10:30 a.m.: N. Maco/S. Osenbach (EM), K. Coble (R) 12:00 p.m.: J. Catapane/G. Urban (EM), A. Golias (R) OFFICE CLOSING : The office will be closed Thursday and UPCOMING EVENTS Friday, November 28 and 29, in observance of Thanksgiving Nov 9/10: Parishioner Appreciation Weekend - Parish Hall Day. The office will resume normal business hours on Monday, Nov 10: St. Mark School Open House December 2. Nov 16: St. Mark Craft Fair - Parish Center Nov 17: Mass Celebrating Persons w/Special Needs Dec 1: Children’s Mass BANNS OF MARRIAGE Dec 1: St. Mark School Cookie/Bake Sale/Breakfast w/Santa III - Nina Stephanie DelCegno and Alain William Aragon Dec 6/7: Feed the Hungry Cookie Drive Drop Off Dates Dec 7: Fairfield Prep Entrance Exam Dec 7: St. Mark School Bottle/Can Collection Readings for this Sunday may be found in the Dec 8: Breakfast w/Santa/St. Mark School bake sale Catholic Community Hymnal Thirty-Second Sunday in Dec 15: Fairfield University Glee Club Concert in Church Ordinary Time Section 673C ST. MARK LADIES GUILD : St. Mark Ladies Guild is THANK YOU FROM SISTER TREMBLAY : A big thank scheduling a number of afternoon meetings this season to see if you from Sister Tremblay and her crew at Daughters of Charity members prefer the new time. We will meet Monday, November in Bridgeport. The response from St. Mark with regard to 11, at 1:00 p.m. in the Upper Room. Mary Therrien, President providing sheets and blankets to the needy was overwhelming. and CEO of Stratford Vising Nurses, will speak after a short Actually, we were so generous that Sister has said she doesn’t business meeting. Refreshments will be served. All women are have room to take any more donated goods at this time!!!! So invited. Also, SAVE THE DATE ! The St. Mark Ladies Guild again, thank you from Sister Tremblay. Christmas Luncheon will be December 11, 2019, at Mill River Country Club. Details will follow in future bulletins. “BARKING TO THE CHOIR: THE POWER OF RADICAL KINSHIP” Please join Rev. Greg Boyle, S.J., WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE : Can you please help us Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. at the Egan Chapel clothe the poor at the Lord’s Kitchen by donating any gently- of St. Ignatius Loyola at Fairfield University. Join this lively used/clean, winter coats, jackets, gloves, scarves, boots, and new discussion. Free and open to the public. socks. It would be greatly appreciated. You may drop off these items in the boxes next to the piano in the Upper Room. (Socks are the number 1 item requested!) ADORATION CHAPEL NOVEMBER HOLIDAY HOURS : Please be advised that The Divine Mercy Adoration Chapel will be CLOSED for Thanksgiving, from Wednesday, November 27, WE ARE HAPPY TO WELCOME into our parish family of at 9:00 a.m., until Monday, December 2, at 9:00 a.m. faith Parker Thomas Nista, Aaron Matias Rivera, Elizabeth Diana Yacobino, and Lucy Violet Zikaras, who were recently baptized into the community of the Church, and to a new, loving relationship with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Congratulations! CHILDREN’S MASS
Please enjoy photos from All Saints Day and Children’s Mass! WEDDING BELLS! : The St. Mark Parish Family of Faith sends its congratulations to Jason David Panek and Erin Elizabeth Thompson, who were married at St. Mark Church on Saturday, November 2, 2019. May God bless their marriage and keep them safe in His love.
Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Jason Panek!
HEY, WHO’S THAT “MOUSEKETEER” HANDING OUT CANDY FOR HALLOWEEN AT ST. MARK SCHOOL????? Readings for the Week of November 10, 2019 Sunday: 2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14/Ps 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15 [15b]/2 Thes 2:16— 3:5/Lk 20:27-38 or 20:27, 34-38 Our Stewardship of Treasure Monday: Wis 1:1-7/Ps 139:1b-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-10 [24b]/Lk 17:1-6 Tuesday: Wis 2:23—3:9/Ps 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19 [2a]/Lk 17:7-10 NOVEMBER 2019 COLLECTION ENVELOPES Wednesday: Wis 6:1-11/Ps 82:3-4, 6-7 [8a]/Lk 17:11-19 November 10- - Extraordinary Expenses Thursday: Wis 7:22b—8:1/Ps 119:89, 90, 91, 130, 135, 175 November 24 - Campaign for Human Development [89a]/Lk 17:20-25 Friday: Wis 13:1-9/Ps 19:2-3, 4-5ab [2a]/Lk 17:26-37 November 3 2019 $ 10,087 Saturday: Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9/Ps 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43 [5a]/Lk 18:1-8 November 4, 2018 $ 9,621 Next Sunday: Mal 3:19-20a/Ps 98:5-6, 7-8, 9 [cf. 9]/2 Thes 3:7- All Saint’s Day 2019 $ 3,019 12/Lk 21:5-19 All Saint’s Day 2018 $ 4,658 Archdiocese for Military Services $ 2,348 All Soul’s Day 2019 $ 2,019
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through His grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.” (2 THESSALONIANS 2:16- 17)
There are two important lessons here. First, we are called to be generous with our encouragement and hope. As God shows us PRAYER IS POWERFUL ! “Chapels of Adoration allow mercy, we must be merciful to others. Second, joy is contagious! intense divine activity to go beyond the walls where I am adored The joy we receive from doing good works not only strengthens – to penetrate homes, schools, hospitals, and to even reach dark us, it encourages others as well. Share the joy of living your faith places where Satan enslaves souls, and thus call home those who whenever you can. have wandered from Me. (From Jesus’ message to a Benedictine Monk 8/26/2010.)
100 BENEFITS OF EUCHARISTIC ADORATION #21- #25 Please consider visiting the Adoration Chapel. Phone the rectory office for the passcode to the entrance. #21: It is our duty to adore the Blessed Sacrament. No one receives the Blessed Sacrament unless he adores it…and not only Adoration Chapel Schedule do we not sin by adoring, we do sin by not adoring. (St. Augustine) #22: The faithful are to hold the Eucharist in highest honor...worshipping it with supreme adoration. (Code of Canon Law #898) #23: During our Holy Hour we lift up to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus those souls in the most need of His mercy. (Excerpt from ‘Letters To A Brother Priest’) #24: You must propagate veneration of the Most Blessed Sacrament with all your might, for the devotion to the Holy Eucharist is the queen of all devotions. (Pope Benedict XV) #25: I ask everyone to intensify in coming months love and devotion to the Eucharistic Jesus. (Pope Benedict XVI)
Pray for: Marilyn Bedford, Stephanie Leko, Ava Christine Gallant, Peter Kiman, Jr., Jim 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, 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, Kina Silva, Matt Nolting, Nicholas Genga, Robert Noonan, Will McKelvey, Samuel Mulford, Bill and Carolyn Novotny, Anne Fahy, Blaise Vitale, Dayna Reed, Ethan Ortega, Debbie Smelaglno, John Hagas, Shirley Burr, Dolores Larracuente, Tommy King, Richard Silva, Thomas Ettorre, Jr., Robert Ligouri, Rosalina Staltaro, Carolyn Purchowicz, Christopher Hayes, Bob Blozzon, Mike Nemeth, Kevin Hadlock, Paul Hadlock, Margaret Wynne, John Pacheco, Frances Greene, Danny, Antonia, Joe Vecsey, Mark Casagrande, Jr.,Gail Baptist, Stephanie Galaburri, Ray Majsa, Roselyn Bagley, Paul Bortnick, Daniel Krekoska, Robin Florio, Gabriella Murillo, Sandra Carpenter, Gene Freeman, Ronald Mangnini, Richard Weaving, Dorothy Moscato, Nancy Crowley, Catherine Hmurcik, Audrey Pepin, Ronnie Christiano, Anthony Fonda, Walter Litzie, Jimmy Bortnick, John Gaglione.
Geraldine Curry Miranda Petrino ST. MARK “GIVING TREES” : Our long-standing tradition COME TO OUR CRAFT FAIR ! of providing gifts for the needy in our community will continue. As your means allow, take a tag or two and make someone else’s Christmas dreams come true. The giving trees will be up the ST. MARK CRAFT FAIR : Our holiday craft fair is fast weekend before Thanksgiving, November 23 and 24, 2019. approaching! Please join us on November 16, 2019, in the Parish Thank you again for your continued generosity in helping the Center, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.. We have a wide range of needy of our community. God bless! talented individuals setting up tables: wreaths, pebble art, (GIFTS MUST BE RETURNED NO LATER THAN handmade jewelry, handmade ornaments, soaps, lotions, candles, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8.) knitting, crocheting, and much more!
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA/ST.MARK SCHOOL BAKE SALE : Yes, it’s true, but yikes, Christmas is right around the corner!!! Get ready boys and girls and moms and dads! Santa is coming to St. Mark on Sunday, December 1, to have ‘FEED THE HUNGRY” CHRISTMAS COOKIES FOR breakfast with the children. Mark your calendars for a fun BRIDGEPORT RESCUE MISSION: Attention all bakers! morning from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Also, the St. Mark We are asking if you would join the Feed the Hungry Ministry in School moms will be hosting a bake sale in the school hall at the baking Christmas cookies to be delivered to the Bridgeport same time. Please stop by and purchase some holiday treats! Rescue Mission for Christmas. Parishioners may drop off their Everything the parents bake is delicious. cookie treats on Friday, December 6 in the Upper Room, or Saturday, December 7, by 9:00 a.m., also in the Upper Room. Thank you for making someone else’s Christmas special. Thank you, Marilyn and Gerald Mucci (and their elves) for coordinating this project.
SOCIAL COMMITTEE/FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY GLEE CLUB CONCERT : The Fairfield University Glee Club will be in concert at St. Mark on Sunday, December 15, at 3:00 p.m. in the Church. Tickets are $10 per person. Doors will open at 2:30 p.m. and it is open seating. Tickets will be on sale in the Upper Room starting the weekend of November 9/10 and all ST. MARK SCHOOL “CHRISTMAS” RAFFLE TREES: following weeks after that! Come join us for an exceptional St. Mark School is once again raffling off “decorated” trees as holiday event!!!!! Any questions, give Mimi Nelsen a call. part of their fundraising activities. Trees will be up by the first week in December. St. Mark School will sell raffle tickets after all the Masses on December 7/8 and December 14/15. The drawing will be held on December 18. ST. MARK SCHOOL BOTTLE AND CAN DRIVE : The BLESSED SACRAMENT FOOD BANK : Father Skip is next collection of recyclables will be on December 7, 2019 , in graciously asking if St. Mark could continue to help collect front of the Parish Center, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., rain or shine! canned and non-perishable foods to help his food pantry ministry. Boxes are at the church entrances. HANDS TO HEARTS NEEDLEWORK: The next meeting will be held on November 20, 2019, , in the Upper Room, at CHILDREN’S MASS: The next Children’s Mass with 1:00 p.m. If you knit, crochet, or quilt, or would like to learn, Children’s Choir will be held Sunday, December 1, 2019 at please consider joining. New members are always welcome. 9:00 a.m. The Children’s Masses are well attended, and our Donations of acrylic yarn, or cotton fabric, are appreciated, and children and parents, work very hard to promote our faith. may be left in the Hands to Hearts donation box in the Upper Room.
PARISHIONER APPRECIATION WEEKEND!!!
Father Birendra and Father Russ, in conjunction with the Welcome Committee, will be hosting Parishioner Appreciation Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, November 9 and 10, 2019, in the Parish Hall. This gathering after each Mass is a celebration of ALL the parishioners who faithfully participate in the vibrant spirit of our community of faith. Without you, there would be no St. Mark. Please come downstairs for coffee, doughnuts, bagels, and other “nosh” items. A “free” raffle will be held after each Mass. The prize: dinner in the rectory with Father Birendra and Father Russ. There will be a winning ticket from each Mass and COLLECTION FOR TURKEYS : Sr. Theresa Tremblay has all the winners will attend the dinner together. asked the parish if we could provide 40 turkeys this year for those in need. Our Youth Group will be helping to collect funds THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR PARISH WONDERFUL! after all Masses on November 9 and 10 so the parish can purchase and deliver the turkeys to Sr. Tremblay in time for Thanksgiving. If you can help deliver food to Bridgeport, please For the week of November 9, 2019 to November 16, 2019 contact the parish office at 203-377-0444. The Sanctuary Lamp Glows in Honor of All St. Mark Parishioners Serving Stratford’s Seniors THIS SPACE IS KURT M. AHLBERG CARL A. GLAD Attorney At Law Attorney At Law 2885 Main Street | Stratford, CT | 203.377.1311 James Abriola LoStocco DENNIS ABRIOLA Director Insurance Services & D’ARCY & KELEMEN Personal Service Positive Results 203-373-1013 FUNERAL HOME FUNERAL HOME OF STRATFORD Michael LoStocco 3151 Main Street, Stratford, CT 419 White Plains Road 2611 Main Street, Stratford 2611 Main Street, Stratford Direct 203-386-0121 Trumbull, CT [email protected] 203-375-0798 203-375-7881 Parishioner www.abriola.com Donut Crazy 3690 Main St., Stratford 785 River Rd, .Shelton Best Tasting Coffee and Donuts
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