ST.MARK CHURCH
VIENNA, VIRGINIA 22181
Sacrament of Penance
LENT is a season of preparation and penance toward the
joy of Jesus’s Resurrection at EASTER. As well as almsgiving and fasting, the Lord challenges us to pray as part of
our return to the good graces of God. The Sacrament of
PENANCE is the formal way through which we as community
pray for and with each of us in that return to God, and, of
course, the Sacrament of PENANCE is our personal way
through which each of us turns from our sins by Confession,
Contrition, Amendment, and Penance to be reconciled to God
and to one another. Throughout the Metropolitan area, every
parish offers the Sacrament at an extra time on Wednesday
evenings when “The Light Is ON for You”. And next Sunday,
we as parish community offer the Sacrament in the Parish
PENANCE Service, at 7:00pm, with nine priests available as
Confessors for us, we pray for and with each of us to receive
the forgiveness of God and the support of our church family.
Please come—”there is more joy in heaven over one repentant
sinner, than over the ninety-nine who have no need to repent”.
Catholic Relief Services—Thank You!
Thank you for your generous support of the Catholic Relief
Services Second Collection last week-end. Through your
generosity, families will be reunited, valuable skills will be
taught to those seeking a better life, and vital humanitarian
needs will be met. Please visit www.usccb.org (search
“Catholic Relief Services Collection”) to learn how your
donations make a difference and “Help Jesus in Disguise”.
Paying Off the Mortgage: Exciting News! You
contributed $38,696 towards Debt Reduction in February—
and that check went to the Diocese this week. That check will
reduce our Mortgage to about $390,200! Right now our
amortization schedule shows the mortgage being paid off in
May 2016; BUT, if we all pull together and everyone gives
just a little bit more each month, we really can pay this
mortgage off in time for our 50th Anniversary celebration.
Let’s do it. Let’s Pay Off the Mortgage!
The members of the Vision and Mission Committee have been
asked to craft a Vision and Mission Statement for ST.
MARK Parish as a part of our 50th Anniversary Celebration.
We believe it’s vital to solicit the thoughts of parish members
regarding this important task since this Vision will guide us as
we enter our next 50 years. We invite you to contribute your
thoughts on what the Vision and Mission statements should
include by visiting the website www.stmark.org/missionsurvey
to offer your comments.
Upcoming M&M Events:
Mar. 24: Carlyle House tour and Gatsby's Tavern
in Alexandria for lunch.
Apr. 1: After 9:15 Mass Coffee Social
Apr. 15: Pot Luck Lunch and speaker (TBA).
M&M=Maturing Matters - The 55+ Group of ST. MARK
Church—For more information please contact: Barbara
Walsh at 703-620-9314 or [email protected] or Anne
Shea 703-938-9049 or [email protected].
MARCH 22, 2015
R.C.I.A.—Third Scrutiny
This Sunday, at the 11:45am Mass, we celebrate the Third
Scrutiny with the R.C.I.A. Elect. As with the past two
Scrutinies, we pray for the Elect, who would turn from all that
is weak and sinful, with the Lord’s help and grace, and who
would seek blessing and strength from the Lord in all that is
strong and good. Please continue to pray for the Elect, and the
Candidates, as they journey to the EASTER Vigil—and please
continue to make LENT your own journey of preparation and
penance, to the joy of Jesus’s Resurrection.
Religious Freedom—Please pray for our country; and with
our right to worship, please pray for those countries who do
not respect and protect the faith of their citizens, and the
citizens themselves.
Religious Education (RE) Announcements
Spirit Teams for 7th Graders: We are still in need of a few
Spirit Team leaders! Spirit Teams are a necessary part of
CONFIRMATION preparation at ST. MARK, replacing the
service hour component. Contact Ana Lisa Pinon if you are
interested in serving as a leader. Our Training meeting will be
on March 24 at 7:30pm in the Music room (CFC 131).
7th Grade Parent Meeting / First Year CONFIRMATION
Preparation: April 15 at 7:30pm in the Cassidy Activities
Center we will be holding a meeting for the 7th grade parents
and the first year preparation for CONFIRMATION
Candidates.
RE Schedule – Holy Week & EASTER: RE classes will not
meet this week (Holy Week—March 29/30/31) or EASTER
Week (March—April 5/6/7). Classes resume the following
week (April 12/13/14).
Adult CONFIRMATION:
On Pentecost, May 24 the
Sacrament of CONFIRMATION will be celebrated at the
Cathedral of ST. THOMAS MORE in Arlington for adults who
have not been Confirmed. Preparation is required and classes
will begin in April. For more information contact Mickey
Edwards at 703-938-1948 or [email protected].
Do you like to travel? Fr. Paul Grankauskas will be the
Chaplain on a trip to Italy and Switzerland Oct. 29-Nov. 10,
2015. If you are interested in taking this trip please contact
Jean in the Parish Office for more details.
ST. MARK Catholic School News: Are you considering
ST. MARK School, or do you know someone who is? Several
classes are already full and others have just a few spaces left.
A Kindergarten Information Session will be held on Thursday,
March 26, at 7:30pm. If you have registered for Kindergarten
next year, or would like to learn more about our program,
please join us for an evening with Teachers and
Administrators. We do have a few spaces left in Kindergarten,
so please join us! If you’d like more information on
admissions, please contact Ms. Tierney at 703-766-3441 or
[email protected].
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
TODAY’S READINGS
Readings (11:45 Mass): Ezekiel 37:12-14; Psalm 130;
Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45
Readings (all other Masses): Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51;
Hebrews 5:7-9; John 12:20-33
This Sunday the Third Scrutiny will be celebrated at the 11:45
Mass for the R.C.I.A. Elect. This week’s Scrutiny focuses on
Lazarus in the tomb. We must all acknowledge that there are
“dead” places within us. A hurt that never healed, a
relationship which has gone numb from years of conflict, a
long-held belief that we are not talented or gifted or that we
are a failure… These are just some examples. Jesus longs to
shout into our graves, as He shouted into Lazarus’: “Come
out!” The Scrutinies give us the chance to ask Him. If we
haven’t yet, there are still two more weeks before EASTER to
go back to the Scripture stories of the Woman at the Well, the
Man Born Blind, and Lazarus in the Tomb—to ask Jesus to do
for us what He did for them. Through the Lord’s action, we
will receive healing and grace, and be able to approach the
waters of baptism with our Elect at our EASTER Vigil on
50th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT SERIES continues with
two concerts in March:
Saturday, March 21, 8:00pm in Church
Schubert’s “Die Winterreise” with Darryl Yoder, bass
-baritone, and Yooni Lee, piano
Sunday, March 22, 4:00pm in Church
Christopher Schmitt, piano
All are invited! Concerts are free and open to the public.
Freewill donations will be taken up.
Please pray for all parishioners who are
homebound and in nursing homes. Please
remember to pray for those in our parish who
are ill: Charlene Merrill, Milton Smithman, Karen Kuchta,
Nur Gangji, Kathy Froelke, Carol Palmucci, Gina
McCloskey, Faye Morin, and Betty Fulton.
Please pray for the following deployed service
people who have ties to our parish: CDR Tom
Donovan, Cpl Zachary A.Cooper, Sgt Jasmine
Daniel, QM2 Waters Eric, Sgt Joshua Wyant, Cpl Derek
W. Raines, LCpl Christian D. Wilkins, Cpl Rafael De La
Torre, MGySgt William McClelland, Cpl Austin Evans, and
LTJG John Duffner.
MASSES FOR THE WEEK
Daily Readings
Mass Intentions
Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19- Monday, March 23, 2015
30, 33-62; Ps 23; Jn St. Turibius
8:1-11
9:15am †Cara Lynn Golias
7:30pm †Elizabeth Denchfield
Nm 21:4-9; Ps 102; Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Jn 8:21-30
9:15am A Special Intention
Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Ps Wednesday, March 25, 2015
40; Lk 1:26-38
Annunciation of the Lord
9:15am †Ron Leoni
STATIONS OF THE CROSS are celebrated every Friday
evening during LENT in the Church, 7:30pm. All are invited.
Gen 17:3-9; Ps 105; Thursday, March 26, 2015
Jn 8:51-59
9:15am †Febe Valdellon
MASS TIME CHANGE FOR HOLY WEEK:
On Palm Sunday and EASTER Sunday, the Sunday Mass
schedule will be as follows:
8:00, 10:00 and 12:00 noon.
The Outdoor Procession for Palm Sunday will take place at
the Noon Mass only, and will begin with the Blessing of
Palms in the Cassidy Activities Center.
Jer 20:10-13; Ps 18; Friday, March 27, 2015
Jn 10:31-42
6:15am †Betty McCarthy
OUR LENTEN COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICE
will be on Palm Sunday evening, March 29, at 7:00pm in
the Church.
SCHEDULE FOR TRIDUUM 2015
Holy Thursday, April 2: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7:30pm
Good Friday, April 3:
Stations of the Cross, Noon
Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, 3:00pm
Living Stations 7:30 p.m.
Holy Saturday, April 4: EASTER Vigil, 8:30p.m.
EASTER Sunday, April 5:
Masses at 8:00, 10:00, and Noon
9:15am †Marjorie Eilertsen
Ez 37:21-28; Jer Saturday, March 28, 2015
31:10d; Jn 11:45-56
8:00am †Jack Marshall
5:30pm †Raynauldo Mendizabal
Mk 11:1-10; Is 50:4- Sunday, March 29, 2015
7; Ps 22; Phil 2:6-11; Palm Sunday
Mk 14:1—15:47
8:15am People of the Parish
10:00am †Helen Bogarde
11:45am †Walter J. Butler, Sr.
Dominican Retreat April 24-26, 2015: Weekend Retreat
for Women - For All That Has Been – Thanks! For All That
Will Be – Yes! Directed by Fr. John Petrikovic, OFM, CAP.
Time: Friday 7:15pm–Sunday 3:00pm. For further
information and reservations, call Dominican Retreat at 703356-4243 or check our website at www.dominicanretreat.org.
ST.MARK CHURCH
VIENNA, VIRGINIA 22181
Matthew 25 FamilyPASS (Vienna/Oakton Based Family
Services for low income residents)
All purpose cleaners (409/Pine Sol)
Sanitary Napkins
Baby Diapers in Larger sizes
Sponges
Dishwashing Soap & Liquid
Laundry Detergent
Paper Towels
Toilet Paper
All-Purpose Cleaner
Windex
Canned Meat and Tuna
Soups
Canned Vegetables
Beans
Peanut Butter and Jelly
Juice
Cereals, hot and cold
Rice
Canned fruit
Baby Food
Pasta Sauce
Pasta
Please check expiration dates before donating items.
Thank You!
God, are you sure that you are calling me to do this?
Do you have a Service project idea that can help others in our
parish community or in areas outside our parish boundaries?
ST. MARK has been reaching out to those in need since its
founding in 1965. Many of our existing Service Ministries
started with an idea, a good leader and willing volunteers
(Thanksgiving Clothing Drive, English as a Second Language,
McDowell Co. Furniture Collection, College Moms, etc.).
Please contact Bill Grossman at 703-938-1936, or
[email protected].
HELP FIGHT HUNGER IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA: An
Empty Bowls Fundraiser for the benefit of hunger relief in
Northern Virginia will be hosted by the Giving Circle of
HOPE on Friday, April 10 from 5:30 to 8:00pm at Floris
United Methodist Church, 13600 Frying Pan Road, Herndon.
Local ceramic artists are donating 500 bowls that are
individually designed and created just for the Empty Bowls
fundraisers. All proceeds will be donated to Food for Others,
the largest distributor of free food in Northern Virginia. All are
welcome to come together around a simple meal of soup,
bread and dessert. For a donation of $25 for adults and $15 for
children under 12, each guest chooses a bowl to take home
with them as a reminder that there are always Empty Bowls in
the world. Ticket information is available at the Information
Desk in the Narthex or you may contact the Empty Bowls hotline
703-665-9334 or e-mail emptybowls @givingcircleofhope.org
Welcome all new parishioners! The Newcomers’
Luncheon is scheduled for April 19 at 1:00pm following the
11:45 Mass. It will be held in the Cassidy Activities Center.
Invitations will be coming to you in the mail-so SAVE THE
DATE! Any new parishioners who were unable to make the
Fall 2014 luncheon are cordially invited-we just ask that
you RSVP so that appropriate accommodations are made.
Please RSVP by April 16, 2015 to Fran Smith at (703) 9381429 or by e-mail [email protected]. Children
are most welcome! We look forward to welcoming you
officially to ST. MARK!
MARCH 22, 2015
40 DAYS FOR LIFE Please join us this Thursday , March 26
for the last day of prayer and witness for ST. MARK at the
abortion clinic on Lee highway in Falls Church during this
Lenten season. Please consider making this sacrifice for the
families in crisis pregnancies. The sacrifice of your witness
and prayers could easily save a life and really make a
difference. Deacon John will join us on March 26 at 10am to
pray and witness. Please sign up in the Narthex to pray for one
hour at the clinic or call Martha Maturi Piescik at 703-9389658 or [email protected] for details.
Registration for English & Citizenship
Instruction at ST. MARK: English as a Second
Language (ESL) Program for adults will conduct
registration for the spring term on Tuesday, April
7 and Thursday, April 9 at 7:00pm. There are seven
proficiency levels, from Beginner 1 to Advanced 2. All
students must be registered and tested. The cost is $25 (cash
only) for the 9-week term. Citizenship instruction is
also available to students who have attained at least an
intermediate English proficiency level. Optional English
conversation and writing classes (7:00pm-7:45pm) are also
offered to registered intermediate and advanced students for an
additional $10 (cash). All classes will take place on the second
floor of the ST. MARK Christian Formation Center, and meet
on Tuesday and Thursday evenings beginning Tuesday, April
14. For further information, interested students may contact
(703) 626-3585 or (703) 620-0592 (English or Spanish); (703)
505-0123 or (571) 393-8544 (Korean); or (703) 879-7296 or
(703) 678-7466 (Chinese); email [email protected]; or
visit the Web site at www.stmarkesl.org.
Calling all Catholic Business Executives! The Catholic
Business Network of Northern Virginia is planning to hold a
series of small group executive roundtables in Northern
Virginia starting spring 2015. Our facilitated lunch time
discussions will center on business ethics and management
questions and how papal encyclicals have addressed those
issues. If you are interested in networking with other Catholic
corporate executives and sharing faith-based solutions to your
most pressing business issues, please contact Richard Fanelli,
President of the Catholic Business Network of NOVA at
[email protected], or call 703-563-0379. Seating
will be limited.
Counseling Corner:
Offering helpful thoughts and
resources for emotional and spiritual health.
“Anyone who proposes to do good must not expect people
to roll stones out of his way, but must accept his lot calmly,
even if they roll a few more upon it.”
--Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965),Nobel Peace Prize winner
Ellen Murphy, LCSW
ST. MARK Counseling Center
(703) 281-9671
[email protected]
www.TysonandMurphy.com
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
High School Events
Sunday FUEL Nights resume
Upcoming Youth
Events
April 12th at 7 - 8:30 pm in the Youth Room
Please pray for our CONFIRMATION
youth on their retreat this weekend !
The annual High School Spring Retreat is coming up in
April...Friday, April 17-19th at Camp St. Charles in Maryland.
We will be joining forces with 3 other parishes for this
dynamic, spiritual and fun retreat weekend! Cost is only $95
which includes bus transportation, lodging, meals, giveaways,
materials and more...Registration form is available online! The
deadline to register is Monday, April 13th! Register now
before the spots are gone!
ST. MARK Youth Ministry will host a concert celebrating fifty
years of CONFIRMATION on Friday, March 27 at 8:15pm in the
Cassidy Activities Center. The concert will feature the band, The
Restless, with Val and Rocco Repetski, of this parish. All (both
youth and non-youth) are invited. Please RSVP to
[email protected].
Visit us at youth.www.stmark.org
Please fill out a registration form for the 2014-15 school year!
Sunday, March 22
NO Sunday FUEL night - Boys CONFIRMATION Weekend
Monday, March 23
Girls’ CLC in Youth Room at 7:30 pm
Wednesday, March 25
Boys’ CLC in Youth Room at 7:30 pm
Thursday, March 26
WorkCamp Meeting in Cassidy Activities Center 7 pm
Friday, March 27
6:15 am Mass & Breakfast
Jr. High Youth meet in Gym 6:30 - 8 pm
Saturday, March 28
WorkCamp Mulch Delivery Day 8 am - 4 pm
For more information contact Kevin Flores / Eric McDade
at 703-938-5656 or [email protected] / [email protected]