News

Alison Archer joined St. Mark Parish Staff on July 30, 2018 as the Director of Parish Services. As Director of Parish Services Alison's responsibilities will include receptionist of our Parish Center, secretarial duties, parish communication, and administrative tasks. She is a parishioner of St. Mark with her husband Matthew Archer and their son, Frankie. Please extend a heartfelt welcome as she becomes a member of the St. Mark Staff.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process established for the universal Church for individuals to become Catholic and receive the sacraments of initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. This initiation process involves the entire parish community as we welcome new members into the Church. The Rite speaks of conversion as a “spiritual journey.” Centered on fostering a deep relationship with Jesus and the Church he founded, this journey takes place in distinct stages beginning in early fall and building toward Holy Week and the Easter Season. It encompasses the teachings of the faith, prayer, liturgical rites and celebrations. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the RCIA, or if you would like to be involved as a volunteer for this important ministry, please contact the Parish Center at 317-787-8246 or Deacon Paul at deaconpaul@stmarkindy.org or Angi Swiezy at aswiezy@stmarkindy.org.

In September, groups of Burmese adults will be forming to practice English and review the required Citizenship questions needed to pass their test. Formal instructors are not necessary and all parishioners are invited to facilitate one or more of these groups on a weekly basis. Scheduling times and partnering instructors will be handled according to your own availability. For more information, or to offer your services, please email Ginny O’Brien at danginnyo@sbcglobal.net. Thank you so much in advance for your generous giving of your time. Plan to enjoy your experience!

Registration has begun. Information is available in the Narthex, on the website, and at the Parish Center. Our orientation meeting is on Sunday, August 19th from 1:30-3pm in the church. Questions? Please contact Angi Swiezy at aswiezy@stmarkindy.org or 787-8246 x104.

Classes have begun! All classes meet on Sundays. Ages 3 years through K will meet during 9:30am Mass; Grades 1st-6th meet 10:30- 11:30am and Grades 7-8th meet from 6:30-8pm. Cost: 1 child=$50, 2 children=$80 and 3+children=$100. Registration information will also be available in the Narthex, on the website, and at the Parish Center. Classes began on Sunday, August 5th but it is not too late to sign up. Questions? Please contact Angi Swiezy at aswiezy@stmarkindy.org or 787-8246 x104.

The St. Mark Athletic Committee is accepting flag football registration for 2018. Boys and girls entering grades K-2 are eligible to play and the registration fee is $60.00. This season we are using a web-based registration process. All information and fees will be collected at our new website located at http://tshq.bluesombrero.com/southsideflagfb. Registration deadline is August 10th, practices will begin on August 13th, and the first games are scheduled for August 25th. The season ends on September 29th. Practices are normally once per week and are scheduled by the coaches. Games are held on Saturday mornings at St. Mark. For more information, contact Patrick Collier at collierfamily8@att.net.

The St. Mark hand bell choir has two openings for when the group begins rehearsals this fall. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings from 6:00pm - to 7:30pm from mid-August through May. It is highly preferred that interested individuals have music experience. Some training rehearsals may be held this summer. Parishioners who are interested should contact Lindsey Horty at lindseybells26@yahoo.com or 502-727-9091.

Our parish will be helping with drivers and helpers at the St. Vincent de Paul warehouse on 8/18, 9/22, 10/20, and 11/17. For more info and to sign up, go to www.svdpindy.org. Click on “I want to help,” then click on “donate time,” scroll down to Distribution Center Volunteer and click on “Sign up online for a SPECIFIC SATURDAY to volunteer as a Distribution Center driver or helper.” The rest is self-explanatory. Thank you.

During the Weekend Masses for July 1st, we will take the Peter’s Pence Collection, which provides Pope Francis with the funds he needs to carry out his charitable works around the world. The proceeds benefit our brothers and sisters on the margins of society, including victims of war, oppression, and disasters. Please be generous. For more information, visit www.usccb.org/peters-pence.

John Lyin, St. Mark and Roncalli graduate and student at IUPUI, along with Rose Awi , Roncalli graduate and student at Marian University, will be teaching a class in the Burmese national language on Thursdays from 6:30pm to 8:00 pm in the Church Basement. Join us and help bridge the gap between our cultures with a few simple phrases in a language that is (according to John) easy to learn. The church doors will open at 6:00pm and lock at 7:00pm.

Come to the Woodruff Place Flea Market June 2-3. St. Vincent de Paul’s Mission 27 Resale Store will be participating with bargains galore! Click for more information!

The Society of St Vincent de Paul offers a free program to individuals in Poverty who want to Change their Lives for the better and leave poverty. This program involves a commitment to attend a three-hour session each week for 18 weeks with 13 other people. Supplies are provided. Currently there are 5 parishes in Indianapolis with a total of 65 people developing specific plans to change their lives. For this program to be successful we desperately need volunteers to be MENTORS to those asking for support after they graduate in early summer.

We are all “Born to Soar” in our relationship with God throughout our life. Join fellow parishioners on Wednesday mornings for 6 weeks of listening, reading and sharing in the process of spiritual growth. Beginning on May 23rd and ending on June 27th, we will meet in the Cenacle at 10:00am. Cost for the book is $12.00. Call Rita East, 317-784-0455 by May 17th for placing book order.

Interested in a breaking of the bread project. Looking for parishioners who are interested in sharing their time to make fresh breads that will be served at upcoming parish fellowship gatherings. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Donna Kern, dkern@stmarkindy.org.

Please consider joining us for the St. Mark 2018 Mission Trip to Louisville, KY from Monday, June 18 through Saturday, June 23. We will we working through Hand in Hand Ministries.

St. Mark will offer a seven-week series entitled “Welcoming Catholics Home” beginning April 17, 2018 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the Cenacle located behind St. Mark Catholic School.

SACRAMENTAL PREP REMINDER: There will NOT be a meeting on Monday, April 9th due to Spring Break. Our next meeting will be Monday, April 23rd at 7:00pm in the church.

Sunday, April 8th, our next second collection is for the Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa. The people of Africa are joyous and faith-filled, but they also often face challenges due to poverty, the high incidence of disease, food shortages, and migration. This collection is an opportunity to stand with the people of Africa and support pastoral projects that are so needed on the continent.

Sixteen St. Mark Youth will be celebrating the Rite of Confirmation at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral on April 26, 2018, at 7:00pm. Please pray for our young people, that they would open themselves up to the Holy Spirit and that they would respond to the grace God is pouring out upon them at this important time in their lives.