News

The St. Mark Ministry for Maturing Adults is up and running. This ministry at our parish will address the needs of our Boomers, Builders, and Elders as their lives change. Click the link to learn more about this exciting ministry!

We have openings for volunteers to serve in the Liturgical Ministry as Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, and in Hospitality at our 5:30 pm, 7:30 am, and 11:45 am Masses. Please prayerfully consider and email Angi Swiezy aswiezy@stmarkindy.org

First Communion is on Saturday, May 4th at 3pm. Questions? Contact Angi Swiezy at aswiezy@stmarkindy.org.

Are you between the ages of 21-35? Looking to get to know other young adults of the parish? The Young Adults of St. Mark would love to meet you! Come join us to strengthen your faith and friendships by participating in social events, service opportunities, and more. Whether you are single, married, have kids, have a lot of free time, have no free time, or something in between, we would love to have you join us. For more information, come chat with us at coffee and donuts after the 9:30 am Mass, fill out a short survey at https://tinyurl.com/y6q96yxh, or contact David Meyer, 317-509-1712 or Sarah Huber, 317-645-7319.

CURSILLO WEEKENDS are coming soon! Its name comes from the Spanish word “Cursillo”, which means “small course.” The original, full name is “Cursillos de Cristiandad”, meaning “short course in Christianity.” However, it is neither a theoretical course nor a traditional retreat; it is best described as an experience. It is an experience which leads to discovering a better life and what is fundamental in Christianity. Consider joining us! For more information, please contact James Haeberle,463.201.3514, for the MEN'S: Weekend February 28 to March 3rd. WOMEN’S: March 28th to 31st, please contact Wilma Cross 317.783.1512

Archbishop Thompson extends an invitation to any baptized Catholic adult who wishes to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation to the Annual Adult Confirmation Mass taking place on Sunday, June 9th. For more information and to register, please contact Fr. Bill at frbill@stmarkindy.org or Angi Swiezy at aswiezy@stmarkindy.org by May 1st, 2019.

Our VBS theme this year is Searching for Treasure: The Parables Revealed. The program is for children ages 4-10 years and will be held on Sunday, June 2nd through Thursday, June 6th from 6-8pm. Cost is $20 per child and $50 for 3+ children. Click on title above for registration form which are also available in the Narthex, the Parish Center and at the door. For more information, please contact Angi Swiezy at aswiezy@stmarkindy.org or 317-787-8246 x104.

Bakers, we need your help for our annual St. Mark Cookie Drop for the seminarians at Bishop Simon Brute Seminary. Please bring a dozen cookies (or more) to the parish office by Friday, February 8. They will be packaged and delivered to the seminarians the following week in time for Valentine's Day. Contact Julie Albertson (jalbertson@stmarkindy.org) with any questions.

There is an opening for an additional facilitator for the weekly English Practice Class on Tuesdays from 8:00 am to 9:30 am. This class is one of three classes held at St. Mark Parish for any non-English speaking persons. Classes begin January 8. Please contact Ginny O’Brien with any questions and to volunteer for this rewarding ministry. danginnyo@sbcglobal.net or text 317-306-5263.

Don Hamilton, Darrell Arthur, Chris A. Williams, Rosalyn Griffin, Phil Frye, Jimmy Hall, Al Neyman, Jo Ellen Forestal, Infant Sophie Ann Brinkoetter, Paul VanKavelaar, Bryan Collins, Ann Unversaw, Marcia and Steve Swayze, Dick Bowling, Betty Mouser. To add or update a name to our Prayer List or the St. Mark Prayer Chain, submit names to bulletin@stmarkindy.org

The St. Mark tradition of collecting winter hats, gloves and scarves for the less fortunate continues again this year. Begun MANY years ago by our parishioner, Elsie Hoovler, this long-standing endeavor has warmed the heads, hands, and hearts of many, many grateful people over the years. Again this year we will be collecting new winter hats, gloves and scarves of all kinds. These will be distributed to the homeless through the St. Mark HOOP ministry and will also be distributed through the Catholic Charities Christmas Store in Indianapolis that serves over 3000 needy children of all ages each Christmas season. Your donations can be placed in the baskets in the narthex and are greatly appreciated by those who receive them. Please consider purchasing men's gloves, as they are our greatest need. Thank you!

St. Mark Catholic Apparel online sale is going to on NOW! Click on the link to order your St. Mark Catholic Spiritwear and apparel: http://www.eliteprintingindy.com/stmarkspiritwear

The Spiritual Life Committee is offering Augustine Institute’s six video series, Prayer: Finding Intimacy with God which captures the secret to opening our hearts and minds to Scripture as the means to hear from God and then respond in conversation. We meet on Monday’s, October 8th thru November 12th, from 6:30-8:00 PM in the School Media Center. If you missed the previous sessions of the Prayer series, you may join the experience online through FORMED at stmarkindy.formed.org. Any questions about how to register for the series, please contact Angi Swiezy at aswiezy@stmarkindy.org or 787-8246.

The word is out. The competition has increased. More people are donating to the Indiana State Tax Credit Scholarship Program and taking advantage of this unique tax opportunity. Your gift to St. Mark Catholic School, through the Institute of Quality Education (IQE), will help our students afford a high quality, Catholic education. Click for more information!

We are seeking volunteers to collate, photocopy, stuff envelopes, etc. on an as needed basis. It is our intention to establish a call list of those volunteers to be contacted when needed. Your time commitment would be established by you. If you anticipate some free time or are a high school student seeking community service hours, please contact Alison Archer at 317.787.8246 to be added to our list. Thank you for offering to share your time and talent for this Parish Center endeavor.

This year our annual Blanket Sunday collection is getting a new date and focus. The weekend of September 29th and 30th, we will be collecting blankets, towels and bed linens after all Masses. Thursday, September 27th, is both the birthday and feast day of St. Vincent DePaul, so the closest weekend provides an excellent opportunity to thank each of you for supporting our ongoing activities. You'll hear more about this in the coming weeks. Last week we visited the SVDP Distribution Center and learned that the most urgently needed items are new and gently used towels and washcloths...twin/twin XL and full/queen blankets and bed linens. The client referral desk manager told us that the need for all of these items continues to outpace available stock. The other thing we are interested in is sleeping bags that are still in pretty good shape. I bet there are plenty lurking in hall closets and garage shelves.

Catholic Charities of Indianapolis sponsors a monthly caregiver support group for family members/friends who care for older adults. Meetings are open to the community and are a way for adult caregivers to share and learn from each other. Please confirm attendance. For additional information, contact Monica Woodsworth at 317-261-3378 or mwoodsworth@archindy.org. Next meeting is Monday, August 20th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at St. Mark Catholic School.

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.

Our parish will be helping with drivers and helpers at the St. Vincent de Paul warehouse on 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.