FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION

(Please note time change)

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place immediately following the 7:45 a.m. Mass until 1:30 p.m. on September 3 in St. Mark Chapel. All are welcome and encouraged to spend some quiet time in reflection with our Lord.

LABOR DAY MASS SCHEDULE

There will be no morning Masses in the Chapel on Labor Day, Monday, September 6. Labor Day Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am in the Church on September 6.

ATTENTION ALL MUSIC MAKERS!

The St. Mark Music Ministry is seeking new members. If you have an interest in singing during Mass, please consider sharing your talents. No formal training is needed; just a desire to serve Our Lord in this important and fulfilling ministry. If you're interested, please contact Patrick Coyle at 443-850-0998, patrick@coylesolutions.com, or stop by after Mass to speak with a current member.

DID YOU MISS SIGNING UP FOR CUB SCOUTS?

Cub Scout Pack 456 is still taking applications. Please stop by the church or school office to pick up an application or email the Cub Master, John Hash at john_hash@hotmail.com

ST. MARK CLASS OF 1963 REUNION

St. Mark Class of 1963 will hold a reunion on Oct 23 in the Parish Center. For additional information please contact Nanci Weaver Armstrong at NanciArmst@verizon.net or 410-788-4360.

ST. MARK SCHOOL NEWS

St. Mark School Openings: Considering a Catholic education for your child for the 2010–2011 school year? There are limited openings available at St. Mark School. Please call the school office at 410-744-6560, ext. 2 for registration information and more details.

New Student Orientation: St. Mark School will be having a new student and family orientation on Aug 26 from 9:30–11:30am in the Coakley Room of the Parish Center. New students from grades 1–8 are encouraged to come and have the opportunity to tour the school and meet their teachers. New kindergarten students will receive a mailing regarding their orientation schedule.

Uniform Exchange: St. Mark School will also be having a Uniform Exchange on Aug 26 from 9:00–11:30am in Father Henry Hall (cafeteria). Gently used uniform items are available for sale for $1 or an even exchange of items.

First Week of School Schedule: St. Mark School opens its doors for students on Mon, Aug 30. Both Mon, Aug 30 and Tues, Aug 31 are half days. Wed, Sept 1 and Thurs, Sept 2 are full days of school. School will be closed on Fri, Sept 3 and Mon, Sept 6 for the Labor Day Holiday. School will reopen on Tues, Sept 7 on a regular schedule.

We are looking forward to a wonderful and exciting school year with all of our students, new and returning!

SOCIAL JUSTICE NEWS

Reminder — School Supplies Project: Just a reminder that there is only one more week to contribute to the School Supplies Project to help children less fortunate than our own. Please deposit donations (notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, backpacks, etc.) in the boxes in the back of the Church or Chapel. Thank you for your generosity and for remembering this worthwhile cause.

SJ Committee……We’re (Almost) Back!!: September is almost here and the St. Mark Social Justice Committee is gearing up for another action packed ‘what can we do for all God’s children’ year! Actually, we haven’t stopped. The “Make a Pillowcase, Make a Difference’ project, “Back to School” collection, and food collections have all been facilitated by fantastic members and sponsored by the Social Justice Committee. YOU can be one of those members who give of themselves to give to others. Join us:

SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE MEETING — Sept 13 at 7:00pm in the Coakley room. …please!

LOST & FOUND

There are many items in the parish lost & found &mash; jewelry, eyeglasses, gloves and hats, etc. If you’ve lost items on the church grounds, we may have them! Come in or call us at 410-744-6560, ext 221.

BABY BOTTLES FOR PREGNANCY CENTER WEST

If you forgot your baby bottle on Father’s Day, return it this week in the back of church or to the parish office, or call for pickup — Cindy Mohler 410-747-4589.

MUNCHKINS PLAYGROUP MEETING DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS

The Munchkins Playgroup will meet each Monday during the summer months from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in the Youth Room of the Parish Center with the exception of Monday, July 5.

CONFIRMATION 2011

Preparations for Confirmation 2011 have begun! If you have not yet registered for Confirmation and are in 7th grade or above, are currently attending a Catholic School or Religious Education Program, and have received the Sacraments of Baptism, 1st Eucharist and Reconciliation in the Roman Catholic Church, contact Rae Ellen Clegg as soon as possible: 410-744-6560, ext. 231 or rclegg@stmarkchurch-catonsville.org.

Be sure to check our website — www.stmarkchurch-catonsville.org/confirmation2011 — for a list of upcoming service opportunities!

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Sunday Preschool Program

We still have openings in our Sunday Preschool Program! The program has two classrooms: one is for children who will be 3 years old by Aug 31 and the other is for children who will be 4 years old by Aug 31. The program takes place during the 9:00am Liturgy. You drop off your child before going to Mass and pick them up when Mass is over. We use Sadlier’s Discovering God series, which is a faith-development program designed to provide experiences for your child to explore God’s gifts of ourselves, creation, family, and our Church community. If you already have children enrolled in any of the St. Mark School of Religious Education programs, there is no additional cost. If your family would only be using the Sunday Preschool Program, there is a $100/family fee for the approximately 30 sessions. If you would like more information or a registration form, please call the office at 410-744-6560, ext. 224 or download a registration form at http://www.stmarkchurch-catonsville.org/Ministries/RelEd/school-religious-education-programs.asp.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Registration for Fall 2010 Classes

The Office of Religious Education has been enrolling students for the 2010–2011 school year. If your child attends a public school or non-Catholic private school and is of catechetical age, please contact the Religious Ed office at 410-744-6560, ext. 224, or email, jlabate@stmarkchurch-catonsville.org. The Traditional Program meets on Tuesday evenings from 5:30pm–6:45pm. The Family Religious Education program meets one Sunday a month after the 9:00am Mass. We also have a Sunday Preschool Program for 3- and 4-year-old children. Please remember: for a child to be eligible for sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, Eucharist or Confirmation they must have participated in an approved religious education program the prior year. The 2010–2011 tuition is $125/family for families reregistering and $100/family for families registering for the first time. Please call the office with any questions or if you wish to receive a registration form.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Book Club

In 1986, theologian Henri Nouwen had an aesthetic encounter with Rembrandt’s painting, “Return of the Prodigal Son,” which led to one of the most profound spiritual encounters of his life. In 1992, he wrote a book recounting this experience, and now, even several years after his death, further manuscripts dealing with the same subject have been discovered, and another book published posthumously. We will be discussing this newest book, Home Tonight, at our monthly meeting on Aug 23 at 7:30pm in the Parish Center. What better way to begin winding down this Liturgical Year of “Luke’ than to join us for this discussion!

ST. MARK SOCCER FALL 2010 REGISTRATION

Online registration is now open for the Fall 2010 season. Please go to www.eteamz.com/stmarksoccer to register BY AUGUST 31! For more information, contact Scott Fridley at 410-744-7510 or gsfridley@comcast.net.

ST. MARK SOCCER BASKETBALL REGISTRATION

Registration for all parishioners in grades K–8 is open now through the end of September and will be handled ONLINE ONLY. Please go to: www.eteamz.com/stmarkaa. We will also hold two identical and OPTIONAL Basketball Town Halls to provide program related information and to answer logistical questions. They will be held in the big gym on Aug 29 and Sept 12 from 6:30–7:30pm. For more information, contact John Quinn at (best way) stmarkaa@hotmail.com or 410-744-3223.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

OUR DAILY BREAD SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES: Can you help? We need 30–40 volunteers each day to serve our guests at their table. Many of our regular volunteers are away during the summer. If you’re able to volunteer this summer on a weekday, please let us know. We also invite you and your parish to collect and donate items that we use regularly to help feed those in need like: cold cereal, sugar, jelly, and/or peanut butter. To help or for more information, please call our volunteer line at 443-986-9031.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT BEANS & BREAD: At Beans & Bread Center, we try to meet the many needs of the hungry and homeless in Baltimore City. We currently are looking for volunteers to help feed approximately 300 persons daily on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30am to 1:00pm. Contact Erin Shutt at 410-732-1892 ext 111 or erin.shutt@vincentbaltimore.org if you are interested in volunteering.

SODALITY MASS ANNOUNCEMENT

There will be no Sodality Masses in June, July or August. Have a great summer, and we’ll see you in September!

ST. MARK ROAMIN’ CATHOLICS

St. Mark Roamin’ Catholics are planning the following trips and would like to remind the parish that these events are open to everyone:

September 22 — Visit Mother Seton’s Shrine and Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes for a guided tour — Lunch at the Dutch’s Daughter restaurant. Cost: $55; $25 due with reservation. Benefits St. Mark Sodality.

October 7–13 — Arizna, Las Vegas, & the Grand Canyon — Includes a visit to Montezuma Castle and a sightseeing tour of Phoenix. Visit Sedona, tour Scottsdale, and spend 3 nights in Las Vegas. Cost: $1379 per person, double occupancy. Includes airfare.

December 6 — New York, NY — Radio City’s Christmas Show. Cost: Approx. $110.

Early reservations are recommended. Call Carol at 410-744-7092 to reserve your space.

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE IT

“Together, We Can Make It,” an 8-or-10-week program designed to assist men and women who are newly hurting and offered by the Single Again Council of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, will be held at St. Mark starting June 9 from 7:00–9:00pm in the Youth Room of the Parish Center. For more information, please contact Trina Ridolfi at 410-747-8405.

ST. MARK SCHOOL SUMMER HOURS

The St. Mark School office will be open during the summer on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00am to noon.

*** UPDATE ***
BALTIMORE OPEN HOUSE HAS BEEN POSTPONED

The Open House at our Baltimore/Sparrow House maternity home scheduled for this Saturday, June 26th has been postponed. Thank you to all those who expressed interest in this event. Stay tuned for more information on the home and possible rescheduling.

PRESERVING THE TRADITION, TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE:
THE REBIRTH OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF BALTIMORE

Please take a few moments to read the Archbishop’s Letter on the Rebirth of Catholic Schools. For more information on the plan, please visit www.archbalt.org/aplacetogrow.

THE ARCHBISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL

WHEN I CALLED, YOU ANSWERED ME… (PSALM 138:3)

The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal is now underway. Many of our parishioners have received a mailing from Archbishop O’Brien asking that you make a pledge to the 2010 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. The Appeal not only funds the operations of the Archdiocese, it funds services that are of great help to the ministries here at St. Mark.

Our contributions to our parish and our Archdiocese serve as a sign of gratitude not only for God’s answers to our prayers but also as a sign of our recognition that all that we are and all that we have are gifts given to us by God. Your gift will enable archdiocesan support of ministry, education, and service that touch thousands of lives not only in our Archdiocese but throughout the world.

Our parish receives 25% of each dollar contributed up to our goal of $115,300. Then, we receive 50% of the additional funds received. This year, we will commit our parish rebates to Capital Improvements in Fr. Henry Hall. Please answer the Archbishop’s request and make a generous pledge. All pledges can be billed in ten monthly installments. Thank you in advance for your support.

For more information on the 2010 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, please visit the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s website.