In June 2015, Pope Francis publised the Encyclical Laudato Si, on our stewardship for God's creation.  There are many resources for those interested in being a Catholic caretaker for our planet.

Catholic Climate Covenant inspires and equips people and institutions to care for creation and care for the poor.  The website for this nonprofit is www.catholiccovenant.org.

• The Catholic Climate Covenant has online programs for individuals and families. 
• Are you interested in reading and learning more about Laudato Si? You can read a copy of the Encyclical online.
  • An online study guide for Laudato Si is available.  This link also includes a special Way of the Cross with particular focus on the suffering caused by climate change.
  • Here is an online resource page for Laudato Si.
• Online and in-person educational and volunteer opportunities are available locally through the Patapsco Heritage Greenway.

There is an urgent need for food donations.  CEA is running short of:

• canned foods,
• mixed dry foods,
• personal care items.

Giving Tree: A Beloved St. Mark Christmas Tradition

Many families use the experience of Giving Tree shopping to help teach their children the importance of providing for others during the holidays. 

Volunteers from the parish’s Community Outreach assess the needs of local homeless shelters and other helping organizations, prepare gift tags, set up the tree, and collect and store the gifts donated by our parishioners.  Email the social justice committee if you have questions or would like to volunteer. 

St. Mark Giving Tree 2023

Local community programs are truly grateful for the generous support of St. Mark parishioners’ Giving Tree donations.  The 2023 donations benefit the following: 

• Catonsville Emergency Assistance (CEA)
• The Children's Home
• Mosaic of Catonsville*
• St. Veronica's Parish in Cherry Hill
• Spring Grove Hospital
• Westside Men's Shelter

Engage in public/political life.  The Maryland Catholic Conference is the public policy voice for the Catholic Church in Maryland. 

YOUR Catholic impact: 

• 1 MILLION Catholics live in the State of Maryland;

• There are 290 parishes and missions

• 46,500 students are educated in Catholic schools

• 300k Maryland Residents are served by CATHOLIC CHARITIES each year! 

Join the Catholic Advocacy Network!

Click here for recent posts on Legislation in the Maryland House.

My Brother’s Keeper is a comprehensive community-based resource center in West Baltimore. The food pantry is in need of the following items to include in their take-away lunch bags:

• Individual size bags of Sun Chips and pretzels,
• Individual size packages of cookies or other dessert items.

Those items may be dropped off 9 a.m. –3 p.m. on weekdays OR purchased and shipped directly to:  

My Brother’s Keeper
Attn: Mr. Kevin Mason
4207 Frederick Ave.
Baltimore, MD  21229.

Thank you for supporting our neighbors in need!

St. Mark Church provides food donations to Our Daily Bread Employment Center, an organization that helps feed the poor in downtown Baltimore through an Archdiocesan-run soup kitchen/dining room facility founded by Catholic Charities in 1981.

St. Mark is scheduled for the 2nd Friday of every month.  Please check the parish calendar or bulletin for updates.

DROPOFF INSTRUCTIONS:

• Casserole pans with recipes and instructions are available in the vestibules of the Church and Chapel on the 1st weekend of every other month, before the Friday drop-off.
• Please ensure your casserole is completely frozen before drop off; Our Daily Bread cannot accept it otherwise.
• Contactless drop off is monthly on:
  • Designated Thursdays from 6-6:45 pm at Youth Room door, located on rear side of Parish Center, facing the gymnasium building.
  • Designated Fridays from 7:30-8:45AM in the Melvin Ave parking lot directly across from St. Mark School.
• Please do not bring your casserole(s) to the school or Parish Center.

For more information, please visit the Archdiocese of Baltimore website of Catholic Charities or call the Parish Office 410-744-6560, ext. 1.

SHARE THE WORD!

This ministry collects religious reading material for the Archdiocese prison ministry! 

Please place donations in the hamper in the vestibule labeled “Prison Ministry.”