500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, Connecticut 06614 Rectory Phone: 203-377-0444 / Fax: 203-386-8071 • Parish Website: www.stmarkstratford.org

Religious Education Phone: 203-377-3158 • School Phone: 203-375-4291

Bequests to St. Mark are strongly encouraged and gratefully accepted. Sugges�on: When a loved one dies, advise rela�ves & friends to make a

dona�on to “St. Mark Bldg. Fund” in memory of the deceased, and include this wish in the obituary no�ce.

MASS SCHEDULE: Saturdays: 8:00am, 5:00pm - Vigil

Sundays: 7:30am, 9:00am, 10:30am

& 12:00 Noon

Weekdays: 8:00am

Holydays: 5:30pm - Vigil, 8:00am, 12:00

Noon & 7:00pm

Confession Schedule: Saturday 3:30pm -

4:30pm

NEW PARISHIONERS

WELCOME to our Parish Family!

To be officially registered, please ask an

Usher for a Census Card, fill it out and

return it in person, or by mail.

PASTOR Rev. Birendra Soreng PAROCHIAL VICAR Rev. Russell Augustine DEACONS Deacon Andrew Dzujna Deacon F. Paul Kurmay Deacon T. Emmet Murray DIRECTOR OF MUSIC Mr. Peter Nelsen (203-650-0768) CANTOR Maria Damianou (203-377-0444) DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Mrs. Patricia Nettleton (203-377-3158) YOUTH MINISTRY Mr. Jared Forcier (203-876-1621) www.stmarkyouthgroup.org PARISH BUSINESS MANAGER Mrs. Susan Lenahan (203-377-0444) PARISH SECRETARY Mrs. Paula Mollica (203-377-0444) ST. MARK SCHOOL Mr. Scott Clough, Principal (203-375-4291) PARISH TRUSTEES Mr. Frank Bevacqua Mr. Martin Poniatowski PARISH COUNCIL Al Grassia, President (203-258-0668) PARISH FINANCE OFFICER Mrs. Miriam Costa (203-380-8583)

MATRIMONY Arrangements must be made with one of the priests at least 8 months in advance of the date before social plans are made. If either party has gone through any form of civil or religious marriage with another person the priest is not permitted to set a date for the wedding until the Bishop’s office has been consulted. PREBAPTISMAL CLASS For those anticipating the birth and subsequent Baptism of their first children, class is held on the second Tuesday every other month. January, March, May, July, September, November at 7:30 p.m. in the Upper Room. ROSARY Daily following the 8:00 a.m. Mass/Upper Room CHOIR Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 p.m. ADORATION CHAPEL The Chapel of Divine Mercy is open from Sunday 6:00 p.m. through 10:00 a.m. Saturday 24 hours per day. Additional Eucharistic Adorers are always welcome. Please consider volunteering an hour of your time and contact Gary Tennyson at 203-953-1200/email tennysg@comcast.net or R. Scott Goodfellow at 203-394-2248 and email rscottgoodfellow@aol..com. OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 30, 2018 thru Sunday, July 8, 2018 Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Saturday 5:00 Philomena and Dominick Macaluso RB Family Sunday 7:30 John Bigley RB Sabre Family 9:00 Anthony Napoli RB Gnoza Family 10:30 Jane Lombardi RB St. Mark Ladies Guild 12:00 Gabriel Colucci RB Maria Colucci Monday 8:00 Rose Tavares RB Gnoza Family Tuesday 8:00 Jaime Jusino, Sr. RB Family Wednesday 8:00 Raymond Tilki RB Anna Chupick Thursday 8:00 Collective Intention Friday 8:00 James Steinmetz RB Family Saturday 8:00 Ella “Verne” Hayes RB Janet and Tom DiStassio 5:00 Anthony Guerrera RB St. Mark Ladies Guild Sunday 7:30 Shirley M. Murray RB Family 9:00 Antonietta Riccio RB Family 10:30 Edward A. Bitsco RB Wife and Family 12:00 Edith Visconti RB Josephine Lipinski (sister)

UPCOMING EVENTS July 1: St. Mark Youth Group Car Wash July 7: St. Mark School Bottle/Can Drive July 14/15: Coop Mission Weekend July 16: Lay Fraternity St. Dominic July 28/29/30: Sacred Heart presents GODSPELL July 30-Aug 3: St. Mark Vacation Bible School August 11: Fan the Fire Youth Rally Sept 14: Confirmation Summer 2018 Summer Reading Challenge Is On!

LECTOR/EUCHARISTIC MINISTER SCHEDULE

Saturday, July 7: 5:00 p.m.: B. and D. Grosso (EM), A. Giroux (L)

Sunday, July 8:

7:30 a.m.: R. Janega/A. McKelvey (EM), J. Rogers (L) 9:00 a.m.: A. & K. Grassia (EM), D. & K. Foito (L) 10:30 a.m.: D. & J. Donia (EM), J. DiStassio (L) 12:00 p.m.: L. Tkacs/G. Urban (EM), J. Antonico (L)

FIRST FRIDAY HOLY HOUR WILL BE HELD AT 5:30 IN THE CHURCH

Readings for this Sunday may be found in Catholic Community Hymnal

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Section 615B

“Worship the Lord in Holy Attire” (Psalm 96:6) Dear Parishioners: Summer is here and with it, hot weather. That usually means a different form of dress. Casual and light is the order of the day. It is time to remind parishioners of the proper attire when you come to church. Clothes say something about what we think, what we value. They also influence how we behave and feel. Sunday is special, and God’s House is special. Some things are really important, and our clothing and demeanor ought to reflect this truth. The exterior reflects the interior, and God definitely deserves the best we have inside and out! This is also why altar dressings, items for the Mass, vestments the priests wear etc., are normally the best we can manage … made from expensive materials and adorned with gold, silver, and jewels. However, we have to remember that our fancy dress clothes should reflect that our soul is just as dressed up. The Catholic Church does not have an official dress code, yet stresses that modesty (and common sense) be used regarding clothing. However, the Catholic Catechism teaches that our gestures and our clothing “ought to convey the respect , solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our gues t” in Holy Communion (CCC 1387) . Sunday Mass is a sacred event. We gather in a special place in the presence of God and one another to do the most sacred action we can ever do — offer the sacrifice of Christ to the Father. When I come to Mass I am coming to meet my Lord and to participate in the mystery of my salvation. Certainly such an event calls for the greatest degree of reverence and our attitude, shown in our dress, should be profound respect. How would you dress up if you were invited to a royal wedding in July? And at church Jesus king of the universe Himself is present. Therefore it has to be everyone’s responsibility to help each other worship God in a more spiritual and respectful way. Parishioners have to avoid becoming a distraction to other faithful by their choice of clothing worn. Parents must also be responsible for the choices their older children are making in choosing the way they are dressed. Father Birendra, Pastor

CONGRATULATIONS! The entire St. Mark Par ish family of faith congratulates Lauren and Matthew Paz, who were joined in Holy Matrimony at St. Mark Church on Saturday, June 23, 2018. May God bless their marriage with health, happiness, and the spirit of his Son, Jesus Christ.

Summer Associate Father Tarcitius Toppo WELCOME! Father Tarcy has ar r ived and is happy to be with us. After flight delays and lots of traffic coming home from the airport, he is comfortably settled in at the rectory. Let us wish him a wonderful summer with us!

ST. MARK YOUTH GROUP CAR WASH: Please suppor t the St. Mark Youth Group by coming to their Car Wash, Sunday, July 1, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.in the parking lot. Monies collected from the Car Wash help to defray the cost of students attending Steubenville East Conference. Thanks for your support!

HANDS TO HEARTS NEEDLEWORK: The next meeting will be held on July 11, in the Upper Room, at 1:00 p.m. If you knit, crochet, or quilt, or would like to learn, please consider joining. New members are always welcome. Donations of acrylic yarn, or cotton fabric, are appreciated, and may be left in the Hands to Hearts donation box in the Upper Room.

DRIVERS NEEDED: If you are able to help dr ive Father Toppo to visit the sick, etc., during the months of July, August, and September, please let Susan and Paula know at the rectory office. Thanks!

WELCOME NEW PARISHIONERS: We are very happy to give a big “welcome” to the following families who joined St. Mark parish: Jake and Maria Sebastian, as well as Justine, Chelsea, and EJ Fredericks. WELCOME!

THE PETER’S PENCE COLLECTION: Peter ’s Pence Collection is this weekend June 30/July 1. The Peter’s Pence Collection (PPC) has ancient roots, linking back to New Testament times when people would provide material support to those preaching the Gospel for distribution to those in need (see Acts 4:34- 35, 11:29). Today, the collection is the way we, as members of the Catholic Church, unite ourselves to the concerns of the Holy Father. Donations to this collection support the charitable works of Pope Francis for the relief of those most in need. Pope Francis has encouraged us not to “fall into indifference, but become instruments of God’s mercy.” Each of us has been called to be an instrument of God’s mercy and to be a witness of charity. For “it is precisely in the measure to which we open ourselves to others that life becomes fruitful, society regains peace, and people recover their full dignity.” Your generosity is a witness to charity and helps the Holy See reach out compassionately to those who are marginalized. For example, with support to the PPC and the assistance of the Vicar of the Latin Patriarchate in Amman, Jordan, a funding network has been created to respond to the needs of Immaculate Conception Parish School in Al Huson. The parish assists more than 800 children, many of whom are refugees from the war in Syria. Al Huson is located about 12 miles from the border with Syria; and in recent years, the arrival of many refugees has heavily impacted the economy and daily life in the city. With help from university students in the parish who teach math, Arabic, and English, hundreds of children not in the school system are learning to read and write. Thank you for being as generous as possible in helping our Holy Father, Pope Francis, with his charitable works.

FAN THE FIRE YOUTH RALLY: The 13th Annual Fan the Fire Youth Rally will take place on Saturday, August 11, from 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church, Newtown, CT. All young people in grades 8 through 12 are invited and encouraged to attend this incredible day. The day will consist of speakers, including Bishop Caggiano, and Chris Padgett, celebration of the Mass and Eucharistic Adoration, worship music, opportunities for the sacrament of Reconciliation, entertainment and a service project coordinated by Catholic Relief Services. Lunch and dinner are included in the registration fee of $45. To register, please visit www.formationreimagined.org or direct any questions to Jessica Nayden at JNayden@diobpt.org or 203-416-1454.

NICHOLS GARDEN CLUB: The Nichols Garden Club presents a Secret Garden Tour, Sunday July 15, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., rain or shine. Ticket and map pickup 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. day of tour at Nichols Improvement Association, 1773 Huntington Turnpike, Trumbull, CT. $35 day of tour; advance tickets $30 now available. This self-guided tour will feature five local gardens selected for their beauty, uniqueness, and interest. Each garden is hosted by garden club members and volunteers, and complimentary refreshments will be served at each site. Visit www.nicholsgc.org or www.nichols@gmail.com or telephone 203-590-2232 for more details. Flyers are at the main entrance of the church.

OUR LADY OF PEACE CHURCH, LORDSHIP: Dur ing the month of July, EVERYTHING in their Thrift Shop will be half price. The shop will close for the month of August and reopen Saturday, September 1st. Thanks!

SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY PRESENTS – GODSPELL! Buy a ticket to GODSPELL! The SHU Theatre Arts Program presents a three-day performance July 27/28/29 at the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts. Please go to www.edgertoncenter.org to order your tickets. Use promo code GoGodspell.

Pray for: Claire Duff, Marta Kosh, Marilyn Bedford, Stephanie Leko, Ava Christine Gallant, Peter Kiman, Jr., Peter Kiman, Sr., Marie Orlowe, Linda Bates, Janet Onze, Robert Haborak, Lillian Butler, Pete Deyo, Claire Hromjak, Jason Swarbrick, John Hoffman, Eleanor Somma, Edward Burns, Abigail Feehan, Lucille Guglielmoni, Lillian Koegler, Michael Petro, Rose

Kovach, Christopher Rascoll, Mark Klizas, Jenna Strickland, Julia, Jyllian Golias, Leo, Pauline DelleFontane, JoAnn Battistoni, Amanda LaPrade, Ann, Jeffrey, Wilfred “Bill” Rodie, Glenn Derbyshire, Harold Warner, Helen Elias, Theresa Mollica, Liana Lowman, Richard Smith, Maurizio Marchese, Thomas and Loretta Foley, Jennifer Hadlock, Kina Silva., Matt Nolting, Alan Lynn, Nicholas Genga, Robert Noonan, Will McKelvey, Samuel Mulford, Bill and Carolyn Novotny, Peter Uzzi, Anne Fahy, Blaise Vitale, Dayna Reed, Ethan Ortega, Fedare Hromjak, Debbie Smelaglno, Robert Naddele, Sr.,Michael Giansanti, Rose Vogel, John Hagas, Shirley Burr, Karlie Ortez., Pam Cervero, Joseph Castellon.

Adoration Chapel Schedule

Our Stewardship of Treasure

Sunday, June 24, 2018 $ 9,538 Sunday, June 25, 2017 $ 8,510 Annual Collection 2018 $ 48,055 Annual Collection 2017 $ 43,304

Readings for the Week of July 1, 2018

Patty McSally Rose Vogel

“...as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their want, so that their abundance may supply your want, that there may be equality.” 2 CORINTHIANS 8:14 We are responsible not only for our own lives, but for the lives of those around us. It is important that we not only grow, nurture, and share our gifts, but that we also teach our children and encourage others to do the same. This is the communal aspect of our Catholic faith. We are the “Body of Christ.” We are called to be dependent on each other and not live in isolation.

PARISHIONER IN NEED: A Personal Care Assistant is needed for a female living in her home. A variety of personal care tasks are required. Approximately 20 hours per week. Morning, evening, and weekend hours are available. If you are interested, please call Rich at 203-375-2931 for more information.

ST. MARK SCHOOL BOTTLE AND CAN DRIVE: The next collection of recyclables will be on July 7, 2018, in front of the Parish Center, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, rain or shine!

SECOND COLLECTION SUNDAY JULY 1, 2018 Holy Father Peter’s Pence

PARISH NURSES: The Par ish Nurses will be taking blood pressures after all the Masses the weekend of July 14/15. Please stop by to get a reading. Remember, you may drop off outdated prescription meds for disposal with Stratford Police. The Parish Nurses will be on vacation the month of August; no blood pressure screenings will occur that month.

FORMED: For those interested in going on-line to take classes on their own, please visit www.formed.org, and use St. Mark’s passcode of 8YVYF3.

Sunday: Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24/Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13 [2a]/2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15/ Mk 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43 Monday: Am 2:6-10, 13-16/Ps 50:16bc-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-23 [22a]/Mt 8:18-22 Tuesday: Eph 2:19-22/Ps 117:1bc, 2 [Mk 16:15]/Jn 20:24-29 Wednesday: Am 5:14-15, 21-24/Ps 50:7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 16bc-17 [23b]/Mt 8:28-34 Thursday: Am 7:10-17/Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 [10cd]/Mt 9:1-8 Friday: Am 8:4-6, 9-12/Ps 119:2, 10, 20, 30, 40, 131 [Mt 4:4]/Mt 9:9-13 Saturday: Am 9:11-15/Ps 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14 [cf. 9b]/Mt 9:14-17 Next Sunday: Ez 2:2-5/Ps 123:1-2, 2, 3-4 [2cd]/2 Cor 12:7-10/Mk 6:1-6a

For the week of June 30, 2018 to July 7, 2018 The Sanctuary Lamp Glows in Memory of

Josephine and Joseph Janega RB Ruth Janega

LAY FRATERNITY OF ST. DOMINIC: In the past several years the St. Mary’s Chapter of the Lay Fraternity of St. Dominic (formerly known as Third Order Dominicans) has been blessed with many vocations and incredible growth. We are now excited to launch a new affiliate Chapter at St. Theresa Church, Trumbull, CT, with the blessing and support of Rev. Brian P. Gannon, Pastor, St. Theresa Church. If you are being called to a deeper understanding of Faith and Truth, come follow us in the footsteps of St. Dominic through prayer, study, community, and apostolate. Please join us for an Informal Inquiry Meeting on Thursday, July 26, 2018, at St. Theresa Church, 5301 Main Street, Trumbull, CT, at 7:00 p.m. in the Lower Convent/Parish Center. For more information, please call, text, or email Stefano Santilli (ste.santilli@gmail.com – 203-524-4945) or Michelle Rowe (orapronobis20@gmail.com – 203-218-6882).

CONFIRMATION: Fr iday, September 14, 2018 will be the date for our young men and women to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. For anyone who has a child of age to receive this sacrament, and they are not already registered in a preparation class, please contact Mrs. Patricia Nettleton, Director of Religious Education, 203-377-3158, as quickly as possible. Mark your calendars accordingly if this date impacts your family!

MISSION CO-OP WEEKEND: On the weekend of July 14/15, Fr. Brendan McCarrick S.A.C. will visit the parish to speak at all Masses about the missionary work of the Irish Pallottine Fathers in Tanzania, Kenya, and Colombia. The second collection taken up will be to support their work of evangelization and development in those countries. We appreciate your generosity in your support of their missionary outreach. The Pallottine Fathers were founded in Rome in 1835 by Saint Vincent Pallotti. He was a priest in the Diocese of Rome. He founded this religious community to encourage the apostolate of the laity and promote of the missionary work of the Church. Fr. Brendan was ordained in July, 2016 for the Irish Provence of the Pallottine Father and he now serves as Associate Pastor in the Parish of St. Vincent Pallotti in Wyandotte, MI. and Chaplin to Wyandotte Hospital. Prior to joining Religious life, Fr. Brendan worked in the construction industry for many years. Fr. Brendan is looking forward to sharing his thoughts with you on the challenge of evangelization today in the context of life in East Africa.

FEED THE HUNGRY: The Br idgepor t Rescue Mission has reached out to St. Mark and the local community to help with their Great Thanksgiving Project. Individuals and families receive everything they need to prepare a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner! St. Mark did such a great job of collecting corn last year that we have been asked to supply the corn again. Our goal is 500 cans of corn. Last year we collected 1,800 cans of corn! Let’s see if we can break our record and help those in need. Bins will be provided at the entrances of the church and collection will be the last two weekends of July.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL !!!

COME AND SEE…if you are being called to a vocation as a Secular Franciscan! Please join the Holy Spirit Fraternity on Saturday, July 21st for Mass at 9:30 a.m. followed by a gathering at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 149 South Pine Creek Road, Fairfield, CT. A brochure on the Secular Franciscans in the back of the church. All are welcome. For information call Susan Lenahan at 203-377-0444, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 - 4.

MALTA HOUSE: We received a lovely Thank You note from Malta House for our generous gift of diapers, blankets, onesies, clothing, and cash in support of Good Counsel Malta House. Carey Dougherty, Director of Development & Strategy writes: “We are so blessed by the St. Mark community and are grateful for all you do for our mothers and babies!”

Why Have a Catholic Funeral Mass? Death is something we all face in our families at one time or another. In recent years a new and troubling trend marks the U.S. Church: the decline in a Catholic Funeral Mass. More often than ever before, practicing Catholics are not having Catholic Funeral Masses, instead opting for a funeral service at a funeral parlor, or at the graveside in place of a Funeral Mass. Sometimes this happens even for those who have been very faithful Catholics all their lives. It is sad and disheartening. In many instances, because the families are no longer practicing their faith and do not understand the importance of a Catholic Funeral Mass, they wonder why they should ‘sit through’ something they do not understand or value. Sometimes people are afraid that a funeral will be too sad, as if unexpressed grief were somehow healthier. Some do not choose a Funeral Mass because they are not Catholics themselves, or they want to make things easy for themselves, or make it a so-called ‘celebration of life’ by choosing to do things that make you feel better for a little time. It is sad for the departed who, in life, found great comfort in his or her Catholic faith. The primary purpose of a Catholic Funeral Mass is to pray for the salvation of the deceased loved one. At the heart of our faith is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which frees us from sin and death. Mass is the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross and for that reason, it is by definition efficacious. It is not a repetition but a re-enactment of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross. We are present at Calvary. Jesus is dying for the salvation of that particular person at the moment of the Mass for whom it is being offered. Not understanding the value of Mass is to say that Jesus’ death on the cross means nothing to me. Rather than merely remembering the life and death of Christ, we are present at it and partake of its eternal fruits, which flow to us from the altar and during the Canon, when the priest stands in the place of Christ and offers the Eternal Victim on the Altar to God. Today it is popular to refer to the funeral as a “celebration of life.” But this term is misleading. It is true that a funeral is a time for thanking God for the gift of the person’s life and all the blessings God gave to that person in his or her life. However, this is not the main focus of the funeral. The main purpose is to pray for the person and to intercede for his or her salvation. We all have a tendency to speak of our deceased loved ones as if they are already in heaven. But, as much as we love someone, and as wonderful a person as we know them to be, the reality is we cannot know for certain that someone is already in heaven. (Except for the Saints officially canonized by the church,) Therefore, it is an act of love and faith to pray for the person that God quickly welcomes him or her into heaven. The best way to pray for a person who has died is to offer Mass for that person. We offer Mass because it is the most perfect prayer – the renewal of Christ’s offering of Himself to the Father for the salvation of the world. In that moment we offer it for this person – this man, this woman- who has left this world in the hope, great or small, of everlasting happiness. When we offer Mass for someone, we are asking God that the benefits of Jesus’ saving death and resurrection be applied to the person for his or her salvation. The second purpose of the Catholic Funeral Mass is to help the loved ones to gradually deal with the pain of loss and come to a deeper faith in the resurrection, which is a source of great peace. The Funeral Mass provides pastoral care and comfort for those who mourn so they can express their grief in light of their faith and find consolation in Jesus. The Holy Mass helps to heal the sorrow that comes from the loss of a loved one. This is also a special moment of grace for the family. No person likes to think of his or her death. But I want to encourage people to at least reflect on the beauty and meaning of the Catholic Funeral Mass and let your loved ones know your desires and wishes that you want to be given a beautiful Catholic funeral. We need to remind ourselves that a “prayer service” is only a prayer, but a Catholic Funeral Mass is the Eternal Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross for the Salvation of the world. Brothers and sisters, don’t take it lightly. Don’t deprive yourself or your loved ones of the beautiful Catholic Funeral Mass. If it is a financial issue, speak with the parish staff and we can make adjustments as necessary, but give your loved ones a Catholic Funeral Mass. The Mass is the greatest respect you could ever give your deceased loved ones - and for which they will be eternally grateful. Father Birendra Soreng, Pastor