(Catch up on past monthly newsletters by clicking this link.) https://vibrantcatholic.com/newsletter-1

* Advance: Adults $12.00, 5-12 yr olds $6.00

* Door: Adults $15.00, 5-12 yr olds $6.00

* All carry-outs must be an adult ticket.

* Tickets available at St. Mark & Kelchen Grain

* For in town deliveries, contact Tammy by Friday (5pm) 319-560-6197

UPCOMING EVENTS...

August 14, Vigil Mass, @ 7:00pm @ St. Joseph,

(no morning Mass at St. Mark)

August 15 -

Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary - Holy Day of Obligation in 2024

August 15 - Holy Day Mass, Thursday, @ 8:00am @ St. Mary

Aug. 17 - ANNUAL ST.MARK FAMOUS RODEO CHICKEN DINNER FUNDRAISER,

4:00 - 8:00 pm

Aug. 25 - Diversity Inclusion Birthday Party @ St. Mark, 4:00 pm

Aug. 27 - PASTORATE COUNCIL MEETING at Sacred Heart

Aug. 28 - Fall Catechist In-Service at St. Mary's Upper Room

Sept. 4 - Emmaus Pastorate Opening Mass and Registration for FAITH FORMATION, St. Mark

Sept. 11 - Faith Formation classes begin

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Monthly devotion for August-

The Immaculate Heart of Mary

"Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary means to recall the emotions of joy and sadness that Mary experienced in her own life. When you look at an image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, you see a burning heart surrounded with a crown of thorns and pierced with a sword. The Immaculate Heart of Mary shows us that despite the sufferings of Jesus (crown of thorns), he loves all of us, regardless of our sins, and spilled his blood (the sword) in hope that we would join him in heaven. It is for this reason that despite the trials and sufferings of Jesus, Mary’s heart still burns with love and devotion." (www.teachingcatholickids.com)

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With thanks and appreciation to Bill and Delores Kelchen, we now have a beautiful new oak table to be used in the gathering space of St. Mark as well as a special place on which to place the cremated remains of a loved one for a funeral. In the past the Kelchens have also created and donated the Ambry (cabinet for the oils) and a small table used up front during baptisms. We appreciate Bill and Delores for sharing their time and talent with our parish.

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$ PAY IT FORWARD SUNDAYS $

What happens to the loose bills tossed into the collection basket on St. Mark's Pay It Forward Sundays? Recently, the money went to buy two new tires for someone stranded in Dyersville and to help a young family purchase a reliable used car. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of these families! The Pay It Forward Committee has earmarked the collection on August 18 to support the NEW SOLES for YOUNG SOULS project.

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AUGUST MASS INTENTIONS

August 4 - Bob Holtz

August 7 -

August 11 - Gladys Schnieders

August 14 -

August 18 - For the People of St. Mark

August 21 - Sharon Heims

August 25 - Jeanette Demmer

August 28 - Bob Mescher

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THANK YOU to our many wonderful Mass servers, Eucharistic Ministers, choir members and music leaders. These are just a few of the many who serve in these roles in our parish and help to make our worship services go so smoothly.

ST. MARK PARISH LIFE

2024 EMMAUS PASTORATE

MONTHLY GATHERING

This is a great opportunity to make new friends in the Emmaus Pastorate!

Please call the parish office at 563-928-7200 if you have questions or would like to help in any way or attend and need assistance with travel.

UPCOMING 2024 DATES

Sunday, August 25 - 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, St. Mark

Monday, Sept. 30 - 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, St. Mary

Saturday, Oct. 26, -11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, St. Joseph

Sunday, Nov. 24 - 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, St. Mark

Monday, Dec. 30 - 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, St. Mary

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There is still time to donate school supplies or a monetary contribution to the New Soles for Young Souls collection! Supplies can be dropped off in the back of church until August 11; donations for tennis shoes can be made until September 1. Letters have been sent to local families notifying them to stop into Thompson Shoes, in Manchester, for a pair of tennis shoes at no cost to them. Thompson Shoes have worked on this project with us several times and do a wonderful job keeping the cost down, but still providing a quality, well-fitted, tennis shoe for growing feet. Typical cost of a quality pair of tennis shoes is $60-$100. Thank you for your support in assisting families with back to school supplies!

The following was submitted by Karla Trenkamp, Ed-Co School Counselor: "I wanted to share my experience with the new school shoes program that your church has sponsored in the past. Every student deserves a new pair of shoes to start off the school year, but unfortunately, not all get them. With your program you are helping to ensure that more students will have a new pair of shoes to wear. I have seen the recipients walk into school that first day and are so proud that they have new shoes. They also share this pride with their teachers and friends as they say, “Look at my new shoes!” This may not be a big deal to you and me, but to them, it is the world! It starts their school year off positive and they are so proud of
themselves. What a difference you made in a child’s life and I want to thank you for that!"

(image by kbza on Freepik)

St. Mark Stewardship & Social Concerns

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Jeanette Demmer

May 9, 1932 - July 1, 2024

We offer our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to Jean's family. She will be greatly missed.

Faith Formation

BAPTISM CLASS -

Do you have a child in need of baptism?
The first baptism class of 2024-2025 is Wednesday, August 7 at 6:00pm at St. Joseph Parish Center in Elkader. All parents requesting baptism for their child are asked to attend a class prior to the baptism. Godparents are welcome to come too! To register, please call John Uhal at the St. Joseph Parish Center at 563-245-2548 or email him at j.uhal@dbqarch.org. Preregistration is preferred but not required. The next class will be on Sunday, November 24 following the 10:00am Mass at St. Mark Parish in Edgewood.

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~ SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM ~

On Sunday, July 14, our faith family at St. Mark witnessed the beautiful baptism of Catharine Irene, infant daughter of Wayne and Niki Miranda. Congratulations!

Welcome to the faith, little one!

Representing the Knights of Columbus, Harry Wulfekuhle presented the Miranda family with a red rose and beautiful plaque congratulating them on their daughter's birth and baptism.

Beautiful blessings were bestowed upon the parents of this child.

We warmly welcomed Dan and Jamie Venteicher and their children, Hattie, Paul, Clara, and James to our faith family during Mass on July 21. It was an extra special opportunity to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event in our parish; four baptized, three confirmed, and one marriage sacramentalized, in one family on the same day. Congratulations, and my God bless this beautiful family.

Jamie, Dan, and Hattie received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The marriage of Dan and Jamie was sacramentalized in the Catholic Church during this special Mass. Congratulations, and welcome to this special family.

James, Paul, Clara & Hattie received the Sacrament of Baptism at St. Mark on July 21.

A big thank you to members of Team Walk in Faith, who served and cleaned up after a wonderful ice cream social in the parish center following the Mass. It was great to see so many people celebrating baptisms, confirmations, and a wedding blessing!!