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

DECEMBER MASS INTENTIONS

A beautiful video was played online at the beginning of Mass on November 3 for loved ones lost in the Emmaus Pastorate since the last All Souls Day.

*Click on the image above.

*Click on the green 'live' button at the top of the page.

*Scroll down to Live Broadcast Archive and to Nov. 3 Sunday Mass at St. Mark.

* The video starts at the 6:12 minute mark.

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ST. MARK PARISH LIFE

When was the last time you visited our Emmaus Pastorate website, vibrantcatholic.com? Have you been looking for baptism or pre-wedding information and forms? Are you wanting to read current or past bulletins or newsletters? Maybe you'd like to watch videos of some of Father's Weekly Wednesday Check-ins or Masses or even just find a form to submit a prayer intention. You'll find it all and more on the Emmaus Pastorate website. Spend some time exploring all of the helpful information available at your fingertips!

Just click on the image above or on this link to get started today! https://vibrantcatholic.com/

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With heartfelt appreciation, we thank Rev. David Ambrosy for celebrating Mass with us in Father John's absence.

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Christmas Baskets! Please join us in the parish center on Saturday, December 7, at 10 am to make Christmas Baskets for our community. Donations of single serve items, home baked goodies, and large ice cream buckets are needed! Enjoy some conversation over lunch and then deliver a couple baskets to spread a little Christmas cheer!

FRESH! CLEAN!

Oh my! Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of the children, women, and men who became the deep cleaning crew of our church on Saturday morning, November 16. The pews and kneelers are all scrubbed, every space vacuumed, windows washed, wood trim, chairs, statues, tables, doors.... whew!... you name it, are all wiped down and sparkling clean and ready for the upcoming Advent season and year ahead. All we need now is all of you to come and worship with us!

An extra special THANK YOU goes out to Archbishop Zinkula for celebrating The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Mass with us on Sunday, November 24, while Father John was home recuperating. We so appreciate your presence and leadership!

Be on the watch for this survey, soon available online or in paper format. Your voice is important!

St. Mark Stewardship & Social Concerns

Please keep Father John in your prayers as he continues to recuperate at home. We are extremely thankful for all of the people and medical teams who were there when Father needed them and extra thankful that he is making positive progress on this health journey. Take care and get well soon, Father!

Faith Formation

On Nov. 24th we celebrated the SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING.

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, announced that the GLOBAL CELEBRATION OF YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS would also be celebrated on Christ the King Sunday.

Many of our youth helped with this Mass, and we appreciate all of the youth of our parish so much!

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2024-2025

FAITH FORMATION ACTS OF GIVING:

1st grade will update the Mass bags for little kids to use during Mass.

2nd grade will create Birthday Bundles to donate to a local food bank.

3rd grade, in support of new parents, will collect items to send to the Clarity Clinic in Dubuque.

4th grade plans to play Bingo with residents at Lincolnwood Assisted Living and also create Christmas cards to put in the Christmas baskets that will be distributed to community members.

5th grade, during Advent, plans to sing Christmas carols at the Convalescent Home and in May, clean tombstones in the St. Mark Cemetery.

6th grade will hold a food drive and donate items to the local food pantry in Strawberry Point.

7th grade will be writing and sending notes and cards to people who have recently lost a loved one.

8th grade plans to put together and distribute goodie bags to our catechists to show appreciation and thanks for our amazing teachers.

9th/10th Confirmation students will make cookies for Christmas baskets and spend some time volunteering at the Catholic Worker House soup kitchen in Waterloo.

11th grade will continue to make tie blankets for newly baptized babies in our parish.

12th grade will help the First Communion students during their retreat.

* Representatives from each class presented their Acts of Giving plans during the Thanksgiving Mass at St. Mark held on Wednesday, November 28.

We are so very proud of the thoughtful, caring youth and their Faith Formation teachers in our parish.

Thank you!