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

You will hear and sing this song at our Masses during Lent; very fitting as it ties in with our Emmaus Pastorate Lenten theme, "Tend the Ground".

Click on the image above to open another window to listen to Curtis Stephan singing his song, "Tend the Ground."

Text: Inspired by Pope Francis's encyclical, Laudato Si, Curtis Stephan b. 1972 Music: Curtis Stephan Text and music copyright 2016, Curtis Stephan. Published by Spirit and Song, a division of OCP

CINNAMON ROLLS ARE COMING SUNDAY, APRIL 13!

Mark your calendars for a parish get together after the Palm Sunday 10 a.m. Mass at St. Mark. We will be welcoming Rose Quirk from the Catholic Worker House in Waterloo, who can visit with anyone who wants to hear more about this ministry, and we will be celebrating Father John's 70th birthday! It has been at least 6 years since we have served our FAMOUS CINNAMON ROLLS. It would be a great time to visit with your fellow parishioners as we kick off Holy Week and fill up the St. Mark parish center with ooey, gooey cinnamon rolls!

APRIL MASS INTENTIONS

March 10, 1928 ~ March 14, 2025

We offer our heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Doris Funke. She will be greatly missed.

In Loving Memory of

JoAnn Fitzpatrick

May 11, 1944 ~ March 21, 2025

Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of JoAnn Fitzpatrick whose funeral was held at St. Mark on March 25, 2025.

ST. MARK PARISH LIFE

BIBLE STUDY: Please join us!

All are welcome to join St. Mark's Bible Study on Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. in the St. Mark parish center. We are reading and studying the Gospel according to Luke. No homework, no pressure, no previous experience needed! Just come and enjoy an hour of learning about Jesus and letting Him into your life. Call Jane at 563-920-5967 for any questions or more information.

Bible Study will end May 1.
------------------------------------------

Successful

St. Mark Gala!

The evening of March 8 was filled with food, fun, fellowship, laughter, and fundraising at the annual St. Mark Gala. This year's theme was Surfin' USA with 160 delicious meals served, 80 items auctioned off, and around $30,000.00 raised. If you missed it this year, mark your calendars already for March 7, 2026, with next year's theme being "A Black Tie Affair!"

THANK YOU to the wonderful GALA committee members who made this an awesome night for all, to Rosie and her crew for the delicious meal, to Randy Nefzger, our faithful, fun auctioneer, to everyone who played a part in this most successful, fun evening by supporting this extraordinary fundraiser.

COMMUNITY EUCHRE Continues!!

Tuesdays at St. Mark Parish Center

1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

The last afternoon of Euchre will be April 29.

Everyone welcome!!

DETAILS:

Come and join us for some afternoon fun playing bid Euchre on Tuesdays during the winter months. We ask for a $2 donation that gets divided up for the top four scorers and the "dime a set" is returned as door prizes. You will have eight different partners and we finish around 4 p.m. with a small snack. Hope to see you there and bring a friend! Call Jane if you have questions 563-920-5967.

--------------------------------------------

We so appreciate Rev. Dave Ambrosy and Father Carl Ries who celebrated Mass with us in March. Thank you!

St. Mark Stewardship & Social Concerns

Please continue to keep Father John in your prayers as he continues on his health journey.

JUBILEE of 2025 - "Pilgrims of Hope"

Monthly Intention:

April:

For the Use of the New Technologies

Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.

Please continue to keep Pope Francis in your prayers.

The DMI (Disciple Maker Index) survey results are in.

Thank you to all those who completed the DMI (Disciple Maker Index) Survey. Diocesan wide, there were over 22,000 respondents which represents 47% of Mass attendance across the Archdiocese of Dubuque. In the next few weeks you'll start to see how our parish responded, what are the areas that are our strengths, and where we have opportunities to improve. There were 95 total questions, so there is a lot of data to analyze, so please be patient, but know your response will have an impact on our church and diocese's focus for the future. Watch for more St. Mark specific survey data information.

Faith Formation

Faith Formation Coordinator:

Brooke Kerns dbq072ff@dbqarch.org

UPCOMING FAITH FORMATION NEWS:

Stations of the Cross - each Wednesday of Lent at 6:00 p.m.

April 2nd is our Family Learning Night. Father will be talking about the Eucharist and Adoration. Everyone is invited.

April 5 - 1st Communion Retreat

April 9th - reconciliation

April 13th - PALM SUNDAY - CHILDREN/YOUTH WILL BE NEEDED TO PROCESS INTO MASS WITH THE PALMS.

April 16th - class as normal for first session. Adoration 7:15-8:15.

APRIL 20TH - EASTER SUNDAY

April 23rd - last class.

----------------------------------------------

Save the Date: VBS

Mark your calendars for a week of Vacation Bible School, and watch for more specific and new, exciting information as the date gets closer!

Many thanks to the Confirmation students for their caring hearts and work leading the charge raising money, gathering donations of frozen casseroles, toiletries, boxed food items, and general items in need for the Catholic Worker House in Waterloo. Thank you to all who contributed to this most worthy cause. You are touching lives!

Special thanks to Bill Kelchen for creating this "house" model for this life-changing activity by our Confirmation students. Thank you, Bill, for sharing your amazing talent!

UPCOMING BAPTISM CLASS:

The final class for the academic year will be on May 7, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. 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.

------------------------------------------------

Children's Liturgy

--------------------------------------------

Emmaus Pastorate Walking with Moms in Need is teaming up with the Emmaus Pastorate Little Flowers to put together bags for moms. We are going to have a box at the back of each parish and are looking for donations to put in a bag to hand out.

Most needed items: Crib sheets, baby towels, wash cloths, blanket sleepers, burp cloths, diapers (size 1 and up), baby lotions, soaps, shampoos and baby wipes. Will except: Infant clothing (up to 1 year), blankets, bottles, diaper rash cream, rattles and pacifier. Handmade or lightly used items also accepted.

The Little Flowers group tied the pictured blankets that will be part of the donated items for the Walking With Moms bags. Thank you to Cheryl Whittle for the fabric donation.