We are preparing to begin our 2018/2019 R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) Program. This program is designed for: adults who have never been Baptized, and who are interested in becoming Catholic; for those who are Baptized into another denomination and have an interest in becoming Catholic; for those who are Catholic but have not yet received Holy Communion and/or Confirmation; and for those who are Catholic and wish to know more about their faith, or are seeking a refresher course. The registration process will continue thru the summer. Weekly sessions run from September through May. If you are interested, contact Jim Lucas at 352-504-8898 or Kathy/Tom Feenaghty at 352-751-3732.

Attention wives!! Please encourage your husbands to attend this Retreat on November 6 - 8, 2018. It will benefit both of you, and be especially rewarding for your husband. Registrations are still being accepted. For information, contact Bruce Gintoft at 414-418-0368.

The Adult Religious Education Ministry is proud to present its 2018-2019 Season. We have scheduled a variety of classes to interest everyone. We are offering afternoon and evening classes. Be sure tp review the classes offered and the registration form via the link above. Please note: REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL CLASSES.

If you missed getting your copy of the new Parish Directory, they will be available at the Parish Office. Parishioners who had their Lifetouch portraits taken for the Directory are entitled to a FREE copy. Other registered parishioners may purchase one for just $5.

The St. Mark Right to Life Ministry is sponsoring its annual Spiritual Adoption and Baby Bottle Boomerang the weekend of October 13th-14th, 2018. Baby bottles and Spiritual Adoption cards will be distributed after all Masses. Please help to support continued life for unborn babies through your prayers and financial support for those expectant parents who may not be secure in their ability to provide for their children. God has been good to us by giving us our own lives; let us be part of His good work in ensuring life for others. Bottles should be returned the weekend of Oct. 27th and 28th.

Come and discover the history of many of the beautiful artworks contained within our Church. The stained glass windows, the amazing material from which the Stations of the Cross were created, and especially the little miracle of how we acquired our beautiful Black Madonna Icon. Plus so much more. You need no reservation to attend. Tours are on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 1:30 PM. Meet in the Narthex. Please note that tours will continue thru the summer. The next tour date is October 18th.

A pre-planning seminar will be held at the Social Hall on Tuesday, October 23rd, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. The purpose of this seminar is to plan the funeral Mass. Choose the readings and music you want for your own funeral. This is actually a great blessing to your surviving spouse and children. In addition to our own ministry members helping to answer your questions, there will also be representatives from local Funeral Homes and Crematoriums to answer your questions and to make appointments. Refreshments will be provided. If you have questions, call Joan Andre at 352-430-0674.

Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Our Lady of Czestochowa Court #2704, is sponsoring their annual fashion show and luncheon featuring Chico Fashions. It will be held at Katie Belle's in Spanish Springs on Wed. Oct. 24th from 10:30 AM until 2:00 PM. Reservations are required!! Raffle prizes, 50/50 Chances, and Silent Auction. Tickets are $26 and on sale now by calling Katie Belle's at 352-753-9411 or visit http://katiebellesthevillages.com. Proceeds support Tri-County Charities.

The Right to Life Group will be praying the Rosary at 11:30 AM in the Church before the noon Mass. We meet every 4th Sunday of the month to pray the Rosary. Join us to pray for the safety of all the unborn as well as the continued success of the Alpha Center. We will be praying the Rosary this Sunday, October 28th. Please note the new time at 11:30 AM.

LifeLine Screening will be at St. Mark Social Hall on Monday, Oct. 29th. An opportunity for you to get 5 very important screenings for just $149. * Carotid Artery Screening (Plaque) * Heart Rhythm Screening (Atrial Fibrillation) * Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening * Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening * Osteoporosis Risk Assessment. Register early and receive a $10 discount. Call 888-814-0416 or visit www.LifeLineScreening.com/community-partners

Join us Tuesday, October 30th, at 5 PM in the Social Hall for "Miracle in the Woods." Starring Meredith Baxter, Delia Reese, Patricia Heaton and Anna Chlumsky. This is the story of three generations of women united by the precious gift of love. Refreshments are available for a nominal fee. Free Popcorn. Donation $3.

We would be so grateful if you would consider purchasing a $10 or $15 supermarket gift card from either ALDI, PUBLIX, WALMART or WINN-DIXIE. Please put the gift card(s) into an envelope marked "SVdP Turkey Drive" and place in the offertory basket. Prior to Thanksgiving, we will be distributing the gift cards to families who would not otherwise be able to have a turkey dinner for Thanksgiving.

The "Shroud Encounter" will be presented on Sunday, Nov. 4th, at 3 PM. Admission is $10 - K-12 students have free admission. This event is sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians in the Villages and will feature Russ Breault, an internationally known historian and expert of the Shroud of Turin. It is a fast moving, big screen event, using over 200 images covering all aspects of the Shroud research. Russ Breault has been featured in several national documentaries. Tickets are available at all weekend Masses during October as well as after the 8 AM morning Mass on Tuesdays thru Fridays. Just look for the green hat of Joe Farrell, AOH President, in the Narthex after Mass on those weekdays.

Attend this informational seminar to help you make the best decisions regarding your final wishes. Seminars are Tuesday, Nov. 6th at 1:30 PM and again Thursday, Nov. 8th at 10:00 AM. Seminars are held in St. Mark's Social Hall. Refreshments will be served. To attend the seminar, please RSVP to Clare Spiegel at 954-234-7766.

This year's Basket Bonanza looks to be bigger and better than ever! With over 100 different "themed" baskets to choose from, a "Specialty Item" table, games with prizes up to $300, 50/50, coffee and cake. Monday, Nov. 12th, the Social will be open from 12:30-3 PM to preview baskets and make your "bids," then on the 13th, 12:30-3 PM for drawing of winners, raffle and games. Winners must be present at time of drawings. Tickets are $10 for 26 chances and just $5 more can give you another 26 "bonus" chances. Any questions, contact Josephine Theilman at 352-205-1011, or email her at mature@embarqmail.com.

The annual dinner is on! Plan on joining your parish community for a Thanksgiving Celebration. The dinner is open to St. Mark's registered parishioners. Details will be forthcoming with tickets being available around mid-November.

The Knights of Columbus #14222 is sponsoring their annual dinner on Saturday, Dec. 15th in the Social Hall. Buffet Dinner at 6:30 PM by LaHacienda Catering. Music/Dancing from 7 PM until 10 PM by Joe Carter Entertainment. Tickets are $35 per person and are on sale now in the Narthex at all weekend Masses.

Save yourself time and effort by setting up automatic payments with your financial institution. They will mail a check for your contribution directly to St. Mark. Process is as follows: You need to be enrolled for on-line banking with your financial institution, which is free of charge. Arrange authorization with your financial institution to make weekly or monthly payments to St. Mark. You will need to provide your bank your 4-digit Parishioner ID Number (which is the number printed on your envelopes); if you are unsure of your ID number, please contact the parish office. In the memo section of the bank check, please have it identified where the money is going (i.e. Weekly Offertory, St. Vincent de Paul, special collection, etc.) Please note this can only be done from a savings or checking account, NOT your credit card. Please be sure to let our office know if you no longer require the bi-monthly sets of offertory envelopes.

We are again offering the opportunity for you to have Masses said by Father Rafal Glinkowski at our Pauline Fathers Monastery in Kittanning, PA. Father will be offering Masses for our St. Mark intentions. These Masses will be announced in the bulletin on the first weekend of the month following the month in which the masses were offered by Father Glinkowski. If you would like to have a Mass offered in Kittanning, please stop by the Parish Office during regular office hours to complete your request.

Wedding anniversaries will no longer be allowed to be a Mass Intention; however they may be a Sanctuary Lamp Intention and the special occasion will be announced from the Altar. Anniversary blessings at Mass will continue. If you are celebrating a “SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY” in 2019, please notify the Parish Office as soon as possible to book your special occasion.