Dear St. Mark Families,

In Sunday’s Gospel reading, Luke 17:11-19, Jesus heals 10 lepers, and one, the Samaritan, returns to give thanks.  

This story is a lesson about faith and reminds us that faith is sometimes found in unlikely places. Ten people afflicted with leprosy cry out to Jesus. Struck with pity, Jesus heals all 10. However, only one is described as glorifying God and returning to thank Jesus. The one who returns is a Samaritan, a foreigner.  In the Jewish circles in which Jesus lived, Samaritans were looked down upon because of the differences between the two communities in their observance of Judaism. It is significant, therefore, that Jesus commends the Samaritan for his faith, which has been his salvation.  Throughout Luke's Gospel, faith is found in surprising places. 

Another lesson for us in this Gospel has to do with salvation. All 10 of the lepers were given the gift of healing, but in his gratitude to God for this gift, the Samaritan found salvation. Our salvation is found in recognizing the gifts we have been given and knowing to whom we must offer our thanks. © Loyola Press Sunday Connection

I wish you all continued good health and God's blessings.

Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Warner 

Nursing Update

It is with great relief that I share that Stratford Public Schools will be reinstating a full-time nurse to both St. Mark and St. James Schools for the 2022-2023 year. 

THANK YOU to all who shared their voices and supported us in this endeavor to reinstate a full-time nurse for our school. 

Nurse Frate will return to her full time status at St. Mark School beginning on Tuesday, October 11th, 2022.

Academic Extra Help

I encourage all parents to contact your child's teacher if you feel your child is in need of extra academic help. Each classroom teacher (K through 8) has designated 1 day in the week for "academic extra help" office hours for 1 hour after school.

Lost and Found

Parents are reminded to please label your child's name on ALL of his or her belongings-especially sweatshirts, sweaters, fleeces, and coats/jackets. Our school Lost and Found has accumulated many items thus far. If your child is missing an item, please contact his or her teacher to arrange a time to check the Lost and Found.

Mrs. Pelazza's Counselor's Corner

Models in Christ is a program that is based on the Catholic Theological Virtues of faith, hope, and charity. Students will be recognized for demonstrating the character traits that are highlighted each month which include respect, kindness, responsibility, citizenship, integrity, leadership, perseverance, and trustworthiness. The vision for this program is to teach students the value of strong moral character and the positive impact their actions have, do not go unnoticed. This program recognizes 2 students per grade each month who embody the ideals of St. Mark School, through actions and attitude. For the month of October, grades K-8 will be learning about and working on showing respect.

Updates 

Demographics

Has your family moved? Have you changed your email address or phone number? Please contact the Main Office with any changes. It is very important that we have your most current contact information. 

Safe Environments for Students

Last week, students in grades K-8 participated in Safe Environment training provided by the Diocese of Bridgeport. The Think First & Stay Safe and Netsmartz workshop is delivered by a trained counselor in age appropriate groups and teaches important safety skills to help children recognize and safely respond to early warning signs of unsafe situations in their environment.

Lock Down

Our first Lock Down Drill was a success. All students followed safety guidelines and expectations, and we are very proud of how well they performed during these important safety drills.

High School Open House and Entrance Exams

Notre Dame - Fairfield

On Sunday, October 16th at 1:00 pm Notre Dame High School in Fairfield will be hosting an Open House for prospective students and their families. The open house will give students a comprehensive look at Notre Dame, its academic, athletic, and extracurricular programs as well as ND’s partnership with Sacred Heart University. 

On Saturday, October 29th or November 12th at 8:00 a.m. Notre Dame’s entrance exam will be given. All eighth-grade applicants must take an entrance exam and must complete an online application prior to the exam. Registration information can be found on the school’s website, www.notredame.org.

Fairfield Prep

Fairfield Prep is a Catholic, Jesuit high school for boys located on the campus of Fairfield University. To learn more about what makes Fairfield Prep unique, families of boys in 7th and 8th Grade are cordially invited to an in-person Open House on Saturday November 19th, 2022 (9:00 or 10:00 am session).  To register visit https://www.fairfieldprep.org/admissions/visit-prep and click here for more information.

St. Mark Campus Entrance

Please be advised that the exterior door under the blue awning marked "St. Mark Campus" will be locked Monday-Friday while school is in session as well as during our Afterschool Program hours. This decision has been made by our pastor for the safety and security of our students and our faculty. Visitors will need to call the school phone number to be let into the building until a permanent buzzer system can be installed.

A faculty member  will be stationed at that door from 7:30A-7:45A to let children into the building. Students who arrive after 7:45A will need a parent to bring them into the office.

Themed Dress-Down Day 

We will be sponsoring a Pink and/or Blue Dress Down Day on Thursday, November 3, 2022.  This Pink and/or Blue dress down donation is $5.00.  The fee for this Dress Down is not covered by the Pre-Paid Dress Down payment collected at the beginning of the year.  All proceeds will benefit The Bryson & Baker Blatt Foundation which is supported by the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Bridgeport.

Living Our Faith

On Thursday afternoon, our school community gathered in our church as students in Grades 5 through 8 participated in the Living Rosary prayer service; a beloved St. Mark tradition in honor of our Lady who is celebrated in the month of October. Each decade of the Rosary was announced before students lit their candles and recited the coinciding prayer. Our students did an exceptional job. It was a beautiful, solemn, and reverent ceremony that reminds us all that we are grounded in and connected to each other in our shared faith and devotion to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I'd like to express sincere gratitude to our faculty and parent volunteers who helped us to make this truly cherished tradition possible. 

In Our Classrooms

This week in Kindergarten students were introduced to the newly installed Promethean ActivPanel 9 and had fun sorting numerals and non-numerals right on the screen.  Promethean ActivePanels are now installed in Grades K-8 classrooms and enhance classroom instruction as a fully interactive and engaging display panel.

Parish News

Please be advised that Father Birendra and Father Russ will be attending the Sixth Convocation of Priests from Sunday, October 9th through Wednesday, October 12th. During this time, no mass will be celebrated at St. Mark Church.  

First Friday Holy Hour

Beginning October 7, 2022 FFHH will meet at 3:00 pm in the church. Please be aware of this time change and not utilize the cafeteria during this time.

St. Mark Parish Junior Youth Group

Students in Grades 6 through 8 are invited and encouraged to join St. Mark Parish Junior Youth Group as we begin the fall semester! We meet Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30pm in the Parish Center Gym. JYG is a place where youth can come together to build friendships, have fun and grow in their faith. JYG combines social activities, games, service opportunities, small group discussions and fellowship to provide youth with a unique experience they are sure to enjoy. It’s a great opportunity to go beyond learning about our faith, and put it into action, while having fun and making friendships to last a lifetime. There is no cost to participate in Youth Group, and all youth are welcome regardless of which school or church they attend.  Click here to register for JYG. You belong here, and it won’t be the same without you. Grab some friends and check out JYG!

Gift Cards Needed

Deacon Paul has asked us to reach out to the parish for the purchase of food gifts cards, either Stop & Shop or ShopRite, in denominations of $25 (but we accept anything!). The need for the poor in our area has increased greatly and we go through the gift cards quicker than you think! God bless St. Mark parish for its continued generosity to help the needy in our community.  You can drop the gift cards in the collection basket at any Mass or bring to the rectory office during business hours.  

Knights of Columbus Recruitment

Please welcome members of the Knights of Columbus, St. John Paul II, Council #8, as they commence on their recruitment campaign for calendar year 2023. Invite a Catholic Man to become a Knight! We welcome them for recruitment weekend October 15th and 16th. Please feel free to stop by and speak with a Knight after any of the weekend Masses.  

There are many fun and exciting traditions and fundraisers scheduled for October. Be sure to stay up to date on events like the Cut-A-Thon, Monster Mash, Trunk-or-Treat, Snack Shop, and Lyman Orchard pie fundraiser by frequently checking our social media pages, Home School Association email updates, and school website. If you do not use social media, our school Facebook page feed can be viewed from our school website www.stmarkschool.org

• Monday, October 10th: Columbus Day, No School

• Thursday, October 13th: Fire Prevention Presentation, K- 2

• Thursday, October 20th: HSA Dress Down Day, $1

• Friday, October 21st: HSA Cut-A-Thon

• Wednesday, October 26th: HSA Snack Shop, $1

• Friday, October 28th: HSA Monster Mash

• Saturday, October 29th: HSA Monster Mash Rain Date

• Sunday, October 30th: HSA Trunk or Treat

• Monday, October 31st: Happy Halloween!

God gives each one of us sufficient grace ever to know His holy will, and to do it fully

St. Ignatius of Loyola