Dear St. Mark Families,

This Sunday, the fifth Sunday of Lent, the Gospel is again taken from the Gospel according to John 11:1-45 and invites us to reflect upon what it means to call Jesus the Resurrection and the life.

Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, send word to Jesus that his friend is ill. Jesus is said to love Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, but he delays his journey for two days. The delay heightens the drama and shows Jesus’ obedience to God, who is to be glorified through Lazarus’s resurrection. When Jesus finally declares that he will journey to Bethany, his disciples fear for his life. Thomas declares that he and the other disciples should prepare to die with Jesus.

The scene described at Bethany is a sad one. Martha meets Jesus weeping and saying that if Jesus had been there, Lazarus would not have died. Yet she remains confident that God will do whatever Jesus asks. Martha affirms her belief that there will be a resurrection of the dead in the last days. Then Martha’s sister, Mary, comes to Jesus with the same confidence, saying that Jesus could have cured Lazarus. Jesus asks to be brought to Lazarus’s tomb where he prays and calls Lazarus out from the tomb. At this sign, many come to believe in Jesus, but others take word of the miracle to the Jewish authorities, who begin their plans for Jesus’ death.

Set against the backdrop of Jesus’ impending death, many elements of the raising of Lazarus foreshadow the good news of Jesus’ own Resurrection. Jesus, facing the conflict with the Jewish authorities, acts in complete obedience to God. In raising Lazarus, Jesus shows his power over death so that when Jesus dies, those who believe in him might remember that and take hope. Just as Jesus calls for the stone to be rolled away from Lazarus’s tomb, so too will the disciples find the stone rolled away from Jesus’ tomb.  With Martha and Mary, we are called to profess our belief that Jesus is indeed the Resurrection and the life. © Loyola Press Sunday Connection

I wish you all God's Blessings and Grace.

Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Warner 

Prayer and Worship Opportunities during Lent

in the Catholic Community of Stratford

Save the Date

Living Stations of the Cross will be presented by the Class of 2023 on Wednesday, April 5th at 1:0oP in our Church. All parents are welcome to attend. 

Faculty Updates

Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Kathryn Baker to our St. Mark School community as our Grade 1 teacher.  Mrs. Baker holds a Master of Science in Elementary Education with Certification from Southern Connecticut State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Business from Hunter College.  Mrs. Baker has previously served the Guilford and Branford public schools systems in her career.

Mrs. Baker and her husband have two adult daughters. In her free time, Mrs. Baker enjoys reading, scuba diving and competing in triathlons. She also likes to hike with her dogs, Tahoe and Kona.  Mrs. Baker is looking forward to helping her students learn and grow in a caring classroom environment. She emphasizes personally connecting with her students and treating them with respect to ensure they feel safe and appreciated in her classroom. Mrs. Baker looks forward to working with our St. Mark parents and teachers to provide a nurturing and Christ-centered experience for her students.

Third Quarter Marking Period

As the third quarter marking period closes on March 30th, parents in Grades 4 through 8 are encouraged to check Parents PlusPortals for the most up to date information on your child’s growth and progress thus far.

PlusPortals is the Diocesan Student Information Web Portal System available to all parents grades K-8. PlusPortals provides parents access to student grades, attendance, announcements, and teacher emails. Any family that needs PlusPortals activation resent, please email Mrs. Mannino cmannino@stmarkschool.org.

For the third quarter marking period, report cards will be issued to students in Grades K through 8 after Easter Break, prior to Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences.

In Our Classrooms

Congratulations to Seventh Grader, Julianne! Julianne placed first in the Seventh Grade Life Science Division at The CT Science and Engineering Fair. She also won the Middle School American Psychological Association award and has been nominated to compete in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge.  We are so proud of you Julianne, keep up the great work!

Congratulations to Seventh Graders, Sofia and Sara, who were recognized finalists for the Biotechnology category in the CT Science and Engineering Fair awards ceremony.

Living Our Faith

“Reconciliation Monday” will once again be held in the diocese on Monday, April 3, 2023 during Holy Week. A total of 25 parishes located throughout the diocese will offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation from 3P to 9P, so that the lay faithful may experience God’s mercy as Holy Week begins.

Confessions will be heard both in the afternoon and evenings, so that everyone who wishes to receive the sacrament can do so before the Easter Triduum. “Reconciliation Monday” will be hosted from 3P to 9P at St. Mark Parish.

2023-2024 Registration

If you haven’t completed your 2023-2024 registration (enrollment contract and FACTS) please check your inbox for a reminder email from our Admissions Team.

Please re-enroll your child as soon as possible as we have opened admissions to new families. Any questions, please contact our AMEN Team amenteam@stmarkschool.org

From the Nurse's Office

Over the past week or so we have seen an increase in GI/Stomach Viruses and STREP throat.

Please review the symptoms below. Most importantly keep your child home if they are sick. Remember they must be fever, vomit, and diarrhea free for 24 hours before they can return to school.

Symptoms of GI/STOMACH Virus

• Diarrhea
• Stomach discomfort
• Nausea and Vomiting  
• Fever

Symptoms of STREP throat

• Sore throat 
• Pain when swallowing
• Swollen glands/tonsils
• Red spots on back of throat
• Fever
• Rash
• Nausea or vomiting

If you have any questions or if your child is having any of the symptoms listed above, contact your child’s doctor. Please click here for more details from the CDC.

Athletic Update

Congratulations to our St. Mark JV boys who won the New England Basketball Championship for the second year in a row!

Spring Track Team (Grade 5 through 8)

St. Mark School is looking to form a Middle School Spring Track Team; but first we need a Coach!

No experience necessary, just a Virtus-trained parent or two willing to share their passion for running with like-minded student athletes.  Please note, our Fall Cross-Country Coach, Amy Pagano, is willing to share her "best practices" on training and preparing for Diocesan meets (currently scheduled for 4/30, 5/14, and 5/21).

If your child is interested in participating on our Spring Track Team, please click here. 

Contact Michael Sciallo at michael.sciallo@stmarkschool.org for more details.

Important 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. 

2022-2023 Parent/Student Handbook

Please be advised that the following information regarding St. Mark School’s attendance policy inadvertently did not carry over from the previous year’s Parent/Student Handbook:

• Every 5th unexcused absence in a marking period may result in a one-hour after school detention

• Every 5th unexcused tardy in a marking period may result in a one-hour after school detention

As such, the 2022-2023 Parent/Student Handbook is amended to reflect this past practice.  

As a reminder, the Early Dismissal of Individual Students policy (pg. 38) states, “Parents must notify the main office and the homeroom teacher of a student's need to be dismissed early. Parents or guardians must report to the school office when picking up a student who is to be dismissed early and the student will be called to the office. Parents should make this request in writing. Phone calls are not acceptable. In the event of an emergency, the Principal shall give permission for a student to be released.”

Punctual and regular attendance at school is vitally important to a child’s success.  Thank you for your anticipated cooperation with our attendance policies.

High School Open House



At this time of year, 7th grade students are encouraged to begin thinking about the high school admissions process. Current 7th grade girls are invited to spend a day at Sacred Heart Academy to get a jump start on their high school search. Families may select a date for a visit by clicking this link. Personal tours for families are also available.

Spring Uniform

Spring Uniform begins Monday, April 3, 2023. Please review the spring uniform dress code below for Grades K through 8.

Please note: students have the option during this time to wear their winter uniforms (long pants, jumpers, plaid skirts, and plaid skorts).

K through 8 Boys

Pants or Shorts

• Navy blue walking shorts or navy blue pants (elastic waistband pants or shorts suggested for Kindergarten)
• Black or brown belt (Kindergarten boys do not need a belt)
• No shorts with flaps, snaps, or cargo pockets
• Excessively loose or baggy pants are NOT permitted

Shirts

• White, short sleeve polo shirt with the school logo.
• Grade 8 students have the option of wearing pastel blue, yellow or pink polo shirts with the school logo.

Shoes/Socks

• Regular school shoes (Sperry, Merrills, black or brown dress shoes)
• NO sneakers or Ugg Moccasins
• White or navy blue socks (covering the ankle)
• Low white socks are not permitted

K through 8 Girls

Pants or Shorts

• Pants, Shorts, Skorts
• Navy blue walking shorts or Navy blue skort (elastic waistband pants or shorts suggested for Kindergarten)
• A black or brown belt (Kindergarten students do NOT need a belt)
• No shorts with flaps, snaps, or cargo pockets
• Excessively short or tight shorts/skort are not permitted for girls

Shirts

• White, short sleeve polo shirt with the school logo
• Grade 8 students have the option of wearing pastel blue, yellow or pink polo shirts with the school logo. 

Shoes/Socks

• Regular school shoes (Sperry, Merrills, black or navy Mary Jane dress shoes)
• NO sneakers or Ugg Moccasins
• White or navy blue socks (covering the ankle)
• Low white socks are not permitted

K through 8 Boys & Girls PE Uniform

The PE uniform for boys and girls remains unchanged from the winter. However; navy blue athletic shorts with the school logo are added as an additional option for spring uniforms.  Additionally, cheer club tee-shirts are permitted for PE uniforms, as are St. Mark Strong tee-shirts. 

If you have questions about the uniform policy, please email Mrs. Mannino cmannino@stmarkschool.org.

St. Mark Pet Policy

We understand that Spring weather brings an opportunity for families to walk to school for morning drop off and afternoon pick-up. As a gentle reminder, families are asked to adhere to St. Mark School's pet policy to ensure student and staff safety.

Pets and non-service trained domestic animals are not permitted on school grounds during school hours and during school events, except when in a vehicle. Pets are not permitted to leave a vehicle without prior permission of school administration or parish officials.

Parish News

Mass Scheduled Changes for St. Mark Parish

In the last few years there has been a steady decline in Mass attendance across America and more so after COVID-19. As a result, following the recommendation of Bishop Caggiano, many pastors have reduced the number of weekend Masses in their parishes across the Bridgeport Diocese, including our own town. After deep prayer and reflection, and after consulting the clergy members and lay leaders of the parish, I have decided that it is time for us also to reduce the number of Masses in our parish. 

Beginning January 1, 2024, the new weekend Mass schedule will be as follows: 

Saturday – Vigil: 5:00 p.m. 

Sunday – 7:30 a.m, 9:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m.

Baptisms – 12:30 p.m. 



The weekday and Holy Day Mass schedules remain as they are. 

Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus, Saint John Paul II, will be hosting a blood drive for the Red Cross on Saturday, April 1st in the Parish Center from 8A to 1P. Potential donors can sign up for an appointment at www.redcross.org. Our blood drive last year was a great success, and we hope this year will be a success too!  

Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

We will celebrate a Mass in honor of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Sunday, March 26, at 7:30 a.m. All are welcome.  

Lenten Fish Dinner 2023

We are happy to announce that Father Birendra is bringing back the annual Lenten Fish Dinner.  Please mark your calendars for Friday, March 31, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Center. An order form is included in the bulletin starting this weekend.  You may mail to the office, drop off, or put in the collection basket, your order form and payment. Please mark your envelope “Paula.” You will note that our “fish” dinner cost has risen to $20; however, we kept the children’s and grilled cheese selections priced as before.  As many of you know from grocery shopping, prices are exorbitant. We thank you for helping us to cover costs. The event is open seating; we are not booking reserved tables. 

Urgent Need

Deacon Paul is in dire need of food gift cards from either Stop & Shop or ShopRite to provide to families in need. If you can spare a few dollars to donate a gift card, it would be truly appreciated. You can place the cards in an envelope marked “Deacon Paul” and drop it in the collection basket at any Mass during the weekend or drop them off at the rectory office. 

The Power of Prayer

If you have a prayer intention, please submit your request to St. Mark School's prayer line by clicking here. Your intention will be remembered during our Afternoon Prayers and Announcements.

• Saturday, March 25th: HSA Father's Committee Game Night, 6P

• Thursday, March 30th: Quarter 3 Marking Period ends

• Friday, March 31st: Easter Egg Hunt

• Saturday, April 1st HSA Bottles and Cans Drive, 10A-2P

• Sunday, April 2nd: Palm Sunday

• Monday, April 3rd: Spring Uniform Begins

• Monday, April 3rd: Quarter 4 Marking Period Begins

• Wednesday, April 5th: Living Stations of the Cross, 1P

• Thursday, April 6th: Holy Thursday, No School

• Friday, April 7th: Good Friday, No School

• Sunday, April 9th: Easter Sunday

• Monday, April 10th - Friday, April 14th: Easter Break, No School

• Monday, April 17th: School Resumes

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

St. Ignatius of Loyola