Dear St. Mark Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, John 14:1–12, Jesus tells his disciples, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”  We are taken back in time to an event in Jesus’ life before his Passion. Jesus tells his disciples that he is going to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house. He promises that where he is going, his disciples will be able to follow. Thomas, who will later doubt the disciples’ reports that they have seen the Risen Lord, contradicts Jesus by saying that the disciples don’t know where Jesus is going or how to get there. Jesus explains that he himself is the way, the truth, and the life. In knowing and loving Jesus, the disciples now love God the Father.

Philip then makes a request that challenges Jesus’ words. Philip wants Jesus to show the Father to the disciples. Recall that Jesus has just told his disciples, “If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” As a good teacher, Jesus responds to Philip by repeating and elaborating on what he has just told the disciples: they have seen and known Jesus, so they have seen and known the Father. Then Jesus offers another reassurance about his departure: because of faith in God and in Jesus, the disciples will do the work that Jesus has done and more.

The connection between Jesus and his Father, between Jesus’ work and the work of the Father, is made clear in Sunday’s Gospel. Jesus is in the Father, and God the Father is in Jesus. As God spoke his name to Moses, “I am,” so too Jesus speaks his name to his disciples: “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

The revelation of the Trinity is completed in the Gospel for next Sunday. Because Jesus goes away, the Father will send in Jesus’ name the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will continue the work of the Father and of Jesus. © Loyola Press Sunday Connection

I wish you all God's Blessings and Grace.

Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Warner 

Living our Faith

Yesterday, we were blessed to have Bishop Caggiano celebrate Mass for our school community. During his homily, Bishop Caggiano reminded our students to follow the examples Jesus gave to us. He was very impressed and commented on our student's participation and reverence during Mass, which made me and our teachers very proud.

Save the Date

May Crowning of the Blessed Mother will be presented by Grades 2 & 8 on Wednesday, May 17th at 9A in our church. All parents are welcome to attend. 

Friday, May 12th is an early dismissal day at 11:25A for students.

The Variety Show will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are on sale and going quickly! Please be sure to get your order in by Wednesday, May 17, 2023. The Variety Show Dress Rehearsal will be held on Friday, May 19th during the school day, Class Act Coordinators are the only parents permitted to attend the dress rehearsal. 

Grandparents & Special Friends Day will be held on Thursday, June 1st 12P-2P. Stay tuned for more details!

End of Year Dates

With the approval of the Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Schools, Office of the Superintendent of Schools, the last day of the 2022-2023 school year for Kindergarten through Grade 7 will be Thursday, June 15th, 2023.

Early Dismissal Days in June

Wednesday, June 14th, 11:25 Dismissal, PK3 through Grade 7

Thursday, June 15th, 11:25 Dismissal, PK3 through Grade 7

Little Lions Preschool Program (PK3 & PK4)

The last day of Little Lions Preschool (PK3 & PK4) Program will be Wednesday, June 14th, 2023. Please note that the day is an early dismissal at 11:25am and there is no After School Program. We will celebrate our PK4 students moving up to Kindergarten with a Graduation Celebration on the last day of the program, Wednesday, June 14th at 9A.

If your child is in PK3 and does not attend school on Wednesdays, their last day of school would be Monday, June 12th or Tuesday, June 13th.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten Graduation will be celebrated on Thursday, June 15th at 9A. Please note that the day is an early dismissal at 11:25am and there is no After School Program.

After School Program

The last day of St. Mark School's After School Program will be on Tuesday, June 13th, 2023 for all grades, PK3 through Grade 8.

Lunch

The number of K-8 students coming to school without lunch has increased dramatically over the last few weeks. If you have not ordered a hot lunch, please send your child to school with enough to eat for snack and lunch.

Additionally, we have been overwhelmed by the number of food deliveries. These deliveries cause a great deal of upset to younger children who do not have McDonald’s, french fries or other foods delivered to them. If for some reason you forget to send your child lunch, please pack a lunch in your child’s lunchbox and drop it off at the Main Office before 11:00 am. If you do not recall if you have not ordered a hot lunch, please reach out to Mrs. Mannino. 

Please note: Tuesday, May 16th there will be no hot lunch served per Sodexo Food Services.  Please send your child to school with lunch from home, not a restaurant or fast food delivery.

Social Media 

The best advertising our school can do is through parents and supporters of St. Mark School. Please like and share our St. Mark School Facebook and Instagram posts.  

Dress Down Day Reminder

With the warm weather approaching, I want to remind students that open-toed shoes are not allowed at school. This includes flip flops, slides and open-toed sandals.

In our Community

St. Mark School's traditional Grade 8 vs. Faculty Volleyball game was held outdoors today.  Fellow students and family cheered on their graduates and teachers. A fun time was had by all!  I would like to sincerely thank our commentators, Mr. Baird & Mr. Kery, line judge Mr. Bennett, and referee, Mr. Markland for their time and enthusiasm in making the event such a success! Congratulations to the Class of 2023 on their well deserved victory!!

Our Me & My Guy Dance was held last Friday evening and all the girls had a spectacular time with their guy!  Thank you Chairperson Veronica Caserta for always making this a magical evening for the girls.

Room Parents

Are you interested in being a Room Parent for your child’s class for the 2023-2024 school year? If you would like to be considered for the role, please email Ms. Zenowich, room parent coordinator, no later than June 1, 2023. If you are selected to be a Room Parent, an invitation email will be sent to you mid-summer.

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

Children's Mass

Our Children’s Mass is this Sunday, May 7, at 9:00 a.m. We sent out special “invites” to all the families who had babies/children baptized during the covid-19 pandemic to come for this special mass. Please let’s greet and welcome all our children this weekend. Refreshments afterwards in the Parish Hall graciously hosted by the St. Mark Ladies Guild.  

Rosary and Litany Devotional

Knights of Columbus, Council #8, St. John Paul II

Our Knights will be praying the Rosary for the entire month of May. The Knights will meet at 7:00 p.m. weeknights; Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. (after the 5:00 p.m. Mass), and at 1:00 p.m. on Sundays (after the 12:00 noon mass). Weather permitting, the group will meet at the statue of Our Blessed Mother outside the church; otherwise, we will meet in the church or Upper Room. All are welcome. 

Malta House/Birthright

St. Mark Respect Life will be having a Diaper Drive to benefit Malta House and Birthright in Norwalk. We will be collecting diapers (larger than newborn) on two weekends in May: May 13/14 and May 20/21. Containers will be placed at all entrances of the church for your use. Thank you for your support of Moms and their babies! 

Vacation Bible School

We are proud to announce that Vacation Bible School is back at St. Mark! Bible School runs from July 10 thru July 14, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. till 12:00 noon in the Parish Center. For children in rising grades K-4. Cost is $75 per child. Information and registration forms can be found at www.stmarkstfd.org.  

Reminder

There is no 8:00 a.m. Mass on Saturday, May 13, due to the celebration of First Holy Communion.  

St. Mark Parish Family Movie Night

All families are invited to participate in our Family Movie Night coming up on Saturday, May 20 at 6:00pm in the Parish Center.

We’ll be showing Disney’s Encanto on the big screen with professional sound. Suggested donation of $5 per person or $20 per family includes a free bag of popcorn (other concessions available for purchase). Proceeds benefit our Youth Group to defray the cost of the Steubenville East youth conference coming up this summer. Bring your family and all your friends out for a fun-filled evening for a good cause! Business owners: advertising slides are available for purchase for $20, which will be shown for 30 minutes prior to show time. For more information or to RSVP, please email Jared at jared@stmarkyouthgroup.org.

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, May 6th: HSA Bottles and Cans Drive, 10A-2P

• Saturday, May 6th: HSA Father's Committee Pasta Night, 6P

• Wednesday, May 10th: Field Trip, Grades 1 through 3

• Thursday, May 11th: HSA Dress Down Day, $1

• Friday, May 12th: Early Dismissal Day, 11:25A

• Saturday, May 13th: First Holy Communion, Grade 2

• Tuesday, May 16th: No Hot Lunch Served

• Wednesday, May 17th: May Crowning, 9A

• Thursday, May 18th: Ascension Thursday Mass, Grades K through 8, 8A

• Thursday, May 18th: Field Trip, Grade 4

• Friday, May 19th: HSA Variety Show, 7P

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

St. Ignatius of Loyola