Dear St. Mark Families,

This Sunday, we begin Holy Week, the days during which we journey with Jesus on his way of the cross and anticipate his Resurrection on Easter.  Sunday’s liturgy will begin with the procession with palms to remind us of Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem.

The events of Jesus’ Passion are proclaimed in their entirety in Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word. Those events will be proclaimed again when we celebrate the liturgies of the Triduum—Holy Thursday’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, and the Easter Vigil. 

The story of Jesus’ Passion and death in Matthew’s Gospel, Matthew 26:14—27:66, focuses particularly on the obedience of Jesus to the will of his Father. As Jesus sends his disciples to prepare for Passover, he indicates that the events to come are the will of the Father. In Jesus’ prayer in the garden, he prays three times to the Father to take away the cup of suffering, but each time, Jesus concludes by affirming his obedience to the Father’s will.

Another theme of Matthew’s Gospel is to show Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture. Throughout the Passion narrative, Matthew cites and alludes to Scripture to show that the events of Jesus’ Passion and death are in accordance with all that was foretold. And if the events were foretold, then God is in control. In addition, Matthew is particularly concerned that the reader does not miss the fact that Jesus is the Suffering Servant of the Old Testament.

There are many vantage points from which to engage in Jesus’ Passion. In the characters of Matthew’s Gospel, we find reflections of ourselves and the many ways in which we sometimes respond to Jesus. Sometimes we are like Judas, who betrays Jesus and comes to regret it. We are sometimes like Peter, who denies him, or like the disciples, who fell asleep during Jesus’ darkest hour but then acted rashly and violently at his arrest. Sometimes we are like Simon, who is pressed into service to help Jesus carry his cross. Sometimes we are like the leaders who fear Jesus or like Pontius Pilate, who washed his hands of the whole affair. Jesus dies so that our sins will be forgiven.

The events of Jesus’ Passion, death, and Resurrection are called the Paschal Mystery. No amount of study will exhaust or explain the depth of love that Jesus showed in offering this sacrifice for us. After we have examined and studied the stories we have received about these events, we are left with one final task—to meditate on these events and on the forgiveness that Jesus’ obedience won for us. © 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 1P in our Church. All are welcome to attend.

• Spring Parent/Teacher conferences for Grades K through 8 will be offered on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 26th & 27th. More details to follow.

• Bishop Caggiano will celebrate mass for the St. Mark School community on Thursday, May 4th at 9A. 

• Grade 8 vs. Faculty Volleyball Game will be held on Friday, May 5th.  More details to follow. 

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

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

Important Reminders

The number of K-8 students coming to school without a lunch or water bottle 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, please ensure your child has a water bottle with them. Water fountains are available for refilling water bottles.

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. 

We have been informed by some parents that phone calls from St. Mark School have been filtered or blocked as spam by some cell service providers. Please save the St. Mark School phone number (203) 375-4291 in your cell phone contacts to ensure you receive phone calls and voicemail messages.

Parents are asked to please adhere to the 5mph speed limit in the parking lot during drop off. Our fellow parishioners on their way into daily Mass appreciate your attention to the speed limit.

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.

Third Quarter Marking Period

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

Today, students in Grades PK3-through Grade 4 were treated to an Easter Egg hunt sponsored by our HSA. A special thank you to our parent volunteers.  A huge thank you to our Easter Bunny!

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

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.

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.  

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.

Models in Christ

Models in Christ is a virtue learning program that is based on the Catholic Theological Virtues of faith, hope, and charity. Students in grades K through 8 are recognized for demonstrating the character traits that are highlighted each month such as respect, kindness, responsibility/accountability, citizenship, perseverance, and trustworthiness.

The goal of our program is to teach students the value of strong moral character and to recognize the positive impact of their actions. Our faculty and staff would like to recognize students who embody the ideals of St. Mark School through actions and attitude; those students who go above and beyond inside the classroom and school community to show they are models of Christ.

Today, the following students were recognized by having their name announced and presented with an award and commemorative gold cross pin.

Faculty Update

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Rosely Paulino Martinez as Spanish Teacher to St. Mark School and Assumption Catholic School. Ms. Paulino’s first day at St. Mark will be April 20th and she has already begun collaborating with Mr. Hernandez to make the transition as seamless as possible for our students. Ms. Paulino graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a degree in Healthcare Studies.  She is a part of a large Catholic family and has 7 siblings. In her free time, she loves to travel, cook, read, sing and try new foods.

Parish News

Holy Week Mass Schedule

Thursday, April 6th: Mass of the Lord’s Supper

7:30P in the Church 

Friday, April 7th: Solemn Liturgy/Veneration of the Cross

3:00 p.m. in the Church 

St. Mark School children will be reenacting the “living stations” immediately following 3:00P Liturgy, all are welcome

Saturday, April 8th: Easter Vigil Mass

7:30P in the church 

Sunday, April 9th: Easter Masses

regular Sunday mass schedule

7:30A, 9A, 10:30A, 12P 

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!  

Palms and Pancakes

The Knights of Columbus will be hosting their annual Palms and Pancakes breakfast this Sunday, April 2, in the Parish Hall, after all four Masses. Admission and food is free; donations are always welcome!   

Blessing of the Easter Baskets

The blessing of the Easter baskets takes place at 1P on Holy Saturday, April 8th. 

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

If you are between the ages of 2 and 10, grab a bag from home and HOP on down to the St. Mark great lawn on Sunday, April 16th, after the 9:00A mass, and hunt for Easter eggs and meet the Easter bunny. The event is hosted by the St. Mark Youth Group and is free of charge.  

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, 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