Events | St. Mark the Evang

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St. Mark The Evangelist Catholic Church

The mission of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church is to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to all God's people by word and action.

NEWS & EVENTS

Join the Safari! Bible points for each day walk through the story of God’s chosen people, the Israelites, to remind your VBS kids again and again that God is good! On Day 1, your kids will meet “Mack,” the white rhinoceros who, through the story of the Israelites enslaved in Egypt, will help kids remember that God is good even when life is unfair. Day 2 introduces “Hooper,” an African hoopoe bird to share about the plagues and reinforce that, when life is scary, God is good. Day 3 brings the story of the Israelites in the wilderness told by “Marge” the cape buffalo, reminding kids of God’s goodness when life goes through changes. “Zion” the Lion helps kids see that even when they’re sad, God’s goodness is still. Day 4 is connected to the Gospel message of Jesus death and resurrection. Finally, on Day 5, “Savanna” the giraffe stands tall with the message that when life is good, God is good, just as he was when the Israelites built a memorial in the desert.

Come Roar With Us!

May 16, 2023 at 5:00:00 PM

The Knights of Columbus Council 7613 held a flag ceremony on March 15, 2023, raising a new flag on our flagpole. Dcn. Steve Marques offered a blessing to kick off the ceremony. The Knights raised the new flag at approximately 10:00 AM. The raising was then followed by a prayer and blessing from Fr. Dennis Aréchiga, salutes, and patriotic music. Thank you to the Knights for replacing our flag.

Flag Ceremony

March 15, 2023 at 5:00:00 PM

This colorful quilt was designed and quilted by a famous male quilter. One of our quilters followed his pattern and sewed this. The point is - men like quilting as much as women! We welcome all to come see what we quilters are all about!

We meet every Friday between 9 AM and 3 PM in Room 201 in Christopher Hall. Bring a brown bag lunch as we break for lunch around noon. If you know of anyone sick or hurting who could use a warm quilt hug, please stop in on Fridays and select a quilt for them. For more information, please contact Pat Brookes at 210-416-3933 or Wanda Hopson at 210-844-6333.

Learn to Quilt With Us

February 17, 2023 at 6:00:00 PM

On Saturday, August 20, 2022 Rev. Fr. Dennis Aréchiga was installed as the fourth pastor of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church. He was presented and installed by the Most Reverend Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller at the 5:00 PM Mass. The Archbishop proclaimed, “My dear sisters and brothers, because I am aware of your pastoral needs and am confident of Father Dennis Aréchiga’s qualifications for the office of Pastor, I now commend Father Dennis to you as your new Pastor.” His proclamation was met with applause from a congregation made of parishioners, great friends, and staff.

The Archbishop then introduced Fr. Dennis to the staff and deacons of St. Mark and to all serving on the finance council. Fr. Dennis thanked each one for being a representative of St. Mark.

The Archbishop then said, “Remember, my brother Dennis, always be a loving father, a gentle shepherd, and a wise teacher of your people, so that you may lead them to Christ who will strengthen all that you do. As a teacher of that faith, I ask you now to lead your people in the Profession of Faith.” Fr. Dennis led the congregation in the Profession of Faith with his hand firmly placed on the Book of Gospels.

After completion of the profession both the Archbishop and the new Pastor signed the “Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity” Decree. Then the Archbishop read the “Decree of Possession”, and after his recitation both he and Fr. Dennis signed the decree.

A reception to honor Fr. Dennis was held after Mass.

Rev. Fr. Dennis Aréchiga is Installed as Fourth Pastor of St. Mark the Evangelist - San Antonio, TX

August 24, 2022 at 5:00:00 AM

Knights of Columbus Council 7613 Sponsors American Wheelchair Mission in November.

August 18, 2022 at 5:00:00 AM

June 29 – July 2, 2023

“Whoever finds his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Mt 10:39

You are invited to attend this Men’s ACTS Retreat. Come; deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ, renew yourself spiritually, and experience the fellowship of the St. Mark Community. This Retreat is open to men from all denominations.

The retreat begins Thursday evening, June 29 and ends Sunday, July 2 with our return to the 12:00 noon Mass at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church. Round trip transportation is provided for all retreatants, leaving Thursday evening from St. Mark’s Church.

The cost for the retreat is $230. Please enclose a deposit of $50.00 with this registration form or the full $230 if you are able. The remaining $180 is due Thursday, June 29 at check-in. Make checks payable to: St. Mark’s Men’s ACTS.

Registration may also be completed online at: https://www.wesharegiving.org/App/Form/e0c18898-7a8a-4223-ae24-de4e8a346b13

Please note: Financial difficulties should not prevent anyone from attending the retreat. Scholarships are available

St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church Men's ACTS Retreat

May 5, 2023 at 5:00:00 PM

Advocacy Day 2023 Tuesday, March 28, 2023
7:00 AM-5:00 PM

Departure Locations |
Our Lady of Perpetual Help–Selma
St. Vincent de Paul
Prince of Peace
St. Mary Magdalen
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

6:30 AM: Check-in 7:00 AM: Buses depart or Austinn
3:30 PM: Buses begin return trip to San Antonio

Catholic Advocacy Day 2023

February 21, 2023 at 6:45:00 PM

For the past 30 years, Fr. John Thompson has dedicated his life to education, not just as a teacher, but also as a minister, chaplain, pastor and president. He has experience working in secondary and higher education, in parishes and with the poor in Mexico. He spent 12 years at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory school in Florida serving as chaplain and president, and at Chaminade University as a chaplain and an assistant professor in education. Before accepting the role of pastor for Holy Rosary Catholic Parish five years ago, Thompson was in Mexico doing missionary work and serving as the liaison to the Marianist Provincial Council.

At St. Mary’s, Thompson is responsible for promoting and fostering the Catholic and Marianist identity of St. Mary’s and its mission. He ensures the orientation, education and formation of trustees, faculty, staff and students related to the University’s mission. He provides opportunities for connecting the University community with the Catholic Intellectual and Marianist educational traditions. These opportunities include building on the University’s many successful traditions, such as the MacTaggart Catholic Intellectual Tradition Lectures, Marianist Heritage recognitions and celebrations, Chaminade’s Birthday Party, Marianist Founders Day, and the daily 3 O’clock Prayer.

Thompson was born and raised in New York, entered the Society of Mary (Marianists) in 1990 and was ordained a priest in 1999. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Binghamton University and a master’s in Divinity from the Franciscan School of Theology. He also earned his Doctorate of Education in Catholic School Leadership at the University of San Francisco.

The parish mission will be Monday, March 20 – Wednesday, March 22. Each evening will begin with Mass at 6:00 PM followed by the mission presented with Fr. John Thompson.

Fr. John Thompson, Director Of Mission at St. Mary's University Presents The Call to Discipleship, Community, and Mission

February 16, 2023 at 6:00:00 PM

Catechist and Co-Catechist gathered together for a workshop Saturday, August 13, 2022 in the gym and enjoy special guest speaker Auxiliary Bishop Gary Janek and his encouraging words to our catechist. We were also blessed with the unexpected presence of our Archbishop Gustavo and support of our pastor Father Dennis and the presence of one our deacons. The clergy supports and prays for us, let us do the same, support and pray for them and their religious vocations. We pray that maybe one of our students is called and they are inspired to answer God’s call to the priesthood or religious life.

The following are main points by Bishop Gary’s Keynote presentation:
• Bishop Gary loved our theme for our session, Souls on Fire!
• As catechist, you are important to the Church! You are important to the lives of young children. You play a vital role.
• Teach the faith, teach the Gospel (Good News) according to Christ, not according to “you”!
• Teach with love, like Jesus did, with your heart.
• Teaching consists more than just presenting course material.
• People did not come to Jesus as much as Jesus came to the people.
• Be a WITNESS, be a witness with conviction and others will follow!
• The risen Savior Jesus Christ loves you, loves us, loves His Church!
• Young children are under tremendous pressures and challenges from society, so be there. Your presence teaches them that you care! Teach them how much more the Church care for them.

• According to survey, the sadness and hopelessness of youth, of our children has risen from 46.6% last year to 56.6 %. More than half of our children are sad and depress.
• Children for the first time are afraid to go to school due to the recent occurrence in Uvalde. When he (Bishop Gay) was young, he loved going to school, he felt safe and secure. His parents would drop him off at school in the morning and would pick him up until late in the afternoon. Now our schools have implemented safety security measures, high fences and metal detectors in our high schools. Those “safety measures” have a psychological effect on our children, which reflects their spirituality.
• Being a Catechist is not easy work, it takes persistence; “the persistency of love.”
• The fruits of your love as catechist are not immediately evident. Unlike a spiritual retreat that you can get instant results, being a catechist takes persistency, week by week. To all children in our care, especially to the difficult ones, the indifferent ones, the ones in the back of the room.
• Yes, you make a difference-continue to “Show Up!” Showing up means that you care.
• Yes, there will be difficulties and it will not be easy, but more the reason that being a catechist requires Prayer!
• Pray everyday - let your day be a prayer.
• Most important, have a strong devotion to the Holy Eucharist –
the source and summit of our faith!

Bishop Gary Janak Catechises the Catechists

August 22, 2022 at 5:00:00 AM

The St. Joseph icon is the latest icon to be a part of the Knights of Columbus Pilgrim Icon Program. Every few years, the Knights of Columbus selects an icon of a saint whose patronage is particularly inspiring to Knights and their communities to be featured in the program. The icons travel from council to council and serve as the centerpieces for prayer services in parishes throughout the Order.

Every few years, the Knights of Columbus selects an icon of a saint whose patronage is particularly inspiring to Knights and their communities. Since the first traveling pilgrim icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1979, more than 174,800 council and parish prayer services with some 22 million participants have been held.

For more information and resources: https://www.kofc.org/en/what-we-do/faith-in-action-programs/faith/pilgrim-icon.html.

Knights of Columbus Bring the Icon of St. Joseph to St. Mark

July 11, 2022 at 5:00:00 AM

St. Mark ACTS Core is ecstatic to announce that retreats are being planned for 2023! It has been a long time coming and we couldn’t be happier. ACTS retreats have been an integral part in the growth of fellowship and the feeling of community at St. Mark since 2001. Our retreat schedule was interrupted by COVID, but all is good and we invite you to enjoy the camaraderie and spiritual enrichment that many of us have experienced while on retreat.

Here is the ACTS retreat schedule for 2023:
June 15-18: Men in Recovery
June 29-July 2: Men
July 13-16: Men (Spanish)
July 13-16: Teen ACTS – Disciple Oaks, Gonzales TX
August 24-27: Women (Spanish)
September 7-10: Women
November 16-19: Women in Recovery
December 7-10: Men in Recovery

All adult retreats will be held at the Cordi Marian Retreat Center, San Antonio.

ACTS is an acronym meaning Adoration, Community, Theology and Service. The retreats are organized and conducted by your fellow parishioners and take place over a three day period. The retreat weekends are fun, interactive and spiritually fulfilling.

If you would like additional information on adult retreats, please contact Sharron Hanson (210-274-0819) or Jonathan Bassett (210-240-5493). Information on Teen ACTS can be obtained by contacting the church office (210-494-1606).

Jonathan Bassett is the ACTS Core Lead at St. Mark the Evangelist.

Get Your Retreat On!

March 30, 2023 at 5:00:00 PM

David Kauffman is songwriter and film producer. He lives in San Antonio with his
wife Missy and two daughters. He is the founder of Good For The Soul Music Co.
David has been writing and recording for over 35 years. His mission is simple:
Song and story for healing and hope.

William Gokelman is the Chairman of the Music Department at The University of
Incarnate Word in San Antonio. William is the musical arranger for Good For The
Soul Music. Together, William and David co-wrote the award-winning Mass
Setting, Mass of Renewal.

Mark Schuenemann spent over 15 years on the road as the “front man” for the
popular “Drifters of Victoria” and is a long-time friend of David Kauffman and
the ministry. Mark sings harmony on several of David’s recordings, and travels
with David to present Concerts and Missions around the country.

Cindy Isaacson has been an integral part of Good For The Soul Music for over 15
years, helping us maintain the spirit and soul of our Mission on and off the Road.
She joins in today’s celebration with one of her most precious gifts, as she
shares the language of love.

David Kauffman and Friends in Concert

February 21, 2023 at 6:45:00 PM

The St. Mark Women's Guild and Knights of Columbus Council #7613 invites all graduating High School seniors of St. Mark to complete the 2023 Scholarship Application.

To be eligible to apply for a $1,000 scholarship, you must be:
• A high school senior
• Registered at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church
• Planning to attend a certified college, junior college, vocational school or community college in 2023-2024
• Involved in St. Mark the Evangelist and/or other church related activities
This scholarship is based on Merit and Service with emphasis on Church related activities.

Scholarship Applications are Open!

October 21, 2022 at 5:00:00 PM

Every year, from early March through mid-December, Silver Roses are stewarded by Knights of Columbus Councils along routes from Canada to Mexico. Every stop the Silver Rose makes throughout the pilgrimage is a rosary-centered occasion for Knights, parishioners, and community members to pray for respect for life, for the spiritual renewal of each nation, and for the advancement of the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Thank you to all the ministries for making this happen.

The Knights of Columbus Welcome the Silver Rose

August 22, 2022 at 5:00:00 AM

Congratulations to Scout Brady Rabel, son of Dwayne and Patricia Rabel for completing his Eagle Scout Project for St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church. Brady noticed the need for a complete sidewalk by building 1 across from St. Francis Circle. People coming and going from the Circle and east parking lot had to walk through grass and dirt to avoid the traffic before and after Mass each weekend. He enlisted the help of about 32 of his friends to help dig out, lay forms and rebar, and then pour cement to complete the project. Remaining donations that he collected were presented to Msgr. Kevin Ryan, June 30, 2022, to benefit the parishioners of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church.
Brady is an active member of Boy Scout Troop 360 and St. Mark Young Church.

Eagle Scout Project Complete

July 6, 2022 at 5:00:00 AM

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