Nov 2017

World Day of the Poor- Nov. 19.. Pope Francis has declared this Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017 – the first World Day of the Poor. Archbishop Miller’s letter to all the faithful reads: “In declaring this the first World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis has given us a great gift. The approach of Advent – a season known for giving, but also for rampant consumerism – makes this an opportune time to reflect on the kind of society we want to live in.” Get involved by visiting rcav.org/poor or stay tuned on Catholic Vancouver’s social media channels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @archvancouver.

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Nov 22: Free Public Lecture with Vatican Observatory Director: “Why Do We Look Up at the Heavens?”. A free public lecture proudly presented by St. Mark’s College at UBC on Nov. 22, from 7pm to 8:30pm with the Director of the Vatican Observatory, Dr. Guy J. Consolmagno, PhD, SJ. Brother Guy is an American research astronomer and Jesuit religious brother. Everyone is welcome to attend this exciting event! To register, click here…

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Nov 17: A Gold Mass for scientists will be celebrated at St. Mark’s Parish at UBC on Friday, November 17 at 5:30pm with Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB as main celebrant. Light refreshments will be served after Mass. All are welcome to attend. The Gold Mass began as an initiative of the US-based Society of Catholic Scientists, which exists to “witness to the harmony between the vocation of scientist and the life of faith.”. More info here…

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(Nov 5): Development And Peace (D&P) News: Visit https://www.devp.org/en/international to find out more about D&P’s International Programs for Community Development and Emergencies.

Current Rohingya Refugee Crisis: Development and Peace – Caritas Canada is responding in Bangladesh at the border area with Myanmar in the district of Cox’s Bazar. It is supporting a food distribution program with its partner Caritas Bangladesh and is providing aid to 25,000 of the most vulnerable people.
Community Development Programs: D&P programs in the Global South are driven by the need to create greater social justice in the world by addressing the root causes of poverty and injustice.
Emergencies: D&P take part in emergency relief and reconstruction work in response to natural disasters & humanitarian crises. Their emergency programs usually include a first response to humanitarian needs & a second response in helping communities rebuild & become more resilient.

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(Nov 5): Paid Volunteers for Extreme Weather Response program. The Men’s Hostel is looking for paid volunteers for our Extreme Weather Response program. This upcoming winter, we will need people to come in and help the staff supervise the shelter from 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm.
paid
Overnight shifts are also available. All shifts are paid. If interested, please call Frances Cabahug … for more information.

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Nov 9; ANNUAL MASS FOR DECEASED BISHOPS, CLERGY AND CONSECRATED MEN AND WOMEN. The annual Mass for deceased bishops, clergy & consecrated men and women will be held at Holy Rosary Cathedral on Thursday, November 9 at 12:00 noon. All parishioners are most welcome to attend this special Liturgy concelebrated by the priests of the Archdiocese. Remember kindly in your prayers during the month of November those who have laboured for the Church in Vancouver & pray that the Lord will send more dedicated men & women to continue their ministry.

Please RSVP if you plan to join the lunch after Mass on Nov 9.

Nov 4; A Day of Reflection for Young Men: Catholic young men (18-35) are invited to a day of prayer and study, drawing upon Newman’s “The Dream of Gerontius” and “The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola”, with Fr. John O’Brien, S.J., at St. Mark’s College, Saturday, Nov. 4, 9-5pm.

$20 suggested (includes lunch), with optional attendance of VSO performance of “Gerontius” in the evening.

Nov 4, 1:30pm ; Newman Association mass for Deceased members; The Newmanites and St. Mark’s Parish is holding a special Mass in the afternoon (in the Chapel) at 1:30pm with a reception to follow. More info…

TGIFF (Thank Goodness it’s First Friday) – Mass and lunch ; Nov 3, 2017; Come and join us for prayer, food, fellowship, and hot chili!
– Mass will be at 12:10pm
– Lunch will be served in Plato’s Cave after mass;   See you there!!

At 5pm that afternoon, students are welcome to come for some free soup at St. Mark’s College, followed by many fun activities!

Oct 2017

(Oct 2017): The Door is Open needs food and clothing donations. The Door is Open is in need of clothing and food donations, especially season-appropriate clothes for men and women (not children), such as t-shirts and men’s underwear (new).

Please make sure the clothes are washed and placed in clear bags labelled for men or women. Non-perishable food donations are also requested, including pasta, pasta sauce, and canned tuna.

If you can donate, please contact Frances at thedoorisopen.ca/#contact. For more information how to donate, click here…

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Oct 27, 6pm: St. Tony’s House (1238 W. 38 Avenue, Vancouver) would love to have y’all for an “All Hallows Eve” benefit supper concert and soulful social in anticipation of the great feast on November 1st and to help our pal Sam Rocha kick off his NW tour properly first here in Vancity with all proceeds benefitting crisis pregnancy – please bring donation baby items! More details here…

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Science and Faith Reflection Group: The next meeting of our group will take place on Tuesday October 10 at 7:30pm in St. Mark’s Parish church.

During this session our discussion will focus on the article, The Looming Threat of Factory-Farm Superbugs by Melinda Wenner Moyer, published in Scientific American in December of 2016. This article will provide the primary focus for our conversation. A copy of this article is provided as an attachment. The article can also be viewed at the following URL.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-drug-resistant-bacteria-travel-from-the-farm-to-your-table/

Two additional short articles (We Will Miss Antibiotics When They’re Gone and Are Antibiotics Turning Livestock into Superbug factories?) provide information on the challenge of antimicrobial resistance. These articles are provided as attachments. They can also be accessed at the following URLs.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/18/opinion/how-to-avoid-a-post-antibiotic-world.html
http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/09/are-antibiotics-turning-livestock-superbug-factories

During our session we will also consider Sunday’s Gospel reading Matthew 21:33-43.

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Oct. 20: City in Focus Breakfast | Talks with Tom: The Risk of Isolation & Loneliness. Join us for a morning discussion with two professional counsellors on the benefits of community for our mental health: Friday, Oct. 20, from 7:30am to 9am at St. Paul’s Hospital. We will discuss how isolation can be detrimental to our mental well-being, & ways to address this prevalent issue – one that strongly impacts Vancouver. One of our speakers, Claudia Mérida-Rossetto, has collaborated with the Vancouver Foundation to research the impacts of social isolation in our community.

Register on Eventbrite here or at cityinfocus.ca/event/risk-isolation/

May Peace Be With Her Fall Action Workshop. Research studies show that peace agreements have a 35% greater chance of lasting at least 15 years when women help draft them.. Support women in their struggles to gain their rights to education & their place in dignity & democracy.

You are invited to a FREE workshop by Development and Peace Caritas Canada on Saturday, October 21 from 9:30am – 2pm at the St. Mary’s Parish basement, 5251, Joyce St., Vancouver. All are welcome.

For more info, contact Pinky or Development and Peace, Caritas Canada, by logging onto their website: www.devp.org

World Mission Sunday. Today, October 22, 2017 is World Mission Sunday. This year it has been given the theme: “Rediscovering Mission at the Heart of Christian Faith”. Catholics everywhere are invited to support the mission work of the Church. The distribution of the proceeds of this collection is overseen by Pontifical Mission Societies, used for the missionary work of the Church in the neediest areas of the world.

Your generous prayer & financial support is an excellent way to enable the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the missionary heart of Christian communities, join in prayer to respond to the vast needs of evangelization. Thank you for your support & participation on this annual celebration.

Food for the Soul – Student Retreat, Thurs. Oct. 12, repeated Sat. Oct. 14. Free retreat for students at UBC and affiliated schools. Feed your mind, body and soul. The retreat offers an opportunity for quiet reflection on the academic term so far and life in general in the light of faith as well as conversation and community building with other students.

There are 2 opportunities to attend this retreat:
– Thursday Oct. 12: food and drinks at 4:30pm retreat from 5-7 pm.
– Saturday Oct. 14: food & drinks at 9:30am, retreat from 10am – 12pm at St. Mark’s Parish.

All are welcome. Register here for the Oct 12 and Oct 14 sessions (eventbrite links)

Catholicism: The Pivotal Players | Blessed John Henry Newman.. Video Screening of a Film by Bishop Robert Barron – Saturday, October 14, 10am at St. Mark’s College. The feast of Blessed John Henry Newman takes place every October. This year, we are hosting a screening of one of the films of the very prolific Bishop Robert Barron on the good Cardinal, part of Catholicism: The Pivotal Players. See how Newman’s life and thoughts have inspired and moved generations up to today’s! Discussions to follow, refreshments served of course!

Thanksgiving Dinner 2017. Our Parish is arranging a Thanksgiving Dinner. It will take place on Saturday, Oct 7, 6:00pm at Plato’s Cave. The Parish will provide the turkey but we are looking for casseroles, salads, fruit/veggie platters and desserts to supplement the turkey. We also need volunteers to help with set up and clean up. Please consider lending a hand on Oct 7 starting at 4pm. If you can help, please contact the parish or phone at (604) 822 0261. This celebration will be a green event so please bring your own dishes and cutlery.

Oct 3: Town Hall Meeting – St. Mark’s Parish. The Parish Finance Council invites all St. Mark’s Parishioners for a town hall meeting this coming Tuesday, Oct 3 at 7pm in the chapel. We’d love to see you all there!

Two events during UBC Kindness week, hosted by UBC Kindness week and University Multifaith Chaplains Association:

Oct 3: Keynote address by Judy Graves and Dr. Santa Ono (by Video). More info…
Oct 5: Meal, Panel and Discussion. More info…

Click here for more information on the UBC Multifaith Chaplains Association.

Oct 6, 2017: TGIFF (Thank Goodness it’s First Friday) – Mass and lunch ; Come and join us for prayer, food, fellowship, and hot seasonal soup! Mass will be at 12:10pm, lunch will be served in Plato’s Cave afterwards.

First Friday Food and Fellowship – Relax with new friends and old – 5pm (Oct 6) in Plato’s Cave.

Sept 2017

RCIA (Roman Catholic Initiation for Adults) Fall 2017 schedule:

The Fall component of the RCIA program will consist of screenings of Bishop Robert Barron’s 10-part documentary series Catholicism. Each video lasts approximately 55 minutes and will be followed by a 30-minute discussion. Through Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ministry of books, full-length documentary series, shorter YouTube pieces, and an active social media presence, he has become one of the most prominent people promoting the Catholic faith in the contemporary age.

The episodes will be viewed on the following Sundays at 1pm in Room 100 (basement level) of St. Mark’s College: September 10 & 17, October 1, 15, 22 & 29, November 12 & 26, December 3 & 10.

Although the Catholicism series will constitute the Fall segment of the RCIA program for St. Mark’s, anyone who is interested to learn more about the Catholic faith is welcome to join us. If you have any questions, email Fr. Michael Rosinski, SJ

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Birthright Vancouver is looking for volunteers. Would you like to help women in crisis pregnancy situations? Birthright Vancouver is looking for volunteers who can commit 3 hours a week, weekday morning or afternoons to the this mission.

Sept 30; Our Stories Shape Us: History, Faith, and Practice of the Indigenous Church in Canada: Regent College is hosting a one-day conference on the history, faith, and practice of the indigenous church in Canada. More info…

Student Hike, Saturday, Sept. 30. A hike is being organized for the university students in the parish & UBC campus. On Saturday, Sept. 30, we will gather at St. Mark’s Parish courtyard at 8:00am, depart at 8:30am. Dress appropriately for the weather. Wear comfortable hiking boots, light sweater/ jacket. Bring your rain gear, lunch, water/drinks. Plan 5-6 hours total time for this activity. Arrival time back at St. Mark’s is tentative.

Destination for the hike will be made on the day of activity. Please contact St. Mark’s Parish by email to register for this event. Space is limited & will be allocated according to the order of registration. Sign-up closes on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 1:00 pm

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Sept 26, 2017: Science and Faith Reflection Group.. 2nd & 4th Tues of each month at 7:30pm in the Chapel. Our next meeting of our group will take place on Tuesday, Sep 26, 2017 at 7:30pm at the Regent College lecture theatre.

You are invited to attend a public lecture celebrating the release of Dr. Ross Hastings’s latest book, Echoes of Coinherence: Trinitarian Theology and Science Together. Read more here…

Sept 28; World Youth Day 2019 Information Sessions. Join us on Sept. 28, 7-8pm at St. Augustine’s Parish, Vancouver. More info…

Sept 22, 2017: Moms and Tots at St. Mark’s. Inviting young Catholic Moms and their tiny Tots in our parish. Get together and support each other! Explore the book “Walking with Purpose”: Enabling Women to Know Christ through Scripture. Share every Mom’s daily joys and challenges with the solutions given to us through the teachings of Christ and the Roman Catholic Church.

Join us on Sept 22 for our first meeting from 1-3pm at St. Mark’s Chapel. Succeeding meeting will be every 1st and 3rd Friday of each month. Contact: Mary Paz Michel.

Sept 22; Embracing a Culture of Encounter with the Poor. City in Focus and the Jesuits of Vancouver are pleased to host this special half-day retreat led by Hon. Graydon Nicholas, (former Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick) at St. Mark’s Parish Chapel, UBC on September 22, 2017, 9am to 1:15pm. More info…
Sept 23: 17th Annual Fundraising Breakfast: You are invited to attend the 17th Annual Fundraising Breakfast of St. Mark’s/Corpus Christi College. More info…

Mass of the Holy Spirit.

Please join Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, St. Marks and the wider UBC community to welcome the new academic year. The Mass of the Holy Spirit will be celebrated on Sunday, September 17th at 7:00pm.

Light refreshments will be served after Mass.

To assist with planning for the reception, please pre-register by September 8, at: . Parishioners requiring parking at Carey College should contact the parish office by Sept. 11. Parking will, otherwise, be available at the North Parkade, a 10 minute walk from St. Mark’s.

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Thank you from Sr. Fleurette Sweeney

Sept 3, 2017: 7pm mass resumes

Sept 8, 2017: TGIFF (Thank Goodness it’s First Friday) – Mass and lunch ; Come and join us for prayer, food, fellowship, and hot chili! Mass will be at 12:10pm, lunch will be served in Plato’s Cave afterwards.

Sept 9, 2017: Uniting Heaven and Earth: The Reformation after 500 Years. Dr. Hans Boersma | J. I. Packer Professor of Theology, Regent College Saturday, September 9th, 10am; Room 100 of Regent College. More info…

Curious about the role of Permanent Deacons? . A unique and special vocation, Deacons are official teachers and preachers of the Gospel, and they may preside at baptisms, marriages, funerals, and other forms of community prayers. They also share in the pastoral responsibilities of outreach, such as visiting the sick, the homebound, those imprisoned and in need. Men interested in this ordained ministry, along with their wives, are invited to an introductory seminar covering the history, theology and practicalities of the Permanent Diaconate. Sessions run Saturdays on Sept 23, Oct 28 and Nov 19. Register at www.stmarkscollege.ca/programs/deacon.

Aug 2017

Archbishop Miller urges faithful to support those affected by the wildfires. On Aug. 12 and 13, there will be a special collection in all parishes in the Archdiocese of Vancouver for those affected by the wildfires. Please pray for everyone affected by the wildfires in our province, especially those in the Dioceses of Kamloops and Prince George. For more info. or to donate online, visit http://rcav.org/prayer-and-humanitarian-appeals/ . Special Envelopes will be available on the entrance table. Please make cheques payable to St. Mark’s Parish. Memo line: BC Wildfires.

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An update on Canadian Jesuits International’s response to the inter-faith Famine Relief Appeal: Pray-Give-Speak Out . Dear Friends, On June 7, an inter-faith appeal entitled Pray-Give-Speak Out was launched. This appeal was a call for Canadians to mo-bilize in solidarity and support the people affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria and Yemen. More info…

July 2017

Development and Peace (D&P) – Caritas Canada July update
God hears the cry of the oppressed. All too often, the poor suffer most from the disastrous impacts of natural disasters & have fewer means to make their voices heard. By your donations & prayers, you serve in both words & in action & help vulnerable populations in their struggle for human rights & even for survival. For example, by helping to mobilize our local partners, stakeholders, your D&P organization, with more than $12.4M raised in grants so far following Super-typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, has helped to develop the Pope Francis Village – a resettlement site with typhoon-proof houses for poor coastal families & a model of citizen participation in reconstruction. Become a member of Development and Peace. Visit devp.org to get a free membership. Together, with many voices, we will be heard!

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Project Advance 2017 : Project Advance July Update: Thank you very much for your stewardship & generosity. We have raised $3.69 million as of July 21, 2017, which represents 47% of the overall appeal goal of $7.8 million. 48 parishes out of 75 have exceeded their Archdiocesan goal & 11 parishes are very close in meeting their goal. Participation rate is still low & is
currently at 16% overall. We really would like to increase this to 30% by December 31, 2017. There are a few things we can do to keep the appeal alive during the hazy, lazy days of summer! Visit projectadvance.ca & click on the “Resources” tab or email paa@rcav.org.

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Project Advance is our annual appeal that enables the pastoral work and spiritual mission of our local Church to flourish. Your gift to Project Advance helps us meet the material and spiritual need of our Church and parishes.

This year’s appeal focuses on the message One Faith. One Church. One Family. Our faith community is expansive and despite our geographical locations and our cultural diversity, which is to be celebrated, we are all united by our faith; we all belong to one Church. View this year’s video or find out more about the works supported by Project Advance at www.projectadvance.ca. To make a donation to Project Advance, click here.

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Come & join our Ignatian – Jesuit Community at St. Mark’s celebrate the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola on July 30 at the 9:30 and 11:30am Masses. Saint Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish Basque priest and theologian, who founded the religious order called the Society of Jesus and became its first Superior General.

Born: October 23, 1491, Azpeitia, Spain
Died: July 31, 1556, Rome, Italy
Full name: Íñigo López de Loyola
Feast: July 31
Education: University of Alcalá, University of Paris

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Tell Pope Francis what you are thinking

The Vatican has launched an online survey for young people in preparation for the Synod on Young People: the Faith and Vocational Discernment. We are encouraging all young people (16-29 years old) to take some time to fill out the survey. This is a great opportunity for all to be heard and to offer your input directly to the Vatican.

The survey can be found here: https://survey-synod2018.glauco.it/limesurvey/index.php/147718

This link leads to the preparatory document for the synod.

Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey.

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Famine Relief Appeal “PRAY-GIVE-SPEAK OUT”

20 million people are experiencing severe food insecurity & facing starvation in South Sudan, Somalia, Northeastern Nigeria, & Yemen. Canadian Jesuits International, and Development and Peace, are two of three Catholic agencies as part of an inter-faith coalition to raise funds and awareness in relation to this dire food crisis. We appeal to our faithful, & all people of good will, to: Pray, Give, Speak out. Read more here…

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Local Community Announcements

OLPH Parish: Dare-2-Dance Summer Camps. My Souls Magnifies the Lord
Dare-2-Dance is a dance arts pedagogy that engages children through the arts, and motivates them toward excellence. Camp Dates: Week 1: July 11 (Tue, Wed & Thurs) 10am -1pm; Week 2: July 18 (Tue, Wed & Thurs) 10am-1pm.

Camp Instructor: Tim Mah.
Cost: $250/week (snacks included) for children age 7-11 years old.
Please contact Kathy Mok at communications: or visit http://Danzkool.ca for more info.

June 2017

Other dates to note in June
June 18 is the last day for Children`s Liturgy until the fall
June 25 is First Communion

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Becoming a Mystic—Study with Fr. Bill Wilson, SJ, 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month (in May & June) at 3:30pm in the Chapel — (May 3 & 17), (June 7 & 21). Karl Rahner, S.J. in effect has stated that the Christian of the future will be a mystic or will be nothing at all.

To work at becoming a mystic, Fr. Bill Wilson’s group will be working through Rev. Michael Crosby’s book, Fruit of the Spirit, Pauline Mysticism for the Church at St. Marks’s Chapel. Fr. Bill Wilson is looking forward to continuing to see you there. All are welcome.

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Family Hike, Saturday June 24, 2017. There will be a Parish Family Hike on Saturday June 24. This activity is intended as an all ages, fun-fit family event. We will rely on participants to provide their own transportation, food and water. Depending on participation, a few seats may be available for students who do not have cars. The final destination of our hike will depend upon the snowpack remaining at this time in June, the weather and the age and fitness level of participants. On June 24, we will gather at St. Marks Parish parking lot at 8:45am and depart for the hike promptly at 9:00am. Please dress with appropriate hiking attire for the day. Please select footwear that provides adequate support for variable terrain hiking.

If you are planning to attend this hike, please contact the parish by so that we can get a sense of who is interested in this event.

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(D&P Development and Peace News): Jesus walked into the synagogue in his hometown and proclaimed: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.”. The poor in our community have so much to offer. Empowerment of the poor (in addition to merely providing for their needs), brings out their many good qualities, including their love for others and community building. Learn more about the history and ongoing endeavours of the Catholic Organization for Development and Peace in an interview with editor Danny Gillis. Watch it here…

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Celebrate Life on Father’s Day

June 18 is Father’s Day, and also Pro-life Sunday! This is a day to honour the giving of life to others. Last year, we raised $160,000 through your donations on Pro-Life Sunday, which was given to 22 local Pro-Life groups to support their life affirming work.

This year, there will be a second collection on Sunday, June 18, Father’s Day, to help local pro-life groups in our Archdiocese. Your dollars will be spent to strengthen and uphold the value of human life from conception to its natural end. Envelopes will be available at your parish or you can give online today at rcav.org/prolife. Please give generously.

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June 5; Concert & Reading with Sam Rocha
Enjoy an evening of story & song with Catholic writer, intellectual, and artist, Sam Rocha. Learn how beauty in philosophy, theology, education, and art combine to form a sense of the beautiful that extends from family life to popular culture and politics. Sam Rocha will celebrate the release of his third book, “Essays and Ephemera”, a collection of essays – with a concert of folk music and a reading from his essays acclaimed by contemporary authors, & even the bishop of the diocese of Brownsville, Texas.

Books will be for sale, Q&A’s and a signing will follow. The official event is on June 5, Monday 7-9pm at St. Mark’s Parish. An earlier Concert & Reading event is scheduled for May 29, Monday 7-9pm at St. Joseph the Worker Parish. Tickets are $10 at the door or register online at http://stmarkscollege.ca/. All are welcome!

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May 2017

Ordination of John O’Brien – May 20, 2017. With joy and gratitude in God’s grace the Jesuits in English Canada celebrated the ordination to the priesthood of John D. O’Brien. Have a look at photos and the story here…

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(May 28, 2017): Our risen Lord richly showed his love for us by his death and resurrection. We pray to reflect His love as we stand in solidarity with our needy brothers and sisters across the world. Thanks to your heart-felt generosity, as an example, both the emergency humanitarian and long-term development aid programs that we were able to put in place to respond to the devastating Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines reinforce each other and are being implemented as a coordinated effort. D&P has raised and distributed since 2013 more than $12.4 million in grants with local partners to meet local needs and support improved reconstruction to be better prepared and protected in the future. Considerable humanitarian relief has been achieved. God bless your kind support. https://www.devp.org/en

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(Posted April 2017): Discount tuition for parishioners auditing courses!
Take a course at Corpus Christi College – Click here for samples.

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May 27: Pentecost Retreat: Charisms of the Holy Spirit. Join us for Charisms of the Holy Spirit with Catherine Kelly, MDiv., and Fr. Robert Allore, SJ, Pastor of St. Mark’s Parish. All are welcome on Saturday, May 27, from 9:30am to 11:45am at Holy Rosary Hall, 646 Richards St, Vancouver. Admission by donation. Sponsored by the Catholic Women’s League at Holy Rosary Cathedral. For more information, click here.

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Diocesan News

Ordinations to the Priesthood and Permanent Diaconate. Join us as we welcome three more permanent deacons on Friday, May 26 at 7pm. Richard Chau, Patrick Dwan, and Tony Gray have gone through the archdiocese’s four-year permanent diaconate program of preparation for service to the local Church and will be ordained permanent deacons at Holy Rosary Cathedral. All are welcome to attend.

Ordination to the Priesthood Juan Lucca, Giovanni Schiesari, and Francesco Voltaggio will be ordained priests by Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB at Holy Rosary Cathedral, Vancouver. All are welcome to celebrate this most joyous event on Saturday, June 3, from 12-2pm. For more info, visit vocationsvancouver.ca

Pro-life Mass & Vigil Join us for a peaceful, prayerful vigil for unborn children and their parents on Saturday, June 3. Mass is at 9am at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Vancouver followed by the rosary at Women’s Hospital. Visit rcav.org/pro-life-mass-and-prayer-vigil

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May 6, 2017: Dinner concert for PLAN (Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network). You are cordially invited to a fundraising Dinner Concert for PLAN (Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network) with JOE TRIO, the classically trained violin-cello-piano threesome who had presented hundreds of concerts in North America.

The event will be at the Shaughnessy Golf Club, 5:00pm on May 6, Saturday. Contact ambrosematilda AT gmail.com for dinner and
concert tickets at $60 each (excluding donations). Tax receipts will be issued for donations.
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Free Public Lecture: Faith and Society with Dr. Angus Reid.
Join us as Dr. Angus Reid explores how the forces of a new era will reshape individual and collective religious experience in Canada. Hosted by St. Mark’s College with the support of the Newman Association, Cardus, City In Focus and the Vancouver School of Theology, this 2017 Carr Lecture will draw on recent polls that found faith plays a much greater role in Canadian lives than many realize. Canada’s best-known and longest practicing pollster, Dr. Angus Reid has spent more than four decades asking people what they think about top social, governance, and economic issues.

Date and Time: Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 7:00 pm.
Location: St. Mark’s Parish.
Cost: Free! To register: visit stmarkscollege.ca or call (604) 822-4463

April 2017

Happy Easter, Halleluiah

Thank you From the Parish to the Parish, we extend a big thank you to all who gathered to pray and celebrate during the days of our sacred Triduum. Special mention goes to all who worked to arrange flowers and pictures, to all who sang and played their hearts out. Thanks to those who proclaimed God’s Word, guided us on the way of the cross and presented the cross to us for veneration.

Thanks to those who planned and laboured to bring the children into our celebrations. Thank you to the young and the young at heart who prepared and served at our liturgies, to those who carried the water and those who washed feet. Thank you to those who baked and served on our hospitality teams and to others who stayed late or arrived early to wash and sweep and vacuum the chapel and Plato’s Cave. Christ has risen, he has risen indeed and he walks among us.
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April 26, 3:30pm. Becoming a Mystic Karl Rahner, S.J. in effect has stated that the Christian of the future will be a mystic or will be nothing at all. To work at becoming a mystic, Fr. Bill Wilson’s group will be working through Rev. Michael Crosby’s book, Fruit of the Spirit, Pauline Mysticism for the Church at St. Marks’s Chapel on April 26 at 3:30pm. Mary Thompson has purchased some books which will be available for sale at the session. Fr. Bill Wilson is looking forward to seeing you there. All are welcome!

Sat. April 22, 9:00am – 3:00PM; The Way of Light Retreat: a Journey through the Story of Easter
Join Retreat Director Catherine Kelly, M.Div. for an interactive experience celebrating the joy of Easter through scripture, music, art, poetry, history and imagination. Accompany the apostles in their encounters with the Risen Lord and affirm our call as modern-day disciples.

For more information, or to register, click here…. Also, visit our Ignatian Reteats page.

Easter and Triduum 2017 schedules:

Holy Thursday (April 13): 7:00 PM mass.
Good Friday (April 14): 11:00am Stations of the Cross
1:00pm Seven Last Words of Christ
3:00pm Celebration of the Passion of the Lord.

Easter Vigil Saturday (April 15): 9:00 PM mass
Easter Sunday (April 16): TWO MASSES at 9:30am and 11:30am. NO 7pm mass on Easter Sunday

Easter egg hunt after the 9:30am mass. There will be 3 distinct age-specific zones for hunters: (a) 0-2 year olds, (b) 3 to 6 year olds and (c) 7+ years.

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“Tea” in Theology: Do you like tea time? Do you like Theology? Come for the Newman Club’s “Tea” in theology: Thoughtful Thursdays. Everyone is invited. Explore what Theology is, and how it plays out in our lives. We will be meeting in Plato’s Cave from 5:30pm-6:30pm during each Thursday of Lent excluding March 30.

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Lenten Liturgy and Lunch Series. Beginning on Wednesday, March 1st, and continuing every Wednesday during Lent (until April 12th), all are invited to participate in the Lenten Liturgy and Lunch Series. Each event will begin with Mass, celebrated at 12:10pm, followed by lunch in Plato’s Cave Cafe with a (free) vegetarian soup, and discussion about contemporary issues – click here for a list of topics.
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Share Lent 2017 – Women At the Heart of Change
Development and Peace is a strong & diverse movement that brings Canadians together working for justice and enable the poorest people live with respect & dignity. During Lent, D&P will be sharing the stories of inspiring women laying solid foundations for positive change in their communities. The annual Share Lent collection for Development and Peace will be held on Sunday, April 2. Read more about this year’s campaign here…

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Physician Assisted Suicide: Catholic Voices
Hosted by the Newman Association of Vancouver. Presentation by Peter
Nation | Coordinator, Catholic Voices Canada on Saturday, April 8, 10am-
11:30am, Room 101, St. Mark’s College (UBC Campus). On Friday, June 17, 2016 – Bill C-14 – legalization of euthanasia/assisted suicide was passed in our country. How do we as Catholics approach this decision? Come and hear Peter Nation from Catholic Voices to learn more about the issue of physician-assisted suicide, how to talk about euthanasia and palliative care, and what to do now.

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During the season of Lent, please join us in the chapel to pray the Stations of the Cross on Tuesdays at 1:00pm and Fridays at 3:00pm (Fridays, Mar 24, 31, April 7: 3:00pm, and Tuesdays, Mar 28, April 4: 1:00pm)

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Lenten Reconciliation Service – Saturday, April 1: 4:00pm; St. Marks Chapel. Come and join us for a quiet time of Lenten meditation and the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. the evening will begin at 4:00pm with the Liturgy of the Word, short prayers, and examination of conscience.

Mar 2017

(D&P) Development and Peace ; Share Lent 2017 – Women At the Heart of Change

Development and Peace is a strong & diverse movement that brings Canadians together working for justice and enable the poorest people live with respect & dignity. During Lent, D&P will be sharing the stories of inspiring women laying solid foundations for positive change in their communities.

The annual Share Lent collection for Development and Peace will be held on Sunday, April 2.

This year’s campaign, “Women Are at the Heart of Change“, echoes the Pope’s prayer that women world-wide may be “honoured, respected and valued for their essential contribution to society.” Your generous solidarity is vital to the mission of Caritas Canada- D&P. You can donate through your Share Lent envelope or online at devp.org/ give. Pick up some informative materials in the Chapel or visit devp.org for more info.

D&P Lenten Reflections for 2017; “Women at the Heart of Change”. Click here to read…

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Science and Faith discussion group

Tuesday March 28 at 7:30pm in St. Mark’s Parish church: During this session we will examine the article The Goose-Killing Lake and the Scientists Who Study It by Sarah Zhang. This article, published in the The Atlantic in 2016, will provide the focus of our conversation.

The article can be viewed at the following URL.
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/12/berkeley-pit-geese/510089/

The engineering, environmental, biological and sociological issues associated with large scale mining projects are diverse. Though the article The Goose-Killing Lake and the Scientists Who Study It will provide the focus for our discussion, you may finds some of the following material interesting.

A short video and an article on the use of genomics in mining can be viewed at the following URLs.

http://www.ontariogenomics.ca/industry-solutions/mining/

http://www.lifesciencesbc.ca/news/industry-news/2014-2/business-in-vancouver-ubc-professor-using-microbes-to-fight-mine-waste/

Letters from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressing concern for mining abuses, are also attached.
Discussions of mining operations, in the English language Catholic press, can be found at the following URL.

https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/eco-catholic/latin-american-coalition-mining-causing-damage-not-delivering-benefits

Canadian mining operations are discussed at the Osgood Digital Commons

http://digitalcommons.osgoode.yorku.ca/all_papers/273/

During our session we will also consider Sunday’s Gospel reading, John 9:1-41.

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Seeking an Intimate Relationship with Jesus? Pray the Spiritual Exercises. Almost 500 years ago, St. Ignatius of Loyola developed an incredible way to encounter Jesus through praying the scriptures and several spiritual exercises. The Jesuit Spirituality Apostolate of Vancouver (JSAV) continues this rich tradition by offering the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola in daily life.

Applications are available now and due March 15. Space is limited. First-come, first-served basis. JSAV offers the Exercises in a two-part format: 6 weeknight lectures in May/June and 7 monthly lectures Oct-April. Each part is required and involves 1.25 hours of daily assigned prayer and a weekly meeting with a spiritual director. For more information and an application, please contact the JSAV coordinator or visit the website www.jsav.ca.

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Jesuit Volunteers of Canada (JVC) is a formation program, where young adults live out the values of Christian spirituality, social and eco-justice, community, and simple living. Placement opportunities include working with First Nations communities, young adult programing, community development and outreach, education, food justice, and working with the urban poor.

Jesuit Volunteers Canada is currently accepting applications for September 2017 with possible communities and work placements in northern Ontario, Toronto and Regina. For more information, visit www.jesuitvolunteers.ca or call 519-820-8204. JVC is part of a 50-year movement dedicated to inspiring young adults! Click here for more information on this website.

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Lenten Liturgy and Lunch Series. Beginning on Wednesday, March 1st, and continuing every Wednesday during Lent (until April 12th), all are invited to participate in the Lenten Liturgy and Lunch Series.

Each event will begin with Mass, celebrated at 12:10pm, followed by lunch in Plato’s Cave Cafe with a (free) vegetarian soup, and discussion about contemporary issues including but not limited to: homelessness; migrant work; pro-life movements; euthanasia in Canada; and more. This year’s series theme is: “Fill Your Bowl with Life.” Follow Corpus Christi College on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date information about speakers and topics. Please relay all questions to Alexandria Fung.

Seeking an Intimate Relationship with Jesus? Pray the Spiritual Exercises. The Jesuit Spirituality Apostolate of Vancouver (JSAV) is offering the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola in daily life. Applications are available now and due March 15 for 6 weeknight lectures in May/June and 7 monthly lectures Oct-April. Click here for more information (see 2nd item on page).

The Secret to Becoming a Saint: A Lenten Retreat, Sat. March 11, 8:30 am- 3 pm
Retreat Director Catherine M. Kelly, M.Div. offers a Lenten retreat exploring the faith lives of the saints. What were the secrets to their relationships with God which enabled them as ordinary people like us to do extraordinary things for God? How do the saints inspire us today? For more information and registration, click here…

Catherine Kelly has been featured on the Vancouver Courier in this article
The retreat poster can be found here.

TGIFF (Thank Goodness it’s First Friday) – Mass and lunch ; Mar 3, 2017; Come and join us for prayer, food, fellowship, and hot chili!
– Mass will be at 12:10pm
– Lunch will be served in Plato’s Cave after mass; See you there!!

Ash Wednesday 2017

March 1, 2017.   There will be two masses: 12:10pm and 7:00pm

Feb 2017

2017 Share Lent Workshop – Development and Peace (D&P): Caritas Canada
Join us for the Development and Peace’s Share Lent Workshop entitled ‘At the Heart of Change’. With focus on the struggles and contributions of women around the world, participants will gain a better understanding of the social mission of the church and be offered practical tools and opportunities for engagement. The workshop will take place on Saturday, Feb. 4 at St. Jude’s Parish, 3078 Renfrew St. Vancouver from 10am to 3pm. RSVP to Pinky Pascal. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided!

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Science and Faith Reflection Group

The meeting of our group on Tuesday February 28, 2017 at 7:30pm in St. Mark’s Parish church: During this session we will examine the article Gravitational Waves Exist: The Inside Story of How Scientists Finally Found Them by Nicola Twilley. This article, which was published in 2016, in The New Yorker magazine, will provide the focus for our discussion. A copy of the article is provided as an attachment.

The article can also be accessed at the following URL
http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/gravitational-waves-exist-heres-how-scientists-finally-found-them

Two short articles from the scientific press provide a sense of the excitement of this discovery within the scientific community. These articles are also provided as attachments. They can also be viewed at the following locations.

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/12/ripples-spacetime-sciences-2016-breakthrough-year

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/02/gravitational-waves-einsteins-ripples-spacetime-spotted-first-time

During our session we will also consider Sunday’s Gospel reading, Matthew 6:24-34.

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Thank you from Purdy Residents!

Purdy Resident Christmas Gifts: Christmas morning, once again, was a joyful time due to your generosity. Our residents are always amazed, and most appreciative, of the wonderful personal gifts that you select for them. Your thoughtfulness and generosity is so appreciated. Staff enjoyed passing out gifts and seeing the look of surprise on the faces of our residents. It is a wonderful for time for all of us. Special ― thank you! to Maureen and Derek Mullan… tremendous organizers and delivery people. Wishing you all a healthy and happy 2017!

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Science and Faith Reflection Group

The meeting of our group took place on Tuesday February 14 at 7:30pm in St. Mark’s Parish church. During this session we examined the article Solar, Eclipsed by Charles C. Mann. This article, which was published in the December 2015 issue of Wired, will provide the focus for our discussion.

The article can be accessed at the following URL
https://www.wired.com/2015/11/climate-change-in-india/

An additional article from Science Magazine, from Nov. 2015, offers a sense of India’s position on climate change going into the Paris Conference, COP21. This article is provided as an attachment.

The Climate Tracker web site offers an easy comparison of the projections for emission reductions by country.

http://climateactiontracdker.org/
http://climateactiontracker.org/countries/india.html
http://climateactiontracker.org/countries/canada.html

During our session we will also consider Sunday’s Gospel reading, Matthew 5:17-37.

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Thank You from BirthRight Vancouver

Meiko Perkins of Birthright writes: “To the Parish of St. Mark’s – Thank you for your generous donation of baby items to BirthRight. Because of your support, we are able to maintain our services in providing families with the basic needs for their new babies. Your support to us is passed along to many.”

2017 Share Lent Workshop – Development and Peace: Caritas Canada
Join us for the Development and Peace’s Share Lent Workshop entitled ‘At the Heart of Change’. With focus on the struggles and contributions of women around the world, participants will gain a better understanding of the social mission of the church and be offered practical tools and opportunities for engagement. The workshop will take place on Saturday, Feb. 4 at St. Jude’s Parish, 3078 Renfrew St. Vancouver from 10am to 3pm.. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided!

Feb 10, 12:10pm; St. Mark’s Chapel: World Day of Prayer for the Sick. World Day of Prayer for the Sick will be celebrated at St. Mark’s Parish with Mass and anointing on Feb 10 at 12:10pm. Read more about this day of prayer here:

Saturday, Feb 11; Newman Association Winter Lecture Series 2017. The Rights of the Laity in the Code of Canon Law. Join Rev. Michael Rosinski, SJ, Assistant Pastor, St. Mark’s Parish on Feb. 11, Saturday from 10am-11:30am, Room 101, St. Mark’s College. An emphasis on rights was an innovation when St. Pope John Paul II promulgated the new Code of Canon Law in 1983. Fr. Michael will explore specifically what these rights are and how they serve the mission of the Church in the new millennium. Read more here…

TGIFF (Thank Goodness it’s First Friday) – Friday, Feb 3, 2017; Come and join us for prayer, food, fellowship, and warn your heart with some chili. Also, we will be celebrating the Feast Day of St. Blaise, The blessing of throats will take place after the noon mass.

– Mass will be at 12:10pm, and Blessing of throats in the chapel after mass.
– Lunch will be served in Plato’s Cave after mass; See you there!!

We are looking for volunteers to help with cooking and serving future chill lunches. If you are interested (click here for a summary of duties – under “TGIFF”), please contact the Parish office.

University Mass: Saturday, Feb 4, 2017, 7:30pm at Holy Rosary Cathedral. Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, in partnership with the Community of St. Mark’s College, cordially invite the University and College communities to the University Students’ Mass. Confessional are available at 6:30pm. Reception will follow in the Holy Rosary Hall after Mass.

Catholic Press Collection. February is Catholic Press Month and with it comes the annual Catholic Press Collection. On Feb. 4-5, there will be a second collection at all parishes in the Archdiocese of Vancouver. This is a great opportunity for parishioners to show their appreciation for receiving The B.C. Catholic. The collection helps defray your parish’s costs for mailing the paper. Please give generously on Feb. 4-5 so we can continue to deliver to parishioners in the Archdiocese of Vancouver this vital, award winning publication. Please visit www.bccatholic.ca for more info on the Catholic Press Collection and the Catholic Press Association.

Jan 2017

The next meeting of our group will take place on Tuesday January 24, 2017 at 6:30pm

For this occasion we are suggesting that the group attend a talk on The Genomics Revolution.

The talk will take place 6:30-9:00pm at Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre Jack Poole Hall (2nd Floor), 6163 University Blvd., UBC’s Vancouver campus. This location is a short walk from St. Marks, close to the UBC Bus Loop and Mahony’s Pub.

* Registration is required for this event.

For registration please check the following site:
MEDTalks: The Genomics Revolution
http://www.alumni.ubc.ca/event/medtalks-genomics-revolution/

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Encountering Jesus Incarnate in Our Volunteer Ministries. Free Retreat for Parish Volunteers, Sat. Jan 28, 8:30am-4pm. . St. Mark’s Parish welcomes Fr. Joseph Carver, S.J. to guide our retreat in gratitude for the service of our parish volunteers. The day includes time for quiet reflection, socializing and community building. Coffee and registration at 8:30am, retreat starts by 9am. Cost is FREE for PARISH VOLUNTEERS. Suggested donation for others is $60, students $25. Fee includes lunch, snacks and prayer materials. Donations will offset Fr. Carver’s travel costs. RSVP by Wed Jan 25 to Rowena so that we have a headcount for food preparation.

Cards & Calendars needed for Catholic Charities Justice Services (CCJS)

Catholic Charities Justice Services (CCJS) is seeking donations of your surplus unused Christmas and All Occasions cards and 2017 calendars for prisoners. Calendars may be wall, desk, or appointment calendars. Please ensure donations are of a modest theme, suitable for prison chapels. They can be dropped off in the labelled box near the entrance of the Chapel. For more information, please contact Germaine Solaiman (phone number in the bulletin)

Newman Association Winter Lecture Series 2017: Mysteries: Sacramental Thought and Practice in the Eastern Churches
Rev. Richard Soo, SJ
Saturday, January 21st, 10am-11:30am
Room 101, St. Mark’s College (UBC Campus)

The Mysteries – Sacraments, as the Western Churches call it – remain the pillars of the Christian life that spring from the eternal union of Christ and his Church. Come and learn about the foundational theology and practice of the Eastern Churches with regards to the Holy Mysteries and see how we can appreciate the traditions of the East in their sacramental practice. Read more about the event here…

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Science and Faith Reflection Group:
The next meeting of our group will take place on Tuesday January 10, 2017 at 7:30pm in St. Mark’s Parish church. During this session we will examine the article The Lost Girls by APOORVA MANDAVILLI. This article, which was published in 2015, in Spectrum Magazine, will provide the focus for our discussion.

The article can also be accessed at the following URL
https://spectrumnews.org/features/deep-dive/the-lost-girls/

During our session we will also consider Sunday’s Gospel reading, Matthew 2:1-12.

B.C. Jesuit Scotch Tasting Reception (Jan 11; 5-7pm; John Paul II Pastoral Center)
A rare opportunity to meet Fr. Peter Bisson, SJ, Fr. John McCarthy, SJ, Dr. Andrew Bennett and many other esteemed guests. A knowledgable scotch expert will encourage guests to learn about some of the world’s finest whiskies. Learn more about this event here…

Gifts for Baby Jesus/Birthright – Over the next two weekends, while we have the Creche at the altar, we encourage the kids to bring a present for Baby Jesus of a new clothing item (0-6 months) and take it up to the manger during the Offertory. Encourage the kids to wrap it themselves – mittens, onesies, tuques, diapers, socks, blankets – anything that a newborn baby can wear. What an apt way to continue celebrating the Christmas season through the Solemnity of Mary all the way to the Feast of the Three Kings! The parents gathered will be presented to BirthRight for use in their ministry to support women with unplanned pregnancies. Thank you! If you require more information, please contact Julie Ranada.

Events for January 2017:

Jan 4, 2017 (Wednesday): First UBC Campus Ministry mass 12:10pm in St. Mark’s Chapel.
Jan 6, 2017: (Friday): First Friday (of the semester) mass and Chili lunch. Mass at 12:10pm and Chili lunch in Plato’s cave afterwards.
Jan 8, 2017: (Sunday) : 7pm Mass begins.
Jan 10, and 24th (Tuesday), 2017: Science and Faith Reflection Group meetings at 7:30pm in St. Mark’s Chapel
with Fr. Rob Allore, SJ.
Jan 17, 2017: Bible Study begins with Fr. Bill Wilson, SJ, 7:00pm.

Dec 2016

Christmas and New Year’s Mass Times

Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016 (Christmas Eve):
5:00pm—Children’s Christmas Liturgy
12:00am Midnight Mass with Caroling at 11:30pm
Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016 (Christmas Day):
9:30am, 11:30am (No 7pm Mass)
Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017 (New Year’s Day):
9:30am, 11:30am (No 7pm Mass)

Cards & Calendars needed for Catholic Charities Justice Services (CCJS). Catholic Charities Justice Services (CCJS) is seeking donations of your surplus unused Christmas and All Occasions cards and 2017 calendars for prisoners. Calendars may be wall, desk, or appointment calendars. Please ensure donations are of a modest theme, suitable for prison chapels. They can be dropped off in the labelled box near the entrance of the Chapel. For more information, please contact Germaine Solaiman (phone number in the bulletin).

Purdy’s Residents Christmas Gifts. It is that time of the year when we need to think about the patients in Purdy Pavilion at UBC Hospital. This is an extended care facility and a number of the patients living there have no family or visitors. This means, of course, they have no one to buy them a Christmas present. The last two years our parishioners have purchased Christmas presents for the patients and they were very thankful. Most gifts cost less than $20. There are a few gifts that are more expensive, for example a pair of shoes with Vel-cro fasteners. If you are willing to take one of these cards they will be given out separately. If two families wish to share the cost of a more expensive gift that would be fine as well. A number of residents this year have asked for track pants or sweat shirts. We have been able to get good quality track pants and sweat shirts and will be making them available for you to purchase for $15 and $20 respectively. On Sunday December 4th we will be handing out the cards with the patient’s name on one side and the gift they would enjoy receiving on the other side. Please take a card, purchase the gift and attach the card to the outside of the wrapped gift with the patient’s name visible. If you take a card please make sure you return the present by December 18th because it is imperative that no one is left out. Your support is very much appreciated. If you have any questions call Maureen at 604 736-0081.

St. Mark’s Children’s ministry: Have a look at the weekly reflection here… .

Calling for young volunteers to serve at the Christmas Eve 5pm Mass.5pm Christmas Eve Children’s Liturgy: Calling all kids and the young at heart… The Christmas Eve 5pm Mass at St. Mark’s is the perfect time for the kids to kick off the festivities in celebration of Christ‟s birth. We encourage all families with young children to attend. What makes this Mass special for the kids is that they get to participate as Readers and Altar Servers. The especially wee ones can join in the Proces-sion carrying the Creche figurines and laying them around the manger. After Communion, they serenade baby Jesus in a special song. We hope we can count on your little ones‟ support for this Mass. There will be a signup sheet after the Sunday Advent Masses so you can put your contact information and the children‟s names and ages and how they would like to participate. You can also contact Julie Ranada if you need more information.

Meetings are weekly during the 9:30am Sunday Liturgy. Read more about the ministry here (scroll down to item #4).

Reconciliation service: Dec 14 (Wednesday), 2016; 7:00pm: Come for an evening of Taize music, and an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

There will be a celebration of the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Sunday, Dec 11, 2016 at 11:30am (at the regular Sunday mass time) in the chapel (the day before the actual Feast day). Come and join us for Mexican appetizers served in Plato’s cave after mass.

TGIFT (THURSDAY mass and Chili)!. For the month of December, we will switch our Chili lunch to Thursday (Dec 1). This is the last week of classes, and we figured that there would be more people around to enjoy lunch on Thursday.

See you there! The schedule is as follows:
– 12:10pm mass
– 12:55pm chili lunch in Plato’s Cave

Sat. Dec. 3, 9:15 am – 12:15 pm, “Holy is God’s Name” Advent Retreat, St. James Parish, Abbotsford
A prayerful invitation to the Advent season, this morning retreat will reflect on the Annunciation, the Visitation and the Magnificat. Retreat Director, Catherine M. Kelly, M.Div. will introduce Gospel contemplation and incorporate scripture, art and music into the reflections. The session includes quiet time for prayer and reflection, small group faith sharing, and a coffee break.

Online registration is free, but donations to St. James Parish gratefully accepted. Suggested donation $25-30. St. James Parish, 2777 Townline Rd, Abbotsford, BC. All are welcome. Retreat starts after 8:30 am daily Mass. Register here…

Special Collection Next Sunday (Dec 4) for OYYAM. The purpose of this archdiocesan collection is to assist the work of Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office (OYYAM) in providing formation, training, and support for youth ministry. Youth ministry in our diocese continues to grow, as evidenced by the number of parishes with youth ministry programming, and the number of participants at diocesan events and training opportunities.

Christmas Party 2016; Dec 3. Our Parish is arranging a Christmas Party. It will take place on Saturday, December 3, at 5:00pm. The Parish is providing the turkey but we are looking for casseroles, salads, fruit/veggie platters and desserts to supplement the turkey. We also need volunteers to help with set up and clean up. Could you please consider lending a hand on December 3 starting at 3:00 pm. If you can help please contact Suzanne Barois. This celebration will be a green event so please bring your own dishes and cutlery.

Nov 2016

07-Nov-2016; Development and Peace (D&P) – Caritas Canada Fall Campaign

Be at the Heart of the Action Together
Please join in to 50 years of Solidarity with our needy brothers and sisters in the Global South (Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East). Since 1967, D&P has invested over $600 million in 100 countries; accomplished 15,000 projects with our local partners; has submitted over 3.5 million signatures for justice to our Parliament and has over 7,000 members country wide.

This Fall’s campaign is to vigorously support local farmers, here and abroad whose ecological techniques are vital to both earning a sustainable living while feeding two thirds of the world’s population and simultaneously helping to cool the planet to reduce climate change. Please read our Action Sheet, and be ready to sign our action card and empower the movement by be-coming a member, free of charge. Only together can we change the world for the better!

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Discerning Your Call Retreat: Praying with the Apostles and St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Saturday, November 5; 8:30am-4pm, St. Mark’s Parish (5935 Iona Drive). Fee: $55 in advance, $65 at the Door, $25 for Students.
Retreat Director Catherine M. Kelly, M. Div. offers a one-day retreat reflecting on how God is calling you, praying with the stories of the Apostles and the discernment tools of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Fee includes lunch, coffee breaks, and take-home prayer materials. Day begins with coffee and registration at 8:30am.
Register here
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Newman Mass for Deceased; Nov 12

Parishioners of St. Mark’s are invited to celebrate a Mass of the Resurrection to honour and memorialize recently deceased members of the Vancouver Newman Association. As several of our fellow parishioners were members, please feel welcome to come out to celebrate members including Dr. Jack Harrigan, Prof. Mahmoud Manzalouie, Alma Brynner, Elizabeth Bristowe, and our much missed assistant pastor, Fr. Michael Stogre. The Mass will be held on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 2pm in the St. Mark’s Chapel. Refreshments to follow. All are welcome.

Special Collection for Haitian Relief after Hurricane Matthew’s devastation
Archbishop Miller has approved a special collection for Haiti in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew. The collection will be on the weekend of Oct. 30. Proceeds will go to the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace-Caritas Canada, which has launched an Emergency Appeal to respond. We are not providing special envelopes for the Oct. 30 collection. You may use blank envelopes or one of our collation “emergency relief” envelopes. Cheques should be made payable to your parish. Cash is also welcome but please put in an envelope with your name and address for tax-receipt purposes.

TGIFF (Thank Goodness it’s First Friday) – Actually, second Friday mass and lunch ; Nov 4, 2016; Come and join us for mass to celebrate the start of the semester! Gather for prayer, food, fellowship, and chill with some chili.
– Mass will be at 12:10pm
– Lunch will be served in Plato’s Cave after mass; See you there!!

Discerning Your Call Retreat: Praying with the Apostles and St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Saturday, November 5; 8:30am-4pm, St. Mark’s Parish (5935 Iona Drive). Fee: $55 in advance, $65 at the Door, $25 for Students.
Retreat Director Catherine M. Kelly, M. Div. offers a one-day retreat reflecting on how God is calling you, praying with the stories of the Apostles and the discernment tools of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Fee includes lunch, coffee breaks, and take-home prayer materials. Day begins with coffee and registration at 8:30am. Register online here.

Oct 2016

Science and Faith Reflection Group

: The next meeting of our group will take place on Tuesday October 11, 2016 at 7:30pm in St. Mark’s Parish church. During this session we will examine the article Rotten Ice by Gretel Ehrlich, published in Harper’s Magazine in April of 2015. This article will provide the focus for our discussion.

The article can also be accessed at the following URL

http://harpers.org/archive/2015/04/rotten-ice/?single=1

During our session we will also consider Sunday’s Gospel reading, Luke 17:11-19.
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Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord Student Retreats, Oct 5 & 13

Free afternoon retreat for UBC students, offering the opportunity to reconnect with and savour God’s goodness. The session follows the Ignatian method of short inputs, quiet time for personal prayer and reflection, and small group faith sharing. All students are welcome. Same retreat offered Wed. Oct 5 and repeated Thurs. Oct 13, 2-4:30 pm. To register, click here…

TGIFF (Thank Goodness it’s First Friday); October 7, 2016; Come and join us for mass to celebrate the first Friday! Gather for prayer, food, fellowship, and chili and Butternut Squash soup
– Mass will be at 12:10pm
– Lunch will be served in Plato’s Cave after mass; See you there!!

Free Public Lecture: Cardinal Newman & Pope Benedict XVI on Conscience and the University

Join us on Saturday, Oct 8, at 10am at St. Mark’s College, Vancouver, for a presentation by Sam Rocha, Assistant Professor at the Department of Educational Studies of the Faculty of Education… details here

A Thanksgiving Dinner celebration will take place at St. Mark’s on Saturday, October 8, 2016, at 6:00pm. The Parish will provide the turkey. We are looking for casseroles, salads, fruit/veggie platters ad desserts to supplement the turkey. We also need volunteers to help with set up and clean up.

Please consider lending a hand on October 8 starting at 4:00pm. If you can help, please contact Janice Dulk. This celebration will be a green event so please bring your own dishes and cutlery.

Sept 2016

World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation – Sept. 1 In 2015, Pope Francis initiated the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on September 1 of each year. The Day of Prayer for Creation, says Pope Francis, is “an opportunity to reaffirm our personal vocation to be stewards of creation, to thank God for the wonderful handiwork which he has entrusted to our care, and to implore his help for the protection of creation as well as his pardon for the sins committed against the world in which we live.” Visit rcav.org/laudato-si to learn more.
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SCIENCE and FAITH DISCUSSION GROUP: Tuesday September 27, 2016 at 7:30pm in St. Mark’s Parish church. During this session we will examine an article by E.O. Wilson, published in 2014. This article will provide the focus for our discussion. A short, second article reviews Wilson’s book The Meaning of Human Existence. Both articles are provided as attachments with this EMail.

The 2014 article by E. O. Wilson can also be accessed at the following URL

http://harpers.org/archive/2014/09/on-free-will/?single=1

During our session we will also consider Sunday’s Gospel reading, Luke 16:19-31.

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Ignatian Retreat: Food for the Journey: Spiritual Care for Students in Health Care Professions

Monday, Sept. 26, 4:30-7:30 pm; St. Mark’s Parish, 5935 Iona Drive, Vancouver
Join Retreat Director Catherine M. Kelly, M.Div. for a workshop which will offer you the time, tools and talent to develop your own spiritual care. This mini-retreat is intended to help you acquire “food for the journey”. The evening includes opportunities for quiet reflection, dialogue and moderated discussion. Scripture passages, prayers and spiritual exercises will be provided to guide you in exploring some of the challenges and issues facing you as health professionals while remaining authentic to your own personal values. The session will conclude with pizza and an opportunity to meet seasoned health professionals who have navigated their careers while staying true to their personal values and spirituality.

Event is free but tickets required. Please register by Friday Sept 23 at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/food-for-the-journey-spiritual-care-for-students-in-the-health-professions-tickets-27633106365

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Food for the Journey: Spiritual Care for Students in Health Care Professions

Monday, Sept. 26, 4:30-7:30 pm; St. Mark’s Parish, 5935 Iona Drive, Vancouver
Join Retreat Director Catherine M. Kelly, M.Div. for a workshop which will offer you the time, tools and talent to develop your own spiritual care. Click here for more information and to register.

Science and Faith Reflection Group

The next meeting of our group will take place on Tuesday September 13, 2016 at 7:30pm in St. Mark’s Parish church. During this session we will examine a collection of short articles reporting on the global program to eradicate polio. Please contact Fr. Rob for a copy of the article.

During our session we will also consider Sunday’s Gospel reading, Luke 15:1-32

University Students Hike, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016

A hike is being organized for the university students in the parish and on UBC campus. We will meet in the parking lot of St. Mark’s Chapel at 8:00am on Saturday, departing for the hike at 8:30am. For more details, please click here.

To sign up for the event please contact St. Marks Parish by email.
Space is limited and will be allocated on a first come first registered basis. Sign up closes on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 3:00 pm

Science and Faith Reflection Group

. The next meeting of our group will take place on Tuesday September 13, 2016 at 7:30pm in St. Mark’s Parish church. The global action to eradicate polio will be discussed. Click here for more information…

When We Act Together, Change is Possible – 2016 D&P Fall Workshop Sept.17 @St. Mary’s; September 13, 2016. Read more here…

Reflections from a Second Vatican Council Father: Lecture with Bishop Remi De Roo. Thursday Sept 15, St. Mark’s College. Bishop Remi J. De Roo is the last surviving bishop to have participated in all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council, which spanned from 1962 to 1965. Read more here…

Events for Sept 2016:

Sept 4 (Sunday) : 7pm Mass begins
Sept 7 (Wednesday): First UBC Campus Ministry mass 12:10pm in St. Mark’s Chapel.
Sept 9: (Friday): First Friday (of the semester) mass and Chili lunch. Mass at 12:10pm and Chili lunch in Plato’s cave afterwards.

TGIFF (Thank Goodness it’s First Friday) – Actually, second Friday mass and lunch ; September 9, 2016; Come and join us for mass to celebrate the start of the semester! Gather for prayer, food, fellowship, and chill with some chili.
– Mass will be at 12:10pm
– Lunch will be served in Plato’s Cave after mass; See you there!!

Aug 2016

“Come Away & Rest Awhile”: Sabbath-Keeping & Self-Care Retreat, Aug. 22-23

Join Catherine M. Kelly, M.Div. for a two-day retreat on the essentiality of Sabbath keeping, its vital relationship to self-care, and ways to incorporate this practice into our busy lives. Catherine will introduce the scriptural and historical background on Sabbath-keeping as well as contemporary spiritual writers’ suggestions on the meaning and practice of Sabbath for modern day believers.

The retreat includes ample opportunity to rest in the Lord, quiet time for prayer and reflection, take home prayer materials, optional small group faith sharing, and optional one-on-one spiritual accompaniment with the director. Carey Centre, UBC Campus, 5920 Iona Drive, Vancouver. Options for commuters and overnight accommodations. Early bird rate till July 31.

Time: 8:30am – 3:00pm (on both days)
Cost: $125 early bird rate before July 31st
$150 regular rate – includes lunches

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July 2016

Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, July 31

The Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola will be celebrated on Sunday, July 31. To help our Jesuits celebrate this feast, the Parish in partnership with the Jesuit Alumnae Group will have a potluck picnic AFTER the 11:30 a.m. Mass. This will be a green event so if you can please bring your own dishes. The Parish is providing meat, cheese, buns and beverages (so don’t bring those). However, contributions of salads, fruit/veggie plates, desserts and other luncheon dishes would be much appreciated.

We also need volunteers; please contact Janice Dulk. Volunteers will meet in Plato’s Cave immediately after the 9:30 a.m Mass on the day of the picnic.

Family Hike, Saturday July 9. The Parish, Family Hike on Saturday July 9 was a success, with good attendance. Even though the weather was wet at times, it was a fun time indeed!! Here is a photo of the group:

June 2016

Parish Picnic 2016. The Parish’s Annual Picnic, held on June 19th was a big success – and the weather cleared up just in time! Have a look at some photos here…

June 19, 2016: Father’s Day is Pro-Life Sunday
Voices of the vulnerable are silenced every day by the culture around us. Never before has life in our nation been as vulnerable as it is now. We need to challenge those who silence pro-life Canadians who are courageously fighting for the voiceless. This Father’s Day is Pro-Life Sunday and we need you to stand with us. There will be a special collection Sunday, June 19, to help support the life affirming work of pro-life groups in our diocese. Please give generously. Envelopes will be available at your parish on Sunday, or give online at rcav.org/prolife.

May 3-June 7, October 2016 -April 2017 – Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola in Daily Life

The Jesuit Spirituality Apostolate of Vancouver (www.jsav.ca) offers the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola in Daily Life retreat for persons who wish to grow spiritually, learn how to discern Christ’s voice more clearly in life, and serve God with greater love. This program includes 2 parts (May – mid-June, & October-April).

Part 1 involves a weekly ‎evening lecture/retreat practicum: Tuesdays 7-9 pm May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and June 7 and an all-day retreat on Saturday May 7 (venue TBA), plus weekly spiritual direction. Part 1 is a prerequisite for Part 2: the Spiritual Exercises proper, includes monthly evening lecture October-April and weekly spiritual direction.

Each part of the retreat requires 1.25 hours of daily prayer and emotional and psychological maturity.

Evening lectures at St. Mark’s Parish and College, 5935 Iona Drive, Vancouver. $100 registration fee for Parts 1 & 2 (bursaries available).

To request an application, contact the JSAV coordinator. Applications accepted on first-come, first served basis. Deadline March 31. Space is limited.

May 2016

(08-May-2016):
D&P ; Development and Peace has increased the programming funding for Crisis in Syria emergency relief, to focus on supporting Caritas partners that are providing humanitarian relief to Syrian refugees who have been caught at country borders (primarily European).

For information and to make a donation please visit http://www.devp.org/en/emergencies/syria. To make a donation you can visit: http/www.devp.org/en/donate or phone toll free at: 1 888-234-8533. E-mail info@devp.org | Web: www.devp.org

Ecuador Earthquake Relief – Canadian Jesuits International. Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) is responding to the request for support from the Jesuits in Ecuador to help the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck the country on April 16. Find out more here.

To donate follow this link: Ecuador Earthquake relief fund

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Donations to Fort McMurray Crisis: Archbishop Miller has just approved a special collection in response to the wildfire disaster in Fort McMurray and surrounding region. The collection will be on the May 22 Victoria Day weekend and proceeds will go to the Diocese of St. Paul, Alta. For more information, click here.

Condolences for the loss of Mrs. Theresa Yim Wan, mother of Jenny Cheng of our Parish.
“May we who mourn be united one day with our loved one; together may we meet Christ Jesus when He who is our life appears in glory”

The Funeral Mass will be concelebrated by Fr. Rob Allore and Fr. Joseph Ly (Pastor, St. Francis Xavier) on Friday, May 20 at 10:30 am at St. Francis Xavier church, 438 Great Northern Way, Vancouver (Tel: 604-254-2727). Interment will be on the same day at the Garden of Gethsemane, Surrey at 12:30 pm. Reception will be in Vancouver following interment (location and time to be announced at the Funeral Mass)

April 2016

Way of Light Retreat: Part 1 -April 9, Part 2 – April 16: 2-part interactive, multi-media experience celebrating the joy of Easter. Accompany the apostles in their encounters with the Risen Lord and affirm our call as modern-day disciples. Each part stands alone so come to one or both. St. Mark’s Parish, 5935 Iona Drive, Vancouver, 10-11:30 AM, Saturdays April 9 & 16, $27 per session. Register at the parish office or online at the links below:
Register for Part 1 here:
Register for Part 2 here

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Catholic After Hours – Body and Soul: God, Me and Evolutionary Biology; Monday, April 25, 6:15-8:30pm: Art Gallery Cafe. Catholic After Hours welcomes young Catholic professionals, 24-45 years old. Next week’s talk: what the best minds have to say on evolution and our biological origins. Presenters are Fr. Rob Allore, Dr. David Klassen, and Dr. Chris Morrissey. Click here for more information and to register.

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Science and Faith Reflection Group

The next meeting of our group will take place on Tuesday April 26, 2016 at 7:30pm in St. Mark’s Parish church. During this session we will examine the article, One of a Kind by Seth Mnookin. The article published in The New Yorker in 2014 can be viewed at the following URL,

https://demystifyingmedicine.od.nih.gov/DM15/m4d21/reading01.pdf

This article will be the primary focus for our conversation.
An additional web based article (Hunting down my son’s killer) , a blog type web posting, which relates to our primary article, can be found at the following URL.

http://matt.might.net/articles/my-sons-killer/

During our session we will also consider Sunday’s Gospel reading, John 13:1,31-35

All are welcome to attend these meetings. No previous experience with the group is required.

Contact Fr. Rob Allore, SJ here.

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World Day of Prayer for Vocations. If you or someone you know is considering a call to the priesthood or religious life: don’t remain in the dark! Please talk to your pastor or to the Vocations Director, Fr. Bryan Duggan. For all of us this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, also known as “Good Shepherd Sunday”, is a chance to publically fulfill the Lord’s instruction to, “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). Please pray that young men and women hear and respond generously to the Lord’s call to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life, societies of apostolic life or secular institutes. You can find many resources to promote a culture of vocations on our website: www.vocationsvancouver.ca

Way of Light Retreat: Part 1 -April 9, Part 2 – April 16: 2-part interactive, multi-media experience celebrating the joy of Easter. Accompany the apostles in their encounters with the Risen Lord and affirm our call as modern-day disciples. Each part stands alone so come to one or both. St. Mark’s Parish, 5935 Iona Drive, Vancouver, 10-11:30 AM, Saturdays April 9 & 16, $27 per session. Register at the parish office or online at the links below:
Register for Part 1 here:
Register for Part 2 here

March 2016

March 5; 8:45am to 4:00pm – Lenten Retreat: The Name of God is Mercy, St. Mark’s Parish.
Join retreat director Catherine M. Kelly, M.Div. as we explore Pope Francis’ invitation to encounter the Mercy of God, the divine attitude which embraces us, accepts us and forgives us; and how this experience transforms us to go forth and share this mercy. The retreat follows the Ignatian method of short input sessions, quiet time for personal prayer and reflection, and small group faith sharing.

Cost includes lunch, snacks and take-home prayer materials. $50 in advance, $60 at the door, $20 for students. Register online here to get the early bird rate.

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Wed March 2, repeated Thursday March 10th – Dancing with God, ; exploring the rhythm of prayer and letting God take the lead, guiding us through joys and sorrows in life. Free afternoon retreats for UBC students, St. Mark’s Parish, Vancouver, 2-4 pm.

Click here to register for March 2.
Click here to register for March 10.

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Share Lent 2016 Campaign: “Create A Climate of Change”

This year’s Share Lent Theme is our Canadian Catholic response to Pope Francis’s world-wide appeal to us in his blessed Encyclical “Laudato Si’ (Praise be to you) for all of us to do our part to be good stewards of God’s great gift to us of Mother Earth, our Common Home.

The ravages of Climate Change, largely wreaked by us in the Developed World, are being disproportionately felt by our already needy brothers and sisters in the so-called Global South (devastating storms and drought in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East).

We are called upon to “live simply” and to share our bounty. Pope Francis also invites us during his declared Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy to be “Merciful like the Father”. “Feed the Hungry; Clothe the Naked…”. This Lenten Season of prayer, self-renewal and alms-giving, please kindly donate as generously as you can on Solidarity Sunday, March 13, to help relieve the suffering of our needy brothers and sisters.

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Thursday, March 31, 2016, 7:00pm; St. Mark’s College presents – 2016 Carr Lecture “Love, Mercy and Forgiveness” – Pope Francis and the Future of the Catholic Church. Presented by the Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB. For more information, click here.

Come and join us for Triduum and Easter services at St. Marks. The times are:

   Holy Thursday (March 24, 2016): 7:00pm mass
Good Friday (March 25, 2016):
11:00am: Stations of the Cross
1:00pm: Reflection on the Seven Last Words of Christ.
3:00pm; Service
Easter Vigil (March 26, 2016): 9:00pm mass
Easter Sunday (March 27, 2016): Two masses: 9:30am AND 11:30am
No 7:00pm mass on March 27, 2016. 7:00pm mass will resume on April 3, 2016.
Easter egg hunt for the children will follow the 9:30am mass on March 27, 2016 (Easter Sunday morning).

Share Lent 2016 Campaign: “Create A Climate of Change”
This year’s Share Lent Theme is our Canadian Catholic response to Pope Francis’s world-wide appeal to us in his blessed Encyclical “Laudato Si’ (Praise be to you) for all of us to do our part to be good stewards of God’s great gift to us of Mother Earth, our Common Home. Read more about it on the D&P page.

Donations may be made via. the brown envelopes (available in the church), and online at www.devp.org. Select the Share Lent icon. Please let the parish office know so we can keep track of our over-all parish totals. Thank you!

Lenten Reconciliation Service – Wednesday, March 16: 7:00pm; St. Marks Chapel. Come and join us for a quiet time of Lenten meditation and the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. the evening will begin at 7:00pm with the Liturgy of the Word, short prayers, and examination of conscience.

STUDENT RETREAT; Thursday March 10th – Dancing with God, ; exploring the rhythm of prayer and letting God take the lead, guiding us through joys and sorrows in life. Free afternoon retreats for UBC students, St. Mark’s Parish, Vancouver, 2-4 pm. See the ad poster here. For more info about this, and other retreats, click here.

Mar 3, 2016, Newman Club Presents: “Is There a Place for Law in a Church of Mercy? Reflections on the Role of Canon Law in Today’s Church.” Presented by Dr. Lynda Robitaille, Canon Lawyer and Dean of Academic Programs at St. Mark’s College, UBC. Discussion to follow. Thursday, March 3rd, 5:00 pm. Rm. 100, St. Mark’s College. Everyone welcome! ”

March 5 – Lenten Retreat: The Name of God is Mercy, St. Mark’s Parish. Join retreat director Catherine M. Kelly, M.Div. as we explore Pope Francis’ invitation to encounter the Mercy of God. For more information, click here…, or to register, visit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/lenten-retreat-the-name-of-god-is-mercy-tickets-21141509825

February 2016

Sat. Feb. 13, 8:45am – 1pm: Beatitudes for the Workplace retreat with Max Oliva, SJ. City in Focus and the Jesuits at St. Mark’s Parish have invited Jesuit Father Max Oliva to offer this half-day retreat based on his book, Beatitudes for the Workplace. Fr. Max will guide adults through 4 hours of prayer and reflection on the virtues important to work and their transformative effect on our professional and personal lives. Retreat will be at St. Mark’s Parish, 5935 Iona Drive, Vancouver. Cost is $50 and includes coffee and light refreshments. The book will be available for purchase. Register by Thurs. Feb. 11 here or call Lioba at the parish office. If space is available, you may pay at the door with cash or cheque payable to St. Mark’s Parish.

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Science and Faith Reflection Group – Current Session:

The next meeting of our group will take place on Tuesday February 23, 2016 at 7:30pm in St. Mark’s Parish church.

During this session we will examine the article, The Deepest Dig by Brooke Jarvis. The article published in The California Sunday Magazine in 2014 can be viewed at the following URL.

https://stories.californiasunday.com/2014-11-02/deep-sea-drilling/

A video on the subject of hydrothermal vents can be found at the following URL.
http://ocean.si.edu/ocean-videos/hydrothermal-vent-creatures

During our session we will also consider Sunday’s Gospel reading Luke 9:28-36.

All are welcome to attend these meetings. No previous experience with the group is required. Contact Fr. Rob Allore if you have questions.

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St. Mark’s College Lecture Series: Feb 24, 2016: Justice and Mercy in the European Migrant Crisis. For more information go to this link.

Voices of Hope: Students in Grades 11, 12, or college or university and interested in social justice studies are invited to the 9th annual Voices of Hope Student Symposium Wednesday, Feb. 24, 9-3pm, at Corpus Christi College, Vancouver. The theme is Faces of Dignity, Faces of Justice, which will be brought to life through extraordinary local research. For more information, please click on this link.

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday Feb. 20th
The Movie, RISEN, is scheduled for release that weekend. All parishioners and friends are invited to attend the Saturday, Feb 20th afternoon showing: 4:15pm at the Cineplex Odeon 88 West Pender, 3rd Floor Vancouver. The movie will be followed by a Social in Plato’s Cave from 6:30pm-8:30pm for a chance to share insights about the movie and fellowship.

Links: 1) Risen (2016 film) – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 2.) Bible Epic ‘Risen’ Linked to Mel Gibson’s ‘The Passion of the Christ’. Those interested in helping lead the group discussions in Plato’s Cave, please contact John Brozovich by Sunday Feb 14th. Visit the website and see the trailer here: http://www.risen-movie.com

Sat, Feb 20, 2016: Snowshoe hike. NOTE!! This event has been cancelled due to poor snow conditions. Relatively warm, yet wet conditions have left the base of many of the trails with very little snow.

Volunteers Needed to accompany parishioners in wheelchairs (Purdy Pavilion). Read more here…

Pause for Perspective / Beatitudes for the Workplace retreat with Max Oliva, SJ. Friday Feb 12, noon-4:30pm St. Augustine’s Parish ($50) and Sat. Feb. 13, 8:45am – 1pm: St. Mark’s Parish ($50, including light refreshments). City in Focus and the Jesuits at St. Mark’s Parish have invited Jesuit Father Max Oliva to offer this half-day retreat based on his book, Beatitudes for the Workplace. Fr. Max will guide adults through 4 hours of prayer and reflection on the virtues important to work and their transformative effect on our professional and personal lives. The book will be available for purchase. Register by Thurs. Feb. 11 here. For the Feb 13th retreat, you can call Lioba at the parish office – if space is available, you may pay at the door with cash or cheque payable to St. Mark’s Parish.

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Science and Faith Reflection Group
The next meeting of our group will take place on Tuesday February 9, 2016 at 7:30pm in St. Mark’s Parish church.
hi
During this session we will examine the article, The End of Night / The Health Effects of a World Without Darkness by Rebecca Boyle. The article published in Aeon Magazine in 2014 can be viewed at the following URL.

https://aeon.co/essays/we-can-t-thrive-in-a-world-without-darkness

During our session we will also consider Sunday’s Gospel reading Luke 5:1-11.

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On Thursday, Feb 4, 2016, at 5 PM, the Newman Club of UBC will be doing a movie night! The movie of the night will be Emmy Award winning“Journey of the Universe”, which tells an epic story of cosmic, Earth and human transformation from The Big Bang to today. Evolutionary philosopher Brian Thomas Swimme and Yale historian of religions Mary Evelyn Tucker have crafter an elegant narrative that both illuminates and celebrates the profound role humans play in flourishing of the Earth. See the film trailer.

Feb 5, 2016; TGIFF Chili lunch and Free Public Lecture; Laudato Si after Paris – Our Mission for a Healthy Planet. As part of Catholic Students week, come and join us for free chili lunch and a lecture in Plato’s cave after 12:10 mass (in the chapel).

January 2016

Sat. Jan. 30, 9am 4pm; Encountering the Sacred in Our Volunteer Ministries, Free Retreat for Parish Volunteers.
St. Mark’s Parish will import Fr. C. Hightower, S.J. to offer this retreat in gratitude for the service of our parish volunteers. The day includes time for quiet reflection, socializing and community-building. Cost: FREE for PARISH VOLUNTEERS. Suggested donation for others is $50, students by donation. Fee includes lunch, snacks and prayer materials. Donations will offset Fr. Hightower’s travel costs. RSVP: by Wed. Jan. 27 to Lioba in the parish office so we have a headcount for hospitality.

Jan 30, 2016; Create a Climate of Change – Share Lent Workshop. Attend our Lenten workshop to learn more about the Development and Peace 2016 Lenten campaign and how you can involve your community or Parish in creating a Climate of Change!

Location: St. Patrick’s Parish, Vancouver; 2881 Main Street.
Jan 30, 2016; 9am-1pm. Lunch will be provided (donations appreciated). Contact Pinky. View the ad poster here…

Laudato Si After Paris, COP 21: Our Mission for a Healthy Planet – a Free Public Lecture hosted by St. Mark’s College. Join Reverend Dr. Robert Allore, SJ, and the Honourable Joyce Murray, Member of Parliament, Vancouver Quadra, for an evening of dialogue on January 22 at 7pm at St. Mark’s Parish. . Click here to listen to recordings of the lecture.

The Ecumenical Worship service will be held on Wednesday, January 20th, 7pm at St. Mark’s Church. The Week of Prayer of Christian Unity is celebrated on January 18-25 and is organized by the World Council of Churches. The theme for this year is “Called to proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord.” based on 1 Peter 2:9. Come for a wonderful time of prayer and song with the Christian communities of UBC. Food and reception to follow! Check out the Facebook event.

Scarboro Missions is organizing a Mass at 12:10 pm and pizza lunch/info session on Thursday, January 14 at the Community Room, above the kitchen, St. Mark’s College to share about the missions program. All are welcome. Click here for more information. View poster here.

Welcome to 2016! Mark your calendars for our regular events that will be starting up again in the new year, including:
– 7pm mass starting on Sunday, Jan 3
– Science and Faith Reflection group meeting on Tuesday, Jan 12
– Christian Life Community (CLC) meeting on Thursday, Jan 14