Past Events

September 2023

September (2023) at a Glance!

Sept 3, 2023: 4:30pm mass resumes
Sept 6, 2023: 12:10pm Wednesday Music Ministry and daily Liturgy
(11:30am rehearsal) every Wednesday.
Sept 7, 2023: Mass of the Holy Spirit: (Weekday celebration) 12:10pm Chapel
Sept 8, 2023: TGIFF Mass and Chili lunch (12:10pm Mass in Chapel) and chili lunch (12:45pm Plato’s Cave)
Sept 10, 2023: Mass of the Holy Spirit Sunday Celebration – All masses 9:30am, 11:30am, 4:30pm
Sept 10, 2023: Children’s Liturgy at both the 9:30am & 11:30am Masses, every other Sunday
Sept 12, 2023: Science and Faith Reflection Group: 7:00pm Chapel, continuing 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month
Sept 17, 2023: First Communion classes begin;  10:40 -11:20am, Room 308 (College building)
Sept 17, 2023RCIA Sessions: Sundays, 1:00pm Chapel (location may vary between sessions)
Sept 17, 2023Student CLC Faith Sharing: 5:45pm in room 308 and via Zoom
Sept 17, 2023: Confirmation Preparation:  12:45 — 2:00pm, Room 103 in the college building
Sept 19, 2023: Bible Study: 1:00pm via. Zoom.  Continuing 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month.
Sept 23, 2023: Student hike: 8:00am-4:00pm.  Location TBD

Create Hope: Development and Peace – Caritas Canada Regional Assembly and Retreat

This weekend retreat aims to raise awareness in different social issues impacting our world, accompanied by meaningful spiritual reflection & opportunities to socialize. Open to everyone & all Development & Peace Councils in BC & Yukon.

From Friday, September 22, at 5:30pm to Sunday, September 24, at Carmel Hill, Little Flower Monastery in Deroche, BC. Cost is $60.

You can learn more or register here.  Registration deadline: Monday, August 28

August 2023

Let’s celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Come, join us this Tuesday,

August 15 – 12:10pm Mass at St. Mark’s Parish

Let’s celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Simply put, the dogma of the Assumption states that at the end of her life, the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken, body and soul, into Heaven.

Sunday, August 27, 2023:  Christians from the Holy Land – Hand carvings for sale!

Hand crafted religious olive wood carvings by the Christians from Holy Land will be available for sale outside the chapel after Masses.

These religious articles can be used as gifts for Christmas or other occasions, or as a means of praying & providing comfort, strength, and even hope for people who are suffering.

A Summer Picnic & BBQ Get-Together with the Newman Association of Vancouver!

Location: Rocky Point Park 2800 Murray St, Port Moody Time: Sat. Aug. 26 at 11am.

We’ll have hotdogs, burgers, skewers & other good mid-summer picnic meals. We have games, ice-breakers & opportunities to hang out & socialize with folks from the Newman and Catholic community. Kayak rentals available too!

Please RSVP by Wednesday, August 23 so we can account for how much food to prep!

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/bbq-picnic-at-rocky-point-with-newman-tickets-687711883757?aff=oddtdtcreator

To cover prep costs, we ask attendees to come with a contribution of $5.00. Please bring cash, or transfer via Square (with a minimal transaction charge of 25 cents). Feel free to bring snacks and drinks to share!

Transportation: Please note that parking may be limited.
Rocky Point Park is 10 minutes away from Moody Centre Station if you decide to transit!

July 2023

Feast Day of St. Ignatius of Loyola

There will be a special celebration on Sun, July 30, 2023 during all masses (9:30 and 11:30) and after the 11:30am mass

World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

The third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which will be celebrated on July 23, 2023, will have the theme, “His mercy is from age to age” (Lk 1: 50).

This verse reminds us that God’s mercy is manifested in history through the testimonies of those who have experienced it and passed it on to their children and grandchildren.

Grandparents and the elderly are called to carry this mercy, to tell through words and life how God has been faithful to His promises and how He continues to love His people. They are also called to receive God’s mercy and to allow themselves to be comforted by His fatherly love that never abandons them. The World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is an occasion to once again express with joy that the Church wants to celebrate together with those whom the Lord — as the Bible says — has given “a full life.”

June 2023

Project Advance 2023

Each year, Project Advance enables us to come together as a community of faith in Jesus to support various ministries and programs of our local Church.

This year’s Appeal focuses on empowering our parishes to be vibrant centres of faith, to be a beacon of hope, love and service in your community.

Our hope is that they will be strengthened and equipped with the necessary resources to carry out even more effectively their mission of evangelization and service.

Parish Picnic – Sunday, June 25, 2023

Enjoy our annual Parish picnic after the 11:30 am mass in the courtyard (just outside the church).  

The MAGIC SHOW will start at 12:50pm with the Great Gordini

The parish will provide the main baking. We are looking for donations of fruit, dessert & other finger foods as supplement. Please invite a friend or parishioner who would appreciate the community gathering.

We also need volunteers to help with set-up & clean-up.  If you can assist, please contact the Parish.

Sundays 2pm-2:30pm

Wednesdays 1pm-1:30pm and Thursdays 11am-11:40am

Sundays 2 to 2:30pm

May 2023

Celebrate with the young members of our Community!

Meet the beloved children, their parents, volunteer instructors, helpers & apprentices as we celebrate:

Confirmation:  May 28, 2023 (Pentecost Sunday)

First Communion:  June 4, 2023

PENTECOST — CONFIRMATION DRAWING CONTEST – view the submissions here.

All children of the Parish were invited to submit a drawing for Pentecost.  All of these submissions showed the creativity and talent of our young artists.

We thank the young artists in our parish who participated in the Pentecost Drawing Contest!

Click here to view the drawings.

“MOMents of Grace” Moms Retreat, Sat May 27, 8:30am-12 pm

This morning retreat is specially tailored to give moms some quiet time to pray, reflect, connect and celebrate our unique moments of grace as moms.
 
Moms of all ages and stages are welcome.
 
Coffee and childcare drop-off 8:30 am. Retreat 9 am – 12 pm. Sliding scale registration fees: $35-60+ plus 5% GST. Undergraduate students $20 plus 5% GST. Childcare available with advance
registration.

Celebrate with the young members of our Community!

Meet the beloved children, their parents, volunteer instructors, helpers & apprentices as we celebrate:

Confirmation:  May 28, 2023 (Pentecost Sunday)

First Communion:  June 4, 2023

PENTECOST — CONFIRMATION DRAWING CONTEST.

Open to all children in the parish – Entries must be original. Draw from
your own inspiration. Add in detail & color. Use any medium: pencils, paints, watercolors, construction paper or other materials.

Send a photo of your entry to parish.smark@rcav.org with your name & contact info by 5pm, Wednesday, May 24. Three winning entries will be chosen, as 1st, 2nd & 3rd best & announced at the Pentecost Sunday Masses. Judges’ decisions are final. Prizes will be provided by the parish.

Criteria: Originality & Creativity – 50%, Color Scheme – 25%, Theme Appropriateness – 25%

Ambrose and Matilda’s 9th Annual Fundraising Concert

SATURDAY, MAY 6TH, 2023 POINT GREY GOLF CLUB 4:30PM
3350 SW MARINE Dr, Vancouver, BC

Donations will go towards to Ambrose and Matilda Music Connection (AMMC). The history of Ambrose Matilda Music Connection goes back to a fundraising concert in 2014, which was established toprovide financial support to communities and charities through the joy of music.

Tickets: $110 (Only for Dinner + Concert, excluding donation) 

E-Transfer to ammusicconnection@gmail.com is accepted, or cheques can be written payable to “Ambrose Matilda Music Connection”

Contact us by email or call Eric Choi at 778-873-4185 for any inquiries

~ Featured Musicians ~
Sungu Kang – Grand prize at 2022 AMMC International Music Competition

Charles Yeung – Bronze award at 2022 AMMC International Music Competition Joseph Elwrothy – CEO of Vancouver Academy of Music

~ Sponsors ~
* Premium ($5000): Ambrose Holdings,
Ron Suh (Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria)

* Gold ($2500): Felix Durity,
Gerald Chipeur (Honorary Consul of the Republic of Korea)

* Silver ($1000): Henry De Gauteau
* Bronze ($500): City in Focus, Envely, Dr. Kevin & Kristina Um
* Table sponsor ($1500): Husteel, Alla Breve (School of Music), Gemma Park There is still room for your SPONSORHIP!

A Spring Evening with the Sam Rocha Trio.  Saturday May 6, 6:00pm

Enjoy an “unplugged” evening of well known tunes and engaging original music to lift your spirit!

No registration required.  Just come!

Pope Francis will have been Pope for over a decade when this conference takes place.

Entitled Pope Francis and the Future of the Church: Prospects & Challenges for Renewal, this conference considers the ten years of his pontificate and reflects on how he has challenged and changed the Church. From Thursday, May 4, at 12pm to Saturday, May 6, at 3pm at St. Mark’s College in Vancouver.

Plenary Session #1:  Thursday, May 4. 7pm-9pm

“Laudato Si’ in a Time of Global Disruption: Francis and Politics”, Massimo Faggioli, Villanova University.

Plenary Session #2:  Friday, May 5. 3:30pm-5:00pm

“The Reform of the Church is not a Change but a Commitment”, Emilce Cuda, Secretary, Pontifical Commission for Latin America/Loyola University Chicago,

April 2023

DATE & TIME DETAILS: Starts: Apr 28, 2023, 3:30 pm Completes: Apr 30, 2023, 1:30 pm

ADDRESS: 2371 Arbot Road, Nanaimo, BC, Canada

“Were not our hearts burning within us?”(Luke 24:32) The disciples encountered the Risen Lord on the Road to Emmaus and that experience galvanized them.

This Easter Season weekend retreat will explore the wisdom of Ignatius of Loyola and engage some of the essential prayer methods he popularized in the Spiritual Exercises. Learning how to pray with these tools will help you begin to discern what sets your heart on fire and how God animates your life. This retreat is geared toward people new to Ignatian spirituality as well as those who wish to dive deeper into their experience of the Exercises and anyone in between who may be discerning the next steps in their life.

The semi-silent retreat will follow a rhythm of inspiring talks, silent time for individual prayer, small group spiritual conversation, and breaks offering fresh food and plenty of time to rest and explore the lake, gardens, and grounds of the retreat center.

We will gather on Thurs. April 20 at 5:30pm in Plato’s Cave for our continuing

St. Marks Film Series 

MATINEE IDOLS: A DOUBLE ENCHANTMENT
Praying with cinema

The Red Balloon and

Tarkovsky:  films, stills, polaroids, and writings

Join us for good food and discussion

Food for the Soul
Thanks! Help! Wow!
April 13, 2023. 12pm-1:20pm. Plato’s Cave

Reflecting on the academic term with God.

All students are welcome – light lunch will be provided

Triduum and Easter Services

Come and join us to partake in the Lord’s supper, commemorating His death, and celebrarting His resurrection.

Palm Sunday April 2:  9:30am, 11:30am & 4:30pm Masses

Holy Thursday: April 6. 7pm Mass

Good Friday: April 7.     

   11am: Stations of the Cross 

    1pm:  Seven Last Words of Christ

    3pm: The Lord’s Passion – service.

Easter Vigil: April 8. 9pm Mass

Easter Sunday: April 9.  9:30am, 11:30am Mass.  NO 4:30pm mass

Easter Egg Hunt

There will be an Easter egg hunt (rain or shine!) on the parish grounds

Sunday, April 9 between the 9:30am and 11:30am masses.

Please go inside the chapel for instructions at 10:35am

There will be three separate zones:

A: 0-2 years old

B: 3-6 years old

C: 7-11 years old

Step up close to Jesus
Way of the Cross for young people

Join us on Good Friday, April 7

Stations of the Cross at 11am in the chapel

We still need school-aged children volunteers to do the reading at each Station. Contact the Parish.

The Seven Last Words

In His last few moments on the cross, Christ’s words were spoken in fulfillment of the Scriptures, and in total obedience to his Father.    

Join us as we reflect on Christ’s great love for humankind through His Passion.  

Reflection will be delivered by Michael Goco.

Date:  April 7, 2023.  Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion. 

Time:  1:00pm, Plato’s Cave, St. Mark’s Parish.

March 2023

A Man for All Seasons

a film depicting the martyrdom of St. Thomas More, Lord Chancellor under King Henry VIII.

Thursday, March 23, 2023 in Plato’s Cave, 5:30pm – an evening of film, food and community in the St. Marks film series:

Matinee Idols: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly depictions of Faith in Film

Food for the Soul

Pope Francis on Discernment

Next session: March 16, Room 308. 12pm-1:20pm

Join Fr. Rob, Pastor of St. Mark’s Parish and UBC Catholic Chaplain, for some spiritual conversations over pizza.

All students are welcome

Lunch provided.  

Future session dates are:  March 16, March 30, April 13;

Listening to Indigenous Voices Discussion Group

Next session:  March 26, Sunday 11:00am – 12:30pm in the College (Room #102)

Future meeting dates:  April 16 & 30, May 14 & 28 and June 11

Lenten Reconciliation Service

We will hold our Lenten reconciliation service on Sunday, March 26 from 2:30pm until 4:00pm (this is our regular Sunday confession time, but confessions on this day will be extended).

The service will begin with a brief Liturgy of the Word and examination of conscience.

Light refreshments and snacks are available in Plato’s cave throughout this time.

Lenten Stations of the Cross

We will gather to pray the Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent in the chapel after daily mass.  (approx start time is 12:45pm)

March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31.

Development & Peace Lenten Workshop

Join us for an interactive Lenten Workshop on how we can CREATE HOPE, STAND for the LAND & CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING and Live in Solidarity with those in the Global South.

TWO Date & Times:

February 25, Parish Hall 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Location: ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE – 5457 Trafalgar Street, Vancouver, Parish Hall.   

March 11th, 2023; 10:00 AM – 12:00 noon

Location: ST. FRANCIS de SALES – 6610 Balmoral St, Burnaby

Registration Not Necessary. Everyone is Welcome! Bring A Friend!   Coffee, tea, and refreshments will be served. 

For more info, please contact Yolanda Broderick at ymbroderick AT gmail.com.

“The Hour Has Come” Lenten Retreat
Sat Mar 4, 9 am – 12 pm

Enter into the Lenten season accompanying Jesus as he approaches the Passion.

A prayerful invitation to the Lenten season. This scripture-based morning retreat invites us to accompany Jesus as he enters into the mystery of the Passion. Retreat Director Catherine M. Kelly, M.Div. will offer inspiring inputs on these pivotal moments in Jesus’ life and how they speak to us in our own faith journeys. Retreat engages scripture, poetry, art, and music; plus quiet time for personal prayer; and small group spiritual conversation.  All are welcome. 

Sliding scale registration fees: $35-60+ plus 5% GST. Undergraduate students $20 plus 5% GST.

Face masks are highly recommended.

TGIFF – Thank Goodness it’s First Friday
Mar 3, 2023

Come and meet us!

On the first (or sometimes second) Friday of each month during the Academic year) we will meet for

Mass at 12:10pm in the Chapel

Chili lunch at 12:45pm in Plato’s Cave

Romero

a film about Salvadoran Archbishop & martyr, Óscar Romero

Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Plato’s Cave, 5:30pm – an evening of film, food and community in the St. Marks film series:

Matinee Idols: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly depictions of Faith in Film

February 2023

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.  Psalm 95:8

Ash Wednesday. Feb 22, 2023
12:10pm and 7:00pm Liturgies.

Join us in the Chapel as we begin the season of Lent 

CCE Lecture (Centre for Christian Engagement)
St. Mark’s College Core Exercise: Ignatian Interiority for Stronger Living

Please join the community on Thursday, February 2, 7:00-8:30pm (in St. Mark’s Chapel), as Fr. Casey C. Beaumier, SJ (PhD in United States religious history), Vice President and University Secretary of Boston College, speaks at St. Mark’s College at UBC (in-person or virtually), on spiritual exercise – for a “a stronger and more resilient way of moving forward in life.”

Faithful Servant, Perfect Friend
The Life of St. Claude de la Colombière

Wednesday, February 15th, 5:30pm
Room 308, St. Mark’s College (UBC Campus) | 5935 Iona Dr.
Jesuit Father St. Claude de la Colombière lived in the late 1600’s as a gifted preacher and talented spiritual companion. As spiritual director of the Visitation Sisters of Paray-le-Monial, he came to know St. Marguerite-Marie Alacoque whose devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus has inspired him to propagate it further, even to England when we was assigned as Chaplain to the Duke and Duchess of York. Join us as we take a look at this life and read some of his spiritual writings.
 
After reading and listening together, there will be an opportunity for sharing, reflection, and prayer.
 
The evening will begin with a pizza dinner for attendees!
Please register on the Eventbrite link so we can plan accordingly.

Food for the Soul Student Retreats
Thursday Feb 16, 5pm-8:30pm
Saturday, Feb 18, 9an-1pm

Spring retreat for students at UBC and affiliated schools. Feed your mind, body and soul.

Register here:

Sam Rocha Trio at St. Mark’s Chapel (feat. Kevin Eng)

Saturday, Feb 11, 2023. 7pm-8:30pm

Join the Sam Rocha Trio for their third seasonal concert featuring special guest Kevin Eng on piano at St. Mark’s Chapel. No tickets required, $10 suggested donation, fellowship to follow

“On Earth As It Is In Heaven”
Feb 4, 9am-12pm

The St Mark’s Parish volunteers retreat, “On Earth as it is in Heaven”, will be on Saturday February 4 with Fr. Casey Beaumier, SJ.  Casey is a dynamic presenter and the Vice President and Secretary of Boston College, the Director of the Institute for Advanced Jesuit Studies. 
 
He offered the popular online 12 Weeks in Manresa retreat. We will offer the retreat in person and via Zoom for our parishioners who typically participate via Zoom for Mass. 
 
The schedule is as follows:
 
8:30 am coffee and registration
9 am – 12 pm retreat, includes mid-morning coffee break
12-1 pm we are exploring offering a simple lunch

Food for the Soul with Fr. Rob

Feb 2, 2023. 

Join Fr. Rob, Pastor of St. Mark’s Parish and UBC Catholic Chaplain, for some spiritual conversations over pizza.

First meeting will be brainstorming ideas and topics for future sessions.  All are welcome.  

RSVP to reserve your spot with the Parish Office.

January 2023

International Student’s dinner

January 29, 2023

We welcome you to St. Mark’s as your “home away from home”

Join us for a hot meal after the 4:30pm mass in Plato’s Cave (5:30pm)

THE MISSION
Winner of the Cannes Palm d’Or
Starring Robert DeNiro, Jeremy Irons, and Liam Neeson.

Thursday, Jan 26, 2023;  5:30pm in Plato’s Cave

Join the Parish and Tim Kelleher for an evening of food, a movie viewing and engaging discussion as we continue our movie series “Matinee Idols:  The Good, The Bad and the Ugly depictions of Faith in Film”

Food for the Soul with Fr. Rob

January 19, 2023; 11:50am-1:30pm, Room 308

Join Fr. Rob, Pastor of St. Mark’s Parish and UBC Catholic Chaplain, for some spiritual conversations over pizza.

First meeting will be brainstorming ideas and topics for future sessions.  All are welcome.  

RSVP to reserve your spot with the Parish Office.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2023

Thursday, Jan 19, 5:30pm
St. Mark’s Chapel, UBC
5935 Iona Dr.

Sermon to be delivered by Rev. Aaron Miller, Congregational Minister, University Hill Congregation, United Church of Canada at UBC

At least once a year, Christians are reminded of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples that “they may be one so that the world may believe” (see John 17.21). Hearts are touched and Christians come together to pray for their unity.  Congregations and parishes all over the world exchange preachers or arrange special ecumenical celebrations and prayer services. The event that touches off this special experience is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Traditionally the week of prayer is celebrated between 18-25 January, between the feasts of St Peter and St Paul. In the southern hemisphere, where January is a vacation time, churches often find other days to celebrate it, for example around Pentecost, which is also a symbolic date for unity.

The theme for this year is:

Do good; seek justice (Isaiah 1:17)

The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2023 was chosen, and the materials prepared, by a group of Christians in the United States of America (USA) convened by the Minnesota Council of Churches.

Join us for a time of prayer and fellowship. You are very welcome to invite your friends and family.

Come for a wonderful time of prayer and song!
Food and reception to follow!

Listening to Indigenous Voices Discussion Group

On the 2nd Sunday of Advent in the 2nd Reading, we heard the words, “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another”. We may have heard this reading and thought about how we search for a way to live these words in relation to justice and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The Jesuit Forum has developed a resource guide with 11 sessions for small groups to explore together how we might choose to engage in this work.

How do you see your role as a partner with Indigenous Reconciliation? Would you like to connect with others in the parish community to reflect, discuss, and plan collective activities?

You are invited to join with a small group that is being organized to follow the guide. We will meet every 2nd Sunday in the College from 1pm – 3pm beginning in February and continuing until May.

On Sunday, January 15 from 12:45 – 1:15 there will be an introduction session with a short video on what to expect for this discussion group.

If you are interested, please join us then or contact the Parish for more information.

TGIFF – Thank Goodness it’s First Friday
Jan 13, 2023

Come and meet us!

On the first (or sometimes second) Friday of each month during the Academic year) we will meet for

Mass at 12:10pm in the Chapel

Chili lunch at 12:45pm in Plato’s Cave

Epiphany: Gifts of the Little Magi

Come join us on Sunday, January 8, 2023.
Let’s celebrate the Feast of Epiphany (aka Three Kings) with a procession of “Gifts of the Little Magi”.

We encourage the young children to bring a birthday gift for baby Jesus and present this at the Creche during the Offertory.

This is a wonderful opportunity to remind children that while Christmas is Jesus’ birthday.  He so generously loves every child so much that everyone gets gifts on His birthday!  And that if they wish to present a gift to the birthday celebrant Himself, they can wrap some baby clothing, blankets, diapers, wipes or other newborn items and give homage to Jesus like the Magi on Epiphany.

The gifts collected will be forwarded to BirthRight Vancouver .

2023 Envelope Donation Boxes & Sunday Missals
Available Now

… for pick up in the Chapel. They are arranged in alphabetical order, by last names.  Kindly write your names on the first few envelopes you would be using in January 2023, so we can cross-reference envelope numbers with names.

Please contact the parish office if you want to register or if you need an envelope donation box.

Sunday Missals are $5.00 each

Sunday Missals for Young Catholics are $10.00 ea.

Drop payment in the wooden donation box in the chapel using the envelopes provided

December 2022

Christmas 2022 Liturgies

4th Sunday of Advent Dec 18:  9:30am, 11:30am, 4:30pm

Christmas Eve: Sat. Dec. 24:
    5:00pm Family liturgy
    8:30pm Carolling, 9:00pm Evening Liturgy

Christmas Day:  Sunday, Dec 25:  9:30am, 11:30am

New Year’s Day:  Sunday, Jan 1, 2023:  9:30am, 11:30am

It’s time to spread the holiday cheer! (Christmas Party)

You are all invited on Sunday, December 18, for an after-mass Christmas social per Mass group!

St. Mark’s Parish had arranged with Santa’s Reindeers, to pop by at Plato’s Cave after the 930am & 1130am Masses. Enjoy some treats and have some fun! See you all!

Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day

Main celebration: Monday, Dec 12. 12:10pm.

Location:  St. Mark’s Chapel

Special music by Sam Rocha.

We will also celebrate on Sunday, Dec 11 after all masses (9:30am, 11:30am, 4:30pm).  Special treats will be served in Plato’s Cave after all masses.

St. Mark’s Annual Christmas Gift-giving to Purdy Pavilion residents start on Sunday, December 4

Advent is a good time to think about Purdy Pavilion at UBC hospital. It’s an extended care facility where elderly people live, mostly with no family or friends. This means no one brings them Christmas presents. For many years, our parish had been giving Christmas gifts to these elderly residents at Purdy and the gifts are always gratefully received.

On Sunday, December 4, we will be handing out cards with the patient’s name & room number on one side and their “gift wish” on the other side. Please take a card, purchase

the gift & attach the card to a Christmas bag with the patient’s name showing. Some gifts have been pre-bought & are available for purchase in the chapel for $15 to 25 each after mass. Be sure to bring the presents by Sunday, December 18, so no one is left out.

If you have questions, please call Maureen Mullan. Thanks so much for supporting this holiday appeal.

Development and Peace (Caritas Canada)

Offer the hopeful light of Christ

Under the pall of war, environmental crises and political repression, too many families will not be able to celebrate Christmas this year. They include families who were forced to flee their villages when Russia invaded Ukraine. This Christmas, offer the light of Christ

with a generous gift and bring hope to families in need.

A little gift for you

In the leadup to Christmas, we would like to offer you a little gift. Download, colour and hang this Christmas tree ornament to brighten your celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ who, for over 2,000 years, has shone His light of hope upon the whole world.

Visit the link for your gift: https://www.devp.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/etoile_star_DEVP.pdf

Thank you for your prayers and generosity. They help build a world of compassion, justice and lasting peace. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Advent Reconciliation Service

We will hold our Advent reconciliation service on Sunday, December 11th from 2:30pm until 4:00pm (this is our regular Sunday confession time, but confessions on this day will be extended, and Fr. Rob, Fr. Bill and Fr. Adam will be available to hear confessions).  

Enter into the Advent season through the perspectives of the angels in Jesus’ birth narratives in this scripture-based retreat.

A prayerful invitation to the Advent season. This scripture-based morning retreat invites us to enter into the mystery of this season.

Retreat Director Catherine M. Kelly, M.Div. will offer inspiring inputs on the role of and perspectives of the angels (messengers of God) in Jesus’ birth narratives and in our own lives, using scripture, poetry, art, and music; plus quiet time for personal prayer; and small group faith sharing. 

ALL ARE WELOME

MATINEE IDOLS: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Depictions of Faith in Film

Join the Parish and Tim Kelleher for an evening of food, a movie viewing and engaging discussion!  

Next session:  Thursday, Dec 1, 2022

Time:  5:30pm in Plato’s Cave

We will be watching Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

During the first (Nov 3rd) session, we will reviewed the movie Shadowlands, based on the story of CS Lewis’s marriage to Joy Davidson.  We had a small group and fruitful discussion time!

November 2022

PROJECT ADVANCE – Thank you!

We sincerely appreciate your profound gesture of connectedness and support for the life of the community through Project Advance.

From the outset, you have been generous in helping us to meet the target set for our parish by the Archdiocese. Even after we surpassed our parish goal, the community continued to respond generously.

During the current, lean financial year at St. Mark’s Parish, Project Advance contributions were used to replace the aging components of our chapel sound system, including the purchase of a new sound board. The funds also supported our retreat ministry for students & parishioners. Money from Project Advance will also help to defray the cost of much needed repairs to the fence & carport at our parish rectory.

Again, our warmest gratitude to everyone who wishes to support Project Advance.

Presidential Installation of Dr. Gerry Turcotte 13th Principal and Vice-Chancellor St. Mark’s College

The Board of Directors, Faculty, Staff & Students of Corpus Christi College and St. Mark’s College at the UBC will celebrate the Presidential Installation of

Dr. Gerry Turcotte

13th Principal and Vice-Chancellor St. Mark’s College

5th President – Corpus Christi College

on Friday, November 25, 2022 – 5:00pm at St. Mark’s College Chapel

The event begins with a Mass celebrated by Archbishop J. Michael Miller, followed by the installation and concludes with a reception.

Let the Little Children Come to Me: Our Ecological Future & Biblical Past

Tue, November 22, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM PST

ZOOM (webinar) or
In-person at St. Mark’s College at UBC 5935 Iona Drive Vancouver, BC V6T 1J7

Climate change and other ecological crises are not future threats — they are current realities. A growing number of people, particularly children, now experience “eco-anxiety.”

Experts Dr. Greg Kennedy and Dr. John Martens will explore how children can help us live with the Earth more wisely and what we can learn from Jesus’ teaching on children with respect to the ecological concerns of children today.

People and Planet First – Part II
2022 Fall Campaign with Development and Peace, Caritas Canada

Come and learn about the BEST KEPT SECRET of the Catholic Church – the “Catholic Social Teachings” !
What are they? Find out what they are from this interactive workshop with Development and Peace, Caritas
Canada. As well, there will be an opportunity to look at some of the current pressing issues happening in our world today and “what can we, as Catholics, do about it?” under this Fall’s campaign theme ‘People and Planet First’.

All are invited on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10:00am – 1:00pm at Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Port Coquitlam and on Nov. 19, same time, virtually over Zoom.

Annual Gold Mass for Scientists at UBC

Celebrant: Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB

Wednesday November 23, 2022, 12:10pm
St. Mark’s Parish, UBC – 5935 Iona Drive, Vancouver

Science students, faculty and staff from UBC, SFU and other post-secondary institutions as well as scientists and science educators are invited.

A reception will follow in Plato’s Cave adjacent to the church, hosted by St. Mark’s at UBC, SFU Catholic Chaplaincy and the Society
of Catholic Scientists, with funding from the John Templeton Foundation.

Pay parking is available across the street at Carey Centre (5920 Iona Dr), or at the North Parkade (6115 Student Union Blvd) & the Rose Garden Parkade (6278 NW Marine Dr)

For more information, please visit catholicscientistsvan.org

Children’s Winter Clothing Drive – Nov. 14 to Nov. 17 ONLY!

The parish is participating in the clothing drive for folks in Acadia Park at UBC this year. We are in need of children’s winter clothes for all ages.

Drop off your donations in the designated box at St. Mark’s Chapel starting Monday, Nov. 14 to Thursday, Nov. 17, from 8am to 3pm ONLY. No donations of children’s clothing are needed after this period. A parish volunteer will drop off the donated clothes to the Acadia Park Commons Block on Nov. 18 and will be distributed to families on Sunday, November 20.

We thank everyone for your support!

Listening to Indigenous Voices as a Catholic – Sunday, Nov 20

How do you see your role as a partner with Indigenous Reconciliation?

Would you like to connect with others in the parish community to reflect, discuss, and plan collective activities? 

On Sunday, November 20 from 1:00 to 2:45pm, Room 101,

you are invited to join an event that will look at how we as Catholics are invited to participate in the process of Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
Attendees will watch a 30-minute excerpt of a webinar together at Room 101 in the college building. Monica Lambton (a member of the parish) is leading the session.

Contact the Parish for more information.

MATINEE IDOLS: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Depictions of Faith in Film

Join the Parish and Tim Kelleher for an evening of food, a movie viewing and engaging discussion!   Tim Kelleher is an accomplished actor, writer and theatre company director.

There will be two dates for the Fall 2022 semester:  Thursday, Nov 3, 2022 and Thursday, Dec 1, 2022

Time:  5:30pm in Plato’s Cave

For the first (Nov 3rd) session, we will be viewing Shadowlands, based on the story of CS Lewis’s marriage to Joy Davidson.  It stars Anthony Hopkins as Lewis, (in my humble view, the best thing he’s done on film), and directed by Sir Richard Attenborough.

TGIFF – Thank Goodness it’s First Friday

Come and meet us!

On each first Friday of each month we will meet for

Mass at 12:10pm in the Chapel

Soup lunch at 12:45pm in Plato’s Cave

Next event:  November 4, 2022.

A Fall Evening with The Sam Rocha Trio

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022 AT 7 PM
Shaughnessy Heights United Church
30 tickets only, $20 per ticket: first come, first served.
 
An intimate set of original songs and arrangements by Sam Rocha with Yotam Ronen on bass and Jeff Tobin on drums.
 
Physical tickets can be delivered by band members or picked up at gigs at the Wolf and Hound.

October 2022

Where Am I Most Alive? Ignatian Retreat, Oct 14-16, Nanaimo

This weekend retreat will explore the wisdom of Ignatius of Loyola and engage some of the essential prayer methods and discernment tools he popularized in the Spiritual Exercises.  Learning how to pray in this way will help you begin to discern where you are most alive and where and how God animates your life.
 
This retreat is geared toward people new to Ignatian spirituality, those who wish to dive deeper into their experience of the Exercises, and anyone in between who may be discerning the next steps in their life or seeking an opportunity to reflect on their life.  This semi-silent retreat will follow a rhythm of inspiring talks, silent time for individual prayer, small group spiritual conversation, and will offer a communal prayer through scripture and song, breaks offering fresh food, and plenty of time to rest and explore the lake, gardens, and grounds of the retreat center.  For those of you who are Catholic, Saturday anticipated Mass is available at St Peter’s in Nanaimo (8-minute drive from the retreat center) at 4:30 pm.
 
For more details and to register visit this link:
 

Across the Horn of Africa, a devastating drought threatens starvation and famine for millions. We need your support TODAY!
For a limited time, your help can be twice as effective!

As a member of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Development and Peace — Caritas Canada is raising funds as part of the Humanitarian Coalition’s Hunger Crisis appeal.

Until July 17, all donations for the hunger crisis in sub-Saharan Africa will be matched dollar for dollar by the Government of Canada. Help us work towards a world without hunger!

TO DONATE, visit:

https://www2.devp.org/en/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=3&gl=24396

Saturday, October 8, 1:00pm
St. Mark’s Parish (UBC Campus)

Dear friends,
We are celebrating the Feast of St. John Henry Newman! Mass will be presided by our chaplain, Fr. Rob Allore, SJ.

We will pray for his intercession and for those who have gone before us in the Newman community.

Mass will be followed with a ‘Friendsgiving’ reception at Plato’s Cave. Refreshments provided!
We’d love to have you join us and see you all once again!

FOOD FOR THE SOUL STUDENT RETREATS, THURS OCT 20 & SAT OCT 22

Fall retreat for students at UBC and affiliated schools to rest and refuel. Feed your mind, body and soul.

This retreat, presented twice, offers an opportunity for prayer, quiet reflection on student life, and sharing graces with other students. We will explore the spiritual movements of consolation and desolation through scripture narratives, art and our own lives.

All students are welcome. Retreat offered at St. Mark’s Parish. Advance registration requested for catering (pizza). Face masks are highly encouraged.
Retreat is free thanks to sponsorship by the William G. Murrin Fund, Project Advance and other anonymous donors. Details and registration links below:

Thurs Oct 20, 5-8 pm: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/419173167227
Sat Oct 22, 9am–1pm: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/419178844207

Parish Thanksgiving Sunday After-Mass Gatherings 2022— Oct. 9

How we wish we can resume our annual Parish Thanksgiving potluck! Remember those pre-COVID holiday dinners?

Given the COVID climate however, the parish decided to continue with the Sunday after-mass gathering for each Mass group on Oct. 9 at Plato’s Cave.

The parish will provide the main snack, sans turkey!

We are requesting for hand-held, MINI – Thanksgiving desserts like tarts, caramel pecan or meringue-pies, truffles, snow-ball cakes, coconut macaroons or your many other home-made specialties to supplement the main dish.

We also need volunteers to help with set up & clean up.

Sign-up on the hospitality binder or email the parish!

Oct 7, 2022;  Mass: 12:10pm Chapel;  Soup lunch (butternut squash):  12:45pm in Plato’s Cave

September 2022

Reading and Pizza Night: The Canadian Martyrs

We invite you to commemorate the Martyrdom of St. Jean de Brébeuf, SJ & St. Gabriel Lalemant, SJ from The Jesuit Relations in a Communal Reading, this Tuesday, Sept. 27, 5:30pm | St. Mark’s Parish (UBC Campus).

University Students, Mountain Hike, Saturday Sept. 17

A hike is being organized for the university students in the parish and on the UBC/St.Marks-Corpus Christi campus. 

We will gather at St Marks Parish chapel at 8:00am and depart at 8:30am on Saturday Sept. 17. 

Please dress appropriately for this activity. 

Appropriate dress will include comfortable hiking boots or shoes with good support for rough hiking. Please bring a light sweater or jacket. You should bring a backpack to carry rain gear, your lunch, some water or tea/coffee in a thermos. 

Forecast for Cypress Mountain on Saturday is, presently, for a high of around 14°.   Plan on 5-6 hours total (including travel time) for this activity.

To sign up for the event please contact St. Marks Parish by email at parish.smark@rcav.org.   

Due to the number of cars available, space is limited and will be allocated on a first come-first registered basis. If you have your own car, there is an automatic place for you on the hike. 

We will follow the weather conditions throughout the week and notify you on Friday around dinner time with our decision for the Saturday morning hike.

Nametag Sunday; Sept 11, 2022

September 11 is once again designated as NAMETAG SUNDAY at St. Mark’s.

Let’s welcome everyone: Visitors, Students & their Families, New & Long-time parishioners alike and get to know their names!

After – Mass socials follow at Plato’s Cave after each Mass. Come join us!

Mass of the Holy Spirit

Please join us for the inauguration of the academic year 2022-2023, with a Mass of the Holy Spirit (all Masses: 9:30am, 11:30am, 4:30pm) at St. Mark’s Chapel on Sunday, September 11, 2022.

We’d love to see you all! Celebrate the start of the school year…

TGIFF – Thank Goodness it’s First Friday

Come and meet us!  

Sept 9, 2022:  Mass at 12:10pm in the Chapel

Chili lunch at 12:45pm in Plato’s Cave

July 2022

The Summer Institute offers all who are interested – including those who work in education, parish ministry, healthcare, and Other professions – the opportunity to engage deeply in reflection and discussion.

Among other courses, you can learn about evangelization with
Fr. Davide Lanzani or what it means to be a Catholic in culturally diverse Vancouver with Hansol Goo. Classes take place from July 4 – 15. More details and registration at stmarkscollege.ca