Past Events
January 2024
Feast Day of Saint Mary, Mother of God
One mass at 11:00am
As we begin the new year, let us come together in prayer for peace and renewal, seeking Mary’s intercession and guidance.
December 2024
Christmas Liturgies 2024
4th Sunday of Advent, Dec 22: 9:30am, 11:30am
Christmas Eve: Tuesday, Dec 24: 5:00pm Family Liturgy
8:30pm Caroling. 9:00pm Evening Liturgy
Christmas Day: Wednesday, Dec 25: ONE MASS 11:00am
Feast of the Holy Family: Sunday, Dec 29: 9:30am, 11:30am
New Year’s Day: Wednesday, Jan 1, 2025: ONE MASS 11:00am
12:10pm weekday mass continues
during the Christmas season.
2024-2025 Sunday Missals
2024 – 2025 Sunday Missals are available for purchase at $5.00 each
Sunday Missals for Young Catholics are $10.00 each
Drop payment in the wooden donation box in the chapel using the envelopes provided
2025 Envelope Donation Boxes
They are available for pick up in the Chapel, arranged in alphabetical order, by last names. Same numbers as 2024.
Kindly write your names on the first few envelopes you will be using in January 2025, so we can cross-reference envelope numbers with names.
If you are not using an envelope donation box in 2024 or if you are new & wanted your own personal 2025 donation box, please contact the parish office at parish.smark@rcav.org
Purdy Residents Christmas Gifts
On December 1st, cards for Purdy Pavilion residents at the UBC hospital will be handed out. The patient’s name and room number are 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 a Christmas bag with the patient’s name showing. Some gifts have been pre-bought and will be available to purchase after Mass for around $15 to $25.
Purdy Pavilion is an extended care facility where a number of the elderly residents have no family or visitors. No one to buy them a Christmas present.
For many years our parish had bought these residents Christmas presents, they gratefully received.
Your support is much appreciated. Please be sure to return the presents by December 15, so no one is left out. If you have any questions call Maureen.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day Celebrations
Thursday, Dec 12, 2024. 12:10pm
St. Mark’s Chapel
You are all invited on Sunday, December 15, for an after-mass Christmas social per Mass group (9:30am, 11:30am & 4:30pm)
Baking donated by parishioners will be served as usual. Contributions of your nut-free specialty or store-bought pies & other finger food items are welcome. The parish will provide the drinks and supplement the baking. Santa & his Elves will pop by Plato’s Cave after the 930am & 1130am Masses. Santa will be happy to see you all…
From the Outside In Advent Retreat
Enter prayerfully into the Advent season, journeying with the shepherds from outside – in nature and in society – towards greater intimacy with the Divine.
This in-person morning retreat will engage scripture, poetry, Ignatian discernment tools, music, artwork, inspiring inputs, quiet time for personal prayer and small group sharing. Coffee and muffins included. Free childcare with advance registration. Registration and coffee at 8:30 am, retreat 9 am – 12 pm. Sliding scale registration fees: $40-70 plus 5% GST. Students, please email the parish to register: parish.smark@rcav.org.
Sat, Dec 7, 2024 9am – 12:00pm. In-person retreat.
Sat Dec 14, 9am – 12pm, via Zoom.
Advent Reconciliation Service
Sunday, December 8. 2:30pm-4:00pm
St. Mark’s Chapel
…as we wait in joyful preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth
November 2024
“Teaching” mass
Sunday, Nov 24, 2024
(Time to be announced – will be either 1:15pm or 1:30pm)
During this teaching mass, Fr. Rob will explain the meaning behind each of the rituals, responses and prayers. Anyone wishing to serve at mass are invited to participate (as a starting point, the Confirmation class and RCIA class are invited). The community is also invited to support those who are learning to serve and growing in their faith.
Annual Gold Mass for Scientists at UBC
Wednesday November 20, 2024, 12:10pm
St. Mark’s Parish, UBC
Celebrant: Archbishop J. Michael Miller
This mass is dedicated to students and faculty in the Science fields. All are invited to join us!
The Vancouver Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists is excited to announce the 2024 Faith and Science Scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded to two Catholic undergraduate students enrolled in a science discipline at a post-secondary institution within the Archdiocese of Vancouver. The scholarship awards are as follows:
First Place: $1,000 Second Place: $500
Submissions will be evaluated based on content and quality of the applicant’s essay or video reflection, with GPA not considered in the assessment. The application deadline is November 1, 2024 at 11:59pm,
Awardees will be announced at a reception following the GOLD MASS for Scientists, celebrated at St. Mark’s Parish, UBC, on November 20, 2024, at 12:10pm.
We warmly invite all to attend the Gold Mass & the reception at Plato’s Cave after Mass.
Application details are available at our website catholicscientistsvan.org/scholarship
You may also contact us at vancouver.scs@gmail.com
Companions to Holiness
A Taizé Night of Adoration with the Jesuit Saints
Friday, November 8th, 6pm
St. Mark’s Parish, UBC Campus (5935 Iona Dr.)
A night of prayer, music, and adoration will be hosted at St. Mark’s Parish, with a reflection delivered by Fr. Rob Allore, SJ, Pastor of St. Mark’s and Chaplain at the University of British Columbia.
We are holding this event close to the Feast of All Jesuit Saints and Blessed (November 5th) and in celebration of Jesuit Vocations Month. Come and spend time with the Lord and with one another, praying for the grace to always recognize the presence of God in our lives, and for the grace to continually respond to him who calls us by name,.
Hope to see you there! Refreshments are served for fellowship afterwards.
Please register as you’re able so we can plan accordingly.
“Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my entire will, all I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace. That is enough for me.”
Saint Ignatius of Loyola, 1491-1556
Hosted by the Jesuit Vocation Promotion Team in Vancouver
Living the Life of Christ in a Post-Christian World
7:00pm. Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024
St. Mark’s College at UBC
With the world being so different from even just a few decades ago, can Christians discern how to live in an environment increasingly hostile to faith?
Father Paul Scalia, a priest of the Archdiocese of Arlington, VA and son of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scolio, and is a frequent speaker on matters of faith and doctrine.
Truth & Reconciliation Action Circle (TRAC)
Come connect with others in your parish community to reflect, discuss, and plan collective activities. We meet together to consider how we see our role as a partner with Indigenous Reconciliation. We’ll also take action to make a difference following the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth & Reconciliation Commission.
Our first activity is a campus de-colonization art tour hosted by the UBC Belkin Art Gallery on Wednesday, November 6 at 12 noon. No cost! We have lots to learn together. Come dressed for the weather. Meet in front of the first work: Brent Sparrow Jr (Musqueam), sʔi:ɬqəy̓ qeqən (2016), located outside the UBC Bookstore at 6200 University Blvd.
For more information contact the parish office. Please RSVP @ the parish office. We hope to see you there.
TGIFF – Thank Goodness it’s First Friday
Mass and Chili lunch
Come and meet us!
Mass at 12:10pm in the Chapel
Chili lunch at 12:45pm in Plato’s Cave
Next Date: Nov 1, 2024
October 2024
Navigating Catholic Engagement with U.S. Politics: WEBINAR on the American Election
How Do Catholics Engage with U.S. Politics? Discover how U.S. politics can influence our ethical lives in Canada.
This webinar will discuss navigating Catholic engagement with U.S. politics, especially with the upcoming American election. It will provide a guide for those wondering how to faithfully navigate the complex ethical dilemmas voters face….
Food for the Soul student retreats
Fall retreat for students at UBC and affiliated schools to rest and refuel. Feed your mind, body and soul. This evening retreat offers an opportunity for prayer, quiet reflection on student life, and conversations with other students. We will engage scripture narratives, Ignatian prayer tools, art, music and our own lives. A meal and snacks will be served.
All students are welcome.
Retreat available in-person only. Advance registration requested for catering.
Retreat is free thanks to generous sponsorship from our donors.
This retreat is offered twice:
Thu, Oct 24, 2024 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Register here….
Sat, Oct 26, 2024 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Register here…
Hosted by The Newman Association and St. Mark’s Parish
Saturday, October 12. 1:00pm
St. Mark’s Chapel and Plato’s Cave
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. There will be refreshments and games! We’d love to have you join us and see you all once again!
St. John Henry Newman
Born in London in 1801, he was for over twenty years an Anglican clergyman and Fellow of Oriel College, Ox-ford. His studies of the early Church led him progressively towards Catholicism, and in 1845 he embraced “the one true fold of the Redeemer”. In 1847 he was ordained priest and went on to found the Oratory of St Philip Neri in England. He was a prolific and influential writer on a variety of subjects. In 1879 he was created Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII. Praised for his humility, unstinting care of souls and contributions to the intellectual life of the Church, he died in Birmingham on 11 August 1890.
Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) Summit
6-8pm, Friday, October 11 at St. Mark’s Chapel
“Take a break from the semester and spend some time with Jesus.
CCO UBC is teaming up with St. Mark’s Parish on campus to bring you a night of prayer, worship, and reflection.
The sacrament of reconciliation will be available too!
Then we’ll grab dinner after at Brown’s.
This event is for all students and young adults in the UBC/Vancouver area.
Reach out to @ccoubc on instagram if you have any questions!”
TGIFF – Thank Goodness it’s First Friday
Mass, Chili lunch
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
Next Date: Oct 4, 2024
September 2024
4:30pm Mass resumes on September 1, 2024 (Labour day weekend) to start the academic year.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Saturday, Sept 30, 2024
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation provides an opportunity for all Canadians to reflect and honour Survivors of residential schools and those who support them. In a special way, we remember the children that never returned home.
We recognize this painful history and, as a Catholic community, acknowledge our involvement in the residential school system.
On this day, we pray, educate and advocate, looking for opportunities to discern how each one of us can participate in the journey of healing, reconciliation & hope.
For more info, visit: https://rcav.org/indigenous-peoples
Indigenous Peoples, Reconciliation and the Catholic Church
Reflection group
Meetings will restart on Saturday, September 21, 3:15 – 4:45 pm in Room 308 in the College.
and will continue. Future dates TBD
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 Saturday, September 21 from 3:15 to 4:45, you are invited to join our initial meeting in Room 308 in the College to plan our start up. Together will look at how we as Catholics are invited to participate in the process of Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
If you are interested in attending, please contact the Parish to register.
Sacramental Preparation – Fall 2024
First Communion: Sept 22. 10:40-11:20am; Room 308 (College building)
Confirmation Preparation: Sept 22
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA): Sept 15. 1:00pm Chapel.
CHILDREN’s LITURGY
Sessions take place during both the 9:30am & 11:30am Masses, every other Sunday.
Sessions will resume on Sunday, Sept 22, 2024.
Mass of the Holy Spirit
Weekday Celebration – Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024, 12:10PM. St. Mark’s Chapel
The Mass of the Holy Spirit follows the rich Jesuit tradition of opening the academic year with a liturgy that gathers the community to thank God for the gifts of creation and salvation, and to invoke the wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the coming year.
Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver, and Reverend Dr. Robert Allore, SJ, Chaplain of UBC and Pastor of St. Mark’s Parish, and Reverend Nick Meisl, faculty member of the Colleges.
Light refreshments will be served after Mass.
Sunday Celebration – Sunday, Sept 8, 2024. All Parish masses (9:30, 11:30, 4:30pm)
Celebrate the opening of the academic year for Corpus Christi College, St. Mark’s College and UBC.
September at a Glance
Sept 1, 2024: 4:30pm mass resumes
Sept 4, 2024: 12:10pm Wednesday choir and daily Liturgy (11:30am rehearsal) every Wednesday.
Sept 6, 2024: TGIFF Mass (12:10pm), Chili lunch and Bible Study.
Sept 8, 2024: Marriage Enrichment, 2-4pm, Room 308.
Sept 8, 2024: Mass of the Holy Spirit (Sunday celebration): All Masses (9:30, 11:30, 4:30pm)
Sept 10 and 24, 2024: Science and Faith Reflection Group: 7:00pm Chapel
Sept 11, 2024: Mass of the Holy Spirit (Weekday celebration): 12:10pm
Sept 12 and 14, 2024: “Lord, Teach Us to Pray” Retreat (Same retreat offered twice)
Sept 15, 2024: RCIA Sessions: 1:00pm Chapel
Sept 22, 2024: First Communion classes: 10:40am-11:20am. Room 308
Sept 22, 2024: Confirmation Preparation.
Sept 22: Children’s Liturgy begins: during 9:30am, 11:30am masses
Sept 22, 2024: CLC (Christian Life Community). Student Faith sharing meeting: 5:45pm, Room 308
Student Faith sharing meetings will also be held on Wed Sept 25 1:30 pm and Thurs Sept 26 at 12 pm. Location TBD
Sept 26, 2024: Feast day of St. Jean de Brebeuf
Sept 28, 2024: Student hike: 8:00am-4:00pm.
Sept 30, 2024: National day for Truth and Reconciliation
Student Mountain Hike
Saturday Sept 28, 2024
8:00am Gather at St Mark’s Parish Chapel
8:30am Depart
Total duration will be 5-6 hours total
Appropriate dress for this activity 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.
In deciding how to dress, it will be helpful to check the forecast for Cypress Mountain for the date of the hike. For now, the weather is showing a temperature of around 18°C. Those conditions would be amazing.
You should 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.
Space is limited and will be allocated on a first come-first registered basis.
Baking Donors — Hospitality Volunteers
are needed forthe parish 9:30am, 11:30am and 4:30pm AFTER -MASS SOCIALS on Sundays.
Please sign-up in the hospitality binder at Plato’s Cave
TGIFF – Thank Goodness it’s First Friday
Mass, Chili lunch and bible study
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
“One Sunday Three Homilies” Bible Study to follow in the Chapel
Come for any part (of all of) of this event as your schedule allows. The bible study will be based on “One Sunday Three Homilies”: Three diffrence perspectives on the previous weeks readings.
Next dates: Sept 6, 2024
“Lord, Teach Us to Pray” Retreat
We welcome students and young adults – deepen your prayer life and connect with others on a similar journey. Come ready to learn, reflect, and pray together. A simple meal is included. The same retreat offered at different times: