RE Registrations -- in the mail!

Registration packets for Religious Education classes at St. Mark starting in September of 2012 were mailed out to all families with children registered at the end of April 2012.  You should receive them in the mail soon.

If you're a new family, you can pick up registration materials at the information desk in the narthex after all weekend Masses or by visiting the RE/parish office.

Thank you for your patience!

Vacation Bible School: Day 4

Apollo the Caterpillar

In our penultimate VBS day we learned that no matter what happens, we can trust in God!

In the morning we learned the verse for the day: "I am convinced that [nothing] will be able to separate us from the love of God."  This passage (maybe familiar because it was featured in yesterday's post in the music paragraph) is from Romans 8:38-39.

During the Bible story, we got to carry a real wooden cross as we learned about the crucifixion and the resurrection (Matthew 27:32-28:20).  Jesus trusted in God even in the midst of his very real pain and questioning.  We can do the very same!

Musically, we learned "We Can Trust Him" (track 10 or you can listen to a bit by pressing the play button next to the tittle).  This song, based on Psalm 33:43 reminds us that we can trust in God and in God's works.

Due to Friday's busy clean up, there will be no blog.  But check back next week for a final blog wrap-up piece.

Vacation Bible School: Day 3

Scout the Bald Eagle

Day 3 of Sky VBS saw us exploring how no matter what people do, we can trust in God!

In the morning, we learned the key verse (along with hand motions) taken from Isaiah 40:31 -- "But those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles."

We began our two-day trek into the Paschal Mystery as we journeyed into the Garden of Gethsemane in search of Jesus and heard about his arrest and trial (Matthew 26:36-27:31). This story reminds us that Jesus faced betrayal and still trusted in God in the end.

Music brought out a slower song, "Nothing Could Keep Me From You," (track #4; or press the play button next to the song here) which is based on Romans 8:38-39.  This song and verse remind us that God's love breaks through all potentially divisive powers of the universe.

Come back tomorrow for installment #4 VBS blogging.

Vacation Bible School: Day 2

Orville the Flying Pig

During day 2 of Sky VBS, we learned that no matter how we feel, we can trust in God!

Our key verse for the day was taken from the Gospel of John, Chapter 14, verse 1 -- "Do not let your hearts be troubled, believe in God."

In our Amazing Blue Bible Adventures, we learned about the raising of Lazarus (John 11).  Even when we feel our worst (and who hasn't said "I feel dead!"), we can trust in God to bring us new life.

During music, we learned yet another catchy song, "Counting on God."  Listen to it on CD track 7 or click on the play button next to the song here.  No matter what's going on in our life, we can count on God to be there for us.

Check back tomorrow for more VBS fun!

Vacation Bible School: Day 1

Pat the Bat

At today's Sky VBS, we learned that no matter who we are, we can trust God!

Our key verse for the day was from 1 Samuel 16:7: "The LORD does not see as mortals see...the LORD looks on the heart."

We also heard about the faith of the Roman centurion from Matthew 8:5-13.  Jesus healed his daughter after Jesus saw the faith the Centurion had.  May we have that same faith in our lives!

During music, we learned "You, You, You," which you can listen to by clicking on the play button next to the title on this page.  This song reminds us that it doesn't matter who we are, we can trust God!

Visit tomorrow to see what we have in store for Day 2 of VBS!

Feast of Sts. Peter & Paul

St. Paul in the Vatican

St. Peter in the Vatican

Today, the Church celebrates two of our most beloved early Christians, Sts. Peter & Paul.  Peter was the leader of Jesus' handpicked disciples and, together with Paul, the leader of the Early Church.  Paul's influence lives on in his letters to the earliest Christian communities in Rome, Corinth, Thessolonika, and other places.  Although they clashed on at least one recorded occasion (see Galatians 2), their passion for Jesus and their intense desire for discipleship helped them overcome any disagreements and focus on spreading the Good News of Jesus the Christ.

Want to learn more?  Watch this video and St. Paul.

St. Paul

Image Credits: Mary Harrsch on flickr (Paul); Mr. G's Travels on flickr (Peter).

8 Ways to Celebrate Sacred Time as a Family

Family fun

Meaningful moments are lurking around every corner!  Each day presents us with a new opportunity to encounter God as a family.  An article on Loyola Press' website lists eight different ways to harness ordinary daily and yearly moments to bring us closer to God and one another.  Some you can try today, some may require some waiting.

Pay close attention to number five, "make more of your time in the car together."  This summer, as we travel from place to place for camps, hangouts and roadtrips, try to harness that time together in the car.  Besides the recommendation they give, you can try these four other ways of having car conversations.

Check out the rest of the article for other suggestions.

How do you mark sacred moments as a family?  What special things do you do together?

Image Credit: Pink Sherbet Photography on Flickr