Turn! Turn! Turn!

There is an appointed time for everything, 

and a time for every affair under the heavens. – Ecclesiastes 3:1 

For the leaves, a time to die.

Popularized by the Byrds in 1965 with their song “Turn! Turn! Turn!” this Bible verse is one of the most recognized from the Hebrew Scripture (Old Testament). In a strange twist, the underlying current of the Scripture passage is easy to lose amid the familiarity and popularity of the words. As the passage continues to tell us there’s a “time to be born, and a time to die” and “a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant,” a basic quality of knowing the “appointed time” screams to be recognized: discernment. Without proper time, space, and silence for discernment, it is difficult to know whether it’s “a time to keep,” or “a time to cast away;” whether it’s “a time to be silent” or “a time to speak.” In a world that places a premium on what’s now (see: the series of commercials saying “that was so 15 seconds ago”), on knowing the latest news (“did you hear about the NFL refs?”), and on having the latest gadgets (iPhone 5!), I have to work to carve out a part of my life to discern the “appointed time.” No clock, no calendar, can tell me the time or the season. Only in conversation with God and those who love me can I properly discern the time.

Image Credit: joiseyshowaa on Flickr

Fall Festival this Sunday!

The St. Mark fall festival is this Sunday, September 30 from 1pm to 4pm.  And you're invited!  Check out the flyer below for the details.

Junior High kick off Friday, September 28

All 7th and 8th graders are invited to the Junior High kickoff on Friday, September 28!  Watch the video below (or get your youth to watch it).  It looks like it'll be a ton of fun!


Contact Angie Pometto in the youth office for more info on the Jr. High kickoff or other youth ministry offerings.

CYO Basketball - 2012-13

Registration Deadline: October 1, 2012 

CYO Basketball Representative: Mark M. | stmarkbball@gmail.com

St. Mark CYO basketball is back once again, and stronger than ever (more than 250 players and 25 teams total last year)!  Come join the long tradition of fun and success in our CYO basketball program.  Our goal is to have at least two teams (boy and girl) for 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades.

Participation Fee(s): $70.00*
Participation fees will NOT be collected during registration. Coaches will collect registration fees, once teams are assembled.

*Discount: For your first child, the fee is $70.00; take $10 off for each additional child. For example, if you have three children registering: $70 (1st child) + $60 (2nd child) + $50 (3rd child) = $180 registration fee.

Participation Requirement: All children from St. Mark Parish are welcome to participate. Children MUST attend either St. Mark Religious Education or St. Mark Catholic School.

Registration Form: There is a new registration process this year. ALL registration will be completed online. I will send you an email to confirm I have received your completed registration form. If you do not hear back from me within 3 days of your registration submission, contact me at stmarkbball@gmail.com.

Click or enter the URL to register: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDZ2TGxLSXJSdDR6ZzZmT1NWN1NnZlE6MQ

Any basketball or registration related questions should be directed to stmarkbball@gmail.com.

Looking forward to another successful season of St Mark Hoops!

Parent Handbook (2012-2013)

Just in case you missed the Parent Orientation, below is the updated parent handbook for this 2012-2013 RE year:

Reminder: we follow FCPS on school closings

With the potential of severe weather today, we follow the lead of the Fairfax County Public Schools for closings and cancellations.  If afternoon or evening activities are canceled for FCPS, we will not hold classes on that afternoon and evening.  If Sunday activities are canceled, we will not hold classes on Sunday.

To find out the latest, check the Fairfax County Public School website or their twitter.

Catechists Needed: is God calling you?

Each year, Fr. Pat makes a plea for catechists during August and September. And each year through the generosity of parishioners young and old, God provides catechists who hear and answer the call to hand on our Catholic faith to children who seek to know God and the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Christ is our teacher

During the plea, I stand in the narthex ready to talk to anyone interested in learning more about being a catechist. Sometimes parishioners approach me after Mass and say, “I don’t know why I’m saying yes, but I feel like this is the year I need to come forward.” Their subtle hesitation is found in many of us who hesitate from further involvement with children and youth: “I don’t know what to say;” “I’m too young/old;” “You wouldn’t believe my schedule;” “I’m afraid.” These concerns are valid and we can only decide the right time to say yes to God through honest, prayerful discernment with ourselves and our families.

But over 2500 years ago, the prophet Jeremiah had a similar response to God’s call: “I do not know how to speak. I am too young!” (Jer 1:6). Reading into Jeremiah’s deeper hesitancy, God answers: “To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you.” (Jer 1:7f). These powerful words are meant not merely to pacify Jeremiah into saying yes to God, but to reassure Jeremiah of God’s presence and guidance on what would be a rocky road ahead – imminent death at speaking God’s word to powerful people.

Although catechists do not face the same circumstances, their work can be prophetic to a generation in need of people to energize and criticize; to inspire and teach; to lead them to encounter Christ, the ultimate aim of all catechists.