The mission of St. Mark Catholic Church is to invite, inspire, educate, and lead people to know and love Jesus Christ; to understand and live

their Catholic faith; to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel through love and service to one another.”

1011 Eastwood Road Wilmington, NC 28403 Tel: (910) 392-0720 Fax: (910) 392-6777 www.stmarkcc.net

Due to a possible exposure at St. Mark Catholic Church, we regretfully inform you that out of an abundance of caution to our parishioners, staff and priests, we are cancelling all Masses and events for the rest of the week. All Masses, Confession, Adoration and Sacramental Events through Sunday July 12th are cancelled. We will advise our parishioners when we are able to safely resume activities. At this time, we have not cancelled the Blood Drive scheduled for Monday July 13th in the gym.

Please keep all of our St. Mark Family in your prayers.

Directory of Parish Staff 

Pastor — Fr. Gregory Spencer (910) 392-0720 Vicar — Fr. Cesar Torres Martinez (910) 392-0720 Deacon Tyler Sparrow (910) 398-6507 deacon@stmarkcc.net Pastoral Council, Chair — Bob Shields pastoralcouncil@stmarkcc.net Finance Council, Chair — Ed Sordellini financecouncil@stmarkcc.net St. Mark Catholic School, Principal — T. Burton (910) 452-2800 tburton@smcsnc.org School Admissions — Lisa Erling (910) 398-6532 lerling@smcsnc.org Church Office Staff: Campus Business Manager —Denise Leuci (910) 398-6526 businessmanager@stmarkcc.net Pastoral Secretary — Mary Byrne (910) 398-6509 pastoral@stmarkcc.net Office Coordinator — Dawn Wood (910) 398-6508 office@stmarkcc.net Youth Ministry — Melissa Quaranto (910) 398-6510 youth@stmarkcc.net Children’s Faith Formation — Anne Doyle (910) 398-6511 children@stmarkcc.net Music & Liturgy—Angela Daughtry (910) 398-6514 music@stmarkcc.net Campus Accountant & HR—Frank DeMonte (910)398-6512 accounting@stmarkcc.net Realm Project Manager—Mike Krawczyk (910)398-6517 RealmPM@stmarkcc.net Sacraments & Preparation: Reconciliation (Confession) Saturday: 3:30PM - 4:30PM(by Signup) Baptism, Matrimony & Funerals Mary Byrne (910) 398-6509 pastoral@stmarkcc.net First Holy Communion — Anne Doyle (910) 398-6511 children@stmarkcc.net Confirmation — Melissa Quaranto (910) 398-6510 youth@stmarkcc.net For Sacramental Emergencies/ Anointing of the Sick After Hours Call—Leave A Message: (910) 399-1591 Parish: www.stmarkcc.net School: www.smcsnc.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/stmarkwilm Instagram: @stmarkwilm Diocese: www.dioceseofraleigh.org United States Catholic Conference of Bishops: www.usccb.org USA Catholic News: www.cathnewsusa.com Wilmington Catholic Radio www.wilmingtoncatholicradio.com

Monday, 7/13 8:30 AM—Church & Live Stream Mass in English 10 AM—Church & Live Stream Mass in Spanish Tuesday, 7/14 8:30 AM—Church & Live Stream Mass in English 10 AM—Church & Live Stream Mass in Spanish Wednesday 7/15 8:30 AM—Church & Live Stream Mass in English 10 AM—Church & Live Stream Mass in Spanish Thursday 7/16 8:30 AM—Church & Live Stream Mass in English 10 AM—Church & Live Stream Mass in Spanish Friday 7/17 8:30 AM—Church & Live Stream Mass in English 9 AM—4 PM—Adoration by Signup Genius Saturday 7/18 3:30 PM —Confession, Must Sign Up In Advance 5:00 PM — Church & Live Stream Mass in English Sunday 7/19 8:30 AM—Church & Live Stream Mass in English 11:30 AM —Church & Live Stream Mass in Spanish

Saturday & Sunday Church Masses Require Signup Genius.

You Must Be On Time— Doors Will Be Locked When Mass Begins.

Out of Respect To Our Parishioners Privacy And In Compliance with HIPAA Laws, Anointing Requests and Bulletin Prayer List Requests Must Come From THE INDIVIDUAL OR A FAMILY MEMBER ONLY. For Anointing of the Sick please call Mary at 910-398-6509 during business hours. After Hours Call The Emergency Phone Number 910-399-1591.

LEAVE A MESSAGE. Messages Are Checked Regularly.

For Bulletin Prayer List Requests call Dawn at 910-398-6508 or email bulletin@stmarkcc.net. Names will remain on the prayer list for one month unless otherwise requested.

Calendar of Events

A Message from Our Pastor Fr. Gregory Spencer

Today’s Gospel, for this Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, is taken from the third discourse given by Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel. Over the next few weeks, we will have covered the entire 13th chapter from Matthew.

In this discourse, Jesus offers several parables to illustrate what the kingdom of heaven is like. He begins today with the parable of the sower, which appears rather straightforward—of course seeds grow best in good soil. Seeds that miss the soil, are sown on rocky ground, or are sown among other plants will not grow. The surprise in the parable is the enormous yield of the seed that is sown on good soil, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty fold, which is unheard of even by today’s farming standards.

Jesus seems to suggest that he uses parables to teach because the meanings of parables are not self-evident. The hearer must engage in some degree of reflection in order to comprehend the message of the parable. Those who are willing to engage themselves in the effort to understand the parable will be rewarded by the discovery of the message and will bear fruit.

To bring home the point, Jesus interprets the parable of the sower to his disciples. The different types of soil in which the seeds are sown are metaphors for the disposition with which each individual hears the teaching about the kingdom of heaven. Some will be easily swayed away from the kingdom of heaven. Some will receive it for a time but will lose it when faced with difficulties. Some will hear the word but will then permit other cares to choke it out. Yet some will receive it well, and the seed will produce abundant fruit. So, what kind of soil is in your heart? How receptive are we to Jesus’ words?

PS- July is the month when many of us take vacations or go to our favorite hideaway. I am not sure what you are doing this summer to get away but since we are in the midst of the Covid pandemic, we are forced to take some time off whether we want to or not. Not only is our Mass attendance way down, but so is our revenue. Please remember to be generous in your financial contributions if you are able, as we must continue to pay our bills on a timely basis. We just concluded our year-end (June 2020) financial statements and we were short in revenues by about $323,000, down almost 25% from last year- we already lost a 1/3 of the year to this Covid virus! Pray that we be rid of this virus pandemic soon and that we can all return to some normalcy. God Bless your summer.

Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam, Fr. Greg

THE FOLLOWING PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES ARE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED UNITL FURTHER NOTICE Parish Rosary Join our Medjugorje Pilgrims in promoting the first of Mary’s Five Stone Message: Prayer. All are invited as participants or leaders.

Perpetual Novena Join us for the Perpetual Novena in honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Bring all of your intentions to Mary. Booklets are provided.

Vespers and Holy Hour Join us for weekly Vespers and Holy Hour. Reconciliation is also available after the exposition of the Holy Eucharist. Contact Angela Daughtry for more information music@stmarkcc.net

Jesus asks us to love him by spending one quiet hour with him in the Blessed Sacrament. Increase his divine life within you and deepen your personal relationship and friendship with Him.

July Is the Month of Devotion to the

Precious Blood of Jesus

July Devotion Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Precious Blood of Jesus, in satisfaction for my sins, and for the needs of Holy Church.

July Prayer Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascent to Your divine Altar. Amen St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi

Get them while they

last!! 2020 IFF T-Shirts,

sure to be Collectors

Items!!

Hello Families!

Junior Youth Ministry (JYM) Parents & Youth: We hope your summer has been relaxing and fun so far! Keep an eye out for virtual events and opportunities later this summer. We miss you and stay safe!

Senior Youth Ministry (SYM) Parents & Youth: We hope your summer has been relaxing and fun so far! Keep an eye out for virtual events and opportunities later this summer. We miss you and stay safe!

Senior Parents: Congratulations, again! If you have not yet picked up your senior’s gift, please email me at junioryouth@stmarkcc.net to schedule a time to pick it up!

Be safe and well, Kelly Thomas Assistant Youth Minister junioryouth@stmarkcc.net

Melissa Quaranto Director of Young Adult and Youth Ministry Phone (910)398-6510 Email: yam@stmarkcc.net or youth@stmarkcc.net

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Matthew 13: 1-23 Jesus said, “Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

Living the Word: A good way for children to meditate on Scripture is to have them draw the story. Give your children some paper and coloring materials. Have them sit comfortably as you re read the Gospel slowly to them. Ask them to focus on what they are hearing and then draw the four different places the seeds were thrown. Perhaps they could use one sheet per type of situation where the seed was thrown. Then ask them to explain their drawings to you. After everyone has shared, ask them this question: How can we make our hearts into good soil where God’s love will grow?

Questions of the Week: Child: What are you doing to help the seeds of your faith grow each day? Adult: How do you provide “good soil” for the faith of others to grow?

Fun Facts for Catholic Kids:  Frances Xavier Cabrini was the first United States citizen to be canonized. Her deep trust in the loving care of her God gave her the strength to be a valiant woman doing the work of Christ. Her Feast day is July 15th! Refused admission to the religious order which had educated her to be a teacher, she began charitable work at the House of Providence Orphanage in Cadogno, Italy. In September 1877, she made her vows there and took the religious habit. When the bishop closed the orphanage in 1880, he named Frances prioress of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Seven young women from the orphanage joined her. Since her early childhood in Italy, Frances had wanted to be a missionary in China but, at the urging of Pope Leo XIII, Frances went west instead of east. She traveled with six sisters to New York City to work with the thousands of Italian immigrants living there. She found disappointment and difficulties with every step. When she arrived in New York, the house intended to be her first orphanage in the United States was not available. The archbishop advised her to return to Italy. But Frances, truly a valiant woman, departed from the archbishop’s residence all the more determined to establish that orphanage. And she did. In 35 years, Frances Xavier Cabrini founded 67 institutions dedicated to caring for the poor, the abandoned, the uneducated and the sick. As a child, she was always frightened of water, unable to overcome her fear of drowning. Yet, despite this fear, she traveled across the Atlantic Ocean more than 30 times. She died of malaria in her own Columbus Hospital in Chicago.

Anne Doyle, Director of Children’s Faith Formation Phone (910)398-6511 Email: children@stmarkcc.net

CHILDREN’S FAITH FORMATION

YOUNG ADULT & YOUTH MINISTRY

Domestic Violence Shelter Collection August 1st and 2nd

The domestic violence shelter is always in need of items to be donated. Our help is needed now maybe more than ever. Money is not always possible to donate, but maybe you are able to buy an extra deodorant or an extra bottle of detergent when you are buying yours. Everything is very helpful so quarterly we will include a new list of items that are needed. This quarter’s items are as follows but are not limited to: *Men’s Deodorant/Antiperspirant *Food Storage containers *Liquid Laundry Detergent or Pods (Dye free and fragrance free) *Toilet Paper *Sun Screen (Spray) *Lysol Cleaner *Paper towels *Kleenex *Fabric softener *Towels/hand towels/wash clothes (neutral colors) *Dish Soap *New Bed Pillows (standard) *Purses (New or very Gently used) *Pots and pans *Table Place setting, dishes, (4-8 piece setting) *Little Girls clothes size 8 *Little Boys clothes size 8 *Boys shorts size Men’s (M) *Boys t-shirts size Men’s (M) *Girls leggings size Women’s (Med and Large) *Shoes Women’s size 71/2 and 8 *Craft paint *Paintable craft items *Fuzzy Art posters (all ages) *Sharpie Markers (teenagers) *Fun key Chains *Yarn (all Colors) *Aprons *Inspirational Magnets *Scented Lotions (Bath and Body works, Victoria Secret’s, Crabtree and Eveline…..) Contact Sonya Leonard at cor-i@hotmail.com with questions.

Monday July 13th 11am—5pm

In The School Gym

St. Mark Catholic School Gym (no church access). Log onto American Red Cross website, Give Blood, Find a

Drive and you will see St. Mark listed July 13, 2020. Please complete health questionnaire & rapid pass in advance. Red Cross safety precautions in response to Covid 19 are listed

on their website. Email Dawn at “office@stmarkcc.net” if you need help or have

questions. Please bring and wear a mask.

Jesus is always helping us! Let’s talk to HIM together... Join the Rosary Warriors for Christ!

Every Thursday at 8:00 PM Rosary Warriors pray with Christ! Join over a hundred rosary warriors “VIRTUALLY” every week to pray the rosary together for our Church, the Nation, and all of Christ’s Children during this Coronavirus Pandemic.

You are invited to be a part of this virtual, dynamic rosary. Dial: 712-775-7031 Access Code: 693689

If you need assistance with TEXT GIVING or any Realm issue, please email Mike Krawczyk, Project Manager realmpm@stmarkcc.net

St. Mark Catholic Church & School Employment Opportunities

Middle School Math Teacher: St. Mark Catholic School is currently seeking a Full Time 6th to 8th grade Math Teacher & 7th grade religion teacher. Minimum level of Education: NC Teacher Certification in Middle Grades or High School Mathematics. Click for Job Description Send resume and letter of interest to: dfleck@smcsnc.org. Landscaping Services Needed: St. Mark Catholic Church is looking for an experienced

landscaping company to assist with grounds maintenance. Preference will be given to St. Mark parishioners. Please contact: Rich Carbone, Maintenance Supervisor by email: maint@stmarkcc.net or phone: 910-398-6513.

Volunteer Opportunity: St. Mark Catholic Church is currently enrolling new members in our Liturgical Ministry to serve as Greeters for weekend Masses. It is especially critical during this time with limited seating and new protocols to have greeters to help us welcome parishioners. Please contact: Angela Daughtry, Music and Liturgy Director By email: music@stmarkcc.net

Carolina Catholic and the George Floyd Case For our first July show, we will first hear from former police officer, Adam Davis, about his book, Behind the Badge: 365 Daily Devotions for Law Enforcement. Adam left a career in law enforcement in 2015 to begin a new career as an author and motivational speaker especially to assist those in law enforcement with their faith given the high rate of officers killed each year on the job and the rate of suicide among police officers. Adam addresses the tragedy of the George Floyd case and what we as a nation must do to ensure safety for everyone. In addition, my husband, Dr. Mario Paparozzi, a criminologist, will talk about the impact of this case and the reforms that are needed.

This show will air the first two weekends of July, Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 6 pm. That's Saturday, July 4th and 11th, at 11 a.m. and Sunday, July 5th and 12th, at 6 pm. These shows can also be heard on our website at www.wilmingtoncatholicradio.com, and we thank you for your prayers and support of Catholic radio.

BLESSING AND INVESTITURE OF THE SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

Please join the Legion of Mary, on July 16, 2020 at the 8:30am Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This feast, instituted in the 14th century by the Carmelite Order, commemorates the anniversary of the day in 1251 when the Blessed Mother gave the brown scapular to Saint

Simon Stock. Stay after Mass and Fr. Cesar will do the Blessing and Enrollment in the Confraternity. When you are enrolled in the Brown Scapular, Our Blessed Lady becomes your Mother in a special way. The Scapular with which she clothes you reminds you of your dependence upon her. Childlike simplicity is one of the silent sessions it teaches. As long as we wear it we shall be reminded that we are in a spiritual state in which we need to be clothed by Our Blessed Mother, and it will keep us in her arms always. Additional literature explaining Our Lady's Conditions and Brown Scapulars will be handed out afterwards. Any questions please call Nora Hamilton, Legion of Mary-Mother of Mercy Praesidium, 910-358-8199.

Thank You To Our Fabulous Sponsors! We Have Already Helped Multiple Families!

Pray for our Sick Lord our God, you give us strength and support

Flowers and Sanctuary Candles are provided by The St. Mark Parish.

We pray for our deceased. Especially Robert Thomas and

Doris Schreier May all who have died, rest in peace.

Mass Intentions July 13 — July 19

Mon 8:30 AM Annie Lewis 10:00 AM † Janet Louis Bebb

Tue 8:30 AM † Josefina Saldana 10:00 AM † Preston Smith

Wed 8:30 AM Isaac Joseph Perritt (Anniversary of Baptism) 10:00 AM

Thurs 8:30 AM † Joseph Poissant 10:00 AM Elaine Tedesco (Healing)

Fri 8:30 AM † William Warren

Sat 5:00 PM † Jose Luis Ayala

Sun 8:30 AM † John & Emily Istvan & Zoe 11:30 AM † Kevin Brayan Cruz

Names will remain on the list for a month. Please email bulletin@stmarkcc.net with requests.

Daniel Agnelli

Steven Agnelli

Andrea Baker

Marie Basciano

Toni Bellingrath

Julie Boardman

Michelle Boggiano

Jo Ann Branson

Lloyd Calkins

Teresa Carney

Patricia Carroll

Abby Coderre

Michael Doyle

James (Jim) Fagan

Hank Feith

Norine Ferko

Trish Fletcher

Greg Foppe

Amanda Grimm

Stephen Grimm

Eduardo Gonzalez

Mary Harrington

Monica Henderson

Florence (Flo) Hough

KellyAnn Hough Holz

Mary Ellen Humphrey

Warren Johnson

Sharon Kane

Francis Keenan

Betsy King

Hazel Lanier

Cheryl Marek

Grace McQuillan

Bob Milstead

Steve Mitchell

Max Morin

George Pietraszko

Omaira Reid

Val & Don Roberts

Patricia Ryaczewski

Bernadette Secondo

Maryann Skrapits

Henry Smith

Lenny Szlarski

Elaine Tedesco

Annelies Todd

Magdi & Jim Turner

Felice Van Eron

Geraldine Vasquez

Mary Fran Watson

Madelyne (Lyne) Welch

Joseph Wells

Linda Williams

Results for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2020

Budget $ 1,750,000 Actual $ 1,426,971 Unfavorable ( $323,029)

SPECIAL & SECOND COLLECTIONS

On July 12th is for Tuition Assistance.

Your contributions are appreciated.

Offertory for Sunday July 5, 2020

Envelopes & Cash $22,842 Auto Draft $ 9,579 Total Actual $32,421 Budget $32,000

Favorable $ 421

St. Mark Catholic School News