HOLY DAYS AND FEAST DAYS
The Feast of the Holy Innocents, or Childermas in Old English, commemorates the death of the male children in Bethlehem who were 2 years of age or under. King Herod the Great had ordered this, in order to ensure that the infant Messiah sought by the Magi would be unable to displace him on his throne. This is why Saint Joseph was told in a dream to take the Child and the Blessed Virgin and flee to Egypt to escape the persecution of King Herod.
On this day we are reminded, as well, that all lives are precious, and it is our responsibility to protect every life from the moment of conception to natural death.
On December 31, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, which honors Jesus, the Blessed Mother, and St. Joseph as the holiest of families, and therefore a model for all Christians families.
Pope St. John Paul II said, “The Redeemer of the world chose the family as the place for his birth and growth, thereby sanctifying this fundamental institution of every society” (Angelus message, 30 December 2001).
We will have our regular weekday Mass to celebrate the Solemnity. Since it falls on a Monday, it is not a holy day of obligation. (USCCB.org)
PARISH UPDATES
As we end the year, we would like to thank our Clergy and Liturgical Ministries and Volunteers for their service and dedication especially in preparing for our Liturgical Celebrations. We also thank all our parishioners for supporting our community!
Altar Servers
Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors
Music Ministry
Environmental Ministry
AV Ministry
And our Greeters & Ushers, who make St Mark a friendly and welcoming church!
GROCERY BAG APPEAL - URGENT
Our SVDP St Mark Conference is requesting bags that they can use for grocery deliveries to our neighbors in need. They had a big rush for food requests from many families in December. Please leave the bags on the table in the workroom.
SWEATS, SWEATSHIRTS and COATS
Ladies Guild will be collecting gently used sweats, sweatshirts and coats for
those in need served by Catholic Worker House.
those in need served by Catholic Worker House.
If you are replacing or cleaning out closets please save any sweats that are still wearable. Our collection of gently used clean sweatshirts, sweatpants and coats for men, women and children will take place the weekends of January 14 and 21, 2024.
Items may be left in the bins in the workroom located to the right of the altar in January.
LADIES OF THE PARISH
Our very first 2024 meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 3rd. As is our tradition, our January meeting will be held in the afternoon. Drop in from 11:30am to 1:00pm in the Parish Center. Bring your own lunch and any holiday treats you would like to share. Beverages will be provided. This meeting is a chance to check in and reconnect after the busy holiday season and highlight some of our activities for the coming year. We will also discuss the gently used sweat shirt and pants collection scheduled for the weekends of 1/14 and 1/21. We hope to see you there.
Our very first 2024 meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 3rd. As is our tradition, our January meeting will be held in the afternoon. Drop in from 11:30am to 1:00pm in the Parish Center. Bring your own lunch and any holiday treats you would like to share. Beverages will be provided. This meeting is a chance to check in and reconnect after the busy holiday season and highlight some of our activities for the coming year. We will also discuss the gently used sweat shirt and pants collection scheduled for the weekends of 1/14 and 1/21. We hope to see you there.
If you need or know someone who needs a ride to the meeting, please contact Judy: 650-207-1210 or fkarl99@aol.com for arrangements.
EMPLOYERS MATCH YOUR DONATIONS
As we approach year end, it's a good time to review a way you may be able to maximize your donations to St. Mark. If your employer offers a match to your charitable contributions, you may be able to match the donations you have made during the year.
We are part of the Benevity and Your Cause networks which many employers use. So you can easily see if St. Mark Belmont is listed with your employer's program.
Certainly worth checking out as this is “free” money to the church.
Walk for Life - January 20, 2024
Bus riders can Sign up now!
The St. Mark Social Justice Ministry and the Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a bus to the Walk For Life in San Francisco on January 20, 2024, Saturday. There is no charge, however, each walker is asked to bring a tip of $5.00 for the bus driver.
All ( Bus Riders) walkers must sign up and provide cellphone numbers when they sign up. Please remember to bring your cell phone to the Walk for Life. You can sign up below OR in Church.
WALK FOR LIFE 2024
All walkers are asked to arrive at the Parish Center by 7:00am to 7:15am. The bus will leave the St. Mark parking lot at 7:30am for 8:30 Mass at the Cathedral in San Francisco. After Mass, we will be walking to the Civic Center, about ½ mile, for the event and the walk.
Restrooms are located at the Cathedral and porta potties are located at the Civic Center. Please wear layers as the weather may be cold and plan ahead if the forecast is for rain. A small lunch and water will be provided, however, it can be a long day and we suggest walkers bring additional food and water.
The walk will start at 1:00pm down Market Street. At the end of the walk, there is an additional walk to the bus. The total amount of walking for the day could be as much as 3+ miles. Please contact Chuck at Trilliumlane@comcast.net with questions.
Children's Christmas Eve Mass
Our CCD kids brought the Nativity of Jesus to life, by re-enacting the Gospel story of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was followed by a wonderful Homily by Deacon Rich to all the kids of our community.
Thank you to our CCD kids who did a great job playing the key roles of the Nativity Scene!
"Mary" - Aliyah Benet
"Joseph" - Ethan Cheng
"First Angel" - Amelia Schoenstein
"Shepherds" - Hunter Brady, Hector and Gael Ovando Cisneros
"Multitude of Angels" - Amarah Benet, Anya and Zara Brady, Helena Schoenstein
And thank you to their parents for their encouragement and support!
New batch of engraved bricks has been installed!
To order your engraved brick, go to www.engravedbricks.com/campaign/smcc
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday, December 30
4:30pm Celso G. Santos, RIP Memorial
Maricar and Abe Rosal & Family, Special Intentions
Maria Luz Cordova, RIP
Sunday, December 31
8:00am St Mark Parishioners, Living & Deceased
9:45am Kit and Marsha Cheng, Thanksgiving
11:30am All Saint Mark Ministries, Thanksgiving
January 1 to 5
Monday All Saint Mark Volunteers, Thanksgiving
Tuesday Maria Luz Cordova, RIP
Carlota Terry, RIP
Wednesday Harvey Jerome, RIP
Thursday Maria Luz Cordova, RIP
Friday Maria Luz Cordova, RIP
Please Support Our Parish
Your financial support helps keep our parish open.
Offerings can be given at Mass, through the mail or online using the button below.
Schedule of Services:
Masses:
Daily: 8:30 am
Saturday: 4:30 pm
Sunday : 8:00 am, 9:45 am and 11:30 am
Sunday : 8:00 am, 9:45 am and 11:30 am
Cantonese Mass 1:30 pm every 2nd, 4th and 5th Sunday
Livestream Masses for the Sick & Homebound every Sunday at 9:45am
First Saturday Mass: 8:30 am, followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
Holy Days: 8:30 am and 7:00 pm
At the Chapel:
Daily Rosary after the 8:30am Mass
Confessions every Saturday from 3:45 to 4:20pm or by appointment
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament : Monday to Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm
Perpetual Help Devotion, Adoration & Benediction : Wednesdays at 7:00pm
At the Grotto:
Rosary at 630pm, Monday to Friday (may move to Chapel due to weather conditions)
Rosary Rally at noon every first Saturdays.
Others:
Anointing of the Sick - by appointment. Contact parish office.
Holy Communion for the Homebound. Email camilestone33@gmail.com.
VOCATION CROSS
We invite all St Mark families
to participate.
At the Sunday 9:45 am mass, parishioners will take turns bringing the Vocation cross home to pray the Vocation prayer & Rosary daily, for a week.
Sign up sheet at Sunday masses.
If you wish to participate, but unable to attend the 945am mass, please indicate in the sign up sheet and we will make arrangements.
Join our Communal supper on Saturdays!
Parish Information:
Parish Staff:
Fr. Angel Quitalig, Pastor, frangel@saintmarkbelmont.com
Fr. Dominic Savio Lee, In-Residence, frdominic@saintmarkbelmont.com
Richard Dizon, Permanent Deacon, dcnrich@saintmarkbelmont.com
Edmund Ibarra, Religion Education, eibarra@saintmarkbelmont.com
Elsa Agasid, Music Director, eagasid@saintmarkbelmont.com
Elsa Atendido, Office Coordinator, elsa@saintmarkbelmont.com
Dinna Bayangos, Communications Coordinator, dinna@saintmarkbelmont.com
Office contact information: office@saintmarkbelmont.com / telephone no 650-591-5937 /325 Marine View Avenue, Belmont, CA 94002 /
website: www.saintmarkbelmont.com
Website-related concerns: Email webmaster@saintmarkbelmont.com
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 12:00pm
OTHER NEWS / UPDATES
2023-24 Archdiocese of San Francisco Catholic Directory
Online Contact: Diana Powell | 415-614-5589 (Th-Fri) | powelld@sfarch.org
Online Directory: Click Here
The online version has live links. This means, when you click on a referenced page number, it will take you to that page in the directory.
For families with 8th grade daughters, shadow dates are open at Notre Dame High School in Belmont! 8th graders spend a day experiencing classes, meeting students, and getting a taste of all that Notre Dame has to offer. Parents will learn about the admissions process, hear from current students, and take a tour of the school. Shadow dates run from September 12th - November 15th. Registration is also open for Open House on October 22nd and Notre Dame Night on November 16th.
To register for a shadow visit or other event: https://ndhsb.schooladminonline.com/portal/new_inquiry
Learn more about Notre Dame: www.ndhsb.org
St. Mary’s Cathedral Sunday Afternoon “Musical Meditations” Live and Livestreamed
For more information, contact Mr. Chris Tietze at 415-567-2020, Ext. 213
Enjoy the longest continuously running organ concert series in San Francisco, and other instrumental and vocal recitals as well, Sundays at 4:00 pm. These Sunday Musical Meditations are open to the public at the Cathedral (1100 Gough Street,
San Francisco) and are being livestreamed on the St. Mary’s Cathedral YouTube channel, above.
Upcoming LIVE and Livestreamed
- Sunday, January 7, 4:00 pm: Angeline Kiang, Cello.
- Sunday, January 14, 4:00 pm: Gail Archer, Organ
- Sunday, January 21, 4:00 pm: Christoph Tietze, Organ. Widor Symphony No. 5
- Sunday, January 28: NO RECITAL
- Sunday, February 4, 4:00 pm: Christoph Tietze, Organ. Works by Langlais and Franck
- Sunday, February 11, 4:00 pm: Christoph Tietze, Organ. Works by Bach and Buxtehude
- Sunday, February 18: NO RECITAL
- Sunday, February 25, 4:00 pm: August Lee, Cello, with Hyunji Park, Piano.
- Sunday, March 3, 4:00 pm: TBD
- Sunday, March 10, 4:00 pm: TBD
- Sunday, March 17, 4:00 pm: TBD
- Sunday, March 24, 4:00 pm: TBD
- Sunday, March 31, 4:00 pm: Michal Szostak (Poland), Organ.
Online Course – Catholic Faith, Fiction, and Film - offered by the Archdiocese's Department of Pastoral Ministry
Weekly, January 2 through January 30
Register to get online link
Contact: Dcn. Fred Totah | 415-614-5504 | totah.fred@sfarch.org
Register to get online link
Contact: Dcn. Fred Totah | 415-614-5504 | totah.fred@sfarch.org
Bio of Dr. Margaret Turek: Click Here.
All “serious” fiction writers imbue their works with a vision of life: a vision often indebted to a philosophy or a religious creed. This is the case, whether the writer is a rationalist, an atheist, a Buddhist or a Catholic. Against the horizon of his vision of life or belief structure, the fiction writer will grapple with such questions as: What makes a life fully human, truly humane? Is there an absolute meaning and ultimate goal of human existence?
In this course, Dr. Margaret Turek leads us through a selection of modern works of fiction and film, all of which deal with themes vital to the Catholic vision of God, human existence, sin and guilt, redemption, and beatitude beyond death. Along the way, the unique challenges facing the Catholic fiction writer (and his audience) today will be discussed, including how the writer attempts to get his vision across when writing for a world that is unprepared to see "the really real" with the eyes of faith? How does one portray the nearness of God for an audience who is scarcely conscious of God?
Topics of Class Sessions:
Class 1 (January 2) The Prophetic Vision of Catholic Fiction
Class 2 (January 9) Flannery O'Connor: the Most Important Things
Class 3 (January 16) "Gravity" (the movie): What Makes Life Worth Living
Class 4 (January 23) George Bernanos: the Drama of Mystical Substitution
Class 5 (January 30) "Groundhog Day" (the movie): the Way to True Happiness
St. Patrick’s Seminary Discernment Retreat
January 26-28, 2023
320 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park
Contact: Fr. Cameron Faller | 415-614-5683 | faller.cameron@sfarch.org
Is God calling you or someone you know to the priesthood?
To discern your vocation is to discover God’s purpose for your life. Come to the St. Patrick’s discernment retreat led by Bishop Thomas Daly to investigate where God may be calling you. This is our main and most beneficial discernment event of the year. In the past, this retreat has proved to be a very beneficial experience for discerners as they seek to understand and follow God’s will in their life. Please contact Fr. Cameron Faller, the vocation director, if you are interested or want more details.
320 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park
Contact: Fr. Cameron Faller | 415-614-5683 | faller.cameron@sfarch.org
Is God calling you or someone you know to the priesthood?
To discern your vocation is to discover God’s purpose for your life. Come to the St. Patrick’s discernment retreat led by Bishop Thomas Daly to investigate where God may be calling you. This is our main and most beneficial discernment event of the year. In the past, this retreat has proved to be a very beneficial experience for discerners as they seek to understand and follow God’s will in their life. Please contact Fr. Cameron Faller, the vocation director, if you are interested or want more details.
Wedding Anniversary Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral
Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 10:00am
1100 Gough Street, San Francisco
Contact: Ed Hopfner | 415-614-5547 | HopfnerE@sfarch.org
1100 Gough Street, San Francisco
Contact: Ed Hopfner | 415-614-5547 | HopfnerE@sfarch.org
Register/Registrese: Click Here
The Archdiocese of San Francisco will offer its annual Wedding Anniversary Mass on February 3 at 10am, celebrated by Archbishop Cordileone. All couples are invited. Those who in 2024 will celebrate anniversaries ending in 5 or 0 (5 years, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40) will receive recognition. The Mass is followed by a reception. Register above.
Wedding Anniversary Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral
Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 10:00am
1100 Gough Street, San Francisco
Contact: Ed Hopfner | 415-614-5547 | HopfnerE@sfarch.org
1100 Gough Street, San Francisco
Contact: Ed Hopfner | 415-614-5547 | HopfnerE@sfarch.org
Register/Registrese: Click Here
The Archdiocese of San Francisco will offer its annual Wedding Anniversary Mass on February 3 at 10am, celebrated by Archbishop Cordileone. All couples are invited. Those who in 2024 will celebrate anniversaries ending in 5 or 0 (5 years, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40) will receive recognition. The Mass is followed by a reception. Register above.
Catholic Men’s Conference at St. Pius Parish, Redwood City
Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 8:00am
1100 Woodside Road, Redwood City
Contact: Ed Hopfner | 415-614-5547 | HopfnerE@sfarch.org
1100 Woodside Road, Redwood City
Contact: Ed Hopfner | 415-614-5547 | HopfnerE@sfarch.org
Event Website and to Register: Click Here
Saturday, March 9, is the Bay Area Catholic Men’s Conference. Keynote speaker is Jesse Romero, retired LA sheriff, 3-time World Police Olympics boxing champion, and former U.S. Middleweight Kickboxing Champion. Other speakers are Melkite priest, Fr Sebastian Carnazzo, and Scott Fisher, MD. Archbishop Cordileone will celebrate Mass. Confessions will be available. Registration is $50 (fathers are encouraged to bring their teenage sons, $25/each). Go to the event website for more information and to register or contact Ed Hopfner, above.
