December 4 - 10, 2025
HOLY DAY & FEAST DAY
Source: FranciscanMedia
Saint Nicholas
December 6
He is one of the most popular saints of the Church, even though there is scarcely anything historically certain about him except that he was Bishop of Myra in the fourth century.
He is associated with Christmas because of the tradition that he had the custom of giving secret gifts to children, and is thus associated with Santa Claus in some countries.
He is associated with Christmas because of the tradition that he had the custom of giving secret gifts to children, and is thus associated with Santa Claus in some countries.
Source: CNA
Immaculate Conception
December 8
Holy Day masses will be at 8:30 am and 7:00 pm.
The Immaculate Conception, a solemnity celebrated on December 8, is the patronal feast of the United States. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says of the Immaculate Conception of Mary:
490. To become the mother of the Savior, Mary "was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role". The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as "full of grace". In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God's grace.
Source: CNA
Saint Juan Diego
December 9
Roman Catholics celebrate St. Juan Diego, the indigenous Mexican Catholic convert whose encounter with the Virgin Mary began the Church's devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Source: CNA
Our Lady of Loreto
December 10
Unlike most other Marian feast days, Our Lady of Loreto doesn’t refer to an apparition or a Marian title. It refers to a building. Specifically, it refers to the humble home in which Mary grew up and the extraordinary measures God took to preserve it.
Individual communities have celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Loreto for decades. Pope Francis opened the feast to the world on October 7, 2019 and placed it in the middle of Advent. The timing isn’t a coincidence. Loreto reminds us that God didn’t choose a mighty, otherworldly being to bear his son, or even a rich and powerful empress. He chose Mary.
Source: AscensionPress
December 7 is the Second Sunday of Advent. We do many things to get ourselves ready for our celebration of Christmas. John the Baptist's call of REPENTANCE in preparation for Jesus reminds us that our repentance is another way in which we can prepare for the Lord's coming and our celebration of Christmas. (Read MT 3:1-12)
At Saint Mark, we will have reconciliation services on -
- December 6, within Day of Recollection, 1:15-3:00 pm
- December 9, Parish Reconciliation Service, 7:15-815 pm
- Regular schedule - Saturdays at 3:45pm-4:20 pm
- By appointment - call parish office
Participate in Advent activities at Saint Mark. Check out our 2025 Advent Calendar.
Advent Day of Recollection
December 6, 10:00 am in Church.
Lunch is included. Please sign up!
Advent Recollection
With Reconciliation Service
Advent Recollection Schedule
10:00-10:05 Introduction
10:05-11:05 Conference 1 with time for reflection
11:05-11:15 10-minute Break
11:15-12:15 Conference 2 with time for reflection
12:15-1:15 Lunch
1:15-3:00 Reconciliation Service with Exposition & Benediction
3:00-4:00 Conference 3 with time for reflection
4:30-5:30 Vigil Mass
10:05-11:05 Conference 1 with time for reflection
11:05-11:15 10-minute Break
11:15-12:15 Conference 2 with time for reflection
12:15-1:15 Lunch
1:15-3:00 Reconciliation Service with Exposition & Benediction
3:00-4:00 Conference 3 with time for reflection
4:30-5:30 Vigil Mass
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENT
First Friday & Saturday Activities
December 5, First Friday Mass at 8:30 am followed by Rosary, Devotion to Sacred Heart of Jesus and Adoration
December 6, First Saturday Mass at 8:30 am followed by Rosary, Devotion to Immaculate Heart of Mary and Adoration. This is to be followed by the Advent Day of Recollection, beginning at 10:00 am.
Donut Miss It!!!
On Sundays after our 8:00 and 9:45 am Masses, gather round Saint Mark's activity area and join us for some delicious donuts and coffee!
It's a sweet way to start your day. So don't miss it!
Birthdays at Communal Supper
There is no Communal Supper on December 13.
On our December 27th Communal Supper at the Parish Center, we shall honor our December birthday celebrants. All are invited to share a meal and join the fun and fellowship among parishioners.
Advent Decor is Up!
Thank you to our Environment ministry!
Not pictured are banner repair and installing crew: Chuck, George, Mike & Bob.
If you are interested in helping the ministry, pls contact Sue Desing at mdesing@att.net.
Not pictured are banner repair and installing crew: Chuck, George, Mike & Bob.
If you are interested in helping the ministry, pls contact Sue Desing at mdesing@att.net.
Parish Appeal: In place of flowers, we would appreciate your cash donations instead, to give our Environment Ministry more flexibility in their floral design and arrangements. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
Saint Mark Pilgrimage Fundraiser
If you are planning on joining the 2026 Pilgrimage with Fr. Angel Quitalig from April 6-17, please be reminded that the last day to sign up and pay the deposit is on December 27, 2025.
MINISTRY UPDATE
Advent Giving Season
Advent Giving continues until December 7/8 weekend.
We request $25 Target gift cards which will be divided between SVdP clients of St. Mark as well as those served by Catholic Worker House, Redwood City. Pick up a return envelope on the table to the left of the altar. Place gift cards in the envelope and return to the same table by the weekend of December 8.
If it is more convenient for you to write a check; please make payable to St. Mark Ladies Guild and a gift card will be purchased on your behalf. Your check in a labeled envelope may be dropped in the collection.
Message from the Saint Vincent de Paul ministry:
The Season of Joy is here! Saint Mark SVdP members will bring Christmas cheer (and the Target gift cards you donated) to the families that we have visited over the past year. If you are interested to join us and meet our wonderful neighbors, please contact Bill Mallet (williammallet@comcast.net)."
Christmas Angels Toy Drive, a Restorative Justice program
The program aims to bring hope, joy and the true spirit of Christmas to children and families impacted by incarceration and domestic and gun violence.
Attached is a list of preferred toys and more details about the program. Collection period is now until December 14
You may either: Have the toy SHIPPED DIRECTLY to : Archdiocese of San Francisco
Attention: Christmas Angels
1 Peter Yorke Way San Francisco, CA 94109
OR placed in the COLLECTION BOX at Saint Mark Church or other collection sites.
Contact: Teri Baxter xbaxter11@comcast.net and Bill Mallet williammallet@comcast.
Message from COR:
Would you like to talk directly with God and hear an immediate response? Maybe you just want to pray a little bit better? Can your faith formation grow until you are evangelizing like an apostle? Maybe you just want to know a little more about some aspect of faith that is important only to you? How about joining with a bunch of regular guys from Saint Mark and getting those kinds of results. Maybe those are guys you will like to hang out with?
Cor meets every Sunday about 12:30 after Mass. We always finish by 2:00 so you can watch the 49rs or finish that chore you put off too long? Come by the parish center and see for yourself what Cor is all about.
We have been talking about the Nicene Creed lately. The Pope prayed with us today from Türkiye (virtually) so you know we have any support we need. What interests you? Join us at Cor – we can talk about whatever our group wants to and have some fun at the same time!
Christmas Pageant
December 24, 2025
We are still in need of roles for the Christmas Pageant -- Angels, Shepherds, and 2 Wise Men.
Scan the QR Code on the Christmas Pageant Flyer to sign up your child to help in the Christmas Pageant.
Scan the QR Code on the Christmas Pageant Flyer to sign up your child to help in the Christmas Pageant.
GIVE TODAY
Engraved Bricks Fundraiser
We encourage all parishioners to support our fundraising campaign. We continue to accept orders for the 2 locations - - the new Saint Mark Garden and the Our Lady of Lourdes grotto.
Order your engraved bricks today. Every brick helps in supporting Saint Mark's long-term capital needs.
Thank you for your generosity!
Online Giving in Church If you would like to give online at the masses, you may scan a QR code printed on our paper bulletin distributed in church. Thank you.
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday, December 6
4:30 pm
- ISABEL SADSAD (THANKSGIVING)
- MARY ANN MATEO (BIRTHDAY MEMORIAL)
Sunday, December 7
8:00 am
- ST. MARK PARISHIONERS LIVING & DECEASED
- MICHAEL ERNEST SANCHEZ (BIRTHDAY)
- LEONORA FRANCISCO (RIP)
9:45 am
- LORRY P. RAMOS (DEATH MEMORIAL)
- PETER CANG, JR. (RIP)
11:30 am
- DOMINGO MORA (RIP)
- MARIA LAVAL KELLEY (RIP)
Monday, December 8
8:30 am
- ST. MARK PARISHIONERS LIVING & DECEASED
- JOE & JULIET BRIDGES (THANKSGIVING )
7:00 pm
- ST. MARK PARISHIONERS LIVING & DECEASED
Tuesday, December 9
8:30 am
- ANDUIN LLANE DY (BIRTHDAY)
- GEORGE, LURA & KIRK WALLACE (RIP)
Wednesday, December 10
8:30 am
- NATY SANTOS (RIP)
- ANGIE QUIAMCO CANARES (RIP)
Thursday, December 11
8:30 am
- CHARLIE CARREON (BIRTHDAY THANKSGIVING)
- MARY ANN MATEO (DEATH ANNIVERSARY)
Friday, December 12
8:30 am
- KRIS ANNE (DEATH ANNIVERSARY)
- LOPE GAYLA (BIRTHDAY MEMORIAL)
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for all the sick and injured in our parish community, and all those who care for them, especially for : Aurora Lopez, Tanya Daniels, Patrick Quispe, Kathy Wieder, Helen Konoshkonik, Marie Murray, Mary Beth Jones, Connie Feight. Bob and Georgia Vierra, Enrique Cruz, Sr., Wenilia Eda, Elizabeth McClelland, Victor Luscap, Maria Lourdes Chin, Cruz Sanders, Gabby Jimenez, Leia Perry, James Hardy, Bernard Gross, Flor Carlos, Paulo Valencia-Chavez, Elizabeth Chavez, Manuel Valencia-Chavez, Ernie Echague, Jose Ong, John Prouty, Maritza, Benjie Andres, Marlene Belloumini, Vince Lopez, Eddie Court, Anto Roselin, Rex Sebastin, Robert VanHuystee, Anthony Pimentel, Jonalyn Cañete, Leslie Cruz, Marie D’Asaro, Jason Domingo, John Parker, Victoria Ramos, Fr. Miles O-Brien Riley, Jim Rooney, and Teresita White.
ARCHDIOCESE NEWS & EVENTS
Simbang Gabi
Commissioning Mass
December 12 – 6:00 pm
Our Lady of Mercy Parish – One Elmwood Drive, Daly City
Contact: Estelle Oloresisimo | 415-535-9248 | Estelle.oloresisimo@gmail.com
Our Lady of Mercy Parish – One Elmwood Drive, Daly City
Contact: Estelle Oloresisimo | 415-535-9248 | Estelle.oloresisimo@gmail.com
Check the calendar to see all the Simbang Gabi Masses venues and times within the Central San Mateo deanery.
Walk for Life
January 24, 2026
Join us as we walk for HOPE,
walk for LOVE,
and walk for LIFE,
at the 22nd Annual Walk for Life West Coast!
Walk for Life Main Event:
Rally: 12:30 – 1:30 pm at the Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco
Walk: 1:30 pm
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 on Sundays at 4:00p. These Musical Meditations are open to the public at the Cathedral (1111 Gough Street, San Francisco) and are being livestreamed on the St. Mary’s Cathedral YouTube channel, above.
Upcoming LIVE and Livestreamed
- Sunday, December 7, 4:00p: Issa Stemler, Organ. Works for Advent.
- Sunday, December 14, 4:00p: Su Yeon Kim, Violin. Bach solo violin sonatas.
- Sunday, December 14, 7:00 pm: Cookies &Carols, an annual seasonal concert by the Cathedral Choirs, Patrons Hall. Admission $35/25.
- Sunday, December 21, 4:00p: Nataly Pak, Organ.
- Sunday, December 28, 4:00p: Wendy Loder, Sopano and Violin, with Jeanette Wilkin Tietze, Piano.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
MASSES
Monday to Friday at 8:30 am
Saturday at 4:30 pm (Sunday Vigil)
Sunday at 8:00 am, 9:45 am (with Children's Liturgy of the Word) and 11:30 am
Sunday at 8:00 am, 9:45 am (with Children's Liturgy of the Word) and 11:30 am
Cantonese Mass 1:30 pm every 2nd, 4th and 5th Sunday
Livestream Masses for the Sick & Homebound every Sunday at 9:45 am
First Saturday Mass at 8:30 am, followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
Holy Day Masses at 8:30 am and 7:00 pm
AT THE CHAPEL
Rosary after the 8:30 am Mass
Devotion to the Sacred Heart every First Friday after the Mass and Rosary
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament : Monday to Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Perpetual Help Devotion, Adoration & Benediction : Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
AT THE GROTTO
(outdoor activity may move to Chapel due to weather conditions)
Rosary at 6:30 pm, Monday to Friday
OTHERS
Confessions every Saturday from 3:45 to 4:20 pm or by appointment
Anointing of the Sick - by appointment. Contact parish office.
Holy Communion for the Homebound. Email Chris at camilestone33@gmail.com
PARISH INFORMATION
Parish Staff & Email Directory:
Fr. Angel Quitalig, Pastor, frangel@saintmarkbelmont.com
Fr. Dominic Savio Lee, In-Residence, domsaviolee@yahoo.com
Richard Dizon, Permanent Deacon, dcnrich@saintmarkbelmont.com
Elsa Agasid, Music Director, eagasid@saintmarkbelmont.com
Elsa Atendido, Office Coordinator, elsa@saintmarkbelmont.com
Dinna Bayangos, Communications Coordinator, dinna@saintmarkbelmont.com
Jacob Tolentino, Director of Religious Education, jacob@saintmarkbelmont.com
Office Inquiries & Concerns: office@saintmarkbelmont.com
Office Address: 325 Marine View Avenue, Belmont, CA 94002
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Thank you for signing up to receive our weekly email newsletter. It's one of the many ways to stay connected to the Saint Mark parish community.
Our next breakfast is on May 18, Saturday, from 8:00 to 9:30 am at the Parish Center. Excell Network's reentry scholarship program assists students on probation and parole as they continue their education. Start your day with us and be inspired by the students' stories of hope and renewal, while enjoying a delicious meal!
Tickets are priced at $20 per person. You can buy tickets online.
On May 11, Saturday, we invite all May birthday celebrants to celebrate their birthday at the Communal Supper at 6pm at the Parish Center
Winner's Prize for Corn Hole Competition
Source: Catholic News Agency
Reserve your space. Sign up on Flocknote or in church!
Our Adoration is every Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm at the Chapel.
We are looking for adorers to fill up vacant slots to make sure that Adoration is available throughout the day.
Sign up sheet is in the Chapel. We will provide training.
