March 26 - April 1, 2026
HOLY DAY & FEAST DAY
April 29
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, a distinct liturgy that begins with a Gospel reading of Jesus’s journey to Jerusalem at the entrance of the worship space.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux offered a homily about the significance of Palm Sunday and the account of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem:
“How different the cries, ‘Away with him, away with him, crucify him,’ and then, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, hosanna, in the highest!’ How different the cries that now are calling him ‘King of Israel’ and then in a few days’ time will be saying, ‘We have no king but Caesar!’ What a contrast between the green branches and the cross, between the flowers and the thorns! Before they were offering their own clothes for him to walk upon, and so soon afterwards they are stripping him of his, and casting lots upon them.”
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, a distinct liturgy that begins with a Gospel reading of Jesus’s journey to Jerusalem at the entrance of the worship space.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux offered a homily about the significance of Palm Sunday and the account of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem:
“How different the cries, ‘Away with him, away with him, crucify him,’ and then, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, hosanna, in the highest!’ How different the cries that now are calling him ‘King of Israel’ and then in a few days’ time will be saying, ‘We have no king but Caesar!’ What a contrast between the green branches and the cross, between the flowers and the thorns! Before they were offering their own clothes for him to walk upon, and so soon afterwards they are stripping him of his, and casting lots upon them.”
Reference: EWTN
Have a blessed Palm Sunday and Holy Week!
Lent 2026 Calendar
Experience the joy of Renewal that this holy season brings.
"With the Lord, there is mercy and fullness of redemption." - Psalm 130
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENT
Fridays of Lent
We would like to thank the Legion of Mary, Hospitality and the Grotto Committee for preparing and serving soup and leading the prayers last Friday, March 20. We also appreciate the participation of our clergy, AV ministers, choir and altar servers.On March 27, we will have the Living Stations of the Cross at 7:00pm. Soup will be served at the Parish Hall starting at 6:00pm.
Second Collection for SVDP Saint Mark Conference
March 28 & 29You can now donate online to SVDP Saint Mark Conference using the provided QR code. The tag is: st-marks-conference-belmont
Good Friday Collection for Holy Land
April 3Now more than ever, the Christian minority in the Holy Land needs the support it receives through the annual Good Friday collection as ongoing violence in the Middle East has curtailed pilgrimages. Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, called upon the faithful worldwide to participate in the Good Friday collection aimed at assisting Christian communities in the Holy Land.
The Good Friday collection is one of the primary sources of support for the Custody of the Holy Land — the Franciscan institution that for centuries has safeguarded the sites connected to the life of Jesus Christ and accompanied the Christian communities living in the region. Read more HERE
Image: An Armenian Orthodox priest in prayer at the edicule in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. | Credit: Victoria Cardiel/EWTN News
Save-the-Date: Walk for Peace
April 18The walk will be held from 330 - 4:15 pm at Saint Mark grounds. Stay tuned for more details.
Dinner will be served after the Mass. Please sign up early to be included in the headcount.
Walk for Peace 2026
Walk for Peace, Dinner following Mass at Saint Mark Parish Center
Feast Day of Saint Mark
April 25We invite you to join the 9-day Novena prayer service leading up to the Feast Day on April 25, 2026. On that date, we will hold a Saturday evening mass followed by a potluck party to celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Mark, our parish patron saint.
Sign up sheets are in the back of the church to please indicate if you are able to bring something to share.
MINISTRY UPDATE
Ladies Guild Message of Thanks & April 1st Meeting Notice
The Ladies Guild wants to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the Parishioners who contributed to our socks and tee shirt drive. We received approximately 850 pair of socks and 370 tee shirts. These items will be divided among our outreach programs. Again, thank you so very much for your generosity.
To All Parishioners ... our next Ladies Guild meeting is April 1st at 6:30 pm in the Parish Center. We are excited to announce another guest speaker for this meeting. One of the community programs we support through our outreach efforts, Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA) is providing a speaker to highlight the excellent work they do for those in need in our community. CORA supports individuals and families suffering from all types of abuse, emotional, psychological, verbal or physical. They have a very thorough program offering many types of assistance. We are excited to hear details about their program.
We would like to extend an invitation to anyone in the Parish who might be
interested in hearing about their work. Our business meeting will start promptly
at 6:30 pm followed at 7:00 pm with our presenter. If any Ladies Guild member needs or knows someone who needs a ride to the meeting, please contact Judy: 650-207-1210 or fkarl99@aol.com for arrangements.
We would like to extend an invitation to anyone in the Parish who might be
interested in hearing about their work. Our business meeting will start promptly
at 6:30 pm followed at 7:00 pm with our presenter. If any Ladies Guild member needs or knows someone who needs a ride to the meeting, please contact Judy: 650-207-1210 or fkarl99@aol.com for arrangements.
Students Share Hard-earned Lessons at the Breakfast
On Saturday, March 21, almost fifty guests joined the Excell Network breakfast at Saint Mark, hosted by our own Society of Saint Vincent de Paul with the assistance of seminarians Edgar, Ramón, David, and Brother Thai. We were blessed to hear from Excell students past, present, and (very near) future. Each testified to the mercy of God, bringing them back from the darkness of incarceration into the light of freedom. We especially congratulate Rafaella, a UC Berkeley student who received a fellowship to study at Cambridge, England!
But we also were reminded of the challenges that this fallen world imposes on each of us. How do we avoid Satan’s traps? The Excell students shared many hard-earned lessons: Pursue your goals through discipline, an essential component of self-care (student Valerie); believe in yourself as God believes in you (new student Clinton); build community by bringing people together (keynote speaker Wayne); surround yourself with people who can help you walk toward grace (Excell alumnus Rodney). Let us at Saint Mark be the people who guide one another on the right path, as the Excell Network students do for us.
Join us on April 18 for another Excell Network Breakfast to be held at the New Community Church in Menlo Park, CA. Buy tickets early, click HERE.
Join us on April 18 for another Excell Network Breakfast to be held at the New Community Church in Menlo Park, CA. Buy tickets early, click HERE.
This Week's COR Update
Our Catholic Church exists to make disciples and to help men believe that Jesus is the Son of God that we might have life in His name. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is one tool the Church uses to educate and instruct us in this life, thus building up the body of Christ.
Pope John Paul II wrote that we can find in the Catechism a genuine, systematic presentation of the faith and of Catholic doctrine and a totally reliable way to present each and every part of the Christian message to the people of our time. At Cor, on Monday, the 23rd, we men began looking at the Catechism of the Catholic Church. That session was an overview of the history and structure of the document. This is a big subject and is quite important to us Catholics so we’ll look into greater details in the future as we try to be the be the disciples God wants us to be.
On the 30th we will look at the Beatitudes as covered in part three of the Catechism: Life in Christ. We meet most Mondays in the parish center at 7:00. Why not give Cor a try? The more men in Cor, the better for all of us.
Community Happening
Birthdays at Communal Supper with March celebrant, Donna Mackay.
Speaker Series on Career and College Planning Workshop by Steve Morehouse, held last March 22.
We thank Steve and the committee led by Barbara Kuehn for organizing the event.
We thank Steve and the committee led by Barbara Kuehn for organizing the event.
GIVE TODAY
Give to AAA 2026
There are nearly 450,000 Catholics in the Archdiocese of SF, and the Annual Appeal is a unique opportunity to come together as one and provide critical assistance to those who need and depend on us.
Watch the video to learn more about AAA.
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, March 28
4:30 pm- TAMEKA HILL (BIRTHDAY THANKSGIVING)
- VIRGINIA PALMA (BIRTHDAY MEMORIAL)
- ALICE CHIEN (RIP)
Sunday, March 29
8:00 am
- SEANNA STANGE (BIRTHDAY THANKSGIVING)
- ST. MARK PARISHIONERS LIVING & DECEASED
9:45 am
- HELEN CANG (RIP)
- ALICE CHIEN (RIP)
11:30 am
- ROLANDO OBSANIA (RIP)
- VIC ANDALLO (RIP)
Monday, March 30
8:30 am
- SHARLENE MAE ONGOCO (SPECIAL INTENTION)
- ALICE CHIEN (RIP)
Tuesday, March 31
8:30 am
- EULALIA ANTONIO (BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY)
- JOEL LUNA (BIRTHDAY)
Wednesday, April 1
8:30 pm
- GLORIA MONSADA (SPECIAL INTENTION)
Thursday, April 2
8:30 am
- THURSDAY OF HOLY WEEK
Friday, April 3
8:30 am
- GOOD FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK
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 : Teresa Prieto, Arlene G, Mary Jo Parker, Lourdes Chin, Esther Chavez, 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, Jim Rooney, and Teresita White.
ARCHDIOCESE NEWS & EVENTS
(New) Divine Mercy Novena Begins on Good Friday April 3, 2026
Divine Mercy Sunday Promise: Click Here
Link to Novena: Click Here
To Order Pamphlets: Click Here
Novena Prayers: Attached below.
In preparation for Divine Mercy Sunday, pray the Divine Mercy Novena beginning on Good Friday. Prayers are attached below. For more information, click the links above for the Divine Mercy Promise and novena. Jesus said, "I desire that during these nine days you bring souls to the fountain of My mercy, that they may draw therefrom strength, and refreshment and whatever grace they have need of in the hardships of life, and especially at the hour of death" (Diary, 1209).
- On Divine Mercy Sunday, Jesus restores our baptismal soul to us. All sin and punishment due to sin is removed. To fittingly observe Divine Mercy Sunday in a solemn way, we should:
- Celebrate the Feast on the Sunday after Easter.
- Sincerely repent of all our sins.
- Place our complete trust in Jesus.
- Go to Confession, preferably before that Sunday.
- Receive Holy Communion on the day of the Feast.
- Venerate the Image of The Divine Mercy (To venerate a sacred image or statue simply means to perform some act or make some gesture of deep religious respect toward it because of the person whom it represents, in this case, our most merciful Savior).
- Be merciful to others, through our actions, words, and prayers on their behalf.
Women's Conference
One-Day Divine Mercy Conference
Saturday, Mar. 28, 2026 – 9:00a – 3:00pVallombrosa Retreat Center, Menlo Park
Contacts: Deacon Dominick Peloso | 650-269-6279
Join Deacon Dominick Peloso at Vallombrosa Retreat Center for this one-day Divine Mercy Retreat. Father McCormack, a priest of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, will lead the retreat. The day will include holy Mass and lunch will be provided. See attached flyer.
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. 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, April 5, 4:00p: Xei and Kai Sackett, Piano.
- Sunday, April 12, 4:00p: Rebecca Rust, Cello, and Friedrich Edelmann, Bassoon.
- Sunday, April 19, 4:00p: Sunkyung Land, Organ.
- Sunday, April 26, 4:00p: 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.
