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April 14, 2024
FOURTH SUNDAY of EASTER
Gospel: John 10:11-18
What is the command Jesus received from his Father? That he be the Good Shepherd by laying down his life for his sheep.
That he gather all people into one flock by laying down his life for his sheep.
We, Jesus' disciples, receive the same command from him.
We are not to be "hired" hands but good shepherds who, by listening to his voice leading us, lay down our lives for others.
In the Father's love we too gather all people into one flock by laying down our lives for others.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. So are we to be.
PLAN AHEAD!
ST. MARK BRUNCH. SUNDAY, APRIL 28TH 
CELEBRATING ST. MARK FEAST DAY, FR. PAUL’S ANNIVERSARY and FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
This event is open to everyone in the parish!
Please join us! Please sign up how many are coming in your party, to give us an idea of how many to plan for.
We’ll provide all food....you don't need to bring anything but yourselves & your families.
Please keep these children in your prayers as they continue their faith journey:
ANDREW CLARK, JANE MORGAN, OWEN SCHAGER and JACK SUMMERSON
UPCOMING DATES OF IMPORTANCE
MAY 2nd: NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
***
MAY 9th: HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION
ASCENSION OF THE LORD
Vigil Mass: Wed. (5/8) at 5:30 PM
Holy Day of Obligation Mass: Thurs. (5/9) at 8:15 AM
***
MAY 12th at 9:00 AM Mass
MAY CROWNING
***
MAY 19th
PENTECOST SUNDAY
CONFIRMATION at St. Marys Church, St. Marys
ST. MARK ROSARY SOCIETY ANNUAL YARD SALE
JULY 6th, 9 AM-1 PM in St. Mark parking lot.
Be sure to save your ‘treasures’ as you begin your spring cleaning!
As always, we cannot accept computers, TV’s, calculators, clothes or undergarments.
Donations can be dropped of Tuesdays and/orThursdays during the months of May and June,
from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Please bring all items to the back of the Faith Formation building...room 6 (nearest to Fr. Paul’s driveway).
If you need your donations to be picked up, please call
Josie DeSio at 814-486-1968 or Art May at 814-486-0787 to arrange date and time for pick up.
St James in Driftwood
Mass at 5:30 pm each Saturday evening
The gift of spending time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
By Dan Martuccio, president of the Pastoral Council of St. Mark Parish, Emporium 01/25/2024
People often make a special effort to visit places and engage in activities. They save money for vacations, travel to sporting events and attend concerts. Many work throughout the year for moments on the beach or to secure seats in the stands, like section BB, row 4, seats 6-7. However, the most important place to visit with your family — for peace of mind and to rejuvenate body, mind and soul — is your parish church during Eucharistic adoration. 
Jesus is always present in the Eucharist. He resides in the tabernacle 364 days a year, yet few come to be with him. We carry Jesus with us after receiving the Eucharist, and we should always keep him in our hearts. Each Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m., my parish hosts Eucharistic adoration. However, it's often the same group of about 20 people each week. Rarely does anyone new come to spend time, even for a few minutes, with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. I personally cherish being in church, whether it's full or I'm alone, just stopping to make a visit. Catholics often say we stop at church to "make a visit." We do this because someone is there — Jesus in the Eucharist, in the tabernacle. We don’t visit a neighbor’s house if no one is home; we visit because someone is there. I encourage you to check the Eucharistic adoration schedule at your local Catholic parish. My parish, St. Mark Parish in Emporium, offers adoration every Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m. and every first Friday between Masses from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendance is not limited to Catholics; anyone who loves Jesus is welcome to realize his presence. One of my favorite stories was shared by the late Father Benedict Groschel on EWTN. He noticed an older retired lady, a regular attendee of Eucharistic adoration at his parish, who belonged to the Baptist church nearby. After several months, Father Benedict's curiosity led him to ask her why she attended, knowing she was Protestant. She replied, “When I walk in this church, I know Jesus is here. I can feel him. I feel his presence all around me!” Give yourself and your family the gift of spending time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. It’s a visit you will cherish, and I assure you he will bless you for it.
Below is link to Bishop Persico's
video for the 2024 Catholic Services Appeal
https://youtu.be/Fd3CNedjLP0?si=wZfg68umZwnJiOkZ
The link below is a "Statement from the Office of the Bishop to the Clergy and People of the Diocese of Erie
regarding the Declaration Fiducia Supplicans.
https://dioceseoferie.org/stmarkemporium/images/Bishop Persico's Statement on Fiducia Supplicans.pdf
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