Guidelines for Lent & Lenten Opportunities

GUIDELINES FOR LENT 

• The time of Lent is to be observed by Catholics as a special season of prayer, penance, and works of charity (almsgiving).

• Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, in particular, are the most important penitential days of the liturgical year. They are days of both fast and abstinence. All Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence.

• The rule of fasting states that only one full meal a day can be taken. Two small meals (snacks), “sufficient to maintain strength”, are allowed, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals breaks the fast, but drinking liquids does not. The rule of fasting obliges all Catholics from 18 to 59.

• Abstinence refers to the eating of meat. The common estimation of the community is used to determine what falls under the category of meat. The rule of abstinence binds all Catholics 14 years or older.

• The substantial observance of the laws of fast and abstinence is a serious obligation.

• Self-imposed fasting on the other weekdays of Lent is recommended. Abstinence on all Fridays of the year is also highly recommended.

• Parents and teachers should see to it that, even those who are not bound by the laws of fast and abstinence because of age, are brought up in an atmosphere that is conducive to a sense of penance.

ST. MARK PARISH HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Holy Thursday, April 1

Easter Sunday, April 4

Masses, 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.
 

LENTEN OPPORTUNITIES AT ST. MARK PARISH

Weekend Masses: Weekday Masses: 

Saturday 4 p.m.  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9 a.m. 

Sunday 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.  Wednesday 6 p.m. & 1st Saturday 9 a.m.

Confessions: Saturday 3 - 3:45 p.m., Wednesday 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. (Confessions are heard during the Adoration hour), Fridays of Lent 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. (following the Stations of the Cross)

Stations of the Cross will be prayed in church every Friday at 6 p.m. 

Eucharistic Adoration

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” - Jesus (Mt 11:28)

All are invited to participate in this opportunity for prayer in the presence of our Lord.

• Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 p.m. (Adoration begins after the 6:00 p.m. Mass)
• Fridays 9:30 a.m-9:00 p.m. (Adoration begins after the 9:00 a.m. Mass.)

It is not required to sign up or stay for a set length of time; however, to ensure the Blessed Sacrament is never left alone we need at least two adorers for each hour on Friday and are looking for volunteers to commit to an hour. 

To sign up for an hour of adoration, please go to stmarksvt.weadorehim.com

For more information, contact the parish office at 864-7686 or stmark@vermontcatholic.org

Help Our Neighbors in Need

Meals for the Homeless and Hungry 

The St. Mark Parish community prepares a meal at the parish each month and then delivers the meal to the homeless and hungry at the Salvation Army. Meals are prepared at 5:30 pm, Feb. 17 and March 24. To volunteer, please contact Deacon Tim Gibbo at 862-3616 or sgibbo3187@aol.com. To donate food for these meals, please consult the list in the church for needed items. 

Collecting Food for the Hungry

Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf, Sunday, March 7 and Easter Sunday, April 4.
North End Food Pantry, Sunday, February 21

Collecting Hygiene Items for our Neighbors in Need

Joseph’s House collection bins are in the church near the Shore Road and Family Center entrance doors. This is an ongoing collection and there is always a need for these items.

Deepen Your Faith this Lent 

The Search

A new and impactful video series called The Search will be part of our Lenten journey as a parish. 

Have you ever wondered why the things we expect to fulfill us don’t? Why is life this way? Why are we here? Why do we exist? Why are we filled with longing? The Search is an award-winning series for everyone that explores fundamental questions and mysteries like these. Join us online Thursdays, 7-8 pm starting Feb. 25 to watch, discuss, and truly benefit and grow from experiencing The Search. Watch the trailer here. For more info., please visit stmarksvt.com/thesearch or contact the parish office. Free copies of the book The Search are available to accompany the video series or to be read on its own.

Lenten Resources from the Diocese of Burlington, click here.

FORMED Lenten Reflections

Journey with Dr. Tim Gray by signing up for FORMED Daily Lenten Reflections at formed.org/lent. Each day you will receive in your inbox a short video which features Dr. Gray commenting on the daily Mass readings, explaining the Scriptures, and providing you with concrete ideas on how to apply them to your Christian life.

Dynamic Catholic Best Lent Ever

Based on the book we gave away at Christmas, I Heard God Laugh. Visit dynamiccatholic.com/lent/best-lent-ever. Click here for the book and here for the companion journal.

FORMED

Enjoy a wide selection of Catholic movies, talks, e-books, and videos! Sign up for free: 

1) Visit formed.org   2) Click Sign Up   3) Select “I Belong to a Parish or Organization” 

4) Find your parish by name, zip, or parish code   5) Enter your email - and you’re in!

Lighthouse Kiosk

Our kiosk has many inspiring and informative resources, including Lenten themed CDs, books, and booklets. The Lighthouse Kiosk is located in the corner of the church near the Family Center entrance.