Pastor's Message 4-1-20

Dear Parishioners: 

Please know most importantly that I am keeping you all in my prayers daily, especially in these challenging times. 

I would like to follow up with you to let you know the changes that are now in place due to the new and more stringent restrictions that we are all under here in Vermont. Beginning on March 25, 2020 Bishop Coyne requested that all of our churches and chapels be closed until further notice. This is to comply with Governor Scott’s mandate that all people remain in their homes, except for essential needs and services. Therefore, here at St. Mark the church will no longer be open from 7AM - 7PM. It truly breaks my heart to have to close the church; however, in obedience to our bishop and in the interest of saving lives, we must comply. 

Though the church is closed we are still open for confessions by appointment at the rectory. The Sacrament of the Sick/Last Rites WILL continue to be administered to those in need. To make an appointment for confession or if you are if someone is in need of the Sacrament of the Sick, please call the parish office. Also, since you cannot enter the Church to get a bulletin, they will be available online through our website, or you may call the office and have one sent to you in the mail. If you prefer you can also ask to have it sent to your email, click here (if you are receiving this via email). [Click the “subscribe” button.]

Remember I continue to offer daily mass for all of you and your intentions. As you know I have been live-streaming Sunday Mass here at the parish and slowly getting better with it. I have received good, positive and constructive feedback from many of you, which I greatly appreciate. Given this feedback I am going to offer daily Mass streaming as well for the following weekdays starting Wednesday, April 1: Monday, Friday, Saturday all at 9AM & Wednesdays at 6PM. Also, I will offer a live-streamed Holy Hour on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30PM. In addition, given the feedback and experience with Sunday Mass, I have decided to move the Sunday Mass to 8:30AM. This way more people can have the option of watching the Mass earlier on Sunday, while also allowing for later viewing from our website or facebook. Also, I have been and will continue to live-stream Stations of the Cross from the church on Friday starting at 7PM, except for Good Friday when I will start at 12PM. After that I will live-stream a rosary on Fridays at 7PM for as long as we remain in isolation. 

I will send out notification next week regarding the Holy Week services. For now please know that we will have Palm Sunday Mass live-streamed from Facebook starting at 8:30AM and posted on our website by 9:45AM. We will be blessing palms and you will be able to pick up your palms at a later date when the church reopens. 

Thank you for your continued support to our parish through your regular contributions by mail, donating online or by dropping your envelopes at the church. Though the church doors remain locked, you can still slide or slip your envelope between or under the doors of the church. I know some of you have moved to online donations and we encourage more people to consider online donations during this time. Please click or type the following link into your browser to sign up for online donations: https://stmarksvt.weshareonline.org/ . If you need help signing up for online donations, please call the parish, 864-7686, and we can get you set-up over the phone. 

Our parish motto is “Love God and Love Neighbor”. Thus given this challenging situation we are in, I would like to ask that each of us reach out to our neighbors who are most vulnerable and offer to help them with any needs they have - getting them groceries, bringing them meals, cleaning their yards, etc... Anything that will help to keep people safe, healthy and strong during this time. I am greatly encouraged as I make calls to you, the people of St. Mark, and hear how so many of you are already reaching out and offering this help. Thank you! 

Now, I speak to anyone who might need some help with getting supplies, work around the house, or just to have someone to talk to. Please do not hesitate to call the parish at 864-7686 or email us at [email protected] . We are here to assist with any of your needs. 

I am daily updating our website: www.stmarksvt.com with daily news reflections for you to follow. Included here are some other helpful highlights to raise our spirits and opportunities to increase our faith, including a daily dose of “Holy Humor”. Now more than ever we need to remember and find ways to be joyful and laugh! 

Finally, please know of my love and prayers for each of you on a daily basis. I have adopted more of a monastic life as of late and spend more dedicated time in prayer for all of you. Please call or email me with any prayer intentions you have, or you can submit them soon through our website. I will bring them and all of you to prayer at the altar, asking God to hear and answer us, and fill us with His peace and joy! 

You remain always my beloved and truly missed parishioners and friends, 

Father Dallas