Pastor's Message updated 3-26-20

Dear Parishioners and Friends at St. Mark Church, 

During this challenging time, as we work to contain the spreading of the coronavirus, we are complying with the direction of the government that public places where people gather be closed for at least 4 weeks, if not longer. This closure affects churches in Vermont and throughout our country. 

IMPORTANT CHANGES FOR ST. MARK CHURCH:

The last public Mass was held Thursday, March 19th at 9:00 AM at the Convent Chapel. There will be NO public Masses from this date forward until further notice. I will continue to celebrate private Masses (without a congregation) for the Mass intentions of the particular day. There is no need to reschedule a Mass unless you want to be present for it later in the spring. 

All public devotions, classes and services are cancelled, including: Stations of the Cross, Religious Education, Nursing Home Masses and visits or private home visits. IMPORTANT EXCEPTIONS: Last rites WILL BE PROVIDED for someone in danger of dying or the Anointing of the Sick before surgery.

Funerals will continue to be scheduled in coordination with the policy of the Funeral Home and the direction of the Bishop. Baptisms will also continue limited in attendance to the immediate family. 

St. Mark Adoration Chapel closed at 9:00 PM on Thursday, March 19th and will be closed until further notice. 

IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITIES:

The church will be open* every day from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM starting SATURDAY, MARCH 21, for private prayers. Please come to the church to pray during these times for the end of this virus. If you are experiencing cold or virus symptoms, stay home.

Confessions will be available by appointment only. Please call 864-7686 to make an appointment.

Sunday Mass will be live streamed from St. Mark Rectory Chapel through Facebook Live on Sundays at 11:00 AM. The live streaming of daily Mass and other Sunday Mass opportunities will be posted on our website: www.stmarksvt.com 

In response to the coronavirus situation in which many people are staying home, Formed has gathered resources to help us continue to grow in our faith. They can be found on Formed.org under the Faith at Home category at watch.formed.org/faith-at-home. I especially recommend the series on the Eucharist called “Presence”. They have also created a Faith at Home web page with more resources for prayer, youth missing school, preparing for Holy Week, etc., found at leaders.formed.org/faith-at-home. I encourage you to explore these resources. Sign up for free by simply selecting our parish’s name at formed.org/signup. If you have questions about signing up for Formed, please contact the parish office or visit the parish website, which has a Formed.org page.

Information:  To keep current with schedule changes and other information and resources related to the coronavirus situation, please go to the parish website: www.stmarksvt.com or call the office 864-7686. Office hours are Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM.

Religious Education: An update will be sent soon to guide our families during this time.

Bulletins will be made available on-line, and anybody wishing to receive one can have it mailed to his or her home upon request, or pick one up at the North Avenue entrance of the Church outdoors, next to the newly made shrine to our Blessed Mother. Please keep in mind these changes are only for a few weeks.

Offertory: I would be very grateful if you would please continue to send in your weekly donations. Like many other organizations, our income could sustain a huge loss by missing a month or more of Masses and offertory income. For your convenience there is now a “Poor Box” located inside the North Avenue entrance immediately on your right as you enter the church, where you can drop off your envelopes/contributions. You can also sign up to give online: https://stmarksvt.weshareonline.org/ws/opportunities, or you can call the parish office and we can help sign you up. 

May this time away from each other and the reception of Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist serve to increase our longing for reunion with each other and communion with Jesus. Let us pray through the intercession of our patron St. Mark for a quick end to this dangerous virus. We are a people of hope, love, and joy. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

You all remain especially close to my priestly heart at the altar and in my daily prayers,

Father Dallas

Pastor of St. Mark Church

*PLEASE NOTE: Since this message was published, the church is no longer open.  In keeping with the governor’s order, Burlington Bishop Christopher Coyne has directed that all Catholic churches, chapels and shrines throughout the state be closed as of 5 p.m. March 25 and that all “non-essential” employees of the Catholic community (as defined by the governor’s order) work remotely as need be.