Rev. Brian E. Hecktor Parochial Administrator frhecktor@stmarkstl.com

314.743.8609 - parish office 314.743.8620 - rectory

Rev. Ted Vitali, C.P. Non-Resident Associate

vitalit@slu.edu 314.729.7572

Deacon Richard Rosenkoetter Permanent Deacon

RichardRosenkoetter@archstl.org

PARISH: 4200 Ripa Avenue | St. Louis, MO 63125 Alice Wilcox - Bookkeeper

314.743.8603 | alicewilcox@archstl.org Christina Sanders, Ph.D. - Secretary

314.743.8602 | secretary@stmarkstl.com Rose Masidonski - Music Director

314.743.8605 | rosiemaz@hotmail.com Dean Little - Webmaster

314.544.8970 | webmaster@stmarkstl.com Julie Dwyer - Coordinator, Parish School of Religion

314.743.8604 | psr@stmarkstl.com

SCHOOL: 4220 Ripa Avenue | St. Louis, MO 63125 Fax: 314.743.8690

Julie Bingham - Principal 314.743.8643 | principal@stmarkstl.com

Mary Althage - Secretary 314.743.8641 | malthage@stmarkstl.com

Note: School’s summer hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 12 Noon.

ST. MARK CATHOLIC CHURCH 4220 Ripa Avenue | St. Louis, MO 63125

Office: 314.743.8600 | Fax: 314.743.8618 | www.stmarkstl.com

Mass Schedule Sunday: 7:00, 9:00, & 11:00 am

Monday - Friday: 6:30 am & 8:00 am Saturday: 8:00 am & 5:00 pm

Holy Day: please consult the bulletin

Confessions Tuesday: 8:00 to 9:00 pm | Saturday: 3:30 to 4:30 pm

Sacraments including anointing of seriously ill or dying

Call 314.743.8620 or 314.743.8609 to make an appointment with one of the Priests

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Tuesday: after 8:00 am Mass to 9:00 pm

Prayer Hotline Dolores Bollwerk - 314.631.5108

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Interested in becoming Catholic, speak with Fr. Brian Hecktor

314.743.8609 | 314.743.8620

Bulletin Announcements Submissions must be received by 12 Noon on the Monday prior to publication. Submit to Parish Office or secretary@stmarkstl.com

CLERGY

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time July 19, 2020

From the Desk of Fr. Brian Hecktor …

Dear St. Mark Parishioners,

More people are coming back to Mass! Although it is far from normal, there are more feels and sounds as there were before the pandemic, such as the wonderful sounds of babies in church. It’s great to hear that again! I thank God for your faith and how you practice it. Whether at church or at home, keep it up! Congratulations and thank you! We surpassed our Annual Catholic Appeal goal! As of Friday, July 10, we have collected $49,838 to help people across the Archdiocese! The challenge goal is $61,608. If you have not yet returned your envelope, please do so! Even five dollars will help. Our participation rate is only at 24%, and we’re striving for at least 30% participation. Thank you for your sacrifices and generosity! PSR registration is open. Look for the registration envelopes in the cafeteria. We are still in need of 2nd, 6th, and 7th Grade catechists. These are paid positions that require a basic knowledge of the Catholic Faith. Please talk to me or Julie Dwyer if you would like to offer your time and effort to helping our students learn the Faith! Many thanks to all who help keep our parish clean and disinfected. We have Bill and Mary in the school and church each day, and we have many other volunteers who help clean the church. Thank you for maintaining a safe and healthy environment in which we can pray! Just before the shutdown, I posted a bulletin article about the importance of quiet and prayerfulness in church. While in church, before and after Mass, on the way up and down the aisles, while cleaning or doing other work, please continue to be aware of others trying to pray, and always be aware of the Presence of our Lord in this holy place. A respectful quiet, abstaining from unnecessary talking, and keeping your voice down if you need to talk in church is appropriate. It’s so hard to nurture community while we’re unable to congregate, so remember to politely ask people to wait to converse until outside church on the way to the car after Mass. Thank you!

God bless you and have a great week! Fr. Hecktor

Church Building Hours for Individual Prayer Monday - Saturday | 6 am - 12 Noon

Parish Office Hours Monday - Thursday | 8 am - 4:30 pm

Friday | 8 am - 12 Noon

Sunday Bulletin Distribution After Sunday Masses

At https://www.stmarkstl.com/bulletins Email by signing up at ebulletin.jspaluch.com

Mass Online Go to www.stmarkstl.com to view Masses celebrated

at St. Mark Church. Refer to the right.

Archdiocese of Saint Louis Statements re: COVID-19

https://www.archstl.org/coronavirus

Dispensation from attending Sunday Mass applies for anyone who yet feels unsafe coming to Mass.

TV, RADIO, ONLINE, & LIVE STREAM MASS

+ KPLR ch. 11 (CW) at 8:30 am + KTVI channel 2.2 (Antenna TV) at 9:00 am. + Heart of the Nation’s Mass online anytime on

Sundays at www.HeartoftheNation.org. + EWTN: 7:00 am (live) or 11:00 am (encore) + RADIO: Covenant Network (WRYT AM 1080 /

KHOJ AM 1460) at 10:00 am, live from the Cathedral Basilica

+ Online & Live Stream Masses are found at: www.stmarkstl.com Instagram live: @stmarkcatholicstl Facebook: St. Mark Catholic School

WANT TO BECOME CATHOLIC?

All adults interested in journeying into faith and becoming fully initiated* into the Catholic Church are invited to contact Fr. Brian Hecktor: frhecktor@stmarkstl.com or 314.743.8609.

*“Fully initiated” means you want to convert to the Catholic Faith or you are a baptized Catholic wanting to receive First Reconciliation and/or First Communion and/or Confirmation.

Now Available! Registration packets for new and returning PSR students are available in the cafeteria after all Masses, Monday - Friday between 9am - Noon, or Tuesdays between 8am - 9pm. (Enter church via the "children's cry room" doors.)

Registration deadline is August 28, and school is scheduled to begin September 14. Email any questions to PSR@stmarkstl.com. We look forward to welcoming you to

the 2020-21 PSR school year!

Mass Intentions

July 18 - 26 (Saints & Observations) Saturday 5:00 People of the Parish (16th Sunday, Ordinary Time)

Live streaming & recording at www.stmarkstl.com Sunday (16th Sunday in Ordinary Time) 7:00 Charles Wilcox 9:00 Barbara Ferretti 11:00 Susan Holmes Monday (St. Apollinaris) 6:30 Mary Lou Ricciotti (rescheduled from 4/20 at 6:30 am)

8:00 Roxanne Astroth Tuesday (St. Lawrence of Brindisi) 6:30 Fr. Patrick Hambrough - Special Intention

(rescheduled from 3/11 at 6:30 am) 8:00 Firefighter Ryan Hummert Wednesday (St. Mary Magdalene) 6:30 Laura Mary Magdalene Casagrande 8:00 Marian Poetz Thursday (St. Bridget) 6:30 Peggy Vonder Haar 8:00 Michael Barrett Friday (St. Sharbel Makhlūf) 6:30 Ed Deters 8:00 Living & Deceased Grandparents of the

Sanders & Meyer Families Saturday (St. James) 8:00 Mel Hock 5:00 People of the Parish (17th Sunday, Ordinary Time)

Live streaming & recording at www.stmarkstl.com Sunday (17th Sunday in Ordinary Time) 7:00 Memory of Sarah Torcco & Anna Scotino 9:00 Lee & George Sweeney 11:00 Dottie & Floyd Bauer & Family

Readings for the Week

Monday: Mi 6:1-4, 6-8; Ps 50:5-6, 8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 12:38-42 Tuesday: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps 85:2-8; Mt 12:46-50 Wednesday: Sg 3:1-4b or 2 Cor 5:14-17; Ps 63:2-6, 8-9; Jn 20:1-2, 11-18 Thursday: Jer 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13; Ps 36:6-7ab, 8-11; Mt 13:10-17 Friday: Jer 3:14-17; Jer 31:10-12abcd, 13; Mt 13:18-23 Saturday: 2 Cor 4:7-15; Ps 126:1bc-6; Mt 20:20-28 Sunday: 1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12; Ps 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-130; Rom 8:28-30; Mt 13:44-52 [44-46]

Readings for Sunday, July 19

First Reading: You taught your people that those who are just must likewise be kind (Wisdom 12:13, 16-19). Psalm: Lord, you are good and forgiving (Psalm 86). Second Reading: The Spirit comes to aid us in our weakness (Romans 8:26-27). Gospel: Jesus proposes parables to the crowds, teaching them of the reign of God (Matthew 13:24-43 [24-30]).

The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

Ministry Schedule

July 25 & 26 5:00 Lectors: P. Garland Minister: K. Goersch Hospitality: M. Paur, R. Chinnici, R. Flynn 7:00 Lector: C. Oberbeck Minister: C. Fleming Hospitality: D. Webb, T. Wright, C. Gay 9:00 Lectors: T. Bast, J. Laurenti Minister: C. Cashel Hospitality: H., J., S., T. Bast 11:00 Lector: K. Gillman Minister: S. Hentz Hospitality: J. & M. Bono, J. & M. Diethelm

Servers are needed for all Masses this week with the exception of: Thursday, July 23 | 6:30 | J. & H. Bast. Dear New and Returning Servers,

We would like to start a new method for scheduling servers for Masses. If you would like to continue serving (and I really need you to!), please fill out the server sign up sheet. Mark your preferences for Mass. We will then make a serving schedule and send it to you. Please return the sheet (mail, drop off, or email frhecktor@stmarkstl.com) to me or Christina Sanders at the Parish Office (4200 Ripa Ave. | St. Louis, MO | 63125). Sheets may be obtained from the Parish Office.

Thank you and God bless you. Fr. Hecktor

Altar Server Schedule: July 20 - 26

… for those who have died, especially: Charlene Eike and Nancy Stiehl. May they, and all the faithful departed, rest in peace. … for the sick, especially: Carolyn Fontaine, and those suffering from COVID-19, and mental illness, drug and/or alcohol addition.

SILVER & GOLD Wedding Jubilee Mass Sunday, October 11, 2020

Mass Celebrant: Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski 2:30 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis,

4431 Lindell Blvd. | St. Louis, MO 63108

Are you celebrating 25, 50, or over 50 years of marriage during 2020?

Register today! Couples registered by September 11th will have their names and wedding date printed in the Mass Program. For details, or to register, visit archstl.org/jubilee or call 314.792.7598.

Tithing, your gift to God.

July 12, 2020 Offering

Envelopes: $10,604.00 Loose $ 346.00 School Support: $ 535.00 Online Giving: $ 1,530.00 Total: $13,015.00

Please consider a gift today. Mail your gift to: 4200 Ripa Avenue | St. Louis, MO 63125

Have questions, contact Alice Wilcox at 314.743.8603 or alicewilcoz@archstl.org.

Last month I said we would try to have a meeting in July. Well now we are going to try for August. With social distancing it would be hard to meet, and sitting outside would be a little too hot. I know we are all missing each other’s smiling faces, so hopefully we can work something out for next month.

Thanks and Please Stay Safe! ~~Ray Kraus

Young Catholic Musicians Auditions Vocal and Instrumental auditions for The Young Catholic Musicians (YCM) orchestra and choir are being held during July. Ages 10 – 17 are welcome to audition. For more information about YCM go to: www.youngcatholicmusicians.org. Contact Fr. Bruce Forman, Director, at 314-231-7464 or revycm@charter.net to schedule an audition.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Tuesdays 9 am to 9 pm

You may want to send a note card to someone informing them that they are remembered in prayer. This card is available on the vestibule table during Adoration. The card has a picture of the monstrance with the words …

A holy hour of adoration before Christ in the Blessed Sacrament has been prayed for all your needs and intentions. Blessings from Date

“If we are to know the Lord, we must go to Him. Listen to Him in silence before the Tabernacle and approach Him in the Sacraments.” —Pope Francis

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WANTED! VOLLEYBALL OFFICIALS & SCOREKEEPERS

You must be 13 years old by September 1 to be an OFFICIAL. Anyone interested in officiating CYC Volleyball must take the test. You can use the rule book to help, but you must know the rules to referee. The test is online, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeEk8GG3oe_Sl-t6uA26EGpwqezw0wjk407skDMpFsQXTPJgQ/viewform. Please take this in the next week.

You must be 12 years old by September 1 to be a SCOREKEEPER, there is not a test, but pay attention at the clinic. You do need to know how to keep score.

All officials and scorekeepers must attend a clinic.

If you want to be an official or scorekeeper, you must contact Kelly Goersch, thefourks@live.com. Any questions please email Kelly or call 314.504.5397.

For more information please go to the South County CYC website, WWW.CYCSTLSCNTY.NET. Then select Volleyball and Volleyball officials.

You must also carry insurance, the cost is $5 for the entire year https://playcyc.org/officiate/certification/

BOWLING BALLS NEEDED TO KEEP ST. MARK GARDENS ROLLING WITH BEAUTY!

Do you have an old bowling ball or two laying around your house? If your answer is “yes,” please donate your bowling ball(s) to the Gardening Angels group. The group will use them to decorated the parish grounds. Call Patti Ebel (314.540.5431) to arrange pick up.

DO THE FIVE 1. HANDS - Wash them often

& often fold them in prayer 2. ELBOW - Cough into it 3. FACE - Wear a Mask & do not

touch it 4. FEET - Stay more than 6 feet

apart from others 5. FEEL sick - Stay home

SAINT SHARBEL MAKHLŪF (1828-1898) July 24

The convenience store owner chatted animatedly in Arabic with coworkers, but hardly at all with his American clientele. So soon after 9/11, he probably figured, with my accent, the less said, the better. That changed when an American customer recognized Saint Sharbel’s portrait on the wall: “So you’re Lebanese Maronites!” The owner was happily incredulous: “You know our saint?” “Not at first,” the customer admitted. “But we help the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, and their magazine published that picture and

called Sharbel the ‘Paradoxical Artisan of Peace.’” “Everyone thinks we’re Muslims,” said the owner, “and some of my workers are. Saint Sharbel helps us live together in peace!” A hermit for twenty-three years, little is known of Sharbel’s life. He died after suffering a stroke while celebrating the liturgy. Miracles attributed to his intercession number in the thousands, and in war-torn Lebanon, Catholics, Orthodox, and Muslims pray together where his incorrupt body is entombed. How lovely if after our passing, we too could be remembered for having brought very different people to the one God, together in peace.

—Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

O God, who called the Priest Saint Sharbel Makhluf to the solitary combat of the desert and imbued him with all manner of devotion, grant us, we pray, that, being made imitators of

the Lord's Passion, we may merit to be co-heirs of his Kingdom. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the

Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

When faced with “Stay at Home” / “Shelter in Place” orders, the PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY ladies became “busy bees” by crocheting and knitting the beautiful shawls pictured above.

Each shawl is made with the intention of offering prayer and comfort to the recipient. If you would like to receive a blessed shawl, please call Marion Hebrank at 314.487.2207.

Thank you ladies for continuing your ministry work at home over the last several months.

RED ROSES BOUQUET OF LIFE FOR THE UNBORN

St. Mark Church offers expectant parents, grandparents and friends an opportunity to add a red rose in the Bouquet of Life vase at Church for those expecting a baby. The vase and extra roses are located on the table beneath the Mother of Perpetual Help icon on the far side of the choir area. Each rose has a ribbon tag with space to write the names of the expectant parents and the due date of the unborn child before placing it in the vase.

We entrust our unborn children to Mary’s loving heart.

ST. MARK PRAY FOR US.

ST. MARK PARISH PRAYER CHALLENGE Week of July 18 - 24

Submitted by incoming 2nd grader Rosalind Beck

Dear God, Please make sure everyone is always kind to each other.

Amen

PRAYER OF BLESSING FOR OUR FAITH COMMUNITY

Blessed are you, Lord, God of mercy, who through your Son gave us a marvelous example of charity and the great commandment of love for one another. Send down your blessings on the faith community of ST. MARK, who you have called to help the sick, elderly, poor, lonely and marginalized during this difficult time. When we are called on in times of need, let us faithfully serve you in our neighbor. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Adapted from the Book of Blessings, Order for the Blessing of Organizations Concerned with Public Need.

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION On a summer day, with the windows open, we may hear the sound of church bells. Bells seem to have come into church life in Irish monasteries around the seventh century, and spread around the Christian world by Irish monks on missionary journeys. By the eighth century, bells were standard equipment in even small parish churches. An ancient ceremony, once called the “baptism of the bells,” recognizes that the church bell has a voice to call people to awareness and summon them to worship, and even bestows a name on the bell. In a world without clocks or watches, the bell had an indispensable role. For calling monks in from the fields for prayer, or alerting far-flung visitors, the bell’s voice was enhanced by hoisting it high into a tower. Soon it was learned that the sound of several bells clanging together in harmony imparted a sense of joy to great celebrations, and bell towers prospered, some chock full of bells. Different combinations of rings could indicate a death, a Mass, a wedding, a fast day, the curfew at the end of day, and The Angelus. Before electricity, bell-ringing was hard work indeed: the biggest bell in the Catholic world, in Cologne, Germany, weighs twenty-seven tons! There’s no substitute for the resonant roar of a mighty bell; electric chimes are not eligible for blessing!

—James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Information Page Church Name and Address: St. Mark Catholic Church 4200 Ripa Avenue St. Louis, MO 63125 Bulletin #: 930000 Phone: 314.743.8600 Contact Person, Phone, & Email address: Christina Sanders, Ph.D. 314.743.8602 (office desk) secretary@stmarkstl.com Transmission Time: July 14, 2020 @ 10:30 Sunday Date of Publication: July 19, 2020 Number of Pages Sent, including this “information page”: eight (8) Special Instructions: 450 bulletins