St. Mark Catholic Church Newsletter — July/August 2021

Saint Mark

J U N E / J U LY 2 0 2 1

NEWSLETTER

Liturgy Schedule Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. (Spanish) Sunday: 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m. (reserved for 60 & above parishioners), 4:00 p.m. (Lifeteen) Daily Mass: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, 7:30 a.m.; Wed, 12 p.m. (noon) Adoration: Mon. - Thurs. 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Confessions: Sat, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Rocky Railway Vacation Bible School Was “Full Steam Ahead” for 2021 Program

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uring summer 2021, it was “all aboard” for the St. Mark Rocky Railway Vacation Bible School!

This year’s Vacation Bible School program had a different look, with families attending together from 6:30-8:30 p.m., June 14-16 under the big tent on the church campus. Volunteer Director Susan Hein, along with Jennifer Cahak and Jackie Boos, planned a boxcar full of fun activities all geared to the message that “Jesus has the power to pull us through hard times.”

The theme had been planned for the 2020 Vacation Bible School program, but when COVID-19 restrictions were put in place, the event was canceled. As planning began for this year, the “Rocky Railway” theme remained, with the setup designed to keep everyone safe. The program also was shortened from five nights to three.

“We thought if we create family spaces and have them stay within that space, we’d bring the materials for all the activities to them,” says Andrea Woolums, St. Mark’s Coordinator of Elementary/Associate Middle School Youth Minister. “In other years, the kids move from station to station, but this year the stations will rotate. “[The Rocky Railway theme] is such an appropriate message!” she adds. “The Holy Spirit works, with it all about Jesus’s power of pulling us through hard times.”

Each family space was dubbed a “Family Railroad Crossing,” and each family attending received a personalized railroad crossing sign. Activities were directed from the stage in the tent, and each family could respond to activities on the stage by raising the crossing arms on the sign. continued on page 2

Rocky Railway Vacation Bible School Was “Full Steam Ahead” for 2021 Program

“We are making it real personalized and they can have fun and be safe in their space,” Andrea says.

During the three days of Rocky Railway, the message focused on the Catholic Connections — that is, the sacraments.

“We’ve been away from the sacraments over the past year,” Andrea says. “It will be the message of coming back to the Eucharist. This is what got us through the challenges as we come out of the pandemic.”

With the format changes, only 30 teen volunteers were helping — some were busy as the “Fun Engineers.” Each Fun Engineer took care of five families during the games to lead, assist and support them. Other teen volunteers acted out the Catholic Connections in skits on stage, between the Rocky Railway stations that were also held on stage.

Twenty-five adults helped to make St. Mark Rocky Railway possible this summer.

On the last night, our Knights of Columbus Council cooked hot dogs for a picnic.

“They will be putting the hotdogs into dinner bags, according to the diocesan guidelines,” Andrea says. “After the picnic, we’ll watch a slide show from the previous two days and several skits. We really appreciate our Knights of Columbus for their support.”

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“We’ve been away from the sacraments over the past year. It will be the message of coming back to the Eucharist. This is what got us through the challenges as we come out of the pandemic.”

— Andrea Woolums

A Letter From Our Pastor

Redefining Love Through the Sacred Heart of Jesus Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

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ne of the great feasts of the Christian occurs every June, but it is often overlooked. It doesn’t fall on a Sunday, and it isn’t a Holy Day of Obligation. I am referring to the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, which was on June 11 this year.

This wonderful feast provided a great way to begin the summer.

However, despite widespread devotion and many parish dedications to the Sacred Heart, many Catholics have only a vague idea of what it’s all about. So, let me try to briefly fill in the picture.

Often, when we think of the heart, we think of it as the seat of our emotions and feelings. The heart is often contrasted with the mind, as though our God-given reason were somehow evil or, at best, second-rate. But feelings come and go — we can’t really depend on our emotions to be reliable, steady guides.

However, when classical theology refers to the heart, it is considering an aspect of human life that goes beyond our feelings. It includes our will, where we make decisions. The heart can be considered the center of our personhood.

In explaining Christian teaching about human nature, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “The spiritual tradition of the Church also emphasizes the heart, in the biblical sense of the depths of one’s being, where the person decides for or against God” (368).

It is common to mistakenly label love as an emotion.

Love often includes feelings, but true love is more than that.

Real love is a settled attitude that wants the best for the person being loved. That’s why the Church’s teaching usually uses the term “charity” — to distinguish the Christian virtue

from the more superficial popular concept of love.

The Catechism tells us, “Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. Jesus makes charity the new commandment. By loving his own ‘to the end,’ he makes manifest the Father’s love which he receives. By loving one another, the disciples imitate the love of Jesus which they themselves receive” (CCC, 1822-1823).

This sort of love, this charity — demonstrated by Jesus Christ and commanded to His followers — is no lightweight passing emotion. Feelings alone do not bring one to offer oneself to an agonizing death for the sake of someone else. No, that sort of sacrifice can only come from a considered and deliberate decision.

Although we sometimes forget that fact, Jesus is fully human as well as fully divine. So, His human heart was involved in His sacrifice on the Cross. Thus, simply put, devotion to the Sacred Heart reminds us of the basic fact that God loves us. It was a costly love, the ultimate act of charity, to give His life on our behalf.

We know the kind of love Jesus has for us. What kind of loving response are you going to make? How will that affect your use of your time, talent and treasure?

In Christ, Fr. George Pastor

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Parish Youth Enjoy Plenty of Fun and Fellowship during Summer Activities

Our St. Mark’s youth have enjoyed a number of activities this summer, from outdoor hiking to Bible study and meeting in the Discipleship Group.

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Celebrating the Sacraments and Congratulating Our Parish Youth The St. Mark’s community extends our heartfelt congratulations to our parish youth who have received the Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation this spring. Our prayers are with you, as you proceed on your faith journey!

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A Catholic’s Guide to

Good Summer Reading H ave you been wondering what to read during vacation this year? Why not give spiritual reading a try?

There are thousands of titles out there — too many for any one person — just waiting to make a positive impact on your faith life. Reading is a fantastic opportunity for general spiritual direction and good practice for every searching soul.

Choose a title from “you can’t go wrong” authors such as Louis de Wohl, G.K. Chesterton, Peter Kreeft, Francis de Sales, C.S. Lewis, and Scott Hahn. Their works alone should take you well into the summer, and possibly through to the next decade.

Or, choose from this list of great Christian books, in no particular order:

Teresa of Calcutta speaks joyfully about her work with the poor and God’s call in our lives.

Surprised by Truth edited by Patrick Madrid

Eleven converts give their Biblical and historical reasons for becoming Catholic. These unique personal testimonies continue to transform hearts throughout the world in an insightful read for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

In this autobiography and all-time favorite Catholic book, St. Therese teaches her “little way” of spiritual childhood. Millions of copies have been sold worldwide.

Something For Young Catholics

As for the little ones at home, nothing settles them into bed better than a good book. Seek wholesome children’s literature that communicates Christian messages. Be sure they are positive, healthy stories with characters they can emulate that inspire virtues such as courage, justice, charity, patience, generosity and prudence. To name a few:

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

The Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux

One of the most popular introductions to the Christian faith ever published, this series of broadcast talks has been collected into book fashion. Mere Christianity sets out to “explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times.”

This series of seven fantasy novels is considered a classic in children’s literature. Chronicles of Narnia alludes to traditional Christian ideas within the framework of an exciting tale of adventure.

This offers a conversion story of a brilliant, anti-Catholic Scripture scholar and his wife to the Catholic faith. Now wellknown speakers and Catholic apologists, Scott and Kimberly recount their story with simplicity and love.

to 4-year-olds to Catholic customs. It is written in an ageappropriate, beautifully explained way.

Little Acts of Grace by Rosemarie Gortler, Mimi Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism Sternhagen (Illustrator) and Donna Piscitelli This beginning-level book is a fantastic way to introduce 2

by Scott and Kimberly Hahn

All (or just one) of the 20 books of the Mary Fabyan Windeatt saint biographies

The Good News about Sex & Marriage: Answers This unbeatable collection of saint stories, appropriate for to Your Honest Questions about Catholic children of all ages, is perfect to read aloud with the whole family.

Teaching by Christopher West This down-to-earth application of Pope St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body is an easy-to-read, yet insightful account of the Church’s teaching on sex and marriage.

What Catholics Really Believe by Karl Keating

Addressing 52 of the greatest misconceptions of the Catholic faith, Keating draws upon Scripture and Tradition to dispel errors and explain the rationale behind Church teaching.

No Greater Love by Mother Teresa

This anthology collects the teachings and sayings of St. Teresa of Calcutta. Founder of the Missionaries of Charity and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, St. 6

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta: Missionary of Charity by Sr. Mary Kathleen Glavich

There is no better way to introduce children to St. Teresa of Calcutta! This book highlights her work with the poor and includes a special prayer for children.

The Story of Easter by Aileen Fisher

Tells the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and explores how different cultures celebrate Easter. This is recommended for children in first through third grades.

Happy summer! Happy reading!

Meet Jerry and Julie Wildhaber:

Giving Back in Stewardship to the Parish Community

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As a couple, they volunteer for hen asked to share their the Welcome Committee. They call favorite part of being people who are new at St. Mark’s involved at St. Mark’s, Jerry and to welcome them and answer Julie Wildhaber don’t hesitate to any questions. Each month, they give a heartfelt answer. also help with the Bread of Life “We love our parish and everyone Ministry by picking up excess in it,” Julie says. “It’s one big family.” food from local grocery stores and It’s because of their love for our delivering it to organizations that Lord and our parish that the couple help those in need. The couple is involved in several ministries at had also been involved with the St. Mark’s.

Religious Education program in “You feel good being involved,” prior years, and hope to volunteer Julie says. “You are helping, and again in the future. that’s what we are here for.”

Both Jerry and Julie are so Jerry and Julie were both raised thankful for the opportunity to be as cradle Catholics, and they have involved in all these ministries. practiced the Catholic faith all through They admit, when they were both their lives. working, it was hard to find the The couple moved to Denton time to volunteer. in 2011 to be near their twin Jerry and Julie Wildhaber “After the twins went to grandchildren. They initially began kindergarten, we said, ‘Now we attending St. Mark’s for the 7 a.m.

Sunday Mass and they loved the community they found have the time — let’s give back,’” Julie says.

For the couple, there are so many beautiful and impactful here. Both Jerry and Julie have really enjoyed getting to know Fr. George. They feel blessed to have him as our aspects of the Catholic faith. But they each have something Pastor, and they appreciate his caring and considerate that is personally meaningful to their faith journeys.

“I just really care about little people, both the born and personality.

Jerry and Julie spent many years helping care for their unborn,” Jerry says.

“I really love St. John Paul II,” Julie says. “I’m Polish young grandchildren. However, when the twins went to kindergarten, Jerry and Julie knew it was time to get more and he reminds me of my grandpa.”

As Julie notes, she loves St. John Paul II’s message, “Be involved at St. Mark’s. For the past five years, Jerry has led not afraid.” the Catholic Way Bible Study.

As they continue to share their gifts with St. Mark’s, “I am a cradle Catholic, but I have really learned a lot Jerry and Julie feel blessed by everyone around them. in Bible study,” he says.

“We have never belonged to a church that is so “Jerry is the teacher, and I’m more like the clean-up welcoming,” Jerry says. crew,” Julie adds.

Jerry is also a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus through the various churches has attended over the years, including here at St. Mark’s.

“You feel good being involved. You For Julie, one ministry she really enjoys is counting the collection on Monday mornings with a group. She also are helping, and that’s what we helps with washing the altar linens. are here for.” — Julie Wildhaber “I enjoy that ministry because I really like to iron,” she says with a laugh.

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Saint Mark 6500 Crawford Road│Argyle, TX 76226 (940) 387-6223│www.stmarkdenton.org

All Masses can be streamed any time on the parish Facebook page — Facebook.com/st.markdenton.

If you are not attending Mass in person at this time, you can still contribute to the offertory through our online giving portal at membership.faithdirect.net/TX587 Or drop your check in the mail to St. Mark Catholic Church 6500 Crawford Rd. Argyle, TX 76226