LITURGICAL MINISTRY:

Altar Servers:  Young people, third grade and older, assist the priests during the celebration of the mass and other liturgies.  Training sessions are scheduled throughout the year.  Liturgical Coordinator. Server Schedule

Art & Environment:  Preparing & decorating  the church for the liturgical seasons to provide the proper environment for worship. Kathy Christoferson 

Ministers of Holy Communion:  Assist the priest in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass and, in the absence of a priest, at Eucharistic services.  Training session required.  Liturgical Coordinator.

Lectors:  Proclaim the Sacred Scriptures at Sunday and daily Mass and at other liturgical services.  Training session required.  Liturgical Coordinator.

Music Ministry:  Sharing your special vocal and instrumental talents at Mass and special sacramental celebrations that take place during the year.  Rehearsals scheduled 30 minutes before weekend Masses and for special programs.  David Gilmore.

LIFE TEEN Music Ministry:  LIFE TEEN Music is an essential component of the LIFE TEEN Sunday Evening Mass.  Vocalists and instrumentalists practice on Sunday afternoon.  Joseph McGlynn  josephmcglynn@hotmail.com

Ushers:  Greet and assist the parishioners in a friendly & welcoming manner to find their seats, directing them to the reception of the Eucharist and taking up the collections.  Contact Church Office.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word:  Pre-school through 1^st grade children hear and share the readings & gospel for the Mass in a relaxed setting.  The priest calls them forward to process out with the lectionary.  They return to the Mass after the homily.  Ginnie Kelson  or vkelson@charter.net

Nursery:  Infants and toddlers are cared for during the Sunday Masses in the parish nursery.  Parents are asked to sign up to volunteer occasionally in the nursery.  Dzintra Tuttle.  

SACRAMENTAL MINISTRY

Hospital, Nursing Home & Homebound Ministry:  Ministers of Holy Communion make visits on a regular schedule to bring Communion to those unable to attend services at St. Mark.  Eucharistic training involved.  Teresa Enos.

Baptismal Preparation:  Parents and godparents of children under 7 years are required to attend a special class.  Sign up in the office.  Carol Walker.

First Reconciliation, First Communion & Confirmation:  Preparation classes are offered through Faith Formation.  Carol Macsas  

Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults - RCIA & Students - RCIA(C) age 7-17:  Classes provide participants with a basic understanding of the nature and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church as well as its liturgical & sacramental life. Classes are open to non-Catholics interested in learning about Catholicism and to Catholics who desire to review and deepen their knowledge of the faith.  Preparation classes are offered on a weekly basis from September to Pentecost through Faith Formation/Religious Education.  Carol Macsas.

Sponsor Couples for Marriage Preparation:  Volunteer couples are paired with newly engaged couples after they have met with the pastor.  The couples meet on a regular basis to help with issues and questions regarding married life.  Athena Stolzer.

PARISH COMMUNITY LIFE

Support for Parish Operations & Facilities:

Collection Counters:  Two groups of trained parishioners who tally the weekend offerings on Mondays.  Ernie Wendling.

Weekend Office Volunteers:  Volunteers help in the church office 30 minutes before & after weekend Masses greeting visitors, answering the phone, helping new parishioners register.  Carol Walker

Daily Office Volunteers:   Office volunteers help on weekday mornings or as needed by answering the phone, greeting visitors, and doing light clerical duties.  Carol Walker

Funeral Meal and Special Needs Meals:  Provides a meal for the deceased’s family after the funeral at their home or the church.  Also helps with meals for people with special needs.  This ministry is coordinated by the Welcome Committee.  Call the church office to make arrangements. 

Landscaping:  A group of volunteers maintain the area outside of the church.  This includes mowing, edging, weeding, and care of the flower beds and shrubs.  Charles Ervine 

Parish Library:  Volunteers help in the parish library next to the Faith Formation Office during Religious Ed classes and after the 9:00 am mass on Sundays.  Carol Macsas

Sunday Morning Hospitality:  Volunteers serve donuts, coffee, & juice after the 9:00 am Sunday Mass, September through May.  Includes set-up and clean-up.  Coordinator needed.  Mary Birden, Volunteer Coordinator.

Temporalities:  What’s that!?  It’s everything that it takes to operate the church outside of the spiritual realm.  Do you have carpentry talent?  Are you a certified electrician, plumber, computer wizard?  Can you clean, wipe, dust, polish, sweep, or mop?  Do you want to help?  Do you have financial or human resource talents?  Do you know air conditioning and/or heating systems?  Lighting?  Can you lend a hand at St. Mark?  Contact Larry Walker, Business Manager, or Mary Birden, Volunteer Coordinator

Welcome Committee:   This group welcomes and helps new members register in the parish.  They are available to answer questions about the parish and sponsor new-family socials.  The group helps at various parish social activities and coordinates the funeral meal and special meal ministry.  Meets 1^st Tuesday at 6:30 pm.  Teresa Landry

Outreach to those in Need:

Angel Tree:  St. Mark families join other community groups in helping children in need in the Denton area have a good Christmas by providing gifts of new clothing.  Names of children are placed on paper angels that decorate our Christmas tree. Diane Range. 

Apple Tree:  St. Mark joins Interfaith Ministries, Inc. and other groups in helping underprivileged children in the Denton ISD get the tools they need to begin a successful school year.  We provide two new sets of clothing for those students.  Names on paper apples decorate a tree each July & August in the foyer.  Mary Birden, .

Natural Family Planning:  Learn what the Church teaches about family planning.  A series of Natural Family Planning classes is offered periodically throughout the year.  Kent & Lori Wolf 

Our Daily Bread:  Volunteers from St. Mark help at the community soup kitchen at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on a weekly basis.  This project is supported by the churches & other community groups of Denton.  Fritz Range    Volunteers:  Emily Utz 

Prison Ministry:  Volunteers help to bring back the sacraments into the lives of 16 & 17 year old young men at the Texas Youth Facility in Flower Mound.  Program includes Bible Study and the Rosary.  Joe Boles & Harold Krist

Project Gabriel:  Group provides emotional, spiritual and practical support for mother’s facing crisis pregnancies, as well as parenting and adoption information.  Trained volunteers, Gabriel’s Angels, are paired directly with women to assist their needs.  Angel Auxiliary helps by gathering clothing & baby items, baby showers, transportation & baby-sitting.  Dzintra Tuttle

Support for Youth Programs:

Catholic Leaders as Youth (CLAY):  A youth group, 6^th -12^th grade, that exists to empower our youth leaders as they begin the active practice of their faith.  The program helps in developing their leadership skills as they organize and implement parish community service projects.  Carol Macsas 

Girl Scouts:  Junior troop, 3^rd through 5^th grade, meets every Monday at 6:30 pm.  Jennifer Bayer, 940-759-2441.  Cadet troop, 6^th through 8^th grade, meets on Mondays after school.  Patti Cooper

Lion’s Lambs:  Ministry for children age birth to 5 years and their caregivers.  Meet in the St. Mark Nursery every Wednesday from 9:30 – 11:30 am unless the office is closed.  Gina Martin & Karen York

Lion’s Cubs:  Ministry for children K-2^nd grade and their caregivers.  Meet 1^st Sunday of the month, Sept. – May, in Portable D-10, 3:30-5:15 pm.  Program includes a prayer, craft or activity related to the Catholic Faith, a snack & social time.  Gina Martin, Cindy Gray, or Jennifer Nicholson 

Lion’s Pride:   3rd, 4^th, & 5^th graders socialize, discuss fun Christian topics with activities & snacks.  Meet 1^st Sunday of the month, Sept. – May, Portable Rm D-8, 3:30-5:15pm.  Volunteers needed.

LIFE TEEN Core Team:   Adults of all ages (single & married), with an interest in the spiritual well-being of young people.  They participate at the LIFE TEEN Mass, help organize and facilitate LIFE TEEN, and attend all necessary planning meetings. Kelly Bayer  940-387-6223. 

LIFE TEEN Parents:  Parents take an active roll in supporting the LIFE TEEN Program.  This ministry includes:  hospitality, service, fundraising, publicity, prayer and more.  Kent Peyton

Schoenstatt Girls Youth:  Part of an international Catholic Lay apostolate for the moral & religious renewal of the world.  Middle and high school girls  meet on the second & fourth Fridays of the month.  Amanda Woolums

Groups & Organizations Supporting Spiritual, Educational, & Social Growth:

ACTS Ministry/Retreat:  ACTS is an acronym for Adoration, Community, Theology and Service.  The purpose of an ACTS weekend is to instill in the retreatants a new and deeper relationship with the Lord and fellow parishioners.  The ACTS ministry encourages more study of our faith and God’s word.  It strives to instill a virtue of service to the Lord, the parish, and to each other, through involvement in current ministries offered through the church.  Pierre or Gloria Rouly

Apostolate For Family Consecration:  The mission is to help families gain a better understanding of living the Catholic Faith and seek holiness.  Sunday Holy Hour:  10:15 am -11:15 am & 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm.  Meetings:  7:00 pm Friday.  Alan Zimmerer

Brothers & Sisters of Charity:  A Catholic community of singles, celibates, & families called as a monastic and domestic spiritual family into a deep relationship with and in Jesus Christ, an Apostolate supporting St. Mark Life Teen Ministry.  Meets 1^st & 3^rd Sunday, 3:00 pm-5:00 pm.  George Butterfield: 

Familia:  A group of husbands & fathers come together to study the bible and teachings of the Church to strengthen their faith to take home to their families.  Meet every Saturday at 7:00 am at Divine Mercy Bookstore.  Dan Grieco

Father John’s Bible Study:  Fr. John leads a discussion of the scriptures for the upcoming weekend Masses.  All are invited and encouraged to attend.  Wednesday, 10:00-11:00 am in Portable E. 

Knights of Columbus:  The K of C is a fraternal organization for men ages 18 & up.  The St. Mark Council sponsors the annual St. Mark Parish Feast day Picnic each spring, one of the Lenten Suppers and Stations of the Cross, blood drives, Pro Life activities, and helps in supporting Our Lady of Grace HS and various charitable activities.  They meet on the 2^nd Thursday of each month, 7:30 pm in the portables.  Dan Grieco, Grand Knight.  .

Lady Knights:  Spouses, daughters, & widows of Knights.  The group meets socially to support the Knights’ and other parish activities.  They step in and help where needed.  Meets on the 3^rd Thursday.  Mary Graves

Saint Helena’s Circle:  Daytime women’s group that meets on the 2^nd Tuesday of each month, Sept. – May.  Service includes making the stoles for St. Mark baptisms and preparing a meal for the Hospice Bereavement Group in April.  Social activities include a special mass and luncheon in December, a Valentine’s party, and special outings.  Jo Polen

Saint Mark Scrapbook Night:  A new group that will meet one Saturday night each month from 7 – 11 pm. This is an opportunity for fellowship while learning the art of scrapbooking with emphasis on “Faithbooking”, a way to give thanks to God for good memories, friends, and family. All are welcome, but anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.  Jodie Gibson  or Dzintra Tuttle

Schoenstatt Movement:  This group is part of an international Catholic lay apostolate for the moral and religious renewal of the world.  A Marian movement of education, Schoenstatt forms the entire person through self-education without the demand of “requirements.” Locally, the Schoenstatt Families meet on the second and fourth Fridays of the month for community, education and discussion of Schoenstatt spirituality and its application to daily family life.  Brent & Andrea Woolums

FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMS & VOLUNTEER

OPPORTUNITIES

 St. Mark offers a variety of opportunities for Religious Education/Faith Formation opportunities for children, youth, and adults as well as Sacramental Preparation programs for students and adults.  The programs are entirely dependent upon volunteers and exist only because our parishioners are willing to donate their time & talents to the program.   

Elementary Faith Formation:  Programs are offered for children from age three through the fifth grade from September through May.  Generally, students meet on Sunday mornings (10:15am – 11:15am), Wednesday evenings (5:15pm-6:15pm), or participate in a home study program. Age appropriate instruction and material is provided for all age levels including those participating in home study.

Children’s Social Ministries include Lion’s Lambs, Lion’s Cubs, and Lion’s Pride (Description included in Parish Community Life).  These programs provide children with an opportunity to play and learn about their faith with other children their own age. Vacation Bible School is offered during June for children who will be age four by the next September through fifth grade.  Our middle school and high school students assist in the presentation of Vacation Bible School.  A youth group, CLAY, exists to empower our youth leaders as they begin the active practice of their faith.

Middle School Youth Ministry (MSYM):  The MSYM goal is to reach all registered middle school students of St. Mark.  The Wednesday night sessions focus on learning about the Catholic Faith.  Students are also encouraged to participate in our service ministry through events such as Angel Tree shopping, sponsoring parish food drives, helping with Vacation Bible School, and more.  The middle school students minister to the parish by leading one of the Stations of the Cross during Lent followed by a Lenten Supper.  They provide booths for fun during the St. Mark Feast Day Celebration & picnic.  Favorite experiences include Lock-ins twice a year and participation in diocesan events such as World Youth Day at Six Flags, Friends Altogether in Christ Experiencing the Spirit (FACES), and the Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference.

Michele Gilmore, Coordinator of MSYM.  

Parenting 201:  This ministry is offered to parents of middle school students through the Adolescent Issues Speaker Series.  Watch the Bulletin for details.

High School Youth Ministry (HSYM): The main focus of high school Faith Formation is the LIFE TEEN Program which includes the LIFE TEEN Mass on Sunday at 5:30pm followed by LIFE Night. This involves pertinent discussions which allow the students to experience a deeper spirituality. The LIFE TEEN program is supported by the LIFE TEEN Core Team, LIFE TEEN Parents, and the LIFE TEEN Music Ministry (description included under Parish Community Life).  Bible Study, discussion groups, Adoration, and Confirmation Preparation are all part of the HSYM program.  Teens are frequently called on to perform service activities including Vacation Bible School, Stations of the Cross & Lenten Supper, the St. Mark Feast Day picnic, and helping with other events in the parish.  Other activities include retreats, World Youth Day at Six Flags, the Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference, and other social events.  Kelly (K-Bob) Bayer, Coordinator of HSYM. 

Adult Faith Formation:  Adult faith formation classes are offered several times a year on various topics usually meeting on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evenings.

Catholic Roundtable is a facilitated discussion group.  Offered primarily in the fall, it appeals to participants who enjoy meeting people with similar interests to discuss and share their Catholic Faith. 

RCIA (the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is an appropriate course for adults who wish to learn more about the basics of their faith or are interested in becoming Catholic.

 In addition, special speakers are brought in on a variety of topics for adult enrichment programs.  A class for adults who wish to deepen their knowledge of their faith is planned for the spring. These will be announced in the bulletin. 

 As part of our Keeping Children, Youth and Vulnerable Adults Safe (KCYVAS) Policy, two adults must be present whenever children, youth, and vulnerable adults are involved in any program.  All volunteers who work directly with children must complete a background check, and attend the Diocesan Class on Keeping Children, Youth, and Vulnerable Adults Safe.

These training classes are offered at St. Mark in the fall and spring.

 Volunteer Opportunities:

1.     Catechist coordinator & Catechist (teacher) for all levels of Religious Education Classes.

2.     Adult coordinators of leadership programs for the youth.

3.     Catechists (teachers) for Intergenerational Faith Formation Programs.

4.     Helpers (aides) for all classes and other programs.

5.     Substitutes teachers for all classes.

6.     Sacramental Preparation Catechists for Baptism Classes, First Reconciliation & First Communion Classes for 2^nd grade, Confirmation Classes for High School Students & Adults. 

7.     Retreat Coordinators & Facilitators for 1^st Reconciliation, 1^st Communion Classes, & Confirmation Classes for older students.

8.     Chaperones for Confirmation Retreats.

9.     Catechists (teachers) for Godparent & Sponsor Classes for Baptism &, Confirmation of RCIA & RCIA(C) candidates & catechumens. 

10. Sponsors and Sponsor Families for RCIA & RCIA(C) Candidates, Catechumens, and Confirmands.

11. Prison Ministry:  Male adults to provide catechesis & faith formation at the Texas Youth Facility.

12. Vacation Bible School Coordinators; Station Leaders; Teen Coordinators to assist the youth crew leaders as they pass their faith on to the younger children.

13. Children’s Liturgy of the Word Coordinators & Ministers.

14. Special Education Catechists to teach religion to children with learning disabilities.

15. Intergenerational Christmas Pageant Coordinators and assistants.

16. Stations of the Cross & Lenten Supper Coordinators.

17. Crowning of Mary Coordinators in May.

18. Children’s Social Ministry Group Coordinators:  Lion’s Lambs (Birth to K); Lion’s Cubs (K-2^nd grade); Lion’s Pride (3^rd-5^th grade).

19. Drivers for Middle School & High School programs & activities.

20. Life Teen:  Core Team, Parent support group, Music Ministry.

21. Parish Library.

22. Religious Education Office Aides.

23. Fund Raising:  Coordinator to conduct all fund raising activities related to faith formation programs.

24. Computer Assistance.

25. Room Set-Up & Catechist Assistance.

26. Bulletin boards, room decorations, craft closet & crafts.

27. Babysitting for teachers and aides during class.

28. Faith Formation Council and/or Resource Team

29. Keeping Children, Youth, and Vulnerable Adults Safe Trainers.

30. Individualized instructors and sponsor

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Programs & ministries we hope to begin or expand in the not too far distant future:

Sunday morning hospitality (Donuts & Coffee)

Greeter couples for each weekend mass.

Single Parent Support Group

Single Adult Group Bible Study, Social, & Service Activities.

Young Married Couples Group

55+ Lunch Bunch or Senior Group

Parish Wide Women’s Group:  Daytime & Evening Circles

Bereavement Support Group

Scribe Ministry—Prepare cards & letters to the sick, for new arrivals, death of a family member, etc.

Perpetual Adoration

Prayer Group

Telephone Tree

Food Pantry—Parish Social Action

Parish Receptions—Group to plan and carry out receptions for Confirmation, RCIA Reception, & special events.  Prepare meals for visiting priests.