Catholic Schools Week: St. Mark Awards Day

Congratulations to Emily for winning the "Best Teacher Caricature" in the 2nd grade!

Congratulations to Rebecca (third from right) on being on the "Principal's List" for getting all "A's" on her last report card!

Congratulations to Nicholas (first from right) on being on the Honor Roll for earning all "A's" and "B's" on his last report card!

(Also published in Norton News, Notes, 'n' Nonsense)

Emily's First Reconciliation

Congratulations to Emily for making her First Reconciliation this evening at St. Mark Catholic Church!

Emily, along with her five classmates from St. Mark Catholic School and several CCD students, have been preparing for this special occaision for the last month.

I was amazed at how well she memorized her Act of Contrition! I remember the days back in grade school when memorization was so important. It seems now the thought is, "If you know how to look it up, there is no need to memorize."

Nicholas, Rebecca, and I all went to Confession as well. It was interesting, as we were walking out of church, how determined the kids were to compare their penances, like the length and amount of the penance equaled the severity and number of your sins!

St. Mark Roman Catholic Church in Richmond, KY Unveils New and Improved Interactive Website

Our parish, St. Mark Roman Catholic Church in Richmond, KY has recently unveiled it's new interactive website.

The new site has been under construction for the last six months. Unlike the previous homepage, the new site offers information on the three ministries of St. Mark Church: St. Mark Catholic School, The Newman Center, and the Hispanic Ministry - all branching off from the main church page.

Full of photos, contact information, sound clips from selected homilies and even a video from the pastor (Reverend Jim Sichko - "Father Jim"), the new site reflects the growth and diversity of the parish.

The new site's URL is http://www.saintmarkcatholicchurch.net/. Please stop by and read our bulletin or submit a prayer request.

Marian Prayer: A Prayer to Begin a New Day

Dear Lord, this day stretches out before me like a quiet ocean, calm and clean and potent with possibility as I sing out the words of Mary, "My soul Magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." Help me to make the most of the beauty and opportunity within this day. I offer it to You through the following affirmations, confident that if I live what they contain I will have lived the day well.
I believe the Lord loves and remains with me at all times.
I believe the Lord provides for my earthly needs.
I believe the Lord cannot fail in anything He undertakes.
I believe I play a unique, important role in the Lord's plan.
I believe the Lord guides me to know His will.
I believe the Lord gives me all the strength I need in times of difficulty.
I believe good will come from all the situations I meet today.
I love all in and of the world and beyond; nothing can harm me.
I develop my talents, resources, and abilities to their best use.
I turn over to the Lord whatever I cannot changes and set realistic goals to change whatever I can.
I structure my day to include a balance of work, play, rest, and spiritual development.
I strive to live this day humbly, resisting the urge to belittle others or compare myself to them. realizing the presence of God within us all.

- from Marian Prayer Book (emphasis added)