The holidays can be a difficult time of the year for someone who has lost a loved one. Many people who are grieving find that this time of year can be particularly challenging as they experience changes to holiday traditions and family gatherings. Beginning with the new year 2023, we will offer Faith and Grief gatherings on the 1st Wednesday of the month for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. We will also provide a light lunch; a donation is appreciated to offset the cost of the meal. Come spend time with others who understand grief and experience care, compassion, and an opportunity to talk about your loss in a supportive and confidential setting. We meet monthly from 12:00pm-1:00pm on the1st Wednesday of each month in McGivney Hall, which is located in the St. Mark Parish Center, 1105 W. 15th Street, Plano. Our upcoming dates are February 1, 2023, and March 1, 2023. To register: www.faithandgrief.org or by phone at 469-616-1795. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Betz at [email protected] or Rosemary Crocker at [email protected]

Beginning with the new year 2023, we will offer Faith and Grief gatherings on the 1st Wednesday of the month for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. We will also provide a light lunch; a donation is appreciated to offset the cost of the meal. We meet monthly from 12:00pm-1:00pm on the 1st Wednesday of each month in McGivney Hall, which is located in the St. Mark Parish Center, 1105 W. 15th Street, Plano.

On Thursday, February 2, we welcome all parishioners to bring wax candles to the 6:30am, 12:15pm, and 6:15pm [Spanish] Masses for a special blessing on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Traditionally the feast was called “Candlemas,” in reference to the additional candles that adorned the Sanctuary to proclaim that Christ is, as the antiphon says, “a Light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”

New Day Grief Support Gatherings – Begins Thursday, January 26 New Day Grief Support will be offered on Thursday afternoons, from 1:00pm – 2:45pm, beginning January 26 and continuing for 9 consecutive weeks through March 23, 2023. The weekly gatherings will be held at St. Mark the Evangelist, Smyth Pastoral Center, Library Conference Room #105, 1100 W. 15th Street., Plano, TX 75075.

On Friday, February 3, we welcome all parishioners to receive a blessing of the throat through the intercession of St. Blaise. The Blessings will be offered following all of the day’s Masses. St. Blaise was a physician, bishop, and martyr who was reputed to have miraculously cured a little boy who nearly died because of a fishbone in his throat. From the eighth century he has been invoked on behalf of the sick, especially those afflicted with illnesses of the throat.

Homeless Shelter Clothing Drive January 2023 Help is needed replenishing the Plano Overnight Warming Station clothes closet. Both new and used clothing are needed as indicated below. Marked containers will be located on a table in the Narthex during the month of January for your donations. Your help providing these items for our unhoused neighbors is greatly appreciated. Urgently needed items include: NEW: Boxer Shorts (All Sizes), Dark Socks, Gloves, Pull Down Hats GENTLY USED: Men’s Jeans/Dockers, Sweatshirts, Sweatpants, Shoes, Gloves, Pull Down Hats; please make sure all items are clean.

Taller SUPERANDO PERDIDAS 9 Sesiones empezando el Martes 7 de Febrero, 2023 y terminando el 4 Abril,2023 de 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM; coste $25.00 Para más información contactar a Laura Flores Monroy en 972-295-6911 o [email protected] CUPO LIMITADO

New Day Grief Support Gatherings – Begins Thursday, January 26 New Day Grief Support will be offered on Thursday afternoons, from 1:00pm – 2:45pm, beginning January 26 and continuing for 9 consecutive weeks through March 23, 2023. The weekly gatherings will be held at St. Mark the Evangelist, Smyth Pastoral Center, Library Conference Room #105, 1100 W. 15th Street., Plano, TX 75075.

St. Mark’s Golden Treasures game day will be on Friday, February 10, from 2pm- 4pm. We will have cards, dominos, and board games. If there is a game you like to play, you are welcome to bring it. We ask that you bring your favorite afternoon snack to share. Coffee, tea, and water will be provided. All St. Mark members and your friends 50+ are welcome. Come, have fun, and meet new friends. Game day will be in the Smyth Pastoral Center, Community Room #101 (on the first floor near Alma). Please RSVP to Carol McElligott @ [email protected] or 972-867-8516 or if you have any questions.

PLEASE HELP OUR NEIGHBORS Lenten Black Bag Collection February 11 - 12, 2023 The focus of this first 2023 collection will be helping those in our community struggling with rent and utility issues plus assisting those living in temporary housing find affordable housing in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic fluctuations. The Black Bags will be passed around immediately following the regular collection during the offertory portion of the Mass.

World Marriage Week Dinner and Dance Sat. Feb 11, 2023, 6:00 PM -11:30 PM Great Room Cost $60 per couple / Cena y baile de la Semana Mundial del Matrimonio Sab. Feb. 11, 2023 6:00pm-11:30pm el Gran Salon Costo $60 por pareja

PLEASE HELP OUR NEIGHBORS Lenten Black Bag Collection February 11 - 12, 2023 The focus of this first 2023 collection will be helping those in our community struggling with rent and utility issues plus assisting those living in temporary housing find affordable housing in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic fluctuations. The Black Bags will be passed around immediately following the regular collection during the offertory portion of the Mass.

TAMALE SALE - SUPER BOWL WEEKEND Sunday, February 12 at St Mark Church (front entrance) from 7:00 am thru 3:30 pm after each Mass This will be the last Tamale Sales for the Knights of Columbus Assembly until Thanksgiving. Call Larry Amidei to preorder or to reserve your tamales at cell 469-594-5706 or by email at [email protected]

Taller SUPERANDO PERDIDAS 9 Sesiones empezando el Martes 7 de Febrero, 2023 y terminando el 4 Abril,2023 de 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM; coste $25.00 Para más información contactar a Laura Flores Monroy en 972-295-6911 o [email protected] CUPO LIMITADO

New Day Grief Support Gatherings – Begins Thursday, January 26 New Day Grief Support will be offered on Thursday afternoons, from 1:00pm – 2:45pm, beginning January 26 and continuing for 9 consecutive weeks through March 23, 2023. The weekly gatherings will be held at St. Mark the Evangelist, Smyth Pastoral Center, Library Conference Room #105, 1100 W. 15th Street., Plano, TX 75075.

DALLAS CATHOLIC YOUTH CONFERENCE!

DALLAS CATHOLIC YOUTH CONFERENCE

Bancos de bebés Caballeros de Colón repartirá Baby Banks en todas las misas del 18 al 19 de febrero en el Narthex. Por favor, tome uno y llénelo con cambio suelto, efectivo o cheques a nombre de CPLC. También puede donar en línea en https://prolifedallas.org/stmark. Los Caballeros recogerán los Baby Banks en todas las misas del 29 al 30 de abril en el Narthex. Todas las ganancias financiarán Ministerios Pro-Vida. Si ya tienes un Baby Bank en casa, por favor devuélvelo.

Baby Banks - The Knights of Columbus will be passing out Baby Banks at all Masses on February 18 - 19 in the Narthex. Please take one and fill with loose change, cash or checks made out to CPLC. You can also donate online at https://prolifedallas.org/stmark. The Knights will collect the Baby Banks at all Masses on April 29 - 30 in the Narthex. All proceeds will fund Pro-Life Ministries. If you already have a Baby Bank at home, please return it.

DALLAS CATHOLIC YOUTH CONFERENCE

Taller SUPERANDO PERDIDAS 9 Sesiones empezando el Martes 7 de Febrero, 2023 y terminando el 4 Abril,2023 de 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM; coste $25.00 Para más información contactar a Laura Flores Monroy en 972-295-6911 o [email protected] CUPO LIMITADO

The Women of St. Mark invites all women of the parish to join us for our next meeting on Tuesday, February 21. We meet monthly on the fourth Tuesday of the month in McGivney Hall at 7:00 PM, so please join us. This month, we have changed the date, so we are able to attend the Parish Lenten Mission

New Day Grief Support Gatherings – Begins Thursday, January 26 New Day Grief Support will be offered on Thursday afternoons, from 1:00pm – 2:45pm, beginning January 26 and continuing for 9 consecutive weeks through March 23, 2023. The weekly gatherings will be held at St. Mark the Evangelist, Smyth Pastoral Center, Library Conference Room #105, 1100 W. 15th Street., Plano, TX 75075.

Walking with Jesus on his way to Calvary can take on special meaning for us as we face the pains and changes that come with getting older. By connecting many aspects of aging to Jesus’ Passion and death, this insightful and poignant Way of the Cross shows us how close Jesus is to us on our journey. It opens our eyes to the new beginnings that this time of life can bring and assures us that Jesus will give us the strength and courage to face our challenges with faith and patience, endurance and compassion, spiritual vigor and true wisdom, cheerfulness and generosity, and optimism and abiding hope. These thoughtful prayers and reflections help us see the grace and beauty of this time of life. Praying these Stations is not just for the elderly—it’s also for anyone who cares for and walks with seniors into this new stage of life and spiritual growth. Stations of the Cross for Seniors will be offered on Friday afternoon, at 1:00pm, in the Church beginning Friday, February 24 through March 31, 2023. We will be once again offering a simple soup lunch in the Narthex at 12:00noon for seniors attending the 1:00pm Stations of the Cross.

We invite you to join our February potluck on Saturday, February 25th following the 5:00 pm Saturday Mass. All St. Mark members and your friends 50+ are welcome to share a potluck dinner and meet new friends. The potluck is in the Msgr. Claude Smith Pastoral Center, Community Room #101 on the first floor near Alma. The Community Room will be open before the 5:00 pm Mass if you would like to drop off your dish to share. We look forward to seeing everyone. Please RSVP to Candy at [email protected] or (214) 563-6823 so we know how many tables to set up. Let Candy know if you have any questions or if you would like to be removed from this mailing list.

We will hosting a Fertility Awareness Natural Family Planning Course on Sunday, February 26-2023 from 1:00pm -2:00pm in McGivney Hall it is open to all engaged or married couples and women (ages 17 +) Natural Family Planning (NFP) provides information so that couples can learn to understand and appreciate their fertility. Couples completing their current marriage preparation through St, Mark the Evangelist are strongly encouraged to attend. please register at https://stmarkplano.org/natural-family-planning-planificacion-familiar-natural

Se ofrecerá un Curso de Planificación Familiar Natural de Conciencia de la Fertilidad el Domingo 26 de Febrero de 2023 de 3:00 p.m. a 4:00 p.m. en McGivney Hall, este estará abierto a todas las parejas comprometidas o casadas y mujeres de (17 años+) La Planificación Familiar Natural (PFN) proporciona información para que las parejas puedan aprender a comprender y apreciar su fertilidad. Las parejas que están en preparación matrimonial actual a través de St, Marcos el Evangelista recomienda encarecidamente que asistan. Por favor regístrese en https://stmarkplano.org/natural-family-planning-planificacion-familiar-natural.

Taller SUPERANDO PERDIDAS 9 Sesiones empezando el Martes 7 de Febrero, 2023 y terminando el 4 Abril,2023 de 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM; coste $25.00 Para más información contactar a Laura Flores Monroy en 972-295-6911 o [email protected] CUPO LIMITADO