Please join us on Facebook Live as we celebrate Sunday Liturgy at 10 am and the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help on Wednesdays at 12 noon.  You can view the Mass even without a Facebook account. Click the link below to view the Live feed! 

St Mark / Mt. Calvary Facebook

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I know that many of you are worried or even afraid with the uncertainty of the times we find ourselves in recently. However, to quote our Lord and our Deacon Jim, “do not be afraid.” We find these words in the Gospel of St. Matthew  said by an angel to the women after the resurrection when they had discovered the tomb was empty. These women were filled with worry and fear at first finding the tomb of Jesus empty and not knowing where his body had been taken. They were uncertain. As the women went to tell the disciples, who were still in Jerusalem hiding in fear of what was going to happen next, the women are met on the road by Jesus himself. Jesus tells them again ,”do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:10)

There are times throughout our lives when we are afraid and things may seem dark and uncertain. We need to remember that no matter the time or season that we are not facing these things alone. That there is a light that shines through the darkness and that light is Christ. Christ is always with us to comfort us and bring strength to our hearts.  

Over the long history of our Church we have weathered many storms, from persecutions to revolutions, national disasters and war. And through all those our faith, our Church has survived and will continue to survive and flourish. I recall the words of Jesus from Matthew’s Gospel after Peter has made his confession that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus says, “and so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)  

Although we cannot gather to celebrate our liturgies as a community under one roof, we are still the living body of the Church! Each one of us through our baptism are baptized into the body of Christ. It is through this gift and God’s Grace that although we are not together, we are united in our one faith. That faith that has survived the centuries and will survive into the future until that day when Christ comes again. 

During times of sickness and great upheaval the Church must not only look to the spiritual welfare of its members but also the physical. The Bishop’s decision to suspend all public Masses I am sure was a difficult call for him to make and I support it whole heartedly. I am continuing to celebrate Mass, although privately, for the intentions of our parishioners. We as a staff are working hard to come up with ideas and plans to help all of you not just spiritually but also to help you all stay connected with the parish family. Beginning this Friday, I will be posting the Stations of the Cross on our Facebook pages if anyone would like to pray along as we continue our Lenten devotions. 

Also, this Sunday I will be live streaming Mass from one of our churches on our Facebook pages so that if you are able to you can still participate in the Mass. Starting next Wednesday I will be leading and live streaming the novena to Our Lady of Perpetual help for the intention of our deliverance from this pandemic. Keep checking in on our Facebook pages and website to keep up with any other updates. The Churches will remain open to private prayer.

Please take the time and continue to pray, read the scriptures and stay close to our Lord. But also take care of yourselves and your families. Know that I am praying for all of you daily and I ask for your prayers in return. Please stay happy, healthy and safe, and don’t forget to wash your hands! 

Yours in Christ,

 Fr. Tom