St Mark Catholic Church

06/23/2026

Sunday into Monday Homily: “You cannot give what you do not possess.”

On Father’s Day, Fr. Martinez reflected on Jesus’ words in the Gospel: “Do not be afraid.”

Fathers carry many responsibilities. Providing for their families. Protecting those entrusted to their care. Wondering if they are spending enough time with their children. Asking whether they are becoming the men God is calling them to be.

Fr. Martinez reminded fathers that they do not carry those responsibilities alone. God knows every worry, every concern, and every sacrifice. The Lord would not entrust something so precious without also providing the grace needed to fulfill that calling.

While caring for a family’s material needs is important, Fr. Martinez emphasized that the greatest gift a father can give his wife and children is the gift of faith.

Children learn from what they see. A father who prays teaches prayer. A father who makes Sunday Mass a priority teaches the importance of worship. A father who trusts God teaches his family where true strength is found.

As Fr. Martinez said, “You cannot give what you do not possess.”

We cannot pass on a faith that we are not living ourselves.

That challenge extends beyond fathers. It is a question for all of us. Are we making prayer a priority? Are we continuing to grow in our knowledge of the faith? Are we trusting God with the responsibilities He has entrusted to us?

Fr. Martinez encouraged us to take an honest look at our spiritual lives. If there is an area that needs attention, now is the time. Not when life slows down. Not when circumstances are perfect. Now.

God is calling each of us to greater holiness and greater trust in Him. He will not leave us without His grace.

As a new week begins, what is one area of your spiritual life that needs attention today?

06/22/2026

Before this Father's Day comes to a close, we offer our gratitude and prayers for the priests who serve, and have served, as spiritual fathers to our parish (pictured and not pictured.)

Through their hands, Christ comes to us in the sacraments and upon the altar of St. Mark.

Happy Father's Day to our priests, past and present. Thank you for your faithful witness and fatherly care.

06/21/2026

It’s Sunday. Come to Mass.
Today we thank God for fathers, grandfathers, godfathers, spiritual fathers, and the many men who have guided us with faith, sacrifice, and love.

We think especially of the fathers who brought us to church, taught us to pray, carried us when we were small, and quietly showed us what it means to follow Christ.

As we celebrate Father’s Day, we ask the intercession of St. Joseph for all fathers, for those who long to be fathers, for those who mourn, and for those carrying the responsibilities of fatherhood today.

“You know their aspirations, their hardships, their hopes.”

May God bless all fathers today and always.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

Happy Father’s Day.

06/21/2026

Hoppy Summer from St. Mark! Summer officially begins tonight (4:24 am to be exact.)

Wherever this season takes you, don’t forget to make room for God in the ordinary moments.

A prayer before dinner.
A Sunday Mass while traveling.
A quiet visit to church.
Time in Adoration.
A moment of gratitude at the end of the day.

Have a great first day of summer.

06/19/2026

TGIF: Thanking God for Fathers
As Father’s Day weekend begins, we give thanks for fathers, grandfathers, godfathers, and all the men who help guide, support, protect, and encourage the next generation.

This photo was taken at our preschool graduation a few weeks ago.

It’s a simple moment. A father taking a picture of his daughter.

We are blessed to see fathers with their families on a regular basis at the parish. We see them together at Mass, school events, sacraments and countless other ordinary moments.

No father is perfect. But the quiet, steady presence of a loving father can make an extraordinary difference.

This Father’s Day weekend, we thank God for the fathers who strive to lead their families in faith.

Happy Father’s Day on this rainy Friday. 🥰

06/19/2026

Today we learned of the passing of sacred artist Ronald Neill Dixon (1941–2026), whose work has become a permanent part of St. Mark.

From the installation of the Ascension window in 2018 to the completion of St. Florian in 2023, Mr. Dixon created the stained glass windows that now surround us in prayer. Through 22 windows depicting the Mysteries of the Rosary and 12 windows honoring the saints, (all installed by Todd Hinkle as seen in these photos) his work helps tell the story of salvation each time we enter the church.

Sacred art does more than decorate a building. It teaches, inspires, and lifts our hearts toward heaven. Beauty evangelizes in ways words alone cannot.

Every day, people walk into St. Mark carrying burdens, worries, joys, and prayers. Before a word is spoken, these windows begin telling them the story of Christ. Through color, light, and sacred imagery, they quietly draw our hearts toward God.

I was blessed to witness and document the installation of every stained glass window at St. Mark. Watching each window take its place over the years gave me a deep appreciation for the faith, craftsmanship, and prayer that went into this remarkable work.

Long after artists are gone, their work continues to speak. Thousands of parishioners, visitors, brides and grooms, children preparing for First Holy Communion, families celebrating baptisms, and those mourning loved ones at funeral Masses will continue to encounter the beauty Mr. Dixon created. His legacy now lives within these walls and will remain part of St. Mark for generations to come.

Please join us in praying for the repose of Ronald Dixon’s soul, for his wife Annie, and for all who work at Dixon Studio as they mourn this loss.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace. Amen.

06/18/2026

One last song before summer: On the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, our Children’s Choir sang This Is the Body of Christ at their last 11 am Mass before taking a break

Under the direction of Lorie Gabriel and accompanied by Manny Mora, they helped lead our parish in celebrating the gift of the Holy Eucharist.

Thank you to our young choristers, their families, Mrs. Gabriel, and Mr. Mora for a wonderful year of sacred music.

We are grateful for the gifts they share with our parish and look forward to welcoming them back in the fall.

06/17/2026

One last song before summer:
Our Children’s Choir recently offered their final anthem of the year, This Is the Body of Christ, under the direction of Lorie Gabriel.

Thank you to Mrs. Gabriel, our young choristers, and their families for helping lead us in prayer through sacred music this year. We look forward to welcoming them back in the fall.

06/17/2026

The beauty of vocations. ❤️‍🔥🙏🏼

Deacon Joseph Becker is celebrating five years of ordained ministry at St. Matthew Parish and his first year serving as assistant formation director for the diocese’s Permanent Diaconate program. Read more: https://tinyurl.com/3rfvzjve

06/17/2026

Night Prayer: Feast of St. Lutgardis
“So be it, Lord,
so long as Your Heart’s love
is mingled with mine
I have and hold my heart in You.

For with You as my shield,
my heart is secure
for all time.
Amen.”

St. Lutgardis, pray for us.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.