Saint Mark the Evangelist A Catholic Community 2008 Annual Report

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Saint Mark the EvangelistA Catholic
Community2008 Annual Report

• Norman, Oklahoma

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My dear friends at Saint Mark Parish 2008 was
again another sign of Gods presence and work
among us. Our Parish continues to show slow but
steady growth even in the midst of growing
economic troubles in this world. The
participation of more and more people in the life
of our parish and its various ministries gives
evidence that our faith is growing, stewardship
as a way of life is taking root here, and we are
becoming more and more responsible for one
another. While we have bid many farewell who move
on to new opportunities for employment, we gladly
welcome others who come and renew us with their
gifts and vision of Gods Church and Gods
Kingdom. With gratitude to God and with
sincere appreciation for your support and
participation in the ministries of St. Mark
Parish, this report is presented for your study,
for your prayer, and as an invitation and
challenge to do even more than is asked of us in
faith. Use a mouse-click or arrows to advance. A
copy is available on disk upon request at the
parish office. Father Tom Boyer
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Parish Statistics 2008
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Project Hope
Les Cayes, Haiti

• After a year of study and reflection on various
  projects proposed by Catholic Outreach of Cross
  International in 2007, this year our parish has
  chosen ESPWA Village as a Mission Project for our
  own outreach and service As St Mark Parish more
  and more grows in the spirituality and life-style
  of Stewardship, tithing becomes a duty for
  believers who are so well blessed.
• This year we made a commitment to Project Hope
  begun by Father Marc Boivert in Haiti where 600
  "street children" have come to live with hope.
  "Saving Haiti one child at a time." is Father
  Marc's vision. Our children's offerings each
  Sunday are sent to Father Marc as a way of
  teaching our children to share what they have.
• As a parish community we have made a tithe
  commitment to this project as well, and on
  occasion, members of the parish have added
  special gifts in the name of Saint Mark Parish.
  Visit the web site http//pwojeespwa.blogspot.com
  /

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St. Vincent de Paul Society

• Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St.
  Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization,
  leads women and men to join together to grow
  spiritually by offering person-to-person service
  to those who are needy and suffering in the
  tradition of its founder, Blessed Frédéric
  Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul.

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St. Vincent de Paul Society
The family has gone and left him Empty bottles
remain in their place. This heart and spirit is
broken Tears burn and streak his face. There is
a knock on the door..
The bills are stacked on the table Dignity has
vacated their life. The couple stares at each
other Their despair cuts like a knife. There is
a knock on the door..
The cabinets are open and barren Strength and
courage no longer theirs Job loss and illness
joined forces They believe that nobody
cares. There is a knock on the door..
The furnishings are worn and tattered A child
clings to his mothers dress, His shoulders are
slouched and weary Bearing witness to his
stress. There is a knock on the door..
...We Are Vincentians
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St. Vincent de Paul Society
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Neighborhood Ministry

• Coordinates donut Sunday on the second Sunday of
  every month
• Contacted 130 newly registered parishioners to
  personally welcome them to our parish community
• Distributes name tags at parish picnic

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Daily Bread

• Agencies Served
• The Food Pantry, Aging Services, Birth Choice of
  Norman, Veterans Center, East Main Place,
  individuals, and families in need.
• Food Drives
• Lenten, Thanksgiving, and R.E. drives benefiting
  several community agencies.
• Annual Advent Tree Project
• Provided Christmas gifts for the elderly, needy
  children, the disabled, Veterans, shelter
  residents, expectant mothers, babies and others
  less fortunate.
• If it werent for St. Mark Parish we would not
  be open. We have no funding and we rely totally
  on donations. St. Mark Parish is our largest
  contributor
• Norman Food Pantry

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Rite of Christian Initiation for AdultsRite of
Christian Initiation for Children

• The Rites and Sacraments of Initiation, 6 adults
  were baptized at the Easter Vigil 2007, and 21
  adults were received into full communion with the
  Catholic Church through Confirmation along with
  13 children.

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Rite of Christian Initiation for AdultsRite of
Christian Initiation for Children

• The RCIA, RCIC Core Team of 12 members led the
  program in 2007 with a Retreat at St Gregory
  Abbey, and more than 25 meetings. The core team
  members are Deacon Byron Cheryl Jacobson, Pat,
  Kerri and Adrienne Franz, Duane Linda Peschka,
  Danny Kit Jacobs, Meredith McCornack, Nancy
  Brown and Gretchen Harris.

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Religious Education

• Fall 2008
• Total Enrollment PreK 8th Grade216 students
• Average weekly attendance 162 students
• 30 Catechists Aides

All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
and great shall be the peace of your children.
- Isaiah 5413
Remember you are a child of God. May Gods
blessings be upon you.
SERVICE PROJECTS Spring 2008 - Gifts of Love
Food Drive Fall 2007- Each class was challenged
to do a service project. Some sent Christmas
cards to soldiers, other decorated bags for
Sister BJs Pantry.
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Youth Ministry/Confirmation
Director Shawn Reidy Youth Line 443-6488,
shawn_at_stmarkscatholic.org Youth Team Jim Evan,
Dorrie Giroux, Peter Keupen, Chris Meyer, and a
host of parent helpers. Confirmation Catechists
Kathleen Stanton, Kari Jacobson, Brian Holland
2008 Highlights Sunday Night Live Youth
Gathering Fall Hayride Thanksgiving
Dinner Holiday Ice Skating Snow tubing Thank
you loyal parishioners of Saint Mark the
Evangelist for your support of our Youth Program!
Together, we are making Saint Mark a great
place for youth!
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High School Middle School Youth Ministry
We brought the High School and Middle School
students together on Sunday Nights for a weekly
gathering called Sunday Night Live! The
gatherings are designed to teach Gods truth
through games, drama, praise and worship, small
groups, interactive talks, video, and much more.

• Creating a positive environment for youth to draw
  closer to our Lord and develop community

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Saint Mark Youth Confirmation

• Confirmation I II
• Weekly Instruction
• Ministered through Service Hours and Parish
  Projects
• Attended Spiritual Retreats
• Attended the Archdiocesan Youth Rally.

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Religious Education

• Vacation Bible School 2008

53 VBS Helpers prayed played with 115 PreK
5th grade children
VBS MISSION We collected snack bars juice,
flip flops visors, chapstick sunscreen... All
for the homeless children of Norman!
As Gods PEOPLE... ?We Share ? We Give ? We Grow
? We Love ? We Praise
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Knights of Columbus

• Council 12108 was established in 1995. The
  Knights and Ladies Auxiliary meet on the 1st
  Tuesday of each month in Founders Hall with a
  potluck dinner and rosary before each meeting.
• The last Sunday of the month, the Council hosts a
  parish breakfast with donations assisting Birth
  Choice, East Main Place, Boy Scouts, and the St.
  Vincent DePaul Society. Knights also take the
  lead in assisting with Oktoberfest and the Parish
  Picnic. Funds raised from the Spring Tootsie
  Roll Drive for the Mentally Handicapped benefits
  the Among Friends Activity Center for Handicap
  Adults and the Center of Family Love in Okarche.
• Our Knights hold fun days with the clients of the
  JD McCarty Center and support other charitable
  organizations as a result of our annual parish
  supported garage sale and the Outback Dinner
  fundraisers. This Council supports seminarians
  with financial help and scholarships to St.
  Gregorys in Shawnee. We support the Parish by
  being involved in all aspects of the Church from
  small projects, such as painting or pruning
  shrubs to helping as lectors, ushers, Eucharist
  Ministers, choir and religious education
  teachers. There is an annual Free Throw
  Contest involving the youth of the community.
  Volunteer Knights clean the mile of Tecumseh road
  in front of the Church.

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Knights of Columbus

• Council 12108 has 95 Registered Members

Financial Summary
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Ladies Auxiliary K of C

• The Ladies Auxiliary is an extension of our
  Parish Knights of Columbus Council 12108.
  Membership is open to the wife, widow, daughter,
  mother or sister of a Council 12108 member, who
  need not be a Catholic but who is at least 18
  years of age.
• Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each
  month at 600 p.m. with a potluck dinner,
  followed by a rosary at 700 p.m. and the
  business meeting at 730 p.m.

Financial Summary
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Ladies Auxiliary K of C

• Quilting for Fun made and distributed 130
  quilts to Sooner Dialysis, Doctors Park, Birth
  Choice, The Mary Abbot House, Sister Barbara for
  distribution to the homeless.
• Bimonthly prepared food for 120 at Food and
  Shelter for Friends
• Provided a cross/rosary set to the newly baptized
  babies in our parish.
• Hosted brunch and honored parish Catechists on
  Catechetical Sunday
• Collected clothing for the homeless / Sister BJs
  Pantry
• Participate in the Knights Tootsie Roll Drive
  and Garage Sale
• Participate in many parish ministries and
  activities
• Made Christmas Stockings for 50

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Columbian Squires

• The Columbian Squires are a group of Catholic
  males between the ages of 12 and 18 who are
  dedicated to serving the parish community.  This
  group assists the Knights of Columbus with
  service projects throughout the year.  Some of
  these projects include providing a carnival for
  the youth at the J.D. McCarty Center in Norman,
  setting up tables for the pancake breakfasts, and
  assisting with the games at the Oktoberfest.

In addition to service, the Squires build
Christian fellowship by attending social events
together which have included bowling outings in
Norman and trips to Coach's for billiards and
pizza.  These young men also go on recruiting
trips to RE classes at All Saints to enable the
group to grow and progress into the future.
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Friends of Birth Choice

• Birth Choice is a pro-life, crisis pregnancy
  center with the mission of assisting pregnant
  mothers and their babies. They offer free
  pregnancy testing as well as non-judgmental and
  confidential counseling and information.
  Parishioners support this vital effort by
  providing volunteer time, prayers and donations.

The donation bassinet in the narthex/coat closet
provides an easy donation station for gently used
maternity/infant clothing and miscellaneous
items. We are not able to take car seats or
furniture. It also contains information about the
ministry and its needs. The Birth Choice-Norman
office is located at 457 West Gray Street. Birth
Choice is one of the ministries that benefits
from your gifts through the Advent Tree. Daily
Bread, R.E. Students, the Knights and Ladies
Auxiliary provide generous support as well.
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Food for Friends Ministry
Once a month, this parish ministry provides,
cooks and serves a hot lunch at Food and Shelter
for Friends, in downtown Norman. Diners may also
choose to use take-out plates of food, for their
evening meal. We serve men, women and children.
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Mothers Day Out
The Mothers Day Out program focuses on important
skills to help children reach educational,
social, emotional, physical, and creative
milestones. The children experience self-directed
play, outdoor play, teacher led activities,
music, art, lunch, and rest time. We provide an
environment where children feel safe, cared for,
and able to express themselves freely.

• School Hours 830 am- 200pm
• Summer Hours 900am-100pm
• Days of operation Monday-Thursday

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Mothers Day Out
Enrollment 1 year old class 6 children daily 2
year old class 9 children daily 3 year old
class 10 children daily The MDO program has a
waiting list of more than 50 children, with
members of St. Marks receiving
priority. Tuition 17 per day Enrollment Fee
50
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All Saints Catholic School
FY08 Revenues and Expenditures- General
Operating Budget
Revenues
Tuition and Fees 1,540,965 Parish
Subsidies 185,111 Fundraising Income
79,119 After School Program
59,283 Other Income 53,126 Total
Revenue 1,917,604
Expenditures
Salaries 1,019,761 Benefits/Taxes 322,213
Building/Utilities 164,409 Classroom/Equipment
65,377 Contract Labor 77,530
Administrative 42,161 Staff Development
14,162 After School Program 4,684 Debt
Reduction 120,000 Total Expenditures
1,830,297
All Saints Catholic School
4001 36th Avenue, N.W. Norman, Oklahoma
73072 [phone]
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All Saints Catholic School
Enrollment Analysis- 2008-09
Total Enrollment- 459
Males- 211 (46) Females- 248 (54)
Ethnic Backgrounds
Grade Levels
White- 70 African American-.3 Hispanic-
10 Asian- 10 Native American- 6
Multi-Racial- 1
Pre-K- 46 Kindergarten- 47 Grade 1- 52 Grade
2- 50 Grade 3- 45 Grade 4- 40
Grade 5- 51 Grade 6- 47 Grade 7- 37
Grade 8- 44
Parish/Religion
Catholic- 379 (83)
Non-Catholic- 80 (17)
St. Marks- 222 St. Josephs- 66
St. Thomas More- 45 St. Andrews-
29 Other parishes- 17
Assembly of God- 3 Baptist- 16
Church of Christ- 3 Disciples of Christ- 4
Episcopal- 4
Lutheran- 2 Methodist- 19
Mormon- 1 Other- 28
All Saints Catholic School
4001 36th Avenue, N.W. Norman, Oklahoma
73072 [phone]
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All Saints Catholic School
Annual Tuition Rates
Catholic
Non-Catholic
2005-06
2,800
4,300
2006-07
2,970
4,560
2007-08
3,150
4,834
2008-09
3,250
4,880
All Saints Catholic School exists to teach
children to know, love and serve God through
academic pursuits and service to others.
All Saints Catholic School
4001 36th Avenue, N.W. Norman, Oklahoma
73072 [phone]
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Music Ministry
CHILDRENS CHOIR MEMBERSHIP Currently there are
16 children in the choir. Service to the
Parish The children sang for Mass on Oct. 26,
Dec. 7 and for Christmas Eve.
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Music Ministry
Service To The Parish Provided Music For All
weekend Liturgies and Holy Days, Confirmation,
First Communion, Funerals, Vespers, and Stations
of the Cross Prepared and served one Lenten
Meal Hosted one Donut Sunday Provided Music for 5
youth Praise and Worship Liturgies, and 2 RE
Masses Special Events Parish Mission in
February Choir Workshop with Ron Staton Father
Boyers 40th Anniversary Attended National
Pastoral Musicians Convention (Cleveland,
OH.) Gospel Workshop (Corpus Christi Parish
Oklahoma City, Ok) Social Activities Appreciation
Dinner hosted by The Women of St. Mark Christmas
Party
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Women of Saint Mark

• The Women of St. Mark organized in 2005 as a
  coordinating body for numerous spiritual and
  charitable groups within the parish. The Women of
  St. Mark engage in social fellowship at regularly
  scheduled meetings and devote their unique
  talents on committees to better the parish and
  the larger community. Our projects included
  Childrens Poor Boxes, Kids Saturdays, Breakfast
  with Santa, Tote bags for abused children,
  hospitality desk, church flowers, adult
  education, and Council of Catholic Women.

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Women of Saint Mark
Childrens Poor Box Project
Childrens Poor Box Project
Childrens Programs
Christmas With Santa
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Men of Saint Mark

• The men of Saint Marks promote Christian
  fellowship in the parish, by sponsoring and
  participating in various activities. Membership
  is open to all men of the parish.
• This year, we had four softball teams for men and
  coeds.
• Four to six men met for breakfast and prayer,
  each Wednesday morning at 630 at Panera Bread in
  Norman. Nineteen men of the parish attended the
  Archdiocesan Mens Conference.

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Technology Report

• Website
• Available online
• Bulletin in PDF format
• Homilies in text and audio format
• Homilies now available as a podcast in iTunes
  (link on website)
• Some parish talks and choir music are available
  on website
• Recent information from parish groups
• Last-minute announcements including cancelation
  of events
• Parish information
• Contact form
• Reason people visit our website
• 2265 unique visitors per month
• Bulletin - 600 views per month
• Homily - 1700 views per month
• Contact, Mass times, Pastors Message, Building
  Layout, and other information

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Technology Report

• Technical Computer
• Guest computer located in parish library
• Internet access, word processor, CD burner, and
  USB ports for USB flash drive
• Digital projector for presentations
• Narthex information display
• Guest wireless Internet access
• Covers office, Narthex, library, and Lake Room
• Currently working on providing coverage in
  Founders Hall
• Access instructions are posted on the parish
  library window
• Phone Tree for group calling
• Allows sending of bulk phone announcements to
  group members
• Recording device
• Masses and other events are recorded on a regular
  basis and posted on the parish website

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Financial Summary
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Financial Summary
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Financial Summary Notes

• Unrealized investment lossesThe Parish maintains
  investments in various securities held in a
  brokerage account which are subject to the
  fluctuation in the securities markets. This
  represents the net reduction in fair market value
  of those securities as of the year end.
• 2. St. Vincent De PaulCollections for the period
  were 78,331 and assistance paid out was 64,768.
  The fund balance at the end of the period was
  12,566.
• 3. Archdiocesan Operations Assessment and High
  School SubsidyThe Archdiocesan Operations
  Assessment was 15,000 for 2007 and 29,483 for
  2008. The Archdiocesan High School Subsidy was
  2,672 for 2007 and 6,738 for 2008. Both of
  these amounts were paid in 2008.
• 4. HospitalityThis category of expense includes
  non-repetitive amounts incurred for the
  celebration of Father Boyers 40th anniversary in
  the Church.

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Financial Summary
Mortgage Balance as of December 31, 2008
3,855,030
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Highlights of 2008

• The goals and plans for 2008 were a challenge
  that continues into 2009. However our commitment
  to ESPWA, Project Hope in Haiti was realized due
  to the great spirit of Stewardship that continues
  to guide our commitments and generosity.
  Personally 2008 was a time of gratitude and
  celebration for me as I celebrated my 40th
  Anniversary of Ordination here among the people
  of Saint Mark Parish. Your kindness was
  overwhelming. The hospitality extended to my
  family, to out of town guests, and to the priests
  of the Archdiocese was more than I could have
  ever imagined.
• We began a new relationship with the School of
  Music at the University of Oklahoma accepting two
  Masters Degree Candidates as Interns providing
  them with experiences in Church Music Ministry
  and accepting their talents with the Sunday
  Liturgies. A Childrens Choir which had an
  initial start in 2007 has grown and had begun to
  regularly contribute to the beauty and music of
  our liturgy.

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Goals and Projects 2009

• Under the leadership of Shawn Reidy our Youth
  Ministry Program continues to grow in more than
  numbers with increased opportunities for our
  young people to gather with their friends for
  prayer, instruction, service and opportunities
  for sharing their faith.
• A book discussion club will be formed to guide
  the reading of good thought provoking literature
  and encourage the use of our Parish Library as a
  resource for instruction and information.
• A new Singles group will form welcoming new
  members over the age of 46 promoting social and
  cultural activities. A second trip to Project
  Hope in Haiti will be organized for members of
  the parish. The Just Faith program will be more
  widely introduced into the parish beginning with
  our young people.
• The sacramental records for the parish are being
  preserved and entered into a new data base.
• Archives for the Parish are being organized and a
  revised history based upon actual interviews with
  founding members will be completed.
• As construction of the new gymnasium at our
  School begins we shall take the opportunity to
  encourage for more athletic and physical
  education programs for the whole parish.