Saint Mark the Evangelist A Catholic Community 2010 Annual Report Norman, Oklahoma

1. Saint Mark the EvangelistA Catholic Community2010 Annual ReportNorman, Oklahoma

2. My sisters and brothers in St Mark ParishWith gratitude to Almighty God, we present this report of our Stewardship with the gifts God has given us. This is the ninth year of my ministry at Saint Mark, and with the passing of each year, I am more and more aware of how the Holy Spirit is moving among us. Your generous response to every need bears witness to the power of the Gospel in your lives. A new awakening of the call to ministry is stirring in our young people, and I repeat my challenge to every household: “Ask what it is God wishes you to become.” In the face of the abundance that surrounds us, we must continue to ask what God wills us to do with all that we have. As you study and reflect upon the details of this report, be moved in spirit to offer thanks and praise to the God we serve, worship, and praise here at Saint Mark. Father Tom Boyer

3. Parish Statistics 2010 3

4. Project Hope Les Cayes, Haiti Our School children at All Saints have been quick to respond in the past year, and the children at our weekend liturgies continue to bring their own offerings at every Mass which directly to Father Marc. A medical team from the parish was unable to travel to Haiti because of the travel disruption following the earthquake, but plans for that visit will be reset for 2011. Visit the website: http://pwojeespwa.blogspot.com/ We have continued our support of “Project Hope” (ESPWA) in Les Cayes, Haiti. The devastation and suffering caused by the earthquake has added to the suffering and the need there. Father Marc has taken more than 200 new children into his care swelling the facilities and taxing the limits. New residential housing was begun in this year to accommodate the increased number of children.

5. Youth Ministry Director: Shawn Reidy Youth Line 443-6488, shawn@stmarkscatholic.org Youth Team: Jim Evan, Dorrie Giroux, Chris Meyer, and a host of parent helpers. Weekly High School Gathering & Bible Study Middle School Gatherings Student Ministry Leadership Team Attended Region 10 Conference-Little Rock, AR Attended Archdiocese Youth events Attended Mid-America Steubenville Conference Special events throughout the year including a hayride, ice skating, snow tubing, Cinco de Mayo, water wars, luau and more!

6. High School Youth Ministry

7. Middle School Youth Ministry

8. Region 10 Catholic Youth Conference

9. Youth Serving Others “Souper Bowl” collected soup for area ministries On clean up day, did yard work and visited seniors from the parish Organized the Parish Easter Egg Hunt Served in parish events

10. Saint Mark Confirmation 2010 The 2 year process of confirmation is made up of classes, guest speakers, retreats, field trips, service projects, and other parish events designed to help students grow in their knowledge of God the Father, Jesus, the Sacraments and the Church. The Rite of Confirmation was held with the 3 Norman parishes in April. St. Mark had 35 confirmandi receive the Rite.

11. Rite of Christian Initiation for AdultsRite of Christian Initiation for Children The RCIA Core Team of 13 members led the program in 2008 with a Retreat at Pastoral Center and St Gregory Abbey, and more than 30 meetings. The core team members are Fr. Thomas Boyer Deacon Byron & Cheryl Jacobson, Pat & Kerri Franz, Danny & Kit Jacobs, Duane & Linda Peschka, Nancy Brown, Louis & Alicia Triana, Michael & Maria Scaperlanda. 11

12. Rite of Christian Initiation for AdultsRite of Christian Initiation for Children In the Rites of Initiation, 8 adults and 8 children were baptized at the Easter Vigil 2010. 37 adults were received into full communion with the Catholic Church through Confirmation. 12

13. Religious Education Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Spirit & Song Gatherings – leading children in prayer and song, building community and faith. SERVICE PROJECTS: Sang at the Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mass Wrote letters and cards to our OKC Seminarians 2010-2011 School year • Enrollment PreK – 8th Grade: 224 students • Average weekly attendance: 164 students • 34 Catechists & Aides • 135 families

14. Religious Education 24 youth and 28 adults prayed and played with 107 of our children. VBS Mission Knowing that we are called to care for all of God’s creation - we selected Norman’s Little River Zoo as our mission for VBS. The children collected several items from their wish list to give. Several of the animals from the Little River Zoo, joined us for a day at our VBS to share their thanks. 14

15. Music Ministry – Adult Choir Membership Currently there are 38 members including instrumentalists. Adam Pajan joined the staff this summer as our organist/choir director. David Conley, an organ student at OU, is our intern. Service to the Parish The choir provides music for all Weekend Liturgies and Holy Days, Confirmation, First Communion, Funerals and Stations of the Cross. Prepared and served one Lenten Meal Provided teachers for Vacation Bible School Music Special Events Attended chant workshop in January at the Pastoral Center Parish Mission in March Provide psalm response every week for Catholic Radio Show Special Liturgies All Souls Mass – Rutter Requiem Lessons and Carols

16. Music Ministry – Children’s Choir Membership Currently there are 24 children in the choir. Service to the Parish The children sang for (7) Masses. Special Liturgy Lessons and Carols Christmas Eve.

17. 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 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. Gregory’s 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. The Knights have cooked for All Saints School on several occasions. 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.

18. Knights of Columbus Council 12108 has 112 Registered Members

19. Ladies Auxiliary K of C 19 • “Quilting for Fun” made and distributed quilts to: Sooner Dialysis, Doctor’s Park, Birth Choice, The Mary Abbot House, Ally’s House, Sister Barbara for distribution to the homeless. • We held a Bingo party at the Norman Veteran’s center where prizes were patriotic quilts and pillows. • 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 BJ’s Pantry • Participate in the Knight’s Tootsie Roll Drive and Garage Sale • Participate in many parish ministries and activities • Made filled Christmas Stockings for over 300 children • Made Christmas Stockings for 50 residents of St. Anne’s retirement home

20. 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 6:00 p.m. with a potluck dinner, followed by a rosary at 7:00 p.m. and the business meeting at 7:30 p.m. Ladies Auxiliary K of C

21. 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.

22. 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 mother’s dress, His shoulders are slouched and weary Bearing witness to his stress. There is a knock on the door….. “...We Are Vincentians”

23. St. Vincent de Paul Society 23

24. Friends of Birth Choice 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. 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.

25. Daily Bread Delivers donated groceries weekly Purchases milk weekly Delivers bread weekly Assists parish families as necessary

26. Daily Bread Serves Central Oklahoma Community Action Agency Food Pantry (COCAA) Parish families Individuals Aging Services Birth Choice Veterans Center East Main Place Those in need

27. Daily Bread Oklahoma has one of the highest percentage of hungry people of any state. One quarter of Oklahoma children live in poverty. Over one in three Norman public school children receive free or reduced lunches. Over one-third of Norman families struggle with poverty issues. Did you know? • Over 500,000 Oklahomans are at risk for hunger. • Oklahoma ranks in top 5 states for food insecurity. • One in five Oklahoma children is at risk of hunger on a daily basis. This is 100,000 children. • One in three Oklahoma children live at or below the poverty level. • The average household served by the OKC Regional Food Bank is a family of three with one adult working one or two jobs with an average annual income of $11,440. • Source = OKC Regional Food Bank

28. Daily Bread

29. Daily Bread Thank you card from residents and staff of Norman Veterans Center

30. Food for Friends Ministry For 5 years, on the second Tuesday of each month, a dedicated team of parishioners cooks and serves a quality lunch at Food and Shelter, in downtown Norman. The men, women and children we serve, may also take home a plate of food (when available) for their evening meal. This opportunity to provide direct assistance to our neighbors continues to be a blessing to many.

31. Neighborhood Ministry Coordinates donut Sunday on the second Sunday of every month Contacted 100 newly registered parishioners to personally welcome them to our parish community Distributes name tags at parish picnic

32. Parish Nurse As instruments of the Holy Spirit, we walk the journey with those entrusted to our care. As Jesus ministered to the whole person, our mission is to bring Christ's light to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual health and healing. We believe in; Divine Presence, servant leadership, the benefit of self-care, the spirit of community, the gift of suffering, the healing power of prayer and presence. This is a new ministry for the parish, begun in 2010 by Theresa Kitchen. The parish nurse ministry provides the following services: • Home visits to help parishioners with - • community resources • education and health information • Counseling • Grief Support • CPR training • Blood Pressures and Educational Information after mass

33. 50 + • The 50+ group is a social group for members of the parish who are over 50 years old. We meet monthly for a wonderful fellowship lunch and various programs. This year we had a variety of programs including – • Trip to Okarche to visit Holy Trinity Church, Fr. Stanley Rother gravesite, lunch at Eischen’s and a tour of the Center of Family Love. • “Hoe Down” with guests from the other Norman parishes • Guest appearance from the 1st Lady of Rock-n-Roll – Wanda Jackson • Visited Sam Noble Museum and saw exhibits of Mediterranean Treasures and items from Russ and Nell Long. • Attended the All Saints Music Theater in April and December. December included a Christmas Luncheon. • Prepared a Lenten meal as a team with the Jetsetters • Cinco de Mayo party with food, music and prizes…including a pinata • Box Lunch Social – individual lunches were made and exchanged • Served Donuts and Coffee on Donut Sunday • Picnic with the Golden Agers from St. Joseph Parish

34. Jetsetters The Jetsetters group is a social group for parish singles. They attend a wide variety of events as well as support parish activities.

35. 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 St. Mark’s Feast Day, Speaker Program, Donations & time at Sr. BJ’s Pantry, visits & cards/magazines to nursing homes, Children’s Poor Boxes, hospitality desk, altar linens, candle cleaning, church flowers & gardens, and Council of Catholic Women / Women of Achievement.

36. Women of Saint Mark Help Sister BJ … … Help the Homeless

37. Men of Saint Mark Nineteen men of Saint Mark Parish attended “In the Father’s Footsteps”, the Archdiocesan Men’s Conference, in the spring of the year, and from that experience leaders emerged who brought the national program: THAT MAN IS YOU (TMIY) into the parish. For 13 weeks in the fall, nearly 200 men assembled at 5:45 a.m. for breakfast and a twenty minute inspirational talk followed by prayer and group conversation regarding the spiritual issues faced by men at work and as husbands and fathers. In addition to TMIY, four softball teams for men and women represented the parish in a local league. Every Wednesday morning, men also meet for breakfast and more informal prayer at 6:30 a.m. at Panera Bread in Norman.

38. Mother’s Day Out School Hours: 8:30 am- 2:00pm Summer Hours: 8:30am-12:00pm Days of operation: Monday-Thursday The Mother’s 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 in a Catholic environment. 38

39. Mother’s Day Out Enrollment 1 year old class: 6 children daily 2 year old class: 10 children daily 3 year old class: 10 children daily Preschool Class: 11 children daily The MDO program has a waiting list of more than 50 children, with members of St. Mark’s receiving priority. Tuition: $20 per day Summer Tuition: $17 perday Enrollment Fee: $60/per child 39

40. The Library During this year, under the competent leadership of Carlee McGuire, our volunteer librarian, the entire library was organized and catalogued on line. Over 2,600 titles are now available in the library covering fields of theology, scripture, spirituality, liturgy, morality, and religious history. 181 VHS tapes for children and adults are available as well as 80 DVDs on Bible stories and saints. A children’s collection is growing, and during the past summer, several reading sessions were offered for children of the parish.

41. All Saints Catholic School Enrollment Analysis 2010-11 Total Enrollment- 450 Males- 211 (47%) Females- 239 (53%) Ethnic Backgrounds: Grade Levels: White- 69% African American- 2 % Hispanic- 9% Asian- 12% Native American- 6% Multi-Racial- 2% Pre-K- 34 Kindergarten- 49 Grade 1- 49 Grade 2- 46 Grade 3- 46 Grade 4- 51 Grade 5-42 Grade 6- 36 Grade 7- 48 Grade 8- 49 Parish/Religion: Catholic- 374 (83%) Non-Catholic- 76 (17%) Assembly of God- 3 Baptist- 15 Buddhist – 2 Church of Christ - 3 Disciples of Christ – 4 Episcopal- 4 Lutheran- 3 Methodist- 17 Mormon - 2 Other- 23 St. Marks- 221 St. Joseph’s- 62 St. Thomas More- 40 St. Andrew’s- 37 Other parishes- 14 4001 36th Avenue, N.W. Norman, Oklahoma 73072 (405) 447-4600

42. All Saints Catholic School Annual Tuition Rates All Saints Catholic School exists to teach children to know, love and serve God through academic pursuits and service to others. 4001 36th Avenue, N.W. Norman, Oklahoma 73072 (405) 447-4600

43. All Saints Catholic School Revenues Tuition and Fees $ 1,686,167 Parish Subsidies $ 174,310 Fundraising Income $ 79,865 After School Program $ 81,007 Other Income $ 8,672 Total Revenue $2,030,021 Expenditures Salaries $1,222,092 Benefits/Taxes $ 394,573 Building/Utilities $ 144,263 Classroom/Equipment $ 69,414 Cafeteria Equipment $ 4,780 Administrative $ 56,167 Staff Development $ 12,576 After School Program $ 4,090 Debt Reduction $ 120,000 Total Expenditures $2,027,955 4001 36th Avenue, N.W. Norman, Oklahoma 73072 (405) 447-4600

44. Technology Report Website • Available online: • Bulletin in PDF format • Homilies in text and audio format as a podcast in iTunes (link on website) • Some parish talks and choir music including responsorial psalms for most Sundays • Information on Project HOPE in Haiti • Last-minute announcements including cancelation of events • Some Masses in audio format • Parish information • Contact form • Statistics: • 2708 unique and 7808 non-unique visitors per month • Pages most frequently visited: • Homily • Bulletin • Contact form • Mass times • RCIA Information • Music • Pastor’s message

45. Technology Report • Guest computer located in parish library • Internet access, word processor, CD burner, USB ports for USB flash drive, and ability to print to the printer in the library • Digital projector for presentations • Mounted screen and projector in Lake Room for computer and video presentations • Network equipment and cables relocated to Copy Room to create office for Fr. Jarek • Narthex information display • Purchased 3 new computers for parish office • Replacements for Cheryl and Fr. Tom • Additional computer for Fr. Jarek • Guest wireless Internet access • Covers office, Narthex, library, Lake Room, and Founders Hall • Network key is posted in the parish library • Phone Tree for group calling • Allows sending of bulk phone announcements to group members • Audio recording device • Masses and other events are recorded on a regular basis and posted on parish website

46. Financial Summary

47. Financial Summary

48. Financial Summary Notes

49. Financial Summary Mortgage Balance as of December 31, 2010 $3,432,517

50. Highlights of 2010 It is difficult to single out any one event or experience of this past year that could be called the greatest, yet the beginning of “THAT MAN IS YOU” ought to be something many of us will remember as something that will have a lasting impact on the lives of many. At the same time, the second Conference of Women held here provided the women of the parish with a wonderful day of celebration. We managed to finally address and hopefully solve some physical problems with the building (leaks) and some drainage issues on the north side near the lake at considerable cost. At the same time our playground area was enlarged and beautifully improved. We have added more video and technical equipment to our facilities, and at the same time, our parish library has finally been completely catalogued with an estimated value of $46,000. Our parish choir grows in numbers and in skill month by month under the leadership of Adam Pajan who has brought great spirit, beauty, and exceptional music into our liturgy and worship. A member of our parish continues his studies for the priesthood, and our Youth Ministry program grows more visible and more successful as the program grows in depth for the spiritual formation of our youth. In spite of the economic challenges of the past year, our commitment to those most in need of help has not decreased. We have bid farewell to many good friends who move away from our community, but we have welcomed new families and new single persons joyfully. Again this year the RCIA program bore witness to the vitality of faith, the joy, and the hope we celebrate by God’s goodness.