Sunday, November 9, 2008

49. St. Mark the Evangelist

(mass times & church info last updated 04/24/2016)
Address: 65 W. 138th St.
Phone: 212.281.4931
Weekend Mass Times: 
Sat: 5pm (English)
Sun: 8:30am (English), 11:15am (English), 5pm (French & Creole)
Weekday Mass Times: 
Mon-Fri: 12:15pm (English)
Confession: anytime by request
Links:
Official Website
Mark the Evangelist (Wikipedia)
St. Mark (Catholic Encyclopedia)

DEDICATION OF THE LATERAN BASILLICA IN ROME

I have to say, I am very happy about the results of this week's election. Still though, only about 62% of the voting population actually voted - I do wonder what the results would have been if everyone had cast his or her ballot.

As someone prayed today aloud, Lord, hear our prayer to give President-elect Obama guidance and wisdom in all that he does, and watch over his family that they remain safe. This too is my prayer this week and over the next four years, and I encourage you to pray the same.

St. Mark the Evangelist is a small, older parish in the heart of Harlem. It's a mainly African-American parish. The hymns were sweet, there's a big feeling of community here, and of course peace time was so enjoyable as everyone in the congregation walked around offering a sign of peace to one another.

Something lifted me out of my funk this past week and whether it was the election results or prayers said for me or my spiritual advisement session or a combination of the above, I don't know. I realize that lately spiritually I have been selfish. I've neglected prayer for others and I need to work on this. I feel that so many people are praying for me and I need to return the karmic favor to them, my friends, loved ones, and the world.

Today was the dedication of the Pope's cathedral - I learned that this occurs every November 9th. Today it correlated with the Gospel about Jesus and the money-lenders in the temple, as well as St. Paul's letter about the body being a temple of God. It carried special meaning for me today having lately so focused much of my attention on these holy buildings in this city. These readings carry so much layered meanings if you think about yourself as a place for the Lord, the many churches across the land as places for the Lord, as well as the Church itself a place for the Lord. Many, and one. Together.

2 comments:

  1. I use to go to this church when I was a kid. I received my First Holy Communion, Confirmation and Graduation in this Church. I lived in the Bronx but traveled by train with my Mother, God-mother and Cousin every Sunday. After Mass my cousin and I went straight to Religous Instruction. I remember Fathers, Stoker, Himes, Walch and Fitzgerald. What a wonder time it was back them

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  2. I am surprised that no one has come forward to remember those priests. I may have spelled the names wrong. The comment made above was by me. Those times were in the 40's, The Nuns were very personable. Now in my 70's I miss those times, as well as Saint Mark Catholic Church.

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