Our Parish Community
Saint Mark is a vibrant and welcoming Catholic parish community where faith comes alive through liturgy, service, and fellowship. We are committed to growing together in Christ and invite all to become active participants in the life of the Church. Whether you are drawn to liturgy, music, faith formation, outreach, or building meaningful community, there are many opportunities to get involved and find your place here. We encourage you to explore the options below and discover how you can share your gifts and deepen your connection with God and one another.
OCIA & Parish Councils
Pastoral Council
The Pastoral Council is an advisory body to Fr. Ward and serves the parish community by facilitating the overall mission of the parish. The council is composed of members who serve as chairs of five distinct subcommittees. These subcommittees will focus on specific areas of parish life and ministry to ensure that the needs of the parish are met, the spiritual growth of its members is supported, and the facilities are well-maintained. The subcommittees are Lifelong Formation, Outreach, Parish Life, Vocations, and Buildings & Grounds.
Charles Jetton | pastoralcouncil@stmarkrc.org
Finance Council
The Parish Finance Council is an advisory body to Fr. Ward and serves the parish community by facilitating the overall mission of the parish as it relates to the management of her fiscal resources. The council is composed of members which serve as a plenary body and meet quarterly. Members also serve on three distinct subcommittees which meet an additional time at appropriate intervals, resulting in an average annual commitment of 10 meetings. These subcommittees focus on specific financial aspects, project and practical administration of the parish to ensure that the needs of the parish are met with diligence, prudence and transparency.
John Krauser | jekbest@aol.com
Dr. Tim Sutton | tim@stmarkrc.org
OCIA
O.C.I.A. – Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (formerly RCIA) is the Church’s process for bringing individuals into membership in the Catholic Church through the celebration of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
Evangelization & Lifelong Formation
Padre Pio Prayer Group
The Padre Pio Prayer group of Birmingham, Alabama, will meet at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church on the 3rd Saturday of the month. We have Mass at 9am, followed by Exposition, Rosary, prayers to Padre Pio and Benediction!
"Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry!" Padre Pio... pray for us!
Angela Kolar | angkolar@att.net
Latino Ministry
Zuseth Fernandez | zfernandez0906@gmail.com
The Latino Ministry is a multicultural spiritual community where every person is welcomed to renew their faith, share their gifts, and experience the loving presence of God. We gather regularly to pray with Sister Emma, pray the Holy Rosary, prepare meals for the parish Youth Group, celebrate our cultural traditions, and support families in need through initiatives such as La Casita.
Small Groups
Small groups at Saint Mark are intentional gatherings of 3-12 people that meet regularly in homes, cafes, or at the church. They serve as vital communities for fostering spiritual growth, connection, and serving the local community.
James Dunnigan | james@stmarkrc.org
Michael Kingsmore | puttyjack1@yahoo.com
Men of Saint Joseph
The Men of St. Joseph is an association of Christian men, united under the Catholic Church, who meet weekly to pray together and encourage each other to be the spiritual leaders of their families. The purpose of the Men of St. Joseph is to instill holiness in men and facilitate spiritual leadership in family and community life. Saint Mark’s Men of St. Joseph chapter meets weekly on Wednesday mornings from 7-7:45 am in the Saint Matthew Room. Gatherings consist of Sunday readings, reflections, and fellowship. St. Mark’s Men of St. Joseph currently averages between 12-16 men who meet weekly.
Prayer Cenacle
Joseph Regan | joseph@stmarkrc.org
A cenacle is a small faith-sharing group. It is as old as the Church itself. The idea contained in the word cenacle is derived from the meeting of our Lord's followers in the upper room where He celebrated the Last Supper. It was in the upper room that Jesus instituted the Eucharist and washed the apostles' feet. It was there that the apostles received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. We will strive to grow in holiness and virtue with the guidance of our Blessed Mother under her title, “Mary Mother Guardian of the Faith.”
Young Adult Ministries
Patrick DePew | patrick@stmarkrc.org
Saint Mark offers a variety of young adult offerings focused on building intentional community. Various social events take place each month and include activities like pickleball, trivia, art night, coffee, and more!
Outreach
Women of Saint Mark
The purpose of WOSM is to support the women of the parish in building community and fellowship, providing times of fun, and enriching their faith life. All women of the parish are invited to participate.
Karen Kapp | karenbkapp@gmail.com
St. Vincent De Paul Society
Kate Seifert | stvincentdepaul@stmarkrc.org
The mission of the St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVdP) is two-fold: tending to the spiritual growth of its members and serving those in need by bringing them closer to God. The conference at St. Mark the Evangelist was started in 2011 and is part of a much larger, worldwide Catholic lay organization, whose 800,000-plus members are known as Vincentians.
Members of the St. Mark’s conference meet twice a month, once in person and once via Zoom. The first part of each meeting, led by Sr. Helen Gaffney, is spent praying and discussing the upcoming week’s Gospel message and its connection to our ministry. The second part is (largely) spent discussing how to best help people from the Birmingham area who have called throughout the week requesting assistance. Our budget is derived from a monthly stipend from the church, private donations, and contributions placed in the Poor Box.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Linda Townsley | ljtownsley@gmail.com
The prayer shawl ministry, Shawls for Hope, was established in 2016 to provide prayers and support for those who may be facing a challenging life experience. As of this date we have gifted well over 200 shawls. There is no charge for a shawl and we have been blessed with generous donations made to this ministry to help offset the cost of yarn. Many of the shawls were given to patients in the hospital, the Cancer Center or nearby nursing homes. We have received positive messages from several of the recipients expressing gratitude for prayers and support. This ministry meets on the last Tuesday morning of the month at 10:30 in the Parish Center to work on our shawls and share ideas, although most of the handiwork can be done at home.
Pastoral Care
Diane Stith | dstith1632@gmail.com
Pastoral Ministry to the Homebound and the Sick is staffed by our faithful Extraordinary Ministers (EM) who hold communion services at several Senior Living facilities, and they also visit other residents individually in their homes or in the other Assisted Care facilities.
The residents look forward to the Communion Service that is held every week all year round.
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is a catholic men’s fraternal benefit society that was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.
Kenny Hickox | jkhickox@yahoo.com
Peter Bibbo | michburo@gmail.com
Greene County Food
The Greene County Food Mission is a monthly mission to donate food, toiletries, and other needed hygienic supplies to those less fortunate in Greene County, Alabama. Donations are collected on the first weekend every month.
Supper Club
Georganna Felt | richardfelt3790@att.net
The Saint Mark the Evangelist Supper Club is a group of adults that meets at different restaurants monthly to build community, try new restaurants, and have fun!
Oak Mountain Missions
Marie Hickox | mariehickox@yahoo.com
Life’s changes can hit all of us quickly and unexpectedly. When faced with the unexpected Oak Mountain Missions is there to help. Since 2001, Oak Mountain Mission Ministries has provided food, clothing, utility assistance, houseware items, and much more to our neighbors in Jefferson and Shelby counties. Saint Mark supports Oak Mountain Missions with donations gathered throughout the year.
First Light
Julia Koncsol | julkoncsol@gmail.com
Small groups and individuals bring a meal to Saint Mark to be delivered and served at First Light! Volunteers can sign up to provide salad, drinks, or dinner. Members of the group then gather the meal and deliver it to the ladies at First Light Women’s Shelter.
Scouts
Chris Laney | 119troop@gmail.com
ENJOY CAMPING? FISHING? ROCKETS? THE OUTDOORS?
St. Mark now has Scouting for all ages! Scouting is enjoying the outdoors, making friends, and growing as a leader.
Boys and girls are welcome. Meetings are in the Youth Center.
Liturgy
Altar Servers
Altar servers assist the priest during Mass, enhancing the liturgy’s reverence and beauty. Key duties include carrying the processional cross and candles, holding the Roman Missal, and assisting with the altar preparation.
Connor Chandler | t.connor.chandler@gmail.com
Eucharistic Adoration
Mark Moore | adoration@stmarkrc.org
Eucharistic Adoration is spending time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament—the consecrated host, which we, as Catholics, believe is the real presence of Jesus Christ. During Adoration, the host is either kept in the tabernacle or placed in a monstrance and displayed on the altar. Christ is truly present in the Eucharist. Adoration is spending time with Him. Adorers are needed. Please click the link below to register as an adorer at Saint Mark the Evangelist.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
The Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion assists the Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (clergy) in the distribution of the Holy Eucharist when the congregation is so large that the ministry is warranted.
Jeanne Welsh | j.bwelsh@gmail.com
Jeanne Welsh | j.bwelsh@gmail.com
Lectors
Lectors confidently and clearly proclaim the Sacred Scriptures during the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy. Lectors are needed for both weekday and weekend Masses.
Altar Guild
Emily Dieguez | emily@stmarkrc.org
If you have a heart for the reverent, behind the scenes service, consider joining the Altar Guild. The behind-the-scenes ministry cares for flowers, linens, vessels, candles, and seasonal decorations (Advent, Christmas, Easter).
Sacred Music
Francisco Carbonell | francisco@stmarkrc.org
Led by award winning composer and organist, Francisco Carbonell, AAGO, the Saint Mark choir elevates the liturgy with their reverent and beautiful sound.
Practices are on Wednesdays from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. The choir also leads Compline (Night Prayer) at 8:05 PM at the conclusion of Wednesday Night Live.