Sunday into Monday: Right Here on This Altar
On Corpus Christi, Fr. John invited us to reflect on an astonishing reality: the same Jesus who fed the crowds, died on the Cross, rose from the dead, and reigns in glory is not distant from us.
He is here.
Right here at St. Mark.
Right here in Huntersville.
Right here on this altar.
Beginning with the story of manna in the desert, Fr. John reminded us how God fed His people during their long journey to the Promised Land. Yet that miraculous bread from heaven was only a foreshadowing of something far greater. In the Gospel, Jesus reveals Himself as the true Bread from Heaven, declaring, “Whoever eats this bread will live forever.”
The Eucharist is not merely a symbol, a memory, or a reminder of Christ. It is Christ Himself. Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Every time Mass is celebrated, the Lord who created the stars, who walked the roads of Galilee, and who conquered sin and death makes Himself present to us under the humble appearance of bread and wine.
For Fr. John, this was not simply a theological truth to be admired. It was a reality meant to change us.
If we truly believe that Jesus is present in the Eucharist, then we cannot approach Him casually. The Mass is not another item on our weekly calendar. It is the source and summit of our Christian life. It is where Christ feeds us, strengthens us, and unites us to Himself.
St. Paul reminds us that because we share in the one Bread, we become one Body.
At St. Mark, parishioners from different backgrounds, cultures, and generations gather around the same altar and receive the same Lord. In the Eucharist, Christ draws us together and sends us forth as His presence in the world.
Fr. John challenged us to renew our reverence for this great gift. Through prayerful silence, devotion, and a deeper awareness of the Lord’s presence, we allow the Eucharist to shape our hearts and transform our lives.
As we begin a new week, his question remains before us: Do we truly believe what is taking place at every Mass?
The answer is found not only in what we say, but in how we live.
May the Lord we receive in Holy Communion strengthen us to love more generously, forgive more readily, serve more faithfully, and become living signs of His presence in our homes, our workplaces, and our community.
The same Jesus who fed the crowds and walked among His disciples continues to walk with us still.
Right here at St. Mark.
Right here in Huntersville.
Right here on this altar.
Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Day 7:
Heart of Jesus, Source of All Consolation
Today we reflect on the Sacred Heart as a source of strength, comfort, and peace. Pope Francis reminds us that devotion to the Sacred Heart is a sharing in Christ’s love, a love that accompanies us through suffering and assures us that we are never alone.
Saint Francis de Sales wrote, “Surely it is a source of profound consolation to know that we are loved so deeply by our Lord, who constantly carries us in his heart.”
Let us pray:
I believe, O Lord, but strengthen my faith.
Heart of Jesus, I love Thee; but increase my love.
Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee; but give greater vigor to my confidence.
Heart of Jesus, I give my heart to Thee; but so enclose it in Thee that it may never be separated from Thee.
Heart of Jesus, I am all Thine; but take care of my promise so that I may be able to put it in practice even unto the complete sacrifice of my life. Amen.
— Blessed Miguel Pro, S.J.
Today, consider entrusting your intentions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and praying for those who are in need of consolation, strength, and hope.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.
Reminder: We will pray the Consecration prayer as a parish on Friday at all Masses. ❤️🔥
Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Day 7: Heart of Jesus, Source of All Consolation
Today we reflect on the Sacred Heart as a source of strength, comfort, and peace. Pope Francis reminds us that devotion to the Sacred Heart is a sharing in Christ’s love, a love that accompanies us through suffering and assures us that we are never alone.
Saint Francis de Sales wrote, “Surely it is a source of profound consolation to know that we are loved so deeply by our Lord, who constantly carries us in his heart.”
Let us pray:
I believe, O Lord, but strengthen my faith.
Heart of Jesus, I love Thee; but increase my love.
Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee; but give greater vigor to my confidence.
Heart of Jesus, I give my heart to Thee; but so enclose it in Thee that it may never be separated from Thee.
Heart of Jesus, I am all Thine; but take care of my promise so that I may be able to put it in practice even unto the complete sacrifice of my life. Amen.
— Blessed Miguel Pro, S.J.
Today, consider entrusting your intentions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and praying for those who are in need of consolation, strength, and hope.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.
Reminder: We will pray the Consecration prayer as a parish on Friday at all Masses. ❤️🔥
Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Day 6:
Heart of Jesus, Atonement for Our Sins
As we continue our Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we reflect today on Christ’s great love for humanity and His sacrifice for our salvation.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart reminds us that Jesus willingly suffered and died for our sins. When we contemplate His pierced Heart, we are invited not only to seek His forgiveness, but also to examine our own hearts, repair the harm we have caused, and grow in charity toward one another.
Let us pray:
My Jesus, I love You with my whole heart. I am sorry for having so many times offended Your infinite goodness. With the help of Your grace, I purpose never to offend You again. And now, unworthy though I am, I consecrate myself to You without reserve. I renounce and give entirely to You my will, my affection, my desires, and all that I possess.
— St. Alphonsus Liguori
Today, let us ask the Sacred Heart of Jesus to help us grow in holiness, reconciliation, and love for one another.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Corpus Christi continued…Following the 1 pm Spanish Mass, parishioners joined in a second Eucharistic Procession and Benediction as we carried Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament beyond the walls of the church.
Accompanied by incense, sacred music, flower petals, and the prayers of the faithful, hundreds of parishioners joined in procession as we carried Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament throughout the parish grounds.
On this feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, we give thanks for the gift of the Eucharist and the Real Presence of Jesus Christ among us.
O Sacrament Most Holy
O Sacrament Divine
All praise and all thanksgiving
Be every moment Thine
Today we celebrated the Solemnity of Corpus Christi with a Eucharistic Procession and Benediction following the 9 am Mass
Accompanied by incense, bells, sacred music, flower petals, and the prayers of the faithful, we carried Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament beyond the walls of the church and into the world
On this feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, we give thanks for the gift of the Eucharist and the Real Presence of Jesus Christ among us
O Sacrament Most Holy
O Sacrament Divine
All praise and all thanksgiving
Be every moment Thine
Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Day 5
Heart of Jesus, Fountain of Life and Holiness
Today, as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, we are reminded that the Sacred Heart of Jesus continues to pour out His life and love through the Holy Eucharist.
The Church teaches that the blood and water flowing from the pierced side of Christ are signs of the life and grace that flow from His Sacred Heart. Through the Eucharist, Jesus continues to nourish His Church and draw us into communion with Him.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, Saviour of the world and source of holiness, look with kindness on all whom you have chosen to be Missionaries of your loving Heart.
Ask your heavenly Father to keep us in your love, and sanctify us in the truth so that you may be glorified in us and we may reflect your goodness.
Ask your Father to keep us from evil that we may always be united in bonds of love.
As you are one with your Father, so may we be one with each other in your divine Heart, whose sentiments shall forever be ours and to which we consecrate ourselves in time and for eternity. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Day 4:
Heart of Jesus, Patient and Full of Mercy
Today we reflect on the patient and merciful Heart of Jesus.
Throughout the Gospels, Christ reveals the Father’s mercy through His compassion for sinners, His forgiveness of those who persecuted Him, and His invitation to begin again. The Sacred Heart remains open to all who seek Him.
Saint Faustina Kowalska, whose visions inspired the Divine Mercy devotion, reminds us to place our complete trust in the mercy of Christ.
Let us pray:
Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Amen.
As we continue this Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, let us ask for the grace to receive Christ’s mercy and to extend that same mercy to others through our words, actions, and daily encounters.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
St. Mark Parish will join in the consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday, June 12, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Day 3: Heart of Jesus, Worthy of All Praise. Today we reflect on the Sacred Heart of Jesus as worthy of all praise.
Saint John Henry Newman understood that the deepest encounter with the Sacred Heart takes place in the Holy Eucharist. In every Mass and every moment of Eucharistic Adoration, we encounter the same Heart that burns with love for His people.
As Pope Francis reminds us, the Eucharist reveals the immense love of Christ's Heart and invites us into a deeper friendship with Him.
Let us pray:
O most Sacred, most loving Heart of Jesus, Thou art concealed in the Holy Eucharist, and Thou beatest for us still.
I worship Thee with all my love and awe, with my fervent affection and with my whole heart.
O my God, when Thou dost condescend to come to me in Holy Communion, make my heart beat with Thy Heart.
Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
As we continue this novena, we invite you to join us on Friday, June 12, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, when St. Mark Parish will make its consecration to the Sacred Heart.
Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Day 2
Heart of Jesus, Source of Justice and Love
High above the narthex at St. Mark is this beautiful image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Many parishioners pass beneath it each week without ever noticing it. During this novena, it serves as a reminder that Christ’s love is always present, drawing us closer to Him and to one another.
Today we reflect on the Sacred Heart as the source of justice and love. The more we encounter the love of Christ, the more we are called to share that love with others, especially those who are suffering, forgotten, or in need of mercy.
As Pope Francis wrote:
“Our best response to the love of Christ’s heart is to love our brothers and sisters.”
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus,
You gave Your life for us.
Your Sacred Heart is ablaze with love.
Your hand extends toward me, and toward all,
offering love, mercy, and healing.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, may Your love transform me.
Burn away my hesitation that I may become Your love and radiate Your mercy.
Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
St. Mark Parish will join Catholics throughout our nation in prayer as we prepare for the consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We also invite you to join us on Friday, June 12, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, when our parish will make its own consecration to the Sacred Heart.
Photo: Sacred Heart window, St. Mark Catholic Church
https://t.co/dlfLOSJJC4
Once a deacon, always a deacon.
This week, Fr. Kevin Martinez celebrated the third anniversary of his ordination to the diaconate in a place that holds special meaning for Catholics around the world: Lourdes, France.
After spending the past few weeks on pilgrimage to Fatima, Spain, and Lourdes, Fr. Kevin had the opportunity to offer Mass at the Lourdes Grotto on the anniversary of the day he first said “yes” to ordained ministry as a deacon.
As we continue celebrating this season of ordinations and priestly anniversaries, we give thanks for Fr. Kevin’s vocation and ask God to continue blessing his priesthood.
Please keep Fr. Kevin and all of our pilgrims in your prayers as they complete their journey and prepare to return home.
June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.
Today begins a national Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus that will culminate on June 11 with the consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart by the Catholic bishops of our country.
In a world that often feels divided, anxious, and uncertain, the Church points us again to the Heart of Christ: a heart full of mercy, compassion, and love.
We invite you to join us in praying this novena over the next nine days and to entrust your family, our parish, our nation, and the world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Day 1: Heart of Jesus, aflame with love for us
“Lord, I come to Your tender Heart today. I desire to know You more, to contemplate You in the Gospel, to be with You and learn from You. Grant all Your children the grace of encountering You. Change, shape, and transform our plans, so that we seek only You in every circumstance.”
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Novena:
https://t.co/dlfLOSJJC4
📷: Patrick Schneider Photography
Over the past several weeks, we've celebrated ordinations, First Masses, and Corpus Christi. Amid all these joyful moments in the life of the Church, we don't want to overlook some of our youngest parishioners.
In May, St. Mark Preschool students participated in the beautiful tradition of the May Crowning, honoring Mary as our Mother and Queen. They also celebrated their graduation, marking an important milestone in their young lives.
Children are a gift from God and an essential part of the life of every parish. We are grateful for the families who entrust them to our care, the teachers who help form them in the faith, and the joy they bring to our community.
Congratulations to our preschool graduates, and thank you for reminding us that the future of the Church is already among us.
This is stunning. Created by parishioner Aidan Creter, this video captures the beauty, joy, and hope of Saturday’s priestly ordination.
My heart swells with gratitude for our parish, our diocese, and these men who said yes to Christ and His Church.
Thank you to all who follow this page and glimpse into our world.
Please continue to pray for our priests, our newly ordained priests, and for future vocations.
Pray that all may come to know the love of Jesus Christ. 🙏🏼❤️
https://t.co/RsGtx0DETA
Tu es sacerdos in aeternum.
You are a priest forever.
Yesterday, Father James Tweed celebrated his First Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Mark.
Through the ministry of priests, Christ continues to baptize, forgive sins, anoint the sick, bless marriages, and feed His people with the Holy Eucharist.
As the altar was incensed, the choir sang the ancient words of Psalm 110:
“You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
Thank you to our Director of Sacred Music, Manny Mora, the choir, organists, cantors, and instrumentalists who helped make these ordinations and First Masses so prayerful and beautiful.
Please continue to pray for Father James, for the ten priests ordained this weekend, for the four newly ordained deacons, and for all those discerning God’s call.
From Sunday to Monday: Yesterday, newly ordained Father James Tweed celebrated his First Mass of Thanksgiving.
Preaching the homily, Father Joseph Yellico reflected on the beauty and responsibility of the priesthood:
“You are now conformed to Jesus Christ, the High Priest. You are now being sent as an emissary of the Holy Trinity to feed and protect His flock.”
He reminded Father James that a priest’s life is spent bringing Christ to His people through the sacraments:
“Raise new disciples in the waters of Baptism. Feed your children with the Holy Eucharist. When they are hurting and wounded, heal their hearts with the joy of Confession. Witness God’s love in every marriage you celebrate. Entrust souls into the arms of Jesus and Mary.”
Through the hands of a priest, Christ continues to baptize, forgive sins, strengthen the sick, bless marriages, and most profoundly, feed His people with His Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist.
Perhaps most beautifully, he reflected on the mystery of the priesthood itself:
“We sinners in black robes have been chosen by Christ, the spotless Lamb of God, to be ministers and guardians of heaven’s treasury of grace, the sacraments.”
As we begin a new week, let us pray for Father James, for the ten priests ordained this weekend, for the four newly ordained deacons, and for all who have answered God’s call to serve His Church.
The harvest is abundant.
Yesterday, ten men were ordained priests for the Diocese of Charlotte here. Today, throughout our diocese, they stand at altars for the first time to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
The priesthood exists for the Eucharist. Through the ministry of priests, Christ continues to teach, sanctify and shepherd His people.
As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, let us thank God for the gift of the priesthood and pray for our newly ordained priests and deacons.
It's Sunday. Come to Mass.
What a beautiful, joyful and historic day for the Diocese of Charlotte!
Bishop Michael Martin ordained 10 men to the priesthood, the most ordained at one time in the history of the diocese. See more photos and read more: https://t.co/I9Kne4UgwG