Adult Confirmation is for Catholics who have been baptized and received first communion but have not yet been confirmed. It meets weekly and occasionally joins the RCIA on Saturdays for a total of about ten meetings over the course an academic year. The program culminates with the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Easter vigil.

Bible Studies for adults are available in a wide variety of formats and meeting places, in the Church, in neighborhood homes and during religious education classes. Participation is the best way in learning to follow the Gospel lifestyle and to share in the Kingdom, the Body of Christ.

Ministry of Mothers Sharing [M.O.M.S] meets on for faith sharing, study and spiritual support. Through scriptural and personal sharing, the women learn more about God's plan for their lives and ways to follow this plan. Gathering mothers together to form a network of mutual spiritual support provides a group experience of learning, praying and ministering to each other. We introduce mothers to opportunities for personal and spiritual growth in a faith sharing group, and to increase communication skills and the use of prayer rituals in the home.

• Desert House of Prayer is a center for contemplative prayer in the Christian, Catholic tradition. Located on 31 acres of Sonoran Desert outside Tucson, Arizona, Desert House of Prayer, founded in 1974, is a place and community committed to silence. Surrounded by three mountain ranges, the natural beauty of terrain evokes an awareness of God's grandeur. Reservations and more information can be obtained by calling 520-744-3825, e-Mailing : INFO@deserthouseofprayer.org or by writing PO Box 570, Cortaro, AZ 85652

• The Redemptorist Renewal Center at Picture Rocks, outside Tucson, is a spiritual life and renewal center that provides a unique opportunity for solitude, reflection, prayer and contemplative practice. The Redemptorist Renewal Center is a place where God may be discovered in action. It is not just a physically beautiful place, but it is a place where a person may listen to the voice of God. It is a place where the Redemptorist community is privileged to serve their brothers and sisters in the Lord. In the inevitable exchange, in each experience of sharing, listening and silence, the healing and nourishing power of the Spirit of God is at work. Contact, toll-free: 866.737.5751, Phone: 520.744.3400, e-mail office@desertrenewal.org, or write to: P.O. Box 569, Cortaro, AZ 85652

• The Franciscan Renewal Center, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a spiritual oasis which encompasses counseling, various support groups, workshops, retreats for spiritual growth and personal development and Franciscan Way programs. Phone: (800) 356-3247 (toll free), (480) 948-7460,  Email: casa@thecasa.org, http://www.thecasa.org/, Franciscan Renewal Center, Casa de Paz y Bien, 5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253

• Vine of Grace Retreat Ministry

Catholic women caring for the spiritual needs of women. We believe that you, as a woman of grace, are an incredible gift, born to “bear good fruit”, and to walk in the fullness of God’s purpose for your life. Vine of Grace retreats help you grow in every aspect of your life – physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.
Call: 520-631-1408, 520 296-1134, www.vineofgrace.org

Interesting online retreats:

• There are many to choose from, such as Spiritual Journaling, Praying Always, Women Disciples, and Women of Prayer and Justice. www.goodgroundpress.com [select “Online Retreats”]
• Creighton University Online Retreats, www:creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/cmo-retreat.html

Prayer and Life Workshop, a Lay Apostolate approved by the Vatican and created by Fr. Ignacio Larrañagga, a Capuchin Franciscan. In the Prayer and Life Workshop, the faithful learn step by step how to enter into a personal relationship with the Lord. A variety of prayer methods are introduced which eventually lead the faithful to the heights of contemplative prayer. For more information, you can visit the Prayer and Life Workshop website at www.tovpil.org.

Catholic Engaged Encounter (CEE) is recognized, both nationally and internationally, as a quality, highly effective, marriage preparation program designed to meet the needs of today's engaged couples. It is an intensive weekend of work during which each couple is offered the time and opportunity to question, examine, and deepen their relationship with each other and with God. Couples are challenged to explore their relationship in a much deeper, more honest way than they have been before. Topics covered during the weekend include self-awareness, human sexuality, communications, decision making, Natural Family Planning, vocation, sacrament, unity and more. Tucson Weekends begin on Friday evening and conclude on Sunday afternoon. Call for more information and weekend availability.
Contact Jerry & Dina Aguilar, 520.571.0797, e-mail: tucsonee@cox.net , Registration: Clara Ruiz, 520.741.8540, http://www.engagedencounter.org/

Marriage Encounter - Can people tell that Jesus is King of your house? Worldwide Marriage Encounter can give you tools to keep your marriage Christ centered. It's not a retreat, marriage clinic, group sensitivity, or a substitute for counseling. It's a unique approach aimed at revitalizing Marriage. This is a time for you and your spouse to be alone together, to rediscover each other and together focus on your relationship for an entire weekend. Every marriage deserves that kind of attention! Weekends available in Tucson twice a year.

Weekends are held regularly at local hotels throughout Arizona. In some areas there are waiting lists for the weekend, so early registration is recommended. Click here for a list of weekend dates and locations [http://phoenix.az.wwme.org/] near you. To register for a weekend, call (602) 242-6141

Retrouvaille™ (pronounced re-tro-vi with a long i.) is a French word meaning rediscovery. The program offers tools needed to rediscover a loving marriage relationship. Thousands of couples headed for cold, unloving relationships or divorce have successfully overcome their marriage problems by attending the program.

The Retrouvaille Program consists of a weekend experience combined with a series of 6-12 post-weekend sessions over 3 months. It provides the tools to help put your marriage in order again. The main emphasis of the program is on communication in marriage between husband and wife. It will give you the opportunity to rediscover each other and examine your lives together in a new and positive way.

What the Program is not.
It is not a retreat, marriage counseling, marriage self help or a sensitivity group. There are neither group dynamics nor group discussions on the weekend. It is not a time for hurting; it is a time for healing. Contact R.O.S.A. /Tucson, Az - Retrouvaille of Tucson [Catholic], Questions via Email: 4003@retrouvaille.org. Contact: Kevin & Kathie Stogsdill, Questions via Phone: 520-722-2931 or call 800-470-2230

Life in the Spirit "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" (Acts 19:2). A Life in the Spirit Seminar is a chance to EXPERIENCE God and the Holy Spirit in our lives. Each of us has a relationship with God. We all know who He is and what great things He can do...but have you actually felt Him in your life? We were all given gifts by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and Confirmation, but how many of us use these gifts to improve our lives and the lives of our family, church and community?

Through a series of six two hour sessions consisting of talks, presentations, discussions, song, prayer services, Eucharist and fellowship, the Life in the Spirit Seminar allows you to look at God as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This seminar will help you to develop a better understanding of God, as Father and Son, but especially as the Holy Spirit and the impact the Holy Spirit can have in your life.

Life in the Spirit is an opportunity for you to "step away" and take the time to deepen your personal relationship with God...which may change your life!!

Messengers of Christ bring Christian fellowship, prayer and Communion on to those who are homebound, those in retirement homes, and persons who may be temporarily disabled or are patients at a hospital. If one member suffers in the body of Christ, which is the church, all the members suffer with that member" (1 Corinthians 12:26)
For this reason, those who are baptized into Christ and nourished at the same table of the Lord are responsible for one another. When Christians are sick, their brothers and sisters share a ministry of mutual charity. As Christians, we are exhorted to do all that we can to help the sick person return to health by a show of love for them, and by celebrating the sacraments with them.

Works of Mercy Ministry seeks to lift up and address some of the moral and human dimensions in social issues, identify structural injustices and promote social change in ways addressable by the resources of this parish. We also promote and support the formation of various other groups working for justice. The Works of Mercy Ministry believes in certain core principles. These are:

• Dignity of the Human Person
• Community and the Common Good
• Rights and Responsibilities
• Option for the Poor
• Dignity of Work
• Solidarity
• Stewardship of Creation

The St. Mark’s Works of Mercy Ministry already has a successful history within the Parish. Our accomplishments are many, and our pastoral focus within the parish includes:

• Education and Formation of the Community
• Service Opportunities
• Advocacy

St. Mark’s Works of Mercy team meets monthly.
Inter-agency support and networking is through Interfaith Community Services, www.icstucson.org, 297-6049 between 9AM – 4PM.

Marian Movement of Priests. On the 8th of May, 1972, Father Stefano Gobbi, a priest from Milan, Italy, was taking part in a pilgrimage to Fatima. While praying in the Chapel of the Apparitions for some priests who, besides having given up their own vocations, were attempting to form an association in rebellion against the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, an interior voice urged Fr. Gobbi to have confidence in the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

What Fr. Gobbi had just experienced was an interior locution. It is not an apparition or other communication perceived by the human senses, but a spiritual phenomenon present in the life of the Church and described in manuals of Catholic theology. The messages (interior locutions) are the gift by which God wishes to make something known to humanity, in Fr. Gobbi's particular case by means of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In July 1973, Fr. Gobbi began to write down these interior locutions which he was receiving. The messages, dating from July 1973 to December 1997, are published in the book, "To the Priests, Our Lady's Beloved Sons."

In Message #25, "My Faithful Cohort," Mary explains what is expected of the religious and lay members of her Movement. "Of the faithful, who are supporters of my Movement, I ask:
1. That they consecrate themselves in a special way to my Immaculate Heart,
2. That they be faithful to the Pope and to the Church united to him.
3. That they must observe the commandments of God . . .

Please join the St. Mark’s group to pray, Tuesday’s, after Mass, in the north classroom.
For more information, visit the web site. http://www.mmp-usa.net/

Cactus Comfort. If there is anyone you know who is in need of comfort, suffering from illness, bereavement, physical or spiritual need, or someone who is just in need of a warm blanket hug, we have shawls and blankets for you, parishioners, your family and friends. Free. Please join us once a week, once a month, or work from home. Meetings on Monday, 9:00 – 10:30 AM in the classroom at the Church. Donations accepted for yarn or Michael’s Gift Cards. Call 797.6987

Sociable Seniors meet together monthly to plan for social activities and special events.

Knights of Columbus We are a Catholic, fraternal organization dedicated to the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. All Catholic men over the age of 18 are encouraged to join. There isn’t a great time commitment; we meet monthly. We sponsor several family-based activities, as well as, fund-raisers to support our many charitable works including our local parish. For more information contact

Vacation Bible School is always a wonderful success during the summer at St. Mark’s. Participate or volunteer in this exciting faith sharing opportunity for our children.

ICS – Interfaith Community Services always have food bank needs, opportunities for giving rides to appointments, fix it projects around the house, and more. ICS offers mileage reimbursement for transportation volunteers. Training is provided. Visit www.icstucson.org for more information or call 297.6049 between 9 AM – 4 PM.

Fun & Frolic with the goal and purpose to help family members grow in faith in God, love for each other, and understanding of what it means to be a family. Fun & frolic events encourage and support families as they fulfill the tasks they have in facing various stages of the family life cycle. Activities encourage families, in all their many forms, to be a sign of God's saving love, to be faithful to their call to holiness and affirms the sacredness of everyday life. Help to support families through involvement and participation in parish picnics, banquets, dances and more fun & frolic.