August 30, 2026

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27

No wonder Peter rebukes Jesus!
Jesus “began to show his disciples” what faithful discipleship demands:
denying self, losing self, letting self die.
Jesus teaches his disciples to let go of self so that a new self can be given.
What we relinquish is ourselves as we are now;
what we are given is a new self born from identifying completely with Jesus.
It takes a lifetime of discipleship to turn from wanting to
rebuke Jesus' way of living through the cross to embracing it.
It takes a lifetime of discipleship to let Jesus transform our life into his Life.

 

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40 Years of Serving God
and God's People

This weekend, Fr. Paul S. Siebert is celebrating his 40th anniversary as an ordained Priest.
On Sunday, August 30, 2026 the festivities will begin with a Mass at 12:00 PM at St. Mark.

Following Mass, there will be a receiving line, open to the public, in O’Connell Hall (basement of St Mark Church)
for anyone who would like to bring him well wishes.
A reservation dinner will then take place at 2:30 PM at the Emporium FireHall in honor of Fr. Paul.

After that, an open to the public, live Jam session back atSt. Mark O’Connell Hall with Fr. Paul performing with all three bands.
5:00 pm: PMF Acoustic, 6:00 pm: All Saints Band and 7:00 pm: Fr. Paul and Friends!

Please note, there will not be a Mass at St. James, Driftwood,Saturday, Aug. 29th nor the normal 9:00 am Sunday Mass.

All are encouraged to attend the 12:00 pm 40th Anniversary Mass.

Fr. Paul is the son of the late James & Mary Siebert. He grew upin Oil City Pa, the youngest of six children.
He was ordained on June 25, 1986.
Upon his ordination, he was assigned to St. Catherine Parish in DuBois. His other assignments were
Notre Dame, Hermitage and St. Leo, Ridgway.
In April 1997 he was assigned as pastor of St. Mark Catholic Church in Emporium and its Mission Church, St. James, Driftwood.
He also serves as president of Cameron County Food Pantry.
There he loves distributing food items and greeting everyone with a kind smile or cheerful laugh.
He is also president of the board of St. Mark Community Day Care since its inception,
as well as Vice President for the Cameron County Ministerial Association.

Anyone around him knows that music and guitar are his passions, even taking lessons at
University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University with Mr. Joe “Handyman“ Negri.

He has joyfully served as pastor of St Mark Church, Emporium for over 25 years.

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HAPPY ANNNIVERSARY

to Religious Life

SR. FRANCES THERESE

1958-2026

68 years!!!

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Welcome back St. Mark Staff

Jen Abriatis & Sr. Frances Therese

Faith Formation Office hours resume on
Monday. August 17th

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Wednesdays
11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m
Fridays as needed.

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Fr Paul receiving donation from Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania
for much-needed upgrades to technical equipment in the Religious Ed office.

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Rosary Society Meeting

Every 2nd Tuesday of each month at 1:00 PM

New members welcome!

  Rosary said in church, then a short meeting to follow.

Next meeting,

Tuesday, Sept. 8th @ 1:00 PM

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FAITH FORMATION KICK-OFF:

SUNDAY, SEPT. 20th  qt 9:00 AM with a Family Mass,

followed by Outdoor Activities & Food FOR THE ENTIRE PARISH, youth and adults alike!

CONFIRMATION: Grade 9 and

EDGE SESSIONS: Grades 6-8

will be held on Sundays from

10:00 AM–11:15 AM begining Sunday Sept. 27th.

FAITH FORMATION:

Grades 1-5: begins

Wednesdays,Septemner 30th, 3:30-5:00 PM

Please return your child’s registration form if you haven’t already done so.
If you have any questions, or need to register a child, please contact:
Mrs. Jen Abriatis at the Faith Formation office:
814-486-0569

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HOLY HOUR & ADORATION 

Holy Hours will return to Wednesdays at 6:00 PM beginning September 9th.

Please come if you’re able!
Can you adjust your schedule to spend a little time in prayer and devotion?
We hope that the summer Adoration has inspired people to grow in their devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

Also, remember, Confession occurs on Wednesday nights shortly after 6:00 PM as well.

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There is an on-line giving platform from which to make your regular weekly / monthly donations
to St. Mark Church, or for any "special" donation, such as holydays, etc.  
Follow this link to sign in and make your donation - https://onrealm.org/StMarkParish/give/now

If you have any questions, you may call the rectory at 814-486-0569.

  

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Masses at St James - Saturdays at 5:30 pm

St. James Church, Driftwood PA
from April to mid-October.

Come and visit this beautiful little church.
Originally established in 1874.