Ministry Descriptions

Religious Education – St. Mark’s Parish Religious Education Program offers a comprehensive education for all children beginning in Pre-Kindergarten (Age 4) through Grade 8.

Through family prayer, Christian example, and regular attendance at Mass, a family lays the foundation for their children’s spiritual life.  We strive to assist parents by providing a variety of learning experiences, such as:  formal classroom instruction, retreats, liturgical celebrations, prayer services and parent meetings.

We hope to provide an environment in which all children can develop spiritually and morally.

Our classes are staffed with volunteer Catechists who instruct the children.  Training for our Catechists is provided and workshops are offered throughout the year.  If you would like more information on how you can make a difference in the Faith Formation of our children, please call Mary Ann Hirsch, 732-449-6364, Ext. 105.

Youth Group – St. Mark’s Youth Group is open to all students of high school age whether or not they are members of our church.  The main focus of our ministry is to learn to encounter Jesus and incorporate his values and teachings in our everyday lives.  We meet every other Sunday evening to share our faith and social activities.  We also participate in Diocesan led events including retreats, conferences and days of service to those in need.

Social Concerns – The sole purpose of Social Concerns is to help those in need.  Since 1986 the committee has endeavored to reach out to the poor, the lonely, the hungry, the elderly and the bereaved.  Sound familiar?  Yes!  We try to live out the gospel message as your emissaries.  We are to be a mediating force connecting the special needs of an individual with the resources of society at large and to be an instrument through which aid, in whatever form, is distributed to those who fall between the cracks of social living.

The people we help are the friends and neighbors in our immediate community.  There are, as well, those from areas close by who appeal to us for help during difficult times.  They are all the family of God, and dedicated volunteers tend to their needs as well as they are able.  The committee meets from September to June on the second Tuesday of the month in Father Child’s Hall.  The mission, though, is year round.  Join us anytime!

Altar Servers – Altar servers enhance the quality of celebration for the whole gathered assembly during mass by taking part in processions and by ensuring that all items required for the celebration are available at appropriate moments.  This ministry is open to school-age volunteers in the third grade or older who are scheduled to serve at weekend masses.  Adult servers participate during the week.  Training and support are available.  After training, servers are usually scheduled for a minimum of one mass per month.  If you feel that you are being called to help carry out Jesus’ invitation to “Do this in remembrance of Me…” call the Parish Office at 732-449-6364 for more information.

Ministry of Reader (Lector) – The duty of the Reader is to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture at Mass and Special Liturgies.  The Reader May also announce the intentions for the Prayer of the Faithful at Mass.   This ministry is open to anyone of high school age or older.  Readers are assigned approximately once per month to the same Saturday/Sunday Masses.

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion – St. Mark’s Eucharistic Ministers assist with the distribution of the Blessed Sacrament at weekday as well as weekend Masses throughout the year.  They also assist with bringing the Blessed Sacrament to ill and housebound parishioners.  This ministry is open to any dedicated parishioner.  A brief training session is required.  Participation in the ministry at another parish will usually fulfill these requirements.  Weekend assignments are usually made for one month at a time on Saturday and Sunday of that particular month.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) – Adults who wish to join the Catholic Church or baptized Catholics who have not celebrated their Confirmation or Eucharist are invited to participate in a process which dates back to the First century and involves a journey of several stages.  It begins with an Inquiry Period during which we come together weekly in a friendly setting to discuss the Catholic faith and to respond to questions.  If the seekers wish to continue to the next level, they will experience the Rite of Welcome at a Sunday Mass when they promise to take instruction in the Catholic faith and to live a Christian life.  During this period they will study the Christian Scriptures, participate in the life of the Church through prayer and service as they move toward full commitment to Jesus Christ and the Church.  Other Rites will mark progress toward reception of the Initiation Sacraments which usually takes place at the Easter Vigil Liturgy.

Adult Faith Formation – This is an adult catechetical activity assisting the faithful – to know, love and obey Jesus Christ through study of Scripture, Church teachings, tradition and history – to understand and actively participate in Church liturgy – to study the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes and the moral teachings of the Church and live in accord with them – to become familiar with the diverse forms of Christian prayer, to develop a pattern of personal prayer and engage in shared prayer in family, small groups and parish – to cultivate the human values and Christian virtues that foster growth in interpersonal relationships and in civic responsibility – to respond to God’s call to nurture an evangelizing spirit among all the faithful.  For information, call Grace Carroll, Coordinator at 732-449-6364, ext. 142.

The Rosary Altar Society - The primary purpose of this organization is to promote devotion to our Blessed Mother through daily recitation of the rosary and to maintain the needs of the altar.  Although we are a spiritual organization, the members do many spiritual and corporal works of mercy.  Our organization sponsors monthly luncheons with an educational/entertaining program.

St. Mark’s Holy Name Society – The St. Mark’s Holy Name Society is a branch of a world Confraternity of the Catholic Church founded to publicly proclaim Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  Here at St. Mark’s we try to fulfill the aims of the society in a variety of spiritual and social activities.  We meet once a month on the Wednesday after the first Sunday, except for July and August.  Interesting speakers are engaged for these 7:30 pm meetings.  Following the business portion of the meeting, we have refreshments and fellowship.  Our society sponsors days of recollection, retreats, holy hours and we recite the rosary as a group for deceased members and parishioners.  We sponsor a variety of social activities.

St. Mark’s Spanish Ministry – From a humble encounter with a poor Mexican family several years ago our Spanish outreach ministry has grown to over 150 families.  Each Sunday the community gathers to celebrate Mass at 5pm followed by an extensive social and educational program in the church basement.  Pizza and soda are served followed by religious education and ESL classes.  Household and clothing items are set out for those in need and information and assistance is available for medical, dental, housing, employment and immigration.  Weekdays a homework club is available at Manasquan Elementary school to provide educational support and organized games and sports until 5pm.  Throughout July, children participate in a morning program developed to meet academic and recreational needs.  The adults of the community have formed their own music ministry and prayer cenacle which meets weekly. 

This program works because God is at the center of all activities, everyone is treated equally with respect, confidentiality is honored and trust is at the heart of this community bonding.  To volunteer for this ministry, call Deacon Dennis at the rectory.

Rosary Makers – This ministry makes rosary beads requested from missionaries in foreign lands, also hospitals, churches, Armed Services and schools in the United States .

The group meets on the last Monday of each month at 1:00 PM.  All materials and instructions are provided at each meeting.  The assembly of the rosaries is done by our makers at their leisure at home.  We urgently need more volunteers to make and ship rosaries.  For further information, contact the parish office.

NURSE MINISTRY –We are a group of nurses and clerical volunteers whose mission it is to serve our parish community through our varied skills, gifts and experiences.  The program is rooted in the mission of the Church to spread the Kingdom of God and to continue Christ’s work of healing, recognizing God’s desire that we achieve abundant life, and reaffirming and supporting the journey to wholeness.  Our goal is to respond to those in our community in need of healing.  We support parishioners who are recovering from illness or surgery; help in coping with chronic illness; prayers of healing; help individuals and their families find community resources; continue to screen blood pressure and monitor blood pressure on a regular basis. 

Bereavement – “Ministry of Hope” – This ministry supports, listens, consoles and comforts those in our Parish who have lost loved ones.  Assistance and coordination is provided in choosing readings and music selections.  When possible, members attend wakes and funerals and, if needed, provide local transportation and answer all questions or requests, as best as possible.

For more information, call Lois Cullum at 732-974-1054 or Jane Fair at 732-974-3287.

Holy Innocents Society – The Holy Innocents Society is a diocesan society whose membership is dedicated to the spiritual welfare of Special Children of all ages; autistic, blind, mentally retarded, emotionally or physically handicapped, neurologically impaired or learning disabled.

Holy Innocents’ Centers throughout the Trenton Diocese provide Specially Challenged Persons, who are not able to function in a regular Religious Education Program, with religious education geared to their individual learning ability.  Dedicated teachers prepare their students for the reception of the Sacraments, and through programs of continuing religious education, prepare them to take an active role in the Church community.  By developing faith in God’s providence, in the love of Jesus Christ for His children and in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the teachers try to foster within each student a positive self-concept, a sense of morality and participation in the Christian community.

The Centers, under the auspices of the H.I.S., are staffed by volunteer teachers and aides supported by the Bishop, priests, Deacons of the Diocese of Trenton, members of the society, and the parents and friends of the students.  Primary funding is provided by the Knights of Columbus with help from the H.I.S. and the contributions of concerned individuals and organizations.

Classes at St. Mark’s meet September through May on Saturdays from 9:30 am to 11:00 am.  For further information, call Frank Walsh at 732-364-7693.

Knights of Columbus - The Rev. John F. Welsh Council 3231 is a family oriented fraternal organization that proudly serves the parishes of St. Mark’s and St. Denis.  They are part of a growing proactive force of the Catholic Church with over 66,000 members in NJ.  Council 3231 is over 50 years old and supports such organizations as the Holy Innocent, Friends of Special Children, Madonna House and Birthright.  Based on the principles of Unity, Charity, Fraternity and Patriotism you will find Knights quietly involved in virtually every church ministry.  Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday at St. Denis and the 4th Wednesday at St. Mark’s.  The Rite to Eucharistic Devotion for the Unborn, which includes a rosary to Our Lady of Guadalupe, is held monthly at St. Mark’s.  Annual dues are $40.00.  You must be 18 years old and practicing Catholic to be a member.  Contact Bernard Ricciardi, 732-528-9259 for more information.

Come & See Catholic Bible Study – This is a twenty-four week study which uses both the Sacred Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church to help one understand the Church’s teachings.  Its materials are written to enable people to come to know Jesus Christ in a deeper way and to conform their lives to God’s Word.  Seeking to preserve the Catholic sense of Scripture, we provide biblical commentary in a readable format, faithful to Catholic doctrine and obedient to the Magisterium of the Church.  Those seeking information about the study can visit it’s website at  or contact Laura Connell at 732-776-6579.

Ushers Ministry – Our responsibilities as ushers is to greet parishioners on arrival at all Masses, make sure the church is comfortable by opening and closing the windows, provide seating for all parishioners, take up the collections, distribute parish bulletins at the end of Mass, check pews after Mass for any personal articles left behind, replace missalettes and hymnals after Mass and secure the church by closing all doors.  Contact the parish office for further information about joining our ministry.

Outreach Transportation – Anyone requiring local transportation for mass or other service related activity can call in advance to schedule a ride.  For more information, please contact the Parish Office.

Parish Office Support – Sr. Anne Powers, Virginia Neilly and Georgeann Donatelli

The Parish Office Support Group is responsible for assisting the laity of the parish and supporting the parish’s administrative responsibilities.  They provide information and coordinate various programs within the church.

Independent Ministries

The following groups act in advisory and overseeing capacities to the pastor and the parish.  Members are invited to join after displaying a serious commitment to the parish and faithfully serving on a ministry.

Finance Committee – The Finance Committee oversees the finance and accounting responsibilities for the parish.  They review all proposals and present them with the appropriate financial analysis to the Pastor.  They also develop guidelines for preparing financial reports and information to be presented to the parish and diocese.

Liturgy Committee – The Liturgy Committee prepares the Liturgy for Masses, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas.  The committee coordinates with the worship ministries in preparing our liturgical celebrations, which also include First Eucharist, Confirmation, Wedding and Anniversary Mass, The Healing Mass, Missions, etc.  They also plan and carry out the decoration of the worship environment in accordance with the liturgical seasons.

Parish Council – The Parish Council is a ministerial community that reflects the mission of Jesus.  The council reviews and maintains an up-to-date overview of parish ministries, activities and programs.  They submit recommendations to the Pastor for evaluation.