St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church is led by Fr. James Taranto, Pastor. St. Mark's is a parish community of 2,550 families and growing! Located in Independence, Missouri, the parish serves Catholics in eastern Independence, western Blue Springs and northern Lee's Summit. St. Mark's offers an extensive ministry program with services to meet the needs of people throughout their faith-life journey.

If you need more information about the parish or wish to contact us, please contact the parish office at 816-373-2600.

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Did you know?

• Vatican City is the smallest sovereign state in the world, covering an area no larger than 108.7 acres.
• Elected Pope in 1198 at the age of 37, Innocent III was the first Pope to take the title "Vicar of Christ".
• The word "catholic" was first used by Ignatius of Antioch around the year 110 A.D.
• Pope Pius IX (1846–1878) has the longest reign as pope. He served: 31 years, 7 months and 23 days (11,560 days)
• Pope Urban VII had the shortest reign as pope. He served 13 days before his death.
• A 'pyx' is a mall vessel in which the Holy Eucharist is carried to the sick.
• The 'Sacred Congregation of Propaganda' is a department of the pontifical administration charged with the spread of Catholicism and with the regulation of ecclesiastical affairs in non-Catholic countries.
• The 'Pretorium' is the building Pilate occupied at the time of Christ's Passion.
• Ash Wednesday is generally the most attended Mass of the year.
• A 'Pectorale' is the cross worn by the pope, cardinals, bishops and other prelates.
• Cardinals have worn red since the year 1245 as a symbol that they are ready to lay down their life for Christ and his Gospel.
• Currently there are 1,752 Canon laws.
• The word rosary means "garland of roses"
• The largest population of Catholics live in Brazil; with more than 137 million Catholics making up 77 percent of the population.
• Followers of Jesus were first called Christians in Antioch around 40 A.D.
• St. Dominic is considered the first person to use the rosary. He received the rosary from a vision of Mary.
• Pope John Paul II was the first non-Italian elected pope in almost 500 years.
• Around 604 A.D. the word 'Mass' (missa) was first used to describe the celebration of the Eucharist.
• About 1,000 people live at the Vatican, while another 4,000 work there every day.
• The Vatican has diplomatic relations with almost every country in the world.
• A cardinal is actually not apart of the Holy Orders. In Ordination, a man is ordained a deacon, priest or bishop. A cardinal is usually a bishop that has been deemed an honorary one by the pope.
• The ashes for Ash Wednesday are prepared by burning last year's palm leaves.
• 'Postcommunion' is the final prayers of thanksgiving and petition at the end of every Mass.
• The phrase Kyrie Eleison is Greek for 'Lord have mercy'.
• A 'Pileolus' is the small, round skullcap of the ecclesiastic.