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Welcome to St. Mark's Parish
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.
Popes John XXIII, Saint Pius X and Innocent XI are the only three pontiffs whose remains are publicly displayed at St. Peter's Basilica.
'Apologetics' is a theological science which serves as the explanation and defense of the Christian religion.
A "pyx" is a small vessel in which the Holy Eucharist is carried to the sick.
Pope Leo XIII was the first Pope to be born in the 19th century and the the first to die in the 20th century.
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.
About 1,000 people live at the Vatican, while another 4,000 work there every day.
"IHS" is the anglicized rendering of the first three Greek letters in Jesus' name. In the early Church, especially during the time of Roman persecution, this became a popular way of writing Jesus' name as a sort of code.
A 'Catechumen' is one who had not yet been initiated into the sacred mysteries, but was undergoing a course of preparation for that purpose.
Currently there are 1,752 Canon laws.
Ash Wednesday is generally the most attended Mass of the year.
Only two pope's have ever resigned from office: Pope Saint Celestine V and Pope Gregory XII.
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.
Followers of Jesus were first called Christians in Antioch around 40 A.D.
Pope Julius II was named pope in 1503 after having the shortest conclave ever at just a few hours.
The longest conclave in history lasted two years and eight months
The 'Monstrance' is a vessel, usually made in the shape of a cross, in which the Blessed Sacrament is exposed to the people during Adoration.
A 'Pileolus' is the small, round skullcap of the ecclesiastic.
Vatican City is the smallest sovereign state in the world, covering an area no larger than 108.7 acres.
Clergy are forbidden from holding public office.
The phrase Kyrie Eleison is Greek for 'Lord have mercy'.
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 word rosary means "garland of roses"
The word "dogma" is the established belief or doctrine held by a religion, ideology or any kind of organization that is authoritative and not to be disputed, doubted or diverged from
Adrian IV (1154-1159) is the only English pope.
Pope Leo XIII was the first Pope of whom a sound recording was made. He was also the first Pope to be filmed on the motion picture camera.
"INRI" is an abbreviation for the Latin "Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum" ("Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews")
The ashes for Ash Wednesday are prepared by burning last year's palm leaves.
The word "catholic" was first used by Ignatius of Antioch around the year 110 A.D.
For mystical reasons the Church prescribes that the candles used at Mass and at other liturgical functions be made of beeswax.
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.
Pope Pius IX was the first pope to be photographed.
Tradion holds that Francis of Assisi was the first to use mangers at Christmas time. He created the first living reenactment of the nativity at midnight Mass in 1223.
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's accession to Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name.
The Vatican has diplomatic relations with almost every country in the world.
St. Dominic is considered the first person to use the rosary. He received the rosary from a vision of Mary.
The largest population of Catholics live in Brazil; with more than 137 million Catholics making up 77 percent of the population.
Around 604 A.D. the word 'Mass' (missa) was first used to describe the celebration of the Eucharist.
The word 'Angel' is from the Greek word, 'aggelos' which means 'messenger'.
A 'Pectorale' is the cross worn by the pope, cardinals, bishops and other prelates.
In 1294, Pope Saint Celestine V was the first Pope to resign after serving just five months.
Pope John Paul II was the first non-Italian elected pope in almost 500 years.
Elected Pope in 1198 at the age of 37, Innocent III was the first Pope to take the title "Vicar of Christ".
Leo the Great (440 - 461) was the first to use the title "Pope".
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