🎶💙 Little voices, BIG praise 💙🎶
Today our St. Mark students filled the church with beautiful music as we gathered for Mass on this Wednesday of Holy Week. From the choir loft to the pews, their voices were a reminder to pause, reflect, and prepare our hearts for what’s to come.
Even in the quiet moments of Holy Week… our Marksmen know how to lift it up in song.
Today our St. Mark students filled the church with beautiful music as we gathered for Mass on this Wednesday of Holy Week. From the choir loft to the pews, their voices were a reminder to pause, reflect, and prepare our hearts for what’s to come.
Even in the quiet moments of Holy Week… our Marksmen know how to lift it up in song.
🛑 Breaking News from St. Mark
A mysterious explosion of SILLY STRING has taken over the blacktop…
Suspects include:
✔️ Students
✔️ Mr. Dotson
✔️ Anyone within spraying distance
All jokes aside... this mess was WELL earned! These classes brought in the most donations for our canned food drive and celebrated in the best (and messiest) way possible!
Faith in action… with a little chaos!
A mysterious explosion of SILLY STRING has taken over the blacktop…
Suspects include:
✔️ Students
✔️ Mr. Dotson
✔️ Anyone within spraying distance
All jokes aside... this mess was WELL earned! These classes brought in the most donations for our canned food drive and celebrated in the best (and messiest) way possible!
Faith in action… with a little chaos!
We told the Marksmen to “open a book”…
they took that VERY seriously 📖😂
they took that VERY seriously 📖😂
Each month at St. Mark's we have a virtue of the month. In February, the virtue we focused upon was "Hope." Hope is a gift from God. It enables us to desire eternal happiness and to trust in Christ and His promises to obtain it.
Congratulations to these students who represented the Virtue of Hope!!
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." HEBREWS 10:23
Congratulations to these students who represented the Virtue of Hope!!
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." HEBREWS 10:23
While it has been a rather long winter, we are staying busy at SMS! The cold weather does not stop us!
• Our Annual Art Fair was last weekend. Thank you to Mrs. Tomlins and all of our outstanding artists!
• Paul Tomlins and Issac Lichtenberger will represent SMS in the Diocesan Spelling Bee in April.
• Jay Highfill competed in in the 2026 USA Champion International Taekwondo Championship in Hammond, Indiana. He placed 3rd in both sparring and breaking.!
Come be a MARKSMEN and get involved! Remember, there is always room for one more!!!!!
• Our Annual Art Fair was last weekend. Thank you to Mrs. Tomlins and all of our outstanding artists!
• Paul Tomlins and Issac Lichtenberger will represent SMS in the Diocesan Spelling Bee in April.
• Jay Highfill competed in in the 2026 USA Champion International Taekwondo Championship in Hammond, Indiana. He placed 3rd in both sparring and breaking.!
Come be a MARKSMEN and get involved! Remember, there is always room for one more!!!!!
Kindergarten Roundup is THIS Friday!
📅 Feb. 27 | ⏰ 8:00–9:00 AM
📍 St. Mark School – 711 N Underhill, Peoria
Meet the teacher, explore the classroom, and get excited for kindergarten!
We can’t wait to meet the Class of 2039!
📅 Feb. 27 | ⏰ 8:00–9:00 AM
📍 St. Mark School – 711 N Underhill, Peoria
Meet the teacher, explore the classroom, and get excited for kindergarten!
We can’t wait to meet the Class of 2039!
🎨✨ Join Us Tonight for the St. Mark Fine Art Fair! ✨🎨
We are excited to celebrate the beautiful talents of our St. Mark students at our Fine Art Fair this evening!
Join us at 4:30 PM Mass and stay after to walk through the art show in the gym.
It’s always wonderful to see our students’ hard work on display. We hope you’ll come support them and celebrate the gifts God has given them. 💙
See you tonight!
We are excited to celebrate the beautiful talents of our St. Mark students at our Fine Art Fair this evening!
Join us at 4:30 PM Mass and stay after to walk through the art show in the gym.
It’s always wonderful to see our students’ hard work on display. We hope you’ll come support them and celebrate the gifts God has given them. 💙
See you tonight!
THE BOOK FAIR IS HERE, MARKSMEN!
Get ready to discover new adventures, favorite authors, and books you won’t want to put down!
Open during school hours TODAY!
⛪ Open after each Mass this weekend
🎨 Open during the Art Fair
Saturday, February 21st
5:30–7:00 PM
Make it a full evening of creativity and stories, enjoy the Art Fair and then pop over to the Book Fair to stock up on great reads!
Want to add money to your child’s Book Fair account?
It’s easy!
1️⃣ Set up a parent account here:
👉 https://store.ignatiusbookfairs.com?signup=true&schoolId=2867&role=parent
2️⃣ Add your child’s school and class
3️⃣ Search for “E-Wallet” to add funds for them to use at school!
No cash? No problem! The E-Wallet makes shopping simple and stress-free. 🙌
See you there, Marksmen and happy reading!
Get ready to discover new adventures, favorite authors, and books you won’t want to put down!
Open during school hours TODAY!
⛪ Open after each Mass this weekend
🎨 Open during the Art Fair
Saturday, February 21st
5:30–7:00 PM
Make it a full evening of creativity and stories, enjoy the Art Fair and then pop over to the Book Fair to stock up on great reads!
Want to add money to your child’s Book Fair account?
It’s easy!
1️⃣ Set up a parent account here:
👉 https://store.ignatiusbookfairs.com?signup=true&schoolId=2867&role=parent
2️⃣ Add your child’s school and class
3️⃣ Search for “E-Wallet” to add funds for them to use at school!
No cash? No problem! The E-Wallet makes shopping simple and stress-free. 🙌
See you there, Marksmen and happy reading!
Last evening was our Open House for Pre- school fo rthe 2026 - 2027 school year! What a great night it was to meet our new "Marksmen"! At SMS, we focus on developing the mind, body, and spirit. One of those ways we practice our Faith is the Cathechesis of the Good Shepherd Program. Students have the opportunity to love and learn all about Jesus!!
Come see what it is to be MARKSMEN!
Come see what it is to be MARKSMEN!
Doors are open & smiles are ready!
Join us TONIGHT for our St. Mark School Open House from 6:00–7:00 PM.
Come explore, say hello, and see where excellence is expected, traditions thrive, and character counts!
Once a Marksman, always a Marksman!
Join us TONIGHT for our St. Mark School Open House from 6:00–7:00 PM.
Come explore, say hello, and see where excellence is expected, traditions thrive, and character counts!
Once a Marksman, always a Marksman!
We are dressed for the day and ready to give back! 🇺🇸
Please remember to bring in non-perishable food items for our Buddy Up Food Drive as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week and our nation today! 🥫
Cans in bags, smiles to brag... let’s fill those boxes!
Please remember to bring in non-perishable food items for our Buddy Up Food Drive as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week and our nation today! 🥫
Cans in bags, smiles to brag... let’s fill those boxes!
Catholic Schools Week is HERE, and we are ready to celebrate all that makes St. Mark so special - faith, community, and service!
Tomorrow kicks off our Buddy Food Drive, and we’re turning it into a friendly competition!
🥫 Buddy Food Drive Challenge
Buddy grades will team up to collect items and the group that collects the MOST will win SILLY STRING PARTY!
(Yes… silly string. Yes… it will be one for the books!)
Tuesday: Double the Fun – Buddy Dress Day!
Wear your buddy color and show your school spirit!
Buddy Colors:
· Pre-K: 💗 Pink
· 3rd / 5th: ⚪ White
· 4th / 6th: ⚫ Black
· K / 7th: ⭐ Yellow / Gold
· 1st / 7th: 🔵 Navy / Blue
· 2nd / 8th: 🔴 Red
· Other Staff: ⚪ Grey
Let’s kick off Catholic Schools Week by serving joyfully, celebrating together, and living our faith all while having LOTS of fun!
Tomorrow kicks off our Buddy Food Drive, and we’re turning it into a friendly competition!
🥫 Buddy Food Drive Challenge
Buddy grades will team up to collect items and the group that collects the MOST will win SILLY STRING PARTY!
(Yes… silly string. Yes… it will be one for the books!)
Tuesday: Double the Fun – Buddy Dress Day!
Wear your buddy color and show your school spirit!
Buddy Colors:
· Pre-K: 💗 Pink
· 3rd / 5th: ⚪ White
· 4th / 6th: ⚫ Black
· K / 7th: ⭐ Yellow / Gold
· 1st / 7th: 🔵 Navy / Blue
· 2nd / 8th: 🔴 Red
· Other Staff: ⚪ Grey
Let’s kick off Catholic Schools Week by serving joyfully, celebrating together, and living our faith all while having LOTS of fun!
Today at SMS we had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Jerry Sanderson, Superintendent of Catholic Schools of the Peoria Diocese. Thanks for visiting with us, Dr. Sanderson! It was great to have you as an "Honorary Marksmen."
Which really means.......
ONCE A MARKSMEN, ALWAYS A MARKSMEN!!!!!
Which really means.......
ONCE A MARKSMEN, ALWAYS A MARKSMEN!!!!!
Last week at SMS we dedicated an all-school time to read! Our students are LOVING to read and are teaming up with their buddies to help each other grow as readers!!!
Come see, learn, and READ what it's like to be a MARKSMEN!!!!!
Come see, learn, and READ what it's like to be a MARKSMEN!!!!!
✨ Now welcoming new families for the 2026–2027 school year! ✨
Last evening we recognized our 8th Graders and their parents at 8th Grade Night. We have truly enjoyed this class and wish them all the very best in the next part of their journey. Remember - "Once a Marksmen, Always a Marksmen!!" Parents - keep up the great work and remember that the greatest gift you can give your children is your time!!!
And.....our SMS Choir performed the National Anthem!
Isn't it great to be a MARKSMEN??!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And.....our SMS Choir performed the National Anthem!
Isn't it great to be a MARKSMEN??!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are excited to offer a parish mission the week before Ash Wednesday, February 7th to the 12th with talks given by Fr. Joseph Aytona, a Father of Mercy.
Father will preach our Masses on the 7th and 8th, and then offer his conferences at 7pm on the 7th-12th. Confessions and Adoration will be available each night. Please invite your friends (and enemies) from other parishes, or even non-Catholics who you think would benefit. A good-will offering will be taken up.
The theme of the mission is “To Serve is to Reign” and he will cover these topics:
• The Holy Eucharist
• God's Infinite Mercy
• The Church: Mother & Teacher
• The Universal Call to Holiness
• Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at SMS.!!! This week marked our first days back as we recognized our December Virture of the Month "Faith" recipients.
We also hosted our first home volleyball game. GO MARKSMEN!!!
Father Lampitt shared with us at Mass this morning that there many people that like to "win" and there is nothing like winning in dramatic fashion. If we believe in God's Son as our Savior, we are all winners - even in the last second!!!! Jesus is the Victor!!!
Keep the joy of that Victory in your heart all year long and beyond!!!!
"And the angel said to them, be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.." LUKE 2: 10-11
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Happy Birthday, Father Lampitt!!!! Thank you for your loving guidance, prayers, and dedication to our school - we see you everywhere! May God continue to bless you with good health, joy, and strength as you continue your faithful service. 🙏 Your Priesthood has been a wonderful blessing to St. Mark's Parish and School!
