Universal Mission of the Church

The church which ‘goes forth’ is a community of missionary disciples who take the first step, who are involved and supportive, who bear fruit and rejoice. An evangelising community knows the Lord has taken the initiative, he has loved us first (cf.1 Jn 4:19), and therefore we can move forward, boldly take the initiative, go out to others, seek others, seek those who have fallen away, stand at the crossroads and welcome the outcast.
(Evangelii Gaudium n.24)

Our Vision

A Catholic community that endeavours to live and spread the joy of the Gospel.
A parish family, of families; journeying together, breaking bread, and sharing life.

Our Mission

We are a:

• place to encounter God through sacraments, liturgies and prayers,
• centre of healing wounds,
• centre of formation and education of missionary disciples,
• church which commissions and entrusts its members with mission.

Parish Prayer

On the Feast of St Mark – Patron Saint of the Parish

Lord Jesus Christ,
We place in your Sacred Heart all the needs of the Church, the needs of the world and of our nation. We entrust to you all the needs and cares of our own hearts, and of those who are dear to us.
In a special way we pray for our parish placed under the patronage of St Mark the Evangelist. Through the intercession of St Mark and all the saints, may every blessing be poured out on all members of our parish, on all our works and ministries, and on all those who live here.
We pray in particular for St Mark’s College, our school, their staff and students, and all their families.
We remember especially our deceased parishioners; may they be received into eternal life.
May our parish be filled with holiness and prayer, with faith and love; may it be a place where worthy and reverent worship is offered to God, and where we receive grace and power for our mission.
May all who come here find a welcoming home, comfort in their needs and strength for their journey.
Amen.

Parish Statistics

Church Life Profile of the Parish from the National Church Life Survey (NCLS)

Statistics compiled based on the 2021 Australian Census.
Linked from the National Centre for Pastoral Research (NCPR) website: <https://ncpr.catholic.org.au/2021-Parish-Social-Profiles/Port%20Pirie/Port%20Pirie%20Cathedral.pdf>

Diocesan Statistics compiled based on the 2021 Australian Census.
Linked from the National Centre for Pastoral Research (NCPR) website: <https://ncpr.catholic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/22-Port-Pirie.pdf>

Parish Life Stats 2021

• 260 Sunday Masses
• 380 Weekday Masses (inc. in Aged Care Homes)
• 120 School Masses and Liturgies
• 35 Infant Baptisms
• 35 First Holy Communion Recipients
• 29 Confirmations
• 11 new people joined our parish through the RCIA
• 5 Weddings
• 36 Funerals
• 16 Weekly Pastoral Visitations to the Sick and Elderly
• 174 attended Alpha gatherings
• 609 companions assisted by local St Vincent de Paul conference
• 3000 meals offered through ‘Fred’s Van’
• 11 new families identified during recent Parish Census
• 233 families and individuals actively participate in our Parish Stewardship Programme (Planned Giving)

Pastoral outreach through hospital visitation, home blessings, prison ministry and police chaplaincy.

Generous participation by many parishioners in eucharistic and other parish ministries every week.

Our Parish Staff