Mark and Darcie Lich

As a married couple, Mark and Darcie Lich have been attending St Patrick Parish in Saskatoon since 1998. Darcie is currently a high school teacher with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, where she has taught Christian Ethics. She participates in social justice activities and is an advisor to the Bethlehem Catholic High School's "God Squad".

At the parish level, Mark and Darcie first became involved primarily with RCIA, Music Ministry, mass ministries, Parish Council and assisting with catering functions. Now with a growing family, they contribute mainly with the music ministry with Darcie leading music during worship and Mark helping to run the sound system. At the diocesan level, they began working with Engaged Encounter early in their marriage and participated in the Lay Formation program at the same time. Through their involvement with these two organizations, they gradually began to participate in more ventures related to faith and marriage. This involvement eventually led them to the Marriage Task Force at its inception in 2003, which they currently chair.

At both the parish and diocesan levels, Mark and Darcie feel that they have been blessed to have exceptional mentors who offer insight to newly married couples, those raising a family, those dealing with the death of loved ones or offering ways to pray. These mentors inspire and give hope and are an ever-present reminder of the love Jesus has for us in our daily lives. This community connection has also played a role in the upbringing of their children as they strive to instill them with the values of faith and service. They believe that this has helped provide them with the perfect opportunity to connect heaven and earth, as they learn by example.

Mark and Darcie's hope for everyone - the faithful, young, old, married, single, lay, and religious - in the Diocese of Saskatoon, is that we are able to see Jesus in all of the people we meet, visit, or work with. And, conversely, that we are able to love one another as Jesus loved us, embracing servant leadership in all aspects of our lives and sharing freely the gifts and talents with which we have been blessed. Mark and Darcie feel that as our children and youth continue to amaze us with their wisdom, we need to stop in the garden and smell the flowers, play, and be present to the everyday miracles Jesus makes present in our lives.

It is also their hope that, inspired by Jesus, we are confidently able to move forward sharing our faith in our daily lives. We have a tremendous opportunity to shape and influence many of the wonderful and challenging aspects of our society and to be a light for all people everywhere.

Get Connected ... For more opportunities check out the Marriage Task Force, or the upcoming National Marriage Enrichement Conference, or call your Saskatoon parish, or rural parish. The diocesan office of Marriage and Family life is one of the many ministries in the diocese supported by the Bishop's Annual Appeal.