On the first Friday of Lent, Father Joseph Morris, the Catholic chaplain of Kennesaw State University, performed the Gospel of St. Mark in its entirety at St. Francis of Assisi Church,  Cartersville. Father Morris has performed this presentation for a number of years.

Father Morris came to the church community at the invitation of the parish council.  The council wanted to find a way to mark the start of Lent. The performance followed the customary Knights of Columbus fish supper and replaced the Stations of the Cross, which will be done on the remaining Friday evenings of Lent, accompanied by the St. Francis Brass Players.