For the week of Sunday, February 14, 2021
Dear Friends:
I learned during my days in school that one of the squishiest ways to make a claim to something in writing or speech is to use what English grammarians refer to as the "passive voice." It allows a person to make a statement without any specific data to back it up. For those of you who aren't aware of what that phrase means, it's the difference between saying, "I believe that God is everywhere," (active voice) and saying, "It is believed that God is everywhere" (passive voice). In the first case, the person making the statement is clearly I. In the second case, the person(s) in question is nobody in particular, although the claim is alleged to be universal.
The passive voice has the effect of ignoring particular human claims and understandings, or at least of making statements unaccountable to specific people or groups. When I was in graduate school my director made frequent comments about my tendency to use the passive voice in writing. It can be particularly easy in discussions about religion to make claims about what simply "is" without grounding those statements in any evidence or truth source. "It is believed by Catholics that..." Well, which Catholics, and who exactly has said so? Use of the passive voice can often be merely a lazy excuse not to investigate the facts. But it also can be a way to impose "what I think" on a whole group of people as if it were simply self-evident.
As a global church, Catholicism can be more prone to such a thing than some other faiths. Not every local Catholic church in Nairobi, Santiago, Manila, or Chicago shares the same point of view about "what is believed" by Catholic followers of Christ. We do have plenty of sources for evaluating right faith, including the scriptures and our long tradition of teaching. But we have to appeal to those things before simply pronouncing them in the passive voice. If one were to appeal to Jesus, or to St. Paul, or to Vatican II, or to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, or to the pope or any other claimed source for belief (active voice), then one could and must begin to evaluate the authority of that source.
Sorry to be so technical here, but I think it's important. And I'm the son of a grammar teacher, so I can't help it.
Fr. Mike Byron
ASH WEDNESDAY AT PAX CHRISTI
Wednesday, February 17 - both virtual and in-person opportunities offered
Lent begins next week on Ash Wednesday. This year we will be offering a few different ways to celebrate this special day.
Mass will be Live Streamed on our website at 12:00pm - CLICK HERE to view. In-person attendance will be limited to 100 attendees. Registration for this Mass will open tomorrow, February 10 at 9:00am - CLICK HERE to view our Mass Registration page.
We will also be offering an additional distribution of ashes at 1:30pm in the Parking Lot outside of our main entrance (Door 3). No registration is needed to attend.
CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW FOR A VIDEO MESSAGE FROM FR. MIKE
JOIN US FOR PRAYER AND WORSHIP
PLEASE NOTE THESE MASS UPDATES
While we pray for an end to the pandemic, its rising rates of exposure and infection in Minnesota have caused us to apply some incremental changes to our gatherings. Until further notice:
- The weekday Masses will have a limit of 25 people.
- The Sunday 9:00am Mass will have a limit of 100 people.
- You will notice that the Mass RSVP page looks different. While we are using a different platform, the essential nature of the sign-ups remains unchanged, with the exception that if a Mass is listed as “full” or at capacity, you will have the capability to place yourself on a “waiting list” and will be notified if spots become available due to cancellations.
- You are urged to attend virtually on the Live Stream at 5:00pm on Saturdays - CLICK HERE, view it on the archive anytime after, or attend the noon Parking Lot Mass on Sundays.
- If you need to come to the parish office, please call 952-941-3150 to notify us of the time you will be coming. If at all possible, please try to come to the parish between the hours of 8:00am-noon, Monday thru Friday.
- We want to assure you that we continue taking all precautions to keep our building sanitized and safe. Your cooperation in doing your part to curb the spread of COVID-19 is vital to all for our well-being and health.
Preregistration is required for Mass on site. Use links below.
WEEKDAY MASS
Tuesdays ~ 8:30am on site CLICK TO REGISTER 25 max
Wednesdays ~ 8:30am on site CLICK TO REGISTER 25 max
Fridays ~ 8:30am on site CLICK TO REGISTER 25 max
Wednesdays ~ 8:30am on site CLICK TO REGISTER 25 max
Fridays ~ 8:30am on site CLICK TO REGISTER 25 max
WEEKEND MASS
Saturdays ~ 5:00pm Live Stream CLICK TO VIEW
Sundays ~ 9:00am on site CLICK TO REGISTER 100 max
Sundays ~ 12:00pm Parking Lot Mass CLICK FOR DETAILS
Sundays ~ 9:00am on site CLICK TO REGISTER 100 max
Sundays ~ 12:00pm Parking Lot Mass CLICK FOR DETAILS
RECONCILIATION
Fr. Mike will hear confessions at 4:00pm each Saturday inside near door #1. Those who wish to celebrate this sacrament can park near door #1, wait for the person who is celebrating the sacrament to be finished, and then come forward to receive the sacrament. Please wear a mask.
COVID-19 UPDATES
CLICK HERE to view schedules, updates, and resources during COVID-19.
REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS
Thank you for your continued generosity!
Week of January 31:
Online Giving 1,552
Mailed Contributions 23,052
Total Week #31 24,604
Budget 10,000
Variance 14,604
YTD Actual 1,480,788
YTD Budget 1,447,000
YTD Variance 33,788
Mailed contributions include checks mailed to the parish office, stock donations, grants from donor-advised funds, and qualified charitable distributions from IRA accounts.
CLICK HERE for online giving.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CLICK HERE for all upcoming events and registration.
PAX CHRISTI LENTEN RESOURCES
The 2021 Lenten Booklet, Embrace this Holy Season by Fr. Joseph Sica, is now available to pick up at the parish. They are located on a table just inside the main entrance (Entrance 3). These booklets provide daily reflections to assist you in entering more fully into the season of Lent. There are a limited number of copies available, so be sure to pick yours up soon!
PAX CHRISTI WORSHIP SURVEY
Available now through Monday, February 22
During the past year parish staff, lay leadership, and volunteer ministers have been working together to create new opportunities for us to gather virtually and in-person as a community for worship. We want to hear your thoughts about what is going well and how we might improve our experience of liturgy. The Worship Council has put together a short survey that will be available for 2 weeks (through Monday, February 22). We hope that you will take 5 minutes to complete the survey. Results and any action plans will be shared with the community. CLICK HERE to give feedback to the Pax Christi Worship Council.
PAX CHRISTI JUSTICE SPEAKER SERIES
Re-imagining Public Safety with Jonathan Stegall and Zola Richardson
Wednesday, February 10, 7:00pm, via Zoom
Join us for the second Justice Speakers event of the year as we welcome Jonathan Stegall (he, him) and Zola Richardson (she, they) from Reclaim the Block. Our focus this year is on racial justice. In this session, we will hear from these local organizers about re-imagining public safety. There is no fee for this event, but registration is required to receive the Zoom info - CLICK HERE.
PEACE, PRAYER, AND THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST
Tuesday, February 16, 1:00 - 2:00pm, Main Entrance (Door 3)
In 2021 the COVID-19 pandemic continues to limit the ways we can both gather together to pray and to receive the Eucharist. The Care and Support Council has planned a second safe and prayerful event for our seniors and all those who feel isolated. While you stay warm and safe in your car, drive through our parking lot anytime between 1:00-2:00pm to different stations which will include prayer, a blessing, and the Eucharist, as you prepare your hearts and minds for this Lenten Season. Please enter Pax Christi from Homeward Hills Rd and follow directional signs to loop through the western parking lot. While you may not see the smiles under our masks, you will see the joy in our eyes and feel the warm embrace of the Pax Christi Community. Please wear your mask too! We hope you can join us. We miss you.
VIRTUAL WALKING THE WAY
Premiering Ash Wednesday, February 17, 5:00pm on the Pax Christi Live Stream Page
You are invited to virtually “walk the way” of the cross—a contemporary interpretation of the traditional Stations of the Cross—through the lens of photo meditations. These reflections of the suffering Christ present in our own time the sufferings of our sisters and brothers on streets of our cities and around the world in the context of prayer, music, and readings. This service will be live streamed on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 5:00 pm and will be available throughout the season of Lent on Pax Christi’s website. CLICK HERE to view the live event, CLICK HERE to access the Mass and Prayer Service Archive.
WOMEN WITH SPIRIT - VIRTUAL WINTER SESSION
Wisdom of the Jewish Tradition
Presented Virtually February 19 through March 25
Women of all ages and faiths are invited to join WWS Bible Study in its new virtual format. The program consists of video recordings to view on your own, and an opportunity to join a small group Zoom discussion later. Our virtual format allows us to have a former WWS speaker, Rabbi Amy Eilberg, the first female rabbi ordained in Conservative Judaism; she will present a series of four one hour lectures on Wisdom from Jewish Tradition: Developing our Souls in Troubled Times. The program will also include a two hour video Morning of Reflection by Lutheran Pastor Emmy Kegler; she will reflect on what she calls the “lost chapter of the Bible“ (the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son) which is addressed in her book, One Coin Found. If you are a woman interested in growing your faith, please consider WWS Bible Study. Tuition for the series is $10. CLICK HERE to register.
REGISTRATIONS REQUESTED BY FEBRUARY 11.
LENTEN PRAYER SERIES
Two five-week options:
- Wednesdays beginning February 24, 10:00–11:30am
- Thursdays beginning February 25, 6:30–8:00pm
Each week, we will focus on a specific prayer form from the Christian tradition, including engaging in the actual prayer form. We will offer plenty of opportunities for participants to ask questions. Sessions will be offered on Wednesday mornings and again on Thursday evenings, both via Zoom. Participants simply R.S.V.P. for the series and will receive the links to the Zoom chat rooms. Weekly Themes:
- Week 1: Praying with the Scriptures
- Week 2: Visio Divina
- Week 3: Centering Prayer
- Week 4: The Examen
- Week 5: Discernment
CLICK HERE to register online.
MOM'S ROCK VIRTUAL MONTHLY GATHERING
The upcoming event will be on Thursday, February 25, 8-9:30pm, via Zoom
Join the Mom's ROCK Community If you are looking for a way to connect with moms and caregivers, we invite you to join the Mom's ROCK virtual community. We meet monthly on Thursday evenings to pray, seek fellowship, and discuss God’s work in our lives as caregivers and friends. We will not have speakers this spring but will ponder a question or two and engage in sharing time. Come for one session or come for all! Everyone is welcome. Preregistration is required. The gatherings will be held on February 25, March 25, April 29, and May 27. “See” you in less than two weeks! To register CLICK HERE.
CATHOLIC SERVICES FOUNDATION ANNUAL APPEAL
Together in Hope The generosity of Catholics makes it possible for Catholic Services Appeal Foundation (CSAF) to mobilize on behalf of some of the most pressing needs in our community. Chaplains bring a message of hope and prayer with hospital visits. Moms in crisis pregnancies receive compassion, coaching, and material support to deliver healthy babies. Sharing the joy of learning in a Catholic school is possible for some of our most economically disadvantaged students. Future priests receive scholarships. Pope Francis calls us to “be the field hospital.” CSAF is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization - CLICK HERE to learn more. If you would like to make an impact, CLICK HERE. to make a donation. There are also envelopes at Pax Christi in the Narthex, and front desk. Thank you for your generosity
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