For the week of Sunday, February 28, 2021
Dear Friends,
This past weekend's Old Testament scripture reading is one of the most curious ones in the Bible for me. You may recall that it was the story of God's promise to Noah, just after the great flood, that God would never destroy the Earth again. And to prove it, He made the rainbow as a sign of his abiding care. In itself, that's not so curious, but it omits the first half of the story, the part where it tells us that it was God who decided to wipe out the Earth in the first place. Those of us who attend daily mass heard that part on the day before Ash Wednesday. We were told that God regretted that He had ever created the human race because of all our wickedness, and so He was determined to destroy us (except for Noah and his wife).
But then He made provisions for all of the animal species (including the "unclean" ones) to survive the flood by sheltering them in the ark in pairs. Why wipe out the animals? What did they do wrong? And if you're going to kill them all, then why take care for their regeneration after the water subsided? And couldn't God have foreseen what would become of His original creation? Did God make a mistake in the beginning or get caught off guard later?
As you can see, one could spend a lot of time contemplating just what is going on here, and it's why we ought never to be too quick to read the Bible automatically as a literal narrative of history. A careful reader should have been tipped off at the very beginning of the story when the Book of Genesis presumes to report what God is thinking and feeling about us. Woah! Who presumes to know the mind and heart of God?
Regrettably, humans have a long history of doing exactly that. Many scripture scholars believe that the story of the great flood was rooted in actual historical memories of massive floods in the ancient Middle East and of people trying to understand why those floods happened. In the face of things we can't understand, let's pin it on God! Many of us are still doing it.
We Christians are at a distinct advantage in that God has told and shown us exactly what He thinks of us. His name is Jesus Christ, the man of compassion, forgiveness, and broad welcome. In this new season of Lent, we can take great consolation from the fact that God is not waiting to annihilate us, even in our sin. God is waiting to forgive, to restore, and to heal.
Fr. Mike
CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW FOR A VIDEO MESSAGE FROM FR. MIKE
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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 125 people. This increase will go into affect this coming Sunday, February 21.
- 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 125 max
Sundays ~ 12:00pm Parking Lot Mass CLICK FOR DETAILS
Sundays ~ 9:00am on site CLICK TO REGISTER 125 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 February 14:
Online Giving 10,819
Mailed Contributions 11,737
Total Week #33 22,556
Budget 20,000
Variance 2,556
YTD Actual 1,590,398
YTD Budget 1,545,000
YTD Variance 45,398
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.
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.
TWELVE BASKETS VIRTUAL EASTER DRIVE
Running virtually Friday, February 26 through Friday, March 19
The Twelve Baskets Ministry is going virtual this year! We have a long-standing tradition of providing Easter Baskets to the people served by the Northside Extension Services, Holy Rosary - Centro Guadalupano, and Eastside Learning - Hope Community Academy. We will not be able to assemble actual Easter Baskets this year, but rather we will be purchasing Target Gift Cards to be distributed by these organizations. Pax Christi members who wish to participate in this drive can simply click on the link provided and choose the “Easter Drive” fund to make a contribution to this drive. CLICK HERE to donate. Thank you for your generosity!
Attention all artists, young or old! Pax Christi members who would like to participate in a more personal way, we would love for you to make cards for the families who will be receiving these gifts! For more information CLICK HERE.
CHAIR YOGA SPRING ZOOM SESSIONS
Eight-weeks beginning Monday, March 1, 1:00–2:00pm, Virtual Zoom Sessions, $40.00
Spring is a time of growth, hope, and new life... Consider joining the Chair Yoga community this spring. It's a beautiful way to stretch, move, and experience the healing power of yoga! Registration fills quickly. Denise Bunch, is an inspiring yoga teacher. Preregistration is required. Classes are offered on March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and April 5, 12, 19. If you are not able to attend a classes, a link will be sent after class. We welcome all ages and abilities. No experience is required. Please note that the number of participants is limited. CLICK HERE to register.
PAX CHRISTI FINANCIAL EDUCATION SERIES
Three Wednesday Sessions in March, 2:00-2:30pm, via Zoom
The Pax Christi Financial Education Series is presented by Stonebridge Capital Advisors and Pax Christi Finance and Development Council. It will be held on the first three Wednesdays of March from 2:00-2:30pm via Zoom. It's free. Preregistration is required. CLICK HERE to register online.
The Sessions and Topics Covered:
- Wednesday, March 3: Ron Hume and Scott Shinnick | Economic Outlook | In this presentation, we will review the global and national economic outlook including the financial markets. We will discuss the impact of the pandemic and provide our perspective on the quarter.
- Wednesday, March 10: Ron Hume | Retirement Planning Strategies | This is a general discussion on retirement planning in which we will do a high-level review of strategies for establishing/managing wills, health care directives, and investments.
- Wednesday, March 17: Patrick Kincade and Ron Hume | Alternate Vehicles for Charitable Giving | In This presentation, we will take a broad look at alternative vehicles for charitable giving including QCD, donor-advised funds, and gifts of appreciated stock.
PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a sales presentation. This three-part education series is offered free of charge as a service to the Pax Christi community by our long-time investment partner, Stonebridge Capital Advisors. This is not investment or legal advice. Please review any investment decisions with your financial advisor or tax preparer.
JUSTICE SPEAKER SERIES
Law Enforcement and Racial Equity
Wednesday, March 10, 7:00–8:30pm, Via Zoom
Our Justice Speakers Series continues the conversation about systems and structures with this look at past education and practice in law enforcement and current trends in education for policing that address race and diversity and where we go from here. Our panelists will be Dr. Pat Nelson and Dr. Carl Lafata, from Minnesota State University, Mankato. See more about this event and register to receive the Zoom link - CLICK HERE.
A DAY IN THE LIFE VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE
Saturday, March 13, 9:00-11:30am, via Zoom
Join us for St. Stephen’s Human Services “A Day in the Life” program. The A Day in the Life program is St. Stephen's Human Service's community engagement program hosted entirely by Community Educators who have first-hand experience with homelessness. What does a virtual session look like? We equip our participants to become members of an informed, empathetic, and activated community around the issue of homelessness through combining quality education, community engagement, and advocacy. This special event is hosted by the Justice Council and the Faith Formation Council. All are welcome. There is no fee to participate. Registration is required to receive program materials and the Zoom link. To register CLICK HERE.
PAX CHRISTI PRAYER MINISTRY
PRAYER WALL
Prayer Request: If you would like to add someone to our Prayer Wall, click “Prayer Request” at the top right of our webpage. This link invites you to fill out some basic information so that we can pray for your intention. CLICK HERE to view the prayer wall.
Prayer Team: Join the prayer team as we pray for our brothers and sisters. As a prayer minister, you will receive a weekly email that consists of a reflection, additional private intentions, and a direct link to the Prayer Wall. Or, if you don’t want to join the prayer team, then you can still prayer with us by clicking on the “Prayer Request” at the top right of our webpage, which will lead you to a link to the Prayer Wall. Please contact Kyle Finken at kfinken@paxchristi.com or 952-405-7231 for more information.
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