For the week of Sunday, April 18, 2021
Dear Friends:
I mentioned last week that there's been a fairly robust conversation among pastors and theologians lately concerning a recent Vatican ruling on the question of Catholic clergy blessing the unions of GLBTQ people. The short and simple answer to the question is "No," which is literally as blunt as the Vatican statement said it. I'm not sure that many were surprised by the content of that communication, because it's nothing other than a reiteration of what's been said before. But its juridical—and frankly completely non-pastoral—tone is what caught many by surprise. It didn't have the smell of Pope Francis about it, which is to say that it did not bear any witness to having engaged in thoughtful conversation with actual people who live with personal questions of sexual orientation and identity.
The pope has been regular in his insistence that the church must be about the habit of "engagement," which means locating itself where real people live amid all the complexities and ambiguities of life "on the ground," which is a harder thing to do than issuing edicts from behind the walls of Vatican offices. It is well known that the pope has been resisted in that effort by powerful forces in the Roman Curia, for whom categorical, disembodied definitions and decrees are the way that things were done for decades prior to Francis' arrival. Actually, it would be more accurate to say that it was done that way for centuries. It's a practice that dates back to a time about a thousand years ago when the idea of "church teaching" began to be equated with "canon law." Those two things are related, but they are not the same thing. And that means that one hasn't really put to rest a theological or pastoral dispute merely by citing the law (which is itself the product of human development and not an artifact dropped from the heavens by God.)
Why does any of this matter? Because Catholic Christian communities like ours work very hard to be broadly welcoming and respectful of the faith and life journeys of all who sincerely seek God in the church. Not to acknowledge this effort and these people is to be something less than true to our profession of faith in Jesus Christ who was the greatest welcomer who ever lived.
To welcome, as Jesus showed us, doesn't always mean to agree with, or to collapse the gospel into whatever people want to hear. But it does mean the requirement of empathetic listening and the honoring of human dignity—not as an abstraction or as a "natural law," but as embodied in the persons who present themselves at the thresholds of our churches expecting to be meaningfully engaged, with their stories taken seriously. In other words, it means sometimes hard work and a willingness to step into a world view other than our own in order to better understand. It means real "encounter." In many cases, the Vatican dicasteries have done a more honorable job that way in dealing with Jews, Muslims, and Atheists than they have in dealing with professed Catholics.
A terse response of "No" to a matter as complex, intimate, important and mysterious as committed human relationships is something with which we ought not to be satisfied. Nor should we wonder, on this account, why some people at the margins of public/religious opinion find something other than attraction to the Catholic community. It is our task at the local level to behave better than this, not only in order to placate the disappointment of minority communities, but in order to be true to our own Christian selves.
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 150 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 150 max
Sundays ~ 12:00pm Parking Lot Mass CLICK FOR DETAILS
Sundays ~ 9:00am on site CLICK TO REGISTER 150 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 April 4:
Online Giving 35,477
Mailed Contributions 22,827
Total Week #40 58,304
Budget 80,000
Variance (21,696)
YTD Actual 1,910,517
YTD Budget 1,873,000
YTD Variance 37,517
Your financial gifts make it possible for us to share the joy of Easter with our community and neighbors throughout the year. Thank you for your continued support to Pax Christi.
CLICK HERE for online giving.
PAX CHRISTI CENSUS
Hey Peeps! Have you completed your Census form? If so, thanks! You're so sweet!
All the eggs are hidden but hopefully, you can be found, and we won't share your information, even with the Easter Bunny! Update your contact information at www.paxchristi.com/census, or call 952-941-3150. If you're not sure if you've already completed this, please give us a call!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CLICK HERE for all upcoming events and registration.
PARKING LOT MASS PARKING CREW NEEDED
We are developing a crew of people to assist people in getting parked for our Parking Lot Mass each Sunday at Door #4. The time commitment is two hours on Sundays. If you are interested in hearing more about this, please contact Sally Bergum at the parish office at sbergum@paxchristi.com or 952-405-7229.
NEW VIRTUAL ART EXHIBIT
The Islamic Feminist Art of Hend-Al-Mansour
Available now through May 31 on the Pax Christi website
Available now through May 31 on the Pax Christi website
The Pax Christi Community was first introduced to the Art of Hend-Al-Mansour by her spouse, Dr. David Penchansky, a Professor Emeritus and biblical scholar from the University of St. Thomas. Dr. Penchansky was a lecturer on the Quran and the Bible for the Women with Spirit Bible Study.
Hend-Al-Mansour shared her thoughts and images for a “Morning of Reflection” retreat in 2019 on “The Three Faces of Mary” found in both the Bible and the Quran. Much interest was expressed in seeing Hend’s work at a Pax Christi art exhibit. We are pleased to present some of her spiritually based Islamic feminist art for the entire Pax Christi Community to reflect upon. CLICK HERE to view the virtual exhibit.
JUSTICE SPEAKER SERIES
Environmental Justice is Racial Justice
Wednesday, April 14, 7:00-8:30pm via Zoom
Join us in hearing from Kathryn Hoffman, CEO of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy will speak to us about the impact of race and economic status on the environmental health of people and the planet. Kathryn graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2006 magna cum laude, and earned a Masters in Public Policy from the Humphrey Institute at the same time. After working in complex litigation in Zelle LLP in Minneapolis for four years, she joined MCEA as a staff attorney in 2010. She stepped into the CEO role in 2017, and she is proud of the way the organization has grown and changed since then. She has worked as adjunct faculty at the University of Minnesota Law School, and is also a former Chair of the Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy Law Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association. Kathryn is celebrating 10 years at MCEA in 2020. The event is free. CLICK HERE to register and receive the Zoom invitation for this event.
SPRING VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB
Let Us Dream by Pope Francis
Two four-week options:
- Mondays beginning April 19, 6:30–8:00pm
- Tuesdays beginning April 20, 9:00–10:30am
Pope Francis’ "Let Us Dream" contains a courageous and hope-filled vision that is needed in these days of pandemics, social injustice, etc. Utilizing the “See, Judge, Act” method of discernment to structure the book, he names many of the issues facing today’s world that have especially come to light during the pandemic, and he suggests practical solutions for overcoming them, both personally and systemically. This study will take place via Zoom over the course of 4 weeks. There is no cost to participate, though participants are responsible for obtaining a copy of the book.
CLICK HERE to register online.
CHAIR YOGA LATE SPRING ZOOM SESSIONS
Eight-weeks beginning Monday, April 24, 1:00–2:00pm, Virtual Zoom Sessions, $40.00
Spring into movement with Chair Yoga! Don't miss your last chance this spring... Here is the schedule for the last session of Chair Yoga of Spring before the Summer break. April 24, May 3, 10, 24 (No Class 17 & 31) June 7. 14, 21 and 28 There will be a Summer break from July through August. CLICK HERE to register.
FLANNERY O’CONNOR: THE STORY TELLER
An Adult Faith Formation Event via Zoom
Thursday, May 13, 7:00pm via Zoom
Flannery O'Connor's influence on contemporary culture, particularly literature and film, is profound. Her novels and short stories have been described as shocking, convoluted, funny, and violent, and they are filled with unforgettably strange characters. But they are also, from beginning to end, haunted by Christ. O'Connor radically changes our idea of what religious fiction can be. Her startling prose awakens us to sin and, consequently, to the need for salvation. We invite you to join the Lifelong Faith Formation Council for a 55-minute film screening of this recent release in Bishop Robert Barron’s Catholicism: Pivotal Players series, followed by small group discussion. CLICK HERE to register.
AT-HOME VACATION BIBLE CAMP
Kids of the Kingdom
August 2-6, $20/participant
Join the fun for another ‘backyard’ Bible Camp August 2-6! The camp, including scripture stories, crafts and snacks, is designed to do at your own convenience - outside or inside your home. You can customize the many activities to fit your own family’s needs. Curb-side pickup of materials will be available on July 29th from 9:00-11:00am.
New this summer, please join us for Family Night on August 4th from 6:30- 8:00pm! We will have a special guest and hopefully sing some favorite songs. Registration is available online at CLICK HERE. Our fee of $20.00 covers the cost of craft materials and the family fun night. Questions? Contact Renee Dignan at rdignan@paxchristi.com or 952-405-7212.
JOIN THE PAX CHRISTI PRAYER TEAM
Prayer Request: If you would like to add someone to our CLICK HERE. This link invites you to fill out a very brief form so that we can pray for your intention.
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. Contact Kyle Finken at kfinken@paxchristi.com or 952-405-7231 if you would like to become a Prayer Minister. You can also pray with us without being a member of the prayer team by CLICK HERE.
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