For the week of Sunday, April 25, 2021
Dear Friends:
Once upon a time there was a city named Persepolis. It was burned to the ground as an act of revenge by an enemy king who had conquered the place at great cost to the lives of his soldiers. One might wonder what is to be gained by fighting for the prize of victory only to destroy it once it has been obtained, but revenge is not a rational emotion. It is visceral.
As I'm writing this note today the jury is being given the task of deliberating the George Floyd case in downtown Minneapolis. Who knows, by this time tomorrow we may be dealing with ugliness on a grand scale. I spoke with a downtown pastor last week who told me that violence is almost assured, regardless of the verdict. If Derek Chauvin is acquitted there will be mayhem from those who believe that he is literally getting away with murder. If he is convicted, the white supremacists will likely descend upon the city. The probable looting and burning of properties that happen to be in the way—or even the contemplating of such a thing—is not rational either. When and if it happens, it will be revenge. And what will be the enduring benefit of that?
The story of Persepolis is a poem that was created by an Englishman named John Dryden and eventually made into an opera titled, Alexander's Feast. The king in question is Alexander the Great, who is hosting a dinner to celebrate his conquest of Persia. The story was crafted in 1697 and the musical score was set by G. F. Handel over three hundred years ago. As the feast plays out, a lute player named Timotheus is brought in to entertain the king and his guests. Depending upon the tone of the music he offers up, the king is variously moved to emotions of pride, love, and finally rage and revenge. At the end of the opera, Alexander sets about to torching Persepolis, while the chorus sings:
Give the vengeance due
To the valiant crew:
Behold how they toss their torches on high,
How they point to the Persian abodes...
The princes applaud with a furious joy;
And the king seiz'd a flambeau with zeal to destroy.
Thais let the way, to light him to his prey;
And like another Helen, fir'd another Troy.
The princes applaud with a furious joy...
The point here is not to romanticize such an inhumane sentiment as revenge, but rather just the opposite. It is to point out that we have been dressing up depraved instincts like these for centuries, including in high art and culture, as a way to distract us from what we are really doing and saying. The glamorizing of deliberate destruction and/or killing is exactly that, no matter how we attempt to rationalize it, because revenge isn't rational. But it surely is real.
As we confront whatever is about to unfold before us this week, may we never confuse those two things.
Fr. Mike
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 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 11:
Online Giving 10,818
Mailed Contributions 19,809
Total Week #41 30,627
Budget 52,000
Variance (21,373)
YTD Actual 1,941,144
YTD Budget 1,925,000
YTD Variance 16,144
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.
CELEBRATE EARTH DAY
Thursday, April 22, 12:00-1:00pm via Zoom
This Earth Day, the Climate Action team invites you to join them as they connect with Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light's Sacred Ground: Earth Day Celebration via Zoom at Noon. CLICK HERE to register. Other ways to honor the day: Take a hike! Plant a tree, Did you know that by planting a Bur or White Oak you are creating a host plant for 318 caterpillar species? Do you know who loves and needs caterpillars to survive? Bluejays, cardinals, chickadees, finches, nuthatches, orioles, warblers, and many more species of birds. Did you also know that it takes 6000-9000 caterpillars to feed one chickadees clutch of birds out of its nest? Not only do trees help keep our birds around, but they also add shade, take in CO2 plus much much more.
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.
MOM'S ROCK VIRTUAL MONTHLY GATHERING
The upcoming event will be on Thursday, April 29, 8:00-9:30pm, 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. April 29 and May 27. “See” you in less than two weeks! To register CLICK HERE.
FAITH AND RACIAL JUSTICE
Changing Systems and Structures
Opening Retreat: Saturday, May 8, 8:30am-4:00pm
Program Sessions: Wednesday evenings starting May 12, 6:00-8:30pm
Program Sessions: Wednesday evenings starting May 12, 6:00-8:30pm
Do you long for a space to ask hard questions about racism? Presented through the lens of the Christian faith, Faith and Racial Justice: Changing Systems and Structures gives you the tools needed to address racism at a systemic level. In this eight-session program by JustFaith Ministries, participants learn about key obstacles to racial justice that are embedded within our institutions, systems, and structures. They then develop tools to mobilize people and resources to dismantle those obstacles. Join the next group of participants and see a full list of session dates by CLICK HERE.
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 ARCHDIOCESAN CARE FOR CREATION TEAM
The St. Paul and Minneapolis Archdiocesan Care for Creation Team invites you to discuss a Catholic approach to care for creation in our parish communities. The Archdiocese recently joined Christians worldwide to celebrate the annual Season of Creation. We are grateful for the many contributions and successes within our archdiocese. There is now a need to extend this Season of Creation into the work of our parishes. Following the guidance of Pope Francis and the encouragement of Archbishop Hebda, we understand that care for creation is an essential part of our Catholic Social Teaching. For more information, contact Joan Howe-Pullis at jhowe-pullis@paxchristi.com.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Give one or make one. Prayer and love of knitting or crocheting have been combined into a special ministry that reaches out to anyone going through a transition, providing them with a beautiful shawl. You are invited to join this special ministry. Prayer shawls are available in the parish office. (952) 941-3150
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