For the week of Sunday, May 2, 2021
Dear Friends:
Recently the Church's liturgical calendar observed the feast day of St. Anselm of Canterbury, a European Benedictine bishop and theologian who lived almost a thousand years ago. He is perhaps best remembered today for his definition of what the study of theology actually is: Fides quaerens intellectum, or "Faith seeking understanding." After all this time, I don't think there has come along a better or more succinct way to describe the endeavor, and I'm not alone in that opinion. At first glance it seems simple enough, almost too simple perhaps. But it captures something of vital importance for Christian believers today, whether professional theologians or not.
The key insight of Anselm's definition is the insistence that we don't reason our way into having religious faith. It's the other way around; the seeker begins by having already been possessed of God's gift of faith, and then he or she tries to make some rational sense out of it through study. It has to be that way, not only because faith is always freely bestowed rather than being deduced from reason, but also because faith by its very nature is an encounter with a transcendent Person. It is an experience of loving relationship and not the fruit of intellectual experimentation. It is the same reason that human beings don't strictly "reason" themselves into loving one another. There's always a level of trust—and therefore the possibility of doubt—that precedes the effort to better understand the "subject" of inquiry.
But having said that, it is also true that Christian faith is consistent with our powers of human understanding. We Catholics do not profess a faith that is inherently contrary to reason or to other areas of human knowledge. It's not an "either-or" sort of choice to be made, and that demands that we also take seriously the wisdom of scientific study, and to correlate these two kinds of knowledge as best we can.
One reason that Anselm's definition remains particularly important today is that we've been hearing a lot during the COVID-19 crisis about the benefits of trusting the scientists. Sometimes it's presented as a choice between either siding with the infallibility of science or being a superstitious buffoon. In fact, no science is fool-proof, and certainly no scientist is either. But science can teach us an awful lot, with a high degree of confidence, just as faith can. We have to be intelligent about both.
Fr. Mike
MESSAGE FROM ARCHBISHOP HEBDA
A message of gratitude and community
CLICK HERE. to view Archbishop Hebda's video message
CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW FOR A VIDEO MESSAGE FROM FR. MIKE
FR. MIKE'S HOMILY BLOG
CLICK HERE to view Fr. Mike's blog.
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 18:
Online Giving 34,364
Mailed Contributions 11,920
Total Week #42 46,284
Budget 65,000
Variance (18,716)
YTD Actual 1,987,427
YTD Budget 1,990,000
YTD Variance (2,573)
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.
LAST CALL FOR THE PAX CHRISTI CENSUS
Last call for the Pax Christi Census! If you haven't yet, please 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.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
You Are Not Alone
Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Each year we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families. For 2021’s Mental Health Awareness Month, NAMI will continue to amplify the message of “You Are Not Alone.” Together, we can realize our shared vision of a nation where anyone affected by mental illness can get the appropriate support and quality of care to live healthy, fulfilling lives — a nation where no one feels alone in their struggle. For more information, please CLICK HERE.
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.
YOU'RE INVITED: BLESSING THE GIVING GARDEN
Saturday, May 1, 1:00pm at the Pax Christi Giving Garden
In honor of Earth Day, we will bless the Pax Christi Giving Garden and all those who plan, plant, harvest, wash and share the bounty with our neighbors who are served by PROP Food Shelf. You are welcome to bring seeds, a plant, garden tools, and anything else you may wish to have blessed. let’s welcome in a Summer of giving together! CLICK HERE to learn more about the Pax Christi Giving Garden! The Pax Christi Giving Garden is located just off of the upper parking lot, to the west of the building, past the Saint Francis Shrine.
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.
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.
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