For the week of Sunday, November 28, 2021
Dear Friends,
I recently came across a very interesting article in America (Jesuit) magazine written by William O'Neill. It was a reflection on our present inability seemingly to disagree about anything, whether in the church or the culture, without demonizing our "opponent." It noted that the ability to discuss differences of opinion rests upon a more fundamental sharing of values. In other words, there first has to be a set of common ground rules before any meaningful dispute can make any sense. He likened it to the playing of games, where each player first acknowledges the boundaries within which everybody agrees to participate. He used the example of chess, but since I don't know anything about chess, I will use the analogy of football instead.
In football, everybody agrees that there are literal boundaries that are marked off in chalk on the sidelines and end zones. Opposing teams may disagree over whether some athlete is out of bounds on a given play, but nobody disputes the fact that the boundaries exist and that they may not be transgressed. But what happens when one side refuses to acknowledge the boundaries at all? That's when engagement turns into chaos, and O'Neill was suggesting that this is what happens when we can't even agree on what is true. There has to be some sort of basic understanding of what we are doing when we argue with one another; there has to be some shared goal (pun intended).
To bring all this home to the Church, we proclaim that unity is our primal value because that's what Jesus prayed for. But what if some people don't regard unity as a desirable or necessary aspiration in the first place? What if some regard only themselves and their own preferences as the end of all things? I could tell those folks that they aren't really Catholic when holding that opinion, and they could simply respond that I'm wrong about that. We're playing a different game. Discussion becomes meaningless at that point.
This is why O'Neill and others believe that we are at a fairly perilous tipping point in our public discourse, both in our nation and in our church. If we don't have some common understanding of what we are attempting to accomplish, a common hope, then it's everyone for himself/herself and their desires. No shared rules or boundaries.
Here's where the Catholic social tradition can be helpful. It speaks often of the "common good," and that word "good" has some real content to it, like human dignity, life, health, conscience, meaningful work, justice, peace, food and housing, safety. These are some of the basic ground rules by which we enter into discussions, even with those who may disagree with us about how best to accomplish these things. But without a shared sense of the boundaries, we are in deep trouble.
Let us rededicate ourselves in this Advent time to remembering the "rules."
Fr. Mike
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JOIN US FOR PRAYER AND WORSHIP
WEEKDAY MASS
(Mask Recommended)
Tuesdays ~ 8:30am
Wednesdays ~ 8:30am
Fridays ~ 8:30am
Wednesdays ~ 8:30am
Fridays ~ 8:30am
WEEKDAY WORD AND EUCHARIST SERVICE
(Mask Recommended)
Thursdays ~ 8:30am
WEEKEND MASS
Saturdays ~ 5:00pm Live Stream available (Face masks recommended)
Sundays ~ 9:00am (Face masks recommended)
Sundays ~ 11:00am (Face masks recommended)
Sundays ~ 11:00am (Face masks recommended)
Sundays ~ 4:00pm (Face masks recommended)
RECONCILIATION
A priest will be available to hear confessions at 4:00pm each Saturday inside in the Chapel. Those who wish to celebrate this sacrament can enter through door #3. Please wait in the hallway to the right leading to the Chapel for the person who is celebrating the sacrament to be finished, and then come forward to receive the sacrament.
COVID-19 UPDATES
CLICK HERE to view schedules, updates, and resources during COVID-19.
REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS
Thank you for your continued generosity!
Week of November 21:
Online Giving 34,349
Cash and Checks 16,683
Stock 12,351
Total Week #21 63,383
Budget 60,000
Variance 3,383
YTD Actual 956,461
YTD Budget 790,000
YTD Variance 166,461
Tax Tip: Gifts of appreciated assets such as stock or mutual funds allow you to avoid capital gains taxes. You may also be able to deduct the full fair-market value of the asset you donated from your taxable income.
CLICK HERE for online giving.
PAX CHRISTI PRAYER CORNER
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
Please join us in holding up the prayers that were brought forward during all Masses last weekend.
PAX CHRISTI PRAYER WALL
Pray for the Pax Christi Community! One of the ways we can care for each other as a faith community is to pray for each other. Pax Christi has an online Prayer Wall for people to share their prayer requests and also to let people know that they are heard and we are holding them in our prayers. Please view the prayer wall and pray for the needs of fellow Pax Christi Community members by CLICKING HERE.
Do you have a prayer you would like to add to the Pax Christi Prayer Wall? If you would like to add a prayer request to the Prayer Wall, CLICK HERE. This link invites you to fill out a very brief form so that we can pray for your intention.
HOLDING UP THOSE EXPERIENCING LOSS
- Mary Andresen, sister of Liz Anderson
- Elliott Gossett, infant son of Alyssa and Brian Gossett and grandson of Steve and Faith Heimer
To see a full list of all upcoming funerals being held at Pax Christi along with an obituary if the family chooses, please CLICK HERE.
SPECIAL ADVENT REFLECTION
During this special season of Advent, we welcome you to join us in finding and celebrating the hope, faith, joy, and love that God is offering us. There are several virtual resources available by CLICKING HERE, including a resource from Liturgical Training Publications that is available in both English and Spanish, and a short video reflection is also available by clicking on the image below.
The key that opens the door to the faith is prayer.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CLICK HERE for all upcoming events and registration.
ADVENT COMMUNAL RECONCILIATION SERVICE
Darkness and Light
Tuesday, November 30 at 7:00pm, In-Person and Livestreamed
Tuesday, November 30 at 7:00pm, In-Person and Livestreamed
There will be a Communal Prayer of Contrition, a Prayer of Thanksgiving for God’s Forgiveness, and there is an opportunity for individual confession at the end of the service. Please join us for this wonderful event to kick off the season of Advent!
WINTER GEAR DONATIONS
Saturday, December 4, 12:00-3:00pm, in the Pax Christi Parking Lot
Please help spread the warmth! There will be a winter gear drive this weekend for newly arriving Afghan refugees in our community. Items should be clean, new, and like-new. The need is for winter coats, accessories, boots, and warm clothing of all sizes.
Donation collection will be Saturday, Dec. 4th from 12:00pm - 3:00pm. Drop off location is the parking lot of Pax Christi Catholic Community in Eden Prairie.
Contact Amy Dowling with any questions at dowlingah@gmail.com.
ADVENT HAPPENINGS
Come Join Us for Faith, Fun, and Friendship!
- Outdoor Tree Lighting Ceremony – Wednesday, December 1, 6:00-6:30pm, outside the main entrance (Door 3): Come and participate in our outdoor tree lighting event! Come join our Advent prayer, the singing of seasonal carols, making messages of hope for our outdoor tree, cookies, and hot chocolate. Faith Formation programs will resume at 6:30pm.
- Christmas Card Making for Care Centers – Sunday, December 12, after the 9:00am and 11:00am Masses, in Dorothy Day Social Hall: Come join other families, children, and community members of all ages in the joy of making Christmas cards for our care centers! Your messages of hope, faith, joy, and peace will be spread to many of our senior friends. All materials will be provided, just bring your creativity!
- Soup's On! – Throughout Advent: Advent is the perfect time to show how much we care for others. We are collecting soup and other canned goods for PROP Food Shelf. Pick up a burgundy bag at church and bring it back with your donations. Our special food drive will take place throughout the four weeks of Advent. Thank you in advance for supporting our neighbors.
SHARE THE JOY CHRISTMAS DRIVE
Tuesday, November 16 through Sunday, December 5
Snow will soon be in the air and the joy of Christmas will be upon us… let’s spread the gladness of the season by joining in the Share the Joy Christmas Drive held by the Twelve Baskets Ministry! With toy/gift availability uncertain due to well-publicized supply chain issues and COVID-19 cautiousness by the receiving agencies, this Drive will remain virtual in 2021. There are tangible options available for gift giving to three worthy agencies we have long assisted at Christmas.
You can help by choosing one of them ON or BEFORE Sunday, December 5th.
- Risen Christ School “Adopt-A-Family”
- Children of Gichitwaa Kateri Church
- St. Stephen's Men’s Shelter / House of Charity
CLICK HERE to learn more about each of these opportunities and to Share the Joy!
Or, if you don’t want to deal with all the technology: simply send or bring a check to the office at Pax Christi by November 30th. Note ‘Share the Joy’ in the memo line, and we will put your funds to good use.
As always, thank you for your generosity and Merry Christmas.
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE OBSERVANCE
Two Ways To Celebrate
Novena: Friday, December 3 through Saturday, December 11, daily at 7:00pm via Zoom
Visit the Special Prayer Space in the Chapel: Friday, December 3 through Saturday, December 18
Visit the Special Prayer Space in the Chapel: Friday, December 3 through Saturday, December 18
Every year, Our Lady of Guadalupe Day, December 12, draws millions of Catholics from across Mexico and other countries to pay pilgrimage to Mary at the site of her apparitions to Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatz in 1531, the Basilica of Guadalupe which is now the most visited Catholic site in the world. Join us in honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, and Queen of Mexico, at Pax Christi and via Zoom. Here are the details: A daily, bilingual Zoom novena will be held beginning December 3, at 6:00pm. Please register in advance to receive the Zoom link and the bilingual novena prayers on the Pax Christi website. CLICK HERE to register.
Visit the special prayer space dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe in the chapel anytime between December 3 and December 18 to learn more about this tradition and to pray.
To help lead daily novena prayers, please contact Joan Howe-Pullis at jhowe-pullis@paxchristi.com. Please join us. All Are Welcome!
JOIN US FOR CHAIR YOGA
Be Part of a Healthy Community!
Mondays, starting December 6, 1:30-2:15pm, via Zoom, $40
Join us for Chair Yoga. The eight-week session begins on December 6. Classes are held from 1:30pm-2:15pm via Zoom. The cost is $40. Denise Bunch, a popular yoga instructor will lead the class. Classes fill quickly! If you are unable to attend one of the sessions, classes are posted online for a brief time.
CLICK HERE to register.
FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION MASS UPDATE
Two Masses will be offered
Wednesday, December 8
- 12:00pm Mass, In-person and Livestreamed
- 5:30pm Mass, In-person
Please join us in celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with Masses offered at 12:00pm and 5:30pm! Please note that this is a change from what was published in the November Magazine.
EXPLORING THE GOSPEL CHRISTMAS STORIES
Advent Evening of Reflection with Dr. Art Zannoni
Monday, December 13, 7:00-9:00pm, Hall of Martyrs
In preparation for Christmas, this program will explore the Gospel stories of Jesus’ birth. Only two of the four Gospels have stories about Jesus’ birth. They are found in the first two chapters of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The presentation will start with an overview of each of the accounts, often referred to as the “Infancy Narratives.” Emphasis will be placed first on the context, structure, and content of each account. In addition, participants will explore how each account has a different angle of vision on the meaning of the birth of Jesus. For example, Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the longed-for Messiah of Judaism and presents Joseph as the ideal model disciple. In contrast, Luke portrays Jesus as the universal savior of humankind and Mary, his mother, as the ideal disciple. The program will conclude by showing how the creche and the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth are not the same. A free-will offering will be made available to contribute to help reduce expenses.
CLICK HERE to register.
A CONVERSATION ABOUT RACE
Tuesday, December 14, 6:30pm, via Zoom
The Pax Christi Racial Equity Committee has identified a need in our community to engage with one another in conversation about race and racism. Do you have thoughts or questions about issues of race? Would you like an opportunity to talk to or share concerns and experiences with others? If so, you are invited to join others in a conversation about race. Pax Christi members, Sigrid Ruhland Mellby and Barb VanHauer will facilitate the discussion following a short film titled: A Conversation with White People On Race | Op-Docs | The New York Times.
If interested, please register – CLICK HERE – to receive the Zoom link for this event.
FRONT DESK RECEPTIONISTS NEEDED
We have Front Desk Receptionist/Greeter positions OPEN! These are short shifts of 2-3 hours of answering phone calls, greeting visitors and vendors, and small little projects. We are looking for outgoing people who like to smile and have fun! Please reach out to Debbie Hemann at dhemann@paxchristi.com or 952-405-7221 if you are interested.
PAX CHRISTI’S PRAYER SHAWL
Gift Someone with a Prayer Shawl this Holiday!
Let us Know, Gift a Prayer Shawl Song!
Oh, the weather outside is frightful, And a Prayer Shawl will keep us delightful
And since we've no place to go - Let us know, Let us know, Let us know!
Covid doesn’t show sign of stoppin’, And I’m here to encourage you by offerin’
A hand-knitted shawl that will whoa - Let us know, Let us know, Let us know!
When you finally give one tonight, How you will be proud to know,
That your loved one will be held tight, Let us know, Let us know, Let us know!
And this song is coming to finalization, And you are free to give a donation
And kiss your most loved one so - Let us know, Let us know, Let us know!
PAX CHRISTI 2022 CALENDARS HAVE ARRIVED!
Pick up your complimentary Pax Christi calendar at Door 1 and Door 3 (Main Entrance) after all Masses. You may also stop by Pax Christi during business hours to pick up a calendar. Feel free to share with friends and neighbors.
GET THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT FOR FREE!
We have a limited number of free annual subscriptions to The Catholic Spirit available for parishioners. Each edition of the award-winning official newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is packed with Catholic news coverage of our archdiocese, nation and world, as well as issue analysis and reflections on Catholic living from family life to public policy. Contact Debbie Hemann at 952-405-7221 or at dhemann@paxchristi.com.
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