For the week of Sunday, October 2, 2022
FORWARD TOGETHER
There is nothing more important in our lives than our faith. Faith, or the lack of it, is the atmosphere in which we live every moment of every day of our lives. Where we live, how old we are, who are parents are, the state of our health- these and many more factors affect our lives profoundly. But if you took all of the things that affect how we live each day, the one that is the foundation of them all is our faith.
This is because faith is the way we see life. It affects everything. If one person sees life as basically meaningless, then it's most likely that they will not have the motivation needed to help better the world in any significant way. If life really doesn’t mean anything, why would someone put any effort into moving society forward? Or if we think that life is just to be endured, we end up in the same boat. However, if we see life as a gift, then everything changes. For that person, a spirit of gratitude inspires and fills everything they do. People are not looked upon as problems but as gifts. Nature is not seen only as an economic resource, but as a source of beauty, wonder and power.
The person who has the gift of faith in God possesses a power unlike anything else. For that person, even death has no real power. During the twentieth century, we have had as many martyrs for the faith as during the nineteen centuries that came before. Thousands of people have given up their lives because they believed in a God who would not ever abandon them, not even in death. As our scriptures tell us: “We do not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Faith is a gift, but it is a gift that needs to be taken care of. If we don’t pay attention to our faith, then instead of our faith deeply affecting how we live from day to day, we will find that how we live from day to day will start affecting our faith. So if we never think about our faith, about God, about Jesus and the Gospels, about spiritual realities like hope, joy, courage, honesty, faithfulness, and so on- if we don’t think about these things, then the danger is that our actions will start affecting the way we think and believe.
The person who is continually dishonest in his/her business dealings will soon discover that other parts of her/his life also suffer. It is one small step from dishonesty in business to dishonesty in relationships. Faithless living in one area easily moves into faithless living in another area.
The writer C.S. Lewis said that “We have to be continually reminded of what we believe. Neither the belief in Christ nor any other will automatically remain alive in the mind. It must be fed, and as a matter of fact, if you examined a hundred people who had lost their faith in Christianity, I wonder how many of them would turn out to have been reasoned out of it by an honest argument. Do not most people simply drift away?” That’s the danger we all have to guard against-just drifting away.
But the opposite is also true. When we try to work at our prayers, when we gather with other believers to discuss and pray, when we are faithful to the Eucharist, then we notice how our faith plays a major role in all of our decisions. Faith should be a major source of power in our lives. It should give us power to deal with difficulties when they arise, power to endure personal tragedies, even power to face death. Now that’s real power.
The Catechism tells us, “ ….faith is not an isolated act, no one believes alone, just as no one can live alone. You have not given yourself faith as you have not given yourself life. The believer has received faith from others and should hand it on to others… I cannot believe without being carried by the faith of others, and by faith, I help support others in the faith”. (Par.166).
That’s why our presence at the Eucharist is so important. For some people, it is the only time when they are able to express their beliefs in the company of other believers. We shouldn’t underestimate the importance of celebrating the Eucharist together. Even if, at times, we may not feel like being here, we have to discipline ourselves to come to Mass because our being together is so important. We need to support one another with our presence and prayers.
May God, the Loving Creator in whom we believe, draw us all closer together in our difficult but life-giving journey of faith.
Forward together, and no one left behind.
Fr. Bill Murtaugh
JOIN US FOR PRAYER AND WORSHIP
WEEKDAY MASS
Weekday Masses gather in the Thomas Merton Chapel, Room 245
Tuesdays ~ 8:30am
Wednesdays ~ 6:00pm
Fridays ~ 8:30am
Fridays ~ 8:30am
WEEKDAY WORD AND COMMUNION SERVICE
The weekly Word and Communion Service gathers in the Thomas Merton Chapel, Room 245
Thursdays ~ 8:30am
Thursdays ~ 8:30am
WEEKEND MASS
Saturdays ~ 5:00pm Live Stream available
Sundays ~ 9:00am (Children's Liturgy of the Word)
Sundays ~ 11:00am (Children's Liturgy of the Word)
Sundays ~ 11:00am (Children's Liturgy of the Word)
Sundays ~ 5:00pm
Please Note: The Northeast section of seating in the Main Worship space has been designated for people who wish to mask and maintain social distance. Please be attentive to and honor the needs of those who may be immune-compromised.
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.
REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS
We are multiplying good with your financial generosity!
Week of September 18:
Weekend Collection 7,940
Online Giving 29,597
Weekend Collection 7,940
Online Giving 29,597
Other 10,670
Total Week #12 48,207
Total Week #12 48,207
Budget 55,000
Variance (6,793)
YTD Actual 449,671
YTD Budget 420,000
YTD Variance 29,671
Your generosity provides for hospitality on Sunday mornings which offers the members of our community an opportunity to connect with each other and form new friendships. Join us this weekend for hospitality on the plaza!
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
- Billy Noble, brother of Chuck Noble
- Christopher Springob, son of Cathy Springob
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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CLICK HERE for all upcoming events and registration.
NURSERY UPDATE
We would like to get the nursery up and running again, but thus far, we've only had one applicant for a nursery position. We estimate that we will need 4-8 staff in order to meet the required child/adult ratio and allow for some rotation of staff.
Please help us by spreading the word that we have nursery position openings. If you know teens (16+) or adults who would like to earn a little extra money, please encourage them to apply. Those interested in a nursery position should contact Debbie Hemann at dhemann@paxchristi.com.
INVITING ALL INTERGENERATIONAL SINGERS TO HOMECOMING WEEKEND MASSES
The Weekend of October 1 & 2 During All Masses
Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord ~ Ephesians 5:19
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sing in Pax Christi’s choir? Now is your chance to sing for a day! Pax Christi is inviting individuals and families with a love of singing to lead our sung prayer during Homecoming Weekend Masses.
Who: All parishioners from kindergarten through adult are welcome! (Note: Elementary age children are welcome but must be with a parent.)
When: Homecoming Weekend Masses, October 1 and 2, 2022.
Sign up for the mass or masses of your choice. Pax Christi will email the music and rehearsal tracks to you ahead of time so you can get familiar with them. On Homecoming weekend, arrive 45 minutes before mass to pick up music and rehearse as a group. Then sing with joy as our community celebrates mass together!
CLICK HERE to sign up here to receive the music and rehearsal tracks.
JOIN US FOR A HOMECOMING FIESTA
The Weekend of October 1 & 2
Main Celebration: Sunday, October 2, 12:00-2:00pm, outside at the main entrance (Door 3)
Main Celebration: Sunday, October 2, 12:00-2:00pm, outside at the main entrance (Door 3)
Pax Christi will be holding a community celebration the weekend of October 1 and 2, 2022! This special Homecoming Fiesta is a great way to connect with friends and neighbors from the Pax Christi community. Stop by and enjoy refreshments after all Masses with the main celebration happening on Sunday, October 2, on the plaza outside the main entrance (Door #3).
CLICK HERE to learn more about the fun of this community event!
CLICK HERE to sign up to volunteer to help with the event!
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE RETURN OF THE PAX CHRISTI FALL CLEANUP
Stewarding the Gift of the Parish Campus that has been Trusted to Us
Saturday, October 1, 9:00am-12:00pm, meeting by Door #4 on the east side of the upper parking lot (closes to Homeward Hills Rd)
Saturday, October 1, 9:00am-12:00pm, meeting by Door #4 on the east side of the upper parking lot (closes to Homeward Hills Rd)
Please join us on Saturday, October 1, from 9:00am-12:00pm to improve our Pax Christi exterior campus! Meet at Door #4 for your assignment and refreshments! Please bring gloves and your yard tools or use Pax equipment.
What to bring:
- The whole family
- Gloves
- Rakes
- Shovels
- Leaf blowers
- Weed trimmers
- Neighbors
CLICK HERE to let us know you're planning to attend.
ENCOUNTERING THE WOMEN AROUND JESUS
A Day of Reflection with Dr. Art Zannoni
Saturday, October 1, 9:00am-12:00pm, Hall of Martyrs Room 268
Saturday, October 1, 9:00am-12:00pm, Hall of Martyrs Room 268
Considering that the Gospels were composed during a time of patriarchy when men were considered the dominant gender of society, it is remarkable that women are portrayed in a positive light in the Gospels. The inclusion of their stories provides a counter-cultural view of the sole approval of male dominance. The Gospels' stories about women also reveal that Jesus, his lifestyle, and teachings, were inclusive and non-gender specific. Women, like men, are changed by encountering Jesus. This presentation will explore some of the women found in each of the Gospels. Emphasis will be placed on how unique these women's relationships with Jesus were. Examples include women in Jesus' genealogy and Jesus' relationship to his mother, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Mary and Martha of Bethany, a Syrophoenician woman, and many more. Each story of women followers of Jesus provides a model for our practice of faith today.
This event is offered free of charge, though a free-will offering would be appreciated. You can make a donation on this form with a credit card, otherwise, there will be a basket available at the back of the Sanctuary.
If you have any questions, please contact Scott Brazil, Director of Faith Formation, at sbrazil@paxchrsiti.com or 952-405-7230.
CLICK HERE to register!
ORANGE SHIRT DAY
Honoring the Lives of Indigenous Children
Saturday, October 1 & Sunday, October 2
Saturday, October 1 & Sunday, October 2
The Pax Christi Land Acknowledgment Project Team invites everyone to wear orange in honor of those who experienced trauma because of the U.S. Indian Boarding School policy. The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) was created to increase public awareness and cultivate healing for individuals, families, and communities, resulting from the U.S. adoption and implementation of the Boarding School Policy of 1869. September 30 is designated as Orange Shirt Day because it is the time of year when children were taken from their homes to residential schools. It is an opportunity to lift up anti-racism and anti-bullying policies and an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, Schools, and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come. You are invited to wear orange when you come for Mass on October 1 and 2. Land Acknowledgment Team members will be present to share about the project.
THREE WAYS TO SUPPORT PROP
Pax Christi has a long-standing tradition of supporting our local food shelf, PROP, with generous donations of food and other household necessities. Here are opportunities to support our efforts:
- On Saturday, September 24, between 5:00pm and 8:30pm, we will be receiving food donations for PROP during the Koo Koo Kanga Roo concert in the parking lot. If you would like to assist in this collection, contact Joan Howe-Pullis at jhowe-pullis@paxchristi.com.
- On Saturday and Sunday, October 1 and 2, we will be including PROP food donations during all masses as we celebrate Homecoming Weekend. Bring your burgundy bag of food to offer at the time of the offertory!
- Drivers are needed to bring food donations to PROP one Monday per month. We have a mighty team of drivers that needs expanding! Would you like to join them? For more information, or to volunteer, contact Joan Howe-Pullis at jhowe-pullis@paxchristi.com.
SOUTHWEST GRIEF COALITION FALL SESSIONS
Mondays, October 3 - November 14 (break for October 31), 5:30 - 7:30 PM (includes dinner) at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 13600 Technology Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Losing someone we love is one of life’s most challenging passages. The death of a loved one often changes everything in your life. Your circle of friends, your family relationships, your hobbies, and daily activities, your health, and your emotional and spiritual well-being. Meeting with others in the Southwest Grief Coalition, you are not alone; you are heard and supported. Through presentations and an extensive library, you learn about the process of grief and resources for healing and personal growth. The Southwest Grief Coalition is here for you during this tender time. The coalition of Eden Prairie churches provide opportunity for sharing, support, and learning through presentations and small group gatherings. Save the dates. Registration and Session Information on the Southwest Grief Coalition website - CLICK HERE.
SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK
During the 5:00pm Mass on Saturday, October 8
The Anointing of the Sick is for all people who are seriously ill. The Lord himself showed great concern for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the sick and commanded his followers to do likewise: “Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14). The Anointing of the Sick will be celebrated after the homily during the 5:00pm Mass. When you arrive for Mass, please register in the Narthex (back of the Main Worship Space) so that we know the number of people to be anointed.
The Anointing of the Sick is for all people who are seriously ill. The Lord himself showed great concern for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the sick and commanded his followers to do likewise: “Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14). The Anointing of the Sick will be celebrated after the homily during the 5:00pm Mass. When you arrive for Mass, please register in the Narthex (back of the Main Worship Space) so that we know the number of people to be anointed.
If you have any questions, please call Kyle Finken at kfinken@paxchristi.com or 952-405-7231.
THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS SERIES
Mondays, October 10 - November 21 (break October 31), 7 - 8:30 PM, Room Mahatma Gandhi, $25 Registration Fee
Be prepared to receive God's grace and freedom through this 6-week series. Learn to live a forgiving lifestyle. Begin to resolve a hurt from your life. Learn and practice prayer and spirituality for healing and wholeness, closeness to God and others. Receive support, share and listen with compassion. Forgiveness is the key to moving past hurts and wounds to become all that God intended us to be. This program will be presented by Roger Reddan, a licensed psychologist, spiritual director, and member of Pax Christi Catholic Community. He has extensively studied the role of forgiveness in spiritual freedom, healing, and wellness. Roger and participants will also use the book Everybody Needs to Forgive Somebody by Allen Hunt. The $25 fee also covers the book and scholarships available.
Please contact Joan Miltenberger at 952-405-7211 or email jmiltenberger@paxchristi.com with any questions.
CLICK HERE to register!
CHAIR YOGA FALL SESSION
10-Weeks, Mondays starting October 17 at 1:30pm, Via Zoom. Registration fee of $50
Start the fall with community, relaxation, and gentle movement. Registration is now open for Chair Yoga. Popular Yoga Instructor Denise Bunch will be leading the 10 week session via Zoom. The cost is $50. Class size is limited. Pre-registration is required. You will receive a Zoom link for the classes. There will be a recorded session available after each class for a limited amount of time.
Questions? Contact Maura Schnorbach at mschnorbach@paxchristi.com or 952-405-7220.
SPIRITUAL BOUQUET VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Pray for our Confirmation Candidates!
Please register by Sunday, October 23
Please register by Sunday, October 23
Create a spiritual bouquet for one of our confirmation candidates this year! A spiritual bouquet is a collection of prayers for a specific person or intention given as a gift. Usually in the form of a card, a spiritual bouquet lets someone know that you are praying specifically for them, and shows exactly how you did that. Examples: rosaries offered, masses offered, novenas, adoration, etc. If you're a prayer warrior, this is for you!
Questions? Contact Shannon Rouston at srouston@paxchristi.com or 952-405-7256.
CLICK HERE to register!
BELIEVE, BELONG, BE THE INSPIRATION
An Exploration of "All Are Welcome"
Saturday, November 5, 9:00am-12:00pm, Hall of Martyrs Room 268
Doors will open at 8:30, coffee and bagels will be available
Saturday, November 5, 9:00am-12:00pm, Hall of Martyrs Room 268
Doors will open at 8:30, coffee and bagels will be available
For many reasons, life in 2022 has left many of us feeling disconnected and alone. In this time when we feel more divided than ever, when social media tells us how we need to change to fit in, God’s message continues to be one of love, acceptance, and welcome. Pax Christi has always proudly proclaimed that “All Are Welcome,” but what does that look like in action? Please join us for this half-day retreat led by Paul Bernabei, inspiring speaker and educator, where we will start the conversation about building community and the importance of living out a spirit of welcome in our personal lives, our Pax community, and beyond!
You are my beloved child, with whom I am well pleased. BE YOU!
If you have any questions, please contact the parish office at 952-941-3150.
CLICK HERE to register!
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