For the week of Sunday, January 22, 2023
FORWARD TOGETHER
Matthew is the gospel writer with the genealogist’s habit of searching out the details of Jesus’ life. Matthew is urgent to prove that Jesus is the true Son of God, “the” Messiah that the chosen people have been waiting for forever. So in this weekend’s gospel Matthew quotes something Isaiah wrote some 700 years before Christ, to describe his coming:
“a people living in darkness has seen a great light. On those who inhabit a
land over-shadowed by death, light has arisen.”
Matthew picks up Jesus’ story where John the Baptist has just been arrested by the latest King Herod. When Jesus learns of the arrest, he moves from his hometown, Nazareth, to live by the sea in what is called “heathen Galilee.” Jesus is now 30, and senses that his time of preparation is over – he is to begin a dramatic new season in God’s plan. So, “From that time on,” Matthew tells us, “Jesus began to proclaim this theme: Reform your lives! The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Every aspect of our lives is known and influenced by God, and God is taking the long view of preparing the world for the fullness of salvation. Time and place are not random events to Christians. So, it was more significant than we may realize for Jesus to start his preaching in “heathen Galilee.” All of Galilee centered around the Sea of Galilee, a lake about 13 miles long by 8 miles wide Galilee was crisscrossed through its history by many non-Jewish invaders, settlers, and foreigners. This made Galilee a place open to new strains of blood inheritance, new ideas, and new influences. Amazingly, Galilee ends up being “the one place in all Palestine where a new teacher with a new message had any real chance of being heard.” (Wm. Barclay)
Galilee could be a model for our own lives. We should not fear the countless influences and new ideas which come to us. These can create in us what the Shakers called a “limber spirit.” Being challenged by new thoughts and ideas can make us fertile ground for the message of Jesus, if we stay open and grounded in prayer and a sense of wonder and humility.
And then, notice to whom Jesus goes first, to give his proclamation? People have always been amazed that Jesus, the Messiah, the Christ of God, chose fishermen to be his closest confidantes. But many scholars have pointed out that it is very good fishermen who have the very qualities to become good fishers of men and women Jesus asks us to be. Do we share some of their qualities?
The first is PATIENCE: rarely in parenting, preaching, or fishing do we see quick results. Then there is PERSEVERANCE: when nothing seems to be happening, it takes stamina to keep trying and not to give in to discouragement. A good fisherman also develops a SENSE OF TIMING: when to pull up the line, when to let it out, just as parents and teachers learn when to speak or act, and when to say it or do it at a better moment.
Also, it’s essential to fit the bait to the fish – the wise person knows that the same approach isn’t going to win everyone over. So we try to humbly meet people where we find them, don’t get preachy – and learn to diversify, adjust, and adapt. We want the message of Christ to shine through as, one way or another.
When we remember that message, “Reform your lives – the kingdom of heaven is at hand” we know it will not be an “easy sell.” But Jesus knew when his time was ripe to give God’s message to the world, and once we have accepted that same call, we will have the courage we need.
We may feel we have spent 50 years, just sitting in our boat with our line over the side, getting very few bites. That, too, is part of God’s long view of us in the world’s history. Take heart: as Mother Teresa said, we are only asked to be faithful in our proclaiming, not necessarily successful. So – enjoy the process.
FORWARD TOGETHER AND NO ONE LEFT BEHIND.
Fr. Bill
JOIN US FOR PRAYER AND WORSHIP
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24TH
There will be NO Tuesday Morning Mass at 8:30 am on January 24th. There is a 10:00 am funeral mass for parishioner, Noel Bissonette. Please gather with us at that time for mass. All are welcome.
WEEKDAY MASS
Weekday Masses gather in the Thomas Merton Chapel, Room 245
Tuesdays ~ 8:30am
Wednesdays ~ 6:00pm
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
WEEKEND MASS
Sundays ~ 9:00am (Children's Liturgy of the Word and Nursery Open)
Sundays ~ 11:00am (Children's Liturgy of the Word and Nursery Open)
Sundays ~ 5:00pm (Children's Liturgy of the Word beginning 1/22/2023)
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.
Pax Christi Nursery: The Pax Christi Nursery is available during the 9:00am and 11:00am Sunday Masses! Families are asked to please plan to arrive a few minutes early to register their child/children the first time they bring them.
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.
CHILDREN'S LITURGY OF THE WORD (CLOW)
Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) is being offered at the 5:00 pm Sunday liturgy beginning January 22nd. Children ages 4-4th grade are welcome to participate. They will be dismissed to hear the gospel reading from the Children’s Lectionary as well as participate in faith-filled activities. They will return before Liturgy of the Eucharist. Parents are welcome to see what CLOW is all about as well. A huge thank-you to Confirmation youth for answering this ‘call.’ Please contract Renee with any questions at (952) 405-7212 or at rdignan@paxchristi.com.
A YEAR WITH THE SAINT JOHN'S BIBLE
ENGAGE WITH THE SAINT JOHN'S BIBLE
Over the next year, the Gospels and Acts volume of the Heritage Edition of The Saint John's Bible will be available to view and experience here at Pax, along with six framed illuminations from other volumes of this beautiful Bible. Along with the Gospels and Acts volume and framed illuminations, there will be programs offered throughout the year that will invite you to engage with scripture in a new way. Fr. Michael Patella, OSB, chair of the Committee on Illumination that helped to guide the process, says that “The key for understanding The Saint John’s Bible lies with reading, viewing, and reflecting upon it as an experience and encounter with the Word in a sacramental form.” It’s more than words and pictures on paper. It enables us to experience the Word in new ways. The goal of the project has always been to ignite the spiritual imagination of people around the world.
Some of your fellow parishioners have gone through training on the making of The Saint John's Bible and have taken time to learn more about the illuminations. They are making a gift of themselves by serving as docents for our Saint John's Bible gallery space near Door #3. They will be happy to explore the illuminations with you and offer some background on them. Docents will be available in the gallery at the following times:
- Wednesdays from 3:00-6:00pm
- Saturdays from 3:00-5:00pm
- Sundays from 10:00-11:00am
REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS
We are multiplying good with your financial generosity!
Week of January 8:
Weekend Collection 7,448
Online Giving 7,892
Weekend Collection 7,448
Online Giving 7,892
Other 25,075
Total Week #28 40,415
Budget 40,000
Variance 415
YTD Actual 1,479,891
YTD Budget 1,365,000
YTD Variance 114,891
Please join us on Wednesday, January 25th from 11:30-1:00 for an economic update presented by Stonebridge Investment Advisors who have been managing our Pax Christi long-term bond investments for the past 20+ years.
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 and SUPPORT
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.
Are you or a friend seeking further support, a listening, non-judgemental presence to walk with you during a difficult or challenging time? You are not alone, Befrienders are here to share burdens, listen with compassion, pray with you, and help you to move forward. To learn more about the Befriender ministry, contact Joan Miltenberger, at jmiltenberger@paxchristi.com or 952-405-7211. To visit our website CLICK HERE.
HOLDING UP THOSE EXPERIENCING LOSS
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.
IS YOUR FAITH JOURNEY PART OF YOUR 2023 NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS?
If it is not, consider this a friendly nudge to revisit your list! 😊
In all seriousness, the Pax Small Group Committee could not be happier to officially announce the launch of new small groups at Pax Christi! Groups will be centered around sharing, scripture, and prayer, with the goal of deepening connections with Christ and one another.
Lent invites us to a time of prayer, reflection, and conversation. Why not join eight to ten of your fellow parishioners this Lent and add something special and fruitful to your preparation for Easter? Journey with us in a small community by praying and sharing Scripture. Sign up for a day and time of the week that works for you. The change you experience will be well worth the time.
Small groups will be offered on the following days and times once a week for six-weeks starting February 23, 2023. All groups will meet in-person with the exception of a Zoom small group on Tuesday.
Sign-Up Weekend is this weekend, January 21-22 after each of the Masses. On-line registration will be open beginning, Tuesday, January 24.
ENVELOPE STUFFERS NEEDED
Tuesday morning, January 24, at 9:00am, at Pax Christi
We are in need of a group of volunteers to help stuff envelopes for a mailing! We will be preparing this mailing next Tuesday, January 24, morning at 9:00am. If you are available to help, please contact Sue Fier at sfier@paxchristi.com or 952-405-7202.
GRIEF COALITION WINTER SERIES
Mondays, starting January 23, from 6:30 to 8:00pm, at Pax Christi
The Southwest Grief Coalition (SWGC) is a partnership of local churches working together to provide support and education for those who are grieving. A four-week winter series, Living and Growing Through Loss, will be hosted here at Pax Christi beginning on Monday, January 23 -February 13th from 6:30-8:00 PM. Each session includes highlights of a specific page from The Saint John’s Bible that connects us to the Word of God and our grief journey (30 minutes). Each person will have time to mediate and journal before breaking up in small groups (60 minutes) designed to offer listening and care for your type of loss. There is no cost to participate, but you must register in advance. Please visit Southwest Grief www.swgriefcoalition.org and click on Registration. For more information, SWGC brochures are located in the resource rack by the reception desk. If you have any question, please contact Kyle Finken, 952-405-7231 or kfinken@paxchristi.com
BOOMER'S LUNCH AND LEARN FEATURING STONEBRIDGE CAPITAL ADVISORS
Wednesday, January 25, 11:30am-1:00pm, Hall of Martyrs Room 268, $12
Join us for a Boomer Lunch and Learn featuring the Chief Economist from Stonebridge Capital Advisors on Wednesday, January 25 from 11:30am to 1:00pm in the Hall of Martyrs. This Lunch and Learn is a collaboration between the Boomers and the Pax Christi Finance and Development Council. The Economic Outlook for 2023, Inflation, Legacy Giving, Retirement Accounts are a few of the topics that will be discussed. There will also be a Q&A. The cost is $12 and includes lunch. Pre-registration is required. All Are Welcome. This is NOT a sales presentation. Stonebridge Capital Advisors is a 20 -year trusted partner of Pax Christi. CLICK HERE to register. Please contact Maura Schnorbach at 952-405-7220 or email mschnorbach@paxchristi.com with any questions. See more details on the flyer attached below.
WINTER BLUES?
Are you experiencing the loss, sadness, or loneliness during this winter season? At Pax Christi, the Care and Support team is here for you. Whether you would like some information, a phone call, and/or a visit, we are available to journey with you. Some examples of ministries are:
- Befrienders, who walk with you by actively listening to what is on your heart
- Prayer Wall, which offers a place for you to post a personal prayer
- Bereavement, which offers a variety of support and programs for those who are grieving.
- Southwest Grief Coalition, which provides small groups to those who are grieving a loss of a loved one.
If you would like our Care and Support team to connect with you, please call:
Joan Miltenberger, Director of Care and Support, 952.405.7211 or jmiltenberger@paxchristi.com
Kyle Finken, Coordinator of Care and Support, 952/405, 7231 or kfinken@paxchristi.com
There is Hope! 988 is the new three-digit dialing code for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, 988 provides direct connection to free, confidential, and compassionate support. You are not alone.
For 24/7 confidential support, just call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org or click on the blue box below.
HOLY HONEY!
A new batch of Holy Honey has been delivered and is ready to purchase. This sweet Holy Honey Goodness is made from our very own bees. Stop at the front reception desk to purchase your jars for $10 each.
DO YOU LOVE DOUGHNUTS?
Is Sunday just not the same without a doughnut and coffee after Mass? Would you devote one Sunday morning of the year to helping serve doughnuts to your fellow doughnut lovers?
Our parish ministries and councils have graciously stepped forward to help with Sunday hospitality this year, but we don’t quite have all the weekends covered. We need your help! It’s not as daunting as you might fear. It means getting the doughnuts on trays and then getting the trays on the serving tables. Then, it’s just visiting with your fellow parishioners like you would anyway! Say hello to someone you haven’t met. Greet the people coming forward for those doughnuts. Spread the doughnut love!
If you’d be willing to help out one Sunday, please click on the SignUp Genius link below and pick a Sunday to help! Attached are some basic instructions so you know what this entails. Contact Debbie Hemann at dhemann@paxchristi.com with questions.
NURSERY NEWS
The nursery is looking for employees and volunteers to add to our staff. While the amount of children has slowly been increasing each week, 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. We have hopes of opening the nursery to some upcoming events, but need to have more 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.
ZOOM COFFEE TALK: ARCHBISHOP'S PASTORAL LETTER: You Will Be My Witnesses
Wednesdays, January 25 and February 1, 2023, 7:00-8:00pm via Zoom
On November 20, 2022 Archbishop Hebda published a letter to all people in our Archdiocese reflecting on the Synod experience from 2019-2022 and setting a vision and priorities for our area over the next 3 years.
Together with Risen Savior in Burnsville, Pax Christi is holding a 2-part “coffee talk” discussion of the letter. We’ll cover 1/2 of the letter each of the two Wednesday evenings (about 20-25 pages) and share our insights, reflections, questions, and start a conversation about how all of this might take root in our respective parishes. RSVP is required so that you can be sent the Zoom link. CLICK HERE to register. The video from Archbishop Hebda and copies of the letter and implementation plan can be viewed HERE.
Please contact Scott Brazil at 952-405-7230 or email sbrazil@paxchristi.com with any questions.
38+2 FILM VIEWING AND DISCUSSION
Wednesday, January 25, 7:00 to 8:30pm, Via Zoom
The Land Acknowledgment Team invites you to a virtual viewing the film documentary 38 + 2, followed by a discussion, on January 25 from 7:00 to 8:30pm via Zoom.
38+2, follows Native riders on a 330 mile healing journey across South Dakota to Minnesota, in honor of those lost at the end of the Dakota War of 1862, in the largest mass execution ever seen in the United States.
In 2005, Jim Miller of Porcupine, SD, had a dream of riding on horseback across the plains of South Dakota to the riverbank in Minnesota, where, in his dream, he witnessed his Dakota relatives executed. Jim's vision inspired him to contact various horse riders to come together for a 16-day reconciliation ride, now known as the Dakota 38 Memorial ride. Each December 10, riders set out to traverse the 330 miles between Lower Brule, South Dakota, and Mankato, Minnesota. December 10, 2022 marked the last year for this historic ride.
Join us as we view the film together followed by discussion.
This is a zoom event. Please register to receive the link. CLICK HERE
Questions, contact Joan Howe-Pullis at jhowe-pullis@paxchristi.com or at (952) 405-7247.
PAX CHRISTI JUSTICE SPEAKER SERIES:
The Young Women’s Society of the Division of Indian Work
Raising Consciousness About the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Minnesota
Wednesday, February 8, 7:00 to 8:30pm in the Main Worship Space
Native women are murdered at 10x the national average. Join us as we welcome the Young Women’s Society to explore the multifaceted systemic causes of this startling statistic and what we can do to bring about change and justice for the missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.
The event is free and open to the public. Please register so that we know how many people to expect. All are welcome. CLICK HERE
Please contact Joan Howe-Pullis at 952-405-7247 or email jhowe-pullis@paxchristi.com with any questions.
MARRIAGE BOOSTER RETREAT 2023
Saturday, February 25, 2023, 9:00am to 4:30pm
Whether you have been married for six months or sixty years, it is never a bad idea to get away together to both celebrate and reflect on your marriage. For over twenty years, Family Fest has been helping thousands of couples strengthen their relationship and give their marriage a boost. The Marriage Booster Retreat is a faith-filled, encouraging, and romantic one-day retreat designed to let you reconnect, laugh, and talk deeply with the most important person in your life. We’ll look at communication, intimacy & sex, dealing with conflict, money, parenting, emotional needs, and more. Get ready for a day that will truly bless your marriage! There is no set fee for the Marriage Booster. It is our sincere desire that every couple be able to attend and that finances never be a barrier from attending. The suggested donation is $100 per couple to cover the costs associated with this retreat, including lunch. For more information, contact Scott Brazil at sbrazil@paxchristi.com or at (952) 405-7230. CLICK HERE to register.
THE PARABLES: THE STORIES JESUS LEFT BEHIND
Lenten Scripture Series with Dr. Arthur E. Zannoni
Mondays (February 27, March 6, March 13), 7:00-9:00 pm, Hall of Martyrs, $25.
We all love a good story, especially when a master storyteller tells it. Jesus was the storyteller of God. Jesus’ whole life was a story. The stories he left behind are called parables. These stories, as contained in the Gospels, have various meanings thrown alongside them. Sometimes Jesus’ stories about God compare God to a woman who searches for a lost coin, or a woman who mixes yeast into dough, or a compassionate Samaritan. Some of Jesus’ parables dealt with prayer persistence, while others described banquets and a prodigal son. This three-evening program will explore the parables presented in three of the four Gospels to show how they can challenge and shape our faith life. 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.
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