For the weeks of July 14/21, 2019
Dear Members of Pax Christi,
With the end of the archdiocesan parishes’ fiscal years ending on June 30, it is also the time of year in parish ministry that staff often make decisions to carry their ministry forward to another faith community. With this in mind, I am sharing with you the news that Lynn Schelitzche has resigned her position as Director of Faith Formation, and has accepted a position as the Director of Faith Formation at Lumen Christi in St. Paul. Her last day with us will be July 12. We wish her well as she begins her ministry there, and to thank her for her last four years in ministry with this faith community. I will inform you when the Director of Faith Formation position is filled here.
As we live into midsummer, we can find ourselves wishing for slower summer days, especially since we have a recent memory of a long, cold winter and a slow-to-start spring. Summer, particularly in Minnesota when winters are long and springs are short, is a savored and cherished time for our bodies and our spirits. Summer allows a pace of life that is different than the rest of the year, a time to enjoy the outdoors, a time to relish in the beauty of the colors and vibrancy of life around us, an opportunity to create a sacred space that allows one to step away from routine for a while. It is an opportunity to realize, again, that whether our days have a varied pace from the rest of the year or not, the God of Love is in our midst.
Richard Rohr, in one of his daily meditations at the Center for Action and Contemplation, wrote recently:
Our job is to love others the way God has loved us. In my life, I’ve experienced God’s unearned love again and again. God has persistently broken the rules to love me at the level I needed, could receive, and was able to understand throughout my life. The magnanimous nature of divine love keeps liberating me at deeper levels, and then I think that newly discovered level of love is the deepest. But it’s a journey that never stops giving.
As we continue to journey into the summer, may we have an awareness that God’s desires for us is that we are open recipients of Love so that we may be compassion, peace, acceptance, and joy for others.
Wishing you blessed summer days,
As we live into midsummer, we can find ourselves wishing for slower summer days, especially since we have a recent memory of a long, cold winter and a slow-to-start spring. Summer, particularly in Minnesota when winters are long and springs are short, is a savored and cherished time for our bodies and our spirits. Summer allows a pace of life that is different than the rest of the year, a time to enjoy the outdoors, a time to relish in the beauty of the colors and vibrancy of life around us, an opportunity to create a sacred space that allows one to step away from routine for a while. It is an opportunity to realize, again, that whether our days have a varied pace from the rest of the year or not, the God of Love is in our midst.
Richard Rohr, in one of his daily meditations at the Center for Action and Contemplation, wrote recently:
Our job is to love others the way God has loved us. In my life, I’ve experienced God’s unearned love again and again. God has persistently broken the rules to love me at the level I needed, could receive, and was able to understand throughout my life. The magnanimous nature of divine love keeps liberating me at deeper levels, and then I think that newly discovered level of love is the deepest. But it’s a journey that never stops giving.
As we continue to journey into the summer, may we have an awareness that God’s desires for us is that we are open recipients of Love so that we may be compassion, peace, acceptance, and joy for others.
Wishing you blessed summer days,
Jane
Jane Schmitz, Parish Director
jschmitz@paxchristi.com
952-405-7238
FATHER MIKE'S HOMILY BLOG
CLICK HERE to view Fr. Mike's blog.
THIS WEEK'S VIDEO ANNOUNCEMENTS
CLICK HERE to view what is coming up at Pax Christi.TEXT GIVING AT PAX CHRISTI!
Send a text message with the dollar amount of your contribution to 952-234-6729. Fill out a short form with your billing information and then giving is as easy as sending a text message. Credit card and echeck giving is also available at www.paxchristi.com. Fiscal 2018-2019
Total Contributions:
Actual $2,707,654
Budget $2,835,000
Variance ($127,346)
Faith is a lifelong growth process which grows and deepens throughout all of our life stages. Join the Pax Christi community as we learn and journey with one another in our faith. Youth program registration is open now - CLICK HERE.
Catechists (faith teachers) are needed for all of our programs. Passing on our faith is our calling as followers of Jesus. Parents and other interested parishioners and family members are urged to consider becoming catechists (faith teachers) in our youth programs. Resources and support are provided by the Pax Christi staff every step of the way, and you’ll learn so much about your faith through the process of teaching it. We can’t offer a successful Faith Formation program without your help! As an added bonus, your family’s Faith Formation fees will be waived if you serve as a full-time catechist.
OUR YOUTH FORMATION SESSION DAY/TIME OPTIONS HAVE
CHANGED AND ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Wednesdays 5:15–6:30pm (pre–K through grade five only)
Wednesdays 6:00–7:15pm
Sundays 6:30–7:45pm following our evening Mass and meal
Catechists (faith teachers) are needed for all of our programs. Passing on our faith is our calling as followers of Jesus. Parents and other interested parishioners and family members are urged to consider becoming catechists (faith teachers) in our youth programs. Resources and support are provided by the Pax Christi staff every step of the way, and you’ll learn so much about your faith through the process of teaching it. We can’t offer a successful Faith Formation program without your help! As an added bonus, your family’s Faith Formation fees will be waived if you serve as a full-time catechist.
OUR YOUTH FORMATION SESSION DAY/TIME OPTIONS HAVE
CHANGED AND ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Wednesdays 5:15–6:30pm (pre–K through grade five only)
Wednesdays 6:00–7:15pm
Sundays 6:30–7:45pm following our evening Mass and meal
ARE YOU A CREATIVE PROJECT MANAGER?
The Holiday Boutique is looking for a chairperson to run this year's event. This shopping extravaganza features a variety of handcrafted items from over 50 quality crafters and artisans, a bake sale, and luncheon held the first Saturday each December. The chairperson’s duties are written in detail and organized with an established execution timeline, well-honed by 13 years of prior events. Come and flex your organizational muscle to continue a much-honored holiday tradition. If the task feels like too much, ask a friend to co-chair and double the fun! If you are interested in the chair or co-chair position, contact Lisa Cox, Community Life Coordinator, lcox@paxchristi.com or 952-405-7204.PHOTOGRAPHER NEEDED
Are you a photographer who knows your way around a DSLR camera? Pax Christi is seeking a photographer to take some marketing photos - you are free to use our DSLR or your own. If you or someone you know would be interested in this opportunity, please contact Melissa Nault, Communication Arts Director, mnault@paxchristi.com, or 952-405-7221.WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER
The love of husband and wife is the force that welds society together. –St. JohnChrysostum Grow deeper in that love! A Marriage Encounter Weekend allows a husband and wife to get away together and focus on each other. The next available Weekends are Aug 3-4, 2019 in Cedar, MN and Oct 4-6, 2019 in Buffalo, MN. Early registration is highly recommended. For more information visit our website at twincitieswwme.org, or email Brent and Tracy, applications@twincitieswwme.org, or 612-756-8720.
FARE FOR ALL
TODAY! Tuesday, July 9, 3:30–5:30pmFare For All is a great way to save money on quality, nutritious food. They buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and frozen meat in bulk which saves up to 40% off grocery store prices. Volunteers at the Fare For All warehouse pre-pack the produce and meat into food packages that range in price from $10 – $25. There is no need to register in advance or fill out any paperwork. Fare For All is open to everyone – because food is purchased in bulk, the more people who participate the better. Fare For All visits Pax Christi once a month, on a Tuesday afternoon from 3:30–5:30pm.
SENIOR HIGH YOGA WITH LLAMAS
Thursday, July 11; 6:00-7:30pm, Carlson's Llovable Llamas (Waconia); $209-12th graders, do you need more self-care and laughter in your summer? Join us as we travel to Carlson's Llovable Llamas in Waconia for yoga with llamas! This hour-long yoga class is held outdoors with curious llamas wandering through the crowd. Cost is only $20 and carpooling is available. Questions? Contact Jessie Johnson in the Faith Formation office, jjohnson@paxchristi.com, or 952-405-7210. Register online now - CLICK HERE.
VACATION BIBLE CAMP
July 29–August 2, 9:00am–12:00pm$75.00/child, ages 3 years – 5th grade RSVP
For complete details or to register - CLICK HERE.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SERVICE CAMP
July 29–August 2, 8:30am – 4:00pm$175/youth, 6th through 8th grade RSVP
For complete details or to register - CLICK HERE
BURGUNDY BAG FOOD COLLECTION
Weekend of August 3/4During the summer months, food shelves often get depleted. Donations are generally down, and the need for food increases as children are eating more meals at home instead of at school. Grab a burgundy bag (or any bag will do) and join in our parish effort to respond to those who are facing hunger in our community. If you are a gardener, PROP accepts fresh produce to give healthy options to families. View the food needs online at https://propfood.org/get-involved/food-other-donations.
TWELVE BASKETS BACK TO SCHOOL DRIVE
Weekend of August 10/11This annual parish event, sponsored by the Twelve Baskets ministry, helps to make sure children in need are well equipped to start the new school year and focused on learning. Shop early and drop off items when you come to Mass. Flyers with detailed lists of needed items are available at the entrances starting July 27/28. Red bins at doors 1 and 3 will be ready to receive your contributions. Items will benefit students at Risen Christ Catholic School in South Minneapolis, Blessed Trinity Catholic School in Richfield, Community of Saints Catholic School in St. Paul, and Gichitwaa Kateri Catholic Church in Minneapolis.
100-MILE POTLUCK DINNER
Tuesday, August 13, 6:00-8:00pm, Butterfly Garden PatioThe Environmental Challenge Ministry invites you to eat locally at our annual 100-Mile Pot Luck Dinner, that is, food that is produced within a 100-mile radius of your home. Please bring a dish to share using the bounty of the season. The purpose of this is to enjoy all the benefits of local, seasonal eating: more flavorful foods, a smaller environmental footprint, better health, and support for our local farmers and economy. The concept of the 100-mile dinner drives a mental shift from eating globally to explore how we can be less burden on our environment and appreciate foods from our own back yards. Our guest speaker for the evening is Jack Hauser of Bloomington, a specialist on many different Minnesota bird species particularly Bluebirds. He is an expert on building Bluebird houses and since 1994 has been involved with The MN Bluebird Recovery Program. In case of rain we will hold indoors, room 212. CLICK HERE to RSVP online.
September 6: First Friday Mass/Social
All seniors, age 55 and older, are invited to join Boomers and Beyond Senior Ministry. Members receive monthly emails with details on upcoming events and easy on-line registration.
Please don't UNSUBSCRIBE without reading this:
Please visit this link - CLICK HERE - to update your user preferences. If you have questions, please contact Melissa Nault, Communication Arts Director, 952-405-7221, or mnault@paxchristi.com.