Among the many words that could aptly describe the past several months in the world and in our lives is the word "disruption." All kinds of ordinary ways of living have been upended by the COVID-19 virus. I don't wish to romanticize the idea of disruption, because for many people the effects have been devastating—loss of livelihood, loss of financial security, loss of physical human gathering in church and elsewhere, loss of health, and even loss of life. There is nothing to be celebrated in that.
 
But at the same time, all this has been an opportunity for us to consider exactly what is being disrupted, and whether some of it may not be for our benefit. We all have preferred ways of going about our daily activities, our habits, and not all of them are necessarily healthy ones. So this can be a moment to reprioritize the ways that we spend our time, our money, and our passion.  
 
As a small personal example, one of my "bad habits" prior to this spring was a tendency to be too sedentary. I rarely got out to exercise. But eventually the sheer tedium of being cooped up by the quarantine pushed me out to do a daily walk around the lake. That was a disruption from what had been my usual routine, but a very productive disruption and a reprioritization of my time. And for me, as I suspect for many of us, a previous "normal" involved being way too busy with activities of secondary importance. It has become easier lately to attend to important personal relationships, whether face-to-face (i.e. mask-to-mask) or virtually, in part because there's just not a lot else to do! That's a helpful disruption of what can easily be, at least for me, a too-easily presumed connection with others without, in fact, making regular efforts to be together with them.
 
What is true for me is also true for the community of Pax Christi. We are an incredibly big and busy place and we do very many good things both for ourselves and for the broader community. I always remember a retreat director saying to me that, "there's always one more good thing that you could be doing, and one more person who thinks you should be doing it." Wisdom there. But some of those good things happen as much because "we've always done that" and less as the result of a careful consideration of what is of primary importance in the here and now. This kind of disruption provides the opportunity to ask that important question, and we are doing so.

Fr. Mike Byron

CLICK HERE to view Fr. Mike's blog.

To ensure the safety of both participants and volunteers, our faith formation program will be based online. Families are invited to participate when and where it works best for them! There will be different program offerings that are tailored to the age group of the participants. More information on these program offerings are available at www.paxchristi.com/ffregistration. We hope to incorporate in-person gatherings when it is safe to do so. Please contact the Parish Office if you have any questions, at 952-941-3150.  CLICK HERE to register.

It’s not too late to sign up for Chair Yoga in session now! Chair Yoga is back for another great season. There are only a couple of spots left. If you want to stretch, get centered, and experience peace during this time of uncertainty, Chair Yoga may be exactly what you need. You can attend from the safety of your home because Chair Yoga is being offered remotely via Zoom due to COVID-19. Denise Bunch, a longtime favorite Yoga Instructor at Pax Christi, will be leading the course. The classes will be available for a limited time after the class if you were unable to attend.  CLICK HERE to register online.

Opening Virtual Retreat: Saturday, August 29, 9:00am–4:00pm
Wednesdays, September 2–October 21, 1:00–3:30pm OR 6:00–8:30pm
Do you want to address racism in your faith community but you don’t know where to begin? Faith and Racial Equity: Exploring Power and Privilege, is an eight-week module that awakens groups to the economic systems, public policies, cultural norms, and hidden biases that empower some and oppress others. As with all JustFaith programs, participants will explore how their faith should inform their response to their learning, as well as discern action steps for working toward racial equity in their own communities. Please note that Faith and Racial Equity is not for the faint of heart! The module is designed for participants who are willing to wrestle with hard questions and take an honest look at their own attitudes, assumptions, and choices. However, through spiritual grounding and community-building, participants find support and belonging throughout their journey to personal transformation and social action.  CLICK HERE to register online.

A Virtual Experience Using Zoom
Wednesday, September 16, 9:30–11:00am OR 6:30–8:00pm
Centering Prayer is a receptive, deep method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship. This introductory session, which will take place online using the Zoom app, will teach participants how to engage in the prayer method, give them an experience of the prayer method, and then allow them to reflect on their experience and ask clarifying questions afterwards. There is no cost to participate. CLICK HERE to register online.

Participation of the Heart: Serving and Building the Community of the Beloved
Guest Speakers Fr. Michael Joncas and Vicki Klima
Saturday, September 19, 9:00am–12:00pm
This online virtual retreat will give participants time to listen, learn, and discern God’s call to be ambassadors of Christ to one another in worship and in the ordinary places of our lives. As the assembly in worship, we welcome as hospitality ministers, we proclaim the word as lectors, we share Holy Eucharist as communion ministers. As liturgical ministers we are present sacramentally. As people of faith we continue our sacramental call as parents, students, spouses, mentors, workers, and citizens. When God calls us to service, God calls us to integrate our spiritual lives with our daily lives. Our goal is to expand and deepen the relationship between Liturgy and Life.

There is no cost to participate in this online virtual retreat. You will receive instructions for how to access links and materials after we have processed your registration. CLICK HERE to register online.