Dear Friends,

If you have spent any time in serious study of the gospels, then you are aware that there are four of them and they don't all tell the same story. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were all writing at different times to different people, and it was important to each of them to emphasize certain aspects of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We are nearing the end of the "Year of Matthew" now in our weekend scripture readings, during which it's been heavily emphasized how Jewish Jesus always was, because Matthew was speaking primarily to an audience of people who were converts from Judaism to Christianity.  

Within a couple of weeks we will begin to hear primarily from the Gospel of Mark for the next year. Mark wrote to a very different group of people, so much so that he occasionally had to interject Hebrew translations of words for his readers because they would not have ever been Jewish at all. It's the same Jesus that we worship and remember each year, of course, but various people would find it important to remember various things about His life witness.

We find many similar (though not identical) stories in the first three gospels, and a very different take on things in the Gospel of John (the last to be written). But one thing that all of them agree about is that the first witnesses to the resurrection at the tomb in Jerusalem were the women. There is no agreement across the gospels about what time of day it was when they showed up on Easter morning, nor about what they saw when they got there, nor about what the conversation was. But they all state that it was the women who were the first to report the astonishing news. It was not the Apostles, who were, of course, all men and who were specifically chosen by name by Jesus.

This is worthy of contemplation as we continue to reflect on the role of women in our Catholic community today. I often wonder how much Christians really appreciate how often the gospels make a point of turning the presumed social order of the world on its head. In Jesus' day and time, women weren't even considered reliable witnesses to anything. At least now they can vote! But we have a way to go.

Fr. Mike Byron

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Fr. Mike will hear confessions at 4:00pm each Saturday inside near door #1. Those who wish to celebrate this sacrament can park near door #1, wait for the person who is celebrating the sacrament to be finished, and then come forward to receive the sacrament. Please wear a mask.

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As the holidays approach, grief can come to us in unexpected waves. So, too, can healing. Brighter Days Grief Center is a nonprofit organization serving grieving families and is located right here in Eden Prairie. They provide free grief support resources, services, and programs to adults, young adults, teenagers, and children who are grieving the death or terminal diagnosis of a beloved family member. Through their many partnerships and gracious donors, they tailor compassionate resources for each family member including access to grief and trauma support, legal and financial guidance, peer-based connections, and youth/family events and workshops. Their signature program, Embrace-A-Family, provides financial assistance for basic necessities, academic support, and psychosocial care. To learn more, visit their website at www.brighterdaysgriefcenter.org.

Are you looking for a simple way to share your faith with young people? We are looking for confirmed Catholics (age 18-105) who would be willing to serve as Confirmation sponsors for high school students in our community! The role of the sponsor is to walk with the candidate as they learn more about their faith and what it means to be a fully-initiated member of the Church. No expertise or special knowledge required--just a love of your faith and a desire to share it! Sponsors are expected to meet with their candidate at least three times (via phone/video call if needed) and attend 2-3 virtual sessions between now and April. Resources will be provided, and safe environment (E3) clearances are required. Contact Jessie Johnson, jjohnson@paxchristi.com, or 952-405-7210, for more information. 

 Now through November 19 (Virtual Drive)
The Twelve Baskets Ministry is going virtual this year! We have a long-standing tradition of providing Thanksgiving Baskets to the people served by the Northside Extension Services and Little Earth of United Tribes. We will not be collecting food for this drive this year, but rather we will be purchasing Cub Food Cards to be distributed by these organizations. Pax Christi members who wish to participate in this drive can simply click on this link - CLICK HERE – and choose the "Thanksgiving Meals" fund to make a contribution to this drive. If you would like to write a check instead of donating online, make it out to Pax Christi and put “Thanksgiving Drive” in the memo section. Both of these organizations have reported a greater need this year due to the pandemic. Thank you for your generosity! 

Hope Anchors the Soul, presented by Christy Engelhart
Monday, November 16, 8:00–9:30pm
We all have desires, expectations, and things that we look forward to or wish would come to pass. But the truth is, who or what we place our hope in is incredibly important. This talk will explore the source of eternal hope, why it matters, and how we can share this hope with a lost and hurting world. Our presenter, Christy, is a wife, mother of three children, and a licensed pastor with over 17 years of ministry experience working with children, youth, and adults. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bethel University and a Masters of Christian Education from Bethel Seminary. There is no fee, but an RSVP is required - CLICK HERE.