Thursday, February 28, 2013

March Saint of the Month

     St.Katharine Drexel, S.B.S.: School builder and founder of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People
     When she asked Pope Leo XIII to send more missionaries to Wyoming, he asked her, "Why don't you become a missionary?" As a young, wealthy, educated girl from Philadelphia, this was hardly the expected lifestyle for young Katharine Drexel. But raised in a devout family with a deep sympathy for the poor, Katharine gave up everything to become a missionary to the Indians and African Americans. She founded schools in thirteen states for African Americans, forty mission centers and twenty-three rural schools. She also established fifty missions for Indians in sixteen different states. She died at the age of ninety-six and was canonized in the year 2000. 
     To find out more about St. Katharine Drexel, S.B.S click on the following link: http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20001001_katharine-drexel_en.html

Monday, February 25, 2013

Week of February 25-March 3

Monday, February 25: "Life: A Journey of Transformation" Part 1, 7:00 PM in the church; Tuesday, February 26: Women's Faith Sharing Group, 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM; "Life: A Journey of Transformation" Part 2, 7:00 PM in the church; Wednesday, February 27 "Life: A Journey of Transformation" Part 3, 7:00 PM in the church; NO Religious Education Classes; High School Youth MInistry 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in the Loft; Thursday, February 28: Men's Faith Sharing Group, 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM in the Gathering Space; "Life: A Journey of Transformation" Mass at 7:00 PM in the church;  Friday, March 1: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament beginning at 9:00 AM and ending with Benediction at Noon; Stations of the Cross, 4:00 PM in the church; Men's Club All You Can Eat Fish Fry, in the Fr. Robert Agnew Parish Center, serving 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM; Sunday, March 3: NO Sunday School

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Fast Pray Give - Busted Halo

Do you need a new and quick way to experience the 40 days of Lent?  Check out the Lent Fast, Pray, Give Calendar at Busted Halo by clicking on this link: Fast Pray Give - Busted Halo

Second Sunday of Lent, Year C


1st Reading: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; 2nd Reading: Phillipians 3:20-4:1; Gospel: Luke 9: 28b-36
Adults: How are your priorities affected by your faith in Jesus Christ? Children: When you have important choices to make, do you and your family pray to make the right choice?

Monday, February 18, 2013

Week of February 18-24

Tuesday, February 19: Women's Faith Sharing Group, 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM; Wednesday, February 20: Religious Education Classes for Grades 1-7, 6:15 PM to 7:30 PM; High School Youth MInistry 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in the Loft; Thursday, February 21Men's Faith Sharing Group, 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM in the Gathering Space; The Bible and the Mass, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Conference Room; Friday, February 22: Stations of the Cross, 4:00 PM in the church; Sunday, February 24Sunday School, 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM

Prayer for the Election of a New Pope


O God, eternal shepherd, who govern your flock with unfailing care, grant in your boundless fatherly love a pastor for your Church who will please you by his holiness and to us show watchful care. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Prayer for Pope Benedict XVI

O God, true shepherd of all the faithful,
look with kindness on your servant Pope Benedict XVI,
whom you set as head and shepherd of Your Church.

We give you thanks for your grace at work in him 
as he had led us by word and example:
in his teaching, in his prayer and in his great love.

Grant him your strength in frailty, comfort in sorrow,
and serenity amid the trials of this world;
and guide your Church, built on the rock of Peter,
with the power of your Spirit as we continue on the path that leads to you.
Through Christ our Lord.   Amen. 

Friday, February 15, 2013

Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross and Climate Change
To help Catholics enter into the season of Lent, the Holy Names Province of the Order of Friars Minor has produced a Stations of the Cross Reflection based on John Paul II's climate quotes. The Stations of the Cross with John Paul II: On the Path of Ecological Conversion, is a resource prepared especially for those who have a deep admiration and love for Blessed John Paul II. If you are one of those people, and if you want to continue to be inspired and challenged by his prophetic message, these Stations of the Cross are meant in a special way for you and your faith community. http://tiny.cc/un9rrw 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

How do Catholics elect the Pope? - Busted Halo

Check out this short video from Busted Halo on how the Pope is elected.
How do Catholics elect the Pope? - Busted Halo

Valentine's Day

     "THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14: Whether your love style reflects the romance of Geoffrey Chaucer, the friendship of Finland or the devotion of three early Christian martyrs, be sure to do one thing: express your love—it’s Valentine’s Day!" 
     This is the 1st line from a Read the Spirit.com blog about Valentine's Day.  If you would like to read more click the following link and it will take you to the blog entry for today. http://www.readthespirit.com/religious-holidays-festivals/international-observance-show-love-on-valentines-day.html 

First Sunday of Lent, Year C


Reading 1: Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Reading 2: Romans 10:8-13; Gospel: Luke 4: 1-13
Adults: How willing are you to profess your faith in Jesus Christ openly to others?
Children: Would you be willing to say that you believe in Jesus if others made fun of you for it?

Monday, February 11, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI Resigns

(VATICAN CITY) — Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday he would resign Feb. 28 because he is simply too old to carry on. The following link will take you to the text of his announcement, delivered to cardinals gathered for a ceremony to name three new saints:  http://world.time.com/2013/02/11/text-of-popes-resignation-announcement/#ixzz2Kau4l7qy

Pope's Lenten Message: Compelling Relationship Between Faith and Charity

The Holy Father's Lenten Message for 2013 is entitled: Believing in Charity Calls Forth Charity: "We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us," (1Jn 4:16).  

To see the text of Pope Benedict XVI's message go to http://www.zenit.org/article-36460?l=english 

Week of February 11 - 17

Tuesday, February 12: Women's Faith Sharing Group, 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM; Wednesday, February 13: Ash Wednesday Mass at 7:00 AM; Noon and 6:30 PM; NO Religious Education Classes families are asked to attend Mass at 6:30 PM for Ash Wednesday; High School Youth MInistry 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in Meeting Room 2; Thursday, February 14: Happy St. Valentine's Day; Men's Faith Sharing Group, 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM in the Gathering Space; The Bible and the Mass, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Conference Room; Friday, February 15: St. Olaf Men's Club All You Can Eat Fish Fry in the Fr. Robert Agnew Parish Center, serving from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM; Saturday, February 168th Grade Retreat 1:30 PM to 6:00 PM in the parish conference room; Sunday, February 17: NO Sunday School

Thursday, February 7, 2013

REGIS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

St. James Preschool Open House is Feb. 10th and 12th.  Check the Regis Catholic Schools homepage for more information (http://www.regiscatholicschools.com/).  Feb. 10th: Open Tours and Visits from 9am until Noon.  Feb 12th: Open Tours and Visits from 4-6pm.

Lenten Regulations

The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 13.   Lenten regulations are as follows:
1. Catholics who have celebrated their 14th birthday are to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, all Fridays in Lent, and Good Friday.
2. In addition to abstaining from meat, Catholics who have celebrated their 18th birthday, until they celebrate their 59th birthday, are to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those who are bound to this regulation may eat only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one’s needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted.

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Reading 1: Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8; Reading 2: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Gospel: Luke 5:1-11
Adults: When have you felt inadequate to a task or role you were given? How did you respond?
Children: When have you been asked to do something you felt might be too hard for you? What did you do?

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

February Saint of the Month

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, R.S.C.J. Missionary to Native Americans
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne was a passionate young woman with a heart for missionary work. She joined the Visitation nuns at the age of 19, but a few years later, convents were shut down during the French Revolution, and Rose was forced to return to life as a lay woman for many years. Ten years later, she was finally able to rejoin a convent, this time as a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart. In 1818, she was sent to the Louisiana Territory as a missionary, facing illness, hardship and hunger to bring Catholicism to the Native Americans. She opened the first free school for girls west of the Mississippi river, as well as the first Catholic school for Native Americans. She was known among the Pottawatomie Indians as the "Woman Who Prays Always.
To find out more about St. Rose Phillipine Duchesne follow this link: http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_19880703_duchesne_en.html

Monday, February 4, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI on God the Almighty Father

In last Wednesday's catechesis, Pope Benedict focused on the words of the Creed: "I believe in God, the Father Almighty" and in particular on God as Father.  Despite the crisis of fatherhood in many societies, the Scriptures show us clearly what it means to call God 'Father.'"  You can read the full test of his general audience at http://www.zenit.org/article-36436?l=english.

Pope Benedict XVI's February Prayer Intentions

     That migrant families, especially the mothers, may be supported and accompanied in their difficulties. 
     That the peoples at war and in conflict may lead the way in building a peaceful future.

Week of February 4-10

Tuesday, February 5: Women's Faith Sharing Group, 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM; Wednesday, February 6: Lion's Club Wild Game Feed 5:00 PM in the Fr. Agnew Parish Center; Religious Education Classes for grades 1-7, 6:15 PM to 7:30 PM; grade 8, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM; High School Youth MInistry 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in Meeting Room 2; Thursday, February 7: Men's Faith Sharing Group, 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM in the Gathering Space; The Bible and the Mass, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Conference Room; Sunday, February 10: Sunday School 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM