St. Patrick s. To Clayton and Gloria Jensen, parishioners at St. In this Issue. Catholic Church CASPER BOXING CLUB

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1 Catholic Church In this Issue 2 Teaching Children to Live a Life of Stewardship 3 New Year s Resolutions 4 Technology with a Purpose: The Worship Tech Ministry 6 The Patron of Catholic Schools in America St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 7 Altar and Sanctuary Cleaning Ministry: Being Faithful Stewards of God s House January/February 2019 CASPER BOXING CLUB Offering Fighting Chance for Youngsters To Clayton and Gloria Jensen, parishioners at St. Patrick, the souls of the youngsters in their Casper Boxing Club are worth fighting for and they work to evangelize and re-evangelize their charges who come under their guidance. We evangelize out of the club, Clayton says. Hopefully, a lot of families come to the faith. We had nine people last year come to the Church. We kind of evangelize and re-evangelize we got them going back to church, those who are Catholic, and those who aren t. The Jensens have been operating the boxing club for 30 years that had 550 members last year. It is located at 910 Barber St. in Casper. The hours usually are 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Rock Steady Boxing program for those with Parkinson s disease also meets at the club. According to the club s website, the mission of Casper Boxing Club is to promote sportsmanship, responsibility, integrity, loyalty and individuality through education, dedication, desire and a commitment to maximize excellence. Both boys and girls box. Five of the girls have placed in the top five positions in the United States. Youngsters can join at 8 years of age and there is no upper age limit. The rule in the club is keep your hands to yourself, and anyone wishing to compete must maintain a C average. Coaching the members serves to help Clayton strengthen his faith as he shares his faith with them. Most don t understand or have any faith formation at all, he says. We go through some of the basics, such as the Ten Commandments. With boxing, it s so close to Catholic life, it s unbelievable. You can compare it with boxing and continued on back cover

2 page 2 TEACHING CHILDREN TO LIVE A LIFE OF STEWARDSHIP How old do you have to be to practice stewardship? Can a 5-year-old embrace stewardship? How about a 10-year-old? Although there is no guideline to what the right age is to begin to live a life of stewardship, God s call certainly extends to each of His children even the young ones. It is especially important to show children that they are not too young to share their time, talent and treasure to help build God s kingdom. Sharing Your Time A young child can share of his time in a variety of ways appropriate to his ability. For example, during the day, a child can pray for a loved one that is hurt, or say prayers with his parents or siblings. He can participate in Mass each Sunday, and even take time from his day to thank God for a veteran who has served our country. Spending time being virtuous such as being patient, generous and kind is also a great example of sharing our time for love of God. Sharing Your Talent Using God-given talents to glorify God can also be performed by both young and old. An elementary school-age child can easily clean her room or perform chores such as raking leaves, doing laundry or taking care of pets. Making cards for people who are sick or who have had a death in the family are other concrete examples of being a faithful steward. Even using our talents such as playing a musical instrument or football to the best of our abilities to give God glory is an example of being a good steward. Sharing Your Treasure Although children do not have the same type of treasure to share as adults, instilling the importance of sharing finances is an important lesson. If a child receives an allowance, he can return a portion of it to the Church in the collection basket. If he gets money for his birthday, he can give a small portion of it back to God in thanksgiving. Little ones can even share things like their Halloween candy with their siblings or friends as a way of demonstrating generosity. The Most Important Lesson Above all, the most important lesson to teach our children is why we share. We don t share because we have to. We don t share because our parents tell us to. We share our time, talent and treasure with God because we are thankful for the blessings He has given us and we want to thank Him for His generosity. Teaching these lessons at a young age will allow a lifetime of good stewardship to follow for even the youngest of God s children.

3 page 3 A Letter from Our Pastor New Year s Resolutions Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As we arrive at the New Year, it is customary that we make resolutions, which hopefully will be carried out during the course of the year. So many times these resolutions pertain to our physical lives we resolve to exercise more, build a healthier diet, become more organized, etc. These resolutions may also involve the mental aspect of our lives reading more, attending more cultural events, and so forth. Too often we forget about the spiritual part of our lives. Our souls need to be tended to, and we need to make sure that we are deepening our relationship with God throughout the entire year. I would like to give you a list of possible spiritual resolutions. While it might seem difficult for one person to undertake all of these, hopefully anyone can try several of these resolutions at one time or a number of them throughout the year. Attend Mass once a week over and above weekend liturgies. Spend a hour (or any amount of time) in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament once a week. Pray the Liturgy of the Hours (the Divine Office) at least once a day. Read and meditate on a chapter of Scripture a day. Take up a devotion of the Church (e.g. Rosary, Stations, novena, other prayers, etc.) and pray it daily. Read a spiritual book once a month. Make a morning offering as you begin your day, then an examination of conscience as you end your day. Offer a prayer of blessing/thanksgiving before/ after a meal. Take time to pray daily with your spouse/family. As an individual or a family, take time once a week to do some form of charitable work visiting those who are homebound or in a nursing home, do some work for an elderly friend or neighbor, bring food to someone in need, etc. This is not an exhaustive list, but hopefully it gives you an idea that the small things done with great love can make a world of difference both in your life and the lives of others. Do not try to overdo any of these, but build up to doing them on a regular basis, thus laying a reasonable foundation upon which to build. Enjoy doing these resolutions, and see what a blessing they are for you and others. Let us pray that 2019 will be a year of grace and favor from God. I wish you and yours a very happy New Year! Sincerely yours in Christ, Fr. Gary J. Ruzicka Pastor

4 page 4 Mike Cavalier has spent the past decade working to ensure that people are able to fully participate in prayer, through his service as a worship tech. He has served as a worship tech, as well as coordinating the ministry, at St. Patrick s, for the past two years. If nobody can hear and nobody can see what the Gospel reading is about, or what Father is preaching on that day, then it s really hard for them to pay Worship Tech covers anything that is going to aid the congregation in worship and education, as well as conferences and retreats, Mike Cavalier says. In the parish commons we have set it up so that educational elements, sound and projectors are there and in place all the time. TECHNOLOGY WI The Worship T attention, Mike says. If you can t hear and you can t see, you can t participate and you can t be present. For me, what it boils down to is being able to allow people to be present and participate, as much as possible, in the celebrations we have at St. Patrick s. So, what exactly does the role of worship tech entail? When most people think of this ministry, they think of what they see on a weekly basis at Mass, Mike says. We do anything that goes up on the screens and coordinate all the sound musicians, priest, etc. For Mike, being a worship tech is about using modern technology for the glory of God and the service of the Church. It s the 21 st century and we re surrounded by technology, Mike says. A lot of times that technology can distract us, but in our role, as worship techs, we try to use it to bring people to fully participate in the liturgy. Although the fruit of the Worship Tech Ministry is easily observed, Mike hopes that the role will be one of humble, behind-the-scenes service. Our goal is not to distract, but to enhance worship, in a way that folks can participate, he says. I hope that nobody knows we re there. Our goal is to add and enhance, without people even knowing that it s happening. We re just there to support what is happening already and hopefully nobody notices us. And although the majority of the worship tech ministry takes place at Mass, there are also other special events especially with the addition of our new parish commons with which our worship techs are involved. Worship Tech covers anything that is going to aid the congregation in worship and education, as

5 page 5 TH A PURPOSE: ech Ministry well as conferences and retreats, Mike says. In the parish commons we have set it up so that educational elements, sound and projectors are there and in place all the time. Our vision was to create a common space that has the technology to support movie nights with the teen group, social functions, prayer meetings, educational videos or talks or conferences, wedding receptions. Anything that can be thought up, we want to be there to support that with simple, everyday technology elements that we ve come to expect and use on a regular basis. Mike hopes to expand the Worship Tech Ministry, and encourages those who have interest in this area to consider serving. You don t have to be a musician, but you have to be interested in music, Mike says. You don t have to be an electrical engineer, but you have to have a desire to understand electrical processes and how the system works and where and how and why it connects. You have to be intrigued by the technology that s used. You have to be willing to grow in confidence and think on your feet, because it is a very fast-paced role. You re anticipating While the fruit of the Worship Tech Ministry is easily observed, the role can be one of humble, behind-the-scenes service. what s coming up, while adjusting what s happening right now. If you have even a remote thought that this might be an area you could serve, give it a shot and see if this is something you would enjoy, he adds, Join the team, we d love to have more techs. Making the Church s experience easier, so people can hear better, see better, follow along better that s ultimately the goal. We want to make it so people can better do those things. If you would like more information about this ministry, or to learn how you could serve the parish in this way, please contact Mike Cavalier at Mike@shalomprayergroup.com.

6 page 6 The Patron of Catholic Schools in America St. Elizabeth Ann Seton A s the first American-born canonized saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton s entrance into history was guided by Divine Providence. Born on Aug. 28, 1774, just months after the Boston Tea Party, Elizabeth s childhood witnessed pivotal events in the formation of our country the Continental Congress, the Declaration of Independence, and the American Revolution. At the time of the foundation of the new Republic, in a society predominately hostile toward Catholicism, a flower blossomed that would forever change the shape of education in the United States. Elizabeth Seton was born into a wealthy Protestant family in New York City. Her life, although materially blessed, was not without suffering. Elizabeth s biological mother died when she was only 3, and her younger sister, Catherine Josephine, died at the age of 2. A spark of faith, however, was visible even in her early childhood. When questioned about her sadness concerning her sister s death, Elizabeth simply responded, Kitty is gone up to heaven. I wish I could go there too. Elizabeth grew into a beautiful woman, courted lavishly by handsome young men from prominent New York families. At the age of 19, she met a charming New York financier, William Seton, and the couple was wed in They remained in high society until her father-in-law s passing, which left them to care for William s seven younger siblings, along with three children of their own. Consequently, the Seton finances crashed. The couple traveled to Italy it was here that William s health failed him, and he died in December Providentially, Elizabeth was left in the company of a strong Catholic family where she witnessed the practice of the faith. In a letter to her sister, Elizabeth wrote, My sister dear, how happy would we be, if we believed what these dear souls believe, that they possess God in the Sacrament, and that He remains in their churches... After an eight-month stay, Elizabeth returned to America, and she began to investigate Catholicism more deeply. She was besought by Protestant friends who hoped to dissuade her. At this time, Elizabeth prayed repeatedly, If I am right, Thy grace impart, still in the right to stay. If I am wrong, oh teach my heart to find the better way. In 1805, after much interior struggle, Elizabeth became Catholic. Abandoned entirely by her family and friends, she resolved her financial difficulties through teaching. In 1807, Elizabeth was invited to establish a Catholic school for girls in Baltimore. The task was daunting, and Elizabeth labored intensely, explaining how from half past five in the morning until nine at night, every moment is full no space even to be troubled. After winters spent in continual hardship and sacrifice, the school flourished and, within years, Mother Seton planted the seed from which sprang the parochial school system along with hospitals and orphanages. Before her death in January 1821, she was the active mother of five although two of her daughters died young and the spiritual mother of a full-fledged religious congregation known as the Sisters of Charity. She was canonized in 1975, and her feast day is celebrated on Jan. 4. Thanks to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the Catholic parochial school system remains vibrant and active. And as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, we are thankful for the sacrifice of this loving wife, devoted mother, foundress, and all-american saint.

7 Altar and Sanctuary Cleaning Ministry: Being Faithful Stewards of God s House When Donna Skaj comes to clean our parish altar and sanctuary, she often has a couple of special family members tagging right along with her. It is so rewarding to clean the parish along with Ashton and Jasmine Moyte, my nephew and my niece, says Donna, who serves as Co-Chair of the Sanctuary Cleaning Ministry alongside her sister, Mary Westby. It is a way to live out stewardship as a family. It helps the children to understand the importance of stewardship, and of giving one s time, talent and treasure. It is a way for them to practice being good stewards of God s house and giving back to Him. I love to teach the children about our faith and the Church. When it comes to service, it is often our hidden and humble works that touch Christ s heart the most. As St. Teresa of Calcutta once said, Be faithful in the little things, for in them your strength lies... Do small things with great love. Although it seems they are only doing a simple, unseen cleaning job, they realize that it is actually a great and important way to give back for all the Lord has given them, Donna says. It is so wonderful to have their camaraderie and companionship and to work as a team! In addition to Donna and her family members, other volunteers graciously offer their time and talent to the Altar and Sanctuary Cleaning Ministry as needed. Members of the Altar and Sanctuary Cleaning Ministry fix up the altar area, which includes vacuuming, and polishing the marble surfaces, floors and Communion rails. They also clean the confessional and holy water fonts, and dust the candles. They usually clean the parish on Friday night or Saturday morning so everything will be prepared for the weekend Masses. I want people to feel that our church is something huge, awesome and great! Donna says. So we carefully clean very well, and we look over the entire church when we are done, making sure we didn t miss anything. As with most stewardship endeavors, the joy is in the giving, and the Lord makes a return for all that is offered to Him. People are so thankful for what we are doing, and they are always willing to answer our questions or help us without hesitation, Donna says. Our parish priests even take the time to thank us. I always thank those who volunteer with this ministry for their service as well. It is so important to thank people. Members like Donna find that by being faithful stewards of God s house, they deepen their friendship with Him in a unique way. Helping with this ministry gives us a chance to pray and serve in a quiet church, Donna says. After I am done cleaning, I like to pray at the altar and go to adoration. The more often I come to church, the more often I pray, and the closer I feel to God. page 7 If you would like more information about this ministry, please contact Donna Skaj at

8 Catholic Church 400 Country Club Rd. Casper, WY Mailing address: PO BOX Casper, WY Phone: (307) Casper Boxing Club continued from front cover spiritual warfare. The majority of the youngsters in the club are at-risk, and a majority are from single-parent homes. Most are going through some kind of a process, Clayton says. As he coaches the members, he teaches them discipline and helps them set goals. The main mission, however, is to evangelize the members and get them to church. They have a better foundation when we do that, Clayton says. Boxing and the Catholic faith are so close together. There was a priest in Phoenix who said that boxing is the only sport that gives you Christian life either you re winning it or you get knocked out. That makes a lot of sense. I can relate our faith to our sport in a lot of ways I m either winning or losing. Boxing helps the members push themselves to work past their fears not only in the ring, but in life, as well. We re getting them to do it through sport and using Christ as an example, Clayton says. We use a parable to show them how to move past it. Although the boxing competition season in Wyoming runs from September through May, the Casper club runs year-round. Wyoming schools do not include boxing in their sports offering because it is considered a contact sport. But if it got into the schools, I think we can curb some of the issues in schools, Clayton says. It s kind of humbling, for a lot who just want to jump in the ring and fight, when the guy they are boxing knows how to box, they change their minds. Gloria and Clayton were honored in 2017 when they were awarded the 2017 Andrus Award by AARP Wyoming. Gloria is a Level 2 boxing official and travels the country to arbitrate matches. She is also in charge of boxing officials in Wyoming and provides their training. If you would like more information about the Casper Boxing Club, please call , or check the club out online at