St. Bridget Catholic Church

Transcription

1 Fall 2017 St. Bridget Catholic Church From the Pastor A people without a vision will perish. Proverbs 29:18 For the past several years, St. Bridget's Church in River Falls and St. Mary s in Hammond have been actively involved in the strategic planning process. That is, both parishes set out to determine where the parish was/is and where it needs to go in the future. Thanks to the involvement of many of you, these processes have been very fruitful! A part of this strategic planning was to look at the transition process for when I retire and move on from St. Bridget's and St. Mary's parishes. The time has come to begin this process. I have been pastor at St. Bridget's for twenty-one years and St. Mary s for six years. Although I do not have a specific retirement date set, I realize that I am coming to the end of this stage of my vocation. God taps us on the shoulder and gives us a heads up when it is time to move on, and I have felt that tap this past year. God is calling me to begin a new journey. Strategic planning has provided each parish with a strong vision that will guide the transition process. At St. Bridget s, we are calling the process of transitioning from one pastor to another "New Beginnings." A very important part of this transition is to realize that with fewer and fewer clergy, you, the laity, will be responsible for more responsibilities in the church. This is not new. It is actually how it was in the very early church. I am blessed to have wonderful staff and communities at both parishes. I have been slowly and prayerfully turning over some duties to staff members and volunteers from the respective parish communities. As the strategic planning committees continue to plan for the future of our parishes, please be open to discerning if God is tapping you on the shoulder and inviting you to become involved in a new way. Be open to that invitation to ministry, step up and get involved. We need parishioners to take an active role and become the future of our church. And, please pray for me as I discern what God has planned next! Thank you for your faith. - Fr. Jerry Harris Behind the Scenes: Faith Formation Volunteers I nsi de this i ssue: From the Pastor Opportunities at St. Bridget Parish School Behind the Scenes: Faith Formation Volunteers A Look at Summer at St. Bridget Staff Spotlight: Jodie Rubenzer Upcoming Events at St. Bridget Each week during the school year, many volunteers help our youth grow in their faith by volunteering to help with Faith Formation classes. Faith Formation Volunteers give their gifts to our youth, but also receive gifts in return. Without further ado, here are the top 5 reasons to volunteer as a catechist: 1. You will learn as you teach! 2. You ll meet new people, which will cause you to smile and wave even more each weekend at Mass! 3. You will not only be a witness of faith to the youth you I find that I learn more about my faith teach, but also to all the people you do life with. working with the young adults! They are 4. You get to see firsthand how God s love changes lives amazing teachers for things that I didn't 5. You will get to be the gardener. At times you ll be planting the first seeds, at times you ll be nurturing even know I needed to learn. ~Brandi Raverty, 11 seeds already planted, and in some really special th Grade Small Group Leader moments you ll get to see the fruit! (continued on page 3)

2 Page 2 Unique opportunities for students at St. Bridget Parish School Classes will begin for the School year at St. Bridget Parish School on Tuesday, September 5. Staff are excited to welcome students and their families! With the start of the school year, we wanted to give you a peek at two of the opportunities that students have at our school. St. Bridget Spirit Families Spirit Families is an activity designed to help build a strong faith community or experience of family among all students and staff. Students are assigned to a Spirit Family group, along with a staff member. Each group is given a symbol, such as red circle, green triangle, purple rectangle, and a name such as Stars of God, Messengers of the Messiah, God s Kids, Choir of Angels. As much as possible, each group consists of at least one student from each grade. A student stays with the same Spirit Family throughout his/her years at St. Bridget. Monthly activities are planned that focus on one or more of our Core Virtues: Respect, Responsibility, Community, Prayer, Stewardship, and Excellence, and may be extended throughout the week in something as simple as Say Hello to your Spirit Family members throughout this week or Pray daily for your Spirit Family members this month. Younger students are thrilled to know the names of the big kids in their Spirit Family, and the older students take seriously their responsibility to watch out for the younger ones and serve as positive role models in our building! Evidence of this can be observed as a PreK student enthusiastically shouts a greeting to an eighth grade student by name across the playground, Hi Zach! and is rewarded with a large smile and wave from his older Spirit Family member. Grade 7 - Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center St. Bridget seventh grade students have the privilege of a week-long field trip to the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, MN. In addition to the staff of Wolf Ridge, students are chaperoned by several St. Bridget staff members and parents. Students are provided the opportunity to observe nature directly, develop greater awareness, curiosity, and sensitivity to the natural world, learn about behaviors and technologies which lead to a sustainable lifestyle, and grow personally in confidence, respect, and cooperation. Founded in 1971, Wolf Ridge is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in environmental education. Located on a ridge overlooking Lake Superior, the 2,000 acre campus features creeks, two lakes, two high peaks, 18 miles of trail and a mixed forest of maple, birch and spruce. Wildlife is abundant and includes pine marten, eagles, moose, black bear, white-tailed deer, fox, wolves, beaver, peregrine falcons and loons. Facilities include four classroom buildings, two dormitories, a dining hall, a raptor aviary, a library, two auditoriums, two rock-climbing walls, two outdoor ropes courses and an administration building. Activities and classes at Wolf Ridge are nearly all outdoors, typically three hours in length. Class subjects include environmental science, cultural history, contemporary environmental issues, personal growth, team building and outdoor recreation. Prices vary from year to year but a rough estimate is $350 per student, paid by the individual family. Interested in helping to support this opportunity for a student through your financial donation? Contact Jeanne McCoy, Principal, at or principal@stbparish.com

3 Page 3 Behind the Scenes: Faith Formation Volunteers (continued from front page) Our Faith Formation Volunteers definitely agree that in giving they often get back more in return. Here is what a few of them are saying: I chose to be a catechist because I wanted to give back to our church and become involved. What I wasn't expecting was what the whole experience gave back to me. I grew so much in my faith, I learned more about my faith, and made wonderful connections with the amazing young adults in my group! I feel blessed! ~Carrie Czech, 10th Gr. Small Group Leader "I chose to be a catechist because I have two passions in life; working with children and my love for Jesus. It made perfect sense to put them together and I have enjoyed every minute of it!" ~Grace Taft, 6th Gr. Catechist, These amazing parishioners volunteer September through April, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours per week serving as small group leaders or aides. Weekly, these volunteers spend about one hour with our youth in class and about 1/2 hour in preparation reviewing the provided class outline prior to class. I have really enjoyed the time I have spent with my daughter's group. As a parent, it is awesome to know what she is being exposed to during faith formation and because I am a small part of this process with her, it has led to great discussions at home that has helped our relationship grow. ~Mary Parsons, 10th Gr. Small Group Leader If you feel God is calling you to serve through our Faith Formation program, then you have what it takes! Author Kara Powell says, You don t need to be more spiritual than you already are. Just share the spirituality you already have. It helps kids develop their own faith. We re looking for the people to serve in these roles for the Faith Formation year: Preschool teachers Grade 6, 7, 8, and 9 classroom aides: Offer a helping hand in the classroom by handing out materials, helping students one on one with finding a Bible verse or other tasks, leading a game etc. 10th and 11th Grade Small Group Leaders: Sit at a round table each week with the same small group of students in grade 10 or 11. Get to know them, listen to them, and support them as you lead them through provided activities, reading, and discussion. Encourage them in their journey through Confirmation preparation. A special thanks to all of our current Faith Formation Volunteers. Contact the church office if you are feeling called to volunteer for Faith Formation this year!

4 Page 4 A Look at Summer at St. Bridget Vacation Bible School Letting our Light Shine at the River Falls Days Parade Summer Mission Trip to Cairo, IL Summer Stretch Knights of Columbus Food Booth at the Pierce County Fair

5 Page 5 Staff Spotlight: Jodie Rubenzer, Spiritual Growth and Discipleship Hi! My name is Jodie Rubenzer and I along with my husband Dan, have been members of St. Bridget since 1993, after moving here from Chippewa Falls. Dan s career, as a radiologic technologist at River Falls Area Hospital, brought us here to River Falls. Thirty-four years of marriage have blessed us with three grown daughters, Cassie, Bethany and Katelyn, their spouses, and five really awesome grandchildren; Elliott, Avery, Cooper, Lander and Silvan. I have currently entered into the position of Spiritual Growth and Discipleship. This newly captured position came to be as a result of the months of study spent in developing a parish strategic plan. This position is the result of taking the information, and then moving forward to implement ways in which to support Father Harris and implement desires expressed, for continuing spiritual growth. Specifically, I will have the wonderful privilege of entering the lives of newly engaged couples, planning to be married here at St. Bridget. I will also be an active part in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) with those seeking to enter into the Catholic faith community. Spiritual growth opportunities will also be part of this newly formed position, working as a connector, to join needs and desires expressed, to resources and people who can come together to make it happen. All of this will come to be as it is directed by the ongoing nudges of the Holy Spirit. Having just recently finished a three year program in Spiritual Direction, through the Franciscan Spirituality Center in LaCrosse, WI, I began to ask what s next? God answered in God s usual way and the discernment began. Spiritual Direction and this position enhance one another. Both of these ministries honor the process and the work that God has already begun in each of us. It s providing opportunities through community and personal reflection to examine the comings and goings of our own lives and to become more deeply aware of the movement of God in those moments and then to notice how it connects us. Opportunities for spiritual growth may come about as planned book or scripture studies, retreat opportunities or prayer experiences. But growth experiences can come from reflecting on the ministries you already participate in; prayer shawl, visitation and communion to home bound, funeral luncheon service, liturgical ministries, or wherever it is the Spirit moves you, and claiming the call you had to enter these ministries and the compassion that comes forth as you share your gifts. I welcome all ideas and invite you to share those ideas with me. I am so deeply grateful for this opportunity to live out my calling to ministry and will do my best to serve the needs of this wonderful parish community. Welcome to St. Bridget We would like to welcome these new parishioners (since February 2017) to our St. Bridget Family. We are excited to have you journey with us! Daniell Gaerke Ben and Amy Bertram Owen, Grant, Reagan Jonathan Morgan Ron and Anita Hager Jen and Shane Faust Eleanor Kathryn Burge Amber Schaffer Lyon and Kt Terry Karlie and Dominic Richard and Marcia Marek Ann Webb Rich Walton Dane and Tara Ferguson Ames and Camille Craig and Tara Blonigen Betty Schmidt Jessica and Rocky Wruck Maci and Brodie Wilson and Kathleen Mills Mary Carol and Jared Troemner Faylene, Elias, Kai Katie Heltne Natasha Trebus Quinn and Teresa Sanford Gracie, Alden, August, Helen Jeff Krear Steph and Matt Nelson Jeanne McCoy Chris Meyer Benjamin and Stephanie Cold Christopher Jillisa and Antonio Rodriguez Jayleigh, McKenzie, Anthony Dave and Judy Steine Cynthia and Joseph Schufman Marybeth

6 St. Bridget Catholic Church 211 E. Division Street PO Box 86 River Falls, WI Non-Profit Organization US Postage PAID Permit No. 62 River Falls, WI Phone: Fax: Save the Date: Be sure to mark your calendar for these upcoming events! September 9/6 Faith Formation General Information Meeting 6:30 p.m. For parents with questions about our Faith Formation program or for those not yet registered. 9/11 DivorceCare Begins 6:30 p.m. A 14-week, non-denominational, biblically-based support group open to anyone recovering from separation or divorce. Call the St. Bridget Church Office to register. 9/13 Confirmation Meeting 6:30 p.m. For parent(s) and their tenth and eleventh grade candidates. 9/21 RCIA Process Begins 7:00 p.m. Contact the church office for more information. 9/23 Knights of Columbus Punt, Pass and Kick Competition Registration at 11 a.m., competition at noon at Meyer Middle School. 9/24 First Reconciliation Meeting 1:00 p.m. For parent(s) and candidates in the second grade or beyond) October 10/1 Baptism Class for your First Child 1:00 p.m. Class begins at 1:00 p.m. in the Garden View Room at St. Bridget. To register, recept@stbparish.com or call St. Bridget church office. 10/10 The Gathering (for those 60+) 11:00 a.m. The Gathering starts back up again with a tour of Bella Vinez Winery. More information to come in future bulletins. 10/28 2 nd Annual St. Bridget Block Party 6:00 p.m. Join us for fun and fellowship complete with live music, food, beverages, BINGO and more. November 11/13 Come as You Are Women s Retreat 9:00 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. Join Coach Cami. Wellness Coach, for a self-care retreat that explores self-care as an essential part of Christian living. More details to come! St. Bridget Parish Mission Statement St. Bridget Catholic Church is a Christian Community which exists to continue the mission of Jesus Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As such, we are committed to working for the coming of God's Kingdom. We accomplish this through worship, community life, Christian education and service to those who are in need.