While not everyone knew Matthew Perrault, his

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1 August 2012 Lessons from Matthew Inside 2 Stewardship Our Spiritual Home 3 Strive to Be Swifter, Higher, and Stronger Stewards 4 Laying a Foundation of Faith and Education 5 Blessings Abound at St. Michael Catholic School 6 St. Bartholomew: The Vocation to Holiness 7 Trivia Quiz Frankfort Pkwy NE St. Michael, MN While not everyone knew Matthew Perrault, his story is one that should be told for all to hear. It is a story of pain, suffering and loss. But it is also one about love, triumph and peace. It is a story about being so rooted in faith, that death is not frightening anymore. And it is a story of someone whose life here on earth was cut short, but who left a lasting impression on the hearts of many. Who was Matthew? He was a boy who liked to grow things, planting acorns to see if they would grow into trees. He was a teen who like to play strategic games. He read stories to his siblings, played with them and teased them. He had a great sense of humor, but he was also patient, positive and honest. He was one of the peacekeepers, explains his mother, Kelly Perrault. There was no tension with him. He was always smiling and had a positive sense of view. He was sensitive to anything that was wrong and could go to the heart of the matter. He would say, Mom, what s really bothering you?, and then get me to see another side. Knowing Matthew means to also know his family. Kelly says that there is nothing like a husband and children to make you realize what is important in life. Early in their marriage, she and her husband, Joe, decided to homeschool their children so that they could study and grow in faith together as a family. Matthew and his siblings grew up with nightly prayers, daily Rosaries, monthly confessions, Stations of the Cross and, for a period of three years, daily Mass. For around 12 of his 17 years, Matthew also attended weekly adoration, which Kelly says was important in helping him become who he was and accept cancer the way he did. We try to live a sacramental life, explains Kelly. And having the kids home during the day meant we had more time to make faith part of our life. The first cancer diagnosis came when Matthew was just 12 years old, resulting in a foot amputation and being fitted for a prosthetic one. Two years went by, and while he had to undergo periodic scans, his life was cancer-free. However, a routine scan on the third-year mark revealed that the cancer had returned. Fr. Richards, a close family friend who had been with them during the first diagnosis, was there for the second one, as well. As the two shared many conversations, Matthew revealed to Father that he considered cancer to be a blessing for two reasons it brought his family even closer together, and also it showed him how much people loved him. continued on page 6

2 Stewardship Our Spiritual Home 2 Where do you go to church? We ve all answered that question hundreds of times before. But have you ever stopped to think about what it truly means? I go to St. Michael, is the usual response, and rightly so, because we do go to the church to celebrate Mass together. But as Catholics and as stewards of God s gifts, the Church is much more than a building within which we worship. The Church, as we understand it, is the universal body of believers, the society that Christ established to help us grow in holiness, to bring us closer to Him through the giving of our time, talent, and treasure, and to lead the world to the truth. Before Jesus ascended to the Father, He commissioned the disciples, Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you (Mt. 28:19-20). That is the Church s mission in the world today to make disciples of all nations, to bring all men to Christ. Our parish plays a key part in that. As members of St. Michael, we are local representatives of the universal Church. Together, as members of this parish family, we work to carry out the Church s mission on a local level. We worship the Lord at Mass, offering Him our praise and thanksgiving, and then we go forth on a mission to make disciples to encourage our fellow parishioners in their lives of faith and to bring unbelievers into knowledge of the truth. In addition to being a local representation of the universal Church, the parish is much like a family. We are communal beings. We are created to live with others, and so, as Catholics, we are members of the Church and, on a more immediate level, of the parish. As such, we gather together for the Eucharistic meal and we grow in faith together throughout the week, supporting one another through our participation in many parish ministries, through prayer, and through the friendships that many of us share. In a letter written to parish priests throughout the nation, the United States bishops explained the important place of the parish in the lives of Catholic faithful: The parish is a privileged place to announce the Word of God. It includes a variety of forms and each of the faithful is called to take an active part, especially with the witness of a Christian life and the explicit proclamation of the Gospel to non-believers to lead them to the faith, or to believers to instruct them, confirm them and encourage them to a more fervent life. So, we ought to feel truly blessed to be a part of this parish family. We ought to make a conscious effort to be actively involved, to build relationships with our fellow parishioners and to celebrate the Mass together as often as possible (most especially every Sunday). Then, we are bound to grow closer to others, to grow deeper in faith and closer to Christ and then, together as a parish family, we are bound to proclaim the Gospel to others, inviting them to a life of discipleship, thereby, building the kingdom of God.

3 Strive to Be Swifter, Higher, and Stronger Stewards Dear Parishioners, At the end of July and for the first few weeks of August, the eyes of the world will be focused on the Olympic Games taking place in London. We will watch with amazement and admiration as athletes from all over the world run, swim, and perform seemingly impossible gymnastic routines. Their feats in these and other events will show the dedication and determination it takes to prepare to compete against the best athletes in the world. The athletes will be doing their best to fulfill the Olympic motto, Citius, Altius, Fortius Swifter, Higher, Stronger. Although the Olympics will be using this phrase in the context of athletic competition, I think we could apply these words to our own lives. That s not to say we need to defeat the other members of our family, our neighbors, or fellow parishioners. Indeed, we should seek ways to help them, not compete with them. But we ought to live each day so that we work for goals in a swifter, higher, stronger way than we did the day before. St. Paul uses a similar athletic image and applies it to the spiritual life when he wrote, Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified (1 Cor 9:25-27). St. Paul was referring to the ultimate goal of the whole Christian life. The imperishable crown he mentions is that given to those who are with God in heaven, where they shall reign forever and ever (Rev 22:5). And we should never forget that our citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20). As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness (1024). We also celebrate during August the person who most perfectly exhibited dedication to a swifter, higher, stronger cooperation with God s will, the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary falls on Aug. 15, in the very middle of the month. Please make plans, whether you re here or out of town, to worship at Mass on this Holy Day of Obligation. In closing, here is a stewardship suggestion for August: make a commitment to devote at least half the time you spend watching the Olympics this month to prayer and worship. It may be a challenge, but you ll find your soul has become swifter, higher, stronger. Sincerely yours in Christ, Fr. Peter Richards, Pastor 3

4 Laying a Foundation of Faith and Education 4 Volunteers working at our new preschool building. Students from St. Michael school came over to the preschool building to help move toys. When it comes to education and spiritual development, it is important to start early. That is why St. Michael Catholic School is expanding to include preschool, starting this fall. For many families, it s their child s first experience with a school setting, says Lisa Peterson, preschool coordinator and one of the preschool teachers. And we ll be providing a Catholic foundation for their children. We ll be offering developmentally appropriate education that is rich in Catholic teaching. The preschool will run from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. every weekday, with an early drop-off offered at 7:30 a.m. There will also be an aftercare program offered called Stay and Play, which runs from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The preschool program is for children from 3 to 5 years old. The format of the classes will be based on preparing the children for kindergarten, focusing on social and academic skills, as well as building a foundation of faith. The curriculum will include school readiness skills such as math, language arts, science, social studies, and Spanish. In addition to learning in the classroom, the preschoolers will have time outside on our new and improved playground. It goes back to laying those foundations for Catholic faith and raising our children in the Catholic faith, Lisa says. Children are such sponges for what we can teach them about God. Everything we teach them now provides a base for what they learn as they get older. And we also need to prepare them for kindergarten, and this is a great way for that to happen. Our parish acquired a building across the street from St. Michael Catholic School in April. The newly-acquired building was remodeled over the summer, and has two classrooms designated for use by the preschool program. A number of people from our parish and the community volunteered their service to help get the preschool building ready for the school year. One other thing that makes this preschool special is how it is supported by volunteers in the community and the church, Lisa says. We ve had a lot of support so far. Over the course of the summer, we ve had over 30 volunteers helping move furniture, tear down fences, and helping to get the building ready for the Fall. That kind of support helps to strengthen the connection between the preschool and the parish, and also helps to make Catholic education possible. Faith-based education is not only good for the children, but it is also a blessing for everyone involved. I ve taught in public and Christian schools, and I have always found that I tend to come back to the Christian schools, Lisa says. I was raised in a Christian school. It s such a special part of what you can bring to a child s education when you can pray in the classroom and talk about your faith freely with the children. If you would like more information about St. Michael Catholic Preschool, or to register your child, please call Lisa Peterson at or visit the parish website at

5 I am proud to be a part of a growing and thriving Catholic School, says St. Michael Catholic School Principal Jennifer Haller. With nearly 40 percent growth in enrollment across the past 10 years, the blessings are continuing to grow in the academic year. This September, the halls of St. Michael will welcome an eighth grade class for the first time in over 30 years! There was a high degree of interest from parents to add seventh and eighth grade, Principal Haller says. The interest was present when I first arrived in Since then, parents who toured our school oftentimes said they loved everything but the lack of seventh and eighth grade classes. The school has served kindergarten through sixth grade for over 30 years. The academic year welcomed a seventh grade class for the first time in decades. It also began a middle level structure for students in grades five and up. The middle level model includes a different schedule, changing of classes, new freedoms and unique programs. The new eighth-grade class, made up of 22 students, will be a part of the middle level program, which is situated on its own wing of the school building. This program is guided and educated by a staff comprised of seven team members. Each member is a content level specialist, focusing on academic areas such as social studies, science, math, and language arts. Team members also teach religion. This year, the eighth grade class will be Blessings Abound at St. Michael Catholic School prepared to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation as a part of religion class. Students in the middle level participate in a mixed age homeroom period known as GOD (Gathering of Disciples) Time. The middle level program offers a variety of opportunities to the older students, including service projects and band instruction through a partnership with the local public school. The students can participate in beginning band or advanced band. This year will also bring the choice of electives to the middle level during a time called Minds in Motion. Choices in the areas of technology, physical education, or language arts, math and music will be offered. The shift to the middle level concept and the addition of the seventh and eighth graders, has created the effect of a school within a school, Principal Haller says. Middle level runs on bells and an hourly schedule. They operate very independently from the K through four, schedule-wise. However, the opportunities for leadership and mentorship brings together the middle level with the younger students. It is exciting to watch our middle level students lead. This last school year, the seventh graders spent time playing cribbage with local seniors. They learned a new game, served the community and were able to practice math skills. This opportunity will continue next year for both the seventh and the eighth graders. I am excited that we are responding to the desire for more Catholic education in our community, Principal Haller says. The addition of the eighth grade class provides the opportunity for students to grow in an environment that nurtures them spiritually, as well as academically. St. Michael Catholic School welcomes prayer for the exciting new school year, and thanks the parish and community for their continued love and support! The seventh graders (this coming year s eighth grade class) pose with their shovels after planting two trees in the St. Michael School yard. The seventh graders (this coming year s eighth grade class) show off their hair nets while performing a service project at Feed My Starving Children. 5

6 St. Bartholomew: The Vocation to Holiness As baptized Catholics, we are all called to lives of supreme holiness. As Pope John Paul II explained in his message on the 39 th annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Since Baptism is a true entry into the holiness of God it would be a contradiction to settle for a life of mediocrity... The time has come to re-propose wholeheartedly to everyone this high standard of ordinary Christian living. Yet, in a culture that glorifies sin and, in many ways, looks down upon holiness, where do we turn for inspiration, for encouragement, and for strength to live out our baptismal call to holiness? We turn to Christ and His Church. In a particular way, we can focus on the saints. These many men and women are ordinary humans like you and me who rose above the norms of the day, embraced the call to holiness, and they lived the call to the best of their abilities until the end of their lives. In some cases, in fact, it was their courage to live the call to holiness that brought them to the end of their lives! continued on back cover Lessons from Matthew continued from front cover Matthew was so incredibly honest, explains Fr. Richards. It is humbling to go to that place where we realize we need love, but Matthew simply saw the outpouring of love as a blessing and took strength and comfort from that. It was June of last year that Matthew and his family learned that the cancer was terminal, and by Christmas things were even worse. By February, the cancer had spread to such an extent that Matthew was no longer able to move his legs. It was a difficult time, and there was pain, but Matthew drew on his faith and found meaning in his suffering by uniting it to Christ s suffering. He never cried, even when he was struggling, explains Kelly. He learned to offer things up, and tried to let this be his focus. People began asking him to pray for them, and he would keep a list and offer up his suffering for them in prayer. A week and a half before he passed away, he even told me that just before that third year scan, he had prayed to God saying that it would be okay if the cancer returned, because it brought him closer to God. His faith left an impression with many people. Doctors enjoyed being with him and talking with him; hospice workers, when leaving at the end of their shift, told his parents that they were leaving with more than what they had come to offer. Matthew s family was very open and didn t hide what was happening, explains Fr. Richards. Matthew knew there was nothing more to be done and that the end was near. It made him 6 thoughtful, but he also told me he was excited about going to heaven. Matthew passed away on March 1, Today, Kelly says that some days are better than others. Matthew s sister, Claire, was born two months after his death. While it was an emotional time, Kelly says their newest family member is a little bit of heaven, and that Matthew would have loved to have held her. When Matthew realized he wouldn t be around for Claire s birth, he even wrote her a letter, placed it in a treasure box he had, and told his family to give it to her on her fifth birthday. Since losing him, I ve noticed how much an inspiration he was for me, explains Kelly. Our house was more peaceful when he was around; I don t know if it was because we were trying to keep things quiet for him, but there was a definite peace. I catch myself looking where he used to sit in the living room, and I realize that even though he was sick, we had all looked to him for perseverance. He had such a joy about him. And that is exactly what we can learn from Matthew. Fr. Richards says that he, along with many others, were inspired by the depth of Matthew s faith. Although he wasn t with us for very long, Matthew was a witness on how faith in God can be a source of hope, strength and joy, even in the face of the greatest hardships.

7 Trivia Quiz In the past year we focused as a parish on the first pillar of stewardship - hospitality. In the coming year we will focus on the second pillar of stewardship - prayer. Our theme for this year will be Lord, Teach us to Pray (Luke 11:1) The Mass is our greatest and most profound prayer of all. Did you know that the Mass is one prayer from the opening hymn to the dismissal? As we begin our focus on this second pillar of stewardship, we thought it would be good to begin with learning more about this awesome prayer of the Mass. Last year, the adult members who attended LIFT participated in A Biblical Walk Through THE MASS by Edward Sri. The topics below can be found in the book that was received with that study program. We will have a drawing for a couple great prizes from those that submit their best effort at answers before Sept. 8. After you circle your answers, you can fill in your name and phone number in the space below, tear it off and drop your answers in the collection basket, mail them to the parish office addressed to The Stewardship Council, or you can your answers to stewardshipcouncil@stmcatholicchurch.org. (The questions will be answered in next month s newsletter.) 1) This prayer is used to invoke God s presence and invite Him to bless us, assist us, and protect us from all harm: a) The Our Father b) The Sign of the Cross c) The Great Amen d) The Gloria 2) During Mass, the priest greets us and says The Lord be with you. When we respond with the words And with your spirit we are acknowledging the Holy Spirit s unique activity through the Priest during the sacred liturgy by virtue of his ordination. True or False? 3) Alleluia a) means praise the Lord b) means praise Yahweh c) is a Hebrew expression of joy d) all of the above 4) The proclamation of the Gospel is: a) God s own words about Christ s life b) a news report about Jesus c) lectures from Jesus recorded for us to read d) simply a series of stories of Jesus past 5) St. Peter is at the pearly gates of Heaven with a wooden staff and a golden staff and welcomes a Priest and a taxicab driver. Which one receives the golden staff? a) the taxicab driver b) the priest 6) The offertory or presentation of the gifts is a significant part of Mass because a) Mass is half over b) it s a good time to go get a drink of water c) the bread and wine are symbols of offering our life to God 7) What is being asked of us, when the priest asks us to lift up our hearts a) stand up b) pay attention - something big is about to happen c) raise your arms as in a gesture of lifting 8) The Eucharist makes which two events in Jesus life sacramentally present to us in every Mass? a) the last supper and the transfiguration b) the death of Jesus on the cross and the resurrection c) the last supper and the death of Jesus on the cross 9) Receiving Holy Communion has a marital dimension. True or False? 10) The sentence(s) best explaining the meaning of the dismissal Go forth, the Mass is ended is/are: a) We re done, go home b) Jesus mission is accomplished here, now go do yours c) Leave immediately, don t even stay for the closing hymn d) Both a and c e) All of the above Name: Phone: 7

8 Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 6 St. Michael, MN Frankfort Parkway St. Michael, MN Address Service Requested Sunday Mass Saturday Vigil, 5:00 p.m. Sunday, 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 6:00 p.m. Daily Mass Monday, 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. Thursday, 7:30 a.m. Friday (historic church), 7:45 a.m. Saturday, 8:00 a.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday, 7:30 a.m. - 7:55 a.m., 8:30 a.m. - 9 a.m., 3:30 p.m. - 4:55 p.m. Tuesday, 5:15 p.m. - 6:25 p.m. Quotes for Catholic Living We do not need to get good laws to restrain bad people. We need to get good people to restrain us from bad laws. G.K. Chesterton St. Bartholomew continued from page 6 St. Bartholomew, whose feast day we celebrate on Aug. 24, is one such man. One of the 12 apostles, living in the time of Christ, St. Bartholomew lived a life of extraordinary holiness. Throughout the Gospels, we see him going from town to town, preaching the message of Christ. Then, according to tradition, as it is recorded in the Roman Martyrology, he was skinned alive and then crucified upside down after preaching in and around India. St. Bartholomew displayed tremendous courage in the face of trial and tribulation. He serves us as an amazing example of strong faith and a real commitment to live Christ s call even if that means death (even, in his case, death on a cross)! Most of us in the modern world will never face the prospect of martyrdom, as did most of the Apostles and so many of the early Christians. Our challenge is to remember that to give your life for Christ means to live for Him not necessarily to accept martyrdom in witness of our faith. We have opportunities every single day to live our faith, to witness by our actions that Jesus Christ is the Lord of our lives. As we face obstacles and challenges in this world even in the small arenas in which most of us live our lives we might call on the intercession of St. Bartholomew. We can look to him as an example of courage as we strive to live out our Catholic call, even when it seems incredibly difficult! For more inspiration from St. Bartholomew and from our many brothers and sisters who have preceded us into eternal life, why not challenge yourself to become acquainted with the saints? There are volumes of stories of the ways in which people like us have met the challenges of their own lives with courage born of faith, with the many virtues in which we might grow by taking our faith seriously and keeping Christ at the center of our lives. Reading about the lives of the saints is a great way to be a good steward of your time, and meeting those who now live with the Lord can be a precious blessing in your life. Think about it! All holy men and women, pray for us!