s Monthly Newsletter Bless ed Sacrament 210 5th Avenue West West Fargo, ND 580 78 Inside this issue: Scriptures 2 Fr. Bert Gone 2 Fall Dinner Benefit 3 Staff Changes 4 Liturgy Schedule 4 Parishioner input needed for musician talent search Parishioners are being asked to suggest names of church musicians who could replace Sally Haugen. The time to make your suggestions to me is during August, September or October. Interviews will be conducted in November and December. August 2015 Volume 12, Number 2 If no contract can be awarded, a regional search will be initiated. Advertising will take place in January with interviews in February and/or March. It is my hope that we can have a full-time replacement in the position by April 1 or at the latest May 1. Please pray about this. Submit names this month. Vital Statistics 4 Staff Changes 5 Mission Statement: As loving disciples, we, the faith community of, strive for full and active participation in joyfully serving Christ while recognizing the gifts and dignity of all. Catechists needed to share faith; students needed to fill classrooms By Lucy Elshaug There is a great need this year for catechists! These are the volunteers in the classroom responsible for sharing faith with our students. The need is for: 2 first-grade catechists, 2 fifthgrade catechists and 1 fourth-grade catechist. If you are interested in volunteering for this very special ministry, call me at 282-3321, or email me at the address on Page 3. Forms for registration also are available from me. Please get this done earlier rather than at the last minute so I can order books and make plans for your student, his/her catechist and classmates. I want your student s experience with the Blessed Sacrament catechist team to be one they always will remember. (Turn to Page 4)
Page 2 Leadership Parish Office: 282-3321 Pastor: Fr. Bert Miller Faith Formation & Youth Ministry: Lucy Elshaug Music Co-ordinator: Sally Haugen Parish Life: Karen Beets Parish Nurse: Tina Tweeter Support Staff: Mary Lehn, Mary Beth Odegaard Pastoral Council: 16 - Chuck Wanzek, Chairperson 16 - Valerie Hanson 17 - Shawn DeKeyser 17 - Eric Hanson 18 - Cindy Fischer 18 - Leslie Wegner Directors: Jeanine Allmaras Dean Krogen Circles: Holy Rosary: Elsie Keller Mother Seton: Alice Pritchard ID Statement: Monthly Newsletter Catholic Church 210 5th Avenue West West Fargo, ND 58078-1799 Fr. Bert gone August 10-14 Fr. Bert will be gone for a week this month. The dates are Monday, August 10, through Friday, August 14. He is going where it promises to be HOT! Scriptures to study during hot month of August August 1-2 - 18th Sunday/OTB Exodus 16:2-15, Ephesians 4:17-24, John 6:24-35 Thought: There is tension - a grave misunderstanding - between what the crowd seeks (bread for food) and what Jesus offers (bread from heaven). Question: What do I seek? August 8-9 - 19th Sunday/OTB 1 Kings 19:4-8, Ephesians 4:30-5:2, John 6:41-51 Thought: The Jews murmured because they could not get beyond their limited perception of who they thought Jesus was to the mystery about him. Question: Who is Jesus for me? August 15-16 - 20th Sunday/OTB Proverbs 9:1-6, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 Thought: Jesus is the God incarnate in human flesh who brings us into the mystery of the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Question: Can I accept who Jesus is in my life? August 22-23 - 21st Sunday/OTB Jos 24:1-18, Ephesians 5:21-32, John 6:60-69 August 29-30 - 22nd Sunday/OTB Deuteronomy 4:1-8, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-23 Thought: Jesus frees people from rigid adherence to human traditions and redirects them to authentic living of God s commandments. Question: Am I caught up in keeping rules or am I concerned with right relationships? Thought: Believing is more than verbal assent. It must become the lived conviction of choosing to stay with and in the risen Christ. Question: Have I chosen to stay with and in Jesus, the Christ?
Volume 12, Number 2 Page 3 You can reach Staff/Team members at these emails: Bert@BlessedSacramentWestFargo.org Lucy@BlessedSacramentWestFargo.org Sally@BlessedSacramentWestFargo.org Karen@BlessedSacramentWestFargo.org Mary@BlessedSacramentWestFargo.org Tina@BlessedSacramentWestFargo.org Parish Website www.blessedsacramentwestfargo.org Mass Schedules Mass schedules are noted on the monthly Calendar, on-line, and by calling 282-3321 after hours. Anointing of the Sick First Friday of February, May, October, and December and one weekend in Fall and Spring. Exposition First Friday of February, May, October, and December. Baptism Parents are asked to contact the Parish Office about classes and date/time of Sacrament. Fall Dinner Benefit October 18 The Fall Dinner Benefit will be held on Sunday, October 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This date is a week earlier than usual due to school scheduling and a diocesan event planned for our regular weekend. Your poster and Raffle ticket packets will be available in the Agora Marketplace on August 15-16. Please pick them up so we do not have to mail them. Ticket prices this year are $5 each. You are asked to sell five tickets. The prizes are: $2,000, $1,000, $1000, $500 and $500. We would like to sell $14,000 in tickets! A free-will offering is being taken for a plate of pork loin, mashed potatoes, vegetable, gravy, coleslaw and dessert. (turn to page 5) Marriage Couples are to set appointment with Pastor at least six months before proposed date. Blood Pressures For all parishioners on First Weekends of February, April, June, August, October, and December (before and after Liturgies on Saturday and Sunday) in Parish Office by Parish Nurse. Assumption not Holy Day of Obligation Sonshine choir begins Sept. 15 The Sonshine (Youth) Choir begins meeting on Tuesday, September 15. If your student is interested, please see Mary Beth Odegaard soon; call 282-3321. The Assumption of Mary -- celebrated on August 15 -- is NOT a holy day this year because it falls on a Saturday. Next year, it will not be a holy day either because it will fall on a Monday (leap year).
Page 4 Liturgy Schedule Weekends Saturdays: 5:15 p.m. Sundays: 9:30 a.m. Weekdays Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays: 9 a.m. Tuesdays: 2 p.m. at Bethany South Reconciliation Saturdays: 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm and by appointment anytime Support Team member Mary Lehn to leave post to have baby in October Mary Lehn, our support team member, will be leaving her position at in October. Mary and husband, Mitch, are expecting a baby! They have decided that Mary will stay home to be a full-time mother. Faith Formation...from Page 1 Classes for students in Grades 1-5 begin on Wednesday, September 9. The class times are: 4:30 or 6:00 p.m. Each class lasts 75 minutes. On the first night of class, there is a meeting for parents at the time of their student s classes. Please be sure one parent (representing the family) is there. There are many important items to discuss. Pre-School and Kindergarten will begin meeting on Sunday, September 13, during the 10:30 a.m. liturgy. Classes are held in classroom #4. Our Middle School program meets twice a month on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Social Hall. It is known as B4WOW. Parents are required to accompany students to these classes. This year, we will be studying the Acts of the Apostles, how the Christian Church began, and some important moments in the history of the Catholic Church. During the last two years, we have concentrated on the books of the Old and New Testaments. Please watch your calendar and the parish Bulletin for this schedule. These classes meet for 75-90 minutes depending on the class material. The High School program meets twice a month on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Gathering Area. This group is known as WOW, Wednesdays of Wonder! The students learn about two charities and raise funds for one by sponsoring an Advent event; and have random classes centered on a couple of topics. Again, please watch your calendar and the parish Bulletin for this schedule. If your student cannot attend class, please visit with us about resources for home use. Deaths: Val Tareski Newcomers: Gary and Loretta Wall Rylee and Jessica Nelson
Volume 12, Number 2 Page 5 Fall Dinner Benefit The basket silent auction will be held in the Gathering Area. The chairperson this year is Diane Winterquist. She has a fantastic flare for crafts. Let us all help her stage a super basket auction. Get started now on your basket donation. All you need is a sturdy container (need not be a basket) and themed items (toys, books, bathroom items, kitchen items, oil-change kit, Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.). Your creation can be brought to the parish October 16 (all day) or October 17 (by noon). If you wish to visit with Diane Winterquist about your basket, please call the Parish Office and leave a message. Mary Beth Odegaard to replace Mary Lehn Mary Beth Odegaard, who has been working part-time as support staff this summer, will replace Mary Lehn. Mary Beth will start full-time duties on September 8. There will be more about this next month. Welcome Mary Beth!...from Page 3 The Country Store will be located in the Blue Room. Home-baked goods and home-made crafts are the centerpieces of the store. Crafters could be spending these hot, summer evenings creating a storm! Canners will be looking for cooler mornings! Bakers will be waiting till the last minute to deliver only the freshest and sweetest store delights! There are quilts and a doll house that will be offered in separate mini-raffles around the facility. Be on the watch for these. They are of fantastic beauty and value. The Jewelry Shop will be in the Music Room. Don t miss this shop. If you do not know where it is located, ask someone. New and gently-used jewelry for women and men can be donated. Please bring these items to the Parish Office by October 1 so displays can be organized. Our youth can enjoy a carnival and games in the classrooms. Tickets will be sold in the Dining Room. Decorated cakes will be needed for the Cake Walk and 2-liter bottles of pop are needed for games and prizes. Pop can be brought early to Lucy for tickets; cakes can be delivered on October 17 (all day) or October 18 (by 11 a.m.) The holy card table sports a bonus. Find it and enjoy! Bingo hosted by the Knights of Columbus begins at 3 p.m. If you have a prize idea, contact Terry Krauth. We play 20 games; a quarter a card per game. Donations of desserts will be needed for the dinner. More details to come later. Get started preparing! Pray for success!