November 2018 St. Alexius Our Lady of the Angels St. Paul s This Issue: 2 Living Out Gratitude and Stewardship, During Thanksgiving and Beyond 3 November: A Time of Faithful Celebration and Sharing in Thanks 4 Junior High Youth Ministry: Building Friendships on the Faith Journey 6 Jennifer Klaphake Reflects on Her Experiences in Music Ministry at St. Alexius Parish Office 304 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 (320) 352-2196 In All Things, Give Thanks: Kenzie Schmiesing on Living Out Stewardship and Gratitude The things you take for granted, someone else is praying for. This simple phrase has stood out to young St. Paul s parishioner Kenzie Schmiesing, keeping her grounded over the years when it comes to faith and stewardship. For, says Kenzie, it reminds her that no matter what is going on in her life, no matter what struggles or trials she may face, she still has much for which to be grateful. That quote reminds me that some people aren t as fortunate as I am, Kenzie says. It pushes me to pray more and be more thankful for everything that I have in life. One of five children, Kenzie has been part of St. Paul s parish community her entire life. It s where she received her sacraments, attended Mass weekly with her family, and participated in various youth and parish events. Faith, Kenzie says, has just always been part of the fabric of her life a core part of who she is. She has fond memories of praying with her family before meals and in the evenings, attending Church together on Sundays, and reciting the Rosary in the car during longer trips. Thanks to these early experiences, Kenzie has gained a keen awareness of Parishioner Kenzie Schmiesing stewardship, which she describes simply as giving back what we ve been given. I think stewardship is all about giving what we have to God by putting Him first, whether it s mentally or physically, she says. Through her formation at Holy Family School, St. Paul s Youth Group, and her religious education classes, Kenzie has learned the importance of putting God and others before herself. She says that these opportunities have helped her grow closer to God and have kept her anchored over the years. They ve reminded her to give all continued on back cover
LIVING OUT Gratitude and Stewardship, DURING THANKSGIVING AND BEYOND Every November, as the holiday season fast approaches, we are filled with a deep sense of sentimentality and gratefulness for all the goodness of the past year. At the same time, we encounter many wonderful ways to give to cheerfully share our own gifts during this time of Thanksgiving. It is with this spirit of gratitude that we can truly live out the stewardship way of life. This Thanksgiving, there are plenty of opportunities to do this in a direct way. Is there a new neighbor you haven t met, or someone who might be spending the holiday alone? Invite them over for Thanksgiving dinner. Perhaps you may volunteer at a soup kitchen, or you might donate a Thanksgiving meal to a family in need who wouldn t have one otherwise. If you go shopping on Black Friday, make it a point the next day to donate old clothes that you or your family members no longer need. And as the winter draws closer, you might participate in or even organize a coat drive, and then gather a small group to go out into the community to give the coats away to homeless shelters and those in need during the winter months. There are countless such opportunities to live in gratitude and thanksgiving opportunities that go beyond just having a meal with family and friends on the fourth Thursday of November. Of course, we must remember that this spirit of thanksgiving does not end after Thanksgiving, nor does it end following Advent and Christmas. We must always consider how to give, even as the sentimental glow of the holiday season fades after the New Year. In January, if there is space at your table, fill it. In February, if there is abundance in your closet, give away from that abundance. In March, if there are volunteers needed at the soup kitchen, rally a team and give of your time. We need a renewed spirit of stewardship and thanksgiving that lasts the whole year so that our giving becomes habitual, and not just seasonal. This Thanksgiving, ask the Holy Spirit where He is calling you to give. And may the joy of the Thanksgiving season flow into our lives as good stewards, every day and throughout the entire year. The spirit of thanksgiving does not end after Thanksgiving, nor does it end following Advent and Christmas. We must always consider how to give, even as the sentimental glow of the holiday season soon fades after the New Year. In January, if there is space at your table, fill it. In February, if there is abundance in your closet, give away from that abundance. In March, if there are volunteers needed at the soup kitchen, rally a team and give of your time. We need a renewed spirit of stewardship and thanksgiving that lasts the whole year, so that our giving becomes habitual, and not just seasonal. 2
St. Alexius Our Lady of the Angels St. Paul s November: A Time of Faithful Celebration and Sharing in Thanks Dear Parishioners, As I look over the calendar for November, my mind is filled with thoughts of thanksgiving. These aren t just thoughts about Thanksgiving Day, although I look towards it with happy anticipation more than that, they are thoughts filled with a variety of reasons for why we should be thankful. The month begins with a great celebration that should be a day of thanksgiving for all of us All Saints Day. This is a great feast celebrating the great company of Christians now in heaven a company we shall eventually join, whether or not we re formally canonized, if we remain faithful to Christ. And the communion of saints the sharing of spiritual goods by those in heaven to us who are still in our pilgrimage is a great cause for thanksgiving. We read the lives of the saints to be encouraged and inspired by their examples. Plus, we are strengthened by their fellowship in the Body of Christ, and we are aided by their prayers. And then, the very next day, we celebrate All Souls Day. Although this day commemorates all A Letter From Our Pastor the faithful departed who are being purified in Purgatory, it is natural for us to concentrate on the members of our own family and our friends who have died. While we pray for them, that they may soon experience the joys of heaven, at the same time we also are thankful for the love they gave us and for the faith they passed on to us. Then, later in the month comes Thanksgiving Day, the national holiday celebrating all the things for which we are thankful. The fact that it comes toward the end of autumn reminds us that it was originally a harvest festival. For Christians today, it s a wholesome reminder that we should thank God for everything we receive, especially the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Why not participate in the Church s Great Thanksgiving, the Holy Eucharist, on Thanksgiving Day? It s the ultimate way to give thanks. A reminder while much of our attention this month may be drawn to the often contentious goings-on in our country, we need to remember that God is in charge of the universe, even though He has given us free will. If we trust in His loving care, demonstrated by returning to Him a portion of the time, talent and treasure He has entrusted to us, we can withstand the troubles of life. It s a good principle to follow in this month of thanksgiving. In our Father s hands, Fr. Greg Paffel 3
JUNIOR HIGH YO Building Friendships Do you remember junior high school? Whether the recollections that flood to your mind are positive or negative, one thing is for certain the early teenage years can often be a confusing and overwhelming stage in the journey of life. And as a parish family, is it our job to step up and walk alongside our youth. I think it s important for the Catholic Church to come alongside [our teens] and provide something that s fun and gives them some nuggets of information or understanding of the Catholic faith, says Allison Norgren, our Junior High Youth Minister. Our Junior High Youth Ministry program, which is designed for students in sixth through eighth grades, meets about once a month. Sometimes the events are social or service-oriented, and other times, they gather at the youth center next to St. Paul s, as the youth learn about various topics related to the faith. The group finds lots of ways to serve the community, as well. From collecting canned goods for a food shelf and hosting a Valentine s Day celebration for local seniors, to Christmas caroling at a nursing home and delivering cookies to families who have recently lost a loved one, our teens love giving back. The service projects we do, you can see that everybody wins, Allison says. The kids are excited and everyone we re serving is really happy. I think it s really cool that we re able to serve people in our own town, and provide teens an opportunity to see that you don t need to go to a different town or a different country there are people living around us who need Junior High Youth Ministry is a place for our young people to have fun, get to know other young Catholics and serve their community. 4
St. Alexius Our Lady of the Angels St. Paul s UTH MINISTRY: on the Faith Journey our help and it might just be something simple. It s the simple stuff that oftentimes makes a big difference. By giving teens opportunities to build friendships centered on faith, youth ministry helps to build a firm foundation for our young people, in the Church. At this age, it s super important for them to know they have other people who are there for them, other friends who are Catholic, Allison says. Having that firm background helps them realize, when they are going through something hard, that I have my faith. For Allison, working with our young people has helped to inspire and deepen her own faith. She encourages other parishioners to consider becoming involved with serving our youth. I m always so impressed, especially when we have our local priest come in, Allison says. They always ask such deep questions and I m really impressed with how strong they are in their faith. I m always looking for adults who are willing to get involved, she adds. We need all different kinds of people. We need people who are quieter and will talk one-on-one with a student, people who are big-group people, and people who want to help in the background and make dinner every once in a while. We want anybody who has a heart for ministry to work with our young people. Allison hopes that even more of our Junior High students will become involved in youth ministry in the coming year. It s a place where we have fun and learn about our faith, Allison says. There are always snacks and games! It s a place where we can learn together, we can serve people, we can get to know each other and know there are people around you who are Catholic. It s a safe place. We re here to have fun and get to know each other better and get to know our faith better. Upcoming Junior High Youth Ministry Events Contact Allison Norgren for more information! Sunday, Nov. 11, 7-9 p.m. God Blessed the Broken Road movie Wednesday, Nov. 28, 7-8:30 p.m. Go Ask Your Father Sunday, Dec. 9, 12-4 p.m. Cookie Project Wednesday, Jan. 16, 7-9 p.m. Outdoor Ice Skating Sunday, Jan. 27 Diocesan Middle School Rally Each year, our junior high students host a Valentine s Day celebration for local seniors. If you would like more information, or to become involved with the Junior High Youth Ministry program at St. Paul s and Our Lady of the Angels, please contact Junior High Youth Minister Allison Norgren at allisonnorgren@gmail.com. 5
JENNIFER KLAPHAKE Reflects on Her Experiences You might say that singing in the church choir is in Jennifer Klaphake s blood. In fact, it was her mother who first encouraged her to join the St. Alexius choir when Jennifer returned to her native West Union in 2002, after several years away. For Jennifer, who up until then had preferred singing in her car without an audience, it was a daunting proposal! Today, however, she is thankful to have taken that first step in joining the choir more than 15 years ago. It was a little intimidating at first because everyone who is in the choir had been in the choir for so long, Jennifer says. But there were my parents, my sister and my parents friends, so it was kind of a family affair. I love it. Music is part of my family they were up there and asked me to come, and it has really been meaningful. One of the greatest blessings Jennifer has found in her participation in church music is the sense of fellowship created among the choir members as they work together to enrich the liturgical experience for the congregation. What I enjoy most about it really is the people, and also trying to do something new periodically and challenge ourselves, she says. That s exciting, and it also makes the Mass Jennifer Klaphake (right) with youth choir member Giselle Jahner beautiful. I think the right songs open people s hearts and help them engage in the Mass, whether it s something they can sing or just listen to. About three years ago, when our parish was exploring new ways to bring stewardship to life here at St. Alexius, a young girl mentioned that she would like to have the opportunity to participate in a choir. From there, several mothers of young children got together to make the idea of a youth choir a reality. Now, Jennifer helps children provide the music for one Mass a month. Children from reading age through the 12th grade are welcome to participate in the youth choir, and the group has a relaxed, come-asyou-are feel to it. Some of the songs we do are ones that we know they are singing at the school Masses, so we don t have to rehearse, Jennifer says. I have three older girls who sing the responsorials, and they do practice. But we keep it simple, and it s a 6
St. Alexius Our Lady of the Angels St. Paul s in Music Ministry at St. Alexius Jennifer Klaphake (right) with organist Julie Bottelberghe lot of fun. We like for any children to come up and sing with us any time, even if they aren t part of the youth choir. As the mother of three children April, 12; Mason, 10; and Jasper, 5 Jennifer knows well the rewards of getting children involved in the Mass at a young age. The earlier you can get the kids up there singing, the longer they will do it, so we re driving this toward the elementary students, she says. I think when they participate in the choir, they re more in tune with the Mass. They re engaged and they re contributing. They know that if I cry, they ve done really well. Sometimes it s so beautiful, you can t help it! One of the things Jennifer loves about belonging to a small parish is that there are plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved, and even young children are able to develop a sense of ownership in our faith community. Jennifer often lets the choir members choose the songs for Mass a task that her son, Mason, greatly enjoys. As Jennifer points out, actively participating in the Mass brings everyone, young and old, closer to Christ. I think our faith begins to mean more to us when we re part of the Mass, whether it s singing, reading or serving, she says. Our hearts are touched, and we really become a part of things and feel Christ in our hearts. These days, music still remains a family affair. Jennifer is thankful for all of the help her sister, Andrea Borgerding, gives her with the youth choir. And while her mother, who has become non-verbal following a third stroke, can no longer attend Mass, Jennifer feels her presence every time the choir sings her mother s favorite hymn, Hail Mary, Gentle Woman. Jennifer has spent her life worshipping at St. Alexius, and over 15 years participating in our Music Ministry. More than just a parish, she considers our faith community an extension of family. I love these people, and I ve known them my entire life, Jennifer says of her fellow parishioners. There is some beauty and comfort in knowing that your people are there for you. We really are one big family. 7
St. Alexius Our Lady of the Angels St. Paul s Parish Office: 304 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 (320) 352-2196 Return Service Requested Mass Schedule Saturday 4:00 p.m. - St. Paul s Saturday 5:00 p.m. - Our Lady of the Angels Saturday 8:00 p.m. - St. Paul s Sunday 8:00 a.m. - St. Paul s Sunday 8:30 a.m. - St. Alexius Sunday 10:00 a.m. - St. Paul s Sunday 10:30 a.m. - Our Lady of the Angels Reconciliation Schedule Thursday 4:00 p.m. - St. Paul s Saturday 3:00 p.m. - St. Paul s Saturday 4:00 p.m. - Our Lady of the Angels Sunday 8:00 a.m. - St. Alexius In All Things, Give Thanks continued from front cover things back to Him, whether it s her time while doing homework or when working with special needs individuals, or her talent during a basketball, volleyball, or softball game. Now a freshman at Minnesota State University Moorhead, Kenzie is eager to put these principles into practice further as she continues to take ownership of her faith. Being that I no longer have my parents telling me to go to church each week, faith is much more of my responsibility, Kenzie says. I think, in a way, that s kind of making me stronger because it pushes me to actually do it myself to take more of an initiative in my faith. Kenzie looks forward to continuing the faith journey as she more fully transitions into college life, working hard not to take things for granted and to give thanks always for God s many blessings. Kenzie Schmiesing with her high school basketball team Being that I no longer have my parents telling me to go to church each week, faith is much more of my responsibility. I think, in a way, that s kind of making me stronger because it pushes me to actually do it myself to take more of an initiative in my faith. Kenzie Schmiesing