The Church of St. Gerard Majella THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OCTOBER 29, 2017 ADDRESS 9600 Regent Avenue North Brooklyn Park, MN 55443-1499 OFFICE HOURS Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday: CLOSED EUCHARIST Saturday 5pm, Sunday 8:30, 10:30 am WEBSITE: www.st-gerard.org Like us on FACEBOOK St. Gerard s Youth TWITTER handle: @StGerardYM St. Gerard s Youth INSTAGRAM: @StGerardYouth Parish Office: 763-424-8770 Fax Number: 763-424-4327 Faith Formation: 763-424-8600 PASTORAL Services Rev. Thomas Santa, C.Ss.R. - Parochial Administrator Rev. Tuan Pham, C.Ss.R. Bro. Bruce Davidson, C.Ss.R. Rev. Matthew Bonk, C.Ss.R. Rev. Patrick Keyes, C.Ss.R. Barbara Staats - Business Administrator Anne Tiller - Pastoral Minister Amy Wittak- Liturgical Ministry Tim Smith - Dir. of Liturgical Music Colette O Brien - Communications Judy Foster - Dir. of Faith Formation Emily Wenner - Youth Faith Formation Coordinator Heidi Schleif - Preschool & Elementary Coordinator All Are Welcome! We are a Catholic community striving to love God and our neighbors. No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here! Who Am I To Judge? --Pope Francis SUPPORT Services Sue Czerniak - Secretary/Receptionist Dianne Goodwin - Secretary/Receptionist MAINTENANCE Services Dennis Potvin - Maintenance Operator Roger Popham - Custodian Hearing Assistance Devices are available at the Sound Desk in the Church. Low-Gluten hosts are available. Please call the parish office for more information.
The Church of St. Gerard A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR This past week was a wonderful week at St. Gerard s for all of us. The staff was able to spend another day together in planning meetings. These meetings are so vitally important for the staff in order to effectively plan and respond to the particular needs of our parish community. It also gives each of us a chance to check-in with each other, better understand the individual ministries that we are each entrusted with, and as a team better focus our attention on what needs to be done. Unfortunately, Roger Popham our custodian was unable to attend since he remains away from the parish dealing with a health issue. Our prayers are certainly with him as we all hope for a quick recovery. I also met this past week with the Finance Council and with the Parish Council to review where we are as a parish community and together to discern where we might better focus our energy and efforts. I shared with the Finance Council the great progress that we are making with the special fund raising effort in support of the new projection system for the church. As of this writing you will see (at the end of this column) that we are only a few thousand dollars away from our ultimate goal. I hope we reach the goal quickly because there will be a sense of both satisfaction and accomplishment. It is a good thing to see a project start and come to a successful conclusion in a reasonable period of time. I have also initiated beginning conversations with the Parish Council on some shared projects that we can engage that will contribute to our continued growth and development as a parish family. It is not a secret or for that matter a surprise to anyone that with the struggles over the last few years we have lost some of our membership. Although this is completely understandable it does not mean that we should not try and engage friends, family, and even former parishioners to give St. Gerard another look. There is still dynamism and energy in this parish community and it is something that we can all be proud of. Sometimes all it takes is an invitation to a person or a family and that sincere invitation from someone whom they know and love is all it takes. Our communications coordinator, Colette O Brien, is making sustained progress with our new parish web page and also with our new parish App. Both projects continue to be on pace for a November launch. We are all excited about these two projects, and the new information video screen in the gathering space that will soon be installed, because they are all ways to enhance our shared communication. In our community there is no one communication platform that is effective to reach everyone; a variety of platforms is required in order to keep everyone as informed as possible. This should come as no surprise to anyone since all of us access a variety of different communication platforms each day without giving them much of a thought. It isn t until a power outage that we even pay attention and realize our familiarity and The Church of St. Gerard dependence on these devices. Long gone are the days when an announcement in the bulletin or from the pulpit are the primary means for communication. That is all for this week. As the leaves fall and the air becomes a little more crisp each day we are reminded of God s life and creation that surrounds us. Take a little time each day to appreciate the creative energy and symphony of sights and sounds that are on display. It is good to give thanks to the Lord! Rev. Thomas M Santa, C.Ss.R. For the Redemptorist Community and the staff that serves you. SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS Celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints, a Holy Day of Obligation, on Wednesday, November 1. Masses will be at 8:30am and 7:00pm. COMMEMORATION OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED We will celebrate the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls) with a 7:00pm mass on Thursday, November 2nd. If you have lost a loved one, please consider attending by contacting the office at 763-424-8770. If you have lost a loved one within the past year and would like to acknowledge that loved one with a candle, please let the office know that as well. WEDDING BANNS Theresa Nguyen and Tony Tran will be married at The Church of St. Gerard Majella on Saturday, November 4th, 2017. We pray for God s richest blessings on this couple as they begin their married life together. PROJECTOR DONATIONS - THANK YOU! New Projector Donations Goal: $25,000 As of Monday, October 23: $23,250 Thank you for your generosity! NEW ST. GERARD WEBSITE & APP COMING SOON! We are excited to announce a new mobile-friendly website and app for the Church of St. Gerard! (To be released late 2017!) The new website will feature our activities calendar, online forms and donations, bulletins and homilies, photo gallery, news/events, ways to get involved, and much more! The app will include prayer and educational resources, GPS directions, prayer journal, Rosary counter, and access to our facebook page and new website. Look for more information to come in the bulletin and on our facebook page!
Justice and Outreach ANGEL TREE PROJECT Once again, our parish will participate in the Angel Tree Project. If you are a parishioner or know a parishioner in need of assistance this Christmas, please contact the parish office for information. Parish family requests must be submitted by November 10. Angels will be hung on the trees the weekend of November 18-19. Instructions sheets will be available to explain the different colored angels. ALL gifts need to be returned by December 9. We are unable to direct late gifts to their recipients. SHARING AND CARING HANDS St. Gerard s prepares and serves lunch at Sharing and Caring Hands every first Saturday of the month. Our next date is Saturday, November 4. No need to sign up, just come on Saturday morning at 9:00am to St. Gerard s kitchen and help prepare the food. Then at 10:50am help pack up the food, take it to Sharing and Caring Hands on 7th Street (Minneapolis), and help serve at 11:30am. Questions, call John at 763-561-3841. EYEWITNESS TO CLIMATE CHANGE On Sunday, November 12, Will Steger will give a presentation on Climate Change at the Church of St. Timothy, 707 89 th Avenue NE, Blaine 55434. The program begins at 6:30 pm. Will Steger is a formidable voice calling for understanding and the preservation of the Arctic and the Earth. Best known for his legendary polar exploration, Mr. Steger has traveled tens of thousands of miles by kayak and dogsled, leading teams on some of the most significant polar expeditions in history. Free will offering will be taken. FUNERAL HOSPITALITY MINISTRY NEEDS YOU! Volunteers are needed to help with funeral luncheons. You can help serve lunch or help with cleanup. Time commitment is about 2-3 hours. If you are looking for a meaningful way to give back and help families during a difficult time, this is the ministry for you. Teens and up welcome to get involved. For more information contact Anne Tiller at annet@st-gerard.org or 763-424-8770 ext 120 PRE-PLANNING FUNERAL MATERIALS AVAILABLE If you would like to make some pre-planning funeral arrangements for yourself or a loved one, contact Anne Tiller at annet@st-gerard.org or 763-424-8770 to receive materials for planning a funeral service, including selections for Scripture readings and for appropriate music. COMMUNION FOR THE HOMEBOUND If you are a parishioner, or know of a parishioner, who is homebound and would like to receive Communion regularly, contact Anne Tiller, at 763-424-8770 ext. 120 or email annet@st-gerard.org. Faith Formation PRAYER PARTNERS Our First Eucharist/Reconciliation and Confirmation students need your prayers! Sign up to be a prayer partner and support a student through prayer during their Sacramental year. You are also welcome to send them notes of encouragement during the year and be present when they receive their Sacrament. Sign up in the gathering space, or contact Emily Wenner to get involved as a prayer partner. FIRST RECONCILIATION/EUCHARIST MEETING The first parent/child meeting for First Reconciliation prep will be on Monday, October 30 from 6:00-7:15pm in St. Francis Hall. At least one parent is expected to attend with each child. This meeting is for children in Monday evening classes as well as Generations of Faith Families. Contact Judy Foster with any questions at 763-424-8770. WOMEN AND WINE Come enjoy an evening of community as we enjoy wine and hors d oeuvres as we explore the lives of influential women in our Church. Guest speaker Christine Sorensen will present Walking With Saints on Friday, November 3, 7:00-8:30 pm in the Atrium. All women are welcome! Suggested donation $10. For more info, contact Judy Foster or visit www.st-gerard.org (Upcoming Events/News). RCIA The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults begins our Journey of Faith on Thursday, November 9 at 6:30 pm. If you or someone you know are interested in receiving the sacraments not received at traditional ages, contact Judy Foster at the parish office, 763-424-8770, very soon. The sessions run weekly until late April, 2018. Also, this offering is a wonderful overview of the faith. All are welcome to attend! COFFEE AND CONVERSATION - NOVEMBER The next presenter for "Coffee and Conversation, November 14, will be Judy Foster. She will be speaking on The New Evangelization and Discipleship initiative put forth by the Catholic Conference of Bishops and the new paradigm of the Catholic Church: Faith starts with nurturing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Presentation follows daily mass. MIDDLE SCHOOL LOCK-IN Attention all 6th-8th graders: Join hundreds of other youth for a lock-in at the Maple Grove Community Center on Friday, December 15th! There will be inflatables, skating, swimming, dodge ball, pizza, awesome prizes, and much more! Permission forms are available by the faith formation bulletin board and on the youth ministry website, or contact Emily Wenner to get signed up.
This Week at St. Gerard s INTENTIONS MON-FRI 8:25 AM - Eucharist & Liturgy of the Hours TUE 9:00 AM - Perpetual Help Devotion MONDAY, OCTOBER 30 8:25 am - Communion Service TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31 8:25 am - Jake Fischer WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1 8:25 am - ALL SAINTS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2 8:25 am - ALL SOULS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3 8:25 am - Clausen Family SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4 5:00 pm - Jack Fischer SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 8:30 am - Grace Onuoha 10:30 am - Heinrich Henry Kaeferlein PLEASE PRAY for the sick and ailing members of our parish community, and all those in our Parish Prayer Book. Also remember those loved ones who have died. PARISH EVENTS MONDAY, OCTOBER 30 6:00 pm - Elementary Faith Formation 6:00 pm - First Reconciliation Meeting 7:15 pm - Elementary Catechist Check In 7:30 pm - Boy Scouts TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31 9:00 am - Perpetual Help Devotion 9:30 am - Womens Prayer/Support Group 7:30 pm - Regent AA WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1 8:30 am - Eucharist (All Saints Day) 9:00 am - Eucharistic Adoration 6:00 pm - EDGE Middle School Classes 6:00 pm - Safe Environment (Mid School) 7:00 pm - Eucharist (All Saints Day) THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2 10:00 am - Cornerstone Scripture Study 6:00 pm - Centering Prayer 7:00 pm - Eucharist (All Souls Day) FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3 7:00 pm - Women & Wine SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4 9:00 am - Sharing & Caring Hands 4:00 pm - Private Confessions 5:00 pm - Eucharist 5:00 pm - KC Soup Supper SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 8:30 am - Eucharist 8:30 am - Liturgy of the Word - Children 10:30 am - Eucharist 10:30 am - Liturgy of the Word - Children 10:30 am - Pre-K FF Classes 12:00 pm - Baptisms 6:00 pm - Safe Environment (Hi School) 6:00 pm - Confirmation 7:30 pm - Confirm Catechist Check In 7:30 pm - High School Youth Group READINGS FOR NOVEMBER 5, 2017 31st Sunday in OT Mal 1:14B-2:2B,8-10 1 Thes 2:7B-9,13 Matthew 23:1-12 SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Baptisms are celebrated 2 weekends per month. Please call the Parish Office to schedule a date and register for the preparation class. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturday at 4:00 pm or any time by appointment. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Parishioners planning to celebrate their marriage should contact the parish office at least six months prior to the desired date. QR CODE
Community Announcements ADVENT TEA - NOVEMBER 19 Filled With Joy: Advent Tea is November 19 from 2-4 pm. Ladies, please join us as a table host and invite your guests or simply be our guest and we will host you. Information and registration will be after masses on the weekends of October 28-29 and November 4-5. Contact Ardell Johnson at 763-424-8063 with questions. PARISH SNOW/ICE REMOVAL We're looking for a few good folks to join us removing ice and snow from the parish sidewalks during the weekends of this upcoming winter. Your commitment would be to work as part of a team for one weekend (Friday night through Sunday noon) per month, from November through March. For the past few winters, most teams were never used at all but we still need to have folks available. If you feel the urge to enjoy the outdoors and get some good exercise, we'd love to have you. Individuals, couples, fathers/ sons, mothers/daughters, teens who need service hours are all welcome to help. For more information or to volunteer, call Dave Brom at 763-560-8845 or email, bahamamama3@comcast.net. WELCOME COMMITTEE NEEDS YOUR HELP! Have an idea on a new way to make guests, visitors, and parishioners feel welcome at our church? The Welcome Committee would like to hear about it! Submit your idea(s) to Gayle at don.chapman1@comcast.net and you could win a Caribou Gift Card! FLU SHOTS FOR VIETNAMESE Chương trình chích ngừa miễn phí cho người Việt cho hai Giáo xứ Thánh Alphôngsô và Thánh Giêrađô. Địa điểm chích ngừa: tại Giáo xứ Thánh Alphôngsô (7025 Halifax Ave N., Brooklyn Center). Thời gian: vào ngày 3 tháng 12 năm 2017., từ 10 sáng đến 1 giờ chiều. KC WILD RICE SOUP SUPPER The St. Gerard s Knights of Columbus will be selling their delicious Wild Rice Soup following the 5:00 pm Mass on Saturday, November 4. If you prefer, dine with us in the hard floor area after Mass. Remaining soup will be for sale following the 8:30 am Mass on Sunday, November 5. CHRISTMAS - A TIME TO REMEMBER The St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery Committee is selling wreaths to place on the gravesite of your loved one. The wreaths are 25 Natural Balsam Fir with a red bow, pine cones and silver accent spray. The cost is $35 which includes the stand and wreath, placing the wreath on the gravesite, and discarding the wreath. Order forms can be found online at www.saintvdp.org, or by calling the St Vincent parish office at 763-425-2210, or by emailing churchinfo@saintvdp.org. Orders due by October 29. BENILDE-ST. MARGARET S KNIGHTSBRIDGE BOUTIQUE BSM Knightsbridge Boutique Event will be Saturday, November 4 from 10 am 3 pm. More than 60 boutique-style merchants. For more details visit www.bsmschool.org/knightsbridge