OUR MISSION STATEMENT: Growing In Faith Together (G.I.F.T.) From the Pastor: You have heard me say over the years that we Christians enter Lent on Holy Week with Easter already in our pocket. When we think about the liturgical celebrations planned for this week that makes sense. The journey of faith through the passion and death of Jesus culminates with the triumph of the Resurrection. The blessing of hindsight and years of cycling through these rituals give us a familiar and trusted pattern. However, in daily life, where we try to apply this faith and yield to the same pattern, we are not always so secure that Resurrection is just around the corner at a predictable time. We are just not sure if that relationship that has been under great stress will find a new energy and intimacy in a matter of seven days. We don t know if the job, or business, or economy will turn around so that there will be a financial resurrection. We are not even sure that this long winter s back will be broken and we will be able to wear short sleeves soon. Our mission preacher, Fr. John, encouraged us to trust that God is, indeed, with us and we can anticipate, in God s good timing, a joyful restoration when we come home with all our heart. May our hearts truly be at peace as we entrust ourselves, our families and our church community into the care of our loving God. The weather was a little testy on Monday, but, all-in-all, the AFC Mission went very well. We had good participation and a good response to the Good News that was proclaimed. Thank you to all who contributed by your planning, presence, participation, and prayer. Thank you to the hospitality providers, musicians and ministers in the services. Thanks to all who helped publicize the event and encourage others to come. Thanks to Kay Osborne and the Mission Committee. And thanks especially to Fr. John Mark Ettensohn OMI for his inspiring and knowledgeable proclamation of the Good News. Now we shift to the traditional Holy Week services with greater understanding and greater resolve to live the mysteries that we celebrate. Please check the schedule and make it a part of your retreat to come and share in these special ceremonies. All these rituals shape our thoughts and expectations in order that we can, in good times and in bad, walk by faith in the foot steps of the Lord all the way to Jerusalem and beyond! May Easter come for all of you in God s perfect time, Fr. Phil Schotzko WEEKLY SCHEDULE March 24 31, 2013 Palm Sunday, March 24 8 AM Mass at Nicollet 10 AM Mass (+Francis Dauer) 10 AM Faith Formation Preschool Gr. 1, Multi-Purpose Room (last class) 11 AM Coffee & Rolls, Social Hall 5:30 PM Mass 7 8:30 PM LifeTeen, Social Hall Monday No Service 9 AM Bible Study, Family Room Tuesday 8 AM Mass (+Elle Willaert), Chapel 6:30 PM Choir, Band Room Wednesday 8 AM Mass (+Ashley Leonard), Chapel 8:15 AM School Prayer, Church No Faith Formation Holy Thursday Offices Closed No School No Adoration or Confessions 6 PM Mass at Nicollet 8 PM Mass (+Chuck Millner), St. Peter Good Friday Offices Closed No School 3 PM Services at St. Peter and Nicollet
7 PM Stations at St. Peter and Nicollet Saturday, Easter Vigil 8 PM Mass (Parish Family), St. Peter Easter Sunday, March 31 8 AM Mass at Nicollet 10 AM Mass (+Richard Germscheid) No Coffee & Rolls No Faith Formation HOLY WEEK/EASTER MASS SCHEDULES: Palm Sunday Mass, March 23-24 4:00 PM (St. Peter) 5:00 PM (Nicollet) 8:00 AM (Nicollet) 10:00 AM (St. Peter) 5:30 PM (St. Peter) Holy Thursday Mass, March 28: 6:00 PM (Nicollet) 8:00 PM (St. Peter) Good Friday, March 29: 3:00 PM Service (St. Peter and Nicollet) 7:00 PM Stations (St. Peter and Nicollet) Easter Vigil Mass, March 30: 8:00 PM (St. Peter) Easter Sunday Mass, March 31: 8:00 AM (Nicollet) 10:00 AM (St. Peter) AFC of Apostles Peter and Paul Mission 2013 Thank you for the opportunity to lead you in the parish mission here at the Area Faith Community of the Apostles Peter and Paul. It was a special time of God s presence for me, and I hope that it was for you too. Thank you also for your generosity in furthering our work as Oblates among God s people. My prayer is that you may continue to be open in mind and heart to God s Spirit at work in you, that God may lead you to act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with Him and all people all the days of your life. In God s Peace, Fr. John Mark Ettensohn, OMI ++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Parish Mission Team (Kay Osborne, Sr. Therese Collison, Deacon Steve Spilman, Barbara Frank, and Helen Bremer) would like to send a great big thank you to the Catholic Daughters for the donation of money; to the Nicollet parishioners for the morning coffee and rolls on Tuesday; and to the following people for hosting the various receptions: Marge Miller, Marie Miller, Lil Guenther, Audrey Schmitz, Kathy Schmidt, Judy Pedersen, Sharon Allen, Virginia Borgmeier, and Pat Depuydt, and to all who furnished bars and cookies. Thanks, also, to the various liturgical ministers and choir members who added so much to make our Parish Mission a wonderful experience for all! Coffee and Rolls There will be NO Coffee & Rolls next Sunday, March 31. May you enjoy a blessed and holy Easter with family and friends!!
The Good Friday Collection is special. It is requested by the Holy Father to benefit our Christian sisters and brothers in the Holy Land. You know of the problems in the Middle East. Quite literally the Christian presence in the Holy Land is challenged as never before. The Good Friday Collection is used to help Christians in the Holy Land by providing assistance to the poor, school for children and support for parishes. The collection also helps to preserve the shrines as living faith communities that welcome pilgrims from our country and throughout the world. I urge you to be as generous as your means allow this year when the Good Friday Collection is taken up in your parish. For centuries, Christians have called the Holy Land home. Today, your financial support will help to keep the door to Christianity in the Holy Land open. Thank you for your consideration and your generosity. In Christ, The Most Reverend John M. LeVoir Bishop of New Ulm Considering Loyola for your student? On March 25 and 26, prospective students are welcome to visit Loyola. Then can attend a half day of classes with a Loyola student and enjoy lunch in our cafeteria. There is no cost to the family. Pre-registering is required by calling Amy Klugherz, Advancement Director at 507-3880617 or emailing her at aklugherz@loyolacatholicschool.org. 2013-2014 enrollment has started and financial assistance is available. Take this opportunity to take a look at Loyola. Join Bishop LeVoir on a Trip to Fatima, Portugal; Spain; and Lourdes, France, this September. Bishop John M. LeVoir of the Diocese of New Ulm is leading a pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal; Spain; and Lourdes, France, September 3-13, 2013. There are still spots available for the trip. The cost is $3,295 from the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport. Please call 952-949-0065 if you are interested. For a brochure, visit the diocesan Web site, www.dnu.org. Don t miss out on this exciting, faith-filled trip! DAILY READINGS Monday: Isaiah 42:1-7/John 12:1-11 Tuesday: Isaiah 49:1-6/John 13:21-33,36-38 Wednesday: Isaiah 50:4-9/Matthew 26:14-25 Thursday: Exodus 12:1-8,11-14/1 Corinthians 11:23-26/John 13:1-15 (260) Friday: Isaiah 52:15 53:12/Hebrews 4:14-16;5:7-9/John 18:1 19:42 Saturday: Ex 14:15 15:1/Ex 15:1-6,17-18/Is 55:1-11/Is 12:2-6/Rom 6:3-11/Luke 24:1-12 Sunday: Acts 10:34,37-43/Colossians 3:1-4/Jn 20:1-9 CHURCH OF ST. PETER THRIFT and CONSIGNMENT STORE (507) 931-9150 REGULAR HOURS: Monday Friday: 9 AM 5 PM Saturday: 9 AM 4 PM Easter Décor ½ off this week!! The Thrift Store will be closed on Good Friday, March 29 and will close at 1 PM on Holy Saturday, March 30.
Faith Formation No Faith Formation Classes: March 27 Grades 2-8 LifeTeen Mass: The next LifeTeen Mass will be March 24 th at 5:30 pm. Everyone is welcome. First Communion: April 14 th at 10 am in the church Last Class Information: Grades 2 6: April 24 EDGE: May 1 LifeTeen: May 5 Questions about Faith Formation: Preschool Grade 6: contact Connie Bollum @ connie.bollum@churchofstpeter.org or call 931-3662. EDGE Gr. 7 & 8, LifeTeen Gr. 9-12 and Confirmation Preparation Gr. 11: contact Heather Gilbertson @ heather.gilbertson@churchofstpeter.org or call 931-1628 ext 143. Go to www.churchofstpeter.org faith formation Operation Rice Bowl: Palm Sunday Assisting Our Neighbors:. 25% of contributions to CRS Rice Bowl remain in our diocese, helping to support local poverty and hunger alleviation programs. This week, we pray for people in our own community who struggle with poverty and hunger. Give to your Rice Bowl to support programs that help the poor in our own community, as well as in communities around the world. Thank you for participating in the Operation Rice Bowl this year. WHAT S COMING UP.. Sunday, March 24 St. Peter Lions Club PANCAKE BREAKFAST St. Peter American Legion 8:30 am 12:30 pm Tickets are available at the door. Cost is $$6 for ages 12+; $3 for ages 5-11; and free for under age 5. Sunday, March 24 The Passion of the Christ presented by the Newman Club of Gustavus Wallenberg Auditorium in Nobel Hall, GAC 6:30 pm The film is free and open to the public. Friday, March 29 Good Friday Organ Concert First Lutheran Church, St. Peter 12:15 pm Dr. David Fienen, organist, will present a concert of contemplative organ music featuring music appropriate for the observance of Good Friday by Bach, Pepping, Scheidt, and other church composers. The concert is free and open to all. Saturday and Sunday, April 6-7 The Minnesota Valley Chorale performs Haydn s Mass in G and songs of Night and Might Saturday: 7:30 pm @ Christ the King Lutheran Church, 222 Pfau St., Mankato Sunday: 3:00 pm @St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 632 S. Broad St., Mankato Tickets available from members, The Lighthouse (Mkto), & at minnesotavalleychorale.org. Advance: Adults $12/ Door: $15; Seniors/Students Advance $10/Door $12.
Prayer Ministry Please pray for: Jim & Joan Gockel and family, Annie Meyer, Judi Rae ----------------------------------- IN YOUR CHARITY, please pray for the repose of the souls of Arlene Jokerst, mother of Susie (Mrs. Mike) Miner, who passed away this week in Omaha; and Fr. Stephen Adrian, former pastor at the Church of St. Peter, whose funeral was Saturday in Gilbert, AZ. Our love and prayers are with their families and friends who miss them. May they rest in peace. Can you help?? The Church of St. Peter is looking for 3-4 3 people to usher at the 4 pm (Oct.) and 5 pm (April) Saturday evening Masses. If you are interested, please contact Kay Osborne at 931-1628, 1628, ext. 113. CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS This weekend, March 23-24 is reserved for Membership recruitment and we encourage any lady who would like to join CDA to stop at the registration table in the Narthex that weekend, pick up some information, or ask any questions at that time. Reception of New Members will be in April. Good News TV Channel 7 The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius hosted by Fr. Raymond Gawronski, S.J. In this series, Jesuit Father Raymond Gawronski directs the viewer through a retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Topics include God the creator, sin, discipleship, and the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Episode 13: The Resurrection and Beyond Wednesday, March 27, 9:00 PM Thursday, March 28, 10:00 AM Church of St. Paul March 24, 2013 Pastor - Fr. Philip Schotzko Parish Office/Rectory 507-232-3857 Priest in Residence - Fr. Ed Ardolf Parish Hall/Office 507-232-3897 Parish Administrative Assistant - Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday Deacon Steven Spilman 9:00 am to 12:00 pm LENTEN CONFESSIONS: Church of St. Paul: Before and after daily Mass / Saturdays at 4:00 pm / By Appointment Church of St. Peter: Thursdays - 3:30 pm / Saturdays - 11:00 am CHURCH OF ST. PAUL SUNDAY COLLECTION 3/17/13 Adult - $1,089.00 / Youth - $10.00 / Plate - $48.50 Soup and Sandwich $220.00 / Christmas $100.00 / Easter $15.00 Thanks to all of the men of the parish who participated in another successful breakfast. The food, service, and atmosphere, were great and I m sure those who attended will return again next year. A special thanks to Chuck Gappa for leading the event. Good leadership, like Chuck s, is critical to the success of events like these. The parish owes a big thanks to Chuck for his leadership of the breakfast even though he isn t looking for one. Thanks Chuck! The AFC Mission was very inspiring. Fr. John Mark Ettensohn did a wonderful job of preaching the Good News. Those who chose to attend have a lot to think about and take to prayer. Many people attended and there was room
for more to do so. As I was sitting in St. Peter Church, I got to thinking about the time that I was there and the church was full and how nice that was. I remember looking around and seeing many men my own age along with their families. It was the time a few years ago when Harmon Killibrew came to speak. People came from all over to hear what he had to say. Harmon was a great ballplayer and a real gentleman. He was loved by a lot of people. I had the occasion many years ago to talk with him one on one at Metropolitan Stadium and get his autograph. He was popular and it was his popularity that drew the people. Today, it seems that popularity is fast becoming the most important criteria in our society. We want to be popular. We follow the lead of celebrities when buying clothes and other items. More and more we follow the popular people in politics and public policy too. The mantra too often is If they re popular, they must be right. How far from the truth this is. The Church has been in the business of pursuing truth since its inception. Sometimes it has drifted from its mission but the Holy Spirit has a way of guiding it back. It has not sought popularity. It has matured. We all saw the recent selection of Pope Francis. It was so logical and mature for the group of Cardinals to get together, determine the needs of the Church, and then decide who, among them, was the best qualified to lead to fill those needs. It was the opposite of the most popular being selected. It was done in secret and the objective was choosing the most qualified. If he ends up being popular, fine. If he isn t popular but is a good leader, that s fine. As we approach Holy Week, let s remember that Jesus was a human being, as well as God, who willingly laid it all on the line for love of us. Let s give him the adoration that he deserves as we commemorate the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, his Passion, Suffering and Death on Good Friday, and the Empty Tomb on Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. His efforts on our behalf were infinitely greater than the achievements of Harmon Killibrew. Let s remember that especially this week and thank Jesus for his heroic efforts on our behalf. Deacon Steve TUESDAY: 4:00 p.m. Choir Practice WEDNESDAY: Holy Week No Religious Education Classes THURSDAY: 6:00 p.m. Holy Thursday Mass Bring bells to ring during the Gloria! FRIDAY: 3:00 p.m. Good Friday Service 7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross SUNDAY: 8:00 a.m. Easter Sunday Mass MASS SCHEDULE / INTENTIONS During the winter season, if there is no school or a late start, there will be no Mass. Monday,3/25 - NO Mass Friday,3/29-3:00 pm Good Friday Service Tuesday,3/26-8:00 am - Wenzel and Clara Helget Saturday, 3/30-8:00 pm Easter Vigil @ St. Peter Wednesday,3/27-8:00 am - Vince Dumdei Sunday,3/31-8:00 am - For the Parish Thursday,3/28-6:00 pm - For the Parish MINISTRY OF LITURGY Holy Thursday, March 28 6:00 pm USHERS: Ron and Rick Grommersch, Mark Zins COMMENTATOR: Barb Holmin FIRST READING: Dale Mack SECOND READING: Richard Mayer EME: Dale Mack, Bev Mayer SERVERS: Jon and Riley Mans, Wallace Michels, Justin Rosin, Jill Thompson GIFTS: Paul and Donna Zins GREETERS: Bill and Barb Blashack Good Friday, March 29 3:00 pm Service 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross USHERS: Ron Giefer, Ron Grommersch, Pat Zins COMMENTATOR: Deacon Steve FIRST READING: Ann Schwartz SECOND READING: Richard Mayer PASSION READERS: N = Deacon Steve V = Ann Schwartz EME: Gerry Leonard, Bev Mayer SERVERS: Jenni and Stephen Schwartz GREETERS: Paul and Donna Zins Saturday, March 30, Easter Vigil, 8:00 pm St. Peter Sunday, March 31, Easter Sunday, 8:00 am USHERS: Dave Holcomb, Jerome Peters, Clete Wenner LECTOR/COMMENTATOR: J and C Zins EME: Marlys Wenner, Cyndi Zins SERVERS: Justin Rosin, Jenni and Stephen Schwartz GIFTS: Keith Rosin Family GREETERS: Jake and Cyndi Zins
The sick and/or homebound: God is taking care of you. Fr. Ed Ardolf, Sister Miriam Ardolf, Pam Bernal, LeAnna Brown, Joann Dalrymple, Harvey Dorn, Charlie Epper, Lisa Hackett Family, Darwin Havemeier, Sarah Iverson, Helyna Mack, Gerald Mans, Whitey Mayer, Herman Mettler, Barb Meurer, Shirley Michels, Wally Molitor, Stacy Schultz, Greg Schwartz, Tyler Thompson, Angie and Valerie Weber, Gene Wenner, Rob. We pray for all who are ill or hospitalized. Nursing Home Residents: Rose Marie Zins, Oak Hills Living Center, New Ulm. Lola Freundl, Benedictine In St. Peter Group Homes: Nadine Brown, James Weber, Mary Jo Weber. Assisted Living: Eddie Bauer and Lyman Irrgang, The Wilds of Sand Prairie, St. Peter. Lucy Kozitza, Monarch Meadows, North Mankato. PARISH NOTES: 1. Sunday, June 9 PARISH FESTIVAL 2013! We need 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes for the Big Raffle (and all the rest, too). Please call Jake Zins at 232-3930. 2. MEN S BREAKFAST NOTES: Thank you to the men of our Parish who worked the Men s Breakfast. It was really nice to see all the High School kids who pitched in and helped. A special thanks to everyone who donated toward our Raffle and those who donated money, meat and groceries. Without your generosity we wouldn t be successful. We served 207 breakfasts and sold 279 raffle tickets. With our Catholic Order of Foresters Matching Grant we netted approximately $3,030! Everyone should be very proud of our Church. Thank you, Chuck Gappa 3. Coffee and rolls, originally scheduled for Sunday, April 7, is rescheduled for Sunday, April 21 in celebration of the first anniversary of Deacon Steve s ordination. 4. Living Faith daily devotions booklets for April / May / June are on the tables near the main and east entryways. Please feel free to take one for your personal meditation. 5. I m looking for a half-time Religious Education teacher to share duties with our 1st grade class. If you are interested in helping, please contact me. Deacon Steve