Fr. Steve Binsfeld Our Mission is to know, love, and serve God by living the Eucharist. Promulgated on Pentecost Sunday 2013 The Church of St. Mary 420 Irving Street Alexandria, MN 56308 Parish Office: 320 763 5781 School Office: 320 763 5861 Rel Ed. Office: 320 763 9202 Website: www.stmaryalexandria.org Email: stmary@stmaryalexandria.org Diocese website: www.stclouddiocese.org Office Hours: 7:30 AM 3:00 PM Monday Thursday 7:30 AM 1:00 PM Friday February 4, 2018 THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Dear Friends Lent begins soon February 14 is Ash Wednesday. (You may have to celebrate Valentines Day on Tuesday). There is sign up at the hospitality desk for various liturgical ministry positions that need to be filled. We are offering a Lenten meditation booklet entitled, Finding Hope When Life Hurts. You can pick one of these up at each doorway of the commons area. Our Parish Life Committee is sponsoring a Mardi Gras with a Cajun meal, music and kids games after the 5 PM Mass next Saturday, February 10 from 6 to 8:30 PM. See further announcements in the bulletin. We had a great Movie Night for Grown Up s in the Great Hall some weeks ago as we viewed the comedy, It s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. A good time was had by all. Soon it will be time for the Annual Bishop s Appeal. We will all be receiving a mailing from Bishop Kettler about this important part of our stewardship. Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing what this appeal is about. We belong to a larger church a Diocese and a world community. We are not an island unto ourselves. The Diocese provides various ministries that parishes cannot, and on a different level. For example, the Diocese is currently looking for a Director of Pastoral Planning. We are embarking on a largescale planning process, because in 7 10 years, we will have about 57 priests to serve 131 parishes. Our staff, pastoral council and parish leadership (as well as the priests of our deanery) are working on the response to this question from Bishop Kettler, What substantial recommendation do you have for future planning in your parish or parish cluster? Councils around the Diocese will be submitting their ideas that will help to form a pastoral plan in trying to meet the needs of the People of God and to keep the church vital in our witnessing to Christ. The TV Mass reaches many people who are homebound. The Diocese has a director of Human Services available to assist the many parishes without a business manager, to make sure that we are in line with fair and just hiring practices. Youth rallies, men s and women s retreats.the list can go on. Continued on page 2 Readings for the Week of Feb. 4 th Monday: 1 Kgs 8:1 7, 9 13; Mk 6:53 56 Tuesday: 1 Kgs 8:22 23; 27 30; Mk 7:1 13 Wednesday: 1 Kgs 10:1 10; Mk 7:14 23 Thursday: 1 Kgs 11:4 13; Mk 7:24 30 Friday: 1 Kgs 11:29 32; 12:19; Mk 7:31 37 Saturday 1 Kgs 12:26 32; 13:33 34; Mk 8:1 10 Sunday: Lv 13:1 2, 44 46; Mk 1:40 45 WEEKLY MASS SCHEDULE Daily Mass Server: Tues.& Wed., Gene Burghardt Monday No Daily Mass Tuesday 5:00 PM ++Mr. & Mrs. M.N. Lorsung Wednesday 8:30 AM +Anton Milleker Thursday 7:00 AM No Mass 1:30 Bethany +Monica Baltes Friday 8:30 AM Ollie Grossman Saturday 5:00 PM +Jane Doege Sunday 8:00 AM +For the Parish 10:00 AM +Kathy Berg Sacraments Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday at 4 PM in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel (room behind presider s chair; also has a separate entry) Celebration of Baptism: All parents must take the Baptism Preparation Course before their child s baptism. Sign up by calling the Parish Office. The next course will be offered on March 13 th at 7 PM. Baptism Dates: Feb. 11 th, April 1 st, 7 th, & 15 th. To schedule a baptism on one of these dates, please call the Parish Office. Preparation for Marriage: Members of the parish (or children of members) must arrange for marriage at least 6 months in advance. Information can be received from the Parish Office. Anointing of the Sick: is held on the first Sunday of the month, immediately following the 8:00 AM Mass. Those who wish to be anointed are asked to come to the front of the church. New members to register please stop by our hospitality desk located in the Commons Area of the church or visit our website to complete the registration online.
WELCOME TO THE CHURCH OF ST. MARY 1 LITURGICAL MINISTERS February 10 th & 11 th SATURDAY 5 PM MASS Greeters Team 2 Alice Larson, Jane Johnson, Katie & Daniel Trombley Ushers Team 2 Henry Wessel, David Sternquist, Thomas Lynch, Loren Larson, Mark Johnson, Steven Takle, Roy Nodsle, Harvey Chermak Extraordinary Ministers Team 2 Lector 1 Kimberly Rose Lector 2 Charlotte Hanson Server Julia Wilmesmeier, TBD SUNDAY 8 AM MASS Greeters Team 6 A C.J. Juenger Daas, Patrice Kiefer, Phyllis Kern, Romsemary Flick, Sharon Fyle, Rose Ann Maloney Ushers Team 6 Thomas Haase, Donald Thoennes, Michael Savageau, Ritchie Spindler, Kevin Becker, Arnold Ebert, Dave Close Extraordinary Ministers Team 6 Lector 1 Josh Sanden Lector 2 Jennifer Floding Servers Joshua Kietzmann, Ashton Schlosser SUNDAY 10 AM MASS Greeters 10 A Bettie Reis, Mary Lou Maack, Tom & Jennifer Klecker Ushers Team 10 Richard Woelfel, Glen Klimek, Josh Brummond, Douglas Houska, Clarence Wolf, Austin Klimek, Frank Klimek Extraordinary Ministers 10 Lector 1 Julie Boyle Lector 2 Joseph Korkowski Servers Elizabeth Winter, David Winter DRIVERS February 11 th Bethel Manor Mike Savageau Windmill Ponds Blair Hovel Arabella Manor Mike Baudrau Grand Arbor John Hovel & Ron Boyden HOSPITAL/NURSING HOME February 11 th Hospital Mary Moore Knute Nelson/Nelson Gables Dennis & Julie Barnack Bethany Jan Breun We wish to offer our sympathy and a promise of our prayers to: Family and friends of Gordon Schmidt ATTENTION LECTORS & SERVERS: We are currently working on the schedules for March May. If you have any dates you know you are not available, please contact the Parish Office by February 9 th. ADULT FAITH FORMATION ADULT BIBLE STUDY: Tuesday evenings in the Great Hall immediately following the 5 PM mass. Call Mike at 759 1911 for more info. MEN S BIBLE STUDY: Thursday mornings in the Commons Area of the church at 6 AM. Call Mike at 759 1911 for more info. WOMEN S BIBLE STUDY: This spring we will study Father Gaitley s Divine Mercy in The Second Greatest Story Every Told. Watch for Details. Contact: Tammy 320 808 6404 or Lori 320 808 1145. Email: biblestudywomen@gmail.com ST. MARY S PRAYER LINK: If you have a prayer request, please send to Wosepkak@aol.com or phone Kelly Wosepka at 320 815 4655. You may also call Julie Desautels at 846 1842. All prayer requests will be kept confidential. PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel Rosary: Sundays (before Mass) 7:35 AM & 9:35 AM Holy Spirit Prayer Group: Thursdays 5:30 6:00 PM (rosary in Commons Area) 6 7 PM prayer time in the Chapel. Contact Jim Joerger at 834 2945. Divine Mercy Hour: Mondays from 3 4 PM. Contact Barb Nei at 846 0022. Sanctity of Life Prayer Group: Meets the 1 st Wednesday of every month at 7 PM. Contact Louise Revering at 762 8632. EUCHARISTIC ADORATION, A STEWARDSHIP OF PRAYER. For more information contact Sue McCulloch at 320 491 7006 (call or text); tscamcculloch@charter.net. THE MINISTRY OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION is offered by Craig Hamilton, an experienced, certified spiritual director and parishioner. For an appointment or more information call 612 237 3463 or email craighamilton@careofsouls.org THANK YOU to Francie Peterson, Mary Ellen Lyman and Team 8 for serving the luncheon for the funeral of Gordon Schmidt IMPORTANT: Anyone who has made an appointment for the Blood Drive at St. Mary s in March, please call Janet at 320 763 3381. EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 8 Masses and Communion Services at Grand Arbor will be at 1:30 pm. We will continue to meet on Thursdays. More volunteers are welcome. 320 846 8171. PRAYER CORNER If you or someone you know in our parish community is sick or ill or has a family member who could use our prayers, please call our Parish Nurse, Kathy Fischer, at 762 2320. Please remember the following people in your prayers: Ruth Partington, Ron Hoffman, Chris Ficenec, Ken Judson, Betty Schlosser, Butch (Bruce) Schmidt, Jim Rutten, Scott Addy, Pat Pahl, Ione Grubb, Maureen Bruzik, Ilene Woida, Joel Novak, Glorene Iverson, Joy Guenther, Ryan Beers, Lyle Keller, Emily Trousil, Loretta Wilken, Julie Slavik, Pat Pihaly, Craig Erickson, Dice Ganje, Carol Peterson and Pat Eich.
Fr. Steve s article continued This Appeal is an important one. Please consider a gift or an on going gift when you receive the mailing on the February 22 nd weekend. Fr. Steve PIC TABLE TALK St. Mary s Committee for Justice, Peace, and Integrity is working on the possibility of creating a SISTER/PARISH relationship with a Catholic Church in a disadvantaged country. This initiative on the part of JPIC, reminding us that we are a global church, has received the approval and encouragement of our Parish Pastoral Council. We are presently gathering information from our Diocesan Mission Office and Diocesan Parishes who have already established a SISTER/PARISH relationship. On Tuesday March 13, 6:30 to 8:00 PM IN THE GREAT HALL, Mr. Bill Peterson (executive director of a mission in San Lucas, Guatemala) will visit with the leadership groups in our parish about SISTER/PARISH relationships in Guatemala. If mission work is one of your passions and you would like to join us for this evening please call: Lee Ann Sticha 612 750 0220 or Email: las6369@aol.com or Sr. Rita Van Holtum: 320 221 1435 or Email: ritavanholtum@yahoo.com COMMUNITY NEWS THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BINGO Sunday, Feb. 4 th at 7:00 PM & Wednesday, Feb. 7 th at 2:00 PM at the KC Hall on 6 th Ave E. & Nokomis. Team 7 Ron Pachan, Jerry Glisky, Kevin Freiderich, Paul Maack, and Ron Hoffman will be in charge. THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MONDAY NIGHT MEETING TIME HAS BEEN CHANGED TO 7 PM. Pilgrimage of Faith: You are invited to join us on a Pilgrimage of Faith to multiple shrines in Wisconsin on July 12 15, 2018. The Pilgrimage is open to anyone 18 years of age and older. Travel arrangements and cost will be determined by the number of people going. There will be an informational meeting following St. Olaf s Mass on Sunday, February 18. This is an informational meeting only; no commitment will be needed at this time. If you have questions, please contact Nancy Jennen (701 361 6139) or Diane Grout (218 205 7743). SANCTITY OF LIFE MOMENT: We hold these truths to be self evident that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, and among these life Declaration of Independence Meets the 2 nd Monday of each month from 7:30 8:30 p.m. in the prayer room in St. Mary s School. Please join us! Contact Bruce Becker for more info: 320 759 2003 or bbecker100@gmail.com. Visit St. Mary s Sancitity of Life online at http://sanctityoflife.org/ for information or resources. ST. MARY S MARDI GRAS FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! Hosted by St. Mary s Parish Life Committee, games, food, music, from 6:00 8:30pm (free will offering). Saturday, February 10 th, St Mary s School. If you would like to help, or have any questions, contact Verna Winter at 507 329 0135. 40 DAYS FOR LIFE SPRING CAMPAIGN TO END ABORTION IN ALEXANDRIA MN Join us as your schedule allows at the 40 Days for Life (40DFL) Prayer & Walk Campaign to end abortion, Feb. 14 March 25, 700 Cedar St. Alexandria, use the side street parking. Held each Mon. 11 a.m. 5 p.m. & Wed. 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Signage to carry as walk in silent prayer can be picked up & returned each day at Zion Lutheran Church 300 Lake St., enter through the main entrance, use left doors. Sign up on line https://40daysforlife.com/ click Join Campaign button OR just show up. Can t come please pray alone/with others thru the 40 days. Prayer devotionals are available at the hospitality Commons Area or https://40daysforlife.com/ contact Jim Joerger at 913 972 0161 or 320 834 2945, leave a message or jrjoerger@gmail.com. STEWARDSHIP STEWARDSHIP STARTS WITH PRAYER Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed He told them, Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose I come. Mark 1:35,38 In today s Gospel reading we see a perfect example of stewardship. Jesus gives His time to do all that God wishes, healing the sick and preaching. But before He begins, Jesus makes time to be alone with God in prayer. It is through prayer, spending time with God, that we find the strength to do what He wishes us to do. Be sure to find time every day to be with God. https://giving.archchicaho.org/ DO YOU HAVE A HOUR OR TWO MORE A MONTH TO VOLUNTEER? Are you looking for a rewarding experience? If Yes, we are looking for individuals to bring the Eucharist to the sick at Douglas County Hospital or Bethany Nursing Home. Who can volunteer? This ministry is open to all Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and those who would like to be trained as a Eucharistic Minister. What is the Commitment? Eucharistic Visitors are scheduled approximately once a month. How do I get started? For more information on training and formation: email kfischer@stmaryalexandria.org or call the parish office at 320 763 5781 ext. 203. 2
WELCOME TO THE CHURCH OF ST. MARY 3 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION email: stmreled@stmaryalexandria.org Phone: 763-9202 Castaway 2018 Choose Joy Castaway is a weekend retreat for 9 12 th graders. This is a very popular retreat experience with great motivational talks, small group time, and lots of fun activities. Castaway is Friday Sunday, March 16 18, and the cost is $150. Sign up before February 9 to ensure your spot. Registration forms are available in the Religious Education office. Class Schedule Sunday School: February 11, 9:50 11:00 AM Grades 1 5: February 7, 3:45 4:30 PM Grades 6 11: February 7, 6:30 8:00 PM Sunday School Voices Today we read the story about Noah s Ark. Noah was a man of great faith. He listened to God and led his family to safety. Noah s ark is like our church the ark kept the animals safe and God s church keeps God s people safe. We also learned about men of great faith who help our church: Father Steve, Bishop Kettler, and Pope Francis. JR/SR HIGH FAITH FORMATION Jr. High: This week the 6 th 8 th graders will be continuing their semester on the Sacraments and learning more about the Sacrament of the Eucharist. We will be talking about the scriptural roots of the Eucharist in the Old and New Testaments and hopefully leave with a deeper love of the Eucharist and the Mass. We will also be having our Junior High In house Service Night. The youth will be making sandwiches for the Minneapolis Recreation Development. Our 12 th grade students will be helping them organize and will be there to answer any questions. Sr. High: The 9 th 11 th graders will be having a night on the Sacraments of healing. The Anointing of the Sick and the Sacrament of Reconciliation were given to us through Christ and Christ is present to us in our brokenness and heals our bodies and souls in these Sacraments. HELP US! We are in the process of getting ready for a new parish directory, and before we can get started we need to update our parishioner contact information. This is a big job and you can help us by contacting the parish office at 763 5781 if you have any of the following changes or would like to add additional information: New address Change in your household (spouse, children, adult children should set up own household) Disconnected your land line phone number and now using your cell phone E mail address to receive our bi monthly email communication Photo sessions will begin May of 2018. More information to come. We are looking for volunteers to help parishioners schedule a photo session before and after Masses and/or greet during photo sessions. Please contact Laurie at 763 9202 if you are interested or have questions. MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE LIVING STATIONS: After the 10:00 AM Mass, meet in the Great Hall Feb. 4,11,18 & 25 for rehearsals. All are welcome! Performances are March 2 & 3 at 7:00 PM. Whatever your talent is we can use you. Come and be a part of this great Lenten Devotion. If you did not make it to the organizational meeting you are still welcome to come. Contact Bonnie Bromen at 320 763 9429 for more information. SICILY AND MALTA CALLS: We have 4 spaces left for this wonderful trip to beautiful, warm and historic Sicily and Malta. Mass every day in historic and local churches. Wine tasting and other experiences included. Time to explore and enrich! I d love to fill this with people from my parish. Call Magi Travel at 952 949 0065. Brochures available in the Commons Area or Parish Office. Fr. Steve
4 ST. MARY'S SCHOOL St. Mary's School educates the whole child within a nurturing Catholic Christian environment. Email: stmaryss@stmaryalexandria.org Phone: 320 763 5861 Fax: 320 763 7992 CALENDAR RAFFLE WINNERS JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2018 January 28 Pat Dummer, Alexandria $35 January 29 Becca Ridler, Willmar $20 January 30 Jane Close, Alexandria $20 January 31 Ashlie Bradley, Alexandria $20 February 1 Ryan Rosengren, Alexandria $100 February 2 Janelle Moreno, Alexandria $20 February 3 Jan Duhnke, Alexandria $20 SCHOOL HAPPENINGS No Morning Bus Service on Wednesday, February 7. Dear Parishioners, For the 21 st year, students from St. Mary's School participated in the National Geography Bee. After a schoolwide competition in January, students from grades 4 6 were narrowed down as finalists. The school finalists for the 2018 National Geography Bee were: Emily Barten Julian Nelson Selby Olson Sailor Peterson David Winter Michael Christiansen Aubrie Johnson Hunter Sellnow Brett Thornburg Julian Ramos On Wednesday, January 17 th the finalists competed amongst themselves and after a very challenging contest, Julian Ramos earned top honors as the St. Mary's School Geography champ. As the school level champion, Julian will now advance to the next level of competition, which is a written examination. He is eligible to win the national championship and first prize, a $25,000 college scholarship at the national competition in Washington, D.C. Congratulations to all the finalists and good luck, Julian, with the next stage of the competition! Mr. Sladek Calendar Raffle Tickets are available! Tickets can be purchased after Mass in the Commons area or at the School Office. It s a great way to have some fun and support St. Mary s School at the same time! Watch for your name on this page in the bulletin every week. Winners for every day of the year are posted along with the amount they have won. If you see your name, you will be receiving a check in the mail! What is JRLC Joint Religious Legislative Coalition? JRLC is the largest and most inclusive public interest group in Minnesota people of diverse bringing vision and wisdom to the public realm for the well being of Minnesotans. JRLC is authorized and governed by four Sponsoring Members: the Minnesota Catholic Conference, the Minnesota Council of Churches, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, and the Islamic Center of Minnesota. The JRLC Legislative Network involves over 8,000 faithful citizens and volunteers who act upon timely action alerts and issues briefings, and organize to shape public policy. On March 13 th, JRLC will convene its Day on the Hill where participants will be briefed on social justice issues and visit members of the legislature. St. Mary s will once again send interested parishioners to this event. For more information, please contact Ken Howell at 763 6224. ADDRESS CHANGE FOR THE CHURCH OF ST. MARY: We will no longer be using the mailing address of PO Box 669. All correspondence will need to be addressed to 420 Irving St. Alexandria MN 56308. If you have automatic contributions sent to the PO Box 669 address, please make the change. Thank you.
5 LITURGICAL & MUSICAL NOTES How to get more Out of the Mass by Putting More of Yourself into It! Part III: Eucharistic Prayer and Communion Eucharistic Prayer When the priest says, Lift up your hearts, imagine you are holding up your heart and offering it to God with joy. Continue to offer yourself to God during the prayer and join fully in the sung or spoken responses. As the priest holds his hands horizontally over the bread and wine, calling down the Holy Spirit to change them, feel yourself being drawn spiritually into the Transubstantiation. Remember and Visualize Jesus and the Last Supper during the Words of Institution, the Church around the world in all places and times, the saints and angels and know they are all present, right now, at this Mass. When the priest holds up the Body and Blood, be mindful that Jesus said, This IS my Body and This IS my Blood and know his presence is truly in them. Pray the Our Father fully mindful of each phrase and how it affects your daily life. Be grateful for the Bread of Life you are about to receive. Communion As the ministers prepare, open your heart to what you are about to receive. Join in the song before and as you come forward; if you know it well, sing in the processional line. Come forward, reverently, bowing before receiving each element, and let your Amen be firm and heart felt. You are saying yes to Jesus. Go back to your seat, kneel or sit, and join in the song. This is not the time for ME and Jesus but for the praise of the whole community. After the song, while the Eucharist and vessels are being purified and put away, is the time to let Jesus know the full extent of your gratitude. Thank him. Pray that what you have received will change and strengthen you to carry out the part of the Mission of the Church that God has entrusted to you in your family, your workplace, and community. All rights reserved. Used with permission. FINANCIAL GIFTS Collection for the Weekend of January 28, 2018 Actual Budgeted Sunday Envelope $ 18,412.40 $ 29,941.18 Loose $ 1,338.46 $ 2,115.38 Sunday Children $ 155.28 $ 115.38 A more detailed report may be viewed at the Parish Office. PARISH STAFF Pastor Steve Binsfeld 763 5781 Parish Business Administrator Todd Wentworth 763 5781 Director of Music and Liturgy Laurie Youngers 763 5781 Parish Nurse Kathy Fischer 762 2320 School Principal & Elem. Religious Ed Troy Sladek 763 5861 Logistics Coordinator Laurie Bienias 763 9202 Coordinator of Youth Ministries & Confirmation Gina Pohlen 763 9202 COMMITTEE CHAIRS Parish Trustees Elmer Kobbermann 834 3103 Francie Peterson 320 360 0325 Pastoral Council President Steve Russell 218 943 5191 Finance Committee Mike Dolan 763 4705 Board of Education Francie Peterson 320 360 0325 Liturgy Committee Laurie Youngers 763 5781 Committee for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Tammy Boushek 760 5405 Parish Life Committee Verna Winter 507 329 0135 Cemetery Committee Leon Breun 320 763 5781 CARING & SHARING ROOM 320 760 8084 PASTORAL COUNCIL President: Steve Russell Vice President: Mike Sponsler Secretary: Sonya Skinner Megan Bristow, Tammy Huss, Dan Hillback, Dawn Houska, Mary Jane Reif, Tabatha Odens.