A dvent 2017 St. Bridget Catholic Church From the Pastor The summer flew by, and I can t believe it is November already. Fall is a time of reflection for me and where my life has been and where it is headed. I nsi de this i ssue: From the Pastor 1 [Jesus said,] Much is required from the person to whom much is given; much more is required from the person to whom much more is given. Luke12:48 In his book Through Seasons of the Heart, John Powell writes: God sends each person into this world with a special message to deliver, with a special song to sing.. with a special act of love to bestow. This raises a question: How do I discover what my special song, message, or act of love is? God has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next [Therefore] I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, may sickness may serve him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve him God does nothing in vain. O my God, I put myself without reserve into your hands. John Henry Newman (From VISION by Mark Link, S.J.) So what is your mission? My mission is clearer at times than others. I just have to trust God will use me the way God wants. It is not about me but Christ working through me. Faith Put Into Action - St. Bridget Parish School Celebrations of the Season A Look at Fall at St. Bridget A Closer Look at RCIA & Welcome new members Upcoming Events at St. Bridget 2 3 4 5 6 Behind the Scenes: Lighting the Advent Wreath Advent is a special time of year for friends, family and parish life at Saint Bridget. This year will be no different. In addition to Masses throughout the season, there are other ways to live in the spirit of Advent. We have many long-time traditions at Saint Bridget such as the lighting of the Advent Wreath at masses. We use the Advent wreath as a way to prayerfully reflect on the passage of the Advent season. St. Bridget s Advent Wreath will be lit on the first Sunday of Advent, at which time it will be blessed and one candle lit. The lighting of candles on our wreath is a reminder of Jesus Christ, the Light who has come into the world through his birth and who continues to shine brightly through his church. Individuals, couples or families volunteer to light our advent wreath at the beginning of each Mass during Advent. Many families enjoy partaking in this tradition as a way to prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ. One family shared the following sentiments about lighting the wreath: I think it s important to have family traditions. This is a tradition that we started when the boys were young and I feel it is important to continue it. There are many traditions that we do outside of church around Christmas and I think it s important to bring it all back to the church and the meaning of Christmas. It is a fun and easy way to be part of the Mass. -Erica and Matt Herink and Family
Page 2 Faith Put Into Action: St. Bridget Parish School - 8th Grade Celtic Games The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matt 25:40). Each year St. Bridget 8th grade students undertake a major service project that provides the opportunity for students to selflessly put their faith into action. Under the leadership of Mr. Mike Leary, 8th grade homeroom teacher and Middle School Religion & Social Studies teacher, students research several charitable organizations and determine which charity they would like to support through their Celtic Games fundraiser. The eighth grade class plans the games to be offered, personally solicit donations for the raffle from River Falls businesses, and make posters encouraging younger students to attend the event. Parents and volunteers also help by donating raffle items, baking sweet treats for the cake walk, or lending a hand in the kitchen with concessions. Teachers may choose to participate in a fun game called Throw a wet sponge at a teacher. The Middle School as a whole works throughout the event, setting up and taking charge of the games: face painting, henna tattoos, bowling, cake walk, free throw shot, bean bag toss, ping pong toss, Sponge a Teacher, and selling raffle tickets. Following the event, with Mr. Leary s guidance, the students take care of clean-up, counting the money, and celebrating their accomplishment. Parents come in with their children and buy tickets in order to play exciting games or get great tasting food! The children are always running around the gym with smiles, ready to play the next game or eat another treat they won at the cake walk. They can get a cute cat painted on their face, or maybe try their luck at Spin the Wheel. Enter the raffle and you may win all sorts of things! Families really enjoy the Celtic Games because there is something there for everyone. This year the 8th Grade selected Sharing & Caring Hands in Minneapolis as the charity to benefit from their service project. $700 was raised during Celtic Games, and will be presented to Mary Jo Copeland in person when the Middle School students tour the facility in November. As part of the 8th Grade Reading course of study, students learn of Mary Jo s life as they read the book, Great Love: The Mary Jo Copeland Story. Dedicated to the homeless, needy, lonely, and broken, Sharing & Caring Hands is a charitable organization run by Mary Jo Copeland, a woman who, despite her painful past, has so much love in her heart that she gives to everyone she can. Mary Jo follows the example of Jesus, washing the feet of the poor, providing shelter, clothing, and food. Some call her Minnesota s Saint Theresa. We know that there are many people in this world who need help. Even the slightest action could bring a smile, brighten someone s day, and make a difference. The Celtic Games fundraiser is more than a school event. It is an opportunity for Middle School students to develop organizational and leadership skills, research area charities, reflect on what it means to help others, provide an evening of fun for younger students, and actively create an event that will benefit those in need. This project provides an opportunity for students to put what they have learned at St. Bridget Parish School into action: by caring and actively doing something positive for others. Contributing student authors: Claire Stewart and Elizabeth Leary Mr. Leary being sponged!
Page 3 Celebrations of the Season Feast of the Immaculate Conception Friday, December 8: 9 a.m. Decorating the Church for Christmas Sunday, December 17 - after 11 a.m. Mass Christmas Eve - Sunday, December 24 3:00 p.m. - Mass at St. Bridget, River Falls 5:00 p.m. - Mass at St. Mary, Hammond 7:00 p.m. - Mass at St. Bridget, River Falls 10:30 p.m. - Mass at St. Bridget, River Falls Preceded by 10 p.m. Adult Choir Concert Christmas Day - Monday, December 25 8:30 a.m. - Mass at St. Bridget, River Falls 10:30 a.m. - Mass at St. Mary, Hammond Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God - Tuesday, January 1 8:00 a.m. - Mass at St. Bridget, River Falls 2017 Advent Reconciliation Schedule Tuesday, November 28: 7:00 p.m. (Communal Penance Service at St. Bridget) Tuesday, December 5: 4:30-5:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 5: 7:00 p.m. (Communal Penance Service at St. Mary s Immaculate Conception - Hammond) Wednesday, December 6: 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (Communal Penance Service at Immaculate Conception - New Richmond) Tuesday, December 12: 4:30-5:00 p.m. Friday, December 15: 7:30-7:50 a.m. Tuesday, December 19: 4:30-5:00 p.m. St. Bridget Parish School Christmas Program Thursday, December 14: 6:30 p.m. (St. Bridget Parish School Gym) Behind the Scenes: Lighting the Advent Wreath (continued from front page) (continued on page 3) We invite all parishioners to consider helping to light our advent wreath as a way to help prepare your heart for the birth of Jesus. If you are interested in lighting the advent wreath during Mass, you can volunteer by calling the c h u r c h office or signing up at the Inform a t i o n Desk.
Page 4 A Peek into the Fall Season at St. Bridget Second Annual Block Party First Reconciliation Learning Centers Apple Orchard Fun with St. Bridget School Pre -K Students
Page 5 A Closer Look at RCIA Rite of Acceptance, Candidate, Catechumen, Dismissal, Sponsor What do all these terms mean? This year we have six candidates and one catechumen journeying to full initiation into the Catholic faith at the Easter Vigil. They have chosen to grow deeper in relationship with God and this community of believers in the Catholic Faith. On December 3 at the 9:30 a.m. mass we will receive t h r o u g h t h e R i t e o f A c c e p t a n c e t h e f o l l o w i n g c a n d i d a t e s a n d catechumen into the RCIA process: Catechumen Rich Jorgensen, sponsor Brian Baschnagel; Candidates Terry Ewy, sponsor Larry Schultz; Brandon Steffensen, sponsor EmmaLeah Trandahl; Austin Mahanke, sponsor Ken Bodin; Andrew Cooan, sponsor Dan Rubenzer; Olivia Kessler, sponsor Lauren Morris; Tara Blonigen, sponsor Craig Blonigen. What is the difference between candidate and catechumen? The candidate is the person who has been baptized but is seeking full initiation into the church with reception of Eucharist and Confirmation. The catechumen is non baptized and seeking full initiation with all three sacraments. Each year candidates and catechumens are asked to have a person to journey closely with them in this process. Often they come with someone who has already agreed to this and other times we invite parishioners to join in this opportunity. The sponsor participates in weekly gatherings and liturgical rites to support and pray with them as they move toward full reception. Sponsors often share that this journey deepens their own faith as they grow in relationship and knowledge. As these seekers continue forward in their journey toward reception into the church, it should serve as a reminder to all of us of the continued journey of faith we all travel. Reception of the sacraments is not a prize or a task to complete; rather it is the beginning of a long term, on-going, relationship with Jesus and the awesome opportunity to enter more fully into that relationship with God. On December 3, in addition to the Rite of Acceptance, these seekers begin to enter more deeply into our Sunday scriptures with what is known as Dismissal. During this time the candidates and catechumen will join us in our Sunday worship. After the Homily, they will be dismissed with a facilitator to discuss more deeply the scriptures helping them to grow deeper in the love and compassion of Jesus as they wait patiently to join in the celebration of Eucharist at the Lord s Table. As a parish community I ask you to continue to pray for these candidates, catechumen, sponsors and team as we all journey to a deeper love and desire to live out our faith and calling as Baptized believers. Jodie Rubenzer, Spiritual Growth and Discipleship Welcome to St. Bridget We would like to welcome these new parishioners (since August 2017) to our St. Bridget Family. We are excited to have you journey with us! Kelly and Matthew Widule Lilly Terry Harris Sue O'Connor Kevin and Sabrina Deiss Sawyer Amy and Justin Hamlin Lucas, Cole, Violet Jen and Kris Novak Tyler and Brookelyn Kristen and Ben Csiacsek Annemarie, Josie, Jameson Sarah Robole Kegan and Brittni Meyer Kierra Eicher Grover Doebel
St. Bridget Catholic Church 211 E. Division Street PO Box 86 River Falls, WI 54022 Non-Profit Organization US Postage PAID Permit No. 62 River Falls, WI Phone: 715-425-1870 Fax: 715-425-1871 E-mail: recept@stbparish.com Save the Date: Be sure to mark your calendar for these upcoming events! November Listen! An invitation to Lectio Divinia with the Gospels of Advent Wednesdays Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22 9:00-10:00 a.m. RSVP to Jodie at jrubenzer@stbparish.com or call 715-307-2524 December 12/2 Holiday Happenings Craft sale 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The annual craft show will be held in the St. Bridget Parish School Gym. Come get a start on your Christmas shopping! 12/3 Baptism Class for Your First Child 1:00 p.m. Class is held in the Garden View Room at St. Bridget. Parents are to attend this class prior to scheduling a baptism. To register, email recept@stbparish.com or call St. Bridget church office. 12/12 The Gathering Christmas Tea 11:00 a.m. Join us (those 60 and up) for live entertainment and Christmas Tea featuring seasonal foods and beverages. 12/25-12/29 Church offices closed for Christmas break. January 1/9 The Gathering 11:00 a.m. Join us (those 60 and up) to learn more about the basics of CPR. More details to come. 1/27 Life in the Spirit Join us for prayer, music, talks, reflection, reconciliation and Mass beginning at 8:00 a.m. at St. Bridget. Stay tuned in future bulletins for more information. February 2/24 St. Bridget Parish School Gala Stay tuned for more details, including the announcement of the theme! St. Bridget Parish Mission Statement St. Bridget Catholic Church is a Christian Community which exists to continue the mission of Jesus Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As such, we are committed to working for the coming of God's Kingdom. We accomplish this through worship, community life, Christian education and service to those who are in need.