Thank you to all who helped with the Farewell Party. I felt deep honor, as did my mother and sisters. Thank you to those who prepared food, served, cleaned, etc. Thanks, too, for the generous donation to Pennies for Seminarians - your gifts totaled almost $1050. I am trying to send "thank you"s to those that sent/gave a card, but ran into a small 'glitch' - I thought I had plenty, but ran out. Please be patient as I get more (but it may be a few weeks).
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Monday, June 24, 2013
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Pastor's Notes for June 23
Dear Parishioners,
Congratulations to Haylee Jean Williams, daughter of Ski and Naomi Williams who was baptized last weekend at OLV.
After 6 wonderful years, this is my last weekend in this AFC. It has been a profound honor to serve you, and to be with you. I leave with sadness, certainly, but also with gratitude. I look back on my time here and consider all the weddings, baptisms, first communions, confirmations, and funerals we have had together. I think of the visits and the sick calls. I recall the conversations. These I will carry with me. I leave behind no regrets, and take with me no anger. Please, if I have harmed you in anyway, know that it was unintentional, and please forgive me.
I will be making the move on Wednesday, following the 8:30 Mass. At the time of writing, I would appreciate a few volunteers to help me unload at St. Peter (there will be 3-5 parishioners from St. Peter to help once we get there). Thank you to Art Rohlik for the use of his trailer and for his towing it.
For those that are curious, my mailing address will be: Fr. Todd Petersen; PO Box 522; 1801 W Broadway; St. Peter, MN 56082. My cell phone and email will remain the same.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Congratulations to Haylee Jean Williams, daughter of Ski and Naomi Williams who was baptized last weekend at OLV.
After 6 wonderful years, this is my last weekend in this AFC. It has been a profound honor to serve you, and to be with you. I leave with sadness, certainly, but also with gratitude. I look back on my time here and consider all the weddings, baptisms, first communions, confirmations, and funerals we have had together. I think of the visits and the sick calls. I recall the conversations. These I will carry with me. I leave behind no regrets, and take with me no anger. Please, if I have harmed you in anyway, know that it was unintentional, and please forgive me.
I will be making the move on Wednesday, following the 8:30 Mass. At the time of writing, I would appreciate a few volunteers to help me unload at St. Peter (there will be 3-5 parishioners from St. Peter to help once we get there). Thank you to Art Rohlik for the use of his trailer and for his towing it.
For those that are curious, my mailing address will be: Fr. Todd Petersen; PO Box 522; 1801 W Broadway; St. Peter, MN 56082. My cell phone and email will remain the same.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Pastor's Notes for June 16
Dear Parishioners,
Our deepest sympathy to Rosie VanHecke and Family on the death of Bud, and to Margaret and Craig Palan on the death of both her father and mother, Leo and Deloris Klinnert (he died last week, and her mother died this week). May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Happy Father's Day to all fathers and grandfathers. I think we sometimes forget what an important task fatherhood is. Think about the models displayed by in movies or on TV - either fathers are idiotic wimps, or domineering and mean, if at all present. Very seldom do we witness a good model. Fathers take their model from God the Father Himself - loving, compassionate and merciful, but also just. The fathers (and in reality all men) who follow His model are able to rise above the insipid model that this world gives. Those that do are able to guide their families in love. I am thankful for the strong fathers that are present in our AFC, and one of my most fervent prayers - that all fathers continue to follow the model of God.
This is the penultimate 'Pastor's Notes" that I will write here. Hard to believe. I am mostly packed at this time, with my clothing and some needed items yet to pack. The house looks bare, and I am already tired of boxes. I want to thank Art R. for the use of his trailer, as well as volunteering to drive it to St. Peter on the 26th. At this point, yet, I don't know quite what I plan on doing as far as asking for additional help to load or unload - perhaps more next week. I know, though, that I plan on having almost everything loaded so that I can clean on the afternoon of the 25th...
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Our deepest sympathy to Rosie VanHecke and Family on the death of Bud, and to Margaret and Craig Palan on the death of both her father and mother, Leo and Deloris Klinnert (he died last week, and her mother died this week). May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Happy Father's Day to all fathers and grandfathers. I think we sometimes forget what an important task fatherhood is. Think about the models displayed by in movies or on TV - either fathers are idiotic wimps, or domineering and mean, if at all present. Very seldom do we witness a good model. Fathers take their model from God the Father Himself - loving, compassionate and merciful, but also just. The fathers (and in reality all men) who follow His model are able to rise above the insipid model that this world gives. Those that do are able to guide their families in love. I am thankful for the strong fathers that are present in our AFC, and one of my most fervent prayers - that all fathers continue to follow the model of God.
This is the penultimate 'Pastor's Notes" that I will write here. Hard to believe. I am mostly packed at this time, with my clothing and some needed items yet to pack. The house looks bare, and I am already tired of boxes. I want to thank Art R. for the use of his trailer, as well as volunteering to drive it to St. Peter on the 26th. At this point, yet, I don't know quite what I plan on doing as far as asking for additional help to load or unload - perhaps more next week. I know, though, that I plan on having almost everything loaded so that I can clean on the afternoon of the 25th...
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Pastor's Notes for June 9
Dear Parishioners,
Congratulations to Anthony Rohlik and Kaitlyn Lubben who are married this weekend. May the Lord bless them with many happy years of wedded bliss.
We have been notified by Bishop LeVoir of a change in the suggested offering of Mass intention stipends beginning July 1. After that time, the suggested offering for all future stipends for Masses will be $10 instead of the current $5. Every Mass intention that has already been received will be offered for $5 stipend. Again, this is a suggested offering, so more or less may be offered. Practically, this means a little extra account on the part of the priests or whoever records and pays out the stipends, but little else. It is also good to remind everyone at this time what the stipends are and are not. You are not 'buying' the Mass or the graces of the Mass, but are giving a gift to the priest to offer Mass for a particular intention. These intentions could be for the deceased (as most often they are), for someone who is sick or in need of prayer, as an act of thanksgiving for healing or an anniversary. In the past, Mass stipends have been a major part of the priests' salaries, but that is not the case any longer in our country, though in some parts of the world, this is their sole income. The stipends are part of a priest's taxable income. The tradition of offering a stipend was a way of encouraging priests to offer Mass every day, which is why only one stipend may be accepted per day. (Note, too, that typically only one Mass may be offered per day, and no more than two on a regular day, and no more than three on a Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation. ) It is the pastor's duty to offer a Mass "Pro populo" - for the people of his Parish(es) - every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. In our Area Faith Community, we have a separate Mass account which is used for this, and all stipends are deposited into that account (St. Anne's Mass Account) first to record them, and then a check is written from that account to the priest who offers it. Thank you for writing checks out to the account to make this easier!
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Congratulations to Anthony Rohlik and Kaitlyn Lubben who are married this weekend. May the Lord bless them with many happy years of wedded bliss.
We have been notified by Bishop LeVoir of a change in the suggested offering of Mass intention stipends beginning July 1. After that time, the suggested offering for all future stipends for Masses will be $10 instead of the current $5. Every Mass intention that has already been received will be offered for $5 stipend. Again, this is a suggested offering, so more or less may be offered. Practically, this means a little extra account on the part of the priests or whoever records and pays out the stipends, but little else. It is also good to remind everyone at this time what the stipends are and are not. You are not 'buying' the Mass or the graces of the Mass, but are giving a gift to the priest to offer Mass for a particular intention. These intentions could be for the deceased (as most often they are), for someone who is sick or in need of prayer, as an act of thanksgiving for healing or an anniversary. In the past, Mass stipends have been a major part of the priests' salaries, but that is not the case any longer in our country, though in some parts of the world, this is their sole income. The stipends are part of a priest's taxable income. The tradition of offering a stipend was a way of encouraging priests to offer Mass every day, which is why only one stipend may be accepted per day. (Note, too, that typically only one Mass may be offered per day, and no more than two on a regular day, and no more than three on a Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation. ) It is the pastor's duty to offer a Mass "Pro populo" - for the people of his Parish(es) - every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. In our Area Faith Community, we have a separate Mass account which is used for this, and all stipends are deposited into that account (St. Anne's Mass Account) first to record them, and then a check is written from that account to the priest who offers it. Thank you for writing checks out to the account to make this easier!
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Sunday, June 2, 2013
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ reminds us of the absolute centrality of the Eucharist in the life of the Church. Jesus Christ gives us this gift to make us the Church, and gives the priesthood to continue to offer the memorial sacrifice He initiated on the cross.
The sequence that the Church gives provides much reflection:
Sion, lift thy voice and sing;
Praise thy Savior and thy King;
Praise with hymns thy Shepherd true:
Dare thy most to praise Him well;
For He doth all praise excel;
None can ever reach His due.
Special theme of praise is thine,
That true living Bread divine,
That life-giving flesh adored,
Which the brethren twelve received,
As most faithfully believed,
At the Supper of the Lord.
Let the chant be loud and high;
Sweet and tranquil be the joy
Felt to-day in every breast;
On this festival divine
Which recounts the origin
Of the glorious Eucharist.
At this table of the King,
Our new Paschal offering
Brings to end the olden rite;
Here, for empty shadows fled,
Is reality instead;
Here, instead of darkness, light.
His own act, at supper seated,
Christ ordained to be repeated,
In His memory divine;
Wherefore now, with adoration,
We the Host of our salvation
Consecrate from bread and wine.
Hear what holy Church maintaineth,
That the bread its substance changeth
Into Flesh, the wine to Blood.
Doth it pass thy comprehending?
Faith, the law of sight transcending,
Leaps to things not understood.
Here in outward signs are hidden
Priceless things, to sense forbidden;
Signs, not things, are all we see:-
Flesh from bread, and Blood from wine;
Yet is Christ, in either sign,
All entire confessed to be.
They too who of Him partake
Sever not, nor rend, nor break,
But entire their Lord receive.
Whether one or thousands eat,
All receive the selfsame meat,
Nor the less for others leave.
Both the wicked and the good
Eat of this celestial Food;
But with ends how opposite!
Here 'tis life; and there 'tis death;
The same, yet issuing to each
In a difference infinite.
Nor a single doubt retain,
When they break the Host in twain,
But that in each part remains
What was in the whole before;
Since the simple sign alone
Suffers change in state or form,
The Signified remaining One
And the Same forevermore
Lo! upon the Altar lies,
Hidden deep from human eyes,
Angels' Bread from Paradise
Made the food of mortal man:
Children's meat to dogs denied;
In old types foresignified;
In the manna from the skies,
In Isaac, and the Paschal Lamb.
Jesu! Shepherd of the sheep!
Thy true flock in safety keep.
Living Bread! Thy life supply;
Strengthen us, or else we die;
Fill us with celestial grace:
Thou, who feedest us below!
Source of all we have or know!
Grant that with Thy Saints above,
Sitting at the Feast of Love,
We may see Thee face to face. Amen
The sequence that the Church gives provides much reflection:
Sion, lift thy voice and sing;
Praise thy Savior and thy King;
Praise with hymns thy Shepherd true:
Dare thy most to praise Him well;
For He doth all praise excel;
None can ever reach His due.
Special theme of praise is thine,
That true living Bread divine,
That life-giving flesh adored,
Which the brethren twelve received,
As most faithfully believed,
At the Supper of the Lord.
Let the chant be loud and high;
Sweet and tranquil be the joy
Felt to-day in every breast;
On this festival divine
Which recounts the origin
Of the glorious Eucharist.
At this table of the King,
Our new Paschal offering
Brings to end the olden rite;
Here, for empty shadows fled,
Is reality instead;
Here, instead of darkness, light.
His own act, at supper seated,
Christ ordained to be repeated,
In His memory divine;
Wherefore now, with adoration,
We the Host of our salvation
Consecrate from bread and wine.
Hear what holy Church maintaineth,
That the bread its substance changeth
Into Flesh, the wine to Blood.
Doth it pass thy comprehending?
Faith, the law of sight transcending,
Leaps to things not understood.
Here in outward signs are hidden
Priceless things, to sense forbidden;
Signs, not things, are all we see:-
Flesh from bread, and Blood from wine;
Yet is Christ, in either sign,
All entire confessed to be.
They too who of Him partake
Sever not, nor rend, nor break,
But entire their Lord receive.
Whether one or thousands eat,
All receive the selfsame meat,
Nor the less for others leave.
Both the wicked and the good
Eat of this celestial Food;
But with ends how opposite!
Here 'tis life; and there 'tis death;
The same, yet issuing to each
In a difference infinite.
Nor a single doubt retain,
When they break the Host in twain,
But that in each part remains
What was in the whole before;
Since the simple sign alone
Suffers change in state or form,
The Signified remaining One
And the Same forevermore
Lo! upon the Altar lies,
Hidden deep from human eyes,
Angels' Bread from Paradise
Made the food of mortal man:
Children's meat to dogs denied;
In old types foresignified;
In the manna from the skies,
In Isaac, and the Paschal Lamb.
Jesu! Shepherd of the sheep!
Thy true flock in safety keep.
Living Bread! Thy life supply;
Strengthen us, or else we die;
Fill us with celestial grace:
Thou, who feedest us below!
Source of all we have or know!
Grant that with Thy Saints above,
Sitting at the Feast of Love,
We may see Thee face to face. Amen
Pastor's Notes for June 2
Dear Parishioners,
Happy Feast of Corpus Christi. This feast gives us time to reflect on the great mystery of the Eucharist, the Body of Christ. It is a mystery that we can not grasp fully - how God becomes man, to become the "Bread of Life". Most of the texts for the Mass this weekend are from St. Thomas Aquinas, who was tasked by the Pope to write them. The texts are beautiful and eloquent, theologically rich and poetic, but even with all of that insight, St. Thomas knew he fell short of capturing the grandness of the Eucharist. It reminds me that I cannot come too casually to the Eucharist, neither in my participation in Mass or reception of Him in the Eucharist. We need to prepare ourselves, to reflect on the state of our souls and our ability to receive the Eucharist worthily and well.
This Friday, we celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart, and we will have the First Friday Mass (typically dedicated to the Sacred Heart already) at St. Mary's. I hope that many would attend Mass in thanksgiving for the Love that Jesus reveals to us in His Sacred Heart, which was pierced for us.
As the School year ends, I thank all of our generous benefactors again form your time, talent, and treasure that you have given so generously to St. Anne's School. Please know my deepest appreciation.
St. Anne's and Public Schools' Students: Enjoy your summer break! Keep safe, and keep learning! Teachers and staff: Thank you for your dedication and hard work!
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Happy Feast of Corpus Christi. This feast gives us time to reflect on the great mystery of the Eucharist, the Body of Christ. It is a mystery that we can not grasp fully - how God becomes man, to become the "Bread of Life". Most of the texts for the Mass this weekend are from St. Thomas Aquinas, who was tasked by the Pope to write them. The texts are beautiful and eloquent, theologically rich and poetic, but even with all of that insight, St. Thomas knew he fell short of capturing the grandness of the Eucharist. It reminds me that I cannot come too casually to the Eucharist, neither in my participation in Mass or reception of Him in the Eucharist. We need to prepare ourselves, to reflect on the state of our souls and our ability to receive the Eucharist worthily and well.
This Friday, we celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart, and we will have the First Friday Mass (typically dedicated to the Sacred Heart already) at St. Mary's. I hope that many would attend Mass in thanksgiving for the Love that Jesus reveals to us in His Sacred Heart, which was pierced for us.
As the School year ends, I thank all of our generous benefactors again form your time, talent, and treasure that you have given so generously to St. Anne's School. Please know my deepest appreciation.
St. Anne's and Public Schools' Students: Enjoy your summer break! Keep safe, and keep learning! Teachers and staff: Thank you for your dedication and hard work!
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Pastor's Notes for May 26
Dear Parishioners,
First, my apologies for not publishing sooner the following: Congratulations to Jaxon Daniel Bond, son of Brad and Andrea (Ourada) and to Jacinta Christine Turbes, daughter of Andrew and Jaye Turbes who were both baptized now two weeks ago. May they grow in love of Christ!
Congratulations again to all of our new graduates! May the Lord bless all your endeavors.
We celebrate Memorial Day this Monday. I hope that you take advantage of one of the civil ceremonies, in addition to offering Mass for the deceased, wounded, active, and retired military men and women. This day is also a beautiful one on which to visit graves of loved ones.
Liturgically, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Trinity this weekend. This feast provides us an opportunity to reflect on the Trinity's internal reality - who God is in Himself. He is three separate persons, perfectly united in one being. Our mortal minds will never grasp that full reality, but what we can grasp is that these three persons are co-eternal. The Father is ever begetting the Son, and the Son is ever begotten, while the Spirit proceeds to and from the Father and Son. The Trinity is the model for family - perfectly united and equal, yet yet different persons. The Trinity is communitarian and creative - so is the family. As we worship the Holy Trinity, let us continue to strive to follow His model in our family lives.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
First, my apologies for not publishing sooner the following: Congratulations to Jaxon Daniel Bond, son of Brad and Andrea (Ourada) and to Jacinta Christine Turbes, daughter of Andrew and Jaye Turbes who were both baptized now two weeks ago. May they grow in love of Christ!
Congratulations again to all of our new graduates! May the Lord bless all your endeavors.
We celebrate Memorial Day this Monday. I hope that you take advantage of one of the civil ceremonies, in addition to offering Mass for the deceased, wounded, active, and retired military men and women. This day is also a beautiful one on which to visit graves of loved ones.
Liturgically, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Trinity this weekend. This feast provides us an opportunity to reflect on the Trinity's internal reality - who God is in Himself. He is three separate persons, perfectly united in one being. Our mortal minds will never grasp that full reality, but what we can grasp is that these three persons are co-eternal. The Father is ever begetting the Son, and the Son is ever begotten, while the Spirit proceeds to and from the Father and Son. The Trinity is the model for family - perfectly united and equal, yet yet different persons. The Trinity is communitarian and creative - so is the family. As we worship the Holy Trinity, let us continue to strive to follow His model in our family lives.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
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