Sunday, April 29, 2012
Catholics Called to Witness - Inspiring Catholics to Live their Faith
Catholics Called to Witness - Inspiring Catholics to Live their Faith… They have a great, inspiring video.
Pastor's Notes for 4/29
Dear Parishioners,
Congratulations again to Deacon Mike McKeown on his ordination. For those interested, I have been told that the ordination liturgy video will be posted to the dnu.org website when it is in final edit format, and that pictures are online at http://cu.nujournal.com/galleries/index.php?id=301019. It was a beautiful liturgy!
Some have asked about the practicals of having a deacon (I assume he will be assigned to our parishes). As a deacon, Deacon Mike's first tasks are of service, and secondarily during the liturgy. As a deacon, he is to bring the presence of Christ to the world, and his salary is not from the church (though we may give a stipend and certainly pay business mileage). Deacons are also given facilities to Baptize, witness Marriages, and preside at funerals (all without Mass) with the pastor's permission, as an extension of their service-orientation. They also bring viaticum to the dying. Liturgically otherwise, he proclaims the Gospel at Mass, announces the petitions, assists at the altar, and gives instruction to the congregation (like offering the sign of peace or the dismissal). He will carry the Book of the Gospels (the Lector should process in as usual, though not going to the Altar, and the Lector will not read the petitions either). As a deacon, he is an 'ordinary' minister of Holy communion, meaning that when he is assisting at Mass he will distribute the Precious Blood (so count 4 EMHC's when he is assisting).
On an unrelated topic, some have asked about the ad that was in some local papers inviting Catholics to a workshop offered in a non-Catholic Church to address the issue of Homosexuality. The main sponsor of the workshop is a group that actively opposes Church teaching in a number of areas, and the fact that it is to be held in a non-Catholic Church is telling. I ask you to not go, and to spread the word. We will be having an education session on marriage and homosexuality, of course in line with Church teaching (thumbnail: Love the homosexual and call them to a moral life).
Finally, now that the weather is nicer, I have been getting out a little more. I found during retreat I actually enjoy running outside more than on a treadmill, so have decided to switch up my routine to include some jogging in addition to biking.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Congratulations again to Deacon Mike McKeown on his ordination. For those interested, I have been told that the ordination liturgy video will be posted to the dnu.org website when it is in final edit format, and that pictures are online at http://cu.nujournal.com/galleries/index.php?id=301019. It was a beautiful liturgy!
Some have asked about the practicals of having a deacon (I assume he will be assigned to our parishes). As a deacon, Deacon Mike's first tasks are of service, and secondarily during the liturgy. As a deacon, he is to bring the presence of Christ to the world, and his salary is not from the church (though we may give a stipend and certainly pay business mileage). Deacons are also given facilities to Baptize, witness Marriages, and preside at funerals (all without Mass) with the pastor's permission, as an extension of their service-orientation. They also bring viaticum to the dying. Liturgically otherwise, he proclaims the Gospel at Mass, announces the petitions, assists at the altar, and gives instruction to the congregation (like offering the sign of peace or the dismissal). He will carry the Book of the Gospels (the Lector should process in as usual, though not going to the Altar, and the Lector will not read the petitions either). As a deacon, he is an 'ordinary' minister of Holy communion, meaning that when he is assisting at Mass he will distribute the Precious Blood (so count 4 EMHC's when he is assisting).
On an unrelated topic, some have asked about the ad that was in some local papers inviting Catholics to a workshop offered in a non-Catholic Church to address the issue of Homosexuality. The main sponsor of the workshop is a group that actively opposes Church teaching in a number of areas, and the fact that it is to be held in a non-Catholic Church is telling. I ask you to not go, and to spread the word. We will be having an education session on marriage and homosexuality, of course in line with Church teaching (thumbnail: Love the homosexual and call them to a moral life).
Finally, now that the weather is nicer, I have been getting out a little more. I found during retreat I actually enjoy running outside more than on a treadmill, so have decided to switch up my routine to include some jogging in addition to biking.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Thursday, April 26, 2012
A Parent's Guide for Vocations
I am just completing my booklet, A Parent's Guide for Vocations, and uploaded it for self-publishing. Price is set $6, with proceeds to go to provide our seminarian and women religious parents a copy, and anything in excess to the Seminarian Aid Fund of the Diocese of New Ulm.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Pastor's Notes for 4/22
Dear Parishioners,
Congratulations to our first communicants who are receiving Jesus in the Eucharist the first time this weekend. May they remind us all of the true presence of Christ, who becomes food and drink for us.
Congratulations to Mike McKeown, who is ordained a deacon this weekend, too. May his service at the altar and wherever else needed bring him deep joy. His classes continue for another month. Please keep him in prayer as he begins to live the ministry of decagonal service out!
As I forgot to do so before I left on retreat, I am sneaking away during to write my notes. The retreat is very good. The retreat master is very prayerful and insightful, and can share that insight well. I am getting caught up on rest, though not in the way I typically do while on retreat! But it is great. I am so glad that the Church in her wisdom requires priests to take a yearly retreat (she does not require days off or vacation, but allows them, strangely). The days of rest are so necessary - a chance to come apart by ourselves like the disciples did with our Lord. I decided against taking my bike along - the forecast was too miserable-looking. But it changed, of course for some light flurries on Monday to a beautiful day on Tuesday, so I went for a little run. It was great to get out and get fresh air, too.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Congratulations to our first communicants who are receiving Jesus in the Eucharist the first time this weekend. May they remind us all of the true presence of Christ, who becomes food and drink for us.
Congratulations to Mike McKeown, who is ordained a deacon this weekend, too. May his service at the altar and wherever else needed bring him deep joy. His classes continue for another month. Please keep him in prayer as he begins to live the ministry of decagonal service out!
As I forgot to do so before I left on retreat, I am sneaking away during to write my notes. The retreat is very good. The retreat master is very prayerful and insightful, and can share that insight well. I am getting caught up on rest, though not in the way I typically do while on retreat! But it is great. I am so glad that the Church in her wisdom requires priests to take a yearly retreat (she does not require days off or vacation, but allows them, strangely). The days of rest are so necessary - a chance to come apart by ourselves like the disciples did with our Lord. I decided against taking my bike along - the forecast was too miserable-looking. But it changed, of course for some light flurries on Monday to a beautiful day on Tuesday, so I went for a little run. It was great to get out and get fresh air, too.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Pastor's Note for 4/15
Dear Parishioners,
Happy Easter, and Divine Mercy Sunday. Christ is truly risen, just as He said, alleluia!
Sympathy to the families of Marion Hoffmann and Lorraine Christensen who died this last week. May they rest in peace.
Welcome to Bishop LeVoir who is with us confirming our confirmation candidates this weekend. We are thankful for his ministry, and pray for him. We also pray for our newly confirmed members of the Area Faith Community. May their service and witness lead them and others to a deeper commitment to Christ, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Of course, next weekend, too, we have first communion, and we pray for those who will receive Jesus Christ the first time!
This weekend, we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. I encourage you to participate in this devotion, especially at 3 pm this Sunday. Here it is:
Using an ordinary Rosary:
1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed.
2. Then on the Our Father Beads say the following:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
3. On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say the following:
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (Repeat step 2 and 3 for all five decades).
4. Conclude with (three times):
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Finally, keep Bishop LeVoir and most of us priests in your prayers as we go on retreat this week (Sunday evening to Thursday noon), taking some much needed time for prayer and fellowship. I look forward to being on retreat!
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Happy Easter, and Divine Mercy Sunday. Christ is truly risen, just as He said, alleluia!
Sympathy to the families of Marion Hoffmann and Lorraine Christensen who died this last week. May they rest in peace.
Welcome to Bishop LeVoir who is with us confirming our confirmation candidates this weekend. We are thankful for his ministry, and pray for him. We also pray for our newly confirmed members of the Area Faith Community. May their service and witness lead them and others to a deeper commitment to Christ, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Of course, next weekend, too, we have first communion, and we pray for those who will receive Jesus Christ the first time!
This weekend, we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. I encourage you to participate in this devotion, especially at 3 pm this Sunday. Here it is:
Using an ordinary Rosary:
1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed.
2. Then on the Our Father Beads say the following:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
3. On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say the following:
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (Repeat step 2 and 3 for all five decades).
4. Conclude with (three times):
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Finally, keep Bishop LeVoir and most of us priests in your prayers as we go on retreat this week (Sunday evening to Thursday noon), taking some much needed time for prayer and fellowship. I look forward to being on retreat!
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)