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March 2015
Community CONNECTION
Creating community engagement
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FROM FATHER RASK
The Faith Formation department has been making extensive preparations for the special Parish Mission on March 8-10. Please consider attending this lively all-parish event to explore the vision of Pope Francis for the Church and listen to our fantastic Parish Mission Band. Invite your friends and neighbors too! The complete schedule is included in this March Connection.
This Connection also contains complete information from our Worship department about Lenten Stations of the Cross, Community Reconciliation dates, and Holy Week/Easter schedules.
Would you like to share your gifts of vision and leadership with your parish community? St. Odilia is blessed with many parishioners willing to share their diverse gifts as members of our nine Ministry Area Councils (MAC). If you would like to nominate yourself or someone you know to discern for a MAC council position, a link to the form and more information follows.
The four St. Odilia Expansion Committee action teams have been meeting to address the results of the Feasibility Study that took place this past fall, and to determine a way forward for the parish. More details about the work of those teams follows.
God bless you on your Lenten journey in the weeks ahead.
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FAITH FORMATION 
NEXT WEEK!
Parish Mission 2015 - March 8-10
Pope Francis and Me: The "Francis Effect" in the Life of My Church
Presenter: Fr. Stephen J. Adrian
Prayer - Music - Inspiration - Community
Explore Pope Francis' vision for the Church, and what it means for our own Lenten spirituality.
New This Year:
Sunday is for ALL AGES, NEW TIME - 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Adult program
Fun, informative and prayerful activities for preschool through senior high
Childcare for infants and toddlers
Sunday 6:00 Mass - Fr. Steve Adrian will preside.
Monday & Tuesday, 7:00-9:00 p.m. - for adults & older youth, with childcare for infants through grade 5.
Each two hour session (Sunday, Monday and Tuesday) will start with music led by the St. Odilia Mission Band, and will include social time and refreshments. By long tradition, our Special Religious Education participants (Sp.R.Ed.) will join us for the music on Tuesday evening.
Reservations:
No reservations needed for the adult programs.
Parents: To make reservations for childcare for all three Mission sessions Sunday's Pre-School, K-5, and Youth activities and volunteer opportunities for youth in grades 9-12
- Click HERE for children/youth reservation.
- Reservations due by Mar. 4.
 About our Mission presenter: Fr. Steve Adrian, recently retired, was the longtime pastor of St. Matthew's, on St. Paul's West Side. Born and raised in St. Paul, he has served a fascinating variety of church and community organizations: board member of the National Federation of Priests' Councils, founding president of the Neighborhood Development Alliance, president of the St. Paul Ecumenical Alliance of Churches, board member of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, instructor in the Permanent Deacon Formation Program, and much more. He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors - everything from receiving the University of St. Thomas' John A. Ryan award to serving as the Grand Marshal of the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta.
All are welcome - invite your non-parishioner friends and neighbors, too!
Mark Your Calendars for these upcoming Faith Formation programs:
NOW is the time to plan for SUMMER 2015 programs!
Vacation Bible School, July 27-31, 2015, 9:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.. This event usually fills up by June 1, so put it on your calendar now to join the fun! Watch for registration to begin in late April. Contact Janet Etten with questions at etten@stodilia.org
or 651-415-3330.
Junior High Extreme Faith Camp is June 28 - July 2 and
Summer Stretch is every Wednesday July 8 - August 5. Contact Logan Crotty crotty@stodilia.org
or 651-415-3343.
The Thursday Morning Scripture Study Group starts April 16, 2015 and the study topic is "The Eucharist in Scripture". The session runs for six weeks every Thursday from 8:15am to 9:45am. Cost is $20.00 for the materials. Contact Margaret for more info. at 651-429-6702 or maggietrond@yahoo.com
The 7 Secrets of Effective Fathers: A program for fathers of all ages with children of all ages
Wednesdays, April 15, 22 and 29, 6:45pm in the St. Odilia Cafeteria
Presenter: Rick Storms
Cost: $12.00 (for the program workbook)
The 7 Secrets of Effective Fathers program looks at the state of fathering today, provides you a fathering self-assessment tool, and discusses the main characteristics that make dads effective. Watch the parish bulletin and Adult Formation page of the parish website for information to come. Pre-registration required. For further info, contact Lucy Arimond, Director of Faith Formation, 651-415-3331.
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 LENT 2015
Stations of the Cross
(held in Chapel unless otherwise noted)
March 6 - 12 noon & 7:00 p.m.*
March 13 - 12 noon & 5:30 p.m.
led by the Social Justice Council
March 20 - 12 noon & 5:30 p.m.
March 27 - 12 noon & 5:30 p.m.
* The Via Dolorosa is March 6, 2015, 7:00 p.m. in the church:
St. Odilia is pleased to welcome the Agape Singers' presentation of the Via Dolorosa, a special and moving Lenten devotion, depicting the Stations of the Cross in meditation and song. We hope you will make this presentation a part of your Lenten prayer.
Individual Confessions
(no communal service)
All Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. (except April 4)
All Wednesdays during Lent at 5:30.p.m. (except Ash Wed.)
March 28, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Parish Communal Penance Service with Private Confessions
Wednesday, March 18,10:00 a.m. (before Sarah's Table)
Monday, March 23, 7:00 p.m.
Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays During Lent
1:00-7:00 p.m. in the Chapel. All are welcome! To ensure that someone will always be present for Adoration, there will be a sign-up book in the Chapel. Please consider spending a Holy Hour with the Lord. This prayerful opportunity for you and your family is a gift from your friends on the Respect Life Committee.
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 HOLY WEEK AND EASTER LITURGY 2015 SCHEDULE
Palm Sunday, March 28/29
5:00 p.m. Saturday
7:30 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
12:45 p.m. in Spanish
6:00 p.m.
Holy Thursday, April 2*
*Remember to bring your donations of soap and towels to serve people in need.
7:30 a.m. - Triduum Morning Prayer
7:30 p.m. - Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper
· In English in the sanctuary
· In Spanish in the gym
Good Friday, April 3
7:30 a.m. - Triduum Morning Prayer
3:00 p.m. - Living Stations
7:30 p.m. - Celebration of the Lord's Passion
· In English in the sanctuary
· In Spanish in the gym
Holy Saturday, April 4
8:00 a.m. - Triduum Morning Prayer
7:30 p.m. - Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday, April 5
7:30 a.m. - Mass in English
9:00 a.m. - Masses in English (in sanctuary and gym)
11:00 a.m. - Masses in English (in sanctuary and gym)
12:45 p.m. - Mass in Spanish (in sanctuary)
(NO 6 p.m. Mass)
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 MEMORIAL PLANTS FOR EASTER We would like to invite you, in memory of your loved ones, to donate funds enabling us to purchase flowers for our Easter season. We will remember them in our prayers and in the Sunday bulletin. Please contact the parish office (651-484-6681). Thank you! |
 HOLY WEEK MINISTERS
There are many opportunities for parishioners of all ages to serve at the 7:30pm service on Holy Thursday, including candle-bearers, processional oil carriers, hand-washing ministers, and assistance with collecting donated soap & towels. Interested? Please see call Kim Albrecht 651-415-3339 or email albrecht@stodilia.org
Eucharistic Ministers will not be scheduled in advance for the Holy Week liturgies; please sign in when you arrive. Thank you!
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DISCERNMENT FOR PARISH LEADERSHIP
A representative from each of the  Ministry Area Councils is selected to serve on the Parish Leadership Council (PLC). The PLC provides leadership and vision for the parish and serves as the architect and steward of the parish mission. Members work closely with the staff and councils to develop, implement and achieve the parish mission. Each MAC is responsible for defining the vision of the parish ministry represented by the council.
Would you like to learn more?
We will be hosting an Information Session on Sunday, April 26, 2015 from 10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. in the parish conference room. You are invited to stop by to learn more about each council and the impact that you can have in our community as a council member.
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Information Session - 10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. in the Conference Room
Refreshments will be provided
Nominate yourself, or another parishioner now:
Leadership Nomination Form.
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EXPANSION ACTION TEAMS UPDATE Facility Expansion - A WAY FORWARD
Many thanks to all who participated in last fall's presentation/dialogue meetings regarding the feasibility of facility improvements and expansion. Four St. Odilia Expansion Committee action teams have been meeting to address the results of the Feasibility Study, answer the questions raised by parishioners, and determine a way forward for our parish. The action teams are: The Design team is tasked with determining the scope of a modified plan and managing the request for subsequent updated architectural plans and construction estimates. The team leader is Jon Jasken. Members are: Deacon Bill Carroll, Greg Gerlach, Jeff Hermes, Mary Nussbaum, Dan Perry, Brian Ragatz, and David Shearon. The Communications team is responsible for communicating the work of the Expansion Committee and delivering consistent messaging across all communication platforms. Currently the team is working on reviewing the Feasibility Study and creating answers to the common questions that were raised by parishioners during the feasibility meetings last fall. This frequently asked questions (FAQ) guide will be communicated in various ways to parishioners during March. The team leader is Jim Donnelly. Team members are: Vicky Cherne, Mary Holmes, Kim Kahat, and Barb Schaer-Mady. The Finance & Development team is working to prepare the RFP to receive proposals from potential capital campaign firms and to investigate/explore funding options. The team leader is Jean Nickman. Team members are: Steve Hegele, Jeff Hermes, Jeanne Schaaf, Rick Storms, and LeahNé Thiele. The Mission & Vision team is working with staff leaders, parish leadership council (PLC) members, and ministry area council (MAC) chairs to articulate and communicate our parish mission and vision (what we do and where we are headed). The team leader is Deb Peters. Team members are Mary Holmes and Kim Kahat. Through the work of these action teams, we are moving forward in a deliberate and thoughtful way to create an expansion plan that both addresses the input from parishioners and responds to the facility needs of the parish ministries. Maureen Rehfuss, PLC at-large representative, is coordinating these action teams (home: 651 481-7013; maureenrehfuss@comcast.net). Please look for further communications about this initiative, and reach out to Maureen with your questions. |
ST. ODILIA CHARITABLE OUTREACH
"Only in heaven will we see how much we owe to the poor for helping us to love God better because of them."
- Mother Teresa
With your generous contributions made throughout the month using your "green" envelope, the Catholic Community of St. Odilia contributes to local, national and global charities.
March Green Envelopes:
March is Food Drive month. On the weekend of March 21/22 volunteers will pass out bags at after Mass to be filled and returned to church. These bags will go to Sharing Korner Food Bank in the Frogtown area of St. Paul where ninety-five percent of the residents are below the poverty level. Volunteers from St. Odilia serve between 15-20 families there, four days a week. Our church has been providing food to Sharing Korner for over 30 years. The green envelope for March will provide financial support to them. Our neighbors living in this area need our help and as always St Odilia provides. Thank you for all you do for others.
February Green Envelopes:
In February seven different community charity funds were the recipients of our donations. Our focus was on Pastoral Care which provides many wonderful ministries to the parishioners of St Odilia. Some of these ministries include Befrienders, Bereavement, Crisis, Domestic Abuse, Homebound Communion, and many other support groups. The February green envelope for collection for Charitable Outreach was $2,017.
Did you misplace your green envelope?
You can still contribute to the food shelf ministry funds that are supported directly by St. Odilia. Just make the check out to St. Odilia with "St. Odilia Food Shelf Ministry" in the memo line.
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DON'T MISS THE MEN'S CLUB FISH FRY ON MARCH 13
This is an all-you-can-eat fish fry that includes: Cod and Tilapia (baked or broiled), Macaroni and Cheese, Cheesy potatoes, Corn, Cole Slaw, Rolls, Dessert, Milk and Coffee. This is a great meal, so bring your appetite.
$10 for adults and kids over 12
$6 for kids 5-12 and FREE for kids under 5
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. All proceeds help support the physical education and athletic needs of St. Odilia School.
This is a great meal, so bring your appetite!
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BLOOM! IS APRIL 11
St. Odilia Gala of Giving - April 11, 2015
North Oaks Golf Club
A spring fundraiser organized by volunteer St. Odilia school parents for our community.
Visit the BLOOM! website to learn more:
www.bloom-gala.com
More questions? Please email:
bloom@stodilia.org
Save the date!!!
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GOD'S CREATION CRIES FOR JUSTICE A special session open to all members of the parish will be held on Thurs., March 19, 7:00-9:00pm in the courtyard: Topic: Moving Forward on the Clean Energy Path Speaker J. Drake Hamilton, is the science policy director for Fresh Energy, a non-profit, non-partisan organization working to change public policy on energy issues. Her presentation will include past and present energy realities and how the state of Minnesota is already successfully transitioning to clean energy. Her talk will be followed by a question and answer session. All parish members, including high school students are welcome to attend. Admission is free. - Social Justice Council |
CCW SPRING BAKE SALE & BOUTIQUE The St. Odilia Council of Catholic Women hosts the Spring Bake Sale and Boutique in the school gym:
- Saturday, March 28 - 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Sunday, March 29 - 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Donations of baked goods are welcome from all parishioners and may be dropped off Saturday morning or during the sale. Proceeds support our parish community! Questions: Cathy at 651-483-1549 or Pat 651-484-4549. |
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 CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL FOUNDATION UPDATE
The Appeal funds services that no one parish or individual can do alone and these services must go on despite these troubled times in our archdiocese. The CSAF is an independent non-profit corporation and is not part of the bankruptcy filing made by the Archdiocese (see csafspm.org for more info). An independent board of 14 lay Catholics runs the Foundation along with Director Jennifer Beaudry and her staff.
In 2014, the Foundation has distributed to the Designated Ministries $8.6 million to date, after expenses. The Foundation currently has $199,881.56 in its bank account which will be distributed.
When contributions from our parish reach our goal of $109,599, 25% of all funds received from our parish will be returned for use to support our own ministries of worship, education and outreach. See the kiosk near the parish office for donation envelopes to place in the collection.
To donate online through the CSAF website click HERE.
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COMMUNITY CONNECTION REMINDERS
The monthly Community CONNECTION includes a selection of timely announcements and articles. In addition, you may occasionally receive special notices.
- Click "SafeUnsubscribe" at the end of the email
if you wish to no longer receive the Community CONNECTION. - Update your email address by clicking "Update Profile/Email Address" at the end of the email.
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