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FROM FATHER RASK
At St. Odilia, August is a month of preparations... for the new playground and school year, Fall Festival, pre-fundraising campaign assessment, Faith Formation programs, Music and Liturgical programming that includes our new Associate Music Director, Dave Barkhymer and much more.
I appreciate all of the dedicated volunteers who are contributing their time and talent and treasure during this month and in the months ahead. Thank you for the continued support of our parish and all the good it does.
Please see the articles in this August Connection, the Fall Messenger Newsletter, and bulletins to learn more about these preparations and how you might become involved too.
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THESE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING... "After 33 years as the Music Director of St. Odilia, I have decided it's time to start slowing down. About a year ago I met with Jeanne Schaaf and Fr. Rask to let them know I was ready to start cutting back on my work here. We came up with a plan that I would stay full time for two more years, the second of which would be a year of transition. The second year is already here, so this spring I began the process for transition. We have posted, interviewed and hired an Associate Music Director to work with me this coming year. We found a wonderful person to fill the job. Dave Barkhymer is our new Associate Music Director and will begin his work here at St. Odilia during the first week in August. He comes to us after serving as the Music Director at St. John Neumann Church in Eagan the past 17 years. Dave plays the guitar, sings, is a fine musician and especially likes working with choirs. Who does that sound like? We think we found the perfect person. Dave and I will work together this year and next July he will assume the position of Music Director and I will take on a new role of service to the community. We'll figure out how that will all work during this year of transition. As I focus on our music ministry activity, Kim Albrecht will take on a new role of Director of Worship, working with our priests to oversee all aspects of our wonderful liturgies. I am so fortunate to have been at St. Odilia since I was 16 years old. You have helped me live out my dream of being a musician all these years. Thanks to all for this blessing! But, I'm not gone yet. I'll be around for who knows how long. People ask what I'm going to do when I retire. Slow down. God bless and I'll see you in church." - Dan |
WELCOME DAVE BARKHYMER! Greetings,
I'm Dave Barkhymer, the new Associate Music Director, who will be ministering alongside Dan Perry this year. I've heard great things about St. Odilia and am excited to be here.
I was Liturgical Music Director at St. John Neumann in Eagan for sixteen and a half years. We had a vibrant music ministry with various choirs and ensembles very similar to what you have here at St. Odilia. I'm married with two daughters. My wife Tana and I are from Pennsylvania originally and moved to the Midwest many years ago. My older daughter, Alison is entering her sophomore year at Minnesota State Moorhead and my younger daughter, Gina, is entering eighth grade in Lakeville's Century Middle School.
Yes, you read that correctly, we live in Lakeville, Minnesota, on the other side of the Twin Cities. I may not be looking forward to the commute, but I am looking forward to worshipping with such a warm, welcoming community.
Peace, Dave Barkhymer |
ANNUAL FEAST OF ST. ODILIA!
Ice Cream, Music, Dancing and FUN!!!!
The Worship and Community Life Council hosted the eighth Ice Cream Social on July 19, 2015 in celebration of the Feast of St. Odilia.
A special twist this year was music for dancing. The family of Hector Valero along with other musicians from the 12:45 Mass and the Backyard Band kept the dance floor hopping. Yummy ice cream came from Cold Stone Creamery. Over 350 people ate ice cream, danced, laughed, sang, and shared fellowship for the afternoon. Special highlights were a duet by the "Fathers" (Fr. James Peterson and Fr. James Stiles) and a Hula Hoop Contest!
If you missed this year's celebration mark your calendar for next year and join the fun!
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SOUTH PARKING LOT UPDATE
The final coat of blacktop has been applied and weather permitting, the striping will be completed by Friday, August 21. The parking lot improvements included concrete curbing along the entrance from Vivian and along the cemetery property.
The entrance into our campus from Vivian Avenue will be open to traffic on Friday.
The south lot will be available for Masses this weekend.
Through Thursday, August 20, we ask that you: - Please enter the property from Victoria and park in the north and west parking lots. The entrances from Vivian Ave. and Cottage Place will be closed.
- Please enter the building through the school entrance or parish entrance (doors 1 or 2).
We appreciate your patience and cooperation! Parishioner Mark Bina captured phases of the parking lot resurfacing process in the photos below:
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PLAYGROUND
"COMMUNITY BUILD"
Volunteers Needed!
The new St. Odilia playground is ready to be installed! The new equipment will replace the aging structure that has served the community for the past 20 years. The old equipment will be repurposed. The funds for the playgrounds were raised this spring at the Bloom! fundraiser. The playground installation is a community build project so we need a large number of volunteers to make the build a success. The shifts are below. If you are not able to work an entire shift, any time you can give is appreciated. Volunteers do not need to possess specific skills, just a willingness to help. There will be site supervisors who will lead the installation and provide direction. High school students are welcomed and encouraged to help out. Lunch will be served to both shifts of volunteers at 12:30pm each day.
- Thursday, August 20 9:00am-12:30pm
- Thursday, August 20 12:30-4:30pm
- Friday, August 21 9:00am-12:30pm
- Friday, August 21 1:00-4:30pm
- Saturday, August 22 9:00am-12:30pm
- Saturday, August 22 12:30-4:30pm
To volunteer, please click HERE or contact Kay Hannon at hannon@stodilia.org or 651-415-3303. We appreciate your help to build a playground that will be enjoyed by the children of our community for many years to come.
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BOY SCOUT PROJECT IN PRAYER GARDEN
We are grateful to the work of the St. Odilia Boy Scouts who assisted Boy Scout, Louie Shearon with his Eagle Scout project to build a retaining wall and add landscaping to the area surrounding the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in our Prayer Garden. The scouts will be planting a flower garden as well, under the direction of the Prayer Garden planting committee lead by Arnita Loegering and Jeannie Gaughan. Contributions from the Knights of Columbus also helped to fund this project. In addition, thanks to the Knights of Columbus and John and Cecilia Lee, two granite benches will be added near the statue and landscaping. Please watch for further developments in the Prayer Garden!
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THE PRAYER GARDEN IS NOW BEING PLANTED We are looking for donations of the following: coneflower, coral bells, liatris, sedum, Karl forester grass, painted fern, japanese iris, coreopsis, peones. Pot them up and call Arnita 651-765-0072. Any suggestions please call. Thank you!
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FAITH FORMATION UPDATES
Register NOW for the 2015-2016 School Year:
- Sunday School (age 3-K)
- Family Faith Formation (K-grade 5)
- Junior High Faith Formation
- Confirmation
Register and pay online this year! Click HERE
Paper registration forms also available, in the
parish office and the Faith Formation office.
Questions? Contact the Faith Formation office, 651-415-3329, or email
Everest - Vacation Bible School 2015 Memories
St. Odilia Vacation Bible School climbed to the top of Mount Everest! Over 300 children, 100 youth volunteers and over 50 parents journeyed together to learn about God's love and power. The children also raised over $200 for the Catholic Relief Services work in Nepal.
- Thank you to all who helped us on our way to reach the top.
- A huge thank you to the Community of St. Odilia as well for all of your prayers and support.
- Janet Etten
Please see the 2015 Fall Messenger for more information and photos from our successful VBS event!
 The Sunday Nursery is urgently looking for volunteers to help during the 9:00 and 11:00 Masses! We are in need of volunteers to assist our church musicians' families. They often need someone to help with their small children so they can participate in our music ministry. Parishioners' families would be welcome as well. Please prayerfully consider volunteering for one of these Masses. Please contact Janet Etten for more information at (651) 415-3330 or etten@stodilia.org.
Check out our Parish Library!
If you haven't used our Parish Library lately, give it a look! Our terrific volunteer library team, Ann Severson, Gwen Odney and Kathy Langer, has just freshened up and reorganized our library, in the southeast corner of the Courtyard. Books are color-coded and shelved by topics, for easy browsing. Most of it is for adults, but we also have books and materials for teens, children and families. The check-out system is very simple - see the sign on top of the low bookshelf. Don't forget our DVD collection, on the other side of that low bookshelf. Huge thanks to Kathy, Gwen and Ann, for many hours of creativity and hard work - they are also the ones who, every week, all year long, tidy the library and re-shelve returned materials.
BECOMING A CATHOLIC
Do you know someone who is:
- Thinking of becoming a Catholic?
- Already Catholic, but has not received Confirmation?
- Interested in serving as a sponsor?
The RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults - is for them. The first meetings are for inquiry - no strings attached, no need to have made a final decision, all seekers welcome. It's a process of spiritual formation and learning. The RCIA at St. Odilia meets on Wed. evenings, beginning in mid-September. Each inquirer is also assigned a parishioner as a sponsor. Might next year be the "right time" to explore joining the Church?
More info/registration: Lucy Arimond, Director of Faith Formation, at 651-415-3331 or arimond@stodilia.org.
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FAITH: THE NEXT GENERATION
PASS IT ON!
Have you ever thought about sharing your faith with the young people of our parish?
We are looking for kind, sincere, people of faith, that enjoy working with children and young people to serve as catechists in our Faith Formation programs this year.
Elementary classes meet once a month on Wednesday evenings, Junior High and Confirmation classes meet about three times a month on Wednesday or Sunday evenings. Orientation and materials are provided, along with lots of support from our coordinators!
Unsure if you are the right fit? Let some of our current catechists share with you how this experience will be one not just of giving, but receiving.
Contact Brenda McLEnnan at the Faith Formation office for more information: mclennan@stodilia.org
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FALL FESTIVAL 2015 UPDATE
SEPTEMBER 12 & 13
Promote the Fall Festival: Get out your stored yard signs and place in your yard. Don't have a yard sign? Pick one up in the Courtyard near the Festival collection area.
Join us: For coffee and donuts in the Courtyard on August 23 and August 30 hosted by the Fall Festival leadership! Fall Festival leaders will be there to answer all of your questions and help you with raffle ticket sales, quilt ticket sales, volunteer sign-ups, Kid's Course registration.
Please Donate BASKETS and Silent Auction Items:
 Mark all items "Silent Auction" and leave them on designated tables/shelves in the Courtyard. The Silent Auction basket-making team will assemble your donated items. The Silent Auction consistently brings in around $17,000. Please donate high quality Silent Auction items.
Raffle Tickets:- Forms requesting the number of tickets can returned to the office or weekend collection baskets at any time. Don't miss the opportunity to win two times before festival weekend. Mary Seidel was the winner of the Aug. 3 drawing for the Fitbit (valued at $125.00). Congratulations Mary!
- Tickets turned in to office by Aug. 31 at 4:00pm are eligible for drawing at 5:00pm and will be drawn for a $200.00 Rosedale gift card. All tickets will be replaced in the raffle drum.
- Forms and payment must be received by Friday, September 11, 2015 to be included in the raffle drawing on Sunday, September 13, 2015.
Cherry Tree Donations Needed:
Donations are needed for all ages (boys and girls) to use as prizes. Please label items "Cherry Tree" and leave on the designated tables in the Courtyard. We are especially in need of items for the older school age and early teen ages.
Face Painting/Wacky Hair tent needs adults volunteers to help supervise. All supplies, materials and guidance provided ahead of time. Sign up on the Face Painting volunteer link.
 Looking for Little Legs to Lead Us! The annual Fall Festival Kids Course is a short obstacle course and includes fun events like skipping, hopping, running, crab crawl! Registration forms available HERE, or in the church kiosks. Only $7 to register, and you get prizes and a T-shirt! Deadline is August 27 - sign up now!
St. Odilia Has a Facebook Page! Please like us on Facebook and get all of the up-to-date Fall Festival information leading up to the festival and during the festival weekend. You won't want to miss anything at www.facebook.com/stodiliachurch New this year: - Corn dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, and more!
- Bean bag Toss for adults and kids.
- Health Source Chiropractic will offer 10 minute massages for donations that will be contributed 100% to St. Odilia.
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Fall Festival 2015 quilting ladies (left to right):
Sharon Fiebiger, Agnes Polyak,
Eileen Gottwalt, Suzanne Shearon.
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FALL FESTIVAL 2015
Buy your tickets after Masses on August 23 and 30 for the Fall Festival quilt, "Jewels of My Garden" shown on the right. Again this year the tickets will be $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.
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FALL FESTIVAL 2015
We Need Your LIVE Auction Items!!!
Fall Festival LIVE Auction: Sat., Sept.12, 6:30pm
 What kind of items you ask? - Cars
- Boats
- Artwork
- Furniture
- DVD players
- Newer flat TVs
- Snowmobiles
- Electronic games
- Collectibles
- Sports equipment
- Patio furniture
- Lawn equipment
- Bicycles
- Grills
- Tools
- Snow blowers
- Small electronics
- Lighting
All items listed above must be in good working condition. Start setting your donations aside now!!!! Please understand we cannot accept: computers, monitors, printers, pianos, organs, large office desks, large sofas,mattresses, Older tube type TVs. These items rarely sell and cost $$$$ to dispose of. Item drop-off and pickup begins in AUGUST: - Auction container located in the west parking lot open Saturday & Sunday 9-12 starting Saturday, August 15.
- During the week you can get a key from the parish office 8:00-4:00 Mon.- Fri.
- Limited pickups are available on Wednesday evenings, beginning August 19. To schedule a pick-up please call: Jerry Ruhland 763-785-2694.
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FALL FESTIVAL 2015
Volunteer Today!
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Fall Jam is coming to a fabulous parking lot near YOU!!!!!
September 12 and 13!
Click HERE for the preliminary 2015 Fall Jam schedule of musical entertainment
Live music from noon to 10:00pm on Saturday and 12:30pm to 5:00pm on Sunday! See you there!!!
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ST. ODILIA CHARITABLE OUTREACH
The Greek word "agape" is translated both as "charity" and "love" in many places in the New Testament.
When allowing for these words to be used synonymously, we understand that charity is the epitome of perfection in our Christian life. It is the "greatest" of the three abiding virtues. Charity specifically refers to the love that we have toward others. This month we again open our charitable hearts to others in need.
July Green Envelopes:
In July our parish contributed $18,112.61 to support our annual collection appeal for "Missions" through a second collection on the weekend of July 12, 2015 as well as contributions throughout the month in the July Green Envelopes. These funds will support the missionary work of the Community of St. Paul in Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Ethiopia. Thank you for your support of this important missionary work.
August Green Envelopes:
Contributions received in the green envelopes marked "Charity", will help fund seven charitable organizations in our area for use in feeding, clothing, and sheltering. Please join us as we walk "charitably" toward our brothers and sisters by giving whatever you can of your time and money resources.
Did you misplace your green envelope? You can still contribute to the St. Odilia Charity Fund. Just make your check out to St. Odilia with "St. Odilia Charity Fund" in the memo line.
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT Dearest Friends at St. Odilia,
Thank you so very much for your generosity in supporting the Mission Parish of Jesucristo Resucitado. Your heartfelt prayers, communications with others, and amazing financial gift of $13,385 will be greatly appreciated by our spiritual siblings here in Venezuela.
Please know of my prayers for you here in San Felix. If you would like to stay in touch feel free to email me at jamestrack1985@gmail.com and I'll do my best to respond to you in a timely manner. May God bless you and your family abundantly! - Fr. James E. Peterson |
BE A PART OF THE 2015 ST. ODILIA
NIGHT CLUB!
The Night Club, a musical variety show featuring St. Odilia parishioners, is one of our musical highlights each year. This year's Night Club will be November 13 and 14 and will present a wide variety of music including rock, swing, country, blues, folk and more. You can learn more about The Night Club and see past performances at www.thenightclub.org.
In addition to previous performers, Night Club audiences always enjoy new faces. So if you belong to a musical group or have a special talent (singing, instrumental, choreography, staging, decorating, etc.) please consider auditioning for this year's Night Club. The only requirements are that at least one of the performers in a group belong to St. Odilia's and that all performers are over the age of 18.
Auditions will take place in the Music Room on:
- Friday, September 18 at 7:00pm
- Saturday, September 19 at 10:00am
Please contact The Night Club committee at stodilianc@gmail.com or leave a voicemail message at 651-415-3346 if you have any questions.
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ST. CHARLES LWANGA SWAHILI CHOIR The St. Charles Lwanga Swahili Choir joined the St. Odilia Friends Group choir at 9:00am Mass on Sunday, August 2. They also brought a harvest gift of two large baskets of produce from the Farmer's Market for the Sharing Korner Food Shelf. |
2016 MUSICAL ANNOUNCED
The St. Odilia Musical Ministry Committee is excited to announce the 2016 musical production, The Happy Prince, with music and lyrics by Caroline Dooley and David Perkins. The Happy Prince is based on the well-loved story by Oscar Wilde.
Performance dates are February 4-7, 2016. Kickoff meeting is October 24, 2015 at 9:00am with auditions following later that morning and continuing through Tuesday evening, October 27, 2015.
The Happy Prince is a touching musical based on the well-loved story by Oscar Wilde. The golden statue of the Happy Prince stands high above the city looking down on the misery and poverty beneath him. Desperate to bring hope and happiness to the poor people, he asks a swallow to distribute his gold and jewels to them. The generosity of the Happy Prince and the courage of the swallow help to overcome the greed of the powerful mayor and we are shown that the most precious things in life are often the least obvious.
Additional information regarding auditions for adults, teens, and youth (fourth grade and older) will be published in the church bulletin, the Messenger, and on the St. Odilia website as we get closer to kickoff time.
Every year the musical needs many hands to help with all aspects of production from sets, props, music, lighting, sound, publicity, hospitality, guardian angels, dinner theater, house management, ushering and much much more. Look for upcoming information regarding how you can share your talents in this exciting and fun ministry!
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GROWING THROUGH LOSS
If grief is currently a large factor in your life right now, you might check out this series sponsored by St. Odilia Parish along with other churches and presented by the North Suburban Grief Support Coalition of which St. Odilia is a member. The next session will begin Monday, September 21, 2015 at St. John the Baptist Church in New Brighton. For more information go to www.growingthroughloss.org or call 763-755-5335, or call parishioner Deb Musch at 651-482-9055 or Deacon Jim at 651-415-3354.
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SCHOOL SUPPLIES COLLECTION The St. Odilia Knights of Columbus will again be collecting new and slightly used school supplies to bring to needy children in the Dominican Republic. As you buy your back-to-school supplies please consider purchasing a few extra items. There will be a collection box in the Courtyard starting Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015 for donations. The Knights will be personally bringing the supplies and distributing them in October.
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