|
|
November 2015
Community CONNECTION
Creating community engagement
|
|
FROM FATHER RASK
Thanksgiving is a time to express our gratitude to God for the abundance of all that is given to us.
I am thankful for the many members of the St. Odilia parish community who give so generously of their time, talent and treasure to make this a community of abundant love for all those we serve. A wonderful example of this is the recent donation of Thanksgiving baskets by St. Odilia school children and staff. Read all about it in this Community Connection.
The Mass on Thanksgiving Day will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m.
On Friday, November 27, daily Mass will be at 7:30 a.m. The buildings will be closed following the Masses.
I wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving with family and friends!
|
|
THANKSGIVING BASKETS - THANK YOU!
On behalf of the teachers who organized the Thanksgiving Baskets, I wanted to say thank you to you and your students for what you have provided as well as inform you of the what we did collectively. Above is a picture of our kindergarten and first grade students who helped and the food we collected. Special thanks to staff members Julie, Nicole, Deanna, and Jenelle for organizing! Brother Dominic Michael from the Franciscan Brothers came to pick up 13 of the baskets of food we collected as a school and staff. Each basket comes with a $25 Cub Foods gift card to purchase a turkey for a family in need. He was so thankful for being able to give these families a Thanksgiving dinner. He said he was going to dedicate his hour of prayer to the children, families and staff of St. Odilia School.
Deacon Jim Saumweber received eight baskets for parish families. The St. Therese Hospice received six baskets. Thank you to all who helped by donating dollars and food. Thank you to the Arden Hills Cub Foods for donating the boxes!
- Brian Ragatz, Principal, St. Odilia School
|
|
SHARING OUR ABUNDANT BLESSINGS
2016 STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE UPDATE
God has blessed our parish in so many ways and you are truly a part of that blessing. We extend a sincere "thank you" to all who support our parish community throughout the year with their attendance, service and regular financial contributions. In early October, we sent pledge cards to all registered households. While we recognize that many parishioners give without returning a pledge card, we are encouraging all of you to respond by returning your pledge card this year. Your response helps us to keep our parish household records current.
As of November 20, 2015, we have received 701 pledge cards which represents only 23% of our registered households. Of the 939 parishioners who pledged in 2015, 646 have returned cards. Of the 2,038 parishioners who did not pledge in 2015, 55 have returned cards. The chart below provides more detail on the amounts pledged in 2015 and 2016.
|
Pledge Summary
as of:
|
2015
11-23-14
|
2016
11-20-15
| | Total Pledged | $1,457,674 | $1,167,809 | | Total Contribution Goal | $2,315,000 | $2,361,300 |
We look forward to hearing from you. A follow-up mailing has been sent to the households who have not yet responded. Additional pledge cards will be available in the back of church. You may also submit your pledge online by clicking HERE.
Giving is made easier with our Automatic Offering Options - refer to the Automatic Offering Options form that was sent with your pledge materials, or download the form HERE.
Thank you for being interested and engaged in supporting our parish community. Your generosity is gratefully received, appreciated, and pleasing to God.
|
St. Odilia Facility Expansion
Capital Campaign Planning
Watch the November 29 bulletin for a special flyer that will provide updated information regarding our plans and progress as we ready for a capital campaign to support facility expansion.
Information will include an update on both building and funding plans as developed by our Design Action Team and the Finance Council.
If you have particular experience with fundraising and/or construction project management and would like to share your gifts, please contact Ramona Michaels, Development Coordinator at: michaels@stodilia.org or 651-415-3350 for more information.
Above all, we ask for your prayers for
our parish and its future.
|
ST. ODILIA MUSICAL MINISTRY
Mark your calendars for the performance dates: February 4-7, 2016.
Click HERE for more info.
|
TRUNK OR TREAT 2015
On the evening of October 30, the parking lot of St. Odilia was alive with people, laughter, music, costumes and treats. In its third year, the Trunk or Treat event brought 40 decorated vehicles and over 250 costumed children (with their parents) together for an evening of fun. Lake Johanna Fire Department joined in the fun and was a popular stop for the children. A new feature this year was the "spooky story corner." A great success! A special Halloween prayer, children´s craft and corn popping also helped to make the evening special.
Special thanks to Trader Joe's and Walgreens of North Oaks for providing additional candy and treats for the event. Also a special thanks to our Knights of Columbus (pictured below) for helping us park cars, check in candy-givers and clean up. Thank you to our junior high youth for additional support and clean up.
Mark your calendar for October 29, 2016, and join in the fun at next year's Trunk or Treat event. This Worship and Community Life Council event is fun for the entire St. Odilia community.
Look for more photos in the Winter Messenger.
|
|
ST. ODILIA CCW NEWS
Christmas Bake Sale & Boutique
Donations Welcome!
The St. Odilia Council of Catholic Women hosts the Christmas Bake Sale and Boutique in the school gym:
Sat., Dec. 5 Noon - 6:00pm
Sun., Dec. 6, 8:00am - 12:30pm
Donations of baked goods are welcome from all parishioners and may be dropped off Sat. morning or during the sale.
Don't forget to shop the handmade crafts and holiday décor, too. Proceeds support our parish community. Questions: Cathy 651-483-1549 or Pat 651-484-4549.
Thank You From Appalachia!
To the many St. Odilia parishioners who donated to the Appalachia drive sponsored by the Council of Catholic Women: The people from the Appalachia Kentucky Christmas Semi Missions thank each and every one of you for your generosity in helping them to have a blessed Christmas!
The semi arrived in Kentucky on November 16 and everything went well for the driver, who reported there were lots of smiles upon his arrival. Special thanks go to Terminal Transport Inc. in Roseville as they donate a semi truck, trailer and driver at no cost each year to deliver the gifts from various area parishes to Kentucky.
|
DECEMBER WORSHIP EVENTS
December 2
Advent Lessons & Carols
6:45 p.m.
December 7
Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary
5:30 p.m. Mass
7:00 p.m. Spanish Mass
December 8
Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary
7:30 a.m. Mass
9:35 a.m. School Mass
5:30 p.m. Mass
December 11
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe:
8:00 p.m. Spanish Mass (fiesta follows)
December 12
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe:
11:00 a.m. Spanish Mass (fiesta follows)
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Individual
All Saturdays - 9:00 a.m.
Saturday, December 19 - 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Wednesdays (December 2, 9, 16, 23) - 5:30 p.m.
Communal Penance Service
(With Private Confessions)
December 9 - 10:00 a.m.
December 14 - 7:00 p.m.
|
ADVENT LESSONS AND CAROLS WED., DECEMBER 2, 6:45 P.M. Presented by St. Odilia Worship and Faith Formation Ministries on Wed., December 2 at 6:45 pm. Family Faith participants go to assigned locations at 6:30pm: children to their classrooms and parents to the Church.
In the early evening, as winter darkness begins, we gather in the quiet, candlelit church to hear the prophetic readings and great music of Advent, featuring our extraordinary St. Odilia musicians and readers of all ages. This isn't a Christmas concert; instead it powerfully reminds us of the importance of Advent--waiting with hopeful expectation for the birth of our Savior.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. (Isaiah 9:2) |
THE LITTLE BLUE BOOK
NOW AVAILABLE
Spend some quiet time with the Lord this Advent and Christmas season.
The Little Blue Book for Advent and Christmas 2015-2016 is available at the back of church and in the parish office. The book includes six-minute reflections on the first readings for daily Mass during the Advent/Christmas season.
The left-hand page includes a variety of thoughts about the Advent and Christmas seasons, the feast of the day, or various traditions and customs. The right-hand page includes a reflection on the first reading assigned for the Mass each day. |
|
WORSHIP MINISTRIES
Could this be your perfect opportunity to serve?
Eucharistic Ministers for 7:30 am Needed:
The 7:30am weekend Mass is in IMMEDIATE need of more Eucharistic Ministers! Please contact Kim Albrecht at 651-415-3339 or albrecht@stodilia.org
Projectionists Needed! The 6:00pm Sunday Mass is in GREAT need of more projectionists! This would be a once a month commitment and training is provided. Our other Masses are also in need of more projectionists. Please contact Mary Ruhland in at 651-415-3338 or ruhland@stodilia.org
|
THE SHARING TREE 2016 The Pastoral Care Ministry is sponsoring the "Sharing Tree" in the Courtyard again this year. This is a wonderful expression of St. Odilia's care and concern for those who are less fortunate than many of us. You can choose an ornament and fill the request for a gift for someone else this Christmas. We will, first, be trying to help any family that belongs to or regularly attends St. Odilia Church or School or Faith Formation. Most requests are for gift cards to various places to assist families.
Please return your gift either to the Parish office or in the Sunday collection clearly marked "Sharing Tree" by Dec. 13. Gift cards should be labeled with their value on the card. These gifts also go to places like Ralph Reeder Food Shelf and Operation Joy-Christmas gifts for Children, Saint Therese Living Center for Single Moms, etc. And if enough is collected, through your generosity, some gift cards may be kept in our Charity Fund for folks who have needs after the Holidays. If you are in need of assistance please contact: - Deacon Bill Carroll (Spanish speaking): Please complete an application in-person after the 12:45pm Spanish Mass on Sun., Dec., 6 and Sun., Dec. 13 during Café y donas. No applications will be accepted by phone.
- Deacon Jim Saumweber (English speaking): 651-415-3354, saumweber@stodilia.org
|
CHRISTMAS CHOIR
We invite members of St. Odilia to join our Parish Choir to sing for Midnight Mass and the Sundays of Christmas season. This year Midnight Mass will begin at 11:00 p.m. with carols at 10:00 p.m.
It is a great opportunity for those who cannot sing with the choir year around to be part of the wonderful music of Christmas. We will have practices on Thursdays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17, and Tues., Dec. 22, 8:00 - 9:15pm in church. We will sing for Christmas Midnight Mass, and you are welcome to join us for Dec. 27 & Jan. 3, (we'll sing the same music). Everyone, high school age and up are welcome. More info: Dan Perry, 651-415-3346 perry@stodilia.org, or just come to practice. We will have music ready for you.
|
|
AMAZON SHOPPERS CAN EARN .5%
The Catholic Community of St. Odilia is participating in the AmazonSmile program.
- Every time you shop at Amazon using AmazonSmile, 0.5% of the purchase price of eligble items will be donated to St. Odilia.
- Click HERE for more information and to get started.
|
|
|
|
|
FAITH FORMATION
UPDATES
"What Catholics Believe" Series 2015-2016
A Holy Year of Mercy - What Does It Mean to Us?
When: Tues., Dec. 1, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Where: Courtyard
Presenter: Lucy Arimond, Director of Faith Formation
Meet new friends - grow your faith.
Donation requested: $5.00, or what you can afford.
No registration needed.
Pope Francis has declared a Jubilee Year, an entire year about mercy, beginning on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and running through the end of the church year, the Feast of Christ the King on Nov. 20, 2016. The Catholic Church has been holding Jubilee Years, on the average, every 25 or 50 years since the 1300s - the last one was 2000. Jubilee Years usually focus on blessings and forgiveness. For this one, Pope Francis has called us to remember that "No one can be excluded from the mercy of God."
Let's spend some time together, talking about what this could mean for us personally, and for our community. We'll start with a bit of background on Jubilee Years, and on events and plans for this particular Jubilee. Then we'll explore the theology of mercy.
Watch for future topics in our What Catholics Believe series, once a month or so, on Monday or Tuesday evenings.
It's Time for the 2015
SP.R.ED. Christmas Celebration!!!
The SP.R.ED. Christmas Party will be Dec. 8 at 7:00pm in the Gym. We serve approx. 130 guests. Can you help with gifts? Suggestions include socks, soaps, easy games, puzzles, stuffed animals, anything that is fun or interesting. Gifts in the $5-$10 range are welcome as are cash contributions.
Gifts need to be delivered to the Parish Office by: Thursday, December 3. More info.: Faith Formation Office at 651-415-3329 or
flaherty@stodilia.org Thank you for donating to this ministry!
Annual Sunday School
Christmas Pageant
SATURDAY, December 5, 2015
The St. Odilia Sunday School children will be presenting the annual Christmas Pageant on Sat., Dec. 5 at 11:00am.
Please join us for "Come to Bethlehem and See" in the Church. We hope to bring the love of Jesus to your hearts this season. (Reminder that the rehearsal for the children will start at 10:00am.) Be sure to join these young ones to show the reason for the season.
|
|
ST. ODILIA CHARITABLE OUTREACH
NOVEMBER GREEN ENVELOPES:
In November, our green envelope contributions will benefit the St. Odilia Endowment Fund. The interest from the Endowment Fund has become a sustainable source of income for our parish community. Distributions from the Fund are used to support and enhance the ministries of the parish. Grants awarded in 2015 were used to:
- Improve lighting in the music area
- Support Youth Ministry by developing a High School Leadership Retreat Team
- Provide tuition scholarships for our school and faith formation programs
- Provide speakers/study on mental health issues and climate change
- Purchase computer equipment
- Improve the sound system in the Courtyard
OCTOBER GREEN ENVELOPES:
Our October Green Envelope donations totaled $1,971 to benefit further the efforts of the St. Odilia Social Justice Ministry. Our Social Justice outreach ministries include: Latino Ministries, Dorothy Day, the Caring and Sharing Hands Family Shelter, the Sharing Korner Food Shelf, Respect Life, the Sharing Tree, and SOAR for Jobs. Thank you for giving! We make a difference in each other's lives!
DID YOU MISPLACE YOUR GREEN ENVELOPE?
You can still contribute to the St. Odilia Endowment Fund. Just make your check out to St. Odilia with St. Odilia Endowment Fund in the memo line.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
