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April 2016
Community CONNECTION
Creating community engagement
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FROM FATHER RASK
I wish you all a blessed and joyful Easter season!
One of the highlights of the Easter Season each year is to welcome new members into our community through Baptism and Confirmation and celebrate with those who become more fully "initiated" into the life of the Church by their celebration of First Eucharist.
On the Easter weekend, our entire parish community joyfully celebrated the resurrection of our Lord at the St. Odilia Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Masses. At the 7:30 p.m. Easter Vigil Mass we welcomed our newest members to the Catholic faith. The Faith Formation article that follows has more details about these special candidates and the volunteers who helped to prepare them. We pray for them as they continue their faith journey.
On Sunday, May 1, we will recognize our group of Confirmation candidates who have been preparing with Scott Kieffer, our coordinator of Sr. High Youth Ministry and Confirmation to be confirmed at the Cathedral of St. Paul on May 16. We send them forth with our support and prayers as they make the commitment to live out their faith in the world.
On April 9 and 16, we will be celebrating our second graders receiving the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist for the first time. These children have been preparing with Kevin Scroggins, Coordinator of First Eucharist and Reconciliation and Brenda McClennan, Elementary and Family Faith Coordinator. We welcome them with joy and pray that they will always experience strength and nourishment as they are joined with Jesus in Holy Communion. The photo below shows Fr. Stiles preparing the children at a recent First Eucharist retreat:
I thank you for your generous support of our Capital Campaign! This weekend, April 9 and 10, is Commitment Weekend. Each parish family will be given a card during Mass and asked to make a pledge. Those who have already made their pledges will be asked to join in and affirm their support. All will be invited to bring their cards forth to the basket at the altar for a blessing of the pledge cards. Please join the more than 700 parishioners who have made their pledges in support of the parish expansion plan by making your own pledge to the Campaign.
Your support of this fundraising effort sends a strong message that we, as a parish, are committed to our mission to grow as a community of faith in Christ. May God who has begun this good work in us, bring it to fulfillment through our Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia!
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COMMITMENT WEEKEND IS APRIL 9 AND 10 With everyone's support, St. Odilia can achieve its goal of creating a campus that is more accessible to everyone, enhances learning, is more secure, and provides opportunities for our ministries to do their work.
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WE WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
TO THE CATHOLIC FAITH!
Those received into the Church at the Easter Vigil, in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults:
Full Initiation:
Our newly-baptized, Lauren Krogh, Mackenzie Mielke, Barbara Rice, Cooper Richardson, and Ashley Way, who also celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation and joined us at the table of the Eucharist.
Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church:
DeEtte Krogh, Nathan Krogh, Catherine Luiken, Genevieve Meyer, Thomas Soukup and Jeffrey White, baptized Christians who professed the Catholic faith and celebrated the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist with us.
Completion of Christian Initiation:
Haley Lassche, a Catholic who completed her Christian initiation by celebrating the sacrament of Confirmation.
We also celebrated the baptisms of their younger family members, Nathan Krogh, Jr., and Arthur Soukup.
Great thanks to our RCIA Team, Tim Sommers and Mark Bauer, who weekly share their faith, give presentations, and mentor our candidates. They have given hugely of their time and energy as an ongoing part of the RCIA process.
Thanks also to the generous volunteers who assist with the "Break Open the Word" sessions when our candidates are blessed and sent forth from Mass: Mark and Tim (in addition to their Team duties), Dave Schuelke, Pat Sheedy, and Rick Storms. We rejoice with our new members, pray for them as they continue their faith journey, and thank God for their presence in our midst.
 FIRST EUCHARIST AND CONFIRMATION
Please pray for our candidates who are preparing for these sacraments of initiation.
At our parish celebrations of First Eucharist on April 9 and April 16, 2016: Ninety-two young students are preparing for this sacrament.
At the Archdiocese's May 16, 2016 celebration of Confirmation:
Ninety high school students, 9th grade and older, are preparing for this sacrament, which will be preceded by St. Odilia's celebration of the Rite of Sending on May 1, 2016.
And thanks to the many, many volunteers who serve in our sacramental preparation programs.
Save the Dates for Vacation Bible School!
VBS will be July 25-29, 2016
9:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Cave Quest - Following Jesus, the Light of the World
We will have fun learning about God with games, crafts, skits, snacks and of course, music! Please put it on your calendars! Watch the bulletin and the website for details about registration coming this spring. Remember that registration typically fills up and closes in early June.
We always need lots of help from youth and teens grades 6-12.
Plan to volunteer. It is a rewarding experience.
Adults are always welcome to plan this event! We would love to have you join our team. Watch for online registration. More info: contact Janet Etten at 651-415-3330 or etten@stodilia.org.
Join us Wednesday, April 13, 6:30 p.m. for
Family Faith Works!
Father James Peterson will be here to share his stories about life and the people at the Archdiocesan Venezuelan mission parish
Jesucristo Resucitado where he is serving.
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DISCERNMENT FOR PARISH LEADERSHIP
We are again calling forth new leaders to serve on the councils. We encourage and welcome new participation through a process of nomination and discernment. Please see the link to the nomination form below.
Nomination and Discernment Process
Approximately 30 parishioners are needed to fill the open membership positions on the Ministry Area Councils. The process for nomination and discernment involves four steps:
- Nomination: "The Calling Forth of Gifts": You are invited to submit names of parishioners, including yourself, whom you feel would serve our community as a council member. A link to the nomination form is provided below and is also available in the kiosk in the church entry.
- Informational Meeting - April 24: Attendance is not required at this meeting, however, it is a great opportunity to express your interest and to learn more about each council and the impact that you can have in our community as a council member. Specific details about the councils, member job descriptions, training, etc. will be provided. An information meeting about council participation will be held at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, April 24, 2016.
- Personal Prayer: Becoming involved in a leadership position calls for spiritual discernment, a process which requires quiet personal reflection. Allow yourself opportunities to prayerfully reflect on your personal gifts and how the Spirit of God is calling you to use those gifts. All parishioners are invited to pray for those who will participate in the Evening of Discernment on May 17, 2016.
- Discernment Evening - May 17: Parishioners who have received a nomination letter and are willing to serve are invited to join current council members for a simple supper on May 17 in the Courtyard beginning at 6:00 p.m. Nominees and council members will then gather in the church for prayer and will be sent forth to council meeting rooms for a time of discernment with the individual councils.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Information Session - 10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. in the Conference Room
Nominate yourself, or another parishioner now:
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ST. ODILIA CHARITABLE OUTREACH
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. Together we are helping to make our local community thrive. As Paul quotes our Lord Jesus in Acts 20:35, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
April Green Envelopes:
The April Green Envelope collection is focused on Global Solidarity and the call to make God's love visible through our own acts of charity and solidarity with our neighbors around the world. This collection supports four initiatives selected by the U.S. Catholic Bishops to aid the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, Africa, and humanitarian activities of Catholic Relief Services.
March Green Envelopes:
March was food shelf month. Your food donations support Sharing Korner Food Bank where volunteers from St. Odilia serve 15 to 20 families each week. St. Odilia has been supporting them for over 30 years. The green envelope contributions of $7,690 for March provided vital financial support to area food banks.
Did you misplace your green envelope?
You can still contribute to the April Global Solidarity funds that are supported directly by St. Odilia. Just make the check out to St. Odilia with "Global Solidarity" in the memo line.
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BLOOM! IS APRIL 22
St. Odilia Gala of Giving
Friday, April 22, 2016
North Oaks Golf Club
A spring fundraiser organized by volunteer St. Odilia school parents for our community.
Visit the BLOOM! website to buy your tickets:
More questions? Please email:
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LIVING THE DREAM - HISTORIC HOMES OF MINNESOTA
Thursday, April 14, 7:00pm in the Couryard
Everyone is invited to take a tour of Minnesota's most elegant and historic homes. Hear the stories and personalities that surround many of these treasures as photographer and storyteller Doug Ohman takes us on a photographic journey. "If the walls could talk" will become a reality! Doug is a well-known for his Minnesota Byways series of six books (Barns of Minnesota, Churches of Minnesota, Cabins of Minnesota, etc.).
This event is free & no RSVP needed. Sponsored by the St. Odilia Council of Catholic Women. To see some of Doug's work, visit his website: www.pioneerphotography.com
Books will be available for purchase. Questions? Call Flo at 651-484-8670 or Susan at 651-208-4772.
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ASSISTED SUICIDE IS NOT COMPASSION
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2016 - CAFETERIA
FOLLOWING THE 9 AND 11 MASSES
Jason Adkins, Esq., the executive director of Minnesota Catholic Conference, will address end-of-life issues including the "Minnesota Catholic Health Care Directive" and the current campaign (locally and nationally) to legalize physician-assisted suicide. Many people remain confused about the exact nature of physician-assisted suicide advocacy, sometimes confusing it with other medical issues involving end-of-life care. To fully understand the subject, we must distinguish between truly compassionate care to the end of life and the negative realities inherent in euthanasia/assisted suicide.
Please come to hear Jason Adkins and to be part of this important and timely discussion on Sunday, April 17 after either the 9am or 11am Masses in the Cafeteria. Complimentary coffee and donuts will be served.
- The Respect Life Committee
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GROWING THROUGH LOSS
If you have experienced a loss in your life that you are struggling with consider attending this support group which is sponsored by St. Odilia along with many other churches in our area. This loss could be the death of a spouse, a divorce or separation, a pregnancy loss, job loss, or another loss. The next series of meetings - which you can attend one or all of will be at St. Joseph of the Lake in Lino Lakes on Thursdays, 7:00pm, beginning April 14, 2016. See www.growingthroughloss.org for the schedule or call Jim at 651-415-3354. |
WELCOME ARCHBISHOP-DESIGNATE BERNARD HEBDA!
On Holy Thursday, March 24, Pope Francis formally named Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda as the new leader of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
Archbishop-Designate Hebda has been serving as Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese since June 15, 2015. During that time, he has also been serving the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey, as Coadjutor Archbishop, and was scheduled to replace Archbishop John J. Myers when he is expected to retire in July.
The son of Bernard and the late Helen Clark Hebda, the Archbishop-Designate Hebda was born on September 3, 1959 in Pittsburgh, PA. He was ordained to the priesthood on July 1, 1989 in St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh. His Episcopal ordination took place on December 1, 2009.
In addition to serving the Archdioceses of Newark and Saint Paul and Minneapolis, he was Bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan and has served at the Vatican and in parishes in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Archbishop-Designate Hebda's Installation Mass is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 13, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, at the Cathedral of Saint Paul.
To learn more about this exciting announcement, please click HERE
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON POTENTIAL LAWSUIT
Our parish and a number of parishes in the Archdiocese may be served with law suits resulting from claims of alleged clergy sexual abuse. It is important to reiterate that the claims against St. Odilia relate to clergy assigned to our parish over 40 years ago and do not relate to anyone currently working at the parish or anyone currently working in ministry.
These lawsuits are expected to be served between now and mid-May due to the May 25, 2016 deadline associated with the three year lifting of the statute of limitations known as the Child Victim's Act. The attorneys for our parish and the Archdiocese are making every effort to resolve these claims in the course of the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings of the Archdiocese and we hope that the normal operations of the parish will not be affected. Please pray for all victims of abuse and for a fair and just resolution of the claims that have been filed. For more information see links below.
More information:
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FOLDING PALMS ON PALM SUNDAY - THANK YOU!
Thank you to all participants who taught and learned how to fold palms on Palm Sunday. This was a great opportunity to blend our English and Spanish speaking parishioners in a hands-on activity that crossed the language barrier. There we so many beautiful creations! It was a wonderful time for both young and old.
- Sponsored by the Worship & Community Life Council and Hispanic Leadership Council
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EASTER TRIDUUM AND MASSES
THANK YOU!
Many thanks to all of the people who helped make the Triduum and Easter Masses so beautiful!
Thank you to the volunteers who helped decorate the church and gym, and arrange the Easter flowers.
Thank you to the many volunteers who helped coordinate, lector, usher, serve as Eucharistic minister and serve at the Masses.
Thanks to those who helped with the hand washing and to those who helped collect, bag and deliver soap and towels.
You are greatly appreciated! God bless you all!
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JEWELRY AND COLLECTIBLES SALE Be sure to shop the CCW Spring Jewelry Sale in the school gym on these dates: - Sat., April 30, Noon - 6:30pm
- Sun., May 1, 8am - 12:30pm
Oodles of necklaces, pins and earrings. Great for craft projects, too! This sale will feature half-price clearance of collectible items and craft supplies like beads, ribbon, etc. Proceeds help support our parish and community and sponsored by St. Odilia Council of Catholic Women. Want to help with the sale? Call Pat at 651-484-4549. Volunteers are always welcome.
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ST. ODILIA WEEKLY CHURCH BULLETINS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR YOU! You can read the St. Odilia weekly church bulletins via the online links on the St. Odilia website.
You can even subscribe to have the links to the bulletin delivered to your email each week. Click HERE to find out more from the Parishesonline website.
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 CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL FOUNDATION UPDATE
We invite you to continue your support to these ministries in 2016. Our parish goal remains the same as last year at $109,599. Every gift matters, so please prayerfully consider your gift. Thank you for your continued support of the Catholic Services Appeal. These are the ministries served by the Appeal:
- American Indian Ministry
- Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (ACCW)
- Campus Ministry - Newman Center
- Campus Ministry - Saint Paul's Outreach
- Catholic Charities
- Deaf Ministry
- Elementary Schools
- Evangelization and Catechesis
- High Schools
- Hospital Chaplains
- Latino Ministry
- Marriage, Family and Life
- Parishes
- Prison Chaplains
- Saint John Vianney College Seminary
- The Saint Paul Seminary
- Venezuelan Mission
To date, the total for pledged and received is $79,411.
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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