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Community CONNECTION
Creating community engagement
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FROM FATHER RASK
Another wonderful Fall Festival! I hope you all had a chance to attend St. Odilia's Fall Festival, a festival second only to the Minnesota State Fair! The weather was perfect, surely a gift from God. Thank you all for your hard work. There were hundreds of volunteers. I am continually amazed by the number of dedicated parishioners who give to the parish their most precious possession of all: time! I enjoyed myself last weekend and I know so many others, parishioners and guests, did so as well because of your efforts.
Langer Construction was selected as the General Contractor for our building expansion and remodel project. Watch for new updates as the detailed design plans with our architect are finalized this fall.
September is a busy month for our Faith Formation classes. Sunday School, Family Faith, Confirmation, and RCIA begin in September. More details follow including the links for registration.
As always, there are many opportunities to become involved in our parish life at St. Odilia. As you review this Connection, I hope you might consider joining a bible study, faith formation activity, or ministry group this fall to get to know some wonderful people and to let them get to know you.
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BUILDING OUR VISION
Our work continues...
During the week of August 22, 2016 members of the Building Committee interviewed five (5) potential general contractors who had submitted a proposal for our building expansion and remodel project. Langer Construction was selected.
Although we are beginning this exciting next step to work with our architect, Station 19 Architects and a general contractor to finalize our design and construction documents, our work continues to secure pledges and funding for our project. We hope to secure another $1.5M in pledges in order to reduce the amount of financing that will be required for this project. If you have not yet had the opportunity to submit your pledge, there are pledge cards in the back of the church and entry way kiosks that you can use. With your 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. Thank you for your ongoing support!
If you haven't pledged yet, please consider joining your fellow parishioners. Contact Ramona Michaels at 651-415-3350 or send an email to: capitalcampaign@stodilia.org
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Fall Festival 2016
We thank our 2016 Fall Festival Bingo Sponsors:
- MN Catholic Credit Union
- Catholic United Financial
We thank our 2016 Fall Festival Raffle Sponsors:
- Anchor Bank
- Donna Vanneste, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Burnet)
- Eibensteiner Real Estate Group (Remax Results)
- Grandma's Bakery
- Impressive Print
- Knights of Columbus
- Little Venetian Restaurant
- Premier Bank
A complete list of Fall Festival Business Donors will be published in an upcoming weekly bulletin.
Thank you to ALL who donated time, talent, financial resources and material items to make the 2016 Fall Festival a success!
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OUR PRAYER GARDEN GROWS!
Memorial Wall -
In Remembrance:
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| | Memorial Wall |
"Our St. Odilia Prayer Garden will now have a beautiful new feature near the St. Francis Columbarium. A Memorial Wall entitled, 'In Remembrance' has been added. Inscribed on this wall will be the names of those who are interred elsewhere but prayerfully and lovingly remembered by our St. Odilia Community. The inscriptions will include the names of our loved ones as well as the date of birth and death much like the inscriptions on the niches in the columbaria. More information about how to have a loved one's name inscribed on our memorial Wall will be coming soon! In the meantime stop by our Prayer Garden for a quiet moment of reflection and see the beautiful Memorial Wall."
- Kevin Scroggins, Prayer Garden committee member
Landscape Ecology Awards Program (LEAP)
St. Odilia Prayer Garden Wins Top Honors!
The St. Odilia Prayer Garden recently won top honors in the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District's Landscape Ecology Awards Program (LEAP) for our three colorful and attractive rain gardens on the north side of the Prayer Garden property. The judges were impressed with the use of native plants in the design, and amazed to learn how much rain water the gardens intercepted. "We observed that the maintenance of the garden was excellent. What a beautiful example of stewardship! We also want to thank Roger Toogood for being an excellent guide for the project."
- Lynne Shriver-Sheedy, Prayer Garden committee member
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VENEZUELAN MISSION GROUP WILL BE HERE! Fr. James Peterson is returning to Minnesota this month with a group of young adults from the Venezuelan Mission.
Fr. James and the group will be here at St. Odilia on Friday, September 16 for the 9:35am school Mass. They will join us for school Mass and then perform a couple of songs immediately after Mass. There will be an opportunity for a free-will offering. All are welcome! |
 
ATTENTION FAMILIES!
Faith Formation Registration for the 2016-17 School Year
Register NOW - classes will fill!
- Sunday School (age 3 thru K)
- Family Faith Formation (K-grade 5)
- Junior High Faith Formation (grades 6-7)
- Confirmation (grades 8 & 9)
Discount for volunteer catechists. Scholarships available if financial need.
Please consider a donation to help us give more scholarships.
Register and pay online for 2016-2017 Faith Formation HERE
- Payment is not required to register online. A payment plan with quarterly billing can be requested.
If you are unable to register online, paper registration forms are available, in the parish office and the Faith Formation office. Questions? Contact the Faith Formation office, 651-415-3329, or send an email to faithformation.registration@stodilia.org.
Confirmation - Special Note: for 2016-17 only, both 8th graders and 9th graders will be preparing for and celebrating Confirmation. In future years, Confirmation will be in 8th grade.
Nathan Stewart joins the
Youth Formation team!
Nathan will lead both our Junior High Edge and Confirmation programs this year at St. Odilia.
He and his wife will be moving here next week from Sequim Washington.
Having earned a Master of Arts degree in Theology and Christian Ministry from the Franciscan University Nathan is looking forward to beginning his career with the Church and excited about coming to St. Odilia.
He looks forward to helping our youth understand and live out their Faith, learn what it means to be a Catholic in the world today, and deepen their knowledge of that faith and their love for Christ.
Welcome to our Muslim Guests at Mass
on Sept. 18, 9:00 a.m.
During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan this summer, some St. Odilia parishioners participated in the Minnesota Council of Churches' project inviting Christians to attend a Ramadan iftar dinner at a local mosque, the Imam Husain Islamic Center. The mosque's speaker expressed a wish that a reciprocal visit to a Christian place of worship might be possible. All of this is in the hope of building greater connections and understanding between Christians and Muslims, people of good will in both faiths. Members of the Imam Husain Islamic Center are attending our regular 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sept. 18. Each visitor will be paired with a volunteer host from St. Odilia. After Mass, our guests from the mosque will stay for coffee/donuts and informal conversations with parishioners. They'll be wearing name tags-please stop by and greet them!
We need you to be a Partner in Ministry
in Faith Formation!
The effectiveness and success of our Faith Formation and Youth Ministry programs depends on adult and teen leaders! Please consider joining us in passing on the faith to our families and young people. There is a place for every type of person! We are in need of behind-the-scenes helpers, catechists and small group facilitators, and youth ministry core team members. For your convenience, click on the link below to complete a short application about your preferences as a partner in ministry:
Archdiocesan Essential Three Requirements: In order to work with minors in any of our faith formation or youth ministry programs, adults must complete the Archdiocesan Essential Three, which consists of: signing the Volunteer Code of Conduct, completing a safe environment training session called VIRTUS: Protecting God's Children, and undergoing a background check. We encourage alll parents to consider becoming Essential Three approved.
The background check process can be somewhat lengthy, and you never know when you might want to step in as a chaperone, hall monitor, or substitute catechist.
- To get started: click HERE to download the essential three paperwork.
- Then go to www.virtus.org and click on the "first time registrant" button to create a personal Virtus account. This will allow you to register for the Virtus Class, sign the Code of Conduct, and request a background check.
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 this year be the "right time" to explore joining the Church? More info: Lucy Arimond, Director of Adult Formation and Evangelization, at 651-415-3331 or arimond@stodilia.org.
NEW Fall Bible Study Starts THIS WEEK!
REGISTER NOW or at the door.
Breaking Bread with Jesus: Meals in the Gospels
When: Thursdays, Sept. 22 & 29 and Oct. 6, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Location: Courtyard or Cafeteria
Presenter: Arthur E. Zannoni
Registration: Starting Sept. 1
Cost: $25 per person
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus shares meals with a variety of people. For Jesus, a meal was more than a way to fill his stomach. A meal was a way to teach about the love God was extending to all men and women, especially those most in need of God's message. Jesus' meals with the poor, sinners, and outcasts were signs of solidarity with those despised and rejected. Often outsiders were included in Jesus' table fellowship. These meals were signs of the future heavenly banquet - what it would be like to be dining in the kingdom of God. This program will explore the meal stories in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) so as to provide participants with a better understanding of what it means to practice Christian fellowship. Emphasis will be placed on the similarities and differences between the meal stories. Join us for this new course, developed especially for St. Odilia. Please bring a bible to each session.
About our presenter: Arthur E. Zannoni is an award-winning freelance writer, scripture scholar, teacher, theologian, workshop leader and consultant in biblical studies and Christian-Jewish relations.
Registration: Click HERE for Online registration and payment. Paper registration forms available in the parish office and the Faith Formation office. You may also pay by check, payable to St. Odilia with notation "Breaking Bread." We will also accept registrations at the door.
For further info: contact Lucy Arimond, Director of Adult Formation and Evangelization, Arimond@stodilia.org, 651-415-3331.
"What Catholics Believe" Series 2016-2017
Mother Teresa - "The Letters"
When: Tues., Oct. 4, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Where: Courtyard
 In September, Mother Teresa of Kolkata (Calcutta) was canonized, formally recognizing her as St. Teresa. Exactly one month later, on October 4, we'll be celebrating the occasion by launching our "What Catholics Believe" series with a showing of "The Letters," William Riead's gripping movie based on the letters that St. Teresa wrote to her spiritual director, the Belgian Jesuit Fr. Celeste van Exem (whose birthday, as it happens, was Oct. 4). Mark your calendars now! Watch for future topics in our What Catholics Believe series.
"Living the Scriptures" Tuesday Bible Study Group is accepting new members for Fall.
When:Tuesdays, Sept. 27 thru Nov. 15, 10:00-11:15 a.m.
Where: 3510 Vivian Ave. - the Faith Formation Bldg.
Cost: $9.00
Enjoy the Sunday readings together! Meet fellow parishioners! Share how the Word of God comes alive in your life!
Our Tuesday morning Bible Study program is starting up again. We're still using the very popular "Sunday by Sunday" bible study guides to each week's Sunday Mass readings, which are published by the Sisters of St. Joseph. We're accepting new members for this season, Sept. 27 through Nov. 15.
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ST. ODILIA CHARITABLE OUTREACH
"Help one another. This is what Jesus teaches us. This is what I do and I do it with my heart." (Pope Francis)
AUGUST GREEN ENVELOPE:
Our August green envelope donations are used for our annual "Missionary Appeal" each August. In August we welcomed Frs. Thomas Hunstiger and Steve LaCanne who spoke at all Masses on behalf of Cross Catholic Outreach which was founded to create a meaningful link between parishes in America and priests and nuns working in the church overseas in the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Central and South America. A second collection for the mission was taken up at all the Masses. Your gifts to Cross Catholic Outreach, through the second collection ($7,077.89), Mission Appeal Green Envelopes ($4,535.00) and gifts directly to Cross Catholic Outreach ($2,275) totaled $13,887.89. Frs. Hunstiger and LaCanne expressed their gratitude to our parish for your warm hospitality and generous spirit.
SEPTEMBER GREEN ENVELOPE:
The September Green Envelopes are for the Sponsor-a-Student Scholarship. This collection is divided between the St. Odilia School and Faith Formation.
Our St. Odilia School serves the parish community while welcoming families from all faith backgrounds to share the blessings of a Catholic school. The school strives to make Catholic education available, accessible, and affordable in order to serve students of all economic backgrounds.
Every year we have many Faith Formation sponsored events on our church calendar. In addition, there are scripture study programs, featured speaker programs for families, children and teens, preparation for Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation and more. The nominal fees charged for these programs don't always cover the entire expenses so the green envelope contributions help make up the difference.
DID YOU MISPLACE YOUR GREEN ENVELOPE?
You can still contribute to the St. Odilia Sponsor-a-Student Scholarship fund. Just make a check out to St. Odilia with Sponsor-a-Student Scholarship fund in the memo line.
If you'd like to make an additional one-time gift to our Sunday Debt and Facility Maintenance funds, you can click HERE.
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CHOIR IS STARTING A NEW SEASON... COME AND JOIN US! The St. Odilia Parish Choir is starting the new season. We welcome you to join our fun and vibrant group. The choir sings at the 9:00 Mass most Sundays from Sept. through May. Our first rehearsal is Thurs. night, Sept. 15, 7:30 - 9:00 in church. Come to a practice and try it out. We don't have auditions; all are welcome! More info about these choirs: Contact Dave Barkhymer, Music Director at 651-415-3346 or barkhymer@stodilia.org
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WORSHIP AND COMMUNITY LIFE Liturgical Ministers Needed! The 6:00pm Mass resumes on Sunday, September 18! If you plan to regularly worship at 6:00, we invite you to consider sharing your gifts as Projectionist, Usher, Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Mass Sever or Mass Coordinator. Everyone is welcome! We also have many openings and opportunities at other Masses! Our most pressing needs are: - 5:00 pm: Projectionists
- 7:30 am: Projectionists, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers
Training will be provided. Please contact Kim Albrecht
Lectors & Mass Servers Desperately Needed!
We are in great need of Lectors at the 7:30am Mass and Mass Servers at the 9:00am Mass. Please contact Kim Albrecht in the Worship Office if you are interested in joining one of these ministries. Training will be provided. 651-415-3339 or Albrecht@stodilia.org.
Thank you,
Kim Albrecht, Director of Worship
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INTERESTED IN A COMMUNITY GARDEN? We are looking for people who might be interested in starting a community garden and/or people who can grow a little more at home to discuss these ideas for next year. Contact Jeanne at 651-341-0779 or mcculloughjeanne@yahoo.com
Also please continue to bring your fresh produce to Mass on Sundays along with your regular food shelf donations. The food is getting to people and families who need your support. Thank you and blessings.
- Pastoral Care Council |
GROWING THROUGH LOSS Many people think grief and loss are only associated with death. There are, however, other kinds of loss that are not often acknowledged. Have you lost your job? Did your job take you to another city? Have you experienced a broken relationship?
St. Odilia is a member of the North Suburban Grief Coalition, an organization that lends support to those dealing with such losses as well as those from death. The "Growing Through Loss" series, consisting of meeting one evening a week for six weeks is held twice a year at participating churches. Each evening begins with a guest speaker who addresses some factors related to grief and loss and then small support groups are formed dealing with specific losses.
If you have experienced a death, divorce, suicide, or a transitional loss, this series could be for you.
The next series will begin Monday, September 19, 2016, at Incarnation Lutheran Church. If you would like more information visit www.growingthroughloss.org.
You can also call the Growing Through Loss hotline at 763-755-5335 or Deacon Jim at 651-415-3354. |
SCHOOL SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME ANNUAL CRAFT FAIR & GARAGE SALE Sat., Oct. 8, 2016, 8:30am to 2:00pm 170 Good Counsel Drive, Mankato, MN
Please join the School Sisters of Notre Dame at our annual Craft Fair and Garage Sale. Event features many food items for purchase, crafts, quilts, plants and more. Proceeds benefit the retired sisters. A message from Sr. Carol Ann Gosse: I am collecting small house plants for this event and need more to sell. Could you donate one or more nicely potted plants? Please bring them to the table outside the parish office during office hours on Sept. 17/18, 24/25, or Oct. 1/2. God bless you! |
WEEKLY ADORATION FALL 2016 Eucharistic Adoration will begin again on Mondays starting September 12,1:00-7:00pm in the Chapel. This is in addition to our regularly scheduled Adoration on the first Friday of each month after morning Mass. All are welcome! To ensure that someone will always be present for Adoration on Mondays, 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. |
CCW INVITATION TO OCT. 3 MEETING
The first meeting/potluck dinner is
Mon., Oct. 3. WE WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!! If you wish to join the Catholic Council of Women (CCW), please contact Judy Schuelke at 651-485-3520.
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THE WIZARD OF OZ St. Odilia's Musical Ministry's 2017 production is THE WIZARD of OZ
by L. Frank Baum
Adapted by Frank Gabrielson Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg
Kickoff: Oct. 22, 2016; 9:00 am Auditions: Oct. 22, 10:00am-12:30 and Mon. Oct. 24 and Tues. Oct. 256:00-8:30pm Contact Deb: djdarling@usfamily.net for time slot
Sneak Preview: Feb. 23, 2017
Performances:February 24-26, 2017
Crew, tech, support volunteers contact Jerry Ruhland at: jmruhland3@gmail.com |
RESPECT LIFE COMMITTEE UPDATE
MOVED BY MERCY Lisa Schmitz, executive director of Abria Pregnancy Resources, will speak on October 2 after the 9:00am and 11:00am Masses in the school gym. Please join us to learn about this wonderfulresource in our community. Abria offers a safe, non-judgmental and supportive environment for women and couples facing an unexpected pregnancy. Abria provides authentic health care for women, with positive, life-affirming medical and personal support services, education and resources. In addition, Abria teaches young people to develop healthy relationships, so that they can experience the freedom that properly ordered sexuality can bring to their lives. This fall, Abria will introduce its Thrive and Something More programs to selected junior/senior high school and college students.
The St. Odilia community is once again invited to offer a day of prayer at Planned Parenthood, St. Paul on Saturday, October 15. The exact location is 671 Vandalia Street just north of University Avenue.
Prayer leaders will pray the rosary from 6:00am to 6:00pm on the sidewalk in front of the building. Please join them for an hour of prayer or for whatever time is possible. Let's storm heaven with prayer together. We thank God that last year two babies (twins), that we are aware of, were saved from abortion on this day of prayer. Sign up sheets will be in the Courtyard after all Masses on both October 2 and October 9. Although sign-up is not required, we would appreciate it--especially if you would like transportation from St Odilia to Planned Parenthood. This is a part of Pro-Life Action Ministries Adopt-A-Day during 40 Days for Life ( September 28 through November 6, 2016) an international movement of prayer and fasting to end abortion.
- Sponsored by the Respect for Life Committee
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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.
When our parish reaches its goal of $109,599.00, 25% of all funds received will be returned for use in our parish.
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
The total for pledged and received continues to grow and is now
To donate online through the CSAF website click HERE.
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Tutor a child one on one in reading! The East Side Learning Center is looking for volunteer tutors. This is a ministry supported by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. There are multiple sites serving more than 2,500 children. Click HERE for a brochure. More info: Lauren Johnson at 651-793-7364 or lauren.johnson@spps.org
Presbyterian Homes Volunteer Opportunity:
Optage Hospice of Presbyterian Homes is in need of more volunteers. More info: Sarah Guzman 651-631-6362.
Saint Therese at St. Odilia Volunteer Opportunities:
- Office Assistant: The volunteer in this role provides clerical support for our nurse manager. The schedule is 2-3 hours per week, flexible to volunteer's schedule.
- Little Free Library Installer: A donor has been kind enough to build and donate a "Little Free Library" for Saint Therese at St. Odilia. Now we need a volunteer to dig a hole, 48" deep and wide enough for a 4X4 post. Place post in hole and fill with rock.
- Palliative Care Companion: Provide companionship to residents living at Saint Therese at St. Odilia. No experience required - just a desire to spend time helping make a difference in someone's day. More info: Susan Connolly, Saint Therese Director of Volunteer Services susanc@sttheresemn.org or 952-283-2210.
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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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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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