May 13

PASTORAL MINISTRY

First of all, thanks to each and every one of you that made it to the Taste of St. Cloud on Monday, May 7 at Coyote Moon Grille. We had a wonderful time and a large crowd of supporters for our Franciscan Community Volunteers Program. I appreciated having so many St. Francis Xavier parishioners at the event. If I didn’t see you, it was only because the night was too short. Our next year’s date has been set for Monday, May 6, 2013.

 

Welcoming Sunday, May 6 was a special event. Thanks to our 11 newly registered households that were able to attend. The spirit of welcoming was enhanced by those who provided hospitality and companionship: Ruth Brattensborg, John and Darlene Stafney, Bob and Pat Koenig, Don and Millie Moran, Jim and DeNae Miller, Kim and Don Larsen and John and Lisa Kirchner. Your presence and friendliness were much appreciated by our new  parishioners.

 

Our BeFriender meeting will take place on Monday,

May 14. It is a very important meeting where we will do a ministry reflection, sign up for our June picnic, sign up for an annual review on your ministry with me and brainstorm for next year’s program. Please bring your JOURNAL to this meeting.

 

The Advocates for Military Families is planning an evening for families of the deployed and those who have recently returned from overseas assignments. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 23 at 6:00 pm in the Gathering Place. Invitations have been sent. Please RSVP to John and Lisa Kirchner at 202-1629 by Wednesday, May 16 if you are able to attend.

 

Thanks to the Knights of Columbus and the St. Monica Christian Women for their wonderful ministry in our parish. On Tuesday, May 16^th the Christian Women will have a special evening together beginning with  Mass at 5:30 pm. We are deeply grateful to both groups for their many outreach efforts in our parish. As the saying goes, “We couldn’t do it without you!”

 

Have a peaceful week, noticing God’s activity in your life.

 

Sister Cordy 

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BACCALAUREATE MASS

 

Invitations have been sent to all High School Seniors of our parish for the Baccalaureate Mass taking place next Saturday, May 19 at 5:00 pm. If you are a high school senior and did not receive an invitation, we apologize and hope you will consider joining us. Be sure to wear your Cap and Gown and join us in the Gathering Place at 10:15 am. (You will process into church as a class.) 

 

A reception with refreshments will take place following Mass in the Gathering Place so don’t forget your camera for those final group pictures.

 

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A TRIBUTE

TO WOMEN IN OUR LIVES

 

Today we honor the women in our lives who have given us life.  We certainly honor those who gave birth to us. Mothers hold a special place in our hearts. They are people we count on to love us even when no one else might!  It is this unconditional love that helps us to begin to understand the love God has for us. There are other special women who are “mothers in faith” to us as well.   

 

As we honor these women who teach us about love, forgiveness, belief in ourselves, and who call forth the best in us, I would like to share with you some comments by some of our 8th graders this year. The young people were asked to write about someone who helps them to see God—someone they would say has a close relationship with God. 

 

“My mom because she points me in the right direction.”

 

“My aunt is very close to God. I believe this because she volunteers and teaches others about God.”

 

“My grandma, because she is always going to church and prays. She is a very kind and gentle woman.”

 

“My grandma has been close to God forever and knows so much about him. He can hear her prayers and answers them more than anyone else I know.”

 

“My grandma helps me feel closer to God because she always says no matter what you do or how much you sin, God will always love you and forgive you.”

 

“My mom always goes to church and makes me go to church also.”

 

“My grandma helps me see God. She takes me to church and she prays with me. I know that she is close to God because she is a good person toward others.”

 

“My mom helps me to see God whenever I’m sad because she knows the right words to say every single time I need it. I love her. She makes me feel important.”

 

Thank you to our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and all the women of faith who, through their love and faithfulness, help us to know the love of God! 

 

Happy Mother’s Day!

 

Eileen Garcia & Linda Arnold,

Faith Formation Coordinators 

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HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Flowers are available in the Gathering Place or at the entrances after Mass.

Say Thanks Mom for LIFE!

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2012 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL—

SUMMERTIME FUN FOR THE KIDS!

July 30 to August 3     9:00-11:00 am

at St. Francis Xavier Church

Children in Kindergarten—4th Grade

(based on the 2012-13 school year.)

Cost is $25.00 per child

Registration deadline—June 4, 2012

One registration form must be completed for each child attending. Pick up registration forms from the Gathering Place today. Drop the form and payment in the collection basket or bring the information to the parish office during office hours. M-F, 8:00am—5:00pm.

Volunteers are also needed.

Make plans to have your child be a part of this fun and exciting event. It’s another wonderful way for them to experience God’s Love!

 

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 MINNESOTA VIKINGS vs.

GREEN BAY PACKERS TICKETS

 

St Francis Xavier Home & School Association is selling raffle tickets to raise money for the school.

Raffle Prize: TWO  MN Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers game tickets for Sunday, December 30th AND Hotel for two at the Marriott Residence Inn at the Depot on Saturday, December 29th.

 

Cost of Raffle Ticket: $10.00

 

The raffle will be held at the St. Francis Xavier, end of School Year Picnic on Tuesday May 29th. Tickets will sold after Masses from now until May 27th. Tickets will also be available in the parish office.

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MEMORIAL DAY MASS & SERVICE

 

There will be a Memorial Day Mass on Monday, May 28 at 8:00 am.

 

Following Mass, at 9:00 am, the annual Sartell American Legion Post 277 Memorial Day Service will be held at the Veteran’s Park on Riverside Avenue in Sartell. The service will include vocal and instrumental numbers by the Sartell Area Community Choir and Sartell Area Community Band.

 

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MENTAL HEALTH & SPIRITUALITY:

FINDING HOPE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

 

Saturday, May 19^th 9:30 —11:30 am at St. Joseph Lab School in St. Joseph

 

This workshop is for those experiencing mental illness and/or for friends and family trying to support those with mental illness. Deb Forstner and Sheila Dodge will guide participants through a discussion looking at how our faith can bring hope in the midst of the tough days as well as lead us in prayer and reflection. The workshop is free, but please RSVP to Molly Weyrens so that we can have enough supplies. youthministry@churchstjoseph.org or 363-7505 x 129. Friends outside the parish are also invited to attend. 

 

Deb Forstner is a school psychologist with District 742 and Sheila Dodge is a past Regional Coordinator for  Consumer/ Survivor Network in St. Cloud whose mission is to support those struggling with mental illness

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SOCIAL JUSTICE CONCERNS GROUP

 

Our Mission Statement:

We foster education, prayer and action around  social justice concerns of the day  and reach out to the parish in various ways to build the reign of God in our midst."

 

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in being a part of in a more intentional way, please consider joining us monthly to pray, be educated and look for ways we can "become what we eat" each Sunday. Our plan is to meet the 4th Thursday of each month from 6:30-8 pm in Xavier Hall.  

 

Our next meeting is on Thursday, May 24th at 6:30 pm. For more information contact: Molly Weyrens at mollyweyrens@gmail.com.

 

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ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CEMETERY

 

If you would like to have a single pole plant stand to put at a grave site, we have a limited number available. Cost is $35.00. Contact the parish office at 252-1363 to reserve your stand.

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 CEMETERY NEWS

 

The Cemetery Committee recently met and made plans for the continued prep work of the property where trees were cut down and stumps removed last December. The ground will be tilled up several times over the next few months and leveled off to prepare the soil for planting grass in late August or early September. Work is being done currently to prepare the cemetery for Memorial Day weekend. Markers and monuments are being edged, trimming is being done, and it will be mowed several times. There is some relaxing of the decorating allowed until Memorial Day, but please remember that additional items are allowed for one week beyond Memorial Day.

 

On Monday, June 4^th items that are lying on the ground or stuck in the ground around markers and monuments will be removed and discarded. Solar lights are not allowed in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. Items in urns that are part of the monument or marker are allowed, but the only approved item in addition to the monument or marker is a single pole plant stand for holding potted plants/flowers or artificial flowers. Newer gravesites even have foundations with a hole on the west end of the foundation for the plant stand. This keeps a more uniform look to the cemetery and aids greatly with maintenance. The parish does have additional single pole plant stands available for $35.00 if you are interested. Thank you for being mindful of the guidelines for cemetery decorating.