For the People of our Parish

The Area Catholic Community of Mayhew Lake, Sauk Rapids, Sartell, and St. Stephen Updates for the virtual meeting via Zoom on June

16th, 2020.

·  One in Christ Combined Bulletin - A combined

bulletin is in development with the first bulletin

targeted for distribution in early August. We

will use the two publishing companies currently

under contract, to publish the new bulletins.

Down the road when current contract have

been fulfilled, we will select one company to

publish our combined 4-parish bulletin.

·  One in Christ Website - development continues.

The website will contain One in Christ

community information, links to our individual

parish bulletins, calendar of events, contact

information, and more. Some information is

available now.

·  New Mass Schedule - with the 1st week of July

we begin with new priests and new Mass

schedules. However, and temporarily during

the Covid-19 outbreak, Sartell and Sauk

Rapids Sunday Masses will be different for the

summer. Sacred Heart's Sunday Mass will be

at 9:00 a.m. and Sartell's Sunday Mass will be

at 9:30 a.m. As time, conditions, and

attendance warrant, Sunday Mass times for

those two parishes will reset to the original plan

(Sauk Rapids - 8 & 10 a.m.; Sartell - 8:30 &

10:30 a.m.)

Contact us at: oneinchristacc@gmail.com

Visit us at: oneinchristacc.org

Next meeting: Tues. July 14th, 2020 @ 7:00 p.m.

at St. Francis Xavier (otherwise virtual via Zoom)

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Here is the Mass schedule for our One in Christ

Area Catholic Community, effective July 1, 2020: Annunciation Parish in Mayhew Lake: Monday and Thursday mornings at 8:30 am and Sunday morning at 8:30 am.

St. Stephen Parish in St. Stephen: Tuesday at 5:30 pm and

Thursday at 8:30 am and

Saturday at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 10:30 am.

Sacred Heart in Sauk Rapids:

Tuesday at 5:30 pm and

Wednesday and Friday at 8:00 am and Saturday at 5:00 pm and Sunday at 9:00 am

(Please note that the Sunday schedule is temporary and will change to two Masses at a date to be determined.)

St. Francis Xavier in Sartell:

Wednesday and Friday at 8:00 am (during school year Friday Mass at 9:00 am) and

Saturday at 5:00 pm and Sunday at 9:30 am (Please note that the Sunday schedule is temporary and will change to two Masses at a date to be determined.)

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For the People of our Parish

The Area Catholic Community of Mayhew Lake, Sauk

Rapids, Sartell, and St. Stephen

Updates for the virtual meeting via Zoom on Tuesday,

May 26th, 2020

Our ACC plan to the diocese for the sharing and

growth of our four parishes was revised and

resubmitted to now include target completion dates

and a slightly revised weekend Mass schedule that

proposes to change St. Stephen's Saturday evening

Mass to 7:00 p.m. from the earlier plan of 5:00 p.m.

A sample ACC Combined Bulletin was reviewed.

Upon review, it was decided that we attempt a

second version combined bulletin that has two pages

devoted to community/common information with an

additional page for each parish. When including

advertising, the total length to be 8 pages, with the

possibility of going to 10 pages if needed. Each

parish would still have the option of providing an

insert for their own particular needs. Specific

bulletin content has not yet been determined.

The trustees from each parish will be meeting with

the diocese' newly assigned priest/s to determine

the financial obligations (percentages) for each

parish relating to priest's salaries and expenses.

This information is needed for budgeting and

planning purposes.

A weekday Mass schedule was proposed and will

be relayed to the new priests of our ACC.

Mayhew Lake - 8:30 a.m. on Monday and

Thursday

Sauk Rapids - 5:30 p.m. Tuesday; 8:00

a.m. Wednesday; 8:00 a.m. Friday;

(perhaps Word and Communion at 8:00

a.m. Monday)

Sartell - 8:00 a.m. Wednesday; 9:00 a.m.

Friday during school year, otherwise at

8:00 a.m.; (perhaps Word and

Communion at 8:00 a.m. Monday)

St. Stephen - 5:30 p.m. Tuesday; 8:00 a.m.

Thursday

2:00 p.m. Wednesday at Country Manor

2:00 p.m. Thursday at Good Shepherd

Contact us at: oneinchristacc@gmail.com

Visit us at: oneinchristacc.org

Next meeting: Tues. June 16th, 2020 @ 7:

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For the People of our Parish

The Area Catholic Community of Mayhew Lake,

Sauk Rapids, Sartell, and St. Stephen.

Updates for the virtual meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, March 31st, 2020:

A oneinchristacc@gmail.com e-mail account has been created for our ACC. It is an account whereby all parishioners can use it to contact our ACC planning council with questions or comments.

A oneinchristacc.org website is currently under development. Ultimately, our hope is that this website will contain information relating to our ACC as well as the Sunday bulletins for each of the four parishes within our One in Christ ACC.

The "Progressive Supper", as a "community building event" has been tabled due to COVID-19 concerns.

Our ACC plan that was submitted to the diocese and Bishop Kettler last winter has been reviewed and returned to us with feedback, recommendations, and expectations. The following are the first three we will address.

First - that we have some sort of joint bulletin. Discussions relating to format, frequency, and method of availability are now under way and will be spearheaded by a "bulletin team".

Secondly - that our ACC activity needs to include more "outreach" focus. The RCIA team will start by revising the plan to include methods for "keeping families engaged between Baptism and First Communion".

Thirdly - that we have a Mass schedule that has staggered Mass times. The Mass time subcommittee will meet to discuss and develop a revised proposal.

Next meeting: If held in person, it will be Tuesday, May 5th, 2020, @ 7:00pm at St. Francis Xavier Church in Sartell. If not in person, it will be a virtual meeting for that same time.

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For the People of our Parish

The Area Catholic Community of Mayhew Lake, Sauk Rapids, Sartell, and St. Stephen

Updates for the meeting on Tuesday, February 4th, 2020 @ Sauk Rapids

A "One in Christ" ACC shared website was discussed and will be created showing and linking our four parishes.

Individual church bulletins will remain the same for now.

We are looking into a communication platform, an app, on which our four parishes can share information.

A Community building event, a “Progressive Supper”, is being planned. Its purpose is to introduce and bring our ACC community together.

Our ACC is in support of a request that was made to the Bishop that an additional priest be added to our ACC. It would help us to better serve the 10,000 plus members of our four parishes.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 31st, 2020 at 7:00p.m. at St. Francis Xavier.

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For the People of our Parish

The Area Catholic Community of Mayhew Lake, Sauk Rapids, Sartell, and St. Stephen. Updates for the meeting on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 @ Mayhew Lake.

 

Our ACC Planning Council approved the subcommittees’ proposals for the four elements of Stewardship, RCIA Evangelization, Young Adult and Worship. These four proposals will be submitted to the Diocese for review and approval.

 

A consensus was reached on Mass times.

Annunciation: Sunday 8:00 am

Sacred Heart: Saturday 5 pm and Sunday 10:00 am

St. Francis Xavier: Saturday 5 pm and Sunday10:00 am 

St. Stephen: Saturday 7:00 pm and Sunday 8:00 am

The above Mass time schedule, beginning July 2020, is part of the Worship element that is being submitted to the Diocese for review and approval.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 4th, 2020 at 7:00p.m. at Sacred Heart Church.

-----------------------------------------

The "One in Christ" logo has been selected to represent our Area Catholic Community of Mayhew Lake, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, and St. Stephen.

In the formation of our ACC, Bishop Kettler is asking that we come together and share our strengths and challenges. Then, as an Area Catholic Community, we can address our challenges.

The first four elements that we will work on will be in the areas of:

- Young Adults (ages 18-28) - opportunities for faith formation and growth

- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) - part of Evangelization

- Caring for the Poor - Part of Stewardship

- Worship Schedule - Mass times

 

From within our ACC Planning Council, subcommittees have been formed for each of

the above elements with one representative of each parish on each subcommittee.

We ask all parishioners to please contemplate the four areas: Young Adults, RCIA, Caring for the Poor, and Worship Schedule. Provide your suggestions/feedback to one of your parish representatives. Keep in mind that as an Area Catholic Community our goal is to use our collective strengths to address our collective challenges.

Next meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019 at St. Stephen @ 7:00 p.m.

Within our One in Christ ACC we have several ministries that we identify as Outreach. This includes everything from Communion/Visits to the Homebound, Food Shelf Collections, Hospital/Nursing Home Visitors, Grief Groups and Prayerlines to name a few. At a combined meeting last week, we discussed how our parishes might work together, especially regarding common training. As staff we will continue to work on that in the coming months. We know that many are blessed by the Outreach that happens within our parishes when members minister to one another; family, friends, and neighbors. We affirm you for being Christ to one another! It is often only by word of mouth that we at the parish office hear of a newly homebound person or a person in need of companionship.

We would like to encourage and invite all members of our ACC to contact their parish staff if they or someone they know would like a visit from a priest, a staff member, or a fellow parishioner. This may include taking Communion to those who are homebound or may just be a visit to someone who is lonely and in need of conversation. Please contact these staff members who will then be sure a visit is made:

St. Stephen - Carol Hellmann – 320-251-1520

Annunciation – Shirley Scapanski– 320-259-4941

Sacred Heart - Deacon Joe Kresky – 320-251-8115

St. Francis Xavier – Deb Rudolph – 320-252-1363

Please know that in light of COVID 19 we are somewhat restricted in making in-person visits to those in the hospital and long-term care settings, and we recognize that some of you may not be ready for in-person visits to your homes at this time. We will respect those concerns and seek other ways we can connect with and support you. In the meantime, may we as a Catholic community continue our practice of being Christ to one another. It is a beautiful way to live our shared commitment as followers of Jesus Christ.

Greetings SFX Faith Community,

I hope you are enjoying our beautiful summer days! The Diocesan Catholic Schools have been tirelessly working on preparations to re-open our schools in September. I would ask that you pray for us during this planning time. St. Francis Xavier School has much to offer the families of our community.

1. Our Catholic school partners with parents to form children in the virtues of faith, hope and charity, and our world needs renewal of these virtues now. Children are proof that God is good and with us.

2. Our Catholic school is small and is able to customize the education for each student. We work with our families to adjust to changing economic situations.

3. Our Catholic school teachers and staff model to our students how to rely on their faith to persevere through challenges that may emerge.

4. Our Catholic school is purposefully planning for possibilities to improve our instruction and strengthen our communities.

In these uncertain times, I find strength in the words of Paul’s letter to the Philippians he says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I am looking forward to reuniting with our students and welcoming new families to our school community. Thank you for your prayers and support of St. Francis Xavier School.

Bonnie Van Heel, Principal

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS:

It is my goal that EVERY student in grades 6-12 is prayed for, by name, everyday for this year. I look forward to telling each of our students that they are being prayed for by name by someone in our parish. What better way to support the youth in our parish as they continue to grow in their faith and also as they start to ask questions about their faith. Each of the envelopes in the gathering area will contain the names and a little information about three students in our parish. One of the greatest hesitations people experience when thinking about becoming a prayer partner is, “I don’t know what to pray for or how to pray.” Enclosed in your envelope will be six months worth of calendars. Each day there will be a short specific prayer to say, if you choose to use it. We ask that you fill out the bottom of the letter, to register as a prayer partner. Then we can mail you your second set of prayer calendars in February, but more importantly, we can hold you in prayer also.

Please prayerfully consider taking an envelope after mass, to become a prayer partner for the youth of our parish. If you would prefer an envelope be mailed to you, you can contact Melissa Fox (320-761-2217) or call the main office, and we will get one in the mail to you!

AFTERSHOCK MISSION MINISTRY: 

We are implementing a new aspect to Aftershock this year called Mission Ministry. We will provide students who sign up with specific supplies to complete that month's Mission. Supplies can be picked up at Church, during aftershock or even dropped at your door step. We are excited about this and will share our first Mission Ministry activity in August with our young people.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: We will gather on Wednesday, August 19th from 6:30-8:00pm outside on the large grassy area at Church. We will have bingo (and prizes), a corn hole tournament and if the weather is over 80 we will have water balloons. We will maintain social distancing and mask wearing. If it rains our event will be cancelled. Brackets will be made ahead of time for our Corn hole Tournament, so we ask that you and your teammate register ahead of time. Call, email or text Melissa to sign up. (320-761-2217 or youthmin@stfrancissartell.org)

AFTERSHOCK MISSION MINISTRY: We are implementing a new aspect to Aftershock this year called Mission Ministry. We will provide students who sign up with specific supplies to complete that month's Mission. Supplies can be picked up at Church, during aftershock or even dropped at your door step. We are excited about this and will share our first Mission Ministry activity in August with our young people.

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS:

It is my goal that EVERY student in grades 6-12 is prayed for, by name, everyday for this year. I look forward to telling each of our students that they are being prayed for by name by someone in our parish. What better way to support the youth in our parish as they continue to grow in their faith and also as they start to ask questions about their faith. Each of the envelopes in the gathering area will contain the names and a little information about three students in our parish. One of the greatest hesitations people experience when thinking about becoming a prayer partner is, “I don’t know what to pray for or how to pray.” Enclosed in your envelope will be six months worth of calendars. Each day there will be a short specific prayer to say, if you choose to use it. We ask that you fill out the bottom of the letter, to register as a prayer partner. Then we can mail you your second set of prayer calendars in February, but more importantly, we can hold you in prayer also. Please prayerfully consider taking an envelope after mass, to become a prayer partner for the youth of our parish. If you would prefer an envelope be mailed to you, you can contact Melissa Fox (320-761-2217) or call the main office, and we will get one in the mail to you!

Congratulations to those who received their 1st Holy Communion at St. Francis Xavier

Layla Ackerman, Wesley Haase, Abigail Lee, Oliver Ruis, Mikayla Albers, Natalie Hamling, Owen Lesniak, Cameron Samuelson, Adalyn Andreen, Blake Hensel, Makayda Lumley, James Schaefer, Norah Barthel, Benjamin Hiltner, Avery Mack, Susie Schiff, Xavier Bell, Cooper Holman, Madison Mancini, Lauryn Schlosser, Aubrey Bird, Brooklyn Imdieke, Carson Manion, Jaiden Schwegel, William Boerger, Zoe Jacobson, Reese McCarney, Aubrey Skroch, Alexander Brown, Ava Johnson, Ella Mecklenburg, Gavin Sohre, Charlotte Carlson, Reid Johnson, Brodyn Molitor, Alexi Solarz, John Paul Carlson, Jude Johnson, Eva Ness, Carter Studanski, Joshua Chapman, Max Johnson, Gabriel Neu, Grady Supan, Nora Davis, Katelynn Johnson, Callie Neu, Sidney Swanberg, Avery Deters, Gracelynn Jordahl, Ella Neumann, Ellcy Terhaar, Sam DeVos, Sullivan Keating, Madalyn O’Hara, Sophie Terhune, Kyla Donnay, Daphne Kitzmiller, Elise Omann, Isaac Thoreson, Colton Edelbrock, Austin Knowles, Mila Omann, Bridget Traut, Bennett Engdahl, Kyle Kodet, Anna Paschke, Delaney Voss, Olivia Erickson, Ashby Kouba, Sage Perez, Alex Waletzko, Ethan Fox, Brecklyn Kral, Blake Pickren, Camden Wenzel, Elizabeth Francois, Evan Kusler, Adrianna Pickler, Grady Witt, Meira Giroux, Brecken Lampert, Adrianna Pickler, Evelyn Zimmerman, Aubree Golombiecki, Jacob Laubach

We are currently awaiting the arrival of guidelines from the Diocese of St. Cloud for Faith Formation in parishes during the pandemic. We hope to have a plan in place soon for grades 1-10. Registration materials will be sent to you as soon as the plan is set. Thank you for your patience!

Shelby Vaske, Coordinator of Grades 1-5

Melissa Fox, Coordinator of Grades 6-10

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS:

It is my goal that EVERY student in grades 6-12 is prayed for, by name, everyday for this year. I look forward to telling each of our students that they are being prayed for by name by someone in our parish. What better way to support the youth in our parish as they continue to grow in their faith and also as they start to ask questions about their faith. Each of the envelopes in the gathering area will contain the names and a little information about three students in our parish. One of the greatest hesitations people experience when thinking about becoming a prayer partner is, “I don’t know what to pray for or how to pray.” Enclosed in your envelope will be six months worth of calendars. Each day there will be a short specific prayer to say, if you choose to use it. We ask that you fill out the bottom of the letter, to register as a prayer partner. Then we can mail you your second set of prayer calendars in February, but more importantly, we can hold you in prayer also.

Please prayerfully consider taking an envelope after mass, to become a prayer partner for the youth of our parish. If you would prefer an envelope be mailed to you, you can contact Melissa Fox (320-761-2217) or call the main office, and we will get one in the mail to you!

The 40 Days for Life FALL CAMPAIGN is September 23-Nov 1. We will again be doing the VIGIL on the public sidewalk in front of planned parenthood, East St Cloud from 7am-7pm Monday through Friday. WE NEED VIGILERS TO FILL THESE HOURS. You can sign up on their website or contact Judy Haag 320-453-7592 judy4life@meltel.net. Do not park in the planned parenthood parking lot. Instead park on adjacent street or in the St Augustine's parking lot. Thank you to all of our faithful Vigilers. *At this time, we are unable to hold an Opening Rally due to Covid Restrictions. For more information, visit https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/stcloud/

Seeking help with a "Faith Build" house project on September 28th. No experience needed, Your gifts will be matched with project needs. Contact

Deacon Joe at 320-200-4454.

Visit the link thepopevideo.org for the September 2020 Pope video. Translation: We are squeezing out the planet’s goods. Squeezing them out, as if the earth were an orange. Countries and businesses from the global north have enriched themselves by exploiting the natural resources of the south, creating an “ecological debt.” Who is going to pay this debt? In addition, this “ecological debt” is increased when multinationals do abroad what they would never be allowed to do in their own countries. It’s outrageous. Today, not tomorrow; today, we have to take care of Creation responsibly. Let us pray that the planet’s resources will not be plundered, but shared in a just and respectful manner. No to plundering; yes to sharing.

1. Grand Prize - $3000.00 – Curt Atkinson

2. $500 Cash – Martha Galbraith

3. $500 Cash – Allie Schiff

4. $500 Cash – Angela Good

5. $500 Cash – Todd & Rose Larson

6. Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer - Jason Then

7. $300 Cash – Jason Then

8. $250 Cash – Kaela Rindahl

9. $200 Cash – Dan Wetz

10. $200 Cash – The Barthels

11. $150 Cash – Kelly Corbett

12. $100 Cash - Lloyd & Sandy Bauer

13. $100 Cash - Patricia Voghtman

14. $100 Coborn’s Gift Certificate – David Gouker

15. $100 Coborn’s Gift Certificate – Devon Hanson

16. $100 Coborn’s Gift Certificate – Kristie Koval

17. Meat Package – Patty Legatt

18. Meat Package – Marvin Gerads

19. $100 Cash – Diane Jarnot

20. $100 Cash – Rosann Wentland

21. $100 Cash – Betty Brandt

22. $100 Cash – Audrey Plante

23. $100 Cash – Steve Weyer

24. $100 Cash – Ginger Osendorf

25. $100 Cash – Debra Robatcek

26. $100 Coborn’s Gift Certificate – Mike Fox

27. $100 Coborn’s Gift Certificate – Tom Peckskamp

28. $100 Coborn’s Gift Certificate – Alan Faber

29. $100 Cash - Fr. Ron Weyrens

30. $100 Cash - Katherine Whitson

31. $100 Cash - Cathy Stachowski

32. $50 Cash – Will Paschke

33. $50 Cash – Susan Wochnick

34. $50 Cash – Joe & Marie Rudolph

35. $50 Cash – The Handelands

36. $50 Cash – Jim Segler

37. $50 Cash – Curt Atkinson

38. $50 Cash – William Werlinger

39. $50 Cash – Ken & Carol Schulte

40. $50 Cash –Reischl

41. $50 Cash – Marcella Piasecki

42. $50 Cash – Doris DiNello

43. $50 Cash – Richard Stang

44. $50 Cash – Joel Donnell

45. $50 Cash – Ronald Hoffman

46. $50 Cash –Raquel Mohs

47. $50 Cash – Eugene Borgert

48. $50 Cash – Lisa Trettel

49. $50 Cash – Jay Karasch

50. $25 Gift Certificate – Julie Bruns

51. $25 Gift Certificate – Marcia Gaetz

52. $100 Coborn’s Gift Certificate - Mimi Vreeland

53. $100 Coborn’s Gift Certificate - Mary Schiller

54. $100 Coborn’s Gift Certificate - Rod Traut

55. $25 Cash – Carol Earles

56. $25 Cash – Michael Paul

57. $25 Cash – Lawrence Nolan

58. $25 Cash – Maddie Franzmeier

59. $25 Cash – Linda Dingmann

60. 5 lb Ground Beef package – Garen Comstock

61. 5 lb Ground Beef package – Julie & David O’Keefe

62. 5 lb Ground Beef package – June Rudolph

63. 5 lb Ground Beef package – Curt Gohmann

64. 5 lb Ground Beef package – Kari Paek

Quilt - Larry Dolan

The SFX Frantober Virtual Auction was met with great enthusiasm and it goes without saying, “YOU, our church family, made it happen.” We are extremely grateful to our loyal donors, you stepped up and together donated 108 amazing handcrafted and new items. Thank you all. Special thanks to our bidders, we hope you enjoyed the variety of items and activity of bidding from the comfort of your home, office, car or Barcalounger! We are happy to announce our Grand Total of $9,192.00! May God Bless you for your generosity and keep you and yours in His care. 

Gratefully, 

Pam Banjac

Candice Koopmeiners

Bonnie Nies

Communal Anointing of the Sick

September 29 5:30 pm Mass at Sacred Heart

October 1 8:30 am Mass at Annunciation

Please feel free to attend either parish according to your schedule. For access, Sacred Heart is all on one level; Annunciation has an elevator. If you know of someone who might have difficulty attending or needs a ride, please consider assisting them. We are willing to arrange a home visit for Anointing as well if you are comfortable with outside visitors at this time.

“Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:14-15).

This early text shows that the Church understood very soon after the Resurrection that the healing power of the Cross is at work through the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. It is a beautiful expression of the healing mercy of God given to assist us in our human weakness, so evident to us in this time of pandemic.

To members of our Area Catholic Community,

For decades now, Catholic Charities have relied on members of local parishes to assist them at the Food Shelf.

Volunteers from Sacred Heart support the Food Shelf each year during the month of October and St. Francis Xavier assists in the month of January. We intend to continue this service and invite Annunciation to join Sacred Heart in October and St. Stephen to join St. Francis Xavier in January. The Food Shelf is just now beginning to bring back volunteers since COVID, and is asking for help in the form of Distribution Aides from Sacred Heart/

Annunciation next month.

Volunteers will receive onsite training so they can assist with NO CONTACT distribution. These volunteers will fill shopping carts in an assembly line process and must be able to bend, lift and stand for most of the shift.

There are 2 shifts Wednesdays (2:30-5:15 and 5:00-7:15) and one shift Fridays (8:30-12:15) throughout the month. Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age and those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

The Food Shelf is following COVID guidelines, including mandatory wearing of masks. During this time of virus, the Catholic Charities building is locked. Volunteers will enter through Donation Door D and press the "white button" for assistance. There, staff will greet the volunteer and assist with following the agency's COVID policies. This is an opportunity to provide a very real, necessary and meaningful service to others.

Catholic Charities is grateful for our prayers as well as time, talent and treasure. If you are able to volunteer in October, or have any questions at all, please contact Peggy Weber 259-7841

When it comes to racial bridge-building for white people, there is a lot of focus on listening to and learning from people of color. But there's also some important internal work that white people need to do as well. When white people don't understand some of the basic tenets of whiteness, it's hard to fully engage in the work of racial reconciliation. The Social Justice Concerns Committee invites you to be part of a 6 week series to understand more deeply what shapes and forms who we are. We will focus on the Four W's of white supremacy, white fragility, white identity and white privilege. This will be done over Zoom. Dates will be determined soon. Email stfrancissjcc@gmail.com for more information.

Due to COVID-19, some restrictions remain in place for visiting patients at St. Cloud Hospital. In order to have clergy or volunteers visit, family members need to make a request to the Spiritual Care staff to have a pastoral visit from community members. At this time, we are not able simply to stop in and check the Chaplain's List as in the past. Thus, if a loved one is hospitalized and you would like a pastoral visit, please let the hospital chaplains know and they will contact us to arrange it. We apologize for this inconvenience as we seek to safeguard the health and safety of patients and staff. Thank you!

These are offered by the Social Concerns Committee to help us all understand more about the reality of living with homelessness in Central MN.

"Finally the weather broke, reducing the need for our neighbors outside to call for emergency help.

One new couple went to the woods in Sartell and needed sleeping bags. And one woman left the woods in town and doubled up in a friend’s apartment. One woman and disabled son living in her car needed gas to stay warm, as did another man also living in his car. We distributed six 20 lb tanks of propane, and eleven gas cards this week. Gas cards were for both heating and reimbursements for those giving rides. The warmer weather also allowed us to resume the furniture program, and we had six pickups and eleven deliveries. We are in need of beds, dressers, and pots and pans. On the challenging side our folks have been hit with an outbreak of influenza A. Many are going to the ER."

To offer assistance contact Harry Fleegel: 612-868-0465

Providing Food in St. Joe - The Central MN Catholic Worker is helping to provide food to a group of people staying in St. Joe who have experienced homelessness. This is in response to COVID. Dinners are being provided by St. Benedict's Monastery and St. John's University for 4 weekday evenings and

community members and restaurants are taking care of Sunday dinners. A group of volunteers helps to shop and bring groceries during the week for breakfast and lunch. The generosity of the community has been tremendous. If you would like to offer financial assistance you can do so through Pay Pal (use the email centralmncw@gmail.com) or by sending a check to the Central MN Catholic

Worker at P.O. 94 , St. Joseph, MN 56374. For questions email, centralmncw@gmail.com or call 320-316-3290.

Dear Women of the Parish,

Every women of the parish, age 18 or older, is invited to consider joining the St. Monica Christian Women organization of our parish. This organization has been active since the parish was established back in 1949. We meet on the third Tuesday of the month beginning in September through May. However we do not usually meet in December or January. So as you can see, there are only about seven meetings a year. We hold various events throughout the year including our annual Craft Sale, the Poor Clare’s Tea fuel fund collection for the Poor Clair Sisters, BINGO in the fall and spring, collection of personal care items for Anna Marie Alliance, diaper drives, rose sale for local pro life groups, and will occasionally have guest speakers attend our meeting. We come together to pray and support each other and help raise funds to support those in need, both within our community and throughout the world.

We will begin our new year and have our first meeting on Tuesday, September 17 at 6:30 pm in Xavier Hall. We will begin our meeting in prayer and discuss what we have planned, so far, as an organization. Because we have had the summer off, this first meeting will primarily be a business meeting but will also be a great opportunity to visit with guests and catch up with each other on how their summer has been.

We invite all current members and those interested in joining us to watch for a Membership Enrollment Form in the bulletin on the weekend of September 8. Instead of mailing to only the current members, we want to invite everyone to consider becoming a part of this great group of women.

So, bring a friend, your ideas, any questions and make plans to attend.

Blessings on your days ahead.

Aggie Schulte, Linda Kmitch and Lisa Kirchner, CW officers

Please consider making a gift to our St. Francis Xavier Catholic School Endowment Fund. Your gift to the Endowment is a way to ensure all children seeking a Catholic education at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School are able to attend. Gifts of appreciated mutual funds shares, stocks or other assets can provide some wonderful tax benefits to you. Share your blessing at this time of year by giving a gift that keeps on giving! Please call Adam Vonderahe in the parish office at 320- 252-1363 (ext. 1105) to make a gift.

We need all of our registered parishioners to contribute financially to

the parish if we are to continue to provide the current

level of service in our school, faith formation program

and parish ministries, as well as maintain and improve

the campus facilities. Our Catholic Faith calls us to share

the many gifts God has given each one of us, and we do

that in a very powerful way every day throughout our

parish community.

To that end, I encourage you to consider signing up to

make electronic contributions and automate your weekly,

bi-weekly or monthly contributions. You can control your

own account by visiting stfrancissartell.org and click on

the red Donate/Payments button at the top of the page.

Read about ways to donate, and then click to donate

online. On the right side of the new webpage, choose

Log-In and enter your email address and password or

select Create Your Online Profile if you have never

created one. Once logged in, you can set up new or edit

your scheduled transactions. You can also update credit

card and bank information. Remember, using your bank

account as your payment method is safe and secure,

there is no additional cost to you, and it helps the parish

avoid paying the associated 3% transaction cost in

credit card processing fees.

If you prefer, paper authorization forms are included as

a stuffer in this bulletin and are always available at the

kiosk and in the entrances to the Gathering Place.

Complete the form to start new electronic contributions or

to make changes to your existing contributions. Return

the form by mail or drop off in the parish office, or drop

in the collection basket during weekend mass. Call the

parish office at 320-252-1363 if you have any

questions.

Finally, I understand that many parishioners prefer to use

their contribution envelopes and drop those in the

collection basket at mass. This is a long-standing

tradition for them and we support that method. There is,

however, a cost to the parish to print and mail over

1,800 sets of weekly and special envelopes (roughly

$10-11,000/year), so if you do not use or do not wish

to receive these envelopes, please let Becky in the parish

office know. Thank you!