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"The Joy of the Gospel"


In Pope Francis’ first apostolic exhortation, "The Joy of the Gospel", he invites all Christians everywhere to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ. At the heart of his invitation is for each of us to embrace Christ's call to spread the news of the Gospel through evangelization and missionary discipleship. Becoming a missionary disciple means we live and share our faith through our words and actions. This starts with the joy of a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Jesus gives us a concrete way in our scriptures to encounter the risen Lord and evangelize the joy of the risen Christ with others through the death, resurrection, repentance, and forgiveness of Christ.

“Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations.”

Our repentance and conversion reorientate us toward God who forgives and fills us with new life in Christ. This risen life within us empowers us to witness God's forgiveness. Jesus was made known in the breaking of the bread and in repentance and forgiveness. Forgiving another might not erase the hurt, but it does free us to live with compassion and joy - blessings of risen life. This is risen life: "You are forgiven." This is our witness to the resurrection: "I forgive you." Forgiving others means we are not controlled by their hurtful actions which can lead to resentment, anger, hate – leaving little room for the risen Lord to take hold. If we are attached to anger, how are we to be consumed by God's Love. Emmett I. Aldrich suggests the following strategies to forgiveness in his article, Ten Keys to Forgiveness - a Christian perspective. They are listed as: 1) Let Go of the Anger, 2) Don’t be Stubborn, 3) Stop Thinking of yourself as a Victim, 4) Focus on the Future, 5) Re- Learn to Trust, 6) Be Reasonable in your expectations of Others, 7) Expect that it will take time to Forgive, 8) Examine your Heart, 9) Let Forgiveness become an Everyday Practice, and 10) Ask God for Guidance. How have you experienced the new life of the resurrection through repentance and forgiveness? Risen life within us empowers a way of living that witnesses God's forgiveness and the joy of a relationship with

Christ.

Christ is Risen! Alleluia, Alleluia!

Dcn Joe

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St. Francis Xavier Parish    

219 2nd Street North

P.O. Box 150

Sartell, MN 56377     ​

Phone: (320) 252-1363

information@stfrancissartell.org

Staff Contacts

Parish Contacts

Parish Office Hours (Sept. - May):

Monday thru Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

 

Summer Parish Office Hours (June - Aug.):

Monday thru Thursday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Fridays 8:00 am—Noon

Weekend Mass Schedule:
Saturday: 4:00 pm

Sunday: 9:30 am - Livestreamed

Weekday Mass:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:00 am
Friday - 8:30 am (during the School year)

Subject to Priest availability, check weekly bulletin or parish calendar on this website.

Reconciliation: Saturday 3:00 to 3:30 pm​

Rosary: Wednesday & Friday -

20 minutes prior to Mass

DIOCESAN TV MASS
Viewers in the St. Cloud Diocese can watch the Mass on KSTC-45 at 11am each Sunday via cable, satellite or antenna (check your cable provider for channel number). Charter Communication airs the Mass on Channel 17.

One in Christ Area Catholic Community

©2023 St. Francis Xavier Catholic Community

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