For the Week of
Sunday, December 11, 2016
The Third Week of Advent

Dear Members of Pax Christi,

This Advent week is a mix of remembering, celebrating God's forgiveness, and honoring a woman who lived her destiny fully. Today is the Feast of St. Nicholas, a man associated with generosity and goodness to those in need, especially children. This evening is the Advent Reconciliation Service at 7:00pm, Walking in the Light , a prayer of reflection, sound, silence, and peacemaking. Wednesday is a day of remembering the attacks on Pearl Harbor 75 years ago, and gives us pause to reflect on the lives lost in the conflict of war, and gratitude for those who have put themselves in harm's way for a cause bigger than themselves. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary will be celebrated on Thursday, December 8 at 8:30am and 6:00pm in the worship space.

Your generosity was recognized by the Center for Mission of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis for World Mission Sunday in which you shared $2,667.50 of your treasure to help the missions around the world, particularly in the Diocese of Fairbanks, Alaska.

The final extraordinary collection of the year is this weekend, December 10 and 11, which supports the Retirement Fund for Religious. This collection makes a difference in the lives of over 33,000 senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests who benefit from this annual appeal. You know their situation well. Many of these retired religious spent years educating the young, comforting the sick, and seeking justice for the oppressed. Their sacrifices during that time left their religious communities without adequate savings for retirement and eldercare in the present. If you are able to make a donation to this important cause, please write a check to Pax Christi, and in the memo line include "Retirement Fund for Religious." Please put your donations in the regular collection this weekend or have your contributions to the office by December 16 to be passed along to the national fund.

Blessings to you this Advent week!

Jane

Jane Schmitz, Parish Director
jschmitz@paxchristi.com
952-405-7238

 THIS WEEK'S FEATURED ANNOUNCEMENTS 

ADVENT RECONCILIATION
Walking in the Light
TODAY, December 6, 7:00pm
 
How do we face the darkness in our lives, open our eyes, walk in the Light?

The season of Advent taps into our deep longing to make sense of our world.  We wait for miracles to be born, for hatred and prejudice to be acknowledged and resolved, for peace and hope to thrive.

Pope France, in The Joy of the Gospel, challenges all Christians to become a "church which is poor and for the poor" (198).  How can we hear the needs of people who search for hope in their lives when we cling only to our own wishes and desires?  Francis' challenge is at the core of our Advent search to discover the love of God in our own lives, and by extension, in the lives of all those around us, even those on the fringes, those we choose to ignore.

Join us in reflecting, praying, singing our journey from darkness to light. Opportunities for private confessions will follow our communal service.

HOLY DAY MASSES:
FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF MARY 
Thursday, December 8, 8:30am-6:00pm

The Church holds Mary up to us as the ultimate example of faithfulness and discipleship. She is God's handmaid, a model of faith for all Christians to follow.

And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."  Luke 1:46-56

CELEBRATION FOR
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

Following All Masses THIS Weekend, December 10/11

Members of the Worship Council and Pax Christi's hospitality ministry are planning a Mexican/Latino-themed celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose feast day is December 12. All are welcome! Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared four times to St. Juan Diego, an illiterate, poor, indigenous Mexican on Tepeyac Hill above Mexico City in December, 1531. Her image miraculously appeared on St. Juan Diego's tilma/cloak. After 485 years, this very image is framed and still hangs in Our Lady of Guadalupe's Basilica in Mexico City. In 1945, Pope Pius XII declared her Queen of Mexico and Empress/Patroness of the Americas. In 2016, St. Juan Diego was named a saint by Pope Francis. Millions from all over the Americas pay tribute to her - especially around the time of her feast day in December.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING AT LOCAL CARE CENTERS
Sunday, December 11, 2:00-4:00pm

Come join in the fun and brighten the day for our senior friends and neighbors. Faith Formation and Pastoral Care are joining together to go Christmas caroling and distribute handmade cards at several local senior care centers. Singing on-key is optional. Songbooks provided. ALL ages are welcome. You provide your own transportation for this event, but all care centers are close by, and you will be grouped with other joyful singers. Creative holiday attire is encouraged! Meet in the Dorothy Day Hall to get directions to care centers and details about the event. We'll return to Pax Christi for hot chocolate and treats and an opportunity for a family photo. RSVP by December 7 online or by calling the RSVP line, 952-405-7251.

CLICK HERE to register online now.

CAREGIVER SPIRITUAL SUPPORT GROUP
Third Thursday of Each Month: December 15, 1:00-2:30pm

This group offers a time for discussion, prayer, and support for anyone who is a primary caregiver for a loved one.

CHAIR YOGA
Mondays, 2:30-3:30pm,
Beginning January 9 

This continuing series of chair yoga is a blend of standing and seated stretches for participants who want to do yoga but need something gentle. Focus is on range of motion for the joints, gentle stretches, standing postures and breathing, and relaxation. Instructor Denise Bunch has been practicing yoga for over 20 years. The cost is $25 per person for the ten classes, January 9, 23, 30. Feb. 6, 13, 27. March 6, 13, 20 and April 3. Space is limited so sign up early. Deadline for registration and payment is January 3.

CLICK HERE to register now. 

ANNUAL CANA DINNER
Saturday, February 25, 6:00pm, Early Love Bird Rate:
$65 per couple through January 15  

Please join us for a special evening to celebrate love and "All That Jazz." We're honoring all couples, of all ages, at the annual CANA Dinner, on Saturday, February 25.  The evening begins at 6:00pm with a hosted wine reception, followed by a Fabulously Catered candle-light dinner.  After dinner, everyone will enjoy time to mingle over coffee, wine, and dessert while listening and dancing to live jazz selections from the J&S Quartet.  A couples photo-op will be offered during the evening, so be sure to dress up!  Tickets are available at an early lovebird price of $65.00 per couple through January 15, and $75.00 through February 20.   The ticket price includes a hosted wine reception, dinner, dessert, live jazz, and the couple's photo.  Loving childcare may be arranged by contacting the Nursery for reservations. So as the song goes, "Slick your hair and wear your buckle shoes, and all that Jazz" and say "We do!" to the 2017 Cana Dinner. Commit soon, this popular event sells out. Consider what a wonderful Christmas gift a pair of Cana Dinner tickets would make for that special couple in your life. Register online today!

CLICK HERE to register now. 

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS EVE MASS AT 2:00PM
This year we have a NEW SCRIPT
and an EARLIER TIME!


Third and fourth-grade students are invited to participate in telling the Christmas Story in word and song for the 2:00pm Mass on Christmas Eve.  The Pax Christi Children's Choir, whose members are 2nd through 6th graders, will support the music for this special Children's Christmas Mass. Rehearsal is  Saturday, December 17. Christmas Eve Mass is Saturday, December 24, 2:00pm. Participants and their parents will be required to attend the one and only dress rehearsal on Saturday, December 17, 9:00am-12:00noon. In order to successfully create this special liturgy, we are in need of parent volunteers. Registration will stay open through this week.

CLICK HERE to register online now.

IT'S NOT TOO LATE
TO JOIN PAX CHRISTI'S CHILDREN'S CHOIR


We are still open to enthusiastic singers between grades 2 and 6. We rehearse on Sundays at 10am and sing at about one mass each month. We will also be singing at the children's mass at 2pm on Christmas Eve (yes it is a different time this year). You do not need to make each rehearsal or mass to participate. Come to rehearsal Sunday mornings at 10:00am in the chapel to find out more! Contact Amanda Tahnk-Johnson at Amanda.TahnkJohnson@gmail.com with questions or concerns.

BREAKING OPEN
THE WORD


We are proud to introduce to you the launch of an exciting new way to participate in worshipping at Pax Christi.  It's called Breaking Open the Word.  B.O.W. is a new Facebook group we've created for our parishioners.  Every Monday we will post the reading for the following weekend's Masses.  We want you to share with us how the scripture speaks to you and to your family.  How does the reading relate to what is happening in your daily life, in your community, in the world?  Does it remind you of a story you'd like to share?  Has something occurred in your life that reinforces the message in this passage?  We want to know about it and share it with Father Bill and Father Marc and other worshippers at Pax Christi . You can also find a link to join on Pax Christi's Facebook page.  We are launching B.O.W. in time for Advent.  It will be a great way to connect with other church members, exchange thoughts with each other, and explore for yourself how the bible is still relevant and meaningful in our times.  CLICK HERE TO JOIN.



PARISHIONER ART EXHIBIT
Exhibit is on display through December 18, in the Pacem in Terris Gallery
MORE INFO HERE


"SHARE THE JOY" CHRISTMAS GIVING DRIVE
Drop off gifts at Pax Christi, by Sunday, December 11.
MORE INFO HERE


SPIRITUALITY AND MENTAL WELLNESS GROUP
Thursday, January 5, 3:00-4:30pm, Room 221
MORE INFO HERE


BEFORE THE FLOOD - FILM VIEWING EVENT
January 15, 1:00pm and January, 22, 6:00pm


Minnesota Mardi Gras
Saturday, January 21, 6:00-8:30pm


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