e-Bulletin
Week of March 14 - 20, 2021
|
... t o L o v e , t o S e r v e , t o b e H o p e ...
|
|
|
|
|
MASS RESERVATION
Please remember that you need to sign up each week.
|
|
LIVESTREAM MASS
Each Sunday morning the upcoming livestream link will be at the top of the YouTube page. If you wish to view the livestreamed Mass at a later time, you will find it in the Past Live Streams in the fourth row of the YouTube page.
|
|
LENT: A PASSAGEWAY TO LIFE
PASS – Here are prayers, almsgiving opportunities, songs and service opportunities for each week. You can continue to do one of each all during Lent or you can find something new to try each week.
4th Week of Lent Realizing Mercy
PRAYING
Stations of the Cross STB Video or Stations of the Cross PDF
and/or
Dear God, thank you for sending your Son to come to Earth
to live the life I could not live,
be the example I could not achieve,
and be the sacrifice for my sins. I believe in You.
I ask for Jesus to be the Lord of my life and I commit my life to you.
from DailyPrayerGuide.net
ALMSGIVING
STB Easter Basket Project donations are due Friday, March 19 (deadline has been extended). Next Sunday, March 21, we will need a group of teens to stay after the 9:00 Mass or join us at 9:45 AM to load the baskets on the truck. This should take less than an hour. Confirmation students, if you wish to help and have not yet signed up, email Dez!
CRS Rice Bowls: If you’ve been collecting at home, please drop off your donation at STB by Holy Thursday, April 1, or bring it to the Holy Thursday Mass of the Last Supper.
SINGING
Video from the 4th Sunday of Lent Mass
SERVING
Friday March 19 is the feast of St. Joseph. In Italy, the St. Joseph meal is generous and designed to feed those in need. Our Faith Formation families are cooking and freezing meals for The Link’s drop-in center for at-risk youth in Apple Valley this Lent (more info at thelinkmn.org). “Share” a feast with your extended family or friends by organizing a “video conference” meal this week.
|
|
STB STATIONS OF THE CROSS
This year due to the pandemic, we will not be able to gather at our parish to walk through our Stations of the Cross and have a bowl of soup as a community. Fr. Tim made a video for you. We invite you to walk with him (virtually), every Friday and gather at your table to enjoy a cup of soup.
|
|
|
LENTEN RECONCILIATION
– A REST STOP IN OUR PASSAGEWAY TO LIFE
As we continue on our journey through this Lenten passageway we find that the burdens we are bearing are becoming heavy.
On Thursday, March 25th, at 7:00, we will celebrate a Lenten Reconciliation Service that will help us to lay these burdens at the feet of our loving and merciful God and continue on our way to Life in Christ.
Because of the pandemic, this will be a Form 3 celebration – a service with General Absolution instead of opportunities for private confession.
|
|
All services will be livestreamed, except for Easter Vigil. We will also have a videotaped option for Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.
March 28th - Palm Sunday- 9am
April 1st - Holy Thursday-7pm
April 2nd - Good Friday – 7pm
April 3rd - Easter Vigil – 8pm
April 4th - Easter – 9am and 11am
Reservations will be open a week prior to the Mass or service.
All in person Masses/Services will require reservations. CLICK HERE to reserve a space. Limit will be 150. You will be able to watch livestreamed Masses/services while they are happening, or they can be found on our You Tube page within a few hours of the conclusion of the service by clicking on the Videos tab.
|
|
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Please contact Fr. Tim for individual Reconciliation.
|
|
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS
MARCH 14
Daylight savings time 2021 begins at 2 a.m. March 14.
Remember to set your clocks ahead an hour Saturday, March 13, before you go to sleep. That's springing forward.
|
|
EASTER BASKET PROJECT
by MARCH 19
NEW DEADLINE
FRIDAY, MARCH 19!
We have 59 out of 110 baskets. We would like to see if we could get more before March 19th.
We still need your help with the General Family Baskets (see photo) for Rosemount Families. The baskets are large plastic storage tubs with lids ( Target is a great place to get these) and filled with household goods (toilet paper, laundry soap, cleaning supplies) and food ( packaged, cans) and toiletries ( toothpaste, shampoo, lotions) and a few Easter touches or things for young children. Once the baskets are finished, please tape the name and number to the top of the basket and drop off in the church basement by March 19th. If doing a “general” family basket without a specific number, please write General Family Basket on the sheet and tape to the top of the basket.
Gift cards are still in need. They can be from Cub, Target or Holiday Gas stations. Please sign up for a card and drop off at church anytime before March 19 and drop in the box near the basement steps.
The needs are great this year, if using Sign Up Genius is a barrier, please just buy a $25 gift card to Target, Cub or Holiday Gas Station and drop off at church. Every card matters.
CLICK HERE to sign up to help by donating gift cards or by making an Easter Basket filled with household goods.
Please return all items to church by Friday, March 19.
|
|
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS & STRUDEL
BY MARCH 15
Please help the Eagan Knights support our local Seminarians while enjoying fabulous hand-made, sweet, and savory strudel from fellow St. Thomas Becket parishioner Thomas Ruhland’s Strudel Haus.
The ultimate convenience food, Tom’s strudels go from the freezer to the oven and in about 45 minutes you have Love on a Plate. Strudels include chicken pot pie, Italian, Apple and Blueberry Lemon.
|
|
ORDER BY:
Orders are due by March 15
PICK UP:
Pickup will be at St.Thomas Becket on Saturday April 4 from 9-noon, Delivery is also available that Saturday.
Proceeds will go towards supporting local seminarians.
|
|
|
JUST-FAITH VIRTUAL INTRODUCTION
MARCH 23
|
|
Have you considered joining a JustFaith series, but you’re not sure what it’s all about?
Have you participated in JustFaith and want an update on what’s new?
Join an Online Introductory Presentation on Tuesday, March 23, 7:00pm – 8:00pm.
Hear from Jack Jezreel, author and founder of JustFaith Ministries, and Leila Oakley, Outreach and Engagement Manager.
|
|
BE THE CHANGE
What Do You Mean "White Privilege"?
I Worked For Everything I've Got!
It’s a common reaction. The phrase "white privilege" can be a trigger for many people, often because of misunderstanding and misuse of the term. For some it implies that any success that a white person has is due to some hidden privilege vs their own hard work. This is not what the term is intended to convey.
Someone might describe a person's wealth, earned through inheritance or through a successful business, as white privilege. While race and economics can certainly intersect, such examples are often mislabeled as white privilege. To acknowledge white privilege is to simply acknowledge that people of color often experience a variety of obstacles that white people do not, solely because of the color of their skin. Last June, after the protests in Minneapolis and other cities, Jimmy Kimmel provided a good description of white privilege and its impact. (click on the link below)
So how does this “fix” anything? When we open our hearts to understanding others' experiences, we can work towards healing. If we see where white privilege exists, we can then begin to answer the questions: How do we provide those same privileges for people of color? How do we undo the implicit biases that erected these obstacles in the first place?
Want more? The link below provides some examples by Peggy McIntosh, who coined the term in 1988. As you will see, these examples have little to do with wealth and a lot do with how people encounter obstacles based on race.
SPIRIT OF JUSTICE MINISTRY
|
|
KEEP CHRIST IN EASTER
by APRIL 4
Keep Christ in Easter and have a chance to win a Target gift card!
With the support of the Knights of Columbus, STB is offering a coloring contest for Easter.
o Via Instagram with your child’s first name, age and then #stbeaster in the post.
o By dropping a paper copy in a marked drop box at the front doors of St. Thomas Becket. Again, be sure to add your child’s name, age, and contact information
- Entries are due by 5 pm Sunday, April 4th.
|
|
GROWING THROUGH LOSS
South Suburban Coalition
The Interdenominational Coalition of South Suburban Churches, comprised of 15 churches “south of the river”, is pleased to present a five-week series titled “Growing Through Loss”. Join us for one or all sessions on Thursday evenings, April 8, 15, 22, 29 and May 6, 2021, from 7:00 to 9:00.
Suggested donation per session is $4.00.
If you have any questions, email Barb Korman or call her at 651-452-8261
The following is a list of the dates and the speakers.
April 8
“The Wisdom of a Broken Heart”
Bussho Lahn
Certified Spiritual Director
MNZen Meditation Center
April 15
“Depression vs Grief: Which is it?”
Kay King
Older Adults Program Coordinator & Community Educator
National Alliance on Mental Illness of MN
April 22
“Love Deeply, Grieve Deeply”
Kelly Grosklags
Board Certified in Clinical Social Work
April 29
“Resiliency Through Life’s Challenges”
Donna Mathiowetz
Inspirational Speaker & Author
May 6
“Service of Remembrance”
Rev. Karen Treat
Pastor of Care Ministries & McKenna Crossing
Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, Prior Lake
|
|
WORD & COMMUNION SERVICE
Beginning Wednesday, February 24, and continuing each Wednesday of Lent, I will offer a Word and Communion Service at NOON. A Word and Communion Service is not Mass; it is a prayer service that involves: Prayer, Scriptures of the day, shared Prayers of the Faithful and Communion. The Service will be 15-20 minutes, and we will follow all COVID protocols as we do for Sunday Mass.
The number of attendees will be limited to 12, which will require you to reserve a spot by going to Book A Pew. I ask that you not sign up for all the weeks at one time; this will allow others the opportunity to attend. If you are someone who is comfortable attending Sunday Mass, please allow others who are not, the opportunity to attend the Word and Communion Service. If you find that on Wednesday morning there are open spots, you can sign up.
The day of the week, time of day and limit of 12 came from the results of the survey that was taken a few months ago. People expressed a desire to receive communion; however, they did not feel comfortable with a large number and being in a closed in space longer than 20 minutes.
After Lent we will evaluate the Word and Communion Service option to see how we will go forward.
Fr. Tim
|
|
EMPTY BOWLS FUNDRAISER
MARCH 24
|
|
We invite you to join us at The Open Door’s
Empty Bowls Drive-Thru event!
For a $30 contribution guests will drive-thru the parking lot at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church and receive delicious soup to-go from one of our restaurant partners, a Great Harvest dinner roll, and select a ceramic bowl from two design options.
Your attendance at this fundraising event will help support the 14,000 community members The Open Door provides healthy food support to each month – double the number of people served monthly prior to the pandemic.
The Open Door's Empty Bowls Fundraiser is critical to our hunger relief efforts. We typically gather together as a community to enjoy a simple meal of soup and bread and leave with a handcrafted bowl to help The Open Door re-stock our pantry shelves and support the thousands of Dakota County neighbors who come to The Open Door each month. Even though we can’t gather together in person this year, we can still gather together for the Empty Bowls Drive-Thru event! We hope to see you there!
* What: For a $30 contribution, guests will drive-thru Mount Calvary's parking lot and select a ceramic bowl from two design options, a Great Harvest dinner roll and receive soup to-go from one of our local restaurant partners
* Where: Mount Calvary Lutheran Church parking lot, 3930 Rahn Road, Eagan
* When: Wednesday, March 24 from 11 am - 2 pm and 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Skip the line!
Volunteer!
Volunteers are critical to the success of Empty Bowls. If you'd like to share your time and talents, we have a variety of volunteer spots available CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER before, during and after the event.
Can’t make it to the event?
You can still support our work by donating below! Help The Open Door continue making healthy food a reality for thousands.
|
|
IN MEMORIAM
Please remember in your prayers, Norm Timmer, who died on Friday, February 25 at the age of 73. Our sincere condolences go to his loving family, brothers Eugene & Raymond Timmer, & sister Pauline Gennegis, sons Anthony & Aaron Timmer, and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his brother Conrad Timmer & sister Ramona Riemer.
Norm was a retired MTC bus driver who spent his time hunting, fishing, gardening, and helping his friends, neighbors and family in whatever was needed. He was a member of the Dakota County Gun Club and St. Thomas Becket Church. Norm served our parish community as a Eucharistic Minister and a Mass Coordinator at the 11:00 Sunday Masses.
The Funeral Mass was held here on Tuesday, March 9. Thank you to all who graciously assisted with Mass.
May God grant eternal rest
and give comfort to the family at their time of loss. Amen.
|
|
IN SYMPATHY
Our deepest sympathy goes to parishioner, Jane Voight, and her family on the death of her father, Harry Hilton, who passed away on Monday, March 1 at the age of 93.
Please remember Harry in your prayers.
May God grant eternal rest and give comfort to the family
at their time of loss. Amen
|
|
STB VIRTUAL PRAYER WALL
Let's pray for each other!
When you get to this page, double click on the brick wall to post your prayer or a prayer request, or click on the "+" on the lower right of the wall.
|
|
RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS
Awake, O Sleeper!
This morning came a little earlier than I would have liked — Daylight Savings Time always does. Sometimes that morning sunlight seems more intrusive than illuminating. You’re still half-lost in sleep, and that sun is demanding of you a lot more than you’re ready to give.
I’ve said it, and I’m sure you’ve said it, too. “Just five more minutes.” You hit the “snooze” button on your iPhone once (maybe twice? Show of hands?) and turn away from the window.
So many kings of the Old Testament were steadfast in their sleepy ways, rejecting the light their God tried to share with them. Likewise, John tells us that, though Light — Christ — was sent into the world, the world preferred darkness.
Sometimes it seems, when reading through Scripture, that all throughout salvation history, God has been trying to pull back the curtains, to rouse us from our defiant slumber. And we resist Him. Time and time again, we resist Him.
Light brings a certain responsibility with it. It seems to compel productivity. Furthermore, there’s no hiding in the light. Any photographer worth his salt knows how to manipulate it, highlighting the good and casting some merciful shade on the bad.
As we enter into the fourth week of Lent, we’re getting so close to the main event. Can we handle the light that will come on Easter morning, bursting into the tomb as the stone is rolled away? Can we keep ourselves from hitting the “snooze” button on our souls, and sit up to face the dawn of a new day?
— Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS
©LPi
|
|
Every week on the printed bulletin we have a section for kids.
During this time of isolation, we will share this activity booklet for you to print out at home.
4th Sunday of Lent
|
|
DAKOTA COUNTY'S COVID-19 INFO
This is the link to Dakota County’s COVID-19 info which has a wealth of info and links. Check out the Community Resources tab for all sorts of useful info. This is a central place for county info and community resources that a team of staff are regularly updating.
|
|
STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE
The earth is like my mother.
You get punished if you make a mess.
Why do you think this planet is called Mother Earth?
Jessica Lee – Age 10
|
|
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
Please hold these parishioners in your prayers:
Janet Higgins
Lisa LaFrance
Mary Cloutier
Peter DePover
Judy Schmidt
If you have someone you would like added to our confidential Prayer Line call Cathy at 651-344-3350.
|
|
READINGS
Sunday:
2Chr 36:14-16, 19-23/Ps 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6 [6ab]/ Eph 2:4-10/Jn 3:14-21 or 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a/ Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4m 5, 6 [1]/Eph 5:8-14/Jn 9:1-41 or 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38
Monday:
Is 65:17-21/Ps 30:2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b [2a]/Jn 4:43-54
Tuesday:
Ez 47:1-9, 12/Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9 [8]/Jn 5:1-16
Wednesday:
Is 49:8-15/Ps 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18 [8a]/Jn 5:17-30
Thursday:
Ex 32:7-14/Ps 106:19-20, 21-22, 23 [4a]/Jn 5:31-47
Friday: 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 [37]/ Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22/Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41 -51a
Saturday:
Jer 11:18-20/Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-10, 11-12 [2a]/Jn 7:40-53
Next Sunday:
Jer 31:31-34/Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15 [12a]/Heb 5:7-9/Jn 12:20-33 orEz 37:12-14/Rom 8:8-11/Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 [7]/Jn 11:1-45 or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
