Pope Gregory the Great relates one of my favorite Saint stories in his Dialogues. He tells one story of St. Benedict, the founder of western monasticism, and his twin sister, St. Scholastica, and how once each year, they would meet in a house outside the enclosure of the monastery to visit and talk. Benedict and a few of his monks came on one of these visits and Gregory reports that they had a very good visit, engaging in prayer, worship, and conversation about all matters of holy things. After supper, they continued their talk and the hour grew late. Scholastica asked her brother to stay the night so they could continue talking until morning, but he told her, “Sister, what are you saying? I simply cannot stay outside my cell.”

She responded by folding her hands and then bowed her head in silent prayer. Immediately, a severe storm moved in. Lightning, thunder, high winds, and heavy rain made his return impossible. Benedict asked, “What have you done?”

She answered, “Well, I asked you and you would not listen; so I asked my God and he did listen. So now go off, if you can, leave me and return to your monastery!”

Scholastica got her way, and Benedict had to stay, and they continued talking through the night. Gregory credits her power of prayer by saying that “It is not surprising that she was more effective than he; since, as John says, ‘God is love,’ it was absolutely right that she could do more, as she loved more.”

Three days later, Benedict was in his cell in his monastery when he saw a white dove fly off into the sky. Instantly, he knew it was a sign that his sister’s soul had left her body and ascended into heaven. He was full of joy, knowing that his sister was to share in God’s glory and he thanked God with hymns and praise. Scholastica’s body was placed in the tomb that Benedict had prepared for his own in his monastery. “Their minds had always been united in God; their bodies were to share a common grave,” Gregory wrote.

St. Scholastica is known as the founder of the Benedictine sisters. Her memorial is celebrated on February 10th. This holy woman gives us a model of someone who loved God and the spiritual life. She lived her life true to the Benedictine motto: Prayer and Work (Ora et Labora). May we make the spiritual life our priority, and infuse everything we do (our work) with prayer, but especially love! St. Scholastica, pray for us.

-Deacon Mike

Have you been looking for an opportunity to grow in your relationship with Jesus and your neighbors? Our small groups are being carefully crafted to do just that, & we would love for you to join us. Simply click below to see the opportunities that the Lord is opening up to you!

Get your home blessed in the New Year! If you would like your home blessed, please contact the parish office at 651-777-8116 or email us to schedule a time for Fr. Peter to stop by & bless your home.

In today’s Gospel story, Jesus cleanses a leper with the words, “Be made clean” (Mark 1:41). The faith of this leper moves God to give him the outward cleanliness he sought. This healing would allow him to reenter Jewish society, from which he had been cast out. Jesus says he came that “they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). He didn’t just come to cleanse the outside, like the Pharisees, who “cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish”" (Luke 11:39). He came to renew all of us, outside and in. We need your help to meet the many needs of those around you. Jesus says that, “As to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be made clean for you” (Luke 11:41). Jesus says there is a connection between almsgiving and the true cleanness of life which the Jews sought. Small wonder: Almsgiving requires sacrifice. It requires the same spirit of sacrifice that we need to take up our personal cross valiantly. Our Catholic Services Appeal is in full swing and encourage you to take this opportunity to help us help others.

Our goal is 100% participation! Please complete and return your pledge card or click below to make a secure gift online.

You are invited to our Fish Fry & Soup Supper Fridays, beginning this weekend! Soup Suppers will be 2/16, 3/1, and 3/15 in Kenney Hall from 5-7pm, freewill offering, and include a soup, a dinner roll, and a drink. The Fish Fry will take place 2/23, 3/8, and 3/22 in the School Gym from 4-7pm. Fish meal includes: fried fish, baked potato, coleslaw, dinner roll, tartar sauce, butter, lemon, and a drink. A large fish meal will cost $17, and a small fish meal will cost $14. We will also offer a soup meal on these nights, which will cost $8, and will include a soup, dinner roll, and a drink.

The Lenten Morning event on March 2nd (8am-12pm) will include Mass, a small breakfast, two talks on the themes of "Surrender & Service," Reconciliation, Adoration with meditative prayer music, a rosary, & Benediction. For info & RSVP, contact the parish office at mail@presentationofmary.org or 651-777-8116.

In the next two weeks, there will be two opportunities to give back to worthwhile causes at Mac’s Give Back Night from 4pm– close. Be sure to head over to Mac’s on Monday, February 19th, with your flyer, to give back to Presentation of Mary School. If you’re feeling extra giving, and really love Mac’s burgers, head over as well, this Monday, February 12th, to support St. Paul’s Monastery. You will need your flyer with you for 30% of the proceeds to go to these organizations, so be sure to stop by the back of the church or the parish center to pick those up as soon as you can!

Join us on Sunday, February 18 for coffee & donuts as well as a Q&A session about the proposed merger with the St. Vincent de Paul Community. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions you have following the Town Hall meeting in the Fall and our Epiphany Sunday gathering. If you are unable to attend the meeting and have questions, or would like to submit questions anonymously beforehand, fill out the form below. Also, before you ask a question, consider reviewing the letters to the parish below, as they may contain some answers.

Old palms are needed for burning on Ash Wednesday, February 14. Please bring them in and place in the baskets at entrances.

We are currently in need of additional Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Sacristans, and Livestream helpers for our weekend Masses. Training is provided. To learn more about these ministries, and to let us know you’re interested, head over to presentationofmary.org/liturgy-prayer/liturgical-ministries/, follow the QR code, or contact Kay Mottaz at 651-842-6022 or by email at kmottaz@presentationofmary.org.

Bring your friends and family to dine at Mac's Dinette in North St Paul on Monday, February 19th between 4pm-close and 30% of your food and beverage purchases will be donated back to the school! You MUST bring a printed flyer with you to earn us the donation. Flyers are available in the back of church, can be printed from the school website, or call the parish office and we'll print one for you!

Middle School Math, Science, and STEM Teacher positions: full or part-time available. Contact Sue Lovegreen at slovegreen@presentationofmary.org or 651-842-6032 for more information.

Leap into the future with us on Thursday, February 29th at 5:30pm. We’ll enjoy a potluck dinner together and then kiddos will head to the gym for supervised playtime while adults participate in a review and discussion of our State of the School Report. Sign up for a dish to bring below.

Start the New Year of right! NOW is the time to get your child registered for the 2024-2025 school year. We are on track to have an increased enrollment again next year so make sure you save your child's spot in their class before it's too late! Please note all Financial Aid Applications are due by February 23, 2024. Visit https://presentationofmaryschool.org/new-families/enrollment-affordability/.

Beginning the weekend of February 3-4 you can find students selling tickets at church entrances before or after most masses. They will also be selling them at our Soup Supper and Fish Fry nights during Lent in Kenney Hall. Tickets are $10 each and can win you one of three prizes: 1st Place: $1,500 cash (donated by the DuFresne family) 2nd Place: 1/4 Cow (donated by Sandberg Cattle Company) 3rd Place: $500 cash (Donated by the Auction Committee).

Great Scott! The 2024 Presentation of Mary Catholic School Gala is coming back to Presentation on Saturday, April 13, 2024! We need you to take action now, so you don’t get left behind! 

April may feel a long way off, but the planning and preparations for our Panther Pride Gala are well underway already! Please make sure you've read all of the information on the Gala web page to understand all the ways you can Raise Your Hand to ensure the success of our biggest fundraiser! Donate a theme basket, wine, beer, or spirits, become a sponsor, get a Gala t-shirt, or even join the planning committee! If you have any questions, contact the school office at 651-777-5877.

Donate Items to the Panther Pride Gala! We are collecting items for our silent and live auctions. Put together a fun theme basket or donate tickets to a fun event. Do you have a special skill such as cooking or woodworking? Donate a cooking lesson or a few hours of carpentry assistance! Get together with some friends and donate a hosted dinner party! The options are limited only to your imagination! Questions? Contact Gala Chair, Linda Charnowski, at lprazak@presentationofmary.org.

Do you know someone in need of prayers? Contact Kay at the Parish Office at 651-842-6022 so they can be added to our Prayer Line.

You can also contact her if you are interested in joining the Prayer Line!

Protection of Youth: All employees, and volunteers who interact with minors, are required to complete and maintain safe environment credentials (E3) through the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. To ensure successful completion of these requirements or if you have any questions regarding our safe environment practices or would like more information on what is needed to volunteer, please contact our Safe Environment Coordinator: Kay Mottaz @ 651-842-6022 or email kmottaz@presentationofmary.org.

To learn more about reporting suspected abuse, please also visit: www.safe-environment.archspm.org/report-abuse/Report.