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PARISH NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS |
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I pray this note finds you well. This year is flying by, and it’s hard to believe that school is out and summer has started. I thought I would take this opportunity to briefly remind ourselves of what is entailed in living a life of stewardship as well as describe what gifts the Lord bestows on us as we strive to live this life. This message is helpful for us all - from someone who is hearing this message for the first time to someone who already strives to live a life of stewardship everyday. No matter where we sit may we open our hearts and minds to what Christ is calling us to.
To live out a life of stewardship is to recognize that everything is a gift from God and thus we are stewards of God’s gifts. Like the lamp that ought to be set on a lampstand, these gifts that God gives to us are to be used and shared for the benefit of God and His people.
God’s gifts can be viewed in these three categories: Time, Talent, and Treasure. Time challenges us to give our time back to God to grow in relationship with Him. This includes praying daily, reading and praying with Sacred Scripture, attending weekend Mass etc. Talent challenges us to use our talents in service to God and others through some type of volunteering. Whether we volunteer at the local food bank or pregnancy center or at Church, whether you pull weeds or lector at Mass, it can all be done to honor God. Lastly, we share the treasure we have with the church or other organizations that do good in serving others. These are three concrete ways that we are called to live as Christians, but what is the fruit of striving to live this way? Here are four main ways that we can be affected: Identity, Trust, Gratitude, and Love.
Identity - It is so deeply troubling to see how many people today struggle with their identity! My heart hurts to see so many troubled with this foundational reality. As people are grasping to false foundations, Stewardship is built on the TRUTH that we are made in God’s image and likeness and made to be one with Him. We all desire to be loved and at peace with who we are and that can only truly happen when we know in our heart that we are loved unconditionally by God. Giving our Time to God allows us to embrace our identity in God by giving Him time to love us.
Trust - We also come to recognize that just as all gifts come from God, so we learn to trust that God will give us all we need. There are events in life, often difficult, when we are reminded that we are not in control. It’s precisely at these moments that we are invited to trust that God will give us all we need as we focus on the present moment where He is always working.
Gratitude - In this life of stewardship, we strive to see everything as a gift which naturally demands a sense of gratitude in our hearts towards God. We so often see things as our own possessions and take them for granted. By striving to see everything as gifts, we grow in our sense of gratitude.
Love - To love is to freely sacrifice ourselves for the sake of others. As we grow in our identity as stewards, our ability to share our gifts with God and others increases. As we become less aware of self, less attached to these gifts, our hearts are evermore free to love as God loves us!
No matter where we might be in our journey and relationship with Christ, may we be inspired to grow in living lives of stewardship!
In Christ,
Fr. Schultz
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Youth Ministry Parish Party!
Save the date for a rockin' good time! On June 12th our youth group will be hosting a parish wide event outside on the back lawn of the church! Come join us for games, food and live music as we say a huge thank you to the parish for all of the support given to our ministry! RSVP here.
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American Red Cross Blood Drive
We will be hosting a blood drive at St. Patrick Church of Merna on Monday, June 13th from 12:30pm-5:30pm in the parish hall. For an appointment, please click the button below. Contact Jana Schopp at jana@stpatrickmerna.org or 309-662-7361 ext. 217 with any questions.
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Blood Drive Help Needed!
Help is needed to provide treats for those donating blood, as well as volunteers to help with the drive throughout the day. If you are able to provide treats or volunteer your time, please contact Jana Schopp at 309-662-7361 ext. 217 or jana@stpatrickmerna.org or you can sign up at the Welcome Center.
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A Note From Fr. Patrick Bergin
Hi! This is Fr. Patrick Bergin, a priest of the Archdiocese of Tabora, in Tanzania, East Africa. I plan to come back to the U.S. to worship with you on June 25th and 26th, and also to make a Mission Appeal.
Just as a reminder, I am actually a homegrown son of the parish. I was baptized in the old church in Merna in 1964. My great grandparents, Michael and Maggie Kinsella, were one of the founding families of our parish.
You know as Catholics, we expect to get most of our spiritual nourishment from our local parishes. But another very Catholic practice is to have sites of pilgrimage, special places of quiet and beauty set aside for visitation, prayer, and mediation. We may make a special trip to pray at the Cathedral in Peoria, or the National Shrine in Washington DC, or even to Rome! But for African villagers, such long journeys to far away places are mostly out of reach.
The Archdiocese here has been building a special place of prayer and pilgrimage for the Christians of our diocese and indeed all of Tanzania. It is a Shrine of the Divine Mercy of God. Do you remember how in the Lion King, Mufasa takes little baby Simba up on this big rock and holds him up to be acknowledged as King? That rocky hill is called a kopje which means an ‘island of stone’ in the surrounding sea of grasslands. The Shrine of Divine Mercy is actually being built on a very large and beautiful stone kopje.
Stay tuned for more pictures and learn how you can help complete the Shrine of the Divine Mercy of God!
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Register Now for Totus Tuus!
Totus Tuus is a Catholic program held at St. Pat’s of Merna to help your children and teens learn more about their faith and grow closer to Jesus through a relationship with his mother, Mary! A college-age team engages students in classes, songs, skits, and games, all while deepening their understanding of the faith and showing them how to live it out day-to-day. We bet your kids have never had this much fun at church!
Grade 1-6: Mon. 7/25-Fri. 7/29; 9am-3pm
Grade 7-12: Sun. 7/24-Thurs. 7/28; 7-9pm
Space is very limited, so sign up today! Click the button below for more info and to sign up. Contact totustuus@stpatrickmerna.org with questions!
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Teen Volunteers Needed for Totus Tuus!
Volunteer opportunities are available for teens entering 7th through 12th grade. Help is needed during our daytime program (Monday-Friday, 9am-3:00pm). Service hours are available! Come serve Jesus, make memories, and have fun! Click below for more information and to sign up. Contact totustuus@stpatrickmerna.org with any questions.
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Youth Ministry
St. Patrick Church of Merna Youth Ministry exists to provide our teens with a space to grow in their relationships with Jesus. Our purpose is to help our youth understand that each of them are known, loved and chosen by God for a specific purpose.
Our Next Event:
All 8th-12th graders are welcome to join us this Sunday night, June 5, from 6-8pm for Youth Group here at the church! Come see us for a time of fellowship, games, worship and more- bring a friend, and we cant wait to see you there!
Mark your Calendar!
- June 12th Youth Ministry Parish Party
On June 12th our youth group will be hosting a parish wide event outside on the back lawn of the church! Come join us for games, food and live music as we say a huge thank you to the parish for all of the support given to our ministry! RSVP here.
All 8th-12th graders are welcome to come join us for Youth Group here at the church from 6-8pm! Come see us for a time of fellowship, games, worship and more- Bring a friend, we can't wait to see you there!
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"The Eucharist: The Real Presence"
Below is a link to a short video scientifically explaining the Real Presence in the Eucharist and why we as Catholics believe this to be truth. We encourage you to spend a few minutes learning about this important Truth that is central to our Catholic faith!
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1001 N Towanda Barnes Rd.
Bloomington, IL 61705
(309) 662-7361
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