e-Bulletin
Week of March 21 - 27, 2021
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... t o L o v e , t o S e r v e , t o b e H o p e ...
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ONE YEAR
One Year of Coronavirus….
One Year Online
Almost a year ago, March 22, 2020, I made one of the most difficult announcements I have had to make. I announced that: “Weekend Masses are cancelled, effective immediately, until further notice. We will be looking for other possibilities to stream the weekend Mass to you. If you have gifts and skills for this, please contact me.” Soon after that announcement, several of you came forward with offers to help. Some acknowledged that they were not experts but would help in any way they could.
One of those who offered to help was Monica Lopez, a member of our staff; she offered to use her expertise and equipment to tape/video, edit and put the weekend Mass on our website.
It’s now 52 weeks later. Over the last year I’ve heard again and again, from parishioners and visitors, how grateful they are for our online Mass. Our Coordinator of Liturgical Ministries, Jackie Graham, Music Director at the time, Patrice Pakiz, and present Music Director, Chris Ángel, quickly made adaptations to make the Mass better suited for online participation. Other staff and parishioners have come in to assist as ministers in the liturgy: Lectors, Musicians, Soundboard Monitors, and Servers. Each week Monica has recorded and edited our Mass, produced graphics, and placed it on our website. On this one-year anniversary, we all owe all of them a word of “Thanks!”
Our online Masses have proven popular. After one year, the Mass consistently has 600+ views per week. Assuming that in some households more than one person watched Mass at a time, we believe 800+ people are worshipping with us each week online.
Now, after a year, there are signs of hope. Since August 23rd, 2020, we have been offering Mass on site with safety protocols each Sunday at 9:00am. With that being said, I want to Thank Kevin Magyar, who took on the job of coordinating this, setting up Book-A-Pew for reservations of 150, sanitizing pews, and training others to do this. “Thank You” to those who have stepped forward to be Greeters, Ushers, Lectors, Musicians, Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Mass Coordinators, Soundboard Operators, and now Livestream Operators. As you may know, we have recently begun to livestream under the guidance of Bryan Racine.
In the coming months as more and more people are vaccinated, I expect we will see more people coming to Mass on site. We will need to discuss how to best move forward to serve the people of the parish. We will continue to seek the guidance of the Spirit and be helped by parishioners like yourselves to live our Mission Statement: “To Love, To Serve, To Be Hope.”
Fr. Tim
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MASS RESERVATION
Please remember that you need to sign up each week.
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EASTER BASKET PROJECT
by MARCH 19
You made it!
We made it!
Thank you for accepting the CHALLENGE!
Your participation helped us win!
(If you'd still like to help, please sign up to bring
gift cards.)
Thank you to the anonymous donor who came forward with this challenge.
Please return all donations either TODAY before 3:00pm or between 9 and 10 am on Sunday.
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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.
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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.
5th Week of Lent
Finding Our Way in Community
PRAYING
Stations of the Cross STB Video or Stations of the Cross PDF
and/or
Heavenly God, you write your law upon our hearts.
Give us the courage to follow your law of love,
the willingness to die to self, and the promise of eternal life with you.
Hear this and all our prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord.
from Pastoral Patterns a publication of World Library Publications, a division of GIA Publications, Inc.
ALMSGIVING
CRS Rice Bowls: If you’ve been collecting at home, please drop off your donation by Holy Thursday, April 1, or bring them to Mass/ Thanks to everyone who donated to the Easter Basket Project; the baskets will be delivered to the Visitation Sisters this weekend.
SINGING
Video from the 5th Sunday of Lent Mass
SERVING
Awareness leads to action.
This week, learn more about a community issue, such as poverty, racial justice, or care for the Earth.
Here are some suggestions from our Faith In Action
Council and Spirit of Justice Committee members:
Videos about Breaking Free & their work to serve victims of
Podcast: In the Dark, Season 2 – “The case Against Curtis Flowers” –a true story about a black man tried six times for the same crime.
Find a film or documentary about almost any justice topic at
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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.
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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. NOTE: This service will also be livestreamed.
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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, usually within a short time of the conclusion of the service, by clicking on the Videos tab.
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HOLY WEEK NEEDS:
Ushers, Greeters and Sanitizing Crews
Holy Week begins in less than two weeks. We will need ushers, greeters and people to help sanitize the church every day beginning on Holy Thursday (April 1) through Easter Sunday.
If you are interested in helping with ushering or greeting please
If you are interested in learning how to sanitize the church and are available to help on Friday evening or Saturday morning after the Good Friday service; Saturday evening after the Vigil or between the 9 and 11 a.m. Masses on Easter Sunday.
Training sessions can be set up at your convenience.
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HOLY WEEK COLLECTIONS
Two different collections are traditional to our Triduum celebration. This year because we cannot pass the basket or have processions, we will collect these a little differently:
THE HOLY THURSDAY COLLECTION FOR THE POOR
At St. Thomas Becket we collect food and money for The Open Door Food Shelf and Catholic Relief Services. A basket for the Rice Bowls brought before Holy Thursday is at the St. Thomas Becket statue in the Commons. On Holy Thursday baskets will be at the font as you enter the church to place your Rice Bowls or any money you wish to give to these needs. All money not in a Rice Bowl will go to The Open Door Food Shelf. All the money in the Rice Bowls go to Catholic Relief Services.
THE PONTIFICAL GOOD FRIDAY COLLECTION
Pope Francis has asked Catholics to support Christians in the Holy Land through this collection. This support helps parishes, Catholic schools and funds the preservation of sacred shrines. Wars, unrest and instability have been especially hard on Christians. This collection also provides humanitarian aid to refugees. Fittingly as we remember our common Baptism with our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering, there will be a basket on the Baptismal Font for your donation.
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SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Please contact Fr. Tim for individual Reconciliation.
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EASTER FLORAL DEDICATIONS
by March 28
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Dedicate a loved one in prayer by offering beautiful Easter plants for our worship space. If you would like to remember someone, or make a donation, it would be gratefully accepted.
Plant donations: $10 each.
Payable to: Saint Thomas Becket— Easter Floral.
Place this form and your donation in in a separate envelope and put in the collection basket by Sunday, March 28 or mail to the Parish Office by Friday, March 26.
Your loved one’s name will be listed in the bulletin by the Sunday of Easter.
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JUST-FAITH VIRTUAL INTRODUCTION
MARCH 23
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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.
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VBS
SAVE THE DATE!
All Aboard for VBS 2021
The Rocky Railway will be rolling July 12-15 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm each day.
- We will limit total campers at VBS to 35 participants
- We will limit small groups to 7 campers and 2 leaders
- Each small group will remain in their own “pod” as they move through the day
- We will follow whatever CDC guidelines are in place in July
- Snacks will be prepackaged and eaten only with small groups
More details will be available in April with registration beginning Monday, April 12, 2012.
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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
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Entries are due by 5 pm Sunday, April 4th.
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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
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WORD & COMMUNION SERVICE
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
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EMPTY BOWLS FUNDRAISER
MARCH 24
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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.
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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.
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RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS
When Our Own Hour Comes
We parents know that it’s tricky, tackling the topic of fear with our kids. We want them to know that it’s okay to be scared, that it’s something we all feel from time to time. We want them to understand that bravery isn’t the absence of fear, but the choices we make in persevering despite that feeling.
Most of all, we want to model the right kind of behavior for our kids. Whatever our scary situation is — illness, a job loss, life changes — we want them to see us make a choice to face that fear head-on.
Jesus seems to be the parent who is gently broaching the topic of fear with his children. A great sense of foreboding hangs over these readings. Jesus knew what was coming. He knew it was going to be hard, both for him and for his followers, who did not have his courage. Even he admits to being “troubled” and he speaks of “the time of judgment.” There is the dramatic raising of Lazarus, the talk of how a grain of wheat must die in order to bear fruit, the depiction of Christ as an obedient student of his own suffering.
“Yet what should I say?” he asks them. “‘Father, save me from this hour?’ But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour.”
This week, Christ gives us a very parental gift: He shows us his fear, and he shows us how to conquer it. He challenges us to embrace the purpose for which we came to this hour — whatever that hour may hold.
— Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS
©LPi
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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.
5th Sunday of Lent
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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.
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STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE
Let us always meet each other with a smile,
for the smile is the beginning of love.
Mother Teresa
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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.
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READINGS
Sunday:
Jer 31:31-34/Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15 [12a]/Heb 5:7-9/Jn 12:20-33 or Ez 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
Monday:
Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 [4ab]/Jn 8:1-11
Tuesday:
Nm 21:4-9/Ps 102:2-3, 16-18, 19-21 [2]/Jn 8:21-30
Wednesday:
Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95/Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 [52b]/Jn 8:31-42
Thursday:
Is 7:10-14; 8:10/Ps 40:7-8, 8-9, 10, 11 [8a, 9a]/Heb 10:4-10/Lk 1:26-38
Friday:
Jer 20:10-13/Ps 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7 [cf. 7]/Jn 10:31-42
Saturday:
Ez 37:21-28/Jer 31:10, 11-12abcd, 13 [cf. 10d]/Jn 11:45-56
Next Sunday:
Mk 11:1-10 or Jn 12:12-16/Is 50:4-7/Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 [2a]/
Phil 2:6-11/Mk 14:1—15:47 or 15:1-39
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