STB Bulletin - week of 10/10- 10/16

e-Bulletin

Week of October 10-16, 2021

... to Love, to Serve, to be Hope ...

LIVESTREAM MASS

available Sundays at 9:00 am.

FACE MASK:

Recommended for Saturday 5pm and Sunday 9 am Mass

REQUIRED for the Sunday 11:00 am Mass

FACE MASK - FRIENDLY REMINDER

FACE MASKS (friendly reminder)

Please don’t forget to bring your own face mask to church.

If you choose to wear a mask during the 5:00 pm or 9:00 am Mass, or if you are joining us at the 11:00 am Mass where they are required, you are encouraged to bring your own face mask.

In case you forget, we are happy to provide one for you, but know that we are going through many boxes of masks every weekend.

Please take this as a friendly reminder and bring your own mask.

We appreciate your cooperation.

Thank you!

HELP NEEDED FOR

UPCOMING FUNERAL

MONDAY, OCTOBER 11

We are in need of volunteers for the funeral of

Dorothy Mrachek, mother of parishioner, Jeanne Polaczyk.

Funeral will be held this Monday, October 11

Visitation - 9:30 am

Funeral Mass - 11:00am

Luncheon - 12:00 pm

CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER

CALENDAR

Saturday, October 9:

Parish Leadership Council Retreat, 9am - 12pm
5:00 pm MASS, Fr. Mike Erlander

Sunday, October 10:

SGS/CLOW (9am and 11am Mass)
9:00 am MASS, Fr. Tim Wozniak
RCIA 10:15 am - 11:30 am
11:00 am MASS, Fr. Tim Wozniak
Baptism, 12:30 pm

Monday, October 11:

Visitation Dorothy Mrachek, 9:30 am
Funeral Mass, 11:00 am
Luncheon, 12:00 pm
1st Reconciliation parent only, 6:15 pm - 7:15 pm
SYNOD small group, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Tuesday, October 12:

SYNOD small group, 9:30 pm - 11:30 pm
Word Communion Service Inver Glen, 10:00 am
Friends in Faith Bible Study, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Troop 451, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
AA meeting, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Bell Choir, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Wednesday, October 13:

Elementary Faith Formation, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Elementary Faith Formation, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Middle School FF, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Thursday, October 14:

Lawn Mowing CREW - Team 2
Mass, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Parish Leadership Council meeting, 6 pm - 7:30 pm
Al-Anon meeting, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Sustainability Committee, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Friday, October 15:

No Event Scheduled

Saturday, October 16:

5:00 pm MASS, Fr. Tim Wozniak

Sunday, October 17:

9:00 am MASS, Fr. Mike Erlander
Elementary FF family learning, 10 am - 11:15 am
RCIA 10:15 am - 11:30 am
11:00 am MASS, Fr. Tim Wozniak
Confirmation Blue (2), 6:00pm - 7:30 pm

SACRAMENT OF

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

OCTOBER 24

Sunday, October 24 at 9:00 Mass

All who are experiencing physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges are encouraged to attend this communal celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick during the 9:00 Mass on Sunday, October 24^th.

A prayer over the sick, the laying on of hands, and the anointing of sick with oil represent the prayer and blessing of the community and the healing presence of Christ and the Holy Spirit.

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is available at any time if you suffer from any kind of illness affecting body, mind or spirit, or have a chronic or life- threatening condition; please call the Parish Office.

MASS OF REMEMBRANCE

OCTOBER 30

Saturday, October 30 at 5:00 Mass

The Mass of Remembrance will be celebrated on Saturday, October 30^th, at the 5:00 evening mass.

You will be invited to name and remember your deceased loved ones by placing a votive candle on the altar steps in their memory. Invite your friends and relatives.

During the month of November you are invited to place the names of your deceased loved ones into our Book of Remembrance which will be enthroned near the Baptismal Font.

We also invite you to bring pictures of your deceased loved ones to place on the V-wall until the Feast of Christ the King on November 20/21.

STB'S GIVING GARDEN KEEPS GROWING!

Thanks to all the volunteers and those who participated in our Silent Auction.

Together we raised approximately $6,000 for our Giving Garden Shed.

FALL FESTIVAL SPONSORS

Thank you to all the sponsors who helped make our Fall Festival a success!

Ruhland's Strudel Haus

Bridgeman's Ice Cream

Union 32 Craft House

Knights of Columbus

Eagan Fire Department

Eagan Police Department

THANK YOU

Adopt a Highway

Thank you so much to all who helped keep our street clean!

It was a good day, the rain held off and volunteers gathered 3 bags worth of trash. It never looks that bad along our stretch, but it’s amazing how much is tucked in the grass.

BELL CHOIR - JOIN US!

St. Thomas Becket Bell Choir

After a long pandemic hiatus, the bell choir will be playing together again at the Sunday Morning Masses on October 31st. We look forward to ringing and celebrating with you.

The Bell Choir is Looking for additional Musicians

We practice on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 pm and play at various times throughout the academic year. If you are interested, please contact Chris Angel, the music director, at 651-452-8767 or email him at chrisa@stbeagan.org

CONFIRMATION STUDENTS

Support The Open Door Pantry

Our Confirmation 2 teens kicked off their new year of preparation with a “Food Fight” collection for The Open Door (like a penny war, but with food).

Together, they donated 630 pounds of beans, rice, pasta, sugar, canned fruit, and toilet paper.

Congratulations to group “Blue D” who won our Food Fight and will receive a special treat at a future class!

PRISON MINISTRY BIRTHDAY CARD WRITING

OCTOBER 28

Thursday, October 28 from 6:00-7:30 at STB

Do you enjoy encouraging others through special occasion cards or short notes? Most inmates do not receive regular mail. Birthdays and special occasions are rarely acknowledged. Receiving mail brings great joy to a prisoner, and to be acknowledged on a day that should be special to them can restore an otherwise devastating day.

STB has been doing this ministry for several years and we are starting again this month. Please come anytime between 6:00-7:30.

Thank you for considering.

SYNOD - SMALL GROUPS

OCTOBER 4

Just a quick reminder that we began the Synod small groups this past week. You are still welcome to join us!

Upcoming sessions are either on Mondays from 6:30 - 8:30 pm or Tuesdays from 9:30 - 11:30 am.

Want more details?

Click here for everything you will need.

HELP OUR STB CHIDREN GROW INTO THEIR FAITH

Teens and adults check out this link to find out more about helping out with Sharing God’s Story (4- & 5-year olds) and / or Children’s Liturgy of the Word ( 6-9 year olds). This ministry will be offered only during the masked 11:00 Mass on Sundays beginning in October.

All volunteers must complete the safety of children requirements before participating. Go to www.virtus.org or email Pam at pamm@stbeagan.org for complete information.

STB ADVENT SERIES

Celebrating Liturgy in the Gospels

Saint Thomas Becket - Advent Series:

Celebrating Liturgy in the Gospels

Deacon Charles A. Bobertz, Ph.D. (read bio)

Professor of New Testament at St. John’s School of Theology and Seminary

November 21, Session One (10:15-11:30)

Liturgy in the Formation of the Gospel Narrative

Our first session will explore how the early Christian Eucharist, The Lord’s Supper, was at the very center of how the earliest Christians understood the story of Jesus we have in the Gospels. This first session will explore the Gospel of Mark and show how the Lord’s Supper is one key to understanding how Mark chose to present the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

November 28, Session Two (10:15-11:30)

The Gospel of Matthew

The writer of the Gospel of Matthew had a copy of the Gospel of Mark upon which he based his new Gospel. Why did Matthew think it was necessary to write a new Gospel? What are the main theological ideas that one discovers in a comparison with the Gospel of Mark? And what role does Matthew’s understanding of the Lord’s Supper play in his version of the story of Jesus?

December 12, Session Three (10:15-11:30)

The Gospel of John

When reading the Gospel of John, one is reminded of a line from the comedian Monty Python: now for something completely different. John has a very different story of Jesus than the other Gospels. But there is one striking similarity: the story of the Lord’s Supper. This session will explore how John understands the importance of the Lord’s Supper in a unique way, leading to a unique way of understanding the reality of Jesus Christ.

December 19, Session Four (10:15-11:30)

In this session we will look at the early history of the Lord’s Supper as the Church emerged into the second and third centuries. What changed? What remained the same? How can an understanding of the earliest Lord’s Supper ritual help us consider our own understanding of the Eucharist today? In short, how do the Gospels help us explore our own understanding of the Eucharist in the Church today?

CLIMATE CHANGE

OCTOBER 25

http://iccsmtc.blogspot.com/

BLOOD DRIVE

NOVEMBER 12

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME:

Worship Council’s Reflections on Laudato Si

OCTOBER 3

The other day I received a lovely picture of my mother’s wedding dress remade into a baptismal garment by my sister’s friend. The transformation of my mother’s wedding dress into a baptismal gown speaks to not throwing away that which is used, but to transform it, to make it holy and blessed. In so doing we have the opportunity to transform not only the object, but also our living world. In Laudato Si, Francis criticizes our consumer minds: “But our industrial system, at the end of its cycle of production and consumption, has not developed the capacity to reabsorb and re-use waste and by-products” (11).

On the last full weekend of September we heard Fr. Dempsey speak of the incredible poverty of the people in Venezuela. He invited us to consider living more simply.

The earth too is calling us to live more simply: use less water, use less gas, consume less, plant rain gardens instead of grass. All in order to transform our earth, to save it from destruction.

This summer we have been aware of the destruction, the fires out west, the tragedy of not having a “fire season” in California, but they're having to worry about wild fires all year long. We too in Minnesota had the lightning fire, the Greenwood fire in northern Minnesota. We smelled smoke instead of the freshness of summer flowers. We also suffered a number of 90 degree days, second only to 1988.

If we wish to save our earth, it is up to each of us to make decisions about what we can transform rather than throw away. Rather than buy something new, can we be creative about reusing what we have? Where do we have the “wedding dress” that can be made into a “baptismal gown”?

Recently, parish volunteers continued the transformation of the Meditation Trail, a space to explore the beauty of creation, a space here at STB made new. The Trail was blessed by Fr. Tim and parishioners last weekend.

RCIA

AN INVITATION TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO BECOME A CATHOLIC

Are you or a friend or loved one looking for a faith community which can nurture their growth in faith?
Wondering about the role of God in your life, Jesus, Pope Francis, the Catholic Church today?
Wanting to know more about the faith of someone you love?
Thinking about being baptized? Already baptized but want to find out about becoming Catholic?
Do you have a child seven years old or older who isn’t baptized?
Do you have a young person baptized in another tradition but seeking 1^st Eucharist & Confirmation in the Catholic Church?

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process by which people ages 7 to 107 become Catholic Christians. But before making this decision we spend time exploring our own faith and the faith of this community. Then the process is tailored to the needs and background of the person.

If you have questions, call or email Jackie Graham (612-452-8775 or jackieg@stbeagan.org)

STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR:

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.

GROWING THROUGH LOSS FALL SERIES

“Service of Remembrance”

by Rev. Karen Treat Pastor of Care Ministries & McKenna Crossing Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church

When? Tuesday October 12, 2021

Where?

Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 3611 North Berens Road NW, Prior Lake

What time?

6:30 pm - Registration
7:00 pm - Speaker
8:00 pm - Support Groups (facilitated by trained leaders)

Freewill Offering

This program is offered to any adult experiencing a loss or major crisis

and to Pastoral Ministers, i.e., Befrienders and Stephen Ministers.

Questions?

For additional information, call: 651-452-8261 or e-mail: growingthroughloss@gmail.com

GOSPEL MEDITATION

If we are truly in love with God, then the basics are not going to be enough. That love is going to want to be expressed in going above and beyond, in leaving the comfortable and familiar, in stretching and growing, and in following a voice other than our own. St. Teresa of Calcutta rightly instructs us that for “love to be real, it must cost, it must hurt, it must empty us of self.” Being in love with God requires more than just checking the boxes of the commandments. It requires a sincere and unconditional self-investment. Desiring God with our whole heart, mind, and soul means that I must also desire a relationship with my neighbor with that same degree of fervor.

Biases and prejudices usually occur when people are kept at a distance and treated as objects. We cannot truly know our neighbors, especially if they are different than us, if we keep them in boxes and do not listen to their stories. When we open ourselves to listen to another person’s story, we begin to realize more how similar we are than dissimilar. Being overly attached to our possessions, ideologies, agendas, lifestyles, and personal needs are absolute barriers to achieving the type of personal investment love demands. This is why following Christ can be difficult. It is less a matter of intellect and more a matter of heart and soul. It requires that we transfer our treasure from an investment in tangible secular things and move it into the Kingdom of God. It is only the gift of wisdom and discernment that can help us decide what to do and how to do it.

Contemporaries of Jesus would know that a camel could not enter through the portal of a city weighed down with the baggage it was carrying. In order to enter, the baggage must be removed so that the animal could fit through the entry way. The same is true for us. We carry a lot of excessive baggage around with us that keeps us tethered to our past histories, wounds, myopic world views, prejudices, fears, and suspicions. To invest ourselves in the Kingdom of God, do God’s work and live out our love relationship with God, we need to shed the extra weight. While it may seem that a lot of that stuff is necessary, it really is not. We are much more than the things that we think define us and more secure than we think. The more there is to hold on to and the more that we carry with us, the harder it will be to leave it all behind. Many choose not to and walk away sad because they are not ready to trust.

©LPi

RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS

If Heaven were like Harvard

There’s no getting around it: life on earth can seem easier if you’re rich. Most of the bodily and material needs a person could have are fulfilled if you’ve got a little bit of money behind you. So why doesn’t this same theory apply to entering the kingdom of Heaven? Why isn’t Heaven like an Ivy League school, where a connection and a hasty tuition check might open a lot of doors?

When you think about it, the virtues required to enter Heaven — things like charity and justice and courage — should be even closer within the grasp of those who never had to worry about where their food is coming from. In theory, your capacity for good works should only increase with the resources at your disposal.

The same is true for stewardship potential. Let’s say I’ve got a lot of talent. Maybe I’ve got a lot of free time. On paper, it should be easier for me to give freely of these gifts, because I have the luxury that eluded the widow and her two coins: I can see my ample gift being put into action, when so many can only offer what they have and remind themselves that God sees it and appreciates it.

But here we get into the mess of humanity: if we have a lot of something, it means we have a lot of something we could use any way we want. And then we hear the whisper of the serpent: Think of what this (money, time, talent) could do for you.

May we pray for God to give us the heart of the widow, no matter our resources.

— Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

©LPi