"To what shall we compare the kingdom of God? It is like a mustard seed ... once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants."
~Mk 4:30a, 31a, 32
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June 3, 2021
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I write to you with important news and a grateful heart. After much prayer, consultation, and discussion, the Catholic bishops of Minnesota today announced that the Sunday Mass obligation will return the weekend of July 3-4. I encourage each of you to read the full text of the Minnesota bishops’ statement, [which can be found at https://www.archspm.org/returning-to-mass-july-1-marks-end-of-dispensation-in-minnesota]. It includes the rationale for the decision, the importance of the return to the Mass, and possible exceptions to the Sunday obligation.
Many of you have generously shared with me over the past 15 months stories of how difficult the pandemic has been on you, your loved ones, your jobs, your parishes, your communities and beyond. So many have lost so much, including family and friends. Please join me in remembering those who have died and those among us who continue to grieve their loss.
At the same time, many of you have shared stories of great sacrifice by healthcare workers, doctors and others who risked their own health and safety to help others in the midst of the pandemic. These women and men continue to exemplify real charity and courage as they move from treating COVID-19 patients to resuming their assigned roles in our clinics, hospitals, nursing homes and other care facilities. I know my appreciation for our sisters and brothers in healthcare and emergency services has only grown during this crisis. I am truly grateful to them and to their family members, who also endured heightened risks to health and safety.
My gratitude extends, as well, to all the faithful of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Some of you have sacrificed Sunday and daily Mass attendance for more than a year to minimize the risk to the loved ones with whom you live, and often for whom you care, and to the healthcare personnel who would have to care for you in the event that you became ill. You have shared with me the heartbreak you experienced by not being able to receive our Lord in the Eucharist. Many others, thankfully, have been able to safely return to in-person Mass since the end of last May due to the diligence and extraordinary coordination and safety protocols put into place by our dedicated priests, parish staffs and volunteers. These same teams also worked creatively, instituting parking lot Masses and initiating efforts to make the Mass available through livestreaming and digital ministries. The generosity of so many has kept our parishes open and operating – providing support and services to our sisters and brothers who count on them for spiritual assistance and accompaniment and even social services.
I continue to be grateful to our parish and school staffs. Their hard work and flexibility during constantly changing conditions and directives made it possible for the work of Christ to continue. Our Catholic school and religious education students were able to learn continuously – in-person and remotely – throughout the year. Parish staffs have supported existing ministries and started new ones, often times behind-the-scenes with little or no recognition for their innovation and creativity.
The hard work of our parishes and school staff have allowed us to gather safely throughout this year. That safety has only increased as we gratefully see so many signs that the pandemic is receding. Given those positive developments, I want to encourage those who have stayed away to come back and worship together. We know that we need the strength that comes from the sacraments in order to live our Christian life and we know that our parish communities are not complete without you.
As we fully return to the Sunday Mass in early July, please join me in praying for the souls of those who have died from COVID-19, those who grieve them and for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic around the globe. Please also join my prayers of gratitude for the faithful of the Archdiocese and for those who serve so many in our parishes, schools and Catholic entities. May you know an abundance of divine blessings as we all return to the Lord’s table.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Bernard A. Hebda
Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
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Latest Mass Information
- Sign-ups are no longer required for weekend Masses. However, at St. Mary’s, we are still wearing masks at weekend Masses through the end of June, so we can keep our unvaccinated children safe and so that we can sing.
- For the foreseeable future, we will have weekend Masses on Saturday at 5:00 PM and Sunday at 9:00 and 11:00 AM.
- When weather permits, you may sit outside and listen to Mass at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM and Communion will be brought to you. Masks are not required outside.
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Saturday Mass will continue to be livestreamed and can be viewed HERE.
- Wearing masks is still required for weddings and funerals until after June 30, 2021.
Church Collection
In compliance with the directives of the archdiocese, we will not be passing baskets during Masses until after June 30, 2021. In the meantime, please continue online giving or giving by check through the mail. You may want to consider this way of support even after you come back to Mass in person! Or, for right now at church, look in the Gathering Space for a collection box or basket.
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Confessions Heard Saturdays,
9:00 AM at the House of Mercy
Thanks to a generous donation, outdoor drive-up confessions will continue with Fr. Talbot sheltered in a fish house, a.k.a. “The House of Mercy.” Drive up and stop alongside the fish house and Fr. Talbot will hear your confession through the window. Outdoor confessions will continue at least through July 3, 2021.
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Fiscal Year-End
We are coming to the end of our fiscal year. Your gifts received by June 30, 2021 will be recorded in our current fiscal year, while your gifts received on July 1 and later will be recorded in our next fiscal year. Please make sure you are up to date on your stewardship/Sunday giving. Thank you so much for your ongoing support of our parish.
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Catholic Young Adult Ice Cream Social
Join St. Mary’s Catholic young adults (18-39) for fellowship and ice cream! Beginning at 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 24, 2021, Catholic young adults will meet at Pizza Man & The Corner Malt Shop on Bald Eagle Avenue for ice cream and conversation. Families with young children and first-time attendees to Catholic young adult events are welcome and encouraged to attend! Outside seating is limited so bring your favorite lawn chair to ensure a place to sit. Please contact Nick Brady at nbrady@stmarys-wbl.org with any questions.
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JustBooks Summer 2021
This is our fifth summer of reading books attending to justice issues that face our world and our Church. Each summer we meet to discuss three books which have been chosen by the Social Justice committee at St. Mary’s. In past years we have explored immigration, the environment, race, and poverty, through fiction and non-fiction. This summer’s line-up includes two non-fiction books and a novel. All books are available through both the Ramsey County and Washington County library systems. In addition, Lake Country Booksellers will order the books and, when you tell them you are part of the St. Mary of the Lake book club, will give you a 10% discount. We will meet virtually on the second Wednesday of June, July, and August, from 6:30-8:00 pm. Register by emailing Kathryn Lien at kathrynannlien@gmail.com. View a list of the summer books HERE.
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Habitat for Humanity Build
St. Mary of the Lake will be participating in a Habitat for Humanity build scheduled for August 23-25. If you are interested in volunteering to work the build please contact Paul Kadera at pjkadera@gmail.com and he will send you the signup information. Volunteers must sign up and agree to work the full day that they sign up for. Please only sign up for one day of the build at this time to allow others the opportunity to volunteer. If we still need more volunteers to sign up after July 1, 2021 we will then open it up for people to volunteer for more than one day. If you have questions about the build please contact Paul.
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Join a Synod Small Group at your Parish this Fall!
Help Archbishop determine priorities under each Synod focus area, with Synod Small Groups! Learn more HERE.
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Faith Formation Summer Programs - we still have room!
Our Summer BLAST program for 25 middle school youth, currently in grades 6-8, will take place on the Thursdays in July: 1, 8, 15, 22* and 29 from 9:00 AM – noon. Each day will include a concept of the day, a service project and fun games. Youth can pick and choose which days they want to participate. Register HERE.
*On July 22 we will have an outing to Feed My Starving Children, leaving at 8:15 AM and returning around Noon.
Vacation Bible School for youth ages 6-10 will take place August 9 – 13, 2021. Maximum number of children will be 45. It will be an outside program on the church grounds from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM. You can sign up in groups of five, or we can assign children into groups.
Register HERE. Register to Volunteer HERE.
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Prayer Network At
St. Mary of the Lake
Please call your prayer requests in to the Parish Office 651-429-7771, option 1 or Terry (651) 429-4972.
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Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis monthly prayer request for priests:
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Blessed Sacrament Chapel - Adoration Hours
The 24 hour Eucharistic adoration chapel at church is open for parishioners. Please call our main number 651-429-7771 from 9:00 AM to noon weekdays for the three-digit code to get in the chapel. You will be asked to provide your name. Only one or two worshipers are allowed in the chapel at a time. You must wear a mask in the chapel through the end of June.
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Parish Office Information
The parish office is now on our summer schedule: 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM Monday through Thursday and 8:30 AM to noon on Fridays. However, the front entryway will be open until 3:00 PM for drop-offs and pick-ups. If you would like our answering service to pick up your call when the front desk is closed, please call 651-429-7771, option 1.
Note to Our Parishioners
Assistance may be available for parishioners who need some help during these uncertain times. Email cjgreen@stmarys-wbl.org or call the parish office at 651-429-7771 option 1 and ask for Casey Green. Thank you to parishioners who have made a donation to our Emergency Assistance Fund.
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How To Subscribe to Our Parish Bulletin on Parishes Online
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Go to www.parishesonline.com.
- Enter your church name and your city, state or zip. Click the search icon.
- Find your church on the search results page and click on the name of the church.
- Under recent publication, click subscribe.
- Enter your email, first name and last name in the pop-up box. Click subscribe.
You will now receive alerts in your inbox when new publications become available for your church on parishes online.
View this process step-by-step with visuals HERE.
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Subscribe to St. Mary of the Lake on YouTube
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Consider Remote Giving to Support Our Parish
There are currently three ways to give electronically:
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Monthly amount transferred from your bank account (click on the DONATE button on our website home page to find a form). It would be better to mail the form to us, since you need to include a voided check.
- Weekly, monthly, or one-time checks sent by your bank or other financial service organization (contact your bank to set up a plan that works for you). It is helpful to have your envelope number on the check your bank sends to us.
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Weekly, monthly, or one-time gifts charged to your credit card (click on the DONATE button on our website home page to set up your gift).
There is a way to give remotely that is not “high tech”: Simply mail us your check. Our address:
4690 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake, 55110.
Thank you so much for your support in this difficult time.
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FRASSATI CATHOLIC ACADEMY NEWS |
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Frassati Catholic Academy would like to congratulate all of our hardworking students on their many achievements this academic year! Our school year was blessed in profound ways, and Frassati became a reliable home to our students (and their families!) who were able to benefit from in-person learning since the school year began on September 8. We want to especially thank each and every person who helped make this significant accomplishment possible. Thank you to all our teachers, staff, students, families, parishioners, and community members who supported us throughout the year! We would like to also congratulate our preschool and eighth-grade graduates on the significant milestones they reached with the close of the 2020-2021 school year - congratulations Falcons! We wish you a relaxing summer ahead! |
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Falcon Feed Blog
Stay in the loop on Frassati news and Falcon activities, be sure to subscribe to the Falcon Feed Blog. Have new blog posts sent directly to your inbox. Subscribe HERE
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Prayer Shawls
If you need a prayer shawls or know of anyone who may need one, please call Casey at the Parish Life Center at 651-429-7771 option 1 or email Casey at cjgreen@stmarys-wbl.org.
Community Blood Drive Coming
The White Bear Lake Community Blood Drive is scheduled for July 15-16 at the White Bear Lake Armory. You can make appointments by going to Redcrossblood.org. If you have questions call Paul at
651-429-3741.
Help for Housing in Minnesota
Minnesota Housing is pleased to announce that RentHelpMN is now open and accepting applications. RentHelpMN makes it possible for eligible renters to get caught up on overdue rent and utilities dating back to March 13, 2020. It also makes provisions for those at risk of falling behind on rent payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note that RentHelpMN is in Phase One, in which people with past due rent who meet eligibility requirements are invited to apply. To apply for RentHelpMN, please visit renthelpmn.org or call 211. The 211 helpline has dedicated multilingual staff available to answer questions about RentHelpMN, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Monday through Saturday.
Mary's Place Homeless Shelter
Mary’s Place is seeking volunteers willing to work with children at the shelter to help with their education one-on-one. Training will be provided. Contact Becky Hanel at 612-596-3443 or visit www.sharingandcaringhands.org
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Safe Environment Information
St. Mary of the Lake is devoted to creating safe environments for all to feel welcome. Protecting children, youth and vulnerable adults is of highest importance. If you want more information or suspect abuse go HERE.
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