e-Bulletin
Week of May 2 - 8, 2021
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... to Love, to Serve, to be Hope ...
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LAST RECORDED MASS
It has been over a year since our first recorded Mass, and as things begin to normalize, this weekend will be the last recording.
Thank you to all the people who made this possible - the lectors, cantors, musicians, altar assistants, soundboard techs, closed-captioning volunteers - and staff members, Fr. Tim, Fr. Mike, Jackie, Chris and especially Monica Lopez, who spent countless hours filming and editing each week!
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Beginning the weekend of May 8/9 we will have in-person Masses at 5:00 p.m. Saturday and 9:00 a.m. Sunday. There will be no longer be a pre-recorded Mass (the one that was usually available at 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays). The 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass will be livestreamed. It can be viewed “live” or at a later time.
Below are step-by-step instructions and tips on how to view our livestream Mass.
- Go to www.stbeagan.org. At the top of the home page, click on “Online Masses.”
- Click on the “Livestream Available” graphic. This will take you to our YouTube page and the upcoming livestream slide should be right at the top. Click on the slide and it will show you how many minutes before it goes “live.” Usually, a couple minutes before Mass is scheduled to start, the slide will change to a slide with our logo on it that says, “Mass will begin shortly.” You may see this slide for several minutes, and sometimes you will start to hear music before the video feed appears.
- If it’s after 9 a.m. and you’re unable to see the livestream, try going back to the home page of the website and repeating the above steps. Occasionally, the feed will freeze, and you have to go out and come back in to refresh the livestream feed.
- It is important to realize that this is “live” and susceptible to technical glitches.
If you wish to view the livestream recording after the Mass has ended, please follow these steps:
- Go to www.stbeagan.org. At the top of the home page, click on “Online Masses.”
- Click on the “Livestream Available” graphic. This will take you to our YouTube page.
- Scroll down to the line that says, "Past livestreams.” Choose the livestream you wish to view. You can fast forward through the “dead air” at the beginning.
- If you have any problems, please call the parish office during the week, and someone on staff would be happy to help you.
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SATURDAY 5pm MASS OPENS TO ALL MAY 8
Beginning Saturday, May 8 we will have the 5:00 pm Saturday Mass available.
Please make sure to reserve your spot at book-a-pew. |
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CALENDAR
Saturday, May 1: Food Shelf weekend
- May Day Basket Service Project, 2:00 pm
- 1st Euch Celebration, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (invitation only)
Sunday, May 2: Food Shelf weekend
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9:00 am MASS, Fr. Tim Wozniak (reservation required) Livestream available
- 1st Euch Celebration, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm (invitation only)
- Confirmation year 1 - 2:30 pm
- Confirmation year 1 via Zoom 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Monday, May 3:
- Baptism Preparation, 6:15 pm - 7:30 pm
- Troop 451, 6:30 pm - 7:15 pm
Tuesday, May 4:
- AA meeting, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Wednesday, May 5:
- Word Communion Service, 12:00pm - 12:20 pm
Thursday, May 6:
- Mass, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
- Council Zoom meeting, 5:45 pm - 8:00 pm
- Growing through Loss/ zoom, 6:46 pm - 9:00 pm
- Al-Anon meeting, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday, May 7:
Saturday, May 8:
Sunday, May 9: Mother’s Day
- Baptism beginning at 11:00 am
- Confirmation Flower Planting
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9:00 am MASS, Fr. Tim (reservation required) Livestreamed
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USHERS, GREETERS & SANITIZING CREWS NEEDED
We have several events coming up in the next 2-3 weeks that will require a combination of greeters, ushers and/or people to sanitize the church between events. Listed here are the dates and needs. Please let me know if you can help with any these at kevinm@stbeagan.org.
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STB MEETS BREAKING FREE
MAY 4
Zoom Speaker Event Coming!
Human Trafficking: It Happens Here
(And what we can do about it)
May 4, 2021, 7-8:45 PM on Zoom
Some Stats......
- Human trafficking happens 365 days a year in every zip code in the United States
- The FBI ranked Minnesota 13th in the U. S. for sex trafficking. The Twin Cities area ranks 14th among major U.S. cities for instances of child prostitution.
What St. Thomas Becket Has Been Doing
- Our first year Confirmation Candidates filled 65 cosmetic bags with toiletries, snacks, and gift cards for Breaking Free in St. Paul. (See video below for more on Breaking Free). These bags will be distributed to women on the street and in the Safe House.
- We have provided Prayer Shawls for graduates of Breaking Free, Sisters of Survival program.
What Can You Do?.....
- Be informed: The Spirit of Justice committee will sponsor a live zoom meeting with Jessica Bartholomew, retired Minneapolis police officer and Jennifer Gaines, a survivor of trafficking who has opened several safe houses for teenage girls and boys that were caught in the system. See the bulletin article about this event for more information.
- Pray: Offer up a prayer every time you pass a motel, hotel, casino or truck stop. Pray that this place will be closed to trafficking.
- Give: There is always a need for toiletries, cleaning supplies, food, used clothing and gift cards for Subway, Target, etc at Breaking Free and other organizations that serve survivors.
VIDEO: CLICK HERE to see a video message to STB from Breaking Free, followed by an in-depth look at the work they do with survivor services and prevention.
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ADOPT A HIGHWAY
MAY 22
Join us to help clean our Highway!
Saturday, May 22, 2021 (Rain Date: Saturday, May 29)
Adopt-A-Highway CleanUp Project. To move our mission beyond our parish doors, the Sustainability Committee has secured the adoption of Cliff Road, between Pilot Knob and Lexington, from Dakota County for the Catholic Community of St. Thomas Becket. May 22 is the next scheduled clean up of our stretch of road.
We will meet at the church between 8:00am and 9:00am in shifts to gather supplies and then move out to different zones along the road.
Expect to spend two to three hours between safety briefing and clean up efforts.
Participants must be at least 12 years old. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Bring your own gloves, grabbers, sunscreen, and hats. Please bring a safety vest if you have one. The county will provide bags and some safety vests. Participants should wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.
Questions?
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WE HAVE A DATE:
STB GRADUATES MASS CELEBRATION
JUNE 12
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We would like to congratulate and honor all our young people who are graduating this year. We are celebrating and recognizing graduates on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the 5:00 pm Mass.
At this outdoor Mass all graduates will be recognized and given a special blessing.
You will also be listed in a special article with your name in a bulletin insert on the weekend of June 12/13, along with your upcoming plans.
If you are graduating this spring, please help us update our records by completing the form.
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SEND US YOUR PHOTO!
We would also like to display your wallet sized (2x3) picture so please enclose a recent photo (if you submit a larger picture-it might be cut
to a 2x3 due to board space).
Since this is the only way we will be recognizing each graduate by individual name, we hope to have
a good response for this special bulletin insert and must receive the completed form no later than: Monday, May 31, 2021 (deadline)
You can place your photo into the Drop Box by the parish office or place it in the collection basket at any weekend Mass through May 30th, 2021.
Congratulations, and thank you for your quick response.
Sincerely, Fr. Tim Wozniak, Pastor
and Parish Staff of the Catholic Community of St. Thomas Becket
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MOTHER'S DAY
MAY 9
Flower Donations Needed
This year, the annual Mother’s Day flower planting will be done differently. Because there are not currently a lot of children attending Mass, and we continue to be cautious about safety, the flowers will be planted by some of our Year 1 Confirmation students on Mother’s Day, May 9.
What has not changed is our need for donations of flowers. Any quantity of any type of Marigold is welcome. Anyone can donate a few or as much as a flat of Marigolds by bringing them to the South patio (back door) on Saturday, May 8 or before 9:00 Mass on Sunday, May 9.
If you would like to donate but are not available for those drop-off times, please contact Dez Sobiech.
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FIRST EUCHARIST
We offer our prayers and best wishes to all the 44 young people who have prepared to receive their
First Eucharist
on the weekend of May 1 & 2.
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Max Bienash
Willow Bjork
Owen Bongard
Micah Branson
Logan Carroll
Adelaide Costain
Henry DeVries
Jack Elder
Myra Engel
Jose Gamino
Luna Gamino
Addison Gardner
Sullivan Griffin Boyle
Natalie Guzman
Grady Hamilton
Tristan Hamilton
Cordelia Johnson
Zachary Johnson
Lydia Jones
Drew Karsnia
Chloe Krivak
Isla Kuh
Jamison Leary
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Mark Manwarren
Kinley McDermott
Madison McFarlane
Viola Mortensen
Christian Nason
Henry Nyhus
Sofia Olsen
Zoe Panzarella
Mathias Potts
Maria Ries
Joshua Rodriguez Guzman
Charlie Savage
Caden Schmidt
Clara Schmidt
Santiago Schmitz
Joseph Schussler
Conner Schwans
Victoria Sharp-Jones
Sophia Solano Gutierrez
Madelyn Tatro
Maxwell Vanscoy
Jans Visker
Isabelle Williams
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Eagle Scout Project at STB
Hello, my name is Ryan Farrington and I’m a Scout with Troop 451 in Eagan. For my Eagle Scout Project I’m refurbishing the backyard playground at the Dakota Woodlands women’s shelter in Eagan. I’m raising money to help pay for the cost of the project material. I’ve prepared the attached video with more details and a GoFundMe page link has been provided. Thank you for your support!
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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
by MAY 28
Registration Now Open!
Deadline May 28, 2021.
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
- Fee: $30 per child.
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VBS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
St. Thomas Becket is gearing up for VBS. We are rolling into the station July 12-15 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.
To have a successful experience for all, we need adult or experienced high school students to share their gifts in a few areas:
- If you love photography we have a great spot for you! In Spotlight VBS you photograph the kids for a slideshow. There’s even a script outlining the specific shots you need.
- Have you gotten really good at watching TV these last few months? In KidVid, you show a video and then discuss it with questions provided!
- Do you love science and cool gizmos? In Imagination Station, you spark imagination through science and at the same time connect it to Scripture.
- Prefer to be more active? LocoMotion Games is the place for you. Play games that connect with the daily Bible Point.
- Love music and dance? In Sing & Play Express, you can teach the crews fun dance moves that are provided or make up your own!
- Are you theatrical? With an easy to follow script, Bible Adventures gives you a chance to show your dramatic side.
- We also need a few more crew leaders and would welcome middle schoolers who will be entering 6th grade this fall as additional helpers.
To proceed with plans for VBS, we need these spots filled ASAP.
Contact VBS Coordinator, Lori Skare:
651-683-9808 | Ext. 111
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COUNCIL SPOTLIGHT
MAY 6
SAVE THE DATE
For anyone interested in finding out more about any of the councils please use this link to join the meeting. This is our normal day and time for our Ministry Council meeting. The first part of the meeting will be an explanation of the role of the council system in our parish. You will then be able to choose which council to meet with and be placed in a room with representatives of that council. If you are interested in researching more than one council, you will just have to come back to the main meeting room and you will be placed in the next council room of your choice. You are not being asked to make a decision – this is strictly a time for you to find out if one of the councils is right for you. One of the council members will follow up with you at a later date.
This week we are putting the spotlight on the Worship Council and Faith in Action.
WORSHIP COUNCIL
The Worship Council aids the parish community in liturgies that create prayerful experiences as we come together:
- to hear God's word proclaimed, made relevant for us in the homily and
- to share the body and blood of Christ in Eucharist, in order that we may share the life of Christ with others.
Recent Projects:
- Completed a sound survey to assess our ability to provide good sound quality in our in-person and online Masses
- Sponsored in-person & online reflections on the readings
- Began a detailed review of our ministries, especially the ministry of greeters
We look forward to implementing ways to bring the parish back to worship in our beautiful worship space during the time of COVID-19 and to provide enriching experiences for those times when we cannot gather as a full church in our space.
Worship has one opening for a council member.
FAITH IN ACTION
The Faith in Action Council explores real ways our parish community members and our local Community can make a difference in Dakota County, Minnesota, the US, or the World. We make an extra effort to address structural injustices; but we do not shy away from forms of local outreach that address the immediate needs of food, shelter, or clothing.
Under this over-arching scope, we support the following:
- Easter Baskets and Christmas Sharing Tree,
- Numerous areas of ever-expanding Prison Ministry,
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Spirit of Justice Committee endeavors, including Justice Advocacy and JustFaith Ministry modules,
- Support for those facing immigration problems, including providing financial help to Casa Guadalupana and those in border ministries,
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Support and involvement with MICAH and other efforts to promote affordable housing,
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Educating and promoting programs addressing sustainability and climate change, using Pope Francis' Encyclical, "Laudato Si",
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Support for programs addressing hunger, including The Open Door and other food shelves, Feed My Starving Children, Matrix Housing Services and Catholic Charities Higher Ground (formerly Friends of Dorothy Day), and Bread for the World Offering of Letters.
Please note: Faith in Action does not have any openings at this time
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RCIA
AN INVITATION TO LEARN MORE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND/OR HOW TO BECOME CATHOLIC
Do you have questions about the Church after worshiping with us online?
- Wondering about the role of God in your life, about Jesus, Pope Francis, the Catholic Church today?
- Wanting to know more about the Catholic faith of someone you love?
- Thinking about being baptized? Already baptized but want to find out about becoming Catholic?
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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 1st Eucharist and Confirmation in the Catholic Church?
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Did you never complete your initiation into the church? Did you miss 1st Eucharist or Confirmation?
- Are you or a friend or loved one looking for a faith community which can nurture growth in faith?
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.
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FSCS GALA FOR GIVING
MAY 1
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Join us for the Faithful Shepherd Gala for Giving. This virtual event will be held Saturday, May 1st at 7pm and will feature a Dancing with our FS Stars competition with 7 teachers. This will be a night you will not want to miss. The evening will feature an incredible silent auction and our Electric Moment. Our fundraising push at the end of the evening will be to upgrade the school’s IT Network and wireless connectivity. We are so fortunate to have a supportive church community. Continue your support by tuning in for a great night.
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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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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 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.
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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GOSPEL MEDITATION
“Spiraling out of control,” is a phrase that can easily describe the current display of human existence. In addition to the violence, unrest, uneasiness and turmoil that are common elements of our daily news, other essential pieces are misplaced or missing. Many lack an objective center around which to order and structure their lives or a clear set of definable goals or mores to act as guideposts and life directives. It appears that “feelings” have become a “new god” and traditional structures and ideals set aside. It is almost as if history only shows that we got this whole thing wrong and many are determined to finally set things right. The real truth, however, is that while wrongs and errors are certainly a part of our often-checkered past, it is hardly the case that all was wrong. It is not our task to rewrite the history of our lives, but to learn from mistakes that were made, and preserve the perennial wisdom at the root of our successes. Learning is an essential part of being human.
The question becomes, however, from whom do we learn? Some have such a hard time placing God in that position, but that is precisely where God needs to be. God is the Master Teacher from whom all of humanity learns and gets its cues. It is in and through this relationship with the Gardener of Life that we are fashioned and pruned into the people we are intended to be and can be. It is only in God that we are able to find our best selves. Sadly, many think that religion too, as well as history in general, has also gotten all this wrong. Yet, our resurrection faith tells us differently. We are reminded, today especially, that we are meant to remain in Christ as Christ remains in us. We are also reminded that Jesus, the Incarnate God, is the vine upon which we grow, the branches that flow from the source of God’s life.
Giving up our will to God’s can be a painful endeavor. It is not easy to set our own desires and wants aside and allow God to step in and direct and guide our growth. But this is the only way to prevent deadly weeds from overtaking us and bringing us to a place of self-destruction. God’s commandments are the very guideposts and benchmarks we need, yet many seek to remove them from all public view because they appear to limit self-expression and suppress what is considered by many to be “human freedom.” They are the only way we can find freedom, however. And, until we learn this fundamental lesson, we will continue to spiral out of control, never really knowing who we are, what our potential can be or how life really can be lived. We will not know peace.
©LPi
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RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS
Branching Out Isn’t Always What It’s Cracked Up to Be
“That’s a really beautiful tree branch. Man, would you look at the bark on that thing? The others are real duds, but that low-hanging branch has really got it all together.”
I’ve never heard anyone say this. Maybe I just need to hang out with more arborists, but I can’t recall ever hearing someone admire the particular beauty of a single branch. When someone comments on a tree, it’s usually the whole tree — perhaps a visual element of it, like the color of the leaves or its height. But people don’t usually zero in on one branch.
Maybe that’s because usually, if one branch is looking a little weak, chances are every other branch is, too.
The Bible tells us that when we bear fruit as good everyday stewards, it is for the Father’s glory. We are the branch on His magnificent tree. What we have is from Him, and what we do likewise points back to Him. We also tend to reflect how well the other branches around us are incorporating the nutrients coming their way. That’s all fine and good in theory. In practice, it can be an arduous exercise in humility.
When I do something virtuous or charitable or kind, there is a part of me that wants to stand out for it. I think that’s true for all of us. We’ve given of ourselves in some way or overcome some human temptation to accomplish a little bit of good in this world, and even though we know God sees us, we’d really love for everyone else to see it, too.
It’s a struggle, for sure. But we need to remember that our fruit belongs to the whole tree.
— 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 Easter
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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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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:
Acts 9:26-31/Ps 22:26-27, 28, 30, 31-32 [26a]/1 Jn 3:18-24/Jn 15:1-8
Monday:
1 Cor 15:1-8/Ps 19:2-3, 4-5 [5]/Jn 14:6-14
Tuesday:
Acts 14:19-28/Ps 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21 [cf. 12]/Jn 14:27-31a
Wednesday:
Acts 15:1-6/Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5 [cf. 1]/Jn 15:1-8
Thursday:
Acts 15:7-21/Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 10 [3]/Jn 15:9-11
Friday:
Acts 15:22-31/Ps 57:8-9, 10 and 12 [10a]/Jn 15:12-17
Saturday:
Acts 16:1-10/Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 5/Jn 15:18-21
Next Sunday:
Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48/Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4 [cf. 2b]/1 Jn 4:7-10/Jn 15:9-17
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