Saturday, January 2, 2021 |
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"New Year... new beginnings?" |
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I have to admit, these last couple of weeks have been a bit busy... Christmas celebrations! New Years celebrations! oh, just so much to celebrate! God is Good!
With this new year of 2021, many people typically make a new year's resolution: healthier diets, more exercise, better relationships, etc. Myself, I've stopped coming up with New Year's resolutions. Not because I don't care, but mostly due to getting caught up with the busyness of the seasons and forgetting to think of something. However, when I did try it in the past I would forget my resolution and let it fall on the wayside. So again, not helpful. How about you?
If I can make a suggestion for a New Year's resolution for you, and this is definitely something I personally try to do, what about trying to increase in your knowledge and practice of the faith? As I said, this is something that I am still striving for daily in my life, so don't take this offensively. If I, as a priest, who is saying the Mass daily and supposed to pray throughout the day, can recognize that I still have a long way to go, what about you?
Today, we celebrate the feast day of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzen. Two bishops who had a wonderful relationship with one another. They spent their lives trying to teach the faith to others, while building each other up. What beautiful souls. But the thing that stroke me most about their love for Jesus and for one another, was this line that Saint Gregory gave in a sermon, "Different men have different names, which they owe to their parents or to themselves, that is, to their own pursuits and achievements. But our (Basil and Gregory) great pursuit, the great name we wanted, was to be Christians, to be called Christians."
With all their fame and natural gifts, the one thing that Basil and Gregory wanted to pursue most was that when people looked at them, they would know that they are Christians by the way they lived their lives, for God, for the Church and for others. What a beautiful resolution to have, and can we make that part of our own resolution?
Like many resolutions, this is something that requires us to take the initiative on, personally. If I want to increase in my understanding, knowledge and practice of my faith, then I have to do something about it. A blessing in my life as a priest is that many people will come up to me and want to have conversations about the faith. And I really love doing that. But then, there's a sadness that I experience as well, that at the end of the conversation, when I part ways with that person, I don't know if they have anyone else they can go to outside of a "priest" to just talk about Jesus, the Church and life.
Let's change today. Tomorrow. This year and every moment of our lives. Let's try to be the beloved children God has made us to be, that when others look at us, they will know who we are, Christians. So that any person can come up to you or me and be able to talk and ask freely about the faith. And don't be afraid to tell someone you're not sure, when you don't know the answer to a question. BUT, use the opportunity to go and learn more so you can go back to them and give them an answer, or know who to redirect them too.
Let's increase in our knowledge, understanding, love and practice of our Faith so that we can help others to know why we are called Christians, and help them to see how God loves them as well.
Saints Basil and Gregory, pray for us!
Christmas and New Year's blessings!
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Eucharistic Adoration
Monday-Friday: 2pm-12am
With so much still going on in our country and the world, how important it is for us to remember to retreat to our Lord for rest and strength, and lift up your prayers to Him. Come spend some time with our Lord, truly present in the Eucharist. Click here for our adoration protocols.
We currently need adorers to fill one open time slot:
Wednesdays at 10:00 pm
Limited to 4 adorers at one time.
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Click the image above for the Advent and Christmas Mass Schedules
No online registration needed for Christmas Masses.
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Get your home blessed for the New Year!
Father Peter would be happy to come bless your home for as a good start to the new year. If you would like to set up a time, please contact the parish at 651-777-8116 or mail@presentationofmary.org to set up a time.
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Click here to read the Christmas letter that was sent out to parishioners last week. Our apologies to anyone that may have missed it or hasn't received it yet. We didn't factor in the possible shortage of postal workers due to the pandemic combined with the general busyness of the season in mail delivery. But, it’s still the season! Have a Merry and Blessed Christmas and a peace-filled New Year!
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Come learn more about your rich Catholic faith, or share this with someone whom you know might be Interested in learning about it.
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Faith Formation
All in-person Faith Formation classes have been temporarily moved to distance learning until after Christmas, by request of Archbishop Hebda.
Families, please keep an eye out for emails from Fr Peter or your child's catechist with learning instructions.
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Updated Reconciliation Hours
Starting in January, our Drive-In Reconciliation/Prayer/Conversation hours will be on Tuesdays & Thursdays (no Wednesdays) from 5:00-5:45pm, and now also available on Saturdays from 4:00- 4:45pm.
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2021-2022 Enrollment now open!!
Presentation School is now open for 2021-2022 enrollment and financial aid applications. The deadline for financial aid applications is March 19, 2021. In addition, if you get your enrollment completed by March 19, your registration fees will be waived! Visit mytads.com to complete your enrollment and financial aid application today!
Do you know a family looking for a great school? Tell them to check out Presentation! If you refer a family and they enroll you can earn $250 off of your tuition!
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The auction committee is hard at work planning an amazing virtual event. The event will be held on February 6, 2021, culminating Catholic Schools Week. Just as the look and feel for our students in the classroom has changed this year, the auction will look and feel different this year as well. It is still our biggest fundraiser, however, and is essential to our school’s success.
We are currently accepting auction item donations. Please consider supporting your favorite merchants by buying a Gift Card or creating a gift basket, donating a bottle of wine, liquor or spirits, or creating an experience to share with Presentation Families.
Thanks in advance for supporting Presentation as we look ahead to 75 more years of excellence!
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Out of Uniform Shirts and Auction Shirts are available to order for children and adults. Any adult wearing one on camera during the auction gets entered Click on the image above to order yours today! |
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Click the image to see the latest pics and posts on the school Facebook page. |
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Click the image to read the latest
Panther Post.
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Drive-Thru is now Drive-In.
Park your car, come in the church and head to the Reconciliation Room with the lit candle.
Disinfectant wipes will be available.
Tues & Thurs: 5:00-5:45pm
Sat: 4:00-4:45pm
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Pastoral Care
Presentation of Mary is here for you!
Conversation, prayer requests, resources...? Please ask.
All information will remain confidential.
Contact the Parish Office at
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Prayer, Participation, and Generosity |
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Baby Items Collection
The Respect Life Committee is sponsoring a baby drive for Options for Women East Life Care Center. We will collect baby items for moms in need and their infants, newborn to size 2T, until January 10th. We prefer that all donations be new, but we do accept gently used clothing. Items can be placed in the crèche at the Kennard Street entrance of church or brought to the Parish Center.
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Mother Teresa Sewing Group
In 2020 the Mother Teresa Sewing Group donated over 466 items including:
113 blankets, 188 hats, 23 mittens, 31 scarves, 18 sweaters, 18 pillow cases, 2 pair of booties, and 73 “other” items like pajamas, baby sacks, and nursing covers. The donations went to Options for Women-East, Catholic Charities Family Shelter, Ramsey County Care Center, Marian Center, Second Stork, and Catholic Charities Distribution Center. Would you like to get involved? We meet once a month to collect materials at the parish center then work on projects in our homes. For more information please contact Irene O’Ryan at 651-776-8049.
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Stewardship
Amidst this pandemic, I have been very edified by the generous outpouring of love and support from our community. Thank you!
If you would like to switch over to e-giving, click on the image to sign up.
Questions? Please contact the parish:
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Loaves & Fishes
Serving meals to those who have none is still an essential ministry during this pandemic.
Please prayerfully consider giving to this ministry. Donations can be placed in an envelope with Loaves & Fishes written on it, and dropped in the basket at church or in the secured mailbox at the Parish Center.
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Catholic Services Appeal
The Catholic Services Appeal is still in need of your support to serve those many ministries that not one community can do on it's own, all the more during this pandemic.
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Website: Check Mass times, read latest news, sign up for online giving, etc. |
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Bulletin: Read the latest issue and subscribe to the online version. |
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Facebook: Watch livestream Mass & see what our community is up to. |
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Presentation of Mary Church | Website
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