STB Bulletin - week of 8/15- 8/21

e-Bulletin

Week of August 15 - 21, 2021

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

IMPORTANT - COVID UPDATE

Over the past year and a half of the Pandemic, the parish’s main goal and mine has been to keep all of us healthy and safe. We have done that for the elderly, the vulnerable, our young children, all of us. You have contributed to make this happen, thank you for that. I want to continue that as we move forward.

The CDC has changed their guidance about masking in response to the spread of the Delta variant of COVID. The CDC is now recommending masks for all unvaccinated persons everywhere and that fully vaccinated people living or working in counties that are reporting “ substantial” or “ high” transmission of the virus to wear masks indoors. The transmission rate in Dakota County at this time is “substantial.”

After consulting with staff, the 6 Parish Ministry Councils, and the Parish Leadership Council, the following decision was made. We are now asking everyone to follow CDC guidelines; however, we’ve decided to offer the following options. Beginning next weekend Sunday, August 22, at the 11am Mass and going forward, Masks will be required. At the 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. Masses, masks will be recommended. Our goal remains keeping the most vulnerable members and our children safe.

This was a hard and difficult decision for me; however, it offers options and opportunities for all. We will continue to offer Mass in-person, via live stream and the taped live stream Mass.

You are welcome to join us as you feel most comfortable .

At this time, the staff and Parish Leadership Council are having ongoing conversations regarding our faith formation programs.

Thank You for your cooperation as we navigate this new challenge.

Fr. Tim

MESSAGE FROM FR. TIM

LAST OUTDOOR MASS

THIS SUMMER

AUGUST 15

THIS SUNDAY is our last outdoor Mass

Sunday, August 15th at 9:00 am, The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

We will also have a pancake and sausage picnic brunch after this Mass. The Mass is outdoors on our back lawn.

All are welcome!

Bring your own lawn chair or blanket for your comfort, but chairs will be available as needed.

HONORING OUR PANDEMIC LOSSES AND HOPES

Prayers of Loss and Hope

Saturday August 28 and Sunday August 29 at all Masses

Liturgy of Prayer, Gathering in Loss and Hope

Wednesday September 1 at 7:00pm:

Prayers of Loss and Hope:

Saturday August 28 and Sunday August 29 at all Masses

On the weekend of August 28-August 29 we will recall as a community the losses and hopes we have individually and collectively experienced during the pandemic at each Mass. We invite you to join in the prayer by using our prayer basket that will be carried to the altar along with the bread and wine. You are invited to write down the pandemic losses that you have experienced that were difficult. They could be large or small, losses that you have let go of , or losses that you continue to wrestle with. Then take a few moments to reflect on your hopes for the future and write those as well. There will be writing material available at the back of church, but you can also feel free to write down your thoughts before you come to Mass.

Liturgy of Prayer, Gathering in Loss and Hope:

Wednesday September 1 at 7:00pm

Please join us for this special prayer service. With the help of scripture, song, meditation, ritual and anointing we will see how God has been revealed to you these past 16 months. The anointing will not be the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, that will be later in Fall. The anointing will be for healing and hope as we move forward through our losses. All are welcome to join us for this service.

CALENDAR

Saturday, August 14:

5:00 pm Mass, Fr. Tim

Sunday, August 15:

9:00 am MASS, Fr. Mike Erlander

Monday, August 16:

No Event Scheduled

Tuesday, August 17:

Word Communion Service / Inver Glen, 10:00am
AA meeting, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Wednesday, August 18:

Mass at Stonehaven, 1:00 pm

Thursday, August 19:

Lawn Mowing Crew Team 2
Mass, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Al-Anon meeting, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Friday, August 20:

No Event Scheduled

Saturday, August 21:

5:00 pm Fr. Mike

Sunday, August 22:

9:00 am MASS, Fr. Tim
11:00 am MASS, Fr. Tim

COMMUNION ON THE TONGUE

As some restrictions are relaxed (at least for the time being), a practice that was problematic in the past is being observed. This practice is that of communion on the tongue. While technically it is allowed – think about it.

Once one person has received communion on the tongue, the bacteria in that person’s mouth will be on every host that the communion minister gives thereafter. The minister does not have time to stop the communion procession and leave to sanitize their hands before continuing.

So, please know that your hands are holy enough to receive the host. Jesus Christ made your body holy when he took on a human body in the Incarnation.

Please receive the host in your hands to protect others.

SEPTEMER 11

10th Annual Bogey's Best Ball Golf Tournament

Our 10th annual Bogey’s Best Ball golf tournament is being held Saturday, September 11th, and all are welcome!

The scramble starts at 8:00 AM, followed up with our awards banquet (we are skipping the Buffet this year). Since we are not eating afterward as a group, the rate for the round with a cart is $65.00.

No matter what your skill level is, we would love to have you join us! Every year we have a little more fun than the year before, and we would love for you and your friends to be a part of this year’s outing.

Everyone needs to be registered by August 31.

If you have any questions, please contact Steve Boehm at sboehm32@msn.com or 651-350-9391.

See FLYER for all details.

CLICK HERE to REGISTER

ATTN FAITH FORMATION & SACRAMENT PARENTS!

Registration for Faith Formation classes and Sacramental Preparation for Pre/K – Grade 12 is now open!

CLICK HERE and get the early bird discount when you register by August 19!!

OUR GIVING GARDEN

We had another great week at the garden. On Tuesday alone we donated 43# to

The Open Door - green beans, tomatoes, poblanos, jalapeños, green peppers, peas, Malabar spinach, collard greens, carrots, eggplants, tomatillos, cucumbers, and four herbs.

We meet every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8:00 am for 60-90 minutes.

All are welcome! No experience necessary. Come join us!

SYNOD UPDATE

New update every week!

Are you someone who would like to see change but do not think you have a voice or a place to be heard?

The Synod small group process may be just what you are looking for.

Click here for latest update 8/15/21

MASS COORDINATORS NEEDED

One of the many ministries necessary to our weekend worship is that of Mass Coordinator. Now that we are becoming fully open, the need is especially urgent.

The Mass Coordinator comes early to prepare what is needed for liturgy and leaves a little later after tidying up and making sure that the worship space is ready for the next mass. They also organize the collection and the gifts procession.

New Mass Coordinators train with our experienced Mass Coordinators before being their own. This is also a good ministry for couples or friends to do together.

All Masses could use more Mass Coordinators. They are usually scheduled for a month at a time, but scheduling can also be flexible.

Contact Jackie Graham at 651-452-8775 or jackieg@stbeagan.org for more information.

RED PINE SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE

7/30-8/27

To Love, to Serve and to Be Hope

Saint Thomas Becket will be holding a school supply drive for our friends @ Red Pine Elementary in Eagan from Friday July 30^th through Friday August 27^th.

Donations can be dropped off at STB before Mass or anytime the church is open. Bins will be placed by the entrance. Suggested items to donate are listed below.

If you have any questions feel free to contact Molly Gantz at mmgantz@comcast.net or Kate Gantz (teacher @ Red Pine) at kate.gantz@district196.org.

Thank you for supporting our community’s children. You do make a difference!

Items to donate:

Crayons (24 count)
Colored pencils (12 count)
Folders – 2 pocket folders (sturdy/laminated are ideal)
Glue sticks
Glue bottles (school glue)
Markers – (both broad and thin tip)
Scissors – (both children’s for primary students & adult’s for intermediate students)
Dry Erase/White board markers
Spiral Notebooks – Wide Rule
Composition Books – Wide Rule
School Boxes
Student headphones (no earbuds)

WOMEN DEACONS

Pope Francis has created a new commission to study the possibility of women as deacons. They will begin meeting this Fall. Now is the moment for Catholic communities to discern pastoral needs and the call of the Holy Spirit.

Join Discerning Deacons for a virtual Liturgy of the Word on the Feast of St. Phoebe on September 3rd at 6:00 pm CT.

Go to www.DiscerningDeacons.org for more information and to register for prayer service: https://discerningdeacons.org/feast-of-st-phoebe-2021/

MASS GREETERS

We are always in need of some help with greeters for all of our Masses.

This is a good ministry for men, women, couples and families.

Sign-up HERE.

PREPARING

FOR OUR FALL FESTIVAL

SEPTEMBER 18

Make sure to SAVE THE DATE:

Saturday, September 18, 2021,

starting with an INDOOR Mass at 3:00 pm.

We’ll have a silent auction, petting zoo, giant slide, food, beer/wine, games and live music.

SILENT AUCTION

To get ready and while you are out traveling this summer, please also look for unique and interesting items for the Silent Auction as well as bottles of wine for the wine toss. Thank You!

PRINT FORM

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.

STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE

GROWING THROUGH LOSS FALL SERIES

“It’s All the Things” An Overview of Grief

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Erica Staab-Absher, CMT, BSW

Spiritual Director, Director of HOPE Center, Faribault

When?

Tuesday nights

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

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

They are courageous, wise women who ground us, focus us, and inspire us. They are the good mothers who walk with us and light our way. They teach us life lessons and help us heal and navigate through challenges and difficulties. We need people to point the way. Sometimes, these wise ladies are not our biological mothers but women in our lives, who through their strong and faithful presence, anchor us and remind us that we are loved. We need these women. Human beings do their best when they have cheerleaders in their lives. They show us that even when facing despair there is always a brighter tomorrow.

Jesus needed his mother. She had to be that faithful anchor, that guiding presence, in his life. Jesus needed to be affirmed and encouraged just like any other human being and Mary had to be there, right by his side, doing precisely that. Even when her heart was pierced as he was nailed to a tree, she did not give up hope. Most certainly, she continued to wait, watch, hope, and love until he took his final breath. That’s what mothers do. Even when their heart breaks, they persevere.

Today, our Blessed Mother is our cheerleader once again. Taken up to heaven in body and soul, she points to and directs us toward our final destiny. Life eternal waits! Any disappointment, fear, or anxiety can be set aside as she gently reassures us of God’s love and promise. Always a mother filled with grace and hope, she calls us to reaffirm our faith in God and in the gifts we have each been given. We can persevere and do what we need to do to live life well, with faith, hope, and love as our guiding lights. Knowing who we are and who we will one day become helps us to better chart the course and direction of our earthly lives. Looking to the example of our Blessed Mother, we receive the assurance we need.

©LPi

RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS

WWMD?

WWJD bracelets were all the rage about 25 years ago in Christian circles. I’ve always wondered if a WWMD bracelet might not make just as much sense, and maybe more. What Would Mary Do?

I would argue that Mary was the most exemplary steward who ever lived. Her answer was always “Yes.” Yes, Lord, I am Your handmaiden. Yes, I will visit Elizabeth, and help her in the last difficult months of pregnancy. Yes, I will bring my son up in the Mosaic law and present him at the Temple of Jerusalem. Yes, I will give him to the crowds and to public ministry. Yes, I will offer him on this Cross, if it is Your will.

Yes, yes, yes.

Well, I can’t be like Mary, we think to ourselves. There’s an intimidation factor with the Blessed Mother and Catholics sometimes — one that almost exceeds that of Christ. Perhaps it’s because we are in awe of the fact that she was not divine in any way — she was a mere creation, like us — but somehow, she always had the courage to say yes. How could she do it, when we find it so hard?

Well, God certainly lavished on Mary extraordinary graces. Her lack of original sin liberated her to conform her will to God’s.

But God is impatient to give us, too, all the graces we need to be a steward in the example of Mary. He’s waiting for us simply to ask. Just as in Adam we died, so in Christ — through Mary — we live.

What can we say yes to today, in Mary’s example?

— Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

©LPi