This past week we celebrated the Feast Day of Saint John Bosco (Jan 31st). I was first introduced to him on a movie night many years ago. I don’t exactly remember where and how it happened that the movie was chosen, but I strongly recall being drawn into the person of John Bosco by the way the film portrayed his love for Jesus and youths.

I vividly remember how he spent most of his energy and resources trying to find ways to help youths, especially young boys, to develop life skills that would help them into adulthood so that they could find work and make a living for themselves as they prepared for adulthood, and how he tried to create environments in which the youths could live and thrive in, away from the temptations of the world that could cause them to fall in the areas of sin. It wasn’t just all work, as there certainly was a lot of play as well.

The life of Saint John Bosco also showed his humility. Knowing that he could not do this work alone, he reached out to others for help and established a home for the youths and a religious order (the Salesians) to care for them. The beautiful witness of the coming together of so many people for the sake of a unified mission was an important work that I can confidently say has helped save the lives of many, many, youths. Many souls.

We too have been invited to take part and join in mission for a singular task: the salvation of souls. And though there are many of us working to do that, here at Presentation of Mary some opportunities are coming up in the following days and weeks.

The first is our Parish Small Groups that Archbishop Hebda has encouraged all of the parishes to take part in. This is an opportunity for us, as parishioners, to come together to meet intentionally in “small groups” to converse about certain topics of the faith that may be on our minds and hearts and to share it with one another. Faith sharing is an important aspect of the life of a Christian as it helps us to remember how closely God: Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, walks with us daily in our lives, and to testify to it. As Saint John Bosco rallied others around him to testify to the great dignity of life and work, we too are called to share that in this way.

Secondly, the Catholic Services Appeal is starting up again in this new year. An opportunity for Christians to rally together to serve those who we would not be able to serve on our own. A united front to provide financial assistance to support those missions that the Archbishop has deemed important for the faithful here in the Archdiocese to come together and support.

How blessed we are to have opportunities as children of God to step up and witness to our Lord by serving in many ways, and remembering all the while, that we are not in it alone.

-Fr Peter

Have you been looking for an opportunity to grow in your relationship with Jesus and your neighbors? Our small groups are being carefully crafted to do just that, & we would love for you to join us. Simply click below to see the opportunities that the Lord is opening up to you!

Get your home blessed in the New Year! If you would like your home blessed, please contact the parish office at 651-777-8116 or email us to schedule a time for Fr. Peter to stop by & bless your home.

Troop/Pack 461 Scouts are teaming up with Presentation’s HEO (Help Each Other) this weekend to collect additional non-perishable food items. This promotion will benefit the Salvation Army, Maplewood. Just bring your donations as usual to the weekend Mass. We will have many strong helpers to deliver the food so be as generous with your donations as you would like! We appreciate your participation and generosity. Together we can fight hunger! Last year we delivered over 250 pounds of non-perishable food items.

Today’s Gospel theme is the opposite of “hesitation”: The disciples did not hesitate to ask the Healer for help. Jesus did not hesitate to respond. And even Simon’s mother-in-law, after returning from fever, rises to serve him immediately. If Jesus were to walk in the door of our parish right now, he would be on a mission to love someone. If he were to enter your home, as he entered Simon’s, he would be on a mission to love you. Our parish is on Jesus’ same mission of love, and we need your help to spread the love Christ entrusted to us. Love acts! When Jesus showed Simon’s mother-in-law love, her heart wished to respond with more love. She chose to serve herself. Today, evaluate your ability to give, listen to the prompting of love, and then, do not hesitate… act by giving to our archdiocesan Catholic Services Appeal!

Our goal is 100% participation! Please complete and return your pledge card or click below to make a secure gift online.

There will be a Presentation Men's Club meeting on February 8th, 6:30-8pm at 2010 Sherwood Ave. behind home in the garage (closed & heated for cold weather). Please bring your cares, concerns, and ideas on how we can help the church, school, and its ministries. Food and beverage are provided. There is also friendly social interaction before, during, and after the meeting with some card playing afterwards. If you can't attend and have cares, concerns, and ideas for the meeting, please contact: Tim Kleiter at 651-428-1172.

You are invited to our Fish Fry & Soup Supper Fridays! The Fish Fry will take place 2/23, 3/8, and 3/22 in the School Gym from 4-7pm. Fish meal includes: fried fish, baked potato, coleslaw, dinner roll, tartar sauce, butter, lemon, and a drink. A large fish meal will cost $17, and a small fish meal will cost $14. We will also offer a soup meal on these nights, which will cost $8, and will include a soup, dinner roll, and a drink. Soup Suppers will be 2/16, 3/1, and 3/15 in Kenney Hall from 5-7pm, will be free-will offering, and include a soup, a dinner roll, and a drink.

Old palms are needed for burning on Ash Wednesday, February 14. Please bring them in and place in the baskets at entrances.

Middle School Math, Science, and STEM Teacher positions: full or part-time available. Contact Sue Lovegreen at slovegreen@presentationofmary.org or 651-842-6032 for more information.

Start the New Year of right! NOW is the time to get your child registered for the 2024-2025 school year. We are on track to have an increased enrollment again next year so make sure you save your child's spot in their class before it's too late! Please note all Financial Aid Applications are due by February 23, 2024. Visit https://presentationofmaryschool.org/new-families/enrollment-affordability/.

Bring your friends and family to dine at Mac's Dinette in North St Paul on Monday, February 19th between 4pm-close and 30% of your food and beverage purchases will be donated back to the school! You MUST bring a printed flyer with you to earn us the donation. Flyers are available in the back of church, can be printed from the school website, or call the parish office and we'll print one for you!

We believe that creating a strong parent-school partnership is paramount to student success. To continue to grow that partnership, we are excited to host a forum for all parents and guardians of children in grades 3-8 (children do not need to attend Presentation school), Navigating Social Skills and Social Media: Preparing for Adolescence! Join us on Tuesday, February 6 at 6:30pm in the Middle School Math Room as Beth Carver from the Phoenix School Counseling leadership team leads us through an impactful presentation. RSVP below.

Beginning the weekend of February 3-4 you can find students selling tickets at church entrances before or after most masses. They will also be selling them at our Soup Supper and Fish Fry nights during Lent in Kenney Hall. Tickets are $10 each and can win you one of three prizes: 1st Place: $1,500 cash (donated by the DuFresne family) 2nd Place: 1/4 Cow (donated by Sandberg Cattle Company) 3rd Place: $500 cash (Donated by the Auction Committee).

Great Scott! The 2024 Presentation of Mary Catholic School Gala is coming back to Presentation on Saturday, April 13, 2024! We need you to take action now, so you don’t get left behind! 

April may feel a long way off, but the planning and preparations for our Panther Pride Gala are well underway already! Please make sure you've read all of the information on the Gala web page to understand all the ways you can Raise Your Hand to ensure the success of our biggest fundraiser! Donate a theme basket, wine, beer, or spirits, become a sponsor, get a Gala t-shirt, or even join the planning committee! If you have any questions, contact the school office at 651-777-5877.

Donate Items to the Panther Pride Gala! We are collecting items for our silent and live auctions. Put together a fun theme basket or donate tickets to a fun event. Do you have a special skill such as cooking or woodworking? Donate a cooking lesson or a few hours of carpentry assistance! Get together with some friends and donate a hosted dinner party! The options are limited only to your imagination! Questions? Contact Gala Chair, Linda Charnowski, at lprazak@presentationofmary.org.

Do you know someone in need of prayers? Contact Kay at the Parish Office at 651-842-6022 so they can be added to our Prayer Line.

You can also contact her if you are interested in joining the Prayer Line!

Protection of Youth: All employees, and volunteers who interact with minors, are required to complete and maintain safe environment credentials (E3) through the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. To ensure successful completion of these requirements or if you have any questions regarding our safe environment practices or would like more information on what is needed to volunteer, please contact our Safe Environment Coordinator: Kay Mottaz @ 651-842-6022 or email kmottaz@presentationofmary.org.

To learn more about reporting suspected abuse, please also visit: www.safe-environment.archspm.org/report-abuse/Report.