Little Falls Catholic Community Newsletter — July 2021

Little Falls

Catholic Community Parishioner Profile

PAUL DENNIS:

A Knight with a Servant’s Heart

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f you go down into Paul Dennis’ basement, you won’t encounter something spectacular in the eyes of the world, such as a lineup of awards for athletic or professional achievements — but you will find something that is spectacular in God’s eyes.

“I have a ‘wall of fame’ in the basement with all of my Knights of Columbus (KC) awards,” Paul says. “I joined the KCs in 1960, and I am now quite active as both a third and fourth-degree member.

Since then, I have held offices much of the time, such as Courier Editor and Grand Knight. In the last 10 years, I have been named Knight of the Year three times, and twice I received the Knights of Columbus Family of the Year award!”

Over the years, Paul has contributed a tremendous amount of time and talent to our parish’s KC Council #1804. There are 14 different committees coordinated by the council, and Paul enjoys serving on a number of them.

Annually, Paul enjoys putting on an

appreciation dinner for our parish altar servers, which includes an outing to the bowling alley. Three years ago, Paul chaired an event celebrating the 100th anniversary of Council #1804. About eight years ago, he started the Widow’s Dinner, for which he also currently serves as Paul Dennis has Chairman. contributed a tremendous amount of time and “Because of the talent to our parish’s KC pandemic last year, we Council #1804. There are offered a drive-through 14 different committees dinner for the widows coordinated by the council, at Our Lady of Lourdes, and Paul enjoys serving on a number of them. who paired up and went to individual homes to eat their meal,” Paul says.

“First, we were just going to serve the dinner to widows of former Knights of Columbus members, continued on back cover

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St. Mary’s • Our Lady Of Lourdes • Holy Family

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Eucharist and Stewardship as a Way of Life

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n 1992, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops approved a pastoral letter titled Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response. This document was an invitation to follow Christ Who gave of Himself for us. Each of us is called to serve our neighbors and to be stewards of God’s creation and of all that has been entrusted to us. However, to truly understand stewardship, we must look to the Holy Eucharist. The Holy Eucharist is the total gift of our loving Savior to us. Stewardship is our response to that gift.

Even the word “Eucharist” implies stewardship. The word “Eucharist” finds its roots in the Latin word eucharistia, which in turn came from the Greek word eukaristos, which meant, quite simply, “gratitude” or “thanksgiving.” How fitting that we, who are called to be a stewardship people, celebrate at the focal point of every Mass an act of thanksgiving and gratitude — namely, the reception of Jesus’ gift to us — the Eucharist.

In their pastoral letter on stewardship, the bishops speak of the Eucharist in this way: “The Eucharist is the great sign and agent of this expansive communion of charity… we enjoy a unique union with Christ and, in Him, with one another. Here His love — indeed, His very Self — flows into us as disciples and, through us and our practice of stewardship to the entire human race.”

When we receive Christ’s Body in the Holy Eucharist, we hear the minister say, “The Body of Christ.” To this, we respond, “Amen” – which means in Hebrew, “Yes; it is so.” This is the essence of stewardship. We should enter the 2

Church for Mass out of “gratitude.” We recognize the presence of the Lord in Holy Communion, and then we truly receive the Lord. What is left for us to do is the fulfillment of stewardship — that is, sharing what we have received in love of God and neighbor. Our entire experience speaks to stewardship — we are grateful; we recognize the real presence of the Lord; we receive the Lord; and then we share what we have received.

Christ’s gift to us through the Eucharist is an invitation to us. We are called to give beyond what is convenient or what may be comfortable.

We are called to forgive even when forgiveness may not be deserved; we are called to love even when that love is not returned. We are called to love as God loves us.

The Eucharist is stewardship celebrated.

The Mass is more than a ritual. It is an actual encounter with God, with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We need to respond to the Eucharist with our complete selves. What we experience in the Eucharist should, in turn, translate into our daily lives. We are committed to the Church, which is Christ’s body. We show our love for His body by acts of charity and generosity. We spend time in prayer, expressing our gratitude and our love.

God’s greatest gift to us is Christ’s great love for us — this was shown when He was crucified on the Cross to pay the penalty for our sins and to give us eternal life. God’s love for us is without limit, and He offers Himself to us in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. Stewardship is how we respond to that gift.

A Letter From Our Pastor

What Is the My Dear Friends in Christ,

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Real Purpose of Our Lives?

o you ever think about your purpose in life? Even as a priest, I certainly do. There are days and times of frustration when I think, “What am I really supposed to do?

What does God want me to do? Why am I here?” For eons, philosophers have considered these very questions and written about them.

But the truth is that we, as Catholics, already know the answers.

When we consider the many facets of life in our parish community, there are numerous activities and endeavors that go beyond attending Mass. From fundraising efforts to social outreach/service, childcare, and more, there are many ways in which we serve our community.

Yet, as we undertake these important pursuits — both within and outside of the parish — we must always remember that our ultimate goal is salvation. After all, the only reason we exist, the only reason our Church exists, is the same as the reason Jesus joined us and became a part of us here on earth — He came to save humanity.

We use the term the “body of Christ” to describe the Church with Christ as the head. We are all parts of that body, and the parts of the body must move in the same direction as the body itself — it simply won’t function if the parts are moving in different directions. We are all in this together.

When our lives are complete, we do not base our success or failure on how much money we have, or whether or not we are famous. Nor does our success or failure depend upon the difference between health and sickness, or pleasure and pain, or even being nice or nasty. Rather, it is the difference between being saved and not being saved.

I often think of my family members who have passed away, and as a priest, I deal with that issue with others on a very regular basis. Sometimes, I wonder if they ever fully realized that salvation was the answer to so many of our questions in life.

I am surrounded by memories of those who have gone before, as are almost all of you. We are apt to use the term “the communion of saints” in many ways in our Church. Someday, we will know more about the “communion of saints” and how it all works. In the meantime, we pray for everyone who has gone before us, hoping they have made it home.

Pray for me as I pray for you!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Ben Kociemba, Pastor

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St. Mary’s • Our Lady Of Lourdes • Holy Family

The Seven Sisters

FAITHFULLY

One of our two Seven Sisters Apostolate groups prays for Fr. Ben Kociemba — (from left) Missy Anez, Peg Winkelman, Bev Welle, Fr. Ben, Anne Roach, Linda Scepurek, Anita Miller and Maria Heimenz-Becker.

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group of 14 women has answered the call to join the Seven Sisters Apostolate in which the members pray for one hour each day of the week for the sole intention of Fr. Ben Kociemba and Fr. Mark Botzet.

The Seven Sisters mission was begun in the Diocese of St. Cloud in 2010 to form a Seven Sisters group for each priest in the diocese. Laura Koski brought the Seven Sisters Apostolate to our Little Falls community.

Each Seven Sister commits to prayer for a particular priest during one Holy Hour on a distinct day of the week, so each day of the week is covered. She may pray at any time during that day. Each Seven Sister group has an anchoress.

Linda Scepurek is anchoress for Fr. Ben and Julie Laflamme is anchoress for Fr. Mark.

As part of their devotions, all Seven Sisters 4

in the diocese attended a retreat in June at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud, when commitments are made for the next 12 months.

When a woman joins the Apostolate, she commits to serving for one year, but she can recommit.

June is the commitment time as the month is devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

“I pray on Thursday for one hour for Fr. Mark,” Julie says. “Each woman has a different day and we have substitutes if we can’t make that hour. It can be any hour in the 24 hours. It is preferred that we pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament, but with COVID we haven’t been able to. A lot of us tried to do it in church, however.”

When the women pray, there are recommended prayers in the Seven Sisters

Apostolate:

SUPPORTING OUR PRIESTS IN PRAYER Apostolate booklet. One prayer, attributed to St. Teresa of Calcutta, asks the Blessed Mother’s intervention to protect and guide the priests.

Among her other prayers, Julie also prays a novena to the Sacred Heart that was a favorite of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, and she also prays for our seminarians by name, as well as for the intention of vocations in the diocese.

“A priest can also have another Seven Sisters group praying for him,” Julie says. “He can have two to three people praying for him. The more people praying for our priests, the better.”

The members pray for the priests’ personal, social and spiritual needs. They also ask the priests for the intentions they would like lifted in prayer.

As the Seven Sisters offer prayers for our priests, they can grow in their own faith.

“For me, it feels like a great honor and it is humbling to pray for priests,” Julie says.

“There is a deeper love for priests in general and for Mary, as well. Other members have felt a deepened relationship with Mary which is really beautiful.”

Marlene Knopik, whose son is a priest, has been praying Eucharistic Adoration since 1993.

“It is an honor to be praying for our priest, Fr. Mark,” she says. “I believe in the power of prayer.”

“It has humbled me to be praying for a priest,” Jackie Retka says. “A lot of times when we pray, we are praying for ourselves, but this has enriched my faith life because I am praying for someone else for the whole hour.”

“I really appreciate Fr. Botzet,” Michelle

Rosha says. “Praying for him is an honor. I especially pray for his relationship with Mary, Mother of God, and this has helped me to appreciate her special love for priests.”

Bev Welle found she received a blessing she never expected as she prayed.

“It was totally unexpected, but a personal relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary developed while I was praying for Fr. Ben this past year,” she says.

MaryAnne Backowski, a member of the Seven Sisters praying for Fr. Mark, also has a son who is a priest.

The other Seven Sisters for Fr. Ben include Missy Anez, Anne Roach, Peg Winkelman, Maria Heimenz-Becker, and Anita Miller. The other Seven Sisters for Fr. Mark are Tina Dolan and Sheila McCallum. Substitutes are Tiffany Threlkeld, Theresa Schultz, and Diane Tamm.

“It has humbled me to be praying for a priest. A lot of times when we pray, we are praying for ourselves, but this has enriched my faith life because I am praying for someone else for the whole hour.”

- Jackie Retka

If you would like more information about our Little Falls Seven Sisters Apostolate groups, please call Julie Laflamme at 612-964-7030. For information about forming a Seven Sisters Apostolate group, please visit www.sevensistersapostolate.org then click on the "Learn More" box, and then click on the “Getting Involved” link near the bottom of the page.

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Blessings OF THE Catholic Mass

t is ironic that today, with all of the freedom of religion that we enjoy in the United States, many of us wonder why we must go to Mass on Sunday.

However, if we really understood what the Mass is and how we participate in the celebration, we would instead be asking why we are, as sinful human beings, blessed with the opportunity to participate in the holy Mass. If we simply understood and recognized that God’s infinite goodness allows us to do so, we would be eager to go to Mass on Sunday and every other day of the week.

It is true, however, that all Catholics are obliged to “Keep holy the Lord’s Day” by sharing in the Mass. But why are we obliged?

The Eucharistic Liturgy is the center of our faith.

It is “the summit toward which all activity of the Church is directed” and it is “the font from which all her power flows” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy 10). It does not exhaust the activity of the Church, but is most certainly her greatest work.

The sacrifice of Christ on the cross is literally re-presented to the Father during Mass, and Christ allows us to join with Him in offering that sacrifice. Imagine our Lord and Savior dying on the cross for us right up the street. Imagine knowing that Mary is sitting at the foot of the cross with St. John, witnessing her Son giving Himself to the Father for the sake of all of us.

Would we not run to be there? Would we not desire to share in His sacrifice, just as Mary did?

Believe it or not, the sacrifice of Calvary is really, truly happening at our parish, every time the Mass is offered.

Our participation in Mass gives us the strength and the graces we need to live our lives as Christ’s 6

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disciples. So, what does this mean for us?

This means we have a front row seat to the sacrifice of Calvary. Given such a gift, how can we not accept it?

We also have a chance to join in Jesus’ sacrifice by offering our own prayers and petitions. As an example, what better gift could we give deceased loved ones than the offering of prayers for their souls in purgatory?

Most importantly, we have the opportunity to receive the Eucharist, followed by quiet time, when we offer sincere thanks and allow God’s graces to fill us. Think of all you are missing when you do not properly prepare yourself to receive the Holy Eucharist.

We ought to joyfully head to Church each Sunday, eager to give God glory in the greatest way we can! Attending and actively participating in Mass every Sunday is our obligation as Catholics. But we should not allow the fact that our attendance is “required” to stop us from going. Nor should we allow our laziness to overshadow the amazing privilege and the many blessings that lay before us in the Mass.

The pope and the bishops direct us to participate in the Eucharistic Liturgy every Sunday because they know there is no better way to keep holy the Lord’s Day — giving God thanks for all He has done for us in the most powerful way possible.

They know that, through the Mass, we gain the graces necessary to live our lives in this world.

Our ability to participate in the Mass is a wonderful gift, not a great burden. May Christ enlighten our minds and hearts to clearly see the wonders of the celebration, and give us great enthusiasm and eagerness to participate.

Meet Maryrose Capko: Serving and Supporting Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones

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hile each person handles the Colorado State University. loss of a loved one differently, “All losses are different,” she the challenges and emotions says. “Child loss is unique in that surrounding grief are universal. it’s the wrong order. As a parent, Maryrose Capko has made it a you have never held your baby mission of hers to support those and thought you would bury this who are grieving a loss. She is child.” trained to support those going All of the sessions are open to through grief. anyone and attendees need not Maryrose’s motivation and be Catholic. Maryrose wants to driving force for carrying out this encourage people to reach out to important work stems from the one of the groups if needed, and loss she and her husband, Jerry, no one should feel that they must suffered when their son, Jack, go through loss alone. Others also passed away in 2011. find individual counseling sessions “Back in 2011, there was to be more meaningful to them. nothing for child loss in this area,” “It helps to talk with people Maryrose says. “I drove as far as who have similar experiences,” she Maryrose Capko has made it her Monticello to find a grief support says. mission to help those grieving a loss. group for parents.”

To be certified as a Grief Care Maryrose leads a Bereaved Parents Support Provider, Maryrose went through five, week-long Group which meets on the third Thursday of each classes in Fort Collins, Colo. She says this is the month at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Home, and she “perfect” way to honor Jack’s memory. also leads a group in Sartell. This past May, she In the face of great loss, Maryrose hopes to offer led Grief Support Sessions also at Emblom-Brenny at least some help to those who are suffering. Each Funeral Service in Little Falls. These were open to person handles things differently, so she cannot anyone who has experienced the death of a friend necessarily teach a person how to go through a or a loved one. More sessions are being planned for loss. However, she is there to listen, facilitate and the fall. give suggestions. She hopes the groups are a way The couple’s son, Jared, is 26, and Jack would for people to connect and keep the support going. have been 19 and graduated from high school this “Our faith is to help others — Jesus came to past spring. serve,” Maryrose says. “We are not supposed to live “It doesn’t get any easier,” Maryrose says. “It our lives just for ourselves.” gets different. Life has forever changed.”

Besides carrying out this important grief Given her own experiences with loss and grief, support work, Maryrose also does custom leading other parents through the loss of a child leatherwork, fixes shoes for Bermel’s Shoes & is so important to Maryrose. In fact, she recently Boots in Randall, and serves as a substitute received a certificate as a Grief Care Provider from teacher. Jerry is a dairy farmer.

If you would like to learn more about the various ways to access grief support, please contact Maryrose Capko at 320-360-1468 or Maryrosecapko@gmail.com.

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St. Mary’s • Our Lady Of Lourdes • Holy Family Parish Office: 208 West Broadway Little Falls, MN 56345 (320) 632-8243 www.littlefallscatholic.org

Paul Dennis

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but then various widows who had not been married to Knights asked if they could come and receive a meal as well. So, we told them they could if they simply paid $5 for their meal.”

Furthermore, Paul came up with a phone directory that includes the numbers for the KC members and their wives. For the last nine years, he has raised $2,500 every three years to support this project.

Overall, belonging to the Knights of Columbus has been a profoundly meaningful experience for Paul — it’s an experience that has enriched him spiritually and socially in amazing ways.

“Being part of the Knights of Columbus helps us grow in our Catholic faith,” Paul says. “The four

core principles of the Knights are charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. We try to abide by these and live by them.”

Paul and his late wife, Jean, joined our parish family in 2006, after moving to the area from Florida. Paul currently attends St. Mary’s Parish.

“I really enjoy being with the people of our parish,” he says. “They have been like a second family to me.”

Paul and Jean savored a special devotion to St. Anthony.

“I just lost something so I prayed to St. Anthony, and it worked!” he says. “He usually helps me out. My wife always said that when she gets to heaven she will work on his committee!”

The Knights of Columbus meet in the basement of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. If you would like further information about the Knights of Columbus, please contact Grand Knight John Jedrowski at 218-812-7258.