S T. A L E X I U S - O U R L A D Y O F T H E A N G E L S - S T. PA U L ’S
Meet
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Becky Eibensteiner:
Growing Closer to Christ Through Mary
ecky Eibensteiner has been a longtime parishioner of St. Paul’s — for nearly 34 years. Becky and her husband became members in 1988 and she currently serves the parish in many ways. She is a lector and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, she sings in the choir, and she serves as a Rosary Leader. Being involved in parish life is something that she has valued since she was young. In high school, Becky laid out vestments for the priest before daily Mass, and on Saturdays, she helped clean the sanctuary. “Back then, you were more involved in your parish because that was your social life,” Becky says. “Now, you are pulled in so many different directions, it can be hard. But God is a priority. You have to make Him a priority.” As a Rosary Leader at St. Paul’s, Becky is in charge of leading the Rosary before many of the 10 a.m. Sunday Masses. Beginning about 20 minutes before Mass starts, she leads each decade as the church begins to fill. “It is really neat,” Becky says. “There are not many people when you first start. I have what I call my loyal prayer warriors, who are always there to respond. But as you move on to the second and third decade, the response gets louder and louder as more people fill the church.” Praying to Mary, especially through the Rosary, is a very important part of Becky’s prayer life, so it
Becky Eibensteiner leads the Rosary before 10 a.m. Mass.
makes sense that she would share that by leading other parishioners to pray it too. “The Rosary makes you feel closer to Mary,” Becky says. “She takes your intercessions and gives them to Jesus. She leads you to Jesus.” Having grown up praying the Rosary in the evenings with her family, Becky now prays the Rosary with her husband. “When praying the Rosary with my husband, I often take my box of memorial cards, and I pray for those that have passed throughout the Rosary,”
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ST. ALEXIUS - OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS - ST. PAUL’S
Becky Eibensteiner Becky says. “Sometimes, my husband and I will try and offer each Hail Mary for a different priest.” Becky knows that the Rosary can seem daunting because of its length and that it is not always easy to fit into a busy schedule. She considers it a missed opportunity that she did not pray the Rosary daily with her daughters “Start small,” Becky says. “Start with just a decade. Pray it along with YouTube, a priest, or someone else. It will grow on you. When Mary asks us to pray the Rosary for peace, that is the least we can do.”
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Please join us at St. Paul’s for the Rosary prior to the 10 a.m. Sunday Mass, beginning about 20 minutes before Mass starts.
Searching Souls Ministries Small Groups
oin other searching souls every Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Centre for Christ for videos and small-group discussions with a different topic each week to grow in our Catholic faith together! Please call 320-761-3590 for more information. Be sure to “like” the Searching Souls Ministries Facebook Group! Feb. 7 The Beatitudes Feb. 14 Sacramentals, presented by Fr. Greg. (Valentine’s meal provided! PLEASE RSVP)
Feb. 21 Confession/Examination of Conscience/ The Ten Commandments Feb. 28 Ash Wednesday
Other Upcoming Events/Activities
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Tuesday, Feb. 8 Holy Family School, Kindergarten Roundup Wednesday, Feb. 9 Valentine’s Dinner (& Bingo) for seniors from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the St. Paul’s Church basement. Doors open at 3:45 p.m. We will play Bingo at 4 p.m., with supper served at 4:30 p.m. This event is FREE; please RSVP by Feb. 7 to Kathy at 320-351-5580 or kathy@centreforchrist.org. Sponsored by the EDGE Youth Group.
Saturday, Feb. 12 Crafts with Christina: Join this fun youth group event, 2 to 4 p.m., at St. Alexius, for students in grades 4-12. Bring a friend, all are welcome! Snacks and beverages are provided. Adult volunteers needed. Questions? Text/call Christina at 320-980-0475. Saturday, Feb. 26 First Reconciliation Retreat from 9 to 12 p.m. at St. Paul’s Parish for students and parents.
A Letter From Our Pastor
Father’s Sabbatical:
Retreat and Catholic Community My Dear Friends in Christ,
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ust before Christmas, I arrived home from a three-month sabbatical. What is a sabbatical? You may recall Jews have been celebrating the Sabbath Day (the seventh day of rest) for thousands of years. The word “sabbath” literally means “to rest.” In fact, Jesus would have celebrated the Sabbath with His family and with His disciples every week of his life. Borrowing the idea of sabbath rest, in our diocese priests are allowed a time of rest every seven years. It is a time of study and formation to help the priest be rejuvenated for the ministry to which he is called. My sabbatical was three months beginning last September. There were two really important things I did for my sabbatical. I went on retreat and learned about Catholic Community. In Clearwater, Fla., I had an Ignatian Retreat with the Marian Servants of Divine Providence. As a pastor and preacher I often spend time praying, “Lord, what do You want to say to Your people?” But on retreat the question changes to, “Lord, what do You want to say to me?” By reading and reflecting on the Scriptures, by talking to a spiritual director each day, and by remaining silent, I felt my spirit being refreshed. In Tallahassee, Fla., I lived with the Fountain of Life Community. It is a community of about 35 families who live throughout the city but live their Catholic faith in a very intentional way. There are no priests or deacons who belong to the community. However, to belong to the community, families have to be
active members of a Catholic Parish in Tallahassee. I talked to some of the local parish priests and they said the lay community members have been a great blessing to their parishes. They practice stewardship by praying at Mass, getting involved in various ministries, and tithing in each week’s collection. One of the community goals is to reclaim the Lord’s Day, the day of rest (Sabbath). They see how the world has minimized the importance of Sunday and feel called to make Saturday evenings special. Like Jesus would have done, they set aside every Saturday evening for family prayer and a nice meal. Their prayer consists of praising God for the Lord’s Day, lighting a candle because Christ is our light, singing some songs of worship, raising a cup of wine to give thanks to God, and breaking a loaf of bread (getting crumbs all over) to begin their special meal. It is a beautiful rhythm they have in their lives to honor God and one another. In some ways, you could say, each of the families celebrates the presence of God in their lives and in their home — every week they intentionally take a sabbatical, a time of rest from the past week. In our Father’s hands, Fr. Greg Paffel Pastor
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ST. ALEXIUS - OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS - ST. PAUL’S
Meet the M
Our ACC Lead T
his month, we’ve been happy to speak with three members of our ACC Leadership Team. These members — Danny Borgerding, Isaac Uphus, and Darron Nelson — share with us their reflections on parish involvement, their participation on the ACC Leadership Team, and how they aim to serve our entire faith community.
something to offer and would definitely gain something from the experience. Giving some of my time to the church seemed like the right thing to do for me at this time. What is the best part about being on the team? I’ve only been involved for two months. However, at my first ACC meeting, I was impressed with the sharp minds on the committee. More importantly, it is inspiring to be in a room with others who are strong in their Catholic faith. Lastly, I am looking forward to interacting more with our three priests who display so much passion and faith, each in their individual ways. Being on the Leadership Team, what is your hope for the ACC? I hope as a committee we can assist our priests to fulfill their hopes of shepherding a strong faith community within our parishes. I think it is important that our parishes keep their unique identities while also realizing the benefits of the larger faith community. These are different times — even difficult, you could say — so I am excited to be a part of the bridge between the old times and the new.
Danny Borgerding
How are you involved in your parish? Well, like I told Fr. Greg when we first met, “We got married in St. Donatus, live closest to St. Francis, but belong to Sts. Peter and Paul’s.” We attend all three of them because the 10:15 Mass is most convenient for us. I am mainly involved by attending Mass and participating in the sacraments and trying to be a good example for our four kids. I am a Knights of Columbus member, and my wife, Colleen, is the Elementary Faith Formation Coordinator for the BBE parishes. How did you get involved on the Leadership Team? Father surprised me out of the blue one day, and after some discernment, I decided I could perhaps have
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Isaac Uphus How are you involved in your parish? We help out in a number of ways, including teaching Natural Family Planning, serving as a sponsor couple for engaged couples, and a few other ministries.
Members of
dership Team How did you get involved on the Leadership Team? Fr. Greg approached me after my name was suggested by a former ACC Leadership Team member. What is the best part about being on the team? It has been nice to get a better understanding of the differences and similarities between each parish in the ACC. Like a good sports team or a well-run business, the ideas and strengths that each parish brings to the ACC is important and will strengthen the ACC. Each parish has its own nuanced culture and the rich history of each parish is evident — that’s pretty neat to see. Being on the Leadership Team, what is your hope for the ACC? My hope is that we continue to unify as an ACC, while still preserving the uniqueness of each parish. Change is hard and if we can learn from our experience of growing together as an ACC, we will improve and grow. One area that I hope we can continue to focus on is stewardship as the driving force for our growth. Stewardship is the key to revitalizing our communities and to getting more young men and women interested in vocations.
Darron Nelson How are you involved in your parish? I am involved in my parish by volunteering to be a part of the ACC Leadership Team. I was honored to be considered and look forward to giving back over the next three years in this role. Additionally, my wife and I celebrated our wedding and all three of our children’s Baptisms at St. Paul’s in Sauk Centre — all performed by Fr. Greg.
How did you get involved on the Leadership Team? I was approached by Fr. Greg to consider joining the Leadership Team, as another unique view to the local parishes. As my schedule allows me to attend Mass at different times and locations throughout the year, I felt like it was a proper fit at this time. What is the best part about being on the team? The best part about being on the Leadership Team is the ability to learn about the perspectives of the other members and priests in our communities and how I can provide feedback to help make our parishes the most efficient they can be. Being on the Leadership Team, what is your hope for the ACC? Being on the Leadership Team, with many, many talented individuals, my hope is that God can help guide us to make all the parishes have a similar, welcoming feel, increase our fellowship at the church, and maintain focus on Jesus Christ, our Lord. God is good, always.
This month, we’ve been happy to speak with three members of our ACC Leadership Team — Danny Borgerding, Isaac Uphus and Darron Nelson. 5
ST. ALEXIUS - OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS - ST. PAUL’S
Valentine’s Day
The Feast of a Christian Martyr
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andy, flowers, romantic dinners, and excuses for wooing are the common traditions we associate with the once-pagan holiday known as Valentine’s Day. Dangling cupids, candy “message” hearts, and faux long-stemmed roses clutter every card store, waiting for that last-minute purchase. The question is — how did this over-commercialized holiday really begin? There are a few stories surrounding the history of Feb. 14 and St. Valentine himself, all dating back to the Roman Empire. The 14th day of February was a day set aside to honor the goddess Juno, queen of the Roman gods and goddesses. The following day, Feb. 15, began the feast of Lupercalia — a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. As part of the festival traditions, there was a name drawing among the young people. The names of young Roman women were written on slips of paper and placed into a jar. Each young man would draw a young woman’s name from the jar, and the two would be partners for the duration of the festival. Sometimes the pairing lasted an entire year, and often, the couple would fall in love and later marry. At the time, Emperor Claudius II was involved in many bloody and unpopular campaigns, and he was having a difficult time recruiting soldiers to join his military leagues. Claudius believed that soldiers were reluctant to join because they did not want to leave their loves or families. With this in mind, Claudius decreed all marriages and engagements cancelled in Rome. During this time, St. Valentine was a priest in Rome, and he and St. Marius secretly married young couples. For this, St. Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who sentenced him to be beaten and then executed by beheading. He suffered this martyrdom on Feb. 14, around the year 270 AD. Before his death, it is said that St. Valentine left a note for the jailer’s daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it “From Your Valentine.” Although the truth behind the St. Valentine’s legend is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and, most importantly, romantic figure. It is no surprise
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that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France. Over time, Feb. 14 became a time for lovers to exchange sweet messages, making St. Valentine the patron saint of lovers. The date was often commemorated with the sending of poems and simple gifts. During the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that Feb. 14 was the beginning of the avian mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February — Valentine’s Day — should be a day for romance.
Meet Ben and Maggie Sonnek:
Embracing Stewardship and Life Together in Sauk Centre
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hen you move to a small town like Sauk Centre, it can be difficult to get to know people, and introducing yourself can feel slightly awkward. It may seem easier to simply slip into the background — unless, of course, you move to town to work at the local newspaper. In that case, you have no choice but to get to know people and introduce yourself. Our Lady of the Angels parishioner Ben Sonnek found this out when he moved to Sauk Centre in 2019 to write for the Sauk Centre Herald. “I had to go in headfirst,” says Ben, who is now the editor at the Herald. “I had no choice.” Ben’s wife, Maggie, moved to Sauk Centre after the couple married on Aug. 23, 2019. When Ben first interviewed for the Herald, one of the places he visited was Our Lady of the Angels. “I told the Lord, ‘I did my part, and now it’s Your turn,’” he says. Ben and Maggie love Sauk Centre and the strong Catholic community and parishes. They have found home here and are thankful to have been welcomed with open arms. Their son, Eoghan, is 18 months old. The couple first met as students at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. Ben grew up in the New Ulm area, and Maggie spent much of her childhood in Virginia, though
Ben, Maggie and Eoghan Sonnek
her family moved around because her father was in the Army and her mother was in the Navy. Maggie has six siblings, and Ben has three. When Ben first interviewed in Sauk Centre, he noticed right away that the town was “not too big and not too small.” The Sonneks live within walking distance to both St. Paul’s and Our Lady of the Angels, which they enjoy. “We love the fact that there are two Catholic churches in town,” Ben says.
“The people here are just fantastic,” Maggie says. “Everyone is so friendly, and we have made some really great friends.” The couple was quick to get involved at both St. Paul’s and Our Lady of the Angels in various ministries. Maggie shares her singing talents as a choir member and cantor at both parishes. She also helped with Vacation Bible School this past summer. Ben is a member of the Knights of Columbus and also serves as an usher and altar server. continued on back cover
“The people here are just fantastic. Everyone is so friendly, and we have made some really great friends.” — Maggie Sonnek 7
ST. ALEXIUS - OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS - ST. PAUL’S Parish Office: 304 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 (320) 352-2196 parishesontheprairie.org Mass Schedule
Saturday 4:00 p.m. - St. Paul’s Saturday 5:00 p.m. - Our Lady of the Angels Saturday 8:00 p.m. - St. Paul’s Sunday 8:00 a.m. - St. Paul’s Sunday 8:30 a.m. - St. Alexius Sunday 10:00 a.m. - St. Paul’s Sunday 10:30 a.m. - Our Lady of the Angels
Reconciliation Schedule
Thursday 4:00 p.m. - St. Paul’s Saturday 3:00 p.m. - St. Paul’s Saturday 4:00 p.m. - Our Lady of the Angels Sunday 8:00 a.m. - St. Alexius
Ben and Maggie Sonnek They also attend the young adult group, Breaking Bread. “I’ve been singing all of my life,” Maggie says. “When I moved here, it was just natural that I would get involved in singing at church.” Ben and Maggie both love small-town life. Maggie got a taste of small-town life in college, and she knew she’d love to one day make her home in a place like Sauk Centre. Maggie loves to visit local shops, especially Jitters Java Cafe and Hidden Treasure. She also enjoys drawing in various mediums, while Ben enjoys reading and writing. In their free time, they love to walk together to a local park. The couple looks forward to continuing to teach Eoghan the Catholic faith. For now, he loves walking to and from church with mom and dad and listening to the bells during the Consecration!
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