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
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR UPCOMING FAITH COMMUNITY RETREAT — FEB. 26 Stewardship Starts at Home
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ooking for a little spiritual ing, spiritual, and a valuable opporrenewal? We have an outstanding tunity for fellowship. one-day retreat coming up on Feb. For Cele, having the chance to 26. It is open to all parishioners and grow in faith, understanding, stewardguests of St. Donatus, St. Alexius, ship, and community is a true blessing. St. Francis de Sales, Sts. Peter and “I love that interaction with other Paul, Our Lady of the Angels, and people,” Cele says. “Sometimes, it’s St. Paul’s. Since Ash Wednesday people who grew up with my kids is the following week, our annual who I haven’t seen in years, and we retreat will be a wonderful way to kind of reinforce each other’s faith. springboard into Lent. We pray with and for each other. Lisa McArdle, a friend of Fr. “Now we have an ACC of six Greg’s and member of Catholic parishes and it puts us in contact Stewardship Consultants, will be the Lisa McArdle of Catholic Stewardship with other people in our parish comConsultants will be the featured featured speaker. Her theme for the munities,” she continues. “It also puts speaker on Feb. 26, with the theme day is “Stewardship Starts at Home!” you in contact with people who have a “Stewardship Starts at Home.” Lisa will present spiritual thoughts different perspective. And sometimes and practical tips on four topics: “Stewardship: a your fellow parishioners have an answer to a question Family Call,” “Living as a Stewardship Family,” you didn’t have an answer to. “Bring it to the Lord,” and “The Four Family Pillars.” “A retreat offers such a wonderful spiritual reAlong with time for quiet reflection and opportunity source, whether it’s praying for priests or learning for small-group discussion, it promises to be a day of about a certain saint,” she adds. growing in faith. Cele recognizes that, outside of Mass, the busyness Speaking of growing, parishioner Cele Gamradt of our modern-day lives can get in the way of making has increased in faith at several previous annual re- a spiritual pilgrimage or engaging on a deeper level treats. She found each retreat experience to be enrich- with our faith.
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ST. ALEXIUS - OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS - ST. PAUL’S
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR UPCOMING FAITH COMMUNITY RETREAT — FEB. 26
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“A lot of us are busy with our work lives,” she says. “We don’t get a chance to go on pilgrimages, and if you can’t, then a retreat is a great way to do that.” Even if you’ve never attended a retreat in the past and are unsure about what to expect, Cele offers encouragement to all members of our ACC who are thinking about attending the “Stewardship Starts at Home” retreat. “It can only increase your faith — it can only help you,” she says. “It’s just such a nice, refreshing exercise for your soul. People are so busy — they run, walk, go to the gym. So, this is an exercise for your faith, for your soul. It keeps you close to God and close to Jesus.”
Our upcoming parish community retreat on Feb. 26 will bring together the members of our faith community for a time of spiritual renewal, reflection and adoration.
The upcoming retreat will offer a valuable opportunity for our faith community to engage in spiritual reflection and fellowship.
As usual, including lunch, there is no cost for the annual retreat. To RSVP or for more information, parishioners should refer to upcoming parish bulletins, check the website www.parishesontheprairie.org, or call their parish office. 2
A Letter From Our Pastor
Start 2022 with a Clean Spiritual Slate My Dear Friends in Christ,
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e were taught in school that the month of January gets its name from Janus, the ancient Roman god of doors and gates. If you recall, his image was always carved or painted with two faces, one looking forward and the other backward. He was focused on new beginnings. Because of Janus’ place in the Roman pantheon, the Romans named the first month of the civil year after him, January. And although we no longer worship pagan gods, the name has stuck through the centuries. The symbol of Janus’ double countenance, facing forward and backward, reflects how we so often approach the coming of each new year. Newspapers, magazines, programs, and social media give a glance back at the “Top 10 Lists” of the past year — best movies, most important events, prettiest people, and stuff like that. They also make predictions of what the new year will bring — higher costs, better fishing, who will win the super bowl, and such. Like the world, we might look back at our own successes as well as our failures, at our happy events and sad moments. We should also look forward to the new year as we prepare our new year’s resolutions. When we reflect back on the blessings we’ve received, our hearts should be filled with gratitude — no matter how difficult the year has been, there were blessings to be counted. But for most of us, there have also been disappointments and failures. The moral mistakes, sins, and character flaws, call for repentance and a new resolve. A trip to the confessional can help. It gives Jesus the chance, with your help, to make “all things new” in you (Rev 21:5). It would give
you a clean spiritual slate with which to begin the new year. Either way, before making your new year’s resolutions, I challenge you to first make a grateful response to God for the past year. There are many ways to do that. 1. The word “eucharist” is Greek for “thanksgiving.” There is no better way than worshipping Jesus in the Eucharist at Mass to tell God “Thank You!” Whether you come to a daily Mass once or recommit to every Sunday at church, you will have made progress. 2. One of my favorite ways to give thanks to God is to pray the Rosary. For each Hail Mary, thank God for a different blessing. For those who are able, try a weekly or daily Rosary. 3. Daily prayers with your family are a great way to give thanks to God. To teach your spouse or your children to be grateful will help them the rest of their lives. Let’s look forward to the new year. And let’s bring Jesus Christ to the center of our resolutions. Then we will have even more reason to look back and give thanks to God! Have a holy and happy New Year! In our Father’s hands, Fr. Greg Paffel Pastor
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ST. ALEXIUS - OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS - ST. PAUL’S
Options fo
Offering Essential Support to Tho
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hen it comes to unplanned pregnancy, support can take many forms — and that support should go further than helping the parents choose life. The parents will need support after the birth of the baby and through the years to follow. Options for Women in Sauk Centre serves as that essential support net for parents. The center offers free pregnancy and STI testing, ultrasounds, and life coaching. The center also offers classes and a baby boutique full of all the things new parents need. Most of all, Options for Women is a safe place for moms and dads. Staff is there to offer a listening ear, advice, and support to those facing an unplanned pregnancy. “I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else,” says Kate Kerin, who has been with Options for Women since the beginning. She serves as a life coach and client mentor. An affiliate of TLC Pregnancy Resource Center, Options for Women has been in Sauk Centre for 17 years. They’ve provided many important services to expectant mothers and fathers over the years. Their
(From left) Colleen Cianflone, Director; Mary Ann Kuharski, Speaker; Kate Kerin, Outreach; Tami Rieland and Tom McFadden, both nurses at Evening for Life
work is supported by our parishes, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL), and private donations, among others. The Knights of Columbus helped Options for Women purchase an ultrasound. This past October, Options for Women hosted a fundraiser called Evening for Life
with speaker Mary Ann Kuharski, who helped found Prolife Across America. The event was a great revenue generator for the center. Another important service the center offers is education on everything from labor and delivery to handling finances and discipline.
“There is often a misconception about what we do. We absolutely want babies to be born, but we also stay with families as a source of support. We help them through what they are going through, and they often end up leading great lives.” — Kate Kerin
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or Women:
ose Facing Unplanned Pregnancy Because of the pandemic, the center moved the classes online. This has been a very successful change, and Kate says clients have been asking for more learning opportunities when they complete a lesson. Clients earn points to use at the baby boutique. “We have clients doing at least three times more education,” Kate says. “It’s been so convenient for them. Education is a big part of our mission.” The need for the center’s services didn’t stop during the pandemic, so it has stayed open. Kate says people have also continued to support Options for Women during the pandemic which has been a huge blessing. “Our clients really needed support, especially when schools were closed,” she says. “It was very stressful, and they needed someone to be a listening ear.” Kate asks parishioners to consider volunteering at Options for Women or offering financial support. The center’s work is so important to parents facing an unplanned
pregnancy, and the community’s support is essential. “There is often a misconception about what we do,” Kate says. “We absolutely want babies to be born, but we also stay with families as a source of support. We help them through what they are going through, and they often end up leading great lives.” Options for Women also offers in-person classes on breastfeeding and infant nutrition, to name a few. Kate will soon be offering group classes to teach life skills. Volunteers are needed at Options for Women, whether serving as client mentors and board members, or sorting baby clothes and making copies in the office. Donations of new or like-new baby clothing and items are also needed. Diapers are always in high demand. “This is such rewarding work,” Kate says. “I get attached to these families. When you see their transformation of getting a job or getting out of a bad relationship, it’s just so amazing.”
If you would like to learn more about Options for Women, please visit optionsforwomen.us or contact Kate Kerin at 320-761-5412.
January Events and Activities Jan. 30-Feb. 4 — Catholic Schools Week Saturday, Jan. 15 — St. Alexius Youth Group tubing at Andes Tower Hills, from 1:30-5 p.m. For everyone in fourth through 12th grades. Meet at the church parking lot. Everyone is welcome — please bring a friend! Adult chaperones and drivers needed. For any questions, please call or text Christina at 320-980-0475. Friday, Jan. 21 — Annual “Fire and Ice” from 6-8 p.m. at the outdoor ice rink in town. We will have a bonfire, S’mores and hot chocolate, and the warming house will be open. You don’t need skates to come — some are available for rent, otherwise boots are fine. This is a family event, but youth in sixth through 12th grades can be
dropped off without a parent. This is our Extra EDGE/Extra Fun for the month of January. All are welcome! Join 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 or with questions! Be sure to like the Searching Souls Ministries Facebook page for more information. Jan. 3 — ***No meeting*** Happy New Year! Jan. 10 — The Baptism of the Lord Jan. 17 — Enthronements Jan. 24 — St. Paul’s Conversion Story Jan. 31 — Presentation of the Lord
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ST. ALEXIUS - OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS - ST. PAUL’S
Examining Our New Year’s Resolutions Through the Lens of Stewardship
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very January, we all step forward into the New Year with new ideas, goals and resolutions. But after the initial sparkle of the New Year has faded, it can be easy to forget our once-fervent resolutions. However, we might find that it’s a bit easier to keep our New Year’s resolutions if we look a bit beyond our physical selves. By also involving our spiritual lives, as well as the lives of others, we can add a lot more meaning to our resolutions. Renowned Catholic author Matthew Kelly says, “We’re all trying to be better versions of ourselves,” and that’s basically what any resolution is about. Stewardship is essentially the same thing — if we embrace living a stewardship way of life, we become better versions of ourselves. We can use our time and talent to make improvements in our lives, in the lives of others, and in the life of the parish. It all comes down to one basic point — if we acknowledge that everything we have is a gift from God, then we are supposed to be good stewards of those gifts, use them for the benefit of others, and return our talents tenfold to the Lord. One idea to help incorporate stewardship into your New Year’s resolutions is to make two distinct resolutions each year — one at the beginning of the liturgical year, and one at the beginning of the calendar year. We can think of the first Sunday of Advent as the Church New Year, and we can make our own spiritual resolutions at this special time each year. Then, for the new calendar year, we can make resolutions for our health and well-being. In both cases, we can commit to these promises much in the same way we make our commitments during our annual Stewardship Renewal. We can make these resolutions, write them down, and share them with someone. Once you’ve written it down and shared it, you are now holding yourself accountable. We are both physical and spiritual beings. Taking care of the physical side of things is a good start, but if we ignore the spiritual side, what kind of progress are we truly making? Even if you already regularly pray, you can add five more minutes to your prayer time each day to take a step forward in your faith. Even if you read the Bible once a week, you can take a spiritual leap and make it twice a week. One way to make a good resolution is to consider joining or increasing
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your involvement in one of the parish’s prayer, faith formation or outreach ministries. Making resolutions requires us to truly reflect on the areas in our lives that we’d like to improve, while also ensuring that our priorities are in order. Remember, there is no need to take a giant leap all at once. So, as we begin a new calendar year, remember that even the smallest steps forward in faith can go a long, long way as you continuously renew your relationship with Christ.
It all comes down to one basic point — if we acknowledge that everything we have is a gift from God, then we are supposed to be good stewards of those gifts, use them for the benefit of others, and return our talents tenfold to the Lord.
Meet Parishioner Shalon Wilber:
Taking Ownership and Sharing Talents with the Parish
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e may never know how many talents are hidden within our parish, but what a blessing it is when a parishioner steps up and offers their unique skills for the benefit of the parish family! When COVID-19 led to the need for Masses to be streamed online, Shalon Wilber went to Fr. Greg with a simple question — “How can I help?” Shalon didn’t come empty-handed. As a Broadcasting Coordinator for Arvig, with experience in videography, he had the skills and ideas needed to improve the livestreaming of the Mass. “Using exactly the talent I know I have is not super intimidating,” Shalon says. “I’m just trying to see if there is a gap I can fill. If I had to get up and speak in front of a group, I’d probably be a lot more nervous.” Shalon used the skills he already had to improve the audio for the livestreamed Mass. When the church capacity was increased to 50
percent, Shalon continued to help so that those who needed to stay home could have the best possible experience with the Mass. Shalon and his wife, Kate, were married in 2011 and have been involved with St. Paul’s for many years along with their children, Adelane and Jay. Kate even grew up in the parish. Although the family had moved, they came back to St. Paul’s, and their son, Jay, was baptized there. When they were dating, Kate was part of the choir at St. Paul’s. Shalon, who also had an interest in and a talent for music, joined her. Shalon and Kate often work together. Kate makes meals for new moms as part of Martha’s Meals, and Shalon is there to help. “There are so many benefits from getting involved with the church community,” Shalon says. “You come and do one thing, and soon you consider doing things more out of your
The Wilber family — embracing stewardship in our community
comfort zone. Once you start, it’s kind of a waterfall and you want to do more.” Since volunteering has brought him closer with the parish and Fr. Greg, Shalon finds that he has a deeper appreciation for the parish and what it continued on back cover
“There are so many benefits from getting involved with the church community. You come and do one thing, and soon you consider doing things more out of your comfort zone. Once you start, it’s kind of a waterfall and you want to do more.” — Shalon Wilber 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
Parishioner Shalon Wilber means to participate in the liturgy and life of the parish. “Being involved has shown me the need to go to church on a weekly basis and bring my family with me,” Shalon says. “It builds on one another, the desire to be involved and to be more active and present.” In turn, Shalon also sees the impact his dedication and involvement have on his kids. “They were so excited that we were involved and living out our faith is a good example for them,” Shalon says. “The hope is that they will want to come to Mass every weekend and be involved.” Shalon’s skills were exactly what the parish needed at a unique point in time. His willingness to step out and ask where his talents were most needed would positively impact many parishioners. His involvement has also led to new ideas for the future, and Shalon hopes to help produce some educational videos with the parish. “It gives you a real sense of ownership to know you’re a small part of what is going on at the parish,” he says.
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The Wilber family — Shalon and Kate, and their kids, Adelane and Jay
