JULY | 2022
ST. DONATUS
ST. ALEXIUS
MEET PARISHIONERS JUDY AND RICHARD DETLOFF Embracing Family, Parish Life, and Community ST. FRANCIS DE SALES
STS. PETER & PAUL
OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS
ST. PAUL’S
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hen Judy Detloff was at Mass with her young children many years ago, one of the priests at the time invited them to come to the front pews so the kids could see what was going on. “We have been sitting in the third pew from the front ever since,” she says. Judy has been a parishioner of St. Donatus for 52 years — since she married her husband, Richard, in June of 1970. The Detloffs have eight children and 17 grandchildren. While being in a small parish might be difficult for some, Judy loves how close-knit the parish community is at St. Donatus. “I love the size of St. Donatus because with being small everyone knows everyone,” she says. “So if someone comes to church that you don’t know, you reach out to them and welcome them. Also if someone from the parish is struggling or needs help, we know about it and can help them.” Judy and Richard have been very involved in our parish for many years. Having had a life-changing experience at the apparition site of Medjugorje in April 2000, Judy came home and began serving with a holy hour on Wednesday
Judy and Richard Detloff were married in June 1970 and are longtime parishioners of St. Donatus. They have eight children and 17 grandchildren. The couple has served our parish community in many ways over the years.
nights for adults while children attended religious education. To this day, she and Richard close the night off together. But Judy’s involvement extends further beyond this weekly commitment. continued on back cover
Stewardship
BECOMING FISHERS OF MEN
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hether you hold a high-profile position, such as parish council president, or have more of a behindthe-scenes role as a coordinator of a parish ministry, God has called you – as a parish leader – to help build His Church. This challenge is just as important as the call of any other Catholic leader, including the earliest disciples. When Jesus walked along the Sea of Galilee, He urged a group of fishermen, “Come follow me.” Jesus promised if they laid down their nets and followed Him, He would make them fishers of men. These men were among His original disciples, and they knew Christ’s call was so important that they left their secular occupation to follow Him. Just as He did with the fishermen, Jesus calls each of us today. He is not necessarily asking us to leave our secular careers, but He is asking us to put Him first in our lives and to share His message of love with others. God truly wants us to serve Him and to build His Church through the secular occupations we have chosen. It is through the Church that new disciples are born, and it is in the Church that disciples continue to mature. Forming disciples of Christ is the most important work that can be done on earth, and each of us has been called to play an active role in this work. So, how do we go about building the Church? Where do we find the plans? Some people mistakenly think that building the Church – in particular, building our own parish or diocese – is no different than building a successful business. Indeed, the purpose of building the Church is to change hearts – a
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goal that only God can accomplish. Secular society has not prepared us for this work. However, the Holy Spirit – sometimes referred to as the “Architect of the Church” – has the plan. In order to implement this plan, we must become good listeners. We must open ourselves to the workings of the Holy Spirit as He transforms us and guides us to carry out God’s work and to serve as His instruments on earth, building the Church together with Him. This is where spiritual exercises, such as retreats, come into play. A retreat offers the individual an opportunity to spend time alone with the Lord, allowing God to draw the person deeper into the mystery of who He is, who we are and what He is doing in our lives. Stewardship retreats can offer parish leaders the opportunity each year to spend time with the Lord as He directs them in the ways of discipleship. As leaders, we must take time to meditate on the Scriptures and allow Jesus to open up His Word to us. Then, as we grow deeper in our understanding of what God wants of us, we can exclaim, just as the first disciples did on the road to Emmaus, “Our hearts are burning within us” (Lk 24:32). God has placed an extremely important call on the lives of all parish leaders, no matter how big or small the role. It is vital to understand how we, as parish leaders, can best answer His call. What, in particular, is the Lord calling each one of us to do? He most likely is not asking us to drop our nets, but to pick them up and become “fishers of men.” We must discern how we can most effectively cast our nets for Him.
A Letter From Our Pastor
WE PROVIDE THE GIFTS, GOD PERFORMS THE MIRACLES Dear Parishioners,
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t is human nature to try to neatly place things into categories. If we categorize the miracles performed by Christ, the two largest groupings might fall under the headings “Healing” and “Feeding.” This is exactly what we are about here in our faith community. At the base of all our liturgies is the Eucharist, when we come together in communion with the Lord and with one another to be both fed and healed. Even one of Christ’s most famous miracles — the Feeding of the Multitude — involved both healing and feeding from a spiritual and a literal perspective. The reason the large crowd gathered was because Jesus’ reputation as a healer had spread and grown. He felt compassion for that crowd, which is another way of saying He loved them and felt sorry that they were hungry due to their willingness to sit and be with Him for so long. Recognizing it was late in the day and that many of them had not eaten, Jesus literally fed them — but that day, He didn’t stop with physical nourishment. He also fed them spiritually with His words, and simultaneously, healed their wounded hearts by preaching a message of hope and forgiveness in the midst of a dark and hardened world. The narrative of Christ taking a small amount of food and using it to feed thousands is familiar to all of us. It is reported in all four Gospels. However, I would like to
highlight one aspect of that miracle. It all started with one boy who was willing to share what little he had. Because the boy made the gift of his fishes and loaves, the Lord took it and multiplied it many times over, nourishing so many more people than what that little bit initially could. Isn’t that what we as a faith community are called to do? We make gifts of our time, our talent, and our treasure as good stewards — but nevertheless, it is God who takes those gifts and performs miracles with them. Our goal is to give what we have so that Christ might use it, multiplying it to feed, to heal and draw a multitude of people closer to Him. The reality is that without offering our gifts, we are left without miracles. And without miracles, we are left a broken and hungry people. Christ comes to heal and nourish us in every Eucharist. Brothers and sisters, may He heal your wounds and nourish your souls with His relentless love. In our Father’s hands,
Fr. Greg Paffel Pastor
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ALTAR SERVERS: Assisting t T
here are many roles to fill for the lay people of the church. Many of those include assisting at Mass. From greeters and lectors to Eucharistic ministers, there is something for just about everyone. But there is a special role that is held by the youth of the parish. Being an altar server is a role for children in fifth grade and older who have received their First Communion. It is a special way to be involved in the Mass. For Simon and Max Marthaler, serving on the altar has become second nature. Simon, who will be a high school senior this fall, started altar serving in fifth grade. Max has been serving for the last three years alongside his brother. “I was asked if I would become an altar server,” Simon says. “I thought it sounded interesting so I tried it out. It has been fun so I have continued to serve.” There is something uniquely different about how you
experience the Mass when you are involved in it compared to when you are sitting in the pew. Assisting at Mass is a great way to learn the different parts of the Mass. As St. Peter Julian Eymard said, “You cannot do anything to glorify God more, nor profit your soul more, than by devoutly assisting at Mass as often as possible.” When we assist with the liturgy, we not only aid in glorifying God through this prayer, but we also learn how and why things happen as they do. Why does the priest wash his hands at that time? Why are the bells ringing? Why are special cloths used for different purposes? These are all things that altar servers learn from being an important part of the Mass. For Simon, serving at Mass is both spiritual and practical. “Assisting with Mass makes it go quickly,” he says. “It is easier to pay attention and hear the readings. It is fun to
Assisting at Mass is a great way to learn the different parts of the Mass.
Simon Marthaler, who will be a high school senior this fall, started altar serving in fifth grade. Max Marthaler has been serving for the last three years alongside his brother.
the Liturgy and Serving Christ work and be involved. It is more hands-on than when you just sit there.” Max became an altar server after several years of watching his brother serve. “I like serving because I pay attention and learn more when I do,” he says. “My favorite part is setting up the altar for Communion.” It may seem a little intimidating to become an altar server — there are many things to remember and being
up on the altar means that you are in front of the entire congregation. Despite this, Simon encourages others to become altar servers. “They train you and then you serve alongside other altar servers who have been doing it for a while,” Simon says. “You learn as you go.” “If you feel like Mass goes slow, I would try it,” Max adds. “It is hands-on and it is also fun to get to know the priests and just be involved at the church.”
For those interested in learning more about becoming an altar server, contact your parish: St. Donatus, St. Francis de Sales, Sts. Peter and Paul — parish office, 320-254-8218 St. Alexius — Jessica Minette, 320-266-6069, stalexiuschurch@gmail.com Our Lady of the Angels — Michael Doubek, 320-761-8255, mdoubek@icloud.com; or Melinda Doubek, 320-761-8233, mmdoubek@me.com St. Paul’s — Mark Haskamp, 320-492-8282, lettucehead34@hotmail.com
UPCOMING EVENTS Totus Tuus is in July! Totus Tuus is a program led by a team of college-age men and women. Permission slips can be found in the Centre For Christ entryway, or you can still sign up after Masses on July 16-17. Join us July 10-15 at the Southern Parishes! Elementary program is July 18-22, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for children going into first through sixth grades. Jr and Sr high program is July 17-21, from 7 to 9 p.m. Searching Souls 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! Call 320-761-3590 for
more information. Join and “like” the Searching Souls Ministries Facebook Group to see what is happening! July 4 — No Searching Souls July 11 — Precepts of the Church July 18 — No Searching Souls July 25 — Spiritual Warfare July 2 — Our Lady of the Angels, First Saturday Devotions 7:45 a.m., Adoration and Confession 8:30 a.m., Rosary 9 a.m., Mass July 11 — Baptism Instructional Class 7:30 p.m., St. Paul’s meeting room
Amazing Parish: Direction and Clarity in Our Faith Community “Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end!” ~ COMMON PRAYER ~
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hy does the Church exist? Take a minute to reflect on that question, “Why does the Church
exist?” Many might say, “to know, love, and serve the Lord.” As true as that is, my answer goes more like this — “to do the work of Jesus Christ by healing the broken hearted, blessing the poor in spirit, and leading all God’s children into the Father’s presence, heaven.” This past week, I grew in my own desire to lead our parishes. It is not an option to stand by as the pressures of our society whittle away at our faith and values by diluting all that Catholics believe in. Amazing Parish is a movement of priests and involved church members seeking to rethink parish leadership. Without better leadership, better direction,
and better clarity, our parishes will not be able to withstand the “humdrum” the world imposes upon us. As the old Aaron Tippin song goes, “You’ve got to stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything.” What are you standing for? In our Father’s hands, :) Fr. Greg Paffel
Lord Jesus, we pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the people of St. Donatus, St. Alexius, St. Francis de Sales, Sts. Peter & Paul, Our Lady of the Angels, St. Paul’s, Holy Family School, and the Centre for Christ. Prepare us to one day be in the fullness of our Father’s presence. Amen.
MEET ST. PAUL’S USHER
JERRY KULZER: Stepping Forward to Foster Parish Hospitality
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hen we see ushers at any of our attendance count and handle any medical parishes, it seems like a fairly issues with parishioners. Jerry has had easy ministry, and it is. Ushers welcome a few cases where he has had to call an people, seat them, place the bulletins and ambulance for someone. facilitate the collection. Ushers are also there to make visitors None of these tasks require a skill besides feel welcome and answer questions. If one — a willingness to help. And that’s how a person walks in late, Jerry may even Jerry Kulzer, St. Paul’s usher, found his place help show them where the rest of their to serve. He simply loves to help. family is seated. “I give up my seat at church if When it comes to special Masses needed,” Jerry says. “I just really like to or events at St. Paul’s, Jerry is happy be helpful. I feel that’s a gift that God to step forward to do what needs to gave me.” be done. For example, this spring, he Jerry was raised Catholic and ushered at the First Communion Mass has been a member at St. Paul’s his for his grandson. whole life. About 15 years ago, Wayne “I am there anyway,” Jerry says. “If Bromenshenkel asked Jerry if he wanted I’m there, I might as well help.” St. Paul’s parishioner Jerry Kulzer to get involved in his usher group. The Jerry feels that being an usher makes has been part of the Ushers Ministry groups are assigned two months per year. him listen and be more engaged with the for the past 15 years. With a shortage of ushers due to the Mass. He would encourage others to get pandemic, Jerry agreed to take two more months in 2022. involved in a ministry that fits their skillset. “If I walk into church, I just plan to usher,” he says. “God gave me the gift of being helpful, so why not “I don’t mind it at all.” use it?” he says. “I believe being part of this ministry has Besides the obvious tasks, ushers also take an treated me well over the years.”
“God gave me the gift of being helpful, so why not use it? I believe being part of this ministry has treated me well over the years.” — JERRY KULZER
If you would like to get involved as an usher at our parishes, please call the North ACC office for Sauk Centre at 320-352-2196; the South ACC office for Belgrade, Brooten, or Elrosa at 320-254-8218; or the West ACC office for St. Alexius at 320-352-2563.
Parish Office: 304 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 (320) 352-2196 parishesontheprairie.org WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULES Saturday 4:00 p.m. - St. Paul’s, Sauk Centre 5:00 p.m. - St. Francis de Sales, Belgrade 5:00 p.m. - Our Lady of the Angels, Sauk Centre Sunday 8:00 a.m. - St. Paul’s, Sauk Centre 8:15 a.m. - St. Donatus, Brooten 8:30 a.m. - St. Alexius, West Union 10:00 a.m. - St. Paul’s, Sauk Centre 10:15 a.m. - Sts. Peter & Paul, Elrosa 10:30 a.m. - Our Lady of the Angels, Sauk Centre See our website for a full listing of daily Mass & Confession times
JUDY AND RICHARD DETLOFF “I have served on the parish council, Christian Mothers, and taught religion,” she says. “I now serve on our Area Catholic Community team, the Stewardship Committee — I serve as sacristan, lector, Extraordinary Minister, and Rosary leader. I am also the Anchoress of our Seven Sisters Apostolate.” Being a mother to many and a grandmother to even more, Judy says her favorite saint is St. Monica, mother of St. Augustine and patron of all mothers. “I also pray for my children and grandchildren to get to heaven, like she did for her son, St. Augustine,” Judy says.
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Along with praying for her family, Judy regularly prays for the needs of our priests in front of the tabernacle each Sunday. Serving in the parish is very important to Judy, who noticed the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presented to our parish community, particularly its impact on parishioner attendance. “I attend any faith formation events I can,” Judy says. “This parish has made me see how important each and every one of us are in keeping our parish alive. It takes all of us to keep it going.”
“I attend any faith formation events I can. This parish has made me see how important each and every one of us are in keeping our parish alive. It takes all of us to keep it going.” — J udy D etloff
