Parishes on the Prairie Newsletter — June 2022

JUNE | 2022

ST. DONATUS

ST. ALEXIUS

AN INSIDE LOOK AT OUR

CHILDREN’S CHOIR Sharing Young Voices with God and Our Parish

“T ST. FRANCIS DE SALES

STS. PETER & PAUL

o sing is to pray twice” is a quote often attributed to St. Augustine.

And in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). So if we put singing together with children coming to Jesus, we end up with a children’s choir, just as we have at St. Paul’s and Our Lady of the Angels. What could be more beautiful than children singing to the Lord?

About once per month at Our Lady of the Angels or St. Paul’s, you can hear the Children’s Choir singing beautiful music to praise the Lord. Melanie Borgerding directs the choir with Shari Saltmarsh as a helper, and Emma Kittelson has been playing the piano for the choir. Melanie, a mother of five boys, had the desire in her heart to start a children’s choir, but she hadn’t taken the next step. Music Director Nancy Schleicher called her one day to ask her if she’d like to start the choir. continued on page 2

OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS

ST. PAUL’S

All ages from 6 to 18 are welcome — instrumentalists are also welcome.

AN INSIDE LOOK AT OUR CHILDREN’S CHOIR

continued from front cover

“It was God’s plan for sure,” Melanie says. “I just love hearing their voices and seeing the excitement. I’m always so amazed at how quickly they catch on. They are amazing.”

“When I heard that Melanie was starting a Children’s Choir in the parishes, I immediately reached out to her with much excitement and pure joy, thanking her and asking what I could do to help get it going,” Shari says.

The Children’s Choir started around Christmas 2021, and Melanie says there are still opportunities for more children to join at any time. All ages from 6 to 18 are welcome — instrumentalists are also welcome. The choir usually practices once or twice before singing at a Mass.

For holidays, they put in a few more practices.

“People love hearing the kids singing,” Melanie says.

“There really is nothing better.”

“Singing connects us emotionally and enables the children to participate in the singing, even if they are too young to understand what the lyrics mean,” Shari says.

“The rich lyrics help our children to praise and worship God from their hearts when perhaps they wouldn’t have had the words to do so otherwise.”

Of course, all music at Mass is beautiful, but there is something special about hearing children sing. Melanie and Shari have appreciated all the nice comments from parishioners. Parents of choir members have commented that the children enjoy singing at Mass and are enthusiastic about practicing the music at home.

“The children have said they feel belonging in the Mass and have had many sweet and polite compliments from adult parishioners, which is healthy in parish life for growth into the future of the Church,” Shari says.

The Children’s Choir performs during Christmas 2021.

The Children’s Choir performs during Mass, spring 2022.

If you would like to get your child involved in the Children’s Choir, please contact Melanie Borgerding at 320-266-6002 or melanie.borgerding@live.com.

2

A Letter From Our Pastor

EMBRACE THE HOLY SPIRIT Dear Parishioners,

Y

ou’ve all heard homilies about Pentecost, which comes on June 5 this year. Pentecost was the day when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles while they were gathered for prayer in Jerusalem.

Coming 10 days after Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, the descent of the Holy Spirit turned the apostles from a collection of fearful followers looking for some direction into a band of courageous witnesses ready to declare their faith in Christ to the whole world.

You’ve heard that Pentecost is the birthday of the Church because that was the day when newly filled with the Holy Spirit, St. Peter preached the first Christian sermon, inviting his hearers to turn to Jesus as their Savior and their Lord. Those who accepted the invitation were baptized and “were added” to the Church (Acts 2:41). That day marked the beginning of the Church’s public mission, which continues to the present.

But the Holy Spirit’s actions in the Church were not limited to the apostles in an ancient time. He remains active down to the present, guiding the pope and the bishops as they go about their work of sanctifying, teaching, and ruling in the Church.

The Holy Spirit acts in the sacraments to make them effective signs of grace. We see the Holy Spirit’s work in the witness of the saints through whom He continues the work of salvation.

The Spirit, moreover, acts not only in the Church as a corporate body but also in the lives of individual Christians.

We become temples of the Holy Spirit at our Baptism. Then at Confirmation, which is our own personal Pentecost, we receive the seal of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit unites us more closely to Christ, increases the spiritual gifts we have been given, and strengthens us to spread and defend the faith.

Ultimately, Pentecost is more than simply a feast celebrating something that happened a long time ago. Of course, the coming of the Spirit we read about in Acts 2 took place just once. But the Holy Spirit remains active today, guiding the Church as a whole, but also working in the life of each individual Christian to make us holy.

Maybe you don’t feel as if the Holy Spirit is working in your life. Well, God the Father gave us free will, so we can choose whether or not we’ll obey Him. And God the Holy Spirit, being united in the one Godhead with the Father and the Son, honors that freedom. He’ll never force us to turn away from sin or compel us to obey God’s commandments. The Spirit offers us grace. He will beckon us toward heaven, and occasionally we may feel Him nudging us along, but we always have the freedom to choose God or to reject Him. Perhaps you’ve made a commitment to worship at Mass at least weekly and spend some time each day in prayer. Maybe you have promised to use some of your talents in parish ministries and service to the community. You may even have turned in a card at our last renewal to indicate your pledge of a portion of your treasure to be used in God’s service.

I hope you’ve done all of these. If so, both the Holy Spirit’s grace and your response were involved in your decision. And the Holy Spirit will give you the strength to fulfill your commitments.

This Pentecost, make the Gradual verse we’ll sing just before the Gospel your personal prayer: Alleluia. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful; and kindle in them the fire of your love. Alleluia.

If you do, you’ll find the Holy Spirit working even more strongly in your life. You’ll be happier, and the world, at least your little corner of it, will be a better place.

In our Father’s hands,

Fr. Greg Paffel Pastor 3

MEET PARISHIONERS RANDY

Sharing in Active Serv

The Hellerman family has been very involved with parish life over the years.

R

andy and Cheryl Hellerman have been parishioners at Sts. Peter and Paul for almost 20 years. They were not originally from Elrosa, so becoming members of the parish was one of the ways that they were able to become part of the community.

Now, they are involved in many different aspects of the parish.

Cheryl has taught middle school, high school, and Confirmation classes. She has also helped with Vacation Bible School and has served as a lector at Mass. Randy has served on the Parish Council and is currently an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and a trustee for Sts. Peter and Paul.

“I want to be an example for my own children so that they understand what it is to include serving others as a priority in life,” Cheryl says. “By becoming involved in various ways in our parish, we have seen our kids’ willingness to become involved as well.

The Hellermans’ children have been involved in parish life over the years — serving at Mass, singing in the Youth Choir, and participating in Youth Group. They have also helped with Vacation Bible School and Totus Tuus in the

summertime. As a family, they have hosted Totus Tuus and NET teams.

Active service was something that, at first, pushed both Randy and Cheryl outside of their comfort zones.

“I feared not knowing what to do and thought I couldn’t possibly do these things,” Randy says. “But with guidance from fellow parishioners, I have been able to fill all these roles.”

As parents, Randy and Cheryl have had to learn and change how they serve their parish. They had to find a balance between serving their family and their parish community.

“When the kids were young, it was more difficult to be involved, so I just did simple things like volunteer for Vacation Bible School,” Cheryl says. “Now that they are older, I have begun to open myself up more to ask God what it is that He wants me to do to make a difference to others. I have begun to go to Him more in prayer to help me to know what He is calling me to.”

Y AND CHERYL HELLERMAN:

vice to God and Parish Living a life of stewardship has been an important part of the Hellermans’ faith life. They believe that to actively live out the faith, you must show Christ’s love to those around you. They believe that by being involved in the parish, Christ is put back at the center of your life. Life can get busy, but by serving the greater community you are provided a way to turn the focus back to God. “Our lives are crazy and sometimes it feels like participating in the parish would just be something extra to do,” Cheryl says. “But believe us when we say that becoming involved in a parish helps you put God back in the center of your life and your family. He always helps you find a way to fit in. No matter what you think your gifts are — or are not — God is calling you in some way to get involved. Once you do, you will be changed, and you will realize that it’s not just something extra. It is the very thing that brings everything else together.”

The Hellermans helped organize a walk to raise money for an organization in Guatemala called Common Hope. Pictured are family, friends and fellow parishioners.

UPCOMING EVENTS First Saturday Devotions Saturday, June 4 — Our Lady of the Angels 7:45 a.m., Confessions 8 a.m., Adoration 8:30 a.m., Rosary 9 a.m., Mass 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!

June 6 — Vatican ll Gaudium et Specs June 13 — Immaculate Heart of Mary June 20 — Sacred Heart of Jesus June 27 — Divine Will; Roman Kulzer will be sharing with us again

HFS Endowment Golf Tournament — Tuesday, June 7 St. Alexius proud to host our annual VBS — June 6-9 We will be “Parachuting with the Angels” from 5:30-8 p.m.

5:30 p.m. Supper 6 p.m. Music 6:30 p.m. Lesson 7:30 p.m. Outdoor/group activity VBS Mass celebration — Sunday, June 12 8:30 a.m. at St. Alexius. For all youth in grades preschool through sixth grade. All are welcome to join! It’s sure to be a great time! With questions, please contact Renee Schultz at 320-360-5864, Brittney Pallow at 320-250-0509 or Christina Rousslang at 320-980-0475.

Knights of Columbus Meeting — Tuesday, June 14 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. Rosary) St. Paul’s Church Basement Corpus Christi Procession When: On the Feast of Corpus Christi — Sunday, June 19 Where: Begin at OLA, walk down Ash St. to St. Paul’s Church and walk back to OLA (with Benediction, Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, singing) Time: Immediately following the 10:30 a.m. Mass at OLA Who: All six Parish Cluster Churches and anyone else wanting to participate, especially inviting ALL those who just recently received their First Holy Communion and their families.

All members of our Parishes on the Prairie are welcome to join us for these events!

PRAYER AND PARTY ON THE PRAIRIE SONAR WORS H I P WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2022 STS. PETER AND PAUL CHURCH, ELROSA, MN All parishioners from Parishes on the Prairie Area Catholic Community, friends, family, neighbors, and the general public are invited! Come anytime!

PRAYER

For a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the parishes of St. Alexius, St. Donatus, St. Francis de Sales, Sts. Peter & Paul, Our Lady of the Angels, St. Paul’s, Holy Family School, and Centre for Christ.

PARTY

To grow in community, for Jesus said, “If you have love for one another then everyone will know you are my disciples.” John 13:35

We’re looking for local talent to enter the talent contest! Call any church office to sign up.

If you would like to donate, give, or help, contact (320) 351 -2021.

3:00 P.M.

Bingo & Fun! Yard games, baseball, basketball, sand volleyball, and playground

4:00 P.M.

Adoration, Food & Drinks, Local Talent Show

6:00 P.M.

Sts. Peter and Paul Feast Day Program and Procession

7:00 P.M.

Music by Sonar (Catholic Worship Band)

MEET OUR SOUTHERN PARISHES SECRETARY

JANAE NEMMERS Blessed to Work and Serve at Home Parish

J

anae Nemmers has always enjoyed working with people. One of her main tasks as the secretary of our southern parishes is to edit the bulletin. She sees many parishioners’ names come across her desk, but she doesn’t always get to meet them. So, if you find yourself at St. Francis de Sales in Belgrade, pop in and introduce yourself! She would love to meet you.

“I don’t always get a face to a name,” she says. “I’d love to meet more people, so please come say ‘hi.’”

Janae has been working at St. Donatus, St. Francis de Sales and Sts. Peter and Paul since October 2018. She loves that she can work at her home parish where she knows people and they know her. Janae has received every one of her sacraments at St. Francis de Sales.

“I’ve known most of the people here since I was a kid,” she says. “I just love that.”

Janae and her husband, Tony, have two boys, Treyson and Blake. The couple enjoys spending their free time watching the boys play sports, including basketball, football, and baseball. They also love to be out on the lake in the summer. Raised near Grove Lake, Tony is the General Manager of Dining at the University of Minnesota, Morris.

It means a lot to the couple that they can raise their boys near where they grew up. Although they lived in Bemidji early in their marriage, this area is home.

“We moved back here because as we talked about starting a family, we wanted to be near family,” Janae says.

Besides taking care of the bulletin for our parishes, Janae also maintains the sacramental books, helps the parish bookkeeper, and performs any other tasks assigned to her. It’s a busy job, and Janae loves it.

In addition, Janae volunteers in the office during Faith Formation. She’s also a collection counter and the secretary for the Catholic United Financial chapter.

Janae is so thankful that she learned about the fraternal secretary position when stopping by the St. Francis de Sales office nearly four years ago. It’s been a blessing to work in her home parish and to be so immersed in her Catholic faith.

“I love working with our priests,” she says. “Fr. Greg

Janae Nemmers with her husband, Tony, and their two boys, Treyson and Blake

always sets aside time for prayer and worship during our meetings. That has really impacted my faith.”

Janae has a particular appreciation for Proverbs 31:25 — “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and laughs at the days to come.” She feels exactly like what the verse says, and trusts the Lord and His plans for the future.

“I feel this with all my heart and soul as I grow in my faith,” she says. “I trust in the Lord because only He knows my future.”

“I don’t always get a face to a name. I’d love to meet more people, so please come say ‘hi.’” — Janae Nemmers, Southern Parishes Secretary

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 4:00 p.m. - St. Donatus, Brooten 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

JOIN US FOR TOTUS TUUS! You don't want to miss this opportunity to grow in your personal relationship with Jesus Christ as we focus on the Eucharist, Marian devotion, catechesis, vocation and fun.

Dates: Grades 9-12, July 17-21; Grades 1-8, July 18-22 Location: Centre for Christ How to register: Every family has received a registration packet in the mail. If you need a packet, please contact the Parish Office at 320-352-2196.

Volunteers: We are looking for volunteers to serve in these ways: • Host four missionaries for supper (one family per night), July 17-21 • Provide lunch for the missionaries at CFC, July 19-22 • Supervise in classrooms 1-6, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., July 18-22 • Help with morning registration and attendance To volunteer, please contact the Parish Office at 320-352-2196. *Totus Tuus at the Southern Parishes is July 10-15. See bulletin for more details!