Parishes on the Prairie Newsletter — May 2022

MAY | 2022

ST. DONATUS

ST. ALEXIUS

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AT THE CENTRE FOR CHRIST Program Set to Offer Faith and Fun for Young Parishioners ST. FRANCIS DE SALES

STS. PETER & PAUL

OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS

ST. PAUL’S

W

e are familiar with the Gospel of Matthew, where people bring children to Jesus to be blessed. The disciples scold them, but Jesus chimes in, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (19:14).

As parents, we need to listen to Jesus in the Gospel and do everything we can to bring Jesus to the little ones in our care. Our annual Vacation Bible School (VBS), held at the Centre for Christ, is a perfect opportunity to bring children closer to Jesus. Children, teens, and adults are needed to make the week a success.

This year’s VBS program will run from 6 to 8:30 p.m. from June 6 to 9. Children going into Kindergarten through fifth grade are welcome to join the fun. Anyone older than that is needed as a volunteer.

Paula Bromenshenkel has been volunteering for VBS for many years.

Two of her daughters, Emily and Addison, also help out. Paula takes photos during the week, helps with

Children enjoy a Bible story during the 2021 VBS program.

crafts, and fills in where needed.

“It’s just so fun to see a different perspective of the faith than what we maybe see at Mass,” Paula says. “You can really experience the faith through the eyes of a child at VBS.” continued on page 2

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AT THE CENTRE FOR CHRIST continued from front cover With everything that has gone on in the past two years, it can be hard to have joy. But our youngest Christians still carry that joy and excitement for Christ with them. For adults, it’s refreshing to witness.

“One can’t help but come alive in His glory when the generations unite for Him,” says Amy Trisko, Director of Faith Formation.

VBS is so fun for the kids because everything is broken up into stations that follow a theme. Children sing songs, play games, do crafts, eat a snack, hear a Bible story, learn about a saint and watch a movie. Each evening starts with music and a message. Without a doubt, Paula’s favorite is the music.

“Hearing all those kids sing is so beautiful,” Paula says.

“They are so excited to sing about God, and I love it.”

Paula and Amy would love to see more teens and adults get involved with VBS. Paula’s daughters thoroughly enjoy VBS week. As Catholics, we must do everything we can to pass on the faith to the next generation. There’s no better way than spending a few evenings in June with our littlest Catholics — you won’t regret it!

“You don’t need to be a parent of a VBS attendee to get involved,” Amy says. “All parishioners are invited.”

“It’s just so fun to see a different perspective of the faith than what we maybe see at Mass. You can really experience the faith through the eyes of a child at VBS.”

VBS games are always a big hit!

— Paula Bromenshenkel

Registration forms will be sent home with Faith Formation and Holy Family School students, and are also available on centreforchrist.org. If you would like to volunteer for VBS, please contact Amy Trisko at amy@centreforchrist.org.

Children enjoy singing and dancing at the 2021 VBS program.

2

A Letter From Our Pastor

THE MONTH OF MARY: A TIME FOR CELEBRATION AND JOY Dear Parishioners,

I

n the Catholic Church, May is a month we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. Our Blessed Mother is important to our faith, to our Church, and to the world. Without her Our Savior Jesus Christ would not have been born. Her willingness to serve God in a way that allowed Him to take on human flesh made our salvation possible. Because of her complete trust in God, she lived her life free from sin. And after her life, she was assumed into heaven by the power of God and crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth.

She is, of course, not divine. We worship only God — Our Father who art in heaven, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Nonetheless we do acclaim Mary as a saint deserving more honor than any other saint. It is an honor to God when we remember the role of Mary in our salvation.

It was He who created her, preserved her from sin, and called her to the special vocation of being Mother of Jesus. This is why true devotion to Mary always leads us to Jesus Christ.

Mary was joyous when she said “yes” to God. That is the kind of joy we receive when we too say “yes” to the Lord. Let us be grateful to Mary for bringing us her Son. Let us be thankful to Jesus for saying to us from the Cross, “Behold your mother!” This is why we crown Mary in the month of May — she is Jesus’ mother and He gave her to us to be our mother as well.

Through Mary, we are invited to “do whatever He tells you.” For it is Jesus Christ we must follow. It is His will that must be done. This is how Mary’s feminine presence and the instincts of her motherhood help us grow closer to God. May as one of our favorite months for many reasons. May is a beautiful time. Spring rains bring May flowers. The daylight is growing longer and the sun is getting stronger. It is also a good time for us to think about and concentrate on our devotion to the Mother of God. Perhaps we can memorize a new Marian prayer. Or we might renew our commitment to Jesus by daily reciting the Rosary.

As your pastor, I am totally consecrated to Jesus Christ through Mary. Through her intercession, guidance, and example I have become a better man and a stronger Christian. It is my hope her influence in your lives does the same.

That said, I am deeply blessed to be one of your beloved priests and a pastor among you. Let us pray for each other — Hail Mary...

In our Father’s hands,

Fr. Greg Paffel Pastor 3

MEET PARISHIONER

MARIE

O

ver the years, Marie Spoden has discovered one of the greatest secrets to living a happy and fulfilled life.

“I have noticed as I have gotten older, that I personally feel happier when I can give to others and help someone who really needs it,” she says. “The more you give, the more joy you have in giving.

Giving has gradually become more and more a natural part of my life, and this has made it easier for me to look at the brighter side of things.”

Although Marie grew up Catholic, her love for serving Christ and others became more profound in high school after attending a youth retreat offered through the Franciscan University of Steubenville.

“It helped me grow as a Catholic, and I began to understand what God wanted of me,” she says. “He was pushing me to find a way to help others. Then I went to the Franciscan University of Steubenville for a year, which deepened my faith as well.”

Now as a mother to Diane, 15, and Timothy, 12, and wife to her husband, Ronald, Marie strives to love her family by leaning on the pillar of prayer.

“Family prayer is very important to us,” she says.

“We say our prayers together regularly and go to Mass together.”

She has also learned that stewardship starts at home, and the power of a good example goes a long way.

“I believe that if I can keep my own faith strong and show it to my children, they will see how important it is,” Marie says. “I want them to realize how valuable it is to give to others. Sometimes, when we are doing things at home, such as cleaning out closets or packing food for family members, they naturally just think of giving some of the things to others. It is so nice to see this!”

Further, Marie brings the stewardship vision to life by giving her time and talent to our parish as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. She and Ronald teach Confirmation preparation classes to 11th-graders as well.

“When we first came to our parish, we were invited to substitute teach for the Faith Formation program, and we figured we might as well since it wouldn’t take

Marie Spoden and family

a lot of time,” Marie says. “Then, I began to enjoy it more and more, and eventually we both started teaching together. I really enjoy doing things along with my husband, and volunteering has helped bring us closer to Christ and to one another.”

As is typical when one gives their time and talent to something, they find themselves abundantly blessed in return.

“I have been learning a lot from teaching the

SPODEN:

Embracing the Joy of Giving class,” Marie says. “My faith has gotten stronger, and just knowing the students are learning is inspiring me to learn as well.”

When asked what stewardship means to her, Marie offers a reflective insight.

“Stewardship is very important to me,” she says.

“It means giving back to your parish and others and showing your support for them through your faith. It is a good thing to give back, even if you don’t always get something back in return. You can just rejoice in the fact that you were able to help. Giving is a reward in itself!”

“It is a good thing to give back, even if you don’t always get something back in return. You can just rejoice in the fact that you were able to help. Giving is a reward in itself!” — M arie S poden

UPCOMING EVENTS BINGO! St. Alexius Church will be hosting a Bingo fundraiser on Friday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m. in the church basement. Prizes vary, including cash and hams. There will be 21 games played and the cost is $10 a card or 50 cents a game. Sloppy Joes, taco in a bag, bars, and root beer floats will be available for a small fee. Proceeds will go to the Todd County Foster Closet and the St. Alexius Youth Group. Please help spread the word!

Holy Family School May 1 — First Holy Communion May 25 — Sixth-grade Graduation Mass, 6 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church May 26 — Last Day of School First Communion will be at St. Francis de Sales on May 1 at 10:15 a.m.

Congratulations Class of 2022!

We will have a Mass honoring our high school graduates from St. Paul’s and Our Lady of the Angels on Wednesday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s.

May 4 — Mass to close out the year for Faith Formation 6:30 p.m. in Elrosa. Grades K-11, their families, and all parishioners are invited. A simple meal will follow Mass and if the weather cooperates, some outdoor fun.

Mother’s Day Carnations Available Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8 after all the Masses. Single flowers and vases available (free-will offering).

All proceeds go towards our Migori Delegation Fund.

First Saturday Devotions at OLA, May 7 7:45 a.m. — Confessions 8 a.m. — Adoration 8:30 a.m. — Rosary 9 a.m. — Mass May Crowning May 8 at St. Paul’s and OLA May 13 — Prayer and Worship Night, 7-8 p.m. in Elrosa.

All parishioners, parents, and kids in eighthgrade and above are welcome to join us for a night of prayer and worship led by Alex Schindler. Alex is a gifted Catholic worship leader who seeks to share Christ’s love with others through the gift of music and worship.

Praise and Worship Night at OLA May 22 at 7 p.m.

Rosary Garden Blessing at Centre for Christ May 31 and 5:30 p.m.

Summer Programs Sign up today! Forms can be found at centreforchrist.org or in the entryway at Centre For Christ.

Vacation Bible School June 6-9, from 6-8:30 p.m. at Centre For Christ for those going into first through sixth grades this fall.

Totus Tuus Elementary program (for those going into first through sixth grades this fall), July 18-22 from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Centre For Christ.

Jr. & Sr. High School Program, July 17-July 21 from 7-9 p.m. at Centre For Christ.

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. “Like” the Searching Souls Ministries Facebook Group! Please refer to the bulletin for changes to topics.

May 2 — Vatican II Dei Verbum with Fr. Rick May 9 — The Mass May 16 — Spiritual Warfare May 23 — Discernment May 30 — Bonfire, BBQ and Rosary

THE BIBLE THE TEXTBOOK OF STEWARDSHIP

H

ave you ever wished that life came with an instruction manual? What a valuable resource that would be!

Whenever you find yourself running in circles, this instruction manual would give you step-by-step instructions on how to fix the problem and reroute your course.

Well, here’s some good news. For those living a Christian life, there is such a manual — the Bible.

Sometimes referred to as the “textbook of stewardship,” the Bible is a bountiful resource for the present-day Christian. Written by anointed prophets and sages, this collection of divinely inspired parables, poems and letters is full of testimonials that express the blessings that come from true discipleship, conveyed through lives of stewardship.

Stewardship is not a new concept. The Bible gives proof to this claim through passages such as the 26th chapter of the Book of Deuteronomy. We read Moses’ words, as he tells the Israelites to offer the choicest portions of their harvest to God: “When you have come into the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you as a heritage, and have taken possession and settled in it, you shall take some first fruits of the various products of the soil which you harvest from the land the LORD, your God, is giving you; put them in a basket and go to the place which the LORD, your God, will choose as the dwelling place for his name… ‘Now, therefore, I have brought the first fruits of the products of the soil which you, LORD, have given me.’ You shall set them before the LORD, your God, and you shall bow down before the LORD, your God” (Dt 26:1-2, 10).

St. Paul briefly touches on the essence of stewardship when he said, “In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind

the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35).

Again, in St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, we read about living a life of Christian stewardship: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:6-7).

While this is well and good, what does it mean for the present-day Christian? Why should it matter that the Bible alludes to stewardship in various passages? It shows us that Christians and Jews have struggled with and benefitted from the concept of stewardship for thousands of years. It ties the message of stewardship to the role of a Christian disciple. It gives proof that stewardship and discipleship go hand-in-hand. It offers encouragement to us, that stewardship is in fact a foundational component of the Christian life, a way of life that one of the founding fathers of the Church — St. Paul — preached about and advocated.

The Bible is indeed the textbook of stewardship. It lays out the steps we must take to become true disciples of Christ. Reading and meditating upon God’s Word is always a fruitful exercise. Those who regularly delve into Scripture often develop a deeper understanding of Who God is, how and why He loves us, and how we can show Him our love in return.

As you strive to become a grateful steward and live the life of Christian discipleship, develop a love for Sacred Scripture. Allow God’s Word to nourish your soul regularly, and watch as stewardship changes from a foreign concept to an integral component of your daily life.

MEET PARISHIONER DENNIS SCHMITZ NAVIGATING THE DIFFICULT JOURNEY OF LOSS THROUGH GRIEFSHARE

S

andy (Underwood) Schmitz grew up in Milbank, S.D. She moved to Alexandria, Minn., to study accounting at Alexandria Tech, graduating in 1988. Sandy married Dennis Schmitz in 1994 at St. Donatus Church in Brooten. The couple made their home near Brooten on the Schmitz home farm. There, they raised their children, Justin and Sarah.

Sadly, Sandy passed away on April 26, 2021.

She is greatly missed by everyone who knew her, most of all Dennis, Justin and his fiancée, Brooke, and Sarah.

When someone goes through the loss of a spouse, it would be easy to turn away from God — to ask Him, “How could You let this happen?” But Dennis is doing just the opposite. A year after Sandy’s death, he’s working through the grief process and trying to help others do the same.

After Sandy’s death, Dennis knew he needed to reach out for help. He called one of the leaders of Sauk Centre GriefShare, Deb Himsl, and the rest is history. Dennis is now in his second session of the program, which meets weekly in the fall and spring at the Centre for Christ. GriefShare is an ecumenical, international program that includes 13 sessions.

“When you lose a spouse, you become part of a club that you didn’t want to join,” Dennis says.

Some GriefShare participants go through multiple sessions. Each of the sessions includes videos, discussion, journaling, and individual reflection. Dennis says one of the most important parts of the program is friendship building — he has met so many people who have been a blessing during this time.

“There are so many people I have met who would have hit it off with Sandy,” Dennis continued on back cover

Dennis Schmitz and his late wife, Sandy

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. - Sts. Peter & Paul, Elrosa 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. - Sts. Peter & Paul, Elrosa 8:30 a.m. - St. Alexius, West Union 10:00 a.m. - St. Paul’s, Sauk Centre 10:15 a.m. - St. Francis de Sales, Belgrade 10:30 a.m. - Our Lady of the Angels, Sauk Centre See our website for a full listing of daily Mass & Confession times

MEET PARISHIONER DENNIS SCHMITZ

continued from page 7

says. “There are really great people in this group.”

GriefShare gives participants dedicated time to grieve, along with resources and support. The program is open to anyone grieving the loss of a loved one.

“One thing I’ve really learned is that each person handles grief differently,” Dennis says. “You can’t know how someone else feels. For instance, I don’t know what it’s like to lose a son or daughter. I only know what it’s like to lose a wife.”

Dennis invites others to attend GriefShare. You can come no matter how long it has been since suffering a loss — members are there to support one another at all points in the grief journey.

“Some people will come and cry and tell their story for an hour, while someone else may not even speak,” Dennis says. “That’s okay. Everyone is grieving differently, and no one is judged.”

Dennis is so thankful for the support he has received, especially from Fr. Greg and GriefShare coordinators Deb Himsl and Jeanine Wolbeck. He knows that as time goes on, he will need support — he can find it in all those he has met in GriefShare.

“GriefShare is a good place to talk to someone who cares, someone who has been there,” he says.

If you know anyone who is grieving a loss, Dennis encourages you to reach out to them. A simple text, card, or meet-up is all it takes to show someone you care.

Sandy has been gone for just over a year. Dennis continues to grow in faith and spend more time in prayer.

After Sandy’s death, he started attending the Wednesday morning Mass at St. Donatus. He continues to rely on his faith to pull him through.

“I know Sandy would want me to heal, and that’s what I plan to do,” Dennis says.

If you would like to learn more about GriefShare, please contact Jeanine Wolbeck at 651-285-5720, or Deb Himsl at 320-429-0913 or griefshare@centreforchrist.org.