Why I am Catholic

By Carol Rusinko

asked me a question about the Catholic faith. I knew the answer but couldn’t explain it to her.

I started looking for Catholic adult education, which eventually led me to Peace of Heart Forums through The Apostolate for Family Consecration, which had solid Catholic adult education. That was where I was first introduced to the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the love and mercy of God. I am so grateful to Relevant Radio, EWTN, The Bible Timeline, Father Mike Schmitz and more.

The late Father Frederick Barthelme, my pastor through 12 years of school, said, “One is either going forward or backward in their faith. There is no standing still.” Two of my favorite Scriptures are Luke 9:23: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me,” and Micah 6:8, “Do justice, love goodness, walk humbly with your God.”

I am active in pro-life activities, the Council of Catholic Women, adult education, and Bible studies in my parish. I am grateful for all the faithful Catholic women and men God has put in my life — my “Church family.”

Rusinko is 76, the oldest of 11 children, married to her husband, Andy, for 55 years, with four children and 16 grandchildren. She works part-time in a family business started by her father in 1949. The Rusinkos have been members of Sacred Heart in Robbinsdale for 53 years.

“Why I am Catholic” is an ongoing series in The Catholic Spirit. Want to share why you are Catholic? Submit your story in 300-500 words to CatholiCSpirit@arChSpm org with subject line “Why I am Catholic.”

PARISH EVENTS

Sunday FunDay — July 16: Noon–2 p.m. at Presentation, 1725 Kennard St., Maplewood. Pulled pork with BBQ sauce contest. Bring a chair or blanket for seating and something to drink. Freewill offerings accepted. RSVP at preSentationofmary org/Sunday-funday or tinyurl Com/fjxt87hk

Grandparents Apostolate Feast Day and Anniversary Celebration — July 26: 8:45–10:30 a.m. at Nativity of Our Lord, 1938 Stanford Ave., St. Paul. The Grandparents Apostolate of Sts. Joachim and Anne will be celebrating the feast of its patron saints as well as its 12th anniversary. Chaplain and Parochial Vicar Father Bill Duffert will give a presentation. Mass at 8:15 a.m. More information is available on the website. Handicap accessible on Prior Ave. nativityStpaul org/ eventS/grandparentS-feaSt-day-Celebration-with-fr-bill

All Saints (Lakeville) Garage Sale — Aug. 2-5 at 19795 Holyoke Ave., Lakeville. More than 35,000 square feet of antiques, collectibles, clothing, garden and household goods, furniture, sports equipment, baby items, toys and much more. Learn about daily sale hours, early-bird day, half-price day at allSaintSChurCh Com/garageSale

WORSHIP+RETREATS

Help for Struggling Couples — Aug. 4-6 at Best Western Dakota Ridge Hotel, 3450 Washington Drive, Eagan. Retrouvaille is a lifeline for troubled marriages. Learn the tools to rediscover each other and heal marriage. 100% confidential. helpourmarriage org

Grief to Grace MN: Healing the Wounds of Abuse — Aug. 15-20. A five-day overnight healing program for anyone who has suffered degradation or violation from physical, emotional, spiritual, clerical or sexual abuse. A trauma-informed model of care that is a safe and hopeful path to restoring dignity — a therapy for the soul. Confidential Twin Cities location due to nature of event. Address provided directly to registrants. For additional information, visit: grieftograCemn org

DINING OUT

Food Truck Social — July 20: 5:30–8:30 p.m. at Holy Name of Jesus, 155 County Road 24, Wayzata. Bring the family for an evening of food, yard games and socializing. Food truck line-up: REBEL Lobster, Del Sur Empanadas, Original Hockey Mom Brownies. Cost varies by food truck. hnoj org/foodtruCkSoCial

Music

An Evening with Sarah Hart — July 26: 7–8:30 p.m. at St. Paul, 1740 Bunker Lake Blvd NE, Ham Lake. Music, worship and reflection with Grammy award-

winning singer/songwriter. No tickets needed; freewill offering accepted. ChurChofSaintpaul Com/Sarah-hart

SCHOOLS

Summer Event Series — July 18: 5–7 p.m. at St. John’s School, 111 Main St. W., Vermillion. Learn about St. John’s School, enjoy food samples from new hot lunch provider: CKC Foods. Listen to live music from the Teddy Bear Band. Eat, dance and have fun.

Sjb-SChool org

SPEAKERS+SEMINARS

Catholic Social Difference Speaker Series — Aug. 31, Sept. 7, 14, 21: 7–8:15 p.m. at Assumption, 51 7th St. W., St. Paul. Four-week series of conversations with local Catholic leaders (see website for speakers) introducing Catholic Social Teaching and imagining how to practice it in real life. Free and open to the public. For more information and to register visit CatholiCSoCialthought org/2023-CatholiC-SoCial-differenCeConf

Other Events

Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit — July 15-16 at St. Bonaventure, 901 E. 90th St., Bloomington. 1–8 p.m. July 15; 7 a.m.–1 p.m. July 16. Traveling photographic exhibit of Blessed Carlo Acutis’ work of Eucharistic miracles from around the world. Photos, illustrations, background information, witnesses and the lasting influence of the miracles on the people and the places they occurred.

Saintbonaventure org/euChariStiC-miraCleS html

Free Ice Cream Social — July 16: 2–4 p.m. at St. Nicholas, 51 Church St., Elko New Market. Ice cream and toppings, music, good company and conversation. StnCC net/upComing-eventS

Dunrovin Sunset Benefit Cruise — July 19: 5:30–9 p.m. at St. Croix Boat and Packet Company, 525 S. Main St., Stillwater. Dunrovin Christian Brothers Retreat Center’s casual evening of fun, food and fundraising. The proceeds provide funds for underserved students who would otherwise not be able to afford a leadership retreat experience. Cost: $50 for individual tickets. To register:

SeCure qgiv Com/for/dCbrC/event/867890

For additional information, visit: dunrovin org

Blessed Solanus Casey Pilgrimage — July 29:

7 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Blessed Solanus Casey Friary, 1101 Desoto St., St. Paul, is the starting point for an 18-mile walking pilgrimage for the intercession and canonization of Blessed Solanus. Ends at St. Michael in Stillwater (where Blessed Solanus was confirmed). Three-mile walking pilgrimage is also an option. modernCatholiCpilgrim Com/bl-SolanuS

Elevate Life Golf Classic — July 31: 10 a.m.–

7 p.m. at Crystal Lake Golf Course, 16725 Innsbrook Drive, Lakeville. Open to individual golfers and foursomes. Cost per golfer: $150. Elevate Life has been helping pregnancy centers and clinics thrive since

1974, assisting 38 centers and clinics in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Not a golfer? Support the work of Elevate Life as a sponsor or donor. elevatelifeuSa org/golf

YOUNG ADULTS

Catholic Softball Group: Fall Season — Aug. 17Oct. 19: 6–10 p.m. at Pioneer Park, 2950 Centerville Road, Little Canada. Registration for coed and men’s leagues opened June 25. Join the email list to be notified of all events at CatholiCSoftball Com/join Must be 18 or older to play. Come play or watch every Thursday. CatholiCSoftball Com or CatholiCSoftballgroup@gmail Com

Ongoing Groups

Job transitions and networking group — Tuesdays: 7–8:30 a.m. at St. Joseph the Worker, 7180 Hemlock Lane, Maple Grove. Are you unemployed, underemployed, looking to make a job change? Then join us to network, share ideas and learn about the job search process. This faith-based meeting will take place every Tuesday. For questions email Bob at bob Sjtw@gmail Com Sjtw net/job-tranSition-networking-group

Natural Family Planning (NFP) — Classes teach couples the Church-approved methods on how to achieve or postpone pregnancy while embracing the beauty of God’s gift of sexuality. For a complete list of classes offered throughout the archdiocese, visit arChSpm org/familyarChSpm org/family or call 651-291-4489.

Order Franciscans Secular (OFS) Third Sundays: 2–4 p.m. at St. Leonard of Port Maurice, 3949 Clinton Ave. S., Minneapolis. Come and learn more about this group of lay Catholic men and women striving to observe the gospel of Jesus Christ by following the example of St. Francis who made Christ the inspiration and center of his life with God and people.

651-724-1348

Restorative Support for Victims-Survivors — Monthly: 6:30–8 p.m. via Zoom. These groups are open to all victims-survivors.

• Victim-survivor support group for those abused by clergy as adults — first Mondays

• Support group for relatives or friends of victims of clergy sexual abuse — second Mondays

• Victim-survivor support group —third Mondays

• Survivor Peace Circle — third Tuesdays

• Support group for men who have been sexually abused by clergy/religious — fourth Wednesdays

• Support group for present and former employees of faith-based institutions who have experienced abuse in any of its many forms — second Thursdays. For more information and details for attending the virtual meetings, visit arChSpm org/healing. Questions? Contact Paula Kaempffer, outreach coordinator for restorative justice and abuse prevention, kaempfferp@arChSpm org or 651-291-4429.

DEADLINE: Noon Thursday, 14 days before the anticipated Thursday date of publication. We cannot guarantee a submitted event will appear in the calendar. Priority is given to events occurring before the issue date.

LISTINGS: Accepted are brief notices of upcoming events hosted by Catholic parishes and organizations. If the Catholic connection is not clear, please emphasize it in your submission. Included in our listings are local events submitted by public sources that could be of interest to the larger Catholic community.

ITEMS MUST INCLUDE: uTime and date of event uFull street address of event uDescription of event uContact information in case of questions

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CEMETERY LOTS FOR SALE Resurrection Cemetery: 2 side-by-side non-monument plots overlooking the lake. Value: $4160 for both. Sale: $4000 for both. Contact: 323-491-4087 GREAT CATHOLIC SPEAKERS CD of the Month Club

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HANDYMAN

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Catholic Owned Handyman Business: We will fix/ repair and remodel almost anything around the home. Serving entire Metro. Call today. Mention this ad and receive 10% off labor. ACE Handyman Services 952-946-0088.

ITEM DISPOSAL

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We remove anything from your home/business

Call/Text Catholic Tom (612) 505-5912

HARDWOOD FLOORS Sweeney’s Hardwood Floors

PAINTING

For painting & all related services. View our website: PAINTINGBYJERRYWIND.COM or call (651) 699-6140.

Michaels Painting. Texture and Repair. MichaelsPaintingllc coM. (763) 757-3187

PRAYERS

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NOTICE: Prayers must be submitted in advance. Payment of $8 per line must be received before publication

CALENDAR JULY 13, 2023 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT • 19 NOW PLAYING! “IT SINGS, IT MOVES, IT REALLY ROCKS!” – AP 952.934.1525 ChanhassenDT.com TO ADVERTISE IN THE CLASSIFIEDS classifiedads@archspm.org

RELIGIOUS ITEMS FOR SALE www.Holyart.com Over 50k Religious Items & Church Goods. TheCatholicSpirit.com

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SUMMER’S HERE! Spruce up your home with new or refurbished hardwood floors. 15% off refinishing. Sweeney (651) 485-818