Adult Faith Formation

 

Readings of the Day

>Click here for the daily Mass readings from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

 

Cana Dinner with Deacon Gordon and Alma Richard

Answering the Call in the Midst of It All

Saturday, February 4, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Cost: $40 per couple
Location: Faith Community Center
Agenda:
6:00 p.m.—Hospitality
6:45 p.m.—Dinner
7:30 p.m.—Presentation
8:45 p.m.—Blessing for Couples

 

Bonds of love and commitment are strengthened when we respond to the Holy Spirit's call to be a sign of Christ's love in the midst of our sometimes messy, often confusing, and always challenging day to day lives. If we can cultivate our sense of humor to just mustard seed size, we can better appreciate God's sense of humor.

 

>Click here for flyer/registration form. Please return form and payment to the parish office by Tuesday, January 31.  Registrations processed on a first come, first served basis.

 

Deacon Gordon and Alma Richard have been married for over forty years. They are the parents of five young adult children and the grandparents of three. Before retiring to South Dakota, they spent their careers in various parish, diocesan and national positions of church leadership, including fourteen years in Minnesota.

 

Annual Used Book Sale

 

The annual used book sale is coming soon! The sale will be held Saturday, February 11 in the Faith Community Center from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Books are 50 cents each (25 cents for children’s books) and $2 a bag from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. The money received from the sale will go toward supporting St. Stephen’s Youth Ministries Mission Trips.

Donated items may be dropped off in the east entrance of the Faith Community Center (across from the school entrance) from February 5-10 during hours of operation. Sorry, we will not accept encyclopedias, dictionaries, cassette tapes, text books, or magazines.

 

Volunteers are needed! Book sale set up and clean up are a great chance for the whole family to volunteer and a fun way for teens to get service hours. If you are able to help with set up the afternoon of Friday, February 10 and/or the sale on Saturday, February 11, please contact Lorri Kaas at 763-234-5169 or LFKaas@comcast.net.

 

 

Parent Enrichment Opportunity

Deflating the Frustration/Resistance Cycle with Paul Buckley
Wednesday, February 15, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Church Sanctuary. This event is for parents, especially parents of students in Grades K-8.

 

Frustration is a hallmark emotion of stressed parents with high demand careers. It is commonly experienced in the home during times of transition and routine expectations such as getting off to school, bedtime, homework and chores. Unfortunately frustration has a very predictable and compelling effect on children: it induces resistance; which, not surprisingly induces more frustration, until... YIKES! Paul will diagram, explain and discuss the simple and vexing family dynamic called the FRUSTRATION/RESISTANCE CYCLE, and how, if unchecked, it can begin to drain family life of the cooperation and vitality once imagined. You will leave with three parenting techniques known to deflate this troublesome cycle. There will be time available for discussions.

 

Paul Buckley is a regional trainer and national speaker on topics of anger in the family and marital preservation. He conveys pragmatic information with an entertaining style. The use of vivid metaphors and video segments assist him in consolidating complex concepts into memorable and practical knowledge.

 

Bible Study

Bible Study is held Thursday nights and Friday mornings in Faith Community Center Room 10. This group study shines light upon every one of God's words and creates rich discussions about faith and how to apply it to our daily lives and is completely FREE!

 

Why study the Bible? When we meditate on the Word of God, it brings us closer to God. To study scripture as a group leads to a greater understanding of God on a personal level. This process also helps us explore how the Bible applies to everyday life and explores the question, "What does Jesus want from us?"

 

When do we meet? We gather Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. OR Friday mornings at 8:30 a.m. This Bible Study is NOT a consecutive series, so come when you can. The group gathers weekly until May 24, 2012.

 

The dates that we will NOT be meeting are:

February 2/3, 2012

February 16/17, 2012

April 5/6, 2012

 

What's the process? The format is set up as Lectio Divina, meaning "Divine Reading," where we focus upon God's word and meditate on what caught our attention and why. We have our facilitators lead a small and large group discussion, where people feel open to share what God has put upon their hearts. Participation is encouraged but just listening is also acceptable. We do offer handouts with Father Mike Van Sloun's study notes, but also ask that you bring your Bible for further investigation. 

 

Who is this Bible Study for? All are welcome!  We are all called to know God better though his word. Everyone can benefit from this study, from young adults to seniors, from regular Bible readers to people who have never read the Bible. If you feel the hunger to know more about God and learn more about the Bible, this is the study for you! 

 

For more information, please contact Barry McCullough, barrym2@comcast.net.

 

Theology on Tap

Join young adults ages 18-40+ from surrounding Catholic parishes for good food and conversation. We’ll talk about modern issues. The group will gather the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Bennigan's in Coon Rapids. 

Please contact us at totnw07@yahoo.com if you plan to come so we can provide adequate seating.

 

Women of Wonder

Who are Women of Wonder?

We are a group of women who gather for faith sharing, service projects, and the enjoyment of getting to know other women in the parish.

 

When and Where do Women of Wonder meet?

We meet the 2nd Tuesday of the month from September to May from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  The meetings have a particular topic/focus for discussion as well as social time.  Childcare is available: $3.00 for 1 child, $5.00 for 2 or more children.

 

What is a Women of Wonder meeting like?

While the topics change throughout the year, we usually have some socialization with other members at the beginning of the meeting and then we have a guest speaker or an activity that corresponds with the topic of the day. If the topic is relationships, we will have a speaker who focuses on relationships.

 

What are the Women of Wonder Service Projects?

We will be running the For Kids Only shop during the Santa Brunch in December. We also make dinner a few nights for the Garage Sale volunteers. We hope to add more service projects in the future.

 

What do I need to do to join Women of Wonder?

All you need to do to join is come to any meeting during the year; we welcome women as often and at anytime they wish to join us! You can watch the bulletin for more information or call the Parish Office at 763-421-2471.

 

2011-2012 Schedule

 

September 13 - Welcome Social

October 11 - Fun with Fitness

November 8 - "For Kids Only" gift shop preparation

December 13 - Physical, Spiritual and Emotional Health

January 10 - Spiritual Mini-Retreat

February 14 - Living in Relationships

March 13 - Share Your Faith

April 10 - Craft Day - making cards for soldiers

May 8 - End of the Year Social

 

New Translation of the Roman Missal

 

From the USSCB Roman Missal website: The Roman Missal, Third Edition, the ritual text containing prayers and instructions for the celebration of the Mass, has been approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. First use of the new text of the new Roman Missal was the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011. 

 

Pope John Paul II announced a revised version of the Missale Romanum during the Jubilee Year 2000. Among other things, the revised edition of the Missale Romanum contains prayers for the observances of recently canonized saints, additional prefaces for the Eucharistic Prayers, additional Votive Masses and Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Intentions, and some updated and revised rubrics (instructions) for the celebration of the Mass. The English translation of the Roman Missal will also include updated translations of existing prayers, including some of the well–known responses and acclamations of the people.

 

Here are some helpful resources on the Roman Missal, Third Edition.

 

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

USSCB Roman Missal

USCCB Missale Romanum (Español)

Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions

 

 

Helpful Websites

Are you looking for a fresh, interesting, and delightful adult website to polish your halo?  Check out this website called Busted Halo.  It is especially appealing to the young and young-at-heart in the parish!

 

Fr. Robert Barron’s website, Word on Fire, features videos and podcasts of Fr. Barron’s homilies, discussion questions, and his excellent movie reviews.  This website has something to inspire each of us.  Fr. Barron is a theology professor at Mundelein Seminary in the Archdiocese of Chicago.  He is a very inspirational speaker with a vast knowledge of theology, scripture, and the fine arts that he uses to make Scripture and Tradition come alive.  You will be renewed and recharged!

 

The Order of St. Benedict homepage contains links for the Saint of the Day, Mass readings for the day, readings from the rule of St. Benedict, and information on the Benedictines.  You will find resources for the Benedictine practice of praying with Scripture, Lectio Divina.  This is a resource for those seeking to deepen their prayer life.

 

An initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops,

www.foryourmarriage.org contains information for those soon to be married, those married for many years, parenting/family resources and more.

 

Try a 3-minute Retreat from Loyola Press

 

Catechism Available in MP3 Format

Are you heading for the beach? Spending time in the car? Trying to stay cool without leaving your home? Here is another summertime faith opportunity for you to check out! The Growing Faith Project from Twenty-third Publications has made the first-ever audio presentation of the entire Catechism in plain English available in an MP3 format. There are 48 MP3 files, each about 10 – 15 minutes long to choose from and the best news is that they are only $1.29 each!

 

Parents can download the session on Baptism, Eucharist or other moments of their child’s faith journey. RCIA participants can listen while they drive or exercise. Youth can pick out topics that they have questions about. Everyone will enjoy listening to this marvelous resource that is set to a lovely music background.

 

>Click here to visit the Twenty-Third publications site and purchase the MP3 files.