T h is M o nt h at Tra n sf i g u rat io n Lord, how good it is for us to be here!. . . Matthew 17:4
October 2015
t h e n e w s l e t t e r f o r Tr a n s f i g u r a t i o n C a t h o l i c C h u r c h a n d S c h o o l
From Father Baer
Picnic, Festivals and a Year of Faith: How Four Parishes Become One We have four Sunday Masses at Transfiguration: an Anticipatory Sunday Mass on Saturdays at 5:00 p.m., two on Sunday morning at 8:30 and 10:30, and a fourth on Sunday evening at 6:00. Most parishioners attend the same one of these four each weekend. As a result, many of us get to know only a quarter of the parish. In fact, some folks make it their duty to come up to me at the end of a Mass to say, “Well, Father, I guess you’re a bit surprised to see us here at this Mass and not at our usual one,” and they then tell me about a family wedding or other special event that has taken them off their normal routine. We all have our routines. In fact, God made us to be creatures who thrive on a consistent rhythm of life. However, every once in a while, it’s good for us to do something different, to get together with others whom we may not know so well. This is one of the great blessings of our Anniversary Picnic on August 6, the Feast of the Transfiguration, as well as the Fall Festival three weeks ago. We have a large and diverse parish, and it’s wonderful to meet old members and new, families, couples, and singles, school families, Faith Formation families, home school families, and parishioners originally hailing from the Philippines, Vietnam, Nigeria, Cameroon, India and even that far-distant land, Wisconsin. During this upcoming year, get to know more of your fellow parishioners. “The Year of Faith” at Transfiguration includes numerous opportunities to grow in your spiritual life as a Catholic, and also the chance to meet an unfamiliar face or two. Look inside this Newsletter for more information.
Christ Jesus Ou r Lord, Sh ine in Us!
C h r is t J esus O u r L o rd , S h i n e th ro u g h U s !
October 2015
This Month at Transfiguration
Page 2
Transfiguration Catholic Church 6133 15th St. North—Oakdale, MN 55128
Parish Office Hours
• Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. • Friday 8:00 a.m. to 12 Noon • Saturday 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. • Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 12 Noon Parish Office phone: 651-738-2646 After hours emergency phone: Rebecca Minogue - 908-507-2970
Church Staff Pastor: Rev. Bill Baer.....................651-738-2646 Parish Administrator: Erin Ethier........................................651-501-2209 Administrative Assistant: Martha Praska.................................651-738-2646 Special Events/Communication Coordinator: Rebecca Minogue...........................651-501-2207 Director of Parish Life: Gretchen Sonnen............................651-501-2224 Finance Assistant: Kim Connolly...................................651-501-2208 Director of Music: Mary Demko....................................651-501-2203 Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry: Justin Kortuem..................................651-501-2202 Family Formation Coordinator: Sue Hilo............................................651-501-2204 Maintenance Supervisor: Jerry Klaas........................................651-501-2245
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults by Mike Brennan, RCIA Parish Coordinator
RCIA Begins Thursday, November 19, 2015 6:30-8:00 P.M. in the Harvestor Room Do you know someone who is interested in becoming a Catholic whom you’d like to sponsor? Or, are you already Baptized but have not yet received your First Holy Communion or been Confirmed? Are your children or grandchildren completing their Sacraments this year and you desire to celebrate your faith as a fully participating member? Are you ready to start an incredible journey? The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is your opportunity to learn more about the Catholic Church and to take the steps toward joining the Church or completing the Sacraments at Easter. We will begin RCIA on Thursday evening, November 19 and will continue to meet, roughly once a week, until Easter. Father Baer brings Scripture, Tradition and Catholic Life alive through instruction, conversation and prayer. Please consider joining us or bringing someone as an Inquirer. Please call Martha in our Parish Office, 651-738-2646, for more information or to register.
Transfiguration Catholic School Grades Preschool–8 6135 15th St. N., Oakdale, MN 55128 651-501-2220
Co-Principals: Andy Jacobson & Matt Weingartz......651-501-2216
This Month at Transfiguration
is an official publication of Transfiguration Catholic Parish. Submissions should be sent to Jean Yost, editor: yostgarden@comcast.net Although the goal is to publish articles in their entirety, all are subject to editing. This monthly Newsletter and the weekly Bulletin are both available on the Parish Website.
transfigurationmn.org
Have you received your new mug yet? New Transfiguration mugs are on sale in the Parish Office: $6 for 1 or $10 for 2.
October 2015
This Month at Transfiguration
Page 3
The Annual Financial Report by Erin Ethier, Parish Administrator
The Annual Financial Report to the Parish community was enclosed in the Parish Bulletin on the weekend of September 26 and 27. Please take some time to review the financial information and the annual update on our areas of focus – Sacraments, Youth and Finances. If you didn’t get a copy, please stop by the Parish Office and pick one up.
Please see the article in this newsletter regarding the implementation of the Virtues in Practice curriculum and opportunities for all of us at Transfiguration to grow in our Faith.
Our Parish community is growing! We welcomed 108 new households to our Parish over the twelve months ending June 30, 2015. The number of members celebrating Sacraments at Transfiguration also remains strong and the opportunities for all parishioners to grow in Faith continue to expand.
If you have specific questions regarding the report, please contact me at eethier@transfigurationmn.org or 651-501-2209.
Parishioners also continue to generously support the mission of Catholic Education through our Parish School. 32% of weekend plate and envelope The big news this past year is that we paid off the contributions are invested in our School. For the fiscal Line of Credit debt in December, 2014! We stopped year ending June 30, 2015, we invested over $400,000 using the line of credit in January 2012 when the in the School by covering all of the costs related to the balance was at $288,231. As a Parish, we were able building and grounds - the building mortgage, liability to pay it off over 36 months, which is an average of and property insurance, repair and maintenance $8,009 per month collected expenses, maintenance staff in additional revenue, and benefits, and snow plowing. above and beyond our There was also a $6,000 regular Sunday collections. operating deficit that the Parish If you didn’t get a copy, The second collection had to cover because operating please stop by the Parish continues each month to expenses exceeded tuition, fee Office and pick one up. fund our Big Ticket Capital and fundraising revenue for the Improvements around our year. building and grounds. We Thank you to all parishioners still have challenges, given for your generosity and assistance in making our long term building debt of over $4.8 million, but we Transfiguration a faithful, vibrant, and welcoming continue to monitor expenditures and keep operating Parish! expenses as low as possible.
October 2015
This Month at Transfiguration
Page 4
Parish Anniversary Picnic by Gretchen Sonnen
Our Annual Parish Anniversary Picnic was nothing less than fabulous! There were over 500 guests in attendance and incredible food was prepared and served by the Couples for Christ group. We didn’t stop there— The Mouldy Figs played live music, games were spread throughout the Concourse, and authentic Filipino Tinikling Dancers provided entertainment. We honored Jack Hai and family, who generously donated the money to build the new patio, and thanked George Amo for his amazing gardening and landscaping work. “Lord, how good it is for us to be here!” –Matthew 17:4
October 2015
This Month at Transfiguration
Page 5
Children's Choir Camp by Mary Demko
We had a wonderful first-ever Children’s Choir Camp this past August at Transfiguration. Over 40 young people participated in the Camp, and many participants from camp have enrolled in our new Children’s Choir. Mrs. Donna May, vocal music teacher at St. Agnes, and Mary Demko, Transfiguration Director of Music, co-conducted the Camp. On the vigil of the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, the Choir Camp participants sang beautifully for the evening Mass. Please contact Mary Demko at mdemko@transfigurationmn.org, if you would like information on enrolling in our Children’s Choir, or if you have any other questions about participating in our music program.
Transfiguration Parish is glad to host Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf for their twice a month distribution of locally grown produce, so that those in need are able to have fresh produce from farm to table.
October 2015
This Month at Transfiguration
n
u sfig
io rat
du A ng You Tra
lt
n's
ou Gr
Page 6
p
by Missy Mulligan
Transfiguration's Young Adult Group had a blast playing in Oakdale's adult softball league this summer. They may have only brought home a handful of wins (or fewer, if we're being honest), but it was a great way to gather for fun and fellowship. Please come out and cheer us on next summer!
Virtues in Practice by Gretchen Sonnen
This year, Transfiguration Parish and School have started implementing the Virtues in Practice Program, written by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia (popularly known as the Nashville Dominicans). Each month, we focus on a different Virtue along with an accompanying saint. For the month of October, we will focus on the Virtue of Reverence, showing your deepest respect for the things of God. The accompanying Saints, all who emulated the Virtue of Reverence, are St. Hyacinth, St. Tarcisius, and St. Margaret Clitherow. Parent Guides (good for any adult, whether or not you’re a parent) and student workbooks have been distributed to all School and Family Formation families. If you’re interested in purchasing a guide ($5), please contact Martha Praska at the Parish Office.
October 2015
This Month at Transfiguration
Totus Tuus June 2015
Page 7
by Sue Hilo
Fun in the classroom We had a wonderful team of four young adults teaching our children about the Catholic Faith this past June. The team, Tyler Ferry, Rachel Waletzko, Joseph Nguyen and Grace Schneider arrived on Saturday, June 13 and stayed with the Mencke’s and Pierre’s, our two host families that graciously opened their homes to the team for the week. 115 children from 9 area parishes came for the week-long program. More than 60 volunteers helped out during the week providing meals for the team, snacks for the children, and time in the classrooms or serving in the lunchroom.
2015 Totus Tuus Team in front of the Church We had 77 elementary children meet during the day and 38 7-12th graders in the evenings. We celebrated Mass, Stations of the Cross, Confession, Adoration, learned the Virtues, Beatitudes and how to say the Rosary, and enjoyed singing songs and learning about the Saints in skits. At the end of the week, they enjoyed the much anticipated water fight for the elementary children and bowling for the older children in the evening. Don’t miss all the fun next year! Look for the signup information in January 2016 for the Totus Tuus Summer Youth Program that will be held in June 2016.
Having fun playing football See more Totus Tuus photos on page 14
Fun in the classroom
October 2015
This Month at Transfiguration
Page 8
Fall Festival 2015 September 11, 12 & 13
Parishioner Troy "Elvis" Jacobsen took the stage at the Taste of Transfiguration.
The Holy Soles 5K kicked off the Saturday festivities.
New royalty crowned at the Taste of Transfiguration: David & Beverly Spencer
Inflatables are always fun!
October 2015
This Month at Transfiguration
Fall Festival 2015 September 11, 12 & 13
The Festival was full of opportunties for fun.
Games for kids were a highlight for many.
Thanks to all the volunteers at the Fall Festival!
Page 9
October 2015
This Month at Transfiguration
Page 10
Transfiguration Catholic School Welcomes New Principals by Barb Schmitz In mid-August, Transfiguration Catholic Church and School named Andy Jacobson and Matt Weingartz Co-Principals for the 2015-2016 School year.
Left: Andy Jacobson
Mr. Jacobson (known to his students as “Mr. J”) has taught Physical Education at the School for the past three years. Prior to that, he was Athletic Director at Gethsemane School and taught Physical Education and K-5 computer classes there. He was also Head Coach of the North St. Paul Girls Varsity Basketball team for four years. He has a B.A. in Comprehensive Physical Education (K-12) from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Right: Matt Weingartz Mr. Weingartz is an alumnus of Transfiguration Catholic School (class of 1995), and has taught Science and Social Studies at the School for twelve years. He was also the School’s Athletic Director for four years. He has a B.A. in Secondary Education and Social Studies from the University of St. Thomas, an M.A. in Educational Leadership from room, and on the playground. Both Principals enjoy Concordia University, and is currently pursuing an the variety and challenges their new position brings. Educational Specialist Degree at Concordia. They especially enjoy problem-solving, which is a large part of their jobs as Principals. They also bring Both principals feel that they have had a great start a fresh student-based perspective, as, between them, to the school year. They are becoming comfortable in they have three of their own children enrolled at the their new roles and have found that they complement School. each other well. Mr. Weingartz says he enjoys being an administrator as well as a classroom teacher (he also teaches 6th grade Social Studies). Mr. Jacobson (who also teaches Phy Ed to 4th through 8th grade students) enjoys seeing students in different situations besides the classroom – before and after School, in the lunch
Sharing the Principal’s office has brought out their good-natured football rivalry. Evidence of their loyalties (Mr. Weingartz – the Minnesota Vikings, Mr. Jacobson – the Green Bay Packers) can be found on the walls of their shared “House Divided” office! Welcome!
October 2015
This Month at Transfiguration
Page 11
Summer Stretch by Justin Kortuem
This summer during the Wednesdays of July, thirty students came to Church for the early 8:00 a.m. Mass and then headed out to various service sites like Feed My Starving Children and Options for Women East to serve our community. In the afternoon, they went to water parks or amusement parks to enjoy the hot July sun.
On the final Wednesday of July, they went to Valleyfair as a reward for a lot of hard work done. For example, the group of thirty volunteered at Options for Women East  for 3 hours and did 90 man hours of work that included organizing clothes and diapers, having a yard sale and painting a new office space. This would have taken the three employees there almost a week to finish by themselves.
October 2015
This Month at Transfiguration
Page 12
Extreme Faith Camp by Justin Kortuem
17 youth went to Extreme Faith Camp on Big Sandy Lake this past summer at the end of June. Our group joined over 300 youth for a profound week of fun, games, Mass, Adoration and making a lot of friends. Extreme Faith Camp is a Youth Minister led camp with parishes all over the Archdiocese that come together at Big Sandy Camp in McGregor, MN. The youth get to experience things like their highline zip line, a climbing wall, a water slide, water boats,
kayaks, beach volleyball, wacky Olympics and much more. We get them excited to go to camp for all of the fun, but when they go home, they say that the best part was Adoration. This time of Adoration is very powerful and has inspired lifelong change in many of the youth that go to camp. Please keep these youth in your prayers and invite our youth to join us next year at the end of June for a great time at Extreme Faith Camp.
October 2015
This Month at Transfiguration
Page 13
by Justin Kortuem The last project of the summer was building a patio on the back side of the Church for all to enjoy on a beautiful day. There were a couple dozen people who dedicated a weekend to build it. We want to thank all of them for their work and time away from families to get it done!
Catholic Man Night was able to enjoy the patio for the first time with over 150 men on August 27 for a great night of Adoration, social time on the patio, a tasty dinner and a talk from Father Baer that stirred the men's hearts. The follow-up from that talk with be another Catholic Man Night on Thursday, October 22 at 6:00 p.m. See all you men there!
Left: Working to create a patio behind the Church
A photo of the completed patio is on the back cover.
Below: The patio is enjoyed by Catholic Man Night participants.
October 2015
This Month at Transfiguration
June 2015: Totus Tuus Participants
Above: Grades 1-6
Above: Grades 7-12
Page 14
26
22 24
16 18
15
13
9 10
8
1 2 3 4 7
2nd Sunday of Advent Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception 12 Giving Tree pick up 13 3rd Sunday of Advent 13 11:30am New Member Brunch 15 School Christmas Concert 20 4th Sunday of Advent 22-Jan 1 School Christmas Break 24 CHRISTMAS EVE (4pm & 10pm Masses) 25 CHRISTMAS (8:30am & 10:30am Masses) 31 6:30pm Vigil Mass for Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Jan 1 8am Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Mass
6
December
Solemnity of All Saints 6:30pm All Souls Memorial Mass Women’s Morning of Reflection 6:30am Confirmation Reconciliation Service (Gr. 7 & 8) 12 RCIA begins 14 6pm Knights of Columbus Turkey Bingo 18 Family Formation Reconciliation Service (Gr. 3-6) 19 10:30am Thanksgiving Senior Event 22 Feast of Christ the King 25-27 School Thanksgiving Break 26 THANKSGIVING (8am Mass) 29 1st Sunday of Advent 3pm Parish Reconciliation Service
1 2 7 11
This Month at Transfiguration
Save the Dates!
Christian Cupboard Food distribution School Walk-A-Thon Women’s Morning of Reflection Donut Sunday/Stewardship Weekend School at Rosary Pilgrimage at the Cathedral of St. Paul 10am Walking with Purpose Morning Session begins Emmaus Retreat starts 6:30pm 2nd Grade Parents Sacraments Meeting 6:30pm Walking with Purpose Evening Session begins 1:00pm Senior Cards No School Confirmation Retreat (offsite) 2pm Feed My Starving Children (Eagan) Jeff Cavins Bible Study– The Gospel of Matthew begins No School (MEA) Christian Cupboard Food distribution No School (MEA) 11:30am New Member Brunch 6:45pm Young Adult Dinner 6pm Catholic Man Night 6pm Keepers of the Fire event 7pm TCCW
Transfiguration’s Fall Calendar October November
October 2015 Page 15
Non-profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID St. Paul, MN Permit No. 4243
Transfiguration Catholic Church and School 6133 15th Street North Oakdale, MN 55128 651-738-2646
I n s i de T h is Is s u e ... Picnic, Festivals & a Year of Faith..........Front Cover
Virtues in Practice.....................................................6
Church/School Staff Information..............................2
Totus Tuus...............................................................7
RCIA........................................................................2
2015 Fall Festival...............................................8 - 9
Transfiguration Mugs...............................................2
School Welcomes Two New Principals..................10
Annual Financial Report...........................................3
Summer Stretch......................................................11
Parish Anniversary Picnic.........................................4
Extreme Faith Camp..............................................12
Children's Choir Camp.............................................5
Catholic Man Night.................................................13
Christian Cupboard Emergency Foodshelf..............5
Totus Tuus Group Photos.......................................14
Transfiguration's Young Adult Group........................6
Parish Calendar......................................................15
August 27: Social time for Catholic Man Night on Transfiguration's new patio. See article on page 13.