ST. JA M E S
ST. ANDRE W
ST. J OS E PH
Holy Family Area CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
A Wonderful Week for Children to Share in Fun and Faith
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chool may be out for the summer, but you can still keep your kids engaged with their faith through the Vacation Bible School (VBS) program, held this year at St. James from Aug. 1-4! This summer’s theme is “Rocky Railway” and will provide children with lessons about trusting in Jesus. Michelle Ross’ children have enjoyed VBS over the years and she likes to get her whole family involved. This will be her fifth year helping with VBS. “It’s something we plan that we’re going to do every summer,” Michelle says. “It’s a great way for them to have a week where they’re learning about Jesus and helping to deepen and grow their faith.” VBS is geared towards children from 4 years old to those entering fifth grade. Each day, the theme is tied in with Bible stories and the children learn through games, activities, and songs. The kids get to enjoy being outdoors for many of the games and Michelle makes sure there is always some sort of water game to keep them cool and entertained. “My hope is that the kids get to spend the week deepening their Catholic faith and love for Jesus while having a lot of fun,” Michelle says.
The VBS volunteers include adults and high school students who help run the stations and lead the kids from one activity to the next. They also help set up, clean up, and prepare meals. The program follows a pre-planned curriculum that delivers well-rounded and quality lessons to the kids in an age-appropriate way.
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KEEPING OUR STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENTS IN THE SUMMERTIME
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he kids are out of school and our fast-paced lives centered on school and youth sports activities have slowed down. Our own internal clocks are now on summer time. We’re ready for a break from our hectic lives. And while we take vacations and enjoy the leisurely pace of the season, we need to remember that summer is not the time to take a vacation from God. In fact, summer can serve as the perfect opportunity to grow in our relationship with God, especially since most of us have considerably more free time. So, instead of neglecting our faith due to busy days and late nights, try these simple steps to embrace God during the quieter summer months and during your vacation. Get More Active in a Parish Ministry The summer is actually a perfect time to get more involved in a parish ministry. Because we no longer have to get the kids to and from school, or get them to sporting events or other activities that normally occur during the school year, our schedules are a bit less cluttered. Summer is indeed a perfect time to fill some downtime with service to God through ministry and giving of your talents. Take a look through the parish ministries to find something that suits your particular interest or talent. Vacation Bible School and Totus Tuus, for Kids and Adults Vacation Bible School and Totus Tuus are great ways for younger children to learn about God through songs,
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activities and fellowship. The fun-filled lessons build upon Gospel teachings while keeping kids’ attention. For older children, it is a great opportunity to offer service by being a team leader or assistant. Adults can also help plan, decorate, organize and teach during the week. It’s a wonderful activity for the entire family!
Give Thanks for the Sun Praise God for the sun, time off from school and easygoing days by visiting the Blessed Sacrament at the church to say a quick prayer, or go to Adoration. Bring a journal or rosary along to help stay focused. Little children can even bring a religious coloring book to give thanks to God on their terms. Or, before heading to the pool, why not attend daily Mass with the kids? It’s a perfect way to start the day and set the tone that — vacation or not — God is still an important part of your family life. Don’t Take a Vacation from Mass Often while on a vacation away from our parish family, we are not familiar with where to attend Mass. Don’t let that be an obstacle for you. Check out masstimes.org in order to find out where and when to go to Mass. In addition, if you are lodging at a hotel, the concierge will assist you with directions to the nearest Catholic Church.
Summertime Stewardship of Treasure The prime reason for keeping up our pledge all summer is that God doesn’t go on vacation. He continues to sustain us throughout the summer months. He persists in pouring out blessings on us, even during the hottest weather. He keeps on meeting us in His sacramental presence when we go to Mass wherever we travel. As God remains faithful to us during the summer, we are called to be faithful in our commitments to Him and our parish family, even during our vacation time. So, enjoy the warmer temperatures and the relaxed atmosphere. Just don’t forget Who provides the sun and the sand! And most importantly, remember to take God with you wherever you go on vacation!
A Letter From Our Pastor
EMBRACE THE HOLY SPIRIT My Dear Friends in Christ,
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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. Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Paul Timmerman, Pastor
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M E ET PAR I S H I O N ER A N D
Respon ding Faithf
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he Bible is filled with examested in apologetics,” John says. ples of God calling people to “To hear about what the Church do His work. There was Moses, fathers did to progress the faith who was not an eloquent speakis inspiring. er and yet was called to confront “That was the learning prothe pharaoh, or Amos, a shepcess,” he adds. “It’s what made herd whom the Lord called to be me feel like I could do this or a prophet, to name just a couple. was called to do this. I feel like John Virnig, who served as a there was a plan there for me catechist for a class of seventh, to learn more about the faith eighth, and ninth-graders this in my later years — that it was year, first served as a catechist to get me to do something like after he joined St. Andrew in this. There’s a need and I felt 1997, teaching two classes from like I was being called to serve 1998 to 2000. He then moved to as a catechist. You don’t have other roles in the parish from to be an experienced teacher in 2000 to 2021, while raising his order to volunteer.” family of five children. John saw the contrast beJohn Virnig When John was asked to serve tween the work of the Church as a catechist again, he admits that he didn’t feel enfathers to promote the faith and the increasingly tirely qualified for the task. But, he saw the need for secular culture in the United States. more catechists and was willing to help fill it. “Though I don’t feel super well-qualified and “I was absolutely nervous when I began,” he it’s not my forte, I felt that there’s a need to reach says. “I’m used to dealing with the public, talking our children and to teach them the faith and to people, and conversing with them, but I was hopefully give them confidence in the faith, and nervous about how good of a job I would be able then they can do their part to reverse the trend,” to do as a catechist. I’ve helped my own kids and he says. “With God’s help, I can help a little.” nephews and nieces with math, so I do think I His class of seventh, eighth, and ninth-graders can teach on that basis, but I had no experience learned about Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the teaching a group prior to these courses and am Body lectures. not particularly gifted in that way.” “It’s fun to see their curiosity and see them Yet, the Lord led John to this service. responding to learning more about the faith,” John “The Holy Spirit came before I was asked to do says. “Theology of the Body is very anti-cultural. this role,” he says. It’s almost the opposite of the messages they hear John traces the start of this path, in part, to in the outside world. It can be challenging to what Real Presence Radio, a Catholic radio station serv- they hear, but it’s good to see their curiosity and ing our area at 89.5 FM. John donated to some of to see them learning.” their fundraising efforts and had tuned in to the Teaching the course has also helped John to station one night when he happened to catch an continue to learn more about the faith as well. interesting story. Each catechist is given the subject matter and “It was about one of the Church fathers, and material to teach in their course, along with a that set me on a course of doing a lot of reading syllabus. In order to prepare for class, John says on the early days of the Church and got me interhe usually spends some time going over the ma-
C ATECHIST J OHN V I R N I G
fully to G od’ s Ca l l
terial in advance, before teaching the 75-minute Wednesday night class. “You always learn along with the children,” he says. “I certainly feel that way. In order to teach the subject matter, you have to learn it. Some of it is consistent with what I’ve learned over the years, but there’s a lot you end up gaining as well. It’s nice to learn more about the faith, getting more and more knowledge. I’m always ready to learn more and this was a great way to do that and to spark further interest as well. I’m always getting a deeper understanding of the faith, learning along with the students.
He’s grateful for the great group of students he gets to teach weekly. “I’m thankful,” John says. “The group of kids I had made it easy on me. They had been at school all day and then came from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. for class. I’m grateful for their support.” “To a very small extent, I feel like I’m doing some of God’s work,” he adds. “I think it’s important to reach children at that age and to set them on the right course, giving them a good background to hopefully make their life much more joyful and rewarding since they know the truth.”
Catechists are needed at all our parishes for the 2022-2023 school year. Is God calling you to lead our youth? Please contact, Ann Voller, Area Coordinator of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry, at 320-226-5205 or areaffcoordinator@holyfamilyarea.org.
John Virnig with his daughter, Allie, and son, Matthew, at the Space Needle in Seattle
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Highlights of Our
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2022 STEWARDSHIP RENEWAL
arlier this year, our Holy Family Area Catholic Community leadership conducted the 2022 Stewardship Renewal. The Stewardship Renewal gave our parish community the opportunity to discern how we are using our gifts of time, talent and treasure in service to the parish and in return to God. This month, we are happy to share with you some of the highlights of the 2022 Stewardship Renewal. •
There were 126 commitment cards received from 40 percent of active households.
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There were 517 ministry commitments — the stewardship of talent — from 82 percent of participating households. Of these, 117 were new ministry commitments, while 400 were re-commitments to parish ministries.
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There were 845 prayer commitments — the stewardship of time — from 91 percent of participating households.
There were 94 offertory commitments — the stewardship of treasure — from 75 percent of participating households. The average pledge was $2,309.
We thank all those who participated in our 2022 Stewardship Renewal. If you did not have the opportunity to fill out and return a commitment card, we invite you to consider the ways you may share your gifts of time, talent and treasure with God and Holy Family Area Catholic Community!
MEET PARISHIONER ARLEEN MOULZOLF Grateful for Blessings of Faith and Family
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f you’ve attended Mass at St. Joseph’s for some time, you’ve probably met Arleen Moulzolf. She’s been a member of the parish for 73 years and counting. She has been blessed to often attend Mass with four generations of her family, down to her three great-grandsons. Arleen and her late husband, Melvin, were blessed with their family of five children. As one Irish prayer says, “May you see your children’s children.” At age 94, Arleen has been blessed to know not only her children’s children but also her children’s grandchildren. “I never thought I would see my great-grandchildren going to St. Joseph’s,” she says. As a 73-year member of the parish, St. Joseph’s is truly home for Arleen. She hasn’t seen much change over the years. Arleen received all of her sacraments at St. Joseph’s shortly after marrying Melvin. The other constant has been her Catholic Arleen Moulzolf is blessed to be joined by faith, which has helped her through many three generations at Sunday Mass. trials in her life. “My faith makes me feel safe and is always there for me,” says Arleen. “It gives me peace.” Through the years, Arleen was involved in many parish ministries. She taught Religious Education and served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and sacristan. She took the Eucharist to the homebound, served meals at funerals, and stayed active in the St. Joseph’s Guild. She did all of these things while she and Melvin raised their five children. “As the church grew, so did my faith,” Arleen says. “My faith has been a constant for me in my life and for all my family, too.” There are several facets of the Catholic Church that Arleen especially values — the two most important are the Mass and Reconciliation. “As a Catholic, even if you drift away and sin, you can make a good confession and be forgiven and start new again,” Arleen says. Arleen also prays the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Angel of God prayer. Her favorite saints are Mary and Joseph. God bless Arleen and all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Thank the Lord for people like Arleen, who have followed the faith all these years and have been good stewards of their gifts!
“As the church grew, so did my faith. My faith has been a constant for me in my life and for all my family, too.” — ARLEEN MOULZOLF
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512 Black Oak Ave. Montevideo, MN 56265
www.holyfamilyarea.org
MASS TIMES: Sunday 8:30 a.m. — St. James, Dawson 10:30 a.m. — St. Andrew, Granite Falls Tuesday 5 p.m. - St. Andrew, Granite Falls Wednesday 5 p.m. — St. James, Dawson
Thursday 5:30 p.m. — St. Joseph, Montevideo Friday 10 a.m. — St. Andrew, Granite Falls
Saturday 6:30 p.m. — St. Joseph, Montevideo with elements of Spanish
CONFESSION TIMES: 30 minutes before daily Mass Sunday 8 a.m. — St. James, Dawson
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Saturday 9:30 - 10 a.m. — St. Joseph, Montevideo 5:45 - 6:20 p.m. — St. Joseph, Montevideo
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL continued from front cover
“I love the last night when the week wraps up,” she says. “We have a little performance for the parents and grandparents. It is really fun to come together as a community and see what the kids learned throughout the week.” During summer vacation, VBS is a great way to make sure your kids continue to grow in their faith and participate in the life of the church. VBS is open to students from St. Joseph and St. Andrew, as well. Registration forms are available in the back of the church or on the Holy Family Area website. “At the end of the day, we really want the kids to have fun,” Michelle says. “We want them to go home and be excited about their faith.”
To register your child for VBS, please visit www.holyfamilyarea.org or look for the registration forms at the back of St. James. To volunteer, contact Ann Voller at areaffcoordinator@holyfamilyarea.org or 320-226-5205.
JUNE 2022