Holy Family Area Catholic Community Newsletter — November 2022

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY Holy Family Area

STEUBENVILLE YOUTH CONFERENCE Life-Changing Opportunities to Grow with Christ

With the difficulties we all experienced during the pandemic, we could follow Scripture for comfort and guidance, particularly John 16:33 — “I have told you this so you might have peace in me. In the world, you will have trouble, but take courage; I have conquered the world.”

This message inspired the theme of this year’s Steubenville Youth Conference, Fearless, resonating with the young people of the Holy Family Area who attended the conference in Rochester this past summer. The event offered a wide variety of music and speakers, as well as opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration, prayer, and powerful experiences with the sacraments.

Sanjana Pullan, a high school senior and St. Andrew parishioner, was one of six from the parish to attend in 2022. In all, 13 students from Holy Family Area Catholic Community attended in 2022. This was Sanjana’s first time attending, at the recommendation of a friend, and she was blown away by the speakers and music. Howev er, the Eucharistic Adoration stood out the most. During this portion of the retreat, the monstrance is carried throughout the entire large-group space, so everyone has the opportunity to venerate Jesus.

St. Andrew parishioner Sanjana Pullan (front row, far right), was one of 13 high school students from the Holy Family Area Catholic Community who attended the Steubenville Youth Conference last summer.

“This retreat made my faith stronger,” she says. In addition, Sanjana appreciated the opportunity to get to know other Catholic teens from the area more deeply.

THE “THANKSGIVING SPIRIT” DOESN’T HAVE TO END AT THANKSGIVING

The origin of the first Thanksgiving feast is a matter of some debate among historians. But since 1863, Americans have annually set aside the fourth or fifth Thursday of November to give thanks to God for a bountiful harvest. The holiday became a matter of federal law in 1941, as President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a joint congressional resolution to observe Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday of November. Even as our society has become less agrarian, families continue to gather each November to give thanks to God for each other, and for the many blessings they have received throughout the year.

Most people associate this “spirit of Thanksgiv ing” with the fall holiday and its many recognizable symbols — brisk weather, cornucopias, family gath erings, and plenty of delicious food. But giving thanks to God in gratitude for the gifts we have received isn’t an attitude we should save for this annual holiday alone. When we live lives of stewardship — sharing of our time, talents and treasure in thanks to God and at the service of others — we can sustain life in the Thanksgiving spirit throughout the year.

The Church teaches that this daily response of gratitude is an important element of living the life of a Christian disciple. As the Catechism of the Catholic

Church states, “Indeed, in the work of salvation, Christ sets creation free from sin and death to consecrate it anew and make it return to the Father, for his glory. The thanksgiving of the members of the Body partici pates in that of their Head” ( CCC , 2637).

And how can we express this spirit of thanks? We can serve others, living the virtue of charity by reach ing out to our brothers and sisters in need through acts of kindness. We can give back to God from our “first fruits,” sharing of our treasure in thanksgiving and recognition of the need to return a portion of our gifts to God. We can utilize our unique talents to make our parish and local communities better places. And, as the Catechism also points out, we can even express thanks through prayerfully offering up our daily activities to God — “Every event and need can become an offering of thanksgiving” ( CCC , 2638).

This Thanksgiving, take a moment to think of ways that you can live in the “spirit of Thanksgiving” on the fourth Thursday of November, and every other day throughout the year. Living the stewardship way of life may not always involve a precisely carved tur key, decorations or a family viewing of It’s a Wonder ful Life — but it will provide lifelong fulfillment and joy rooted in an attitude of perpetual thanksgiving.

Giving thanks to God in gratitude for the gifts we have received isn’t an attitude we should save for this annual holiday alone. When we live lives of stewardship — sharing of our time, talents and treasure in thanks to God and at the service of others — we can sustain life in the Thanksgiving spirit throughout the year.

NOVEMBER IS A TIME FOR THANKSGIVING

November automatically brings us to thoughts of thanksgiving and Thanksgiving.

It is both a time of year when we think in terms of being grateful to God for our gifts, and a time when we also formally celebrate our American holiday. My memories of Thanksgiving are filled with food, of course, but they are also filled with thoughts of family and a sense of togetherness and a sense of my faith.

But, this is also a significant month in the Church from several perspectives. Nov. 1 was a Holy Day, the Solemnity of All Saints — honoring all the saints, known and unknown. The next day was All Souls Day, a day that commemorates the souls of faithful departed.

Most of us have people in our lives who have had a profound impact on us — people we can consider our own personal saints. This month is a wonderful reminder to think of them, thank them, and thank God for making them a part of our lives.

Our Thanksgiving holiday falls on Nov. 24 and is a time for families and gratitude. Thanksgiving be came official in the United States in 1863, and in his proclamation, President Abraham Lincoln made very clear Whom we needed to thank. “To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature,

that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful provi dence of Almighty God,” Lincoln said. In other words, we all need to thank Al mighty God for our many blessings.

Finally, November also brings us to the end of one Church year and the be ginning of a new one. The Feast of Christ the King on Nov. 20 officially begins the final week of our liturgical year, and the First Sunday of Advent is on Nov. 27. From the beginning of the month when we thank God for the example of the saints and the saintly people in our lives, to the end of the month when we thank God for ev erything we have and everything we are, November is a time to approach the Lord with a grateful heart. That is what stewardship truly is all about — about approaching God, about approaching each day, and about approaching all those whom we encounter with hearts filled with gratitude and love.

Sincerely yours in Christ, Fr. Paul Timmerman, Pastor

My Dear Friends in Christ,

A Letter From Our Pastor

FIRST SATURDAY ADORATION

Spending Time With Our

During the First World War, in 1917, Our Lady of Fatima appeared to three children in Por tugal six times from May to October. Our Bless ed Mother urged the young children to pray the Rosary daily for peace in the world and to offer sacrifice with the intention for sinners to convert. Years later, Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia — the oldest of the visionary children — and asked her to spread a first Saturday devotion to her Immaculate Heart for reparation of sin.

Rosemary Hendrickson, along with Nick and Claire Weimann, takes the instructions for Our Lady of Fatima seriously and hosts the First Satur day Eucharistic Adoration devotion at the Church of St. James in Dawson from 8 a.m. to noon.

“As the name suggests, it occurs on the first Saturday of each month,” Rosemary says. “We ask for two ‘Guardians of the Blessed Sacrament’ to sign up and be present for each hour, but others are welcome to come and go as they please.”

The time of prayer is contemplative and is mostly done silently. At 10 a.m., Rosemary leads those who are in attendance through a meditative Rosary and the Fatima Prayers.

“Adoration is a special time with Jesus, as He is tru ly present in the Blessed Sacrament,” Rosemary says. “It is an opportunity to extend the time that we have with Jesus beyond the Mass — to really sit with Him and have a good long heart-to-heart conversation.”

During Eucharistic Adoration, Jesus is truly present — Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity — in the consecrated host. The host is placed in a special and reverent vessel called a monstrance that has the purpose of exposing our Lord in a dignified way so that we can see and adore Him.

“If we believe that Jesus is God, then His words make present what they signify,” Rosemary says. At the Last Supper Jesus took bread and wine and said “This is my body… This is my blood.”

“We don’t have to wish to have lived when Jesus was on earth because He is still with us in the Sacrament of the Eucharist,” Rosemary says. “Praying in His presence is different than praying at home, like being in conversation with a good

ADORATION AT ST. JAMES

Our Lord Face-to-Face

friend who is sitting in the same room as you is dif ferent than having a phone call.”

The First Saturday Adoration at St. James started this past May and offers a valuable opportunity to sit face-to-face with Jesus. It is a time when you are invited into greater communion with our Lord and are free to bring to Jesus your burdens and joys and to pray for those who are most in need.

“First Saturday Adoration and devotion is one

more way I can set aside time to be with Our Lord,” Rosemary says. “Life gets so busy, but for me, First Saturday Adoration is one of the first things I write on my calendar each month.

“Spending time in Eucharistic Adoration has become one of my favorite things to do,” she adds. “I think of it as practicing for heaven, where I hope to spend all eternity kneeling in silent adoration before my Lord and King.”

STEUBENVILLE YOUTH CONFERENCE

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“By going to Steubenville, I was able to connect with other teens in our area while also growing closer to God and strengthening my Catholic faith,” she says.

Sanjana would encourage other youth to learn more about the Steubenville Youth Conference and consider attending the 2023 event. This retreat could truly change your life.

“I would love to attend again,” she says. “I would tell others hesitant about going that they should check it out. I promise you that you won’t regret it.”

Upon her return, Sanjana gave a witness talk this sum mer at St. Andrew’s, where she shared the power of this retreat and thanked everyone for their support and prayers.

Ann Voller, the Area Coordinator of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry, agrees that the Steubenville Youth Conference is fantastic, and loves attending the event

The

herself. She is always amazed at the retreat’s impact on those who attend.

“I love how the speakers are so good at engaging the youth by sharing their own life experiences in a funny and relatable way, and how Jesus has met them in any and all circumstances in their life,” Ann says. “They are real and honest and do reach the hearts of our students!”

The theme for the 2023 retreat is Refuge, reflecting the message of Matthew 11:28 — “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Ann would love to see all youth of the Holy Family Area attend next year’s event.

“It’s an experience that is hard to describe and impossible to forget,” she says. “Every teen needs to attend. It could truly change their life!”

14-16.

2023 Steubenville Youth Conference in Rochester will be held July

Current eighth to 12th-grade teens are welcome to attend. Please contact Ann Voller at areaffcoordinator@holyfamilyarea.org for more information.

All are welcome to join in prayer at the First Saturday Adoration at the Church of St. James in Dawson. To sign up as a Guardian of the Blessed Sacrament, for a designated hour, please fill out the sign-up sheet found in the entryway of St. James two weeks before the first Saturday of the month. More information can be found in the bulletin.

PRAYING FOR THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY

Many Catholics are aware that the Church ded icates the first two days of November — All Saints Day on Nov. 1 and All Souls Day on Nov. 2 — to commemorating and praying for the souls of the faithful departed. But did you know that during the entire month of November, the Church places a spe cial emphasis on praying for the souls in purgatory?

The Church has always taught us to pray for the souls of those who have passed on from this life. Even in Old Testament times, prayers and alms were offered for the souls of the dead by those who thought “well and religiously concerning the resurrection” (Liturgical Meditations, The Sisters of St. Dominic). And in the early days of the Church, St. Paul further empha sized the importance and responsibility of not only remembering our brothers and sisters who have passed away, but actively praying for them: “For the Lord himself... will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will first rise” (1 Thess 4:16).

Because of the very state of the holy souls in purgatory, we as earthly brothers and sisters in Christ are closely connected to those who passed on from this life. We share in the peace of knowing that salvation will one day be obtained, but are simultaneously suffering in separation from God. The Church also teaches that we have the opportunity to play a big part in helping these souls through their period of purgation, so that they may soon enjoy eternal glory with the Lord.

This month, please make a special effort to offer prayers for your deceased friends and loved ones, and all those who have passed away in the grace and friendship of God. Offering a Mass for someone who has passed away is an especially fruitful way to honor the memory of and bring comfort to a holy soul in purgato ry. You can contact the Area Office to ask for a Mass to be offered for your loved one (320) 269-5954.

PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY

O Lord, who art ever merciful and bounteous with Thy gifts, look down upon the suffering souls in purgatory. Remember not their offenses and negligences, but be mindful of Thy loving mercy, which is from all eternity. Cleanse them of their sins and fulfill their ardent desires that they may be made worthy to behold Thee face to face in Thy glory. May they soon be united with Thee and hear those blessed words which will call them to their heavenly home: “Come, blessed of My Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Amen.

MEAL TRAIN MINISTRY:

Fulfilling Works of Mercy, Showing God’s Love

There are times in life when cooking a meal is a struggle. New moms have their hands full and can be exhausted. For some one recovering from surgery, an injury, or an illness, cooking might be too difficult. Parishioner Beth Gilb has experienced these situa tions and was blessed to receive meals from her community. This made such an impact on her that she decided to find a way to offer this to others in the community.

“We’re called to do the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy,” Beth says. “Feeding one another is a way of showing God’s love. People put their hearts into what they cook.”

Beth, her husband, Jeremy, and their girls, Lily and Abigail, joined St. Joseph in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. It took time to get to know people. Beth and another mom started a mom’s group and as they talked, they agreed that a meal train ministry would be a huge help to parishio ners. When Beth lived in Wyoming and had her first baby, women from the parish provided meals.

“As a new mom, you get to rest and spend time with your little bundle without worrying about cooking,” Beth says. “Some moms brought me snacks because they knew there were times when it’s

hard to even get a snack. I was amazed by that.”

Beth knew that moms weren’t the only ones who could use help. When her family had COVID-19 last summer, friends brought them meals. Beth decided to keep the ministry open to anyone in need. Parishioners grieving the loss of a loved one and those recovering from illness or surgery can all ask for a meal train.

The Meal Train Ministry started in March. Beth hopes

that as awareness of the ministry grows, parishioners won’t hesitate to reach out when they need help.

“People might think they’re burdening others when that’s not the case at all,” she says.

To sign-up to provide meals, simply join the email list. When a need arises, Beth sets up a meal train and sends it to those on the list. Everyone checks their sched ules to see if they are able to help, but there is no obligation to pro vide a meal every time. Those who

Beth and Jeremy Gilb with their children, Abigail (3) and Lily (5)

“We’re called to do the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. Feeding one another is a way of showing God’s love. People put their hearts into what they cook.”

BETH GILB

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. Joseph, Montevideo

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

5:00 p.m. — St. Andrew, Granite Falls

7:00 p.m. — St. Joseph, Montevideo (Spanish)

CONFESSION TIMES:

30 minutes before daily Mass

Sunday

8 a.m. — St. James, Dawson

Saturday

9:30 - 10 a.m. — St. Joseph, Montevideo

4:15 - 4:50 p.m. — St. Andrew, Granite Falls

MEAL TRAIN MINISTRY

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provide meals are rewarded with more than just the feeling of having helped someone.

“You might meet somebody you wouldn’t otherwise know,” Beth says. “It’s a way to connect with people on a different level than we do just going to Mass together.”

Beth welcomes parishioners from all of the Holy Family Area Catholic Community as both providers and recipients of meal trains. She would also love to help the other parishes set up their own meal train ministries if anyone is interested in taking on the project. Caring for one another is a sure way to strengthen the ties of our community.

“Hopefully as they’re eating their meal, they remember that God loves them through this community,” Beth says.

If you would like to sign up to provide meals, or to request a meal train, please contact Beth Gilb at 307-202-2322 (call or text) or bethgilb7@gmail.com.