Little Falls
Catholic Community
SOCIAL MEDIA MINISTRY STEPS UP TO SERVE Team Responds to COVID-19 Pandemic with New Outreach
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n the 1990 encyclical, Redemptoris Missio, St. Pope John Paul II called for the “new evangelization.” We are charged with the task of finding new ways to reach out to those who have never heard the Gospel, as well to those who have fallen away from the faith. In the decades since this document was published, the internet has transformed our world. So, in order to keep up with our culture, having a presence on social media is a vital new aspect of our Catholic faith. Thankfully, we have a team from our parishes doing this good work — the Social Media Ministry. The group includes Michael Retka, Lori Kneeland, Melissa Peterson, Jessy Waldock and Fr. Mark Botzet. The team monitors the Little Falls Catholic Facebook page, which was established by Michael Retka in 2014. “The main goal of the social media committee is to have a public space with readily available content to evangelize, provide up-to-date information, list events, and share catholic related news stories,” says Jessy Waldock, who brings to the group a mass communications and public relations background and serves as a staff member at Holy Family. continued on page 2
AU G U S T
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The Social Media Ministry team includes (from front) Fr. Mark Botzet, Lori Kneeland, Melissa Peterson, Jessy Waldock and Michael Retka.
St. Mary’s • Our Lady Of Lourdes • Holy Family
Social Media Ministry
I enjoy being able to reach out to the parishioners, because during this pandemic, it’s been hard to engage with them after Mass and get an idea of their needs. I also enjoy looking at the Facebook analytics and data because it helps me to better shepherd the flock.
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Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Facebook page was mostly used to share pertinent posts from Ascension Presents, Fr. Mike Schmitz and Bishop Robert Barron. Members also posted historical information on each parish and shared information on events. “We wanted a way to implement the new evangelization, reeducate, educate, and build community. A way to ‘feed the flock’ so to speak,” says Michael Retka. When churches closed in March for COVID-19 precautions, parish staff worked to shift their work from traditional to modern, says the committee. The Social Media team was ready for the challenge. “Instantly, digital became our primary source of communication,” Lori Kneeland says. “Our priests, the social media committee and other technology experts in our parishes began creating ways to better engage with our parishioners during a time of isolation.” The social media committee will continue to do this good work after COVID-19 is no longer a threat. They believe that the livestream Masses will continue, but with a reduced schedule. “We need a place where we can have a community of Catholics even when people are not able to come to Catholic events and Masses in person,” Melissa Peterson says. Each of the ministry members has a reason
Fr. Mark Botzet
they are involved, with something they enjoy about this group. Lori was asked by Michael Retka to be an active contributor because of her skills in marketing and branding. Melissa is a social media administrator for a variety of organizations in the Little Falls area, and she saw that there was a need for more help with posting. Fr. Mark was appointed to the committee to provide pastoral guidance and is very well-versed in technology. “I enjoy the camaraderie of our group, and I like to see the comments and interactions of fellow Catholics, especially when it comes to the history and architecture of the Catholic Church,” Michael says. “I enjoy creating and sharing the content to help inspire and engage others,” Lori says. “I have a passion for all things related to communications, especially if it helps lead people to a greater understanding of and relationship with God,” Jessy says. “I enjoy being a part of this community and helping to organize our ever-changing strategy,” Melissa says. “I enjoy being able to reach out to the parishioners, because during this pandemic, it’s been hard to engage with them after Mass and get an idea of their needs,” Fr. Mark says. “I also enjoy looking at the Facebook analytics and data because it helps me to better shepherd the flock.”
If you are a Facebook user, like and share the Little Falls Catholic page at facebook.com/littlefallscatholic. You can also share posts and events so your friends can also engage with the page. If you would like to get involved in the Social Media Ministry, please email Jessy Waldock at jaje0901@gmail.com. 2
A Letter From Our Pastor
Understanding the Gift of Time My Dear Friends in Christ,
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ith the arrival of August, I find myself reflecting on what a strange summer this has been. Of course, some of us have done our best to enjoy a “staycation” at home, while focusing on the positive during this unprecedented — and often stressful — time. Nevertheless, August also means that many of us start the transition back to our fall routines. I once heard a quote from a psychologist who said time seems to pass more quickly as we get older because we’re experiencing fewer “firsts.” When we’re continually experiencing new things, time tends to stand still while we’re living them. After we’ve repeated those events numerous times, they don’t faze us much anymore — and before we know it, months have passed, seasons have changed, and it’s time to start the annual cycle again. Yet, we should not allow our time to be something that simply evades our grasp, trickling through our fingers. After all, time itself — every moment on this earth — is a gift from God. We each have 24 hours today and seven days this week to use however we please. At this point in time, let us reflect on
how we chose to use our time during this pandemic. Did we set aside time to pray? Did we spend additional time with our family? Have we allowed for time to serve others? Did we devote time each day to serve God? When we assess the use of our time, we must make a spiritual examination — “Have I been a good steward of the time given to me?” Maybe now is a good time to make some changes in our lives. There is no better time than right now to seek out ways to grow closer to God. This is what it means to be a good steward! As the last days of this most unusual summer hopefully give way to the activity of fall, remember to keep God in your hearts, in your minds, and on your tongue as we continue our stewardship journey as a parish family. Please pray for me as I continue to pray for all of you. Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Ben Kociemba, Pastor
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St. Mary’s • Our Lady Of Lourdes • Holy Family
Following God on the Journ S
ometimes, you think great role models for us you know the direction girls. Most of us grew very your life is going to take, close to one or another and sometimes, God has of them. It was just very something else in mind. But natural that I would try out as many who have followed religious life. God for a long time will tell “It was my desert time, you, saying “yes” to God is where I got to know Jesus, always worth the adventure. I got to know what it means Originally from West to be a Catholic Christian,” Union, Our Lady of Lourdes she adds. “It was very parishioner Judy Virnig precious to me, and I’m very grew up on a dairy farm. In grateful for it.” high school, she attended However, after a couple boarding school at St. years in the convent, Judy Francis Convent, in Little felt God calling her in a Falls. A veritable tomboy, it different direction. And after took a little while to adjust a time spent working for an to the all-girls environment. airline in Washington, D.C., But by the end of high she came home to Minnesota, school, it had become home and fell in love with Roger — a place that truly fostered Virnig, the brother of one of Parishioner Judy Virnig has served our her faith. So much so, her dearest classmates and Little Falls Catholic Community in many that after graduating, she friends. Two years later, the ways over the years. decided to discern religious couple was married. life and entered the convent. “Our first son was born and the kids kept “I went to Mass just about every morning coming along and I said to myself, ‘Well, I [in high school] and that had a significant probably ought to help in church, but I’ll wait influence on me,” Judy says. “The Sisters were until all the kids are in school,’” Judy says. young and energetic, excellent teachers and But it wasn’t long after that tragedy struck
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I have come to realize that God has gifted me with charisms and talents that are not to be held for myself. They’re to be given, they’re to be shared, as the Gospel says. That’s why I do it — my gifts are needed, so I share them as much as I can.
Judy Virnig
ney of Life:
MEET JUDY VIRNIG
the young family, when their second son drowned, shortly before turning 2. However, staying close to their faith sustained them, and even became the catalyst for Judy’s early involvement in the parish. “I was just so impressed with the women there who were serving the funeral lunch because, as I looked, I realized that almost all of them had children of their own and still, here they were, working at the funeral,” Judy says. “I thought, ‘Well, girl, you'd better get to work.’ Those women were such an influence for me, I was really moved by their presence and so they taught me a lot by being there.” And thus, began Judy’s many years of service to our parish and community. She started by enrolling in the Christian Mothers, helping to serve funerals and decorate the church. It later turned to teaching Confirmation classes. Before long, her children were grown and Judy found herself back in school, earning a bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministry. From there, she worked for over a decade as the Pastoral Minister at Our Lady of Lourdes, serving in many areas, but specifically focused on those preparing to become Catholic through the RCIA process. Following that, she spent a number of years working for the Franciscan Sisters, in their Office for Associates. The influence of the Franciscans has also been significant in her practice of the faith over the years, and she will celebrate 35 years as a Franciscan associate — a person living Franciscan values, without being a vowed religious — next year. She remains close to friends who have spent their lives as sisters
and serves on the convent liturgy committee. Although Judy and Roger — who celebrated 52 years of marriage this year — are kept busy with their five living children, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren, they continue to be involved in the parish. Judy is a sacristan and collection counter, while Roger serves as an usher and Eucharistic Minister. “I have come to realize that God has gifted me with charisms and talents that are not to be kept for myself,” Judy says. “They’re to be given, they’re to be shared, as the Gospel says. That’s why I do it — my gifts are needed, so I share them as much as I can.” Today, Judy finds herself in another “desert time,” due to the COVID-19 outbreak. But just as she found God in the quiet of the convent, she finds God again in the slower pace brought about by the pandemic. Between Eucharistic Adoration, reading, gardening and spending more time in nature, she finds herself growing closer to God each day. “If my service gets its animation from my prayer life, then I believe I’m doing what God wants me to do,” she says. Judy hopes that other longtime members of the parish will make an effort to welcome and invite others to serve alongside themselves, and encourages those who are not yet involved to consider sharing their gifts. “I think it is the responsibility of those who are involved to invite other people to join us,” Judy says. “But people can also speak up, call the parish office and say, ‘I’d really like to get involved, who could I talk to? Here’s what I’m interested in. Is there anywhere you could use this?’”
Thank you, Judy and Roger, for your many years of service and witness to the Little Falls Catholic Community!
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St. Mary’s • Our Lady Of Lourdes • Holy Family
Stewardship HANNAH, THE GOOD STEWARD
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hat should we do when our prayers are answered?
Is there anything left to do after we have sincerely thanked God for His favors? If God were a human peer, we would probably try to reciprocate by granting Him a favor in return. But the truth is that God cannot be made greater by anything that we do for Him. Instead, God receives our thanks and tells us to “go and do likewise.” That is, He tells us to share with others the good that He has bestowed on us. And in doing so, we are really sharing God Himself. That is the definition of stewardship! The Old Testament Book of Samuel contains one of the most poignant examples of stewardship in the entire Bible. The first chapter teaches us of an unhappy, barren woman named Hannah. Desperate in her barrenness, Hannah prays that God will give her a son, vowing that she will raise him to be a man of God. Imagine Hannah’s elation when she was granted her prayer! When Samuel was born, her heart’s desire had come true! Imagine further the pang of motherly sorrow, as Hannah kept her promise to God by taking Samuel at a young age to be the servant of Eli, the high priest. The Book of Samuel tells us that once Samuel became Eli’s servant, Hannah saw her young son just once a year. Indeed, Hannah knew that Samuel was truly a gift from God – an answered prayer. Hannah’s response is that of the Good Steward – with an attitude of both gratitude and sacrifice, she gave up her son to honor God. One imagines that Hannah probably struggled with this sacrifice during those first years. She probably did not know what God had in store for her son. Yet, through her faithfulness, God 6
used him as a gift to an entire nation. Samuel would, in time, become one of the greatest prophets of Jewish history. Sometimes it is difficult to understand the sacrifices we make in the name of stewardship, while the results may just be impossible to miss! However, He asks that we continue to be faithful in either case. God has undoubtedly bestowed gifts on all of us – at whatever the cost, we are to “go and do likewise.”
PROFILE:
KATHLEEN FESTLER
A Commitment to Faithful Stewardship and Service
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hether we were born into the faith or later discovered its truths in adulthood, the life of a Catholic is one of continuous conversion. It’s a gradual process of coming to know and inviting the Lord more fully into our minds and hearts. And, it’s a journey of healing and discovery as we become more like clay in the potter’s hands (Isaiah 64:7). Parishioner Kathleen Festler can attest to the truth of this through her own spiritual journey. Over her 47 years of involvement at St. Mary’s Church, Kathleen has come to associate stewardship with the story of the Good Samaritan — one of generous service out of love. “To me, it is not so much the giving of money as it is engaging the heart,” Kathleen says. “When I understand that a neighbor or stranger is in need, then my heart is engaged and I respond to help.” This response has taken many shapes over the years. It’s led her to become involved in bake sales and to chair the kitchen for the annual Bazaar. It’s inspired her to contribute items or money when needed and to volunteer with community outreach such as Meals on Wheels and Share a Meal. Stewardship has caused her to become a more vocal advocate for life, working with Morrison County to bring about pro-life legislation. These ministries have helped keep Kathleen anchored through the inevitable storms of life. They’ve also indirectly facilitated healing and conversion in her own heart. “For many years, I carried a deep, unresolved hurt in my heart from my parents’ tragic marriage which affected my own marriage greatly,” Kathleen says. “Had I left the Church, I might still be seeking answers. I still had a long wait, but I found the answers I sought in St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, which I am deeply grateful for. Through it, I gained confidence and came to understand what is true, good, beautiful and pure. I was
Fred and Kathleen Festler
able to learn about how our sexuality plays out in what we do to and with our bodies and minds — to learn that sexuality is not a right or a need, but a gift given to us by God.” Kathleen shares that she also struggled for years with receiving Holy Communion, held back by feelings of unworthiness. Yet, God remained faithful, using the example of others to transform her heart and allow her to eventually find solace in the Eucharist. “I found it very difficult to go to Confession and I never felt worthy to receive Communion,” continued on back cover
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St. Mary’s • Our Lady Of Lourdes • Holy Family Parish Office: 208 West Broadway Little Falls, MN 56345 (320) 632-8243 www.littlefallscatholic.org
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Kathleen says. “An older woman encouraged me and today my strength lies in the amazing grace of the Eucharist. I can actually taste the goodness of the Lord in my life now, mysterious as it is. It makes my everyday living sweeter and my burdens lighter.” Though still a work in progress, Kathleen is deeply grateful for the gift of her faith, which has remained the bedrock of her life.
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She continues to serve faithfully out of love whenever possible. Currently, she cares for her husband, Fred, who served as a longtime lector in our community, and is in the comfort care phase of hospice. “Jesus is the reason for everything I do,” Kathleen says, “He and His Church are what have helped me through life’s difficult moments.”
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Kathleen Festler
To me, it is not so much the giving of money as it is engaging the heart. When I understand that a neighbor or stranger is in need, then my heart is engaged and I respond to help.
Kathleen Festler