S T. A L E X I U S - O U R L A D Y O F T H E A N G E L S - S T. PA U L ’S
Together in Sorrow, with the Grace of God:
The GriefShare Ministry W
hen you are grieving the death of a loved one, it can be one of the loneliest feelings in the world. Here in the Catholic community of Sauk Centre, we want you to know that even in the most difficult, painful and lonely times of your life, there are those who want to walk alongside you on the journey of grief. Six years ago, parishioner Jeanine Wolbeck suffered the loss of her beloved husband. In the midst of her pain, she decided to try to connect with others who had experienced a similar loss. After some searching, she finally discovered GriefShare, a grief recovery support group, in Alexandria. “It was amazing; very helpful,” Jeanine says. “And the group I went through this with, we still meet every month.” Just last year, after talking with local pastors and discovering that there still wasn’t a grief support group in Sauk Centre, Jeanine connected with a new friend, retired nurse Deb Himsl, who she says has a heart for providing space for those suffering the loss of a loved one. With the support of Fr. Greg,
and the pastors of other local churches, the ladies brought GriefShare to the Center for Christ for the first time last fall. GriefShare is an international, faith-based, ecumenical program consisting of 13-week sessions that include video teachings, individual reflection and journaling, and group discussion. The group covers topics such as the challenges of grief, how to find comfort in your faith, and much more. The group also provides one-time sessions, covering
AU G U S T
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ST. ALEXIUS - OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS - ST. PAUL’S
The GriefShare Ministry “It really helped me spiritually to go through this program. Through this program, we learn it’s only through the grace of God that you can heal and you have to trust in Him to lead you through.” — Jeanine Wolbeck topics such as grieving the loss of a spouse, and how to prepare for the holidays without your loved one. From the first group that went through the program, Jeanine and Deb saw the positive impact of the ministry. “I can tear up just talking about those people,” Deb says. “They all changed. You could see healing in all of them.” “They’re all going to heal at their own pace,” Jeanine adds. “We’re just there to listen and guide and facilitate the program. It’s been a heartwarming experience.” For many, GriefShare becomes a place where, even in their suffering, they can feel a little less alone, in a space with others who can relate to their pain. “There was a girl who said, ‘I looked around and I recognized those faces, I saw that deep sadness —
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that’s me when I look in the mirror,’” Deb says. “I didn’t know what was normal,” Jeanine says. “I thought I was going crazy sometimes. But sometimes that’s what you need more than anything else — people that understand that those feelings are normal and you’re going to be okay, by the grace of God.” Because of the nature of the program, GriefShare provides a place where people can receive healing in a way that helps them to draw closer to God, in the midst of their suffering. “It really helped me spiritually to go through this program,” Jeanine says. “Through this program, we learn it’s only through the grace of God that you can heal and you have to trust in Him to lead you through.” “God’s going to walk with you,” Deb adds. “It may not always feel that way, but He’s always there — He’s not going to desert you.” Jeanine and Deb encourage those suffering the loss of a loved one to consider coming to find support with others experiencing similar grief. “I think anyone could benefit from this,” Jeanine says. “We try to make it comfortable and supportive. There’s no commitment — just give it a try. “I want people to have hope,” she adds. “I want to give people a place with people they know they can go to when things aren’t right. This doesn’t take away the struggle, but it gives you resources — it gives you something to hang onto, it gives you other people to support you.”
If you would like more information, or to become involved with GriefShare, please contact Jeanine Wolbeck at 651-285-5720, or Deb Himsl at 320-429-0913. You can also email griefshare@centerforchrist.org. 2
A Letter From Our Pastor
August:
Understanding God’s My Dear Friends in Christ,
A
s August dawns upon us, I’m shocked by the simple reality that summer is just about over! Yes, some of us are trying to squeeze in that one last vacation or get outside for just a few more minutes. But at least in part, we’ve started to transition back into the swing of our fall routines. How has this happened? Wasn’t it just yesterday we fished the opener, planted our garden, or celebrated someone’s graduation? And I was just getting used to the longer days when the sun was showing its bright face. I once heard from a psychologist that 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.
Gift of Time
At the end of this summer, we have an opportunity to reflect on how we used our time these last few months. Did we set aside time to aside pray? Have we taken time to serve others? What time have we given back to 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 and get more involved. There is no better time than right now to seek out ways to serve God in our parish and those around us. This is what it means to be a good steward! As the lazy days of summer give way to the routine and activity of fall, remember to keep God in your hearts, in your minds, and on your lips as we continue our stewardship journey as an Area Catholic Community. Please pray for me as I pray for you. In our Father’s hands, Fr. Greg Paffel Pastor
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ST. ALEXIUS - OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS - ST. PAUL’S
Meet Holy Family School Business Mana
Carla
Moritz: “God D
E
ach weekday morning of the school year, So I’m here, and it has been such a blessing in Carla Moritz wakes up, prepares for my life. God definitely led me here.” her day, and says a Rosary. By 7:30 In the six years that Carla has served a.m., she is in her office at Holy as the school’s Business Manager, she Family School, getting a few things has been touched by the faith of the done before the children begin to students and their willingness to arrive. As the school’s Business pray for others throughout the Manager, her days are rarely school day. She has also been dull! The hours quickly fill inspired by the “big heart for with office duties, from making Jesus and the children” that sure building needs are met, to she witnesses in her boss, Lynn working together on projects Peterson, every day. with Principal Lynn Peterson. Working in a faith-filled Every hour of every day, Carla atmosphere — and having the feels incredibly blessed to serve opportunity to visit the adoration our school in this important role. chapel across the street from the Prior to coming to Holy Family school before or after work — brings School, Carla spent over 20 years in the Carla a sense of joy and peace. As a lifelong banking industry and several years as Catholic who grew up attending St. Paul’s the Business Manager for her husband’s Carla Moritz with her husband, Steve Church and Holy Family School, Carla construction company. When the has a deep connection to the Catholic position of Business Manager at the school opened up, community in Sauk Centre. many friends and acquaintances told her she should “My grandsons are the fourth generation of my family consider applying. to go to Holy Family School,” she says. “And I feel a strong “People were coming to me and dropping all these sense of community here at St. Paul’s. A connection has hints, and I finally recognized that maybe God was talking developed, and it’s just been the best thing ever. It’s like to me through them,” Carla says. “At the interview for the I have my own little family outside my family here in the job, I said, ‘I believe God sent me here, and if I’m meant to church. It feels like that passage in the Catechism that says be working here, you will choose me and I’ll accept, but if Jesus is the Head and we are the Body. That’s how I feel you choose another, I’ll know that God has another plan.’ about my church — really feeling like part of the whole
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“At the interview for the job, I said, ‘I believe God sent me here, and if I’m meant to be working here, you will choose me and I’ll accept, but if you choose another, I’ll know that God has another plan.’ So I’m here, and it has been such a blessing in my life. God definitely led me here.” — Carla Moritz 4
ager
Definitely Led Me Here” Body of Christ. It’s really beautiful when you stop to think about it.” Recently, Carla has furthered her involvement in service by volunteering with the No One Dies Alone Ministry (NODA) through a local hospital. Carla finds that the opportunity to sit and pray with people at the end of their time here on earth is a powerful and beautiful experience, and she feels blessed to participate in this special ministry. “It is my prayer life and faith that gives me courage to sit with others at the end of life,” she says. Reflecting on her work life at Holy Family School, her spiritual life at St. Paul’s, and her home life with her
Upcoming
EVENTS
- Saturday, Aug. 1,
at Our Lady of the Angels — First Saturday Devotions · 7:45 a.m. — Confessions · 8 a.m. — Adoration · 8:30 a.m. — Rosary · 9 a.m. — Mass
- Saturday, Aug. 1,
husband, Steve, their two sons and five grandchildren, Carla is overcome by a great sense of gratitude for all the gifts God has so freely given, both to her and our entire faith community. “We live in a really faithful community,” Carla says. “I just feel like we’re really blessed around Sauk Centre. There are good Catholic churches and there are other faiths here in town, and we work together well. There are lots of good outreach ministries going on around here. I feel blessed to have grown up here and be raised in the Catholic faith. I feel very, very blessed in my life. There are just so many good things happening.”
at Our Lady of the Angels First Communion, 10:30 a.m. Last of the three Masses offered for St. Paul’s and Our Lady of the Angels First Holy Communion students
- Saturday, Aug. 8,
“Paschal Challenge” with Fr. Greg (Vocation Camp)
- Friday, Aug. 14,
Mass for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary · 7:30 p.m., St. Alexius
- Saturday, Aug. 15,
Mass for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary · 9 a.m., Our Lady of the Angels
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ST. ALEXIUS - OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS - ST. PAUL’S
The Faith Journey of B
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St. Genesius
eing a performer and a comedian may sound like a fun way to make a living. St. Genesius, an outstanding actor, playwright and comedian in late Imperial Rome, certainly did have some fun for a while. But his career and life came to an abrupt end when his work ultimately led him to Christ. Genesius was a comedian of some renown, but in the fourth century, Christians were often discouraged from becoming actors because ancient Roman comedy was highly sexual, crude and offensive. In the year 303, Emperor Diocletian launched what would be the last great Roman persecution against the Christian Church. So, Genesius used the persecution as an opportunity to write a comedy about Christianity. He thought it might attract the attention of the Emperor, increase his fame, and make him some money in the process. Genesius approached leaders of the Christian community in Rome and presented himself as a catechumen seeking Baptism. He was then invited into a period of instruction in the faith, in order to learn the beliefs of the Christians. He was particularly taken by the idea of Baptism. But at the time, he had no plans to convert to the faith – it was all just a part of his plan to research new material to use for his comedy. But a strange thing happened to Genesius as he began to work on his play, which was to be a comedy on Baptism. As Genesius began teaching the other actors about Baptism, he began to believe, and a desire to be baptized grew within his heart. The opening night of the play was a great success, with
Emperor Diocletian in attendance. But at some point during the play, the Holy Spirit touched Genesius. He was no longer acting. “You fools, I wish to die a Christian,” Genesius said. When the other actors asked him why, he said, “All my life I have been a fugitive, and only today have I found God.” Everyone, especially Emperor Diocletian, laughed as Genesius spoke. Genesius, standing in a pulpit designed to look like the goddess Venus, began to preach to the audience. He told the crowd how he once hated Christians and enjoyed insulting them. He told the crowd how he deserted his own family as a child because they were Christians. From there, Genesius addressed Diocletian, stating that he wrote the play to mock Christians, but had been converted on the spot during the course of the play, by the power of the Holy Spirit. “I now know that the Lord Jesus Christ is the true God, the Light, the Truth and the Mercy of all who have received His gift of Baptism,” Genesius said. “O great Emperor, believe in these mysteries! I will teach you, and you will know the Lord Jesus Christ is the true God.” Diocletian was furious and stopped the play, having the troupe arrested and beaten, while Genesius was condemned to torture. Through all of his sufferings, he continued to confess that Jesus was God. When this failed to break his spirit, Diocletian ordered Genesius be beheaded. His final words were, “Our Lord Jesus Christ is God and we shall have life in His name.” St. Genesius is the patron of comedians and actors. His feast day is Aug. 25.
Helping People Explore the Faith:
Alpha Program Starts W
e all know someone who has fallen away from the faith. Or, maybe we even know someone who has never known Jesus. We know how important and monumental weekly Mass is. But, for someone who is exploring Christianity, attending Mass could be intimidating or even confusing. Millions of people in more than 100 countries have experienced the Alpha program. We are hosting the fifth session of Alpha beginning this fall at the Centre for Christ. There are 11 sessions and each begins with a meal together. The Alpha program uses videos and discussions to create community and to help people experience Jesus Christ. Leticia Sanchez leads a Spanish group. They watch the videos in Spanish and also have small-group discussion in Spanish. “Alpha is what we call ‘Christianity 101,’” says one of the planners, Kristi Whitcomb. “It is a program that was designed to continued on back cover
this Fall
(From left) Leticia Sanchez, Kristi Whitcomb and Shanna Middendorf are ready for the Alpha program at the Centre for Christ.
“Alpha is what we call ‘Christianity 101.’ It is a program that was designed to explore Christianity in a loving, safe and judgement-free setting, to reflect upon the bigger questions in life.” — Kristi Whitcomb
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ST. ALEXIUS - OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS - ST. PAUL’S Parish Office: 304 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 (320) 352-2196 www.catholic-sc.org Mass Schedule
Saturday 4:00 p.m. - St. Paul’s Saturday 5:00 p.m. - Our Lady of the Angels Saturday 8:00 p.m. - St. Paul’s Sunday 8:00 a.m. - St. Paul’s Sunday 8:30 a.m. - St. Alexius Sunday 10:00 a.m. - St. Paul’s Sunday 10:30 a.m. - Our Lady of the Angels
Reconciliation Schedule
Thursday 4:00 p.m. - St. Paul’s Saturday 3:00 p.m. - St. Paul’s Saturday 4:00 p.m. - Our Lady of the Angels Sunday 8:00 a.m. - St. Alexius
Alpha Program Starts this Fall explore Christianity in a loving, safe and judgement-free setting, to reflect upon the bigger questions in life.” The first Sauk Centre Alpha gathering was held in August of 2018, and has grown throughout the sessions that have since taken place. The spring 2018 session had 35 guests or attendees and 12 on the planning team. Mike Karasch leads the ministry with the help of Kristi and many others. “We have had a great turnout and it gets better each time we hold an Alpha!” Kristi says. “We are building Alpha from the ground up.” Alpha team members are not there to teach or “push” views on anyone. It is a program that encourages discussions on Christianity and the bigger questions of life. “This is a group that we want guests to be able to come up with their own answers to these bigger questions,” Kristi says. “Our hope is that people will come to their own conclusions to their questions and hopefully start to develop a relationship with Jesus!” The program is for anyone at any place in their faith journey. Kristi says everyone can benefit from Alpha. She admits Alpha has been a big part of her faith journey. She
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came back to the Catholic Church in May of 2018, after being away for 10 years. Fr. Greg invited her to help with Alpha around that time and she says that was the “reset” of her Catholic faith. “Over the past one and a half years since coming back to church, helping with Alpha, being involved with church activities and with all the amazing people in my life, I have a mission in life — it is to get as many people excited about Jesus, whether for the first time or again,” Kristi says. “And I feel like Alpha is one way to help me achieve that mission. Even if I only play a small part and even if I never see it for myself.” Alpha is a global program. Everyone is welcome to attend, no matter where you are in your faith journey. Kristi Whitcomb says anyone who is “on the fence” about attending should just come to the first session to try it out! Please, also, invite anyone who would benefit. Please refer to the parish newsletter for more information on the fall session at the Centre for Christ.
