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
Tiffany Marthaler
Embraces Opportunity to Teach and Share in
Faith Formation
T
he family is the first place children learn the faith. This is why the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church calls the family the “domestic church” (11). In turn, the United States Conference on Catholic Bishops lays out a number of ways to build a “domestic church,” like always attending Sunday Mass, praying a Rosary as a family, and inviting priests, deacons and sisters into your home, to name a few. The St. Alexius Faith Formation program seeks to also teach children the faith, outside the home. Tiffany Marthaler has been a volunteer teacher for the program for the past four years. Her son, Brock, is in the program, which meets after 8:30 a.m. Mass on Sundays during the school year. Tiffany first taught third and fourth grade and has taught fifth
and sixth grade the last two years. While Tiffany isn’t a professional teacher, she has found that teaching the faith comes easily to her. Sharing her time is important to her since Brock is in the program. She has also found that she’s learning right along with her students. Brock was baptized Catholic, and Tiffany wanted to practice the same faith as her son — she went through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process and entered into the Catholic faith. There is always so much to learn about the Catholic Church and teaching has been a great avenue for Tiffany to learn more about the faith. She appreciates the weekly topics and time with the students. “I really enjoy the conversations we have based on what-
Tiffany Marthaler with her son, Brock, and husband, Ken
ever that week’s curriculum is,” she says. “They are engaged and want to learn what it means to be Catholic.” Tiffany most enjoys teaching on the resurrection, and she participated in a Bible study this continued on page 5
AU G U S T
2 0 2 1
ST. ALEXIUS - OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS - ST. PAUL’S
Save Dates ATTENTION ALL SEARCHING SOULS! Are you seeking to find answers and wanting to grow in your Catholic faith? Join other searching souls every Monday evening at 6:30 p.m., at Our Lady of the Angels Church basement in Sauk Centre for videos and small-group discussions with a different topic each week!
SATURDAY, AUG. 7 7:45 a.m. Confessions 8 a.m. Adoration 8:30 a.m. Rosary 9 a.m. Mass
ST. THERESA MISSION GROUP
Please text or call 320-298-6778 for more information or with questions! Join our Searching Souls Ministries Facebook page for more information!
THURSDAY, AUG. 12 1 p.m. Location: St. Paul’s Church Basement
August Topics: Aug. 2 — Pallet Painting Aug. 9 — Transfiguration Aug.16 — Assumption Aug. 23 — Immaculate Heart of Mary Aug. 30 — Amazing Women of the Bible
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL AUGUST DINNER
MASS FOR HEALING AT SS. PETER & PAUL’S CHURCH IN ELROSA THURSDAY, AUG. 5 6 p.m. Adoration and Confessions 7 p.m. Mass with Anointing and Confessions
2
FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTIONS AT OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS:
AUG. 13 — beginning at 6:30 p.m.
FAMILY REGISTRATION AND FUN NIGHT AT CENTRE FOR CHRIST WEDNESDAY, AUG. 25 4:30-6:30 p.m. Come enjoy a picnic meal, play games (9 Square, cornhole, yard dice, etc.) and register for classes.
A Letter From Our Pastor
What Are You Going to Do My Dear Friends in Christ,
W
With Your Life?
e are called to be the disciples of Jesus Christ. Discipleship is our calling — stewardship is the way we are to live the life we have been given. I don’t think we believers would or should argue the point. It begins with our Baptism and our new life as members of the Church. There are no questions about it, even though we may not always remember that we have been called to discipleship — it is a lifelong process, and we are all works in progress. But please remember, we are God’s “works” that evolve moment by moment, day by day, and year after year. To get more specific, we need to not only understand that stewardship is the expression of discipleship, but it is also the way in which we are to live our life. It is not a program — it is a way of life. I suppose at least once in our lifetime, we have been asked, “What are you going to do with your life?” Usually, that will happen at graduation, and how many of us have followed the path we thought we would at that time in our life? Perhaps we replied with a certain profession that may have interested us at the time. But there is always more to our answer than the title of a profession, just as there is more to our lives than just breathing. How do we use the gifts God has given to us? How we do so will define the life we live for God and the Church. That is our call to discipleship. It is how we should understand stewardship. Many people ask me why I am so convinced that stewardship is a way of life. The simple answer I give is always the easy one and the most practical. My life as a faithful steward makes sense. The story of Christianity is filled with people like you and me who wonder and desire how to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ. It is
what we are to do with our lives. Our attitude must be formed to spend the time and the talents we have, to do our part for God’s Church. When does that become our priority? When does it become our way of life? These are the questions any believer must ask themselves when we think about our relationship with God, His Church, and the people around us. But, throughout my time in life as a priest, stewardship as my way of life makes sense and is more than possible with what God has given me to work with. It is the same with each of us. I am grateful for what God has given me and thankful I can live my life as His disciple. I say that not just as a priest, but as a baptized member of His family. I am thankful my parents brought me to be baptized a Christian and begin a life that would lead me, like all of us, to be the disciple we are called to be. When we were baptized, no one asked us, “What are you going to do with your life?” If my parents and Godparents understood why we were all there, it should have been clear that we are all to be faithful stewards of all that God provides, beginning with the gift of life. That is why stewardship as a way of life is in my mind, heart and soul. That, too, was a gift from God for which I am most grateful. This is my calling, and “this” is what I am going to do with the rest of my life. What will you do with yours? In our Father’s hands, Fr. Greg Paffel Pastor
3
ST. ALEXIUS - OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS - ST. PAUL’S
the
Cho
A Community T
he Chow Mein Dinner that has been a tradition at Our Lady of the Angels Parish for more than half a century is returning after the pandemic put it on hiatus last year. The four Frericks sisters — Janet Schulte, Joyce Frericks, Diane Leukam, and Lois Warnert — will once again chair the event that draws at least 1,500 diners for the homemade feast, with Janet as the chief organizer. The sisters are lifelong members of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, and they began organizing the dinner in 2008. Everyone is welcome to gather from 4-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 in the basement at Our Lady of the Angels Church. Volunteer cooks will be preparing the meal of chicken chow mein, rice, noodles, and pie for those eating in and for carry-out. If diners choose the eat-in option, they also will be served additional vegetables and pickled beets. Arrangements can be made to have the dinners delivered — at least 100 dinners
With an October date for our Chow Mein Dinner, autumn decor provides the perfect backdrop for the parish hall.
typically are delivered that night. There also will be a raffle during the dinner. Proceeds from the dinner and raffle will help support Holy Family School. Although the dinner certainly is a draw, with those 1,500 meals served that one night, it is more than
the delicious food made from the long-established recipes that brings people into the event. It is the fact that not only parishioners, but people from the surrounding community look forward to the chance to come together in fellowship. “People from around the area
continued on page 5
“It feels like, even more than seeing people and coming to eat, that you see everyone working together to make it and then to clean up. Some may come in and work so hard, and some spend the whole day to get the dinner ready. It feels good to see all who are willing to help and willing to work hard. It really builds the parish, and builds rapport with the parish and community members.” — Janet Schulte 4
ow Mein Dinner:
Favorite Returns in October come to eat,” Joyce says. “It’s definitely a communitybuilding event. A lot come to the dining room and talk and visit with each other. People from other churches in town also attend.” More than 200 volunteers give of their time and talents to set up the dining room and prepare the food. “It feels like, even more than seeing people and coming to eat, that you see everyone working together to make it and then to clean up,” Janet says. “Some may come in and work so hard, and some spend the whole day to get the dinner ready. It feels good to see all who are willing to help and willing to work hard. It really builds the parish, and builds rapport with the parish and community members.” Volunteer help is always needed and welcome. Signup sheets will be placed in the church in mid-August.
“Most people sign up then,” Joyce says. “But sometimes people show up and help the day of the meal. That’s perfectly fine, too.”
Many volunteer hours go into the preparation for the Chow Mein Dinner. The chow mein is prepared from scratch and is served with crunchy noodles. More than 1,000 dinners are prepared for this longstanding parish tradition that brings together parishioners and people from the wider community alike.
If you are interested in volunteering, please look out for the sign-up sheets placed in the church this month.
Faith Formation
continued from front cover
past spring where she learned more about the death and resurrection of Jesus. This helped her to better teach on the topic. For Tiffany, being involved as a Faith Formation teacher is truly a calling. She encourages others to consider getting involved. It’s not only a way to give back to our Lord, who gives us so many blessings but to also learn more about the Catholic faith. “Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and go for it,” she says. “I don’t have a background in education, but the Holy Spirit nudged me when I was asked and I said ‘yes’ without giving it much thought. It’s very fulfilling.”
Want to get involved as a Faith Formation teacher? Please contact Christina Rousslang at 320-980-0475 or stalexiusfaithformation@yahoo.com. 5
ST. ALEXIUS - OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS - ST. PAUL’S
Pope St. Pius X: A Modern Traditionalist O
n Aug. 21, the Church commemorates the feast of a great saint — St. Pius X, the peasant boy who became the Vicar of Christ. St. Pius X is a wonderful saint for our times because he effectively and definitively worked for a balance between upholding the Tradition and Faith of the Church and adapting to the Modern Age. St. Pius X — Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto — was born in 1835, one of eight children in an impoverished peasant family. He pursued God’s call on him to the priesthood from an early age. Even as a young priest, he possessed great personal and pastoral skills. In addition to his deep holiness and virtue, St. Pius had a passion for defending and preserving the truth of the faith, which he carried with him into his pontificate. As pope, he gave as his motto: “Instaurare Omnia in Christo” — “to restore all things in Christ” — a mission proclaimed not a moment too soon. Already in Europe, secular governments, social institutions, and the mass media were driving the faith out of public life and education, all the while upholding individual freedom — understood as unlimited license — as the ultimate good. Worst of all, these philosophies had made their way into the minds of many clergy and Catholic laity, who claimed that modern science had discredited many dogmas of the Church. They proposed a new Christianity based what they called the “religious experience,” a continually changing and evolving human experience that would in turn continually transform the meaning of Catholic teachings. The
6
problem was that the new teachings proposed by these modernists contradicted the very foundations of the faith established by Jesus Christ. Fortunately, the Holy Father saw through the modern theories immediately and exposed the false doctrines, all the while acting with extreme discretion and pastoral charity. Pope Pius X reminded us that God, the Author of both faith and reason, and in Whom there is no contradiction, cannot allow science and true religion to contradict. Moreover, he declared that all the essential teachings of the Catholic faith and of Scripture could be defended rationally, and he encouraged the faithful to study the faith and read the Scriptures daily. While Pius X spent much of his pontificate defending Catholic dogma from the threat of Modernism, he recognized the need for legitimate modern reforms within the Church. For instance, he initiated the codification of Canon Law, because the laws of the Church had little organization up to that time. He reformed the administrative offices of the Church. He also reformed the Liturgical Calendar, giving precedence back to the Sunday liturgies, which were too often being trumped by celebration of the daily saint’s feast. Pius X initiated a renewal in liturgical music, as well, bringing back Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony to their primary place within the liturgy. Two of this saint’s most noted acts are reassigning the time of First Communion of children to the age of reason (about 7 years), and advising and promoting daily Communion, saying, “Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to heaven.”
Searching Souls MINISTRY Offers Wonderful Ways to Grow and Share Your Faith
C
harlotte Johnson attended Catholic Greg, ‘Why doesn’t something like this exist school and was raised in the for Catholics?’ He said, ‘Why don’t you Catholic Church — but as an adult, start something?’” she realized that she had so many With a few other women, questions about her faith. Charlotte sat down and began “A coworker had told me listing topics. They came up about Relevant Radio, and I with quite a list. In January, started listening and learning Charlotte saw on her Facebook more and also had more newsfeed the No Great Love questions,” Charlotte says. “I Bible study, and a group had questions about things started forming with five like the tradition of fasting or seven people, and then it throughout the entire year became a group of 20 or more. on Fridays and the value in “The No Greater Love group praying the Rosary every day.” was already meeting on Monday The Searching Souls Ministry nights and just flowed into offers Catholics a space to come discussing the DVD Divine Mercy together and inquire into the faith. 101,” Charlotte says. “I would say that “It is just what the name suggests was the official start of Searching Souls — a ministry for souls searching for as we watched that DVD in preparation answers,” Charlotte says. “It’s an for Divine Mercy Sunday.” The co-founders of the Searching Souls Ministry — (from left) Kristi opportunity to grow and share your Since then, the group hasn’t missed Whitcomb from Our Lady of the Angels, Catholic faith with other searching a Monday yet. They meet weekly in Charlotte Johnson from St. Paul’s, and souls and get together with other men the Our Lady of the Angels church Christina Rousslang from St. Alexius and women looking for answers.” basement at 6:30 p.m. Some of the other Before this ministry, Charlotte topics they’ve covered include First served as a small-group leader for Alpha. Fridays and First Saturdays, St. Anthony, the Our Father, “During one of the Alpha meetings, I found out that and adoration. the ministry was more for people who don’t know God or “With adoration, for example, someone said that she who don’t believe in God,” Charlotte says. “So I asked Fr. goes to adoration, but she’s not exactly sure what she continued on back cover
“I’m growing deeper in my faith and am learning more and more. In researching the topics before the meetings, I learn so much, and then when we have discussions, we learn from everyone else.” — Charlotte Johnson 7
ST. ALEXIUS - OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS - ST. PAUL’S Parish Office: 304 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 (320) 352-2196 parishesontheprairie.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
Searching Souls Ministry
continued from page 7
should be doing,” Charlotte says. “With some of our topics, we’ve been inviting different ministry leaders to come and talk, too.” Everyone is welcome to suggest topics related to aspects of the faith they’d like to learn more about. Sometimes, the topics align with the liturgical calendar such as Divine Mercy Sunday. Topics can be found on Facebook, the bulletin, and the newsletter. The importance of this new ministry for the faith community is evident in how community members have responded to the topics and come together to inquire into the faith. “I’m growing deeper in my faith and am learning more and more,” Charlotte says. “In researching the topics before the meetings, I learn so much, and then when we have discussions, we learn from everyone else.”
Searching Souls Ministry attendees gathering for the conversation about adoration