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
MEET
CHAD MARTHALER FINDING HOME FOR FAMILY AND FAITH AT
ST. ALEXIUS
Chad, Darla, Jaxson, and August with their dog, Maggie
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hat a gift it is, to marry and raise a family at the same church in which you were raised, and to have your children baptized at the same church in which you were baptized. Chad Marthaler is living that
dream with his wife, Darla, and their children — Jaxson, 4; and August (Gus), 2. While Chad had been in the Twin Cities area for about 12 years, he has spent most of his life at St. Alexius, receiving many of his
sacraments there. He and Darla were married at St. Alexius in 2015. “I enjoy being involved with our church because it gives our family a sense of being involved and belonging to a community that looks after one another,” Chad says. Chad contributes to the continuing vitality of St. Alexius through his work on the Finance Council, on which he has served for four years. Darla also gives of her time by serving as a Eucharistic Minister. She was also on the Pastoral Council. Chad also helps with any maintenance needs that come up around the building. For Chad, serving on the Finance Council has come with both joys and challenges. The parish house fire in 2017 presented a challenge, coming at the same time that the parking lot restoration project was getting underway. Another challenge came this autumn, as the annual Sausage continued on back cover
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ST. ALEXIUS - OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS - ST. PAUL’S
T h e “ T h a n ks g i v i n g S p i r i t ” DOESN’T HAVE TO END AT THANKSGIVING
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he 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 Thanksgiving” with the fall holiday and its many recognizable symbols — brisk weather, cornucopias, family gatherings, 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 participates 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 reaching 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 turkey, decorations or a family viewing of It’s a Wonderful Life — but it will provide lifelong fulfillment and joy rooted in an attitude of perpetual thanksgiving.
Upcoming Events Memorial Mass on All Souls’ Day — Nov. 2
Baptism Instructional Class Monday, Nov. 16
Vocation Mass — Thursday, Nov. 5, St. Alexius 6 p.m. Adoration 6:30 p.m. Rosary 6:50 p.m. Benediction 7 p.m. Mass
Mass — Thanksgiving Thursday, Nov. 26
7 p.m., St. Paul’s
First Saturday Devotions — Nov. 7, Our Lady of the Angels 7:45 a.m. Confessions, 8 a.m. Adoration 8:30 a.m. Rosary 9 a.m. Mass
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7:30 p.m., St. Paul’s
8:30 a.m., Our Lady of the Angels
Back To School Blessing Trees are up for the month of November in St. Paul’s and Our Lady of the Angels. The Blessing Tree contains items we purchase for our 68 orphans we are supporting in Migori, Kenya. Cash donations are made to one of the parishes, then the money is wired to Kenya, and uniforms, shoes/socks, health care, sweaters, etc. are obtained for them in Kenya. Thank you for helping support our orphans!
A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR
“What’s in It
For Us”
MAY SURPRISE YOU My Dear Friends in Christ,
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ou already know that our parish is committed to living as intentional disciples of Christ through the holistic practice of stewardship. What you may not know is that one of our inspirations and mentors is the late Msgr. Thomas McGread of the Diocese of Wichita. Who was Msgr. McGread? Msgr. McGread was a humble, servant priest who created a model for how stewardship should be practiced — both here and in many Catholic parishes across the country. What began simply with Msgr. McGread applying his stewardship principles at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Wichita — where he served as pastor for 31 years — has become a way of life for our parish family and for Catholics around the nation. With such an incredible blueprint from this visionary priest, how could we go wrong? We have truly embraced stewardship here in our faith family, and for that, I am blessed and grateful. From the beginning, however, the question “What’s in it for us?” had to be on our minds as our efforts to educate parishioners and promote the stewardship way of life were introduced. At first, “What’s in it for us?” seemed to center on what people were willing to do to give back to God as part of practicing their faith and living as disciples of Jesus Christ. While this is important, there is so much more to it. The truth is, “What’s in it for us?” is really about “What’s in it for you?” “What’s in it for you?” perhaps is best explained as one simple principle — cultivating a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. When Christ calls us to discipleship, He is also calling us to be faithful stewards of our time, talent and treasure. Our gratitude for these gifts is best expressed through giving a portion of each back to God. Thus, stewardship becomes a way of life that is also the way
to holiness. Our relationship with Christ is what we get in return. Our efforts as a parish to promote the spiritual benefits of active stewardship are designed to foster a deeper relationship with God for all of us. Membership in a parish family should encourage, support, and celebrate that relationship with the living God, first and foremost. Everything else flows from that. If we are not focused on our relationship with God, then what will define our spirituality? If we have embraced the blessings of stewardship as a practical way of being the disciples we are called to be, we will in turn know a deeper relationship with Christ. We celebrate Thanksgiving this month, which truly is a stewardship holiday since stewardship begins with an attitude of gratitude. I am truly thankful for all that is done here in our faith community, and for the many parishioners willing to do so much. In closing, let me share one final thought to help you realize the gift that our parish is to each and every one of us. Be grateful for all you have. Be generous in giving something back to God. Be faithful stewards, and you will have done both. That is what’s in it for you, and in turn, that is what’s in it for us! And don’t forget — God has been doing this for centuries. We’re just the latest and most fortunate recipients. Happy Thanksgiving, and may God bless you and your family. In our Father’s hands, Fr. Greg Paffel Pastor
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ST. ALEXIUS - OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS - ST. PAUL’S
M E E T S T. PA U L’ S N E W S A C R I S TA N L E A D E R ,
Marlene Gro S AY I N G “ Y E S ” T O S E R V I C E A N D L
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ost of us are familiar with the Biblical story of the two sisters, Mary and Martha. Martha is busy making preparations for Jesus and her other guests, while Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, listening to Him teach. Many scholars and homilists have unpacked these verses over the years, lending various interpretations on the importance of both active service and peaceful meditation in prayer. For longtime St. Paul’s parishioner Marlene Groetsch, serving as a sacristan is the perfect combination of both roles. “I always think of Martha and
Sacristans help the priest to prepare to celebrate the Mass in a variety of different ways.
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Mary, one was sitting talking to the Lord and the other was getting things ready,” says Marlene. Initially, the role of sacristan appears to be very “Martha” — setting up for Mass and ensuring that everything is properly prepared, from the sacred books and the sacramental vessels to the liturgical colors. “Your goal is to make sure everything set up and ready for the priest,” Marlene says. “It’s not hard, it’s just being there, being dependable.” Recently retired, Marlene had only been serving as a sacristan
for a short time before she saw in the bulletin that the ministry was looking for a new leader. Although her initial reaction was hesitation, after spending time in prayer, Marlene decided to say “yes” when Fr. Greg asked her to take the role. “Of course, you can’t say ‘no’ to Fr. Greg when he asks you,” she says, smiling. “I thought, ‘I’m sure there’s someone more qualified than me that can do it,’ but then I had a tug on my heart. I think Somebody was telling me, from up above, ‘Marlene, you can do this,’ so I said ‘yes.’” Marlene hopes to use her previous professional experience as the Head of Nursing at a local nursing home to help sacristans adjust to all of the changes and new protocols, due to the COVID-19 restrictions. “It’s been a learning experience,” she says. “With the virus, everything has been a bit different. We’ve had changes in how we do things, so I’m doing as I was when I was a nurse — writing policies and procedures, so people feel really comfortable. I continued on page 5
oetsch EADERSHIP talk to the priests, so I know what they want, and then I can communicate that with the other sacristans, so they don’t come in and feel surprised about anything.” At first glance, this role seems to consist primarily of preparation, as with Martha. However, there is also a significant element of prayer, as with Mary, since sacristans get an “up close and personal” view of the liturgy. For Marlene, serving as a sacristan has been an opportunity for her to grow in her relationship with the Lord and participation in Mass. “I feel so much more involved with the Mass, and now, as a sacristan, I’m even closer to the altar, I’m right there, seeing what’s going on,” she says. “I feel so blessed that I’m touching these holy vessels. I thought I knew a lot about the Mass, but there is so much learning. I feel so blessed that I’m doing this.” Not only has her faith and appreciation of the liturgy deepened since being a sacristan, but Marlene has also had the opportunity to get to know more of her fellow parishioners — from those who serve as sacristans and in other liturgical ministries, to families who come to celebrate the sacraments with their children, the priests, and more. “If you really want to be part of the community, this is another way of becoming involved,” she says. “It’s such a good thing.”
I thought I knew a lot about the Mass, but there is so much learning. I feel so blessed that I’m doing this.” — Marlene Groetsch
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Marlene encourages her fellow parishioners to consider becoming involved as sacristans, noting that it’s a fairly flexible role, with some people choosing to serve at daily Mass, and others choosing only to serve once a month. There is also a great need for sacristans who are willing to help wash and care for the altar linens that are used at Mass. “If you feel that tug, come talk to me, come and observe,” Marlene says. “And if it feels right to you, we can take that next step. “It’s just taking the talents you have and bringing them forward,” she adds. “If you have that urge to be more involved in the Mass, this is the perfect opportunity.” For Marlene, serving as a sacristan has been a wonderful reminder of the blessings we receive when we say “yes” to growing closer to God through service. “I had no idea how much fulfillment being a sacristan would bring into my life,” she says. “I feel so lucky they decided to ask me to do this.”
If you would like more information about the role of sacristans at St. Paul’s, or to volunteer to help wash altar linens, please contact Marlene Groetsch at 320-262-1948. 5
ST. ALEXIUS - OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS - ST. PAUL’S
CELEBRATES A YEAR OF NEW BEGINNINGS
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ur Lady of the Angels is pleased to welcome Danielle Ritter as our new bookkeeper. Danielle joined us at the beginning of the summer and thoroughly enjoyed her first months here, getting to know the “ins and outs” of the parish and her new position before going on maternity leave following the adoption of her first child. It has certainly been an exciting year of new beginnings for Danielle, and she has seen the hand of God in all of it! Danielle has a deep personal connection to our community — she was baptized and grew up in Our Lady of the Angels Parish and attended Holy Family School. When she and her husband, Tyler, moved to Albany, they began going to Mass at a church there. About a year ago, Danielle found that she missed the strong sense of community in the churches of Sauk Centre, and the couple decided to return to Our Lady of the Angels. The Ritters’ decision to return to Danielle’s home parish proved truly providential. Danielle had recently left a career in the culinary field to pursue a degree in accounting. She had finished her accounting degree in 2019 and began working for a tax firm downtown. When the pandemic hit, the firm no longer had any work for her. “Tyler and I had been praying to St. Joseph, a 30-day novena for a job for me,” Danielle says. “We always included in our prayers that it would be whatever was pleasing to the Lord. Then I opened the
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Danielle Ritter with her husband, Tyler, and their son, Phinehas
bulletin one day and said, ‘I think God is talking to us.’ We had just come back to Our Lady of the Angels a few months before we saw this in the bulletin, so there is no doubt in my mind it was very providential. God had His hand in this.” Each day in the office is a little different for a parish bookkeeper. Mondays are for counting the weekend offertory and making deposits, and the rest of the week is filled with bill paying, handling deposits for memorials and Mass intentions, reconciling accounts, and keeping the QuickBooks software up to date. Danielle also pitches in to help answer phones or assist parishioners who come to the office. Danielle finds the bookkeeping work enjoyable, and she is especially thankful for the warm work atmosphere at Our Lady of the Angels.
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“We always start our day in prayer — Cindy Sunderman, Whitney Rutten, and myself — which is awesome,” Danielle says. “I never thought I’d work somewhere where we could get together and pray to the Lord together. Cindy and Whitney are both kind and patient and such beautiful women in their faith, inside and out. Their devotion to the faith and the church is inspiring.” Working alongside fellow Catholics for the mission of the parish has strengthened Danielle’s faith and brought her even closer to our parish family and the entire Area Catholic Community. “I absolutely love the prayers throughout the day,” she says. “And I’m getting to know the parishes more and more, which is nice since we haven’t lived in Sauk Centre in many years. It’s bringing us more into things
and ministries that will open up to us. “I’m also getting to know the secretary from St. Alexius and the secretary and bookkeeper from the parishes in the south that recently joined us,” Danielle adds. “We have started getting together to meet every two weeks, and I think it’s been really important to bond the six parishes together. I hope to see all six of our parishes really come together. We are separate, but we are one, too, so I hope everyone will feel welcome.” Shortly after Danielle started her position as the parish bookkeeper, another providential moment took place that would change her life forever. Over the Fourth of July weekend, Danielle’s sister had chanced upon a couple who was seeking adoptive parents for the baby they were expecting. She immediately told them about
Danielle and Tyler, who have been married for 13 years and unable to have children of their own. Things moved quickly from there, and at the end of August, Danielle and Tyler welcomed their baby into the world! Reflecting on the many ways God’s hand has worked in her life this year, Danielle is grateful to have returned to Our Lady of the Angels as both parishioner and bookkeeper. “Having grown up in this parish and still seeing the same faces here today amazes me,” she says. “In this day and age, so many people are leaving the faith, so I just love to see people who stayed to raise their children in the faith. We have Catholic churches here that are very devoted to our Lady and our Lord, and it inspires me to deepen my faith even more.”
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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
Meet Chad Marthaler
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Supper — the main fundraiser for St. Alexius — had to be reformatted due to COVID-19 precautions. The event is one that the Marthalers hold dear, as both Chad and Darla have volunteered for the supper for many years. What’s more, Chad and Darla truly appreciate the sense of community and friendships that have been forged at St. Alexius and have enjoyed getting to know fellow parishioners. The couple, along with Jaxson and Gus, lives on the farm site where Chad grew up, near West Union. It was a dairy farm when he was a kid, and now it is mostly used for grain crops. Chad does carpentry work, and Darla is a licensed practical nurse. Faith is important to Chad. He knows keeping God at the center of his life will help him in all of life’s challenges. His hope is that his children will always keep God at the center, too. He knows practicing the sacraments will also help him — and through his example, his children — stay close to the Lord.
“Wherever Darla and myself or my children end up in life, we will always have a sense of belonging and sacramental ties to the church,” Chad says.
“I enjoy being involved with our church because it gives our family a sense of being involved and belonging to a community which looks after one another.” — CHAD MARTHALER