MEET OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS PARISHIONER PATTY ODEGARD
A Shining Example of Active Discipleship and Stewardship
Throughout our Parishes on the Prairie community, there are so many ministries. People sing in the choir, make food for funerals and clean the worship spaces. All of the ministries work together to keep our parishes operating so that we can celebrate our faith and receive Jesus. Patty Odegard fills a particularly important role in ensuring the Mass runs smoothly each week, as she arranges the schedules for various Mass ministries at Our Lady of the Angels.
“I got involved because I believe
everyone has to do their part to get the work done,” she says.
Patty also serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Especially in winter, she ties knots for the chaplets, which are distributed during Lent. In addition, she is a member of the Christian Mothers and serves as a substitute at the Adoration Chapel. She also helps with gardening in the Marian Garden and cleanup in the spring and fall.
“I love being outside and gardening, so helping in the Marian Garden is a
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ST. ALEXIUS
ST. FRANCIS DE SALES
STS. PETER & PAUL
OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS
ST. PAUL’S
Patty Odegard with her family
ST. DONATUS
OCTOBER | 2022
Managing a Financial Windfall
Abusinessman sells some property for a nice profit. A woman retires from a 20-year career at age 43. A high school student discovers he has an exceptional talent for playing the piano. What do they have in common?
Each person has recently received a windfall — an unusually large gain of money, time, or talent. Now each must answer a question — what to do with this newfound gain?
The businessman, already somewhat financially successful, finds that the profit from the sale of rental property is unexpectedly large. For the first time, he feels an urge not to save it, but to share it. The next Sunday, even though he already contributes to his parish, he puts a larger sum in the offertory basket. He also knows of a local charity that supports low-income mothers, and mails them a generous donation.
After her retirement from the Air Force, a woman finds she has a large amount of time during the day. Her husband works full-time and her two children are in high school. She hears a quiet voice asking, “How can you give back for all that you have received?” She calls her pastor and explains that she has the time to play a significant role in a parish ministry. He asks her to re-invigorate their
newcomer’s ministry and visit each new family, to which she happily agrees.
In his high school music class, a 10th-grader discovers an amazing talent to play piano. After encouragement from family and friends, he joins the ensemble at the Sunday morning Mass. He even volunteers to play at special functions at the parish when needed.
In all three cases, the businessman, retiree and student have received something of value, and have made deliberate choices to share it with others, particularly within their parish.
Of course, it could have been different. The businessman could have taken an especially extravagant vacation. The woman could have done any number of things with her free time (couldn’t we all?). The young pianist could have used his talent to form a band or make a recording. And the truth is that they can still do all those things. But having received such wonderful gifts, their gratitude compels them to share a portion of them. After all, what do they lose by sharing what was already a gift to them from God?
We’re all gifted and are called to share on a daily basis. But when the big blessings come, let’s pray for the grace to be even more generous than ever.
LIVING STEWARDSHIP:
A Letter From Our Pastor
IF WE ARE NOT LIVING STEWARDSHIP, WHAT ARE WE?
Dear Parishioners,
As a stewardship parish, it is important to ask how well we understand the message of stewardship that keeps surfacing in all we do in our personal life and the life of our parish. If not stewards, then what are we? If not disciples of Jesus Christ, then what purpose do we serve as members of His Holy Catholic Church? Aren’t these intriguing questions for any believer?
And if not, why aren’t they?
God’s goodness and the gifts given to each of us shouldn’t be taken for granted and our lives should be motivated by our gratitude for all we have, including every opportunity that gives glory and honor to God. Those opportunities are given at each moment of each day. Wait for them and expect them to become obvious. The idea of being a steward of those gifts and opportunities isn’t new to the realm of believers in the Old Testament or the New Testament. And certainly, the Gospels of Jesus Christ make it quite clear that our Lord views us to be the stewards He expects us to be. His stories and parables confirm it. So, if you cannot or will not see yourself as “that” steward He invites you to be, then what are you? I am curious about those who reject being that steward. I am even more curious about what they believe are the other options.
I am still in awe of the first line in the U.S. Bishops’ pastoral letter, Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, that boldly states: “Once one has decided to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, stewardship is not an option.” They were so convinced that the stewardship way of life is a disciple’s way of life. And yet, that is what we are and have always been.
“If not stewards, then what?” remains a challenging statement to invite us to reflect on what our Catholic faith is calling us to experience and participate in for the time we are given on this earth. It challenges us to face our reflection in the mirror of this life given to us
by God and see what our Lord sees in us, and then embrace the opportunities being handed to us each day of our lives. Blessings and challenges await us, and no matter what the balance may be from day to day, our God equips us with all we need. He created us and sees us as stewards. Why would we dare resist seeing ourselves in the way our God sees us?
Connecting stewardship and discipleship is inevitable in my book. For that matter, it is inevitable in the “Good Book,” which we identify and recognize as the Word of God. It matters to our God what we do with the gifts He so generously gives to each of us. Why would it not matter to us? I ask you to take some time to refocus, reevaluate and re-commit yourself to the faithfulness of the life, the time, the talent, and the treasure you have been given.
We are the stewards of those precious gifts. What are we doing with them?
In our Father’s hands,
Fr. Greg Paffel Pastor
MEET STS. PETER AND PAUL PARISHIONERS ALLAN AND ANGIE GREGORY
“We Want to Leave the World a Better Place”
Angie G regory has been a Sts. Peter and Paul parishioner since her Baptism. She’s celebrated all her sacraments here, and the couple’s three children — Samantha, Katie, and Claire — were baptized here. To say it’s a special place to Angie would be an understatement. She has so many memories of her life in the church.
The Gregory family makes sure they find many ways to serve. Each year, they gather with others to help decorate for Christmas and Easter. Allan isn’t afraid to climb a ladder to make the church look beautiful. He has also fixed various things in the parish and builds needed items. Samantha and Katie, both 13, are altar servers, and Katie serves as a lector. Angie serves as secretary of the Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW).
“I love the charitable giving that we do,” Angie says. “It’s a fun group of ladies, and I enjoy spending time with them.”
Angie has also taught religion classes over the past few years.
“I do it for Jesus,” she says. “I know it’s a simple answer, but it’s my way of serving the Lord. It’s also a good way to learn more about him.”
Allan and Angie and their girls love attending Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. It’s very much home for them and, as Angie says, the “backbone” of their faith.
“It’s a small-knit community, and we like that the church is close to home,” Angie says. “I like that I can sit in peace and quiet, and it’s such a beautiful church.”
Angie and Allan have learned to lean on their faith in difficult times. Their third daughter, 11-year-old Claire, has cerebral palsy and a rare chromosome deletion. When Claire was born, she spent a long time in the hospital.
“I remember someone called and asked if they could put Claire on the prayer chain,” Angie says. “Living in a small community, people are always there to help, and it’s a great feeling.”
When Claire got the news of her diagnosis, doctors told Allan and Angie that she would never walk or talk.
The Gregory family makes sure they find many ways to serve their parish of Sts. Peter and Paul.
During this time, the Gregorys clung to their faith and leaned on the Lord.
“This journey has helped us accept that God’s greatest blessings and life lessons often come through our hardships and challenges,” Angie says.
Allan works as an Energy Service Lead at Stearns Electric, and Angie works for Mick Quinn State Farm in Willmar. Besides being involved at church, the family also enjoys serving others by delivering May Day baskets and visiting the elderly when they have a chance.
“We want to leave the world a better place,” Angie says.
“This journey has helped us accept that God’s greatest blessings and life lessons often come through our hardships and challenges.”
STS. PETER AND PAUL PARISHIONER ANGIE GREGORY
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West
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stalexiuschurch@gmail.com ) ;
francisdesales@mediacombb.net
North Office — 352-2196, stpaulschurch@mainstreetcom.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
First Saturday Devotions — Oct. 1
Our Lady of the Angels
7:45 a.m. Confessions
8 a.m. Adoration
8:30 a.m. Rosary
9 a.m. Mass
St. Alexius Church Sausage
Supper — Sunday, Oct. 2
West Union, 12-6 p.m. Dine-in or take-out available
Clergy Conference — the week of Oct. 3 Limited Mass times this week — please be attentive to church bulletin.
K-5 Parent & Student Classroom
Lesson at Sts. Peter and Paul Church — Oct. 5 6:30-8 p.m.
Knights of Columbus Meeting
Tuesday, Oct. 11
Rosary at 6:30 p.m.; meeting at 7 p.m. Location: St. Paul’s church basement
HFS Grandparents’ Day — Oct. 14
Our Lady of the Angels Church Chow Mein Dinner — Thursday, Oct. 20
Sauk Centre, 4-7:30 p.m. Dine-in or take-out available
PATTY ODEGARD
ministry I enjoy,” Patty says.
Our Lady of the Angels is truly a special place for Patty it’s where she has celebrated all of her sacraments.
As a member of the Christian Mothers, Patty helps out with funeral meals whenever she is available. She will set up tables or help for a Saturday funeral. Working full-time for CentraCare Health, she fills in when she can.
“It’s important to me to help where I can because I feel a real obligation to help,” Patty says.
In putting together the ministry schedules, Patty sees how important it is for everyone to do their part. It can be challenging to fill all the slots for all the ministries. She hopes to see more people step forward to help, especially altar servers.
St. Francis de Sales Fall Sausage & Pancake Supper — Sunday, Oct. 30 2:30-6:30 p.m. St. Francis de Sales Parish Center
Sunday Funday: October marks the beginning of Sunday Funday. Families will join together at the SP 10 a.m. and OLA 10:30 a.m. Masses on the first Sundays of the month, followed by an activity and refreshments at the Centre for Christ. For example, in October we will have pumpkin carving; in November, we will create an Advent wreath for our homes; and in December, St. Nick visits.
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“You don’t have to make a big commitment,” she says. “Just do your part every once in a while.”
Patty had three adult boys, two daughters-in-law, and three granddaughters. In her free time, she enjoys walking, line dancing, and watching Sauk Centre sports, especially when she has nieces and nephews playing.
She also finds time also to get involved outside of Our Lady of the Angels, and is an important member of several other volunteer organizations. She sells tickets for sporting events, volunteers with food distribution for Ruby’s Pantry and serves as secretary for Dollars for Scholars.
“I like getting involved and getting to know different groups of people,” Patty says.
“You don’t have to make a big commitment. Just do your part every once in a while.” OLA PARISHIONER PATTY ODEGARD
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Please keep your parish office updated with your most current contact phone number along with your mailing and email address. To update, please contact your parish office by telephone or email. We want to do the best job possible to keep you informed and in touch with your parish family. Thank you for your assistance.
Office
320-352-2563,
South Office
320-254-8218,
THE PRINCIPLES OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
What makes being Catholic, well, “Catholic”? Things like the Mass, the Rosary and the Seven Sacraments come to mind.
But there is also an element of Church teaching that’s often overlooked and sometimes misunderstood — Catholic Social Teaching.
Catholic Social Teaching guides Catholics on how to apply the faith to all aspects of life, and lays the framework for the Church’s teachings on the dignity and sacredness of
Human Dignity
Human dignity is the fundamental principle within the Church’s teaching on social justice. A firm understanding of this principle is required so that the rest of Catholic Social Teaching can be viewed from the appropriate perspective. God created us in His image and likeness, so we all are worthy of respect.
Respect for Human Life
Whether unborn or seconds away from death, no life deserves to be prematurely ended. The Church sees this principle as crucial to the health of any society.
Association
Association holds that social relationships must be developed so that all people may reach their fullest potential. The Church teaches that the family is the basic unit upon which all other elements of society rest. We must uphold the sacredness of the family, and foster the growth of other societal organizations that preserve the well-being of all people.
Participation
All people deserve the right to work and to participate in God’s creation. The joy of accomplishing a task and performing honest labor should be made available to all people.
Protection for the Poor and Vulnerable
Society exists in a balance between those with power, and those without it. The vulnerable — those with disabilities — and the poor must be protected from those with power who choose to wield it in an unjust manner.
human life.
Catholic Social Teaching can be explained with 10 key points. These 10 principles demonstrate the depth of the Church’s teaching on social justice, and they call Catholics to take an active role in shaping the world in which we live. Catholic Social Teaching, when taken to heart, can become the catalyst that causes positive change in a world that desperately needs it. Consider these principles and strive to apply them in your own life.
Solidarity
“Love your neighbor as yourself” — this commandment extends beyond the boundaries of any town, state or country. The principle of solidarity encourages all people to reach out to their brothers and sisters in need and to help them, even if they live halfway around the world.
Stewardship
Everything we have — even our own lives — is a gift from God. Our talents, our time and our financial resources are not our own, but God’s. The same goes for the natural resources we so often take for granted.
Responsibilities and Limits of Government
Governments, while created for the common good, sometimes overstep their boundaries. The Church teaches that all governments should seek to operate at the lowest level of organization possible — striving to solve problems at the source, with those who understand them best, and not through oppressive force.
Human Equality
God made all humans equal, including those of different ethnicity and race, and in different stages of life. No one person is of more value than another.
Common Good
It is especially important in our society to promote the common good — the social well-being and development of the “human group.” If we consider the entire human race as one family, the common good urges us to support our brothers and sisters so that they may reach their full potential.
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MEET ST. FRANCIS DE SALES PARISHIONERS
PAUL AND CHRISTINA ROONEY
Finding Grace and Happiness Through Active Stewardship
It can be easy to miss the true beauty of raising a family in the community where you grew up. Paul Rooney grew up in Brooten, but he doesn’t miss the chance to realize how much he loves and appreciates the community.
“I wouldn’t really want to live anywhere else,” he says.
His wife, Christina, shares that same sentiment. The Rooneys have been members of the parish for 22 years. They raised their four children here and are proud of their children and their four grandchildren.
Paul and Christina happily give their time to St. Francis de Sales. Christina prays the Rosary before Mass, which is her favorite way to give of her time. She doesn’t get nervous leading in front of others before Mass.
“It’s one of my calmer times,” she says. “I love praying the Rosary.”
She also serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, along with Paul, and serves as a money counter.
Paul brings his experience as a teacher to the parish, using that talent as a Confirmation catechist. He’s been serving in this capacity for nearly 20 years.
“I’d say teaching Confirmation is the most rewarding and the most challenging,” Paul says. “I do a lot of preparing. I want to make sure I am teaching the right thing.”
He believes that he’s learned more than the students over the years. Teaching Confirmation has proven to be a valuable way for him to grow in faith.
“It’s pretty simple to me,” Paul says. “Heaven is all that matters in the end. We are trying to help each other get to heaven.”
Paul also serves as a lector and a trustee and fills in as a sacristan.
“Any way I can serve is a good thing,” Paul says.
The Rooneys also serve their parish because it’s practical. Helping out keeps the church going and paves the way for the next generation at St. Francis de Sales.
“I look at it this way — we are blessed, and the least
we can do is give back,” Christina says.
Professionally, Paul is a rural mail carrier, and Christina is a pharmacist. In their free time, they enjoy being active outdoors. In addition, Paul likes to do woodwork, and Christina enjoys sewing. She also tries to pray a Rosary each day.
“Praying the Rosary before Mass is such an honor,” she says. “You are there in the presence of God, and it’s so calming.”
Paul and Christina Rooney happily give their time to St. Francis de Sales, and have belonged to the parish for 22 years.
7 “It’s pretty simple to me. Heaven is all that matters in the end. We are trying to help each other get to heaven.” ST. FRANCIS DE SALES PARISHIONER PAUL ROONEY
Parish Office: 304 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 (320) 352-2196
parishesontheprairie.org
WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULES
Saturday
4:00 p.m. - St. Paul’s, Sauk Centre
5:00 p.m. - St. Francis de Sales, Belgrade
5:00 p.m. - Our Lady of the Angels, Sauk Centre
8:00 p.m. - St. Paul’s Church
Sunday
8:00 a.m. - St. Paul’s, Sauk Centre
8:15 a.m. - St. Donatus, Brooten
8:30 a.m. - St. Alexius, West Union
10:00 a.m. - St. Paul’s, Sauk Centre
10:15 a.m. - Sts. Peter & Paul, Elrosa
10:30 a.m. - Our Lady of the Angels, Sauk Centre
See our website for a full listing of daily Mass & Confession times
DON’T FORGET TO RETURN YOUR COMMITMENT CARD!
Please remember to turn in your commitment cards to the parish as soon as possible. We appreciate your willingness to participate in this year’s Stewardship Renewal. The more we grow to embrace and understand the stewardship way of life, the more we will flourish and grow!
