Second Sunday in Ordinary Time January 20, 2019

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1405 Highway 13 • PO Box 50679 Mendota • MN • 55150-0679

651-452-4550 • church@stpetersmendota.org

RECONCILIATION (In Main Church)Friday 8-8:45 a.m. Saturday 3:30-4:45 p.m. Any time by appointment.

WEEKDAY MASSES (All in Historic Church) Monday-Friday at 9 a.m.

PERPETUAL ADORATION (In Chapel of the Nativity)

SUNDAY MASSES (All in Main Church) Saturday at 5 p.m. Sunday at 9 & 11 a.m.

Holy Days as announced.

Dear beloved in Christ, I am grateful and excited to journey with you in this coming Year of the Eucharist. The whole purpose of

growing together in our understanding of the Mass and the gift of the Eucharist is so that you and I can experience ever more deeply

the powerful, transformative love of Jesus Christ. I pray this special year will deepen our awareness of Christ, truly present in the Eucharist, unite us more closely together as the Body of Christ

and transform how we live and love in this world.

2019 The Year of

the Eucharist

YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST

Dear beloved in Christ, I am so excited about this Year of the Eucharist. I pray and hope it will be deeply enriching and fruitful for all of us. And to this end I want to begin by talking about preparation, not so much in the hours before Mass, but realizing how preparation has just as much to do with how we live our lives outside of Mass. In God’s vision for us, worship and daily life were never meant to be two separate worlds disconnected from each other. True worship, as understood in Scripture, is meant to influence and overflow into all the activities of life, and these same activities, when done in the Lord, prepare and lead us back into worship. This is why the Church describes the Sacred Liturgy as the “summit” and “source” of our Christian life: “the summit toward which all our activity is directed, and the source from which all our strength is received” (Document on Liturgy, Vat. II). How then do we synchronize our life with the Mass so that our life does indeed flow from the Mass and also prepare us for the next Mass? Understanding the Mass and what we do at Mass will help us see and make this essential connection. At Mass we worship and acknowledge God as our Father, the Creator of all things, and we thank Him for all His blessings, especially for the gift of salvation through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. The word “Eucharist” means: thanksgiving. Our lives reflect and become an extension of our Worship when we live them in a spirit of gratitude, thanking God for the gifts and blessings of each day, even for the trials and hardships that help us grow. I know families who add to their meal time prayer or bed time prayer a chance for each member of the family to mention at least one thing from the day for which they are grateful. As we grow in our awareness of all the ways God is present and active in our lives, these blessings enhance and increase the joyful thanksgiving we offer at each Mass. A grateful life prepares us for Mass. At Mass we also listen with our hearts to the Word of God, which teaches us how to live as God’s children. Through the prophets of the Old Testament, God often expressed his sadness and displeasure of Israel’s worship because they heard the Law of God, but did not live it; they honored God with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him. The Mass overflows into our life when we take to heart the lessons from Scripture, and by the grace of the Eucharist, actually put them into practice. One way to be better prepared for this part of the Mass is to read the Sunday readings earlier in the week or the night before and to pray with them. As we live what we hear in the Word of God, our understanding of Scripture grows, and this in turn enriches our hearing of God’s Word at future Masses. The Mass is also a sacrifice, where we unite ourselves with the one, true Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, and offer ourselves with Him to the Father. Now, if we have really offered ourselves with Christ in sacrifice, we want to live out the sacrifice we made at the altar in all the ways we can

lay down our lives for others, sacrificing out time, our will, our own personal comfort. Our union with Christ’s sacrifice spills over into the week by each act of sacrificial love we show to our families, friends and neighbors. All these numerous sacrifices are what we can bring and offer in our next Mass, uniting them all to Jesus for the Glory of God, the good of the Church and the salvation of the world. The Mass also expresses and forms our unity as one Body in Christ. We are all brothers and sisters in the Lord, made one by the Eucharist we share, and are therefore bound to each other in love. But we all know well that sin can break or weaken our unity and communion with one another. If we are to live the language of “unity” and “communion” we celebrate at Mass, we must be people of reconciliation. Our Lord said: “In bringing your gift to the altar, if you remember that anyone has something against you, go first and be reconciled, and then come and offer your gift” (Mt 5:23). In our weakness we all fail in love and do things to hurt each other--but we must not let this divide us and keep us apart. Besides “I love you,” the most beautiful words that one can say or hear is: “I am sorry,” and “I forgive you.” One of the best ways to live the Mass and prepare ourselves for our next Mass is by giving up grudges and letting go of resentments. Each time we sincerely apologize and whole heartedly forgive we help to heal and protect our unity and reflect more perfectly the Eucharist we celebrate. In summary, let us live the Mass and spend our week getting ready for the next Mass by living lives of joyful gratitude, by putting God’s word into practice, by sacrificing ourselves for others and by seeking reconciliation and greater unity. God love you,

Fr. Steven

YOUTH NEWS AND FAITH FORMATION

OFFICE INFORMATION

Father Steven Hoffman: 651-452-4550 Deacon Tim Hennessey: 651-905-4301 Chris Seiple: 651-905-4307 Lisa Amos: 651-905-4304

Parish Office Hours: Mon –Fri, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Phone: 651-452-4550

BAPTISMS, NEW PARISHIONERS, WEDDINGS Call the parish office for more information.

PRAYER CHAIN REQUESTS Email Lisa Amos at lamos@stpetersmendota.org, call her at 651-905-4304 or call the parish office.

FAITHFUL SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL AND TRI-PARISH CENTER

St. John Neumann • St. Peter • St. Thomas Becket 3355 Columbia Drive • Eagan, MN 55121

651-406-4747 • www.fscsmn.org

Grade 2—First Holy Communion Preparation Please note that we have our Parent & Child session on Wednesday, January 23, at 6 p.m. Parents and children will meet with Fr. Steven at this session. It is expected that at least one parent be present. If you will not be able to attend this session, please contact Kathy Raible at 651-905-4311.

FIRST EUCHARIST PROGRAM

On Thursday, January 24, at 7 p.m., current and prospective parents are invited to learn more about our dynamic Middle School and hear guest speakers talk about how well prepared our students are for high school. STEM and ELA will be featured. Attend in-depth breakout sessions with our other curriculum areas and learn about enrichment, leadership opportunities and Faithful Shepherd Catholic School differentiators.

MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT

COMING SOON: BAPTISM CLASSBaptism is the gift of new life, the eternal life of the Risen Christ. This gift is a sacrament, an encounter with Christ Himself. It is a precious gift given by God through the Church.

The next baptism preparation class will be held on Sunday, February 10, at 1 p.m. in the St. Thomas the Apostle Conference

Room. This class is required for all first time parents seeking baptism for their child(ren) or for those who will be having their children baptized and it has been 5 or more years since attending a baptism class. We would encourage parents who are expecting the birth of their child to attend the class prior to the baby’s birth.

Please contact Karen Cronin at kcronin@stpetersmendota.org to register for the class.

FSCS MASS AT ST. PETER’S On Wednesday, January 30, the Faithful Shepherd Catholic School Mass will be held at St. Peter’s in the Main Church at 10 a.m. Father Steven will preside at this Mass. All are invited to attend this Mass. The regular daily Mass will still be held at 9 a.m. in the Historic Church. A visiting priest will preside.

Sign up for the Marriage in Christ Seminar for five awesome date nights! This five week seminar is for all married couples. Develop daily habits of prayer, kind actions, and meaningful conversations to grow your relationship. Good habits and the power of the Holy Spirit transform all marriages!

Dates: Thursdays, January 31 thru February 28, 7 to 9 p.m.

Location: St. John Neumann Parish in Eagan.

Cost: $25 for couples married 0-5 years and $85 for couples married 6 years or more. Childcare is included!

For more information or to sign up, contact Emily at emily@marriageinchrist.com or at 612-281-3362.

MARRIAGE IN CHRIST SEMINAR FOR MARRIED COUPLES

THE “DONUT MAN” IS COMING TO ROSEMOUNT

The Knights of Columbus Walk for Life presents Rob Evans. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Rob’s wonderful story of conversion to the Catholic Faith. He has performed for decades as “The Donut Man.” All are invited to come on Monday, January 28, at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 13900 Biscayne Avenue West, Rosemount.

2018 YEAR END STATEMENTS Look for your 2018 Year End Giving Statements. They are being mailed the week of January 21. Thank you all for your patience! If there are any corrections necessary, please contact Chris Seiple in the Parish Office at 651-905-4307 or cseiple@stpetersmendota.org.

ADMINISTRATIVE NEWS • STEWARDSHIP • COMMUNITY NEWS

ALPHA RETURNS Alpha is returning to St. Peter’s on Monday evenings February 18 through May 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Heritage Center. Alpha consists of a meal, a talk and small group discussion. It is an open, informal and honest space to explore and discuss life’s big questions together and is designed to create and/or deepen a personal relationship with Jesus. It is a place for fellowship with others. One recent participant commented: “I wish and hope everyone will take advantage of this series. At all stages of your faith journey, you will learn something new and grow in your faith!” Another said: “Alpha was a joy – bringing me into communion with others seeking a closer connection with God.” Sign-ups will begin online on January 19, and also after all Masses the weekends of January 19/20 and January 26/27. Please join us! Space is limited to 45 participants. If you have any questions, please contact Laurie Reding at 612-419-1709 or at lreding1@aol.com.

To all of our new 2018 parishioners—please save the date for our annual “New Parishioner Dinner.” An amazing lasagna meal will be held on Saturday, January 26, in Heritage Center following the 5 p.m. Mass. More information to come.

Are you interested in helping at the New Parishioner Dinner? We need people to help serve a homemade lasagna dinner to our new parishioners! Please email Anne O’Keefe at aokeefe@stpetersmendota.org or call her at 651-905-4308.

NEW PARISHIONER DINNER

NEW NAMES FOR CONFERENCE ROOMS AND LIBRARY

Conference Rooms 1 and 3 have been given names instead of numbers. Conference Room 1 has been named St. Kateri Conference Room. Conference Room 3 is now St. Thomas the Apostle Conference Room. The library is now the St. Padre Pio Library.

Our seventh annual Cana Dinner will be held on Saturday, February 9, beginning with 5 p.m. Mass, 6 p.m. social and 7 p.m. dinner. An elegant evening is planned to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage and all married couples. Widowed and single people are invited to attend, also. The cost is $25 per attendee which includes dinner, two drink tickets and our featured speaker, who will be Father Steven Hoffman. Reservations and payment will be taken after Masses on January 26/27 and February 2/3 in the Gathering Space. Remember to invite your family and friends! We look forward to seeing you there.

CANA DINNER: A CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE

Support for those with Alzheimer’s, Dementia or related diseases, and for those who care for them: This will take place on Thursday, January 24, at 6:30 p.m. in the Atrium of the Commons on Marice, located at 1380 Marice Drive, in Eagan. This is a free presentation. There will be time for questions and book signings by Rosalys Peel, the author of “Mike & Me,” which is the inspiring guide for couples and families facing memory loss illnesses. A limited number of “Mike & Me” books will be available to purchase for $15 (normally $20).

PRESENTATION ON ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA

Financial Recap July 1 to January 13, 2019

Current Financial Recap YTD Actual Collections $600,720.00 YTD Budgeted Collections $568,020.00 Difference $ 32,700.00 Weekly Financial Recap Weekly Plate Collections $ 8,509.76 Weekly Online Collections Ops $ 13,513.43 Weekly Online Debt Reduction $ 972.18 Weekly Online Windows Fund $ 375.00

To donate electronically visit www.stpetersmendota.org and click on Donate Online or call Chris Seiple in the

parish office at 651-905-4307.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Our communities need strong Catholic men to answer the call to lead with faith, protect our families, serve others and defend our values. For over one hundred years, Knights of Columbus have done exactly that, standing up for the Church, serving the

least among us, and strengthening our parishes and families. The Knights of Columbus has added a new online membership program. No time commitments, no meetings, rather a simple, streamlined on line program designed for busy Catholic men who are interested in supporting their faith. As a member, you join a worldwide community of nearly two million men, including 41,000 here in Minnesota who stand together. The world needs more committed, unified Catholic men to answer the call. Will you answer? Visit kofc.org/joinus or visit eaganknights.com to learn more about the many benefits of membership in the Knights of Columbus.

PASTORAL MINISTRY

FOLLOWING JESUS Jesus performs his first public miracle at the wedding at Cana. Our Blessed Mother’s words to the servants are words for us as well, “Do whatever He tells you.” As we hear these words proclaimed this weekend, let us attune our ears to hear the voice of Jesus calling us to

deeper conversion of heart.

If you are uncertain about what an hour in our chapel might mean for you, consider what some of our adorers have to say about their very special time with Jesus. Over the next several weeks, we will be sharing some of their comments with you.

The chapel is closed during the Masses. Between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., there is access to the chapel only with a key card. If you need a sub for your hour, please refer to our substitute roster in advance to cover your hour. Contact Lisa Amos at lamos@stpetersmendota.org or at 651-905-4304 to sign up for an hour of adoration. We still need adorers at the following hours:

ADORATION CHAPEL

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday:

2 to 3 pm, 4 to 5 pm 8 to 9 am, 3 to 4 pm 6 to 7 pm 1 to 2 am, 2 to 3 am Midnight to 1 am, 3 to 4 am, 10 to 11 am, 1 to 2 pm, 3 to 4 pm 1 to 2 am, 7 to 8 pm 3 to 4 am, 10 to 11 am

CATECHISM CORNER

RELIGIOUS GIVE THANKS “This money is pure gift,” writes a religious sister of the support made possible by the Retirement Fund for Religious. “It enables us to continue providing care for our elderly sisters.” Your gift to last week’s collection helps hundreds of religious communities meet pressing retirement needs while continuing to serve the People of God. Thank you for your generosity!

THREE SPACES LEFT TO UGANDA A group of parishioners will be making a return trip to Uganda from June 9-21, 2019, to do mission work at our sister parish, St. Anthony, in Migyera. While we are there, we will be doing a variety of projects including erecting fences around two schools, working on water projects for the schools and sponsored children’s homes and providing medical outreach missions to the rural parts of the parish that don’t have regular access to medical services. We have three spaces still available. Contact Laurie Reding at lreding1@aol.com or at 612-419-1709, if you have questions or if you would like to go to Uganda with us.

If you cannot go on the trip, please consider the “Sponsor a Project” program. In the Gathering Space will be a display that shows a variety of ways you can help, from buying bricks to help build the fences, to sponsoring rainwater collection at a sponsored child’s home. One of the team members who is traveling to Uganda will be at the display to answer any questions you might have. Through these various fundraisers, we hope to raise a total of $18,000. Any assistance you can provide will be deeply appreciated! God bless you!

SINCERE SYMPATHY St. Peter’s Parish extends its sympathy to the family and friends of Patricia Weber. We invite all to join us in praying that God may makes her a sharer in eternal salvation.

Last weekend we observed the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. In the Gospel according to Matthew, the account of the Lord's baptism includes a very interesting exchange between Jesus and John the Baptist.

Jesus says that John must baptize him to fulfill “all righteousness”, though John himself recognizes that he is both

unworthy and unqualified to baptize Jesus.

It is somewhat common sense to state that Jesus had no need to be baptized himself, but in order to fulfill all righteousness, he all but demands that John carry it out.

In other words, Jesus didn't need baptism, but the baptismal water was changed by having touched him. Jesus didn't need to repent of sin, but if we are to be se saved, baptism needed to fulfill righteousness. In this case, the key point to grasp is more a theological principle, rather than a doctrinal one: when we interact with matter, either we are changed ourselves, or the matter itself is unaffected; however, when God/Jesus interacts with matter, the matter is changed.

Therefore, the water of baptism is changed in character by having touched Jesus, the divine Son.

The Baptism of Jesus is illustrative of this point, but it is not the only place it appears in Scripture: recall the wedding at Cana and the feeding of five thousand, for a couple examples.

As this year progresses, and the parish homes in on the Eucharist and the Mass, there will be a lot of material to come on the Eucharist, as it is the pinnacle of the Holy Mass.

MARCH FOR LIFE Tuesday, January 22, 2019 marks the anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision. We will participate in the March For Life, beginning with a prayer service at the Cathedral in St. Paul at 10:30 a.m., and finishing at the State Capitol. We will carpool from St Peter’s, following the 9 a.m. Mass and return to St Peter’s at approximately 1:30 p.m. All are welcome. If you would like to carpool, please call Carol at 651-356-2970.

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