ST. JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC CHURCH Fertile, Minnesota

www.stjosephsfertile.org

Fr. Joe Richards – Pastor Secretary/Bulletin Contact: Donna Bjerk stjoesfertile@gvtel.com

10480 438th St. SW, Fertile, MN 56540 Prayer Blanket Contact: Jan Erickson 218-945-6118;

218-945-6649 (office), 6645 (home) 701-371-2311 (cell) 218-289-1801(cell) Email: jce@gvtel.com jrichards@crookston.org

RE Coordinators: Monica Lisburg (218-556-8184) and Kirsten Fuglseth (218-280-9645)

Victim Assistance Statement of the Diocese of Crookston: If you or someone you know has been the victim of sexual misconduct on the part of a priest, deacon, or individual representing the Diocese of Crookston, its parishes, or its schools, please contact Cindy Hulst, LSW, the diocesan Victim’s Assistance Coordinator at 218-281-7895 (24-hour confidential number).

Mass: Sunday – 8:30 a.m.; Tuesday through Friday – 7:00 a.m. (see schedule below); Reconciliation: Sunday – 7:45 a.m. or by appt.

Sunday, December 1st, 2019 – First Sunday of Advent

This week’s Mass schedule: Tuesday, December 3rd: Bishop Hoeppner and his intentions Wednesday, December 4th: Jeff Richards

Thursday, December 5th: Sharon Richards and her intentions Friday, December 6th: +Cecil Leonard req. by Joan Combee Sunday, December 8th: +Maury Kappes req. by Kurpius & Kappes families

Please remember to find a substitute if you are going to be gone. Thank you!

Church cleaning: Dec 2nd – Jan 5th: Pat & Penny Chisholm, Kory & Betty Solie, Steve Holzer, Jeff McCollum. Thank you for your ministry to our parish. Eucharistic Adoration is held every Monday from 4-7 PM; come and spend time in prayer and adoration. The Rosary is prayed every Sunday morning beginning at 8:00 a.m. Come early for Mass and join us. Offertory Actual 11/24/19 Offertory Needed Weekly Building Fund Actual Adult $10,590.51 $1,188.00 (Adult and Electronic) $345.00 Electronic 125.00 Youth 6.00 $11.55 Building Fund Needed Weekly Plate 114.05 $173.00 $903.82 Total $10,835.56 $1,372.55 Nativity Set: $100.00 Human Development: $55.00

Birthday Greetings: Ruth Cameron (1st), Andrea Gunufson (2nd), Garrett Dufault (2nd), Brian Massmann (3rd), Mel Bohnenkamp (5th), Nancy Vigum (7th), Pete Liebl (7th) Food for thought: “Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42) People who have had health issues or near-death experiences generally have a greater appreciation for each day being a gift from God. The rest of us usually take for granted that we will be around tomorrow. But when you start to look at each day as a gift, you realize all the little miracles that happen daily and grow in gratitude for all that we have been given. You begin to see God’s active presence in your life.

Prayer blankets were given to: Lois Thielen, Detroit Lakes, from Bonnie Rongen; Alan Montreuil, Crookston, from Lorena Nohre and Elaine Ricard; Arlys Thompson, Fertile, from Mary Kiefert and Jan Erickson. Please keep everyone covered with a prayer blanket in your prayers. Thank you.

We will be making Prayer Blankets on Monday, December 9, from 1-4 PM. All are invited to come and help with this ministry that brings healing and comfort to so many.

Ministry December 8th December 14th, (Saturday at 5:00 p.m.)

Lectors Matthew Massmann, Kirsten Fuglseth Carter Mosher, Terri Johnson

Eucharist Steven Massmann, Lorri Massmann Patricia Erickson, Carter Mosher

Servers Zach Dufault, Jack Erickson Sidney Erickson, Catie Erickson

Ushers Aaron Rongen, Greg Webster Mark Erickson, Matt Erickson

Greeters Jerry Erickson, Lexi Swenby Ruth Cameron, Elaine Ricard

Gift bearers Jesse & Jami Doyea family Pete & Marcia Liebl

Sacristan Jan Erickson Jan Erickson

Collection Lexi Swenby, Liz Rongen Matt Erickson, Mark Berhow

Breakfast Ann Nephew, Christel Vigness, Jane Vigness Marcia Liebl, Dorene Dufault, Luan Larson

THANK YOU! I would like to thank the parish for their support at the Thanksgiving Bake Sale. I am happy to let everyone know that we raised $1,342.00 for Luz de Maria Orphanage in Guatemala. Your gift will help support approximately 30 kids with food, clothing, and shelter. Thanks again for your tremendous support. ~Emily Snow Removal: We are still looking for help with snow removal. To operate the snow blower the individual must be at least 18 years of age; to operate the shovel – any age. If you are able to help us out this winter, please see Fr. Joe. It is time to order your Red St. Joseph’s t-shirts again. There are forms available on the credenza in the gathering area. The shirts are the same as the last time we ordered them. If you are in need of one or need a new one please fill out the form and turn it in to the parish office or put it in the Sunday offertory basket. Cost will be $10.00/shirt. Order deadline is December 15. A free shirt will be given to any of the youth of our parish, up through 12th grade. Answers to last week’s puzzles: ELDERS, TRIBES, CAME, WHOM. Answer: Jesus, REMEMBER me. Fertile Food shelf hours: 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 5:00-8:00 PM at the Fertile Community Center. For emergencies please call 218-945-3136. Join Matthew Kelly and the Dynamic Catholic team for BEST ADVENT EVER with a free email program that will help you enjoy a few minutes of peace and prayer each day during the hectic holidays. Take the first step toward discovering your amazing future at BestAdventEver.com

We are thankful for all our many blessings, but are mindful of those not as fortunate or currently experiencing struggles. Therefore, as a parish project for the month of November, we will be collecting items and monies for the Fertile Food Shelf. There is a list of current needs posted on the table in the gathering space. You may bring your donations to the church and place them on the table or in the baskets provided in the gathering space. Monetary donations may be placed in the can there also. We thank you for your generosity. Advent Project: During the season of Advent, our parish will be collecting items for the Care and Share Center in Crookston. We will be collecting personal hygiene products such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, personal razors, shampoos, etc, and also winter hats and gloves especially those for children. Please place your donated items in the basket in the church gathering space, and they will be delivered to the Care and Share before Christmas. “REJOICE” (Advent study) – Sunday Cup „a Joe: On Sundays from 10:00-10:45, please join us for our Advent study REJOICE

by Ascension Press. Rejoice! is an opportunity for our whole community to enter into the season of Advent intentionally

and receive the grace God is waiting to give us in this holy season. Each week leading up to Christmas we will reflect on

a brief teaching video followed by open discussion by the group. Come join us! Any questions, please contact Aaron or

Liz Rongen – we look forward to hanging out with you, please stop in anytime – ALL ARE WELCOME!

Inter-County Community Council Energy Assistance Program is now accepting applications for the 2019-2020 heating season. The EAP helps eligible renters and homeowners living in East Polk, Pennington and Red Lake counties pay a portion of their home heating and electric bills. Homeowners may be eligible for repair or replacement of their nonfunctioning heating systems. For more information there are some brochures available on the credenza in the gathering area, or contact ICCC at 218-796-5144 ext 4, toll free at 888-778-4008, email: eap@intercountycc.org. St. Joseph’s Table: We have scheduled our next St. Joseph’s Table for Wednesday, December 18th, serving from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Please sign up on the sheet in the gathering area if you are willing to help with our December meal. Thank you! SMMA: Today our second collection was for the benefit of St. Mary’s Mission at Red Lake, MN. If you missed the video last week, visit www.crookston.org/smma to see it on the diocesan website. You may also donate online at the website or drop off your donation in the Sunday offertory and we will make sure it gets to St. Mary’s for you. Checks can be made out to Diocese of Crookston. Your generosity makes all the difference in creating a successful future for these children. God bless you and thank you for your care. Mark your calendar: January 15th we will have a Christmas party for the adults of the parish at the Smokehouse. Watch for further details. Altar and Rosary Society: Our next meeting is scheduled for March. If a need arises we will hold a special meeting. Advent Reconciliation at St. Lawrence will be on December 11th from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. and at St. Joseph on December 12th from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Please prepare your heart for Christmas by celebrating Jesus’ gift of reconciliation. On Saturday, December 14th we will have our annual Mass, Christmas program and pot-luck supper – beginning at 5:00 p.m. There will be no Sunday morning Mass on December 15th. Please post the attached Advent Calendar on your fridge or other convenient place in your home so that you are up-to-date on events happening at our parishes.