For the week of Sunday, November 27, 2022
TREE LIGHTING ON THE PLAZA
Wednesday, November 30, 6:30pm, outside the Main Entrance (door 3) on the Plaza
Join the celebration at in our outdoor tree-lighting event! Come and participate in Advent prayer, singing of seasonal carols, jingle bells, cookies, hot chocolate, and JOY!
FORWARD TOGETHER
This weekend we begin a new year. It is the first Sunday of Advent, the beginning of another year in the life of our worldwide Church. Advent is a time filled with promise and hope. It is not just a time when we start counting down the days to Christmas. It is rather a time when we are asked to deeply ponder the promises that God has entrusted to us as chosen daughters and sons. As we ponder those promises, we are asked to take a close look at our lives to see if we are living those promises.
Life is not just to be endured. We are not asked to be sad and weary pilgrims on the long and rough road of life. Nor are we to be just bystanders watching the world pass by. That’s not what our Baptism calls us to. Rather, we are called, as a people, to be a light for the world. We are called to live with a deep hope that the promises made to us by God will come to fulfillment.
As a community of faith, we have been hoping for a very, very long time. Our reading from Isaiah, and our Psalm, both proclaim that Israel’s hope is for justice, peace, and well-being.
The men and women of Biblical times knew of God’s promises, and they trusted deeply that God would be true to such promises. And so Advent begins by proclaiming a vision of a world where peace is the atmosphere in which all people will live.
“….these will hammer their swords into plowshares, their spears into sickles. Nation will not lift sword against nation, there will be no more training for war.” Isaiah
Isn’t this the world in which all of us want to live? When Jesus came, he made these promises into things we could touch and see. He preached forgiveness and reconciliation. And then he showed us, through his own forgiveness of others, how deep such forgiveness has to go. He brought healing, both physical and spiritual to people and even raised the dead to life. He urged and commanded us to do the same – to bring life, peace, healing, and reconciliation to others.
This is the vision we are asked to nurture within our world. No matter what is happening around us, no matter how much fear the world is living in, we, the followers of Jesus, must continue to preach and live justice, peace, and well-being for all peoples.
There is no doubt about it but that this is a very difficult task in the world in which we live. The temptation today is to withdraw into as much security and safety as we can find. We can so easily get caught up in an atmosphere of mistrust, fear, and suspicion. The increased security at many public places and events can serve not only as a protection for us but as a heavy blanket that smothers our sense of goodwill towards others. We are told that our first inclination should be to sense evil, not good. Isn’t that a sad way to live?
At the risk of being called naïve or simplistic, or even unpatriotic, we have to resist the temptation of a siege mentality. When we start to live that the rest of our world is our enemy, then we have given up the vision which Jesus came to plant deep within our heart. It’s true that this kind of talk goes against our natural and reasoned response to evil. We are told that we must be aggressive and hostile if we are to survive. If we give in to this kind of talk, then we surrender ourselves to a life of fear, always expecting the worst to happen.
What the world needs is not more guns and elaborate defense systems which drain resources from our people who don’t even have the basic needs of life. We need justice, peace, and well-being. And so when we see people involved with bringing hope to others, enabling them to live with dignity, and having their basic needs filled, then we should rejoice because God’s promises are being brought to life. And as God’s people, we need to be there to help God’s promises become real in the lives of our brothers and sisters.
Advent is the time to renew our commitment to bringing peace to the world. But peace is not some vague ideal. In the biblical view, peace is linked with justice. Only in the presence of justice can peace be present. And for people to have justice, they need to have the necessities of life. They need shelter, food, clothing, medical care, education. When we support those initiatives which help bring these necessities to people, we are helping to create more justice in the world. And the natural result of justice is peace. May the God of Peace guide us in our human efforts to be people faithful to God’s promises.
FORWARD TOGETHER AND NO ONE LEFT BEHIND.
Fr. Bill
JOIN US FOR PRAYER AND WORSHIP
THANKSGIVING DAY MASS
Please join us to celebrate Mass on Thanksgiving at 9:00am in the Main Worship Space! Please note that the building will close after Mass and will not reopen until Saturday morning.
THE 2022 ADVENT & CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE IS NOW AVAILABLE!
CLICK HERE to see a full list of Masses and other liturgies that will be celebrated at Pax Christi throughout Advent and into the New Year!
WEEKDAY MASS
Weekday Masses gather in the Thomas Merton Chapel, Room 245
Tuesdays ~ 8:30am
Wednesdays ~ 6:00pm
Fridays ~ 8:30am
Fridays ~ 8:30am
WEEKDAY WORD AND COMMUNION SERVICE
The weekly Word and Communion Service gathers in the Thomas Merton Chapel, Room 245
Thursdays ~ 8:30am
Thursdays ~ 8:30am
WEEKEND MASS
Saturdays ~ 5:00pm Live Stream available
Sundays ~ 9:00am (Children's Liturgy of the Word)
Sundays ~ 11:00am (Children's Liturgy of the Word)
Sundays ~ 11:00am (Children's Liturgy of the Word)
Sundays ~ 5:00pm
Please Note: The Northeast section of seating in the Main Worship space has been designated for people who wish to mask and maintain social distance. Please be attentive to and honor the needs of those who may be immune-compromised.
Pax Christi Nursery Now Open: The Pax Christi Nursery is available during the 9:00am and 11:00am Sunday Masses! Families are asked to please plan to arrive a few minutes early to register their child/children the first time they bring them.
RECONCILIATION
A priest will be available to hear confessions at 4:00pm each Saturday inside in the Chapel. Those who wish to celebrate this sacrament can enter through door #3. Please wait in the hallway to the right leading to the Chapel for the person who is celebrating the sacrament to be finished, and then come forward to receive the sacrament.
A YEAR WITH THE SAINT JOHN'S BIBLE
ENGAGE WITH THE SAINT JOHN'S BIBLE
Over the next year, the Gospels and Acts volume of the Heritage Edition of The Saint John's Bible will be available to view and experience here at Pax, along with six framed illuminations from other volumes of this beautiful Bible. Along with the Gospels and Acts volume and framed illuminations, there will be programs offered throughout the year that will invite you to engage with scripture in a new way. Fr. Michael Patella, OSB, chair of the Committee on Illumination that helped to guide the process, says that “The key for understanding The Saint John’s Bible lies with reading, viewing, and reflecting upon it as an experience and encounter with the Word in a sacramental form.” It’s more than words and pictures on paper. It enables us to experience the Word in new ways. The goal of the project has always been to ignite the spiritual imagination of people around the world.
Some of your fellow parishioners have gone through training on the making of The Saint John's Bible and have taken time to learn more about the illuminations. They are making a gift of themselves by serving as docents for our Saint John's Bible gallery space near Door #3. They will be happy to explore the illuminations with you and offer some background on them. Docents will be available in the gallery at the following times:
- Wednesdays from 3:00-6:00pm
- Saturdays from 3:00-5:00pm
- Sundays from 10:00-11:00am
REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS
We are multiplying good with your financial generosity!
Week of November 13:
Weekend Collection 12,350
Online Giving 11,279
Weekend Collection 12,350
Online Giving 11,279
Other 14,400
Total Week #20 38,029
Budget 40,000
Variance (1,971)
YTD Actual 814,240
YTD Budget 765,000
YTD Variance 49,240
Other contribution methods include grants from donor-advised funds, stock donations, and qualified charitable distributions from an IRA. Consult with your tax advisor to see if one of these methods could be beneficial for you.
CLICK HERE for online giving.
PAX CHRISTI ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP RENEWAL
YOUR GENEROSITY CREATES POSSIBILITIES
We are so thankful for your generosity! It fuels our shared mission and increases the good work of our ministries and outreach at Pax Christi, while also creating a strong foundation for the future.
PAX CHRISTI PRAYER CORNER
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
Please join us in holding up the prayers that were brought forward during all Masses last weekend.
PAX CHRISTI PRAYER WALL
Pray for the Pax Christi Community! One of the ways we can care for each other as a faith community is to pray for each other. Pax Christi has an online Prayer Wall for people to share their prayer requests and also to let people know that they are heard and we are holding them in our prayers. Please view the prayer wall and pray for the needs of fellow Pax Christi Community members by CLICKING HERE.
Do you have a prayer you would like to add to the Pax Christi Prayer Wall? If you would like to add a prayer request to the Prayer Wall, CLICK HERE. This link invites you to fill out a very brief form so that we can pray for your intention.
HOLDING UP THOSE EXPERIENCING LOSS
To see a full list of all upcoming funerals being held at Pax Christi along with an obituary if the family chooses, please CLICK HERE.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CLICK HERE for all upcoming events and registration.
ADVENT BOOKLETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE
Be sure to pick up your copy of Awaiting the Good News by Janet Schaeffler, OP, who invites you to take a moment each day to sift through the difficulties of life to find stories of love, hope, and joy. Helping to make this season a time of resplendent goodness. Booklets are available by the entrances and are on a first-come, first-served basis.
AN INVITATION TO ADVENT HANDBELL RINGING
The Bells of Waiting Advent Ring
At all Masses throughout Advent starting the weekend of Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27
Join us as we ring in the Advent season! Advent "random" handbell ringing by people of all ages is being sought for ALL Masses during the Advent Season. No experience with music is required. Bells will be rung prior to Mass. We will meet and give instruction 15 minutes before the start of Mass. Give handbells a try! Ring-a-Ling-a-Ling-a-Ding-Dong-Ling! If you have any questions, please contact Laurie Youngers at lyoungers@paxchristi.com or 952-405-7240.
CLICK HERE to sign up to ring bells at any Masses throughout Advent!
12 BASKETS SHARE THE JOY CHRISTMAS DRIVE
Participate Now through Sunday, December 4!
December is coming and the joy of Christmas will soon be upon us. Spread the gladness of the season by joining in the Share the Joy Christmas Drive held by Twelve Baskets Ministry. The drive will be a combination of purchasing actual gifts, and donating gift cards this year. Our three worthy agencies, listed below, continue to be ones we have long assisted at Christmas. You can help by choosing one of them listed below ON or BEFORE Sunday, December 4. If you don’t want to deal with all the technology, simply send or bring a check to the Parish office by November 29th with "Share the Joy" in the memo line, and we will put your funds to use where giving was lightest. As always, thank you for your generosity, and Merry Christmas.
- Risen Christ School “Adopt-A-Family”
Risen Christ School requested we help with their Adopt-a-Family Christmas event again this year. All donations will be used for basic needs such as food, clothing, household items, bedding, etc. A gift of $50 would support one person, and $200 would support a family of four – how much to give is completely up to you! How? Contribute any amount to a fund for gift cards either by check with "Risen Christ School" written on the memo, or you can donate through the Pax Christi website by CLICKING HERE and selecting Risen Christ School “Adopt-A-Family” from the fund dropdown menu. - Children of Gichitwaa Kateri Church
Pax Christi has provided presents for the Faith Formation Christmas party at Kateri Church for many years. This year you have the chance to purchase an actual gift for a Kateri child. Tags with gift requests by age and gender will be available after masses in the Dorothy Day space on the weekends of November 19-20, 26-27. Stop by and pick one up, shop, and deliver the gift to Pax Christi BY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4. The suggested gift amount is $35-$40. - Agate Housing & Services (Formerly St. Stephen's Men's Shelter/House of Charity)
The needs of the homeless served by Agate are for “the basics” and give comfort in difficult living situations. Their staff stated they “can never have too many of these items in December.” Agate has an Amazon “Share Joy! Wishlist” online; simply CLICK HERE to shop. Items you purchase will be sent directly to the charity. Agate requests you note on the gift receipt you are from Pax Christi. A full list of instructions is available below.
BOOMER LOUNGE OPEN HOUSE & BLESSING WITH FR. BILL
Tuesday, November 29, 10:00-11:30am, in the new Boomer Lounge - Elizabeth Ann Seton Room 128
Join us for an Open House and Blessing with Fr. Bill in the new Boomer Lounge! The Boomer Lounge is located in Elizabeth Ann Seton, on the lower level of Pax Christi, by Entrance 5 on the north side of the building. This will be a gathering place for our beloved Boomers. Enjoy a space to play cards, do puzzles and crafts, hold a conversation over coffee, or read a book. Connect with new and old friends Monday through Thursday from 9:00am to 2:00pm when the building is open. The beautiful new furniture was made possible through the generosity of a fellow Boomers and Beyond group member! See you there. No RSVP needed; all are welcome.
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE ZOOM NOVENA
Thursday, December 1 - Friday December 9, 7:00pm, via Zoom
Every year, Our Lady of Guadalupe Day, December 12, draws millions of Catholics from across Mexico and other countries to pay pilgrimage to Mary at the site of her apparitions to Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatz in 1531, the Basilica of Guadalupe, which is now the most visited Catholic site in the world. Join us in honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, and Queen of Mexico, at Pax Christi and via Zoom. Here are the details: A daily Zoom Novena will be held beginning December 1 at 7:00pm. Please register in advance to receive the Zoom link and the novena prayers on the Pax Christi website. Please join us. All Are Welcome!
CLICK HERE to register.
PAX CHRISTI HOLIDAY TEA
Stillness in the Midst of Frenzy
Saturday, December 3, 9:00am, in the Hall of Martyrs Room 268, $15
Join us for a beautiful morning of friendship, music, and joy! The popular Twin Cities Gloryland Band will kick off the holiday season with a collection of classics and Christmas carols. The Pax Christi Holiday Tea features imported tea, scones, and glittering holiday tables. Tickets are limited and cost $15. If you have any questions, please contact Maura Schnorbach at mschnorbach@paxchristi.com.
CLICK HERE to register.
ADVENT PENITENTIAL SERVICE
Darkness is a Gift of God - An Unexpected Grace
Tuesday, December 6, 7:00pm, in the Main Worship Space
How do we face the darkness in our lives, open our eyes, and walk in the Light? The season of Advent taps into our deep longing to make sense of our world. We wait for miracles to be born, for hatred and prejudice to be acknowledged and resolved, for sickness to be cured, for peace and hope to thrive. The challenge that Pope Francis sets before us is at the core of our Advent search: to discover the love of God in our own lives, and by extension, in the lives of all those around us, even those on the fringes, those we often ignore. It is in our deepest darkness that the heart begins to see. Join us in reflecting, praying, and singing as we journey together in spirit.
BOOMER CHRISTMAS LUNCH WITH AFTER 5
Wednesday, December 7, 11:30am-2:00pm, in the Hall of Martyrs Room 268, $15, Registration closes November 30
Celebrate with friends at the Boomer Christmas Lunch on Wednesday, December 7! Enjoy After 5, a Twin Cities sensation that has been delighting audiences with classics and holiday favorites! Pre-registration is required. If you have any questions, contact Maura Schnorbach at mschnorbach@paxchristi.com or 952-405-7220.
PLEASE NOTE: We want all Boomers to join us. Confidential Financial help is available for this event. Contact Joan Miltenberger in Care and Support at jmiltenberger@paxchristi.com or 952-405-7211 to discuss options.
CLICK HERE to register for the event! Please register by Wednesday, November 30.
FROM INSPIRATION TO ILLUMINATION: THE SAINT JOHN'S BIBLE
A Handwritten Bible for the New Millenium with Tim Ternes
Wednesday, December 7, 6:30pm, in the Main Worship Space
At the dawn of the twenty-first century, Saint John’s Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minnesota, commissioned a work of art that illuminates the Word of God for a new millennium and is designed to ignite the spiritual imagination of believers throughout the world.
You are invited to a presentation by Tim Ternes, Director of The Saint John’s Bible Project, on Wednesday, December 7, at 6:30pm in the Main Worship Space. Through video, projected imagery, dynamic reproductions, and engaging discussions, you will have the opportunity to see, hear, and learn more about this inspirational undertaking. Guests will have the opportunity to turn the pages on full-size, museum-quality art reproductions of the original and see first-hand the splendor of this work.
SIMBANG GABI CELEBRATION
Celebrating with the Filipino Catholic Community
Wednesday, December 14, 6:00pm, in the Thomas Merton Chapel Room 245
All are welcome to join the Filipino Catholic Community for evening Mass followed by a light dinner. The Origin and Meaning of Simbang Gabi: Traditionally, Christmas Day in the Philippines is ushered in by the nine-day dawn Masses that start on December 16. These Masses are also considered a Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Simbang Gabi has become one of the most popular Catholic Traditions in the Philippines. It is a significant moment not only because it strengthens relationships among the family members and parishioners but also because it is the time when our faith is intensified. Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon sa inyong Lahat. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS EVE CHOIR
Families of All Generations Welcome!
Saturday, December 24, 2:00pm Mass - PLEASE SIGN UP BY THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15.
Kids of all ages are welcome to join in the fun of Christmas singing during the 2:00pm Christmas Eve Mass! Please use the link below to signup for the "Show Up" choir. You will receive recordings and music in advance so you can prepare at home. We will gather at 1:00pm in the Main Worship Space to warm up and answer any questions. We'll begin caroling at 1:30pm as people arrive for Mass! PLEASE NOTE: any participants under the age of 5 must be accompanied by an adult!
CLICK HERE to sign up! If you have any questions, please contact Laurie Youngers at lyoungers@paxchristi.com or 952-405-7240.
LESSONS AND CAROLS
The Thrill of Hope: A New Service of Lessons and Carols
Thursday, December 15, 7:00pm, in the Main Worship Space
Pax Christi's Choir Presents The Thrill of Hope: A New Service of Lessons and Carols. The Festival of Lessons and Carols dates back to the 19th century. The service uses scripture lessons to tell the story of redemption from the "fall" in the Garden of Eden and the promise of the Messiah to the fulfillment of that promise in the birth of Jesus. A creative mix of old and new brings this historic legacy into the modern church by combining traditional carols with the best of today's contemporary seasonal songs, along with updated scripture lessons with new language. Illuminations from The Saint John's Bible will add sacred visual expression to this special Advent music and word service. A special collection of warm winter socks will be taken up during the service for donation to people experiencing homelessness.
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