For the week of Sunday, December 17, 2017 • The Third Sunday of Advent
Dear Members of Pax Christi,
Thank you for all of the donations you shared during the Share the Joy Twelve Baskets Drive. Through your generosity, we were able to provide:
• 150 wrapped gifts to Gichitwaa Kateri Faith Formation;
• 491 gifts, $740 in Target giftcards, and 116 rolls of wrapping paper in partnership with St. Andrew’s for the Holiday Store hosted by Center for Changing Lives for the Phillips Neighborhood in south Minneapolis;
• 83 laundry baskets filled with household items to Minneapolis American Indian Center, Cabrini House, and YouthLink;
• 169 gifts to Little Earth Bingo Party for Seniors and Young Mothers;
• 7 uniform polos/pants and $330 donated to Risen Christ Catholic School;
• 805 warm weather items hats to St. Stephen’s Men’s Shelter;
• 270 pajamas, slippers, gloves, hats, scarves, bottles of personal care items, shirts, pants, journals, and pens to Kateri Residence;
• $420 in gas gift cards, 394 warm weather items, and $505 in Target giftcards for Launch Ministry Chaska Men’s Shelter to purchase necessary clothing items; and
• 144 personal and health care items to St. Anne’s Place.
We have already received a note of appreciation from Samantha Rowbottom, Adminstrative Specialist at Kateri Residence:
We received the generous Christmas donations today and I just wanted to send a warm thank you from all of us at Kateri!! We’re very excited to put together Christmas gifts for the women and they will absolutely appreciate everything you’ve gathered for us. Happy holidays!
…and from Ken Danielson from the Minneapolis American Indian Center:
A super BIG thank you! Miigwech gi miigiae apiiji igo (Thanks in the biggest way possible.) Weweni sinca! (All good, all fine.)
The Third Sunday of Advent has traditionally been known as Gaudete (Latin for “rejoice”) Sunday, stemming from the themes in the prayers and in the readings that we are a people called to rejoice in the reality that God dwells with us. On Gaudete Sunday, we have passed the midpoint of Advent, the liturgical mood lightens a little, the rose-ribboned candle is lit for the third week of Advent, and we are provided with encouragement to continue our spiritual preparation for the Christmas feast.
Why be joyful when there is so much suffering in this world and discontent in our lives? What does the spiritual gift of joy desire to teach us about ourselves and about our God? Richard Rohr, in Near Occasions of Grace, reflects on the reason and value of Christian joy in our lives:
“But who am I that the Lord should come to me?” Elizabeth asks. Perhaps, if I can recognize and trust this little graciousness, this hidden wholeness, this child in the womb, then my spirit will be prepared for the greater visitation, the revelation of the Son of God…But if we dare to trust this mystery, we participate in a Presence that is at once overwhelming gift and precious surprise—not really demanded or necessary—but actually not difficult to believe at all. And God goes ahead enfleshing spirit and inspiriting the flesh; while for us, who have learned, like Elizabeth, to trust these holy visitations, our life leaps within us for joy!
May the remainder of this Advent season guide us to recognize the near occasions of joy that are in our midst.
Jane
Jane Schmitz, Parish Director
jschmitz@paxchristi.com
952-405-7238
TODAY, DECEMBER 12,
IS THE FEAST OF
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
This past weekend, December 9/10, we honored Our Lady of Guadalupe at a celebration on Saturday evening and continued with hospitality on Sunday. If you missed it, check out this video of the fantastic mariachi band - CLICK HERE.
DO YOU HAVE THE "WRITE" STUFF?
We are looking for a qualified candidate to help grow the ways we communicate the mission and vision of Pax Christi. Do you have the gifts of creative writing, flexibility, and organization of details? If you believe that you share Pax Christi's passion for bringing the message of peace, justice, and inclusivity to all, we invite you to come and be a part of our Communication Arts team as a part-time creative writer. CLICK HERE for additional details. Questions? Please contact Melissa Nault, Communcation Arts Director, mnault@paxchristi.com.ASL INTERPRETER NEEDED
We are looking for an ASL Interpreter to assist a parishioner at the 9:00am Mass on Sundays. If you are able to share your time and talent, please let Jane know at jschmitz@paxchristi.com. Thank you!BOW: BREAKING OPEN THE WORD
We are excited to announce the return of our Facebook group – Breaking Open the Word. Every Sunday evening we will post the readings for the following weekend’s Masses. We invite you to join this group and post your personal reflections on the readings. This will serve our community in getting more deeply connected with each other and with our presiders. All members of Pax Christi are invited to join this enlightening group and to share with all of us the unique way the Word intersects with our everyday lives. www.facebook.com/groups/breakingopenthewordCHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS EVE MASS
Children's Christmas Story at 1:45pm; Mass at 2:00pmIt's not too late for 2nd through 6th grade youth to participate if you register today!
Rehearsal for all is Saturday, December 23, 9:00am–12:00noon
Participants and their parents will be required to attend the one and only dress rehearsal. In order to successfully create this special liturgy, parent volunteers are needed. Registration is required no later than December 9. CLICK HERE to register online now or contact Joan Howe-Pullis, 952-405-7247.
ADVENT RECONCILIATION SERVICE:
THE GIFT OF ANGELS
TODAY! Tuesday, December 12, 7:00pmClergy will be available for private confessions following the Reconciliation Service. We are called to slow down and take the longer view of our lives. Mark’s gospel reminds us: “Be watchful! Be alert!” We pray for clear eyes that are able to see God’s “faithful messengers” and read the signs of the times. We pray for the ears of our hearts to hear the words of forgiveness, mercy, and promise, remembering that we do not walk alone in the spiritual life. John O’Donohue, an Irish poet, has said, “May all the angels be your sheltering and joyful guardians.”
The “God of Openness and Life” blesses us and invites us to reach down within, to extend compassion to ourselves and to others, and to look into the dead spaces of our hearts that need to change so that we can give hope, healing, and courage, to ourselves and others. Advent is the promise of a new order of things, of life, and of our very existence.
MOMS ROCK: RAISING OUR CHRISTIAN KIDS
Jen Clark & Friends: Treat Yourself Shop & Spa DayWednesday, December 13, 9:30–11:30am, Room 212
Come enjoy a relaxing time chatting with your Moms ROCK friends while shopping our members’ home-based businesses and creating some essential oil spa gifts!
Jen Clark is a busy wife and mom of two who is active in the Eden Prairie community as a member of the Eden Prairie MOMS Club, Eden Prairie Moms On the Run, and the Moms ROCK planning committee. You can also find her sharing a love of essential oils on Facebook at “Eager Oiler: How I’m Loving My Essential Oils” and on Instagram @eageroiler.
THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY
January 1, 9:00am in the SanctuaryThe Solemnity of Mary acknowledges and celebrates Mary's role as the mother of Jesus Christ. It is a holy day of obligation.
TRANSFORMING PAIN
Tuesday, January 2, 6:30–7:30pm, Thomas Merton ChapelThe pain of living and the pain of dying have many things in common. How can the pain in our own lives and the pain in the lives of those we love teach us compassion? We will look at physical, social, psychological, and spiritual pain and learn some healing strategies. Our evening presenter, Patricia Hughes Baumer, has been a lay minister in multiple settings including hospice chaplaincy, and since 1991 has focused on the ministry of lay liturgical preaching. She and her husband, Fred, have been members of Pax Christi since 1989. No need to RSVP. Questions? Contact Jean Thoresen, Director of Care and Support Ministry, jthoresen@paxchristi.com, or 952-405-7211.
LABYRINTH WALK:
SETTING INTENTIONS AND LIVING FULLY
Monday, January 8, 6:30–8:30pmWith the new year comes a desire to set intentions for new behaviors, attitudes, and positive changes. Setting intentions is the easy part, carrying them out is often the challenge. The process of carrying out our intentions is like walking a labyrinth. A labyrinth provides space and time to reflect and to open to clarity so we can bring our intentions to life. The labyrinth is a space of meditation and prayer. It’s a powerful way to deepen our understanding of who we are and what is true for us. Join us for a brief workshop and indoor candlelit labyrinth walk. An introduction will be available for those new to the labyrinth. Contact Carrie Chevalier Mosher at Carrie@cycleofwholeness.com to register.
SOUTHWEST GRIEF COALITION
Thursdays, 5:30–7:30pmat Immanuel Lutheran Church
16515 Luther Way, Eden Prairie, MN 55346
The Southwest Grief Coalition is a partnership of local churches working together to provide support and education for those who are grieving. A seven-week winter series, Living and Growing Through Loss, will be held here at Immanuel Lutheran Church. The evening will include a light meal at 5:30pm, followed by speaker, and then small group supportive sessions specific to your type of loss. If you or someone you know has suffered the loss of a loved one, you are invited to participate. There is no cost to attend and you do not need to attend all sessions. For more information, look for the winter 2018 Living and Growing Through Loss brochure in the kiosk by the reception desk or visit www.paxchristi.com/bereavementministry. Questions can be directed to Mary Ann Callahan, 952-405-7227.
SHARED MINISTRY CELEBRATION
Minnesota Mardi Gras: A Shared Ministry Celebration with Archbishop HebdaSaturday, January 20, 6:00–9:30pm
An adult-only evening of fun and frolic beginning with Mass celebrated with Archbishop Hebda at 5:00pm. After Mass, we will continue celebrating all of Pax Christi’s Adult Shared Ministers with appetizers, desserts, soda, beer, music, and plenty of opportunities for conversation, mingling, and fun. If you are an adult member of Pax Christi and are committed to sharing your gifts of time, talent, and treasure with this community, you are invited to attend. We are all DISCIPLES ON A MISSION, and this event will help us celebrate the myriad ways each of us has responded to that call. No RSVP is needed, just come and join in the celebration! For those who might need childcare, the nursery will be available. Please make reservations via www.paxchristi.com/childcare.
EXPLORING MIGRATION: A FAITH JOURNEY
Eight sessions beginning Sunday, January 21, 6:30pm, $18 per personExploring Migration: A Faith Journey, invites participants to formulate a personal response, inspired by their Christian beliefs, to the 21st-century reality of migration. The module is designed for small groups of 8 -12 and explores some of the central questions related to the reality of migration on a global level and in the U.S. context. The sessions provide historical, biblical, and theological perspective and suggest ways participants can take faithful action for God’s people. Join us for these eight sessions at 6:30pm: January 21, 28; February 25; March 4, 18, 25, April 15, 22. The cost is $18.00 Scholarships are available. Contact Joan Howe-Pullis with any questions, jhowe-pullis@paxchristi.com. CLICK HERE to register online now.
ANNUAL CANA DINNER: A NIGHT IN THE TROPICS
Saturday, January 27, 6:00–9:30pm, Early Love-Bird Rate $65Tired of the cold? Make it your mission to escape to “A Night in the Tropics.” Warm breezes welcome all couples, of all ages, to the annual Cana Dinner. The evening begins with a hosted wine reception, followed by a Fabulously Catered festive dinner. Following dinner, enjoy coffee, wine, and dessert while you are entertained by Stan Bann, host of the always popular "The Not-So Newlywed Game." A couples photo op will be offered during the evening, so be sure to dress up – cruise wear is encouraged! Tickets are available at an early lovebird price of $65.00 per couple. The rate goes up to $75.00 per couple after December 28. The ticket price includes a hosted wine reception, dinner, dessert, entertainment, couple's photo, and loving childcare, which should be arranged online at www.paxchristi.com/childcare. Consider what a wonderful Christmas gift a pair of Cana Dinner tickets would make for that special couple in your life. CLICK HERE to register online now!
UPCOMING EVENTS INCLUDE:
December 16: Christmas Luncheon
January 5: First Friday Social
All seniors, age 55 and older, are invited to join Boomers and Beyond Senior Ministry. Members receive monthly emails with details on upcoming events and easy on-line registration.