For the week of Sunday, February 25, 2018 • Second Sunday of Lent
Dear Members of Pax Christi,
The gospel for the Second Sunday of Lent (February 25), is consistent every year with the story of the transfiguration of Jesus. This year we hear Mark’s gospel account:
Jesus took Peter, James, and John
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,
and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
"Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
from the cloud came a voice,
"This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."
Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone
but Jesus alone with them.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what rising from the dead meant.
While there is much to unpack in interpretation and symbolism in this reading, I keep coming back to and reflecting on what the three apostles must have wrestled with as they became a part of the mystery of the situation they found themselves in. They had questions, certainly about “what rising from the dead meant,” but possibly why they were chosen to be a witness to this event, the cloud that cast a shadow over them, and the different voice they heard from the cloud.
Life brings us into many situations that are enveloped in mystery. Sometimes the mysteries are glorious, like the birth of a child, or falling in love, or having a job where skills and gifts are utilized and celebrated, and we find ourselves in awe of the mystery of it all. Sometimes the mystery is about being chosen, like wondering why the people who love me do (love me), or the reality of being spared from a car accident if I had started for my destination a few minutes earlier (or later), or how a situation may feel like God’s loving hand was the guide. Sometimes the mystery is about the cloud casting a shadow. We all know that feeling of a loved one’s passing, or of a job loss or transition, or when situational or chronic sadness weighs heavy on the spirit. Sometimes the mystery is about the different voices in our lives struggling to be heard, whether it is societal, religious, or familial, and the never-straight path to fine one’s authentic self as these voices are given the attention needed.
What mystery do you find yourself pondering this Lenten Season? How is God a part of that mystery?
Blessings to you this Lenten week!
Jane
Jane Schmitz, Parish Director
jschmitz@paxchristi.com
952-405-7238
LENT: DISCIPLES ON A MISSION
We encounter Cesia in Nicaragua, where, despite a lack of economic opportunity, young people pursue their dreams by building businesses to better their lives. How can you work to improve the lives of others this Lent? How can you support those, worldwide, who are forced to flee their homes to find safety or better opportunities? Visit crsricebowl.org for more.Visit crsricebowl.org for more.
During the 40 days of Lent, as companions on the journey, we will encounter our neighbor.
LENTEN CROSS EXHIBIT
ASH WEDNESDAY THROUGH HOLY WEEK
Here at Pax Christi, we are privileged to have a wonderful collection of processional crosses currently on display in the Pacem in Terris Gallery, Room #247 near the main entrance. Also on view this year is a magnificent work “Christ and the Cross II” by Malcom Myers, Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota, as well as our "Mirror Cross" created by parishioner Kjirsten Hanson.
JR & SR. HIGH SERVICE:
LIVING STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Be a part of the 25th Anniversary of this Pax Christi Good Friday tradition! Jr and Sr. High youth are invited to act out the scenes from the Passion of Jesus. No memorization of lines needed. Your ability to hold a pose or read from the script as a lector is all that is required. There will be pizza! You must be available for rehearsals on Sundays, March 18 and 25, from 1:00–3:00pm. Presentations of the Living Stations will take place at 3:00pm and 5:00pm on Good Friday, March 30th.Contact the parish office, 952-941-3150, for additional information or sign up at www.paxchristi.com/eventregistration.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
East Side Learning, a Pax Christi grant recipient, needs volunteer assistant/lead teachers and tutors. Teach immigrant and refugee adults the basics of the English language—speaking, reading, and writing—in a small classroom setting at Centro Guadalupano (located at Holy Rosary Church in south Minneapolis). Time commitment: one day a week, Monday–Thursday, 9:30–11:30am. No previous teaching experience required. All are welcome! For more information, contact Julia Reimann, 612-724-3651 ex. 208, or coordinator.centro@gmail.com.ARTISTS NEEDED FOR PARISHIONERS' ART EXHIBIT: New Life: The Birth of Spring
Current Pax Christi parishioners — amateur, hobbyist, or professional — ages 16 years and up are welcome and encouraged to show their fine art and fine craft, including works in sculpture, pottery, fiber, and photography, with the exclusion of film and/or video. This year’s exhibit, presented by the Pax Christi Art Committee, will be available for viewing beginning Sunday, April 15 until Sunday, May 13 in the Pacem in Terris Gallery in the MLK Jr. Room (247) near entrance three. CLICK HERE for complete details, guidelines, and application procedures coming soon.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Fridays during Lent, 7:00pm in the ChapelStations of the Cross is a devotional prayer in which people meditate on a number of scenes from the passion and death of Christ. It was an early Church practice to visit the sites of Jesus' last hours in Jerusalem, but not everyone could do that kind of travel. A practice grew over time of meditating on the passion of Christ at shrines that represented the actual places.
CENTERING PRAYER
Thursday, February 22, 9:00am, Prayer Space Room 221Join us for 20 minutes of Centering Prayer at 9:00am (immediately following morning Mass) in the Prayer Space Room 221. Centering Prayer is the practice of silencing mind and body. This method of quieting our mind and body allows us to be aware and receptive to God's presence. It is not meant to replace other forms of prayer, rather, it adds depth to all prayer. Centering Prayer is simply resting in God beyond thoughts, words, and emotions. This group meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month.
TWELVE BASKETS
BLANKET DRIVE FOR BRIDGING
Weekend of February 24/25Imagine sleeping without a blanket. Thousands of local families and individuals face this situation every day. Each year, Bridging serves over 13,000 individuals (4,000 households) in the Twin Cities. Bridging needs blankets for 240 people each week. Twelve Baskets is sponsoring a Blanket Drive the weekend of February 24/25. Donate a new or handmade blanket, quilt or comforter. All sizes needed- throw, twin, full, queen, or king. Drop off in the designated red bins at doors 1 and 3. Thank you for responding with a generous heart!
SILENT SATURDAY – RETURN TO ME
Saturday, March 3, 9:00am–11:30am (NOTE NEW DATE) RSVP"Return to me with your whole heart. For gracious and merciful is God, slow to anger, abounding in loving kindness” (Joel 2:13). Care and Support Ministry is hosting another "Silent Saturday" and invites you to spend a few hours of quiet, uninterrupted time in prayer and solitude in our beautiful Pax Christi campus. We will create a peaceful environment for prayer time, journaling, walking, or just resting in God's presence. Silent Saturday is an opportunity to step away from the sounds and distractions of our lives and enter into nourishing silence. How you spend the few hours is up to you. Our hope is that you will leave feeling refreshed. The morning will begin with a short prayer followed by a simple tour of the facility to highlight quiet places and spaces available to you. We will conclude our time together with a short prayer and an optional group sharing time. There is no fee, but we do ask that you notify us if you plan on attending. Contact Jean Thoresen, Director of Care and Support Ministries, jthoresen@paxchristi.com.
ROLLER DERBY NIGHT: SR. HIGH YOUTH
Saturday, March 3, 5:00–10:30pm, Roy Wilkins Auditorium, no fee RSVPNinth-12th graders, join us for a night of hard-hitting fun as we travel to the Roy Wilkins Auditorium for the Minnesota Roller Girls' roller derby championship tournament! Transportation from Pax Christi will be provided, and tickets are free! Bring spending money for food at The Roy, and remember: friends are always welcome! CLICK HERE to register by March 1 or contact Jessie Johnson, jjohnson@paxchristi.com, with questions.
"OW, THAT HURTS!" – CARE AND SUPPORT MINISTRY NIGHT
Tuesday, March 6, 6:30–7:30pm, Thomas Merton Chapel"Look, O Lord, at the anguish I suffer! My stomach churns, and my heart recoils within me.” Every human knows suffering. Our bodies ache, our spirits grieve, our communities feel broken. Have you ever asked questions like: Where is God in all of this? Why is there so much evil in the world? Is God making me suffer for my past life? How do I help someone who is constantly suffering? How do I “offer up” my own suffering? Do Catholics enjoy suffering? Is it possible for Jesus to heal me? What if He doesn’t? The Care and Support Ministry has invited Father Marc Paveglio to join us as we explore the mystery of suffering through the lens of faith. Drawing upon the Scriptures, the writings of Pope John Paul II, and personal experience, Father Marc will offer a teaching on the meaning of suffering, with space for reflection and discussion. This evening is for anyone who desires to hear Good News in the midst of suffering, whether it be in themselves, in their families, or in the world. No registration needed.
LIVING YOUR STRENGTHS CLASS
Wednesdays, March 7–April 18, 6:30–8:00pm, $17.00 RSVPWhat are your God-given gifts? This Lenten Season, why not work on finding out more about your own strengths? Gallup (the poll people) has developed an online assessment tool that can tell you what your top five strengths are out of 34 strengths they have identified. Join other parishioners in a small-group environment to learn how to recognize, develop, and harness your strengths to be the person God calls you to be in your career/school life, relationships, and faith life. Participants will receive a copy of the Living Your Strengths book with an online assessment code, a journal, and work with a certified faith strengths performance coach within a small group setting. The fee is $17.00. Classes will not meet Holy Week. CLICK HERE to register online now.
ARCHDIOCESAN MEN'S CONFERENCE
Saturday, March 10, 9:30am, Saint Thomas AcademyAll men of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis are invited to join Archbishop Hebda and Bishop Cozzens at the Archdiocesan Men’s Conference at Saint Thomas Academy, Mendota Heights. The keynote speaker will be Monsignor Thomas Richter, Rector-elect of The Saint Paul Seminary. Invite your sons, nephews, grandsons, and friends to register today! CLICK HERE to register online.
CLEAN ENERGY FORUM WITH PAUL DOUGLAS
Sunday, March 11, 1:30pmPax Christi, along with local Eden Prairie faith communities, is hosting speakers and optional small group discussions about the importance of clean energy and sharing simple ways to save money and the environment. Please join us to hear radio and TV personality meteorologist Paul Douglas speak on the benefits of converting to a clean energy economy and the importance of congregations, businesses, and cities taking action now. Ken Reineccius, Director of Operations at Pax Christi, will talk about what we are doing to embrace clean energy, and Eden Prairie Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens will present Eden Prairie's clean energy goals and action plans. CLICK HERE to view an informational flyer.
SOCIAL JUSTICE SPEAKER SERIES
Sunday, March 18, 12:30pm, Room 212The Journey Home: Honoring Community and the Common Good
The fourth in our Social Justice Speakers Series, we will meet Debbie Wyman and Chuck Peterson from Clare Housing. The work of Clare Housing is grounded in social justice and equity advocacy. As the only organization in Minnesota focused exclusively on the housing and supportive needs for people living with HIV/AIDS, Clare Housing is uniquely positioned to ensure that housing-based interventions are a key component in an era of rapidly changing public policy and programs affecting people living with HIV/AIDS. Research consistently links homelessness and housing instability to greater HIV risk, inadequate health care, poor health outcomes, and early death. Evaluations (including evaluations of Clare Housing’s work) indicate that stable housing with appropriate supports improve physical and mental health, reduce behaviors that can transmit HIV, and sharply cut public spending. Given this evidence, the unmet housing need among people living with HIV and those most vulnerable to HIV infection must be viewed as a moral/human rights issue, a public health issue, and an issue of fiscal responsibility. Come hear about the mission of Clare Housing!
SR. HIGH SERVICE/JUSTICE TRIP
Week of June 24–30, Chicago, IL, Fee of $250 RSVPHigh school students, are you ready to make 2018 the best summer of your life?! Sign up for the 2018 Summer Service and Justice Immersion Trip with Young Neighbors in Action, June 24–30 in Chicago, Illinois! Meet teens from across the country, immerse yourself in learning about service and justice, and get ready to be inspired to change the world. We will spend the week working with local service agencies, learning about Catholic Social Teaching and brainstorming ways to put our faith into practice back home. Space is limited, so register today with a $50 deposit! Questions? Contact Jessie Johnson, jjohnson@paxchristi.com. CLICK HERE to register online today.
UPCOMING EVENTS INCLUDE:
March 2: First Friday Coffee/Social
March 14: Tour of PROP
April 19: FMSC
May 8: Annual Boomer Retreat
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.