Our Mission is to know, love and serve God by living the Eucharist. Promulgated on Pentecost Sunday, 2013

420 Irving Street | Alexandria, MN 56308 | (320) 763-5781

The Church ofSt. Mary

NOVEMBER 10, 201932ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

v At the core of our Culture of Respect, the Catholic faith proclaims that all life is sacred and that every person has value. St. Mary’s cares for each other and treats seriously the safety of us all. A huge THANK YOU to Kathy Fischer, our Faith Community Nurse, for leading our Safety & Security Committee through a very busy 2019. Through Kathy’s expertise, she has led us to completion of a campus wide Policy & Procedures Manual, and it has been reviewed and approved by Julie Anderson, Douglas County Emergency Management Officer.

With the help of community professionals, we have just completed our first round of training of over 20 key individuals in areas such as, CPR/AED, Run-Hide-Fight, Fire and Evacuation, Stroke, Falls, Allergic Reactions, Universal Precautions, Shelter-In-Place, Lockdown and More. We will hold 3 additional training sessions where more of our employees, ushers, select law enforcement, medical and first responders, and others with significant background in these areas will be attending.You may have noticed that Eric has installed new numbering above all exit doors around campus. We had only part of our campus properly numbered in the past. Also, in the coming weeks we will have some new Emergency Preparedness quick reference flipcharts posted around campus. All of this has been under Kathy’s leadership!

v Did you know. . . the St. Mary’s of Alexandria Catholic Foundation is a separate legal entity formed for the purpose of supporting The Church of St. Mary with primary emphasis on 1) Vocations, 2) Facilities, 3) School & Faith Formation, 4) Music & Liturgy. It allows donors the option to give larger, legacy-type donations such as bequests from wills & estates, insurance policies, stocks, and retirement funds. It is run by a 7-person Board of Directors who meet quarterly. The funds have seen very good growth since the foundation was established in 2015, which is necessary so that it operates more like a long-term endowment where the earnings can be distributed without reducing the principal. Most recently, Adolf and Janet Wagner left a very generous donation to the Foundation. Many thanks to the Wagners; their legacy indeed will live on! Please remember the Foundation as you enter the year-end financial planning season. You may contact the Parish Office with any questions.

v I hope you were able to do some personal reflection during our annual stewardship renewal. We do have so much to be grateful for. As we recognize Veterans Day, thank you to all Veterans for your sacrifice and allowing us the abundant freedom we enjoy each day here in America!Let us take time and give thanks to God for whatever is special in your heart this upcoming Thanksgiving. For me – my family will top the list.

With gratitude, Todd Wentworth

$ 25,0262,8811,675

$ 29,582

$ 543,594

* Total year budget is spread equally over 52 weeks.Detailed financial reports may be viewed at the Parish Office.

+We wish to offer our sympathy and promise of prayers to the family and friends of Eugene Arnold and Diane Winter.

FROM OUR PARISH BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR

SUNDAY OFFERINGS

Envelope Electronic Other

Weekend - November 3

Year-to-Date Offerings

ACTUAL

$ 26,4136,731

2,490

$ 35,634

$ 641,412

BUDGET*

$ (1,387)(3,850)

(815)

$ (6,052)

$ (97,818)

VARIANCEFROM BUDGET

If you or someone you know in our parish community is sick or ill, or has a family member who could use our prayers, please call our Parish Nurse, Kathy Fischer, at 762-2320.

Please remember the following people in your prayers: Ruth Partington, Betty Schlosser, Dan Woods, Kevin Richmond Sr., Andrew Herges, Phyllis VanKempen, Dan Ridler, Rosemary Rehovsky, Marie Peterson, Doloris Lorsung, Betty Henshaw, Andrew Eckhoff, Doug Kuiper, Bruce Rivers, Virginia Schultz, Cletus Bitzan, Marilyn Miller, MayVis Bruzek, Jen Hall, Matt Sobiech, Mitch, Ann Smidt, Donna Wussow, and Lorrie Neale.

JUSTICE PEACE AND THE INTEGRITY OF CREATION (JPIC): FAIR TRADE DAY AT ST. MARY’S – NOVEMBER 17, 2019This is a reminder that on Sunday, November 17, a Fair Trade booth will be set up in the Great Hall after both the 8:00 and 10:00 Masses. There will be a variety of products ranging from coffee and chocolates to handmade jewelry, baskets, scarves, etc. In the past few years, parishioners have appreciated the opportunity to shop for unique products while supporting Fair Trade. If you haven’t had a chance to see the products in prior years, we hope you will be able to check them out on November 17. This year there will also be products from Bethlehem available. The Fair Trade Day will also include a display board about the Guatemala Community Partnership. Parishioners who have traveled to Guatemala will be available to provide additional information about this initiative.

COMMUNITY NEWS

PRAYER CORNER

ABOUT LIFE

SANCTITY OF LIFE MOMENT: “Lo, sons are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” - Psalm 127:3

Visit St. Mary’s Sanctity of Life online at sanctityoflifestm.org for information and resources.

DAUGHERS OF ISABELLA will meet on Tuesday November 19. Rosary at 4:30 PM, followed by Memorial mass at 5:00 PM and meeting to follow. Rita Kostreba will be speaking on the Sacramental Program at St. Mary’s and also a brief explanation of AMDR. Please join us and bring a friend.

A PARISHIONER OF ST. MARY’S is in need of a living donor for a liver transplant. Criteria include a blood type of O, and between the ages of 21-60. An online Health History Questionnaire is the initial step followed by a thorough physical evaluation. Please contact Kathy at 762-2320 with questions.

IT’S A GRAVE MATTER - In the spirit of parish stewardship, the Cemetery Committee is asking for people to volunteer to help with snow clean up during the winter months. This would involve some light shoveling by the columbaria and by the steps in front of the mausoleums. It is mostly just pushing snow and final cleanup after blowing snow. The goal is to get a group of volunteers who would be called on a rotating basis and help once or twice during the winter. If interested, call the parish office at 320-763-5781. Thank you for all the support you have given us in the past!

HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE: Fr. Steve is organizing a pilgrimage to the Holy Land next fall , October 8 -19. We will spend 4 days in Galilee on the Sea of Galilee and 6 nights in Jerusalem. We will s ee most of the biblic al sites we hear of in the Gospels, as well as many sites made famous in the Old Testament . Jerusalem is the center of the univers e for 3 major religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity. It is l iterally steeped in history, but even more, it is a powerful place of pilgrimage. Pilgrimage means prayer, conversion of heart . Brochures are available on the hospitality desk or in the office.

BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL: The Bishop’s Annual Appeal proudly supports respect-for-life at all stages through education and other initiatives in the diocese. Your generosity helps make this possible.

To donate, visit www.s t c d i o . o r g /a n n u a l a p p e a l or mail a gift to: Bishop’s Annual Appeal, PO Box 1538, St. Cloud, MN 56302.

FAITH FORMATIONstmreled@stmaryalexandria.org | 320-763-9202

Class ScheduleSunday School: Nov. 17, 9:50-11:00 AMGrades 1-5: Nov. 13, 3:45-4:45 PMGrades 6-12: Nov. 13, 6:30-8:00 PM1st Reconciliation Prep: Nov. 12, 5:30 Meal, 6:00 Instruction

Join the WINE Bunch!Back by popular demand is the Monday night WINE Bunch (Women in the New Evangelization) fellowship nights! These nights are for women to come together to learn more about the richness of our Catholic faith, form new friendships, and have fun while building a deeper relationship with the Lord! No need to sign up! Don’t worry about missing a Monday! Any time you can come you are welcome to the Bunch!Dates we will meet in 2019:• November 18 (in the School Media Center)• November 25 (in the School Media Center)• December 2 (TBD)• December 9 (TBD)(Will resume after New Year’s.)

ADULT FAITH FORMATIONYOUTH FAITH FORMATION

Sunday School VoicesNovember 10—Loving Saints

Today we talked about heaven. We learned that angels and saints live in heaven with Jesus. Two special saints are Jesus’ mother, Mary, and his foster father, Joseph. We heard a Bible story that talked about how much Jesus loves to be with children.

Next week we will take a wonderful field trip! We are going to visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament chapel.

A Call to Service 2020June 21 – 26

Minneapolis/St. Paul

This is a Diocesan service-learning opportunity for youth who are currently in Grades 8 – 11. Cost is $150 for this 5-day program, with an initial deposit of $50. November Special: Pre-registration forms received in November will include a 10% discount on overall registration fee. Please contact the Faith Formation Office for a pre-registration form. Questions – call Tammy at 763-9202.

A time for young adults to grow in their faith and build community. Join us for a night of faith, fun, food and fellowship! All are welcome! For more info, call the Faith Formation Office at 763-9202.

ADULT BIBLE STUDY Tuesday evenings in the Great Hall immediately following the 5:00 PM Mass. Call Mike at 759-1911 for more info.

MENS’ BIBLE STUDY Thursday mornings in the Commons Area of the church at 6:00 AM. Call Mike at 759-1911 for more info.

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel: Rosary - Sundays (before Mass) 7:35 AM & 9:35 AM.

CALENDAR RAFFLE WINNERSNOVEMBER 2019

11/3 Carol Gaffaney, Alexandria $35

11/4 Brian Fleming, Alexandria $20

11/5 Jackie Eischens, Canby $20

11/6 Jane Schlotfeld, Ashby $20

11/7 Tim Boesl, Parkers Prairie $20

11/8 Keith Stotesbery, Herman $20

11/9 Tom Hayes, Lowry $20

ST. MARY’S SCHOOLSt. Mary’s School educates the whole child within a nurturing Catholic Christian environment.

stmaryss@stmaryalexandria.org | 320-763-5861

Dear Parishioners:

St Mary’s School has been educating kids in our community for the past 62 years. One of the reasons we have been able to maintain this strong tradition is through the help of the St. Mary’s School Trust Fund. Any student, regardless of their family financial situation, are able to attend St. Mary’s School. This is made possible by yearly tuition assistance scholarships provided by the Trust Fund. Already this year, there are many requests for tuition assistance.

In order to keep up with that demand and continue to offer the St. Mary’s education to all, the school needs your help! A gift to the “Sponsor a Student” program will help cover the educational expenses that these families face. It will also help St. Mary’s School with the mission of allowing any student to receive a Catholic education regardless of their family’s financial situation.

A donation to the “Sponsor a Student” program is a gift of education, a gift that will last a lifetime. If you are interested in sharing your treasures, see the form on this page for more information. Your support of the “Sponsor a Student” program is greatly appreciated.

God’s blessings, Mr. Sladek

SCHOOL HAPPENINGS

PAC Meeting – Tuesday, November 12 @ 7 PM in the Large Conference Room

Help Support Our School by Participating in:Tapes for

Education

St. Mary’s School Trust Fund"Sponsor a Student"

I would like to make the following contribution to the St. Mary's School Trust Fund "Sponsor a Student" program. My contribution is:

_____ $______________________

_____ $______________________ a memorial in honor of

_____________________________________________________ (Name or may be left blank) My contribution is in the amount of $ _________________to pay the tuition for: a Quarter ($687.50) a Semester ($1,375.00) a Year ($2,750.00)

Name______________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________

City, State, Zip______________________________________

Phone ______________________________________________

Your donation is deeply appreciated.

St. Mary’s School Trust Fund Committee

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stmarysschoolalexandria

St. Mary’s School Alexandria

Love After Death Death is hard to talk about. But life after death is even harder. Since both are in this week’s readings, let’s try it. Death brings many images and experiences to mind. Often much suffering accompanies them. I have been with a fair number of people as they died, and each time the event has seemed miraculous. Someone I had known and spoken with, someone whose every movement came from a mysterious source of life within them, burning bright as a candle in darkness, that someone has vanished. The body is the same one I knew before. The mouth is the same one that talked and laughed. But in the blink of my eye, the individual is gone. “Where did she go?” “Where did he go?” But even that way of talking is inaccurate. We “go” by means of walking, using our arms and legs, and thus changing locations. In death “going somewhere” is deceptive. It is accomplished by cessation of all motion whatsoever. Any “going” has to be at a much, much deeper level. Only the thing called “hope” can tell us where these people go. One of the brothers in the First Reading says it this way: “It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the hope God gives of being raised up by him.” Hope, not surety. And we have only to glance at the crucifixion to see that Jesus chose to die this way. He knew his Abba so well that he kept hope alive even when everything screamed against it. God is God of life, the Gospel says; “to him all are alive,” even the dead. Why are they alive? Because God keeps love. What? Yes. Real love is like a piece of rich earth that nurtures great trees. Roots dig deep down in this earth for nourishment and moisture. The green selves grow out of this earth. And notice something obvious: the earth does not grow out of them! Life grows out of love, not vice versa. Their life and our lives are rooted in the rich loam of love. It is difficult to say the last sentence correctly. Let me try again. Love is a force much deeper than life. When life ceases, love stays. It becomes the home, the embracing arms that enfold us. Love is the substance; life is the outgrowth. So the “place” dead persons go, leaving their bodies behind, is into the heart of love, into the arms of God who is love. Here is how the poet Hopkins put it:

Hither then, last or first, To hero of Calvary, Christ’s feet—Never ask if meaning it, wanting it, warned of it—men go.*

Christ’s feet are where you and I will be, honoring the perfect fullness of love he has achieved. Oh yes, we have to release our tight grip on the treasures we have hoarded, things we have chosen instead of love.If we have a hard time “meaning it and wanting it” during our lives, even so we are still folded into the luxuriant soil of God’s love. Of course sometimes we refuse it, and then our roots go dry in the sun. Yet love forgives and invites us and helps us back.It is hard to talk about. But worth it.*The poem fragment comes from the poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins, SJ, The Wreck of the Deutschland,” stanza 8. “Men” in that day meant all persons. © 2013, John B. Foley, S.J. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.

PA R I S H H E A LT H M I N I ST RYL I F T I N G S P I R I TS, TO U C H I N G L I V ES

LITURGICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES

Mon. Tue.Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat.Sun.

Wis 1: 1-7; Lk 17:1-6Wis 2:23—3:9; Lk 17:7-10 Wis 6:1-11; Lk 17:11-19Wis 7:22b—8:1; Lk 17:20-25Wis 13:1-9; Lk 17:26-37Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9; Lk 18:1-8Mal 3:19-20a; 2 Thes 3:7-12; Lk 21:5-19

www.stmaryalexandria.orgstmary@stmaryalexandria.org

320-763-5781

Tue.Wed.Thurs.

Fri.Sat.Sun.

5:00 PM +Don Thoennes8:30 AM +Jerry Glover7:00 AM +Mark Gernetzke1:30 PM Bethany +Ralph Roers8:30 AM +Jerry Glover5:00 PM +Odilia Steidl8:00AM For the Parish10:00 AM +Kathy DeCock

To register, stop by our Hospitality Desk located in the Commons Area of the church or visit our website to complete the registration online.

WEEKLY MASS SCHEDULEREADINGS FOR THE WEEK OF NOV. 10

NEW MEMBERS CONTACT US