Many women attend the SCCS school Mass on Wednesdays at 9:10am and then head over to St. Mary’s for the 10:30-noon Women’s Bible Study, please join us!

 If you are interested in joining this Bible Study group, please contact Jeanne Crea 651-275-0100 jcrea@comcast.net so materials can be ordered.

For a full list of 2012 speakers,  please click here:  Growth in Holiness Speaker Series for 2012

We will be vigilant and pray by preparing our hearts through confession, alms and joy. 

“O Come O Come Emmanuel…” 

 A list of items for the service portion of the day is included for those who are interested.  Advent FSE 2011 flyer pa

 The 3rd edition of the Missale Romanum has been expanded to include prayers for the observances of recently canonized saints, additional prefaces for the Eucharistic Prayers, additional Votive Masses and Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions, and some updated and revised rubrics (instructions) for the celebration of the Mass (USCCB).  So, it is somewhat different from its predecessor.  Prayers have been added, new Saints are being celebrated, and adjustments have been made to some of the details of how the Triduum is observed. But, essentially, the way that Mass is celebrated is staying the same. 

 Yet, the English Edition of the Missale Romanum will also bring with it the fruit of better translation. The previous English editions of the Roman Missals were based on a translational method called “dynamic equivalency”.  Such a principle of translation attempts to capture the essence of the text being translated but does not consider retaining the actual words of the original texts as being necessarily consequential.  Whereas in this new translation, the guiding principle is that of “formal equivalency”.  When governed by the principles of “formal equivalency” a translation is to be rendered as faithfully as possible to the original text — both in meaning and to the words themselves.  This principle recognizes that “The words of the Sacred Scriptures …express truths that transcend the limits of time and space. Indeed, by means of these words God speaks continually with the Spouse of his beloved Son, the Holy Spirit leads the Christian faithful into all truth and causes the word of Christ to dwell abundantly within them, and the Church perpetuates and transmits all that she herself is and all that she believes, even as she offers the prayers of all the faithful to God, through Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Second Vatican Council, Const. Sacrosanctum Concilium.

 Hence, we as the faithful are invited through the language of Christ’s Church into all that she is; the more authentic the language of the liturgy, the more we are able to participate in our faith.  And so what a gift to have a fuller translation, one that drinks more deeply from the font of scripture, one that incorporates more fully the poetry and elevated language of our faith, and one by which we can grasp the objects of our faith more readily!

 Please join us as we examine the different facets of this new translation! Faith Formation is presenting a five part exploration of this new Translation of the Third Typical Edition of the Roman Missal on the following Wednesdays:

October 26, 2011 – Introduction

November 9, 2011 – The Words of our Liturgy are Changing, Part I: The importance of the Word in the Catholic Tradition and The Place of Liturgy in Our Faith.

November 16, 2011 – The Words of our Liturgy are Changing, Part II: Defining the Parts of the Mass and the Specific Changes Therein.

December 7, 2011 – Universality in the Tradition of the Catholic Church

December 14, 2011- Jayne Windnagel – Music and the New Translation 

6:30-8:00 PM in St. Michael’s Social Hall.    Presentation will begin at 6:45pm.

If you are interested in attending this bible study, please contact Dennis or Nancy Schaeppi at dschaeppi@usfamily.net.

The epic story of the Catholic Church spans thousands of years. With an unlikely beginning in a remote outpost of the Roman empire, the Catholic Church now claims over a billion living members.  The persecutions, martyrdoms, conquests, and triumphs all came together to shape Western civilization as we know it today.

Our identity as Catholics means that we are the inheritors of the deeds of holy men and women who for 2,000 years have built a great civilization and spread the Gospel throughout the world.  Church history is not just the recitation of popes, people, places, and events; it is a story of adventure, intrigue, rebellion, reform, and devotion. This story is, in fact, our story; this is our family.  If we know our past, and how we fit into the story, we will be better prepared to face whatever may come in the future.

Utilizing the same structure as The Great Adventure, Epic presents twelve color-coded time periods of Church History that identify the main events in Church History, Culture, and Politics, as well as the Popes, Martyrs, Saints and Doctors of the Church. Developed by teachers and historians Steve Weidenkopf and Dr. Alan Schreck, this exciting learning system will teach you Church history from a truly Catholic perspective.

What you will learn…

• Learn about the major people, places, and events of the two-thousand years of Church history.
• Remember the 12 time periods of Church history using a unique color-coded system.
• Learn the true story of the Crusades.
• Understand the rationale for the medieval inquisitors and the Spanish Inquisition.
• Discover the revolutionary character of the Protestant Reformation.
• Know the real story of the confrontation between Galileo and the Church.
• Discover the massive persecution of Christians in the twentieth century.
• Learn about the workings of the Holy Spirit throughout Church history.

…and much more!

 Join in a Bible Study for Mothers of Young Children!

When: Begins October 6th, meeting the 1st and 3rd Thursdays, October through May
Where: Parish Center Meeting Room with childcare available in the nursery next door
Time: 9 -10:30 am. Every other week we will gather together for prayer and fellowship while studying from the Bible, the Catechism and the writings of Pope John Paul II on Marriage and Family. It’s the perfect study to help you as a mother to grow more deeply in your faith and enrich your life and your family’s life! All participants will need a Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Faith; all other materials are provided. The cost for materials is $15 – 20 per participant.

There will be a small additional fee for childcare. For questions or registration, please call Deanne Wessel at 651-430-1264

This is a quick plug and testimonial for the Bible study for mothers of young children that will be starting next week at St. Michael’s.

When I had three boys under the age of five as well as a traveling husband, I was tired and anxious and often felt like I was losing hope in my ability to be a good wife and mother. (Wait, I still feel that way sometimes!) When my second son was born, and I was working full-time, I started attending an evening function for moms at my church. This led to many other studies. Some were geared towards personal growth, others focused on the Scriptures, some on the Catechism and prayer, and some were simply listening to speakers and the stories of other women. I grew up a cradle Catholic and I was amazed how some of the women (especially the facilitators) I met could so confidently speak about God and Christ. They seemed so knowledgeable and “holy”. Speaking this way generally wasn’t part of my vocabulary. At the same time, I gravitated toward it … these women seemed so at peace and so joyful. No matter what the focus was, I always felt an amazing peace after attending. They were all willing to meet me where I was with my faith. I felt a closeness to my Catholic faith and to Christ the weeks I attended and I felt better equipped to teach my children about the faith as well. (And, even my husband!) I made life-long friends too.

 Did my anxiousness go away? Not entirely. I’m human and am still learning how to deal with my temperament. But, I definitely know that I am not alone and that no matter what is thrown in my path, I can get through it by falling back on what I learned in those group studies. Learning about our faith is a journey that never ends. No matter where you are in your journey, this study would be a great way to learn more about the Catholic faith especially to how it pertains to the FAMILY. It’s a place where the door will be open to questions and dialogue about being a Catholic family today … and you’ll meet some great women too!

 I hope you will prayerfully consider attending and/or pass on the information to others you know.

 The group will meet just TWICE A MONTH. (My schedule is liking this already!)

 Peace,

Becky Thomson

Celebrate the Feast of St. Michael with style!
Every year the Catholic Church throughout the world celebrates the Feast of the Archangels:  Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, on September 29.  For the last several years our Archbishop has granted us permission to celebrate this special day on the proceeding Sunday with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Solemn Vespers (sung evening prayer), a Eucharistic Procession, and Benediction.  This year our celebration will take place on Sunday, September 25. It begins at 4:00 p.m. at the Church of St. Michael, lasts about 90 minutes, and concludes at St. Mary’s. 

In Stillwater we celebrate the Feast of the Archangels with solemnity because, although it is a significant day for all Catholic Christians who rely on the Archangels for protection, it is especially significant for those belonging to churches named after St. Michael the Archangel. 

We will begin at St.  Michael’s with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.  During Exposition, a host consecrated at Mass is placed in an ornate vessel called a monstrance placed on the altar so that those who have gathered in the church for prayer can honor Jesus’ Eucharistic presence in a special way.  We will then pray vespers, also called evening prayer.  Our Solemn Vespers service will include an original hymn written by our own Director of Liturgy, Jayne Windnagel, and a homily by Bishop Lee Piche’.  Priests and religious are accustomed to praying a less formal version of vespers every day, and many of them will be gathered for this solemn occasion.  Programs will be provided so that even those unfamiliar with vespers can sing and pray.  

Once vespers is concluded, we will walk in procession with the Blessed Sacrament to St. Mary’s.  Those who belong to groups such as the Knights of Columbus will be dressed in their uniforms for the occasion, while others will be carrying banners, and everyone is encouraged to sing.  It’s basically a religious parade, and everyone loves a parade!

Once we reach St. Mary’s, the monstrance will again be placed on the altar and we will have another opportunity for prayer and singing to God.  The celebration concludes shortly after Benediction, a special blessing given by the bishop with the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance.  Mary’s special relationship to the Archangels as their Heavenly Queen makes St. Mary’s Church a wonderful place to conclude our celebration.

Please plan to join Bishop Piche’, clergy, religious, and fellow parishioners for this wonderful event!