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WWW.STJOSEPHWACONIA.ORG • 41 EAST FIRST STREET WACONIA, MINNESOTA 55387 • 952-442-2384 • FR. STAN MADER, PASTOR

This weekend is the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary when we celebrate that Mary is body and soul in heaven. It is the first fruits of what we hope is to be for all of us. When a Solemnity falls on a Sunday, it takes the place of the regular Sunday liturgy. Unfortunately, this interrupts the readings from the Bread of Life Discourse in chapter 6 of the gospel

according to John. This week we would have heard the most direct statement that the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ. “Amen, amen I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” (John 6:53-56)

The word translated as 'eats' in “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood” was originally used for how animals

ate, and also used for the way humans ate some centuries before Jesus. It can mean more like “gnaw” or “munch,” and these are likely the ideas that John was attempting to emphasize the realism of the eucharistic flesh and blood. This isn’t a passage promoting cannibalism. It is talking about the Eucharist.

“Body and blood” is a Hebrew idiom meaning “the whole man”. In our teaching about the Eucharist, we refer to it being the “body, blood, soul and divinity” of Jesus. Why do we say all that when Jesus just talked about body and blood? It has to do with what we today understand as a body, and how it is different from the understanding of a Hebrew or Aramaic speaker, such as Jesus was, and his apostles were. There is really no Hebrew or Aramaic word for “body” as we understand the term. We think in terms of a person being “body and soul.” This is the way Greeks thought of it, and we have been more influenced by that way of thinking. We are animated by an immortal soul, and the body is this merely physical collection of tissue, blood, skin, muscle, etc. The body dies and the soul lives on. The

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

August 15, 2021

Continued on page 2…

Fr. Stan Mader

STAFF MEETING AT THE FARM! Fr. Stan graciously invited the Parish Office Staff to his farm for our staff meeting on August 4.

Spotlight!

soul is the important thing, the body a second-rate representation of the ideal. This is not the way Hebrews thought of a person or body. The “body” was all that a person was: it was body and soul and mind and personality, and everything you experienced about someone. God made Adam by forming clay and breathing life into him. (The breath is to “inspire”. The breath going out completely is to expire.) When that left, the life was gone. “We are dust and to dust we shall return.” This is why when Jesus rose from the dead the tomb was empty. It was not an immortal soul floating about with the carcass still there. If Jesus was truly risen, if he was really alive, the body had to be gone and moving about. That is how Hebrews thought, unlike as we so often say at a wake, “his body is here, but he really lives on.” Since Jesus and the apostles, and most early New Testament writers came from that mindset, when we think about the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist, we should think like Hebrews, not Greeks.

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1374) says, “In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist ‘the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained,’ (quoting the Council of Trent). “This presence is called ‘real’ … because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present.”

You receive the true, real, sacramental presence of the risen Christ when you receive communion. Be aware of what you do. Don’t settle for a lesser understanding of it either as just a symbol or as only even as what most of us would consider a physical body to be. It is all of what Jesus Christ is.

Discernment Opportunity for Young Women: Single women aged 18-28 who are seeking to do God's will are invited to attend the retreat on September 24 – 26, 2021 at Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo MN. Religious sisters from various religious orders assist at the retreat by giving talks, leading small groups, giving their testimonies, and providing a joyful witness of what it means to be a consecrated Religious Sister. The Fiat Discernment Retreat seeks to foster prayer, self-knowledge, and authentic discernment in young women to re-center their focus back on God and the universal call to holiness. The cost of the retreat is $100 which includes meals, lodging, and materials. Registration and more information can be found at www.fiatministries.org.

Baseball Report: I did not play last weekend, as I was at the KC Fun Fest. Amazingly, the team trounced the competition without my help, winning both games, 17-7 and 9-0. The team is now 6-2 on the year. I ride along with a .286 batting average.

(Fr. Stan’s message continued…) News

MARRIAGE CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Blake Schulz & Jennifer Pallas who were married on July 31, 2021!

SYMPATHY The sympathy of the parish is extended to the family and friends of Dennis Eckman and Laverne Happ. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord.

CARPET CLEANING | TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY Earlier this summer, the carpets and pew cushions in the sanctuary of our church were cleaned. On August 17-18, the carpet will be cleaned in the Parish Center, located in the lower level of the church.

FAITH FORMATION REGISTRATION | 2021-22

Now is the time to register your child(ren) online for next year’s Faith Formation classes! For more information about our programs and to learn the start dates, go online to stjosephwaconia.org/ff-registration/.

SEARCH FEATURE on the PARISH WEBSITE The parish website now offers a search feature to assist you in finding the information you are seeking on the parish website! Click on the magnifying glass icon on the right of the main menu bar at the top of any page to use this feature.

AUGUST 25 First Day of School (Grades 1-8)

AUGUST 30 First Day of Kindergarten

SEPTEMBER 6 Labor Day (Parish Office Closed)

SEPTEMBER 8 First Day of EDGE (Faith Formation Class)

SEPTEMBER 15 First Day of Classes for Family Formation & Confirmation

SEPTEMBER 18 Nickle Dickle Day

OCTOBER 16-17 Men’s Christ Renews His Parish Retreat

OCTOBER 20-25 Fall Break

Looking Ahead

Hirings

St. Joseph Catholic School is hiring; come apply to join our C-STEM family! Positions available are for Full-time and Part-time:

• Vocal Music Teacher (Part-time)

• Director of Advancement & Admission (Full-time) • Saints Inc. Supervisor (Part-time)

For a complete list of position descriptions and information on how to apply, go online to school.stjosephwaconia.org/employment/!

Bruce Richards

Mass Intentions

Pray

Please pray for the following: John R, Rosie B, Amara S, Pat B, Paul B, Tom L, Lindsay B, Betty B, Theresa T, Theresa L, Gene M, Laurie G, Lori U, Kay D, Annette R, Dale S, Sandy M, Brian N, Sandy S, Sally W, Larry S, Ken G, Charlie J, Alice W, Pat W, Bruce M, Sarah R, Joyce B, Abby T, Tom K, Faith D, and Ryan P. And for St. Joseph loved ones in the Military: Airman Riley M, CPL Ryan H, Cpl. Allyna S, PFC Dalton W, Sergeant Robin L, Staff Sergeant Weston H, Staff Sergeant Sean W, Tech Sergeant Michael S, Major Leah M, First Lieutenant Samuel M, Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Lawrence B, Col. Mitch D, Lieutenant Commander Philip L, and SPC Justin S. And for those in Law Enforcement: Logan H, Adam M, Alex W, Andy F, Dennis F, Fred R, Tyler S, Eric W, Adam H, David F, Nick K, and Cory W.

MONDAY, AUGUST 16

5:00 - 9:00 pm: Adoration (Chapel) 5:30 pm: Confessions (Church) 6:30 pm: Mass 7:15 pm: Finance Council Meeting (Holy Family Conf. Room)

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17

8:15 am: Mass 5:00 - 9:00 pm: Adoration (Chapel) 7:00 pm: KC General Meeting (Klein Drive Park)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18

8:15 am: Mass 5:00 - 9:00 pm: Adoration (Chapel)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 19

No Mass | Fr. Stan’s Day Off

6:00 pm: Family of Physical/Mental Illness Support Group Meeting (Education Center Media Center)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20

Parish Office Closed

8:15 am: Mass

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21

4:00-5:00 pm: Confessions (Church) 4:45 pm: Parish Rosary 5:15 pm: Mass

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22

8:00 am: Parish Rosary 8:30 am: Mass 10:00 am: Parish Rosary 10:30 am: Mass

This Week 6:30 pm Ted Schugg †

8:15 am Roland & Olivia Kaley †

8:15 am Collective:

Roy F. Rasmussen †

Luis Santa Maria †

No Mass

8:15 am Living & Deceased Members of the John Pieper Family

5:15 pm Collective:

Leo Menzel †

Jeanie Buckentine †

Bob Farrell †

8:30 am Collective:

Phero Nguyen †

Earl & Bernadette Klein †

Living & Deceased Members of the Ben & Loretta Johnson Family

10:30 am St. Joseph Parishioners

“DID YOU KNOW?” | STJ TRIVIA GAME Join in the fun and submit your answers online at stjosephwaconia.org/trivia/! THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:

LAST WEEK’S QUESTION: Both St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross and St. Maximilian Kolbe. were killed by the Nazis in which concentration camp? A) Auschwitz. St. Maximilian died in 1941 and St. Teresa died almost a year to the day later in 1942.

Just for Fun

CHECK OUT FORMED.ORG! Go to stjosephwaconia.formed.org or scan the QR code, and create a new account (search by 55387 and select St. Joseph) or sign in if you are already a member to access your FREE account.

When our children leave our homes, we want them to take the Blessed Mother with them, no matter where they go. We know she will never let them down. How can we help our children be close to Mary? How can we instill devotion to her in them? In this presentation, Marge Fenelon gives some thoughts and many practical ideas that she’s used with her own family. Marge is an award-winning author of many Catholic books, journalist, speaker, blogger, and popular radio personality. Her latest book is My Queen, My Mother: A Living Novena.

Formed.org

NEWS & EVENTS

DID YOU KNOW…

• St Joseph School is recognized as a leading Catholic STEM School in the Archdiocese?

• St Joseph School has been won the Best Private School in Carver County Award for 7 years in a row?

• St Joseph School offers scholarships and tuition aid for over 40% of our families?

• St Joseph School’s goal is to help you and your family get to heaven?

Call now for a tour and learn more about St. Joseph School! 952-442-4500!

ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL HAS OPENINGS FOR THIS FALL!

Welcome New Members!

Mulder Family Deering Family

Gary Huggins

Denise Henry

Kate Kopka

John & Evon U’Ren

Jeffrey & Diane Engebretson Family

Patrick & Bridget Deering Family

Barry & Jessica Mulder Family!

MARY PASS IT ON: “WHAT ARE YOU PUTTING INTO YOUR CHILDREN’S PACKS?”

By Marge Fenelon

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