st. isidore the farmer · 01/02/2019 · growing in friendship with god through adult faith...

ST. ISIDORE THE FARMERAREA FAITH COMMUNIT Y ST. FRANCIS

ST. JOHNST. MALACHY

ST. BRIDGET SACRED HEART

VISITATION ORATORY

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When people come to the Adult Faith Formation/Rite of Christian

Initiation (RCIA) gatherings, they may get more than they bargained for. Transcending far beyond simple catechetical courses, these innovative gatherings inspire souls and lift up hearts in a remarkable way.

“My hope is that people come to the gatherings with a thirst and a desire for God,” says Fr. Jeremy Kucera, who leads the ministry. “I want them to not only gain more head knowledge of the Catholic faith, but also grow in their relationship with God, alongside one another. I desire them to know that they are God’s beloved sons and daughters. I hope they can share their joys, sorrows and struggles with each other so they see they are not living their faith on an island all alone, but instead, along with their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.”

The Adult Faith Formation/RCIA gatherings take place every other Tuesday evening at St. Francis Parish in Benson. They are open to fully

IN THIS ISSUE

PAGE 3Celebrating God’s Love

PAGE 4Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the

Homebound Bringing Christ to The Sick

and Elderly

PAGE 6Time: The Foundation of

Stewardship

PAGE 7Advent and Christmas Programs Help Parish

Children Express their Faith

FEBRUARY 2019

GROWING IN FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD THROUGH ADULT FAITH FORMATION/RCIA

initiated Catholics who simply want to enrich and refresh their faith, as well as those who are inquiring about becoming Catholic through the RCIA process.

“We learn about various aspects of the Catholic faith, and we spend time learning how to pray,” Fr. Jeremy says. “Together, we reflect on things such as why we need the sacraments, and ask questions such as, ‘How do I

St. Bridget Catholic Church | Sacred Heart Catholic Church | St. Francis Catholic Church | St. Malachy Catholic Church | Visitation Oratory Catholic Church | St. John Catholic Church

know when God is speaking to me?’ or ‘How do I go about the process of conversion, and what does it look like?’”

Ultimately, the ministry strives to help its participants live for Christ in an authentic way.

“As I lead the gatherings, I follow a disciple-based model that I have used since I was ordained 14 years ago,” Fr. Jeremy says. “It encourages us to learn to walk through our everyday experiences alongside God, and be actively engaged in our faith, surrendered and abandoned to Him. Overall, the gatherings help us practically implement what we learn about Christ. This is the first year we have been meeting, and it has been such a great experience and an unexpected joy.”

Although participants are going through various stages of their spiritual lives, they find it mutually beneficial to travel together on the journey towards heaven.

“There is one young engaged couple that comes, and the bride-to-be is considering joining the Catholic Church,” Fr. Jeremy says. “There are also longtime Catholics who come because they want to discover their faith in a deeper way and strengthen their spiritual lives.”

Katie Maurer, a cradle Catholic, has found the ministry to be a powerful way to prioritize her life and understand God’s plans for her.

“I am at the point in my life where I am approaching retirement, and my youngest child will graduate in a few years,” she says. “I really enjoy going to the gatherings because they are helping me to re-discover my faith and figure out where God wants me to go during this ‘second half’ of my life.

They are also a great source of fellowship and an enriching means of faith education. Fr. Jeremy has been leading us through the Catholicism series by Bishop Robert Barron, and I love it! It puts me in a really good place spiritually.”

Joe Dieter, who attends the gatherings along with his wife, Kaye, also finds that the ministry brings hope to his heart and light to his mind.

“Although our culture has such a large influence on our thinking, the Adult Faith Formation gatherings give us the proper foundational understanding of Catholic teaching,” Joe says. “Kaye and I are excited to learn the ‘why’ of believing the Church’s teachings through this ministry. Thank you, Fr. Jeremy, for this opportunity!”

ADULT FAITH FORMATION/RCIA continued from front cover

Anyone who would like to grow in their relationship with Our Lord and His Church may enjoy coming to the Adult Faith Formation/RCIA gatherings. Volunteers are needed to bring snacks. Meeting times are

listed in the parish bulletin. For further information, please contact Fr. Jeremy Kucera at 320-842-4271.

2019 COMMITMENT CARD

My Offering of Time, Talent & Treasure

= Currently Involved = Interested in Joining

Clearly write the first name of family member on the line.

SERVICE

Altar Servers

Appleton

Murdock

Benson

Catholic United Financial Volunteer

Appleton

Murdock

Benson

Council of Catholic Women

Murdock

DeGraff

Appleton

Clontarf

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy

Communion to the Homebound

Knights of Columbus – Council

#2129

Liturgical Environment

Benson

Appleton

Murdock

Liturgical Ministries

Murdock

Benson

Appleton

Music Ministry

Benson

Appleton

Murdock

TALENT (continued)

Address

City State ZIP

First & Last Name

Phone

Email

Spouse: First & Last Name

Spouse: Phone

Spouse: Email

Clearly write the first name of family member on the line.

TALENT (continued)

= Currently Involved = Interested in Joining

SERVICE (CONTINUED)

Nursing Home Ministry

Benson

Appleton

Parish Cemeteries

St. Francis

Sacred Heart

St. Bridget

St. Malachy

Visitation

St. Agnes-Hegert

St. Joseph-Halloway

Pastoral Care (AFC)

Social Concerns Committee (AFC)

St. Francis Family Groups (Benson)

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St. Francis

St. John

St. Malachy

St. Bridget

Sacred Heart

STEWARDSHIP NOT A PROGRAM

NOT A FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

NOT AN EMPTY BUZZWORD

A Way of Life

Please check

Parish Membership:

DON’T FORGET TO RETURN YOUR COMMITMENT CARD!The 2019 Stewardship Renewal is ongoing. Please remember to turn in your Commitment Cards to the parish as soon as possible. We appreciate your willingness to participate in this year’s renewal. The more we grow to embrace and understand the stewardship way of life, the more our parish will flourish and grow!

Celebrating God’s Love


What is the most widely observed saint’s day in

February — the one that is kept even by those who aren’t practicing Catholics? Undoubtedly, it would be St. Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.

So who was St. Valentine? The saint we celebrate was a priest of Rome martyred in the late third century. But that doesn’t explain how his feast came to be celebrated as the day for sending letters, cards and presents as expressions of romantic love.

The truth is that the custom of sending tokens of love comes not from any direct connection with St. Valentine, but from the ancient belief that birds begin to pair off on Feb. 14. And if courtship in the natural world occurred then, it must be appropriate for humans, as well. The association between St. Valentine and love notes is a later development.

Nevertheless, it’s not wrong to connect the two. Love has many aspects, and our conception of it is richer if we keep more than one of them in mind. Martyrdom is the result of loving God more than our earthly life. St. Valentine was a martyr because of his love — his love for Jesus Christ and the Church. If he had not loved God so much, he could have repudiated his Lord and saved his life. We, in turn, express our love by sending cards and gifts on St. Valentine’s Day.

But isn’t that what stewardship as a way of

life is, a little martyrdom? Not to push the image too far, but when we are faithful stewards, we give up a little portion of our lives out of our own love for Christ. Most Christians will not be called on to be martyrs, in the sense of forfeiting our physical lives for God. But we are called to give up some of our comforts, indulgences and riches because of our love for Him.

So then, as you prepare to celebrate and share your love with your valentine this month, remember St. Valentine and his love for Christ. As well, keep in mind that God loves us, and return that love with your own toward Him. Loving God will be reflected in how you prioritize

your use of the time, talent and treasure God has entrusted to you. As St. John wrote (1 Jn 4:19), “We love because he first loved us.”

Happy St. Valentine’s Day!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Jeremy Kucera, Pastor

Dear Parishioners,

A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR


When Chuck Koenigs takes Holy Communion to a homebound faith community member,

there is a question lingering in the room — at that moment, whose needs are being met?

“That is the paradox of a lot of ministries,” Chuck says. “Whose needs are being met? The people bringing Communion, versus the recipient?”

While those receiving Holy Communion are receiving the Precious Body of Christ, those bringing

Communion experience a powerful spiritual uplift.“That’s part of the reason I’ve being doing it,”

Chuck says. “I can’t see myself not doing it.”Chuck is one of our faith community’s 30

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Homebound. He has been serving for about 35 years, taking the Eucharist to members either in hospitals, nursing homes or private homes. He also provides training to new Eucharistic Ministers.

In many cases, Chuck will take Communion to an individual who might have an adult child or spouse present. That person may offer to leave the room, but some will stay.

“I always invite the family to stay,” he says. “I say the Lord’s Prayer and encourage the others to follow along.”

There are occasions when someone in the patient’s room asks to receive the Eucharist, and Chuck obliges.

“I’ll give it,” he says.” I don’t judge if they are ‘ready.’ I take their word for it.”

On rare occasions a family member may object that the patient is physically unable to receive Communion.

“I’ll break the host to a small portion, and I have water available,” Chuck says. “But I’ve never had a situation where anyone is challenging [my giving Communion]. The Lord takes care of that in making it work.”

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION TO THE HOMEBOUND Bringing Christ to The Sick and Elderly

“The Eucharist to me is the most important sacrament we have. It’s the third Sacrament of Initiation. We can’t get the Eucharist enough or be exposed to it enough by taking it to others. It’s just a rewarding uplift

and I feel connected to our faith community.” — Chuck Koenigs

The pyx, or special container for carrying consecrated hosts, is a vital part of this ministry.


EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION TO THE HOMEBOUND Bringing Christ to The Sick and Elderly

This ministry has allowed Chuck to grow closer to Christ by virtue of being physically close to the Body of Christ.

“The Eucharist to me is the most important sacrament we have,” he says. “It’s the third Sacrament of Initiation. We can’t get the Eucharist enough or be exposed to it enough by taking it to others. It’s just a rewarding uplift and I feel connected to our faith community. I’m also a Eucharistic Minister at Mass, and when people come up to get the Host, I always say their first name. I’m able to identify between 80 to 90 percent of the congregation. By saying people’s names, call them by name, that further reinforces our being part of the community.”

Chuck ministers to one particular member of our faith community who, although bedridden, makes sure her faith embraces us all despite her physical limitations.

“Lois is a saint,” Chuck says. “I’ve known her for many years. She is visually impaired. She is in her 90s, and she and her husband were longtime residents of the area. She’s a widow, and her son had to put her in a nursing home. He asked a priest to come for Anointing of the Sick. The son said the priest stayed for about an hour and did a ‘mini’ exorcism of the private room, cleaned all the bad will, and gave his mother a mission — she was to love everyone who comes into the room.”

When Chuck enters Lois’ room to give her Communion, there is utter quiet. No radio or TV are playing.

“But when you walk in, you feel you are in the presence of a saint,” Chuck says. “She may be visually impaired, but she has 20/20 spiritual vision.

When I give her Communion, she starts praying, ‘I’m offering this up for the following reasons.’ I always ask her if she would like Communion. She smiles each time I do it. She smiles each time. You feel so uplifted by being with her. When I go on First Fridays, I can’t spend a lot of time with her, as I take Communion to 25 others, but she’s one of those very unusual people where you get more out of it than you think she does. She’s so faith-filled and such an uplifting person.”

There is a need for more Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, both for the homebound, and at Mass.

“I hope we can encourage more to do it,” Chuck says. “In my heart I feel there are more in the community who would benefit from receiving Holy Communion. We need to raise awareness for people to be Extraordinary Ministers. I’m hoping the lightbulb will come on and let people say, ‘I can do this.’ Some of the ministers are taking Holy Communion to eight to nine people each on a weekend. If we get more to do it, it will make a difference.”

Anyone who is interested in becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy

Communion to the Homebound may call Chuck Koenigs at 320-843-2260.

The pyx that Chuck Koenigs carries to distribute Holy Communion is a larger one

that can carry a number of consecrated hosts.


The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has told us that stewardship is part of discipleship

and is a way of responding to God’s call in every aspect of our lives. We refer to the three facets of stewardship as “Time, Talent and Treasure,” and when we consider the importance of these three Ts of stewardship, the “time” component comes first by design.

When we talk about stewardship of time, we are referring to prayer time. Prayer is of the utmost importance in a disciple’s life, and it serves as the fertile ground from which the gifts of talent and treasure blossom. Only by spending time in prayer each day and receiving the sacraments are we able to consistently and generously donate our talent and treasure to the Church.

When looking for examples of how to live our lives as disciples of Christ and as stewards of God’s gifts, we can always turn to the great saints of our Church to guide us. And when it comes to the Stewardship of Time, the life of St. Damien is just one example of how prayer, or “Time,” is the foundation for our lives of stewardship.

Shortly after being ordained a priest, St. Damien volunteered to serve a colony of lepers isolated on the island of Molokai, Hawaii. From May 1873 until his death in 1889 (at the age of 49) St. Damien worked to restore within the lepers a sense of personal worth and dignity.

Although for some time St. Damien took the necessary precautions to ensure that he did not contract leprosy, he knew that physical touch was necessary to communicate his love and concern to those afflicted with the disease. He embraced the lepers, dined with them, cared for them, and anointed them in the sacraments. With great humility and sacrifice, St. Damien offered his own life in order to save the lives of others.

From where did St. Damien draw his strength? What was the source of his inspiration? “Were it not for the constant presence of our divine Master

in our humble chapel, I would not have found it possible to persevere in sharing the lot of the lepers in Molokai,” St. Damien wrote. “The Eucharist is the bread that gives strength... It is at once the most eloquent proof of His love and the most powerful means of fostering His love in us. He gives Himself every day so that our hearts as burning coals may set afire the hearts of the faithful.”

St. Damien found his strength in the Mass, the greatest prayer of the Church. Prayer was the impetus behind the generosity of this faithful servant of God, and is the fuel that ignites every heart to flame in love. Without prayer, without the grace that flows from the sacraments, we are incapable of leading lives of service and responding to God’s call!

How much time do you dedicate to prayer each day? One hour? Fifteen minutes? None at all? Before you consider joining a parish ministry or volunteering your talents in service, and before you discern your gifts of treasure to the Church, be sure that prayer is your foundation. Identify a prayer schedule that is manageable. This may entail arising 20 minutes early each day to offer your work to the Lord, or attending daily Mass once a week. Every prayer commitment is unique and personal. Yet, no matter what, this time offering, this dedication to prayer, is the key to serving the Lord with faithfulness, generosity and joy.

TIME: THE FOUNDATION OF STEWARDSHIPWhen we talk about stewardship of time, we are referring to prayer

time. Prayer is of the utmost importance in a disciple’s life,

and it serves as the fertile ground from which the gifts of talent and

treasure blossom.


How many of us have longed to once again see Christmas

through the eyes of a child? As adults, we get so busy getting everything done that it can be easy to miss the magic and mystery of the season. So, we look to the youngest among us to recapture the anticipation and wonder. Families and parishioners at Appleton and Murdock had the opportunity to experience all of that and more during the Advent and Christmas Programs that took place at both churches this past December.

At Sacred Heart in Murdock, first through sixth-graders in the Enrichment Program presented their program on Dec. 16 prior to a potluck dinner and fundraiser for the Guatemala Mission.

“We have been doing Christmas programs like this for more than 20 years,” says volunteer coordinator Stacy Johnson. “This year, Fr. Jeremy requested an Advent program, so we sang ‘Soon and Very Soon,’ ‘The Whole World is Waiting for Love’ and ‘Stay Awake, Be Ready.’”

Students also explained what the season of Advent means, decorated a Jesse Tree, and prepared a manger with the help of the first and second-graders. Stacy says the program is not only a joyful event for the families of students who perform it, but also serves as a reminder to the students of their role in the church.

“We want them to realize that they’re part of something, that they’re welcome here, that we want them here and that we are a family,” Stacy says.

Stacy said the program was the result of the efforts of volunteer Enrichment Program teachers Brenda Klema, Lynn Swenson and Gina Kelly-Wilts.

Over at Appleton, students from the St. John’s Education Program also brought in the season with music and a special short play on Dec. 12.

“We had about 40 kids participate,” says volunteer Angie Conn. “Our theme was ‘Jesus is the Reason for the Season.’ We had an 11-piece band ensemble that played ‘Oh, Come All Ye

Faithful.’ The kids sang ‘Mary had a Baby Boy.’ The third and fourth-graders told the Christmas story and about waiting for Jesus’ birth, and our fifth and sixth-graders did a fun play called Reason for the Season.”

Angie says the play is about a stressed-out mom who is looking to have the perfect Christmas.

“She’s so busy, she forgets the reason for the season,” Angie says. “It’s about Christmas not being about having the best tree or the cutest cookies. I think that really rings true with a lot us.”

Students who did not perform also had roles helping as greeters, handing out programs, and serving cookies and cider after the program.

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS HELP PARISH CHILDREN EXPRESS THEIR FAITH

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Children from Sacred Heart prepared the manger for Jesus’ birth during the church’s Advent and Christmas Program, held Dec. 16.

508 13th St. N, Benson, MN 56215(320) 842-4271www.stisidorethefarmerafc.orgoffice@stisidorethefarmerafc.org

WEEKENDMASS TIMES: NOVEMBER - FEBRUARYSaturday5:00 p.m. St. Francis in Benson7:00 p.m. Sacred Heart in Murdock (Spanish Mass)Sunday8:30 a.m. Sacred Heart, Murdock

10:30 a.m. St. John, Appleton

ST. ISIDORE THE FARMER AREA FAITH COMMUNITY

Advent and Christmas Programs continued from page 7

“The kids thoroughly enjoyed it and they want to know when we’re going to do another one,” Angie says, adding that the spiritual impact of the program wasn’t lost on its participants. “When they weren’t doing their part, they were watching the kids do their part, so they were able to enjoy the program.”

Angie adds that she wants to thank the parish for supporting the kids and making the program a well-attended event.

“We’re thankful for our volunteers who helped make it a go, and to the kids for sharing their talent,” she says. “They put in extra hours above and beyond their regular time.”

Families who would like to get involved in this coming year’s Murdock Christmas program can contact Stacy Johnson at 320-220-7242. At Appleton, contact

Angie Conn at 320-289-1467 or [email protected]. If anyone is interested in leading an Advent program at St. Francis, please call the Area Office at 320-842-4271.

Spelling out the word “Christmas,” students from St. John’s worked together to create a memorable Advent and Christmas Program that included musical performances and a skit.

http://www.stisidorethefarmerafc.org

mailto:[email protected]

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st. isidore the farmer · 01/02/2019 · growing in friendship with god through adult faith...

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