News & Events

2024 Catholic Services Appeal

2024 Holiday Community Collection

November - December

We will again be participating in the Zumbrota Holiday community collection for families in need. Suggested items are gift cards ($20 increments), paper products, hygiene products, winter gear, and laundry detergent. Reminder notes are available on the board in the vestibule. Return items to the office or the vestibule by December 10.
Thank you for your generosity in sharing God's gifts with those in need. May our gifts show God's love for them this Christmas. Please contact Maggie Eggerichs at 507-951-2316 with any questions.

40 Days for Life Prayer Campaign

September 26-November 3

The 40 Days for Life prayer campaign begins on Wednesday, September 25, and runs through Sunday, November 3. Volunteers offer a prayerful presence and community resources that are available to mothers who think abortion is the only option. You can protect mothers and children by joining this peaceful vigil. For more information and to sign up for vigil hours, go to https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/rochester. Invite a friend and come join us!

9 ways you can be guilty for the sins of others

“Sin is a personal act. Moreover, we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate in them...” (CCC 1868)
1. By counsel (to give advice, one's opinion or instructions.)
2. By command (to demand, to order, such as in the military.)
3. By consent (to give permission, to approve, to agree to.)
4. By provocation (to dare.)
5. By praise or flattery (to cheer, to applaud, to commend.)
6. By concealment (to hide the action, to cover-up.)
7. By partaking (to take part, to participate.)
8. By silence (by playing dumb, by remaining quiet.)
9. By defense of the ill done (to justify, to argue in favor.)
(Note: To participate in the sins of another person means that one is just as guilty of the sin as the one who committed the sin. For example, if you encourage someone to have an abortion, you are guilty of the sin of abortion.)

Activity packets for children at St. Paul

Dear Parents: There are activity packets and books for young children to use during Holy Mass in the Church entry. If helpful, you are welcome to use them.
Be sure to take the packet along home to display and enjoy!

Are you growing in our Catholic Faith?

You can learn about our Catholic Faith online at any time through FORMED! You will have access to thousands of enriching Catholic movies, programs, audio, & books instantly on FORMED when you sign up through our parishes. There is no cost you! Just follow these easy steps: 1. Visit: signup.formed.org 2. Enter your parish zip code or name (St. Michael 55963 or St. Paul 55992) 3. Grow in our Catholic Faith!

Bi-Parish Mission

Book Study

Start a Eucharistic Revival in your own heart! Join a small group led by Karen Hodgman to go through the book 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory. The group meets after the Holy Mass on Sundays at the Church of St. Paul.

CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL PRAYER CHAIN

Do you have a prayer intention? Please contact Fr. Kasel or the parish office at 356-4280 or email stmichaeloffice@bevcomm.net.

CHURCH OF St. Michael FAITH FORMATION

December 4

The next Faith Formation session will be on Wednesday, December 4, at the Church of St. Michael, Pine Island.
Topic for December- Part 4: The Holy Spirit (PreK—Grade 6) & Freedom (Confirmation 1, 2, & Adults)
Below is the schedule:
6:00-6:30pm - Meal
6:35-7:25pm - Children Class/Parent & Adult Session
7:30-7:45pm - Church for Adoration
At 7:30pm all students, parents and teachers gather in the Church for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction.
Our program is open for all of our parishioners to attend and it will benefit all ages!

CHURCH OF St. Paul FAITH FORMATION

December 4

Calling all bookworms!

Tuesdays

Join the Catholic Authors Book Study. We rotate between spiritual books, literature, and writings of Doctors of the Church. In mid to late August, we will be starting: Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales. Pick a translation that works for you. We meet every 2 - 3 weeks, usually on Tuesdays from 7 - 8:30 pm in Rochester. Join us! See https://archspm.groupvitals.com/groupfinder/profile/72459

Catholic Daughters Court Meeting

November 25

Catholic Daughters Court St. Mary Peter #1864 will meet Monday, November 25, at Holy Trinity in Goodhue. We will gather at 6:30 p.m. for our light meal and the meeting will follow at 7:00p.m. All women are welcome. Call Jeanette Richardson at 507-251-7269 with any questions.

Catholic Services Appeal 2023

Christ waits for you to join Him in His desert trial this Lent. The adventure is hard, and worth it. You can help others find the joy of the Gospel this Lent through your support of the Catholic Services Appeal. This appeal supports many ministries whose outreach is beyond the boundaries of individual parishes, such as prison ministry, Catholic Schools, campus and young adult ministry, Venezuelan mission, hospital chaplains, Catholic
Charities of St. Paul/Minneapolis, deaf ministry, and more.
Giving is Faith in Action. Give to the Catholic Services Appeal today.
GIVE ON-LINE TODAY:
https://www.archspm.org/catholic-services-appeal
“I ask you to prayerfully consider making a gift to the Catholic Services Appeal and sharing your blessings with those around you. Just as Christ’s love for us is unwavering, your generosity will demonstrate that our Giving is Faith in Action.” – Archbishop Bernard Hebda

Catholic Vacation Bible School 2024

Thank you to all who helped with teaching our Faith, teaching music, crafts and art, coordinating games, and providing or serving snacks during our 2024 Catholic Vacation Bible School! Thank you to all volunteers and everyone who helped in any way! May God reward you!

Christmas Flowers

December 15 (by)

This year we will again be collecting Christmas Flower offerings for the purchase of poinsettias for the Christmas Season. You will find a Christmas Flower envelope in your packet. The suggested donation is $13. Please put your envelope in the collection basket by Sunday, Dec. 15. If you miss this deadline, please drop off donation at the Church office the following week.

Church of St. Michael 51st Holiday Tea

December 7

Church of St. Michael 51st Holiday Tea
December 7, 2024 9:00 - 11:30am
“And Heaven and Nature Sing”
Baked items, Crafts, & Raffle items are available!
Enjoy our Holiday Tea Table!
Ladies of the Parish: Please sign up to bring baked goods, and other food, and volunteer to work.

Dear Parishioners:
For our Holiday Tea raffle we are looking to provide a “made by our parishioners” basket. So - we need your help! We would like to offer a basket showing the talents of our parishioners. Please consider donating some item for this basket. It can be sewn, crocheted, knitted, drawn, painted, or crafted. It can be cloth, wooden, plastic, or metal – or some other option. If you would like to donate an item, please leave it at the office by November 20, so we can fit the items in a basket. If we have extra donated items, we will add whatever would fit into our craft table for the Holiday Tea. Thank you in advance for your donation! St. Gianna Guild Holiday Tea Coordinators

Church of St. Paul Fellowship

Dear fellow Parishioners at the Church of St. Paul: Our Fellowship after Sunday Holy Mass has gone very well, both in terms of numbers and spirit. In order to build on it, some information is needed. One Sunday per month is taken by the Knights of Columbus; one Sunday we are asking the Women’s Circles to cover. The remainder could be taken by a family(ies), a few friends, a couple, etc.
Some Sundays, the food is very elaborate, sometime it is simply donuts and coffee & milk. It is entirely up to the volunteers. Generally, about 40 people come down. However, because there are people whose diets exclude sweets or gluten, some protein would be good, such as cheese & crackers, protein bars, meat sticks, hard boiled eggs, etc. Fruit s always welcome. Also, a parishioner has volunteered to always have a gluten-free item in the freezer and another to make sure the kitchen is adequately stocked. The sign-up sheet will be posted in the back of the Church. Let us try to continue this good action in our parish. It has been a blessing for so many of us. Thank you and Thanks be to God!
From: Fr. Kasel and a few volunteers for Sunday Hospitality

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Nicolaas Welgemoed and Samantha Ruger on the baptism of their son Beau Nicolaas on November 16!

Couple to Couple League

Couple to Couple League is dedicated to promote and teach fertility awareness (natural family planning) to married and engaged couples for over 50 years. Fertility Science Institute is a method-neutral outreach, going beyond Catholic couples and teaches fertility awareness to all faiths, single women, and even offers programs for families. They offer the following: Natural family Planning, Sympto-Thermal Method, Taught by couples to couples, Live On-line or Onside or Self Paced. For more info, visit: www.CCLI.org

Find Divine Favor in Repentance

Take care that you do not underrate the efficacy of repentance. Would you know the power of repentance? Would you understand this strong weapon of salvation and the might of confession? By confession Hezekiah routed a hundred and eighty-five thousand of the enemy (2 Kgs 19). That was important, but it was little compared to what shall be told. The same king’s repentance won the repeal of the sentence God had passed on him… Now if even Hezekiah could revoke God’s decree, shall not Jesus grant the remission of sins? Turn and lament, shut your door, and beg for pardon, that God may remove from you the scorching flames. For confession has the power to quench even fire; it can tame even lions…
I shall go to a different example of repentance. What think you of Nebuchadnezzar? Have you not heard from Scripture that he was bloodthirsty, fierce, with the disposition of a lion?... What punishment did he not deserve for slaying kings, for burning holy objects, for reducing people to captivity, for putting sacred vessels in the temples of idols? Did he not deserve ten thousand deaths? You have seen the enormity of his crimes… When therefore he acknowledged the Most High, and uttered words of thanksgiving to God, and repented of his past wickedness, and recognized his own weakness, in that hour God restored to him his royal dignity (cf. Dn 4). If God granted pardon and a kingdom to Nebuchadnezzar after such terrible crimes, when he had made confession, will He not grant you the remission of your sins if you repent, and the Kingdom of Heaven if you live worthily? God is merciful and quick to forgiveness, but slow to vengeance. Therefore, let no man despair of salvation. Peter, the chief and foremost of the Apostles, denied the Lord; but, moved to repentance, he wept bitterly. His weeping reveled his heartfelt repentance, and for that reason not only did he receive pardon for his denial, but retained his apostolic prerogative.
Therefore, brethren, having before you many examples of sinners who repented and were saved, be you also earnest in confessing to the Lord, that you may receive pardon for past sins, be made worthy of the Heavenly Gift, and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven with all the Saints. St. Cyril of Jerusalem (St. Cyril [+ 386], Bishop of Jerusalem, was best known for his unfailing orthodoxy in teaching the Catholic Faith.)

GET MORE INVOLVED: God Has Big Plans That Involve You!

Be a Prayer Partner: This movement is backed by the fervent intercession of thousands of Catholics across the country. When you become a Prayer Partner, you commit to spiritually supporting this movement in a variety of ways—both individual and corporate. Together, we continually call on heaven to send an even greater outpouring of grace upon our Church and open our hearts to what God is about to do. To learn more, visit
https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/prayer-partners.

Give the gift of an Hour of Adoration

Give the gift of an Hour of Adoration for someone. Cards are in the vestibule to send to the recipient.

Have you invited someone to become Catholic
recently?

If you know someone who would like to become Catholic, please contact Father Kasel at Church of St Michael 507-356-4280 or Church of St Paul 507-732-5324. Let us pray for those souls God is calling to join us in our Catholic Church!

Holy Hour for Women

November 24

The next Holy Hour for Women will be Sunday, November 24, at 6:00pm at the Church of St. Michael, PI. All women are invited!

Holy Masses for Thanksgiving

November 28

Holy Masses for Thanksgiving: 8:30am on Thursday, Nov. 28, at St. Paul, Zumbrota 9:30am on Thursday, Nov. 28, at St. Michael, Pine Island (Latin) Collections for those in need will be taken at both churches. Let us thank God for all our blessings!

Institute of Catholic Culture Lecture Series

April-September

Man is the rational animal—our defining activity is reasoning. But how much attention do we pay to our ability to reason and to come to knowledge? This course aims to deepen our understanding of our capacity to reason and to sharpen it by examining in detail some key problems in our time. Students will discover how logic can help us solve them and see the truth that lies beyond. Last day to apply is Tuesday, April 9. An orientation session will be held on April 16, and classes will begin on April 23. Note: If you are unable to attend the live classes you can still register. Lecture recordings will be available following each class. Details: Tuesdays, April 23 - September 10, 2024 Pre-Class Discussion: 7:30 PM ET, Lecture: 8:00 PM ET Instructor. Timothy Kearns, Ph.D. Registration is required. Visit: Traditional Logic: A Practicum in Classical Reasoning (instituteofcatholicculture.org)

Institute of Catholic Culture Lecture Series

December 4

A Year of the Lord’s Favor—Celebrating the Jubilee
Wednesday, December 4 @ 8:00 PM ET
Instructor: R. Jared Staudt, Ph.D. God established a regular time of liberation for His people Israel, a great Jubilee every fifty years to free captives and debtors. Jesus situated His own ministry within the proclamation of a definitive Jubilee of salvation for the whole world. The Church has responded to this heritage by instituting her own Jubilee celebrations, which offer us a time of celebration and mercy. Learn about this rich biblical and ecclesial history and its ongoing relevance as an opportunity for conversion and grace in a secular age. Registration is required.
https://instituteofcatholicculture.org/events/a-year-of-the-lords-favor/

Invitation to the join the Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus offers a free online membership providing Information, Fellowship and Parish Service Opportunities. For online information: https://www.kofc.org/secure/en/join/jointhe- knights.html or see local parish Knights of Columbus members for specific information. Your talents are appreciated and needed!

Little Flowers Girls Club!

Mothers and Daughters are invited to join the Little Flowers Girls Club! Little Flowers is a national Catholic girls organization where girls ages 5-13 are taught how to live virtuous lives by emulating the lives of saints. We meet monthly on the second Thursday of the month at the Church of St. Michael in Pine Island. Girls have lessons, do crafts or learn hospitality skills, and have social time. If you think Little Flowers might be a fit for your daughter or for more information, please email authenticcatholicgirls@gmail.com
Little Flowers Girls Club - Growing Holier One Virtue at a Time!

National Eucharistic Pilgrimage

Jesus is on the Move! Blazing a Trail: The Body of Christ
Please continue to pray for the Church—the Body of Christ—and the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage as Our Lord journeys to give the gift of himself in his Most Holy Body and Blood. Check back at https:// www.eucharisticpilgrimage.org/post/blazing-a-trail-thebody- of-christ weekly to see where Jesus is going next on the longest Eucharistic procession in U.S. history!

Natural Family Planning (NFP) Classes

Natural Family Planning (NFP) Classes teach couples the Church approved methods on how to achieve or postpone pregnancy while remaining in God’s Will for the gift of sexuality. For a complete list of classes offered throughout the Archdiocese, vis-it https://www. archspm.org/marriage/natural-family-planning-nfp/ or call 651-291-4489

Panthers Holiday Helpers Projec

December 1 (ends)

Dear Parishioners, Panthers Holiday Helpers Project needs your help! This Christmas project collects gift donations for children in need from Pine Island and Oronoco. You may donate any of the following winter wears: hats, caps, scarves, mittens, snowpants, gloves, and/or face masks. These donations will go to both girls and boys, from birth to 18 years. Please consider making a donation to this worthy project. If you wish to make a monetary donation, someone from the Church of St. Michael will shop for you. Families will be coming to the school to choose the items for their children, so please do NOT wrap them. Please bring donations by December 1 and place in the box in the entryway.

Parents, are you ready for Tax Day?

The Minnesota Catholic Conference is excited to remind you about the New Minnesota Child Tax Credit. Getting money back to our Minnesota families through this tax credit was an integral goal achieved by the Catholic Conference’s Families First Project last year. The credit encourages and supports strong families by providing a tax break to eligible families.
It’s as simple as filing a tax return, claiming the tax credit benefits, and receiving cash back.
To ensure you don’t miss out, visit www.FamiliesFirstProject.com/CTC where you can learn more about the child tax credit and access additional resources. Tell every parent you know to file their taxes to receive this credit. Together we will support and strengthen the families in our community.

Parish Safety

Dear Parishioners: I am in the early stages of developing a parish committee dedicated to forming a Parish Emergency Action Response Plan for Inclement Weather (Tornadoes, Storms) , Emergencies (parishioner injury or health crisis, parking lot accidents), and Security Threats (demonstrations, protests, etc). I hope to identify parishioners for input and volunteers - especially those with First Responder/Emergency, Medical, and Security training/skills.
Until a final action plan is completed and made known to you, the immediate response in case of an Emergency Event would be as follows:
Do Not Panic - Remain Calm. Listen to instructions from Father, Ushers, and/or Designated Personnel to Shelter In Place - ”Duck and Cover” under pews protecting the vulnerable as best as possible allowing Visual and Mobile Access to Designated Personnel to Assess and Mitigate any sort of Emergency Event. Assist families and parishioners around you, if possible. Evacuation instructions would also be issued by responsible Personnel according to the circumstances of the Event. Thank you for your attention to this important topic and your assistance. To provide your input and/or volunteer status, contact or email Fr. Kasel or Pat Smith at ltpsmith@gmail.com -- A proactive parish is a safer parish!

Parish Small Groups

Fall

We are gearing up for small groups this fall! More information will be available next week.

Pine Island Food Shelf

November

items requested for November: Canned Meats: chicken, tuna, Spam, salmon, etc.

Please pray

Please pray for the repose of the soul of LaVerne Schettl, (a longtime parishioner), who passed away November 7. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the Mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Prayer Intentions to the Holy Lan

Amy and Pat Smith are blessed to be able to go on Pilgrimage to Jerusalem and to the Holy Land and would like to bring St. Michael’s Parishioner’s prayer intentions with them. They leave next Wednesday May 31 and will visit spiritual sites including Bethlehem, Nazareth, the River Jordan, Capernaum, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the Holy Sepulchre. They would like to bring any special family intentions and St. Michael’s Parish intentions with them on pilgrimage. Simply email and let them know who or what you want them to pray for: Ltpsmith@gmail.com or you can send your prayer request using this form: https://instituteofcatholicculture.
net/form/2023-holy-land-pilgrimage-prayer-intentions/

Rachel’s Vineyard

If you or someone you love is grieving the loss of a child to abortion, come and experience the healing mercy of Jesus Christ on our confidential weekend retreat. For more information, contact us at rachels@rvineyardmn.org, call or text 763.250.9313, or see rvineyardmn.org for the schedule of upcoming retreats.

Retirement Fund for Religious Collection

November 30-December 1

Thousands of senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests spent years working in Catholic schools, hospitals, and agencies—often for little or no pay. Now, their religious communities do not have enough savings for retirement and eldercare. Your gift helps provide medications, nursing care, and more. Please be generous.

Small Groups are now meeting in our Parishes

Encounter Jesus anew. Expand our parish community, and meet new people through small groups! Check out options online and sign up at: https://archspm.groupvitals.com/groupFinder

Southeast Deanery CCW Request

The Southeast Deanery serving the Council of Catholic Women (CCW) in each parish is hoping to revitalize the organization with your help. The Deanery needs each parish CCW or parish women’s groups to get involved. With your help, the Deanery will continue its mission to provide assistance to further the goals of each CCW with leadership, training, speakers, and more. We encourage all of you to think and pray about being part of the Deanery. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Pat Reinardy, (507)-263-3295 or Laurie Otte at (507)-663-0512.

St. Paul CCW

We are looking for volunteers to sign up for the monthly altar flowers. We are suggesting that two families or households sign up to be responsible for one month. If you are interested in donating money as a memorial to family members please contact or give donations at the parish office.

Thank You!

Thank you to all who prayed for me and expressed your good wishes to me as part of the Clergy Appreciation Celebration. Your kindness was greatly appreciated! May our good Lord reward you!
In Christ through Mary,
Fr. Kasel

Thank you!

Quilting Bee Cause delivered 45 quilts to The Salvation Army and Pine Island Baby Closet. Both organizations expressed great appreciation for the donation . Thank you to all of the ladies that helped assemble the quilts. Thank you to everyone who donated supplies to keep this project going. We will be taking a break over the holidays, but will resume sometime in January. Watch the bulletin for the dates.

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who helped, volunteered, and donated to make the Pancake Breakfast and Bake Sale a success!

Volunteer at Zumbrota Food Shelf

VOLUNTEERS WANTED: Do you have a few spare hours each month to lend a hand at the Zumbrota Food Shelf? You could either stock shelves or serve clients. Multiple times and days are available. Your help in feeding the hungry would be greatly appreciated. Contact Jan Horsman: 507-732-7527

Volunteers Needed for Adoration – St. Paul

Can you spend an hour with Jesus? Adoration is held at St. Paul, Zumbrota on Tuesdays from 9am-5pm. We are looking for more adorers! Please contact the parish office at 507-732-5324 or stpauls@hcinet.net if you are interested in signing up to spend one hour a week with Our Lord.

Want to grow in our Catholic Faith?

You can learn about our Catholic Faith online at any time through FORMED! You will have access to thousands of enriching Catholic movies, programs, audio, & books instantly on FORMED when you sign up through our parishes. There is no cost for you! Just follow these easy steps:
1.Visit: signup.formed.org 2. Enter your parish zip code or name (St. Michael 55963 or St. Paul 55992) 3. Grow in our Catholic Faith!

Weekly Rosary

Mondays

You are invited to join in praying the weekly Rosary with Zumbrota Care Center residents on Mondays at 1:30 pm. We meet in the South Day Room. If you have questions, call Barb Boraas at 507-732-5877.