St. Augustine's -- Our Sister Parish in Cohasset, Minnesota has a web site!   Click here www.staugustinescohasset.org to see what is happening over in Cohasset! 

Look for Youth Vacation Bible School Grades K-12 and also Mary Rotella Retreat on July 22nd.

Click on links under 'Upcoming Events' just to your right!

FORTNIGHT FOR FREEDOM

JUNE 21--JULY 4, 2013 - IN OBSERVANCE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

This is a note from Father Drew offering information and an invitation to take part in the 2nd Fortnight for Freedom - Please take a moment to read, click on links, and take part -- the power of praying together CAN make a difference!

I would like to use this week’s column to say a few words about the “Fortnight For Freedom”.
 
What is it?  It is a 14 day period of prayer, reflection and action beginning on June 21st and ending on July 4th.
 
Who is participating?   United States Catholics.
 
Why are we doing this?  The “Fortnight for Freedom” is taking place in the United States for the second year.  The U.S. bishops have called for a Fortnight for Freedom, a two-week period of prayer and action, to address many current challenges to religious liberty, including the August 1, 2013 deadline for religious organizations to comply with the HHS mandate, Supreme Court rulings that could attempt to redefine marriage (which has now been done in our state) and religious liberty concerns in areas such as immigration/humanitarian services.
 
Now wait. . . This is probably the point where you begin falling asleep while reading this . . . or maybe just throw up your arms and say, “Here we go;  another one of those political issues that I really don’t care about that much.”
 
I understand.  It seems so often we just don’t care. . . or maybe the issue is too complicated. . . or maybe it just seems like we cannot make a difference, so why try?
 
I am inviting you, as a priest in this parish, to join with me and Fr. Jerry in prayer during this 14 day period.  There is not enough room in this column to go through the many details of the HHS mandate, but the mandate essentially would force private employers to include coverage for abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization, and contraception in their employee health care plans even if it is against their religious beliefs. 
 
The Catholic Church firmly believes in the protection and support of life from conception to the natural end.  The HHS mandate does not.  Christian employers and organizations will be forced to provide these services contrary to what they believe.  Slowly, our religious freedom is being stripped away. At this point the bishops are still in discussion with the U.S Administration and we do not know what the results will be.  
 
What can we do during the Fortnight of Freedom?
 
Parish Prayer:  Join us for morning prayer June 21st-July 4th (every day except Sundays) at 8:30am in our Adoration Chapel (7/4 will be at 8am at St. Augustine’s) to pray for life,   marriage and religious liberty.
 
Pray a Rosary every day June 21-July 4 for Religious Liberty.
 
Abstain from meat on Friday, June 21 & 28 and/or Fast.
 
Participate in Archdiocesan Events-click here to learn more:   www.archspm.org
 
June 22- ‘Freedom Forum’
8am-NOON at St. Peter in Mendota
 
June 29– 7pm Mass at The Cathedral in St. Paul with Archbishop Nienstedt  followed by a Holy Hour for life,  marriage and liberty (this is Feast Day of St. Peter & St. Paul).

It really is important to read and educate yourself on the issues and our Catholic Faith.  Our society is rapidly changing  we need to understand the FACTS on how and why.    Here are some helpful websites to view and learn more about our Catholic teachings on these issues:

www.usccb.org (United States Council of Bishops)
www.mncc.org  (Minnesota Council of Bishops)
www.archspm.org (Archdiocesan web site)—Click on green link on right side of home page labeled ‘Pray for life, marriage and religious liberty’
 
For our part, let us come together and pray.  Let us learn more about our Catholic teachings and how it relates to these decisions and laws that are changing our society.  Together we can bring about good through this “Fortnight for Freedom”.  —Fr. Drew

'Year of Faith'     October 11, 2012-November 24, 2013

At certain times in the history of the Church, popes have called upon the faithful to dedicate themselves to deepening their understanding of a particular aspect of the faith. In 1967, Pope Paul VI announced a Year of Faith commemorating the 19th centenary of the martyrdom of Sts. Peter and Paul. The 1967 Year of Faith called upon the Church to recall the supreme act of witness by these two saints so that their martyrdom might inspire the present day Church to collectively and individually make a sincere profession of faith.

The upcoming Year of Faith declared by Pope Benedict XVI is a "summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world" (Porta fidei 6). In other words, the Year of Faith is an opportunity for Catholics to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him. The pope has described this conversion as opening the "door of faith" (see Acts 14:27). The "door of faith" is opened at one's baptism, but during this year Catholics are called to open it again, walk through it and rediscover and renew their relationship with Christ and his Church.

Log onto: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/year-of-faith 

At the USCCB website you will find videos and links to a variety of resources to help you renew your baptismal call by living out the everyday moments of our lives with faith, hope and love. Be sure to check out the Q & A to help you better understand what the Year of Faith is all about.

Check out our parish 'Year of Faith" table located in the gathering space near the parish office door. 

Here you will find for sale the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the YOUCAT, the youth version of the Catechism, for $15. 

We also are offering great Catholic Books for $3.  Some featured titles are: Rediscover Catholcism, 4 Sign of a Dynamic Catholic--and others. 

Check this 'self serve' table out anytime you are here!