1405 Highway 13 PO Box 50679 Mendota MN 55150-0679

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 20, 2020 Each year during Advent, the songs in my playlist lean heavily into songs about Mary’s experience of the tremendous role she’d been called to play in our salvation. As a mother, I can’t help but relate to that feeling of anticipation—the joy and awe braided together with fear and uncertainty. We talk often about Mary’s devotion to God, which is, undeniably, to be admired and imitated. As a woman, when I imagine myself in her place as a young teen woman, the weight of what she has accepted, bearing upon her both physically and emotionally, I wonder just how I would have reacted in her place. As her body became heavier and heavier with the growing human child within her, her heart also may have grown heavier and heavier with the responsibility of the growing divine child within her.

One of my favorite Marian songs for this season is “Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song),” written by Chris Easton and sung beautifully by Amy Grant. I don’t think I can remember a single time I’ve heard this without my throat feeling a little tighter and my eyes filling with tears. Of course, Mary’s great “Yes!” made because of her devotion to and trust in God is to be admired and imitated, but I never lose sight of the awesome strength and bravery that must have been required of her. Mary is, indeed, the handmaiden of the Lord, but let’s not forget that she’s also a warrior, as courageous and fierce in her love for God, and now her son, Jesus, as St. Michael himself. Read the song lyrics below and put yourself there, with Mary, and then imagine the power she had to have held within to carry on!

Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song) I have traveled many moonless nights

Cold and weary with a babe inside And I wonder what I've done Holy Father you have come

And chosen me now to carry your son

I am waiting in a silent prayer I am frightened by the load I bear

In a world as cold as stone Must I walk this path alone?

Be with me now Be with me now

Breath of heaven Hold me together

Be forever near me Breath of heaven Breath of heaven

Lighten my darkness Pour over me your holiness

For you are holy Breath of heaven

Do you wonder as you watch my face If a wiser one should have had my place

But I offer all I am For the mercy of your plan

Help me be strong Help me be

Help me

We can take so much from Mary’s example of faith, and not only for Advent. It feels as if our season of waiting began in April. We are now together in a long period of hunkering down and waiting for something to come along and save us; there are moments of fear and anxiety that we, too, have had to bear. Now, as we near the end of this Advent season of expectation, we begin to find comfort in joy and celebration, even though it looks and feels very different this year. I continue to pull out these songs of Mary, and will likely listen to them even more in the few days left of Advent, because I don’t want to forget just how strong and brave she really was. Wishing you all the most blessed remainder of Advent, and, in time, a very merry Christmas. Lisa Fontecha Director of Mission and Ministry

YOUTH NEWS AND FAITH FORMATION

OFFICE INFORMATION Father Steven Hoffman 651-452-4550 frsteven@stpetersmendota.org Deacon Tim Hennessey 651-905-4301 thennessey@stpetersmendota.org Peter Guzulaitis, Director of Operations 651-905-4307 directorofoperations@stpetersmendota.org Lisa Fontecha, Mission and Ministry 651-905-4304 lfontecha@stpetersmendota.org

Parish Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Phone: 651-452-4550

BAPTISMS - NEW PARISHIONERS - WEDDINGS Call the parish office for more information.

PRAYER CHAIN REQUESTS Email Lisa Fontecha at lfontecha@stpetersmendota.org or call her at 651-905-4304 or call the parish office.

FAITHFUL SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL

AND TRI-PARISH CENTER

St. John Neumann * St. Peter * St. Thomas Becket 3355 Columbia Dr Eagan MN 55121

651-406-4747 www.fscsmn.org

FAITHFUL SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL Academic excellence, a faith-based education and a supportive community that engages the whole family are just a few reasons why our families love Faithful Shepherd. Financial Aid is Available. To arrange a private tour, please call Jen Claude

at 651-262-2898. We look forward to meeting and sharing our school with you!

ST PETER’S RE/FF TEAM To learn more about Faith Formation at St. Peter’s, click this link: www.stpetersmendota.org/faith-formation

St. Peter’s Religious Education/Faith Formation Team

Kathy Raible Grade 1-5 Program Reconciliation and First Eucharist 651-905-4311

Elizabeth McCanna Grade 6-8 and Confirmation 651-905-4312

Beth Halbert Preschool Coordinator Liturgy of the Word for Children 651-905-4313

Karen Cronin Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 651-905-4314

FAITHFUL SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

Many in our community wish to be able to join us for Mass but are unable to do so. If you or a loved one has mobility limitations, or if declining health makes it difficult to participate in the sacramental life of the church, please contact us to learn of the many ways we can help. Often, many go without simply because we are not made aware of their needs. We are also in need of several new visiting ministers.

To add yourself or someone you love to our outreach ministry or for information on volunteering, contact Lisa Fontecha at 651-905-4304 or at lfontecha@stpetersmendota.org.

SACRAMENTS FOR THE HOMEBOUND

CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR OUR YOUTH At this time each year, our Workcampers kick off their fundraising efforts for our annual summer mission trip. Given the current state of the pandemic, our normal fundraisers are not an option—no baked goods or pancake breakfasts in the foreseeable future! This Christmas, we are asking that you would prayerfully consider a Christmas gift for our Youth. Our trip this year has additional expense to insure safe COVID-19 protocols, and with our limited fundraising capabilities, this trip will be a significant expense for our youth. Any gifts made would help offset these costs, making the trip more affordable for all our participants. To make a donation you can send a check to the parish office with “workcamp” in the memo field or make a gift online via our parish website. If you have any questions, please reach out to our youth minister, Elizabeth McCanna, at emccanna@stpetersmendota.org. Thank you for your consideration and generosity!

Learn more about our Preschool Program at Faithful Shepherd Catholic School! Our NAEYC Accredited and 4 Star Parent Aware programming is for 3-5 year olds and offers flexible, customized schedules. We still have space for the 2020/2021 School year! Our Catholic-based program offers teaching to the Whole Child: social, emotional, academic, and spiritual. Learn more, view our COVID-19 Response Plan, and schedule a tour at www.fscsmn.org.

Every member of our St. Peter’s community can enjoy a free subscription to formed.org - the incredible online gateway to the best Catholic content, all in one place! With FORMED, you can:

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ADMINISTRATIVE NEWS * STEWARDSHIP * COMMUNITY NEWS

FORMED

PLEASE REGISTER FOR WEEKEND MASSES

There is even more need for prayer in these troubled times. Please join us for a special Holy Hour of Adoration on Wednesday, January 13, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the Main Church.

In the words of St. Teresa of Calcutta, these “hours of adoration will be special hours of reparation for sins and intercession for the needs of the whole world.” Gathering around Mary, the Mother of God, we will bring “the sin-sick and suffering of humanity before the healing, transforming rays of Jesus, radiating from the Eucharist.”

If you can’t be here in person, please join us on our livestream at stpetersmendota.org.

HOLY HOUR OF INTERCESSION WITH OUR LADY

Please remember to register for weekend and Christmas Masses. We are no longer taking registration for weekday Masses. Use this link to register: www.signupgenius.com/go/saintpeters.

All weekend Masses that are currently available will be included on this online form. Please follow the guidelines on the signup page. If you are not able to sign up online or if you have questions, call the parish office at 651-452-4550. Someone will help you get registered.

Thank you for your cooperation.

November 2020 COLLECTIONS Nov 2020 Nov 2019 Year over Year Fiscal Year to Date

Prior Year thru Nov Year over Year

Sunday Envelope & Electronic Gifts $ 81,402.00 $ 67,401.50 $ 14,000.50 $ 379,164.35 $ 363,027.00 $ 16,137.35

Sunday Plate $ 68.00 $ 1,596.15 $ (1,528.15) $ 1,136.25 $ 6,500.00 $ (5,363.75)

Total $ 81,470.00 $ 68,997.65 $ 12,472.35 $ 380,300.60 $ 369,527.00 $ 10,773.60

Sunday giving keeps the lights on, pays for repairs, and funds all ministries and operations. Thank you for your continued generosity to our parish community.

As we come to the end of the calendar year and year-end tax planning, please remember all charitable contributions to the parish must be received or postmarked by December 31, 2020 in order to be claimed as a deduction for 2020. Contributions received or postmarked on or after January 1, 2021 will be counted as contributions in 2021, regardless of the date on the check. Please contact Peter Guzulaitis in the parish office if you have any questions.

2020 CONTRIBUTIONS

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RELEVANT RADIO

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR: DECEMBER 21 2020

St. Peter’s is here to bring the good news of the Gospel to all, so that every person can have a personal, life changing, life giving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Trustees: Sue Zhulkie 651-454-6434 Mark Mischke 651-444-8888

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4- 5, 27, 29 [2a]/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38 Monday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/Ps 33:2-3, 11 -12, 20-21 [1a; 3a]/Lk 1:39-45 Tuesday: 1 Sm 1:24-28/1 Sm 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd]/Lk 1:46-56 Wednesday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14 [cf. Lk 21:28]/Lk 1:57-66 Thursday: Morning: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29 [2]/Lk 1:67-79 Friday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29 [2a]/ Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18 -25. Night: Is 9:1-6/Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13 [Lk 2:11]/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14. Dawn: Is 62:11-12/Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12/Ti 3:4-7/Lk 2:15-20. Day: Is 52:7-10/Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 [3c]/ Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 or Jn 1:1-5, 9-14 Saturday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17 [6]/Mt 10:17-22 Next Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3/Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 [cf. 1] or Ps 105:1-2, 3- 4, 5-6, 8-9 [7a, 8a]/Col 3:12-21 or 3:12- 17 or Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19/Lk 2:22- 40 or 2:22, 39-40

© Liturgical Publications Inc.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 20, 2020

The following are the intentions offered by the priest at Mass:

Monday, Dec 21 9 am No Mass Tuesday, Dec 22 9 am LeRoy Hoffmann 5:45 pm Frankie Hoffmann Wednesday, Dec 23 9 am Maebel Holien Thurs, Dec 24, 3 pm Tim & Carole Conama 5 pm Mass For The People 8 pm † Tom Mulvihill Friday, Dec 25 8 am † George Zirnhelt 10 am † Art Mulvihill Saturday, Dec 26 5 pm Jeff & Vicky Grace Sunday, Dec 27 8 am John & Jeannie Chapdelaine Family 10 am Mass For The People

MASS INTENTIONS

Monday, December 21

Tuesday, December 22 8:30 am Rosary, Main Church 9 am Daily Mass, Main Church 5 pm Reconciliation, Main Church 5:45 pm Daily Mass, Main Church

Wednesday, December 23

8:30 am Rosary, Main Church 9 am Daily Mass, Main Church

Thursday, December 24—Parish office closed at noon 7 am Daily Mass, Main Church 9 am Daily Mass, Main Church 3 pm Christmas Eve Mass, Main Church, Register on Sign Up Genius 5 pm Christmas Eve Mass, Main Church, livestreamed on St. Peter’s Website, YouTube, or on Facebook. Register on Sign Up Genius 8 pm Christmas Vigil Mass, Main Church, Register on Sign Up Genius 7 pm AA Meeting, Classroom 5

Friday, December 25—Parish office closed 8 am Christmas Day Mass, Main Church, Register on Sign Up Genius. 10 am Christmas Day Mass, Main Church, livestreamed on St. Peter’s Website, YouTube, or on Facebook. Register on Sign Up Genius

Saturday, December 26 9 am & 10:30 am AA Meeting, Classrooms 3:30 pm Reconciliation, Main Church 5 pm Mass, Main Church. Register on Sign Up Genius

Sunday, December 27—Feast of the Holy Family 7:30 am Rosary for St. Peter’s, Main Church 8 am Mass, Main Church. Register on Sign Up Genius 10 am Mass. Main Church, livestreamed on St. Peter’s Website, YouTube, or on Facebook. Register on Sign Up Genius 12 noon Mass, Main Church. Register on Sign Up Genius

PASTORAL MINISTRY

BANNS OF MARRIAGE

Second Proclamation

Anthony Kuplic

and

Kateri Schmidt

If you are unable to attend one of the Masses and desire to come in to church to receive Holy Communion, please contact Jennifer at 651-905-4305 to set up an appointment. If you wish to receive Holy Communion at

your home, please call Lisa Fontecha at 651-905-4304.

HOLY COMMUNION CHAPEL OF THE NATIVITY PERPETUAL ADORATION CHAPEL

"The Eucharist is the secret of my day. It gives strength and meaning to all of my activities of service to the Church and to the whole world."

~ St. John Paul II

We are in need of adorers in the Chapel of the Nativity. Please prayerfully consider committing to one of the hours listed here that is still empty. White spaces indicate where we have the most urgent need.

“Could you not watch one hour with me?” ~ Matthew 26:40

To sign up for a regular Hour of Adoration, please call Lisa Fontecha at 651-905-4304 or email her at lfontecha@stpetersmendota.org.

Sun. Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. 12 am 1 am 2am 3 am 4 am 5 am 6 am 7 am 8 am 9 am

10 am 11 am Noon 1 pm 2 pm 3 pm 4 pm 5 pm 6 pm 7 pm 8 pm 9 pm

10 pm 11 pm

RESOURCE CENTER

Rosary Makers will not hold monthly meetings for at least the rest of the 2020 year. If you need any supplies or kits, we can drop them off at the Parish business office, where you can pick them up.

Please contact Mary Ellen by email: gmgutzmann@comcast.net.

Thank you for your continued work making rosaries for mission and evangelism efforts in this country and overseas!

ROSARY MAKERS

During this time when we are all staying home more, you might have more time read. You might be looking for good resources to encourage and help you grow in faith. Consider checking out the Resource Center located in the Gathering Space. You will find books, CD’s and pamphlets about a variety of subjects. In addition, you will be able to choose spiritual reading that you can trust, recommended by Fr. Steven, Lisa Fontecha, and Elizabeth McCanna (yes—there are even books for teens and young people!). This center is self-funded. We would ask that those who are able to do so, please donate $5/CD, $1/pamphlet and the list price of the books you choose (usually listed on the back cover). Because we want everyone to be able to enjoy these resources, whether they can contribute or not, we welcome any additional donations, above these suggestions. There is a slot in the center to place your donation. If you are unable to donate, please take a resource anyway! Thank you and may God bless your every effort to grow in faith and love.

Hail, full of grace!

The Lord is with you.

The eighth commandment, of course, in keeping with the Catechism’s pattern has that surface layer, that conceals subtlety and nuance that belie the simplicity of prohibiting a single act or behavior. Over these next weeks, we’ll explore what virtue the Church teaches that God wants us to embrace when he says, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

In paragraph 2465, the Catechism begins to frame the guiding principle around the

Old Testament revelation that God is the source of all truth, and we are thus called to live in truth. However, in Christ, the fullness of God’s truth is made manifest in the world (CCC 2466).

The Church goes further still in stating that Christ is the Truth. Therefore, anyone who believes in Christ cannot remain in darkness, and to follow Jesus is “to live in ‘the Spirit of truth.’” As part of this curriculum of Jesus, he teaches his disciples to speak simply in terms of “yes” or “no.” (CCC 2466)

By his nature, man tends toward truth, is impelled toward truth, and are bound by conscience toward truth (CCC 2467). Prior to the intrusion of sinful motivations, man would be inclined to the truth. It is in the common interest to be truthful. “Men could not live with one another if there were not mutual confidence that they were being truthful to one another (CCC 2469).”

Christians consent to a life that is patterned after that of Christ, after the truth. The Catechism of the Catholic Church concludes this introductory section quoting 1 John 1:6, “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth.” (CCC 2470)

Next week: Bearing witness to the truth

PASTORAL MINISTRY

CATECHISM CORNER FOLLOWING JESUS Mary was the handmaid of the Lord. Her “yes” echoes through the darkness of this world as we await the coming of our Savior! Let us prepare our hearts to greet Him.

Pray for COVID-19 Anointing Corps, Patients, Families, and Medical Support Teams

Parishioners across the Archdiocese are invited to prayerfully support those who are suffering most intensely, usually in sterile isolation, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Text archspm-anointing to 55321 or visit eva.us/archspm-anointing to receive a text each time a COVID-19 Anointing Corps Priest is dispatched to give the Last Rites. Upon receipt of the text, those in this ministry commit to take a moment to pray: · One Our Father for the patient who is in danger of

death, as they prepare to meet our Heavenly Father face-to-face;

· One Hail Mary for the patient’s family and friends, asking the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Sorrows, to intercede to comfort them; and

· One Glory Be in thanksgiving for the priest and for his protection, as well as the medical team attending to the patient.

For more ways to pray for those affected by COVID-19, visit archspm.org/covid19prayers.

PRAY FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY COVID-19

National Right to Life is holding a Pro Life Essay Contest. Essays entered should address this question:

Why are you pro-life?

The Junior Contest includes grades 7-9. Submit your 300 to 500 word essay between December 20, 2020 and January 21, 2021. Details and submission information can be found at nrlc.org/students/essaycontest.

The Senior Contest includes grades 10-12 for the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life Pro-Life Oratory Contest. Minnesota’s winner may compete in the national contest at the National Right to Life Competition. High school juniors and seniors will submit a 5 to 7 minute video on abortion, infanticide, or euthanasia anytime from September through May. Contact MCCL at 612-825-6831 or email mccl@mccl.org for rules and application, or visit mccl.org/youthcontests.

NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE 2021 PRO LIFE ESSAY CONTEXT

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