REFERENCE CHECKS
Parish volunteers in high risk Ministries need to provide references when beginning a new area of volunteerism.

INTERVIEWS
Visiting time with coordinators.

TRAINING SESSIONS [Including Background Checks]
A time of learning and discernment.

INTERNSHIP
Experiencing what you’ve learned

TRAINING SESSIONS
Putting it all together

COMMITMENT
Making a final decision

COMMISSIONING
You are a BeFriender

On February 11 & 12, BeFriender Ministers will be available at the Main Entrance to answer questions that you may have about BeFriender Ministry.

Is Jesus inviting you to spend time with him in adoration? The Church of St. Joseph is planning a second weekday of adoration on Thursdays, 7:30am to 5:30pm. We are inviting all St. Joseph’s and St. John’s parishioners to sign up for a time slot during Tuesday (also 7:30am to 5:30pm) or Thursday weekly adoration.

If you spend just one hour with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, you will find more rest and peace in your life. We need a minimum of 4 people to commit for each hour, and at least 25 substitutes who are willing to come less frequently. To sign up or for more information, please contact Barb Aamot at 952-933-8423 or barb_aamot@live.com.

As you no doubt know, a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November asks Minnesota voters: “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?” The answer should be “yes.”

We will be hearing a lot about this in the upcoming months, and for good reason: this is a crucial issue in the life of our state. During this time, there will be many opportunities to learn and discuss why this is important and why we believe what we do. In this article, I want to talk about why it is appropriate for us to be discussing a political issue in church.

Contrary to what many in the secular world seem to think, the Church does not need to flee wherever the State decides to go, maintaining a separation between the two. Whether it’s upholding the sanctity of life from the moment of conception or weighing in on where a Vikings stadium should be built, the Church has the right and the duty to speak on matters that affect the good of society. This is about a broader cultural issue. It is not only about passing the amendment, it is about renewing the understanding of and respect for marriage as a permanent, fruitful, monogamous union within our American culture.

Protecting the institution of marriage is most certainly a matter of justice — especially to children and society. Marriage unites a man and a woman with each other and with any children born from their union. It protects the common interest of children in being connected to their parents.

Therefore, when a man and woman form a union and take on all of the responsibilities that it entails, society gives them certain rights and benefits to help them. Society privileges this union above other loving, committed relationships because it best promotes the well-being of children and the common good. Thus, natural marriage and same-sex unions are not the same and should not be treated as such by the law. Making a legal distinction between them and privileging natural marriage is completely justified.

To be clear, the Church teaches that no one should be denied access to basic human needs or the protection of rights that all should have, by virtue of being a person possessing inherent human dignity and worth. We love all our brothers and sisters, without condition, without exception, and we are called by our Lord to come to the defense of anyone who is oppressed or mistreated in any way, and we will be held accountable if we fail to do so. That love in no way conflicts with our duty to defend marriage.

Next weekend is World Marriage Day, and every parish in the archdiocese will begin a drive to collect signatures of those who pledge to vote “yes” on the amendment in November. I encourage you to be bold in your witness to our Catholic faith and pledge your support for this amendment.

Fr. Liekhus

Benefit for Seminarians Saturday, February 11 at St. Joseph’s social hall

Cost

BeFriender Ministry will be Calling Forth the weekend of February 12. What does Calling Forth mean?

Calling Forth is an invitation to submit your name or another parishioner’s name who will then be invited to join us at the Information Night on February 23. At that time you will have the opportunity to learn more about the path to becoming a BeFriender Minister. Please read “The Qualities of a BeFriender” flyer found at the entrances to the church.

Do you or someone you know possess these qualities? Pray and discern! We begin our Calling Forth process the weekend of February 12. There will be sign up cards at the Church entrances.

This upcoming week is Catholic Schools Week. From the NCEA’s website:

The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2012 is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service.” The theme focuses on three priorities that Catholic schools establish that make them stand out from other educational institutions. Children are taught faith – not just the basics of Christianity, but how to have a relationship with God. Academics, which in Catholic schools are held to very high standards, help each child reach his or her potential. Service, the giving of one’s time and effort to help others, is taught both as an expression of faith and good citizenship.

That certainly describes our school at St. John’s! We not only work hard to hold our students to a high standard academically; we hold them to a high standard with regard to living their faith and developing their character. I am grateful for the opportunity to be pastor of a parish that supports a Catholic school.

I’ve been following closely the debate over the Controversial Topics Curriculum Policy in the Anoka-Hennepin school district this past year. Parents are having to fight to “prevent district staff from undermining the values and beliefs that parents have the right to instill in their children and keep their classrooms focused on core academics.” The only reason this is in the paper is because there is a fight – other districts do not have a neutral policy on these controversial topics.

For me, this encapsulates the value of our Catholic schools. When you send your children to St. John’s, you do not have to fight to ensure your kids are not being taught something that is contrary to your faith. They get enough of that from the world at large; they shouldn’t have to endure it in the classroom, as well. We reinforce at school the core values you teach them at home, and encourage them to live them faithfully every moment of every day.

If you think this is a worthwhile service to provide, we need your help to do so. Two events this week at which you can support the school is the Pancake Breakfast this Sunday, and the Bright Beginnings Bash next Saturday. We especially need support for Bright Beginnings – this is the biggest school fundraiser of the year, and we need it to make this year’s budget. Please buy and sell those raffle tickets, come to the event on Saturday, and support the school with your donations. Thank you for your support for our school!

Fr. Liekhus

The MSO returns to St. Joseph for the 7th consecutive year to perform another of their very popular one-hour Free Family Concerts. If the past concerts have been any indication, the church will again be packed with enthusiastic concert-goers of all ages.

Family Concert titled The Composer is Dead!
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 3:00pm

All MSO concerts are free of charge; free-will donations are accepted. For more information and directions to the performing venues please visit www.msomn.org.

In the Bible

• Luke 18:16
• Matthew 19:13-15

Additional Reading

• Let the Children Come to Me, from America: the National Catholic Weekly
• Bringing Children to Christ in Eucharistic Adoration
• Children of Hope