St. Katharine Drexel Parish March 2016 e-Newsletter
In This Issue


Upcoming Events

 
Sunday, March 20th
Pray at Planned Parenthood from 
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
 
Sunday, March 20th
Communal Reconciliation Service
at 7 p.m.
 
Wednesday, March 23rd
Living Stations of the Cross Presentation at
5:30 p.m.
 
Thursday, March 24th
Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7 p.m.
 
Friday, March 25th
Living Stations of the Cross Presentation at
p.m. 
 
Friday, March 25th
The Passion of the Lord Liturgy at 7 p.m.
 
Saturday, March 26th
Easter Vigil Mass at
8 p.m. (Note: NO 5 p.m. Mass today)
 
Sunday, March 27th
Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord Masses at  8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.  

Monday, March 28th
Parish Office closed

Tuesday, March 29th
Anointing Mass at 6:30 p.m. in our Nave

Wednesday, March 30th
Large Group Meeting for all Youth grades 7-12: Vocations Panel

Friday, April 1st
First Friday Eucharistic Adoration from  6 a.m.-7 p.m. in our Chapel; Mass will follow at 7 p.m.
 
Saturday, April 2nd
First Saturday Mass at 9 a.m. in our Chapel; We'll pray the Rosary at 8:30 a.m.

Sunday, April 3rd
Youth Pancake Breakfast in the MPR from  8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
 
Tuesday, April 12th
Serve supper at The Banquet (West)

Thursday, April 14th
Baptismal Planning Class at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Office Conference Room

Friday-Sunday, April 15th-17th
Koinonia Retreat
 
Wednesday, April 20th
Serve breakfast at The Banquet

Saturday & Sunday, April 23rd & 24th
Olive Wood Religious Items sales  after Masses in our Gathering Space
 
Tuesday, April 26th
Anointing Mass at 6:30 p.m. in our Nave

Wednesday, April 27th
Large Group meeting for all Youth grades 7-12: There's Something About Mary

Sunday, May 1st
Rosary Rally at 3 p.m. in our parking lot

Friday, May 6th
First Friday Eucharistic Adoration from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. in our Chapel; Mass will follow at 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 7th
First Saturday Mass in our Chapel at 9 a.m.; We'll pray the Rosary at 8:30 a.m.

Holy Week at  
St.Katharine  
Drexel Parish
  
With daylight hours growing longer and the days of Lent slipping past us, it is not too early to begin thinking of our celebration of Holy Week. These days have layered depths of significance and immense spiritual value for those who pause to observe them.
 
I remember one young woman describing her childhood memories of Holy Week: "My mother would take us to church on Palm Sunday, and we wouldn't emerge until the final song of Easter Sunday." Those memories will continue to sustain that woman through the many peaks and valleys of life that she is certain to encounter.
 
On Palm Sunday, we wonder how people could shout, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" and only days later shout "Crucify Him!" With reflection, we discover the division in our own hearts that could allow us to shift from one side to another in our battles with temptation. Only by the grace of God do we remain loyal to Jesus and make Him the King of our hearts.
 
Please do participate in our Palm Sunday liturgies and enter into the mystery of the week when Jesus earned our salvation. We have the usual weekend schedule.
 
On Holy Thursday, we will celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper, recalling in a particular way Jesus' last meal with His disciples before His arrest and crucifixion. As we participate in the foot washing ritual, we recall Jesus' example of generous love. Each time we go home from Mass, we leave to extend the Eucharist into the world by the way we serve one another.
 
On Good Friday, we recall Jesus' passion and death for the salvation of the world. By reverencing the cross, we recommit to carrying our own crosses in the hope of the resurrection.   When we carry our crosses with Jesus, we do not give way to discouragement, but move forward in hope.
 
At the Easter Vigil, we celebrate Jesus' victory over sin and death. At this liturgy, we will welcome several people into our Church through Baptism or Profession of Faith and Confirmation. This liturgy is a bit longer than our usual Mass, but it is very beautiful and uplifting.
 
On Easter morning, we again welcome the resurrection. For those who believe in Jesus, no darkness can last forever. At the Masses of Easter, we renew our Baptismal Promises, asking God to help us keep our promises in the days to come.
 
Please join me in making a prayerful Holy Week. In recent years we have tried to shorten these liturgies to make them a little more user friendly for families with children. As we pay attention to each of these ancient rituals, we are more immersed in the life of faith, and our faith helps us make sense of our lives. The grace that we gain from Holy Week will assist us throughout the coming year. 
   
 
Father Gregory Tschakert
St. Katharine Drexel Parish

Society
Questions about the Mass  
 
Why don't we sing the Gloria and Alleluia during Lent?
The Gloria and Alleluia are chants of exaltation and joy. Lent (and Advent - sometimes called the "Little Lent") is a penitential period. During Lent, we express sorrow for the sin that put Jesus on the Cross, as we prepare our hearts for resuming the Gloria and Alleluia on Easter Sunday.
 
What is the significance of the color purple during Lent?
The color purple is another symbol of penance. According to Scripture, a purple garment was placed on Jesus during His passion to ridicule and mock Him. During Lent, we focus on our sins, sins that continue, really, to mock the love and goodness of God. Purple--the color of penance, sacrifice, and preparation--eventually gives way to the color white--the symbol of purity, joy, light, and glory.

SharingOurGifts
Holy Doors and the Jubilee Year of Mercy    
 
"Dear brothers and sisters, I have often thought of how the Church may render more clear Her mission to be a witness to mercy; and we have to make this journey. It is a journey which begins with spiritual conversion." With these words, Pope Francis announced an Extraordinary Jubilee, a Holy Year of Mercy, a journey that would bring the Church more fully into God's loving light.
 
A journey always involves opening doors. When we embark upon a journey, we determine to leave one place and move to another. In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, each of us is journeying to a new place in our spiritual life, to a place of more love, more compassion, and more faith. As a faith community and as faithful individuals, we will open many doors on our journey, doors that will bring us closer to God.
 
The Church's journey--our journey--in this Year of Mercy began with the ritual opening of the Holy Door of Mercy in the Basilica of St. Peter, December 8, 2015. On that day, the door became, in the words of Pope Francis, "a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God Who consoles, pardons, and instills hope."
 
Did you know that Pope Francis has encouraged each diocese to open a Holy Door to which pilgrims can journey? And did you know that we have a Holy Door in our diocese, through which you can journey? The Holy Door represents the compassion, love, mercy, and consolation of God working in our lives. You can find out more about Holy Doors, and the Holy Door in our diocese, at the websites below:
 
What are the Holy Doors? (United States Conference of Bishops)
The Year of Mercy: All Are Invited (The Bishop's Bulletin)
 
In What's Up With the Holy Door? (The Cathedral of St. Joseph Bulletin), you can find out more about the Plenary Indulgence that may be obtained throughout the Year of Mercy.

Would you like to visit Holy Doors in other parishes in the United States? To find the locations, visit United States Holy Doors. And if you're traveling globally, you can find Holy Doors around the world at Doors of Mercy. Even if you're not a world traveler, this site is just "plain ol' fun"--the locations of all the Holy Doors around the world are plotted on a map that you can zoom in and out!

 
grandparentsGrandparent Helpers Are a Blessing
 
Students at St. Katharine Drexel School are blessed every week with "grandparent helpers." The grandpa and grandma helpers do a little bit of everything at the school: read to students, listen to the children read, help children learn prayers, work with students on assignments, assist in the library with circulation and re-shelving, and really, almost anything else the students and teachers need help with!  
 
Grandpa Richard
 
I asked one of those helpers, Grandpa Richard, what volunteering at the school meant to him. His words speak so beautifully of the joy of receiving and sharing God's love:

"I truly believe that my prayers were answered as I asked God for a calling to His service in some way. When I came to St. Katharine Drexel Parish and School, I was taken over by the friendliness and warmth from Father and all those I was introduced to. It was and is a feeling coming over my body and soul. When I heard Tonia in the Parish Office talking about the school wanting a 'Grandpa' for several classes, that was the final touch to the quest God was offering me. The friendliness from everyone, all the time, is wonderful. The staff, students, and Kevin greet me each day I am there. This is a gift to anyone who comes here. I am blessed, I am home now.

I sing a song of great praise about St. Katharine Drexel Parish and School every chance I get. The first day I was there, in church, sitting alone, praying thanks to God, I felt a hand on my shoulder, turned, and saw Father as he was walking towards the altar. That sign warmed me down to my toes.

The rewards are daily, from the children with their greetings, 'Hi Grandpa!!!!!'"
 
And our school has grandmas, too!
 
What do the Grandma Helpers love about their work at St. Katharine Drexel School?

"Just helping somebody, and showing my grandchildren there are different ways of helping."  (Mary Ellen Mertes)
"Watching the children progress." (Denise Ferrie)
"Being with the children because they are so fun to be around." (Sandra Meyers)
"The kiddos are just precious." (Mary Christensen)
"Helping the children learn to love learning." (Sandy Oliver)
"Working with the children. After I retired, I missed working with them." (Anne Orton)
"The kids are so cute, and I feel purposeful and useful." (Terri Riedel)

And of course the love and care that the grandmas give is returned in kind. As the grandmas told me, the children are "A lot of fun and they keep me young," and " They make me feel so good." "I get way more than I give."
"I feel purposeful and useful."

"The grandparent volunteers are such a blessing to everyone at our school," says Sandy Fitzgibbons, Administrative Assistant. Fortunately for the students and teachers of St. Katharine Drexel School, I'm pretty sure the Grandparent Helpers will be ready and willing to help for a long time. Some of their final words to me: "I guess I know where I belong. "  "What a great way to spend my Wednesday mornings - I go to the children's Mass and then I volunteer. "   "Our kids are our future. "I wish more people would volunteer - they would realize the rewards."

Youth 
Catholicism on the Web
 
There's so much  good stuff for Catholics on the Web. For example, last month many in our parish signed up for Dynamic Catholic's Best Lent Ever e-mail program. If you missed the bulletin information, not to worry - you can still sign up. Each day you'll receive an e-mail with a short video featuring Matthew Kelly and a member of the Dynamic Catholic Team. They'll guide you through the chapters in Matthew's new bestseller Rediscover Jesus and share simple ways to bring Jesus into your everyday life. All of this free! Just sign up at http://www.DynamicCatholic.com/Lent.
 
The Dynamic Catholic program started me wondering what else the Web might offer for Catholics. Here's some of what I found (list sorted alphabetically):
 
Catechism of the Catholic Church: Look up a reference, find a phrase, or discover what the Catechism has to say about a topic.
Catholic Answers: Top Issues (environmentalism, politics, social justice), Responding To (anti-Catholicism, relativism), Help With (confession, prayer, spiritual direction)
Catholic Company: "A leading online Catholic books and gifts store"
Catholic Dads: Helping dads live and witness their faith
Catholic Jobs: Search or browse by category or location. Search by keyword, location, and category. Browse a list of recent listings.
Catholic Kids: Resources to help children learn about God's love
Catholic Lane: News and Links under Fiction, Poetry & Humor; Columnists; Art, Leisure & Culture; Society; Life Issues & Bioethics; The Catholic Family; Learn & Live the Faith; Business & Work
Catholic Mom: Faith, family, and fun, from a Catholic perspective
Catholic Retreats: Find retreats in the U.S. and Canada.
Catholic Stand: "Offering substantive resources with thoughtful insights into how to live the Truth that the Church teaches."
Churches and Chapels that have Eucharistic Adoration: Click on a state and then browse through the cities. Address, phone numbers, and adoration times are provided.
Come, Pray the Rosary: Pray in "real time" with a worldwide Rosary, or on your own. Share your intentions.
Decent Films: From Catholic and film critic, Steven Greydanus
Discover Mass: Find a Catholic Church near you, wherever you are in the U.S.
EWTN Kids Shows: Kids shows and an interactive website
Ignitum Today: The Social Network of the New Evangelization Generation: Catholic perspectives on topics that matters to young adults
Integrated Catholic Life: An e-magazine that integrates faith, family, and work
Life Teen: "Life Teen leads teenagers and their families into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church"
Untangling the Catholic Web: Lots and lots of fantastic sites
uCatholic: "Dedicated to providing traditional Catholic information in the modern world"
Grounds
Shrines to Our Lady in Our Backyard

Among the many blessings we have living here in Sioux Falls is our close proximity to three shrines to Our Lady. Within a short driving distance from Sioux Falls--nice day trips, really--there are three shrines we should all visit during this Year of Mercy. I can't think of anyone better than Our Heavenly Mother Mary to speak to Our Lord on our behalf. Each of the following shrines to Mary is approximately 90 minutes from Sioux Falls.
 
In Sioux City, you can visit Trinity Heights. There you'll find magnificent statues and more than two dozen shrines, among them The Way of the Saints as well as a shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The gardens and walkways are peaceful, the ideal place to pray and listen to Our Lord and His Mother Mary.
 
A day trip to Yankton will take you to The House of Mary Shrine. There you will find beautiful statues, the Way of the Cross, a chapel, walking paths, waterfalls, and much more. When you visit make sure to look for the large crosses that overlook the Missouri River below. The site is awe-inspiring and the Shrine is a wonderful place to take stock of our faith, to contemplate who we are, and what it means to be a Catholic.
 
Mid-America's Fatima Family Shrine is just a short drive away, in Alexandria. Started just thirty years ago by Fr. Robert J. Fox, the Shrine continues to share the message of Our Lady of Fatima to promote traditional family life. At the Fatima Family Shrine, you'll find outdoor masses and candlelight processions, a museum, and a peaceful spot to pray the Rosary and speak to Our Lady.
 
Why not plan a visit--or three visits--very soon? Our weather is becoming nicer and there are few better ways to spend a nice Saturday or Sunday out than visiting a shrine to honor Our Lady.

St. Katharine Drexel Parish on the Web   
 
  Mass Schedule, Calendar, Online Giving, Readings, and much more. Our Parish Web page has been updated and redesigned.  Check it out!

 
 Have you "liked" St. Katharine Drexel Parish yet? It's a great way to stay up-to-date on Parish events. Visit www.fb.me/stkatharinedrexelsfsd.

Log on to our Flickr site to see photos of our beautiful Sanctuary and Nave as well as our stained glass windows. Want to help us? Contact Carol Deering (212-5218/ tom.carol@vastbb.net) of the Communications Committee.

Our Parish YouTube page includes eight videos. Do you have an idea for a video on our channel? Talk with Fr. Tschakert (275-6870/
gtschakert@sfcatholic.org) or Carol Deering of the 
Communications Committee ( 212-5218/ tom.carol@vastbb.net).