Upcoming Events
Friday, December 7th
(Chapel)
6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Solemnity of the
Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin
Mary Mass
(Nave)
6 p.m.
Saturday, December 8th
Solemnity of the
Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin
Mary Mass
(Nave)
9 a.m.
First Reconciliation
Retreat
10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sunday, December 9th
Youth Pancake Breakfast
(Multipurpose Room)
8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Christmas Eve Nativity Play Organizational Meeting
(Room 203) 11:30 a.m.
Preparing the Way for Christmas
(Gathering Space)
6 p.m.
Knights of Columbus
Room 203
7 p.m.
Tuesday, December 11th
St. Vincent de Paul
Conference meeting
(Gathering Space)
7:15 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 13th
Baptismal Planning Class
(Parish Office Conference Room)
6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 15th
Men's Group
(Gathering Space)
7:30-9 a.m.
Sunday, December 16th
Nativity Play Practice
(Nave) 11:30 a.m.
Advent Communal Reconciliation Services
(Christ the King & St. Mary Parishes) 2 p.m.
Preparing the Way for Christmas
(Gathering Space)
6 p.m.
Advent Communal Reconciliation Services
(St. Katharine Drexel & St. Lambert Parishes)
7 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 17th
Advent Communal Reconciliation Service
(Holy Spirit Parish)
7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 18th
Advent Communal Reconciliation Services (St. Michael & St. Therese Parishes)
7 p.m.
Theology on Tap
(The Blarney Stone
Pub) (
map)
7 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 19th
5:30-8:15 a.m.
Friday, December 21st
SFPS: no school
(school resumes
on January 2nd)
SFCS: early dismissal
(school resumes
on January 3rd)
5-7:15 p.m.
Sunday, December 23rd
Nativity Play Practice
(Nave) 11:30 a.m.
Christmas decorating
(Gathering Space & Nave) 11:30 a.m.
Monday, Dec. 24th
Parish Office closes at noon
Vigil Masses for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Nave)
4 p.m. & 10 p.m.
Tuesday, December 25th
Solemnity of the Nativity
of the Lord Mass (Nave)
9 a.m.
Parish Office closed
Wednesday, Dec. 26th
Anointing Mass
6:30 p.m.
Monday, December 31st
Parish Office closes at noon
Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Nave) 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 1st
Solemnity of Mary, the
Holy Mother of God Mass (Nave) 9 a.m.
Parish Office closed
Wed., January 2nd
SFPS: school resumes
Thursday, January 3rd
SFCS: school resumes
Friday, January 4th
6 a.m.-7 p.m.
RESTART
(O'Gorman High School)
7 p.m.
Sunday, January 6th
Faith-sharing videos launched via Facebook, Instagram & parish website
Tuesday, January 8th
St. Vincent de Paul
Conference meeting
(Gathering Space)
7:15 p.m.
Wednesday, January 9th
Thursday, January 10th
Baptismal Planning Class
(Parish Office Conference Room)
6:30 p.m.
Friday, January 11th
SFPS: no school
Sunday, January 13th
Knights of Columbus
(Room 203) 7 p.m.
Friday, January 18th
5-7:15 p.m.
Saturday, January 19th
Men's Group
(Gathering Space)
7:30-9 a.m.
Sunday, January 20th
1st Holy Communion Parent meeting
(Chapel) 9:30 a.m.
Monday, January 21st
SFCS: no school
Parish Council meeting
(Youth Room) 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 22nd
St. Vincent de Paul
Conference meeting
(Gathering Space)
7:15 p.m.
Wed., January 23rd
1st Holy Communion Parent meeting
(Chapel) 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 27th
- Friday, February 1st
Catholic Schools Week
Tuesday, January 29th
Anointing Mass (Nave)
6:30 p.m.
Wed., January 30th
Youth Large Group meeting (MPR) 6:45 p.m.
Friday, February 1st
SFCS All-Schools Mass (Elmen Center) 10 a.m.
SFCS: early dismissal
6 a.m.-7 p.m.
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Like and Share
Evangelization has been the main topic of discussion at our Parish Council meetings for the past year and a half. Each month we have reviewed statistics and shared personal stories of people who no longer gather to pray with us.
It is often hard for Catholics to wrap their heads around the concept of evangelization. First of all, it's hard to acknowledge that we need to evangelize. Until we actually start to relate our own stories of friends and relatives who have grown lax or even cold in the faith, the diminishment of the Church doesn't seem real. It always seems like there are lot of people at Mass, so how many can be missing?
Then, as it dawns on us that this really is an issue, we begin to wonder how we could invite these people back home. Catholics are not accustomed to knocking on doors or even sharing our own faith stories.
Several months ago, Rick Lingberg and Eric Sammons conceived of a plan to share personal stories of faith from our own parish with a large audience. Rick has been editing some of these stories, and we will begin to release them on January 6th, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.
And that is where your participation becomes the vital link. These personal stories will be released from our parish on Facebook, Instagram, and our parish website. From there, we need all of you to pick up these stories and forward them to your many friends and relatives, and anyone else in your network. As people "Like and Share" these messages, the Gospel will be sent well beyond the registered members of our parish.
These are messages of faith that will help other people grow in their faith, and we hope they will be an invitation to come home to us right here at St. Katharine Drexel Parish.
Our addresses for each of these media sources are:
With the advance of cultural indifference, or even hostility toward religion and spirituality, our Church has been a little slow to respond. We depended on each generation to evangelize the next generation, and often enough, other cultural values eclipsed the message of the Gospel. We hope that our "Like and Share" project might reach some folks who are searching for something deeper in life. Perhaps some will even join us at Mass for another look.
Besides your active participation in this project, I would invite each you to ask a personal question.
What does St. Katharine Drexel Parish mean to me and my family?
Father Gregory Tschakert
St. Katharine Drexel Parish
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Advent: Preparing Our Hearts
 During these weeks before Christmas, in the season of Advent, we're readying our hearts for Jesus. We're remembering the mystery of the Incarnation and Christ's First Coming. We're remembering, too, His promise of a Second Coming.
Need some help this season slowing down and preparing your heart? Here are 10 ideas that might help:
- Select an ornament from the Advent Angel Tree in our Gathering Space. Gifts from our parish will benefit six local charities, including our Parish Food and Diaper Pantry.
- Join Deacon Denny for a relaxed study of the readings from our Sunday Advent liturgies. Meetings are December 2nd, 9th & 16th from 6-7:15 p.m. in the Gathering Space. Questions? Please contact Deacon Denny at 261-7232.
- Pick up some the Advent resources available in our parish Gathering Space. You'll find something for all ages!
- Spend time with our Lord at First Friday Eucharistic Adoration on December 7th in our chapel.
- Celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mass times: Friday, December 7th at 6 p.m. and Saturday, December 8th at 9 a.m.
- Head over to Dynamic Catholic and sign up for "Best Advent Ever," a free e-mail program that will help you slow down and focus on what matters most during this busy season.
- Find out how the celebration of Advent came about at Catholic Straight Answers.
- Add some Advent music to this season with some help from Our Sunday Visitor.
- Learn all about the Advent wreath, the colors of the season, and lots more at ETWN's Advent Terms and Definitions.
- Find resources for teachers, for families, for anyone at the National Catholic Educational Association's Blessing for Advent.
Embrace these weeks before Christmas and prepare for the coming of Our Lord. Nourish hope, joy, peace, and love, and have the best Advent ever!
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Meet Erin Hericks: Director of Religious Education
Erin Hericks accepted the position of Director of Religious Education (DRE) last May when Gae French retired.
- Born in Rapid City but grew up in Brookings.
- Graduated from Creighton University with degrees in Social Work and Theology.
- Worked as a Probation Officer, Children's Program Counselor at a Domestic Abuse Shelter, OB/Pediatric Hospital Social Worker, and Adoption Social Worker.
- Married to Tony Hericks, a Pulmonary/Critical Care/Sleep Physician with Avera.
- Blessed with 4 children: Abby, a sophomore at O'GHS who is active in cross country and basketball; Noah, a 7th grader at O'GJH who keeps busy with football and Lego League; Gabe, who died a couple days after birth due to a severe variant of Hypoplastic Left Heart; and Anna, a 4th grader at St. Michael Elementary who loves cheer and dance.
 Here's what Erin told me about the opportunity to serve as DRE:
"I'm so excited to be in this role as DRE for our parish! I am passionate about our Catholic faith and teaching that to our young people. My hope for our RE program is to teach the children about Jesus and His love for them and get them excited in their faith journey. I hope to provide our families with materials and ideas to enhance their faith formation and get all our families more involved in our parish community. Last year, our Vacation Bible School (VBS) theme was "
ShipWrecked: Rescued
by Jesus,"
and I believe the children, volunteers, and families really enjoyed that week of learning about how Jesus saves us in any of our situations in life. I felt that we were able to take that energy and bring it into our RE program this year! And I am already looking forward to this summer's VBS,
"Roar: Life is Wild, God is Good,"
and a week of learning about Jesus and His love for us while making new friends and memories!"
And what are Erin's hopes for our parish's Religious Education program?
"I'm excited to try new curriculum and programs with our students, hence the new Vacation Bible School we did last summer. I would love to see the students excited about and wanting to come to Religious Education class every week. I would love to see the families more involved and excited about participating with their children in our RE programs. To reach our students and families, we're trying new approaches in our Religious Education classes. We have a new curriculum this year for sacramental preparation in our 2nd grade classes, which we've coupled with Dynamic Catholic's "Blessed" program for at home preparation for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion. We're also using a new curriculum in our 8th grade classes, and it is proving to be a great fit for our students."
If you have questions about our parish's Religious Education program, you can contact Erin at
[email protected] or 275-6870, ext. 204.
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Who is Santa?
Many of us are putting up a Christmas tree, hanging stockings, and decorating our house for the holiday season. The younger ones among us are eagerly waiting for gifts under the tree on Christmas day, delivered directly by Santa Claus. But who is this gift bearer, and how did this tradition begin?
 Santa Claus evolved from the 4th century Greek St. Nicholas, who was bishop of Demre in present day Turkey. St. Nicholas was known for giving gifts to the poor. December 6th is the feast day of St. Nicholas and for much of western history, gifts were left on this day. Over the years, St. Nicholas became Father Christmas and gifts were given on Christmas Day. By the early 19th, in some locales he was still known as St. Nicholas, in others Father Christmas or Kris Kringle, but for most people in the United States, he had become known as Santa Claus.
 It was during the first half of the 19th century that Santa Claus took on the characteristics we now associate with him: red clothing, whiskers, a big belly, a jolly laugh, elves as helpers, and reindeer. In theory, he leaves gifts for those who have been good and a lump of coal for those who have been naughty.
Whether we call him St. Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or Santa Claus, he is a gift giver. Enjoy the jolly old fellow this season, but don't forget the giver of all gifts, and the greatest gift of all: Our Father, who gave us His only Son Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior.
Be joyous, be thankful!
Want to learn more about St. Nicholas?
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Our
parish Advent Angel Tree is up and decorated in the Gathering Space. You can select one or two or more ornaments and return the gifts unwrapped. Many gifts are date-sensitive, so please observe the return date on each label. Gift cards, bus passes, and postage stamp requests should be returned to the Parish Office in the envelope attached to the ornament. Finally, please consider praying for the recipient of each gift.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity!
Have you seen it yet? The
Mustard Seed Catholic Store
is now open in Sioux Falls at 3709 S. Grange Ave. (near Costco). It offers a wide selection of religious books, music, and gift items. Just in time for Christmas! (
map)
Restart
: Friday, January 4th, 7-10:30 p.m. at the O'GHS PAC. Tickets are $20 each and available through Jordan Pannell, our Youth Ministry Director.
Tickets to this event would make a great Christmas gift!
Stop before you shop! SFCS Gift Cards are a great way to pay for all the items you need for your holiday shopping spree as well as everyday needs! SFCS Gift Cards are available in the Parish Office during the week or after the weekend Masses at the Information Center in the Gathering Space.
It's such an easy way to help SFCS students and parents with tuition!
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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!
 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/
[email protected]) 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/
 Stay current on parish news and events on Instagram! Search St_Katharine_Drexel and follow us today!
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