Upcoming Events
Friday, June 17th
Serve breakfast at The Banquet 5:30-8 a.m.
Friday, June 17th
Serve supper at St. Francis House
5-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 18th
7:30-9 a.m.
Tuesday, June 21st
Life Chain Link w/Bishop Paul Swain (Planned Parenthood, 6511 W. 41st Street) 12 p.m.
Tuesday, June 28th
6:30 p.m.
Friday, July 1st
First Friday Eucharistic Adoration from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. in our Chapel; Mass will follow at 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 2nd
First Saturday Mass at 9 a.m. in our Chapel; We'll pray the Rosary at 8:30 a.m.
Monday, July 4th
Independence Day
Parish Office closed
Sunday, July 10th
Knights of Columbus meeting (Room 203)
7 p.m.
Sunday-Thursday,
July 10th-14th
Grades 1-6, Mon.-Thur.,
9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Grades 7-12, Sun.-Wed., 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 13th
Solemnity of the Dedication of St. Katharine Drexel Parish
Wednesday, July 13th
Totus Tuus Parish Potluck Supper--All are invited!
(MPR) 6 p.m.
Thursday, July 14th
Baptismal Planning Class (Gathering Space)
6:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 14th
Serve breakfast at The Banquet 5:30-8 a.m.
Friday, July 15th
Serve supper at St. Francis House
5-7:30 p.m.
Friday-Sunday,
July 15th-17th
Youth Trip to Steubenville Conference (Rochester, MN)
Tuesday, July 26th
274-5521
Tuesday, July 26th
6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 26th
Family Healing Presentation, following Anointing Mass
Friday, August 1st
First Friday Eucharistic Adoration from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. in our Chapel; Mass will follow at 7 p.m.
Saturday, August 2nd
First Saturday Mass at 9 a.m. in our Chapel; We'll pray the Rosary at 8:30 a.m.
Thursday, August 11th
Baptismal Planning Class (Gathering Space)
6:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 14th
Knights of Columbus meeting (Room 203)
7 p.m.
Monday, August 15th
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (non-obligatory this year)
Monday, August 15th
Friday, August 19th
Serve breakfast at The Banquet 5:30-8 a.m.
Friday, August 19th
Serve supper at St. Francis House
5-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 20th
Confirmation 2017 Sponsor Meeting (MPR)
6 p.m.
Sunday, August 21st
Confirmation 2017 Sponsor Meeting (MPR) 4 p.m.
Sunday, August 21st
Youth Group Cookout (Parish lawn)
6 p.m.
Monday, August 22nd
First day of school for SFCS
Sunday, August 28th
Tuesday, August 30th
Serve supper at The Banquet West
4:30-7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 30th
6:30 p.m.
Friday, September 2nd
First Friday Eucharistic Adoration from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. in our Chapel; Mass will follow at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 3rd
First Saturday Mass at 9 a.m. in our Chapel; We'll pray the Rosary at 8:30 a.m.
Monday, September 5th
Labor Day
Parish Office closed
Tuesday, September 6th
First day of school for SFPS
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Papal Exhortation on Family Life
Over the past couple of years, the Holy Father and the Synod of Bishops engaged in massive review of the state of family life in the universal Church. This review included online surveys in many dioceses across the world, a cross section of Bishops meeting in Rome on two occasions, and then the deliberation of the Holy Father with the help of his theologians. Recently, we received the Holy Father's Apostolic Exhortation,
Amoris laetitia or
"The Joy of Love
."
This document firmly emphasizes the Church's traditional teaching regarding the properties of Christian marriage. Permanence, fidelity, openness to children, and the good of the spouses are at the core of Christian marriage. The love of marriage is still one of the great blessings of life in this world and assists the parties as they strive for eternal life with God.
Marriage and family life enjoy a high priority in the life of the Church because the family is usually the first place where we experience love in an unconditional way and where we learn to love in return. We believe that the experience of love offers us the fullest life in this world and eternal life in the world to come.
It is no accident that God chose to initiate our redemption by being born into a human family.
At the same time, the Holy Father is very informed and realistic about the state of family life in our world today. Many times married couples don't reach the ideals of marriage, and often enough people live together in non-traditional family units. These arrangements may share many of the virtues associated with traditional marriage. They may gradually grow toward the ideals of marriage.
Today when many marriages do fail, and many people are in irregular relationships or successive marriages, the Church is reminded to be attentive to their special needs. Pastors are encouraged to work with men and women to help them toward full participation in the life of the Church.
"The Joy of Love" is reflective of a worldwide Church and the many issues that are faced by families across many cultures. It very obviously also reflects the pastoral sensitivity of Pope Francis. It is easily readable, and I recommend it for your reflection. We will order copies for distribution to our parishioners.
Father Gregory Tschakert
St. Katharine Drexel Parish
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Totus Tuus--"Totally Yours"
Our parish is once again participating in Totus Tuus. Totus Tuus-- Latin for "Totally Yours"-- is a Catholic youth summer program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through catechesis, evangelization, Christian witness, and Eucharistic worship.
And of course, lots of fun and fellowship will be woven into the instruction!
This summer, the team teaching at our parish includes Team Leader Zach Schaefbauer, a Philosophy major at St. John Vianney Seminary; Team Coordinator Jackie Marko, an Art and Mass Communication major at Benedictine College; Abigail Vlaminck, an Agricultural Business and Business Economics major at USD; and Thomas Bennett, a Philosophy major at St. John Vianney Seminary.
Together, Zach, Jackie, Abigail, and Thomas will both teach the faith and serve as examples of how to live our Catholic faith in the turbulent 21st
century.
We are so blessed to have this opportunity for our parish youth!
School might be out for the summer, but learning about and living our Catholic faith doesn't take summers off!
Fun facts about Totus Tuus:
- Totus Tuus signifies our desire to give ourselves entirely to Jesus Christ through Mary.
- Totus Tuus was the motto of Saint John Paul II.
- Totus Tuus started in the Catholic Diocese of Wichita (Kansas) in the summer of 1987.
- The Totus Tuus summer program has served 65,000+ youth in the United States.
- Totus Tuus has been active in our diocese for more than a decade.
And now the lowdown on Totus Tuus at St. Katharine Drexel Parish, July 2016:
- Children going into grades 1-6 will attend Monday, July 11th-Thursday, July 14th, from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. each day. They should bring a sack lunch to eat each day.
- Youth going into grades 7-12 will attend Sunday, July 10th-Wednesday, July 13th, from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
- You can register online, or pick up a registration form from the table in the Gathering Space by the Parish Office.
- Please contact Gae French, DRE, at 275-6870 x204 or [email protected] with questions or for more information.
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A Vocation/Discernment Story
Curt and Rochelle Lauret very generously talked about the discernment of their son, Bailey Lauret, one of our parish's seminarians. I know you'll enjoy their beautiful and heartwarming story.
When did you, as parents, first recognize Bailey's calling
?
Ever since our son and daughter were kids, Rochelle and I would always pray the Vocations Prayer over them while at Mass. There was a time when Bailey, at an early age trying to figure out what he wanted to do in life, said he wanted to be a "weatherman priest." Rochelle and I always felt that our Catholic faith and upbringing helped to form who we were as individuals and parents, so we wanted to provide any and all opportunities for our kids to grow in their faith as well. Bailey attended Catholic Education from Pre-K-12th grade and was very active in several volunteer ministries as well as the Youth Program at St. Katharine Drexel Parish. He attended SEARCH weekends, D-Camps (both as participant and leader), and several Steubenville North conferences on the University of St. Thomas Campus in St. Paul, MN, which is also home to St. John Vianney Seminary. With the combination of all these experiences, it was not until he made a college visit to the University of St. Thomas and St. John Vianney Seminary with Fr. Shaun Haggerty that he completed the Seminarian Application for the Diocese of Sioux Falls.
And when did Bailey recognize it?
We both asked Bailey when he first recognized his calling to enter into the seminary. Was it all those years of us praying the Vocations Prayer? Was it the years of Catholic education? Was it the Youth Group? Many possibilities could have influenced his decision; however, when it came down to it, it was his time spent participating in the summer D-Camps down at Broom Tree Retreat Center. Bailey said being able to lead others in their faith and also visiting the campus and seminary with Fr. Haggerty is when he recognized his calling, a chance to discern his vocation in the priesthood.
What does Bailey's "saying yes to God" mean to you?
There is an excitement in the air that Rochelle and I may have a potential priest in the family. Rochelle and I brought a new life into the world and it is up to God to use Bailey as His vessel to do good and be a light to those in darkness. We both understand there is the discernment process and do not want to push or sway Bailey's decision in the end. It is between him and God. All we can do is continue to pray the Vocations Prayer and hope that, at the end of his discernment process at St. John Vianney Seminary, Bailey will move on to the Major Seminary. We both trust in God's will and plan for our family and Bailey's vocation in life. God's will be done. J+M+J Along with the excitement that he has chosen to discern this calling, there are also some days of trepidation. Bailey asked me once why I was so surprised when he wanted to choose the seminary since I had been praying the Vocations Prayer all his life? I told him that I did not think he was listening. I am so proud of him for being courageous enough to give the seminary a shot. No one knows what the future holds for him, and I try not to "get my hopes up" in either direction. I just have to trust him and accept that in some ways he has gone ahead of me in faith and trust in God and the Catholic faith. Sometimes that is a bit hard to swallow.
Anything else you would like to share with our parish?
If there was ever a place that we have seen Bailey enjoy life, it is with his fellow seminarians during their first year of college/seminary. There is such a brotherhood among those young men seeking out their vocation in life. Rochelle and I would like to thank the parishioners and the Knights of Columbus of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, and the Diocese of Sioux Falls for their support of the Seminarian Program through donations and through the CFSA Annual Giving Appeal. There were MANY years we donated to the Seminarian Fund in my mother's name as a gift to her for Christmas. We just did not realize that it would affect our own son one day. I am sure she is smiling right now....We encourage our St. Katharine Drexel Parish family to continue to pray the Vocations Prayer for all persons who may be called to the Priesthood or Religious Life.
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS:
Lord Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father and Mary Immaculate, grant to our young people the generosity necessary to follow Your call and the courage required to overcome all obstacles to their vocation. Give the parents that faith, love and spirit of sacrifice which will inspire them to offer their children to God's service and to rejoice whenever one of their children is called to the priesthood and religious life. Let your example and that of Your Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph encourage both young people and parents and let your grace sustain them. Amen.
Our St. Katharine Drexel Parish Vocations Committee invites you to pray for vocations, especially for those in our parish who are considering the vocation of Priesthood, Religious Life, or the Permanent Diaconate.
Please join our Vocations Committee in our Chapel for Eucharistic Adoration for the intention of vocations on the first Tuesday of each month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and a Rosary for vocations each Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m.
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World Youth Day
In 1984, St. Pope John Paul II invited youth from around the world to meet in St. Peter's Square to mark the close of the Holy Year of Redemption. More than 300,000 youth of all faiths answered his call to celebrate and give thanks. World Youth Day was officially proclaimed in 1986 and has been held every other year as an international event.
The World Youth Day Cross and icon of Mary, given by John Paul II at the first meeting in Rome's St. Peter's Square, is always treated with great reverence. The cross is a sign of Christ's love for us, and the icon of Mary, who is always with us as she was always with our Lord, have been on a constant pilgrimage since 1984. For more than 30 years, the World Youth Day Cross and Mary's icon have traveled from nation to nation touching hearts and inspiring people to open themselves to Our Lord as Savior and Mary as mother.
This year's World Youth Day will be held in late July in Krakow, Poland.
Campus Misericordia (Fields of Mercy) just outside of Krakow will be the official site of the activities. Given John Paul II's role as Krakow's Bishop and his role in establishing World Youth Day, Krakow is a fitting place for this year's meeting.
As with past meetings, this year's participants will be called to be "Christ's Light to the World." Pope Francis, who will be in attendance, has proclaimed this year's World Youth Day's message: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." (Mt 5:7)
St. Katharine Drexel Parish will be represented by four outstanding young people at this year's meeting: Arianne Aasen will be a senior this year at USD and is majoring in Education; Bailey Lauret will be a sophomore at St. John Vianney Seminary and is double majoring in Philosophy and Catholic Studies; Luke Fleck will be a senior at O'Gorman High School, and he is involved in numerous activities, including choir and theater; Maren Curley recently graduated from O'Gorman High School and will be a freshman at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, MN. Maren plans to major in Classical History.
Take a moment to imagine the week our parish pilgrims will have. After they join with youth from around the world for the opening ceremonies, they'll take part in daily morning catechesis, a welcoming ceremony for Pope Francis, a pilgrim walk, evening prayers and vigil, a special Mass celebrated by Pope Francis, and Stations of the Cross. In between the meeting events, attendees will have time to tour the city of Krakow, as well as take part in cultural excursions.
Annamarie Trevvett, our parish youth minister, will make the pilgrimage to Poland with our parish youth. Annamarie had made plans to attend World Youth Day before accepting her position at St. Katharine Drexel Parish last fall. One interesting point that Annamarie noted when I spoke to her was that in the U.S., we consider "youth" to be the years from 13-18/20 years old. But in the rest of the world, "youth" is seen as the years from 21 to around 40 years of age.
As World Youth Day approaches, let's all keep Arianne, Bailey, Luke, Maren, and Annamarie in our prayers for a safe, prayer- filled, life-changing encounter with Our Lord and with youth from around the world. For more information, visit
World Youth Day.com
or Krakow WYD 2016.
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Our statue in the Gathering Space of St. Katharine Drexel with a Native American child and an African American child was created by an artist in Peru. It is the only statue of its kind in the world.
Our tabernacle is more than 70 years old and came to us from St. Rose of Lima Parish in Quincy, IL.
Our altar is made of solid stone called "Aux Vasse Blue." It is from Missouri.
Our crucifix is a realistic, life-sized 6' plaster corpus mounted on a proportional 12' x 7' cross. It was handcrafted between the 1920s and 1930s by Daprato, now known as Daprato Rigali Studios. The crucifix came to us from a small Polish church called St. Michael Parish, built in 1960 in Fulton, NY. The wooden cross was crafted by members of our parish.
Our stations of the cross were passed to us from St. Joseph Catholic Church of Wellington, SD, which was built in 1894. The Stations were purchased in 1947 but had been in storage since 1988, when the church closed. The
smaller stations in our Chapel are from Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Chelsea, SD, which opened its doors in 1910. They were blessed by Bishop Thomas O'Gorman.
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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/
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