Upcoming Events
Friday, March 8th
Stations of the Cross (Nave)
5:30 p.m.
Knights of Columbus Fish Dinner (MPR)
6 p.m.
Bishop Barron's DVD series on the Mass
(Room 203)
6:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 10th
1st Sunday of Lent
Eucharistic Adoration (Chapel)
11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Holy Hour & Benediction
(Nave) 4 p.m.
"A Retreat with Pope Francis" DVD series
(Gathering Space) 6 p.m.
Knights of Columbus meeting (
Room 203)
7 p.m.
Monday, March 11th
SFPS: no school
Tuesday, March 12th
SFPS: no school
Wednesday, March 13th
"A Retreat with Pope Francis" DVD series
(Gathering Space)
6:30 a.m.
Thursday, March 14th
Baptismal Planning Class (Parish Office Conference Room)
6:30 p.m.
Friday, March 15th
SFCS: no school
5-7:15 p.m.
Stations of the Cross (Nave)
5:30 p.m.
Knights of Columbus Fish Dinner (MPR)
6 p.m.
Bishop Barron's DVD series on the Mass
(Room 203)
6:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 16th
Men's Group
(Gathering Space)
7:30-9 a.m.
Coffee with Chris
(Gathering Space)
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sunday, March 17th
2nd Sunday of Lent
"A Retreat with Pope Francis" DVD series
(Gathering Space) 6 p.m.
Monday, March 18th
Parish Council meeting
(Room 203)
6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 19th
Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the BVM
St. Vincent de Paul Conference meeting
(Room 203) 7:15 p.m.
Wednesday, March 20th
"A Retreat with Pope Francis" DVD series
(Gathering Space)
6:30 a.m.
Friday, March 22nd
Stations of the Cross (Nave)
5:30 p.m.
Knights of Columbus Fish Dinner (MPR)
6 p.m.
Bishop Barron's DVD series on the Mass
(Room 203)
6:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 24th
3rd Sunday of Lent
Youth Pancake Breakfast
(MPR)
8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Eucharistic Adoration (Chapel)
11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Holy Hour & Benediction
(Nave) 4 p.m.
"A Retreat with Pope Francis" DVD series
(Gathering Space)
6 p.m.
Monday, March 25th
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
Tuesday, March 26th
Anointing Mass (Nave)
6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 27th
"A Retreat with Pope Francis" DVD series
(Gathering Space)
6:30 a.m.
Youth Large Group meeting (MPR)
6:45-8 p.m.
Friday, March 29th
SFPS: ES-ed; MS-ls;
HS-es/ed
Stations of the Cross (Nave)
5:30 p.m.
Knights of Columbus Fish Dinner (MPR)
6 p.m.
Bishop Barron's DVD series on the Mass
(Room 203)
6:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 31st
4th Sunday of Lent
"A Retreat with Pope Francis" DVD series
(Gathering Space)
6 p.m.
Tuesday, April 2nd
St. Vincent de Paul Conference meeting
(Room 203)
7:15 p.m.
Wednesday, April 3rd
"A Retreat with Pope Francis" DVD series
(Gathering Space)
6:30 a.m.
Friday, April 5th
6 a.m.-7 p.m.
Stations of the Cross (Nave)
5:30 p.m.
Knights of Columbus Fish Dinner (MPR)
6 p.m.
Bishop Barron's DVD series on the Mass
(Room 203)
6:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 6th
First Holy Communion Retreat 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, April 7th
5
th
Sunday of Lent
"A Retreat with Pope Francis" DVD series
(Gathering Space)
6 p.m.
Monday, April 8th
SFO Meeting
(MPR)
6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 9th
5:30-8 a.m.
Catholic Daughters Court Mother Teresa meeting (Room 203) 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 10th
"A Retreat with Pope Francis" DVD series
(Gathering Space)
6:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 11th
Baptismal Planning Class (Parish Office Conference Room)
6:30 p.m.
Friday, April 12th
SKD 5th-6th grade Living Stations of the Cross (Nave) 2 p.m.
Stations of the Cross (Nave)
5:30 p.m.
Knights of Columbus Fish Dinner (MPR)
6 p.m.
Bishop Barron's DVD series on the Mass
(Room 203)
6:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 14th
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
Youth Pancake Breakfast (MPR) 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
PAC Easter Egg Hunt (MPR)
9:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.
"A Retreat with Pope Francis" DVD series
(Gathering Space)
6 p.m.
Communal Reconciliation Service
(Nave) 7 p.m.
Knights of Columbus meeting (Room 203)
7 p.m.
Monday, April 15th
Parish Council meeting
(Room 203)
6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 16th
St. Vincent de Paul Conference meeting
(Room 203) 7:15 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17th
"A Retreat with Pope Francis" DVD series
(Gathering Space)
6:30 a.m.
Living Stations of
the Cross (Nave)
5:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 18th
Holy Thursday
No 8 a.m. Mass
SFCS: early dismissal
SFPS: ES-ed; MS-ls;
HS-es/ed
Mass of the Lord's Supper (Nave) 7 p.m.
Friday, April 19th
SFCS & SFPS: no school
No 8 a.m. Mass
The Passion of the Lord liturgy (Nave) 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 20th
Easter Vigil Mass (Nave)
8 p.m.
Sunday, April 21st
Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord
Monday, April 22nd
SFCS & SFPS: no school
Parish Office closed
Sunday, April 28th
Solemnity of the 2nd Sunday of Easter/Divine Mercy Sunday
Tuesday, April 30th
Anointing Mass (Nave)
6:30 p.m.
Friday, May 3rd
6 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday, May 4th
First Holy Communion Mass (Nave) 5 p.m.
Sunday, May 5th
First Holy Communion Masses (Nave)
8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Monday, May 6h
5:30-8 a.m.
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Very often in our lives, we have an inkling that things could be different. Sometimes we experience dissatisfaction. Sometimes we are a little empty. Sometimes we have a longing for something better. Or maybe life is just a bit off balance. While these vague feelings are experienced as everyday issues, each has a spiritual component.
Of course, we can be working on our spiritual lives throughout the year, but human nature often causes us to drift along without much change. We are great procrastinators when it comes to the spiritual life. So once a year, the Church observes the season of Lent and calls us to a season of prayer, fasting, and works of mercy. As St. Paul says, "Now is the acceptable time."
When we pray, we recognize that we need help to negotiate life. We also recognize that God is the One who can help us. As we pray more deeply, we might also hear the voice of God urging us to change. Often the changes we need are possible only with the help of God.
It would be especially helpful to spend some time with God's Word in the Sacred Scriptures. I also hope that many people will find time to pray before the Blessed Sacrament.
The tradition of fasting from particular foods during Lent is helpful for many. In recent years, I have come to recognize that it would be a greater sacrifice to fast from other aspects of life that sometimes hold us in bondage. Some people tell me they spend hours each day with their social media, time that could be spent with members of their families or being good neighbors.
Studies in psychology reveal that we are all susceptible to addictions. Some of these addictions include substances; others are activities that seem to have a grip on us. All of these addictions decrease our freedom. Lent is a time to seek greater freedom with the help of Jesus.
When we do works of charity, we are often blessed more than the recipients of our charity. Whenever we reach out in love, we are already experiencing redemption and so are those who receive our care.
Acts of charity might be very close to home: visiting a lonely relative or neighbor, helping out a child who needs assistance, visiting a nursing home, helping a co-worker who has needs, volunteering at The Banquet or the St. Francis House. Acts of charity can also be more remote: donating to disaster relief, contributing to a charity, living more simply so there will be enough for all.
During Lent, we are invited to participate in Operation Rice Bowl. At St. Katharine Drexel Parish, we use Rice Bowl offerings for local charity, and we forward half of your gifts to Catholic Relief Services. There are wonderful resources available online at
CRS Rice Bowl that describe how our money is used.
"Now is the acceptable time." As we enter into the first week of Lent, please join me in striving to make Lent a time of renewal and growth in the life of the Spirit. The Spirit of God will lead us to the fullness of life.
Father Gregory Tschakert
St. Katharine Drexel Parish
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Give Up and Give Back
Fr. Tschakert has urged us several times in the last weeks to remember that Lent is not just about giving up. Lent is also about giving back. If, for example, you give up social media, fill that space with prayer or family time. If you give up a quick temper, a judgmental mind, or impatience, fill those new spaces with compassion, understanding, and love. As Matthew Warner at the National Catholic Register writes: "We aren't just sacrificing things this Lent for the sake of removing bad things. We're sacrificing things so that we can make more room in our lives for God. So yes, remove some things from your life that are less worthy of being there, but make sure you fill that space with something good. Allow God to fill that space. Prepare to fully receive Him at Easter." (
This Lent, Give Away What You Give Up
)
Need some ideas? Here are a few sites with great ideas for both giving up and giving back:
Finally, don't forget that our parish offers plenty of opportunities for giving back:
- serving at The Banquet and the St. Francis House
- contributing to our Parish Food & Diaper Pantry and our St. Vincent de Paul Conference
- praying every Friday at 5:30 p.m. during Lent at Stations of the Cross, followed by the Knights of Columbus Fish Dinner and learning and fellowship in our Lenten DVD series on the Mass with Bishop Robert Barron
- growing in your faith with another Lenten series on Wednesday mornings at 6:30 a.m. and Sunday evenings at 6 p.m., "A Retreat with Pope Francis"
So, don't just give up something this Lent. Give back, too. Fill up the opened spaces with the good that should always be there. Give up and give back to Jesus by becoming the person you were created to be. As Fr. Tschakert reminded us at last weekend's Masses, our goal in these 40 days is
"to
sacrifice and give and resemble Jesus more."
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 It's been a couple of months since we began the St. Katharine Drexel Parish's "Like & Share" evangelization project. As you may know, we have interviewed six parishioners who have shared their inspirational faith and faith community stories. Over the last couple of months, we published two of them (Susie Lammers and Deacon Denny Seiner). This past weekend we posted (on Facebook, Parish Website, Instagram) the third video, Gloria Paulin's story, "They Care About You."
Since we began this project, we've observed that the number of "followers" on our Facebook page has increased by over 250%. Also, and as best as we can determine, about 20,000 people have viewed our Facebook postings, and even more people have watched the videos on our parish website. All of this is a result of St. Katharine Drexel parishioners' willingness to "Like & Share," truly a significant act of evangelization.
Why Like & Share?
We wish to confirm once more that the task of evangelizing all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church. It is a task and mission which the vast and profound changes of present-day society make all the more urgent. Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize.
From Pope Paul VI's letter on "Evangelization in the Modern World."
What easier way to evangelize than to "Like & Share"?
In our most recent posting, St. Katharine Drexel parishioner Gloria Paulin shares how the power of her faith and her faith community helped her get through the heartbreaking and painful experience of divorce. Sadly, almost 50 percent of all marriages in the United States will end in divorce or separation. Nearly all separations cause great distress for couples and their families. We all know someone who's been through this. With Gloria's story, we can let them know that at St. Katharine Drexel Parish cares about them and they are always welcome here. Please share it.
These are very inspirational stories, but their true power comes from our willingness to "Like & Share" them. Jesus started with just twelve to spread his story (and that worked out pretty well). Think what we can do with the sharing power of over 900 families!
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Humble and Courageous
St. Patrick
 In the midst of parades and the wearing of the green and corned beef and cabbage and a pint of Guinness, let's not forget that March 17th is actually a feast day, the
Feast Day of St. Patrick. Humble, courageous, and determined to bring Christianity to Ireland, St. Patrick is an inspiration to faith, and an unfailing determination to share that faith.
St. Patrick was born in Britain in the 4th century. When he was 16, Patrick was captured by Irish raiders and sold into slavery in Ireland. He was forced to work as a shepherd. Patrick suffered hunger and cold, but throughout his six years in Ireland, he clung to the faith he was brought up with.
When Patrick was 22, he escaped and returned to Britain. His ordeal in Ireland, and the strengthening of his faith that resulted, led him to study to be a priest. Later, at age 43, he was consecrated bishop.
Patrick felt called to do mission work in Ireland. The record of his accomplishments is extraordinary. His mission work took him to the west and north of Ireland, where the Christian faith was never preached. In addition to inspiring converts, Patrick ordained priests, founded monasteries, and divided the country into dioceses. In the Middle Ages, Ireland became known as the Land of Saints. The Christian spirit was alive in Ireland because of Patrick's efforts, so much so that Ireland began sending missionaries to other parts of the world. Irish missionaries, in fact, played a large role in "Christianizing" Europe.
Did you know?
Want to read more?
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Broom Tree Silent Retreat Schedule
For Women in 2019: May 16-29, June 20-23, Aug. 8-11, Sept. 5-8, Oct. 17-20, Nov. 7-10
19th Annual Catholic Family Services Gift of Hope Concert, featuring Mark Schultz
The
19th Annual Catholic Family Services Gift of Hope Concert will be held, Saturday, March 23rd, 3 p.m. or 7 p.m., at the O'Gorman High School Performing Arts Center. Proceeds benefit the Catholic Family Services" Gift of Hope Fund, which provides programs like "Camp Sydney," a youth grief camp; suicide prevention services; and adoption services in communities across the diocese.
Order tickets online or call 988-3765. General admission tickets are also available at all Sioux Falls Hy-Vee stores, while supplies last.
Residents Encounter Christ (REC), A Prison Ministry, Is Looking for Volunteers
Looking for a way to truly live the Gospel? Are you looking for a way to live your faith? Would you like to spend a weekend that will change your life forever? As it says in Matthew 25:36, "I was in prison and you came to visit me". The next REC retreat is the weekend of Fri.-Sun., April 5-7th. No formal training is necessary-just a desire to live out the Gospel and see these men for who they are: Children of God.
If you're interested please contact Fr. Jeff Norfolk at
[email protected]
no later than Friday, March 15th.
Catholic Daughters Court Mother Teresa Scholarship
Catholic Daughters Court Mother Teresa awards a $300 scholarship annually to a graduating senior attending a post-secondary school in the fall semester.
The deadline for submissions Wednesday, May 1st. Application forms are available in the Parish Office.
6th Annual St. Katharine Drexel Parish Baby Spiritual Adoption Program
Over 100 babies have been "adopted" in 2019! Check out their names in our display in the church entryway. If you haven't turned in your baby's name or need more information about how you can participate in this program, stop by or call the Parish Office at 275-6870.
St. Katharine Drexel Vacation Bible School
Mark your calendars and get ready to
ROAR! Our VBS program is coming July 14th-18th from 6-8 p.m. each night. We will be looking for team leaders to guide our kids to each of their stations.
Please Continue to Pray
Two young people from our parish are preparing to serve in religious vocations. Nick Ahrens, son of Lee and Jera Potter, is a seminarian, and Erin Bechtel, daughter of Dave and Leah Bechtel, is a novice.
Please keep these young people in your prayers. 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.
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St. Katharine Drexel Parish on the Web
 Mass Schedule, Calendar, Online Giving, Readings, and much more. Our parish website address is
www.stkdsfsd.org. 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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