STB GOLF TOURNAMENT

SEPTEMBER 7

Register by THIS Friday, August 30

St. Thomas Becket's

13th Annual Bogey's Best Ball

Golf Tournament

Saturday, September 7, 2024

SIGN UP ONLINE TODAY!!!!

FLYER

CALENDAR 

Saturday, August 24:

• Individual Reconciliation, 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
• 5:00 pm Mass, Fr. Tim

Sunday, August 25:

• God’s Word for Kids during 9am Mass -4/5 year old and 6-9 year old
• 9:00 am Mass, Fr. Kevin   - Deacon Mickey preaches LIVESTREAM available   
• 11:00 am Mass, Fr. Kevin 

Monday, August 26:  

• Giving Garden, 8:00 am - 10:00 am

Tuesday, August 27:

• AA meeting, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Wednesday, August 28:

• Serve at Dakota Woodlands, 3pm-6:30pm offsite
• Finance meeting, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Thursday, August 29:

• Lawn Mowing Crew 2
• Giving Garden, 8:00 am - 10:00 am
• 10:00 am Mass
• Al-Anon meeting, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Friday, August 30:

• Parish office CLOSED

Saturday, August 31:

• Mission Appeal Weekend
• Individual Reconciliation, 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
• 5:00 pm Mass, Fr. Kevin

Sunday, September 1:

• Mission Appeal Weekend
• 9:00 am Mass, Fr. Tim LIVESTREAM available  
• 11:00 am Mass, Fr. Tim

FALL FESTIVAL 2024

SEPTEMBER 14

Save the date:

Saturday, September 14

FULL DETAILS HERE

Ticket Sales after Mass

Ticket sales after Mass the weekends of

August 31-September1

and

September 7-8

or

Purchase them ONLINE

Last day to buy them online is September 7, 2024.

Silent Auction

ONLINE FORM

PAPER FORM

Please bring all donations by Monday, August, 26.

(you can start bringing items before the deadline date)

VIEW SOME OF THE ITEMS 

WE WILL HAVE THIS YEAR TO BID ON!



Please Consider Volunteering

We are excited for our Fall Festival and are looking for volunteers to help plan! 

There are many areas to choose from, such as silent auction, games, food and volunteer coordination. Large or small time commitments needed, individuals or families.

Sign up on the board in the commons or ONLINE.

Donations Needed

We are in need of bottles of wine for the wine toss and donations for the Cake Walk.

Donation Shapes will be in the commons soon..

FAITH FORMATION PROGRAM

It's Time!

If you have children ages Kindergarten through Confirmation, it’s time to register them for our faith formation program!

We have weekly classes that meet on Wednesdays as well as a home study option. If your child goes to a Catholic School but needs to    prepare for a Sacrament here at STB (First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, or Confirmation) we ask that you go online to register for sacramental preparation.

If you are new to the parish or have never tried our faith formation   program before, now is the time to check it out. It is Solid. Strong. Engaging. Fun. Faith-filled. 

It is a weekly program that meets on most Wednesdays, starting October 2, and follows the district calendar. More info can be found on our website. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

https://stbeagan.org/faith-formation-registration-2024-25

CATECHISTS NEEDED!

We are also recruiting Volunteer Catechists—the heart and soul of the program. All lessons are prepared for you and emailed to you a week ahead of time. Have some time to share? 

Questions? A list of FAQ's for catechists might help clear some questions. 

Contact Wendy at wendyc@stbeagan.org or 651.683.9808 (ext. 111) if you can donate your time to our faith community—whether or not you have children in the program!

GREETERS

So much of how we form community and celebrate Mass starts when we enter the doors. Many have shared that the smiles and warm greetings given by a greeter at the door has made all the difference as they come to St. Thomas Becket for Mass. We don’t know if it’s their first time visiting or if they are coming with a heavy burden, but we do know that our friendly hello has made a difference. 

Some have said the greeter is the first person they met at 4455 South Robert Trail, others share it’s one of the reasons they joined our parish community. Can you come 15-20 minutes early to the Mass of your choice, take a stack of worship aids, and stand at the door greeting people? 

Please Sign-up ONLINE as a Greeter or look for the sign-up board in the commons.

If you notice nobody is doing the ministry, feel free to step in and do it to keep the STB welcome alive and well!

HOSPITALITY MINISTRY

Fall is coming, summer schedules are ending! Please consider helping out with Hospitality in the coming months.....if you are new, we will provide "training"! Kids love it, and it's not a long term commitment....you can chose to try it once, once a month, or whatever fits in your schedule.

Sign up on-line on our website, or starting this weekend, a paper sign-up is posted by the kitchen. Thanks in advance for your support of one of the longest and special ministries here 

THIS COULD BE YOU

Ever wonder…

…how those who bring up the gifts of bread and wine at offertory time are chosen? 

Have you thought it would be an honor to present the gifts at the altar, or a neat experience for your family? Please let us know! 

Simply sign up on this white board when you arrive at Mass, located on the table inside the sanctuary, to the right of the doors. You can also speak to the Mass Coordinator to let them know you are interested—that person is often standing near the baptismal font greeting people and holding cross necklaces, looking to recruit Eucharistic Ministers as they arrive. Thanks!

BIBLE SERIES

SEPTEMBER 22

Eucharist in the Bible Series

Gathering the Chosen: The Exodus Experience

Sunday, September 22^nd - 10:15am

Deacon Mickey Friesen will be making the first of four presentations during the next year on the Eucharist in the Bible. He will help us to connect our biblical roots to the Eucharist as the source and summit of our faith and worship. 

The first presentation will explore the Exodus Experience and being Chosen to be God’s people. 

NEW - BIBLE STUDY

BEGINS SEPTEMBER 26

NEW Weekly Bible Study

JOIN US for a new weekly Bible Study coming to St. Thomas Becket. 

Deacon Mickey Friesen will lead our weekly study and discussion. 

We will study several books of the Bible over the next year to learn more about Scripture and make connections with our faith life today. 

Our theme for the year will be:  The Eucharist in the Bible.

Start Date: Thursdays, beginning September 26

Time: 10:30am – 12 Noon.

Sign up: Contact Deacon Mickey at mickeyf@stbeagan.org / 651-291-4445

GOD'S WORD FOR KIDS

We want to keep nurturing

our youngest members of STB! 

As well as their parents, who are often tired and find Mass can be a very long hour. As we call up our children,  ages 4-10, to be dismissed after the Opening Prayer to go out with an adult or teen leader until the offertory time to hear God’s Word and reflect on it together, we know this is a rich time meant just for them. 

Ages 4 and 5 go to one room to hear a popular Bible story, sing a song and do a craft. Ages 6-10 go to a separate space to hear the readings of the day proclaimed and share what they hear God’s Word saying to them. 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We need a few more Volunteer Leaders to come forward to help lead at the 9:00 am Mass so this can be offered consistently year-round. Training is provided, materials are emailed to you the week before, you will lead in teams of two, and the schedule will be made based on your availability. 

Questions? contact Wendy at wendyc@stbeagan.org or 651.683.9808    (ext. 111) if you are curious or ready to help. Our little ones, and their parents, thank you!

BLESSING OF BACKPACKS & DEVICES

SEPTEMBER 8

In celebration of the new school year all students are invited to bring their school backpacks and/or electronic devices to Mass on Sunday, September 8 at both Masses.

At the end of Mass youth will be invited to bring them forward and the whole church will bless them.

MISSION APPEAL

MESSAGE OF MISSION APPEALS FROM THE DIOCESE OF SAME 2024

Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world, with 80% of the population practicing rural subsistence farming. Tanzania has a population of 57 million people, 15 million of whom live in absolute poverty, earning less than $1.00 a day. The standard of living of the people in the Diocese of Same is below that of most Tanzanians. Catholics number 74,104.

One of the serious problems facing the people of Same is poor health. In Marwa village, where I have the parish, people walk on foot for more than  thirty miles to reach a medical clinic. Due to the lack of clinics in the village, many newborn babies, children, and women, die from Malaria, respiration   infections, pregnancy complications, and diarrhea.

God is calling us to purchase an ambulance for these poor people of Marwa village. Thank you for the privilege of sharing our mission and for any support you are able to provide to help us purchase an ambulance for these poor women and children in the Diocese of Same, Tanzania. Your donations today will make a big difference in these people's lives. What a joy!!!

Fr. Mansuetus Setonga

Coordinator of Mission Appeals, Diocese of Same, Tanzania

STB's MEMORIAL WINDCHIME

Got architectural skills?

The Worship Council is looking for a couple of folks willing to design a Memorial Windchime (like the one at St. Olaf’s College) for STB to build one for our parish.

If interested please contact Jack Hackley at nhackley338@comcast.net. 

View St. Olaf's Windchime Memorial:

RED PINE SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE

BY AUGUST 29

LAST DAY TO BRING SCHOOL SUPPLIES IS THIS Thursday, August 29

You can drop them off in the commons at STB.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Thank you for supporting our community’s children.  You do make a difference! 

WELCOME!

Please welcome our new parishioners:

Barbara & Earnest

Stonebraker

AND

Stephanie Stonebraker

and her daughter Evelyn 

GRIEF

Have you Experienced Multiple LOSSES in life?

Sometimes life is overwhelming, especially when you have been thru multiple losses. Give yourself a little time to learn and be renewed. The Fall Grief   series in St Paul begins Thursday, September 12 – just come, no registration needed.

View flyer at www.stbeagan.org/growing-through-loss 

IN MEMORIAM

Please remember in your prayers Gerald Herman Ratzlaff “Gerry” who passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 10 at the age of 90. Our sincere condolences go to his loving wife, Joan, children Angela, Jill (Marc), and John (Esta); grandchildren Kipp (Kate), Blake (Sarah), Brita (Henrik), John Patrick (Jaida), Max (Holly), Jessica (Tyler), Carol (Jake), Conner (Janis); and 17 great-grandchildren. Gerry is preceded in death by his brother Marvin, parents Herman and Martha, and son-in-law Mike Woxland. 

Family was the cornerstone of Gerry’s life. Gerry was a devoted husband and partner to Joan. He was an involved and fun dad and a loving and proud grandfather. Gerry traveled to visit his grandchildren at their universities as far away as State College, PA, and as close as St. Paul, MN. Grandpa Gerry visited two of his grandkids in Barcelona, Spain, and Bonn, Germany, while they were study-abroad students. Gerry never missed a soccer game, dance recital, choir concert, band concert, birthday party, picnic, swim, or track meet. Gerry was supportive and devoted to his kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, nieces, and nephews.  Gerry leaves behind a legacy of love, passion, devotion, and fun. Gerry is already deeply missed by his family and all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will live on forever in the memories of the times shared and the lessons he imparted.

   The Funeral Mass was held here on Tuesday, August 20 with a luncheon afterwards. Thank you to all who graciously assisted with Mass, the musicians, those who helped with the meal, including the people who organized, set-up, served the food and cleaned-up.

May God grant eternal rest

and give comfort to the family at their time of loss.    Amen.

OBITUARY

LIVING SIMPLY CHALLENGE

Spirit of Justice Ministry

UPDATE:

We hope you are taking up Gandhi's challenge of "Living simply so others may simply live", and setting aside money to pay forward to a worthy cause. This can be a great opportunity to be, as Fr. Tim said in a recent homily, the Bread of Life for another person.

We have heard from a few parishioners who wanted to share their plans. 

One has chosen to add an additional amount to the tips she provided to servers as a way to directly impact the people who could  benefit from the bonus. Another person is abstaining from some (but not all!) alcoholic drinks when dining out, and setting aside the money into his savings account, to be given at the end of the summer to a worthy cause to be determined later.

If you have a story to share about your approach to the Living Simply Challenge, please share it with us. There are a few options:

1. email your story to parish@stbeagan.org
2. create a handwritten copy of your story (artwork is optional). These can be dropped off in the commons in the mail box next to the Parish office door.  

This might be a great option for any youth participating in the challenge.

Please note in your submission how you would like

to be identified - full name, first name only, initials only, anonymous.

We will post the stories this fall on the website, in the bulletin and in the   Commons. We are looking forward to hearing from you! Remember, no amount is too small to pay forward!

OUTDOOR MASS

We had lovely weather for our outdoor Mass last Sunday, August 18.

GIVING GARDEN: CLAMSHELLS

HOME GARDENERS!

Attention HOME Gardeners!

With veggie harvesting season upon us, please think about giving part of your bounty to our neighbors in need at The Open Door . 

The Giving Garden ministry will make it very easy for you to do so:

• Knock the excess dirt off your veggies (no need to wash), and bag them up however you like.
• Haul them over to the STB Giving Garden (in back of the building accessed by the walkway from the south parking lot) on Monday or  Thursday mornings before 9:30 am.  

We will package and label your produce, then drive it over to The Open Door along with that which we harvest from the giving garden that morning.

We work the garden starting at 8:00 am. If you need to drop produce off earlier, please just leave it at the gate where we will find it upon arrival. 

So there is no need for you to package your veggies, or haul them all the way to

The Open Door.  

Please DO NOT drop off vegetables in church or at the giving garden any days other than Mon or Thu.  We simply do not have a mechanism to handle your donations at other times, and they likely will go to waste.

Your fresh produce will just be another way we can

                                            Love, Serve, and be Hope...  Thank you!

DAKOTA WOODLANDS

SIGN UP HERE

ADOPT-A-GARDEN

We invite families or individuals to “adopt” a garden plot on our beautiful property.

You are asked to maintain your area for a one-month period, or for the entire growing season. Most gardens involve a few hours of work twice-a-month, and can be done on your own schedule. 

Please SIGN-UP ONLINE.

If you need help signing up, please call the Parish office at

651-683-9808 and we will be happy to assist you.

STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR:

General Schedules page HERE

• Eucharistic Ministers
• Lector
• Hospitality
• Greeters
• Laundry Ministry
• Dakota Woodlands
• Adopt a Garden
• Fall Festival

Where to find schedule links:

Go to www.stbeagan.org and look under HELPFUL LINKS, there you will find “schedules”, click on it and you will be able to find the link to the signup.

You can also type in the URL: https://stbeagan.org/schedules

GOSPEL MEDITATION

ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE

August 25, 2024

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time



The famous Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky said, “Love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing.” In the Gospel reading this week, Jesus does something harsh and dreadful — he watches his own disciples abandon him. What could possibly be loving about that?

Well, we notice the context is Jesus’ teaching about eating and drinking his body and blood. His followers hear this and say, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” (John 6:60). We shouldn’t imagine we’d do anything different, because not even the ones who stay, like Peter, seem to understand what Jesus is saying. Then we hear this devastating line, “Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him” (John 6:66). Besides the night of the Last Supper, only now do Jesus’ disciples abandon him. And, painfully, Jesus just lets them go.

The best way to make sense out of this is love. Jesus is God’s love in action. He wants to become one with those whom He loves. He wants to love them as His own body. Yes, the oneness manifested in the Eucharist sounds harsh and dreadful because it is rooted in love which is willing to risk abandonment and separation to attain its goal: to be one body with the beloved. It is both terrifying and wonderful that Jesus will risk losing us in order to be one with us. Our response? Lord, we cannot grasp a love so great, but please help us never to abandon it, either.

— Father John Muir

©LPi

EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP

Submission as Stewardship

We aren’t comfortable with the idea of submission. Our society champions equality, and rightly so — but it’s a mistake to think that submission is at odds with equality. To submit ourselves fully, we must first be free. We must first be our own masters. God has granted us that freedom with the salvation He offers. We are no longer the slaves of sin. Now He asks us to be subordinate to one another, in the name of Christ.

What a completely uncomfortable task! What He’s asking is for us to be subordinate to the person who irritates us the most. The person we really can’t stand. The person who doesn’t respect us or appreciate what we have to offer. The person we think we’re smarter than, more talented than. The person we envy.

That’s the real challenge of stewardship, isn’t it? Subordination. Inconveniencing myself by giving of time, of money, of relationship. Putting the needs or wants of another above my own when they haven’t done anything special to earn it.

I invite you to consider the cross — the most radical expression of submission, and of stewardship, that ever existed. If there was ever someone who deserved superiority, isn’t it the God who let Himself be nailed to a tree, who gave so freely of His life, His body, His blood, His everything?

To look at him in his agony is to truly understand the beauty of submission — of laying down what you have for the good of the other.

— Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

©LPi

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK

Please hold these parishioners in your prayers:

Robert Carraher

Roger Urban

Lynn Galarneau

If you have someone you would like added to our confidential Prayer Line call Bonnie Berquist at 651-450-1043 or email her at Bonnie_B_02@msn.com.  

READINGS

Sunday:

Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b/Ps 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-23 (9a)/

Eph 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32/Jn 6:60-69

Monday:

2 Thes 1:1-5, 11-12/Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 4-5/Mt 23:13-22

Tuesday:

2 Thes 2:1-3a, 14-17/Ps 96:10, 11-12, 13/Mt 23:23-26

Wednesday:

2 Thes 3:6-10, 16-18/Ps 128:1-2, 4-5/Mt 23:27-32

Thursday:

1 Cor 1:1-9/Ps 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7/Mk 6:17-29

Friday:

1 Cor 1:17-25/Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11/Mt 25:1-13

Saturday:

1 Cor 1:26-31/Ps 33:12-13, 18-19, 20-21/Mt 25:14-30

Next Sunday:

Dt 4:1-2, 6-8/Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5 1a/Jas 2:1-5/Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27/Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

[651-683-9808]  [reception@stbeagan.org]  [www.stbeagan.org]

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