The Gathering Space: Advent 2015

Pilgrimage of Brotherly Love to See Pope Francis

By: Rita Schmid

After a Saturday filled with anticipation (and one bout of heat exhaustion), our group of 33 pilgrims saw Pope Francis pass 50 feet in front of us in the streets of Philadelphia. It was shortly after 7:00 PM when we heard cheers rise from a distance. They grew louder and closer, then rippled with a wave effect as his Holiness drew near. When his motorcade passed us, the cheers were deafening. His presence was awesome and deepened our group's desire to strive for holiness.

On Sunday, what stood out was the compassion our group showed to one another, the exuberance of the crowds, and the quiet respect and prayers of the thousands in the streets watching Pope Francis say Mass on the jumbotrons in downtown Philadelphia.

Pilgrimage to Italy: Christ Dwelt Among Us

By: John Brock

A pilgrimage is a journey or search of moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's belief and faith.

And so it was that 43 pilgrims, about half from St. Mary of the Lake, assembled at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport to begin their pilgrimage to Venice, Florence, Sorrento and Rome, Italy. The stories of the four cities we visited, what we saw, the meals, the accommodations are for another article-a travel article, perhaps. This is a story of a spiritual pilgrimage. It is the story of a journey, not a destination.

Getting to know Matt Palkert and Outreach Ministries

Matt Palkert is the Coordinator of Outreach Ministries for St. Mary of the Lake. In early June, Matt sat down with parishioner John Brock for an interview. The first half of the interview ran in our last issue. This is the second half of the interview.

By: John Brock

What are some of your long term goals for the Outreach Ministries?

One aspect of the Parish vision is ensuring that St. Mary's is a welcoming and hospitable community. To that end, we have started developing the structure that will help us grow into the welcoming experience we all want it to be. The recent establishment of the welcoming and hospitality committee is one important step in this direction.

Secondly, we want to build meaningful relationships with parishioners so they turn to us in times of need. We know many people feel like they are bothering us with their needs, but quite the opposite is true, we sincerely want to help.

Issue: 14
November 23, 2015

In This Issue

Pilgrimage to See Pope Francis

Pilgrimage to Italy

Getting to Know Matt Palkert

Upcoming Events

Learn more about these and other events on our website:

Parish Day of Prayer:

Dec. 2

Immaculate Conception:

Dec. 8

8 AM & 6:30 PM

Christmas Around the World & Hospitality After Masses:

Dec. 12/13

Christmas Eve Masses:

4:00, 6:00 & 10:00

Christmas Day Masses:

9:00 & 11:00

Complete 2015 Advent/Christmas Schedule

St.Mary of the Lake

4690 Bald Eagle Ave

White Bear Lake, MN 55110

(651) 429-7771