Connections. . .

"'Come, you who are blessed by my Father.  Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me...Whatever you did for one of the least brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."            Matthew 25:31-46

A lesson in heaven and hell
A great warrior once went to see a monk who lived in the hills outside the city.
     "Monk," he asked in a voice accustomed to instant obedience, "teach me about heaven and hell."
     The monk, physically about half the size of the warrior, looked up and replied with utter disdain: "Teach you about heaven and hell?  I couldn't teach you anything.  You're dirty.  You smell.  Your blade is rusty.  You're a disgrace, an embarrassment.  Get out of my sight.  I can't stand you.
     The warrior was furious.  So stunned by the little monk's arrogance and vehemence, he was speechless; he shook with rage; his face reddened.  The warrior pulled out his sword and raised it above him, ready to slay the monk with one blow.  The monk did not cover.  "That's hell," the monk said quietly.
     The warrior was overwhelmed.  The compassion and surrender of this little man who was prepared to offer his life to teach him about hell!  The warrior slowly put down his sword; he was filled with gratitude and a peace he had never known; he was transformed by what he had learned from the monk.
     "And that's heaven," the monk said.
CONNECTION:  As disciples of Jesus, we are called to make the kingdom of God a reality in whatever place we are, in whatever time we live.  God's reign is established, not by acts of heroic sanctity and miraculous transformations, but by the simplest and most hidden acts of compassion, reconciliation, peace and justice.  Faithfulness begins with the ability and perspective to see in every man, woman and child the face of Christ and to then afford them the dignity and respect worthy of that identity.  May these last days of the year and first days of the new be a time for us to embrace the vision and spirit that will bring God's kingdom to life among us.

Looking Ahead&

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21
8:00am Mass (Cantor & Organ)
9:30am Mass (Choral)
11:00am Mass (Contemporary)
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22
8:30am  Eucharist Service
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23
8:30am Eucharist Service
2:00pm Scripture/Communion (Pres. Homes of Roseville)
2:15pm Scripture/Communion (New Brighton Care Center)
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24
8:30am Eucharist Service
9:00am Quilter's Group (Parish Center)
9:45am School Mass & Blessing of Nativity Creche (Church)
2:00pm Anointing Mass (St. Anthony Care Center)
(Mass is Wednesday due to Thanksgiving holiday)
5:45pm Children's Choir (Parish Center)
7:30pm Jr. High Live (Gym)
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25- THANKSGIVING
  9:00am  Mass
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26
   8:30am Communion Service
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27
   4:30pm Mass (Cantor & Organ)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28
  8:00am Mass (Cantor & Organ)
9:30am Mass (Choral)

11:00am Mass (Contemporary)                                     

PLEASE PRAY FOR

Those in our community who are ill:
Bea Kayser, John McAlpine, Irene Mitchell, Clarence Thole, Geraldine Shea,  Mary Ann DeMars, Linda Zappa, Kevin Keenan, Chris Fodness, Elvira Jacobson, LaVonne Hruby, Lois Leary, Walter Slatoski, Jerod Hawley, Bernadette Hearn. Henry Widmer, Donald Farnsworh, Irene DeBruzzi, Joe Koch, Ann Griffin, Ann Czech, Dan Sebesta, Beverly Stamfle, Lois Alberg, Mary Kay Utecht, Anne Neubauer, Sandra Zauner, Michael Kavanagh, Richard St. Germain, David Moser,        Bernard Bentler, Diane Ryan, John Battmer, Bill Miske, Dan McEvoy, Jacquie Evans, LeRoy Zamor, Mary Shea, Henry Horbatuck, Sr. Lois Wasielewski, James and Frances Vonasek, Marjorie Peterson, Infinity Duncan, Marlene Wresh, Marie Macho, Ruth White, Frank Gajeski, Phyllis Rech, Wanda Swanson, Susan Amos Palmer, Betty Kapala, Marcie Thompson, Bernice VandenPlas

The families and souls of those who recently have died:
Joseph Chirico (Uncle of Mary Ann Zervas)