Pastoral Ministry&
ALZHEIMER'S CAREGIVER EDUCATION RESEARCH STUDY
Are you caring for a family member with Alzheimer's or other memory problems?  You are invited to participate in Partners in Caregiving, a free off-campus program and research study of the University of Minnesota.  Partners in Caregiving provides education, support and training for those who are faced with the difficult day-to-day tasks of caring for a family member with memory loss.  Professional supervision is provided while the caregiver is "in class."  Part of the study is to test the effectiveness of this program.  Those who participate will be randomly assigned to the educational program or to a comparison group.  All participants will be asked to complete several surveys and conversations over the course of a year.  The comparison group may participate in the educational seminars after one year's time.  Program dates are:  Six consecutive Mondays or Wednesdays beginning January 17 or 19, 5:30--7:30pm, at Alterra Clare Bridge near Shoreview.  There is no charge for participation but pre-registration is required by calling (612) 627-4059.

ANGEL TREE
THANK YOU to all who brought gifts for the Angel Tree!  The participation of our parishioners was great!  OR (blue angels) may be dropped in the Angel box at the West Entrance during January.  Thank you to the Angel Committee:  Kathy Ballot, Barb Clark & Pat Smithberger. Thank you also to everyone who helped sort gifts at weekend liturgies and/or delivered gifts on Monday mornings.  If you are interested in joining our committee for next year, please give me a call.  Thanks, Judy Quayle (651) 633-8333.

From the Pastor&
¯¯ "Take good care of yourself, you belong to me." ¯
The Sunday after Christmas is always the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.  It makes sense to celebrate these three people that we read about in the gospels during the Christmas Season.  Even though Christmas is a major feast of Christianity, it is also a special time for families and friends.  When our God chose to send the Son to us, the Son came and was a member of a family.  Do you think Joseph ever said to Mary, "Honey, you're working too hard!  Take care of yourself!"  When Jesus left home to begin his work, can you imagine Mary saying, "Son, please take care of yourself."  Or as Joseph was dying, did "son"  and "wife" say, "You've taken good care of us all these years.  Just relax and take care of yourself, and let us serve you."
At this time of the year it's important to recharge our batteries.  Each one of us needs to "take care of ourselves."  There is no doubt about it, the two most spoken phrases in American society are:  "I'm too busy" and "I'm so tired."  If we Americans are "too busy" and "so tired", we better learn to slow down and take care of ourselves.  We need recharging.  How can families and friendships be healthy if we don't do what we need to do for ourselves?
You knocked yourself out to make Christmas a great feast for others.  Your energy is low.  You need to take care of yourself.  You work hard to support your loved ones.  Your battery needs to be recharged before you fall apart physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.  When we give all the time, we risk becoming "empty" and are left with nothing to give, especially to those closest to us.
There is a danger, when we're tired and empty, to turn to alcohol, food, spending and gambling to fill our emptiness.  There is nothing wrong with any of these, unless we abuse them.  Do you come home after drinking or gambling feeling angry, guilty and more likely to lash out at your loved ones?  Do these activities make us feel better and that we're taking care of ourself? 
If you find yourself needing to be recharged in order to take care of yourself, why not take a brisk walk, especially with your dog?  Put on your answering machine or voice mail and take a bath.  Go to the park and shoot a few baskets.  Go to the Como Conservatory and enjoy the beauty.  Call a friend who energizes you.  You'll probably begin to feel better without negative side effects.
Take care of yourself.  Even the parish office will be closed on Monday and at 4:00pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and at 3:00pm on Friday.  The parish staff works hard and needs to rest and relax like everyone else.  We will be available, especially for "real" emergencies. 
Take care of yourself.  I've learned that simple living is better living.  As we end this century and start a new
millennium on January 1st, what can we do to simplify our lives in order to really "take care"?   What was God teaching us on that day Jesus was born in a manger?
Take care of yourself!  Take care of yourself!  You belong to God, God loves you.  You don't have to wear yourself.  Take care of yourself, for God's sake!