From the Associate&

     Tomorrow, Monday March 26^th, Monsignor Richard E. Pates, presently serving as the priest of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Woodbury, will be ordained a bishop.  He will be an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Mpls for probably a few years, before he is installed as a bishop in another diocese.  It will be a very joyous and spiritually uplifting experience for all priests, to worship and celebrate on this occasion, as our brother priest is elevated to the Episcopal Office.
     Just as Pope John Paul II is the successor of St. Peter (not his immediate predecessor: i.e., John Paul I), so also, bishops are successors of the apostles.  They fill an office, which possesses the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, and their succession can be traced back for centuries . . . to Jesus Christ.  This reality, of Christ ordaining apostles, who ordained bishops, who in turn ordained bishops, and so on, down to today, is called "Apostolic Succession," and it is very important to the validity of the sacraments, in both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.  As bishops, they are members of the "College of Bishops," a reality expressed in ecumenical councils, as well as the ancient practice of summoning several bishops to take part in the consecration of a new bishop.
     The bishop is the Vicar of Christ in his local diocese, and as he participates in Christ's threefold mission as priest, prophet and king, so the bishop is responsible for all of the sanctifying, teaching, and governing, which occurs in a diocese.  All priests, deacons and lay ministers receive their authority from him; we are the arms of the bishop for the parish.  Since the bishop is a great symbol of unity for the diocese, it is imperative that each minister know the mind of the bishop and endeavor to faithfully carry out his plans for the welfare of God's people . . . that we may attain the bonds of unity, charity, and peace we so desire.
     Fr. Michael   

Adult Faith Formation&
SEEKERS:  ADULT THEOLOGICAL BOOK CLUB
For our April meeting, we have selected a novel:  The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.  The book is available at the Ramsey County library or at your favorite book store.  Read the selection and join us at our next meeting:  Thursday, April 5, 7:00--8:30 p.m. in the Parish Center.  Questions?  Call Mary Ann Zervas at               651-633-1540.

St. Vincent De Paul&

LENTEN FOOD DRIVE--CORRECTION
The food will be taken to Ralph Reeder on Monday, March 26 after the morning church service.  However, the food bags were mislabeled so - if you missed the March 26 deadline - please bring your food bags by SUNDAY, APRIL 1.  Thank you!

Circle of Women&
Dr. Diane Millis will be our guest speaker on Thursday, March 29.  Diane previously lived in New Brighton as a college student and taught CCD for two years at St. John's.  She now works at St. Thomas, College of  St. Benedict and St. John's University and teaches at St. Catherine's on Family Spirituality.  Come hear her topic, "What to Tell Your Children Spiritually."  Circle of Women invites ALL women of ALL ages to join from 9:15--11:25 a.m. in the parish center, lower level. Childcare is available register your child by calling our Children's Program Coordinator, Kari Gill                    @763-785-6947.

CIRLE OF WOMEN RETREAT
The Circle of Women will be holding a retreat at the    Totino-Grace Renewal Center on Friday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m. through Saturday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m.  The retreat leader is Keely Wojda.  She received her Masters in  Theology from Notre Dame.  She has been a director of Religious Education at St. Bridget's in River Falls, WI and also served as Pastoral Associate for Social Justice at St. John Neumann in Eagan.  Currently she volunteers as a coordinator for a small church community team at her home parish, St. Mark's in St. Paul.  The retreat fee is $70 and the deadline to register is April 19.  Brochures available in the back of church or at the parish office. 

Music Notes&
WE ARE SEEKING A HORN PLAYER (sax, trumpet) AND/OR ELECTRIC GUITARIST FOR OUR 11:30 A.M. MASS.  Improvisational skills preferred.  Does not have to be from the parish.  Do you know of anyone?  Contact Cheri at 651-633-8333.

During Lent we are taking a mostly "a cappella" (without accompaniment) approach to our sung acclamations in particular.  In a sense, Lent is a time of "journeying through the desert" musically as well as otherwise, so that we may experience more fully the feast that is Easter.  Without the extra support of the instruments, this a cappella approach can also underscore the congregation's primary role in singing liturgy.  Let this Lent be a time for your singing voices to emerge!