pax christi celebrates 35 years of giving – may 14/15

WEEKLY BULLETIN
952-941-3150
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www.paxchristi.com
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Ascension of the Lord
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May 8, 2016
PAX CHRISTI CELEBRATES 35 YEARS OF GIVING – MAY 14/15
–Mary Kennedy, Dir. of Stewardship and Development
The world was a lot different a generation ago; gas went for $1.25
a gallon and milk $1.69 per gallon, everything cost a lot less and we
walked to school uphill both ways, or so our children are told. But
fairytales aside, there was something unique about the Catholic Church
formed in 1981. This is the church that came from the persistent
requests of two women, Mary Beth Buckman and Diana Pauling. This
is the church whose members moved from space to space until the
church was built in 1984. The parish that almost wasn’t became and
remains the only Catholic Church in Eden Prairie. Pax Christi grew
at a phenomenal rate. Today we stand at 3,500 households, totaling
over 10,000 members. Remarkably, 104 of those households came
in 1981 and are still actively participating in the life of this community.
Yes, a lot of history and memories have been created at Pax Christi.
Finding the perfect name for this community was a bit of a struggle
too, as founding pastor Fr. Tim Power tells it, Diana and Mary Beth
didn’t stop once the parish they wanted was finally endorsed. They
then suggested that the members be the ones to name the new parish
and have a voice in the first pastor. This was unheard of in the 80s.
Names were suggested such as the Parish of St. Francis, but these
were progressive people, so if you had a male then you would have to
add St. Claire. Then, who would represent the youth, Maria Goretti? It’s
tough to include them all. Other suggestions were Maranatha, Beacon
of Light. That’s not Catholic is it? Finally Mary Beth Buckman’s aunt,
who was a nun, suggested Pax Christi, Peace of Christ, and it fit all
our needs. A traditional Latin sound and squarely in the justice arena.
Another favorite story, shared by member and trustee, Shari Steffen,
is how Fr. Tim Power was finally convinced that he should be the
pastor of the developing Pax Christi community: Fr. Tim was nearing
the end of his term as pastor of another suburban parish. He felt
that he had a calling to work in an inner city area where he thought
he could be of spiritual help to the poor and homeless. When future
Pax Christi members approached him about the idea of being the
founding pastor of a new community, he felt torn between his call to
the inner city and the idea of a brand new parish. As the story goes,
Fr. Tim decided to take the question to prayer and the scriptures. He
put off giving an answer until he took time to read an entire gospel.
He couldn’t tell us whether it was Matthew or Mark, but in both of
them Jesus is quoted as saying, “Again I say to you, it is easier for a
camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter
the Kingdom of God.” In those words Fr. Tim found the answer to
his dilemma. He says he figured the people moving into Eden Prairie
would need his ministry as much as those in the inner city.
There are a lot more memories, some yet to be shared, from the
perspective of our members who have built this community into the
great place that it is today and will be for many tomorrows. Come
and celebrate with us May 14 and 15!
SATURDAY, MAY 14:
RunWalkPray5K: 9:00am; $20 for first participant, $10 for each
additional within a family. Complete details below - register NOW!
Pancake Breakfast: 9:30–10:30am
SUNDAY, MAY 15:
9:00am and 5:00pm Mass: We celebrate Pentecost at all the Masses
and celebrate our 35 years of giving to Pax Christi!
11:00am Mass: We will celebrate Pentecost, our volunteers, and a
special blessing of the Peace Pole.
Following the 11:00am Mass, from 12:15–3:00pm, join us in Nazareth
Hall and the north parking lot area for food and fun celebrating Pax
Christi’s 35th Anniversary! There will be video memories from Fr. Tim
Power, photo boards and memories from the early years, music by
Krisendale, hot dogs, chips, cake, and cookies, too!
MAY 14 and 15: We celebrate 35 years of volunteers! Pick up
your special thank you gift in recognition of all the gifts shared with
Pax Christi over the last 35 years. Your special gift will be handed out
after all the weekend Masses.
The 4th Annual RunWalkPray5K is Saturday, May 14!
In a salute to fitness, spring, and helping the community at large, Pax
Christi celebrates our 4th Annual RunWalkPray5K. The course starts
and finishes at Pax Christi, and just like the sign on the corner says,
All Are Welcome to run, cantor, jog, stroll, walk, skip, or roll through the
neighborhood around Pax Christi. Another option is to pray in our Prayer
Labyrinth facilitated by parishioner Carrie Chevalier Mosher. After your
RunWalkPray is completed, join us for a pancake breakfast in Nazareth
Hall. The fee includes a nifty t-shirt (while supplies last) and admission
to the pancake breakfast. All proceeds from the event will go to support
Pax Christi’s Giving Garden, a community garden started and cared for
by our members. All the produce grown is donated to the PROP Food
Shelf, helping needy families in the southwest metro area. This is an
event that helps us Open Wide the Doors to the neighborhood.
UPCOMING EVENTS
THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR
UPCOMING VIRTUS TRAINING SESSIONS
MONDAY, MAY 9
RSVP
Wednesday, May 18, 9:00am–12:00pm, Mahatma Gandhi Room 212
Wednesday, June 15, 9:00am–12:00pm, Mahatma Gandhi Room 212
Additional dates posted online at www.paxchristi.com.
SOUTHWEST GRIEF COALITION
Mondays, through May 23, 5:30–7:30pm, at Pax Christi
For more information, visit www.paxchristi.com/bereavementministry.
4th ANNUAL RUNWALKPRAY5K
8:30am MASS
8:30am Catholic Communicator’s Mtg.
2:30pm Chair Yoga
5:00pm Tai Chi
5:30pm Southwest Grief Coalition
6:00pm Justice Grants Board Mtg.
6:30pm Pax Pets Training
6:30pm Scout Pack 348
7:00pm Boy Scout Troop 370
7:00pm Venturing Crew 370
TUESDAY, MAY 10
RSVP
8:30am MASS
9:00am Rosary Group
9:00am Boomer’s Retreat - offsite
6:00pm 50+ Basketball
7:00pm Environmental Challenge Mtg.
7:00pm Handbell Rehearsal
Saturday, May 14, 9:00am
35th ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND CELEBRATION
Pentecost Weekend, May 14/15
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11
NAME TAG WEEKEND
11:00am Tai Chi
6:00pm MASS
6:30pm Living Your Strengths Session
Weekend of May 14/15; second Sunday of each month.
A RETREAT FOR SEPARATED AND DIVORCED:
May 20-22; Seasons of Love begins Friday at 8:00pm thru Sunday 1:00pm
Christ the King Retreat Center, Buffalo MN, Fee is $175 per person
MEMORY LOSS CONFERENCE
Saturday, June 4, 8:00am–4:30pm, Hubert Humphrey Conference Center, Mpls
VACATION BIBLE CAMP: AGE 3–6TH GRADE
RSVP
THURSDAY, MAY 12
8:30am MASS
6:00pm Pax Christi Basketball
7:00pm Alanon
7:00pm Alateen
7:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous
FRIDAY, MAY 13
8:30am MASS
SATURDAY, MAY 14
35th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WEEKEND
9:00am RunWalkPray5K
9:00am Overeaters Anonymous
9:00am Women’s AA Group
4:00pm Private Reconciliation
5:00pm MASS - FR. JOHNSON
SUNDAY, MAY 15
HOSPITALITY FOLLOWING MORNING MASSES
35th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WEEKEND
9:00am MASS - FR. JOHNSON
11:00am MASS - FR. MURTAUGH
12:00pm Anniversary Celebration
following Mass
3:30pm Teen Choir
5:00pm MASS - FR. MURTAUGH
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
AND EVENT
REGISTRATION AT
WWW.PAXCHRISTI.COM
July 25–29, 9:00am–12:00pm, July 30 Celebration, 5:00pm
PAXCONNEX: 7TH–9TH GRADE
UPDATE MEMBER INFORMATION
RSVP
July 25–29, 9:00am–4:00pm, July 30 Celebration, 5:00pm
Does our parish database have YOUR family membership record
correct? Here is your chance to update YOUR record for our annual
DON’T MISS OUT ON THE
Guidebook and Directory (if you haven’t already done so). It is
EARLY BIRD RATE — REGISTER NOW FOR
time for us to update our database with any changes, additions,
FAITH FORMATION 2016/2017
or deletions that may have occurred in YOUR family over the past
year. Have you changed your phone number? Have you moved?
Are you preparing to move soon? Are all of your children still at
home and are they all included in your membership record? Do
PRAYER CORNER
Please pray for these loved ones:
you want your record published? If you have not already informed
LaLonne, Therese, John, Irma, Justin, Mark, Carole, Kathy, Larry, Mary,
Scott, Randy, Michael, Leo, Sandy, Teresa, Tom, Irene, and Randi.
the Parish Office about changes to your record, please let us
Pax Christi offers, as a community, the gift of prayer. If you would
like to have your name listed in this Prayer Corner during a time of
need, contact Pastoral Care, 952-941-3150.
is correct. Contact Maria Miller, [email protected], or 952-
This Year
Actual
This Year
Budget
know now so that the information in the Guidebook and Directory
405-7217, to update your records. Thank you for your help!
Variance from
Budget
Last Year
Actual
Variance from
Last Year
Week #43 Contributions 51,29340,000 11,293
YTD through Week #43
15-16 Contributions Goal – $2,735,000
2,344,897
2,322,000
22,897
2,349,266
(4,369)
EFT and credit card giving available. Visit www.paxchristi.com for more information.