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March 14, 2010
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

What About Me?
by Fr. Mark Pavlik
There are perhaps no words that have been so detrimental to humankind than these three: “What about me?” They have led to hatred, resentment, and jealousy, among other things.

It begins in the book of Genesis with Cain and Abel. Both brothers make an offering to God — Cain offered fruit and Abel offered animals from his flock. When God regarded Abel’s offering more than Cain’s, Cain became enraged and killed his brother. Later in Genesis, the brothers of Joseph become so jealous of their father’s love of their younger brother that they sell Joseph off to a passing caravan and tell their father he has died.

The phenomenon is not just found in family life but even among kings. In the First Book of Samuel, when David and Saul returned from slaying the Philistines, the women sang out, “Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands.” These words made Saul angry and led him to attempt to murder David numerous times. At Jesus’ birth, King Herod is so distressed by the thought of the newborn King of the Jews that he has all boys two years of age and under put to death.

In this Sunday’s gospel, at all Masses except the 10:00 am when we will celebrate the first scrutiny, Jesus addresses this very issue in a parable directed at the Pharisees and scribes. The parable is known as “the prodigal son,” but the lesson is not directed at sinners and those who are far from the Father’s love, but to those who cannot accept the Lord’s concern for those they deem unlovable. When the older son hears that his younger brother, who had left home and spent his inheritance, had returned and their father was rejoicing, he becomes enraged. “What about ME?!?!” You can almost hear the words coming from his mouth. For his whole life, the older brother has served the father and never asked for anything at all. He had followed the rules, done what was expected of him and obeyed the father’s wishes, but never got so much as a young goat on which to feast with his friends. “But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.” Interestingly, he refers to his brother as “your son,” instead of “my brother,” to emphasize the estrangement.

So, “what about me?” The father’s answer to the elder son is plain and simple. “I love you. I always have and always will. Everything I have is yours and it always will be. Instead of being angry, rejoice with me that he who was lost is found.” God’s love for those who have turned from his love by no means diminishes his love for those who seek to serve him always. It reminds me of a cartoon my mother cut out of the paper years ago which depicted a mother with five small children. Another woman asked her, “How do you divide your love between all those children?” The mother answered, “I don’t divide it, I multiply it.” In the same way, God does not divide His love between His children, but multiplies it — generously sharing it.

This attitude is still around, even among followers of Christ. It seems that dynamic rears its head among people of all sorts — looking to others and being jealous of what they seem to have or how they seem to be treated. The bottom line is we are all loved by God equally and instead of worrying about ourselves and what we don’t have, perhaps we would do better to see things as God does and rejoice in the gifts of others. It is difficult to have that kind of humility and unselfishness, but it is what Jesus asks us to do, and it is what we must do. And THAT is what we are called to be about.

St. Patrick’s Day  ~  Wednesday, March 17
11:30 am Prelude music featuring Celtic musicians
12:00 noon Mass in the church
Following Mass, there will be Irish music and hospitality in the Gathering Room.

Spring Forward!
This Sunday, March 14, Daylight Saving Time begins, so don’t forget to set clocks FORWARD one hour!

Prayer for Healing
Procession of healing with the laying on of hands will take place during Mass after the homily on:
Saturday, March 13, 4:00 pm Mass
Sunday, March 14, 10:00 am Mass
Immediately following Mass, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick with Holy Oil will take place in the chapel.

Easter Flower Dedications
The worship department/liturgical environment group of St. Olaf invites you to dedicate a loved one(s) in prayer by offering a beautiful flower in the church sanctuary on Easter Sunday, April 4th. Members dedicated may be living or deceased. Donation is $20 for each individual flower dedication naming one person, a couple, or family group. The flowers will be lilies or other colorful blooming plants and will be blessed. All names dedicated in prayer will be printed in the Easter Sunday church bulletin, but will not appear on the plants. Fill out a form and submit with a check made payable to St. Olaf Church, with memo: Easter flower dedication. Drop in the collection basket or at the front office by March 15. Thank you for your participation in this special opportunity for community prayer at Easter.

EXODUS: A Journey to God
Continues following noon Mass on March 24
Exodus is a going forth. The biblical book of Exodus tells the story of the going forth of the Israelites from the land of Egypt into freedom slavery to Pharaoh. It tells the going forth from a life of slavery to a life of freedom as God’s people. But moving ahead is not always easy. The journey sometimes lacks comforts of the former life and requires sacrifice and a greater trust and reliance on God. Each of us is also on a journey as disciples of Jesus Christ, and the reliance on God is equally important for us. During Lent, Fr. Mark Pavlik presents reflections on Wednesdays, following the noon Mass in the church on March 10 and March 24. The reflections will focus on the Exodus story and what we, as followers of Christ, can learn about our own journey and be strengthened as we go forth to live the Gospel in our daily lives. It would be helpful for you to read the corresponding scripture passages prior to the reflection: March 24 – The Sabbath – Freedom to Serve God (Exodus 32: 1-9; 31: 21-24)

Stations of the Cross Booklet
The Stations of the Cross setting Not My Will But Yours Be Done by William Rowan is available for purchase at the St. Patrick’s Guild Store in our church complex. This setting, entirely based on scripture, continues to be celebrated beautifully on Fridays during Lent and Good Friday at St. Olaf. Worshipers have requested to own their copy, and now the resource is available.

Prayer Shawl Group
Come and join our Prayer Shawl Group during this Lenten season. We meet every Wednesday through March 24, from 6:00 – 7:00 pm in the Gathering room. Many blessings of prayer are knitted into every shawl. You may also knit at home between gatherings or if you are unable to join the group gathering. Call Mary Brady at 612-332-7471, ext. 254. Please join us!

Sing with Venite Choir
(veh nee teh; Latin ‘Come’) on the Solemnity of Pentecost
This choir continues its meetings and ministry at St. Olaf. It is a choir for the person who would like to explore their voice — even if you have never been in a choir before — to learn basic technique, simple unison singing of songs, hymns and psalms, and after a period of rehearsals, sing the Saturday 4:00 pm Mass on the Solemnity of Pentecost on May 22. The commitment to this ministry group is regular attendance to learn the most basic tools of singing for the liturgy. All ages welcome. REHEARSALS on Saturday afternoons from 12:30 – 2:00 pm in the music room, lower level of St. Olaf Church according to schedule: March 20, April 10, 24, May 1, 8, 15. COME!

We Need Your Expertise
Are you experienced in PR, communications, advertising, marketing, TV, or radio? Can you do video or audio editing? Deacon Thom Winninger is putting together an advisory group to help develop communications about all the wonderful activities happening at St. Olaf. If interested, contact him at twinninger@SaintOlaf.org.

Job Support Group
Monday, March 15 ~ 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
510 Groveland Avenue, Minneapolis (across the street from the Walker Art Center)
If you are worried about your current job or transitioning to a new career, you are invited to join this group to discuss the world of job transition. Everyone is welcome. You will be given the opportunity to share an update on your job search, practice your “elevator speech” about why someone should hire you and offer your support to the other attendees. This round table group meets the first and third Monday of every month. If you have questions, call 612-871-5303 or visit www.hennepinchurch.org/jobsupport.

GREETING CARDS
Greeting cards are now available from our St. Patrick’s Guild Store. The card covers feature the Resurrection of Christ as depicted at the end of the Stations of the Cross journey on the back wall of our chapel, and the glow of our votive lights in the side chapels of the church. They are suited for use throughout the year.

Annulment Questions?
Staff members of the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Tribunal will be available for confidential consultation and to answer questions regarding the Declaration of Nullity process at St. Olaf on March 26, from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm. For more information, call the Tribunal at 651-291-4466.

A Taste of Risen Christ
Celebrated Mardi Gras AND Catholic Education in the City!
Thank you to those who attended, volunteered and supported A Taste of Risen Christ, held on February 13 at St. Olaf. This was truly a fun, festive Mardi Gras event, complete with Heads and Tails game. Risen Christ 7 and 8th graders provided hospitality, and with Martha Arrodondo the students led those attending in the second line dance. Food was generously donated by El Toro, Baja Sol, Victor’s, Lucky Dragon, Lotus, El Poblanita’s, Breadsmith, and private contributors; and delicious chicken wings were prepared by parishioners Bettie Hampton and Victoria Boumeester. $2,800 was raised for the children of Risen Christ through this community building event. Thank you for your continued support!

Upcoming Risen Christ Gala
The 14th Annual Risen Christ Catholic School Gala “For the Children” is Friday, April 30 at the Minneapolis Hilton. The Gala Sweepstakes tickets are $20 each for a chance at a $2010 prize. There are only 1000 tickets for sale — best odds in town! Purchase your lucky ticket March 13-14 or March 20-21 after all Masses. For additional information about the Gala or Sweepstakes, call Risen Christ School at 612-822-5329.

Unemployed? Underemployed?
The Archdiocesan Commission of Black Catholics is sponsoring a Day of Reflection: Plenty Good Room – Moving Toward Unity on Saturday, March 13, at Saint Peter Claver Church, 375 North Oxford in St. Paul. Schedule: registration at 8:30 am; facilitated discussion from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm; closing Mass at 4:00 pm. The day will be facilitated by Fr. Clarence E. Williams, CSSP, PhD, of Catholic Charities USA. Pre-registration is preferred. For further information, call 651-962-6076.

Year for Priests
June 2009 – June 2010
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s Prayer for Priests
Mary, Mother of Jesus, throw your mantle of purity over our priests. Protect them, guide them and keep them in your heart. Be a mother to them especially in times of discouragement and loneliness. Love them and let them belong completely to Jesus. Like Jesus, they too are your sons, so keep their hearts pure and virginal. Keep their minds filled with Jesus, and put Jesus always on their lips, so that He is the one they offer to sinners and to all they meet. Mary, Mother of Jesus, be their Mother, loving them and bringing them joy. Take special care of sick and dying priests and the ones most tempted.

Remember how they spent their youth and old age, their entire lives serving and giving all to Jesus. Mary, bless them and keep a special place for them in your heart. Give them a piece of your heart, so beautiful and pure and immaculate, so full of love and humility so that they, too, may grow in the likeness of Christ. Dear Mary, make them humble like you and holy like Jesus.

Amen.

Join the Pilgrimage Choir
of the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis
on the next excursion . . . to France!
Sing Masses at Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris
Cathedral of Chartres, Mont-St. Michel, Lisieux, Lourdes

Visit Normandy, Versailles. SEPTEMBER 27 – OCTOBER 4, 2010. See complete itinerary and information at blogspot http://pilgrimagechoir.blogspot.com. Since 1999 the Pilgrimage Choir has traveled abroad. Singers and non-singers welcome. Come with us once again! Michael Silhavy, Wendy Barton Silhavy, Dr. Lynn Trapp, Directors.

Holy Land Pilgrimage to Israel ~ June 13-23, 2010
Join Fr. Mark Pavlik along with Jeff & Emily Cavins and walk where Jesus walked! This ten-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land is great for families with travel age children, for singles and married couples. The Bible will come alive for you & your family like never before while you walk in the footsteps of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Peter. Hosts Jeff & Emily Cavins will accompany Fr. Mark to help you experience the land of the Bible. Hear on-site teachings from Jeff, experience daily Mass, visit holy sites as well as enjoy a float in the Dead Sea, swim at the Sea of Galilee, even experience digging at an archaeological site! For more information, brochures are available at the parish.

This week’s RCIA topic is LAZARUS
All are invited to come and listen to the talk, presented by Fr. Mark Pavlik, in Fleming Hall West following the 10:00 am Mass on Sunday, March 14.

Weekly Bulletin
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SERRA CLUB at St. Olaf
The Minneapolis Serra Club meets at St. Olaf on the second Wednesday of each month. Members attend Mass and then enjoy lunch together in the Gathering Room. Each meeting also features a speaker. The purpose of the club is to foster, promote and support vocations to the priesthood and religious life. If you are interested in more information about the group, please contact John Ward at 952-922-8758 or email Charlie Dahl at cdahl@cdahlgroup.com.

Downtown Coalition for Grief Support
Excellent speakers, trained facilitators and a group of others who have experienced loss make these sessions a place of healing. It’s possible to walk the path of grief alone, however the companionship of others who are also wounded by loss is tremendously consoling and powerfully healing. Meetings every Saturday from 9:45 – 11:30 am. Beginning January 2, meetings will be held at First Christian Church, 2201 First Avenue South, Minneapolis. A small weekly donation is gratefully accepted.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ON FRIDAYS
Intention for Friday, March 19
That God may give our civic leaders a deepened sense of how their work has an impact on the common good.

Parish Stewardship Prayer
Oh Lord, giver of life and source of all things, we are reminded by the Psalmist that Yours is “the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it.” (Ps 24:1)

We know that it is from your hand that we have received all we have, and are, and will be. Gracious and loving God, we understand that You call us to be the stewards of Your abundance, the caretakers of all You have entrusted to us.

Help us always to use the gifts You give to us wisely and teach us to share them generously. May our faithful stewardship bear witness to the love of Christ in our lives and in our St. Olaf parish. We pray with grateful hearts, in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Preparing for Next Sunday’s Liturgy
March 21 ~ Fifth Sunday of Lent
FIRST READING: Isaiah 43:16–21
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 126:1–2, 2–3, 4–5, 6
SECOND READING: Philippians 3:8–14
GOSPEL: John 8:1–11 (Sunday, 10:00 am Gospel: Cycle A = John 9:1-41)

Discussion Questions:
Isaiah, in our first reading, beckons the Israelites to “remember not the events of the past.” St. Paul, in the second reading, says that he “forget[s] what lies behind.” They’re telling us that amnesia can be a good thing, that putting aside the past, whiting out a piece of history, might free us from what is holding us back from the life and world God intended us to have and live and enjoy.

1. In what other ways can a piece of history keep us from pursuing God’s plan for us and our world?

2. History has a way of perpetuating feuds and animosities. Discuss various long-lasting rifts between nations and religions that are driven by a piece of history.

3. What are some thoughts and beliefs that were once wrongly held as truth?