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March 7, 2010
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

The Healing Touch of Christ
by Fr. Mark Pavlik

“Are there any who are sick among you? Let him call for the priests of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” (Jas 5:14-15)

We continue on our examination of the seven sacraments by looking at the sacrament of anointing. Christ’s compassion toward the sick and his many healings of every kind of infirmity is a sign that God has visited his people and that the Kingdom of God is close at hand. All throughout the Gospels, Jesus performed healings: some from physical ailment and others from sin. Jesus has the power not only to heal, but also to forgive sins; he came to heal the whole person, soul and body.

His preferential love for the sick has not ceased through the centuries to draw all those who suffer in body and soul to Himself. He makes use of signs to heal: spittle and the laying on of hands, mud and washing. The sick try to touch him, “for power came forth from him and healed them all.” And so in the sacraments Christ continues to “touch” us in order to heal us.

Moved by so much suffering, Christ not only allows himself to be touched by the sick, but he makes their miseries his own: “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.” (Mt 8:17) His healings were signs of the coming of the Kingdom of God. They announced a more radical healing: the victory over sin and death through his Passover. On the cross Christ took upon himself the whole weight of evil and took away the “sin of the world,” of which illness is only a consequence. By his passion and death on the cross Christ has given a new meaning to suffering: it can now configure us to him and unite us with his redemptive Passion.

Christ invites his disciples to follow Him by taking up their cross. By following Him they acquire a new outlook on illness and the sick. Jesus associates them with his own life of poverty and service. He makes them share in his ministry of compassion and healing: “So they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.” (Mk 6:12-13)

The anointing is therefore a source of strength for both the soul and the body, especially intended to strengthen those who are being tried by illness. From ancient times in the liturgical traditions of both East and West, we have testimonies to the practice of anointing the sick with blessed oil. Over the centuries the Anointing of the Sick was conferred more and more exclusively on those at the point of death and thus received the name, “Extreme Unction” or “Last Rites.” But regardless of the name, the sacrament has never failed to beg the Lord that the sick person may recover their health.

The celebration of the Anointing of the Sick consists primarily of the laying on of hands and the anointing of the forehead and hands with the oil of the sick. The Anointing of the Sick is not a sacrament only for those who are at the point of death. As soon as any one of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, they are eligible to receive the sacrament. If a sick person who received this anointing recovers his health, he can receive this sacrament again. Like all the sacraments the Anointing of the Sick is a liturgical and communal celebration, whether it takes place in the family home, a hospital or church, for a single sick person or a whole group of sick persons. Next weekend, we will offer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick following the 4:00 pm Mass on Saturday, March 13 and following the 10:00 am Mass on Sunday, March 14. If you know someone who would benefit from this healing sacrament, please bring them to one of these Masses. If they are not able to come to church, let the parish office know and one of the priests will go to anoint them wherever they are. Next weekend we will all pray for those in our community who suffer from any infirmity or pain and commend them to the healing power of Christ.

Prayer for Healing
Procession of healing with the laying on of hands will take place during Mass after the homily.
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.

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.

Food and Cash for the Poor Weekend
March 6 & 7
Baskets will be in the vestibule for your contributions. If you have any questions, please contact Joan Miltenberger at 612-767-6211.

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 10, 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 10 – Achieving the Freedom for which We Were Created (Exodus 14:16-31)
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.

Pancake Breakfast — SAVE THE DATE!
Sunday, April 25
Pancake breakfast at the St. Olaf House of Pancakes (SOHOP) in Fleming Hall following the 8:00 am, 10:00 am and 12:00 noon Masses. Watch for further details.

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.

Religious Give Thanks
Our parish contributed $7,200 to the Retirement Fund for Religious in recent weeks. Of the support offered by this appeal, one religious writes, “We deeply appreciate this assistance. God’s loving care touches us through the hearts of thousands of Catholics who give so generously to this collection year after year.” Women and men religious throughout the country send their abundant thanks for your donations.

Day of Reflection
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.

Project Homeless Connect
Monday, March 29, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Minneapolis Convention Center
Project Homeless Connect is a one-stop shop for delivering services to people experiencing homelessness. Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis are partnering with service providers, businesses, citizens, and faith communities to bring multiple resources to one location where people can come to find the services they need. These services include: housing providers, employment specialists, medical care, mental health care, benefits specialists, eye care, haircuts, transportation assistance, food and clothing. Volunteers are needed to assist guests in connecting with the assistance they need. With about 1800 participants expected for this March 29 event, at least 1300 volunteers are needed to make the day successful. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. A 90-minute training is required for everyone except those who trained and volunteered for a previous event. For training session information, check the website at www.homelessconnectminneapolis.org.

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 MAN BORN BLIND
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 7.

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 12
That all involved in apostolic work may understand how to infuse missionary enthusiasm into the communities entrusted to their care.

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 14 ~ Fourth Sunday of Lent
FIRST READING:  Joshua 5:9a, 10–12
RESPONSORIAL PSALM:  Psalm 34:2–3, 4–5, 6–7
SECOND READING:  2 Corinthians 5:17–21
GOSPEL:  Luke 15:1–3, 11–32
(On Sunday at 10:00 am Mass, due to the celebration of the RCIA Scrutiny, the Gospel proclaimed is John 9:1-41 in which Jesus healed the blind man.)

Discussion Questions:
Today’s familiar Gospel parable talks of a son who prematurely takes his inheritance and wastes it. He’s floundering in misery, leading a very sad life. He finally “comes to his senses.” He realizes his mistake and comes to recognize that the so-called “good” life wasn’t so good after all. He wants to come back to his father but he’s not sure he’ll be taken back. To his shock and surprise, his fears are unfounded. His father not only takes him back but he still loves him. Much good and happiness await those who “come to their senses” about some truth or fact about which they might have been naïve or stupid, or unwilling to confront.

1. Share some fact about which you need to come to your senses.

2. The prodigal son story is rich in themes and points for discussion. What are some valuable messages that you glean from the parable?

3. How is your parish a reconciling community?