The U.S. bishops have called for a Fortnight for Freedom, a two-week period of prayer and action (from June 21 to July 4), to address many current challenges to religious liberty, including the August 1, 2013 deadline for religious organizations to comply with the HHS mandate, Supreme Court rulings that could attempt to redefine marriage in June, and religious liberty concerns in areas such as immigration and humanitarian services. A prayer service will be held at the Cathedral of St. Paul on Thursday, June 20th at 7 PM. All are welcome.

We welcome to two new staff members. Joining our parish staff as Director of Sacred Music is Clare Marvin. Ms. Marvin comes to our parish with over twenty years of music ministry experience in the Chicago area (although grew up 50 miles east of here). With degrees in music and organ performance (St. Olaf College and Catholic University of American) she will help move our music ministry forward and deepen our Sunday Eucharistic worship. Clare grew up not too far from here. She will begin her ministry here in early August. Please pray for her transition.

We also welcome to our ministry staff Jenny Goodwin, as part-time Pastoral Care Assistant. Jenny takes the place of Trena who resigned a month ago. She will assist Bernadette in Pastoral ministry in a variety of ways. She will assist with funeral planning, visiting the sick and shut-ins, assisting with Befriender ministry, as well as assisting with the administrative details in the ministry. Jenny has been very active in our parish for the last several years, most recently as chair of the School Advisory Council for DMCS. Please join us in welcoming Clare and Jenny, and keep their transitions to Divine Mercy in your prayers.

Presbyteral Assembly. Every two years the Priests of the Archdiocese gather together with our Archbishop in Rochester. We will have several presentations on priestly ministry, and reflect on the life and ministry of our archdiocese together. And yes, time for fellowship and of course, prayer together. Please keep us your prayers, know we pray for you.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Father Kevin Finnegan

June 16, 2013

That during this Year of Faith, the Church will recover an exact knowledge of the faith so as to reinvigorate it, purify it, confirm it, and confess it.  We pray to the Lord:

For leaders striving to bring about equality and dignity for all people.  We pray to the Lord:

For those who are trapped in lives of sin:  that the gracious gift of Jesus Christ may free them from their bonds, and that God will use us to bring his mercy to them.  We pray to the Lord:

For the grace to know our sins and to confess them to God with heartfelt contrition.  We pray to the Lord:

For the poor, the sick, the lonely, the hungry, the homeless, those who are unemployed, those suffering from addictions, and those who have no one to pray for them:  that God in his mercy will draw close to them and rescue them.  We pray especially for those whom we hold in our hearts and those listed in our “Parish Book of Intercessions” both here and at the Adoration chapel. We pray to the Lord:

That the members of this Eucharistic assembly and community members who have died in Christ’s peace will sit together someday at the great heavenly banquet.  We remember:   Lealand Armstrong, Robert Greene, ______________________, and today’s Mass intention:

4:00 PM      Mulcahy Family Members †

8:00 AM     Bert Fihn †

10:00 AM   Roy Mahowald †

12:00 PM    Parish/Parraquoia

5:00 PM      Jerome Malecha †

We pray to the Lord…

The U.S. bishops have called for a Fortnight for Freedom, a two-week period of prayer and action, to address many current challenges to religious liberty, including the August 1, 2013 deadline for religious organizations to comply with the HHS mandate, Supreme Court rulings that could attempt to redefine marriage in June, and religious liberty concerns in areas such as immigration and humanitarian services.

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Speaking of newly ordained priests … we are getting one. Well sort of. Father Spencer Howe (pronounced ‘how’) begins his first, but a brief priestly assignment here in early July. Father Howe has spent the last four years doing his theology studies in Rome. At the end of September he will return to Rome where he will complete his Licensure in Sacred Theology. So keep him in your prayers. He might be here only for three months … but what a three months it will be!

Father Brian Park, who served here last summer as a transitional deacon, and was also ordained last Saturday, will celebrate Mass at Divine Mercy Catholic Church on Saturday June 8th at 4:00 pm.

Congratulations to our graduates! Let us honor our young adults who are completing their High School years. Graduation signals a turning point for these young adults and offers them an opportunity to take greater responsible not only for their lives but especially for the life and mission of the Church. I am grateful for the increasing effort our parish has put out in the past nine years to reach out, include and love our youth. They are absolutely worth every effort! Please keep our graduates in your prayers as they go off to college, work, military service, the Peace Corps, NET ministries, marriage …

DMCC will celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick at the June 8th, 2013. I encourage all, young and old, to attend. Jesus comes sacramentally to those who have serious illness or medical condition, or those whose age or general health make them more vulnerable.  I especially encourage family members to bring their parents or friends should they be a place to receive this beautiful Sacrament.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Father Kevin Finnegan

Get daily updates and reminders as our youth ministry continues to grow and flourish!   Parents follow to get in the know!

Congratulations to Father Luke Marquard, ordained to the Holy Priesthood on Saturday, May 25, 2013. We welcome him today as he celebrates his First Mass – a Mass of Thanksgiving. Of course, every Eucharist expresses thanksgiving. And by calling a priest’s first Mass one of Thanksgiving, it prioritizes the truth that we must offer up constantly hearts of gratitude for all God’s blessings.  With a special fondness, I recall today my First Mass of Thanksgiving  Nativity in St. Paul seventeen  years ago today.

The Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See (Doesn’t that sound impressive? Ask Fr Erik about it.) has granted a plenary indulgence (the full remission of all temporal punishment due to sin) to the faithful who devoutly participate in Father Marquard’s Mass of Thanksgiving. The indulgence is granted under the usual conditions (reception of Holy Communion, sacramental confession within eight days, prayer for the pope’s intentions, and freedom from attachment to sin), and may be applied either to oneself or to the soul of one of the faithful departed.

Last weekend we announced the UNIFIED APPEAL. Everyone should have received a letter (and envelope) in their Communication Folders explaining the collection. For many Catholics “special collections” are just a normal part of parish life. However, even when the causes are worthwhile, the sheer number of requests can seem overwhelming. These worthy efforts deserve your consideration and support. If you did not bring your UNIFIED APPEAL envelop, please do so next weekend, or mail it to the church or drop it off at the parish office.

We say thanks to those leaving the Parish Pastoral Council Josh Battles, and welcome new members Tim Larson, Wendy Bongers, & Joan Anderson. The School Advisory Committee says good bye to Jenny Goodwin, Connie DeGrood, & Kim Kelzer. And we also bid farewell to those leaving the School Finance Committee John Kohl, Jim Jandro, and Katie Tonjum. Our parish community is blessed by the many people who serve by sharing their leadership and financial skills.

Memorial Day Masses, honoring our War dead and all who have died, will be celebrated at Calvary Cemetery at 9:00am and St. Michael’s Cemetery at 9:30 am.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Father Kevin Finnegan

Alleluia! Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. Alleluia!

The Gift and Presence of the Holy Spirit descended upon the Church at Pentecost. And ever since then the Lord has a new fire has been ablaze upon the Earth. And that Holy Fire enkindles the hearts of Believers with love for everyone: to serve the poor, educate the  young, work for justice and peace, defend the unborn, walk with the outcast, console the grieving, give hope to the bewildered, reconcile the sinner, preach the Gospel, defend truth,  feed the hungry and clothe the naked, shelter the homeless and visit the sick. Come, Holy Spirit enflame our hearts with boundless love.

God’s Grandeur

THE WORLD is charged with the grandeur of God.

It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;

It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil

Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?

Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;

And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;

And wears man’s smudge and shares man’s smell: the soil

Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.

And for all this, nature is never spent;

There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;

And though the last lights off the black West went

Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs—

Because the Holy Ghost over the bent

World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.

Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–89)

Luke Marquard will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit on Saturday, May 25, 2013 when Archbishop Nienstedt ordains him to the priesthood. At 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 26th, Father Luke Marquard will preside at his first Mass. All are welcomed. There is praiseworthy custom and practice of receiving a “first blessing” from a newly ordained priest. So feel free to ask Father Marquard for his blessing.

Keller’s Grove. Did you notice the forest growing near the pond? Yes a forest has been planted. Done as Boy Scouts of America Eagle project by Mike Shuda it has been named Keller’s Woods, after Father George Keller who served as founding pastor of Immaculate Conception from 1858 to 1870. Over fifty trees, native to Minnesota now grow on our property. They will help in time to create an arbor giving shade, shelter for birds and animals, produce oxygen, and above all beauty and inspiration. Thanks to the Scouts and other youth service organizations who serve our community in many ways.

Come Holy Spirit!

Father Kevin Finnegan

Hello Parish!

Divine Mercy Parish now has a twitter account.   What will we use it for?

While we have a Facebook Page already, FB pages really act like photo journals not so much announcements.   That is what we will use the twitter account for …

So begin following @dmccfaribault on twitter to get the latest on :

1.  Weekend Announcements

2.  Important event updates/cancelations

3.  Homily tidbits and links

4.  Podcast updates

5.  Catholic Inspiration

Our society today celebrates Mother’s Day. Although historically the focus was on each family honoring the mother of that family, today of course we also honor all mothers collectively. We thank them, pray for them and show them our gratitude. My mother who passed away nearly 30 years ago impressed upon me the most important gift- love, a gift still appreciated.

Our youth celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation this weekend. Confirmation candidates have spent this year in focused preparation through prayer, study, and service. And now their sponsors presented them to the Bishop to have the Gift of the Holy Spirit sacramentally conferred upon them. We congratulate these young men and women and welcome them to an ever more active presence in our Parish community.

Gina Ashley has accepted the role Associate Principal/Dean of Elementary Education for Divine Mercy Catholic School. Yea and congrats! See special insert.

Deacon Luke Marquard (a native son) and Deacon Brian Park (who served here last summer) will be ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 2013, 10:00 am, at the Cathedral of St. Paul. Deacon Luke Marquard becomes the first person from our parish community to be ordained since Father Don Degrood in 1997. This really is a big deal! Having known Deacon Luke from his college days at Butler University fourteen years ago, I have seen him grow in faith and grace. We are chartering a bus for those interested in going to the ordination (Leaving at 8:00 on May 25 from the Church parking lot. Leaving St. Paul at 12:30, back here about 1:30, cost $10 per person; email or call Jeanne Motl for reservations by Tuesday, May 21, 2013.)

All are invited to join in celebrating the Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving for “Father Luke Marquard” on Sunday May 26 at the 10:00 a.m. Mass. I recall my “First Mass” on May 26, 1996. I was all nervous and concerned about what to do, and not making a mistake or saying something overly embarrassing. When I think back and ponder I am still brought to my knees to consider how I humbly uttered for the first time those sacred words: “Take, eat, this is My Body; Take drink, this is My Blood,” and then distributed Holy Communion as a priest for first time – and to my father. In two weeks we have the privilege to join the Marquard family this year in joining our brother Luke as he celebrates his First Mass! 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Father Kevin Finnegan

A pre-evangelization, evangelization and catechesis initiative designed to:

• reach out to Catholics who are not deeply engaged in their faith life or have drifted away from the Church
• provide faith formation opportunities for all to deepen their faith
• become part of who we are as a local Church through ongoing outreach and faith formation opportunities

Where we have been:

Dec 12: Rediscover books made available in Spanish at Sunday Mass

Dec 15:  Ambassadors confirmed

Dec 19:  Introduce Rediscover At the Catholicism Series.

Dec 25 and following Sunday:  Ambassadors distribute books to all who come to mass. Father announces that book clubs will be forming.  See the bulletin and website on how to self start right away.

Jan:  New “Rediscover” App for smart phones released and narthex info center arrive

Jan 13 and 20: Group book club promotion and at the Cath. Series

Jan and February:  Encouraging Book Clubs after Masses

Where we are at now:

There are a few book groups that we have heard about - We have not coordinated any book clubs.  Would we want to do this for the next book?

How of you from Faribault went to the speaker series?

We have about three boxes of books left:  These could be used by anyone.  Please call the office 334-2266 x20 to request them.

We are going door to door in various neighborhoods:  
May 3 Westwood Neighborhood – 1101 Westwood Dr. SW –   If the snow is not melted we will still gather in the home.  COME!  
May 10 Westwood Neighborhood – 1101 Westwood Dr. SW
May 17  207 Brand Ave SE  By the Nature Center!

Here’s how it works:   6:30pm  Adoration and Chaplet in a front yard- Concluding Adoration at 8:00pm  -  Missionaries (YOU!) walk door to door collecting peoples intentions, bringing them back to adoration for us to pray for!   Bring a lawn chair!

There was a new Rediscover leaders email sent last week if you missed it here it is:  http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=a6b646ee83333990453988967&id=a66c9e2353&e=d362268e11

Please review and share your comments or feedback on what you would like to see happen with this initiative by blogging them here:

Thank you for giving to the Lord!

Justin