Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
December 28, 2014
St. Isidore the Farmer
Area Faith Community
St. Francis, St. Bridget, St. Malachy, Sacred Heart, Visitation Oratory
Fr. Jeremy Kucera, Pastor
Cyndi Stifter, Faith Formation Director
Address: 508 13th Street North, Benson, MN 56215
Website: www.stisidorethefarmerafc.org
E-mail: stfran@embarqmail.com
Area Office: 320-842-4271
Fax Number: 320-843-2264
Murdock Office: 320-875-2451; kitchen 875-4320
Mondays 8:30 am – 3 pm
Fr. Jeremy Kucera
Cell#: 507-828-5247
fatherjeremykucera@hotmail.com
Cyndi Stifter:
320-842-4021
Area Office Hours:
Monday-Thurs.: 8 am – noon; 1-3:30 pm
Fridays: 8 am - noon
cstifter@embarqmail.com
LITURGY SCHEDULE
Tuesday, December 30
5:30 pm
BENSON
***Please note change in schedule for Tuesday ***
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God – Holy Day of Obligation
Wednesday, December 31
6:00 pm
BENSON
Thursday, January 1
9:00 am
MURDOCK
Friday, January 2
8:30 am
CLONTARF
Weekend Masses
Saturday, January 3
Sunday, January 4
+
Terry Arneson
++
++
For the People
John & Johanna Bormann
Lucy & Bill Gorres
Vincent Lonneman
Gene Reiman
4:00 pm
6:00 pm
BENSON
CLONTARF
+
+
8:00 am
10:00 am
BENSON
MURDOCK
++Francis & Vera Krattenmaker
For the People
*** - Please note change in Mass Schedule for January – March***
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturdays, 3:00 pm Benson; Sundays 9:30 am Murdock
*** Please note change in Weekend Reconciliation Schedule
* Marriage Preparation: Please contact Area Office at least six months ahead of time to plan and prepare
for your wedding.
If one party has been previously married, the wedding cannot move forward unless an annulment has
been granted by the Catholic Church.
* Baptism Preparation: Please call Fr. Jeremy Kucera at 507-828-5247
* RCIA: Anyone interested in joining the Catholic Church please call Jack Wagner at 842-9693 or the Area
Office for fall registration.
* Registration/Moving: To register in a parish or if moving, call Area Office at 842-4271 or Murdock
office at 875-2451.
Catholic Charities - offering personal, marriage, family and pregnancy counseling 1-866-670-5163.
*PASTORAL CARE*
If any parishioner or family member is in need of a pastoral care visit and Holy Communion, please call the
parish office. Today’s privacy laws do not permit hospitals to contact churches when a patient is in need of a
pastoral visit. We are made aware of it only when the individual or their friends and family contact us. We are
also not always aware of parishioners that are homebound and would desire a pastoral visit.
The Vocation View
Yours may not be THE Holy Family, but you are still a holy family. Share an
expression of gratitude for the gift of your family today. Pray for wholeness and
holiness for all members of the family of God. (Colossians 3:12-21)
DAILY SCHEDULE
Sunday, December 28
The Holy Rosary will be prayed ½ hour before Masses in Benson & Murdock
Tuesday, December 30
6 pm Faith Formation Teacher Party at St. Francis Gathering Space
Wednesday, December 31 2:00 pm Rosary in Benson – we pray for good parenting for all children, born and
Unborn
Friday, January 2
First Friday visits all day
Saturday, January 3
The Holy Rosary will be prayed ½ hour before Mass in Benson
Sunday, January 4
The Holy Rosary will be prayed ½ hour before Masses in Benson & Murdock
The Area Office will be closed Thursday, December 31.
A Big THANK YOU goes out to all those who helped decorate our area churches for Christmas. It is amazing
what we can do when we work together!
Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound
We are always looking for more volunteers who would be able to help out in this ministry to our homebound
parishioners. Many are not able to get out, especially in the winter months. If you are interested in helping out
with this ministry, please call the area office.
Scholarships are now available from the Mary Beatrice Hennessy Scholarship Fund. In order to apply
you must be a member of St. Francis Parish and now attending or planning to attend a Catholic College or
Catholic High School during the 2014-2015 school year. Applications may be picked up in church or at the
Area Office. All applications must be received by January 31, 2015.
Start the new year out right – spend some quality time renewing your marriage. The next Worldwide Marriage
Encounter Weekends are January 9-11 in Bismarck, February 6-8 in Buffalo, February 13-15 in Windom,
February 20-22 in Fargo, and March 20-22 in Baxter. Early registration is highly recommended. For more
information visit our website at: southmnwwme.org or contact John & Mary Beth at
applications@southmnwwme.org or 507-838-8178.
Beginning Experience of Southwest Minnesota, a peer ministry support group for widowed, separated and
divorced people is offering its Level II “Rebuilding” series for ten weeks beginning Jan. 12, 2015 through March
15th. The Monday night sessions begin at 7:00 P.M. at the First Lutheran Church on Church and “A” Street in
Marshall, MN. Registration is held the first two Monday nights starting at 6:30 P.M. Registration is then closed
for that session. The support group is open to people of all denominations. There is a fee of $75 to cover the
cost of materials. This series is designed for those who are past the initial pain of losing a partner and are
working to put their lives back together. All dialogue is confidential and facilitators are individuals who have
suffered a similar loss. If you wish to pre-register or have other questions concerning level participation,
contact Kevin A. 507-227-1116 or aanenson@msn.com Tammy B. 507-227-1625 tbhappiernow@hotmail.com
at Anna H. at 507-530-2639 or hawk33@charter.net
University of Dayton’s Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) offers discounts to their
online courses for catechists, parents, catechetical leaders, youth ministers and all adults in the Diocese of
New Ulm. Courses for Cycle 1 of 2015 include “The Study of the Joy of the Gospel” facilitated by Bryan
Reising, director of Religious Education and Adult Faith Formation for the Diocese of New Ulm. To sign up,
click on https://vlc.udayton.edu/. If you are a new student, scroll to the bottom and click New Student: Create a
Profile. If you are a returning student, scroll to the bottom and click Register for a Course. VLCFF also has
certificate programs for catechists, youth ministers, social justice committees, and adult faith formation.
Scholarships are available for those involved with catechetical ministry, youth ministry, and Catholic schools.
Just contact Bryan at 507-233-5324 or e-mail him at breising@dnu.org for further details.
A photo slideshow from the Day for Consecrated Life is on the Diocese of New Ulm’s Web site:
www.dnu.org. Over 500 people attended the day-long event, including 60 religious sisters from 12 different
communities. Be sure to check out the photos!
World Day for Consecrated Life will be celebrated at the Church of the Holy Redeemer, Marshall, on January
17, 2015. The liturgy is at 5 pm and will be followed by a reception. Please pray for all those who have made
commitments in the consecrated life. May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond
generously to God’s gift of their vocation.
Follow Your Heart – A Day of Discernment for Women
Saturday, January 31, 2015 - 9 a.m-3p.m.
This day will examine the spiritual practices that guide us in living a discerning life. Sister Joanne Dehmer,
SSND, will lead the day. She has a background in spiritual direction, teaching and pastoral care and will join us
from Loyola Spirituality Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. The event will take place at the Notre Dame Center,
1910 Graham Ave., #217, St. Paul, Minnesota. Register by Wednesday, January 26. Free will offering
accepted. Contact Sister Mary Swanson, SSND, mswanson@ssnd.org or 414-305-9011.
Prayer, Fasting & Almsgiving: A Lenten Experience with the Sisters from the Diocese of New Ulm for
girls in junior and senior high – February 28, 2105, 10 am to 2:30 pm at the church of St. Mary, Bird Island.
Please register by February 23. For a registration form, contact your parish office or Jeovana Michels at 507359-2966.
Join the Pilgrimage to the World Meeting of Families and Welcome Pope Francis
September 22-27, 2015, pilgrimage will be made to Philadelphia from the Diocese of New Ulm. Canterbury
Pilgrimage and Tours will be taking care of the travel and accommodation arrangements. The cost of the
pilgrimage package is $1,675 per person, double occupancy. The package includes roundtrip coach transfer
from New Ulm to the airport, roundtrip airfare from Minneapolis to Philadelphia, hotel accommodations for five
nights with breakfast, coach transportation while in Philadelphia and for associated pilgrimage trips, and two
dinners for the participants from the six dioceses in Minnesota with those bishops attending the meeting.
Information on additional costs for children can be obtained directly from Canterbury Pilgrimage and Tours.
The pilgrimage package does not include registration for the World Meeting of Families, which must be
completed through the official World Meeting of Families Web site. This site can be accessed from the
diocesan Web site, dnu.org, Office of Family Life page. There are various registration packets available.
Funding for scholarship assistance is currently being sought. If you have questions about the registration
options or scholarship opportunities, please contact Sr. Candace Fier at cfier@dnu.org or 507-233-5328.
Specific pilgrimage registration information will be coming out soon and will also be posted on the Office of
Family Life page at dnu.org. If you have questions about travel or hotel accommodations, please contact
Canterbury Pilgrimages and Tours at 800-653-0017.
*Reflections for the weekly readings are part of this bulletin. This publication is sponsored by the Knights of
Columbus Council #2129.
OUR WEEKLY OFFERING
St. Francis - Benson
Sacred Heart - Murdock
Adult
Student
Loose Plate
Fuel
Christmas
Thanksgiving
Immac. Conception
CHD
Religious Ret.
Votive lights
Christmas Dec.
Building Fund
Danvers Oratory
$2,964.00
$15.25
$286.00
$95.00
$710.00
$40.00
$45.00
$20.00
$5.00
$9.50
$130.00
$50.00
$25.00
Total
$4,394.75
St. Bridget Collection figures
will be in next week's bulletin
Adult
Student
Loose Plate
Christmas
Immaculate Conception
Christmas Decorations
$1,690.00
$15.00
$260.00
$155.00
$2.00
$50.00
Total
$2,172.00
St. Malachy - Clontarf
Adult
Student
Loose Plate
Fuel
Christmas
Christmas Decorations
Immaculate Conception
Religious Retirement
$2,435.00
$42.00
$55.35
$2.00
$35.00
$50.00
$20.00
$10.00
Total
$2,649.35
Wednesday, December 31 Feast of Sylvester I, pope
The strong, silent type
Great leaders are often thought of as forceful and authoritarian, with big personalities and egos to match—someone such as
Emperor Constantine, for example, whose qualities enabled him
to achieve stupendous things. But there are other kinds of leaders,
too—ones who have the quiet wisdom to shepherd dynamic people
and times. Such a leader was Pope Sylvester I, who presided over
the church during the momentous events of Constantine’s reign,
including the Council of Nicaea and the building of Rome’s most
famous basilicas. Very little is known about Sylvester, except that
he is an example of how to foster change with humility.
Today’s readings: 1 John 2:18-21; John 1:1-18 (204). “A man
named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to
the light, so that all might believe through him.”
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Thursday, January 1, 2015 Octave day of the Nativity
Immediately after the excitement of a new baby’s arrival begins
the hard work of being a family. After Jesus’ arrival in the most
humble of circumstances, his family had to flee to Egypt for his
protection. They did what was expected of them as parents, presenting their infant in the temple, but they made mistakes, too—
such as leaving their adolescent son behind on return from a trip
to Jerusalem. While you do your best as a family, and fall short, it’s
the working together for one another that counts.
of the
Family bonds
Today’s readings: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 or Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3;
Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 or Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Luke
2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40 (17). “Put on, as God’s chosen ones . . . heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience . . .”
Monday, December 29 Feast of Thomas Becket, bishop, martyr
The last temptation of Thomas
Thomas Becket, archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in his cathedral on this day in 1170. Becket was appointed by King Henry II,
who then wanted Thomas to turn control of the church over to him.
Thomas almost gave Henry what he wanted but ultimately resisted,
leading to his death. In T.S. Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral, Becket
faces a final temptation to seek martyrdom for earthly glory and revenge. Thomas at one point in the play says, “The last temptation is
the greatest treason: To do the right deed for the wrong reason.” The
next time you find yourself thinking, “I’ll show you . . .” pause to
consider if you are about to do the right thing for the wrong reason.
Today’s readings: 1 John 2:3-11; Luke 2:22-35 (202). “Lord, now
let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled.”
Tuesday, December 30
Sixth day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord
A priceless gift
Earthly wisdom says that everything you need is just a purchase
away—beauty, peace, and even happiness. The truth, though, is that
God’s Word is the only thing that lasts forever. No purchase can
fill the space created in you for and by God, a space laid claim to by
the Word of God made human in Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus lived
out unconditional love through union with others, so you’re called
to live. The return for such self-giving? A gift without price: a life
rooted in God, filled with beauty, peace, and, ultimately, happiness.
Today’s readings: 1 John 2:12-17; Luke 2:36-40 (203). “The world
and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of
God remains forever.”
Lord; Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
Ring in the news
The birth of a much-awaited child is a joyous occasion. Such was
the case when the shepherds found that Mary had given birth to a
baby, one who was to change the world! The shepherds were the
bearers of the exciting news, sharing it with people far and wide.
Meanwhile for Mary, the birth was another step in a very personal
journey with God. She was the bearer of God’s Word, entrusted
with nurturing the new life in the world. As we move into the New
Year, how will we, like the shepherds and Mary, be bearers of the
Good News in our world?
Today’s readings: Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:1621 (18). “The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem.”
Friday, January 2 Feast of Basil the Great, bishop, Doctor of the church
No good deed goes unpunished
When Athanasius died in the year 373, the mantle of defender of
the faith at a time of division and heresy fell upon Basil. He strove
to unite his fellow Catholics, and for his troubles he was misunderstood, misrepresented, and accused of heresy and ambition. “For
my sins,” he once wrote, “I seem to be unsuccessful in everything.”
Some 72 years after his death, however, the Council of Chalcedon
described him as “the great Basil, minister of grace who has expounded the truth to the whole earth.” Stay the course with your
own efforts to do good, even in the face of opposition—history will
be the final judge.
Today’s readings: 1 John 2:22-28; John 1:19-28 (205). “I am
the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of
the Lord.’ ”
Saturday, January 3 Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus
Power of names
Jesus has many titles, and at Christmastime, we’re reminded that
Jesus is called by yet another name: Emmanuel, which means
“God with us.” Eight days after his birth, he was circumcised
and named Jesus, which means “God saves” and was the name an
angel told Mary and Joseph to give him. This name itself, heavenly
selected, is an object of Catholic devotion, a name to be venerated
throughout the year.
Today’s readings: 1 John 2:29-3:6; John 1:29-34 (206). “Behold,
the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”
Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith will deepen and grow—a day at a time.
©2014 by TrueQuest Communications. TakeFiveForFaith.com; 800-942-2811; mail@takefiveforfaith.com. All rights reserved. Daily email sign-up and App available online. Art may be subject to additional
copyright. Noncommercial reprints permitted with the following credit: Reprinted with permission from TakeFiveForFaith.com. Scripture citations from the New American Bible Revised Edition.
Contributors: Alice Camille, Sister Colleen Gibson, S.S.J., Daniel Grippo, Father Larry Janowski, O.F.M., Sister Maxine Kollasch, I.H.M., Jennifer Tomshack, Patrice J. Tuohy, Sister Julie Vieira, I.H.M.
St. Isidore the Farmer AFC—January 2015 (subject to change)
Sun
4
8 am Mass Benson
9:30 am Rec. Murdock
10 am Mass Murdock
Mon
5
Cyndi
Vacation
11
8 am Mass Benson
9:30 am Rec. Murdock
10 am Mass Murdock
7:00 pm Area Faith Community Holy Hour &
Confessions in DeGraff
12
18
8 am Mass Benson
9:30 am Rec. Murdock
10 am Mass Murdock
19
25
8 am Mass Benson
9:30 am Rec. Murdock
10 am Mass Murdock
2nd Collection for Catholic
Schools
26
Tue
Wed
Thu
Dec. 31, 2014
2 pm Rosary in Benson
Solemnity of Mary, Mother
of God
6 pm Mass Benson
1—Solemnity of Mary
6
8:30 am Mass Benson
Galatians following Mass
6 pm Mass Danvers
Cyndi Vacation
7
8
8:30 am Mass DeGraff
10:30 am Parkview visit by
Fr. Jeremy
2 pm Rosary in Benson
Cyndi Vacation
8:30 am Mass Murdock
9 am—6 pm Eucharistic
Adoration in Murdock
5-6 pm Confessions in M
10:30 am Mass GL
Cyndi Vacation
13
8:30 am Mass Benson
9-10 am Confessions in B
9 am—5 pm Eucharistic
Adoration in Benson
Galatians following Mass
5 pm St. Francis Admin.
Council meeting
7 pm Area Social Concerns
meeting in Benson
14
15
8:30 am Mass Murdock
10:30 am Mass GL
6 pm Area Liturgy
meeting in Murdock
16
8:30 am Mass Clontarf
9:15 am Scofield visit by
Fr. Jeremy
17
3 pm Rec. Benson
4 pm Mass Benson
6 pm Mass Clontarf
20
8:30 am Mass Benson
3 pm Region IV meeting
with Bishop in Appleton
Christian Unity Week
12-1 Pilgrim Cong.
21 8:30 am Mass Clontarf
22
8:30 am Mass Murdock
10:30 am Mass GL
23
8:00 am Mass DeGraff
Christian Unity Week
12-1 St. Francis
Christian Unity Week
12-1 Our Redeemer’s
24
3 pm Rec. Benson
4 pm Mass Benson
6 pm Mass DeGraff
2nd Collection for Catholic
Schools
27
8:30 am Mass Benson
9-10 am Holy Hour & confessions in Benson
6 pm Mass Danvers
7:30 pm KC meeting
28
29
8:30 am Mass Murdock
10:30 am Mass GL
30
8:30 am Mass Clontarf
8:30 am Mass DeGraff
9:30 am Westwood visit by Fr.
Jeremy
2 pm Rosary in Benson
6:45-8 pm Parent-Child Night
Grades 1-6
6:45 pm Class grades 7-9
Grades 10 & 11 mentor meetings
8-10 pm Teen Talk in Upper
Room
2 pm Rosary in Benson
Grades 1-6 Home Lessons
6:45 pm Grades 7-11 class
Christian Unity Week 12-1
Trinity Lutheran
8-10 pm Teen Talk in Upper
Room
8:30 am Mass DeGraff
2 pm Rosary in Benson
Grades 1-6 home Lessons
2nd Grade First Reconciliation
and Penance Party at St. Francis
6:45 pm Grades 7-11 class
8-10 pm Teen Talk in Upper
Room
9 am Mass Murdock
Area Office Closed
Fri
Sat
2
8:30 am Mass Clontarf
First Friday visits all day
Cyndi Vacation
3
3 pm Rec. Benson
4 pm Mass Benson
6 pm Mass Clontarf
9
8:30 am Mass Clontarf
10
3 pm Rec. Benson
4 pm Mass Benson
6 pm Mass DeGraff
Cyndi Vacation
31
3 pm Rec. Benson
4 pm Mass Benson
6 pm Mass Clontarf