Welcome to St. Patrick’s as we enter 2012 !

 

Whether you are one of the dedicated members of our 700 family parish; a recent visitor, or if you are looking for a community to call home, we hope this site helps connect you with our parish.  St. Patrick’s prides itself on its good liturgies, inviting atmosphere, and commitment to service.  We embrace these as hallmarks of our identity, and evidence of our commitment to Jesus Christ.

This year, St.Patrick School (K-8) celebrates its 60th Anniversary, with increased enrollment from last year.  Our Early Education Center continues to provide daily care for the youngest in the Northland.  Our Sunday morning Children’s Faith Formation (C.F.F) aids our public school parishioners to grow in their Catholic faith (K-8), and our Wednesday evening Youth Group (E.D.G.E) ministers to our teenagers.  Opportunities for Adult Faith Formation abound at St. Patrick through our Coffee and Theology Sessions (held between the Sunday Masses), weekly Bible Studies, Bishop Helmsing Institute classes, and Small Christian Communities.  ”Rita’s Raiders” bring the Eucharist and provide companionship to the homebound and ill in our parish. Our Sunday choir and seasonal bell choir assist us in worship, with regular training for those who wish to serve our community during the liturgies.  Eucharistic Adoration is held in our chapel every Thursday between 1 and 5 PM, First Friday Masses are held at 8AM, and Morning Prayer is led every Saturday morning from 7 – 8 AM.  Our commitment to the mental and physical well-being of others is exemplified through our on-site counseling services (staffed by Catholic Charities), food pantry, and 4th Sunday volunteers at Catholic Worker House.  We have a decade of support to the people of El Salvador, and on-going commitment to TurnAround (assisting those transitioning from incarceration back into society).

Click on the calendar or one of our tabs at the top for more information, including OUR WINTER WEATHER POLICY  or visit  OUR PARISH BULLETIN.

As we enter into 2012, a reminder that you will still be able to find Pew Cards and Response Changes located in your worship aid, to assist you with the new Mass Translation that began in Advent of 2011. Pocket size pew cards are available in the Gathering Space of our church that you are encouraged to take home with you, to assist you in learning the responses. Our 2012 Directories are also available in the Gathering Space for you to take home.

There are a number of exciting things on the horizon for St. Patrick’s in 2012. Among them:

*We will hear from Stewardship Speakers monthly in 2012, offering us all glimpses of how our neighbors invest in our parish family, with gifts of time, talent and treasure.

*Our first Mardi Gras/Poker Night on Friday, February 10th in the Hager Center. $25 to enter, and prizes that include a weeklong stay on the Vegas Strip. Check out our parish bulletin for more details.

*Ash Wednesday begins February 22nd, and we have a variety of Lenten activities planned that will help guide us during our 40 weeks of reflection, including Evening Masses, Stations of the Cross offered twice every Friday, and a Lenten daily guide with reflections from you and your fellow St. Patrick parishioners.

*IrishFest is Saturday, March 3rd… one of our biggest social gatherings of the year.

*Fr. Justin’s Ultimate Frisbee Team. We’ll start practicing this spring in preparation for our participation in the Catholic Challenge Sports League. Any young adult in their 20s or 30s is encouraged to join Fr. Justin’s team. More information coming soon!

*The return of our Ministry Fair and Ethnic Fest in the Spring, and our Second Annual Holy Roast as we enter into the summer months.

Please contact the parish office if I or anyone on our parish staff can be of assistance to you.  We are a strong and resilient community with a deep love for the Catholic tradition.  We welcome your involvement in the life of St. Patrick’s: the parish we call home.

With Gratitude in Jesus Christ,

Fr. Justin Hoye, Pastor