Pax Christi Catholic Church

Public Celebration of Mass Beginning May 27, a new executive order by Governor Walz allows faith communities to expand indoor gatherings to 25% of normal capacity, with a maximum of 250 people. Outdoor gatherings are also limited to 250 people.

From Bishop Quinn, "The obligation to attend Sunday Mass remains suspended at this time. Parishes are to begin public Masses only when they are able to fulfill all protocols for the safe assembly of people, including sanitization, as well as protocols for the celebration of the Liturgy and the reception of Holy Communion." Read more of the May 23 letter from Bishop Quinn. 

We are working on a plan to safely begin the public celebration of Mass, but do not have a date at this time.

Please join us in praying for our community, particularly those impacted by COVID-19, the vulnerable, and our health care community.

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On Wed. May 13, the 103^rd anniversary of the first apparition of the Virgin Mary to three shepherds in the small Portuguese town of Fatima, Pope Francis asked Catholics to pray to Our Lady of Fatima for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Pray along with us during May, the month of Mary.

Watch the video below as Fr. Thế and the Rauh/Scheitel family crown Mary at our Marian Grotto. Please stop by, pray, and add your own flowers.

Pray with us!
Liturgy aid for May Crowning

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• KIMT 3 - Rochester-Austin-Mason City  Sunday at 7:30 am
• MyTV 3.2 at 9:00 am
• WFTC 9 - 11:30 am (Comcast: 10/807, DirecTV: 29, DISH: 29 Mediacom: 10/803, Over Air: 9.2)

Find the latest information
Centers for Disease Control  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html

MN Dept. of Health  https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html

Welcome to Fr. John Sauer and Fr. Shawn Haremza
Our new pastor, Fr. John Sauer, will arrive July 1. He is currently the pastor at Sacred Heart in Owatonna. His biography is in our May 17 bulletin.

Also effective July 1, Fr. Shawn Haremza, current Parochial Vicar of Resurrection Parish in Rochester, will assist with sacramental ministry at Pax Christi and Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Mazeppa in addition to his current assignment.

Maybe it would be better to entitle this column as “How to Say Goodbye in a Pandemic.” Certainly, the circumstances make this day unique and challenging. Many have already offered such kind words, and I thank you for them. I have said goodbye before, but this time is quite different. As I write this column, I am thinking about what will be my final Mass at Pax Christi: filmed, and with an empty church. As some have said, this is just not the way to say farewell.
 
However, I have come to know more and more what is behind the camera. The benefit of bringing church into your homes is great. As I have prayed the spiritual communion prayer at each Mass, I pray for your benefit, and mine as well. It helps to remind me that no private Mass is ever really private. There is the communion of saints and the communion of parishioners. I have held you all in my heart while I celebrate the Mass not only in this time of pandemic, but before as well. I know of your prayers, and I thank you for the prayers that you have offered for the community and I as well.
 
As I leave Pax Christi and Ss. Peter and Paul’s, I do so with a grateful heart. It is always risky to make a list of gratitude, because I know that I will leave someone out. Please forgive me if I have inadvertently omitted you, and know that my gratitude extends beyond the limitations of my memory.
 
I am grateful for the full, active and conscious participation at every Mass. For the ways that you let the importance of your faith be known. For the abundance of committed liturgical ministers and how truly special our choirs are. I have been in awe of the ways in which parishioners have reached out to the homebound and St. Vincent de Paul’s care for the poor. Prior to this time of pandemic, I was repeatedly amazed not only how often our parking lot was full, but the events, groups and committees that expressed your devotion. The level of quality in our Youth and Children’s Ministries, Men and Women of Pax, Knights of Columbus, DivorceCare, Sunday Speaker Series, Lumen Christi -and so many others!- have repeatedly inspired me to give you my very best every week.
 
I would be remiss if I did not make special mention of those I worked with so closely. It has been an honor and privilege to collaborate with our staff, trustees, pastoral and finance councils, and parochial vicars. The ministry of a pastor is either limited or expanded by those others entrusted with care in the parish, and I feel that my ministry here was expansive.
 
In John 15:11, Jesus says “These things I have spoken to you that my joy might be in you, and your joy might be complete.” I pray that my words and actions have served to increase the Joy of Jesus in your hearts. I ask forgiveness for those ways that I have failed to do so. I give thanks to God that as I say farewell, I know that my memories of each of you and my time in these parishes will all be remembered fondly.
 
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Fr. Will Thompson

You have each been through such a roller coaster these past weeks! It has been difficult to keep up with all of the updates, and they just keep coming. I want to let you know that you have been in my prayers in a special way, especially at Mass and when I pray the rosary. With so much turmoil, where do we turn? Well, now that public Masses have been cancelled, as well as the Adoration Chapel and parish ministries, that question is more important. We are making the best (I hope) of this situation, and have a few plans in place:
 

• The Mass will be celebrated daily and will be available from our website and YouTube channel.
• The church will open daily for personal prayer from 9 am - 8 pm, please check back as these times may change.
• We have devotional items such as holy water, blessed candles, rosaries and prayer books, for you to take home. They are in the gathering space.
• Reconciliation is celebrated Saturdays from 10:30am-noon in the Youth Center. In case of emergency, Reconciliation can be requested by calling the parish office.
• If you are in need of Anointing of the Sick or Viaticum, please let Fr. Thế or I know and we will do our best to arrange to celebrate those Sacraments.
• Our great staff is still working! Please reach out to any of us with your needs, prayer requests, or for a conversation.

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You may also access homilies at paxchristi.podbean.com

Listen to Father Thế Hoàng and Father Brian Mulligan
The Practical Rambling Fathers Podcast