From the Pastor The summer flew by, and I can’t believe it is November already. Fall is a time of

reflection for me and where my life has been and where it is headed.

[Jesus said,] “Much is required from the person to whom much is given; much

more is required from the person to whom much more is given.” Luke12:48

In his book Through Seasons of the Heart, John Powell writes: “God sends each

person into this world with a special message to deliver, with a special song to

sing.. with a special act of love to bestow.” This raises a question: How do I

discover what my special song, message, or act of love is?

God has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another.

I have my mission — I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the

next… [Therefore] I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, may sickness

may serve him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve him… God does nothing in

vain…. O my God, I put myself without reserve into your hands. John Henry

Newman (From VISION by Mark Link, S.J.)

So what is your mission? My mission is clearer at times than others. I just have to

trust God will use me the way God wants. It is not about me but Christ working

through me.

Behind the Scenes: Lighting the Advent Wreath

Advent is a special time of year for friends, family and parish life at Saint Bridget. This year will be no

different. In addition to Masses throughout the season, there are other ways to live in the spirit of Ad-

vent. We have many long-time traditions at Saint Bridget such as the lighting of the Advent Wreath at

masses. We use the Advent wreath as a way to prayerfully reflect on the passage of the Advent sea-

son.

St. Bridget’s Advent Wreath will be lit on the first Sunday of Advent, at which time it will be blessed and

one candle lit. The lighting of candles on our wreath is a reminder of Jesus Christ, the Light who has

come into the world through his birth and who continues to shine brightly through his church.

Individuals, couples or families volunteer to light our advent wreath at the beginning of each Mass

during Advent. Many families enjoy partaking in this tradition as a way to prepare for the birth of

Jesus Christ. One family shared the following sentiments about lighting the wreath:

“I think it’s important to have family traditions. This is a tradition that we started when the boys

were young and I feel it is important to continue it. There are many traditions that we do

outside of church around Christmas and I think it’s important to bring it all back to the church

and the meaning of Christmas. It is a fun and easy way to be part of the Mass.”

-Erica and Matt Herink and Family

St. Bridget Catholic Church

Advent 2017

I n s ide th i s i s sue:

From the

Pastor 1

Faith Put Into

Action -

St. Bridget

Parish School

2

Celebrations

of the Season 3

A Look at

Fall at St.

Bridget

4

A Closer Look

at RCIA &

Welcome new

members

5

Upcoming

Events at

St. Bridget 6

Faith Put Into Action: St. Bridget Parish School - 8th Grade Celtic Games

Page 2

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of

these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’

(Matt 25:40).

Each year St. Bridget 8th grade students undertake a major service project that provides the

opportunity for students to selflessly put their faith into action.

Under the leadership of Mr. Mike Leary, 8th grade homeroom teacher and Middle School Religion &

Social Studies teacher, students research several charitable organizations and determine which

charity they would like to support through their Celtic Games fundraiser. The eighth grade class plans

the games to be offered, personally solicit donations for the raffle from River Falls businesses, and

make posters encouraging younger students to attend the event. Parents and volunteers also help

by donating raffle items, baking sweet treats for the cake walk, or lending a hand in the kitchen with

concessions. Teachers may choose to participate in a fun game called “Throw a wet sponge at a

teacher.” The Middle School as a whole works throughout the event, setting up and taking charge of

the games: face painting, henna tattoos, bowling, cake walk, free throw shot, bean bag toss, ping

pong toss, Sponge a Teacher, and selling raffle tickets. Following the event, with Mr. Leary’s

guidance, the students take care of clean-up, counting the money, and celebrating their

accomplishment.

Parents come in with their children and buy tickets in order to play exciting games or get great

tasting food! The children are always running around the gym with smiles, ready to play the next

game or eat another treat they won at the cake walk. They can get a cute cat painted on their

face, or maybe try their luck at “Spin the Wheel.” Enter the raffle and you may win all sorts of things!

Families really enjoy the Celtic Games because there is something there for everyone.

This year the 8th Grade selected Sharing & Caring Hands in Minneapolis as the charity to benefit from

their service project. $700 was raised during Celtic Games, and will be presented to Mary Jo

Copeland in person when the Middle School students tour the facility in November. As part of the 8th

Grade Reading course of study, students learn of Mary Jo’s life as they read the book, Great Love:

The Mary Jo Copeland Story. Dedicated to the homeless, needy, lonely, and broken, Sharing &

Caring Hands is a charitable organization run by Mary Jo Copeland, a woman who, despite her

painful past, has so much love in her heart that she gives to

everyone she can. Mary Jo follows the example of Jesus, washing the

feet of the poor, providing shelter, clothing, and food. Some call her

“Minnesota’s Saint Theresa”.

We know that there are many people in this world who need help.

Even the slightest action could bring a smile, brighten someone’s

day, and make a difference. The Celtic Games fundraiser is more

than a school event. It is an opportunity for Middle School students to

develop organizational and leadership skills, research area

charities, reflect on what it means to help others, provide an evening

of fun for younger students, and actively create an event that will

benefit those in need. This project provides an opportunity for

students to put what they have learned at St. Bridget Parish School

into action: by caring and actively doing something positive for

others.

Contributing student authors: Claire Stewart and Elizabeth Leary

Mr. Leary being “sponged”!

Page 3

Behind the Scenes: Lighting the Advent Wreath (continued from front page)

(continued on page 3)

We invite all parishioners to consider helping to light our advent wreath as

a way to help prepare your heart for the birth of Jesus. If you are

interested in lighting the advent wreath during Mass, you can volunteer

by calling the c h u r c h office or signing up at the Infor-

m a t i o n

Desk.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Friday, December 8: 9 a.m.

Decorating the Church for Christmas

Sunday, December 17 - after 11 a.m. Mass

Christmas Eve - Sunday, December 24

3:00 p.m. - Mass at St. Bridget, River Falls

5:00 p.m. - Mass at St. Mary, Hammond

7:00 p.m. - Mass at St. Bridget, River Falls

10:30 p.m. - Mass at St. Bridget, River Falls

Preceded by 10 p.m. Adult Choir

Concert

Christmas Day - Monday, December 25

8:30 a.m. - Mass at St. Bridget, River Falls

10:30 a.m. - Mass at St. Mary, Hammond

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God -

Tuesday, January 1

8:00 a.m. - Mass at St. Bridget, River Falls

2017 Advent Reconciliation Schedule

Tuesday, November 28: 7:00 p.m.

(Communal Penance Service at St. Bridget) Tuesday, December 5: 4:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 5: 7:00 p.m.

(Communal Penance Service at St. Mary’s

Immaculate Conception - Hammond) Wednesday, December 6: 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

(Communal Penance Service at

Immaculate Conception - New Richmond)

Tuesday, December 12: 4:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Friday, December 15: 7:30 - 7:50 a.m.

Tuesday, December 19: 4:30 - 5:00 p.m.

St. Bridget Parish School Christmas Program

Thursday, December 14: 6:30 p.m.

(St. Bridget Parish School Gym)

Celebrations of the Season

First

Reconciliation

Learning

Centers

Page 4

A Peek into the Fall Season at St. Bridget

Second Annual Block Party

Apple Orchard Fun

with St. Bridget

School Pre -K

Students

Page 5

A Closer Look at RCIA

Rite of Acceptance, Candidate, Catechumen, Dismissal, Sponsor – What do all these terms mean?

This year we have six candidates and one catechumen journeying to full initiation into the Catholic

faith at the Easter Vigil. They have chosen to grow deeper in relationship with God and this

community of believers in the Catholic Faith. On December 3 at the 9:30 a.m. mass we will receive

t h r ou g h th e R i te o f Ac c e p ta n c e th e f o l lo w i n g c a n d i d a te s a n d

catechumen into the RCIA process: Catechumen – Rich Jorgensen, sponsor Brian Baschnagel;

Candidates – Terry Ewy, sponsor Larry Schultz; Brandon Steffensen, sponsor EmmaLeah Trandahl;

Austin Mahanke, sponsor Ken Bodin; Andrew Cooan, sponsor Dan Rubenzer; Olivia Kessler, sponsor

Lauren Morris; Tara Blonigen, sponsor Craig Blonigen.

What is the difference between candidate and catechumen? The candidate is the person who

has been baptized but is seeking full initiation into the church with reception of Eucharist and

Confirmation. The catechumen is non baptized and seeking full initiation with all three sacraments.

Each year candidates and catechumens are asked to have a person to journey closely with them

in this process. Often they come with someone who has already agreed to this and other times we

invite parishioners to join in this opportunity. The sponsor participates in weekly gatherings and

liturgical rites to support and pray with them as they move toward full reception. Sponsors often

share that this journey deepens their own faith as they grow in relationship and knowledge.

As these seekers continue forward in their journey toward reception into the church, it should serve

as a reminder to all of us of the continued journey of faith we all travel. Reception of the

sacraments is not a prize or a task to complete; rather it is the beginning of a long term, on-going,

relationship with Jesus and the awesome opportunity to enter more fully into that relationship with

God.

On December 3, in addition to the Rite of Acceptance, these seekers begin to enter more deeply

into our Sunday scriptures with what is known as “Dismissal”. During this time the candidates and

catechumen will join us in our Sunday worship. After the Homily, they will be dismissed with a

facilitator to discuss more deeply the scriptures helping them to grow deeper in the love and

compassion of Jesus as they wait patiently to join in the celebration of Eucharist at the Lord’s Table.

As a parish community I ask you to continue to pray for these candidates,

catechumen, sponsors and team as we all journey to a deeper love and

desire to live out our faith and calling as Baptized believers.

Jodie Rubenzer, Spiritual Growth and Discipleship

Welcome to St. Bridget

We would like to welcome these new parishioners (since August 2017) to our St. Bridget Family. We

are excited to have you journey with us!

Kelly and Matthew Widule

Lilly

Terry Harris

Sue O'Connor

Kevin and Sabrina Deiss

Sawyer

Amy and Justin Hamlin

Lucas, Cole, Violet

Jen and Kris Novak

Tyler and Brookelyn

Kristen and Ben Csiacsek

Annemarie, Josie, Jameson

Sarah Robole

Kegan and Brittni Meyer

Kierra Eicher

Grover Doebel

Save the Date: Be sure to mark your calendar for these upcoming events!

Non-Profit

Organization

US Postage

PAID

Permit No. 62

River Falls, WI

St. Bridget

Catholic Church

211 E. Division Street

PO Box 86

River Falls, WI 54022

Phone: 715-425-1870

Fax: 715-425-1871

E-mail:

recept@stbparish.com

St. Bridget Parish

Mission Statement

St. Bridget Catholic

Church is a Christian

Community which exists

to continue the mission of

Jesus Christ under the

guidance of the Holy

Spirit.

As such, we are

committed to working for

the coming of God's

Kingdom.

We accomplish this

through worship,

community life, Christian

education and service to

those who are in need.

November Listen! An invitation to Lectio Divinia with the Gospels of Advent Wednesdays Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. RSVP to Jodie at jrubenzer@stbparish.com or call 715-307-2524 December 12/2 Holiday Happenings Craft sale 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The annual craft show will be held in the St. Bridget Parish School Gym. Come get a start on your Christmas shopping! 12/3 Baptism Class for Your First Child 1:00 p.m. Class is held in the Garden View Room at St. Bridget. Parents are to attend this class prior to scheduling a baptism. To register, email recept@stbparish.com or call St. Bridget church office. 12/12 The Gathering Christmas Tea 11:00 a.m. Join us (those 60 and up) for live entertainment and “Christmas Tea” featuring seasonal foods and beverages.

12/25 - 12/29 Church offices closed for Christmas break.

January 1/9 The Gathering 11:00 a.m. Join us (those 60 and up) to learn more about the basics of CPR. More details to come. 1/27 Life in the Spirit

Join us for prayer, music, talks, reflection, reconciliation and Mass

beginning at 8:00 a.m. at St. Bridget. Stay tuned in future bulletins for

more information. February 2/24 St. Bridget Parish School Gala Stay tuned for more details, including the announcement of the theme!