FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS THROUGH W · 2019-11-30 · My wife Ashley and I have four beautiful children. Landon is five and our twins, Arie and Adalyn, are three and a half. We recently

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS

December (see page 5) January

9th Kindergarten Info Night

12th Equip I

25th Equip II

27-31 FMSC Mobile Pack

29th Made For More

LEADING PEOPLE

TO CHRIST THROUGH

LITURGY

SACRAMENTS

LEARNING

– continued on page 2

Parishioners David and Carole Leer

U P C O M I N G D A T E S !

W hile walking into All Saints Church on a Sunday morning many months ago, longtime parishioners Carole

and David Leer observed a father out front carrying his son on his shoulders. Pointing to the top of the steeple, the father told his young son “and that’s the church bell, way up in the tower.” The young boy responded, “But I don’t hear the church bell ringing.”Carole’s heart sunk. The All Saints Church bell was in a state of disrepair and hadn’t rung since the summer of 2018. “Even that child knew the church bell should be ringing,” Carole said. The boy’s comment was particularly heartbreaking to the Leers because their connection to the church bell goes back a long way. In the 1980s, David and Carole Leer lost all four of their parents. As with so many parents who lived through the Great Depression of the 1930s, their parents wanted to save their money for their children - even when their children said “No, enjoy your money while you can.” Rather than keep or spend the inheritances they received, the Leers instead decided to do something special to honor them. What that would be, they didn’t yet know. In 1990, the couple moved from Milwaukee, WI to Lakeville and became members of All Saints. David soon became our church photographer and Carole joined, as David recalls, “committee after committee after committee.” One of them was the Parish Pastoral Council. One meeting night, as the plans for the new church were being discussed and approved, Carole had to leave early and as she was closing the door, she had what she describes as a sudden premonition. She turned around abruptly and asked, then pastor Fr. Tiffany, “How much does a church bell cost?”

After he gave her a number, (he was off by the way, “Way off.”) Carole returned home and said to David, “I know what we

will do with our parents’ money. We will purchase a bell for the new church.” With a big smile, David said, “PERFECT.” His father sang in church and Carole’s mother made sure the family went to Mass every Sunday; they both felt it was a fitting tribute. So where does someone go to buy a church bell–one that calls God’s people to worship? David and Carole know God definitely helped them find the perfect bell. During a luncheon meeting, Fr. Tiffany suggested the Leers contact the Verdin Company, a Cincinnati, Ohio business with an over 100-year history of making and casting bells. David reached out to the company president, R.J. Verdin Jr., who told them the company had recently acquired a bell that he thought would be perfect. Verdin Jr. visited All Saints and spoke with Carole, David, Fr. Tiffany, and other council members about the bell. Carole informed Verdin Jr. that they wanted their parents’ names engraved on the bell and that she wanted “a good-sounding bell.” Later, Verdin Jr. sent the council a cassette tape recording of the bell’s sound, which helped solidify the decision to purchase the bell. The bell in the tower has an extraordinary history. The bell is a Vanduzen bronze bell and was cast in 1894. (The Vanduzen Bell Foundry

was acquired by the Verdin Company in 1955.) It is 50 inches in diameter and weighs 2,800 lbs. It originally hung with two companion bells in the First United Church of Christ, a prominent German congregation located on the north side of Cincinnati. For 68 years the bells were rung by hand. In 1962, the church automated the ringing of the bells. In 1993, a tornado destroyed the church. Two of the bells landed in the rubble of the basement of the church, but the largest of the three was still hanging precariously in the church’s tower. The Verdin Company removed the final bell by crane, so that the congregation was able to save all three

SERVICE

Awaken to God ’sUnimaginable Greatness

All Saints Parish Newsletter December 2019 / January 2020


Hello! My name is Gerrad Griffey and I have been given the opportunity to introduce myself to the

parishioners of All Saints.

I accepted the position of Maintenance Supervisor here in April of 2017 and couldn’t be happier with my decision to do so. My family and I moved to Lakeville from North Dakota where I had worked as a maintenance technician/supervisor for a management company dealing with residential and commercial properties. My background is in carpentry, electrical, and plumbing with a total of 15 years of experience in building and facility maintenance.

When we moved to Minnesota, I took a job with a food brokerage company and got my feet wet working in sales. As time passed, I realized how much I missed doing what I really enjoyed, which was working with my hands. I had multiple offers when deciding where to work but something inside of me drew me to All Saints Catholic Church and School. God had a plan for me, and he placed right where I needed to be. The staff are second to none and have made me feel very welcome and comfortable since day one. I truly cherish the people and staff here at All Saints and the friendships I have made along the way. All Saints has become more than just a job, it has become part of my family.

My wife Ashley and I have four beautiful children. Landon is five and our twins, Arie and Adalyn, are three and a half. We recently just welcomed our newest daughter, Isla, in October. We also have two little dogs named Bentley and Enzo. Needless to say, we are very busy at home. Our kids have been fortunate to experience the Preschool here at All Saints where they continue to learn about their faith and grow in their relationship with God. When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family experiencing all that the Twin Cities has to offer. I enjoy golfing any chance I get, watching football, and spending time outdoors. My health is very important to me and you can find me lifting weights at Life Time most days after work.

God has blessed my life in multiple ways, and I am very fortunate to work for a faith-based church and school. I have worked in numerous environments throughout the years and there is a reason that All Saints is ranked sixth on the Star Tribune’s TOP 150 small business workplaces in MN. I enjoy coming into work every single day and being surrounded by genuine, hardworking people. I look forward to my future here at All Saints Catholic School and Church and growing in my Catholic faith along the way Thank you for making me feel welcome.

GETTING TO KNOWGERRAD GRIFFEY

bells. The Ohio congregation rebuilt their church, however, due to lack of financial means, only the two smaller bells were incorporated into the new facility. The Verdin Company acquired the third bell, and in August of 1998 the Vanduzen bell - engraved with the names of Carole and David’s parents was installed in the All Saints bell tower. The bell continued to ring four times each day over the course of the next 20 years, but in recent years custodian Al Schostag said he noticed the bell wasn’t ringing as loud as it had in the past. In the summer of 2018, the bell stopped ringing completely. Due to the difficulty of locating and scheduling a technician (there are only a handful of companies that do this work in the U.S.), the bell was not inspected until May 2019, when technicians discovered the bell had many worn parts that needed replacing and that it also was not hanging level. Among the parts needed were bolts, a headpiece, springs, and a clapper—all of which were believed to be part of the original bell, which then had to be sent to Verdin to be recast. On October 16, 2019 the new parts were installed, including a new remote-control operated electronic controller. At approximately 2 p.m. that day, the All Saints Church bell rang for the first time in over a year.

Carole and David are thrilled the bell is ringing again and truly feel that God led them to be able to provide this gift to the parish. As Carole once wrote in a journal entry, “A bell is to call people to join God. Have you heard the call?”

– Carole and David Leer continued from page 1

DID YOU KNOW?

A church bell can be rung in various ways to produce different intonations, which have various meanings and are used for different purposes.

4A bell “peal” is a loud succession of sounds and is associated with joy.

4A bell “toll” is a slow and repeated sound that is more solemn.The All Saints bell rings at 9 a.m., 12 noon, and 3 & 6 p.m. each day; and five minutes before each Mass on the weekends.The 9 and 3 o’clock bells ring a one minute “peal.” The 12 and 6 o’clock bells recall the traditional style of bell ringing associated with the Angelus: a triple stroke “toll” repeated three times (a total of nine strokes) followed by a one minute “peal”. This pattern coincides with the structure of the Angelus prayer.The bell rings a “peal” at the Holy Thursday Mass during the “Gloria” and stays silent until the intonation of the “Gloria” at the Easter Vigil Mass in which another “peal” is rung. Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday are the only times a bell is “required” to ring during the liturgy. At all other times it is optional.If desired, funeral Masses at All Saints can contain a “funeral toll” or “death knell,” which consists of six, one-minute “tolls,” ten seconds apart while a casket is exiting the church.The bell also rings every time a new Pope is elected. When Pope Francis was elected, the All Saints bell rang for a continuous ten minute “peal.”


Advent is a fascinating time of year. It is the start of the liturgical calendar, meaning this is New Years for the Church! It begins four Sundays before Christmas Day and

ends at the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve. It is marked by waiting, darkness, and preparation. We see this in the coming season of winter as the days get shorter and the night and darkness gets longer. We see this in the dark liturgical color of violet that the Church chose for this season. We see this in the readings where we are encouraged to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. This preparation is meant to be a remembrance of the preparation for Christ’s first coming in the Incarnation at Christmas, but it is also meant to be a preparation for Christ to come in our lives and for His final coming.

Is Advent a Penitential Season?

Church people often think of Advent and Lent as the two penitential seasons of our liturgical calendar. This is only reinforced by the fact that we use violet for both seasons. However, while Lent is focused on penitence, Advent is focused on conversion. As we awaken from our sinful slumber and keep vigil for our coming Savior, conversion is necessary. We must convert from our old sinful ways of life, ways that have deadened our spiritual senses, and turn toward

God and His imminent coming and return. Penance is a necessary partof conversion, but the conversion must always remain in focus, especially during Advent.

Have I really been asleep?

A hard part of life is realizing when we are just surviving, and not flourishing. Too often we live day to day either overwhelmed by the busyness of life or lulled into routine complacency. Either way, we can fall into the habit of doing things simply out of necessity, entertainment, or distraction. This is evident in the “binge” culture we live in today. People “binge” their favorite Netflix, Hulu, or Prime shows; they “binge” on gossip, food, or the news; or they can even “binge” on work. These things are all good in their own right, but not when they are taken out of their proper context of leisure and spiritual flourishing. All of these are ways that the world can lull us into thinking more about things of this world, instead of the things of God.

Why do I need to wake up?

We all need to be woken up to some extent. We all have become drowsy in our lackluster lives to some extent. But this is not what we are made for. This will never make us happy. We are made for more! God made us to be on fire, filled with energy, and profoundly happy. But this is only possible if we wake up to God’s Unimaginable Greatness. We must turn from this world, toward God, and experience his glorious transcendence, even as He is made intimately close at Christmas.

Father Joseph Gifford, Associate Pastor

What is Advent and why do we have it?

Wake Up


During the height of the Great Depression in the 1930s, my grandfather, Charles Salvatori, a carpenter/handyman by trade, had been out of work for some time. While attending Mass during the Advent season, a missionary spoke to the congregation of the parish he attended, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Yankton, South Dakota. And so—as the story is told in my family—with only a dollar to his name, my grand-father in a simple act of faith, gave it to the visiting missionary.

This story has been told to me and my siblings many times through the years by mother, and no doubt, many times to her and her siblings by my grandfather. This tiny lesson of faith, as often is the case with family stories, has a varied and rich backstory worth noting. For if this was all I told you about my grandfather, you would think him an exemplary man. Well, he was and he wasn’t, but his life, I think, has much to teach us.

Charlie, as he was known by close friends and relatives, was the son of an Italian immigrant who fled by train to the Midwest from recruitment by the New York Mafia. My great-grand-father worked for the railroads and eventually landed in the Da-kota Territories (Yankton, South Dakota), where he married an-other Italian immigrant and had ten children, one of whom was my grandfather. Charlie learned the trade of carpentry and soon married and moved to Fresno, California, with his first wife, Hel-en, where they had a daughter, my aunt Geraldine. A few months after she was born, Helen died suddenly from an influenza epidemic during the winter of 1928.

Charlie returned by train to Yankton, grieving and with his young daughter in tow, no doubt uncertain about his future, but knowing he needed his family’s help to raise the child. I’m told by my aunts and mother, that my grandfather often spoke about the kindnesses of the people on that train ride, especially the women, who took over caring for my aunt, likely sensing his deficiencies in child-rearing. (Imagine, in those days, when men were typically never involved in raising little children, a working-class man having to figure out diaper duty.)

Reestablishing himself in Yankton, Charlie met my grand-mother Theresa. They married and reared six more children. While I’m told Charlie was a personable, kind, and loving man (he died when my mother was pregnant with me), I’m also told he was an alcoholic, suffering from periods of exces-sive drinking and sobriety which are etched into the memories of my aunts and uncles during their formative years. Whether the disease sprung from an undiagnosed mental illness or to mask deep trauma, it is clear to me from descriptions of events

from my mother and aunts that it was a coping mechanism for something he was unable to speak of. Charlie wasn’t the town bar fly, I’m told, he simply would “disappear” and re-appear stoned, leaving my grandmother, aunts, and uncles to deal with the aftermath. There are many tragic stories of his alcoholism—of one of my aunts begging a police officer not to place my grandfather in jail, of my grandmother and aunt tearfully canning crates of grapes he purchased on a drunken whim, and of bottles of alcohol hidden among the cleaning supplies so they wouldn’t be detected.

Alongside these stories, in stark contrast, are stories of joy and deep devotion. For example, Charlie, according to my moth-er, brought the tradition of Christmas into their home. My

grandmother’s family did not celebrate Christmas with any sort of fanfare. Charlie made sure a

tree was procured, and presents, though I’m sure modest, were opened on Christmas

day. He also insisted that my mother, who was born on October 3, the former feast day of St. Theresa the Little Flower, be named Theresa—against the wishes of my grand-mother of the same name. My aunt Karen remembers that my grandfather could recite the Litany of the Saints by heart and remem-

bers him always with a rosary in his hand, even times where he paced the

floor, praying he would not succumb to his alcoholism.

When I pause to reflect on the story of my grandfather giving his last dollar to the church mission-

ary, I think about how closely it resembles the biblical story of the widow who puts two meager coins into the temple trea-sury (Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4). I also marvel that as the story of the widow’s act of faith has not been forgotten, so my grandfather’s act of faith has been kept alive, passed down to his children, his grandchildren, and now, from me to his great-grandchildren. I’d like to imagine my grandfather didn’t only place his last dollar into that collection bin, but rather, along with it, his own brokenness, his sorrows, and his desperation as a father worried he would not be able to provide for his family. We never found out how God may have blessed the widow for her act of sacrifice, but as for my grandfather—so the story goes—he found a job the next day.

And therein lies the promise of this season of quiet anticipa-tion—that hope is on the horizon—the same hope sustained through generations preceding the Nativity and generations since—that Christ has, is, and will come into the midst of our brokenness to save us.

A Simple Act of Faith By Carol Shea

CH RISTMAS MASS TIMESADVENT RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE


Thursday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. in the Church.

SCHOOL CHRISTMAS

PROGRAM

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR

Saturday, Dec. 7, 9-3, 75+ Vendors, Concessions, Harvest Food Donation, Drop-Off opportunity for Joseph’s Coat and Sharing & Caring Hands.

55+ EVENT: ST. NICHOLAS CELEBRATION

Friday, Dec. 6, 9:30-11:30 AM in the Dining Room. Come enjoy

brunch, fellowship, and an inspiring program with stories, prayer, and

songs led by Mike Vievering. Cost is $7.

Preparing for God’s GreatnessTues. Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m. Mass; Advent Reflection with Fr. Joseph Gifford. Refreshments to follow at 8:30 p.m.

PARISH ADVENT RETREAT

FREE COMMUNITY MEALThursday, Dec. 12, 5:30-7 p.m. in Murphy Hall (Use Door ‘M’)on south side of building).

SCHOOL BAND CONCERTThursday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m. in the Main Church.

ADVENT FAIR TRADE

SALE

Dec. 14/15 after all Masses. (Peace Coffee, Divine Chocolate, Crafts, Jewelry, and more.)

ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE BAMBINOSDec. 14/15 - Bring your Nativity

Christ Child in for a blessing during all weekend Masses.

DECORATING THE CHURCH FOR CHRISTMAS

Monday, Dec. 23, from 7-9 p.m. Adults and teens are especially needed that evening.

.

SUPER SATURDAY SERVICE DAYS Dec. 7 at FMSC (Eagan) & Dec. 14 at Trinity Senior Center (Farmington) These are wonderful ADVENTure opportunities. Sign up online at: allsaintschurch.com/sssd

ADVENT DAY OF RECONCILATIONWednesday, Dec. 11, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Many priests will be available for private confessions.

Monday, Dec. 16 5-6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17 4:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18 7:45-9:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 6-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20 5-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 8:30-10 a.m. & 3-4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23 8:15-9:15 a.m. & 5:30-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24 8:15-9:15 a.m.

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Holy Day of Obligation) Christmas Eve – Tuesday, Dec. 24 4 p.m. (Main Church) 4:15 p.m. (Murphy Hall) 6 p.m. ASL (Main Church) 11:30 p.m. Carols by the Choir 12 a.m. Midnight Mass (Incense)

Christmas Day – Wednesday, Dec. 25 9 a.m. and (11 a.m. Incense)

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Holy Day of Obligation)

Tuesday, Dec. 31 5 p.m. Wednesday Jan. 1 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

SORTING AND PACKING EVENT

Sunday, Dec. 8, after the 5:30 p.m. Mass. Many hands needed

– junior high-adult.

Comfort &

the

of giving

People, look east. The time is near of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table. People, look east and sing today: Love, the guest, is on the way.

Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, one more seed is planted there: Give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish. People, look east and sing today: Love, the rose, is on the way.

Birds, though you long have ceased to build, guard the nest that must be filled. Even the hour when wings are frozen, God for fledging time has chosen. People, look east and sing today: Love, the bird, is on the way.

Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim, one more light the bowl shall brim, Shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as sun and moon together. People, look east and sing today: Love, the star, is on the way.

Angels, announce with shouts of mirth Christ who brings new life to earth. Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way.

~Text: Eleanor Farjeon, 1881-1965, © David Higham Assoc. Ltd.

I’ll admit it, I’ve never really suc-ceeded at “ad-venting.” When the secular culture breaks out the Christmas décor

and music, I march right along with them. Does this sound fa-miliar? There is a flurry to shop, decorate, send cards, and bake. When December 26th hits, it’s a full stop. By that time, I am exhausted. Two of my Advent candles have untouched wicks: evidence of my lack of follow through. I haven’t made time to appreciate it—I’m just happy when it’s done. Once again, I find that I’ve missed the invitation of Advent, with all its richness and simplicity. My typical “Christmas” traditions foster impa-tience and endless tasks, while authentic Advent traditions ask me to wait, slow down, to prepare, and look East.

Growing up, we had authentic traditions during Advent. My mom put in the time to nurture those things even though life was busy. She didn’t settle on “let’s make it about December

25.” She prepared us to receive Him. I took this for granted and regarded it more as an afterthought, but in those adventing traditions, she was preparing us to receive something far greater than a present under the tree. Looking back, I recognize the need for traditions that prepare us slowly, with contemplation and purpose.

This year, I challenge others and myself to look East rather than West. We need Christ 365 days a year. However, the time of Ad-vent makes us all the more aware that we need His simple and quiet presence in our lives amidst the secular Christmas culture. Isn’t it the ultimate image of humility and simplicity that He came to us in a manger? Looking East, we see Christ’s call for us to shed what the culture has saturated our lives with—things that cannot be carried with us out of Bethlehem. If we are head-ing out of Bethlehem with Christ, we need to travel more lightly.

The song, People Look East, calls Christ “guest,” “rose,” “bird,” star,” and “Lord.” Consider some fresh ways in which you might summon Him into your life (and your home) by honor-ing Him in a unique way this Advent:

“Love, the guest…” Plan 4 special Advent dinners. Bring out the good dishes; dress the table with candles and wreath and ribbon; surprise them all with purple produce ‑ ‑ ‑ grapes, plums, cauliflower, let-tuce - - - even carrots! Get creative!

“Love, the rose…” Add some violet and rose into your Ad-vent décor. Save the greens and reds for later! If you do an annual family photo, maybe wake things up with an Advent theme. The men may object but tell them it’s for the greater glory. Our beloved priests make rose look good on Gaudete Sunday.

“Love, the bird…” Maybe you will be flying this Christmas. See what shrines, cathedrals or holy landmarks are near your destination as you make your way over the river and through the woods.

Singing carols in the car can make time fly. A friend of mine recalled the first time she ever heard her father sing. Out of nowhere, this man of few

words chimed in with an unforgettable rendition of the chorus from ‘We Three Kings’ (‘OO…OOOO Star of Wonder, Star of Night...’). That song has become a timeless treasure for her ever since. Make this the year for some things old - and new. The Advent season is packed with provisions and traditions of faith – all for the passing down.

“Love, the star...” Be light! All Saints has many opportuni-ties to serve others. Do kind things and make sacrifices and write them on slips of paper. Put them in a designated box under your tree. On Christ-mas Day Mass, bring the box and put it by the manger scene. Don’t put your Christmas presents under the tree until Christmas Eve. That way, we see what we present to Christ rather than what is presented to us.

“Love, the Lord…” Decide to pare down your gifts to three per family member. There were three wise men and three gifts. Christ came humbly and simply; what more do we need? People, look east. The time is near of the crowning of the year.


PEOpLe LooK EaST >

Theresa Kuhn

In a phrase he p r a c t i c a l l y branded dur-

ing his boxing ca-reer, Muhammad Ali used to say, “I am the greatest.”

Whether a true reflec-tion of his ego or sim-

ply part of the entertainment and showmanship of the sport, later in life he regretted using the phrase. Age and declining health tend to humble us whether we are world class athletes or normal everyday people. Greatness may be pursued as we ascend the ladder of life, but greatness as the world sees and evaluates it is fleeting at best. We would all do well in our pursuit of greatness to know how brief it is and give ourselves a chance at greatness that lasts.

People are attracted to greatness. We pay a lot of money to see athletes and actors and musicians at the top of their profession perform. Even if we may not be aficionados of the sports or skills, we appreciate that they are the best at what they do, the skills it takes to execute, and the in-tensity of preparation necessary to do something unique and unattainable for almost everyone. We appreciate the beauty of greatness and the effort necessary to produce it in a way that is visible.

But much greatness is not visible and not as readily appre-ciated. Our western culture is largely Christian in history, symbol and law. The roots of our society are still based on a Judeo-Christian and Biblical view of God and the dignity of the human person. We should be grateful as it lays the foundation of a society that sees justice as its motivation, even if it is not perfect in living it out. Those stepping-stones are wearing down, though. They are still there, and we stand on them, but they are less noticed and even less cared for. A friend was travelling in Bavaria a few years ago and happened on a beautiful procession through a small town. He asked a local young adult what it was, and he told him it was their annual procession, but he wasn’t sure of its origins. It turned out it was in honor of the town’s patron saint. The young local was aware of the external activity but had no sense of the greatness of the history the external represented.

God is indeed great, but it is often not noticed. Advent and Christmas give us a perfect window into what last-ing greatness is. Jesus arrives in a time, place and social circumstance in which he is barely noticed. That’s the first

divergence from worldly greatness, which is almost by definition easily noticed. The humble beginnings of our salvation allow us to peer into the greatness of God. He could have chosen any way to enter the world and be easily noticed. Many depictions of the presence of God include grand and visible manifestations like loud noises, storms, and other phenomena. But the definitive entry of God into the world is much harder to see and maybe even harder to appreciate.

Our Advent liturgies are designed to help us overcome our general sleepiness to awaken to the greatness of God in an infant. Listening to the prophecies of the Old Tes-tament through Advent rouses us from our sleep and gets us ready to engage and appreciate true greatness. It doesn’t have the “wow” factor of visual interpretations, but His presence is great. The season invites us to wake up to God’s unimaginable greatness, the presence of Jesus Christ in the world. The simplicity of God entering the world as a baby is profound and completely turns the idea of greatness on its head. Greatness is supposed to be grandiose, but authentic greatness is simple. The world’s greatness blitzes us with imagery and ideas, but divine greatness requires us to pay attention and see what is not always easily visible. Our upgrade in vision helps us see and live what was once unimaginable.

While Advent helps us to anticipate God’s unimaginable greatness, Christmas invites us to embrace it in the form of a little baby. Much of the world’s greatness presents as distant and unattainable. We cheer for the fame and authentically appreciate what it shows us in skill, perse-verance and execution, but rarely are we near it and even more rarely does it seem like it is meant for us beyond observation. With God it is different. We are invited to anticipate His greatness and embrace it intimately as He shares it with us. A professional boxer and an all-time great is intimidating. The baby Jesus is not. The images of God communicating through a roaring storm is scary. Holding on to the baby Jesus is comforting and inviting.

Muhammad Ali declared himself the greatest and repent-ed of it. We are given greatness in our midst and have the chance to imagine the unimaginable and even embrace it in the Infant Jesus. God is great, is truly near and is not intimidating. His greatness is not fleeting. It will last. Let’s anticipate His unimaginable greatness and be ready to embrace it at Christmas.

God’s Greatness Revealed

From the Desk of Father Tom Wilson, Pastor


From the Desk of Father Tom Wilson, Pastor

19795 HOLYOKE AVENUELAKEVILLE, MN 55044ALLSAINTSCHURCH.COM952-469-4481

PAID

CONFESSIONS: Private confession is available in St. Mary’s Chapel on Saturdays from 8:30–9:30 a.m. & 3:30–4:30 p.m. and by private appointment.

ADVENT RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE - PAGE 5SEE WEBSITE: www.allsaintschurch.com

WEEKEND MASSES: Saturday Vigil, 5:00 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 5:30 p.m.DAILY MASSES: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 7:30 a.m.TUE.: 7:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.FRI.: 7:30 a.m. & (8:30 a.m. when school is in session)SAT.: 8 a.m.


LIMITED TICKETS LEFT!

Friendship with God Friendship with our spouse

In the Holy Spirit Winter 2020

– Registration is openwww.allsaintschurch.com/mic/

Prayer for the year of Synod Prayer & listening:

Come Holy SpiritMake our ears to hearMake our eyes to see

Make our mouths to speakMake our hearts to seek

Make our hands to reach outAnd touch the world with your love.

AMEN.

Mary, Mother of the Church,Pray for us.

Documents

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS THROUGH W · 2019-11-30 · My wife Ashley and I have four beautiful children. Landon is five and our twins, Arie and Adalyn, are three and a half. We recently