Our Lady of the Prairie Area Faith Community

January 3, 2021

The Epiphany of the Lord

Pastor –Fr. Anthony Stubeda, 507-532-5711

(Holy Redeemer Church, Marshall).

Senior Associate Pastor –Fr. Andrew Michels, 507-766-3678

Senior Associate Pastor - Rev. Dennis Labat, 507-829-2412

Websites: www.ourladyoftheprairie-afc.org,

www.holy-redeemer.com

St. Mary’s Church, 249 6th Street, Tracy, MN 56175, 507-629-4075, stmary@iw.net

Mass times: 8:30 a.m. Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. Fridays, 10:30 a.m. Sundays

Confessions times: 30 Minutes before Sunday Masses; 11 a.m. Saturdays

Contact information: Secretary: Carol Strand, 507-629-4075

Religious Education Coordinator: Diann Timmerman, 507-401-1038, resaintmary@gmail.com

Maintenance: Tim Amick, 507-829-5197

Prayer Network: Alita Lenertz: 507-629-4145

Lota Hannasch, 507-629-4866

WG Prayer Line: Pam Baumann, 507-859-2503

St. Mary’s School: 225 6th Street, Tracy, MN 56175, 507-629-3270

www.stmarysschooltracy.org

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday

Contact information: Principal: Lisa Dieter, lisa.dieter.sms@gmail.com

Secretary: Chris Schons, chris.schons.sms@gmail.com

School Cafeteria: Gwen Johnson, 507-629-3841

Maintenance: Tim Amick, 507-829-5197

St. Michael’s Church: 200 Euclid Ave, Milroy, MN 56263, 507-336-2505,

stmichael@mnval.net

Mass times: 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. Sundays

Confessions times: 30 Minutes before all Masses

Contact information: Pastoral Associates: Don & Jean Schmidt, 507-336-2583

stmichael@mnval.net, djschmidt@mnval.net

Religious Education Coordinator: Suzanne Lightfoot, 507-336-2505,

restmichaels@gmail.com

Bookkeeper: Kami Parker, 507-828-6515

Church Cleaner: Linda Dolan, 507-829-1032

Groundskeeper: Larry Karsten, 507-336-2624

Baptisms: Contact Diann Timmerman at the St. Mary’s parish office (for both St Mary’s and St Michael’s parishes)

Marriages: Contact Priest at least 6 months prior to the desired wedding date for preparation requirements.

Hospitalized or ill parishioners: Contact Priest.

New Ulm Diocese Catholic Charities: Counseling and adoptions toll-free at 1-866-670-5163.

FORMED.org audio-videos: www.ourladyoftheprairie-afc.formed.org, or www.formed.org access code #YW2JXQ

Other local Mass times:

Campus Religious Center, SMSU, Marshall: 12:00 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays (while school is in session); 6:00 p.m. Sundays.

Holy Redeemer Church, Marshall: 5:30 p.m. Mondays; 7 a.m. Tuesday – Friday; 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m., 10

a.m., & 12:30 p.m. (Spanish), 6 p.m. Sundays.

St. Mary’s, Cottonwood: 9:00 a.m. Sundays, 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays

http://www.ourladyoftheprairie-afc.org/http://www.holy-redeemer.com/mailto:lisa.dieter.sms@gmail.commailto:Chris.schons.sms@gmail.commailto:stmichael@mnval.netmailto:stmichael@mnval.metmailto:restmichaels@gmail.comhttp://www.ourladyoftheprairie-afc.formed.org/http://www.formed.org/

UPCOMING AT OUR LADY OF THE PRAIRIE AREA FAITH COMMUNITY:

Sun., Jan. 3: 8-8:20 a.m. Confessions at St. Michael’s in Milroy

8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Michael’s in Milroy

+ Axel Lightfoot

10-10:20 a.m. Confessions at St. Mary’s in Tracy

10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s in Tracy

+ Robert “Bob” McCoy

Tues., Jan. 5: 5-5:20 p.m. Confessions at St. Michael’s in Milroy

5:30 p.m. Mass at St. Michael’s in Milroy

+ Jonathon Thull

Wed., Jan. 6: 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s in Tracy

+ Norbert Dardis

*Thurs., Jan. 7: 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s in Tracy

+ Ron Stadick

5:30 p.m. Mass at St. Michael’s in Milroy

+ Brooklyn Larsen

Fri., Jan. 8: 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s in Tracy

+ David Fiegen

Sat., Jan. 9: 11 a.m. Confessions at St. Mary’s in Tracy.

Sun., Jan. 10: 8-8:20 a.m. Confessions at St. Michael’s in Milroy

8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Michael’s in Milroy

+ Gordie Bakker

10-10:20 a.m. Confessions at St. Mary’s in Tracy

10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s in Tracy

+ Leonard Lanoue

*We will have Mass on Thursdays in Tracy for Walnut Grove intentions until Country View reopens to allow us to have

Mass at their location again.

TO LIVE STREAM GO TO www.holy-redeemer.com/live.html

Prayer Network prayers for healing for all the sick and other needs in the area faith community especially: Wendell Thomas;

Maurice VandeWiele; JoAnn Derumser; Dan Domagala; Grace Tomas; Joe Blanchette; Marion Swan; Toby Chaplain; Woman

with spinal cancer; Lady with lung cancer; Brad Styles; Joey Styles; Ken Brewers; Ken Giles; Mother who lost her baby; John

Thomas; Mary Anderson; Ralph Steegner; Carol Louwagie; Rex & Bonnie; Lawrence Stassen; Josh Leach; Leah Tuszysnki; Shorty

Engel; Charles Hannasch; MaryAnn Blanchette; Ric Morgan; Sandy Alcorn; Evie Stadick; Bonnie Boerboom; Mary Leonard; Linda

Fultz; Larry Karsten. If you know of someone who should now be removed from the sick list, please let the rectory know. Names

will be left on the list for 1 month and then taken off, if you wish them put on again please contact the office we will gladly put

them on again

Pray for safety for all those serving in the military from our families and from our communities especially:

Aaron Moudry, Lucas Karnes, Troy Sik, Joe Goodnow, Stuart Stroman, Patrick Carnahan, Brad & Andrea Bond, Travis Davis,

Martin Hamsa, Cole DeBlieck, Patricia Baker, Pat Weisbrich, and Troy Baumann.

Well Done!

We thank all of you for helping us surpass our Fall Collection goal. As of last

Monday our collection total was $27,438.26. We thank all of you who helped

us reach our goal, and encourage those who have not donated yet to do so soon.

http://www.holy-redeemer.com/live.html

ST. MARY’S AREA FAITH COMMUNITY

CATHOLIC SCHOOL

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. St. Mary’s School Christmas Holiday will begin on Monday, December

21st. There will be NO School from December 21, 2020 through

January 1, 2021.

2. Distance Learning will take place the week following our Christmas

Holiday, January 4 – 8, 2021.

3. Monday, January 4, 2021 will be a NO School day for students. This

day will be a planning and preparation day for teachers.

4. Students will begin Distance Learning on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.

5. Please let Mrs. Dieter know if you need an iPad for your child’s

Distance Learning. Technology to “Zoom” will be required.

6. Students and staff will resume In-Person Learning on Monday,

January 11, 2021.

OUR LADY OF THE PRAIRIE FAITH COMMUNITY NEWS:

NOTE: PLEASE HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE BULLETIN IN BY

WEDNESDAY 10:00 A.M. PLEASE SEND ALL BULLETIN INFORMATION TO THE

CHURCH OFFICE - e-mail use: stmary@iw.net or call the office 629-4075.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION FOR THE AFC WEBSITE – e-mail the Parish office

at stmary@iw.net or call the office 629-4075.

A Note from Your Priests

We thank all of you for your prayers, cards and gifts during this celebration of the birth of the Lord.

We are privileged to walk with you as we celebrate our faith, and are touched by your generosity in

this holy season. May God fill you all with his blessings, and hold you and your families in his loving

embrace.

Fr. Andy, Fr. Denny, Fr. Paul and Fr. Tony Stubeda

“I Heard God Laugh”

There are still copies of Matthew Kelly’s book available at the back of church in Milroy and Tracy.

We encourage you to take a copy of this excellent book to help you reflect on how to strengthen your

prayer life and tend to your soul.

ST. MARY’S

CALENDAR

WINNERS

Dec 25 - $100 Barb Streed; Jan 1 - $100

Dale Johnson III

mailto:stmary@iw.netmailto:stmary@iw.net

AREA FAITH COMMUNITY

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS

St. Mary’s Religious Ed will have DISTANCE LEARNING classes on January 6th.

St. Michael’s Religious Ed will have IN PERSON classes on January 6th.

NEWS FROM ST. MARY’S IN TRACY ~ LOCKING THE CHURCH: St. Mary’s basement will be locked at about 2:30 p.m. and the upper church about 6 p.m. If you need to get a pie see Jan LaVoy or one of the staff to let you in. If you need to get inside for meetings or other needs, contact Keith Schons 507-629-4289 or Jan LaVoy 507-829-2755 to get the doors opened for you.

Stewardship Report Dec. 24 & 25, 2020

Adult offering: $9625.00; Total given: $9625.00

Total needed/week: $5,003.85

Fuel: $50.00; Mass Intentions: $50.00; School Endowment: $25.00; School gift: $200.00

Stewardship Report Dec. 27, 2020

Adult offering: $501.00; Plate: $60.00; Total given: $561.00

Liturgical Ministers for Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.

(If you are not able to participate, or do not feel comfortable with participating at this time, please find a substitute

or let us know ahead of time so we can find a replacement.)

Lector: Marlene Halfmann Cantor: Kim Schroepfer

Servers: Lawton and Nolan Verlinde

Ushers: Bill Tauer, Dave Vandendriessche, Dave Dieter, Rod Benson

Money Counters for Jan. 11: Becky Averill and Charlene Lenertz

Christmas Flowers donated to St. Mary’s by: Gary & Patty Peterson in memory of Omar & Betty Peterson,

Austin & Susan Jenniges, Cathy Rue

Gloria VanOverbeke in memory of Roger VanOvebeke

David Kosse in memory of Joe, Evelyn, John, Bernadette Kosse

Robert & Bonnie Boerboom in memory of Joe & June Boerboom

Vince & Jeanette Lanoue in memory of our deceased relatives

Jim & Sue Keul family in memory of Vic & Marie Keul,

Jay & Bernice Bosacker

Ric, Heidi, Cole, Charly Morgan in memory of Cody Morgan

Cheryl & Tom Lenertz in memory of deceased family members

Alita Lenertz in memory of Laurence & Judy Lenertz

Bev Kosse in memory of Larson & Kosse deceased family members

NEWS FROM ST. MICHAEL’S IN MILROY

ADORATION is a time of silent reflection and prayer many Catholics practice

regularly. It is a time to commune with God, emptying all worries and anxiety out of

your heart, body, mind and soul. St. Michael’s will have a time slot open for

Adoration. Would you consider spending an hour with Jesus once a week? Please call

507-828-2171 and we can find the time that works for you. 8:00 – Noon. PLEASE

CHECK THE ADORATION SCHEDULE on the bulletin board in case we are short

a person on Thursday. Thanks.

Stewardship Report for Dec. 13, 2020

Adult offering: $1830.00; Loose Plate: $402.75. Total: $2363.00 Needed each week: $1630.00

Stewardship Report for Dec. 25, 2020

Adult offering: $1690.00; Loose Plate: $307.35. Total: $1997.35 Needed each week: $1630.00

Liturgical Ministers for Jan. 10, 2021 at 8:30 a.m.

Lector: Don Schmidt Servers: Eli Lightfoot & Leah Lightfoot Organist: Carole Snyder

Eucharistic Minister: Lon Walling Cantor: Jean Schmidt and Grace Dolan

Ushers: Jacob Welu, Dominic Dolan, Ben Lightfoot, Ron Schmidt

NOTICE: St. Michael’s is inviting you to give a Christmas Gifts to our Priests. We in the past have allowed our

Parishioners to send a card or gift on their own. If you are someone who would still like to do this, and haven’t had the

chance, we put a box in the entrance for Cards or donations for your convenience. We’ll give them the box on the last

Sunday of Christmas, January 10th.

Peer Ministry Support Group Beginning Experience of SW MN/Marshall, a peer ministry support group for widowed, separated and divorced

people is offering its "Coping With Life Alone" Series for ten weeks beginning January 11, 2021. This series is designed

for those wishing to work through the grieving process following the loss of a loved one. The Monday night sessions begin

at 7:00 P.M. at the First Lutheran Church on Church and “A” Street in Marshall, MN. Because of COVID guidelines there

is a limited of participants allowed. To pre-register, contact Cyndi at 503-530-9813.

The support group is open to people of all denominations. There is a $75 fee to cover the cost of materials. If you

have questions, contact us at: swmnbe@gmail.com or call: Tim L.: 507-530-6379; MaryAnn S:507-828-2866

CCW NEWS TRACY: (Mtgs. 6:30 p.m. First Thurs in Feb., Apr., June, Aug., Oct., Dec.) Next Large Function— St. Theresa – Marlene Halfmann & LuAnn Engel

Next Small Function – St Ann –Dorothy Algyer and Gwen Johnson

SHEPHERD OF THE FIELD for 2020-21: For St. Mary’s in Tracy – Rev. Father Philip

Schotzko, 1820 W Welco Drive, St. Peter, MN 56082. Birthday: July 20; Ordination Date: May 29,

1977; Retired

MILROY: Next Funeral is Circle 1.

SHEPHERD OF THE FIELD for 2020-21: For St. Michael’s in Milroy – Dcn. Steven Spilman,

305 Zimmerman Rd., Courtland, MN 56021-9733. Birthday: Nov. 27; Ordained, April, 21, 2012.

Deacon

Celebrating birthdays this week at St. Michaels

Jan. 3 – Jan. 9 MacKenzie Duscher Judy Skoblik Jordan Lanoue

Jaden Knott Ron Coudron

mailto:swmnbe@gmail.comhttp://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiv8-G99YPKAhXLRCYKHaqYB9YQjRwIBw&url=http://www.angelfortwine.com/&psig=AFQjCNGDAMZ4ny2MbfjHOkI_y5YD8Lg7mw&ust=1451575696002344

Marriage Encounter These last months have been incredibly difficult on all of us and marriages have suffered! Please let us help you to find enrichment, joy, and hope in your relationship! Register for the January 9-10 Marriage Encounter. Weekends are held at Mt Olivet Conference and Retreat Center in Farmington. Visit www.marriages.org for additional information or call 651.454.3238. If you have any questions, please call Mary Jackson at 651.454.3238.

2020 – Christmas Flowers – St. Michael’s Ken & Kami Parker in memory of Ken ParkerSr & Anita Walker

Steve & Carol Goblish in memory of Ray & Jean Thooft & Don Goblish

Jamie& Amy Larsen in memory of, Brooklyn, Alecia, & Kendyl Larsen

Greg Debbaut in memory of Scott and Delmar Debbaut

Don and Alice Zeug in memory of Deceased members of Zeug Family

Carole Snyder in memory of Roman & Marie Allex & Gerald and

Lorraine Snyder

Ken Duscher family in memory of Parents of Ken & Barb Duscher

Henry & Helen Plaetz & William & Chloris Duscher

Sue Skoblik in memory of Jim Brey family and Sue Skoblik Family

Phyllis Janachovsky & family in memory of Robert and Joy Janachovsky

Allen and Carol Schmidt in memory of Henry & Leah Zwach and Kenneth

and Annabelle Schmidt

Lorraine Stolop in memory of Stolp and Beebout families.

Arlis Ourada in memory of Ashley Snyder- Ed Ourada – Rita Emerson

A Pastor’s Note of Thanks I thank all of those who helped to make our celebrations of the birth of the

Lord so beautiful and sustaining. Our team of people who decorated our

churches for these celebrations moved us to contemplate the beauty of God

among us. Our liturgical ministers welcomed us warmly as we came to

celebrate, and our lectors announced the Good News of Jesus’ birth with grace

and joy. Our servers and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion helped

us to receive the Lord joyfully. The music at our celebrations were expressions of the joyful generosity of

God’s great gift to us. None of these celebrations would have been quite so lovely and wonderful without

countless hours of work by our parish staffs behind the scenes of our public celebrations. Their constant

work and support of our parishes is a tribute to their faith, hope and skill. Finally, I thank Fr. Denny, Fr.

Andy and Fr. Paul for their selfless and generous service to our parishes. May God bless all of these people

for their attention to the worthy and joyous celebration of Jesus’ birth.

Fr. Tony Stubeda

http://www.marriages.org/http://www.marriages.org/

Comings and Goings

In celebration of the Nativity of the Lord I have been travelling a great deal. On Christmas

Eve, I started my celebrations at St. Michael’s in Milroy at 2:00. I then travelled to St. Mary’s

in Cottonwood for a Mass at 4:00, and the headed to Holy Redeemer in Marshall for the 6:00,

10:00 and Midnight Masses. I celebrated the morning Mass

at St Mary’s in Cottonwood, and then travelled home to

Litchfield to celebrate a masked and socially-distanced

Christmas with a tiny fraction of my family. I celebrated

Masses in Milroy, Tracy and Marshall for the Feast of the

Holy Family. This week I will be travelling to each of the

parishes I serve at least once, and hopefully see some

friends in some of my time off. I will celebrate the

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord in Marshall. It

seems that as the magi learned so long ago, celebrating the

coming of the Lord requires some travel.

In my comings and goings I began to reflect on the

stories of the birth of Christ we listen to during this holy season. There are a lot of comings

and goings. Mary and Joseph are both visited by angels who come to them unexpectedly and

then just as quickly leave them. After the visit of the angel, Mary hurries off to visit her

kinswoman, Elizabeth, and then hurries back to Nazareth. No sooner does the angel leave

Joseph after resolving his worries about the birth of Christ, than he and Mary set off to

Bethlehem in accord with an imperial edict. When Jesus is born the angels announce his birth

to the shepherds, who then hurry to see the newborn savior. Having seen him, they hurry away

to announce the good news to everyone they meet. Mary and Joseph go up to Jerusalem to

present Jesus in the temple, and once again this baby’s presence brings joy and wonder to

everyone who meets them.

Finally, this weekend we listen to the story of the visit of the magi, the three wise men

from the east, who come seeking the newborn king and savior. They travel across great

distances to present symbolic gifts to Jesus. The gift of gold reminds us that he is the king of

kings, the gift of incense that he is God made flesh, and the gift of myrrh reminds us that he

will suffer and die to bring us salvation. The magi are guided by the light of a star to meet

Jesus, the Light of the World. Once they have presented these gifts, they go off to their

homeland changed forever by their encounter with the Lord.

These stories, and especially the journey of the magi, remind us that we are all called to

seek the Lord, to encounter the source of light and salvation in Him, and then to go out into

the world to announce the good news of God among us. In our comings and goings we should

remember that we are meeting the Lord, and being sent to share his good news with everyone

we meet.

Fr. Tony Stubeda