February 7, 2016—5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Welcome to St. Nicholas Catholic Church!

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This week at St. Nicholas Mon Feb 8 Office Closed

6:00pm Good News People

Tue Feb 9 7:20am Liturgy of the Hours (Morning Prayer) 7:35am Rosary 7:35am Confessions 8:00am Mass: Tom Zamora+ 7:00pm CMLG Meeting

Wed Feb 10 Ash Wednesday 7:20am Liturgy of the Hours (Morning Prayer) 7:35am Rosary 7:35am Confessions 8:15am Mass: At St. Nicholas with Holy Cross 4:45pm Confessions 7:00pm Mass: Fred Mahowald+

Thu Feb 11 7:20am Liturgy of the Hours (Morning Prayer) 7:35am Rosary 7:35am Confessions 8:00am Mass: Jess Ramirez 3:30pm Choir Practice—Children 7:00pm Chicken Cookout Meeting 7:00pm RCIA Class

Fri Feb 12 7:20am Liturgy of the Hours (Morning Prayer) 7:35am Rosary 7:35am Confessions 8:00am Mass: Gretchen Rhein+ 4-8:00pm Holy Cross Fish Fry at Lonsdale Legion 7:30pm Stations of the Cross

Sat

Feb 13

CMLG Cinnamon Roll Sale after 5pm Mass 7:35am Liturgy of the Hours (Morning Prayer) 8:00am Mass: Bob Koyer+ 8-10am All are invited to join us as we pray for the unborn at Whole Women’s abortion clinic, 825 South 8th Street in Minneapolis 8:35am Rosary 8:35am Confessions 9:00am Pro-Life Rosary in Chapel 3:30pm Confessions 5:00pm Mass: For the Parish

Sun Feb 14 Doughnut Sunday CMLG Cinnamon Roll Sale after Masses 7:20am Liturgy of the Hours (Morning Prayer) 7:35am Rosary 8:00am Mass: Jim Mostek 9:35am Rosary

10:00am Mass: Scott & Adrian Fischer 6:00pm Dead Theologians Society (DTS)

From Liturgical Publications, Inc.

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

"When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him." Just when business was finally booming, Simon and Company closed up shop. The timing was strange, really. After a lifetime of fishing to make a living, these men had just hauled in so many fish that "their nets were tearing" and "the boats were in danger of sinking." Just imagine the profit on the other side of this night's work! Just imagine how their reputation would have grown. How easy it would have been to go out and buy a new fleet of boats and to upgrade their stash of nets. Most likely for the first time, wealth was within reach.

And yet, just then, Simon, James, and John left their boats on the shore and followed Jesus in the task of "catching men." This is astonishing. Not only did they give up their sudden monetary success, they gave up EVERYTHING. In a moment's time, these men radically altered their life, their plans, their future, and their fortune. And civilization has never been the same since.

Thanks in large part to the courage of these first apostles, and of their successors the bishops, and of all the faithful men and women religious throughout history who have "left everything and followed him," our church has continued to flourish and our culture has been greatly enhanced. Those of us who are members of the laity are likewise called to follow Christ, of course. The tremendous sacrifices that priests and religious sisters make should inspire us, and remind us that serving Christ-at any cost-is worth it. Their lives stand as a powerful witness indeed. Today, let us pause to thank God for these men and women and to ask his blessing on them all.

Abbreviated Financial Statement July 1 through December 31, 2015

Income Sunday Giving $147,355 Christmas 12,000 Other 17,536 Gala 42,001 Parish Outreach 1,247 Youth Formation 20,410 $240,549 Expense General Operations $ 69,068 Archdiocesan Assessment 14,104 Parish Investment in school (General Operations, not building mortgage)

67,709

Business Office 12,280 Gala 16,083 Building Expense 13,493 Liturgy 2,526 Music 1,666 Utilities 6,861 Parish Outreach 1,380 Youth Formation 5,876 $211,046

Net Income $29,503

Account Balances Checking & Savings $264,822 (Note: The $18,000 from Fund-the-Need proceeds are included in Checking & Savings) Endowment $116,382 In an effort to be transparent, the financial statement will be published quarterly.

Exciting news! Once again, Bishop Barron will be offering daily email reflections throughout the season of Lent at LentReflections.com.

Each day From Ash Wednesday (February 10) through Easter Sunday (March 27), Bishop Barron will send you a short email with an uplifting spiritual reflection.

You'll also receive exclusive videos found nowhere else and free giveaways of Bishop Barron's DVDs and books.

The best part of all? It's totally FREE!

There's simply no better way to super-charge your Lent.

St. Nicholas Catholic Church Elko New Market, MN

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St. Nicholas News & Events

Steubenville Summer Retreat! High schoolers are invited to attend the Steubenville retreat this coming July 29-31 at the Uni-versity of St Thomas. Info is on the parish website, http://www.stncc.net/youth-group. Turn in your deposits soon to re-serve a spot. First come, first served! Contact stnick-syouthgroup@yahoo.com for more info. Dead Theologians Society: Grades 9-12 are invited to attend the meeting of the Dead Theologians Society. The next meeting is Sunday, Feb. 14th from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the St. Nicholas Cam-pus. (Confirmation students, this will count for one Faith Enrich-ment event.)

LNMV Religious Education: Classes held at the Catholic Education Center (CEC) home of Holy Cross Catholic School

NO Classes Wednesday, Feb. 10th, 2016 Please attend Mass at your Parishes

Regular Classes Wednesday, Feb. 17th , 2016 from 6:30-7:45pm Help wanted: We are in need of substitute catechists on Wednesday nights. If you would be interested in helping out 2 or 3 Wednesday nights through the end of April, please contact Kathy Chlan at kathyc@holycrossschool.net for details.

Lenten Schedule Wednesday, February 10th—Ash Wednesday 8:15 am Mass at St. Nicholas with Holy Cross 7:00 pm Mass Friday, February 12th 4-8:00 pm Holy Cross Fish Fry at Lonsdale Legion 7:30 pm Stations of the Cross Friday, February 19th 6:30 pm Soup Supper 7:30 pm Stations of the Cross Friday, February 26th 6:30 pm Soup Supper 7:30 pm Stations of the Cross Friday, March 4th 6:30 pm Soup Supper 7:30 pm Stations of the Cross Friday, March 11th 6:30 pm Soup Supper 7:30 pm Stations of the Cross Friday, March 18th 6:30 pm Soup Supper 7:30 pm Stations of the Cross Wednesday, March 23rd 7:00 pm Penance Service Thursday, March 24th—Holy Thursday 8:00 am Morning Prayer 11:00 am—12:00 pm Confessions 7:00 pm—Mass of the Lord’s Supper Friday, March 25th—Good Friday 8:00 am Morning Prayer 11:00 am—12:00 pm Confessions 3:00 pm Veneration of the Cross 7:30 pm Stations of the Cross Saturday, March 26th—Holy Saturday 8:00 am Morning Prayer 3:30 pm—4:40 pm Confessions 8:00 pm Easter Vigil Sunday, March 27th—Easter Sunday 8:00 am Mass 10:00 am Mass

The Christian Mothers and La-

dies Guild will be selling fresh

baked Cinnamon Rolls on Satur-

day, February 13th & 14th after

Masses. Please support the

CMLG and all their good works.

Doughnut Sunday:

Please join us for doughnuts, coffee, juice

& fellowship every 2nd Sunday following

the 8 & 10am Masses.

St. Nicholas Catholic Church Elko New Market, MN

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St. Nicholas News & Events Continued

Book Club: A welcome to any and all women who enjoy reading! We meet one Tuesday a month @ 7:15pm at Deb Streefland’s home.

Our meetings will be held on the following Tuesdays: Feb. 16, Mar. 15, Apr. 12 & May 10. Anyone interested in joining us, please contact Deb at 952-652-2349.

Our parish is now conducting the 2016 Catholic Services Appeal for the 17 Collec-tive Ministries of the Archdiocese that no one parish can support on its own. Please be generous. In 2015 the Appeal did not reach its goal and Ministries were not fully funded, including the Archdiocesan Hospi-tal Chaplains, Catholic Grade Schools, Catholic Charities and the Venezuelan Mis-

sion. Please be generous this year. Please remember that parishes are a benefitted ministry; we receive 25% of the dollars we collect in our parish if we reach our parish goal. Please go to www.csafspm.org to read and see more about the ministries benefitted by the 2016 Appeal. This is the Year of Mercy. We should remember that Jesus taught us the Corporal Works of Mercy: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead. These Works of Mercy are precisely what the 17 Collective Minis-tries of the Archdiocese accomplish. Thank you for your gen-erosity!

It’s time to start planning this year’s Chicken Cookout. Anyone interested in helping with the planning is welcome to attend the meeting on Thursday, February 11th, at 7:00 p.m. in the church basement.

You can now listen to the beautiful voices

of our Children’s Choir online. More

songs will be added in the coming weeks:

http://www.stncc.net/choir-childrens-1

St. Nicholas Catholic Church Elko New Market, MN

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St. Nicholas News & Events Continued

Bulletin deadline: Please submit bulletin announcements

by 4 p.m. on Wednesdays to kjohnson@stncc.net

Thank you!

Q & A Carnivale and Mardi Gras celebrations are linked to Ash Wednesday, Lent, fast and abstinence. Can you tell us more about the connections between these events? Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the forty days known as Lent. Every year, Christians highlight this penitential season as a time of self-examination, reformation of one's life, and continued development of a deeper spiritual life. The recommended prac-tices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving become the focus of Len-ten activity and ritual. Each of these spiritual practices is aimed at personal discipline as well as continued concern for the other, especially the poor or alienated. Forty days is a symbolic biblical period of time, during which personal transformation occurs and out of which people surface as more spiritual, ready to carry out God's mission. Relying on God's providence and care, no matter how difficult life becomes, is crucial to Lenten spirituality. Fasting was initially stricter, per-mitting only one simple meal a day without meat, fish, or other delicacies. Such things were not even allowed in the house. In order to prepare for this in an age of no refrigeration, people gathered to consume whatever was not allowed during Lent. This led to parties or celebrations originally referred to as Carni-vale, literally meaning "goodbye to meat," or Mardi Gras, literal-ly meaning "Fat Tuesday." The eating and celebrating ended on the Tuesday just before Ash Wednesday. Today we focus more on moderation in all things, as well as a strong concern for the poor. What are you doing for the poor this Lent? Liturgical Publications, Inc.

Everyday Stewardship We're just a few days from the beginning of Lent. Ash Wednes-day is this week, and with it we will enter into forty days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Catholic parishes do all sorts of things to make Lent a special time. There's Bible study, days of reflection, and retreats. There are faith-sharing groups and Sta-tions of the Cross, extra times for prayer and the celebration of the sacrament of penance. During Lent we try to empty our-selves of sin and evil and make room in our hearts so that we can be filled with the love of God and our neighbor. This Sunday's Gospel is a perfect pre-Lenten text. After all, how many parishes host fish fries or meatless dinners on the Fridays of Lent? All those fish have to come from somewhere! Of course, the great catch of fish in the Gospel is not about our Lenten fasting and abstaining from meat on Friday. Simon and James and John had no idea that there would ever be a season called Lent. They were fishermen going about their daily tasks. As Jesus makes clear, the miracle of the great number of fish is a metaphor about the growth of the community of believers. That is what Lent is all about too. During Lent we pray strenu-ously for those who will plunge into the waters of baptism at the Easter Vigil. These men and women are the concrete signs of the growth of our community. But our penitential disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are not for ourselves alone. Through our actions others should be able to see how much we love God and love our neighbor. In that way, what we do during Lent acts as the net that we cast out into the sea of the world, bringing others closer to Christ because they are caught up in God's love by the example we share. Lent is a time to cast out into the deep. Liturgical Publications, Inc.

Penitential Disciplines of Lent The Christian faithful, during Lent, are clearly conscious of the need to turn the mind towards those realities which really count, which require Gospel commitment and integrity of life which, through self denial of those things which are superfluous, are translated into good works and solidarity with the poor and needy (Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, #125). In addition to choosing their own penitential practices, Catholics are also asked to observe the practices of fast and abstinence during the 40 days of Lent. The Lenten Fast and Abstinence Regulations are as follows: 1. Everyone 14 years of age or over is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent. 2. Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 years of age is bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. (The obligation of fasting ceases with the celebration of one's 59th birthday.) 3. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, only one full meatless meal is allowed. Two other smaller meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one's needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not per-mitted on these two days, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices are allowed. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. 4. Catholics should not lightly excuse themselves from these prescribed minimal penitential practices.

St. Nicholas Catholic Church Elko New Market, MN

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Area News & Events

Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy (Dec. 8, 2015 – Nov. 20, 2016) Pope Francis asks us to “live this Year in the light of the Lord’s words: ‘Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (cf. Lk 6:36)’” Participate throughout the year by making a pilgrimage to a Holy Door at the Cathedral of Saint Paul or Basilica of Saint Mary, regularly receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation, per-forming corporal and spiritual works of mercy, and participating in the #MercyWorks video challenge. Find additional ways to pray, learn and act at www.archspm.org/Mercy. Miryam Dinner Tuesday, February 16, 6 – 8 p.m., Archbishop’s Residence, 230 Summit Ave., Saint Paul The Vocation Office invites you to the Miryam Dinner hosted by Bishop Andrew Cozzens. The event is for women, ages 16 – 35, who are discern-ing consecrated life. It is typical for women discerners to be accompanied by their pastor, consecrated religious, or youth minister.

The evening begins with prayer, followed by dinner with consecrated women sharing their vocation testimonies. Reserve your spot at the table before February 9. Call 651.962.6890 or email stpaulvoca-tions@10000vocations.org. For more information on this and other events, check out www.10000vocations.org. Widow & Widowers Agape Dinner Saturday, February 20, Church of St. Peter, 1250 South Shore Dr., Forest Lake, MN. “What does it mean or how does one live as the spouse of Jesus?" Come and hear Father Al’s journey from husband, father, grandfather to the priesthood. Learn how to live as the spouse of Jesus. Share in this Agape Dinner (communal meal) in token of Christian fellowship. All widows & widowers are welcome! 9:30 a.m. – Registration; 10:00 a.m. - Mass & presentation by Fr. Backmann. Dinner to follow in St. Peter’s Hall (Cost: $5.00). R.S.V.P. by February 12. Questions? Please call Deacon Ter-ry Moravec at 651-295-4444.

Vianney Visit - Thursday evening, February 18 – Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 11 a.m. Saint John Vianney Seminary, St. Paul The Vianney Visit is a chance for young men (high school sophomores through college; ages 16-22) to see what life at a College Seminary is all about. During your visit, you'll attend classes at the University of St. Thomas. The visit includes Mass, daily prayer and hanging out with our current seminarians. Vianney Visits are free, but space is limited. A refer-ral from the Archdiocesan Vocation Director, Fr. David Blume, is request-ed for registration: Please call 651-962-6890 or email stpaulvoca-tions@10000vocations.org. If you have questions or to register for the Vianney Visit, contact Mary at St. John Vianney College Seminary at 651-962-6825 or visit the following link: http://www.stthomas.edu/vianney/events/visittheseminary/

Young Women’s Discussion Series on Discernment Come and learn more about consecrated life and have opportuni-ties to hear from Sisters living that vocation. Saturday mornings, February 27, March 5, March 12 and March 19, 8– 10:30 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 2739 Stinson Boulevard, St. Anthony. The Discernment Discussion Series is open to all young women, ages 18 – 30. Each event will include 8 a.m. Mass, coffee and refreshments, a talk and discussion. We encourage you to RSVP by calling the Office of Vocations at 651.962.6890 or email-

ing patty.mcquillan@stthomas.edu, although registration is not mandatory for attendance. An Emmaus Experience A Retreat for Women – February 26-28 When was the last time you gave yourself a gift that will last forever? The Women’s Emmaus Retreat is just such a gift; perhaps a perfect Val-entine’s Day gift for a special woman in your life. It is a time to renew and deepen your relationship with the Lord. It is a vehicle to meet other women who are also looking for friendship. The retreat is held at the Franciscan Retreat Center in Prior Lake. To register or obtain more infor-mation, please contact Anne Doyle at (507) 364-.8906. Fr. Mike Schmitz is presenting a Parish Mission at The Church of the Epiphany - March 7-8-9 at 6:30pm in the church. Fr. Mike, national youth speaker and chaplain for Newman Catholic Cam-pus Ministries at the University of Minnesota Duluth will guide us each evening in reflecting on how we can live our catholic faith with bold con-viction. In addition to a presentation by Fr. Mike, Individual confes-sions will be available on Tuesday evening as many priests will be availa-ble. There is no charge for this mission, but a free will offering will be taken at Mass on Wednesday evening. While each night builds on the previous talk, each talk also stands on its own. Come when you can. For more information contact Jill Fink at jfink@epiphanymn.org or 763.862.4355.

24 Hours for the Lord Friday, March 4, Noon – Saturday, March 5, Noon Cathedral of Saint Paul, Saint Paul, and Basilica of Saint Mary, Minneap-olis Pope Francis invites the universal Church to join in this 24 hour world-wide celebration of the Lord’s mercy. Come back to Confession in the Year of Mercy! Friday, Noon – 1:30 p.m.: Private prayer and penance services for priests Friday, 1:30 p.m. – Saturday, Noon: Both sites will host round-the-clock confessions for the faithful Additional parishes are hosting reconciliation services or additional time for confessions during the 24 hour period. For a list of sites and more

details, please visit the www.archspm.org/24Hours.

St. Nicholas Catholic Church Have a great week! Elko New Market, MN

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What if I get stick or am unable to make my adoration hour?

It is the responsibility of each adorer to try their best to find a substitute. Only after they have exhausted their search should they contact their Hourly Coordinator. If their Hourly Coordinator is unavailable, then call the Division Coordinator.

If you would like to become an adorer or for more information, please contact our temporary lead coordinator, Jean Moeller at 952-461-4552 or at mau-lor@msn.com. You may also sign up online at http://www.stncc.net/available-adoration-hours.

Eucharistic Adoration

Liturgical Stewardship

Feb 13 @ 5pm Lector: Kelly Heselton

Ministers: Jan Freeman, Ralph Wagner

Ushers: Joe Molitor, Dave DeGonda

Feb 14 @ 8am Lector: Matt Damiani

Ministers: Joyce Anderson, Jolene Pierson

Ushers: Mike Cole, Dan Simones

Feb 14 @ 10am Lector: Paul Panka

Ministers: Mike Cole, Julie Nelson

Ushers: Tom Wagner, Leon Meger

Measure of Our Treasure to the Lord

January 31st, Week 31 in Fiscal Year Budget Weekly Sunday Giving $6,522

Budget Year-to-Date Sunday Giving $202,182

Sunday Plate & Envelope $4,013

Bread and Wine $0

Children’s Collection $2

Fuel $0

ACH (Received monthly) $0

Grounds $0

Collection Received Year-to-Date $191,180

-$11,002

Endowment: $0

Capital Improvements: $90 YTD $3,180

Leo’s South 952-435-5371

Readings for the Week

Readings for the Week of February 7, 2016

Sunday: Is 6:1-2a, 3-8/Ps 138:1-5, 7-8/1 Cor 15:1-11 or 15:3-8, 11/Lk 5:1-11 Monday: 1 Kgs 8:1-7, 9-13/Ps 132:6-10/Mk 6:53-56 Tuesday: 1 Kgs 8:22-23, 27-30/Ps 84:3-5, 10-11/Mk 7:1-13 Wednesday: Jl 2:12-18/2 Cor 5:20--6:2/Ps 51:3-6, 12-14, 17/Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday: Dt 30:15-20/Ps 1:1-4, 6/Lk 9:22-25 Friday: Is 58:1-9a/Ps 51:3-6, 18-19/Mt 9:14-15 Saturday: Is 58:9b-14/Ps 86:1-6/Lk 5:27-32 Next Sunday: Dt 26:4-10/Ps 91:1-2, 10-15/Rom 10:8-13/Lk 4:1-13