ST. JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC CHURCH Fertile, Minnesota

www.stjosephsfertile.org

Fr. Joe Richards – Pastor Secretary/Bulletin Contact: Donna Bjerk gbjerk@gvtel.com

10480 438th St. SW, Fertile, MN 56540 Prayer Blanket Contact: Jan Erickson 218-945-6118;

218-945-6649 (office), 6645 (home) 701-371-2311 (cell) 218-289-1801(cell) Email: jce@gvtel.com jrichards@crookston.org

Victim Assistance Statement of the Diocese of Crookston: If you or someone you know has been the victim of sexual misconduct on the part of a priest, deacon, or individual representing the Diocese of Crookston, its parishes, or its schools, please contact Cindy Hulst, LSW, the diocesan Victim’s Assistance Coordinator at 218-281-7895 (24-hour confidential number).

Mass: Sunday – 8:30 a.m.; Tuesday through Friday – 7:00 a.m. (see schedule below); Reconciliation: Sunday – 7:45 a.m. or by appt.

Sunday, November 26th, 2017 – Feast of Christ the King This week’s Mass schedule: Tuesday, November 28th: +Cletus Liebl req. by Dwain and Gail Carlson Wednesday, November 29th: +Ann Kaspreck req. by Larry and Elaine Ricard

Thursday, November 30th: +Jennifer Lundsten req. by Con and Clara Dietz Friday, December 1st: Jeff Richards Sunday, December 3rd: Parishioners

Please remember to find a substitute if you are going to be gone. Thank you!

Church cleaning Nov 6th – Dec 3rd: Matt & Pat Erickson, Dennis & Paula Tice, Alicia Kieckbusch, Travis & Terri Johnson. Thank you for your ministry to our parish. See Fr. Joe if you have questions regarding cleaning. Eucharistic Adoration is held every Monday from 4-8 PM. Come and spend time in prayer and adoration. The Rosary is prayed every Sunday morning beginning at 8:00 a.m. Come early for Mass and join us. Offertory 11/19/17 Adult $783.00 Collection for Catholic Campaign for Human Development $129.00 Electronic 100.00 Funds collected & deposited into Building Fund: $705.00 Youth 9 .00 Thank you for being stewards of God’s gifts! Plate 54 .00 Total $946.00 Birthday Greetings: Dillon Sannes (26th), Keith Chisholm (27th), Ruth Cameron (1st), Garrett Dufault (2nd), Andrea Gunufson (2nd) Wedding Anniversaries: Roger and Karen Kurpius, Peter and Christel Vigness Food for thought:"…whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers, you did for me.”(Matthew 25:40) Most of us are generous when it’s convenient for us. We are generous when we have the time or the money. But, generosity is the opposite of that. It means giving of one’s time, money, compassion, forgiveness or mercy when it’s not convenient; when it’s not on our schedule, but on the other person’s schedule.

. Prayer Blankets were given to: Addy Nordheim, Fertile, from Pam Reese. Please keep everyone covered with a prayer blanket in your prayers. Thank you. Ministries for the holidays – If you will be here for Christmas weekend, please consider volunteering for the various ministries (lectors, altar servers, ushers, greeters, Eucharistic Ministers, bringing up the gifts). We need people for the 4th Sunday of Advent (December 24th) at 8:30 AM, Christmas Eve (December 24th) at 4:00 PM and Christmas Day (December 25th) at 10:00 AM. You can sign up on the sheet in the gathering space.

Ministry December 3rd December 10th

Lectors Ervin Vigness, Jerry Forgit Sue Erickson, Aaron Rongen

Eucharist Patricia Erickson, Jerry Erickson Paul Reese, Pam Reese

Servers Sidney Erickson, Abby Fuglseth Emily Dufault, Emery Erickson

Ushers Wayne Weber, Rose Weber Matt Erickson, Todd Dufault

Greeters Ruth Cameron, Wayne Weber Aaron & Liz Rongen Family

Gift bearers John & Jami Revier Family Jeff McCollum Family

Sacristan Larry Ricard Larry Ricard

Collection Elaine Ricard, Matt Erickson Sue Erickson, Ervin Vigness

Breakfast Servers Leanne Sannes, Pam Reese, Alicia Kieckbusch

Liz Rongen, Patty Mosher, Jan Erickson

Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 3rd 1:00 – 4:00. We are having a family afternoon of Bingo and a Holiday Bake Sale!! Christmas Bake Sale BOTH after church and at Bingo – please bring bars, cookies, breads, canned goods -everything welcomed! NOTE: Please have everything marked before the sale! Any questions call Ruth Cameron at 289-1526 – Thank you!! Answers to last week's puzzle: FLAX, NEED, WORKS, THROW. Answer: Blessed are you who FEAR THE LORD Fleece Blanket Project 2017 The Care and Share Center in Crookston is in need of Twin and Queen size blankets – fleece or otherwise. Also, personal care items – shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, etc…in family size bottles. Donations can be dropped off at the church entry through December 22nd. Thank you so much for your generosity. Church Cleaning: If you are scheduled to clean the church and need access to the key, please call Elaine Ricard, Donna Bjerk at the parish office (Tuesday’s and Thursdays 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.), or Fr. Joe. There is a key in the lock box by the front door and we will give you the code for key access. Donations for the local Food Shelf can be made through the end of November; non-perishable food and monetary donations are appreciated – put monetary gift in an envelope marked “Food Shelf”. Thank you. I want to express sincere and heartfelt thanks to all who prayed, sent cards, and provided meals for Larry and I recently. The meals were really appreciated and made mealtime so stress free! My arm is healing successfully which is a huge blessing. It is a gift to be part of such a caring community. Thanks again, Elaine Ricard Server Training: We will be training Mass servers on Saturday, December 9th at 10:00 a.m. Any of our youth who have made their 1st Holy Communion are welcome to serve at Mass. This training will be for those who have never served and anyone who would like a ‘refresher’. St. Mary’s Mission Appeal: The SMMA was taken today. Your gift to the Appeal is critical to the wellbeing of St. Mary’s Mission School. The 108 children who are receiving a quality Catholic education will become the future leaders of the Red Lake Nation. You can donate online and view the award-winning SMMA video at www.crookston.org/smma. Please prayerfully consider what God is calling you to do for the good of His children at St. Mary’s Mission. ‘Tis (almost) The Season: Remember getting ready for Christmas when you were a child? Preparing for Christmas today can be as joyful as it was then. Don’t let this be just another Advent where you get distracted and busy. Rediscover the joy in the season with Best Advent Ever, a free email program that will help you prepare for Christmas in a way that will allow you to have a Christmas as memorable and joyful as when you were a child. You’ll receive: short inspirational videos, practical tips and real-life stories of hope. Sign up at BESTADVENTEVER.COM/ALMOSTCHRISTMAS. Christmas Party: All adult parishioners are invited to gather at the Smokehouse for a parish Christmas gathering on Wednesday, November 29th. Social will begin at 6:00 p.m. and supper buffet will begin at 6:30; Dutch-treat. Please sign up so that we can let Mark and Sue know how many will be attending. Come and share in some fun, conversation, good food and fellowship with other parishioners. A Caroling We Go: Mark your calendars for caroling on December 10th. We will gather at the church at 3:45 and then at 4:00 head over to Fair Meadows Nursing Home and then to some of the shut-ins around town. Fun for all ages – come and join us! Parish Christmas Program will be held on Saturday, December 16th with Mass at 5:00 followed by program and potluck supper. There will be No Mass on Sunday, December 17th, 8:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s due to the Christmas program and Mass being held on Saturday, December 16th. Holy Day of Obligation: Friday, December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and is a Holy Day of Obligation. We will have Mass at 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s and at 7:00 p.m. at St. Lawrence. Advent Reconciliation opportunities: St. Joseph’s on December 11th from 1:00 until 8:00 p.m.; St. Lawrence on December 19th from 3:00 until 8:00 p.m. At both parishes we will have Adoration during Reconciliation. Please make it a priority this year to be reconciled with God in preparation to celebrate the Birthday of Jesus, His Son. Christmas Mass Schedule: Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year. The question will arise “If I go to Mass on Sunday evening (Christmas Eve) will it cover both my Sunday obligation and my Christmas obligation?” The answer to the question is “No”. We are obliged to attend Mass on Saturday evening or Sunday morning for the 4th Sunday of Advent and again on Sunday evening or Monday morning for Christmas. Our Christmas Mass schedule will be: Christmas Eve – 4:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s and 6:00 p.m. at St. Lawrence; Christmas Day – 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s. Our Mass schedule for the 4th Sunday of Advent will be: Saturday evening, 5:00, at St. Lawrence and Sunday morning, 8:30, at St. Joseph’s. Please note that there will not be a 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Lawrence on Sunday, December 24th.

Advent: An Invitation to Intimacy with God: An Online, Interactive Retreat for Women. December 3-24, 2017. Join the Sisters of Notre Dame in taking time to nurture your relationship with God this Advent, using reflection materials provided by Sister Carolyn Sur, SSND. Deepen your personal reflection and prayer by interaction with a spiritual companion, a sister with whom you will be paired to meet with weekly by phone, skype or in person. RSVP or for more information, contact Sister Stephanie Spandl, SSND, at sspandl@ssnd.org or 651-278-4498, or visit ssnd.org/events/advent-retreat-2017. Feeling lost? Need Direction? The Diocese of Crookston has openings for spiritual direction and mentorship! If you are interested, contact Jessica at the Chancery by calling 218-281-4533. Your confidential request will be received and you will get a call back from coordinator, Deacon Steve Thomas, who will make arrangements for you. Visit www.crookston.org (Choose “Diocese” -> Then click “Spiritual Direction”) to learn more about spiritual direction offerings in the Diocese of Crookston. NOW HIRING! Our Northland Diocese newspaper is seeking freelance journalists! Freelancers will attend diocesan and parish events, conduct research, and write articles as assigned. High resolution photos will be expected to accompany written articles. Work will be submitted to Our Northland Diocese via e-mail by pre-established deadlines. Freelancers will work for the newspaper as independent contractors. Possession of a valid driver’s license and the ability to travel independently in the diocese is a must. Visit www.crookston.org/employment for full details or contact Janelle Gergen with inquiries at jgergen@crookston.org or 218-281-4533. In celebration of new improvements and in anticipation of a wonderful Advent season our sister parish of St. Lawrence will be having a fancy brunch after Mass on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Tickets for the brunch will $12.00 per person, students $7.00 and children will be free of charge. Brunch will include a complimentary St. Lawrence cookbook for each of the first 95 attendees! They are a $15.00 retail value and would make a great Christmas gift. Menu is a work in progress by Jack Sullivan and will likely include egg bake, pancakes, ham, sausage/pepper and potato skillet, baked oatmeal, fruit, juice, bars and coffee and rolls. All proceeds will go to support our Youth Ministry. Save the date and plan to join our sister parish!