Our Lady of the Prairie Area Faith Community
May 24, 2020
The Ascension of the Lord
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Pastor –Fr. Mark Steffl
Parochial Vicar –Fr. Todd Petersen, 507-532-5711 (Holy Redeemer Church, Marshall).
Websites: www.ourladyoftheprairie-afc.org, www.holy-redeemer.com
St. Mary’s Church, 249 6th Street, Tracy, MN 56175, 507-629-4075, [email protected]
Mass times: 8:30 a.m. Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. Fridays, 10:30 a.m. Sundays
Confessions times: 30 Minutes before Sunday Masses
Contact information: Secretary: Carol Strand, 507-629-4075
Religious Education Coordinator: Diann Timmerman, 507-629-4075, [email protected]
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, [email protected]
Secretary: Chris Schons, [email protected]
School Cafeteria: Kate Schmitt, 507-629-3841
Maintenance: Tim Amick, 507-829-5197
St. Michael’s Church: 200 Euclid Ave, Milroy, MN 56263, 507-336-2505,
Mass times: 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. Sundays
Confessions times: 30 Minutes before Sunday Masses
Contact information: Pastoral Associates: Don & Jean Schmidt, 507-336-2583
[email protected], [email protected]
Religious Education Coordinator: Suzanne Lightfoot, 507-336-2505,
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; 5 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m., 10 a.m.,
& 12:30 p.m. (Spanish) Sundays.
St. Clotilde, Green Valley: 7:00 p.m. Saturdays.
St. Mary’s, Cottonwood: 9:00 a.m. Sundays, see the Bread of Life Area Faith Community bulletin for current daily
Mass times
UP COMING AT OUR LADY OF THE PRAIRIE AREA FAITH COMMUNITY:
Sun., May 24: 8-8:30 a.m. Confessions at St. Michael’s in Milroy
8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Michael’s in Milroy
+ Doug Louwagie
10-10:30 a.m. Confessions at St. Mary’s in Tracy
10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s in Tracy
+Anna Mae Mickelson
Tues., May 26: 5:30 p.m. Mass at St. Michael’s in Milroy
+ Melissa Bratsch
Wed., May 27: 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s in Tracy
+ Leona Peterson
Thurs., May 28: 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s in Tracy
+Pearl VandeWiele
Fri., May 29: 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s in Tracy
+ Crystal Stassen
Sun., May 31: 8-8:30 a.m. Confessions at St. Michael’s in Milroy
8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Michael’s in Milroy
+ Mary Lanoue
10-10:30 a.m. Confessions at St. Mary’s in Tracy
10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s in Tracy
+ Chris Hannasch
TO LIVE STREAM GO TO www.holy-redeemer.co
Prayer Network prayers for healing for all the sick and other needs in the area faith community especially: Special
intention; Ric Morgan, Terry VanOverbeke, Norma Meyer, Sandy Alcorn, Ron and Evie Stadick, Bonnie Boerboom, Mary
Leonard, Lawrence Stassen, Paul Soupir, 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.
ST. MARY’S AREA FAITH COMMUNITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Congratulations to our graduating
6th Grade Class from St. Mary’s School.
Class of 2020 Tyler Arnold, son of Cassidy and Mary Arnold
Shyanne Bellovich, daughter of Samantha Bellovich
Connor Lanoue, son of John and Katie Lanoue
Serenity Lee, daughter of Dan and Nichole Lee
Nevin Marten, son of Kyle and Christa Marten
David Schuh, son of Stacy Schuh and the late John Schuh
Hannah Scott, daughter of Ronald and April Scott
Lawton Verlinde, son of Ryan and Marla Verlinde
Griffin Zick, son of Scott and Becky Zick
ALUMINUM CANS FOR THE TECHNOLOGY FUND for St. Mary’s School, can be dropped
off in the wagon behind St. Mary’s Church.
ST. MARY’S SCHOOL FUNDRAISERS We no longer collect milk jug caps, bread wrappers or printer cartridges.
We do still collect Our Family UPC’s and you can clip Box Tops until next year.
Box Tops can now be collected electronically by downloading a Box Tops app on you smart phone and then just scan your
receipt.
We do so appreciate your continued support of these easy fundraisers. Thank you!
St. Mary’s Weekly Calendar Raffle Winners: May 15 - $100 Rachel Girard; May 22: $100 Cleone Richardson
AREA FAITH COMMUNITY
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS ~If you are feeling God calling you to teach our youth next year, we are looking for catechists starting in September! Please contact Diann or Suzanne.
~Baccalaureate for St. Michael's and St. Mary's is postponed to a later date. Please keep our seniors in your prayers!
Bible School is tentatively set for August 3-7th! Please mark your
calendars! ! We sent out a Survey Monkey to get information about this event If you would like to participate in this Survey Monkey, please email Diann or Suzanne.
Congratulations to the Class of 2020! We look forward to your ongoing success and will continue to pray for you. May the Lord bless your steps
and watch over you always.
Graduation Blessings to our Graduates from St. Michael’s!
John Schmitt Konnor Zick Son of Mike and Christine Schmitt Son of Scott and Becky Zick
Graduation Blessings to our Graduates from St. Mary’s
From St. Mary’s Parish Office:
We are updating our email and phone records for our parish. By having emails for most of our
parishioners this will help us reach out to everyone easier and faster. We will also email you the Sunday
bulletin each week until we can celebrate Mass together again.
If you would send an email to [email protected] with your name address and cell number we can update
our records. We will not give out your information to anyone outside of our parish. – Your help is greatly
appreciated.
St. Mary’s Parish Office Hours are back to the normal 8-12 Mon-Fri. ~ 507-629-4075
Angelica Dominguez Daughter of Carlos Rodriguez & Rosa
Dominguez
Jake Tauer Son of Bill and Shelly
Tauer
Lindsey Horner Daughter of Rick Horner & Tammy
Horner
Tori Willhite Daughter of Bill and Sarah
Willhite
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: [email protected] or call the office 629-4075.
IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION FOR THE AFC WEBSITE – E-MAIL IT TO DIANN
TIMMERMAN AT [email protected].
DID YOU MISS GETTING THE SUNDAY BULLETIN?- Feel free to look up the website to find the
Sunday Area Faith Community bulletin, the Area Faith Community monthly calendar, and other information at the OUR
LADY OF THE PRAIRIE WEBSITE: https://www.ourladyoftheprairie-afc.org. Make sure to go to the HOME
PAGE, scroll down and you will find the up-to-date bulletins. We will also email you a copy if you provide us with your
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.
Sunday Offering Considerations Your Adult Sunday Offerings are vital to the core ministries of our parishes. During this time of suspensions
of Masses due to the coronavirus, please consider options for your stewardship of treasure.
Sunday offerings may be given through the following options:
an electronic contribution through ACH (Automatic Clearing House) for an amount to be transferred
from your checking or savings account on the 1st and/or the 15th of every month. You can contact your
financial institute and they will help you set this up.
Mail your donation to your parish office at 249 6th Street, Tracy, MN 56175 or drop off at the parish
office drop box.
We especially want to thank those who are currently signed up for automatic giving and those who have been sending
their envelopes. Your faithfulness is more important than you can imagine.
Stewardship Report May 13 to May 19, 2020 Adult offering: $2582.12
Total needed/week: $3,923.07
Bldg. & Impr.: $3.91; Catholic Charities: $20.00; Mass Intention: $10; Candles: $10; Rice Bowl: $16.63
COFFEE IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE
Ground & whole beans, $10/bag
Contact Alita Lenertz, 507-629-4145 or the Parish office
MONTH FIVE – Developing Baby Spiritual Adoption Program
Your spiritually adopted baby weighs over one pound now. His mother can feel his
movement now. Before, he was too small for her to feel. Although he swam with ease in his
watery world, he needed to be big and strong enough to kick hard against the outside wall
and dent it - - the inside wall of the uterus has no feeling. We are mid-way through the
pregnancy now. He is about 12 inches in length. Your prayers have helped your baby’s
mother continue with her pregnancy and seek the help she needs.
Feel good about giving back by donating blood on Thurs., May 28, 2020 at the Walnut Grove Community Center. The American Red Cross will be at the Community Center from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
*Free Red Cross t-shirt for each donor*
Please call Maydra at 507 747-2519 to schedule an appointment.
Completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire is encouraged to help speed up the donation process. Visit
redcrossblood.org for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are
required at check-in.
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 May 17, 2020 Adult offering: $725.00; Total: $725.00
Needed each week: $1,500.00
CCW NEWS TRACY: CCW meeting, June 11th, 6:30 p.m. in St. Mary’s Church Basement Next Large Function— St. Theresa – Marlene Halfmann & LuAnn Engel
Next Small Function – St Agnes-Bonnie Boerboom and Jolynn Johns
SHEPHERD OF THE FIELD for 2018-19: For St. Mary’s in Tracy – Monsignor
Douglas Grams, 417 S Minnesota St., New Ulm, MN 56073. Birthday is July 3rd and
Ordination date – June 13, 1987 MILROY: Next Funeral is Circle 1.
SHEPHERD OF THE FIELD for 2018-19: For St. Michael’s in Milroy – Rev. Germain
Rademacher, Ridgeway, 720 23rd St. N. Apt. 201, New Ulm, MN 56073,Ordination Feb.
23, 1958, Birthday Dec. 4.
From Fr. Steffl:
Keeping up with the covid- inspired changes to our lives! As of this last Monday, the “stay at home” order of
the Governor of Minnesota was lifted and we moved into a different phase of re-opening as a State, with the
exception of the practice of religion and public worship. There was NO provision included in any way by the
Governor to move beyond the number of 10 people in public worship. While placing a priority on the safety of
everyone, the Bishops of Minnesota have charted a route forward, beginning next Tuesday, May 26th, that we
will be open for Masses with 1/3 the capacity, at that point, at Masses, for those who feel that it is safe to
return. This will mean observing social distancing and at the beginning, using every third pew in church. The
Bishops put together a 4-page explanation of their decision that is attached to the email that sends out the
bulletin this week, or it can be found on the parish website to read as a PDF. Please do your best to maintain
proper distancing and in the beginning, as I wrote, only the clergy present at these Masses will be distributing
Holy Communion so as to maintain the proper protocols. Please read the Bishops’ letter.
Please note that beginning next Sunday, May 31st, the 6 pm Sunday Mass that is usually at the Campus
Religious Center (also known as the “last chance Mass for our whole area on Sunday evenings at SMSU) will
– for a while – be at Holy Redeemer instead, offering more space for social distancing. (We will resume
assisted living and nursing home Masses when we are invited to do so. For anyone who would like to have a
priest visit them in their home, please call the parish office.)
We were supposed to have a baccalaureate Mass this week to celebrate our parish graduates. I am hoping that
this can be done in August, for those who are able to be a part of it when it is rescheduled. So many little
celebrations that we have all taken for granted in the past are not part of these graduates lives. We are also
looking into doing something to share on the parishes’ Facebook pages and website to honor the graduates from
our parishes.
For the last two years, we have on Memorial Day and Labor Day taken up a second collection for the needs
of our parish cemeteries. The pandemic means that this needs to be a “virtual second collection” at this time,
either mailing in a donation that is marked “cemetery” or dropping it off at the parish office. As in past years,
you can give a gift for one of the other neighboring cemeteries as well, and we will make sure it gets to the right
place, such as Cottonwood or Vesta, etc. This collection goes to some of the bigger continuing maintenance
projects of our cemeteries.
Over the last weeks, we have been working hard on a budget for the parish/school as members of the finance
council. As we do this, I want to assure everyone that we are planning very tightly for this next year, realizing
that there are many who have been affected financially by this pandemic. I take your stewardship sacrifices
very seriously and want to thank everyone who has been so sacrificial in this extraordinary time.
Last week in my homilies, I mentioned an ancient prayer for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in anticipation of
Pentecost next Sunday:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts and minds of Your faithful servants and enkindle in them the fire of Your Divine love.
Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created.
And You shall renew the faith of the earth.
Let us pray.
O God, Who did instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in His consolation and enlightenment, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen