Yes, 2021 has arrived. Today marks the third day of the new year already and we celebrate the great feast of Epiphany, the revelation of Christ as the Savior to all peoples and nations. I’ve never been a big fan of New Year’s resolutions because so many of them seem to fall by the wayside quickly. My efforts to change are prompted by Lent and that is when I try to address areas of my life that need correction, with the help of God’s grace. However, the other day, I saw an article suggesting a few simple steps or resolutions for 2021: walk for 21 minutes each day; eat more fruits and vegetables; get a good’s night sleep; and find ways to connect with family and friends. (That’s how I remembered what I read … it might have been slightly different.) So, I have been thinking about these adjustments as the year begins and we strive to remain safe and healthy during this pandemic as we await a vaccination. All the current coverage and conversation about a vaccination caused me to consider whether I or we also need a spiritual vaccination.

What might a “spiritual vaccination” look like? Note that the above article didn’t mention anything about religious or spiritual practices. If spirituality is truly at the core of a human person, a spiritual vaccination might boost our immune system as it fights contrary forces. During these days of the Christmas Season, we are reading from the First Letter of St. John and he warns us not “love the world or the things of the world.” This idea can be easily misunderstood. “World” in John’s writings mean living as if there is no God or that God is not a part of certain parts of our lives. We are to give our hearts, our lives, to God above all and our other loves and goods need to be in alignment with God and the Kingdom. This spiritual approach provides us with a balance in our interactions with others and our appreciation of worldly things. A certain detachment from material goods and unhealthy relationships frees us to commit to God, others and lasting values.

Just like Lenten practices, spiritual vaccination steps might include reinforcing things we are already doing (or should be doing) and adding others that will strengthen immune response. Here are a few spiritual basics to consider: daily prayer (at least a few minutes, but maybe 21 minutes in total for the day?); meal prayers; weekly worship, either in person or virtually; and reaching out to others by phone or through service. If you have more time for reading or viewing, there are many options available in print and online to deepen one’s understanding and practice of the faith. As we await a medical vaccination, let’s not forget our spiritual health and wellbeing!

Sincerely in Christ,

P.S. Thanks again to all of you who have been so supportive of the parish, especially at the end of the year, and of me; your many kindnesses have brightened my Christmas!

Thank you to all those

who made our

Christmas Masses

possible, both in person

and virtually. Your

stewardship is greatly

appreciated!

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION WITH US - During

these times we have been relying more and more on communicating

with you via virtual options. We have found that a lot of the emails in our system are inactive. If you have a moment, could you please verify

that your registration information is correct? You can do this yourself by

visiting https:/winona.parishsoft familysuite.com/ and setting up an

account or you can submit a parishioner update form on our website sjwhf.org and we will

compare the information for you. Thanks in advance!

A New Year’s Prayer

God, thank you for a new year. May everyone in our family be willing to begin anew with a clean slate. We know that you are always ready to forgive us. Help us to be willing to forgive ourselves and to

forgive one another.

As we begin a new year, remind us of our truest values and our deepest desires. Help us to live in the goodness that comes from doing what you want us to do. Help us to put aside anxiety about the future

and the past, so that we might live in peace with you now, one day at a time.

Dec. 26 & 27 2020

$18,740.00*

Fiscal Year to Date $190,333.02 Actual

$172,371.52 Budget

St. Joseph the Worker

Fiscal Year to Date $51,246.86 Actual

$52,335.17 Budget

Holy Family

Dec. 27, 2020 $940.00* Tuesday, Jan. 5:

SJW 12:05pm -†Arlene Flanagan Thursday, Jan. 7: HF 8:30am -†Alvina Krebsbach Friday, Jan. 8: SJW 12:05pm - †Neil Andring Saturday, Jan. 9: The Baptism of the Lord SJW 5:00pm - For the Parishioners Sunday, Jan. 10: The Baptism of the Lord HF 8:30am - †Dr. Anthony Jaspers SJW 10:30am - †Arlo Kelly ____________________________________________ Mon: 1 Jn 3:22—4:6/Mt 4:12-17, 23-25 Tues: 1 Jn 4: 7-10/ Ps 72: 1-4, 7-8 / Mk 6: 34-44 Wed: 1 Jn 4: 11-18/ Ps 72: 1-2,10,12-13/ Mk 6: 45-52 Thurs: 1 Jn 4: 19– 5:4/ Ps 72: 1-2,14,15bc,17/ Lk 4: 14-22a Fri: 1 Jn 5: 5-13/ Ps 147: 12-15,19-20/ Lk 5: 12-16 Sat: 1 Jn 5:14-21 / Ps149:1-6a,9b / Jn3:22-30 Sun: Is 42:1-4,6-7/Ps 29:1-2,3-4,9-10/Acts10:34-38/ Mk 1:7-11

Congratulations to Jack McGowan the

“301” winner of $100 for Dec. 26!

We pray for the family and friends of Vanessa Ewert (SJW)

who passed away December 29. May she rest in peace.

Saturday, January 9

SJW—5:00 p.m. Mass Reader: Tom Hallett ECM: Cookie Oberle Back up ECM: * 1 Needed Ushers: Gwen Stavenau & Al Honermann Musicians: Cindy Lawrence, Tom W

Sunday, January 10

HF—8:30 a.m. Mass Reader: Susan Hansen ECM: Mary Jaspers Ushers: Alex Keilen Musicians: Jan Osten, Dianne Rothfork

SJW—10:30 a.m. Mass Reader: Janet Fasnacht ECM: Alissa Thielges Backup ECM: * 1 Needed Ushers: * 2 Needed Musicians: Kris Madsen, Kylie Ahlschwede Doorkeeper: Tom & Nancy Hallett

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for the most up-to-date news about our parishes!

LITURGICAL MINISTERS ARE STILL NEEDED

See the schedule below for the unfilled spots. Please Contact Kathy at kmoldan@sjwhf.org or call the

office 507-388-3766 by Thursday if able to fill what is needed for the following week. Thanks!

Wed. 1/6: 6:00pm FF In-person class - SJW

6:00pm NO FF In-person class - HF

Sat. 1/9: 9:00am 1st Reconciliation - HF

11:00am 1st Reconciliation - SJW

4:00pm Confession - SJW

Sun. 1/10: 8:00am Confessions - HF RESPECT LIFE BABY SHOWER - We will be collecting items the weekend of Jan. 16/17 and Jan. 23/24 at both SJW and HF for the Respect Life Baby Shower. Online giving options will also be available. Next weekend’s bulletin will have more details as well as a list of the most needed items.

LIVE STREAM MASSES - We are now Live Streaming the 5:00PM Mass at SJW and the 8:30AM Mass at HF, as well as some holiday Masses at both locations.

• For SJW Masses, please visit our website www.sjwhf.org or subscribe to our YouTube channel; go to YouTube.com and enter St. Joseph the Worker Mankato, MN into the search bar or use this link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuevregni4KWsYsx_n3Mfw We will also post the videos to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sjwmankato

• For HF Masses, please visit HF’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/holyfamilylakecrystal and the live stream will show up directly on the page, as well as previous live streams.

Questions about any of this? Call the Parish Office 388-3766.

***Please note that the above totals are online donations only. In-person and mailed in donations from 12/22-12/28 will be included in next week’s bulletin totals.

(SJW) Last week: lbs. Items

Needed this Week: Canned

Goods.

Rev. Timothy T. Reker - Pastor

Nicole Hermer - Director of Parish Activities

Glenn Barnette - Bookkeeper

Connie Wallin - Director of Religious Education

Kathy Moldan - Office Assistant

Sister Janet Wermerskirchen - Music Director

Jon Hermanson - SJW Custodial Engineer

Mike Murrain - SJW Custodian

Ben Moldan - HF Custodian

Email bulletin notices to

office@sjwhf.org by Tuesday at noon.

Office Phone………...…………………388-3766

Parish Email………………...…office@sjwhf.org

SJW Prayer Chain……...……...Joan: 388-5986

HF Prayer Chain…………..Margaret: 317-4785

Email: margaretbuss@yahoo.com

Calvary Cemetery………Terry Miller: 387-5784

Mon-Thurs: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Fri: 8:30am-12:00pm

or by appointment

Dennis Owen, Richard Johnson, John Allen, Jerry Schultz, George Larson, Tom B.

Baptism - Please contact Fr. Reker in the parish office to schedule the baptism and the

baptism preparation class.

Marriage - Congratulations on your engagement! Please contact Fr. Reker at least 6 months in

advance to begin preparation.

Anointing of the Sick - If you or a family member is homebound or in the hospital and would like a

pastoral visit, please notify the office.

Phone: 388-0600, Website: loyolacatholicschool.org

Adam Bemmels PreK-12 Principal

SJW MEN’S CLUB MISSION STATEMENT: To bring together men of all ages to grow in relationship with

Jesus Christ. With the direction of our Priest, encouraging each other to be servant leaders in our Church.

Happy New Year from all of us at Loyola! May we be blessed with health and happiness in 2021!

Save the Date - Wired to the Heart Virtual Event: 2/6/21 Taking into consideration the health and safety of everyone involved, Loyola Catholic School's annual Wired to the Heart event, will be presenting its fundraising gala VIRTUALLY Saturday, February 6, 2021. This virtual experience will be filled with all the fabulousness that you have come to know and love from Wired to the Heart! Be sure to LIKE and FOLLOW the Wired to the Heart Facebook and Instagram pages to stay up to date on event details!

Admissions/Enrollment Are you looking for school options for next year? Give us a call to find out what Loyola is all about! Contact Kerstyn Cafarelli, 507-386-5399 or kcafarelli@loyolacatholicschool.org for more information. Preschool/PreKindergarten enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year will be open soon! Watch for details in the coming weeks, or visit our website: www.loyolacatholicschool.org for more information.

Employment opportunities Loyola will soon be offering bus service to some of our students outside of the District 77 bus routes. We are seeking a shuttle driver for the morning route, with the potential of adding shifts. For more information, please contact Trudi Clements, 507-388-0606. Loyola is also hiring a Director of Development to support and sustainably strengthen our Advancement Department. The Director will help assist in our fundraising efforts, manage and train current staff, and be a key player in our future campaign efforts. If you or someone you know is qualified for this position, please contact Trudi Clements, 507-388-0606.

Your parish support makes all we do, learn, and celebrate at Loyola possible. Leading through Faith, Academic Excellence, and Service.

ADVERTISE HERE! We are looking for additional advertisers for our bulletin for 2021. Please contact

Nicole at the Parish Office if you are interested: nhermer@sjwhf.org.

EXTRA WALL CALENDARS? Hillcrest Health Care Center has requested donations of 2021 wall calendars. If you have any extra ones, please bring them to the Parish Office. Thank you!

2021 BULLETIN ADVERTISERS NEEDED - St. Joseph the Worker and Holy Family Parish would like to invite your business to advertise in our weekly bulletin for 2021. We print these bulletins in-house which allows us to include more content and color features, while still supporting businesses in our local community. In addition to displaying your advertisement on the bulletin jacket, we showcase a different business each week under our “Bulletin Brought to You by” section. We also offer “In Loving Memory” ads for those who have passed away. The bulletin would not be possible without our advertisers, so please consider helping your parish in this way. Contact Nicole at 388-3766 or nhermer@sjwhf.org for more info. or if you are interested.

MAKE A RESOLUTION TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS IN THE NEW YEAR! Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota will be offering two new study opportunities on Zoom in 2021. Life and Dignity of the Human Person (7 sessions) will be on Mondays, beginning Jan. 11th, at 7:00 pm. We will also offer a chance to study together the US Catholic Bishop’s pastoral letter against racism, Open Wide Our Hearts, on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm, beginning January 12th. All materials are available free. If you would like more information or to register, email Lisa Kremer at lkremer@ccsomn.org or call her at 507-360-3423.

CHURCH OF ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER & HOLY FAMILY PARISH

To advertise, contact Nicole at the parish office

507-388-3766 or nhermer@sjwhf.org

Well Drilling • Septic Systems www.seppmann.com

507-625-3400

Contact the parish office at 388-3766 to

promote your business.

www.drummersgardencenter.com 507-388-4877

In Loving Memory of

Husband, Father, Grandfather.

We love and miss you, -Your Family

John Quiring

In Loving Memory of my family Bill & Marie Sturm, Donny,

AnnaBelle & Mary Ann

Missing You—Peg

In Loving Memory of our wife, mother, sister,

and dear friend.

JUDY HOGAN

We love you and miss you very much.

In Loving Memory of

of my daughter, Kristin and husband, Larry Volk. We love

and miss you.

In loving memory of all our family: Francis, Phyllis & Nathan Sohler

Love and miss you all. -Michael & Nancy

Angela M. Schuck, DDS

Keith P. Flack, DDS

507-625-CARE (2273) mankatodentist.com

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