Cluster News
SPECIAL COLLECTION: Next week we will take up the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. This Collection supports Catholic organizations that provide food, shelter, medical care, catechesis, and companionship for the lonely in a region still struggling in the aftermath of atheistic Soviet rule. Your donations help to restore the strength of the Church in the region. Please give generously to the Collection next week. Visit www.usccb.org/nationalcollections to learn more.
WE LOVE ST. AUG’S MEN’S BREAKFAST! We can tell you do too! This is such a wonderful community building event that we wanted to say THANKS for joining us. St. Augustine’s Men’s Group hosts the breakfast monthly from September through May, serving from 7:30 am until noon. The cost is $7-adults, $4-youth (K-17), and free for preschoolers, a superb deal for the wonderful food that you receive including: sausage, hash browns, scrambled eggs, coffee, rolls, and especially the homemade doughnuts! Make sure to join us again on March 4 and March 25.
7TH ANNUAL FR. WIL ILLIES MEMORIAL LECTURE: Join us on Friday, March 23, at 7 pm at the Newman Center for a lecture by Moral Theologian Lisa Sowle Cahill, Professor at Boston College, entitled, "Health Care and Justice: Where are the 'Catholic' Political Priorities?" Cahill will explore questions such as what role health care reform should play in an election year, what motivates Catholic voters, and what the US Bishops have said about the importance of pro-life issues, health care reform, and economic justice. Can pro-life causes and health care reform both be seen as important Catholic priorities? This lecture is free and open to the public, and will be followed by a dessert reception.
THE PSALMS: Spring theology class at Newman! This course will begin by considering the Book of Psalms as the prayer book of Ancient Israel. The historical setting as well as the literary aspects of these famous poems will be studied in detail. This class can be taken for credit or simply for the joy of learning and engaging our faith. Join us on Monday evenings from 6-9 pm, beginning Feb. 27. See the Newman page for more information.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER: This year's annual World Day of Prayer will take place on Friday, March 2. Every year the first Friday in March marks this special celebration of women from around the world. This year the women of Malaysia have written a prayer service around the theme "Let Justice Prevail," and they invite all - men and women, young and old - to join in praying with them. The St. Cloud area will celebrate with an ecumenical prayer service to be held at 1 pm at St. Augustine's Parish. All are welcome; fellowship will follow!
WHAT IS "DAY ON THE HILL?" This is an annual policy briefing and lobby day sponsored by the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC). Participants are briefed on portions of the JRLC agenda that are being debated at our State Capitol. People from all over the state attend Day on the Hill to show their interfaith commitment to social justice and participate in the lawmaking process. Registration is required. Join us on March 20. Questions? Talk to Ben at Newman at 320.251.3260.
LUXEMBOURG JAZZ TRIO: The R-D-W Jazz Trio from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg will perform a concert at the Cathedral of St. Mary in St. Cloud on Thursday, March 8, at 7:30 pm. The concert is free of charge and all are invited to attend. For more information contact the Luxembourg American Cultural Society at 262-476-5086 or admin@luxamculturalsociety.org, or visit its website at www.luxamculturalsociety.org.
VIA CRUCIS: Mark your calendar for a special Stations of the Cross on March 30 at 7:30 pm in the upper church at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The Stations will be shown in images that are touching to the soul and set to music by F. Lizst. There will also be a soup supper in the lower church gathering space at 6 pm.
Community News
LENTEN 40 DAYS FOR LIFE: February 22-April 1 The year 2012 will mark the 39th year of the Supreme Court ruling that made abortion legal. Plans are being made to begin the largest effort ever to bring an end to abortion. You are encouraged to join in this peaceful prayer vigil in defense of life: to pray, fast, and/or participate in the prayer vigil at Planned Parenthood in St. Cloud. The well-being of our families, marriages, and mankind are at stake! Call or email Mary Jo Ruhland, 320-453-3695, rhlgr@aol.com or Judy, 320-453-7592, judy4life@meltel.net.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OPEN HOUSE: All are invited to drop by Central MN Habitat for Humanity’s Open House on Feb. 21 anytime from 7am – 7pm. Location: 815 & 817 11th Avenue SE in St. Cloud. Come tour this twin home that was completed in December 2011 as the Thrivent Build. A special volunteer recognition ceremony will be held at 12:30 pm, recognizing volunteers and groups with the top volunteer hours for 2011 (our cluster had 50 people who volunteered 364 hours last year!) There will be food, a trivia game, and door prizes.
CATHOLIC WORKER HOUSE: The new local Catholic Worker house is officially open! All are invited to gather for prayer and a simple meal every Monday at 6:30 pm: 35 2nd Ave SE, St. Joseph (2 blocks east of St. Ben's). Visit www.centralmncw.org for more info.
YOUTH CHORALE OF CENTRAL MN: The Youth Chorale is a non-profit chorus for high school singers in grades 9-12. You are invited to attend their concert on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 4 pm at St. Francis Xavier Church in Sartell. Enjoy an afternoon of music from YCCM and also hear the St. Cloud State University Concert Choir. What a GREAT way to end your weekend! Tickets are $10/adults and $5/seniors/students and will be available at the door. www.youthchorale.org
