Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Happy Easter! Thanks to the many families who participated in our "Best Easter Dressed" image collection efforts last weekend. We love to hear from you and see your faces, even in these times of physical separation. Keep 'em coming!

The week and a half since Easter Sunday has been filled with joy for me in so many subtle, small ways. Perhaps one of the best has been in considering our school children, who have been distancing learning now for nearly a month. Be sure to check out Principal Hurley’s column in this past weekend’s bulletin, and this e-newsletter for some exciting news about how the school’s very important fundraiser, the annual Boots & Bling auction, is kickin’ up it’s boot heels to the Internet this year.

I'd like to invite you to take advantage of this week of Divine Mercy by reading about Sister Faustina and the Divine Mercy Chaplet; click here.
 

In Memoriam

As a faith community, it is important to hold each other in prayer, especially in difficult moments such as the death of a loved one. The families experience much comfort knowing that we are supporting them and there is a long-standing tradition within the Church for praying for the dead. Please pray for the souls of those deceased and their families: Betty Lehmann, Anne Eberhard, Ted Thone and Gene Plaschko.

 

School Auction Goes Completely Digital

Here are some important and very exciting updates to our Boots & Bling Auction, which is going online this year!

• Don't forget to purchase your raffle tickets! We'll host our live-streamed drawing at 8:00 PM a week from today, Friday, April 24. Tune in to find out who wins, and even more details about Boots & Bling.

• Raffle tickets are still available for purchase here. Prize is full tuition for 2020-2021 school year (just $25/each)!

• We are still accepting donations in these 3 ways:

  • Snail Mail: Donations can be mailed to or dropped off in the secure lock box at the parish office, 380 Little Canada Road, Little Canada, MN 55117

  • Curbside Pick-up: Contact [email protected] to have an item picked up curb side at your house!

  • Donation Drop-off Day: We're also selling tickets from 9:00 AM to Noon Friday, April 24, in the Gathering Space, provided we maintain safe social distancing practices of fewer than 10 people at a time. You can also drop off donations at this time!

• Our online bidding will open up on Mother's Day; obviously, there's no cost for online tickets, but we do need you to register to participate in the online bidding. Visit our auction website today! While you're there, check out our item list, which will update regularly between now and May 10.

• CSCOE is a large supporter of Saint John's. They are hosting their annual fundraiser virtually as well. I encourage everyone to participate, as we have a chance to win $10,000 if we have the most participants! Registration is free at https://e.givesmart.com/events/eoG/; make sure to use St. John School of Little Canada in your registration.

• If you have already purchased a ticket/table for Boots & Bling, we will be contacting you via our auction website; please check your SPAM.

 

News from the Archdiocese

Late last week, we received updated guidance from the Archdiocese regarding our stay-in-place status, which includes continued dispensation from weekly Masses through May 4. We've posted this to our COVID page on our website: Stay at Home Update from Arch

From Archbishop: "May the resurrected Christ help us to use the 'strangeness' and 'stillness' of this moment to bring Easter hope into a world that needs it more than ever. Even without the familiar trappings that we associate with Easter, let us be sure to share with one another the story of what Jesus has lovingly done for us. May our lips proclaim that he is truly risen and our lives give witness to his presence among us!" - Archbishop Bernard Hebda, The Catholic Spirit

Additionally, we have some news about the Synod Timeline. Thank you to all those who participated in the first year of the Synod process! More than 8,000 people participated in the 19 general prayer and listening events and 11 focus sessions, providing over 35,000 comments. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Archbishop Hebda has decided to delay the Parish Consultation with Small Groups from Fall 2020 to Fall 2021, in order to focus on our parishes and schools without distraction. The exact dates will be forthcoming. The focus areas for the Synod will still be announced soon! Please continue to pray for the Synod and stay up to date with resources at www.archspm.org/synod. 

 

Live-stream the Rosary with Us

I am very excited to announce we will be adding to our virtual offerings here at Saint John's, beginning this Friday, April 24, at 9:30 AM. We will have a live-streamed Rosary on our Facebook page; follow links from our website or this one directly. A resounding "thank you" to Nancy Johnson for making this possible. Our live-streamed Masses will continue on Facebook as well, at 4:30 PM Saturdays, and available throughout the rest of each weekend.

And THANK YOU for the continued generosity during our weekly Sunday envelope collections. These help so greatly with our school and parish operating expenses. Learn more about secure online giving while distancing by clicking here.

Lastly, with the help of our liturgy and communications team, I've prepared another short prayer video for us all to share. Click here.

Peace,
Father Tom Balluff, pastor