EASTER BASKET PROJECT

BY MARCH 10

There are many families hoping

to receive our support this

Lenten season through Gift Cards and Easter Baskets of household goods. 

Colorful shapes are hanging on the walls in the commons, please take a shape and return the item you have selected. 

ONLINE SIGN-UP: 

A SignUpGenius link is also available for those that would like to

SIGN-UP-ONLINE You can also donate through the Sign Up Genius Link to donate a gift card or an Easter Basket.

For full details, please go to our website:

www.stbeagan.org/easter-basket-project

Who are the recipients?

The recipients of this service project are families in need in Rosemount and Dakota County and neighbors of the Visitation sisters. The Visitation Sisters live and serve in North Minneapolis and have been affiliated with St. Thomas Becket for over 25 years. 

Deadline:

Please return all gift cards and Easter Baskets to church by March 10 with the Easter shape from the commons taped to the top of the Easter Bin.

Labels: if you are using Sign-Up Genius, please create a label and indicate the slot number for the basket you created.  

  Example for label: Family Basket for Rosemount Family in Need #1

INSTRUCTIONS HERE

CALENDAR 

Friday, February 23

• NET retreat, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
• Soup Supper, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
• Stations of the Cross 7:00 pm

Saturday, February 24:

• Individual Reconciliation, 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
• Lenten Small Group, 4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
• 5:00 pm Mass, Fr. Kevin - Mass Intention for Bob Traynor
• Cana Dinner, 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Sunday, February 25:

• SGS 9:00 am and 11:00 am Mass
• CLOW ONLY 9:00 am Mass
• 9:00 am Mass Penitential Rite of Candidates, Fr. Tim LIVESTREAM available 

       Mass Intention for Fr. Marty Beckman

• Lenten Small Group, 10:00 am - 10:55 am
• RCIA, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
• Centering Prayer, 10:15 am - 10:55 am
• 11:00 am Mass, Fr. Tim -   Deacon Mickey preaches

        Mass Intention for Stephen Lauinger

• Confirmation Blue, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
• Confirmation Red, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Monday, February 26:  

• No Event Scheduled

Tuesday, February 27:

• Friends in Faith, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
• AA meeting, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
• Choir rehearsal, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
• Bell Choir, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Wednesday, February 28:

• Elementary Faith Formation, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
• Elementary Faith Formation, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
• Middle School FF, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Thursday, February 29:

• 10:00 am Mass
• Al-Anon meeting, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Friday, March 1:

• Blood Drive, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
• Soup Supper, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
• Stations of the Cross 7:00 pm

Saturday, March 2:

• Food Shelf and Coffee Sales
• Confirmation Red Retreat, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
• Individual Reconciliation, 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
• Lenten Small Group, 4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
• 5:00 pm Mass, Fr. Tim - Deacon Mickey preaches

           Mass Intention for Souls in Purgatory

Sunday, March 3:

• Food Shelf and Coffee Sales
• SGS 9:00 am and 11:00 am Mass
• CLOW ONLY 9:00 am Mass
• 9:00 am Mass, Fr. Kevin LIVESTREAM available 
• RCIA, 9:30 am - 11:00 am
• Centering Prayer, 10:15 am - 10:55 am
• Lenten Small Group, 10:00 am - 10:55 am
• 11:00 am Mass, Fr. Tim -   Mass Intention for Bob Traynor

BLOOD DRIVE AT STB MARCH 1

Friday, March 1st, 2024

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT HERE

Volunteer to be at the Greeter Table

RICE BOWLS

During Lent you are encouraged to participate in the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl program.

The three spiritual pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

We pray always for those in need, but one way you can actively participate in their relief is by fasting and putting the money you save in a Rice Bowl during Lent. Rice bowls will be distributed at our Ash Wednesday services and will be in the back of church for you to take the first two Sundays of Lent. You can fill them and bring them back at the end of Lent, or better yet, to be a part of our collection for the poor at the Holy Thursday Mass of the Last Supper.

To find out more about the CRS Rice Bowl program and to get some delicious recipes, go to www.ricebowls.org.       

PRIMUS CLOTHING DRIVE ENDED

Because of your generous support we have filled every shelf, table, and rack in our free store with clothing. Due to the lack of storage space, we are ending our drive for the present.

Thank you, St. Thomas Becket for continuing to love, serve and be hope for us.

Gratefully,

The refugees and those serving them.

UKRAINIAN FAMILY NEEDS

Teams from St. Thomas Becket have been generously using their time, talent & treasure to host & support 6 Ukrainian families over the past year.

Currently we have the following needs that will be coming up soon:

• An independent living situation/furnishings for a Mom and 2 children in the Eagan area.
• A vehicle.
• Child Care (Elementary Age). Part time especially this summer. Teens, adults, service hours.

If you are able to help with any of these or can put us in touch with someone, please connect with  Dan Driessen, dandriessen49@gmail.com, 507-301-9588. 

CATHOLIC SERVICE APPEAL

Today’s Gospel theme is the opposite of “hesitation”: The disciples did not hesitate to ask the Healer for help. Jesus did not hesitate to respond. And even Simon’s mother-in-law, after returning from fever, rises to serve him immediately.

If Jesus were to walk in the door of our parish right now, he would be on a mission to love someone. If he were to enter your home, as he entered Simon’s, he would be on a mission to love you.

Our parish is on Jesus’ same mission of love, and we need your help to spread the love Christ entrusted to us. Love acts! When Jesus showed Simon’s mother-in-law love, her heart wished to respond with more love. She chose to serve herself. Today, evaluate your ability to give, listen to the prompting of love, and then, do not hesitate… act by giving to our archdiocesan Catholic Services Appeal!

SUSTAINABILITY INFORMS YOU

Your yard can BEE the Change

Minnesota residents can now apply for fall 2024 Lawns to Legumes funding. The Lawns to Legumes program aims to increase habitat for at-risk pollinators in residential settings across the state by providing people with cost-share funding, workshops, coaching and gardening resources.

Anyone can apply to be reimbursed for up to $400 in costs associated with establishing new pollinator habitat in their yards. Applications will be accepted through May 15, 2024. If you previously applied for the program, you will need to reapply to be considered for fall 2024 funding. 

Find more information here.

HELP KEEP THE DONUTS COMING!

Every weekend, we all enjoy some treats after Mass.

But to make it happen, WE NEED YOU!

Please consider helping out with our Hospitality Ministry!

Help set up coffee, cookies, donuts and lemonade.

SIGN UP HERE

All Are Welcome! Curious what you would do?

You would help set up half an hour before Mass and come back to the kitchen after communion to put out the drinks and donuts.

Photo by cottonbro studio

NEW CENTERING PRAYER GROUP AT STB

Please join us for time spent together practicing this deceptively simple method of prayer. Based on traditional teachings, Fr. Thomas Keating is credited for re-introducing Centering Prayer to our modern minds in the latter part of the 20th century. Together we create a time of quiet peace, calming the mind and heart, and seek to allow God to move more fully within us.

All are welcome! If you are new to Centering Prayer, it is easy to learn, and we can guide you. Additional information about the method can also be found on www.contemplativeoutreach.org.  

We meet on Sunday mornings from 10:00 am -10:55 am in room 205 at church. Hope to see you there!  

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES DURING LENT

EASTER FLORAL DEDICATIONS

BY MARCH 18

WELCOMING

NEW PARISHIONERS

Mary & Douglas

Austin

SUSTAINABLE EAGAN ACADEMY

Looking for a way to deepen your understanding of sustainability issues and to help impact the local environment? This program is designed for people of all backgrounds. It offers monthly sessions on diverse topics related to environmental sustainability.

Dates and Topic

• February 27: Tax Credits for Sustainability
• March 19: Tree and Plant Preservation
• April 23: Green Yard Resources
• May 28: Water Quality and Conservation

The Sustainable Eagan Academy is open to all community members of high school age and older.



The monthly sessions runs 60 – 90 minutes starting at 7:00 pm at Eagan City Hall. Register for the free sessions now or secure your spot at least a week in advance for each session.

Go to the Sustainable Eagan Academy website to register:

https://cityofeagan.com/sustainableeaganacademy

WALLEYE FRY 2024

Please join the Knights of Columbus, the Dakota County Elks, and St. John Neumann church for the 2024 Lenten Walleye Fry. The meal will be served at St. John Neumann church in Eagan from 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm on the following dates: February 23, March 1, March 15, and March 22.

The price is $18 for an adult meal. Kid’s size meals are also available.

Please pay by cash or check. Hope to see you there!

LENTEN DAYS OF PRAYER

Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center in Prior Lake hosts:

Lenten Days of Prayer The Lenten Sunday Readings: Pondering the Sacred

• Feb 28: The Temple Gets a Spring Cleaning
• Mar 6: Radical Transformation
• Mar 13 Dying to Self: Surrender of the Heart

New in 2024 - Lunch Provided!

Set the tone on your Lenten journey through our Lenten Days of Prayer in a place filled with hope, inspiration and spiritual growth. Gain insights on lent through our weekly themes. Includes opportunities for confession, adoration, one on one personal spiritual direction, free time for journaling or walks, and a delicious meal.

Register yourself or your group by clicking the calendar tab on our website:franciscanretreats.net and selecting the Day of Prayer you are interested in or call 952.447.2182 (Tues-Fri 9:00-4:00).

STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE

FAITHFUL SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR:

General Schedules page HERE

• Eucharistic Ministers
• Lector
• Hospitality
• Greeters
• Laundry Ministry
• Dakota Woodlands

Where to find schedule links:

Go to www.stbeagan.org and look under HELPFUL LINKS, there you will find “schedules”, click on it and you will be able to find the link to the signup.

You can also type in the URL: https://stbeagan.org/schedules

GOSPEL MEDITATION

ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE

February 25, 2024

2nd Sunday of Lent

As a college student, my prized possession was an after-market car stereo. It was my pride and joy: glorious audio, eye-catching display screen, and multi-disc CD changer. It drained my hard-earned dollars, but it was totally worth it. It drenched me in music everywhere I drove. On Ash Wednesday of my senior year of college, Father Tom, the Jesuit priest at my university said, “Pray for God to tell you what he wants you to sacrifice for Lent.” I did. In my heart, the answer came: “Give up listening to your car stereo for forty days.” I winced. Not possible, I thought. Can’t do it. I made other plans. The next morning, I was stunned to find that my car had been broken into, and my fancy stereo ripped out and stolen.

God’s command to sacrifice what we love is no joke. This week in Genesis 22, God says: “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love — Isaac — and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Believe me, I know. We like to be in control. It chaffs us that God sets the terms of what we must sacrifice, and how. But this is no impersonal, tyrannical process. Remember that God uses their names, Abraham and Isaac. God knows each one of us and the precious gifts He commands us to offer. Finally, our sacrifices are for our own good. Do we trust this enough to do what Father Tom asked me to do?

Lenten challenge: This week, I dare you to ask God: “What do you want me to give up?” He may ask for that which you love most. It will be something precious to you: time, money, a relationship, a dream, an opportunity. What matters is we trust Him and act sacrificially in line with His command. Whatever we sacrifice will of course come back to us as surely as the Risen Jesus — but that doesn’t make it easy.

— Father John Muir

©LPi

EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP

When Sacrifice Becomes Mundane

It seems to happen every year, like clockwork: we drag a bit, as we enter into the second week of Lent. On Ash Wednesday, we feel a bit like soldiers banging our shields, rushing into battle. “We’re ready, God!” our hearts cry out. “Transform us through sacrifice! Your will be done!”

But by now, these Lenten resolutions are no longer novelties — they’ve joined the ranks of everyday inconveniences, which somehow are the hardest to bear. Because transformation, in real life, happens in inches, just as a battle is won slowly in the crash of one sword against another. It’s not always a dramatic thing, to the naked eye. It’s the perseverance in prayer despite weariness, or the continual denial of some pleasure even though there’s that nagging voice in our minds saying: go ahead, God doesn’t really mind.

It’s a week when we all need a shock to the system — and wouldn’t you know it, this Sunday God gives us a double-whammy of dramatic sacrificial scenes. We picture Abraham, who also cried “Ready!” when God called, never imagining what He would ask: the surrender of his long-awaited son. We see Christ himself transfigured, as God shows us what He is ready to give up for love of us.

We must remain committed, persevering daily in acknowledging that everything belongs to God. What we sacrifice, we simply give back to Him.

If God is for us, who can be against us? Can we still reply, “Ready!” when we hear the call of God?

— Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

©LPi

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK

Please hold these parishioners in your prayers:

Roger Urban

Bob Carraher

Stephen Lauinger

If you have someone you would like added to our confidential Prayer Line call Bonnie Berquist at 651-450-1043 or email her at Bonnie_B_02@msn.com.  

READINGS

Sunday:

Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18/Ps 116:10, 15, 16-17, 18-19 (116:9)/

Rom 8:31b-34/Mk 9:2-10

Monday:

Dn 9:4b-10/Ps 79:8, 9, 11 and 13/Lk 6:36-38

Tuesday:

Is 1:10, 16-20/Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23/Mt 23:1-12

Wednesday:

Jer 18:18-20/Ps 31:5-6, 14, 15-16/Mt 20:17-28

Thursday:

Jer 17:5-10/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6/Lk 16:19-31

Friday:

Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a/Ps 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21/Mt 21:33-43, 45-46

Saturday:

Mi 7:14-15, 18-20/Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12/Lk 15:1-3, 11-32

Next Sunday:

Ex 20:1-17 or 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17/Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 (Jn 6:68c)/1 Cor 1:22-25/Jn 2:13-25 Scrutiny: Ex 17:3-7/Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 (8)/Rom 5:1-2, 5-8/

Jn 4:5-42 or 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42

[651-683-9808]  [reception@stbeagan.org]  [www.stbeagan.org]

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