These announcements are for parishes to use in their weekly bulletins. To submit bulletin announcements for use of all diocesan parishes, please email them.
PRAY FOR PRIESTS – Serra Monthly Calendar is available here for download (PDF) for parish bulletins.
January 2021 Bishop’s Annual Appeal bulletin announcements
posted 1/5/2021
January 23 – 24, 2021
Bishop’s Annual Appeal 2021: The 2021 Appeal launches in February.
- Announcement Weekend is February 6-7: You will receive bulletin inserts highlighting diocesan ministries and be asked to consider a gift to support these ministries on Commitment Weekend.
- Commitment Weekend is February 13-14: This is your opportunity to support diocesan ministries with a 2021 gift to the appeal. You may bring the envelope you receive in the mail or use a response envelope that will be provided at Mass. Both will be gratefully received in the offertory.
January 30 – 31, 2021
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: Next week is Announcement Weekend. We ask you to please take a moment to consider how diocesan ministries such as the TV Mass and ministries related to Catholic education, family life and evangelization impact your faith journey. Please reflect on our mission to be His heart of mercy, voice of hope, and hands of justice.
January 2021 Stewardship announcements
posted 1/5/2021
January 9 – 10, 2021
Stewardship as a Way of Life: “And a voice came from the heavens, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’” — Mark 1:11
Through our baptism, we too, are daughters and sons of God. We are disciples of Jesus. As true disciples we are called to actively participate in our Catholic faith, not just be mere bystanders. This means working in collaboration with the Holy Spirit and discerning how we are being asked to use our gifts — using them for the benefit of others and not just for our own interests and comfort.
January 16 – 17, 2021
Stewardship as a Way of Life: “Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’” — John 1:38
What are you looking for? Are you wasting your time looking for the material comforts of the world? Or is your heart longing for something deeper that can only be found by spending time with God? Take time each day in silence and ask the Lord what it is that He wants you to do.
January 23 – 24, 2021
Stewardship as a Way of Life: “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” — Mark 1:17
Jesus’ call to “Follow me” is a call to all Christians! The call is in the here and now, in our present circumstances, not when we think we are “ready” or have everything in order. Good stewardship of our God-given gifts means that things aren’t always going to go according to our schedule and that God has a much better plan in store for each of us.
January 30 – 31, 2021
Stewardship as a Way of Life: “Brothers and sisters: I should like you to be free of anxieties.” — 1 Corinthians 7:32
How much anxiety do we bring upon ourselves by constantly worrying about not having enough or attaining more things? God won’t necessarily give you everything you want, but He will provide everything you need. Try this: Use the word “pray” instead of the word “worry” in the future. Then pray for things instead of worrying about them.
February 2021 Bishop’s Annual Appeal bulletin announcements
posted 1/24/2021
February 6 – 7, 2021
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: This is Announcement Weekend for the 2021 Bishop’s Annual Appeal. Please take this opportunity to consider your gift and the many ministries that are only available through your generosity. Next week, you can make a gift with envelopes that will be provided at Mass, or bring the envelope many of you will receive in the mail this week. Each dollar raised goes directly to ministries that support our Catholic faith and is not used for any other purpose.
February 13 – 14, 2021
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: “Gifts Offered by Human Hands.” The appeal supports ministries that benefit you, your family and your greater parish community. Please make a gift today. Each dollar raised goes directly to ministries that support our Catholic faith and is not used for any other purpose.
February 20 – 21, 2021
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: Thank you to everyone who responded to Commitment Weekend with a gift for ministries supporting our lives. If you haven’t yet made a gift, you can bring your envelope to Mass, visit www.stcdio.org/annualappeal or mail a gift to: Bishop’s Annual Appeal, PO Box 1538, St. Cloud, MN 56302.
February 27 – 28, 2021
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: The Bishop’s Annual Appeal proudly supports youth religious education in the diocese. Your generosity helps make this possible. Please support the 2021 Bishop’s Annual Appeal: www.stcdio.org/annualappeal. Each dollar raised goes directly to ministries that support our Catholic faith and is not used for any other purpose.
February 2021 Stewardship announcements
posted 1/24/2021
February 6 – 7, 2021
Stewardship as a Way of Life: “Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed…. He told them, ‘Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.’” — Mark 1:35, 38
In today’s Gospel reading we see a perfect example of stewardship. Jesus gives his time to do all that God wishes — healing the sick and preaching. But before he begins, Jesus makes time to be alone with God in prayer. It is through prayer, spending time with God, that we find the strength to do what he wishes us to do. Be sure to find time every day to be with God.
February 13 – 14, 2021
Stewardship as a Way of Life: “Brothers and sisters, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31
Do a quick check of your priorities. Where does God rank in that list? If he’s not first, you have some work to do. Putting God first in everything prevents us from putting other “gods” (like our pride, ego, money and possessions) before God. Before making a decision, ask yourself, “Am I doing this for the glory of God or for the glory of me?”
February 20 – 21, 2021
Stewardship as a Way of Life: “After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God….” — Mark 1:14
Do you ever think about how difficult it must have been for Jesus to come into Galilee, knowing that John had just been arrested for teaching the same message that Jesus was proclaiming. It must have taken great love and trust for Jesus to do what the Father had sent him here on earth to do. In the same way, following a life of stewardship takes great love and trust from us. We must be willing to surrender completely to God, trusting that God will always give us all that we need to fulfill his plan for us.
February 27 – 28, 2021
Stewardship as a Way of Life: “’Here I am!’ he answered.” — Genesis 22:11
It is easy to say, “Here I am, Lord,” when we are kneeling in church. But how easy is it to say, “Here I am, Lord,” when a neighbor needs our help, when we are invited to join a parish ministry, or when we are asked to provide financial support? Oftentimes we are called when it’s not convenient for us. Discipleship is not always easy. Most of the time it will make us uncomfortable and vulnerable.
Extraordinary Ministers for Sundays
The Saint Cloud Hospital Spiritual Care Department is accepting applications for individuals to be part of our volunteer team. Additional Extraordinary Ministers are needed on Sundays to bring Holy Communion to Catholic patients during their hospital stay. We invite you to prayerfully consider if you are being called to this ministry. Minimum availability is one Sunday per month and the time commitment that day varies due to patient census. For questions or to learn more about this ministry, please contact Anita Fischer, Chaplain, at 320-251-2700 ext. 54621
Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline
Catholic Rural Life, a national Catholic nonprofit organization dedicated to the vitality of the American countryside, is helping to spread the message about the 24/7 confidential “Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline” to all Catholic dioceses in Minnesota. Need help finding a confidential financial or legal adviser? Feeling alone, sad or worried and need a listening ear? Call the hotline at 833-600-2670. “Our farmers are facing hard times and this is one way we can help them. This helpline is offered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and all calls are answered locally by trained staff and volunteers,” said Annie Huntington, Catholic Rural Life project coordinator.
Volunteers needed at St. Benedict’s Senior Community
St. Benedict’s Senior Community is seeking volunteers to assist with Catholic ministries. The primary need of the community at this time is eucharistic ministers. You do not need to have any prior experience in eucharistic ministry as SBSC will provide training and commissioning. Eucharistic ministers arrive at 8:30 a.m., round the floors distributing Communion, and serve during the 10 a.m.Mass. The current needs are for Thursday mornings and/or one Sunday a month. If you are unable to make a weekly commitment, any amount of time would be a welcome help. If interested in another ministry, other opportunities include rosary leaders (daily at 3:45 p.m.) and chapel attendants (setting up for Mass, escorting residents in and out of the chapel and tending to their needs during Mass). For more information, you can contact Rebecca Calderone, director of pastoral care, at 320-252-0010 ext. 30276 or at rebecca.calderone@centracare.com.