GOING ORGANIC

Last Sunday afternoon we pulled out all the stops (or rather, our gifted organists, Judy DeBruyne-Hodgson and Roger Burg, pulled out all of the organ stops) for our special blessing and dedication service for our newly restored and renovated organ. It was a great celebration with other parish musicians including our Adult, Funeral, Bell and Childrens' Choirs. Thanks to all who made this happen, Roger and Judy most obviously, but also our staff Lonne Murphy and Mary Pat Deering and all who participated and enjoyed the service and reception. And I thank all of you who participated in the Parish 40th Anniversary Fund. Your stewardship made this happen.

BLEEDING HEARTS

I just love the Bleeding Hearts that are blooming so beautifully in our Parish Memorial Garden. You too can be a bleeding heart this Tuesday, May 4, at our Blood Bank Drive.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

The Bloomington Jefferson High School Theatre Company will present the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar May 6, 7, 8 at 7:30 pm, May 9 at 3:00 pm and May 13 & 15 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are now available at http://www.jeffersontheatrecompany.org/ or by calling 1-800-838-3006. Adult ticket prices are $10 and $7 for students and seniors.  Box office is open one hour before the performance. There is a special senior citizen preview show May 5 at 4:00 pm. Tickets are reduced to $5. Refreshments will be served.

Performances are at Jefferson High School's auditorium, 4001 West 102nd Street. Jesus Christ Superstar, a two-act rock opera, gave opera a radical facelift through its use of vibrant rock music for a solemn topic. Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics) created a new kind of Jesus a prophet /
rock star whose appeal stems as much from the crowd's energy as from his own inspirational message. The play is a baroque fusion of styles, rock rhythm with ballad narrative, dramatic characterization with vibrant choreography that together succeed in communicating a humble theme of love and acceptance. Sacred themes are fused with ancient political history and modern sensibilities into an entirely new form of theater art.

I am very happy to note that in the cast, orchestra and crew there are quite a few members of St Ed’s, including: Chris Bernard, Garrett Bourgon, Lauren Buswell,Adam DeGonda, Jana Duggan, Ali Goodrum, Chelsey Graunke, Vanessa Hird, Melanie Jenks, Patrick Koob, Dan Larson, Michael Long, Joni Melichar, and Grant Simonson.

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS

This weekend at the Masses we are having a special thanksgiving for all our parish volunteers. The Mass itself is known in Greek as the Eucharist which means to give thanks. We give thanks to God at every Mass as God has blessed us so generously. This weekend, with St. Paul (Philippians, chapter 1, verse 3), I and our staff "give thanks to God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy … because of your partnership in the Gospel ..." You make St. Ed’s what it is.

HOLY LAND/JORDAN PILGRIMAGE

I will be leading a pilgrimage to Jordan and the Holy Land on November 7 - 16, 2010.  Our main purpose will be to visit and pray at the places that are connected to the life of Jesus especially the Holy places in Galilee and Jerusalem. But we will also tour some fascinating historical sites such as the ancient city of Petra and the fortress of Masada. The group will celebrate Mass in many special places: in Nazareth at the Grotto of the Annunciation, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and in Bethlehem at the Church of the Nativity. Travel is very safe. A deposit of $500 per person is due now to hold your space. The cost for the tour is $3,600, which includes round trip airfare from Minneapolis, seven nights in first class hotels with private bath, breakfast and dinner daily, expert local guides, all hotel taxes, deluxe motor coach throughout the tour, and all admission fees, daily tips and trip insurance This also includes all current airport fees and fuel surcharges. For more information please call me. A brochure will soon be available.

THE EMERGING CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

Call to Action Minnesota, a local church renewal group, will be having a special conference here at St. Ed’s on Saturday, April 17 from 8:30 AM to 3 PM. The cost is $40 but our parishioners can attend free of charge but are asked to pay $10 for the cost of lunch if you sign up for that. There are some great speakers including Fr. Roger Haight, S.J., whose talk is, "If God is Found in Everyday Life, Why Do We Need the Church?" A second speaker is Dr. Jerome Baggett who will describe "The Emerging Catholic" based on findings of his sociological research of practicing Catholics. A final speaker, Chris Brooks will reflect on young adults in the church. It should be a very interesting and informative day. Please call church office to sign up and note if you are staying for lunch. This seems very timely.

HAPPY EASTER!

With the rest of the staff, I hope that this Easter will be an occasion of great joy and happiness for all the members of our parish community and those who join us this weekend. We pray that the tremendous meaning of the Easter celebration will give new meaning and purpose to our lives.

We extend a very special welcome to those who have been received into our community and welcomed to the Lord's table this Easter and those who have been confirmed!

Having celebrated Lent and Holy Week as well, a special word of thanks must go out to all who have made this a special time. This includes all who generously give their time and talent to make our liturgies especially graceful and grace-filled. Many help to prepare the church and assist in ministry. Thanks to those who help with environments, our worship committee, the choir and other musicians, ushers, greeters, lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and RCIA team. And thanks to the maintenance staff who keep the church looking good. And I am most thankful that our new organ is now fully installed and functioning.

This weekend, we gather to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We sing wonderful music that speaks of our praise, adoration and joy! But in reality, every Sunday in the Christian Church is an Easter Sunday, because we remember Christ's resurrection each week. I thank you for your generous stewardship. You make it possible to share the Easter message every day. Thank you for all the outreach through such wonderful programs as Families Moving Forward (FMF), VEAP, Bridging, Loaves and Fishes and our Sister Parishes. These are also signs of new life.

PILGRIMAGE TO HOLY LAND AND JORDAN

This coming November, from the 7th to the 16th, I am leading a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Jordan. This trip will include the places associated with the Lord's life and ministry, and in addition, include some very special sites with much historical significance such as the ancient lost city of Petra in Jordan. A brochure will soon be available. Please call me for further information.

HAVE A HOLY WEEK

As we gather this weekend for Palm Sunday services, we begin the special time known as Holy Week. There has been much preparation that goes into the Holy Week celebrations, so much to do for our liturgical ministers and musicians. Please take advantage of this special time of prayer and join us for as many of the services as you can during the Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil/Easter.

And let me give you a special heads up. On Easter Sunday, the 9:30 and 11:00 am Masses tend to be crowded. If you plan to attend these services, please come early to get a seat. You might also want to consider the less crowded 8:00 am Easter Sunday Mass or even the special Easter Vigil Service starting at 8:30 pm on Saturday night.

ORGAN NOTES

With the installation last week of the trumpet pipes our organ work is complete and we are ready for Easter. Thanks to all of you who participated in The 40th Anniversary Fund that made this and other special parish projects happen. I want to give a special thanks to our organist at the 5:00 pm and 8:00 am Masses, Roger Burg, who gave hours of his time and talent to make sure that this renovation and major addition to our organ went so well. His enthusiasm has been contagious. This Easter will sound a special joy for us. Please keep Sunday, April 25, at 2:00 pm open on your calendars too. We will then have our special Organ Dedication celebration.

CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL

The Annual Catholic Appeal fund drive which funds many of the Archdiocese's ministries was renamed as the Catholic Services Appeal. It began in February and soon the Archdiocese will begin calling people who have not responded to invite their participation. If you are planning to give please do so now. Our parish receives 25% of your pledge but if you pledge with the phone drive we do not receive the 25% rebate. This appeal funds some very good ministries and your gifts are very much appreciated.