STEWARDSHIP 2007

As we begin our stewardship pledge drive this weekend I want to thank all for your gifts of time, talent and treasure. I am reminded of a statement of Winston Churchill, "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."

ST. EDWARDS 4Oth ANNIVERSARY

Our parish began in September of 1967 and so we will be celebrating our 40th anniversary this year. Thankfully we still have many original parishioners among us.

PHOTO DIRECTORY

As part of our 40th anniversary celebration, we will be putting together a new photo directory. The Sara Guild and Young at Heart members will be assisting in this project which begins later in the Spring.

ORGAN PROJECT

One special project that I would like to accomplish as part of our anniversary year is to renew our parish organ. This instrument has served us for 25 years and is in need of some maintenance. But this is also an opportunity to modestly upgrade the organ. If anyone has an interest in serving on this project please contact me.

SOLAR PROJECT

Bernie Evans reminds us this weekend in his presentation at the masses on stewardship that we need to become better stewards of our environment. As part of our 40th anniversary it would be an opportunity to do a modest solar energy project. I am asking our Building and Grounds Committee to look into this but would be interested if any parishioners would like to serve on a solar project committee. Please let me know if you would like to serve on this.

A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

One of the ongoing needs in our communities is blood donations. Locally, the Memorial Blood Bank staffs a number of offices and blood mobiles for donation. For us this has become even more convenient. This year the Blood Bank opened a new office in Eden Prairie just off Highway 212 and Prairie Center Drive at 12200 Middleset Road. And there is also another convenient site at 500 W. 98th St, near the intersection of Old Shakopee and Lyndale Ave on the second floor of the Premier Bank building. You can call for information and appointments at (651) 332-7150 or online at www.memorialbloodcenters.org.

What a great way to start the New Year or to make the year 2007 very special for both the giver and the many who benefit from this gift of life. Donors must be at least 17 but there is no longer an upper age limit.


A HAPPY AND GREEN NEW YEAR

The Vatican released Pope Benedict's message for the World Day of Peace, marked each year on January 1st. Environmental concerns figured prominently.

"Humanity, if it truly desires peace, must be increasingly conscious of the links between natural ecology, or respect for nature, and human ecology," Benedict wrote. "Experience shows that disregard for the environment always harms human coexistence..."

Benedict went on to warn that "the destruction of the environment, its improper or selfish use, and the violent hoarding of the earth's resources cause grievances, conflicts and wars, precisely because they are the consequences of an inhumane concept of development."

The Pope pointed to growing tensions surrounding energy supplies, worrying that without an equitable solution, developing nations will be even more tempted to overtax their natural resources.

Certainly a large part of the solution is for our being wiser stewards of our resources. Plenty of opportunity for New Year's resolutions there.

GLOBAL WARMING MEETING

Please consider attending the Edina community forum Global Warming Solutions. It is being held Thursday, January 11, from 7:00-9:00pm at St. Patrick's Catholic Church (6820 St. Patrick's Lane, Edina) and is open to all. Featured participants include polar explorer Will Steger, Edina Mayor James Hovland, and Fresh Energy policy analyst J. Drake Hamilton.

A PASTOR'S CHRISTMAS WISH

During these last days of Advent as we prepare for Christmas, we have much to be thankful for. God so loved the world that He sent His only Son. And as we gather these Holy Days, we give thanks to so many who add to the joy of the Season. Even before the celebrations begin, many parishioners have given their time and talent to make them special including our maintenance and liturgical staffs, the multitude of musicians and the arts and environment volunteers.

This Fourth Sunday of Advent we remember the visitation of Mary to her cousin, Elizabeth, in the gospel reading. Mary said yes to God for which Elizabeth called her blessed. It is obvious that many say yes to God at St. Ed's. In particular, I am thankful for the wonderful ways that parishioners reach out to those in need. You are blessings too. That is certainly the main message of Christmas.

And for us as Christians, this is a season of peace and good will to all. May peace come to so many troubled areas of our global village, especially in Iraq. And may all those serving our country overseas be safe.

Thank you all for your generous support and stewardship. God bless you and your loved ones.

Merry Christmas.

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME

For the past twenty years our parish has been blessed to have Rose Kettler as our parish secretary and receptionist. Hers has usually been the first voice heard from a new parishioner or person in need. That has been a blessing for the caller and for the pastors and staff with whom she has ministered. We have relied upon her. Rose’s friendly, inviting presence has welcomed many as they come into the parish office. She has made us look good.

Professional church secretaries leave their problems at home, respect confidentiality in the office, and keep communications smooth between the pastor, staff and parishioners. They find and work with volunteers for all kinds of projects in the parish. Rose has more than met these challenges. Her wealth of knowledge of parish history and of parishioners has gone far beyond what could be expected.

I personally am much indebted to Rose and I know that staff and parish members have similar appreciation for her. I am happy that she can step down as she and husband Bob have much to look forward to with the anticipated birth of two grandchildren. I will miss her calm and pleasant presence in the office but am thankful that she continues to be part of our parish community.

HAPPY HANUKKAH

This weekend we also welcome from LaCrosse, Wisconsin, artist Clara Maria Goldstein. This Advent she gifted us with a beautiful series of paintings of Rabbi Jesus which wonderfully present the Lord Jesus within his Jewish family and heritage. In the sanctuary we have a special painting of the child Jesus celebrating the Feast of Hanukkah with his mother, Mary. This year Hanukkah, the Feast of Lights, began on Friday.

Traditionally, Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple at Jerusalem. The Jews needed to find oil for the sacred lamp. According to the Book of Maccabees, the Jews found only one jug of oil which was enough for the lamp to burn just one night. But it burned in the lamp for eight days and nights. These eight days and nights became the Hanukkah festival, which Jewish people have celebrated ever since in many lands and under many different circumstances.

Clara wrote the following: This painting was inspired by the New Testament verses in John 10:22-23. These verses illustrate that Jesus was at the temple in Jerusalem for the celebration of Hanukkah. The title of this painting is The Virgin Mary & Jesus Celebrating Hanukkah.

A broad message of Hanukkah is to respect people whose spiritual beliefs are different than our own. God made us all different in mind and body. When we embrace our differences, we show respect for God's creation. When we foster harmony and kindness towards each other despite our differences, we honor Him. A society that fosters diversity is fertile ground for love to flourish. Like Jesus said, "Love God and love one another" for this is the path to a happier world.

SMART GIVING

Last Monday there was a full page ad in the local newspapers with the heading "Smart Givers." It was sponsored by the Charities Review Council. The Council is based in St. Paul and was formed 60 years ago to help promote informed donors and accountable charities. In the ad they listed hundreds of local charitable organizations that voluntarily participate in a public review that is based on following the Council's Accountability Standards.

They are a nationally respected group. I learned about them 20 some years ago when I was looking for help in finding information on the many requests that I received from different charities. I support their efforts and have attended workshops that they have sponsored. You can access their information at smartgivers.org or call them for their newsletter at (651)224-7030. You might find their information helpful too.

Unfortunately, they cover mainly local charities and are very limited as far as national organizations or groups based out of state. We have used the Council's information to help with some of our tithing requests. Also one of the best ways we have to make wise tithing grants is by supporting many groups where we have parish or parishioner involvement.

Ironically on Monday another parishioner stopped in with a batch of "begging" letters mainly from out of state charities such as religious communities and social service agencies. This person has been very generous but has requested that she only receive one request per year. Needless to say she continues to get regular mailings especially around the holidays.

I told her that she is under no obligation to respond and that these letters are often generated by third party mailing firms. Many people are vulnerable to these techniques but you can say no in good conscience. At a former parish I once had someone drop off a several month collection of such letters. She was worried that she could not just throw them away. I used them in the course of a homily to tear them up and remind people that God loves a cheerful giver but we are free to choose who we give to. The more informed we can become the better givers we will be.