CONGRATULATIONS RITA FRANKE
Rita Franke, who participates in our Young at Heart, lector and funeral ministries, is also very generous of her time at the Gideon Pond Residence where she was selected this month's Volunteer of the Month. They have a picture of her hanging up in the foyer, along with an article about her volunteer activities there and at St. Edwards. People like Rita make such a positive difference in our lives. God bless you, Rita.

PARISHIONER IN IRAQ
Please remember in your thoughts and prayers Wayne Ptaszek, a graduate of Jefferson High School and parishioner here. His Dad, Joe, informed me that Wayne has been sent back to Iraq where he serves in the military police. Last weekend our young people reported on their mission trip last month to help the hurricane victims in Louisiana. It was striking to be told by Joe that Wayne participated in the St. Ed’s mission trip to Appalachia in 1997. And keep his family in your prayers too.

I have gotten a few emails that Father Jerry Fehn has sent back from Iraq where he is serving as a chaplain with the Minnesota National Guard troops. He too appreciates the prayers.

A SERIOUS VOW OF STABILITY
Last Tuesday, July 11, was the Feast of St. Benedict and day of celebration at St. Johns Abbey. Traditionally Benedictine monks and nuns make their religious profession and therefore celebrate their anniversaries on that date. St. Benedict had his followers take the traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and added a fourth vow of stability. His followers were to remain connected to one monastery and not search out greener pastures. My uncle, Father Vincent celebrated his 75th anniversary of profession. He taught American History at the University there for many years and had quite a few of our parishioners as students. He actually first arrived at St. Johns at age 14 for high school and so he has been there over 80 years. Father Arnold Weber who while heading Benilde St. Margaret's High School assisted our founding pastor, Bishop Paul Dudley, on weekends also was recognized having been a Benedictine for 60 years. Somehow I feel younger.

BISHOP DUDLEY
Our founding pastor, Bishop Paul Dudley, is staying with the Little Sisters of the Poor as he recovers his strength. He continues to have great affection for our parish community. Cards are appreciated if sent to him at the Holy Family Residence, 330 Exchange St. South, St. Paul, MN 55102.

WHAT A WEB WE WEAVE

If God created everything good why is there bad? This is an age old question, heard again at last weekend's masses in the Book of Job reading and this weekend in the Book of Wisdom passage. Unfortunately, humans can take a good thing and make a bad use of it. This is so very true of the internet. It has so much promise for education and true delight and yet it connects terrorists as easily as it unites a grandparent with a far distant grandchild. And, sadly, gambling and pornography are among the internet's most used purposes. I suppose this even has something to do with the freedom we celebrate over the 4th of July. People have the freedom to be foolish.

But as Jesus encouraged his disciples rather than just condemning it is better to give something positive. There are so many wonderful uses of the internet. One of our parishioners, Bob Larranaga, has started a spiritual blog or journal online. He uses this to publish the meditations he gives when he leads our weekday communion services. You can find his site at: www.spiritualkindling.typepad.com/

HAPPY 4TH

This weekend we celebrate our nation's freedom and the rights that we enjoy as citizens, especially the freedom to worship. How appropriate to gather in thanksgiving to God for the blessings that we too often take for granted. Our second reading at mass is from St. Paul's second letter to the Corinthians where he powerfully relates the sacrifices made by Jesus for our sake. We also remember the sacrifices so many have and continue to make for us and our country. Let us always be thankful.

Each Saturday in the Star Tribune Newspaper's Faith and Values section, there is a special short feature on a "Believer." Someone is nominated for this honor and last week it was given to our own Pat Lieb. As Pat is stepping down from her position here as Director of Adult Faith Formation, I thought it was especially appropriate that she was selected. I see that when Pat filled out the requested information, she anticipated that it might be published after the end of this month when she actually will be retired. I am very thankful for the remaining days that she spends with us definitely not retired! Indeed, Pat is assisting in making the transition with our new staff person who will take over the Adult Faith Formation position. Pat, may you continue to live life to the fullest.

God bless you.

BELIEVER—PAT LIEB

Occupation: Retired Director of Faith Formation

Faith: Roman Catholic

Place of worship:Church of St. Edward, Bloomington

Favorite hymn:"Shepherd Me, O God" by Minnesota composer Marty Haugen

Favorite Bible verse:John 10:10: "I have come so that you may have life and have it to the full."

What do you believe and why? I believe that every person in this world is deeply loved by God and that all of creation is immersed in the presence and action of God. A pervading attitude of gratitude recognizes all as gift. One can often discover the divine by its reflection in the human. Beauty, humor and reflective times add fullness to life, as intended by our creator. Relationships are life priorities. Individual identity hinges upon an "us," and efforts toward justice and dignity for all are incumbent on every person. Christ is our hope and our way through life's constant changes, struggles and failures. Hurt challenges one to dialogue and forgiveness. Negative experiences can then produce greater maturity and sensitivity to what is truly important.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Congratulations to all the Dads and Grandfathers in our community this weekend. Of course Christian fathers have a patron in St. Joseph who finally got his due in the December 19th issue of Time Magazine. Joseph was on the front cover of that issue which contained a four page article about him titled, Father and Child. If you have access to the internet Time has an interesting photo essay on his life.

The Art of Joseph can be found at: enterwww.time.com/time/photoessays/joseph_art/ I include one of the pictures, a Peruvian painting by an unknown artist of the 18th Century. It shows the beautiful bond of a father and child in contrast to the common image of Joseph as more of a bystander to the Christ child.

"conGRADulations"
Our parish community has people graduating from professional and technical schools, colleges and universities, high school, grade school, kindergarten and preschool programs. Congratulations to all and to the families of the graduates.

PAT LIEB
Next weekend we have a special reception after all masses for Pat Lieb. She is retiring after 15 years of splendid service in various ministries here at St. Ed’s. Most recently she has headed our Adult Faith Formation program. I know that many will miss her with me at the head of the line. Thankfully, she remains close by and I hope that she will continue to be a vital part of our parish life in a new incarnation.

Jesus believed in adult faith formation. This is where he spent his ministry. It is said he played with children but tried to educate adults. Somewhere along the line the church seemingly reversed these priorities. The recent controversy about the DaVinci Code underlines the need to continue maturing in our faith. An adult faith can acknowledge the sins and offenses of the church while remaining a faithful Catholic. Pat's ministry at St. Ed’s helped us distinguish between the sacred tradition of Catholicism and the human institution with its human limitations. She helped many of us appreciate the full dignity we have as disciples.

Since the Second Vatican Council there has been an emphasis on the role of every baptized Christian in sharing in the priesthood of Christ. This highlights the necessity of adults growing in our faith. Indeed, the 1983 Code of Canon Law states that "formation is both a right and duty of adults." I know of no one who took this mandate more seriously. Thank you, Pat, for your wise, generous and loving ministry.