Pray, along with fasting and almsgiving is one of the chief practices during Lent to help us grow closer to God and to be more loving to others. Of course, daily personal prayer, along with Sunday Mass, should be the norm throughout our lives. Yet, just like other areas of our lives, it is good to set time apart to reflect on the direction of our lives. Sometimes people go on a weekend retreat with a specific theme. During Lent, we each have the opportunity to grow closer to Jesus our Savior, and with the Holy Spirit's help, to become better followers of Jesus in unselfish love.
    St. John Chrysostom has some wonderful words on prayer. He says "Prayer is the light of the spirit, true knowledge of God, mediating between God and man. The spirit, raised up to heaven by prayer, clings to God with the utmost tenderness; like a child crying tearfully for it's mother, it craves the milk that God provides".
    We are created by God and to live in union with him is our first and most basic relationship. We deprive ourselves of the deep intimacy and peace he offers when we neglect prayer. So, we have this special time to either reconnect with our loving God or to grow ever deeper in our relationship, trust and surrender to him. If you never pray, simply start by talking to him honestly.
    St John Chrysostom says of prayer "It is the longing for God, love too deep for words, a gift not given by man but by God's grace. The apostle Paul says 'We do not know how we are to pray but the Spirit himself pleads for us with inexpressible longings'". God patiently waits for us to turn to him in prayer.
 

The parish office is closed to the public, but you are always welcome to call if you have a need.
218-387-1409. Fr. Steve checks the phone and Bridget checks e-mail frequently. Please leave a message.   stjohns@boreal.org

Saturdays at 4:00 - 4:30 p.m. or call the office to arrange a time. We are able to celebrate this Sacrament safely, so please come if you are in need of the Lord's Grace and Mercy.
See special Christmas times in center column.

If you are in need of help with groceries or anything else, please contact the office at 218-387-1409. If you simply want to talk or need prayer, please call Fr. Steve. If no answer, please leave a message and phone number.

Thank you to those who have mailed, dropped off in Rectory mailbox and sent your contributions electronically. They are greatly appreciated!
You can mail in your contributions or submit them electronically at the following link.

https://www.dioceseduluth.org/parishoffertory

The Diocese is collecting online contributions which will be forwarded to St. John's and Holy Rosary Parishes. We are in the process of setting up our own online giving. This will be something we can use, not only during the pandemic, but also going forward in the future. This will be a personal option for those who would like to give electronically rather than write a check. Look for future updates regarding this project. Thank you very much for helping us to pay our bills, even as we realize you may be struggling financially too. Anything you can do is GREATLY APPRECIATED. If anyone is in need of help, please call the parish office.



 

It has been almost a year since the period when we could not have any public Masses. Following that, we had Mass with very limited numbers of people allowed and the Sunday Mass obligation was suspended and remains so today. This was all done by our Bishops and dioceses out of health concerns over the Covid-19 virus, as we are all very aware. From the beginning of the suspension of the Sunday Mass obligation, we were always to keep holy the Lord's Day. Only the manner of how to do this was changed. We were always to focus on God and Jesus' saving action even though we were not attending Mass. We were not to observe Sunday as a day off from God and prayer. One of the most clear ways was to view Mass online and prayerfully participate in my home through one of the many Masses offered on T.V. or online. Praying a prayer of Spiritual Communion is also important when we cannot actually receive Jesus in the Eucharist. So, if I am carrying on with my everyday life's activities, it might be time for me to come to back to Mass, where masks are being worn and  social distancing is done. If I am staying home out of concern for my health, Lent is a perfect time to not neglect Mass online, but to participate with an active prayer life.

www.facebook.com St. Johns/ Holy Rosary
You should see the 2 pictures of our churches below, to tell you that you have OUR church page. Contact church office if you need help finding.

Our church Facebook page will appear. You can ignore the sign-in box at bottom of facebook page. Click not now or no, if asked to join.
2. Scroll down the page until you see the picture of the interior of the church with altar
3.Wait until the scheduled Mass time, then refresh the page...Click on the refesh button on the top left on toolbar( it is a circular arrow).
4.Livestream icon should appear and Mass will begin playing.
5. If you click on center of video it will increase in size.

--Masses are recorded, so you can also click on interior church picture to watch at other times.