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Faith

The gospel can be as simple as taking someone to lunch

“Do you take hugs,” my friend Shannon asked. Admittedly a bit surprised, I stretched my arms wide and with a grin said, “Absolutely!” And there we stood, two large-size grown men, embraced in a bear hug with a sea of people around us. No shame, and no quick bro pat on the back here. Shannon, the police chief here in my not-small-but-not-big town, was retiring after three decades in law enforcement, and while I knew I couldn’t stay long, I knew I had to drop by his retirement celebration just to say thank you. You see, prior to eight months ago, I knew the chief from ...

As Easter nears, set aside quiet time to worship and reflect

In preparation for Easter, many Christians and Catholics have been observing Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday, March 5, and will continue for 40 days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving until April 17. Not everyone necessarily abstains from food. Many people are choosing to fast from social media or other popular indulgences, such as coffee, sweets and television. While I do prepare to reflect on Christ’s triumph on the cross and praise God for His gift of salvation during this time of year, I have never observed Lent. The Southern Baptist church that I grew up in did not lead members ...

Faith Briefs for April 4

Belgian waffle breakfast April 13 A Belgian waffle breakfast sponsored by St. Mary’s Youth Group at St. Mary’s in Cottonwood will be from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, April 13. Free will offering. All proceeds go to St. Mary’s youth programs. Dick Bremer at Lake Sarah Baptist Church Lake Sarah Baptist Church is having a morning with Dick Bremer, former play-by-play announcer for the Minnesota Twins, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Donuts and coffee will be served, starting at 10 a.m. Dick will then share memories and celebrations of Twins baseball, his life, and some of how that intertwines ...

New plan: less worry and get out of the Holy Spirit’s way

One of the things as a faithful person that I find the most difficult to do is just to check my ego and desire to “control” so much and rather just invite the Holy Spirit to express herself in ways I never could have imagined. I can’t be the only one right? Surely there are more folks out there than just me who want to impose their own personal will on not only their own lives, but the surroundings around them? Here’s the scenario … Several months back, the pastor of a neighboring two-church parish offered to host our congregation for the five Wednesdays in Lent as they ...

Faith Briefs for March 28

Family Fun Bingo in Cottonwood St. Mary’s Cottonwood Youth will be sponsoring Family Fun Bingo on Sunday, April 6, starting at 6:30 p.m. Free will offering. Great prizes. All money donated goes to support the St. Mary’s Scholarship Fund. CDA to offer scholarship The Catholic Daughters of the Americas Marshall Court St. Joan of Arc #1291 is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a 2025 high school senior Catholic girl who plans to continue her formal education. Applications are available at the Holy Redeemer Parish office, Marshall, at https://bit.ly/43utzkv or by calling Mary Tate at ...

Fellowship buzz is the soundtrack to Sunday morning

Is there anything more joyful than the excited buzz of fellowship taking place at the opening of a Sunday morning worship service? I generally start all of my Sunday morning worships with the same ritual. I am ready and in place in the sanctuary when the early birds arrive for service so that I can greet as many of the parishioners as possible. Catch up with them, thank them for coming, and check in with my confirmation students on their weeks. All the stuff that makes pastoring so fulfilling! With about 10 minutes until worship, I sit in the front pew, close my eyes and recite ...