Blessing of the Quilts on Sunday, October 8
Anne Marie Bartlett, St. John's Pastoral Minister & Social Justice Coordinatior

We have some gifted women in our parish who have that special way of using their hands to make a gift of the heart. Our quilters have a beautiful ministry that brings a certain kind of comfort. When you think about it, there is nothing better than a warm quilt over your feet when you are sitting in your favorite chair either reading, watching television, saying your prayers, or visiting with friends. When someone is ill, or recovering from illness, or making that final journey home to God, very often the warmth of a special quilt has a life all its own.

Our St. John's Quilters have been busy making these gifts of the heart, and we've already had one special Mass where quilts were blessed. Parishioners then tied the knots in the quilt and offered a prayer. See adjacent picture.

On Sunday, October 8, at the 9:30 a.m. Mass, we will again bless the quilts that will be gifted to someone in the parish, and you will be invited to come out to St. Paul Plaza after Mass and tie a knot while offering a prayer. Everyone is welcome to help.

Thank you to these talented hands and generous hearts... you are a blessing.

Renewing the Promise: Sunday, October 15
Anne Marie Bartlett, St. John's Pastoral Minister & Social Justice Coordinatior

Are you tired of partisan politics? Are you turned off by all the negative political ads and campaigns? Would you like to have a conversation with the candidates running for state office about issues and concerns that are important to you? Then this Faith in Democracy gathering is for you.

This gathering will be one of seven that will occur in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud regions. These gatherings will launch ISAIAH's Renewing the Promise campaign, which will see us acting on our values around four major issues during the 2007 Minnesota legislative session: transportation, education, domestic violence, and civil rights for immigrants.

What is ISAIAH? It is an organization of people of faith acting powerfully in the world, casting a stirring vision of a vital faith community that has the courage to declare, commit, and act upon a set of values. These values will transform the dominant culture of isolation, despair, fear, and scarcity, replacing it with a vision of community, hope, justice, and God's abundance for all people. ISAIAH is a nonprofit, ecumenical coalition of 80 churches working in the greater Twin Cities & St. Cloud regions.

St. John's Angel Tree is Coming Your Way...
Margaret Nelson, Parishioner & Volunteer Food Shelf Coordinator

Originally, this project was an outgrowth of the Holiday Food Baskets begun by Deacon Nick Hanten. It, too, has greatly increase in scope and usage. It started as a way to donate small gifts to select families in need, but soon after its inception, we realized there were many more needy kids than there were opportunities to help. 

A Cap & Mitten Tree idea sprouted that provided those cold weather essentials to many more. Still the generosity grew, and, finally, the Angel Tree came into being. 

The Angel Tree first appears in the early fall, bearing cutout paper angels with items for parishioners to select for needy children. These items range from a small toy or garment to larger games, dolls, play trucks, or athletic equipment. The angels vanish from the trees almost as soon as they emerge! People are eager to give, especially when children are involved. Many parents use the Angel Tree as a tool for teaching their own children about the gift of giving.

When Deacon Nick had a dream, it happened...