Haven of Mercy
Area Catholic Community
The Parishes of Holy Family, Our Lady of Lourdes,
Sacred Heart, St. James, St. Mary's and
St. Stanislaus
Friends, we must attend to the mystical depth of today’s Gospel. At the break of dawn, the disciples spy a mysterious figure on the distant shore who shouts out to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” When they answer in the negative, he instructs them to cast the net over the right side of the ship. When they do, they bring in a huge catch of fish.
This fishing expedition is a symbol of the Church (the barque of Peter), across space and time, at its apostolic task of seeking souls. The life and work of the Church, John seems to be telling us, will be a lengthy, twilight struggle, a hard toil that will often seem to bear little or no fruit. But after the long night, the dawn of a new life and a new order will break, the transfigured world inaugurated by Jesus. The catch of fish that he makes possible is the totality of people that Christ will gather to himself; it is the new Israel, the eschatological Church.
We know this through a subtle bit of symbolism. When the fish are dragged ashore, John bothers to tell us their exact number, 153—a figure commonly taken in the ancient world to signify the total number of species of fish in the sea.
Bishop Robert Barron
May 4, 2025
3rd Sunday of Easter
John 21:1-19
I eat breakfast. If I don’t have something substantial, I’m fading by midmorning. Breakfast is my key meal because it sets up my physical wellbeing for the rest of the day.
Spiritually speaking, we need sustenance to get us going. This is true for the Apostles in this Sunday’s remarkable Gospel reading.
The risen Jesus makes his third appearance to them in the early morning light and calls, “Come, have breakfast” (John 21:12). The exhausted and cold fishermen sit, and he feeds them bread and fish as the dawn breaks. They are overwhelmed by his presence to the point of awestruck silence. As they eat, their bodies and their hearts come alive. Once refreshed by their morning meal, they will be ready to feed others — indeed, the whole world — with the love of the risen Jesus. But first, they need breakfast from him.
Do you realize how essential early morning prayer is? Jesus desires to refresh us every morning with his word of love, with his grace-filled presence. This week, hear Jesus calling to you: “Come, have breakfast!” Embrace some form of spiritual, meditative practice each morning for spiritual strength to get you going.
— Father John Muir
©LPi
Prayer of Belief
Lord,
Help me to see You and to recognize what I see.
Help me to hear Your invitation and to respond.
Help me to join You where and when You call.
~Amen.
©LPi
Saturday, May 3
- 4:00 pm - Sacred Heart
- 4:30 pm - St. Mary's
- 6:30 pm - St. Stanislaus
Sunday, May 4
- 8:30 am - St. James
- 10:30 am - Holy Family
- 10:30 am - Our Lady of Lourdes
Everyday Stewardship
The Witnesses of What Makes No Sense
Love — again, even when it doesn’t make sense. Forgive — again, even when it doesn’t make sense. Believe — again, even when it doesn't make sense. To follow the risen Christ, you must be willing to do what makes no sense.
Stewardship Opportunities
Haven of Mercy ACC
Faith-Centered Grief Support Group
You are cordially invited to join. For those that have experienced the death of a life partner. Will meet on Monday, May 12, 2025, 6:30 pm at the JPII Center. Questions: call Carrie Turner 218.820.0272.
Holy Family
Heritage Festival - June 8, 2025
- Cash Raffle
Tickets are available to purchase or for you to sell. Tickets will be available after Mass on Sundays at Holy Family or contact Lori Kasella at 320.630.0413 or Duane Welle at 320.630.2042. - Collecting items for Country Store and Silent Auction. Items can be dropped off at church the week of June 1. No TVs, electronics, big appliances or clothing accepted. Questions: Country Store - Cheryl Stanek 320.632.3478 | Silent Auction - Kathryn Almen 320.360.7087.
Our Lady of Lourdes
Garage Sale - June 11-13, 2025
Reminder: Save items during your spring cleaning for the OLOL garage sale.
Drop Off Friday, June 6, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; Saturday, June 7, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm; Monday, June 9, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Tuesday, June 10 - Mark Items
Sale: Wednesday (6/11) 7:00 am - 5:00 pm; Thursday (6/12) 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; Friday (6/13) Bag Sale 8:00 am - 11:00 am.
Brat Sale - Friday & Saturday, June 13 & 14, 2025, at Coborn's
Annual Bazaar - July 27, 2025
Seeking monetary donations for the All Cash "Grand Raffle." Donations can be made in your name or in memory of a loved one. Make checks payable to OLOL Church and note OLOL Grand Raffle on the check. Donations must be submitted by May 2, 2025.
Sacred Heart
Raffle Tickets - July 12, 2025
Now available for purchase. Pick up a book to sell. If you sell the first or second place winner, you receive $250 for making that sale. For tickets to sell, contact Tina Brezinka 320.630.7288, Jay Brezinka 320.630.9353 or Kevin Evans 320.630.0490.
St. James
Seeking Donations for the August Fest Raffle - Sunday, August 10, 2025
To donate, write a check payable to St. James Parish or your written note or prize. Call: Carie 320.360.5080 or Al 320.360.0493 or drop your intentions into the collection box in an envelope marked "August Fest". Donation Deadline: Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
St. Mary's
Volunteers for Grilling at Coborn's - Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7, 2025
Shifts each day are 10:30 am - 1:15 pm; 1:00 - 3:45 pm and 3:15 - 6:00 pm.
Contact Darlene Brand or call the HOM Office to sign up.
St. Stanislaus
Bazaar and Raffle - June 29, 2025
- Tickets are available for pickup before and after Saturday Mass or by contacting Arnie Selinger, Janet Retka, Rose Huebner or Ken and Sharon Hegna.
- Ticket Sellers needed to sell at Coborn's on May 8, May 15, June 5 or June 12. two 2.5 hours shifts each day between 3:00 - 8:00 pm. To sign up, contact Ken 320.360.9855 or Sharon Hegna 320.632.3434.
- Seeking volunteers to make donations to offset the dinner expense. Contact: Janet Selinger 320.630.4245.
- If you have any gift baskets, items to make baskets or silent auction items, contact Karen Trutwin 320.632.9705.
Adoration Times
Holy Family - Thursday 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
JPII - 24 hours a day between
Sunday at noon and Friday at 8:00 PM
If you would like to sign up for an hour or be a sub,
Holy Family: contact Doris Heying 320.632.4812.
JPII Center: contact Jan 320.632.9711 or Peggy 320.360.3769.
Baptism Preparation (for Children)
To register contact, Val Kula at elemcoord@havenofmercycatholic.org or 320.639.2783.
Marriage
Contact the parish office at least six months in advance.
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Interested in learning the Faith of the Catholic Church in order to discern entering into full Communion? Contact Jason Becker at 320.639.2684 or discipleship@havenofmercycatholic.org.
Faith Formation
May 2025 Schedule
Saturday, May 3 & Sunday, May 4
First Communion - Grade 2
See Mass schedule above
Wednesday, May 7
7:00 - 8:00 pm
Confirmation Practice - Grades 10-11:
St. Mary's
Sunday, May 18
2:00 pm
Confirmation Mass - Grades 10-11:
St. Mary's
2025 Upcoming Event - Save the Date!
More information and how to register coming soon.
Saturday thru Friday, June 14-20
Totus Tuus
Registration is open. Visit our website for more information and registration.
Friday thru Sunday, August 15-17
Holy Family Mini-Fest 2025
Registration is open. For more information, contact Cindy Loidolt 320.639.1210, scan the QR code on the left or visit our website.
If you have any questions, please contact:
- Grades 1-5: Val Kula, elemcoord@havenofmercycatholic.org, 320.639.2783
- Grades 6-8: Inge Becker, youthminister@havenofmercycatholic.org
- Grades 9-11: Jason Becker discipleship@havenofmercycatholic.org, 320.639.2684
For more information, refer to the Faith Formation page at https://havenofmercycatholic.org/grade1-11
or select the QR code at the right.
Registration for Extreme Faith Camp
When: Monday, June 23 - Friday, June 27, 2025
Where: Trinity Woods Camp near Trego, Wisconsin
Who: Current 5th - 8th graders attend as campers. Teens Grades 9-12 help on prayer teams and as camp counselors.
What: High adventure activities, lake time, growing closer to Jesus, small groups, Mass, archery tag, sports, friends, and much more!
Registration: May 1 - Registration Closed
Steubenville Rochester 2025
Registration is Open
When: Friday, July 11 - Sunday, July 13, 2025
Who: Open to students finishing 8th - 12 grade, and any parents who want to attend.
Total Cost: $325. Spots are limited, register early.
(Make check payable to OLOL and drop off at the HOM office with registration form.)
Friday, May 23, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Visitation
11:00 AM - Mass of Christian Burial
Robert Lutz
Our Lady of Lourdes
See full notice.
Private service at a later date
Ambrose "Amby" Bzdok
See full notice.
Please pray that the God of hope will fill their family and friends with peace.
Use this QR code or visit the HOM website to get the free formation materials for 'Revive Parish' and 'From Christendom to Apostolic Mission.' These resources will help you to understand the steps, we as an ACC, are taking to respond to the culture that has moved away from the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Weekly Events
- Holy Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet
Monday, 6 PM - St. James, Randall
Thursday, 5:30 PM - Our Lady of Lourdes, Little Falls
- Christian Counseling
Wednesday and Thursday | Noon - 8:00 PM
Holy Family, Belle Prairie
Counselor: Paula Johnson, MS, MA, LMFT
Virtual and in-person counseling available.
or 320.253.3540
- Our Lady of Lourdes Quilters
Wednesday | 9:15 AM [From end of September until May]
Our Lady of Lourdes Church Basement
(Temporarily at St. Mary's Cafeteria)
Any ladies from the ACC are welcome. Questions, contact Sue Houdek.
- Card Night
Thursday | 7:00 PM
Holy Family Fellowship Hall, Belle Prairie
- Women's Group
Friday | 9:00 AM
JPII Center, Little Falls
Read Sunday Gospel and Pray Together.
- Men's Group
Saturday | 6:30 AM
JPII Center, Little Falls
Read Sunday Gospel and Pray Together.
- Holy Rosary on KLTF Radio (AM 960)
Saturday | 6:45 AM
Sponsored by Haven of Mercy and other local Catholic Churches
Biweekly, Bimonthly & Monthly Events
- Catholic Moms Outreach Network (C'MON) | Meets twice each month
Mondays | 8:45 - 10:30 AM | Next Meeting: May 5, 2025
Holy Family, Belle Prairie
- Youth Choir (Grades 6-12)
Sundays | Location Varies
- May 11, 2025 | 10:30 am Mass, Our Lady of Lourdes
Rehearsal: May 6, 2025, 6:30 - 7:30 pm, at Our Lady of Lourdes
- Our Lady of Lourdes Christian Women
First Tuesday of Mar, May, July, Sept & Nov
1:00 PM | Our Lady of Lourdes Church Basement
Linda Scepurek, Pres. - Sue Houdek, Secretary
- Grief Support Group for Parents
Third Thursday of the Month
(The May session will be on Thursday, May 8, 2025)
6:00 PM | Emblom Brenny Funeral Home, Little Falls
Parents dealing with the loss of a child to death, no matter the age of their child.
Contact Mary Rose Capko 320.360.1468 with questions.
- Men's Holy League | Meets twice each month (Sept thru May)
First Friday of the Month | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Location Varies
Third Monday of the Month | 6:00 - 7:30 PM
- Next Meeting: May 19, 2025 | Little Falls American Legion Post #46
- Family Movie Night
Third Friday of the Month
Meal 6:00 pm - Movie 6:30 PM | St. James, Randall
Serving popcorn and root beer floats halfway through the movie.
Games will be provided.
- Next Session: To Be Announced
May 2025 Events
- Our Lady of Lourdes Christian Mothers
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 | 1:00 pm
Our Lady of Lourdes Church Basement
- Natural Family Planning - Billings Ovulation Method
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 | 7:30 pm
NFP Office, Unity Specialty Center
St. Gabriel's Hospital, Little Falls
More Information or to Register: Mary Bontjes,
Call the Little Falls NFP Office 320.631.5660
Class is approximately 1 1/2 - 2 hours long
- 3rd & 4th Grade Spring Concert
Thursday, May 8, 2025 | 6:30 pm
Mary of Lourdes Catholic Elementary School
- Faith-Centered Grief Support Group
Monday, May 12, 2025 | 6:30 pm
JPII Center
For those that have experienced the death of a life partner.
Questions, call Carrie Turner 218.820.0272
- St. Ann's Christian Mothers
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 | After 5:30 pm Mass
St. James, Randall
- Heritage Festival Meeting
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 | 6:30 pm
Holy Family Fellowship Hall, Belle Prairie
- 5th - 8th Grade Spring Concert
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 1:30 pm and 6:30 pm
Mary of Lourdes Catholic Middle School
- Retreat and Lunch - Theme: Angels Among Us
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | Registration: 2:00 pm
St. Joseph Catholic Church, Grey Eagle, MN
Presentation by Julia Stich, 2:30 pm; followed by the rosary and
St. Isidore Novena. Concludes with a lunch.
Register by May 7, 2025, by calling or texting Joy Stich at 320.333.3303 or
emailing secretary.nw.ccw@gmail.com. Cost: $10 at registration.
- Central Minnesota Koinonia Retreat
Friday, May 16 - Sunday, May 18, 2025
TEC Center, Little Falls
- Masses to Honor Graduates
Saturday, May 24 & Sunday, May 25, 2025
Graduates, please wear your cap and gown and be ready to stand at the
end of Mass when called upon to receive a special blessing.
Summer 2025 Events
- Natural Family Planning - Billings Ovulation Method
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 | 7:30 pm
NFP Office, Unity Specialty Center
St. Gabriel's Hospital, Little Falls
More Information or to Register: Mary Bontjes,
Call the Little Falls NFP Office 320.631.5660
Class is approximately 1 1/2 - 2 hours long
- Priestly Ordination - Deacon Nathaniel Daubner
Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 10:30 am
St. Mary's Cathedral, 25 8th Ave. S, St. Cloud
See above or the bulletin for RSVP information
See above or the bulletin for RSVP information
- Holy Family Heritage Festival
Sunday, June 8, 2025
Holy Family, Belle Prairie
- First Mass - Father Nathaniel Daubner
Sunday, June 8, 2025 | 3:00 pm
St. Mary's Catholic Church, 645 3rd Ave SE, Milaca, MN
See above or the bulletin for RSVP information
See above or the bulletin for RSVP information
- 2025 Vocations Camp
(for young men entering grades 7-12)
Tuesday, June 10 - Thursday, June 12, 2025
Lake Osakis, Osakis, MN
Check in 9:00 - 9:30 am | Cost: $50
Registration Deadline: June 4, 2025
Questions: Julie Jacobs 320.251.5001 - Julie.Jacobs@gw.stcdio.org
- Our Lady of Lourdes Garage Sale
Wednesday - Friday, June 11 - 13, 2025
Mary of Lourdes Middle School, Little Falls
- Our Lady of Lourdes Brat Sale
Friday, June 13, 2025
Coborn's, Little Falls
- Discernment Retreat
(for young men & women entering 7th grade and up)
Tuesday, June 17 - Thursday, June 19, 2025
St. Mary's Church, 645 3rd Ave SE, Milaca, MN
Cost: $50
- St. Stanislaus Bazaar
Sunday, June 29, 2025
St. Stanislaus, Sobieski
- Holy Family Brat Sale
Friday & Saturday, July 11 & 12, 2025 | 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Coborn's, Little Falls
- Sacred Heart Bazaar
Saturday, July 12, 2025 | 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Sacred Heart, Flensburg
- Our Lady of Lourdes Bazaar
Sunday, July 27, 2025
Our Lady of Lourdes, Little Falls
- St. James August Fest
Sunday, August 10, 2025
St. James, Randall