Church of St. Michael Families In Action Ministry

50 Thanksgiving Meals Packed-Thank You

2010-11-14T22:31:00.001-06:00

Dear Families:

Today after 10:30 am Mass, 50 bags of Thanksgiving Meals were packed for Southern Valley Alliance for Battered Women in Belle Plaine.

The meals will allow the families to enjoy a great feast, while maintaining their dignity! Thank you to all who donated food, time, talent and treasure (Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Families In Action, Cheerful Givers, Faith Formation, St. Michael Catholic School and dancers from Premiere Dance Studio)!

Special thanks goes to:

Joan Rausch, Families In Action/Girl Scout coordinator

Christine Hockman, Girl Scouts/Premiere Dance

Laura Shupe, Church of St. Michael

Jen Laurienzo, Cheerful Givers

God Is Awesome; Give Thanks!

Peace,

Julie & Joe Such

Updates & Calendar

2010-09-18T18:14:00.002-05:00

Please check out our updated calendar. Many events are set for the next few months! The Giving Garden continued to grow. We are over 775 pounds donated to the CAP agency! The free lunch program was a success and we plan on doing it again next year. We are checking with Safe Haven to see how we can meet some of their needs better. If your family is interested in ordering a FIA t-shirt, just let me know. Have a great fall!

God's Peace,

Julie Such

952-226-2768

Summer Picnic

2010-07-18T20:34:00.002-05:00

Thanks to all, especially Vanessa Cardenas, for making the picnic a success. We had 25 people show up and the weather was beautiful! The kids enjoyed the beach and splashing around. Have a great week.

FIA will be hosting the free lunch program at Safe Haven the week of 8/9. Save 8/7 to walk with the St. Michael float in the Lakefront Days Parade.

Peace,
Julie & Joe Such

Summer Fellowship & Service Opportunities

2010-05-12T23:16:00.002-05:00

Come and join us for some great fun this summer! The calendar is packed with many great opportunities to keep in touch with Christ during the summer! Interested in any of the activities and have questions? Call Julie Such at 952-226-2768 or birdbrain1969@yahoo.com.

God's Peace,
Julie & Joe Such

TheCatholicSpirit.com - Prior Lake group helps families minister together

2010-04-08T09:41:00.000-05:00

TheCatholicSpirit.com - Prior Lake group helps families minister together

Safe Haven/Catholic Spirit

2010-04-01T13:56:00.001-05:00

Thank you to all the families that helped make the Easter Bags possible! The youth at Safe Haven will certainly have a treat this spring. Families In Action is going to be featured in the What Works? section of the Catholic Spirit on April 9th, so keep a look out for it. The photographer came down yesterday and shot photos while we were packing for Safe Haven.

Blessings on this Holy Week!

Julie & Joe Such

Donation to Families In Action

2010-02-26T16:02:00.003-06:00

Dear Families:
Families In Action received an anonymous donation of $200 this week. The funds are to be used to communicate our mission and support service projects. We are grateful for this unexpected donation and thankful for God's constant hand over seeing the mission of this ministry! God is good to overflowing! My prayer for each family this Lent is the grace of God fills each of your hearts with this overflowing goodness and abundant joy!

Please join us for our next Families In Action Committee Meeting, Monday, March 8th, 6:30pm, Parish Office where we will discuss how to best utilize the donation!

Peace of Christ,
Julie & Joe

Mardi Gras/Lent

2010-02-17T17:53:00.003-06:00

Thanks to Adult Faith Formation for their help with the Mardi Gras celebration last night. We had a good turn out with about 25 families in attendance. The food was delicious, the games fun and the family Lenten activities were well received!

Last year, we recommended families Eat Rice at one meal during the week, then donate the money that would have been spent on the regular meal to a charity of choice. May this Lent be a time of reflection and connection to the cross.

In Christ,
Julie & Joe Such

Ministry Meeting

2010-01-13T12:03:00.003-06:00

Dear Families:
The families attending the Ministry Meeting Monday night just blow my SOCK off! Fabulous ideas and such a willingness to give of time to benefit all involved. Thank you for helping this ministry! Meetings are open to all. Your ideas make this ministry fly and open the ownership up to all!

Ideas being looked into for future activities:
Easter Food Collection to benefit Southern Valley Alliance
Mixer for Adopt-a-Grandparent at McKenna Crossing-assessing interest
Family Adoration-assessing interest
Family Fitness Day at the Y or a Karate facility

Activities that will be a go:
Feed My Starving Children-date to be announced
Soldier Letter Writing-date to be announced
Letters for Year for the Priest-look for preprinted envelopes to take home after Mass-coming soon

Look over the calendar. There are a lot of retreats and activities planned to make this coming Lent one to remember!

Highly recommend trying the Teen Mass on the first Sunday of the month. Our family attend in January and it was a terrific experience!

Questions? Give us a call 952-226-2768 or drop a line at birdbrain1969@yahoo.com.

May the love and peace of Jesus shine all around your family!
Julie & Joe Such

Keystone Christmas Caroling/Potluck Lunch

2009-12-13T15:09:00.002-06:00

Thank you to the 10 families that joined us for the Christmas caroling and potluck lunch today. We had great fun, food and fellowship! The residents were happy to see us. They enjoyed the singing and the ornaments that were made for them by our children.

Families In Action will be doing a "New Sock Drive", so look for the January dates in the bulletin. Our next committee meeting will be on Monday, January 11th at 7pm in the Parish Office-all are welcome to come!

Merry Christmas!

Advent Peace,
Julie & Joe Such

New Calendar Posted

2009-10-30T15:08:00.001-05:00

Dear Families:
Families In Action has a lot of family opportunities coming up in the near future. Check at the calendar to the right for details!

Peace,
Julie & Joe

Committee Formed

2009-10-30T14:36:00.002-05:00

Families In Action has formed a new committee to help with guidance, family faith formation, service projects and event planning. Thank you to the 12 families that have volunteered to be a part of this dynamic group. If your family is interested in joining, there is always room at the table! Our next meeting will be Monday, January 11, 2010 at 7pm in the Parish Office.

God's Peace,
Julie & Joe Such

Giving Garden Total

2009-10-30T14:34:00.001-05:00

Wow! 883 pounds of fresh vegetables was donated to the CAP agency! Thanks for taking part in this wonderful service project! Until next spring....

Peace,
Julie & Joe Such

Great Pumpkins Alive!

2009-09-08T21:05:00.002-05:00

To date, we have harvested 620 pounds of fresh vegetables and sent to CAP! This is a pumpkin from the "Giving Garden"!

See everyone on Tuesday, September 29th at 6pm in Archangel Hall to celebrate the Feast of St. Michael with a pot luck dinner & family games!

Harvesting

2009-08-13T14:09:00.003-05:00

Dear Families:
Over the past 10 days, we have donated 152 pounds of fresh vegetables to the CAP agency! We are waiting for the tomatoes to ripen and have watermelons, pumpkins and peppers to mature.

Many thanks to the Drews, Carlson, Prohaska, Rivera, Imholte, Giles and Such families for helping with the garden! We have learned a lot and look forward to next year! We'll keep you posted on the total amount harvested.

Upcoming Events include: Pot Luck Celebration for the Feast of St. Michael-Tues. 9/29 and a Family Bike Day Sun. 10/11. More details to follow.

God's Peace,
Julie & Joe Such

"Giving Garden"-Watch Us Grow!

2009-05-06T20:57:00.003-05:00

Hi there:
We are getting very excited about the "Giving Garden". Cal's Market in Savage has donated tomato and pepper plants, along with 5 packets of seeds. Thank You~Cal's! As you visit them this spring and summer, please let them know you are from St. Michael Families In Action Ministry and appreciate their donation!

Last Friday, we had 2 Master Gardeners visit the garden site and give us some suggestions along with some other planting information. We are thankful to them for following us on the journey. They will document the garden in photos, so Watch Us Grow!

We have some other exciting things are in the works for the garden. So keep posted! All families are welcome to work the garden during the summer. Need more info? Contact us at birdbrain1969@yahoo.com.

We pray that God will bless this garden and those caring for it and will bring about a harvest that will nourish those in most need.

Peace,
Julie & Joe Such

"Giving Garden"-Summer Project

2009-04-18T00:36:00.002-05:00

Warm Easter Greetings!
The ministry is looking forward to starting the "Giving Garden", in which the harvest will be donated to the CAP agency. We have 6 interested families that will tend the fields over the summer. Families are encouraged to purchase plants to grow for personal use as well. God has blessed us with an assigned Scott County Master Gardener! Pray for warmer ground temperatures and Let the GROWING begin! If your families is interested or needs additional information, please call Julie/Joe Such at 952-226-2768 or birdbrain1969@yahoo.com.

May your Easter celebration continued to be blessed with all the joy our risen Savior bring to us!

Peace,
Julie & Joe Such

Eat Rice~Donate Savings

2009-03-02T10:13:00.002-06:00

During Lent, families are invited to eat rice one day a week and save money from the simple meals and donate the savings to the poor. Suggested donation sites:

KIVA (St. Michael School Lenten Project) "Loans that Change Lives"- www.kiva.org

CAP- capagency.org

Operation Rice Bowl- www.orb.crs.org

Feed My Starving Children- www.fmsc.org

Pray for a Lenten journey that brings us closer to Christ and His teachings.

Peace,
Julie & Joe Such

News and Events | Cathedral of Saint Paul

2009-02-21T11:57:00.000-06:00

News and Events | Cathedral of Saint Paul: "March 8 is Family Day at the Cathedral
Mon, 02/16/2009 - 13:00 — Tim Schindler
Costumed tour guides
Pipe Organ demonstrations
Minnesota Children’s Museum Art Projects
Souvenir Photos*LEGO Models
The Cathedral of Saint Paul welcomes everyone and especially families to tour this historical landmark, listen as a resident musician plays the massive Skinner Pipe Organ, create an art project with the Minnesota Children’s Museum and get a Souvenir Photo taken of your visit on Sunday, March 8 from 1:30-4:30 p.m., located at 239 Selby Avenue, Saint Paul."

Thank You Letter from Safe Haven

2009-01-16T08:52:00.002-06:00

A note of thanks from the Executive Director of Safe Haven, Dan Saad dated January 5.

Thank you for the donatio to Safe Haven. The Thanksgiving meal, the cookie decorating and the crafts are greatly appreciated. The residents and staff enjoyed the food and fun.

As Safe Haven continues to meet the needs of youth in our area, funding sources are disappearing or are tapped to their limits. Our continued work is made possible by individuals and organizations who help us whenever they can. Together we can make a difference.

Thank you again for reaching out to support our organization. Your support goes a long way in enabling us to treat the kids we serve with love today, so they don't treat us with hate tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Dan Saad

Focus on the Family Day

2009-01-12T09:05:00.002-06:00

Our Focus on the Family Day was a success. We had 10 families and 6 special guests (The Family Rosary Hour Ministry (Dotty Koness & Margaret Burke) & Our Lady Rosary Makers, Beth McLain)join us for a day of fellowship, prayer and activities. Thank you to all for making it a great time. If you were unable to attend and are interested in information on writing a Family Mission Statement, making a Family Resolution Wreath, or having a copy of the Family Prayers that were offered, please let us know. Many thanks to Laura Shupe for her continued guidance and leadership! Check out the calendar for upcoming events. We have booked events through June. Others will be added as they come up, so keep posted.

Please continue to pray for this ministry, the families and all the ministries that help us reach out to those in need.

God's Peace,
Julie & Joe Such
226-2768

Safe Haven Christmas Cookie Decorating

2008-12-19T22:51:00.002-06:00

Many thanks to the four families (Shupe, Drews, Kane & Such) that helped out with the Christmas Cookie Decorating at Safe Haven. We baked up some delicious treats and made Christmas ornaments with the youth. We will revisit some time around Easter for coloring eggs, making baskets and an egg hunt. All are welcome to attend. It is very rewarding to connect with this group of youth. They are welcoming, respectful and eager to learn new things. We are thankful for Safe Haven allowing us to take part in their mission of focusing on the positive to empower the youth to become independent.

Please continue to pray for those with financial & family difficulties, loss of loved ones, those serving in our military and families struggling with illnesses. May we all be blessed with knowing the presence of God with us during this season of Advent where ever we might be in our lives.

God's Loving Peace,
Julie & Joe Such

Bountiful Thanksgiving

2008-12-03T23:22:00.002-06:00

The food drive for Southern Valley Alliance for Battered Women was a big success. Fifty women were able to share a delightful Thanksgiving meal with their families this season! Teamwork was evident through and through on this event. Many thanks to Girl Scouts, Natalia S., who organized a food drive at the middle school, Middle School Faith Formation, and Families In Action! We had fun packing the food and coloring cards to accompany each meal.

On Friday, November 28th, 30 members of Families In Action had the pleasure of preparing a Thanksgiving dinner with 30 staff and youth from Safe Haven. We had fun cooking, eating, playing games and crafting with them. We look forward to going back to make Christmas Cookies with them on Thursday, Dec. 18th 6:30-8:30. I think we have a good connection here to learn from each other.

May God Bless each of your families with all of the joy and beauty this season of watchful waiting has to offer!

God's Peace,
Julie & Joe Such
952-226-2768

Thanksgiving Activities

2008-11-04T22:38:00.004-06:00

Dear Families:
Please check out the updated calendar for all of the great activities we have planned in the next few months. If your family is interested in any event and needs additional information, please let us know. What a great time to come together as a family and outreach to those in need. Please let any interested family know about this ministry. They can e-mail us at birdbrain1969@yahoo.com and we will add them to the e-mail list. Thank you for your interest in this family ministry of outreach and community fellowship!

Prayers of thanksgiving for our family blessings, comfort and healing to those who have suffered loss of any type, of strength and peace for those who find the holiday season to be difficult and continued prayers for our military.

Peace,
Julie & Joe Such
952-226-2768
birdbrain1969@yahoo.com

Welcome New Comers!

2008-09-15T22:44:00.002-05:00

Greetings Families:
Welcome to the Families In Action Ministry site. This ministry is designed for families and parishioners looking to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ by serving others in the community (local, national, and international). Keep in mind that families come in many forms. All Are Welcome Here! This ministry will not hold "formal" meetings, but will meet at a variety of outreach events to serve other and help our community. The beauty of the ministry is that your family attends the events that fit your schedule. Join the e-mail list to learn of new volunteer opportunities and social happenings by sending your e-mail address to birdbrain1969@yahoo.com . As you can see from the calendar, we offer a wide variety of activities. Many fun and exciting events are being planned for the winter. Hop on for the ride and reach out! For additional information, please call Julie & Joe Such at 952-226-2768. Blessings on your families. Prayers for those in need and those with loss.

Peace,
Julie & Joe Such

Packed, Addressed & ready to ship!

2008-09-03T21:25:00.006-05:00

On September 2nd, thirty-four parishioners joined The Military Support Group and Families In Action Ministry to pack the Centennial Care Packages for our brave men & women serving in the armed forces. Teamwork and excitment filled the room. St. Michael community, thank you for your kind, generosity. The amount of supplies collected was amazing! The men & women receiving the package will know they are appreciated and loved. Please keep them in your prayers and ask God for their safe return!

See you at the Northwood Park (170th & Northwood RD.) cleaning on Saturday, September 20th from 1p-3p. Trash bags provided.

God's Peace,

Julie & Joe Such
952-226-2768

Feed My Starving Children

2008-08-13T15:28:00.002-05:00

Wow, what an experience on Monday night. We had 60 families participate in FMSC. We packed 15,552 meal, enough to feed 43 kids for a year! Thank you for taking part. We will definitely do this again!

Continue to pray for the children and families touched by hunger and poverty.

Peace,
Julie & Joe Such

Ministry Name

2008-06-05T18:17:00.003-05:00

Hi Families:
We need a creative name for this ministry. Got suggestions? Please post. Some ideas are Action & Outreach powered by Families or Families in Action & Outreach Ministry.
Let's hear from you all :).

Peace,

Julie & Joe Such

Family Ministry Blogsite Presented

2008-05-29T22:47:00.003-05:00

Hello Families:

Wanted to let you know this website/blog has been approved by the church's communication committee. I presented to the committee tonight and they had good comments, questions and suggestions. Feel free to share this site address with all families with an interest in volunteer outreach.

Pray for families that are having difficulties during these challenging time.

Peace,
Julie Such
952-226-2768

May 28th-Grave rubbings

2008-05-28T23:43:00.003-05:00

Our first family ministry event was blessed with great weather. We met at the St. Michael cemetery to collect grave rubbings, which will be on display this summer in honor of the Centennial Celebration. The event was well attended by 5 families. Root beer floats and playtime at Memorial Park followed the work! Thanks to Steve Schmid, Cemetery Committee Chairman, for showing us around and sharing his knowledge and to Laura Shupe for the paper, charcoal, and guidance!

Fun summer events are being planned. See the events on the site and keep posted for additional details. Prayers for a joyful & safe summer to all!

Peace,

Julie Such
226-2768
birdbrain1969@yahoo.com