WELCOME
to the St. Katharine Drexel Parish (Sioux Falls, SD) Website
to the St. Katharine Drexel Parish (Sioux Falls, SD) Website
The mission of St. Katharine Drexel Parish is to
gather together as a community of faith, sharing the
Word of God with all of our neighbors through our
words and example. We emphasize the sanctity of
the Eucharist in our daily lives and encourage good
stewardship and lifelong Catholic Christian
education. Our consistent message is "Come home
to Christ".
gather together as a community of faith, sharing the
Word of God with all of our neighbors through our
words and example. We emphasize the sanctity of
the Eucharist in our daily lives and encourage good
stewardship and lifelong Catholic Christian
education. Our consistent message is "Come home
to Christ".
Are you new to our parish? We would love to have you become
an active part of our faith community. Please stop after Mass and
introduce yourself to Fr. Joe. He will give you a card of introduction
to fill out. Or, you can request more information, ask a question, or
have someone contact you by filling out the simple form here.
Welcome!
an active part of our faith community. Please stop after Mass and
introduce yourself to Fr. Joe. He will give you a card of introduction
to fill out. Or, you can request more information, ask a question, or
have someone contact you by filling out the simple form here.
Welcome!
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| Page last updated May 20, 2012 Website comments, questions, or problems? Contact us: admin@stkatharinedrexelsfsd.org |
Home
1800 S. Katie Ave. Suite #1 (Click here for map)
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Phone - (605) 275-6870
Fax - (605) 275-6998
E-mail - church.stkatharinedrexel@midconetwork.com
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Phone - (605) 275-6870
Fax - (605) 275-6998
E-mail - church.stkatharinedrexel@midconetwork.com
St. Katharine Drexel Parish
1800 S. Katie Ave. Suite #1
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Phone - (605) 275-6870
Fax - (605) 275-6998
E-mail - church.stkatharinedrexel@midconetwork.com
1800 S. Katie Ave. Suite #1
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Phone - (605) 275-6870
Fax - (605) 275-6998
E-mail - church.stkatharinedrexel@midconetwork.com
Click on the image above
to read a biography.
Born: November 26, 1858
Died: March 3, 1955
(Parish Feast Day)
Canonized a Saint:
October 1, 2000
to read a biography.
Born: November 26, 1858
Died: March 3, 1955
(Parish Feast Day)
Canonized a Saint:
October 1, 2000
“If I can say of an action: ‘I
did it out of love of God,’
there is something about
it that will last through all
eternity.”
St. Katharine Drexel
did it out of love of God,’
there is something about
it that will last through all
eternity.”
St. Katharine Drexel
This mural can be seen
at St. Joseph Cathedral
Sacred Heart Chapel in
Sioux Falls.
at St. Joseph Cathedral
Sacred Heart Chapel in
Sioux Falls.
Image courtesy of the
Archives of the Sisters of
the Blessed Sacrament.
Archives of the Sisters of
the Blessed Sacrament.
“Peacefully do at each
moment what at that
moment ought to be
done.”
St. Katharine Drexel
moment what at that
moment ought to be
done.”
St. Katharine Drexel
Image courtesy of the
Archives of the Sisters of
the Blessed Sacrament.
Archives of the Sisters of
the Blessed Sacrament.
Out of town this past weekend or just want to listen to the
homily again? Now you can! Click the links below for the date
of the homily you'd like to hear: March 18th Mar. 25th Apr. 1st
Holy Thursday Good Friday Easter Vigil April 15th April 22nd
April 29th May 6th May 13th May 20th
*Please allow a little time for the file to fully load on your computer.*
homily again? Now you can! Click the links below for the date
of the homily you'd like to hear: March 18th Mar. 25th Apr. 1st
Holy Thursday Good Friday Easter Vigil April 15th April 22nd
April 29th May 6th May 13th May 20th
*Please allow a little time for the file to fully load on your computer.*
DEBT REDUCTION PROGRAM
If you haven’t noticed already, in the envelopes that you receive
monthly there is purple-edged envelope marked for Debt Reduction.
We have a $4.4 million debt with the Diocese of Sioux Falls that we
incurred in order to build our church. We are currently taking steps
to add on to our campus by building a multipurpose room/gym, a
youth room, additional classrooms for school and Religious
Education and a larger kitchen for parish events and the school
lunch program. We are attempting to do this without increasing our
debt, using the money pledged for our Continuing the Journey
campaign. This pledge includes paying $20,000 each month in
interest on our current debt but it does not decrease the principal on
the loan at all.
The purpose of the Debt Reduction envelope is to start applying the
amount received in these envelopes toward the principal on our
debt. I invite you to become a “Principal Partner” to help retire some
of the debt that we have accrued. There is no pledge card to fill out-
simply enclose an amount that you wish to commit toward debt
reduction. This envelope will be enclosed each month in your
monthly envelopes. You can choose whether to give monthly,
quarterly or even yearly. At the end of each month, the money
collected will be sent to the Diocese to pay on the principal amount.
Thank you for your continued support of St. Katharine Drexel
Parish. Your donations of time, talent and treasure bless all
members of our parish.
If you haven’t noticed already, in the envelopes that you receive
monthly there is purple-edged envelope marked for Debt Reduction.
We have a $4.4 million debt with the Diocese of Sioux Falls that we
incurred in order to build our church. We are currently taking steps
to add on to our campus by building a multipurpose room/gym, a
youth room, additional classrooms for school and Religious
Education and a larger kitchen for parish events and the school
lunch program. We are attempting to do this without increasing our
debt, using the money pledged for our Continuing the Journey
campaign. This pledge includes paying $20,000 each month in
interest on our current debt but it does not decrease the principal on
the loan at all.
The purpose of the Debt Reduction envelope is to start applying the
amount received in these envelopes toward the principal on our
debt. I invite you to become a “Principal Partner” to help retire some
of the debt that we have accrued. There is no pledge card to fill out-
simply enclose an amount that you wish to commit toward debt
reduction. This envelope will be enclosed each month in your
monthly envelopes. You can choose whether to give monthly,
quarterly or even yearly. At the end of each month, the money
collected will be sent to the Diocese to pay on the principal amount.
Thank you for your continued support of St. Katharine Drexel
Parish. Your donations of time, talent and treasure bless all
members of our parish.
Kitchen Wish List:
Upright freezer: $3,200
Garbage disposal: $2,100
Icemaker and storage: $3,000
Cabinets & shelving: $2,500 - $5,000
If you know of any commercial-quality items like the ones listed
above that are available for donation or at reduced prices, please
contact Fr. Joe or Laree at the Parish Office.
Upright freezer: $3,200
Garbage disposal: $2,100
Icemaker and storage: $3,000
Cabinets & shelving: $2,500 - $5,000
If you know of any commercial-quality items like the ones listed
above that are available for donation or at reduced prices, please
contact Fr. Joe or Laree at the Parish Office.
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CONTINUING THE JOURNEY
Campaign Update
As you may know, our Continuing the Journey Campaign is a three-year
program which began on January 1, 2010 in order to pay for the addition to our
school. This project also provided us with a Youth Room and a great
Multipurpose Room/Gymnasium. We were able to pay for a great deal of the
construction costs as we went along and much of the work was done on an “in-
kind” basis or at a reduced price. However, we did need to take out a loan of
$250,000 in order to pay for everything.
On top of that, we have a loan we are attempting to keep up-to-date from the
construction of our beautiful Parish Center. The principal amount on this loan is
$4,403,217. That is a big number. We currently pay over $20,000 per month just
for the interest on this loan. No pastor wants to bring up the sensitive subject of
money to his people, but every now and then we all need an update.
You and I have all been the beneficiaries of those that have gone before us in
the faith. Parishes were formed and parish buildings were constructed long
before we were born and we benefited from the sacrifice of those who went
before us. Someday in the future, members of St. Katharine Drexel Parish will
be able to look back in gratitude at the faith you and I displayed when we began
this journey.
Here is a brief summary of our campaign finances. Any effort you could make to
contribute prior to the end of this year would be greatly appreciated.
Campaign Update
As you may know, our Continuing the Journey Campaign is a three-year
program which began on January 1, 2010 in order to pay for the addition to our
school. This project also provided us with a Youth Room and a great
Multipurpose Room/Gymnasium. We were able to pay for a great deal of the
construction costs as we went along and much of the work was done on an “in-
kind” basis or at a reduced price. However, we did need to take out a loan of
$250,000 in order to pay for everything.
On top of that, we have a loan we are attempting to keep up-to-date from the
construction of our beautiful Parish Center. The principal amount on this loan is
$4,403,217. That is a big number. We currently pay over $20,000 per month just
for the interest on this loan. No pastor wants to bring up the sensitive subject of
money to his people, but every now and then we all need an update.
You and I have all been the beneficiaries of those that have gone before us in
the faith. Parishes were formed and parish buildings were constructed long
before we were born and we benefited from the sacrifice of those who went
before us. Someday in the future, members of St. Katharine Drexel Parish will
be able to look back in gratitude at the faith you and I displayed when we began
this journey.
Here is a brief summary of our campaign finances. Any effort you could make to
contribute prior to the end of this year would be greatly appreciated.
WHAT DO YOU KNOW, FR JOE?
THE MEANING OF THE ASCENSION
It would be wise to spend some time thinking of the impact of Jesus
ascending body and soul into heaven and sitting at the right hand of
the Father. With this great event, we see what will happen to us by God’
s grace and mercy: that is, we will be body and soul in heaven. By Jesus
being there now, we are more confident that the Father will hear our
prayers as Jesus is seated at his side. The reflection that follows is from
the Office of Readings for May 17th, written by Pope St. Leo the Great.
Even the blessed apostles, though they had been strengthened by so
many miracles and instructed by so much teaching, took fright at the
cruel suffering of the Lord’s passion and could not accept His
resurrection without hesitation. Yet they made such progress through
His ascension that they now found joy in what had terrified them
before. They were able to fix their minds on Christ’s divinity as He sat at
the right hand of His Father, since what was presented to their bodily
eyes no longer hindered them from turning all their attention to the
realization that He had not left His Father when He came down to earth,
nor had He abandoned His disciples when He ascended into heaven.
INFORM YOURSELF ON THE ISSUES
There is a lot of information on various political and religious issues on
the internet. As you know, some of it is authentic and some of it is not.
One of the best ways I know of to be informed is to read from the US
Catholic Bishops’ website www.usccb.org. On this website, you can find
information on many current issues along with the Church’s official
position. We are constantly being challenged as Catholics and our
responsibility is be informed so we can teach others. Be an informed
Catholic and pass on this information.
THE MEANING OF THE ASCENSION
It would be wise to spend some time thinking of the impact of Jesus
ascending body and soul into heaven and sitting at the right hand of
the Father. With this great event, we see what will happen to us by God’
s grace and mercy: that is, we will be body and soul in heaven. By Jesus
being there now, we are more confident that the Father will hear our
prayers as Jesus is seated at his side. The reflection that follows is from
the Office of Readings for May 17th, written by Pope St. Leo the Great.
Even the blessed apostles, though they had been strengthened by so
many miracles and instructed by so much teaching, took fright at the
cruel suffering of the Lord’s passion and could not accept His
resurrection without hesitation. Yet they made such progress through
His ascension that they now found joy in what had terrified them
before. They were able to fix their minds on Christ’s divinity as He sat at
the right hand of His Father, since what was presented to their bodily
eyes no longer hindered them from turning all their attention to the
realization that He had not left His Father when He came down to earth,
nor had He abandoned His disciples when He ascended into heaven.
INFORM YOURSELF ON THE ISSUES
There is a lot of information on various political and religious issues on
the internet. As you know, some of it is authentic and some of it is not.
One of the best ways I know of to be informed is to read from the US
Catholic Bishops’ website www.usccb.org. On this website, you can find
information on many current issues along with the Church’s official
position. We are constantly being challenged as Catholics and our
responsibility is be informed so we can teach others. Be an informed
Catholic and pass on this information.
Is your family portrait in need of an update? Did you know you
receive a professional 8”x10” portrait just for having your picture
taken for our 2012 St. Katharine Drexel Parish Pictorial
Directory? Schedule your appointment today! Please use the
following link: https://www.securedata-trans14.
com/ap/stkatharinedrexelparish/index.php?page=10 or call the Parish
Office if you have any questions.
receive a professional 8”x10” portrait just for having your picture
taken for our 2012 St. Katharine Drexel Parish Pictorial
Directory? Schedule your appointment today! Please use the
following link: https://www.securedata-trans14.
com/ap/stkatharinedrexelparish/index.php?page=10 or call the Parish
Office if you have any questions.
Deacon’s Digest
Ascending Rituals
When you think about it, our culture is full of many types of rituals. We have
special celebrations on birthdays, holiday traditions that we wouldn’t dream of
changing, weddings, military rites and changes of the guard that are very
moving, special gatherings for Eagle Scout honors and the list goes on. That is
to say nothing of all of the Sacramental ritual and liturgy we do in the Catholic
Church. There is true meaning and significance brought out in the rites of these
ceremonies.
So, what does all of this talk have to do with Jesus’ Ascension? I think Jesus
accomplished many of the significant events in His life in very public ways so
that His followers would more completely understand what He was about.
Although Jesus’ birth was primarily a private affair, the whole cosmos was
involved. Angels, stars, kings, shepherds, innkeepers, and farm animals all
played a role in the drama that has turned into an annual ritual for the rest of us.
Think of Jesus’ death. If He came to die for our sins, then why didn’t He just lay
down in old age and pass away privately? St. Athanasius explains in his book
On the Incarnation that Jesus’ death had to be a public spectacle because He
was dying for all people of all times. It had to be horrible to show us the terrible
weight of our sins and the true horror of our participation in evil.
Back to the Ascension. Certainly, Jesus could have just quit appearing to His
disciples after a few weeks and ascended to His Father from wherever He
wished. But He knew that His disciples needed to SEE Him go. He knew that
they would continue expecting further appearances from Him and would not get
about the work He had commissioned them to do. So, 40 days after His
Resurrection, Jesus appeared once more to the Twelve and, after reiterating
their mission to go out to every land and preach the Gospel, “He was lifted up
and a cloud took Him from their sight.” (Acts 1:9)
Now there was no doubt what the next step needed to be for the Apostles. They
knew to wait for the Holy Spirit and then go do their job. They knew for sure that
it was up to them now, because they had seen Jesus go back to His Father
with their own eyes in the “ritual” of the Ascension.
Today, we continue to celebrate this action of Jesus not simply as an historical
event, but as a reminder to each of us that things are different now and we
need to be about the job (the commission) that Jesus expects of His followers.
Just as high school and college graduates get a deeper understanding of their
new role in life from participation in graduation ceremonies, we gain a clearer
insight of our apostolic role in the Church by participating in the life of Jesus
Christ through His Church. As we are baptized, Confirmed and fed with His
Body and Blood in the Eucharist, we are strengthened by Actual Grace and are
thereby able to do what needs to be done to spread the Word. As we participate
in the events of Jesus’ life through the cycle of Liturgy in our Church, we come
to know Jesus better and understand His abiding love for us.
Like the Apostles were told by the two strangers just after Jesus ascended
“Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking up at the sky?” (Acts 1:11),
we need to get moving and get about the business of spreading the Gospel—
TODAY.
Ascending Rituals
When you think about it, our culture is full of many types of rituals. We have
special celebrations on birthdays, holiday traditions that we wouldn’t dream of
changing, weddings, military rites and changes of the guard that are very
moving, special gatherings for Eagle Scout honors and the list goes on. That is
to say nothing of all of the Sacramental ritual and liturgy we do in the Catholic
Church. There is true meaning and significance brought out in the rites of these
ceremonies.
So, what does all of this talk have to do with Jesus’ Ascension? I think Jesus
accomplished many of the significant events in His life in very public ways so
that His followers would more completely understand what He was about.
Although Jesus’ birth was primarily a private affair, the whole cosmos was
involved. Angels, stars, kings, shepherds, innkeepers, and farm animals all
played a role in the drama that has turned into an annual ritual for the rest of us.
Think of Jesus’ death. If He came to die for our sins, then why didn’t He just lay
down in old age and pass away privately? St. Athanasius explains in his book
On the Incarnation that Jesus’ death had to be a public spectacle because He
was dying for all people of all times. It had to be horrible to show us the terrible
weight of our sins and the true horror of our participation in evil.
Back to the Ascension. Certainly, Jesus could have just quit appearing to His
disciples after a few weeks and ascended to His Father from wherever He
wished. But He knew that His disciples needed to SEE Him go. He knew that
they would continue expecting further appearances from Him and would not get
about the work He had commissioned them to do. So, 40 days after His
Resurrection, Jesus appeared once more to the Twelve and, after reiterating
their mission to go out to every land and preach the Gospel, “He was lifted up
and a cloud took Him from their sight.” (Acts 1:9)
Now there was no doubt what the next step needed to be for the Apostles. They
knew to wait for the Holy Spirit and then go do their job. They knew for sure that
it was up to them now, because they had seen Jesus go back to His Father
with their own eyes in the “ritual” of the Ascension.
Today, we continue to celebrate this action of Jesus not simply as an historical
event, but as a reminder to each of us that things are different now and we
need to be about the job (the commission) that Jesus expects of His followers.
Just as high school and college graduates get a deeper understanding of their
new role in life from participation in graduation ceremonies, we gain a clearer
insight of our apostolic role in the Church by participating in the life of Jesus
Christ through His Church. As we are baptized, Confirmed and fed with His
Body and Blood in the Eucharist, we are strengthened by Actual Grace and are
thereby able to do what needs to be done to spread the Word. As we participate
in the events of Jesus’ life through the cycle of Liturgy in our Church, we come
to know Jesus better and understand His abiding love for us.
Like the Apostles were told by the two strangers just after Jesus ascended
“Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking up at the sky?” (Acts 1:11),
we need to get moving and get about the business of spreading the Gospel—
TODAY.