• Mass on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 10 A.M. Kay Hannahan and Tyler Hurley will be with us once again to film our Mass. Many of you were present the first time they were with us to film for the documentary on Women Priests. They were very discreet and reverent in their work, and truly want to produce this needed film and especially share our story. If you personally have reservations about being part of this, I understand, but I would encourage you to participate as you will be assisting in the sharing of this very good and important message. This filming is necessary due to the paint change this summer from violet to off-white. Thank you in advance for assisting in this way.
• PLEASE NOTICE: There will be no Mass the following Sunday, September 27, 2026 as Robert and I will be away. Pastor Dick Dahl has provided a homily for your use and I will get the out before the Sunday.
• October 4, 2026, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, will be a joint liturgy with our sister community, First Congregational. For them, it will be World Communion Sunday. As you may know, they receive the Eucharist monthly, so this Sunday will be that one for them. In the memory of our brother, Jesus of Nazareth who prayed the night before his death, “that all would be one,” I feel that it is appropriate for us to share the Eucharist with them, as we all strive to one day be one in more ways. We will move from the season of Ordinary Time for this Sunday in order to share the theme of, “Love for all of Creation” in the memory of Francis, who loved all of creation, mightily. This liturgy will afford us an opportunity to “bless our pets” symbolically, by bringing a picture or simply their name and species to be placed on a table of blessing along with stuffed animals that the children at First Congregational are encouraged to bring. Additionally, as last year, we will take up a joint collection for a specific cause. Pastor Danielle and I thought it might be appropriate for this special liturgy of “Love for all of Creation” to give a gift supporting our National Parks due to the present administration in Washington trying to sell off many of them.
• Please never hesitate to call me, 507-429-3616, or email me, aaorcc2008@gmail.com, if I can help you in any way.

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Dear Friends,

Our God calls us once again this week, to “dig deep” as we try to understand that “God’s ways are not always our ways,”

Come; pray with us this Sunday.

Peace and love,

Pastor Kathy

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Readings:

• Isaiah 55: 6-9
• Philippians 1: 20-24, 27
• Matthew 20: 1-16

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• Mass on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 10 A.M. AAO is hosting social time this week – do join us!
• Reminder: There will be no Mass on Sunday, September 27, 2026 as Pastor Kathy and Robert will be away.
• Additionally, October 4, 2026, we will have our annual joint liturgy with the First Congregational community. It is World Communion Sunday and most appropriate that we would have a joint liturgy.
• Please never hesitate to call, 507-429-3616, or email, aaorcc2008@gmail.com if I can help you in any way.

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Dear Friends,

Continuing a thought from last week, following Jesus is about, “not over-thinking” our action in the world, but responding more, from our “hearts.”

Come; ponder with us this week, all of the above.

Peace and love,

Pastor Kathy

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Readings:

• Sirach 27:30 — 28:7
• Romans 14: 7-9
• Matthew 18: 21-35

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• Mass on Sunday, September 6, 2026 at 10 A.M.
• REMINDER: On Sunday, September 27, 2026, Robert and I will be away – there will be no Mass on that Sunday.
• On Sunday, October 4, 2026, World Communion Sunday, Pastor Danielle and I are once again planning a joint liturgy. Being that it is also the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, we will be offering a Blessing of everyone’s pets! Pastor Danielle and I look forward to preparing a liturgy where our two communities can pray together!
• Please never hesitate to call, 507-429-3616, or email, aaorcc2008@gmail.com if I can help you in any way.

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Dear Friends,

Simply put, once again, we are asked to strive, “to be our best.”

Come; ponder how best to do that with us…this week.

Peace and love,

Pastor Kathy

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Readings:

• Ezekiel 33: 7-9
• Romans 13: 8-10
• Matthew 18: 15-20

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• Mass on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 10 A.M. Social time to follow to remember all with birthdays/anniversaries during the month–come and celebrate!
• Mark your calendars: the last Sunday in September – Robert and I will be away, and there will be no Mass that Sunday.
• AAO will be on the second Sunday in September for social time instead of the third–First Congregational will be having a special event remembering Hank Welle and there will be catered food–AAO is invited!
• Another date to mark on your calendars: On September 20, 2026, there will be another taping of Mass for the documentary on women priests–hopefully many of you can be present!
• Please never hesitate to call, 507-429-3616, or email, aaorcc2008@ gmail.com if I can help you in any way.

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Dear Friends,

We continue this week in Ordinary Time with that ever constant challenge to do the most loving thing, even when we may be the only one doing it… but we aren’t alone– our brother Jesus us with us.

Come; be with us!

Peace and love,

Pastor Kathy

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Readings:

• Jeremiah 20: 7-9
• Romans 12: 1-2
• Matthew 16: 21-27

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• Mass on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at 10 A.M. — social time to follow.
• With regard to Steve Bachler’s “thank you” to the parish last weekend, (for those of you present), I wanted you and all of the parish to know that the AAO board gifted the “Francis and Clare” fundraiser with $500 which will be split between Home and Community Options for their work with “other-abled” folks in Winona, and Catholic Charities in support of their work in establishing and maintaining a homeless shelter in Winona.
• Please never hesitate to call, 507-429-3616, or email, aaorcc2008@gmail.com if I can help in any way.

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Dear Friends,

This week we are faced with answering a seemingly easy question — “Who do we say that Jesus is?”

Come; ponder with us the perhaps, not so easy answer.

Peace and love,

{Pastor Kathy

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Readings:

• Isaiah 22: 18, 19-23
• Romans 11: 33-36
• Matthew 16: 13-20

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