WOHVn in Faith Catholic Community
ACC Parishes
Advent Reflection:
The One Who Comes
WOHVn in Faith Area Catholic Community
Holy Cross Center, Onamia MN.
November 30, 20251:00 – 3:15 PM
Fr. Bob Rossi, O.S.C.
To register, please contact Kathy at 320-532-3122.
"The One Who Comes" shows us three different pictures of Christ during Advent, each from the Bible.
The Silent Warrior (Wisdom 18:14-15) describes when Christ first came to earth in Bethlehem. The Bible says: "For while the gentle silence enveloped all things . . . your all-powerful word leaped from heaven . . . into the midst of the land that was doomed, a stern warrior." Christ came as this "Silent Warrior" to save all people, who had been suffering since sin caused humanity to lose the Garden of Eden.
The Divine Conservator (Isaiah 11:6-9) describes how Christ comes to us today. He is like a gardener tending a new Garden that began with his death and resurrection, and which he continues to care for now. The prophet Isaiah writes: "The wolf shall live with the lamb; the leopard shall lie down with the kid . . . and a little child shall lead them. . . . They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain." As the "Divine Conservator," Christ helps us grow as God's new people, making it possible for us to already experience the joy of being the family God always meant us to be.
The Final Restorer (Revelation 21:1-4) describes how Christ will come at the end of time. The Bible tells us: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away . . . See, the home of God is among mortals. . . . he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more . . . for the first things have passed away." The “Final Restorer” will bring all history to its completion and bring everyone to live forever in joy with God in his New Creation.
This Advent reflection gives us chances to think, pray, and share about ourselves and our faith community. Thinking about the Silent Warrior helps us believe more deeply that the world's darkness is truly behind us. The Divine Conservator helps us see real evidence that we're living in God's grace right now, both as individuals and as a community. And the Final Restorer helps us face the unknown future of our WOVn-in-Faith Community with real hope.
"Behold, I make all things new"
-Revelation 21:5
Thank you to those of you who recently attended one or more of our 3 sessions exploring "All Things New". There was a lot of information and discussion regarding Bishop Neary's plan for the Diocese of Saint Cloud, along with OUR vision within the WOHVn-in Faith ACC. Clicking the "paperclip" to the right will bring you to the Powerpoint that was presented at each of the sessions. Since the dialogue at each session was unique, we hope to have a text summary of the discussions for you soon. For now, please download the Powerpoint. Fr. Marv and Fr. Jerry welcome your
questions and/or comments.
WOHVn in Faith
Area Catholic Community
The Parishes of Sacred Heart, Wahkon; Holy Cross, Onamia; St. Rita, Hillman and St. Therese, Vineland make up the WOHVn in Faith Area Catholic Community in the Diocese of St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Under the guidance of Bishop Patrick Neary, our Pastor Fr. Marvin Enneking and Associate Pastor Fr. Jerry Schik, o.s.c. we are called as one family among four distinctly different parishes to pray as one and share our gifts and talents with each other and the greater community.
May the Holy Spirit guide us and walk with us as we journey in this ministry.
ACC Council Activity
January 2025
WOHVn-in-Faith ACC Pastoral Council Meeting Minutes January 7, 2025, 7 p.m. Holy Cross Center Conference Room Present- Fr. Marv Enneking, Fr. Jerry Schik, Steve Timmers, Jon Bjornstad, Dan Godbout, Margaret Willis, Amanda Gjerde Not Present- Calvin Beumer, Patti Fisher, Mary Bannick ● Opening Prayer- 7:07 p.m., Steve Timmers Father in heaven, We ask for your wisdom as we begin this meeting. We acknowledge that we need your wisdom and insights and we welcome your presence among us. Guide us in our discussions and decisions, helping us to seek what is best for all involved. Amen ● Review and Approve Minutes of last meeting Fr. Jerry asked for some clarification on the minutes for the Mission update from Kristi Godbout. Business Manager will speak with Kristi and amend the minutes. Motion- Jon Second- Steve ● ACC Pastoral Council Binders- Review Diocese of St. Cloud Handbook Meeting binders were shared with each of the council members. Fr. Marv would like the binders to be used by the council members for each meeting. There are tabs for the organization of minutes and handouts. When council members transition off, they will give their binder to the incoming member. Fr. Marv explained the various policies in the Diocesan Handbook, and gave examples of how the Council will operate at the ACC level, how the Council is formed, and its responsibilities. ● New at SR, Children’s Liturgy of the Word Looking into different programs, one example is “Children’s Worship Bulletin” Kellie Davidson has expressed interest in volunteering to lead the program. Kellie has preschool training, and a background in leading Bible School groups. The Business Manager is working with Kellie to get a background check and Safe Environments training. A start date has not been set. ● “All Things New” The Diocese has created a prayer for the “All Things New” initiative. Fr. Marv would like the prayer added to the back cover of the missals. Parishes will rotate saying the prayer for vocations and the “All Things New” prayer weekly. The Business Manager will work on getting stickers printed and placing them in the missals at each parish. ● Planning update on reception for Fr. Marcos Steve shared that Fr. Marcos has been traveling and quite busy since his ordination. The Council will revisit in February, which gives Steve more time to connect with Fr. Marcos and get a date set. The ACC has events the weekend of February 22/23 and March 2, so we will look at other weekends in February. ● OtherSince our December meeting, Fr. Marv has spoken with the MIssion Office, and our ACC has been granted permission to focus our Mission efforts on the Congo, an area that our Crosier Missionaries are well informed about. We will work with the Crosiers to learn about the Congo and support the missionary work that is happening there. Fr. Jerry will be celebrating his 50th year as a Crosier in May. The weekend of May 18th he will travel to his home parish for a celebration. Our ACC will begin working on plans for a celebration as well. ● Next Meeting- Tuesday, Feb. 4th, 7 pm Jon will be unable to attend the meeting in person, so we will phone him in. ● Closing Prayer- 9:09 p.m