Women of Grace February Gathering

Thursday, February 8, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Ladies, grab the favorite women in your life and come hear from Kate Walsh-Soucheray and then we will gather together and connect until 8:30 PM.

Kate is a Catholic wife and mother of three adult children and six beautiful grandchildren. She and her husband John have been married for 41 years and they attend St. Ambrose Catholic Community in Woodbury. She attended St. Catherine University and earned a bachelor’s degree in education and taught middle school and high school social studies and religion for 17 years. She earned a master’s degree in theology from the St. Paul Seminary and a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and worked as a Christian licensed marriage and family therapist for 10 years. She also earned a doctorate in educational leadership and is now retired and writes and speaks for Catholic groups

Click here for complete details on Women’s of Grace and the 2024 schedule.

Small Groups Weekend

Saturday, January 20 - Sunday, January 21, 2024

We are excited to kick off our Small Groups this weekend.

A Small Group is a group of 6-12 people gathered in the name of Jesus around the Word of God for friendship, spiritual growth, and prayer. We will have over 20 new groups launching at OLG this coming Lent, using the guiding theme of With Jesus to the Cross. This theme will walk us through the Lenten Sunday Mass readings. All ages of adults are welcome and encouraged to join!

After all Masses this weekend if you have questions, there will be Small Group leaders in the Commons to answer questions or help you find a group for you!

Click here for more details on Small Groups at OLG.

Mini-Retreat Field Trip at the PES Sisters Convent

Tuesday, January 16, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
PES Sisters Convent at 8650 Russel Avenue, Bloomington, MN

”Behold, I make all things new.” -Rev 21:5

Kick off the year and join us to renew and restore at our mini-retreat at the PES sisters convent. Light hospitality of soup and sweets will be served.

This event is sponsored by the Women of Grace.

Click here for complete details on Women’s of Grace and the 2024 schedule.

Saints' Relics Permanent Installation

Sunday, January 14 | Masses

Join us for this very special dedication Mass for the permanent installation of the relics in OLG's care.

We are building permanent displays for the relics (remains) of Saints in our possession. These will be placed in the main body of the Church and dedicated on January 14, 2024, so that we all may venerate and model the witnesses of Christ that came before us. All you holy men and women, pray for us!

As we prepare for the permanent installation in the Church space of the more than 25 relics in OLG's care, it is important to understand the why of it all. Relics are a part of our Catholic inheritance. Veneration of them has existed from the start of the Church community (and has a basis in the Old Testament). We honor the relics of Saints because we honor their fidelity to Christ. And by reflecting on the lives of these holy men and women, we indelibly draw closer to Him.

To learn more about relics, click here.

Become an Our Lady of Grace Stephen Minister

Stephen Minister Training starts soon!

Training takes place every other Monday from 6:00 - 9:00 PM at Mary Mother of the Church in Burnsville from Monday, November 27, 2023 through Monday, April 8, 2024.

Click here to learn more about the training.

Applications for Stephen Ministers are due by November 15th. Please submit the completed application to Beryl Schewe at berylschewe@olgparish.org. The training costs $50 for materials.

Contact Beryl at 952-999-9035 for more information or to set up an interview.

Men at Mass / First Friday Devotions

Men at Mass / First Friday Devotion

The Men Club assembles on the first Friday of each month at the 6:15 AM Mass and stays for coffee and pastries after. Join us in Our Lady of Grace’s Adoration Chapel for this First Friday Devotion to celebrate the Eucharist and honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

When: 6:15 AM Mass on the first Friday of each month
Where: Our Lady of Grace Church
Resources: to learn more about this devotion, check out the Sacred Heart Institute’s website HERE.all.

Notre Dame Summer Scholars Program

This summer of 2023, the University of Notre Dame will again partner with Our Lady of Grace in Edina, Minnesota in hosting six students from Our Lady of Grace Senior High School (OLAG) in Mamponteng, Ghana, a sister school of OLG.

The six students will participate in the Notre Dame Summer Scholars Program and will also experience life at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Edina. The Notre Dame Summer Scholars Program offers them a college experience by studying one course for college credit. For two intensive weeks, they will live on campus, attend classes, meet other college-aged students and learn about college education in the United States. The goal in this program is to encourage these students to make a difference when they get back to Ghana.

The University of Notre Dame covers the entire cost of the Summer Scholars Program. OLG is helping pay for the rest of this experience and finding three families to host them while here in Minnesota.

Here's how you can support the students:

  • Donate money – we are looking to raise $24,500 to cover their travel, visas, and experience in the U.S.

  • Host two or three of these students June 5 - 10 and/or June 24 - 28 during their stay in Minnesota

  • Host a Minnesota experience, such as a day at MOA, a Twins game, a local Art Fair or a weekend at a cabin

  • Pray for a successful summer experience for our Ghanaian brothers and sisters

Contact Beryl Schewe if you’re interested in supporting our students during their stay!

The Experience:

"My voyage to the United States of America all seemed to be a dream come true… I was super excited to be selected to attend the Summer Scholars Program at a very prestigious institution like Notre Dame. I was thrilled to meet new people from all over the world. It broadened my prospects about the world and people. I learned a lot both in class and outside class. Every moment spent there brought both happiness and adventure. This was all made possible by the benevolent and welcoming hearts of every parishioner of Our Lady Of Grace... Not only did you treat us with kindness and hospitality, but you also gave us a family despite the fact we are not related in any way… Indeed every experience in Notre Dame and Minnesota was worth it and for that, I am forever grateful for the experience."

~ Timothy Giles, 2022 Participant and OLAG Graduate

“Flying to the United States was not only a dream come true for me but also a great privilege that enabled me [to] explore other opportunities for a brighter future. The experience was memorable… all thanks to the collective roles played by the parish mission and warm parishioners [of Our Lady of Grace]. As a participant of the Summer Scholars Program of the University of Notre Dame, I was able to dip my feet in a bright world of community, academics, service, spirituality, fun, as well as multiculturalism. The entire two weeks on campus, though challenging and engaging, offered a true college experience and wholesome college class sessions by the Notre Dame faculty. I owe heartfelt gratitude to God and the OLG parish for bringing my dream into reality in a beautiful way.”

~ Sincere Lugugia, 2022 Participant and OLAG Graduate

Your Life, Your Legacy

“How is the world better because I’ve lived?”
“How can I pass on my values to future generations?”
“How do my values influence
my charitable giving decisions?”
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Please join us for one of the following sessions:

  • Tuesday, October 25 - Cancelled

You can ensure that your values will live on after you pass away. Take steps today to fund and document how you wish to be remembered. Join us for “Your Life, Your Legacy” and learn more about how the Catholic Community Foundation can help you exercise your charitable giving to support our parish community and other causes close to your heart.

For more information contact Jon Cassady, Director of Advancement, at joncassady@olgparish.org or 952-999-9054.

Topics

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History of OLG Endowment Funds

Smart Philanthropy

Presented by Catholic Community Foundation

  • New Tax Code, New Giving Strategies, Donor Advised Funds and Bunching

  • Using RMDs to Build an Endowment

  • Family Philanthropy

  • OLG Parishioner Testimonial

Ways to Support OLG Endowment Funds

Resources

Feeding the Hungry

Looking for a few good volunteers!

Do you have a few extra hours each month to help Our Lady of Grace prepare and serve meals to the neediest in our communities? COVID has hit us all hard, but none harder than our homeless and housing insecure populations. Some of the most reliable soup kitchens have had to cut back on the number of meals they serve a day because they lack the volunteers needed. Imagine battling the cold AND trying to figure out how to get fed. Together, we can do so much more.  Fired up and ready to serve? Call Beryl at 952-999-9035. Here’s how to help:

Sharing and Caring Hands

1st Wednesday’s of every month from 12-2pm.

Volunteers needs: to set up, serve and clean up after serving 100 people at Sharing and Caring Hands, 525 N. 7th St., Minneapolis

Food donations we accept: Tuesday’s before the first Wednesday, volunteers can bring healthy, protein-packed shelf-stable foods to the parish office kitchen. Please do not bring these items earlier, as we do not have the storage space to keep the items longer than one day.

  • Individually wrapped cheese sticks

  • Individually wrapped meat sticks-beef jerky

  • Dried fruit in single serve packs

  • Carrots in single serve packs

  • Cuties, Oranges or green bananas

  • Protein bars

  • Peanut butter and crackers single serve packs

  • Peanut butter and Jelly Sandwiches individually wrapped (place sandwiches in refrigerator or freezer)

  • Meat and Cheese sandwiches—NO mayo, mustard or butter on the bread please, you may add a condiment packet to the baggie with the individually wrapped sandwich. (place sandwiches in refrigerator or freezer)

  • Baked goods—cookies, bars and cupcakes

Loaves and Fishes

2nd Wednesday of every month. CLICK HERE to sign up to volunteer with Loaves and Fishes.

  • 4 People to prepare food at the OLG Kitchen from 2:30-3:30pm.

  • 2 Drivers to transport and deliver the prepared meals. Meet at OLG at 3:30pm, then drive to Peace House at 1816 Portland Avenue South in Minneapolis's Phillips Neighborhood. There is both on street parking and a parking lot. Peace House provides staff who help unload your car.

  •  3-4 servers/assemblers to start at 4:45pm at Peace House. Organize & handout the boxed meals plus supplemental food items at Peace House.  This will be outside so dress for the weather.

Food donations we accept: Tuesday’s before the second Wednesday, volunteers can bring individually wrapped sandwiches to the OLG kitchen refrigerator marked for Loaves and Fishes. Please do not bring these items earlier, as we do not have the storage space to keep the items longer than one day.

  • Peanut butter and Jelly Sandwiches individually wrapped

  • Meat and Cheese sandwiches—NO mayo, mustard or butter on the bread please, you may add a condiment packet to the baggie with the individually wrapped sandwich. 

Meals on Wheels

Drivers needed the first Monday of the month for lunch delivery times. CLICK HERE to sign up to volunteer with Meals on Wheels.

Delivering meals is a simple and rewarding way to help seniors and people with disabilities who are in need of hot meals and a visit from a friendly face. You can do all of this over lunch! Being part of Meals on Wheels means you’ll be part of a larger group serving more than 4,000 people in need across the metro area. And you’ll leave knowing that the 8-10 people on your route received the nourishment and personal connection they need.