The Catholic Churches of Emmons County , North Dakota

Dear Parishioners,
I want to give updates on the ongoing fundraising projects at our parishes.

First the lawnmower project at St. Mary’s in Hague.  To date we have received $2,380 in contributions toward the $9,900 cost of the new mower.

At Sts. Peter & Paul’s, we currently have two projects: the air conditioner project and the office/rectory updating project.  Regarding the air conditioner project, just to review, earlier this summer two of the seven air-conditioning units that cool the church failed and needed to be replaced.  Phase One of the air conditioner project consisted of the effort to raise the money needed to replace these two failed units.  The cost to replace the two units was $9,000.  I am happy to report that with the donations received this week, we have achieved our Phase One goal and can move on to Phase Two!  Our air conditioner fund now stands at $9,225.  Phase Two of the air conditioner project consists of raising the funds necessary to replace the other five units in the church.  The life expectancy of the air conditioning units is 15-20 years.  The old units were installed 18 years ago and will need to be replaced over the next several years.  We will need to raise at least $22,500 more to be able to replace the other five units.

I announced the Sts. Peter & Paul Office/Rectory Updating project at the Masses last weekend.  The current rectory was built over 35 years ago and as we all know, things wear out over time.  The carpet and flooring throughout the office and rectory are in need of replacing.  This project will be split into two phases.  Phase One will consist of updating the office area and include new flooring, paint and office furniture.  The estimated cost of Phase One will be $13,500.  In my announcement last weekend, I also mentioned that parish has qualified for a reimbursement grant of up to $5,000 which will put the estimated cost of Phase One at around $8,500.  Phase Two of this project will be to paint and replace the flooring in the rest of the rectory.  The estimated cost for Phase Two will be $21,500.  Thus, the total estimated need for the Office/Rectory Updating project will be around $35,000.  The Office/Rectory Updating project fund stands currently at $500.

The total amount needed for each of these projects is certainly substantial.  However, if we keep working at it a little each week, we will reach our goal.  Thank you to all for your generosity in keeping our parishes running!  You may find that utilizing our online giving option makes things easier for you.  Simply go to the parish website (www.emmonscatholics.org) and you will find the tab to donate to St. Mary’s-Hague and Sts. Peter & Paul-Strasburg.  Please contact Nicole at the parish office if you have any questions.

After the Masses this weekend, I will begin my three-month sabbatical.  Next week, the clergy of the diocese will gather in Medora for our annual Fall Clergy Conference.  Following the clergy conference I will begin to make my way to Saint Meinrad Archabbey & School of Theology in St. Meinrad, Indiana for my sabbatical.  I will return on December 6^th.  Fr. Bruce Krebs will be here to cover for me in my absence.  I am especially grateful to Fr. Bruce for his friendship and willingness to minister to all of you in my absence! You all will be well taken care of by Fr. Bruce.

Please keep me in your prayers and know that you will daily be in mine!  God Bless each of you!!

Fr. Shannon      

             During this time of pandemic, here are some additional resources for prayer:

• Sunday on EWTN (BEK cable channel 600): Rosary 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.  Mass 7:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m. and 11:00pm.  Chaplet of Divine Mercy 2:00 p.m.
• Real Presence Radio (FM 91.7 KPHA): Sunday Mass at 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday Family Rosary at 8:30 p.m.  Daily Mass is broadcast at 9:00 p.m.  Chaplet of Divine Mercy is said every day at 3:00 p.m.
• BEK Television broadcasts live the Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m. from St. Anthony in Linton.
• Fr. Jason Signalness is videoing and streaming Mass from his parish at Stanley, ND.  You can access this at: https://holyrosarystanley.com
• Consult the Dioceses of Bismarck's Website at: bismarckdiocese.com. for more resources and information.