Mustard Seed

May, 2020 Pentecost

VOLUME 40, ISSUE 4

The “Spirit” is Alive at Resurrection!

“The Holy Spirit is highly contagious too!”

Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,

“Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:21-22

Can you imagine the dismay among us if this happened today? Seriously, you are in a locked room with people who are not of your own family and what appears before all of you is a slightly familiar yet barely recognizable person, a seeming stranger, who approaches without mask over his mouth or gloves on his hands and breathes all over you! UUUGH!! A veritable Covid-19 catastrophe is about to break out. Where is the personal protective equipment? Where is the hand sanitizer? Where is the spray disinfectant? Where is the door, ‘cause I’m getting out of here!

But wait a minute, it is the risen Lord Jesus who has come not to infect us with a virus but rather, invigorate us with the gift of the Holy Spirit. In the Gospel, the breath of Jesus is like a breath of fresh air. The Holy Spirit fills the lungs of the locked up and languishing apostles. The Holy Spirit gives them life and relieves them of the fear of death. They realized that they have been saved and they also remember that they have been sent.

Later on, during the day of Pentecost that same Holy Spirit rushes upon the early church not so much in a gentle breath from the mouth of Jesus but as a mighty wind and/or tongues of fire from the movement of God’s prompting. Again, it comes not as a threat of annihilation but as a promise of a new day and a new way to live life, love others and light up the world. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and in Jesus’ name the church grew exponentially and continues to do so today. The Holy Spirit is highly contagious too! May it be so.

During this time of spring mornings and summertime breezes, mowed grass and windswept trees, let the gentle whispers in delightful conversations, the deep inhale and exhale of a good belly laugh and great rushes of a child’s playful scream remind us of the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit. Let the risen Jesus’ wish to his apostles back then and now to us today be our command as he says, “Receive the Holy Spirit!” Let our response be, “Come Holy Spirit, Come!”

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful

and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit

and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit

we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord.

Amen. Fr. Phil

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Reflections on my First Year of Priesthood

It is hard to believe I am coming upon the 1-year anniversary of my priestly ordination, May 25, and I wanted to share a few reflections with you on my first year of priesthood. I first found out I was going to be assigned as Associate Pastor of Resurrection during our retreat a few days before ordination. This made me even more excited for my first year of priestly ministry because I loved the city of Dubuque. I heard Resurrection was a faith-filled, Christ-centered

parish, and I was following in the footsteps of one of my good friends, Fr. Andy Upah. While my assignment as Res was not supposed to start until Tuesday, July 9, 2019, I had several weeks to fill in that time. In June, I took a trip to Rome for a week with my dad and a family friend. During my time there I was privileged with being able to celebrate Mass next to the tomb of St. Peter in St. Peter’s Basilica, attend a General Audience with Pope Francis, and enjoy several Italian meals with plenty of vino. I had taken a trip to Rome about 8 years prior as I was heavily discerning seminary, and being back as a priest felt like I had come full circle. I was following in the footsteps of St. Paul and St. Peter, where they preached the Gospel and where they ultimately both gave up their lives in the city of Rome. Since I began at Res this past July 9

th, I have experienced many

different aspects of priesthood: celebrating the Sacraments, presiding over weddings and funerals, visiting hospitals and homebound, sitting in on meetings, walking with people on their faith journeys, and many other experiences. Mundelein Seminary helped me to prepare for priesthood, but there is also a lot of learning I have done here as well. I often reflect and think how it is only the grace of God and the support and prayers of you all that keep me going. I have shared with you that I sometimes struggle with depression and anxiety that can plant seeds of doubt within me that can negatively affect my ministry. Through counseling, medication, friendships, and my faith in Jesus I have been able to grow a lot in dealing with these issues in my priesthood. I ask that you continue to please pray for me and all those who deal with depression/anxiety. By far the biggest surprise of my priesthood came on March 17

th when

the Archdiocese, along with all dioceses across the country, decided to suspend all Masses due to the Coronavirus. I never imagined there would be a time in my priesthood when I would celebrate Sunday Mass in an empty church, especially Holy Week and Easter. We had to find new ways to reach out to our parishioners and make them feel connected during this time of social distancing. Fr. Phil and I were able to record daily Mass and post it on our website for parishioners to view from home. There was a strong sense of spiritual communion when celebrating Mass in an empty Res. We know that Jesus is in our midst even when we may feel isolation from one another. As I begin my transition to become Pastor of Immaculate Conception in Charles City and St. Michael in Nashua, I ask that you pray for me and know you all will continue to be in my prayers. I have learned a lot this first year from Fr. Phil, the staff of Resurrection, and from all of you. I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to be able to have served you all as a priest. - Fr. Tom Heathershaw

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COVID-19 AND ITS FORCED CHANGES IN HEALTH MINISTRY

By Mary Schmidt, Parish Nurse Since March 18th

at noon, we have not visited face to face with our parishioners

in the hospital or those who are homebound. We have had the support group for caregivers meet on a conference call every Monday instead of the group setting. Caregivers often comment how good it is to hear one another’s voice. Phone calls, emails, texts and Zoom have become a new way of connecting. The postal service has also been busier as we send cards to pray with and for those affected by social isolation during their time of loss, new diagnosis, and life challenges. Our faith is tested during these trying times and the most fulfilling interactions are with those who find God with them in their time of trouble. Parishioners being diagnosed with terminal illnesses and those not able to understand due to cognitive loss are even more isolated from the normal consoling personal interactions. Usual Holy Communion calls are no longer an option. The food for the journey sacrament which gives strength to all who receive has changed to prayers of spiritual Communion and livestream or TV Masses. The usual 300-400 miles a month traveling from visit to visit has come to a sudden halt. The lives we touch are touched in a different way thanks be to God for the technology we have at our disposal. The monthly Senior Social, which encouraged socialization and support to our senior population, has been canceled the past two months. People are sorting pictures and organizing photo albums, which can be very emotional, but fulfilling. Some have commented on cleaning out drawers that would have never been touched. Parishioners who have visited the homebound, as well as BeFrienders, have volunteered to make phone calls, send letters and connect in the name of Resurrection. Some of the youth from RE classes have made cards distributed to parishioners in nursing facilities. Many have reached out and expressed a willingness to shop for groceries and the basic necessities for anyone compromised. We have a wealth of goodness in our midst and together we will grow deeper in our faith and trust in the Lord during this unprecedented time.

As one caregiver shared,

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles,

so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort

we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

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Rita Barton

Lorraine Beall Harry & Katie Ben

Ray & Elizabeth Blocker Eldon Bonifas

John Bray

Paul, Helen & Lyle Brown

Elmer & Irma Christ Thomas Christ

John Cody Dennis Cook

Francis & Marita Cook

Richard H. Cooper Marvin J. Dalsing

Duane & Shirley Deutmeyer

Kenneth Dietz

Patricia Ann Dietz

Carrie & John Dinklers

Paul & Margaret Dodds

Clem & Valois Donovan

Robert Donovan

Harold & Evelyn Doore

Cy & Edith Friedman

Renee Friedman

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Frith

Myra & Maryann Frith

Dennis & Jean Funke

Marian Furst Margaret & Bill Garrett

Laura Gause Cal Ginter

Curt Ginter Lavern & Velma Ginter

Ken & Eileen Hafeman

Blaine Hancock

Frank Hanley

Leonard Hartung

Ed & Leona Hayertz

Henry & Hilda Helbing

Henry Helbing Jr. Vernon & Mildred Helle

Austin Hennings

Msgr. Joseph P. Herard

Bob Howes

Jim Kahle

Richard V. Kausal Harold & Hazel Kelly

Don Kirchberg

Ruth Klauer Pat Koellner

Vince & Connie Kramer

James Krug

Joan Krug

Peter & Stella Krug

Jim Lex

Mabel & Rudy Loeffelholz

Rose Manders Amelia & Anthony Mazzanti

Casey McCabe

Rita McDonough

Jeff & Roger McLaughlin

Regina & Dave Meehan

Kathleen Mercer Maverick James Meyer

Theresa Miller Eglseder

Randy & Mike Morgan

James Neuhaus

Wilfred & Marie Noel Robert Nuti

Amy & Jim Oberfoell Tom & Jan O'Brien

Paul Okeke

Ray & Alice Overhouse

Norbert G. Pape

Gerald L. Pleimling

Kate Portzen Nick Portzen

Cy & Virginia Potts

Ralph & Lorraine Quade

Norb & Vi Roling

Rita M. Roth

Rita R. Roth

Dan Rousch

Donald J. Schmidt

Carl & Magdaline Schmitt

Earl & Betty Schumacher

Reece Shaw

Mike Sievers Dolores C. Sigwarth

Werner J. Sigwarth

Mary Spielman

Anton & Leona Stecher Loras Steffen Steuck Family

Joe & Helen Sunseri John P. Ungs

Cecelia Vosberg

Clem & Loyola Wagner David & Terry Wedewer

John & Gen Whalen

Eugene Wiest Yte Family

EASTER FLOWERS IN MEMORY OF:

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54th Annual Resurrection Parish Festival Sunday, August 16, 2020

Please mark your calendars for Sunday, August 16, 2020 for the 54

th Annual

Resurrection Parish Festival. As of this writing, the year has started with a lot of uncertainty in our world, nation and community due to COVID-19. This time of social distancing has caused economic turmoil, a general sense of unrest and has limited our ability to gather as community. More importantly, this time has shown that although we are socially distanced, we are always spiritually connected. Whether it be making lunches for children in need,

companies and individuals making face masks for healthcare providers, grocery stores having dedicated hours for the elderly and immunocompromised to shop safely, all the essential workers who continue to bravely show up for work each day or families who are staying home for the safety of others, we are all doing our part to be a Visible Presence of Jesus during these times of uncertainty. We are sure most of you have heard that the festival will be held in a virtual format. We’re excited to explore new ideas to deliver a similar community feel and give you ways to support our parish in many different formats. We are in the process of preparing an online platform with programming for approximately 1.5 – 2 hours. The car raffle is still in the works with discussion on how to get and return tickets. The silent auction team is brainstorming with the rest of the group as to items, logistics and cost of an online auction. We are continuing to brainstorm ideas and continue to welcome your support in the form of your time or talent with these new needs we have. Stay tuned for specific ways you can help this year. Thank you in advance for your willingness to be a Visible Presence of Jesus by helping in any way you can. As always, and especially this year, pray for the health and well-being of all so we may again gather in community. Hope to “see” you all at the festival this year! ******** Tune in to weekly Mass by visiting www.youtube.com/user/ResparishDBQ Are you on Facebook? Please like the Resurrection Facebook for messages and updates to show up in your newsfeed. Either search for Church of the Resurrection in Dubuque or go directly to www.facebook.com/resdbq **This is likely the platform we will be using for our “Virtual Festival” in August** Visit Resurrection’s homepage at www.resdbq.org or call the office at (563) 556-7511 for updates and ways to donate to the festival in months to come. Stay tuned for more updates in the months to come! ******* Mike & Jacki Noel, Brian & Jill Powers, 2020 Festival Co-chairs Jason & Paula Adams, Zac and Amy Sherrman, Vice Co-chairs

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My New Normal

By Wendy Osterberger

We keep hearing from all of the TV ads, “As we navi-gate through this new normal…” About three weeks before the nation’s “new normal” started, I was begin-ning my own new normal. The Monday before Ash Wednesday, I had an accident and broke my ankle in four places. I was hopeful that I would have surgery and be back at work the next day. God and my surgeon had different plans. I was put on bed rest for several weeks. I did ok sitting on the recliner with my foot propped up as my family went on about their business around the house. Then came the very silent morning when they all left the house to attend Mass, leaving me

alone. It was such a weird feeling. I was very thankful that my daughter was able to bring me Eucharist. This continued the next couple of week-ends—I stayed home and my daughter shared Communion with me. Af-ter convincing the surgeon I could return to work and still keep my foot propped up the whole time, he allowed me to return for a few hours a day. I was so excited! Just in time to get prepared for the upcoming First Eucharist interviews. Little did I know the day I was going to be returning to work would be the same day that the governor would begin the shut-down of all of the schools. Interviews had to be done a bit differently since we could no longer meet in person. I wheeled around the church taking pictures of different objects and used the photos to make an online interview for the 2nd graders to take alongside their parents. I was still hopeful that even though we could not meet in person for interviews that we would still be able to celebrate First Eucharist on April 25 & 26th.

Sadly, we ended up having to postpone.

Though I am saddened that COVID-19 has caused much sickness and death, I am very thankful that the world has slowed down so I can catch up. I look forward to walking again and being able to celebrate First Eucharist with all 70 of our First Communicants this year. I share in their excitement to receive the Body and Blood of Christ when we are finally

able to celebrate Mass together in person again.

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Prayer to the Holy Spirit Word Search By Wendy Osterberger

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your

Spirit, and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen.

FIND THE WORDS FROM

THE PRAYER ABOVE. Holy Spirit Faithful Love Renew Fill Kindle Send Face Hearts Fire Created Earth

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Virtual Youth Ministry By Callie Owens

Gathered ministry is my favorite part of my

job! The days I come to work knowing that I

get to spend time with the youth of our

parish are the best days in the office. I feel

more productive, the office seems lighter,

and my trusty Christian music playlist even

seems somehow better to me.

The world seems more vibrant to

me on days that I get to spend time with

the amazing young people of our church! So while I knew that canceling all

youth meetings indefinitely was the best move to make for the safety of

everyone involved, it presented me with this seemingly insurmountable

question, “What can I do to support the families of our parish now?”

It was fairly simple to reach out to families through email and to

students through our group messaging app, but I really struggled with whether

that was enough. I felt a good starting point was finding some things for families

to be able to do together, and pulled together some resources that, hopefully,

help parents in their efforts to accompany their kids on their faith journeys. I

even spent a few hours writing cards to our YLT and Foundation teams. But

what I kept hearing from the students was that they missed gathering for youth

nights just as much as I did.

So I started looking for a way to have a virtual youth night, and I found

“ProjectYM Live!” ProjectYM, a Catholic company that produces resources for

youth ministers, started hosting a livestreamed youth night with great Catholic

speakers, silly games, praise and worship music, prayer, etc. It seemed like the

perfect discussion starter for families growing in faith together at home, but also

for teens who wanted to gather. So on Sundays I encouraged families and

teens to tune into ProjectYM Live, and offer a Zoom meeting for any interested

teens after the broadcast is done. While it is not

perfect, it seems to be a good attempt at virtual

ministry. Fr. Tom has also offered a few virtual

Masses for teens, which as been an incredible

experience!

While my days in the office don’t feel

quite as vibrant as they do on youth ministry

nights, I have been hard at work improving our

middle school youth ministry and confirmation

programs and I am excited at the possibilities

that this fall will bring.

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Liturgy and Ministry in Isolation By Amy Dolan

On March 13

th — Friday the 13

th, to be exact — my husband Joe and I left for

Arizona, and joined some of my other family members to visit my oldest brother, Jim, who was in the final weeks of his life. We were worried about the spread of the Coronavirus, concerned with traveling, but felt it was important to gather with my family and see Jim. We had no idea how quickly things would change that week. Even before returning to Iowa, the Archbishop had released his decision to cancel all public celebrations of the Mass. It was unbelievable to me, and I couldn’t imagine how to proceed in serving the people of Resurrection without joining in celebrating Mass together and sharing in the Sacraments. Even as we had begun to take a few precautionary measures to control the spread of germs in the Mass earlier in February and March, no one could have foreseen this unprecedented situation. So, I began to think: “Ok, how do we connect with our parishioners? How do we reach out them in prayer and support?” After talking with Fr. Phil, he informed me of their plan to share Mass with our parishioners by making a video recording on YouTube, and sharing that via the parish website and our parish Facebook page. This was a great start. I also felt the need to share and pray with our parishioners, so I released a presentation of “Songs and Prayers”, and have continued to share this via the internet on a weekly basis. We then began to discuss expanding our filming of the Mass by utilizing a videographer, parishisoner Craig Schaefer, who graciously volunteered to help us in this process. By utilizing better audio and visual production, we were able to add music to the Mass and capture more visuals of our sanctuary. We also began to implement an idea that I found on the internet, asking parishioners to send in their photos, so that we might place them in the pews as a “visible presence,” a reminder we are all still connected, even though we are socially distancing right now. Then we prepared for the Triduum, including more ministers such as readers and cantors, all while following the state guidelines and never having more than 10 people in the church. This has been our practice as well at all funerals. I know all to well how difficult it is for those who mourn during a time when you cannot gather with family, friends, and neighbors. My family said goodbye to my brother Jim on April 1

st, sharing memories and tears with my siblings in my

first “Zoom” meeting. This is a time without hugs. And yet, we continue to support those who must say goodbye to their loved ones in the best way we can: through praying the Mass, through homilies, music, and sharing in the Eucharist through Facebook, Zoom meetings and other technology that helps to “virtually” connect. While we continue to prepare and share our weekend Masses via the internet, we are already beginning to plan ahead for the day when we will return to church again. We want to accommodate people’s desires to continue to maintain social distancing, and we hope to have guidelines in place for that day when we gather again in prayer and worship. We want everyone to feel safe and welcome while celebrating the Mass together in our church. I look forward to the day when we can take down the pictures from the pews and see the REAL VISIBLE PRESENCE of Jesus in the faces of our parishioners, gathered again in our Resurrection Church.

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How do I...? By Mary Jo Dalsing

When Amy told me about the idea she found on the internet asking parishioners to submit a photo of their family to place in the pews, I thought, “What a neat idea!” Little did I know what would happen to my email “inbox” once her request was posted on Facebook! Almost immediately I was receiving emails with family photos attached. I started downloading and printing the photos, but could not keep up! I sat at my desk and watched my inbox explode. I could watch them pop in one after the other. I was laughing at how fast the message had spread to our parishioners when Fr. Tom walked in and wanted to know what was going on. We were both amused. The message was posted on Friday afternoon and on Monday morning I opened my email to over a hundred messages with photos and they were still coming as I started downloading and printing. It was great fun opening up each and every family photo and sending a brief response in return staying in contact with our parish community. Not quite the same as parishioners walking in the door, but still contact. Then there were the phone calls:

• Did the Archbishop really cancel Mass? Mass is never canceled.

• I heard Father was still saying Mass is that true? Yes, but it is being recorded and uploaded to our website and Facebook.

Then came the question—I can’t find the Mass. Can you help me? Our parish family and the greater Dubuque community were hungry and wanted to be fed the word and to celebrate Mass. So I explained to each and every one who had internet access on how they could find our daily Mass. There were times when I walked a person through the steps as they sat in front of their computer and clicked on the buttons as I explained the process. Then the question—where do I send my tithe?

• You can mail it to the office.

• You can drop it in the mail slot in the office door. So these days I hear the metal flap on the door open and close when someone stops by with their envelope. Some ring the doorbell and when I go to the window to see who is there they wave and tell me their envelope is on the floor. Others rap on my office window and wave as they head back to their car.

It has become the new normal for now, but I can hardly wait for the day when the parishioners are free to come and go from the parish office. Our parish family has been very supportive and appreciative of the forms of ministry we have been providing and will continue.

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