Over the past couple of weeks, the coronavirus numbers have skyrocketed in our county. The church I serve, Randall Presbyterian, has yet to resume in-person services and continues to worship online. Earlier this week, the Little Falls Community School District made the difficult decision to …
We continue to navigate through a difficult time with the election season in full swing, the ongoing event of the pandemic, the unsettling news of riots and vandalism and certainly more can be added to the list. In many ways we could use the image of a storm to express our difficult societal…
In my daily reading this morning I was very blessed as I read this Psalm. I could see that God was retelling the story of creation and all that God has done for man from the beginning.
On Saturday, Sept. 5, at 1 p.m. (EDT) at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, the Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, will confer the Sacrament of Holy Orders on Rev. Mr. Vincent Nguyen, C.S.C., Rev…
John 20:22 from Eugene Peterson’s The Message translation says this: “Then he (Jesus) took a deep breath and breathed into them. ‘Receive the Holy Spirit,’ he said.”
Is someone running across my roof? That was the first thought that came to mind as I heard banging and crashing overhead late one night.
Matthew 7:24 — “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the …
Dear friends, and if you are reading this inspiration article, I consider you a friend, has the year 2020 left you feeling rather battered or frustrated? Perhaps even edging into despair? January and February were annoying enough with all the impeachment uproar in Washington, D.C., and then …
In the Bible, in the book of John, Chapter 10:10 the last half of that verse says, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” For a few moments today, I just want you to think about what an abundant life means and how we can obtain an abundant life.
Some people use the word “hope” with a sense of uncertainty. They “hope” life will get better, or they “hope” they don’t get sick. They “hope” they will have enough money for retirement. They “hope” for a better future for their children and loved ones. They “hope” for peace on earth. They “…
Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868 as a day to honor the soldiers who died during the American Civil War. Today we honor all War veterans, men and women who have given their lives for our country.
When Little Falls Community Schools canceled what would’ve been its 10th annual Day of Caring in light of the coronavirus pandemic, local faith organizations stepped in.
COVID-19 as of the date of this writing, April 13, has successfully done what has been talked about in science fiction novels where the earth stopped turning. Of course, in that fictional story the people were falling up into the sky. I don’t know how or why since there still would have been…
According to some of the experts at the Barna Group, there are more people watching online services than who attended church on a Sunday mornings before the virus.
Christ is risen! During this Easter season, we take in the different accounts of the early disciples who encounter the Risen Lord. So many of them began that Easter morning with very heavy hearts. It was hard for them to make sense of what good could come out of Good Friday. It would be Jesu…
The practice of religion is declining in our country. Fewer people are claiming to belong to a church or synagogue, to subscribe to religious faith, to worship with other people. Fewer seek religious rituals for the significant events of their lives (e.g., marriages or funerals). The profess…
This isn’t what I expected this day to be like. Today is my last Sunday as the children’s pastor at Living Hope Church. Today we were supposed to do a fundraiser for our kids missions project, that would end up with me getting multiple pies in my face. Today we were supposed to have cake and…
The phrase “we’re in this together” is circling the U.S., perhaps the globe, as humankind is asked to distance themselves from one another.
Services at First Baptist Church in Little Falls are on hold through April 1.
First United Church of Little Falls announced it has canceled worship services and Bible study through Palm Sunday, April 5.
Fr. Ben Kociemba, Fr. Jimmy Joseph, and Fr. Mark Botzet, pastors of the six Little Falls area parishes, including St. Mary’s, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. James in Randall, St. Stanislaus in Sobieski and Sacred Heart in Flensburg, will offer and con-celebrate Sunday Mass live on KLTF Radio, AM 9…
The parishioners of St. Francis, located on Highway 238 south of Upsala, must cancel the performance of “Journey with Jesus to Calvary” that was set for Wednesday, April 1, Saturday, April 4 and Palm Sunday, April 5.
Bishop Donald Kettler released the following message Tuesday, March 17:
Due to concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls have cancelled the following events. (Please remove any of these events that appear on your online Calendar of Events.) Thank you for informing the public and for your understanding.
First United Church of Little Falls is canceling worship services and Bible study through Palm Sunday, April 5.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pierz has been undergoing an outdoor facelift over the past several years. With a little more work needed, so are more funds.
Christian, have you ever felt like Jesus is disappointed in you? While you are feeling the guilt of something you just did wrong, can’t you just “see” his frown of disapproval?
Laughing. Dancing. Having a good time and making memories that will last a lifetime. That is what the Father-Daughter Ball is all about, said Justin Juelke, event coordinator.
The Hands of Joy Mission Group from Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls, put together sun dresses made out of pillow cases to be sent to children in third world countries. Deb Cermak said the group, which included five sewers and a number of pinners and cutters, put together 18 dresses in t…
Dec. 5, 2019, will be a day that I remember for the remainder of my life. I had just completed my annual physical at the VA and was then settling in the for the night. Going to bed at 10 p.m. I was surprised at 1:30 a.m. the morning of Dec. 6, 2019, of an elephant sitting on my chest, pain i…
Now it is Lent, and the beauty of our Christian tradition brings us great assurance. There is a loving power at work in the very midst of our own sinfulness. It moves us to a better, more wholesome, more human, and even more divine way of living. This loving reality does not require us to be…
The story has been often repeated, but never grows old, say organizers of re-enactment of the final days of Jesus Christ.
Those old shoes that have been sitting in the back of the closet for years. The blue sweater a family member gave one year for Christmas, but was never worn. A dress that rarely ever makes its way off of the hanger.
The pressures in middle school and high school are enormous and come in many forms. Teachers have the crazy expectations that middle school boys should not be pulling the pony tails of the cute girls that sit in front of them. Teachers should know better than to tempt young boys with a seati…
Now it is Lent. This season reflects and represents the yearnings of the human heart as we stand before our own poverty. If you received the ashes this past Wednesday, you may have heard the words: “You are dust and unto dust you shall return.” Even if you did not hear those particular words…
Growing up in Central California, we didn’t get a lot of snow. I can recall three times as a child when I saw snow falling. To call it snow would be laughable by Minnesota standards, but to us it was amazing: microscopic snowflakes lightly drifting to the ground; the sparkle in the air as th…
Some days my life seems to just be a repeat of the day before. My customary beginning pretty much starts the same way, but my expectations are always different, as I am sure most of your days are similar.
If you are anything like me, the days following Christmas hold elements of sadness. The anticipation and excitement of Christmas have worn off. It is now more than ever that I need to remind myself the hope Christ gave when he came in humility as a baby is a hope we can cling to all year. As…
God knows how to give good gifts to his children. Compared to our gift-giving (which isn’t to shabby, right?), God’s is infinitely better. Jesus, himself said “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good t…
(Editor’s Note: Sr. Elise Saggau, a Franciscan Sister, is sharing “Advent Reflections” during the four Sundays of Advent.)
A few weeks ago during a “Breaking News” story it was reported that a boy was lost and more than 600 friends and neighbors and concerned citizens had gone out looking for him. As more details were shared, we were told that the boy had started playing with his dog after school before he disappeared.
Lord what do you want your people to hear? 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
According to the Pew Research Center, the percentage of U.S. citizens who regard themselves as Christian has dropped 12 points in the last decade. We hear people say that science has disproved God and the Bible and church is no longer relevant. This stands in contrast to the early church rec…
From a first worship group numbering 75 people to a current membership of about 360, the last 10 years have been an eventful and profound spiritual journey for the congregation of Faith Lutheran Church in Little Falls, as members will attest.
Faith is a word that is so interchangeable in the English language. We sometimes use the word “hope” or “trust” or “wish” instead of faith for example. Sometimes we even use the word “faith” when describing a church that one belongs too or maybe a denomination.
Have you every found yourself in a desert place? Maybe you looked up one day and felt very much like you were in a wilderness in life. The season felt long, cold and perhaps without purpose.
We don’t often give this question much thought, but it is very important. It is just as important for us to know where we have our roots, spiritually, as it is to know where we have planted our carrots, peas and beans or even from where our ancestors came.
There are many reactions to this statement but, whatever your reaction, realize that your education and your response to your education could affect the rest of your life.
Gilbrian Stoy, Congregation of the Holy Cross (CSC), will profess Perpetual Vows with four others at 9:30 a.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind.
Many times in a person’s life, a quiet place is needed to pray for help, hope and healing. That’s what the new chapel at St. Mary’s Church in Little Falls is meant to offer those who enter its doors. And all are welcome — people of all faith traditions.
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