Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan is thrilled to announce Chris Smith as its new principal. Mr. Smith comes to Saint John’s with a wealth of experience and love of Catholic education. Prior to joining Saint John’s he was the principal at Faithful Shepherd Catholic School in Eagan, the Principal at Holy Spirit Catholic School in Rochester, and Assistant Principal at Saint Mary’s School in Owatonna. Mr. Smith Graduated from the University of Saint Thomas with a degree in History and Secondary Social Studies Education, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Education from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and most recently in 2016 a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Smith’s stated mission is “seeking to be an enthusiastic servant leader in a Christ-centered environment that challenges its members to know, love, and serve God to advance the common good.”
In reflecting on his responsibility as a Catholic school leader, Mr. Smith has this to say: “It is my responsibility as a Catholic school leader to create an environment where students, families, and staff can grow to deeply know God by intensifying their knowledge about and relationship with God. Catholic schools provide the opportunity for students, families, and staff to explore scripture and learn the Tradition and teachings of the faith in a way that allows them to use what they have learned to make decisions about major life events as well as everyday living situations. Catholic schools have the opportunity to show that they are willing to lead the Church through this time of change and growth. It is my mission as a Catholic school leader to assist students, families, and staff to recognize and develop their gifts to deeply know, humbly serve, and passionately love God and their neighbor so that the love of Christ may be known throughout the world.”
Mr. Smith and his wife Lynn have three children (Grace, Emma, Joey), two of whom are college graduates and one who is a senior in high school.
FUND-THE-NEED
9:30 AM Mass will be with our school children so public seating will be limited to just about a dozen pews. We would suggest you choose an alternate Mass time so that you are not inconvienced.
12:00 PM Mass
7:00 PM Mass
DeRoma, Herbert R. age 79, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at his home in Jordan, MN. Herb was born November 18, 1941 to Herb and Lula DeRoma. He grew up in South Minneapolis eventually graduating from De La Salle High School. Herb became a mess hall cook in the US Army. After his time in the army, he attended Mankato State University and graduated with a teaching degree. Herb taught 5th grade in South Minneapolis for 5 years before accepting the position of Director of Purchasing and Food Service with the Eden Prairie school district, a position he held for 27 years. On September 4, 1965, Herb was united in marriage to Marsha Bregel his loving wife of 40 years. They began their life together in Richfield prior to becoming longtime residents of Jordan. Herb always had a warm smile, kind word and maybe even a cute joke. His loves were family, friends, church and community. He was active throughout his life enjoying hunting, fishing, vegetable gardening and the simple pleasures of cooking, mowing the lawn and following the Minnesota Twins. He was an enthusiastic member of the Jordan Lions and could be found volunteering at funeral luncheons and other various church functions. Herb is survived by his loving partner Betty, his children Nick (Connie) and Mike (Tamara); his grandchildren Matthew, Samantha, Gaby and Max; and his siblings Kathy Spinner, Rich (Claudia) DeRoma and Jim (Dianne) DeRoma. Herb was preceded in death by wife Marsha and his parents. A private family funeral mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan, MN on Tuesday, February 16 at 11:00 a.m. The family invites you to join and celebrate with us virtually at sjbjordan.org. The family is appreciative of all the support that we have received since the announcement of Herb's passing. While flowers and plants are beautiful, the family requests that no flowers or plants are sent to the service or the family. Instead, please give flowers to the loved ones in your life. In lieu of donations in Herb's name, the family would prefer you donate to the charity of your choice.
CSAF 2021 DESIGNATED MINISTRIES IN BRIEF
Abria Pregnancy Resources - Offering a safe, non-judgmental and supportive
environment for women, teens and couples experiencing an unexpected pregnancy.
Locations in both Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
American Indian Ministry – Serving the American Indian community in our Archdiocese.
Offers a variety of programs, including funerals and a volunteer-led effort that returns
individuals back to their home reservation for burial.
Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (ACCW) – Uniting Catholic women in our
Archdiocese. ACCW supports, empowers, and educates women in spirituality, leadership,
and service.
Campus Ministry – Newman Center – Providing a welcoming, Catholic community that
encourages students to both encounter and share the abundant love of Christ.
Campus Ministry – Saint Paul’s Outreach (SPO) - Building Catholic communities that
awaken faith on campus and form lifelong disciples. Serves over a thousand college
students directly on or near the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and the University of
St. Thomas campuses.
Catholic Charities – Serving those most in need, Catholic Charities is a leader in solving
poverty, creating opportunity, and advocating for justice in the community.
Deaf Ministry – Providing pastoral care and the full scope of liturgy and the sacraments for
deaf Catholics.
Elementary School Funding – Providing financial support to Catholic elementary schools
in great need.
Elementary School Scholarships – Supporting students in need at every Catholic
elementary school in our Archdiocese. CSAF raises the funds for these scholarships and
partners with the Aim Higher Foundation which facilitates the collection of information and
distribution of scholarships.
Evangelization – Creating opportunities for people to encounter Jesus Christ and
working to build a Church of missionary disciples to bring the truth of the Gospel to
others.
High School Scholarships – Funding scholarships for the neediest students at 14 Catholic
high schools within the Saint Paul / Minneapolis area.
Hospital Chaplains – Serving thousands of Catholics each year, including via the Covid
Anointing Corps, by providing religious and sacramental care, resources on ethical issues,
crisis support, and bereavement care to the suffering, dying, and grieving.
Latino Ministry – Supporting more than 32 programs or Latino Catholics in 23 parishes of
the Archdiocese that have active Latino ministry.
Office of Marriage, Family, and Life – Promoting Catholic marriages and nurturing the
Catholic faith and virtuous living in families. Includes support for the engaged, newly
married, disabled, and pro-life outreach.
Prison Ministry – Providing the sacraments and spiritual direction to the incarcerated.
Rachel’s Vineyard Twin Cities – Offering retreats for individuals who seek healing from
abortion. These retreats provide a supportive, confidential, and non-judgmental
environment where the process of restoration, renewal and healing can begin.
Seminarian Tuition, Room and Board – Strengthening the local Church by assisting with
the tuition, room and board for seminarians studying to be future priests for our
Archdiocese, both at Saint John Vianney College Seminary and at the Saint Paul
Seminary.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Twin Cities – Providing assistance to those in need
by working with parishes and businesses, coordinating donations of food, including fresh
produce, and clothing, with distribution via area and parish food shelves, pop-up stores,
permanent storefronts in both Saint Paul and Minneapolis, civic agencies, and direct
distribution.
Venezuelan Mission – Sustaining a missionary presence in Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela,
including providing spiritual care and the sacraments, food, clothing, hygiene items,
medical aid, and education assistance to orphans, the elderly, and the impoverished.
Youth Ministry – Ministering to teens and youth ministers including sponsoring the annual
Archdiocesan Youth Day.
Kathleen “Kathy” Kersting, age 90, of Jordan, MN, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Friday, January 22, 2021, at Oak Terrace Senior Living, in Jordan.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 29, at 11 am, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 313 E. Second Street, Jordan. Guests can arrive after 10:30 am and will be immediately seated. Friends and family can view the service by visiting sjbjordan.org and clicking on the live stream tab. Father Neil Bakker will preside. Kathy’s sons, Mike, Mark, Gary and Kevin and grandsons, Zachary and Jacob will act as pallbearers, with honorary pallbearer, son, Steve. She will be laid to rest at St. John Calvary Cemetery, Jordan.
In Preston Village in Fillmore County, MN, Kathleen Doris was born on March 23, 1930 to proud parents Arnold and Maybelle (Ward) Friemann. The oldest of four children, she was raised in St. Paul, MN, with siblings, Sally, Rita, and Tom.
Kathy’s life was blessed with meeting Cliff Kersting, at a ballroom in St. Paul, MN. Their love story began and on September 30, 1950, Kathy and Cliff were united in Holy Matrimony at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, in St. Paul. They settled down in Jordan, taking over the Kersting family farm. It was here, Kathy and Cliff welcomed their first seven children, Karen, Mike, Steve, Linda, Mark, Gary, and Julie. They continued farming for several years until Cliff hurt his back. Kathy and Cliff sold the farm and started a new chapter in town.
On April 1, 1962, Kathy and Cliff established Kersting’s Bar in Jordan, with the slogan “Meet Your Friends Here!” While living in the town of Jordan, they welcomed two more children, Kevin, and Kathy. For the next 27 years, Cliff tended bar, while Kathy maintained the books for the business. Kathy could be found serving drinks, playing cards with the patrons, and listening to their stories, when Cliff needed a nap or a break. As the kids grew up, they too helped with daily tasks at the bar.
Kathy’s passion for traveling truly started in 1969, when she and other family members were able to travel to New York. After Kathy and Cliff retired on August 31, 1989, they were able to expand their travels in the motorhome, with exploring the United States, Alaska and Canada. Kathy and Cliff also traveled abroad to Europe, Ireland and Germany. For over 20 years, they spent winters in Texas.
Kathy’s days were filled with the many activities of raising nine children and working side by side with Cliff. Besides family and work, Kathy did find time to play. She participated in bowling leagues, enjoyed cards, board games, bingo and being the caller at the Schule Haus. She and Cliff spent countless hours playing the card game Big Bertha.
The Kersting family would like to thank the staff at Allina Hospice and Oak Terrace for their support, kindness and care Kathy received.
A devout Catholic, Kathy was a caring, loving, and supportive wife, mother, grandma and great grandma. She will be forever loved and missed by children, Karen (Roy) Williams, Mike (Marleen) Kersting, Steve (Sue) Kersting, Linda (Terry) Beuch, Mark Kersting, Gary (Marti) Kersting, Julie (Ron) Nichols, Kevin (Adriana) Kersting, Kathy (Mark) Ewing; many, many grandchildren; many great grandchildren; siblings, Sally Nunn, Rita Brezniak, Tom (Betty) Friemann; other relatives and friends.
Kathleen proceeded in death by husband of 69 years, Cliff; grandsons, Ross Williams and Jason Beuch.
Wilma Lambrecht, age 82, of Jordan, MN, entered eternal peace on Tuesday, December 29, 2020, at St. Gertrude’s Health Care Center, in Shakopee, MN.
A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 8, at 11 am, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 313 Second Street East, Jordan. Masks are required and guests may arrive after 10:30 am and immediately seated in the church. Guests may also join via live streaming, by visiting sjbjordan.org and clicking on the live stream tab. Father Neil Bakker will preside and grandchildren will be acting as urn bearers. Wilma will be laid to rest at St. John Calvary Cemetery.
Wilma was born in Bark, Germany on July 24, 1938. Growing up in Germany during WWII and its aftermath, she experienced many challenges. It was these challenges, unbeknown to Wilma were instilled in her, the values of caring for others, unconditional love, and hard work. Wilma was the only child to Georg and Irma (Luthje) Urbanczyk.
Wilma’s life was blessed with meeting an American soldier, Lloyd Lambrecht, who was serving his country during the Korean War. She was working at a restaurant nearby the base when Wilma was introduced to Lloyd. Over the next several years their love story was deepened. Lloyd’s father sponsored Wilma allowing her to come to the states, so she and Lloyd could begin a new life together. On September 26, 1959, they were united in marriage, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, in Jordan. They eventually settled down in Jordan where Wilma and Lloyd raised two children, Christine, and Paul.
When Wilma came to the United States, she needed to learn the English language. With the help of many family and co-workers, Wilma succeeded! Wilma loved sharing her German heritage and music with family and friends. Through the years, Wilma was especially proud and excited to return to Germany to visit her parents and to show Lloyd, friends and even a few grandchildren, the original homestead and taking them to the local attractions. Germany will always hold a special place in her heart, but on February 11, 1981 Wilma became a United States Citizen. She was so proud of this accomplishment.
Wilma always had a gentle and caring heart. She spent most of her career as a housekeeper and tending to the needs of the less fortunate. The residents of Lynnville Treatment Center, Valley View Nursing Home and St. Gertrude’s Health and Rehabilitation Center were blessed to have Wilma on their side. She also extended her waitressing abilities to the local supper club.
Being surrounded by family was most important in Wilma’s life. She relished the days, as the children grew up, vacationing in Northern Minnesota fishing, golfing, and making memories. In the later years, Wilma loved going to the cabins Chris and Paul have in Waubay, SD. She looked forward to the next family birthday party, special event, or holiday. Wilma was an active grandma. She loved to attend the grandchildren’s school and sporting events. Life was once again blessed for Wilma becoming a great grandma. Their smiles and laughter brought her joy!
After the passing of Lloyd in 1995, Wilma kept pressing on in life. She loved getting together and socializing with friends, especially her Saturday night church friends. Wilma never had a driver’s license and depended on others to take her places. In return, Wilma was always certain to treat them with a good meal, flowers, or a special gift. She also became an avid sports fan. Wilma loved cheering on the Minnesota Timberwolves, Vikings and even the college teams. In her spare time, Wilma enjoyed word find books, listening to German music and the group ABBA.
Forever loved, Wilma will be sadly missed by children, Christine (David) Holzer, Paul (Tammy) Lambrecht; grandchildren, Nicole (Bryan) Erkkila, Amanda (Karl) Bitschenauer, Tayla Lambrecht, Crista Lambrecht: great grandchildren, Parker Erkkila, Morgan Erkkila, Lilli Bitschenauer, Evalyn Bitschenauer, Everett Bitschenauer, Luca Bitchenauer and Greta Bitschenauer.
Wilima is preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Lambrecht and parents, Georg and Irma Urbanczyk.
CHRISTMAS COMMUNION
If you have not been able to attend Mass due to the Coronavirus, and would like to receive Communion during the Christmas Season, sign-up for a 10 minute spot. Come to the gathering-space door at your assigned time. Come inside and wait for Father to begin the communion service. If you are a couple, simply sign-up for one spot.
Please note - this is not for people who can regularly receive communion at Mass (weekend or daily Mass), but for those who have not been able to come to Mass because of the Coronavirus. Please give those people an opportunity to sign-up by not taking a spot on the list. Thank you!