
For 30 years, Deacon Jim Schulzetenberg and his wife Bonnie have taught marriage preparation. In addition, Deacon Jim worked with youth ministry and Bonnie worked in religious education.
They served hundreds of families in their work, and although their passion for service remained unchanged, Deacon Jim sensed a change in those they serve. This sparked a big idea.
They wanted to introduce family life ministry into the communities he serves through the Five Star Area Catholic Community. The ACC includes the parishes of St. Joseph in Grey Eagle, St. John the Baptist in Swanville, St. Joseph in Clarissa, Christ the King in Browerville and St. Mary of Mount Carmel in Long Prairie.
“[Through our ministry, Bonnie and I have] talked to families to see where they are at, and we have found out that they need more than what our current parish ministries are giving them,” Deacon Schulzetenberg said. “They are slipping through the cracks, and we don’t have anything in place to help them.”
With the support of the priests in their ACC, Father Joseph Herzing and Father Gabriel Walz, The Schulzetenbergs enlisted five other couples to consider the best way to proceed. They came up with the idea of first hosting a family-friendly event to introduce families to one another.
The Family Life Fun Fest was held at the end of September. The nearly 75 attendees experienced food, games, prizes and prayer – all at no cost – due to a grant awarded through the Bridge- Builders for a Thriving Mission initiative.
“What we see with families is that, in their busyness, they lose the opportunity to together and be community together,” Father Herzing said. “Having fun family days with prayer included really fulfills a need for people.”
The Schulzetenbergs and the family life committee intend to plan another fun fest to bring families together.
“We hope to invite all Catholic families and let them know they are valued, treasured and that we would love to have them as part of our parish community,” Deacon Jim said.
“There’s a place for your family in the Church,” Bonnie added.
Sam Rahberg, associate director of Bridge-Builders for a Thriving Mission, enjoys seeing these big ideas come to life.
“The beauty of a big idea lies in the resulting story,” Rahberg said. “A story where those with big ideas can say, ‘We felt a nudge by God, we dreamed together, we worked shoulder to shoulder and we celebrate the impact this project as a sign of God’s abundant grace.”
To learn more about Bridge-Builders, visit https://www.thrivingmission.org/.