There is a true story about astronaut John Young smuggling a corned-beef sandwich aboard the Gemini 3 mission to space in 1965. NASA engineers had required that all the food to be consumed by the astronauts in space be compressed or puréed and put into tubes. This was done so that, in the weightlessness of space, food crumbs would not float into the spacecraft electronics and instruments and cause problems.

Astronaut Young ignored the food directive and tucked away a corned-beef sandwich in the pocket of his spacesuit (the remains of the sandwich are still in a museum in Indiana). At some point in the mission Young pulled the sandwich out, took one bite, noticed some drifting crumbs, and remarked, "It’s breaking up. I am going to stick it in my pocket."

Such tiny crumbs yet they could have wreaked great havoc. A corned-beef sandwich could have cost us the moon! 

That is one of the central lessons of the season of Lent. Pay attention to the little things. Often it can be one little shift in attitude, one brief remark, or even a subtle expression on our face that can have a big effect – positive or negative.  

If it feels like your journey through Lent is starting to break up, focus on the little things. Do the small, basic things well and all else will line up. Big blessings will follow. 

Fr. Dennis Zehren
Pastor

Join us for one or both of our upcoming Lenten Fish Dinners hosted by the Knights of Columbus! Tickets must be purchased in advance and Take-out is not available.

Friday, March 14   5:00 PM - 6:30 PM (Tickets are no longer available)         
 
Friday, April 4  5:00 PM - 6:30 PM (Tickets sold through Noon on Wednesday, April 2) 

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets and for more information. 

Are you planning to attend college or vocational school in the fall of 2025? Or are you a returning college/vocational student? The CCW is offering three college scholarships in the amount of $1000 each.

Saturday, March 29th, 2025 
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Church of St. Raphael - Crystal, MN
 
Join us for a morning of prayer, reflection and community with other moms! (Infants are welcome!)
 
Take some time away to prepare your heart for Christ's Resurrection with a renewing and reflective morning.
 
Join us as we learn to embrace the peace that can found in imperfection and explore the journey of becoming who God created us to be. Together, we’ll discover how God’s mercy transforms our brokenness into opportunities for growth, and how joy and grace are found along the way. Come as you are—beloved, unique, and full of purpose!
 
Cost: $35 (Reserve your spot by February 20th using the code BLESSED10 and receive $10 off your registration fee! Don't forget to invite your friends!)