Faith+Values: Dad's book on money became a guide to life

Authors often say that they wrote their books for their children, but in Rob Severson's case, it's no stretch. He really did write "Connecting Peace, Purpose & Prosperity" for his daughters and grandchildren, sometimes even starting anecdotes by saying, "I'm sure you remember the time. ... "

A former bank president who runs a financial consulting business in Deephaven, he had envisioned the book as a guide to budgeting and money management. Instead, it became a guide to life.

"I started out writing about money, because that was my area of expertise," he said. "But I soon realized that money decisions should be goal-based, and then I turned my attention to what those goals might be."

He defined what he sees as the three fundamentals of a successful life: acknowledging God's presence, embracing a strong work ethic and finding a mission in life.

Severson, 62, hired an editor to help him prepare the book for what was going to be a family-only press run. She talked him into offering it on a wider basis. It's available for $12.95 from www.robseverson.com and amazon.com. (The first website is for his business, which has a link to the information about the book.)

One nice thing about going public, he said, is that kids think that everyone else's parents are smarter than their own, so even if his kids don't heed his message, others might.

"My ultimate dream would be to help others with what I have learned and to have guys my vintage say: 'That's what I'd like to tell my kids, but they don't want my advice; maybe they'd listen to this guy,'" he said.

KTIS, the radio station started by Billy Graham when he was president of Northwestern College (which still operates it), is sponsoring a daylong outdoor music festival next weekend.

The Joyful Noise Family Fest kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday at the National Sports Center in Blaine, with the last band scheduled to take the stage at 9 p.m. In addition to the music, organizers are promising "wholesome community fun."

"We wanted to put on an event that emphasizes the importance of families and the value of spending time with one another," said Morgan Wood, the station's promotions director.

There will be two music stages, with the performers including Mercy Me, Lincoln Brewster and the Minnesota Teen Challenge Choir. A complete schedule of the music, as well as a list of other events, is available at www.joyfulnoisefamilyfest.com.

Tickets are $27 (free for those under 5). Groups of five or more get a $5 discount per ticket. Parking is free. Tickets are available until Thursday on the fest's website and by phone from Northwestern at 651-631-5151; tickets also will be available at the gate starting at 10 a.m. the day of the event. Check the website for things you should bring with you (lawnchairs and sunscreen) and things you can't (pets).

The Basilica of St. Mary's annual blessings of pets and cars are extremely popular. So it's offering something new on Sunday: a blessing of bicycles. The idea grew out of parishioners' increased interest in biking, which dovetails nicely with the basilica's green movement. Plus, it sounded like fun.

The blessing welcomes all bikers, regardless of age or whether they're members. Events start at 11 a.m. with exhibits and demonstrations. Cyclists will gather on the basilica lawn at 1:15 p.m., with the blessing scheduled for 1:30 p.m. It will be followed by a group ride at 2 p.m. (Helmets are required; the patron saint of bicyclists, Madonna Del Ghisallo, believed in common sense.)

Mass will be held as usual at 11:30 a.m. There will be secure parking available for bikers who want to attend.

For the fourth time in the past six years, the Catholic Spirit, official newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, has been named the best large-circulation diocesan newspaper in North America.

That was just one of the awards the paper claimed last weekend at the annual Catholic Media Convention in Anaheim, Calif. In addition to being honored for its "general excellence," it won 11 other individual awards, including first-place prizes for articles by reporters Maria Wiering and Dave Hrbacek.

The impending promotion of the Rev. Lee Piché to auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is prompting several new appointments.

The Rev. Paul Sirba will become moderator of the curia and vicar general, the position currently held by Piché. However, Piché will retain the title of vicar general (there now will be two).

In addition, the Rev. John Paul Erickson will become full-time director of the Office of Worship, a position he has been holding part-time. Meanwhile, Sirba, who has been serving as spiritual formation director at the St. Paul Seminary, will be replaced there by the Rev. Jeffrey Huard.

Piché assumes his new duties June 29; the other changes are effective July 1.

Jeff Strickler • 612-673-7392