Blog Archives

Small Groups Update

2/28/2019

Small Groups Update Seven adult small groups will launch the week of February 24th, and will meet for 8 weeks. Small groups discuss life and faith, reflect on God's Word together, and apply the Sunday readings to daily life. There are no teachers in small groups, trained parishioners facilitate conversations. There are still some spots available in the Men's groups, but the other groups are full. You are welcome to be put on a waiting list if you like. Thank you for the great response! Please contact David Alcott if interested.

From the Desk of Father Martin - February 24, 2019

2/27/2019

Praised be Jesus Christ! Have you ever heard of the Passion Play of Oberammergau? Every ten years this little Bavarian village of about 5,000 inhabitants puts on an unforgettable version of the Passion of the Christ. And nearly a half million pilgrims from all around the world come to one of the 100 performances that take place between May and October. They’ve been doing this in Oberammergau since 1633 when a plague raged in most of Europe. The people of Oberammergau promised to put on the Passion Play every ten years if only the plague would stop. Their prayers were answered and the people have been keeping their end of the bargain ever since. The next performances are scheduled for 2020 and maybe some of you would like to go. Although it is still a ways off, we’re beginning to make tentative plans to travel with Mater Dei again and this time it would include Germany, Austria, a wee bit of Slovakia, and of course the aforementioned Passion Play of Oberammergau. Tentative dates are August 17-28th, 2020 and the approximate cost would be well over $4,000.00 per person (the Passion Play brings in income that must sustain the village for a decade, so it’s not inexpensive). I mention this now because some must ask for days off a long time in advance, and I wanted you to know all about this in the event that you’ll have to start saving your pennies. Juan Landa, the owner of Mater Dei, told me you can call 1-800-515-2632 to get on the list to receive a free brochure once it is ready. Other features will be seeing some of the best wood carver’s shops in the world, as well as Neuschwanstein Castle (the template used by Walt Disney for his castles at Disney World). An extensive visit to Munich (and the Hofbrauhaus) is a must before heading south to beautiful Salzburg, Austria. As you might already know, Salzburg is where the musical “The Sound of Music” was filmed and we’ll get both the Hollywood tour and then the tour based on the actual historical events that happened to the Von Trapp family. A few short stops in Austria and then we’ll end in Vienna, a city that is steeped in history and culture. If any of this sounds like something you’d like to do, please call the number listed above. Now getting a brochure does not mean you’re on the trip – that cannot be secured until all the details are finalized and a down payment is sent in. In the past we’ve tried to open these trips first to our parishioners (i.e. Christ the King and Saint John the Baptist), and when our people have had a week or two to decide, then we open to the general public. We have the enviable problem of sometimes having more interest than space! A trip like this intrigues me because I have not visited many of the places on the itinerary. But more than that, the high altars at Saint John’s were built by the Hackners who came from this part of Germany – I hope to see if some of their skills are still being passed on in the shops that we’re certain to visit. After all, their legacy is one that has stood the test of time and might stand for another century or two. We live during a very different time, one in which I wonder if anything we leave behind will last very long (just think of how quickly phones wear out or become obsolete). Without digressing further, allow me to end with a quote from Saint Augustine: “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read but one page.”
May God help us to keep our eyes wide open during our earthly pilgrimage, that we may see Him in His children!
Your friend in Christ, Father Martin

St. John’s Women’s Retreat

2/26/2019

St. John’s Women’s Retreat : Swimming Upstream: Keeping the Faith in a Secular World. - Laura Boronski, singer, songwriter, and national speaker will lead an all day retreat at St. John’s school on Sat., March 9th. The day begins at 9am and ends at 4pm. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. You must register by March 1st to attend by calling the Parish office at 715-384-3252. There is limited seating. No charge but a free-will offering will be taken. Laura will also be leading the Stations of the Cross in song at St. John’s on Friday, March 8th at 5:15pm.

Homily for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

2/25/2019

Listen to the homily for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time from St. John the Baptist Church:

Click here to listen

Local Wisconsin town celebrates Blessed James Miller

2/22/2019

From the Church

It’s not every day that you have a saint buried in your local cemetery. The unincorporated, rural town of Ellis, Wisconsin (originally known as “Poland Corners”), will soon become a pilgrimage site as a farm-boy from the community will be beatified later this year.

Read More...

Join a Small Group!

2/21/2019

Join a Small Group! Seven adult small groups will launch the week of February 24th, and will meet for 8 weeks. Small groups discuss life and faith, reflect on God's Word together, and apply the Sunday readings to daily life. There are no teachers in small groups, trained parishioners facilitate conversations. Please contact David Alcott if interested, 715-384-3252 ext. 6, or evangelize@frontier.com * More information can be found in bulletin insert.

From the Desk of Father Martin - February 20, 2019

2/20/2019

Praised be Jesus Christ! A friend of mine shared the following with me: “The late great Charles Schultz... was a keen observer of personality and psychology, a social commentator, and even a kind of father figure. His Peanuts comic strip was in newspapers for fifty years and continues to be re-printed in many. In one episode, Lucy and Charlie Brown are talking about their dads. Lucy declares “My Dad is a better bowler than your Dad!” She continues with some facts about his bowling prowess. “He has a 185 average in his Monday night league, a 170 average in his Thursday night league, and a 204 average in his Friday night league!” finishing with her arms triumphantly in the air. Charlie Brown, having listened patiently with his arms behind his back simply said, “My Dad stays home at night.” Sometimes wisdom comes in such simple ways. My friend shared this anecdote as a part of his Father’s Day article some years ago, but it’s an insight that is timely for all of us as we yearn for the weather to finally allow us to break free from cabin fever. And while many people are busy, sometimes that is by choice more than circumstance. It’s one thing if a person is working two jobs to makes ends meet. But it’s a very different scenario if a person is signed up for a variety of groups and activities that, while enhancing their social life, takes them away from their family. We live in a time of unparalleled opportunities, but we need to learn discernment if we’re to avoid living fragmented lives. One of the benefits of growing closer to God is that He helps us find the right balance for living more and more for Him and for others. A life without God can turn in on itself, and then no amount of entertainment is ever enough. People who learn to pray also learn to think more instinctively of others, and this can lead to truly loving and being loved. Because prayer is a discipline that takes years to perfect, we might not give it enough time to truly affect the deepest part of ourselves. For example, if we only memorize a few prayers and sporadically say one or two, it’s not likely that we’re really being vulnerable with God. I remember being very frustrated with God because I was not playing well during my senior year of basketball. It was the most “real” I had ever been with God, as I was sad enough to cry and to beg God to help all of my hard work pay off. In retrospect, I was praying for what I wanted (or what I thought I needed or deserved) – not the best thing, but not the worst thing either. We have to begin somewhere, and for most of us prayer is our response to something we cannot control or overcome on our own. But that’s an authentic beginning and a much better response than to just immerse ourselves in other things. For example, Lucy’s Dad must not be all that happy in his marriage and with his family – why else would he tolerate being gone every other night? Staying home is harder when we don’t feel connected to God and to the people in our lives. It’s then that the restlessness gets the better of us and we feel bored and listless and are just looking for something to do. Someone once said that the problem with us is that we cannot abide our own company for more than five minutes! But for those who learn to pray, this changes slowly but surely. Ask anyone who began to make a Holy Hour once a week – at first an hour seemed like eternity, but gradually it has become such a blessing that it is never enough to receive all that God wants to give. The point is that Lucy’s Dad doesn’t have to give up bowling (I wouldn’t if I was that good!) – but if he prayed more, he would have more time for his family because his heart would be in a better place. Maybe we should pray more too...
May God bless all parents with the grace to love their children by spending quality time with them!
Your friend in Christ, Father Martin

Men’s Renewal Retreat in Marshfield

2/19/2019

Men’s Renewal Retreat – Mfld. - Feb. 23, 9am-3pm It is great to be a man! It’s also a great challenge and at times even a battle. Plan to attend a one-day retreat that will focus on practical ways to become the man, father, husband, son that God intended. Because you were made for more! The retreat leader, Fr. Guiseppe, who some call “Chuck Norris in a habit” will challenge men to be who they were made to be! Retreat held at St. John the Baptist, 201 W Blodgett St, Marshfield, WI. Cost: $20/person in advance (Includes morning snack and lunch) - $25 at the door. Register at https://menofthecross.org/

Homily for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

2/18/2019

Listen to the homily for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time from St. John the Baptist Church:

Click here to listen

St. Paul VI's feast day to be May 29

2/15/2019

From the Church

"Pope Francis, assenting to the petitions and desires of the People of God, has decreed that the celebration of Pope Saint Paul VI, should be inserted into the Roman Calendar on 29 May with the rank of optional memorial,” reads a declaration from the Vatican’s liturgy congregation.

The date thus recognizes the anniversary of priestly ordination of this pontiff (1897-1978), who was elected as pope in 1963.

Francis canonized him last October.

Read More...

MASS SCHEDULE
Sunday: 8:00 & 10:00 AM
Saturday: 4:00 PM
Tuesday & Thursday: 8:30 AM
Communion Service:
Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 8:30 AM

SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
Saturday: 3:15 - 3:45 PM

OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Friday: Closed

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Welcome from Our Pastor

Welcome to Christ the King Catholic Church! Ever since 1938 this parish has been assisting souls in their quest for deeper union with God. Our mission statement is essentially found in the stained glass window above the main altar: “For Christ our King.” Insofar as God made us and we belong to Him, we have come to... Read More

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