Blog Archives - Christ the King Church

Seminarians Say They Were Encouraged by Priests, Friends, Parishioners and Mothers to Follow the Call

4/29/2016

News from the USCCB:
Ordination Class Of 2016: Encouragement, Active Participation In Parish Life, Ministry, Are Key Factors In Discernment Process, Answering The Call - WASHINGTON—The 2016 class of men ordained to the priesthood report that they were, on average, about 17 when they first considered a vocation to the priesthood and encouraged to consider a vocation by an average of four people. Seven in 10 (70 percent) say they were encouraged by a parish priest, as well as friends (48 percent), parishioners (46 percent), and mothers (42 percent). On average, they lived in the diocese or eparchy for which they will be ordained for 15 years before entering seminary. Religious ordinands knew the members of their religious institute an average of five years before entering. The total number of potential ordinands for the class of 2016….Read More

News from the Vatican:
ABP Pierre, new Nuncio to USA: 'Pope's message is the Gospel' - (Vatican Radio) Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the newly-appointed Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America, says the message of Pope Francis for the American people is the message of the Gospel. Archbishop Christophe Pierre was appointed to the post by the Holy Father on 12 April, having previously served as the Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti, Uganda, and most recently Mexico for nine years.….Read More

News from the Church:
Pope to Teens: Jesus Is the Joy of Your Christian Identity - VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis on Saturday heard the confessions of young people in St. Peter’s Square as part of the weekend’s “Jubilee for Boys and Girls.” Sitting on simple chairs out in the open along with other priests just within the square’s colonnade, the Pope offered the sacrament of reconciliation to 16 boys and girls between 11:30am and 12:45pm, the Vatican Press Office said. More than 150 priests were in the square to hear confessions, according to Vatican Radio. This is not the first time Pope Francis has heard the confessions of pilgrims. Most recently, the Pope took part in a penance service during the March 4 “24 Hours for the Lord.”…Read more

Sign-up for Vacation Bible School & Adventure Camp

4/28/2016

Parachute with the Angels and St. Catherine Labouré is the theme of this summer’s Vacation Bible School/Kidz Camp at St. John the Baptist Church. This camp is for ages 3 through 6th grade and will be held from July 25th - 29th. Needed this year are teen helpers! If you are interested in volunteering or if you have any questions, please call Heather at 715- 897-1941 or contact her at heatherkadler@gmail.com.

Contact Mr. Dan Kitzhaber at 715-384-4989 x3, 715-659-4480 x4 or yministry@frontier.com if you have any questions concerning the following information:

Youth Rummage Sale On May 12th & 13th the youth will be holding a rummage sale at St. John’s in the Columbia Rm. You are invited to donate your gently used items by bringing them during office hours to St. John’s Rel. Ed. Office on Wed. afternoon, May 11th from 3 - 6pm or Thur., May 12th from noon - 3pm. You are also invited to come purchase items from this sale to support our youth. Sale times are Thurs., May 12th, 3 - 6pm and Fri., May 13th, 8am - 5pm in the Columbia Room of St. John's school - 307 N. Walnut Ave.

Catholic Adventure Camp It is not too late to sign up for this summer opportunity! From June 19th - 24th teens currently in grades 6 -12 can participate in a week of rock climbing, repelling, canoeing, mountain bike riding, low ropes and high ropes, adventure trails, hiking, time for prayer, the sacraments and reflection on God’s marvelous creation. The total cost will be about $385 for youth and $200 for adults. Financial help is available.

Steubenville Youth Conference for teens presently in grades 8-12. An awesome, high energy event with 2,000 other teens . Plus: we'll roll up our sleeves and lend a hand while serving others. It will be at St. Thomas in St. Paul, July 29th-31st. The cost will be about $260 which includes most meals, transportation, and all housing.

Sacramentals, Superstitions, & Making the Ordinary Holy

4/27/2016

As we conclude our series on sacramentals, the greatest way we can safeguard our use of them and not become superstitious is to remember that sacramentals are not infallible in their effects. They cannot be used as a “lucky charm” that works every time, no matter the disposition. A person cannot simply wear a Brown Scapular and expect to receive copious amounts of grace, nor can we invite a priest to bless a football field and expect our team to win. We must have a strong faith in God’s action or else it will become an empty ritual, lacking any personal effect.

It is important to know that the Church has given us these sacramentals for the purpose of our holiness and the holiness of those around us. Jesus wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives and sacramentals remind us of that and allow His graces to flow in every corner of society.

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, sacramentals can sanctify “almost every event of their lives with the divine grace which flows from the Paschal mystery of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ...[t]here is scarcely any proper use of material things which cannot be thus directed toward the sanctification of men and the praise of God” (1670).

Additionally, similar to the seven sacraments, sacramentals are “signs” to us that remind us of our duty to know, love and serve God. Having a crucifix visible not only in the home, but also in the car and office reminds us to keep God in all my thoughts and actions. Inviting a priest to bless chickens reminds us that God is the creator of all things and keeps all things in existence; we are only stewards of His creation. Keeping a rosary in our pockets, reminds us to pray on a daily basis.

Sacramentals are a great gift to us, but we must use them with care. They are meant to be channels for us, opening the floodgates of Heaven's graces.

In the end, sacramentals can have great power in our lives, if we let them. They have been instituted by the Church so that Christ’s presence can be everywhere: in our homes, workplace and everywhere in between. Sacramentals remind us that we must give our entire selves to God and not lead a divided life. Yet, we must use them properly in order for them to have an effect on our spiritual lives. With a proper disposition, sacramentals can be a conduit of grace that will propel us to sanctity. Our spiritual life must not begin and end with going to Mass on Sundays. It must continue on throughout the week and sacramentals are a vital tool that the Church has given us to make that a reality.

Read the Entire Series

Mother/Daughter Breakfast, First Friday Adoration & More!

4/26/2016

Ladies: Mark your calendars: Annual Mother / Daughter Breakfast will be hosted by the Holy Name Society on Mother’s Day-May 8, 2016 after the 8 a.m. mass. Grandmothers, mothers, daughters, godmother s and ladies who have given guidance to our families are extended an invitation to come to the dining hall of church and enjoy a good meal, on their special day! We look forward to seeing you there. Men, teenage boys and boys of the parish: your help is needed to set-up, prepare, serve, clean-up, etc. for this event. Please contact Todd Rueth @ 715-659-5213 to offer your time and talent to make this a memorable time for the ladies. Thank you

During the “Month of May” the rosary only will be recited 20 minutes before mass* Needed: Parishioners of this parish to lead the congregation in reciting the rosary. A sign-up sheet can be found on back table in the gathering room. Your help in being a rosary prayer leader in reciting the rosary would be greatly appreciated. Parishioners * Please show respect for the rosary being prayed and enter church quietly. Thank you.

REMINDER to Parishioners * 24 Hour Eucharistic Adoration – 2016 -First Friday – May 6 through May 7, 2016 ** Starting at 9 am on Friday an ending at 9 am on Saturday) Note: There will be a prayer petition book placed out the week prior to our First Friday Eucharistic Adoration. Anyone wishing to have petitions offered during Adoration may enter their petition into the book and they will be prayed for. Attention: Church doors are locked @ 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. if you are coming to pray during this time please knock on door (under carport) 5 minutes before the start of each hour and you will be let in by person already inside of church.

During the Month of May , the Social Justice Committee members of the parish will be collecting “ Baby Shower Gifts” for the Hannah Center , a “Wish List” will be provided by the Play’n’Pack, that will be placed in the gathering room of church. New this year, the parishioners, if they wish can pick up a “Baby Bottle” to take home and place their loose change into during the month to be returned back to the church at the end of May. Please help to support these two worthwhile activities.

Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Easter

4/25/2016

Here is the homily for the Fifth Sunday of Easter from St. John the Baptist Church:

Click here to listen

Pope Meets Skiing Federation, Dorothy Day Canonization Process & More!

4/22/2016

News from the USCCB:
Joint Letter To Congress: 26 Organizations Urge Passage Of Conscience Protection Act Of 2016 - WASHINGTON—The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) joined twenty-five other major pro-life, religious, and health care organizations on April 19 urging the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Conscience Protection Act of 2016 (H.R. 4828). Signatories include ten medical groups representing tens of thousands of health care professionals who object to abortion and are seeking legal protection to serve their patients in good conscience....Read More
News from the Vatican:
Pope meets Austrian Skiing Federation - Before his General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis greeted athletes from the Austrian Skiing Federation in the Paul VI complex, telling them they were models especially for young people. But he also reminded them that sport was not just about performance, it was also about the virtues and values that sport represents such as, commitment, perseverance, determination, honesty, solidarity, and team spirit....Read More
News from the Church:
New Stage Begins in Dorothy Day Canonization Cause - A new stage has begun in the process toward possible canonization for Dorothy Day, the founder of the Catholic Worker movement. Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York has opened the canonical “inquiry on the life” of Dorothy Day, the archdiocese announced April 19. Starting this week, the archdiocese will interview some 50 eyewitnesses who had firsthand experience with Dorothy Day. Their testimonies and other evidence will be collected, examined to determine whether Day lived a life of “heroic virtue” and will eventually be presented to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints and to Pope Francis....Read more

Help Support Our Youth Rummage Sale

4/21/2016

Everything Has a Purpose - Sacramentals in the Liturgy

4/20/2016

Last, but not least, sacramentals have a vital role in the liturgy of the Church. There are numerous objects used in divine worship and all of them are set-apart and blessed for their specific purposes. As we learn about these liturgical items, we will discover that everything has a purpose and is used in the liturgy to help us draw closer to Heaven.

Before we get started, it would be good to offer a brief overview of liturgical ceremonies in the Old Testament to see where our currently liturgy comes from.

The Old Testament Liturgy

Offering a sacrifice to God is as old as Noah, but formal liturgical practice did not begin until God led His people out into the desert with Moses. God laid out for the wandering Hebrews a very specific rule of law for offering sacrifice. All of this can be seen in great detail in the book of Deuteronomy.

For starters, God desired that the Hebrews worshipped in a specific place called the “tabernacle” (which was essentially a tent dedicated to divine worship). God instructed His people to construct the following:

“And let every able man among you come and make all that the Lord has commanded: the tabernacle, its tent and its covering, its hooks and its frames, its bars, its pillars, and its bases; the ark with its poles, the mercy seat, and the veil of the screen; the table with its poles and all its utensils, and the bread of the Presence; the lampstand also for the light, with its utensils and its lamps, and the oil for the light; and the altar of incense, with its poles, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the screen for the door, at the door of the tabernacle; the altar of burnt offering, with its grating of bronze, its poles, and all its utensils, the laver and its base; the hangings of the court, its pillars and its bases, and the screen for the gate of the court; the pegs of the tabernacle and the pegs of the court, and their cords; the finely wrought garments for ministering in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests.” (Exodus 35:10-19)

We see in this passage numerous items that were to be dedicated or “consecrated” for the worship of God. Among other items, we see veils, utensils, bread, lamp stands, oil, incense, and priestly vestments. All of these very specific objects were meant to be “signs,”or “sacramentals,” that pointed to an underlining meaning. For example, the incense, as related later in the Psalms, was meant to represent the prayers of the people:

“Let my prayer be counted as incense before thee, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice!” (Psalm 141:2)

This specific worship of God went on for centuries and was at its height during the era of Temple sacrifices in Israel. They followed God’s instructions to the letter and made sure that all of the proper objects were used.

The Apostles then took what they saw at the Temple and Synagogues and adapted it to the New Covenant in Jesus Christ. This means that many of the same items were brought into Christian worship. It does not take us long to see the liturgy we experience today stems from the original worship services of the Jews and much of what we see today comes from a tradition over 2,000 years old!

Now that we have a sense behind the history of sacramentals that are used in the liturgy and their biblical basis, lets examine a handful of sacramental blessings. We will highlight the primary prayers of blessing in the 1962 Roman Ritual as they are short, to the point and give us a great summary of why each item is used. Some of these blessings explicitly connect the Old Testament with the New and weave both in a harmony that encompasses all of Salvation History:

BLESSING AND LAYING THE CORNER-STONE OF A CHURCH

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who are the corner- stone hewn from the mountain-side not by the hand of man, and the foundation which cannot be moved; make firm this stone which is to be laid in your name. You who are the beginning and the end, be likewise, we pray, the beginning, the increase, and the end of this work, which is fittingly begun for your praise and glory. We ask this of you who live and reign forever and ever.”

“In the faith of Jesus Christ, we lay this corner-stone on this foundation; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May the true faith flourish here, along with fear of God and brotherly love. May this place finally be devoted to prayer, to the adoration and praise of the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.”

CONSECRATION OF A PATEN AND A CHALICE

“Almighty everlasting God, who instituted the laws of sacrifice, and ordered among other things that the sprinkled wheaten flour should be carried to the altar on plates of gold and silver; be pleased to bless, hallow, + and consecrate this paten (these patens), destined for the administration of the Eucharist of Jesus Christ, your Son, who for our salvation and that of all mankind chose to immolate Himself on the gibbet of the cross to you, God the Father, with whom He lives and reigns, forever and ever.”

“O Lord our God, be pleased to bless + this chalice (these chalices), made by your devout people for your holy service. Bestow that same blessing which you bestowed on the hallowed chalice of your servant, Melchisedech. And what we cannot make worthy of your altars by our craft and metals, do you nonetheless make worthy by your blessing; through Christ our Lord.”

BLESSING OF ALTAR-LINENS

“Lord God almighty, who for forty days instructed Moses, your servant, how to make linens and sacred appointments, which even Mary wove and made for the service of the Old Covenant; be pleased to bless + these linens (this linen) made to cover and envelop the altar of your glorious Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you forever and ever.”

BLESSING OF SALT

“God's creature, salt, I cast out the demon from you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who said to His apostles: "You are the salt of the earth"; and through the Apostle says: "Let your speech be at all times pleasing, seasoned with salt." May you become a sacred thing…to drive away all temptations of the devil. May you be a shield for body and soul, health, protection, and a safeguard for all who use you; through Christ our Lord.”

BLESSING OF PRIESTLY VESTMENTS

“Almighty everlasting God, who decreed through Moses, your servant, that the vesture of high-priest, priest, and levite, used in fulfilling their ministry in your sight, should be worn to dignify and beautify the worship rendered to your holy name; mercifully heed our prayers, and be pleased, through our lowly ministry, to bless ~ these priestly vestments (this priestly vestment), bedewing them (it) with your grace, so that they (it) become hallowed and suitable for divine worship and the sacred mysteries. Let every bishop, priest, or deacon clothed in these sacred vestments (this sacred vestment) be strengthened and defended from all assault or temptation of wicked spirits; let them perform and celebrate your mysteries reverently and well; and let them always carry out their ministry in a devout and pleasing manner; through Christ our Lord.”

BLESSING OF CANDLES

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, bless + these candles at our lowly request. Endow them, Lord, by the power of the holy + cross, with a blessing from on high, you who gave them to mankind in order to dispel darkness. Let the blessing that they receive from the sign of the holy + cross be so effectual that, wherever they are lighted or placed, the princes of darkness may depart in trembling from all these places, and flee in fear, along with all their legions, and never more dare to disturb or molest those who serve you, the almighty God, who live and reign forever and ever.”

BLESSING OF A CHURCH ORGAN

“God, who by Moses, your servant, ordered the sound of trumpets to accompany the sacrifices offered to your name, and willed that the children of Israel sing praise to your name with trumpets and timbrels; we beg you to bless + this organ which we dedicate to your service. And grant that your faithful who are gladdened with holy songs here on earth may attain everlasting gladness in heaven; through Christ our Lord.”

We see in these blessings the great beauty of sacramentals in the liturgy and understand that everything we use is meant for a purpose and each item is meant to bring us closer to Heaven.

Read the Entire Series

May Events: Rosary, Mother/Daughter Breakfast & More!

4/19/2016

Used school-age children’s winter clothing/boots are needed in the fall at Spencer School. This is one way your family can help during this “Year of Mercy” . As you transition into Spring and Summer clothes, please consider boxing up any outgrown winter items and storing them, if you are able, till next fall. The school does not have room to store these items, but there are local families who will be so happy that you were able to do so and thus enable them to have more warm and cozy clothes/boots for their children next winter. The time to bring the items to the school will be put in the bulletin next fall. Questions? Call Carol Sallee – 715-255-8158 Family Life Committee

During the “Month of May” the rosary only will be recited 20 minutes before Mass* Needed: Parishioners of this parish to lead the congregation in reciting the rosary. A sign-up sheet can be found on back table in the gathering room. Your help in being a rosary prayer leader in reciting the rosary would be greatly appreciated. Parishioners * Please show respect for the rosary being prayed and enter church quietly. Thank you.

During the Month of May , the Social Justice Committee members of the parish will be collecting “ Baby Shower Gifts” for the Hannah Center , a “Wish List” will be provided by the Play’n’Pack, that will be placed in the gathering room of church. New this year, the parishioners, if they wish can pick up a “Baby Bottle” to take home and place their loose change into during the month to be returned back to the church at the end of May. Please help to support these two worthwhile activities.

Ladies: Mark your calendars: Annual Mother / Daughter Breakfast will be hosted by the Holy Name Society on Mother’s Day-May 8, 2016 after the 8 a.m. mass. Grandmothers, mothers, daughters, godmother s and ladies who have given guidance to our families are extended an invitation to come to the dining hall of church and enjoy a good meal, on their special day! We look forward to seeing you there. Men, teenage boys and boys of the parish: your help is needed to set-up, prepare, serve, clean-up, etc. for this event. Please contact Todd Rueth @ 715-659-5213 to offer your time and talent to make this a memorable time for the ladies. Thank you

Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Easter

4/18/2016

Here is the homily for the Fourth Sunday of Easter from St. John the Baptist Church:

Click here to listen

MASS SCHEDULE
Tuesday - Friday: 8:00 AM
Saturday: 4:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM

RECONCILIATION
Saturday: 3:15 - 3:45 PM

OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Stay Connected with Our Parish

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

Archives

February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015

Categories