Thanks for the memories! Please join me in thanking God for the generous service offered by both Father Maria Dass and Father Kuhn. As announced last weekend, Father Maria Dass is moving to La Crosse on May 15th to begin his work at Mayo Franciscan hospital. He’ll move to St. Mary’s in Viroqua and serve the people there as well as the folks in Coon Valley with his Capuchin brother, Father Joseph. Our beloved Father Kuhn is moving to St. Anne’s in Wausau on June 30th where he’ll serve for the next two years. He will be the chaplain at both Newman High School and Newman Middle School – for Columbus fans, this probably stings, as there’s no love for Newman in these parts! We are all better people for having known Father Kuhn and he’ll be sorely missed, even in the rectory. And lastly, please pray for our new associate priest, soon-to-be Father Daniel Sedlacek. I’ll give you more information about our new associate in the upcoming weeks. He’ll be ordained a priest in La Crosse on June 25th, so let’s storm Heaven for him with our sincere prayers!
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News from the Diocese of La Crosse:
How to bring Mercy to the Sick and Homebound - Those who are sick or homebound can often feel neglected or forgotten and through your efforts you can provide that positivity, support and companionship they need to still feel included in their own parish...Read More News from the Vatican: Pope Francis invokes St. John Paul II ahead of Fatima feast - Pope Francis on Wednesday said Our Lady of Fatima “invites us once again to turn to prayer, penance, and conversion.” The Holy Father noted the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima is commemorated this year on...Read More News from the Church: Want to Earn a Master’s Degree? Consider Rome’s New Joseph Ratzinger Program - ROME — No Catholic who wants to take an in-depth look into the faith and the reality of the Church of our time can skip the works of the “Theologian Pope,” Benedict XVI. To really deepen one’s knowledge, or to literally become an expert in all things Joseph Ratzinger, one can partake in a new master’s program, which began in February. During two semesters at the Patristic Institute Augustinianum in Rome, the program, “Joseph Ratzinger: Studies and Spirituality,” teaches in eight parts the works and spirituality of the pope emeritus. The program is offered in English and Italian...Read more Youth Rummage Sale May 12 & 13 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 11 from 3-6pm or Thur., May 12 from noon -3pm. You are also invited to come purchase items from this sale to support our youth. Sale times are Thurs., May 12, 3-6pm and Fri., May 13, 8am-5pm St. John's school Columbia Room 307 N. Walnut Ave.
For more info. please contact Mr. Dan Kitzhaber. 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 University in St. Paul, July 29-31 The cost will be about $260? includes most meals, transportation, & all housing A deposit of $50 is needed. To sign up, please contact: Dan Kitzhaber CATHOLIC Adventure Camp June 19-24. This is for teens currently in grades 6-12. Crosswoods Christian Adventure Camp, located south of Ashland, has been reserved for the Diocese of La Crosse! This high adventure week will offer you the chance for rock climbing, repelling, canoeing, mountain bike riding, low ropes and high ropes, adventure trails, hiking, and 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. Signup soon. Financial help is available. If you have any other questions, please contact Mr. Dan Kitzhaber. Pilgrimage with the Pope and a Saint: World Youth Day 2016 July 2016 be part of a 17-day pilgrimage to Poland for a gathering with Pope Francis and youth from around the world to celebrate World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow. As part of the pilgrimage, we will also visit Wadowice, the birthplace of St Pope John Paul II as well as Czestochowa, Auschwitz & Birkenau, where St. Maximillian Kolbe gave his life and much more. For more details, contact Mr. Dan Kitzhaber.
In starting our series on the liturgical year, we first examine the season of Advent. This particular season is at the beginning of the Church's year and prepares us for the coming of Christ and sets the stage for the remainder of the year.
The word Advent comes from the Latin Adventus, meaning, "coming." It is a season that is focused on the coming of Christ into the world at Christmas as well as looking forward to the second coming of Christ at the end of time. The Catechism explains the symbolism behind this beautiful season: 522 The coming of God's Son to earth is an event of such immensity that God willed to prepare for it over centuries. He makes everything converge on Christ: all the rituals and sacrifices, figures and symbols of the "First Covenant". He announces him through the mouths of the prophets who succeeded one another in Israel. Moreover, he awakens in the hearts of the pagans a dim expectation of this coming. 524 When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior's first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating the precursor's birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to [St. John the Baptist's] desire: "He must increase, but I must decrease." At the start of the Church's year, we encounter the first liturgical color: purple/violet. The color has been associated with the spiritual theme of preparation, penance, and renewal. Therefore, whenever the Church uses purple, she is reminding us to prepare a way for the Lord and imitate the example of St. John the Baptist. He is the prime example of these themes and is the key to unlocking the great season of Advent. To heighten our senses during Advent, the Church uses a tradition called the "Advent Wreath" to help us enter into the season. The USCCB offers this explanation of the practice: Traditionally, Advent wreaths are constructed of a circle of evergreen branches into which four candles are inserted, representing the four weeks of Advent. Ideally, three candles are purple and one is rose, but white candles can also be used. The purple candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas. The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of his second coming to judge the living and the dead. Everything about the season asks us to prepare a way for the Lord and is a fitting start to the liturgical year. It is a season that prepares us to enter into the life of Christ as it is lived out in the Church's calendar. As we will see, each season builds upon itself and goes deeper into the mystery of Jesus Christ. Next week, we will examine the season of Christmas and explore the many facets to this joyous time of the year. Read the Entire Series ***** Position open here at Christ the King Parish *****
Person to clean the church weekly. We are in the process of praying and begging God to send us the right person for this open position. If you feel God is calling you to use your time and talent or anyone you know for this weekly cleaning of the church interior, please call the parish office @ 715-659-4480 and a job description can be provided to you. Do not Miss Your Chance to join us *** Bus seating is still available !!! Year of Mercy Pilgrimage for Christ the King & St. John’s Parishes on Wednesday-July 20, 2016 with Father Martin. Holy Door @ the St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral * Holy Door @ The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe * St. Rose Convent-Our Lady of the Angels Chapel . Cost $35 per person to paid upon registration which includes transportation, lunch @ the Shrine and stipends for hosts.. Please register soon by calling parish office @ 715-569-4480 and talking to parish secretary. * A mandatory “Adult Medical Release & Permission Form is needed and Judy will provide one for you, when you register. *** Informational sheets can be found on back table 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.
News from the USCCB:
Scientists and Faith Leaders Urge President Obama to Announce Steps in Hiroshima to Reduce Nuclear Risks - WASHINGTON—The heads of four leading science and faith organizations call on President Obama, who will likely visit Hiroshima, Japan, later this month for the G7 summit, to announce specific steps the United States will take to reduce the real and urgent risks posed by nuclear weapons and prevent a new global nuclear arms race....Read More News from the Vatican: Pope Francis to receive 6 thousand homeless pilgrims - Pope Francis is to receive 6 thousand homeless people from all over Europe, who will be making a pilgrimage to Rome from November 11th to 13th, at the close of the Year of Mercy....Read More News from the Church: Bishop Remains Hopeful About Release of Father Tom Uzhunnalil - ADEN, Yemen — Two months after being kidnapped in Yemen, Salesian priest Tom Uzhunnalil remains missing, although a bishop involved in his case remains hopeful about his timely release. “The last words, which are quite reassuring, I received indirectly about 10 days ago. I was told that Father Tom is alive and that his return to freedom could be imminent,” said Bishop Paul Hinder, apostolic vicar of Southern Arabia. “But since then nothing has happened. We hope and pray for him,” the bishop told Fides New Agency. Father Uzhunnalil, an Indian national, was abducted in April, when four gunmen attacked a Missionaries of Charity-run retirement home in Aden, Yemen, killing 16 people, including four Missionary of Charity sisters. The attacks...Read more As we wrap up another year of religious education, I want to extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone who assisted with our Religious Education program this year! Thank you to our Catechists, to Sharon Rollins, our Teen Angels (helpers), Rosary Leaders, Father Martin, Father Kuhn, Deacon Jeff and everyone who assisted with and supported our program! Our Catechists and volunteers include: Cheryl Stange, Sue Strebe, Cheryl Willcome, Jess Becker, Catherine Pinter, Kay Derks, Rachael Eckes, Shanna Kohls, KaSandra Justman, Val Bauer, Carissa Schmidt, Hannah Pankratz, Stacy Wolf, Nicole Strebe, Cindy Clark, Sharon Rollins, Laurie Weber, Sue Mews, Jana Sternweis and Jackie Van Hoof. - Mrs. Deb Mlsna
Bible Camp registration forms have been sent home. Please register soon! Youth Rummage Sale May 12 & 13 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 11 from 3-6pm or Thur., May 12 from noon -3pm. You are also invited to come purchase items from this sale to support our youth. Sale times are Thurs., May 12, 3-6pm and Fri., May 13, 8am-5pm St. John's school Columbia Room 307 N. Walnut Ave. For more info. please contact Mr. Dan Kitzhaber. 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 University in St. Paul, July 29-31 The cost will be about $260? includes most meals, transportation, & all housing A deposit of $50 is needed. To sign up, please contact: Dan Kitzhaber CATHOLIC Adventure Camp June 19-24. This is for teens currently in grades 6-12. Crosswoods Christian Adventure Camp, located south of Ashland, has been reserved for the Diocese of La Crosse! This high adventure week will offer you the chance for rock climbing, repelling, canoeing, mountain bike riding, low ropes and high ropes, adventure trails, hiking, and 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. Signup soon. Financial help is available. If you have any other questions, please contact Mr. Dan Kitzhaber. Pilgrimage with the Pope and a Saint: World Youth Day 2016 July 2016 be part of a 17-day pilgrimage to Poland for a gathering with Pope Francis and youth from around the world to celebrate World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow. As part of the pilgrimage, we will also visit Wadowice, the birthplace of St Pope John Paul II as well as Czestochowa, Auschwitz & Birkenau, where St. Maximillian Kolbe gave his life and much more. For more details, contact Mr. Dan Kitzhaber.
God knows us better than we know ourselves and because of that He inspired the Church to develop a "Liturgical Year," where we celebrate the life of Christ by observing various seasons and feasts.
The idea of an annual cycle of sacred celebrations is not something new as God previously instructed the Israelites to keep certain commemorations each year, remembering God's saving actions in their lives (like the Passover). Stemming from this ancient Jewish tradition, the early Christians started to develop a yearly cycle of feasts so that they would not forget the saving works of Jesus Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church further explains this practice of the Church: 1163 "Holy Mother Church believes that she should celebrate the saving work of her divine Spouse in a sacred commemoration on certain days throughout the course of the year. Once each week, on the day which she has called the Lord's Day, she keeps the memory of the Lord's resurrection. She also celebrates it once every year, together with his blessed Passion, at Easter, that most solemn of all feasts. In the course of the year, moreover, she unfolds the whole mystery of Christ. . . . Thus recalling the mysteries of the redemption, she opens up to the faithful the riches of her Lord's powers and merits, so that these are in some way made present in every age; the faithful lay hold of them and are filled with saving grace." 1164 From the time of the Mosaic law, the People of God have observed fixed feasts, beginning with Passover, to commemorate the astonishing actions of the Savior God, to give him thanks for them, to perpetuate their remembrance, and to teach new generations to conform their conduct to them. In the age of the Church, between the Passover of Christ already accomplished once for all, and its consummation in the kingdom of God, the liturgy celebrated on fixed days bears the imprint of the newness of the mystery of Christ. 1165 When the Church celebrates the mystery of Christ, there is a word that marks her prayer: "Today!" - a word echoing the prayer her Lord taught her and the call of the Holy Spirit. This "today" of the living God which man is called to enter is "the hour" of Jesus' Passover, which reaches across and underlies all history. Thus, we are able to relive Christ's life each year and so be nourished by the many mysteries of His life. As we know, repetition is essential if someone wants to master a particular task, job or sport. As the saying goes, "practice makes perfect." If we do not sit at our Lord's feet each year and learn what He wants to teach us, we will never grow in holiness. This is the beauty of the liturgical year, as it gives us a chance to follow Christ throughout His life on earth and learn from His example. In a certain sense, the liturgical year is similar to an apprenticeship. An apprentice who wants to learn from his/her master must walk in the master's footsteps and carefully observe whatever the master is doing. This takes time and for many professions it requires years and years of accompaniment before the apprentice can take over and imitate the master perfectly. So too in the spiritual life. Becoming a disciple of Christ never happens overnight. We must walk in Jesus' footsteps, carefully observing His every move. This takes a lifetime to master and so the Church provides for us the liturgical year, which repeats Christ's life and allows us to grow deeper in our knowledge and love of Jesus. Going forward, we will examine the liturgical year of the Church and discover the richness of each season and explore the many feasts that occur. By doing so, we will walk in Christ's footsteps and thank God for the many gifts He has given us. |
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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 ParishWelcome from Our PastorWelcome 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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