Need help with Spring Cleaning? I am hoping to connect teens who are raising money for Youth Ministry Trips with parish families who would like help with yard work, babysitting, or odd jobs. If you have any work for teens, please let me know at evangelize@frontier.com
0 Comments
Praised be Jesus Christ! Happy Mother’s Day to all who have given us life! One of the most poignant stories I’ve ever heard about motherhood appeared in the book, The Shadow of His Wings by Father Gereon Goldmann. Set during World War II, Goldmann was a soldier studying to become a priest (you may remember the story, as we gave this book out at Christmas a couple of years ago). At one point a young soldier got shot and Goldmann rushed to his side. The following is what happened next: “Must I die?” the young man asked, with a faltering and trembling voice. “Yes, there is no hope,” [I said]. I was about to ask him if he was a Catholic, for I had Holy Communion with me. But then a smile brightened his face, a truly radiant, good, and joyful smile, and he said with a weak voice, “Please write to my mother and tell her I am waiting for her at the gate of heaven. She must not cry. I am waiting for her.” With the happy credulous smile of a child, he passed into eternity. Rarely have I been so affected by a death, and I have seen so very many,” (pg. 119). As we remember our Moms this weekend, we too hope to meet our mothers at the gate of Heaven when our time in this world comes to an end. And speaking of end, as you now know these next weeks will be our last together as I prepare to follow the Lord to Holy Name parish in Wausau. And while some are wanting an explanation as to why priests have to move (more on that later), first a few practical details that will guide us during the transition. My last weekend at Saint John’s will be June 15th and 16th. I’ll then be gone for 11 days as we embark on our mission trip to Tanzania. When I return I’ll spend my last weekend at Christ the King on June 29th and 30th. As for farewell gatherings, as you know I’ll be celebrating my 20th anniversary as a priest on June 9th. That will double as my farewell. Christ the King will host a farewell on Saturday, June 29th after the 4:00 p.m. Mass. Please take advantage of these events to come and say good bye. I will be inordinately busy in these next few weeks, so visiting families on an individual basis will not be possible. My last Mass will be on Monday, July 1st at Saint John’s. I will be packed and all moved out so that your new pastor, Father Jim Weighner, can move in and get settled. Father Weighner has been serving as the pastor of Holy Family Parish in Prairie du Chien for the past 10 years. He was ordained in 2007 and is one of our best priests. He was born and raised on a dairy farm in Iowa and is no stranger to hard work. The first question we ask when we’re reassigned is, “Who will be my successor?” When I heard that Father Weighner would be taking my place I immediately felt at peace and knew all would be well. I know that you’ll open your hearts to Father Weighner and faithfully support him with your prayers. Now, as for why priests must move when they’re happy and all is going well... spiritually we grow best when we’re stretched and led outside our comfort zone. I’ve been so incredibly happy here that I knew that one day I must move on if I ever hoped to become a better priest. These have been the happiest and best years of my life – and I mean that in absolute sincerity. But I feel the Lord asking me to trust Him again, as I did years ago when I first came to Marshfield and Spencer. We move as priests as a preparation for the big move we all must make when our life comes to its end. Priests should lead by their example, and so I accept God’s invitation to put my hand to the plow and not look back. You will be in my heart for the rest of my days – I will always thank God that you were the ones who taught me how to be a pastor. As my years of active service wane and I someday retire, I’ll still be thinking of you and praying for you (and please, ALWAYS pray for me!), and maybe I’ll even remember the scene mentioned at the beginning of this article. Someday I hope that we can all meet again at the gate of Heaven!
May God bless our Moms, who taught us that love makes sacrifices and space for others! Your friend in Christ, Father Martin Father Samuel Martin has been reassigned as pastor to Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Wausau starting July 2nd. He is also celebrating 20 years as a priest ! Mark your calendars, and join us to honor and give our sincere, best wishes and good-byes to Fr. Martin, our pastor, who we have been so blessed to have at our parish for 8 years. Please take advantage of these farewell events to come and say good-bye. Sunday-June 9, 2019 * from 2-5 pm at Wildwood Station * Wildwood Park * Mfld. and Christ the King Parish is also planning a farewell on Saturday-June 29th after the 4p.m. mass, in the dining hall. Fr. Martin will be celebrating weekend masses here and leaving on July 1st to start his new assignment.
From the Church
A Boston Herald story announced, “Millennials making their way back to church,” and focused on Catholic parishes in Boston that are seeing more millennials at Mass. The report gave me an idea: Why not ask millennials that I know what attracts — or repels — them from parish life? If my focus group ruled the world, here are the dos and don’ts of parish life that they would probably enforce. Read More... Please donate to our upcoming Rummage Sale and support our Youth Ministry Program! Do you have items that are just taking up space? Bring them to the St. John's Religious Education Office Wed. May 15th 3-7pm or Thursday May 16th, noon-3pm, or contact David Alcott to make arrangements. The Rummage sale will be held on Thursday May 16th 3-7pm and Friday May 17th, 8am-3pm in the Columbia Room of St. John's School. Praised be Jesus Christ! I recently came across a quote I used years ago for a commencement address that I gave. The quote is from Albert Einstein, who was apparently more than just a remarkable mathematician: “Strange is our situation here on earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we know. That we are here for the sake of others... For the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected. Many times a day, I realize how much my own outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.” As we conclude the First Communion celebrations this weekend (last Sunday was Christ the King’s, this Sunday is Saint John’s), we’re reminded of how great a treasure we have received in the Body and Blood of Jesus. And as Jesus Himself taught, “What you have received as gift, give as gift,” (Matthew 10:8). How often do you share your faith with others? Do people at your workplace know that you are Catholic? Are you ever ashamed of your faith? Probably most of us are guilty of being somewhat sheepish about living our faith in an unabashed way. We are working hard to provide the formation and tools to overcome this so that we can become better witnesses of the hope we share in Christ. For example, we are working with Evangelical Catholic to form small groups that will enhance our community spirit and inspire us to share how God has been working in our lives. Currently we have a number of parishioners from both Saint John’s and Christ the King receiving formation that will lead them to becoming small group leaders. One of the elements of our faith that we have not always fostered is the need to share it with others. A small group setting is the same method Jesus used in forming His Apostles in His three years of public ministry. If you’re interested in becoming a small group leader at some point, you’re welcome to contact me or Dave Alcott, who is spearheading this wonderful enterprise. While seemingly under the radar right now, it’s my belief that these small groups will do more to change our parishes than just about any of the other initiatives that we’ve tried. Another new facet of parish life is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Based on the extraordinary work of Dr. Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi, this is essentially Catholic Montessori that teaches the faith in probably the most effective way I’ve ever seen. We’re hosting the first level (3-6 year olds) once a week, and it’s going to grow because it’s been very enthusiastically received. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd teachers receive a lot of formation because they’re expected to not only know the faith, but also understand how children learn and the indispensable role of silence in learning. We would love to have a few more Catechists for this work and we’re happy to pay the cost of training. There will be a one-week training session in Wisconsin Rapids this summer and if you enjoy working with children and would like to participate, please contact the parish office at Saint John’s. My first exposure to Catechesis of the Good Shepherd was a friend’s son, who at the age of about 7 told me with 100% accuracy how a priest gets vested before Mass. We’re blessed by these opportunities and now it’s your job to pray and determine if the Holy Spirit is moving you to respond. As Einstein so rightly observed, giving as much as we have received is at the heart of a happy human existence.
May God bless all who receive His Son in Holy Communion, especially our little ones who receive Him for the first time! Your friend in Christ, Father Martin During the “Month of May “ the rosary only will be recited 20 min. before Mass * Needed: Parishioners of the parish to lead the congregation in reciting the rosary. A sign-up sheet can be found on back table in gathering room. Your help in being a prayer leader (Ladies, men or teenagers) in reciting the rosary would be greatly appreciated. Parishioners: Please show respect for the rosary being prayed and enter the church quietly. Thank you.
From the Pope
Pope Francis warned a group of high school students about cell phone addiction, telling them that while cell phones are a great “advance” and a great “help,” if someone gets addicted, they lose their freedom. “Free yourself from dependence on your mobile phone, please!” he exclaimed Read More... |
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 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
Archives
February 2021
Categories
All
|