Praised be Jesus Christ! When some of the folks around here asked if they could organize a celebration of my 20th anniversary as a priest, I reluctantly consented. My resistance came from believing I’d still be here for my 25th and that would be the more appropriate milestone to celebrate. Needless to say, I was wrong. Whenever a priest has the honor of giving a blessing for couples celebrating anniversaries, the emotions that are stirred are very powerful and often bring tears of gratitude to God. So often these couples are remembering the joys and the heartaches that, by God’s grace, have woven a tapestry of love and survival. As I look back over 20 years (I was ordained on June 26th of 1999 in our Cathedral in La Crosse), first I am amazed at how quickly it went by. Then I remember all of the people who were instrumental in helping me to hear God’s call and answer it. As you know, I found out years later that my Grandma Martin prayed a Rosary every day so that one day there would be a priest in the family. Even though she died when I was 11 years old, I feel her presence in my life and the diamond from her wedding ring is embedded in my chalice. My parents made heroic sacrifices (and that puts it mildly) so that I could attend a high school seminary for four years in Madison. My siblings were always supportive – they continue to accept the fact that I am almost never around for family events. There were many faithful priests who inspired and supported me and someday in Heaven God will reward them for this. When I went to college and then to Rome, our Diocese and the faithful always made me feel loved and that helped me to persevere when the road seemed to grow long and difficult. My classmates, especially during my years in Rome, were and continue to be the best friends I have in this world. For example, my friend Father Graham (some of you met him while we were at Lourdes last April) came to Wisconsin two weeks before my ordination and helped me practice celebrating Mass. That eased my nerves immeasurably and I’ll never forget those halcyon days together. Once ordained I spent an unforgettable summer with Father Hirsch serving four parishes and living at Saint Mary’s Ridge. Over the years when I have witnessed the nerves of a newly-ordained, I’m transported back to my own humble beginnings and I remember how kind and patient the people of God were as I learned the ropes. I returned to Rome to complete my degree (a license in Moral Theology from the JP II Institute) and then found out I would be a chaplain and instructor of Theology at Assumption High School in Wisconsin Rapids. I was so young and in retrospect it seems the students knew they could work me any time they wanted! I learned a lot about teaching and even more about human nature and I loved my two years serving the people in Central Wisconsin. Then nine years of chaplaincy and teaching at Aquinas High School in La Crosse rounded out the things I was learning about how to pass on the faith. I was also in charge of the high school seminary: one of the boys in my last class of 2011 will be ordained a priest on June 22nd. His name is Brandon Guenther and I am so proud of him. Finally, having taught for 11 years, I asked to have the honor of becoming a pastor. And so to Marshfield and Spencer I came, knowing hardly anybody and knowing hardly anything about being a pastor! As I’ve mentioned, these have truly been the best years of my life – for a variety of reasons, this has been the best fit so far for the way God made me. I really thought I was going to be staying on for the foreseeable future – but God’s ways are not always our ways. As I look back over the past 20 years I think of all of the people who have helped me to be the priest I am today: only God could sufficiently describe how much our lives affect others. For the rest of my days you will be a part of my life and for that I thank you and I thank God for creating you and letting me get to know you.
May God be praised for helping us to live our vocations in fidelity to Him and to each other! Your friend in Christ, Father Martin
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Save the Date: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church’s 7th annual “Parish Pull” will take place on Friday-July 12th. This year the proceeds will be donated to Columbus Catholic Schools and PIER of Wisconsin ( a nonprofit organization that teaches sign language, among other things
From the Church
The St. Mary’s Seven: How One Parish Gave the Church Seven Priests in Seven Years Since 2003, St. Mary’s parish [in Hudson, Ohio] has seen approximately 25 men discern the call to the priesthood, with nine as priests. According to priests and parishioners, the “secret” to the parish’s vocations culture is proposing to youth, by word and example, the beauty of living their lives in fellowship and prayer with Jesus Christ and making seminary a normal part of a young man’s discernment when considering where Jesus is calling him. Father Mann said St. Mary’s “is a very happy parish” that has produced “normal and joyful priests.” “We had a very strong youth ministry and a priest who was fully happy and engaged in his priesthood,” Father Mann said. The parochial vicar at the time, Father Damian Ference, was actively engaged with St. Mary’s youth ministry, “knew us by name, looked us in the eyes and said, ‘You should consider being a priest.’” Read More... Formed is available online, and also available as an app for both android and IOS devices. The parish access code is c7b2ca, you can create an account online at formed.org Praised be Jesus Christ! While I’ve been trying to enjoy each and every moment that we have together, I must confess that I did stop to visit Holy Name a couple of weeks ago just to see what the living situation will be. There is another priest in residence, but we really won’t be working together all that often. Just the same, I’m grateful that I won’t be completely on my own. Not that I’m afraid of the dark or anything... it’s just that having another priest around will help keep me accountable. Oh, and the place does have a bathtub! Unfortunately the bathroom is decorated with pink tile - the building was originally a convent and many vestiges of former days still abound. After seeing the situation firsthand, I called Father Burish to ask if he’d be willing to help me decide what to do first in terms of setting up a functioning office as well as some other improvements (it’s been four years since Holy Name had its own resident pastor). I’ll be meeting him at the rectory this Monday (June 3rd) so as to benefit from his knack for fixing things up. Frankly, I never thought I’d ever benefit from knowing him... I’m sure there’s a catch somewhere. Speaking of the future, Holy Name does have a website (holynamewausau.com) and I plan to use it often. I’ll begin recording and posting homilies as soon as possible, and our bulletin will also be available there each week. I mention this mostly because my Mom is a faithful reader of these columns and she wants to know what I’m up to from week to week. If you would like to follow too, that would double the number and I know my self-esteem would benefit from that. All kidding aside, I will try to continue to write on a regular basis as it’s another way to share the Gospel – one never knows who might stop by our website and find something that changes the trajectory of his or her life. Speaking of edification, a friend recommended reading the Chronicles of the Kings, a series written by Lynn Austin. Based on the 1st and 2nd Books of Kings as well as 1st and 2nd Chronicles, the series tells the dramatic story of God’s fidelity and His chosen people’s frequent struggles to truly trust in His Providence. Beginning with King Ahaz and ending with his grandson King Manasseh, these five books are unbelievably good and tell a story that is as reassuring as it is harrowing. Reassuring because it shows how often we try to live life on our own terms – that hasn’t changed since the beginning of time; harrowing, because failing to trust in the Lord leads to some pretty dire straits, both then and now. Austin writes in a way that captures one’s attention right from the beginning and she does a brilliant job of staying true to the Scriptures while filling in the gaps with plausible narrative (a.k.a. historical fiction). At the Easter Vigil this year I listened much more intently to the two readings from the prophet Isaiah because thanks to Austin’s books, I feel like I know him much better. I highly recommend this series for your summer reading. On a separate note, at a recent evening of recollection I recited a post- Communion prayer that someone passed along years ago. A parishioner asked that I share it here, which I am happy to do: “Mary, holy virgin Mother, I have received your Son, Jesus Christ. With love you became His Mother, gave birth to Him, nursed Him and helped Him to grow to Manhood. With love I return Him to you to hold once more, to love with all of your heart, and to offer to the Holy Trinity as our supreme worship, for your honor, and for the good of all of my pilgrim brothers and sisters. Mother, ask God to forgive my sins and help me to remain faithful in His service. Keep me true to Christ until death, that I may worship Him with you for all eternity. Amen.”
May God bless you and your family during these summer days with peace and genuine recreation! Your friend in Christ, Father Martin Christ the King Parish WAUSAU WOODCHUCKS Family Outing is Wednesday July 10, 2019. Tickets are $12.00 for your admission, a brat or hotdog, soda and a Woodchucks baseball cap. You can provide your own transportation or carpool with someone. Envelopes are under the north entrance bulletin board by the holy water font. Please put the money for each person attending in the provided envelope into the collection basket. Tickets will be at game ticket booth. Any questions, please call Joan @ 715-384-2774 Directions From the West: Take WI-29 E. Merge onto US-51 N. Take the Bridge St. exit (EXIT 193) Keep right and follow W. Bridge St. (becomes Central Bridge St.) Turn left onto 3rd St. and continue until E. Wausau Ave. (Athletic Park will be on your right) Gate opens at 5:35, Game begins at 6:35. Looking forward to see you there. Family Life Committee |
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
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