From the Church
Just a week after his body was moved from New York to Peoria, Illinois, the Vatican announced that Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen will be beatified, a significant step on his way to officially being declared a saint. On Friday, during a meeting with Cardinal Angelo Becciu, Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Pope Francis authorized a decree recognizing a miracle through Sheen’s intercession. Read More...
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Don't forget to try Formed this summer! There is so much available to help your faith grow. 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 Greetings to the Parishioners of St John the Baptist and Christ the King,
As most of you know by now, I have been assigned to serve as your pastor beginning in July of this year. I will be arriving sometime July 5th, and will begin my service at that time. Following is a short bio, and I will be introducing myself in the coming weeks. God bless, and know you are in my prayers as we begin this next chapter in the parish life here in Marshfield. In the mid to late ‘90’s, I began discerning a call to serve God and His Church as a priest. I spent some time in a religious order, studying in French speaking Canada, New York and Mexico. After finishing Philosophy, I left the order and took a year to discern diocesan priesthood. Coming to the Diocese of La Crosse under then-Bishop Burke, I attended Major Seminary at the Josephinum in Columbus Ohio and Mundelein Seminary outside of Chicago, I was ordained for the diocese of La Crosse in 2007 by now Archbishop Listecki. My first assignment was as Associate Pastor in Chippewa Falls, serving at both Notre Dame and Holy Ghost Parishes, and as chaplain to the McDonnell Middle School and High School for 2 years. In 2009, I was assigned to St Gabriel and St John Nepumuc in Prairie du Chien and Sacred Heart in Wauzeka. In 2012 Sacred Heart was given to the pastor at Eastman, and we merged the 2 Prairie du Chien parishes into one, Holy Family Parish, where I have been the pastor since that time. Holy Family is a fairly large parish in our diocese, with somewhere in the neighborhood of 1150 to 1200 families along with a parish pre-k to 8th grade school. I come from a large family in N.E. Iowa, with 6 brothers and 6 sisters. Of these I am the middle child, and so have the middle child syndrome in spades. I am a later vocation (46 when ordained) and spent almost 20 years in farming and manufacturing with family businesses. I also served my home community as an EMT for over 10 years. In my free time, I enjoy a variety of activities ranging from walking and hiking, hunting and fishing, golfing and riding bikes. In addition, I have held a private pilot certificate since the early 1980’s. About a year and a half ago, I got a dog, Syd. He is a half Mini Australian Shepherd and half Standard Poodle. I am sure you will be seeing him and me in the area. He tends to be a bit stand-offish, and is used to a small town feel, but hopefully he will make the adjustment quickly. Looking forward to getting to know many of you and beginning my service to you as your pastor. God bless. Fr. Jim *** Attention *** Christ the King is always seeking parishioners to serve in various “Ministries” for the weekend Masses here at Christ the King . These ministries include lector / cross bearer / server / minister of Holy Communion / Minister of Welcome (usher). Consider wisely how you can serve God and your parish through these ministries. If you have questions about a particular ministry, do not hesitate to ask questions of those parishioners who already are in that ministry and can give you an insight as to what their part is in the celebration of the mass. You may also ask the pastor or Deacon Jeff Austin about any of the ministries Below are some videos from a recent celebration honoring Father Martin's 20 years as a priest and a final farewell before he leaves for his new assignment. Witnesses for Christ Conference
Aug. 9-10 in La Crosse Michael Hall from Catholic Christian Outreach & Fr. Lou Molinelli, SDB, from St. John Bosco’s order will guide you in developing simple skills regarding intentional accompaniment. For more info & to register, visit diolc.org/catechesis/witnesses-for-Christ-conference-201 Thanks to everyone who supported our Picnic in the Park Stand, Soda sale during the Dairyfest Parade in Mfld., and our Brat Stands at Festival. Thanks for your support! Praised be Jesus Christ! “And apart from these things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches,” (2 Corinthians 11:28). Back in January when I was visiting the dentist I was asked by my hygienist if I ground my teeth at night. While I assured her that I don’t, she explained that my teeth are not as crowned as they once were . . . which led to her next question about whether I clench my teeth. And upon observation over the past 6 months, the truth is that I do. When I started this behavior is anyone’s guess. The reason I quoted Saint Paul at the beginning of this bulletin article is to suggest that there’s a correlation between stress and parenthood. When I became a pastor in 2011, while I don’t think I noticed it at first, gradually I entered a world familiar to all parents: the world of worrying about children. As far as I can tell, this is a phenomenon that will probably only end in death. Saint Paul clearly felt it, and if my teeth are any indication, then I must have felt it too. But such anxiety, stress, and fear are not always terrible things to be avoided at all costs. Given the fact that Jesus said we must deny ourselves and take up our cross to follow Him, it seems that He knew our love for others would be a real burden that would take its toll on us. In our world today so many want to lay down this cross, whether by pushing to legalize drugs or by wallowing up to the trough of materialism. Thank God for His gift of faith, which more than any other reality in the world has the capacity to trans- form our suffering into true holiness. Think of the wrinkled face of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta – those many worry lines were produced by a lifetime of love for God and His most abandoned people. True love costs a lot, and none of us is up to its demands. Only with God’s grace can we bear the suffering that comes with loving someone. The good news is that His grace is available to us, preeminently in the Sacraments. As my time at Christ the King and Saint John’s now comes to its end, people have sometimes said things to the effect that they’re not sure how things will go on once I leave. And honestly, that has been a source of fear and anxiety for me, as I’ve worried that maybe I didn’t do enough to assure a seamless transition. But a friend of mine said just the right thing at the right time when he reminded me that the graveyards are full of irreplaceable people. In other words, by God’s grace life will go on. The faith in these parishes is very deep, and no matter who the pastor is or who the Bishop is, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever,” (Hebrews 13:8). I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how it felt to arrive here with hope but also a lot of naiveté. And along with that I remember the stories of how Father Stoetzel cried before leaving for his new assignment. Yes, all parents, both biological and spiritual, must bear crosses and some of the most difficult ones have to do with detachment and change. But Father Stoetzel was wise to include in his final bulletin column these words spoken by Jesus Himself: “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God,” (Luke 9:62). So in imitation of my predecessor, I too will refrain from returning to these two parishes that I have loved with all of my heart. The Lord has asked me to follow Him wherever He goes, and with His help I will try to do that. You will al- ways be welcome to visit or write and I include my new address below for those interested. Thank you for being so good to me, for your constant prayers, and your generous love. Even if my teeth are flatter than they once were, you were worth it!
1104 South 9th Avenue Wausau, WI. 54401 715-842-4543 May God be praised for giving us these wonderful years together! Your friend in Christ, Father Martin Please note: That 24 hour Eucharistic adoration on July 5th thru July 6th here at the parish will not take place as this is part of the July 4th extended weekend. |
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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