I’m still having a hard time believing we are less than a week away from Christmas Day, how did it get here so quickly? There are subtle reminders all around us; lights on houses, wreaths on doors, Christmas tree’s glistening through front windows. People are wearing their award winning ugly sweaters (or maybe they didn’t win, but definitely should have!), they’re flocking the stores with masks adorned, and antlers have been placed on the windows of their cars. Kitchens emit the smell of baking and presents are being wrapped. Christmas cards and packages are being delivered to the Post Office. The season is upon us!
Again I ask, how did this happen so quickly? 2000 years ago that question was seen in reverse. Why did it take so long? The scriptures had foretold of the coming of the Messiah, yet year after year, generation after generation, no one had yet experienced Him. But then, 2000 years ago, every man, woman and child were called to their ancestral towns in order for the proper tax to be placed on them. And in that journey, from Nazareth to Bethlehem a prophecy was fulfilled. At long last, our Savior was to be born! As we prepare this week for the coming of our Lord, we look with great JOY toward a life changing event. Just think, if this had not happened, what kind of world would we be living in? Our Constitution is largely attributed to Christian guidance; “In God we Trust”. Our laws are governed by a moral compass, our way of life leads way to the teaching of Jesus Christ, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The world would look very different if the JOY of Christ did not penetrate it so deeply. My friends, may this Christmas be a time of giving, a time of bringing families together (even if is via Zoom or FaceTime), may it be a celebration for all the beautiful graces God has bestowed on each of us through the birth of His Son. The Lord is coming, are we ready to celebrate the true meaning of this coming? A King is about to be born, “for nothing will be impossible for God.” Have a blessed Christmas and help bring in that JOY that Christ’s birth has given each of us! Fr. Barry
0 Comments
What is Advent?
As a child I didn’t think much about Advent. And I probably wouldn’t have even known this season HAD a name if it wasn’t for Advent calendars. I loved those. They helped me count down the days to Christmas, the day on which I would get presents. That really was what it was all about for me. And I guess that makes total sense. I knew that we were somehow celebrating Jesus’ “birthday” . . . but beyond that this season was all about going through the Sears catalog (Remember that?) and making my list for Santa. And this season was also about daydreaming at school as I looked forward to a couple of weeks off. And the only praying I did during this time was for snow. After all, I was a kid. I’d like to say that Advent is much different for me as an adult . . . but that wouldn’t be entirely accurate. And yes . . . I know I have very specific duties during this time as my role as clergy, but make no mistake about it . . . I am on the exact same journey as all of you. I don’t want to feel burdened or overwhelmed by this season. I don’t want to dread all the things that I’m expected to be at, or preside at . . . things that sometimes leave me exhausted. I don’t want to have to spend a lot of time shopping for presents and sending cards and such. I guess the simplest way to put it is . . . I don’t want to feel the way many of you feel. I don’t want to be thinking, “I can’t wait for it all to be over.” But what exactly DO I want from this holy season? I guess I want something. But what is that something? I’m not exactly sure. And so, I ask again . . . what is Advent for? If you think I’m going to answer that question in a complete way, you are mistaken. Not because I don’t want to . . . but because the answer to that question is different for each of us. And so a “one size fits all” kind of answer doesn’t quite work. And yet . . . now that I think about it . . . I think I might have just answered the question a moment ago. What do I want from this holy season? Something! And you know what? If I’m open to it, I’m guaranteed to get it. The Gospel passage we just heard from Mark has a sense of urgency about it. We’re told to be watchful and alert. We’re told to stay awake and not be caught sleeping. We’re told that someone is coming, but we won’t know exactly when . . . and therefore, we better not get caught off guard. Do we believe it? Do we embrace it? Are we ready? Are we watchful? I said earlier that Advent is ultimately different for each of us, that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to this holy season. Well, that’s only partially true. You see, in one sense, the gift we can expect to receive this Christmas morning, the gift we are waiting for, is exactly the same for each of us. And this gift of course, is not a thing but a person . . . the person of Jesus. He is the one each of us is waiting for, longing for, hoping for. At least . . . that’s the idea . . . that’s what our faith invites us to embrace. But the “something” that this “someone” (Jesus) wants to provide for us is in fact unique to each one of us . . . tailored to our own needs, wants, and possibilities. On this Feast of Christ the King we find ourselves in very different circumstances. Previously a weekend of celebration and gathering has been reduced to a simple observance. The pandemic has altered life as we have known it, and not for the better. We have all experienced, if not for ourselves, someone who has contracted the virus. Some of those who have not, well, they are living in fear, due to underlying health issues that they have. I myself worry that if I do contract the virus I will have to cancel Masses since we do not have help out priests who could take over. This is also the recommendation of the diocese and has been agreed upon at our own deanery meeting.
The pandemic also makes us concerned for upcoming celebrations; Thanksgiving and Christmas. What will they look like this year? My answer, they will look exactly like what we make of them! Will we be taking meals to those who otherwise wouldn’t have them, facetiming or other social media gatherings. Will we sit outside in the garage or outside a window letting some-one know they are worth the effort? Will we simply pick up the phone and be with them the best we can? Pope Pius XI issued the encyclical Quas Primas (does not belong to this world) On the Feast of Christ the King in 1925. In it, Pope Pius XI illuminated how society was already laden with difficulties. These “manifold evils in the world were due to the fact that the majority of men had thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law out of their lives; that these had no place either in private affairs or in politics: and he said further, that as long as individuals and states refused to submit to the rule of our Savior, there would be no really hopeful prospect of a lasting peace among nations.” Men had to look for “the peace of Christ in the Kingdom of Christ. Pope Pius XI reminded that 1925 marked the 16th centenary of the Council of Nicaea which added to the Creed “‘of whose kingdom there shall be no end,’ thereby affirming the kingly dignity of Christ.” He noted Jesus is King in all ways, such as King of Hearts by reason of his “charity which exceedeth all knowledge.” And his mercy and kindness which draw all men to him, for never has it been known, nor will it ever be, that man be loved so much and so universally as Jesus Christ. As King, Our Lord has universal dominion. He is our “lawgiver, to whom obedience is due…Those who keep them show their love for their Divine Master, and he promises that they shall remain in his love.” The Father gives all judgement to the Son, who is Jesus the King. “Executive power, too, belongs to Christ, for all must obey his commands; none may escape them, nor the sanctions he has imposed.” There’s this to consider too. Jesus told Pilate his kingdom was not of this world. Pope Pius XI said, “This kingdom is opposed to none other than to that of Satan and to the power of darkness. It demands of its subjects a spirit of detachment from riches and earthly things, and a spirit of gentleness. They must hunger and thirst after justice, and more than this, they must deny themselves and carry the cross.” This was true in 1925 and remains true today, 95 years later. This Feast, which we are blessed with as a Patron name, signifies much more than we realize sometimes. It is a sign of true Kingship, a King who watches over his subjects with great authority and compassion. A Kingdom which spreads all those attributes of the image we were made in. This doesn’t stop because of a pandemic, this is when the Light of Christ truly shines forth. Make the best of this holiday season, stay united in this great Kingdom God has made for each of us. Continue to show that love, and may each of you have a blessed Feast Day and Thanksgiving. I remember growing up and being very excited about the new television season starting. Dallas is one that sticks out the most. All summer we heard the advertisements, “who shot JR.” And it was a well anticipated cliff hanger that the previous season had left viewers hanging on to! As the seasons went on, they became even more intriguing, almost veering from the first season completely, and toward the end I didn’t really find it as interesting. It’s all too much. In other words, many TV producers feel that every new season has to outdo the previous one. It’s not ok to simply redo what has worked in the past. That’s not good enough. More is better. And the same, well, is bad. What’s wrong with staying the same? “Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said . . . ‘Here it is back.’” That doesn’t sound so bad, does it? Our Gospel parable from Matthew this week is one we have heard many times before. A master is going on a journey, and leaves money “talents” with each of his three servants, according to each’s ability. When he returns, two of the servants have used the money well, and have more to give back than what they were entrusted with. But the third servant did absolutely nothing with the money, burying it in the ground out of fear. And, well, his master is not pleased, to put it mildly. I wonder if that third servant had any idea his master would react that way. If you think about it, he actually did the safe thing. And he didn’t lose anything. Not a cent. He probably thought it would be completely ok to be able to say to his master, “Here it is back.” Or put another way, “See . . . everything’s exactly the same as when you left.” Usually, when this story is read at Mass, the priest or deacon will talk about the importance of using the gifts God has given us. And that absolutely is a valid way to interpret this story, and certainly the most common. But what if we just broaden the scope of the story a little bit, step back and see a slightly bigger picture? What if the things we are burying in the ground are not simply our gifts, but actually our whole selves? I guess I should be happy that the makers of the shows I like are trying new things, trying to make better shows, trying to improve on what is already pretty good. And that goes for any other products too . . . cars, phones, food, lodging, whatever. I should be glad that there are many people in business who don’t simply adopt the status quo and say, “Everything is just fine the way it is.” Rather, I should be grateful that there are people constantly wondering, “What can we do better? What can we make better? And in some cases, whose lives can we make better? And I know that the pursuit of money drives many of these things I’m talking about . . . but at least there is a sincere realization that there is always room for improvement, always an opportunity to make a step forward, always an opportunity for something to be more tomorrow than it is today. Do we feel the same way, do we participate the same way? Have a blessed week, and be more today than you were yesterday! Fr. Barry
What is All Saints Day?
All Saints Day, also known as All Hallows' Day, or Hallowmas, is a Christian celebration in honor of all the saints from Christian history. In Western Christianity, it is observed on November 1st by the Roman Catholic Church, the Methodist Church, the Lutheran Church, and other Protestant denominations. The Eastern Orthodox Church and associated Eastern Catholic churches observe All Saints Day on the first Sunday following Pentecost. The Christian festival of All Saints Day comes from a conviction that there is a spiritual connection between those in Heaven and on Earth. In Catholic tradition, the holiday honors all those who have passed on to the Kingdom of Heaven. It is a national holiday in numerous historically Catholic countries. In Methodist tradition, All Saints Day relates to giving God earnest gratitude for the lives and deaths of his saints, remembering those who were well-known and not. Additionally, individuals throughout Christian history are celebrated, such as Peter the Apostle and Charles Wesley, as well as people who have personally guided one to faith in Jesus, such as one's relative or friend. In honor and in remembrance to those who have died this past year, pictures will be in the sanctuary area for the month of November. A Candle for each person will be lit at each Mass this weekend and the family of the deceased can take that candle anytime next week, leaving the picture throughout the month. As we pray for these deceased parishioners, we also remember many of them during our Masses throughout the year. I always thought it odd to hear that growing up, but over the years have found great comfort in knowing our deceased loved ones are being prayed for not only through the Celebration of Mass, but also by the priest throughout that day. Although 2020 has been filled up for Mass intentions, don’t forget to schedule Masses for 2021. What a beautiful blessing to assist our faithfully departed to heaven! May each of you have a blessed week, and know you and your loved ones remain in my prayers. God Bless, Fr. Barry “The last will be first and the first will be last” Those are words we don’t like to hear too often, at least I don’t. I feel I work hard to lead a life that I can be proud of. I feel I choose things because they are the right thing to choose. I feel my moral compass is one that see’s both sides of the story and my prayer life is one that unites me to God. And then I hear the words from this weeks Gospel, “the last will be first and the first will be last”? So, I sit with these words and contemplate them. Then it comes to meGod is talking about some- one else. Those “other” people who don’t do his will. “Those” people who put themselves first and don’t do for or help others. I can finally fall asleep knowing I got the message! Then I get a slap on the back of my head from the Holy Spirit and I hear “you hypocrite”. This isn’t for anyone else but you! WHAT!! You see, if after hearing this story we only see ourselves as the ones who worked a whole day and therefore deserve more, we are in a dangerous place spiritually ... the place in which we are convinced that WE aren’t the problem, that WE are doing it right, that WE are always pleasing to God. It’s starting to sound like the Pharisees, right? And this could not be further from the truth. My friends, we aren’t the ones who have given God a full day’s work. We are the ones who have only given God a little effort, a little work, a little time, a little bit of ourselves. We are people who don’t love unconditionally. We are people who aren’t always generous. We are people who don’t always show mercy and compassion. Simply put, we are sinners, flawed people who are often unwilling to fully embrace the lives God is inviting us to live. How can we change that? Adoration, devotionals, dedicated time to prayer? It’s different for each of us. But when God is at the center of all that we do...yes even sitting in a movie or out skiing on the lake, we involve him in our decisions. That leads into an announcement from our Wisconsin Bishops and Bishop Callahan. With much prayer, much hate mail and many conversations from priests and laity alike, the return to Mass is forthcoming. The diocese of La Crosse will be the last diocese to resume Masses and stop the dispensation. Effective October 4, 2020, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, our diocese will resume Masses and the dispensation to not attend will be lifted. The Bishop’s letter states this: “Many of the notes, emails, and phone calls that have been received at my office indicate an equal share of anxiety and concern. The lifting of the dispensation and the return to full in-person attendance also seems to lift the ban on 25% occupancy, etc. None of the bishops wants to place any of our priests or the faithful in jeopardy of COVID-19. The return to in-person celebration, as best we can, will and must take into consideration the general fear that many of our people seem to have right now about going out in public. So many fears weigh heavily on our minds and hearts right now – the pandemic, the political situation, civil unrest, and economic pressures. In this frame work it would make sense for us to pray and huddle close to Source and Summit of our Salvation, the Eucharistic Presence of our Blessed Lord. We must, however, approach the Throne of Mercy and Grace with open minds and common sense. We must not abandon care and prudence in our eagerness to return to ‘normal.’ It is clear we are not completely ‘out of the woods’ just yet. Although the Feast of St. Francis is the proposed date to lift the dispensation from the obligation for the Diocese of La Crosse, we will continue to monitor the situation closely, to determine future action.” - Bishop Callahan With this mandate from our bishop, I will discontinue live streaming Mass on the 4th of October. I do understand that some of you are not ready to come back, but we will take every precaution to make Mass a healthy place for everyone. Every other pew will remain unoccupied. 6 feet distancing will continue for communion and face mask will be provided for those without one and will be strongly encouraged. We will also take advantage of our live view in the basement with communion being brought down-stairs if needed. I feel we are ready to resume Masses. Faith and trust in our Lord, along with the common sense Bishop Callahan referred to, will allow us to worship our Almighty God in his presence. Precautions are in place and safety is a top priority. This along with God’s grace will get us through this pandemic. Have a blessed week and as always, my door is always open with your concerns should you need me. Your Brother in Christ, Fr. Barry From the desk of Fr. Barry
How did August go? I have to say that this last month has been a breath of fresh air. Not driving back and forth from St. John’s to Christ the King and then back again is a true blessing. One in which I hadn’t really realized how much time was actually taken up in the car. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this a reality! As the finishing touches continue on the rectory and offices, we have a structure that will serve our community and future priests for many years to come. So how did the construction phase go? Pleasantly well! Our initial predications were that the cost of the offices and rectory would be $200K, building on a slab. It was realized that we didn’t really have any storage on property; Christmas trees, Lent, and Vocation Bible School supplies were all stored off property. One of our parish families saw this need and covered the cost of a basement to be added, $26K. With the new addition of the basement along with the maintenance shop, and widening (handicap accessible) the original plans to allow for the hallway in the office area, our bid for building was $250. Above and beyond that would be sewer hookup, permit fees and excavation of the land. I’m happy to say our final cost of construction, with discounts from the various contractors, is $246,084! To pay for the project, we had initially counted on our savings account, $80K. The sale of the old rectory would add $70K. That meant we would need to raise $100K from our parish families. After the kick off, the Knights of Columbus graciously presented us with a check for $50K from the sale of their hall. This left us with $50K to raise. I am happy to say that we have paid for all construction costs with a total of 131 families contributing to phase one (we have 325 registered families). Phase two has 70 families pledging to rebuild the savings account held at the diocese over the next 3 years. With that said, we did not end up going into our savings account to the extent as previously predicted. Our balance in savings is over $40K and with the pledges recorded, we will be over our initial amount of $80,000 in our savings at the end of the 3-year mark! Your generosity and sacrifice will serve this parish for many, many years to come. What does life look like for me now that I am living on this property. Well, daily Mass requires me to get up at 6 now instead of 5:30 (no more drive, woohoo!). Nights that I have evening meetings now allows me to relax in between, whereas before I hung out in the Seton Center until they began. 14-hour days allows me to get in a nap in the afternoon, I was getting crabby without these!! Life is good! With the new school year beginning, the middle school as been eliminated from my responsibilities by Bishop Callahan. This means I now am responsible only for the high school, while Fr. Daniel Williams will assume responsibility for the middle school. I will celebrate Mass on Tuesdays for the high school every other week and will be at Columbus Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 8 – 2:45. This also helps the parish off- set my salary, as Columbus pays 25% of that expense. So in answer to my question, August was a blessed month! This was in part because of many of you. Your love and commitment to Christ the King is a joy to witness and be a part of. The dedication of so many in stepping up to the varied changes we have experienced during COVID-19 is a testimony of your love for God and His Church. You make me proud to say I am from Christ the King. Fr. Barry From the desk of Fr. Barry This past week away was a much-needed break. Catching up with old friends, sleeping in, not being on a schedule, all helped me realize what I’ve been told in seminary, take your vacation! I hadn’t realized that not taking a vacation in the last 15 months had worn me down so much. The trip lead way to appreciating the time and looking at the beauty of the area. As we drove through the Black Hills and Bad Lands, I couldn’t help but contemplate the sheer beauty of the area; the majesty of the hills and terrain. As I looked out, I wondered how anyone could look across the plains and not see the wonder of God’s creation. Each piece of art in those hills was created by our magnificent, wonderful and benevolent God. I discovered how science had proven that at one time the land was a jungle that had flooded and become an ocean of water. Yet today, all we see is rocks of color and varying shapes. What science has proven; I would have never suspected. But it is all in God’s plan. I bring up my trip because Jesus, throughout scripture talks about going to a quiet place to get away and pray. He removed himself from the hussle and bussle of everyday life to spend time in prayer with the Father, to relax and regain his energy. I felt that connection on this trip. I felt the call to enjoy all that God has to offer and to not forget all that He has provided. I was able to see the joy he provides through nature and the comfort he provides through friends. You could say that his presence was ever so apparent. Our relationship had taken another step forward. As we continue to journey through Matthew’s Gospel, we hear the famous line from Jesus, “who do you say that I am?” (16:15). None of us would be able to answer that question, of anyone, if we did not know the person at some level. Peter, because he had already witnessed the countless miracles of Jesus, answers emphatically “you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (16:16). In answering correctly, Jesus then praises him and because of his faith, awards him the keys to heaven. One of the questions I repeatedly asked myself last week was, “ do I have to go back?” Those 4 days were going quickly and I didn’t feel I was ready to let it end. But then day four came and I was at total peace to make that 10-hour drive. I knew that God’s plan for me was to be where he had placed me 6 years ago when I was called back to Wisconsin and left San Antonio. You see, it’s through a relationship (entrusted to us through faith) with Christ ,that allows us to see not only who He is, but who he wants us to be. And when we are open to it, life’s decisions, our wants and desires, aren’t as important as to what He wants from us and of us. I know with my whole being that God’s plan for me is to serve, now I just have to figure out how to balance father time from Barry time. As with all of us, the journey continues, the journey to bring Christ into every aspect of our lives, whether that be at work, at home, at the store or on vacation. To better that relationship in an intimate, trusting, and loving way. When we do that, we too will emphatically say “you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God”! Enjoy the week my friends, be witnesses to the love and kindness of our Almighty God in everything you do. From the Desk of Fr. Barry
We here at Christ the King have definitely had our challenges since...well even before my arrival. Where will a full-time priest live? How much can we afford? Do we build or do we rent? Many more questions came up as well. But together, we have pulled together and made our parish something to be very proud of. New offices, storage in the basement and a new rectory! With some doubt that this was even possible, just 8 months later we have a completed building. My prayer from the beginning has been if this is meant to be, make it so Father. And he answered generously! I have been so grateful and at the same time proud of how Christ the King has bonded together. From the giving of phase 1, to the continued support of phase 2 and for all the house supplies that have been dropped off. In reading the Gospel for this 19th week in Ordinary time, I can understand where the doubt came from. Our Gospel story from Matthew, helps us see just how our own fears, our own attitudes and doubt, hinder the amazing love of God. That love to nurture us, to help us grow, to look into the future. Early in the story we hear how the boat, filled with disciples is a few miles from shore being tossed about by the waves. The disciples catch sight of something or someone approaching them ... appearing to be walking toward them on the water. They naturally ... become terrified ...and the first thing that comes to their minds is, “It is a ghost.” For some reason, they could not imagine that it was the Lord Jesus who was coming to them across the sea. They seem to be completely unprepared for this kind of encounter ... but somehow consider a “ghost” to be a reasonable possibility. And yet, think about it for a minute. They had already seen Jesus do all sorts of incredible things. They had seen him heal the sick. They had seen him feed the five thousand with just five loaves and two fish. And remarkably, they had even been with Jesus in a boat during a storm before, and had seen Jesus calm the storm. In other words, they had seen Jesus do all sorts of “miraculous” things, and yet they couldn’t imagine that it was HE who was coming to “save them” once again. Don’t we sometimes do the same? Something happens in our lives which causes us pain or distress or makes us afraid and it becomes all we can focus on. It gets all of our attention, and not in a healthy way, but in an all-consuming kind of way. Weighing us down, changing the way we react to others around us and changing our whole persona. And what happens? What is often the result? We resist. We think we are in the right and everyone else is in the wrong. We begin to resent and hate. We even talk badly about others. But Jesus is telling us that if we trust in him, totally trust, he will lift us out of the water and help us along the way. He knows we will doubt, many doubted this new construction would happen, but if it is meant to be then he will take care of the rest. Somehow, he will provide. And provide he does. My friends, I have doubted plenty in my life. I doubted I could ever make it through 6 years of seminary to obtain a Masters degree, I doubted that I was being called to the priesthood. I’ve doubted that I could present and lead retreats, I’ve doubted that I make any difference at all. But through it all, I have always asked God for his guidance. I’ve always tried to stay sincere in what God is asking of me. I’ve promised him that when doors open, I will walk through them; unafraid, willing and with an open heart. For I truly know that when I turn things over to him, they go much smoother. Surrender is never easy, but our faith allows us to trust that God is there lifting us up whenever we need it.. Have a blessed week and see you at the picnic! Fr. Barry From the Desk of Fr. Barry “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” So says Jesus to his disciples in the Gospel passage from Matthew. Jesus uses a number of images to try to illustrate for them what this “kingdom” is and what he’s talking about ... including a pearl of great price and a net filled with fish. And while many things Jesus says about the kingdom in other places in Scripture are somewhat puzzling and baffling, this exchange is a little more pointed and direct. You see, by using these examples, Jesus is trying to get his disciples to reflect on what is most important, what has the greatest value, what is the one “treasure” in this life that trumps all others? And he’s inviting us to ask ourselves that exact same question. Where do we put our priorities? Who is our priority? Is God at the top of that list, in the middle or at the bottom? My sisters and brothers, God wants to be a part of each of our lives. He wants to guide us, nurture us, and make us each the best person we can be. Think of all the ways we fight Him on this. All the times we have done “our” thing knowing that it wasn’t the right thing to do, but it satisfied a desire or want. Our treasure is freely given; through the Cross we are given a new existence, new purpose, new beginnings. Our treasure doesn’t go outside ourselves, but resides within each of us. Sometimes its suppressed, sometimes it’s not convenient, sometimes it goes against what the world imposes on us. But I am here to let you know it’s the right way when it comes from and for God. May each of continue to seek out that treasure, and when we discover Him, may we see the great sacrifice that Jesus made for each of us and experience peace in a way we have never known it before. Rectory update: We have moved in! The new address for all Church mail is 306 S. LaSalle St, Spencer, WI 54479. Our PO Box has been canceled. Pam’s office is just inside the front entrance. To help identify the entrance, we have added the Christ the King logo on the front door. Please ring the door bell and come on in. Pam’s office is in a lot better shape than mine, she’s unpacked and fully functional. My office on the other hand is a complete mess. I have boxes of books everywhere and I’m praying that no one askes me to find a file folder right now! With that said, my phone and computer are working so we’ll manage together! Boxes will slowly be unpacked, but just being in one place is such a relief. The new rectory is in better shape with the help of all who volunteered their time. Thank you so much to all who helped make this transition so much easier. You don’t know how much stress you took off my shoulders. The sidewalk leading into the offices was completed a week before moving in and the other walkways and driveway will wait till next year when the ground settles. I’m looking forward to the open house / picnic August 9th. This will take place that Sunday from 11:30 – 2. Life Tributes is donating hamburgers and brats, we ask that you bring a side dish and your drink. We will maintain the social distancing requirements by having volunteers dish out the food wearing masks and gloves. Tables will be set up in the parking lot. I’ve been trying to come up with an idea that makes this new rectory and offices feel like it’s more yours. So this is what I would like to do. Each family from the parish please bring a crucifix or cross no larger than 12” high. Write your family name on the back and when you are here at the rectory you will nail it (nails provided) to the main entrance hallway. I am donating a 24” Christ the King Crucifix which is mounted in the center of the wall. Our parish families will then surround that cross with theirs. Have a blessed week, Fr. Barry |
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
|