Realizing that some of the changes we have made at St John’s and Christ the King are challenging, I want to express my gratitude for your understanding. I will be honest, there will be some more things that will change as we go forward. The reason for these are many, but overall it is for the health of our parish life. I simply cannot offer the schedule you have been used to here on a daily basis. If I am going to serve you in the ways you desire and expect, I need to adjust things so I am energized as it will do none of us any good to run myself into the ground and burn out. We know that changes in life are never easy, but they are necessary. I would also like to thank you for the welcoming you have offered to me. The routine is getting much more comfortable each day, and things are slowing down a bit, which is needed as we prepare to enter into a very busy time of year with school starting, CCD classes getting underway and regular parish council meeting scheduled to start up.
NEW DEAN
Congratulations to Fr. Doug Robertson of Our Lady of Peace as he has been appointed as the new dean of the Marshfield Deanery. This is an office of governance that can place many external demands upon a pastor in addition to his normal ministry. I am grateful for his acceptance of this role, and I look forward to serving with Fr. Doug in this area. In addition to our 2 parishes, the Marshfield Deanery is composed of the following parishes:
- The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Auburndale, St. Kilian in Blenker and St. Michael in Hewitt; served by Fr. Murali Rayappan
- Corpus Christi in Bakersfield and Sacred Heart of Jesus in Marshfield; served by Fr. Keith Kitzhaber
- Our Lady of Peace in Marshfield served by Very Rev. Doug Robertson
- St. Andrew in Rozellville and St. Joseph in Stratford served by Fr. Sengole Vethanayagam
RURAL LIFE DAY – FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13TH
It often seems that for many of us, our rural roots are getting more and more frayed each year, but our diocese is very much a rural diocese as agriculture is the backbone of our way of life. Without fresh, nutritious food delivered to our grocery stores each day, our world would not continue as it does. The Diocese of La Crosse recognizes this dependence on rural life, and each year sets apart one day to celebrate rural life. This year will be the 39th anniversary of Rural Life Day, and will be held at Otter Creek Farms, owned & operated by the family of Dan and Lori Ortner and Joe and Marce Ortner located at 6608 County Rd A in Pittsville. The day will begin with a Mass celebrated by Bishop William Callahan at 10:00 AM, followed by lunch and recognition of Century Farms throughout the Diocese of La Crosse, the Outstanding Farm Family and Friend of Rural life along with the blessing of crops and machinery. All are welcome; if you are able, please make plans to join us on the farm for a special day.
God bless Fr Jim