From the Desk of Father Martin - June 2, 2019

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 

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