A WORD FROM FATHER
SÅ‚owo od Pastora
MARCH 9, 2025
"O Lord and Master of my life, keep from me the spirit of indifference and discouragement, lust of power, and idle chatter. Instead, grant to me, Your servant, the spirit of wholeness of being, humble-mindedness, patience, and love. O Lord and King, grant me the grace to be aware of my sins and not to judge my brother and sister, for You are blessed, now and ever and forever. Amen.
(Lenten prayer of St. Ephraim)
Dear Parishioners:
As we enter this most sacred time, I'd like to remind us all of the precepts of the Church. These precepts which apply to both clergy and laity, are a guide as to what we should be doing to nourish our faith lives, and those around us. The Catechism of the Catholic Church #2041 tells us: "The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the indispensable minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor." Let's pray for each other that this time of Lent be fruitful!
The Precepts
You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor. We must "sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord" (Sunday), as well as the principal feast days, known as Catholic holy days of obligation. This requires attending Mass, "and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days."
You shall confess your sins at least once a year. We must prepare for the Eucharist by means of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). This sacrament "continues Baptism's work of conversion and forgiveness."
You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season. This "guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord's Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy."
You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church. "The fourth precept ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart."
You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church. "The fifth precept means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability."
Fr. Mark Miller
Pastor
FEBRUARY 23, 2025
"Be resigned to the will of God in all things; make frequent acts of submission; regard with the eye of faith all interior and exterior troubles as coming from God; do not think of the future - that is, of its misfortunes, its trials, and other occurrences which the imagination may conjure up, but dispel them in the will of God."
—St. Paul of the Cross
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Dear Parishioners:
I am pleased to inform you that "Phase 2" of the restoration project will begin shortly. Phase 2 will consist of the painting of the ceiling of the nave and work in the choir loft, replacing the speakers, and possibly restoration of the Stations of the Cross (this is being investigated as to whether we can do this - I will let you know the result).
Starting April 28, 2025, the preparatory work will begin. This will consist of placing protective covering on the pews, the floors, and the sanctuary area, removal of statuary and the Stations. After this the scaffolding will be erected. This will take at least a week to do. Once that is done, the painting will begin.
It is estimated that the project will be completed by mid-August. Because of the extensive work involved, the church will not be usable. Masses will be held in the basement during this time. There will be no funeral Masses or funeral luncheons at SH while the project is going on.
I again want to thank the beautification committee for their excellent work, and for everyone who contributed to the "Heart Speaks to Heart" Campaign. We should be very happy as to what has been accomplished.
JANUARY 12, 2025
"Often tell Jesus that you love him very much, and that you wish to die for love of him. Behold our love, Jesus; behold our life, Jesus; behold our all, Jesus. Let us accompany Jesus in all his ways. When we are alone, let it be with Jesus in the solitude of Bethlehem; when we are traveling, let us think that we are with Jesus in Palestine or on the way to Calvary; when we are lashed by biting criticisms, behold us scourged with Jesus; when we are fixed to the cross, behold we are crucified with Jesus."
- St. Gaspar del Buffalo
Dear Parishioners:
With the Feast of the Lord's Baptism, the Season of Christmastide comes to an end. I hope these past weeks were a time for all of to rest in the Mystery of the Nativity. Life being as it is, we don't always experience in the "real world" what the Liturgical Seasons convey. That is to be expected. However even though what we experience may not correspond with the spirituality of the particular Liturgical Season, we should try to make a concerted effort to at least interiorly unite ourselves with the "meaning of the season."
Take courage!
DECEMBER 8, 2024
​O God, You looked on man when he had fallen down into death, and resolved to redeem him by the advent of Your only begotten Son; grant, we implore You, that they who confess His glorious Incarnation may also be admitted to the fellowship of Him their Redeemer; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(An Advent prayer by St. Ambrose of Milan)
Dear Parishioners:
Recently Sacred Heart hosted an event for the Felician Sisters on the occasion of their 150 years in North America. Holy Mass was celebrated and we had a luncheon afterwards. The sisters generously donated $5,000 to the parish to help with our church restoration. On behalf of the parish, I sent a thank you note to express my gratitude. Please keep the sisters and their charism in your prayers. Sr. Mary Iacobucci spoke at the luncheon and here is part of her talk:
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Fr. Miller and the parishioners here at Sacred Heart for all their assistance and cooperation in helping us prepare for this momentous event in our history. Sr. Carlotta and I met Fr. Miller about two years ago when he was a newly appointed pastor here at Sacred Heart not yet familiar as to why this parish, these grounds are sacred space for us. His transition and plans to renovate the Church brought some uncertainty as to the timing of our event, but as you see, all worked out and I think I can speak for all of us who have made visits here over the years that the renovation of the Church is awe-inspiring and quite beautiful...Thank you. I hope you enjoyed but a glimpse of our ministries and outreach endeavors, this 'movement in harmony' and once again our profound gratitude for making the trip to rural Wisconsin to celebrate with us...."
DECEMBER 1, 2024
"Come, Sun and Savior, to embrace our gloomy world, its weary race, as groom to bride, as bride to groom: The wedding chamber, Mary’s womb. At your great Name, O Jesus, now all knees must bend, all hearts must bow; all things on earth with one accord, like those in heaven, shall call you Lord. Come in your holy might, we pray, redeem us for eternal day; defend us while we dwell below from all assaults of our dread foe."
(An Advent hymn from the 8th C.)
Dear Parishioners:
With this Sunday, we begin a new Liturgical Year. Advent is a time of waiting and preparing. It is also a penitential season. While it is not as penitential as Lent, there still is that aspect of mortification. To prepare not only for Christ's birth, but also the Second Coming which is the purpose of Advent, it's important that we have the right disposition. Take time for quiet (keep the radio off in the car, have thirty minutes of silence at home each day, etc.), and do little acts of penance throughout the Season.
I hope this Advent is a blessed time for all of us.
NOVEMBER 24, 2024
"Act up to your light, though in the midst of difficulties, and you will be carried on, you do not know how far. Abraham obeyed the call and journeyed, not knowing whither he went; so we, if we follow the voice of God, shall be brought on step by step into a new world, of which before we had no idea. This is His gracious way with us; He gives, not all at once, but by measure and season, wisely."
-St. John Newman
Dear Parishioners:
This is the last week of the liturgical year. As we enter these last days, I encourage all of us to think about this past liturgical year, and take it to prayer. Where have we been faithful? Where have we fallen short? How have we obeyed the Lord? In what ways have we refused to listen? Are there people who need our forgiveness? Are there people to whom we need to ask for their forgiveness? Take courage and persevere.
SEPTEMBER 8, 2024
"Of all the trades the one that Adam first practiced was that of the tailor. Yes, before taking up any other trade he collected some fig leaves and sewed them together. Who taught him this skill? How did he learn it? The fact is that he received from God the gift of intelligence; the fact is that he was the image of God."
—Severianus of Gabala
Dear Parishioners:
In approximately two months we will have elections in our country for various offices, including those at the state and federal levels, in the executive and legislative branches of government. We as Catholics are obligated to make an informed decision as to whom we vote for, as well as understanding that we cannot cooperate with evil. Cooperation with evil may be:
1. Remote, Material Cooperation (least problematic)
2. Proximate, Material Cooperation
3. Remote, Formal Cooperation
4. Proximate, Formal Cooperation (most problematic).
Proximate and remote have to do with how "close" or "far" we are to the evil (this does not necessarily equate to physical closeness; it means in the chain of events, in what place (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 250th, etc. ) does our action lie. In other words, the closer our actions are to the start of the chain of events, the more "concentrated" our action, and thus we bear more responsibility; the further down the chain of events our actions are, the more "diluted" our action becomes, and we are less culpable.
Material and formal have to do with in what manner does our cooperation with evil take place. Material means that I'm providing the means or opportunity by which the evil can take place. However, this doesn't mean that I necessarily AGREE with the evil or even know anything about it, BUT I am nonetheless providing a way for the evil to (potentially) occur. Formal cooperation means that I ACTUALLY WANT the evil to take place, whether or not I can provide a real means for it to do so.
Thus, with that in mind, we have to have an understanding of the candidates' platforms, positions, and voting records (if known) in areas especially concerning abortion, marriage, and other aspects of sexual morality. And if a candidate is actively promoting evil in those areas we have to have awareness of that. We cannot blindly vote for whomever without knowledge of key aspects of morality and where that person stands in relation to those areas. We are obligated to have an understanding of that. All of this is readily available on the candidates' and the parties' websites.
Now, one may ask: "Is there an ideal candidate?" No, there is no such thing. No one can always do everything correctly all the time. No one is indefectible. Perhaps though a good way of evaluating this is to look at a candidate's positions, and ask: "Will this person help in my holiness and that of the nation, or hinder it?" Remember, the country will go in the direction of the electorate.
AUGUST 11, 2024
"The value and cost of grace is its interior function which recollects us in God. An interior grace is worth more than a thousand external graces.
Our virtues and our devotion have life only through the recollection that animates them and unites them to God."
— St. Pierre-Julien Eymard
Dear Parishioners:
In approximately three months we will have elections in our country for various offices, including those at the state and federal levels, in the executive and legislative branches of government. We as Catholics are obligated to make an informed decision as to whom we vote for, as well as understanding that we cannot cooperate with evil. Cooperation with evil may be remote, material cooperation (least problematic); proximate, or formal cooperation (most problematic).
Proximate and remote have to do with how "close" or "far" we are to the evil (this does not necessarily equate to physical closeness; it means in the chain of events, in what place (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 250th, etc. ) does our action lie. In other words, the closer our actions are to the start of the chain of events, the more "concentrated" our actions, and thus we bear more responsibility; the further down the chain of events our actions are, the more "diluted" our action becomes, and we are less culpable.
Material and formal have to do with in what manner does our cooperation with evil take place. Material means that I'm providing the means or opportunity by which the evil can take place. However, this doesn't mean that I necessarily AGREE with the evil or even know anything about it, BUT I am nonetheless providing a way for the evil to (potentially) occur. Formal cooperation means that I ACTUALLY WANT the evil to take place, whether or not I can provide a real means for it to do so.
Thus, with that in mind, we have to have an understanding of the candidates' platforms, positions, and voting records (if known) in areas especially concerning abortion, marriage, and other aspects of sexual morality. And if a candidate is actively promoting evil in those areas we have to have awareness of that. We cannot blindly vote for whomever without knowledge of key aspects of morality and where that person stands in relation to those areas. We are obligated to have an understanding of that.
Now, one may ask: "Is there an ideal candidate?" No, there is no such thing. No one can always do everything correctly all the time. No one is indefectible. Perhaps though a good way of evaluating this is to look at a candidate's positions, and ask: "Will this person help in my holiness and that of the nation, or hinder it?" Remember, the country will go in the direction of the electorate.
I hope all is well, and that you are having a restful summer. Take courage.
JULY 7, 2024
"There can be no boasting, because whatever we do is the fruit of God's grace, and we do very little. Even if we did all, we should be doing no more than we are bound to do. There are many person in the world who are well pleased with what they are and what they do, who are what is commonly called self-righteous."
—St. John Newman
Dear Parishioners:
I hope your summer is going well, and that you are finding time to rest and get good, healthy leisure. Remember that if you are away over the weekend, to still fulfill your Sunday Mass duties. Masstimes.org is a great website - enter the ZIP code of where you will be and it will give you times and locations of parishes.
Also the parish picnic will soon be upon us. This, as I'm sure you're all aware of, takes a lot of time and effort. I want to thank Arleen Gross and the various committee members for their work. Please prayerfully consider assisting in some way. Take courage.
JUNE 30, 2024
"Imitate Jesus, who is sovereignly perfect and sovereignly holy.
Then you will never run the danger of losing your way."
—St. Juan de la Cruz
Dear Parishioners:
From the Archdiocese of Milwaukee: "Wishing to provide more suitably for the decent support of clergy who minister within the Milwaukee Province. Desiring to foster the means by which all the faithful can unite their own offerings and sacrificial offering of Christ the High Priest, which is made present in the Holy Mass and from which flows the graces of all the sacraments and sacramentals...Now in fulfillment of the norm of canons 952.1 and 1264.2, we the undersigned bishops of the Milwaukee Province, having conducted appropriate consultations and discussed the matter among ourselves at the meeting which we are now gathered, by this degree hereby fix the following amounts for offerings within the Province effective July 1, 2024: Masses: $20."
Basically, this letter has made the suggested Mass stipends for priests in the various dioceses in Wisconsin $20. It is currently $10. If you are able to give the $20 I would be grateful, however, this new amount is in no way to cause hardship, so for Immaculate Conception and Sacred Heart, the amount will be $10 - $20.
JUNE 9, 2024
"Presumption is like vermin burrowing at the root of the tree of our soul. If we do not uproot it with great care and humility, it will eventually destroy the soul."
- St. Catherine of Sienna
Dear Parishioners:
Summer will soon be upon us. I'm sure many of you will be taking vacations. If you are, I hope that they are restful and relaxing. Also make sure that you still attend Sunday Mass when you're away, and plan ahead to find a local church. A good source is masstimes.org. Just enter city, state, or zip code and you will get a listing of parishes.
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Also I would like to invite any young men in the parish (grades 6 - 10) to participate in a discernment retreat that the Diocese of La Crosse is sponsoring - "Dare to Follow". The retreat is July 9 - 11, 2024 at the Mater Redemptoris House in La Crosse (next to the Chancery). The cost is $30 which also includes meals. If you have any questions you can ask me, and to register please contact Renee Orth: rorth@diolc.org or 608-791-2667. The deadline to register is June 20, 2024.