A WORD FROM FATHER
SÅ‚owo od Pastora
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.
Fr. Mark Miller
Pastor
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.
MAY 12, 2024
"Our Lady's holiness was such that if we saw and heard her, we should not be able to tell anything about her except that she was heavenly. There was a divine music in all she said and did - in her air, her deportment, that charmed every heart.
Her innocence, her humility, her unaffected interest in everyone who came to her - these qualities made her so lovable."
—St. John Newman
Dear Parishioners:
Today we celebrate the great Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. With this event the Paschal Mystery of our redemption comes to an end. Today is a day where we need to interiorize for ourselves Christ's return to the Father. Christ isn't on this earth today. He returned to heaven. He went back to heaven because that is where HE CAME FROM. We aren't meant to be forever on this earth either. We were made for heaven too. Do we desire it?
Next Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost, with that Feast of the Holy Spirit, Eastertide comes to a close. Between now and then, I suggest that we all pray daily some prayer to the Holy Spirit, and then simply allow the Holy Spirit to work. We may be surprised as to what he will give us!
JANUARY 21,2024
JANUARY 07,2024
"Prayer is the first expression of our inner truth, the first condition of authentic spiritual truth. Prayer gives meaning to the whole of life, at every moment, and in every circumstance."
—St. John Paul II
"The Answer” Eucharistic Rally will take place on June 7, 2024, at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse. This event kicks off the six days that the Marian Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will be in the Diocese of La Crosse. The Rally will begin with a Eucharistic Procession across the Cameron Street Bridge in La Crosse and will end at the La Crosse Center where the rest of the rally will take place. The day will include Mass, Adoration, Confession, powerful speakers such as Chris Stefanick, Immaculee Ilibagize, and Josh Rosa, music from Luke Spehar, and plenty of vendors. The cost is $15 per person. This rally is for youth, young adults, adults, families, etc. You can findmore information about the event and the other days the Marian Route will be in our diocese by visiting: https://diolc.org/the-answer/
"The human being, who conforms to the model of the Son, gives glory to God because of having been made by the Father by means of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the whole person, soul, and body, receives the Spirit of the Father. This is the perfect human being. When the Spirit is united with the soul and with the body, then we have the spiritual person, the perfect person, the human being in the image and likeness of God. If on the contrary, the soul does not have the Spirit, we would have a carnal and imperfect being. Such a person, in having been created would be in the image of God, but would have no likeness to him. Likeness to God comes only from the Spirit."
— St. Irenaeus of Lyon
Dear Parishioners:
Monday, January 8 is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. With that feast, the Season of Christmastide comes to an end. I hope this past Christmas Season was one of resting in and allowing the newborn Christ to permeate your lives. As we begin this new civil year, I ask that we all pray for each other, that whatever this year brings, we may be conformed to the will of the Father. Take courage
DECEMBER 24, 2023
Almighty and Eternal God, whose light has shone in our mortal darkness; reveal Your presence in our souls, and direct us in our thoughts, words and deeds; awaken us from the sleep of sin, and make us know that now is the accepted time and now the day of salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(A Traditional Advent Prayer)
Dear Parishioners:
As of today, Dec. 24, we are still in Advent. There are a handful of hours remaining until the Lord's coming, but still, those hours are there. In these remaining hours, I hope we all can take time and sit in quiet. All of us should take one hour and be quiet and be still, and hear the voice of the Father. What is he saying to you and to me?
Tomorrow is the Nativity of the Lord. I hope that this Season of Christmastide is one in which we can rest in the mystery of the birth of the Lord. Whatever the world says that Christmas is, we know that it is about God's goodness taking on our nature. Hopefully, we can all be with the newborn Christ and allow this mystery to make a difference in our lives. Happy Christmas!
Finally, I want to say that Phase 1 of our restoration project is completed. It's been quite the process from the campaign to planning and finally the actual work. There has been a lot of time and effort put into this, but the result is remarkable.
I want to thank all of you who contributed to the campaign - thank you for your generosity! Also, I want to thank the committee members who assisted me in this project - Mike Bigalke, Theresea Glavin, Mark Strojny, and Wendy Tritz.
Also, thanks to all of the various workers who all contributed to this. We can now enjoy the fruits of everyone's labor.