The holy season of Lent
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- Created on Tuesday, 21 February 2012 13:00
- Written by Fr. Charles Stoetzel
The holy season of Lent will begin with Ash Wednesday this week. It is truly a holy season when we collectively call to mind our sins and desire to turn away from them. There are many opportunities for you to use this season well to help you become a better Catholic:
MASS
The parish has four Masses on Ash Wednesday, three Monday–Friday, and two on Saturday. The readings for the day are very fitting calling us to conversion. Come early and stay throughout the Mass to pray properly.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS AND BENEDICTION
Stations are celebrated Monday – Friday beginning at 11:40 am. Adoration will be every Friday in Lent after the 12:10 pm Mass until Stations which begin at 5:10 pm. It brings to mind and soul the suffering that Jesus Christ endured out of love for us sinful people.
LENTEN SOUP SUPPER AND PRESENTATION
They are held on Friday evenings after Stations and Benediction in the undercroft. Monetary donations support causes established by the Education Committee.
COLLECTIONS
Collections are taken at the 8:00 am and 12:10 pm during Lent. The proceeds are given to support the Catholic missions.
ABSTINENCE AND FASTING
Abstinence is to refrain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, all Fridays in Lent, and Good Friday. This is for all Catholics beginning at age 14. Fasting is to be done on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. It means a person can eat one full mean, and the two other meals combined is not to exceed the amount of the one full meal; no eating between meals. This is for all Catholics from age 18 to those who have completed their 59th birthday.
Thank you and God bless you.
Fr. Stoetzel
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
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- Created on Monday, 13 February 2012 15:43
- Written by Fr. Charles Stoetzel
There are a number of words that we hate to hear or use but no word brings any greater fear than cancer. I have noticed that the number of people who have it seems to run in cycles. There are times that I hear of hardly anyone having it; other times, it is one right after another. In an article I read about 30 years ago, doctors predicted that by 2015, 1 out of 3 Americans will get some form of cancer; by 2030, 1 out of 2. So, the chances getting cancer become greater. I am included in the 1 out of 3 for I have had two spots of skin cancer. Tremendous strides have been made in curing cancer but there are many more hoping to be achieved.
This Saturday (February 11) is the optional memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes. Even though it will not be celebrated at the Saturday Mass for the weekend, I believe it is most important to pray for the sick especially those having cancer. We pray certainly for cures but we must also realize that it is in the hand of God and His will.
Thank you and God bless you.
Fr. Stoetzel
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
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- Created on Tuesday, 07 February 2012 12:40
- Written by Fr. Charles Stoetzel
A phrase that the late President Reagan made famous in debates while running for president was, “Well, there he goes again.” Perhaps that might be said about me today.
I will be going on vacation to visit a priest-classmate in Florida from Feb. 6th-16th. He is older than my class, and retired two years earlier than his diocese allows but he received the approval from his bishop. He purchased a home in Ocala where he lives half the year and the other working in his home diocese. Ever since he bought it, he has asked me to come and visit. So I made the plans to do so, and hope the weather will be very warm and sunny. However, it is hard to beat the nice weather we are having this winter! I won’t even give you two guesses which mode of transportation I will take to get to-and-back. Several priests will be covering while I am away.
Thank you and God bless you.
Fr. Stoetzel
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
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- Created on Tuesday, 31 January 2012 15:27
- Written by Bp. William Callahan, OFM Conv.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
May the Lord give you peace.
Please allow me a moment to share some news with you concerning an alarming and serious matter that negatively impacts the Church in the United States directly, and strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith. The federal government, which claims to be "of, by, and for the people," has just dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people-the Catholic populationand to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that almost all employers, including Catholic employers/ will be forced to offer their employees' health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. Almost all health insurers will be forcedto include those "services" in the health policies they write; and almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies.
In so ruling, the Administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics our Nation's first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty. As a result, unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled either to violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so). The Administration's sole concessionwas to give our institutions one year to comply.
We cannot-we will not-comply with this unjust law. People of faith cannot be made second-classcitizens. Our brothers and sisters of all faiths, and many others of good will, already join us in this important effort to safeguard our religious freedom. Our parents and grandparents did not come to these shores to help build America's cities and towns, its infrastructure and institutions, its enterprise and culture, only to have their posterity stripped of their God given rights.
In generations past, the Church has always been able to count on the faithful to stand up and protect her sacred rights and duties. I hope and trust She can count on this generation of Catholics to do the same. Our children and grandchildren deserve nothing less.
I am, therefore, asking three things of you. First, as a community of faith, we must commit ourselves to some extra time of prayer and fasting. I leave that time open to your good judgment and charity. We must pray that wisdom and justice may prevail and religious liberty may be restored. Without God, our efforts will amount to nothing; with God, our faith can move mountains!
Secondly, I encourage you to please visit the Bishops' Conference website at: www.usccb.org/conscience. There you can find a video presentation from Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York and the current President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops, concerning the importance of this matter and learn more about this severe assault on religious liberty.
Thirdly, and most Significantly, information is available there, and I hope you will use it to contact our representatives in Congress prevailing upon them to support legislation that would reverse the Administration's decision.
Thank you for your kind attention to this letter and for any further support you may offer. Obviously, this is a matter of grave importance for us as Catholics; please remember, it is also a matter of grave importance for us as Americans.God be with you.
Praying for all of your special intentions and the needs of your families, I am
Sincerely yours in Jesus and Mary,
Most Reverend William Patrick Callahan
Bishop of La Crosse
Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time
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- Created on Tuesday, 31 January 2012 15:15
- Written by Fr. Charles Stoetzel
This weekend begins the celebration of Catholic Schools Week. Schools plan various activities with students to mark the week. However, it is more important to celebrate and show appreciation for the purpose of Catholic schools, and the many sacrifices of those who support them including the Catholic parishes.
The original intent of Catholic schools in the United States was to educate Catholic children who immigrated here with their parents. Catholic children were not allowed to attend public schools. Many religious orders were founded with the purpose to start Catholic schools for the education of the youth in all academics including teaching the Catholic faith. The original intent is no longer true but the need to educate Catholic children of the faith is. That is one thing that no one can take from a person.
This diocese has had a rich history supporting Catholic schools in the past and present, and looking to the future with great optimism. Many thanks go to our parents, parishioners and benefactors who support the mission of Catholic schools today. We pray for God’s blessings to bless the work of our Catholic schools.
Thank you and God bless you.
Fr. Stoetzel
Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
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- Created on Thursday, 26 January 2012 12:21
- Written by Fr. Charles Stoetzel
This Sunday marks the 39th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision to make abortion legal in this country. It is estimated there are about 1,000,000 abortions performed every year since 1973. Depending on which side of the issue a person supports, there has been much talk and heated debate. Passions run high by both groups.
The one aspect that seems under-estimated is science. It holds that a new, distinct being is created at the moment of conception which is human. Since I believe that no one wants to refute science, then there should be no question on the validity of abortion. However, those who are pro-choice muddle the fact by saying that the being isn’t fully human. The question is: Who makes that determination? If it is left to humanity, imagine how imperfect that is going to be. Who wants to take on the awesome task to say who lives and dies?
We must continue to pray, read and support pro-life causes. Let us ask the source of all life, God, to help us in our need to protect human life from the moment of conception to the last natural breath.
Monday, Jan. 23rd is a penitential day. Please attend Mass, say an extra rosary, and do some sort of penance to end all forms of evil that is destructive against human life.
Thank you and God bless you.
Fr. Stoetzel
