SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church

High Mass on Sunday, June 3rd at 4:00pm

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:51:00 +0000

Our next Tridentine Mass will be on Sunday, June 3rd, 2012 at at 4:00 PM with 3:30 confessions. We will be celebrating Trinity Sunday.

High Mass on Sunday, May 6 at 4:00pm

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:42:00 +0000

Our next Tridentine Mass will be on Sunday, May 6th, 2012 at at 4:00 PM with 3:30 confessions. We will be celebrating the Second Sunday after Easter.

High Mass on April 22nd at 4:00 PM

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:12:00 +0000

Our next Tridentine Mass will be on April 22, 2012 at 4:00 PM with 3:30 confessions. We will be celebrating the Second Sunday after Easter.

[From the Tridentine Mass Missal Project]

White

Semi-double

This Sunday is often called Good Shepherd Sunday: the Gospel tells us of the Good Shepherd. Jesus is indeed the Good Shepherd of our souls. He came to give His life for us.

INTROIT ¤ Ps. 32. 5, 6

Misericordia Domini plena est terra, alleluia: verbo Domini coeli firmati sunt, alleluia, alleluia. -- Exsultate, justi, in Domino: rectos decet collaudatio. V.: Gloria Patri . . . - Misericordia Domini plena est terra . . .

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord, alleluia: by the word of the Lord were the heavens made, alleluia, alleluia. -- (Ps. 32. 1). Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: praise is comely for the upright. V.: Glory to the Father . . . -- The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord . . .

COLLECT.--O God, who, by the humility of Thy Son, didst lift up a fallen world, grant unending happiness to Thy faithful: that those whom Thou hast snatched from the perils of endless death, Thou mayest cause to rejoice in everlasting days. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .

EPISTLE ¤ I. Peter 2. 21-25
Lesson from the first Epistle of Blessed Peter the Apostle.

[St. Peter, Head and Pastor of the Church of Christ, tells us in his Epistle that Jesus is the Shepherd of our souls, which were as sheep going astray.]

Dearly beloved, Christ suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow His steps who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth. Who when He was reviled, did not revile: when He suffered, He threatened not, but delivered Himself to him that judged Him unjustly: who His own self bore our sins in His body upon the tree: that we, being dead to sins, should live to justice; by whose stripes you were healed. For you were as sheep going astray: but you are now converted to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

GRADUAL ¤ Luke 24. 35

Alleluia, alleluia. V.: Cognoverunt discipuli Dominum Jesum in fractione panis. Alleluia. V.: Ego sum pastor bonus: et cognosco oves meas, et cognoscunt me meae. Alleluia.

Alleluia, alleluia. V.: The disciples knew the Lord Jesus in the breaking of bread. Alleluia. V.: (John 10. 14). I am the good Shepherd: and I know My sheep, and Mine know Me. Alleluia.

GOSPEL ¤ John 10. 11-16
† Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. John.

[Parable of the Good Shepherd; Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who protects His sheep from the attacks of the wolf and gives His life for them.]

At that time Jesus said to the Pharisees: I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd giveth his life for his sheep. But the hireling, and he that is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming and leaveth the sheep and flieth: and the wolf catcheth and scattereth the sheep: and the hireling flieth, because he is a hireling, and he hath no care for the sheep. I am the good Shepherd: and I know Mine, and Mine know Me, as the Father knoweth Me, and I know the Father: and I lay down My life for My sheep. And other sheep I have that are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.

Images from Easter Vigil 2012

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:49:00 +0000

*Updated: Here are a few images from the Easter Vigil 2012.

Images from Good Friday 2012

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 19:58:00 +0000

Here are some images from the liturgy of Good Friday, 2012:

Images from Holy Thursday 2012

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:20:00 +0000

Here are a few images from the liturgy of Holy Thursday in 2012:

A (Re)Orientation of the Liturgy

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:51:00 +0000

"Despite all the variations in practice that have taken place far into the second millennium, one thing has remained clear for the whole of Christendom: praying toward the east is a tradition that goes back to the beginning. Moreover, it is a fundamental expression of the Christian synthesis of cosmos and history, of being rooted in the once-for-all events of salvation history while going out to meet the Lord who is to come again" [emphasis added]
(Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), The Spirit of the Liturgy

A (RE)ORIENTATION OF THE LITURGY

by Mr. Phil Kosloski, Director of Adult Formation & Liturgy

By far, the change in the liturgy that has most characterized the "Spirit of Vatican II" has been the turning of the priest away from the tabernacle and towards the people (versus populum). Unfortunately, this is also one of the most fundamental misunderstandings in the new regulations that came out after the Second Vatican Council. Yes indeed, there was the provision that allowed the celebration of the Mass in this way, not found in any of the documents from Vatican II, but in the instructions in the new Roman Missal published in 1969: "The altar should be built apart from the wall, in such a way that it is possible to walk around it easily and that Mass can be celebrated at it facing the people." However, the instruction does not mandate Mass being celebrated towards the people, but simply allows it. Consequently, even though 99% of parishes today celebrate Mass towards the people, it does not mean that this direction is the only possible way of worshiping God.

TOWARDS THE EAST

Historically speaking, the liturgy of the ancient Christians was always celebrated towards the East. The reasoning behind this was primarily rooted in the Eschatological hope of Christ's Second Coming. They saw the rising of the sun as a foreshadowing of when Christ would come again at the end of time. Since East is where the sun rises, it became fitting for the early Christians to always face the east whenever they prayed. In fact, other religions developed their own direction of prayer. Muslims, for example, always pray towards Mecca. This position of prayer adopted by the early Church became known as ad orientem (towards the East). Churches were then built always to face the East, with the sanctuary at the eastern end. In Rome, where some churches were built facing West, the priest would still always celebrate Mass towards the East. This is evident in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, where the priest still faces East. However, to our eyes he is facing the people. In reality, the priest is only facing the people because of the construction of the church and the need for the priest to face the East. In the modern day in order to correct this orientation, many priest will put a crucifix on the altar and so develop a "liturgical East." In this instance the priest faces not so much the people as Christ on the Cross, who is the proper end of our worship.

TOWARDS GOD

Another reason why the priest is directed to "turn his back" away from the people, is so that the priest is in direct unity with those in the pews. When the priest celebrates Mass toward the tabernacle, he is united with everyone in the proper posture of prayer: towards God. This is important to keep in mind, for the liturgy is not primarily meant to be a gathering of individuals for fellowship, but it is supposed to be directed towards worship of God. When the priest is oriented in this manner, he is leading the people behind him towards God. He is like Moses leading the people through the Red Sea into the Promised Land. The priest is like the Good Shepherd leading his flock towards better pasture. He is a leader of a pilgrimage, and it is vital that the leader or guide be facing the proper direction. Facing the tabernacle in this way, he is not "turning his back on the people, obscuring our view of the Mass." Instead, he is opening up for us an aspect of the liturgy that is vital for us to understand: our lives are meant to be directed towards Heaven. Facing the East with the priest reminds us of the need to direct our entire selves, indeed our whole body and soul, "to the heights" as Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassti would often say. Our goal is Heaven and ultimate union with God and so it is fitting to be oriented in such a way that we are all on the same path; pilgrims on a journey to the Promised Land of Heaven. In addition to all of this, the direction of the priest facing the tabernacle puts him in direct dialogue with God the Father. Indeed, the priest is meant to be an "alter Christus," another Christ who intercedes on our behalf to God the Father.

"A common turning to the east during the Eucharist Prayer remains essential. This is not a case of something accidental, but of what is essential. Looking at the priest has no importance. What matters is looking together at the Lord. It is not now a question of dialogue but of common worship, of setting off toward the One who is to come. What corresponds with the reality of what is happening is not the closed circle, but the common movement forward, expressed in a common direction for prayer."
[emphasis added] (Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), The Spirit of the Liturgy

POPE BENEDICT XVI

As it is seen by the two quotes given above, Pope Benedict XVI highly favors this proper orientation at Mass. Thus far in his Pontificate, he has shown this in two ways: (1) whenever he celebrates Mass, there is always an altar crucifix to show that he is celebrating Mass "towards God;" (2) on several occasions, he has turned "with the people" and has faced the tabernacle while celebrating Mass. The reason why he does this is simple: our Supreme Pontiff desires to teach us an important lesson about how we are to worship. He desires that we worship not each other, but that we direct our minds, hearts, and bodies towards God. He realizes the truth of the old maxim, lex orandi, lex credendi: "the law of prayer is the law of belief." What this challenges us to consider is that the way we pray to God very often reflects the way we believe. This does not mean that Mass celebrated versus populum is inherently bad (it is permitted by the Church), however, it does challenge our attitude toward worship. The question is raised to each one of us, "do we truly worship God and focus solely upon Him in the way we pray?"

This Sacred Triduum, let us open ourselves to renewal and a proper re-orientation in the manner in which we participate in the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.

Additional Resources:
http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2009/12/pope-celebrates-ad-orientem-in-pauline.html
http://www.ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zreorient.htm
http://www.sacredarchitecture.org/articles/louis_bouyer_and_church_architecture/
http://www.stmarynorwalk.net/faqbox.html

Sacred Triduum

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:12:00 +0000

Mass times for the Holy Triduum 2012
Mass of the Lord's Supper (Holy Thursday): 7:00 PM
Passion of Our Lord (Good Friday): 12:30 PM
Easter Vigil: 8:30 PM

I slept on the cross and a sword pierced My side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in Hell. The sword that pierced Me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.

Rise. Let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity. (From an Ancient Holy Saturday Homily)

New Catholic Gift Shop in Wisconsin Rapids

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:33:00 +0000

NEW CATHOLIC GIFT SHOP IN WISCONSIN RAPIDS

Starting Monday, March 19th, the Marian Center Gift Shop will open its doors. This will be a complete Catholic Gift Shop that will feature all kinds of Catholic Gifts, especially gifts for First Communion, Baptism and Confirmation.

The hours are as follows:

M-T: 10:00am—4:00pm

W: 1:30pm—7:30pm

Th-F: 10:00am—4:00pm

The address of the gift shop is: Marian Center for Peace 241 Apricot Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

Get Thee to the Confessional!

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:27:00 +0000

Get Thee to the Confessional!

by Mr. Phil Kosloski, Director of Adult Formation

Most people dread going to confession. Why do I have to confess my sins to a priest? Can't I go straight to God? Doesn't God already know my sins?

The short answer is that confession is for our sake and not God's. God knows everything about our lives. He knows every strand of hair on our head. Obviously He knows every sin we commit. However, like a loving father He wants us to approach Him for forgiveness.

As any parent knows, when your child does something wrong right in front of you, what do you tell them? "Say you're sorry!" Now do parents do this for their sake? No. They know what the child did wrong. However, all good parents want their children to know that what they did was wrong and that they need to apologize for it. Similarly, God knows our sins, but He wants us to make the effort, realize what we did was indeed wrong and then apologize for our wrongdoing.

Why can't I confess my sins straight to God? Sin by its very nature is communal. As much as we deny it, all of our sins hurt other people. Even our thoughts injure our communion with others for they lead to actions or words that damage. Consequently, we need to not only reconcile with God, but also with the Church. The priest is the representative of the Church and he reconciles the sinner, bringing them back into full communion with the People of God.

Also, we must always remember that it is not the priest who absolves our sins but God! God uses the priest as an instrument of grace for the penitent. The priest is acting in persona Christ, in the person of Christ. Jesus Christ is the one who is truly there in the sacrament and He alone grants pardon.

Sin is also naturally prideful. Every sin stems from a prideful attitude that "I" know better than God. Gossiping and slandering about friends and relatives makes the statement that "I" have the ability to enact judgment. "I" know what is good and what is evil. "I" have a special knowledge that no one else has. "I" have sex outside of marriage, because "I" think it is OK. As a result, confessing our sins demands a humiliation. We must approach the priest and admit our fault and say that "I detest all my sins." There is a reason why we don't want to go to confession to a priest: we don't want to be humiliated! We want to keep our sin to ourselves as a pet that no one knows about. Going to a priest "lets the cat out of the bag" and we can no longer keep our sin hidden. However, the first step to sanctity demands this humility. The only way we can get to Heaven is if we recognize this fact: God is God and we are not.

The Good News

Thankfully, there is good news. God is not out to smite us. Instead, He beckons us to the confessional and like a loving father, embraces us. Read the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke chapter 15. There you will see an image of God that is not a white man with a grey beard sitting on a cloud, looking down upon us and ready to strike poor sinners with a lightning bolt. That is not who God is! God is an "eternal exchange of love" and He has "destined us to share in that exchange" as the Catechism tells us. The reason why He wants us to go to confession is because He loves us!

Don't know how to go to confession? There are pamphlets in the back of Church as well as online. You can check out an Examination of Conscience at:

Examination 1

Examination 2

Examination 3

Get Thee to the Confessional!

More resources on Confession:

http://www.catholic.com/tracts/confession

http://www.catholic.org/prayers/confession.php

Estovir Men's Conference

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:17:00 +0000

2012 ESTO VIR MIDWEST MEN’S CONFERENCE The Esto-Vir Annual Men’s
Conference is coming soon, March 10th to St. Pius X parish in Appleton, WI. This year’s featured guests will include The Most Reverend David L. Ricken, Fr. Larry Richards, Fr. Francis Hoffman “Father Rocky”, and Mr. Alan Keyes – former U.S Ambassador to the United Nations. Mass with Bishop Ricken will follow at 4PM. Registration is open now online at www.estovir.com. $40 early registration ends March 5th. Registration at the door is $50. SS Peter and Paul is organizing a group of men to attend this great opportunity. Please e-mail the parish office at: sspeter_paul@hotmail.com once you have registered for the conference online. There will either be a carpool or a bus depending on the number of men attending form SSPP.

Be a Man!

Check out the website for more information.: http://estovir.com/

New Office Hours

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:41:00 +0000

*New Office Hours*

Tuesday: 8:30 AM—12:00 PM

Wednesday—Friday:
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

In an effort to minimize costs, we are closing down the parish office on
Tuesdays at 12:00 PM.
As a reminder, the parish offices are closed on Mondays.

Fat Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:10:00 +0000

Check out this article to learn more about "Fat Tuesday."
http://josemariaadultformation.blogspot.com/2012/02/shrove-tuesday.html

Novena in Honor of Our Sorrowful Mother

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:48:00 +0000

For the past 40 years, Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church has had the privilege of participating in the Novena in Honor of Our Sorrowful Mother. This Novena starts every year at our parish 9 Fridays before Good Friday and includes Novena prayers, the Via Martis and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament [Our current schedule is at 7:00 PM on the 9 Fridays before Good Friday, for dates, please see our current bulletin]. Our parish has sustained a great devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows and many graces have been poured out upon our parishioners. Yet, not everyone knows the history behind this beautiful devotion. Consequently, I have provided below a short history of the devotion as it is found in the official Novena booklets produced by the Servite Fathers in Chicago, IL. It is fitting to post this today (February 17th) as it is the feast day of the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order.

In the very early days of 1937, His Eminence George Cardinal Mundelein, Archbishop of Chicago, approved the Perpetual Novena in honor of Our Sorrowful Mother for the Servite Church of Our Lady of Sorrows in Chicago, Illinois. This devotion was originated in its present form by the Rev. James R. Keane, O.S.M., then Prior of the Servite Community in Chicago. The first Novena services were held on Friday, January 8, 1937. They consisted of the Via Martis, six prayers culled from the ancient Servite Manual, two hymns to Our Blessed Mother, the Memorare, and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

On March 22 of the same year the Cardinal Archbishop gave his Imprimatur for the publication of the Novena prayerbook. One year after His Eminence granted the Imprimatur, 73,000 people were making the Novena at 38 services each Friday in Our Lady of Sorrows Church. This phenomenal weekly attendance at one church constituted a world record.

[...] This devotion to Our Sorrowful Mother is new only in its Novena from. The Via Martis and the other prayers date back to the Middle Ages. The devotion itself-devotion to Mary's Sorrows-is as old as the Catholic Church. An intimate corollary of the Incarnation, it was publicaly announced to all mankind by Our Divine Savior in His Agony on the Cross, when He said to St. John, "Behold Thy Mother" (John XIX, 27).

[...] The Novena to Our Sorrowful Mother is such a powerful and beloved devotion that the church, Our Lady of Sorrows in Chicago, where the Novena originated, has been raised to the dignity of a basilica, principally because of the devotion associated with the church through the Novena. Some indication of the importance of this church and shrine is to be found in the following decree, by which Pope Pius XII raised Our Lady of Sorrows church to the exalted rank of basilica:

First and most important church in America dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows is to be found in the teeming city of Chicago. The Order of Servants of Mary established this place of devotion in the year 1874. In the beginning of this century they built a spacious Church with a seating capacity of approximately 3,000 people, patterned after a style of architecture identified with the Renaissance. Wonderful are the graceful towers rising at each side of the facade of the Church. the marble of the Main Altar was imported from famed Carrara and is topped by a picture of the Sorrowful Mother.

[...]what is most worthy of praise is the fact that this Church is an outstanding place of devotion in America, where the Sorrowful Virgin is venerated. From this Shrine, the devotion in the form of the "Novena to Our Sorrowful Mother" spread everywhere like an inundating river.

It is well to remember the Novena prayers to the Blessed Mother of God were first compiled and then prayed in this church and are now used in 2,300 churches throughout the U.S.A. and other parts of the world. These prayers have been said by countless numbers of people with great spiritual benefits.[...] Pius PP. XII

For more information:

Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows

To purchase a copy of the Novena booklet:

Friar Servants of Mary Bookstore

High Mass on March 4th at 4:00 PM

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:37:00 +0000

Our next Tridentine Mass will be on March 4, 2012 at 4:00 PM with 3:30 confessions. We will be celebrating the Second Sunday of Lent.

[From the Tridentine Mass Missal Project]

INTROIT ¤ Ps. 24. 6, 3, 22
	Reminiscere miserationum tuarum, Domine, et misericordiae tuae, quae a saeculo sunt: ne unquam dominentur nobis inimici nostri: libera nos, Deus Israel, ex omnibus augustiis nostris. -- Ad te, Domine, levavi animam meam, Deus meus, in te confido, non erubescam. V.: Gloria Patri . . . -- Reminiscere miserationum . . .	Remember, O Lord, Thy bowels of compassion, and Thy mercies that are from the beginning of the world, lest at any time our enemies rule over us: deliver us, O God of Israel, from all our tribulations. -- (Ps. 24. 1, 2). To Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul: in Thee, O my God, I put my trust; let me be not ashamed. V.: Glory to the Father . . . -- Remember, O Lord . . .
The Gloria in Excelsis is not said.

COLLECT
	Deus, qui conspicis omni nos virtute destitui: interius exteriusque custodi; ut ab omnibus adversitatibus muniamur in corpore, et a pravis cogitationibus mundemur in mente. Per Dominum . . .	O God, who seest that we are wholly destitute of strength, keep us within and without: that we may be defended in body from all adversity: and cleansed in mind from evil thoughts. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . .

EPISTLE ¤ I Thess. 4. 1-17 Lesson from the First Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians. Lectio Epistolae beati Pauli Apostoli ad Thessalonicenses. [God our Creator and our Lord "hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification, in Christ Jesus our Lord."]
	Fratres: Rogamus vos, et obsecramus in Domino Iesu, et quemadmodum accepistis a nobis quomodo oporteat vos ambulare, et placere Deo, sic et abuletis, ut abundetis magis. Scitis enim quae praecepta dederim vobis per Dominum Iesum. Haec est enim voluntas Dei, sanctificatio vestra: ut abstineatis vos a fornicatione, ut sciat unusquisque vestrum vas suum possidere in sanctificatione, et honore: non in passione desiderii, sicut et gentes, quae ignorant Deum: et ne quis supergrediatur, neque circumveniat in negotio fratrem suum: quoniam vindex est Dominus de his omnibus, sicut praediximus vobis, et testificati sumus. Non enim vocavit nos Deus in immunditiam, sed in sanctificationem: in Christo Iesu Domino nostro.	Brethren, We pray and beseech you in the Lord Jesus that, as you have received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, so also you would walk, that you may abound the more. For you know what precepts I have given to you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from fornication, that every one of you should know how to possess his vesel in sanctification and honor; not in the passion of lust, like the Gentiles that know not God: and that no man overreach nor circumvent his brother in business: because the Lord is the Avenger of all these things, as we have told you before and have all testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification: in Christ Jesus our Lord.

GRADUAL ¤ Ps. 24. 17, 18
	Tribulationes cordis mei dilatatae sunt: de necessitatibus meis eripe me, Domine. V.: Vide humilitatem meam, et laborem meum: et dimitte omnia peccata mea.	The troubles of my heart are multiplied: deliver me from my necessities, O Lord. V.: See my abjection and my labor; and forgive me all my sins.

TRACT ¤ Ps. 105. 1-4
	Confitemini Domino, quoniam bonus: quoniam in saeculum misericordia eius. V.: Quis loquetur potentias Domini: auditas faciet omnes laudes eius? V.: Beati qui custodiunt iudicium, et faciunt iustitiam in omni tempore. V.: Memento nostri, Domine: in bene placito populi tui: visita nos in salutari tuo.	Give glory to the Lord, for He is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. V.: Who shall declare the powers of the Lord: who shall set forth all His praises? V.: Blessed are they that keep judgment and do justice at all times. V.: Remember us, O Lord, in the favor of Thy people: visit us with Thy salvation.

GOSPEL ¤ Matth. 17. 1-9. † Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. † Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Matthaeum. [Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Mount Thabor: manifestation of the divinity of Jesus.]
	In illo tempore: Assumpsit Iesus Petrum, et Iacobem, et Ioannem fratrem eius, et duxit illos in montem excelsum seorsum: et transfiguratus est ante eos. Et resplenduit facies eius sicut sol: vestimenta autem eius facta sunt alba sicut nix. Et ecce apparuerunt illis Moyses et Elias cum eo loquentes. Respondens autem Petrus, dixit ad Iesum: Domine, bonum est nos hic esse: si vis, faciamus hic tria tabernacula, tibi unum, Moysi unum, et Eliae unum. Adhuc eo loquente, ecce nubes lucida obumbravit eos. Et ecce vox de nube, dicens: Hic est Filius meus dilectus, in quo mihi bene complacui: ipsum audite. Et audientes discipuli, ceciderunt in faciem suam, et timuerunt valde. Et accessit Iesus, et tetigit eos, dixitque eis: Surgite, et nolite timere. Levantes autem oculos suos, neminem viderunt, nisi solum Iesum. Et descendentibus illis de monte, praecepit eis Iesus, dicens: Nemini dixeritis visionem, donec Filius hominis a mortuis resurgat.	At that time Jesus took Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: and He was transfigured before them. And His face did shine as the sun, and His garments became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with Him. Then Peter answering said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo, a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye Him. And the disciples hearing, fell upon their face and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said to them: Arise, and fear not. And they, lifting up their eyes, saw no one, but only Jesus. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man till the Son of Man be risen from the dead.

What about Contraceptives?

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:06:00 +0000

Want to know a few of the reasons why the Church is against contraceptives? Check out a series of posts on http://josemariaadultformation.blogspot.com/ that begins today and will end at the end of the week.

The HHS Mandate and the Catholic Church

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:46:00 +0000

This past weekend, Bishops from across the United States of America had a letter read to their flock about the actions of the administration of Obama to mandate coverage for contraception for everyone, regardless of religious affiliation [Click here to read Bishop Callahan's letter]. This issue is not only about the hurtful consequences of contraception, but more importantly about religious freedom. Here is what the USCCB has to offer on the topic:

The HHS has issued a rule forcing nearly all private health plans to include coverage for all FDA-approved prescription contraceptive drugs and devices, as well as surgical sterilization. These are listed among "preventive services for women" that all health plans will have to cover without co-pays or other cost-sharing -- regardless of whether the insurer, the employer or other plan sponsor, or even the woman herself objects to such coverage.

The exemption provided for "religious employers" is so narrow that it fails to cover the vast majority of faith-based organizations, including Catholic hospitals, universities, and service organizations that help millions every year. Ironically, not even Jesus & his disciples would have qualified.

During the public comment period last fall, the bishops' grassroots campaign alone generated over 57,000 comments to HHS opposing their mandate.
Now that the Administration has refused to recognize the Constitutional conscience rights of organizations and individuals who oppose the mandate, the bishops are now urging Catholics and others of good will to fight this unprecedented attack on conscience rights and religious liberty. [USCCB]

To explain this issue directly, Archbishop Timothy Dolan released a video addressing his concerns:

Click here to view the video. This is principally a matter of religious freedom, as the government is forcing the Catholic Church to go against her conscience and to provide something that we believe to be morally evil. But why is it that the Church is so against contraception? Here is an excerpt from an article from a well-known speaker that helps get at the heart of the matter:

Only in the last 50-70 years has this been viewed primarily as a “Catholic” issue. Until 1930, all Christian bodies stood together in their condemnation of any attempt to sterilize the marital act. That year, the Anglican Church broke with more than nineteen hundred years of uninterrupted Christian teaching. When the pill debuted in the early 1960's, the Catholic Church alone was retaining what in 30 short years had come to be seen as an archaic, even absurd position.
[...]
When Margaret Sanger and her followers started pushing contraception in the early 1900's, wise men and women – and certainly not just Catholics – predicted that severing sex from procreation would eventually lead to sexual and societal chaos. Today’s culture of adultery, divorce, premarital sex, STD’s, out-of-wedlock births, abortion, fatherless children, homosexuality, poverty, crime, drugs, and violence was all foreseen.
[...]People throughout history have been tempted to commit adultery. It’s nothing new. However, one of the main deterrents from succumbing to the temptation has been the fear of pregnancy. What would happen if this natural deterrent were taken away? As history demonstrates, rates of adultery would skyrocket. What’s one of the main causes of divorce? Adultery. Apply the same logic to pre-marital sex. Such behavior has, indeed, skyrocketed. Premarital sex, as a kind of “adultery in advance,” is also a prime indicator of future marital breakdown.
[Read More...]

This issue of contraception is almost commonplace in the modern world and yet, it has proven to be the source of many of our problems. Here are some more resources to help understand the issue: http://www.catholic.com/tracts/birth-control

Sean Duffy and the March for Life

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:01:00 +0000

To finish up the posts about the March for Life, I will post a recap of Sunday night's talks and a summary of the March on Monday.

First off, Congressman Sean Duffy and his wife Rachel visited our group in our hotel on Sunday night. Both Sean and Rachel gave excellent speeches encouraging us in the fight for life. The young students were inspired by this young couple, for they were on MTV's Real World at one point in their lives and yet are still faithful Catholics. Sean Duffy particularly talked about the Pro-Life House of Representatives and how there are so many good things happening in the House. Their six children were also there and were a further witness to the sanctity of life.

After they gave their short speeches, a fellow pilgrim gave her witness to Life coming from the Ukraine. She explained her new apostolate called "Chalice of Mercy," where she is trying to bring the Light of Christ into the Ukraine. You can learn more about this exciting apostolate here: http://chaliceofmercy.org/.

On Monday, we first made our way to the Verizon Center for a large Youth Rally and Mass. There were about 20,000 youth in attendance, with several Cardinals, Bishops and over 200 priests. All of the students were encouraged by the sheer number of young people in support of Life and helped them to be confirmed in their faith.

After the Rally, we joined the March for Life around the Capital building to the Supreme Court House. While the news media only mentioned thousands of protestors, there were in reality over 400,000 in attendance. Here are the pictures to prove it:

Lastly, before we left, we were invited to stop over by the office of Congressman Sean Duffy. He organized for a room to be available for all the Wisconsin pilgrims to stop by for hot chocolate and to listen to a few speakers. Those speakers included EWTN's Raymond Arroyo, Live Action Film's Lila Rose and several fellow Congressmen from Wisconsin. It was a beautiful thing to see so many Pro-Life Congressmen from our State (like Paul Ryan and Jim Sensenbrenner) and to hear from leaders in the Pro-Life movement.

Overall, the trip was a grand success and it proves that every year we are gaining ground in the Pro-Life movement. We pray that we won't have to go to Washington DC next year, but if we do, we will bring even more young people to witness to Life.

What can we do to turn the tide? Besides all the things already mentioned, we must pray and act. With God's help we must witness to Life every day and vote for those in office who support that basic right.

Touring DC

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:22:00 +0000

Today, we ventured out and took in the historic sites of Washington DC. We started out our day back at the Basilica and participated in Holy Mass with hundreds of other youth from around the country who have come here for the March for Life. Bishop Joseph Cistone from the Diocese of Saginaw celebrated Mass and gave an inspiring homily on the need to act in the Pro-Life movement. He compared our situation to that of Jonah in the First Reading and how we are prophets who are sent out into the city of Washington DC to call people to repentance.

After Mass, we prayed in front of Planned Parenthood even though it is closed on Sundays. The particular Planned Parenthood we prayed at was only a few blocks away from the White House. We prayed a rosary and a few other prayers for the closing of all abortion centers.
After that we visited the White House, the Air and Space Museum, the Washington Monument, the WWII Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial. Another group visited a few of the other museums. It was a long day of walking, but the students seemed to enjoy the time in the big city.

Tonight we still have a few speakers, including Congressman Sean Duffy and his wife, Rachel. They are both very Catholic and very Pro-Life. Here is his website for more information on him: http://www.duffyforcongress.com/. I will post a synopsis of his talk when I have the time.

Tomorrow, we will be attending the youth rally and Mass at the Verizon Center, the actual March for Life, and then back on the bus to head home. The Verizon Center holds roughly 20,000 people and it will be packed tomorrow with youth from all around the country in support of Life. As a last reflection, since you won't hear about us on the news tomorrow, here is a video that explains why the media does not cover the March for Life year after year:

Youth Rally and Arrival in DC

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:16:00 +0000

To recap yesterday, we attended the energetic youth rally IGNITE in Milwaukee with Archbishop Listecki. We participated in Mass and then had some time of Eucharistic Adoration with a few speakers giving inspiring talks before adoration started. Vicki Thorn gave a stunning testimony that helped encourage the youth to be active in the Pro-Life cause. She reaffirmed that this generation of youth is the most Pro-Life generation since Roe v. Wade. There were over 300 hundred youth from across Wisconsin in attendance. The Diocese of La Crosse had the largest representation of young people. Here are a few pictures of the events:

Today we arrived safe and sound in Washington DC. After hours of driving in the snow all our busses arrived safely. However, it did take us longer than expected and so we had to adjust our schedule. We moved praying in front of Planned Parenthood to tomorrow and instead went to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. We attended evening Mass and toured the beautiful church. After spending some time there worshipping our Lord, we came to our hotel, had dinner, and cleaned up. We look forward to tomorrow where we will spend some time touring the historic sites of DC. The most powerful evemt tomorrow will be praying at Planned Parenthood. This is always a moving moment for all the students and adults who attend.

Here are some pictures of the beautiful Shrine church. All the kids loved the beauty of the church and spent a lot of time viewing the sacred art all over the church. This Basilica is the largest Catholic church in the US.

What can we really do to turn the tide in the abortion battle? What we have learned so far points to seeing humans as made in the image of God. If we can start to love our neighbor, we can show the world how important every life is. However, there is always more that we can do. We will look into that when we listen to a few more speakers to tomorrow.

Marching for Life 2012: The Story of SSPP Parishioners Defending Life

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0000

By Mr. Phil Kosloski
Today 20 students and 4 chaperones embark on the long journey to Washington DC to give a voice to the voiceless. We will board a bus this morning to begin our roughly 20 hour bus ride that is a part of a much larger group from the Diocese of La Crosse. In all we have 203 people traveling in our group from all corners of the Diocese. Groups that ride in our four busses come from almost every Catholic High School as well as many parishes from the area. Later today we are joining all of the youth from across Wisconsin in Milwaukee for a Pro-Life Youth Rally. This youth rally, called IGNITE, will have present hundreds of youth from across our state who are on their way to Washington DC. We will be joined in prayer with Archbishop Jerome Listecki who will celebrate Mass for us at the Archbishop Cousins Center. This is great news to hear as many times we can get pessimistic about the apparent darkness that has enveloped our country. In fact, the youth of our day are even more pro-life than any other recent generation! For example, a recent Gallup Poll found 47% of American youth between 18-29 years old supported a “pro-life” view while 45% supported a “pro-choice” view with 8% responding that they did not know. As you can see, the tide is turning in the young people of America!

You can see as well in the video below the enthusiasm for protecting life among college students. I highly encourage you to watch the video to see the good news! I can assure you, your spirits will be lifted after watching this short video.

However, while this may be true, we still have a long way to go to protect the unborn. Abortion is still legal and thousands of babies are killed and thousands of women are taking advantage of and are forced to have abortions. What more then can we do?This is a topic I hope to explore in the next few days as we attend the various events in Washington DC. There are certainly many things we can do, but what is the most effective? I hope to offer my thoughts in the coming days.

__________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Phil Kosloski is the Director of Adult Formation and Liturgy at SS Peter and Paul Church.

Pro-Life Resources

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:04:00 +0000

Pro-Life Resources

At SS Peter and Paul Church, we strive to protect the unborn and to provide resources for those considering abortion. Below are many links and documents that are meant to assist anyone who desires to protect life and to help any women to see the great beauty and dignity of human life.

The Pill and Contraceptives
Contraception and Cultural Chaos
Contraception and the Language of the Body
Contraception versus Natrual Family Planning
Does Contraception Foster Love?
Resources on Contraception
The Pill Kills
The Truth about Birth Control

The Truth About Abortion
Questions and Answers about Abortion
Showing What Abortion Really Is
Resources on Abortion

Natrual Family Planning
NFP Resources in the Diocese of La Crosse
NFP and More

Healing After Abortion
Rachael's Vineyard
Silent No More Awareness Campaign

Resources in Central Wisconsin
Catholic Charities
Diocese of La Crosse Pro-Life Resources

First Choice Pregnancy Resource Center
Pro-Life Wisconsin
Rachael's Vineyard

Local Organizations
Tri-City Right to Life
Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Church Documents
Teachings of the Magisterium on Abortion

Practical Things You Can Do
What You Can Do

Organizations
List of Pro-Life Organizations

High Mass on February 5, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:41:00 +0000

Our next Tridentine Mass will be on February 5th at 4:00 PM with 3:30 confessions. We will be celebrating Septuagesima Sunday.

Here is an excerpt of an article on Septuagesima Sunday:

The Origins and Purpose of Pre-Lent

With regard to the origins of the pre-Lenten period, many liturgical writers attribute the beginnings of pre-Lent to the desire to accomplish the 40 days fast -- since there were non-fast days within the weeks of Lent proper which accordingly did not amount to 40 days of fasting. Through piety and devotion, this was extended further still. The specific time of origin is not agreed upon, but various dates surrounding the time of St. Gregory the Great in the 6th and 7th centuries are noted in various respects -- with the devotional extension of the fast being mentioned even earlier. According to Duchesne, the fourth Council of Orleans mentions Quinqagesima and Sexagesima around A.D. 541 -- albeit it by way of disapproval.

The purpose of pre-Lent seems to be the same in both the Byzantine East and more ancient form of the Roman rite; it is a period of progressive preparation and movement toward Lent and ultimately Easter.

Fr. Weiser, in his Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs speaks of it accordingly:
The liturgical preparation for the greatest feast of Christianity -- Easter -- proceeds in five periods of penitential character. As the observance of this preparation apporaches the feast, the penitential note grows progressively deeper and stricter. The first period of this season of pre-Lent, from Septuagesima Sunday to Ash Wednesday; the second extends from Ash Wednesday to Passion Sunday; the third comprises Passion Week; the fourth includes the days of Holy Week up to Wednesday; the fifth consists in the Sacred Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.) In these three days, which are devoted entirely to the commemoration of the Lord's Passion, the penitential observance reaches its peak, until it ends (at the Easter Vigil) in the glorious and joyful celebration of the Resurrection. (p. 154-5)
Read More...

March for Life Coverage

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:38:00 +0000

Stay tuned to SS Peter and Paul Parish Website for daily updates from the March for Life. Coverage begins on January 20th and ends on January 24th. Featured will be pictures and reflections on each day's events.

Christmas at SS Peter and Paul

noreply@blogger.com (SS Peter and Paul) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:55:00 +0000

Here are some pictures from both the Midnight Mass as well as the 10:00 Mass on Christmas Day. We hope to have video of the Midnight Mass available in the coming days.