SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church

What about Contraceptives?

2012-02-06T09:06:00.000-08:00

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

2012-02-01T06:46:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-25T05:01:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-23T10:22:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-22T10:16:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-20T09:00:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-19T12:04:00.001-08:00

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

2012-01-17T12:41:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-16T11:38:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-29T09:55:00.001-08:00

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.

Christmas Midnight Mass

2011-12-21T08:19:00.000-08:00

You are invited to attend the Midnight Mass at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids, WI.

Mass will begin at 12:00 AM on Christmas Eve with a concert before hand at 11:30 PM.

Begin Christmas off right by welcoming in the Christ Child in the silent of the night.

Revision to Bulletin

2011-12-21T07:35:00.000-08:00

*Please Disregard Weekday Mass Schedule in the Bulletin*
*Below is the correct schedule*

Monday, December 26th—Saint Stephen, first martyr, feast
NO MASS

Tuesday, December 27th—Saint John, apostle & evangelist, feast
*OFFICE IS CLOSED*
5:15 pm—Mark Nelson

Wednesday, December 28th—Holy Innocents, martyrs, feast
8:00 am— Intentions of Douglas Borre

Thursday, December 29th-Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas, Saint Thomas Becket
8:00 am— Joan & Jack Cepek 49th Wedding Anniversary & Birthdays of Daughters Mary & Jodi

Friday - December 30th— The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
8:00 am— Joseph Krohn

Saturday, December 31st—The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas
Weekday Mass
8:00 am—Richard Ostrowski

Importance of Catholic Traditions in the Home

2011-12-13T06:59:00.000-08:00

Christmas is by far the most widely celebrated Christian holiday in the Western world. However, it is also the most widely secularized Christian holiday. Many of the Catholic traditions that were done in the past in the countries of our ancestors have all but gone here in America. The Christmas tree tends to be the only remnant of what was a distinct Christian culture that dwelt in the homes during this time of year. This is unfortunate, for the principal way that our children know and practice the faith is how it is taught in the home. If our children come home to an entirely secular way of celebrating Christmas, it should come as no surprise to see so many children that do not know what Christmas is about. In the end, if they know more about Santa Claus then Jesus Christ, it is hard for our children to celebrate Christmas for what it truly is.

The family was always meant to be a “domestic church,” where the father and mother passed down to their children what it meant to be a Christian. God revealed this to us all the way back in the time of Noah and Abraham. This still holds true today and has been reiterated by Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. Consequently, when celebrating Christmas, our children are supposed to learn from us what this feast means and how it impacts their lives.

Yet, we are not always good with talking to our children. In this modern age it is even more difficult with cell phones, iPods, etc. However, sometimes it isn’t always our words that affect our kids the most as our actions. In particular, it is very often the traditions of Christmas that speak to our children and ingrain in them a knowledge that words can not do.

What then can we do as parents to impart to our children the true meaning of Christmas? The best place to start is to rediscover the Catholic traditions that our great grandparents used to pass on the faith. For example, the tradition of the Christmas tree was always reserved for the season of Christmas. When does the season of Christmas start? Christmas Eve. Your great-grandparents never put up their Christmas tree until Christmas Eve, for that is why it is called a Christmas tree to begin with. Here is part of the reason why it has been tradition to wait until December 24th:

The most important clue to the origin of the Christmas tree as we know it comes from the mystery and miracle plays, and in particular from the Tree of Good and Evil in the earthly Paradise.

These plays were first performed in the late Middle Ages and their purpose was to teach religion. It should be remembered that people in general were illiterate. To spread and to keep the faith alive, to make known the Sacred Scriptures, preaching was essential.
It was thought that acting out Bible and Gospel episodes for the humbler classes would facilitate this task. As a rule, these religious plays were enacted for the celebration of an episode or of the saint whom they featured, and they became popular throughout Europe. A famous play was the performance put on for holy Christmas, celebrated on 25 December.

On Christmas Eve, 24 December, Adam and Eve would be commemorated with the highly popular episode of the Tree of the earthly Paradise; they would tower on the stage together with the devil, disguised as a serpent, Eve picking an apple and Adam eating it. Original sin, expiated by Jesus born on the 25th, was symbolized on the night of 24 December. The tree ought to have been an apple tree, but since an apple tree would have been inappropriate in winter, a fir tree was set on the stage and some apples put on its branches or, to symbolize the future coming of Redemption, wafers prepared with crushed biscuits in special moulds that were symbols of the Eucharistic presence of Jesus, as well as sweets and gifts for children.

Even when the religious tableaux were abandoned, the Tree of Paradise continued to be associated with Christmas in many people's minds.[Catholic Culture]

Consequently, when putting up Christmas trees in the home became a tradition in Germany, they always refrained from putting it up until Christmas Eve. Also, since the tree wasn't put up until the 24th, the tree was not taken down until January 6th. This date is the day when the Magi came to visit the baby Jesus and is called the Epiphany. This more traditional usage of the Christmas tree spans the liturgical season of Christmas instead of Advent.

This is not to say you cannot have a tree up before Christmas Eve, but there is also a tradition called the “Jesse Tree” which is an Advent tradition to help us prepare for Christmas. This tree is put up at the very beginning of Advent and so would correspond with the American tradition of putting up the tree after Thanksgiving. Here is a little about the Jesse Tree:

The Jesse Tree dates back to the middle ages and came from Europe. Even some ancient cathedrals have Jesse Tree designs in their stained glass windows. The "tree" is usually a branch or sapling and is decorated with various symbols that remind us of the purpose and promises of God from Creation to the Birth of Jesus Christ.
Jesse was the father of King David and God promised David that his Kingdom would last forever. Two centuries after the death of King David, God spoke through the prophet Isaiah and said:
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots: and the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:1-2)
Each Jesse Tree ornament usually consists of a handmade symbol or drawing that represents one of the major stories of the Old Testament along with a brief verse of Scripture from that story. [Catholic Culture]

Another tradition deals with a fast that was kept on Christmas Eve, and after going to Midnight Mass, there would be a grand feast to celebrate Christ’s birth. This tradition reflects the penitential attitude of Advent. It also displays perfectly the adage, "Fast before you Feast."

A Polish tradition is the special observance of Christmas Eve and a special meal on that day:

For days in advance, Poles prepare the traditional foods and everyone anxiously awaits the moment when the first star, known as the Gwiazdka, appears in the eastern sky. For that is when the feast to commemorate the birth of the Christ Child begins.

There is always a thin layer of hay under the white tablecloth in memory of the Godchild in the manger. Before sitting down at the table, everyone breaks the traditional wafer, or Oplatek and exchanges good wishes for health, wealth and happiness in the New Year. This is such a deeply moving moment that often tears of love and joy are evoked from the family members who are breaking this symbolic bread. The Oplatek is a thin, unleavened wafer similar to the altar bread in the Roman Catholic Church. It is stamped with the figures of the Godchild, the blessed Mary, and the holy angels. The wafer is known as the bread of love and is often sent by mail to the absent members of the family.

A lighted candle in the windows symbolizes the hope that the Godchild, in the form of a stranger, may come to share the Wigilia and an extra place is set at the table for the unexpected guest. This belief stems from the ancient Polish adage, "A guest in the home is God in the home."

The Wigilia is a meatless meal, no doubt the result of a long-time Church mandate that a strict fast and abstinence be observed on this day before Christmas. Although the Church laws have been revised and permit meat to be eaten on this day, the traditional meal remains meatless. Items that would normally be included in a traditional Wigilia menu include mushroom soup, boiled potatoes (kartofle), pickled herring (sledzie), fried fish, pierogi, beans and sauerkraut (groch i kapusta), a dried fruit compote, babka, platek, assorted pastries, nuts and candies.

After the meal the members of the family sing Polish Christmas Carols called the koledy while the children wait impatiently around the Christmas tree or choinka for the gifts to be exchanged.

Christmas Day itself is spent in rest, prayer, and visits to various members of the family. In Poland, from Christmas Day until the twelfth night, boys trudge from village to village with an illuminated star and a ranting King Herod among them to sing carols. Sometimes, they penetrate the towns in expectation of more generous gifts.[Polish American Center]

German Christmas traditions have for the most part been transferred entirely to American culture. Click here to see a chart that compares the two celebrations of Christmas.

One more tradition is the singing of “Happy Birthday” to Jesus on Christmas Day. This is a more recent tradition, but something that displays to children the reality of Christmas

These and other traditions put the emphasis on the day of Christ’s birth, which is the central mystery we celebrate at Christmas.

Pictures from the Rorate Mass

2011-11-30T09:44:00.001-08:00

Below are a few pictures from the Rorate Mass that was offered on November 29th at SS Peter and Paul. There will be a second Rorate Mass at SS Peter and Paul on December 20th at 5:15 PM (for the history of the Rorate Mass check out this link http://te-deum.blogspot.com/2006/12/advent-rorate-masses-at-assumption.html::

Annual Christmas Bake Sale

2011-11-22T08:18:00.001-08:00

LADIES of SS. PETER &; PAUL PARISH –Mark your calendar for Saturday, December 10th & Sunday December 11th. The ladies of SS. Peter & Paul Council of Catholic Women will be hosting their Annual Christmas Bake Sale. We will be selling in the back of church after all the Masses.Our Council invites all ladies, members & non-members of Council, to participate by donating your special Christmas recipes of cookies, candy, pies for the sale. Monies earned will go to our various charities & projects.Bring your baked goods downstairs to the church basement on Saturday, Dec.10thafter 3:00 PM. Any questions, call Mary Bronk 715-421-2309 or Sandy Forstner 715-424-1675

New Lighthouse CDs

2011-11-18T12:21:00.000-08:00

There are new Lighthouse CDs in the back of Church, which include new CDs and booklets about the New Translation of the Mass.

Please check them out today!

If you are interested in learning more about the New Translation of the Mass, please check out this link:

http://josemariaadultformation.blogspot.com/search/label/Roman%20Missal

Below is an image of the booklet that is offered in the back of church.

[Source: Ascension Press]

Parish Calendar November-December 2011

2011-11-18T12:20:00.000-08:00

Click on the image below to see what is happening at SS Peter and Paul the rest of November and December:

Parish News

2011-11-17T12:20:00.000-08:00

As a reminder, the words of the Mass are changing next Sunday (Nov. 27th). This is also the first Sunday in Advent and the first Sunday of the Church’s liturgical year. In each of the pews is a pew card that has the changes marked out. Please keep these pew cards in the pew! Do NOT take them with you. If you would like to purchase one of these cards for your own personal use, please call the Parish Office. Everyone will be required to use either the pew cards or the Missalettes on Nov. 27th so that everyone recites together the new changes.

Also, this year we will be having a Holy Hour every Sunday of Advent beginning on Nov. 27th at 7:00 PM—8:00 PM. There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the celebration of Evening Prayer (Vespers) and Benediction. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Sts. Peter and Paul Annual Golden Mass and Collection for Christmas Food BasketsOur parish will continue its long-standing tradition (44 yrs.) of providing food baskets at Christmas time. You may bring non-perishable food to our Golden Mass on Thursday, Dec. 8, as well as the weekend before (Dec. 3-4) and the weekend following (Dec. 10-11). All food will be sorted and boxed, and deliveries will be on Saturday, Dec. 17th. If you wish to contribute money to help but bread, meat, cheese and other perishables, please put contributions in a separate envelope or take to the parish office. Please be as generous as you’ve been in past years. Volunteers are needed to sort, pack, and distribute. To nominate a family for a food basket or to volunteer, call the parish office at 715-423-1351 or Tom Brehmer at 715-424-1656.

Pope Reflects on Dieing in Hope

2011-11-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

2011-11-07 Vatican Radio

Pope Benedict XVI’s midday Angelus reflections this Sunday returned once again to the subject of death, one that is often obscured from contemporary culture, but one that nonetheless pervades everyday life.
In explaining the meaning of the Gospel and readings the Holy Father noted that the difference between believers and nonbelievers on death “is definitive”, because those who believe in the God who is Love “live and die in hope”.

This, he added, is an important point particularly in today’s world: “If we remove God, if we take away Christ, the world will fall back into the void and darkness. And this is also reflected in the expressions of contemporary nihilism, an often subconscious nihilism that unfortunately plagues many young people”.

True wisdom Pope Benedict said means “taking advantage of our mortal life to carry out works of mercy, because, after our death, it will no longer be possible. When we are reawakened for the Last Judgment, it will be based on the love we practiced in our earthly life (cf. Mt 25,31-46). And this love is the gift of Christ, poured out in us by the Holy Spirit. Those who believe in God who is Love carry within an invincible hope, like a lamp with which to cross the night after death, and reach the great celebration of life”.

[Emphasis Added]
Read More...

The Church Defends the Dignity of Man

2011-11-08T03:48:00.000-08:00

2011-11-07 Vatican Radio

“The Church does not defend its own interests, but the dignity of man”, said Pope Benedict XVI on Monday as he received the Letters of Credence from the new ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Holy See, Reinhard Schweppe.

In his message the Holy Father recalled his recent visit to his native land and offered a reflection on the contribution that Christianity can give to a pluralistic society such as Germany. The Pope said people are "seeking the truth” and that therefore, Christians are called to bear witness to the truth in their personal, family and community life.

In particular the Churches’ duty is to "defend the dignity of man" when "is put at risk". Today he noted “the fundamental values of human existence” are once again being called into question again.
"Only a society that unconditionally respects and defends the dignity of every person, from conception to natural death – said Pope Benedict - can be called a humane society". If, however, society decides to "select its members most in need of protection" it "would be behaving in a profoundly inhumane manner”. Moreover added the Pope, such a society would no longer be credible from the perspective of the equality of dignity of all people in every stage of life, evident to every person of good will. "

[Emphasis Added]
Read More...

Fallen-Away Catholics Invited Home This Christmas

2011-11-07T11:50:00.000-08:00

ATLANTA, Georgia, NOV. 4, 2011 (Zenit.org).- A ministry dedicated to bringing fallen-away Catholics back to the Church through media will be getting its message to 250 million people this Christmas season.

Catholics Come Home will air a one-minute invitation to return to parish life and get to know the Church. The spot will run more than 400 times from Dec. 16 to Jan. 8, reaching every U.S. diocese.

According to a statement from the ministry, Catholics Come Home hopes to inspire as many as 1 million souls to come home to local parishes. They've based this goal on statistical census results from Catholics Come Home media initiatives that have aired in 30 past partner dioceses: Where these ads have aired, Mass attendance has increased an average of 10%, and helped over 300,000 people home to the Church, just since 2008.

The Wise and Foolish Virgins : 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-11-06T11:25:00.000-08:00

Sermon 565 : The Wise and Foolish Virgins : 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 11/6/2011 Please click this link to listen to Father Robert Barron's Homily for this weekend.

How do we wait? That is the question addressed by Jesus' parable for today. While we wait for the second coming of the Lord, we should keep our lamps stocked with oil, that is to say, we should pray, study, love, do the works of mercy, and keep vigil. In so doing, we are ready for the arrival of the Bridegroom.

Publication of New Missal Rare Experience

2011-11-04T10:15:00.000-07:00

*The article below is a glimpse into the process of creating the new missals that will be used very shortly.

Project was a labor of love for several American publishers, leading editors and other staffers deeper into the mystery of the Mass.

by STEPHEN BEALE 11/04/2011

The altar missal produced by Midwest Theological Forum, open to the beginning of the First Eucharistic Prayer, features a reproduction of Diego Velázquez' Christ on the Cross, from the Museo del Prado in Madrid.

– Midwest Theological Forum

Publishing the English translation of the new Roman Missal is a once-in-a-generation undertaking that has drawn the assistance of a record number of seven publishers across the United States.

The most significant change to the text of the Mass since the Second Vatican Council has been years in the making.
“It’s a little bit daunting,” said John Thomas, director of Liturgy Training Publications, which is owned by the Archdiocese of Chicago.

For all but two of the publishers — Catholic Book Publishing Corp. and Liturgical Press — this is the first time they have come out with an English edition of the altar Missal. The text was the same for all, but each publisher added distinctive features, from artwork to the layout, poring over every detail in a book they say is unlike any other they have ever published. One publisher compared the construction of the Missal to a cathedral. Another said his company treated the book like an icon.
“Every publisher involved has taken this project very seriously,” said Peter Dwyer, director of Liturgical Press.
The altar Missal is a one-of-a-kind project for any book publisher, Dwyer said, because of the numerous tabs and ribbons, two-color text, and the need for a durable book that will be made of high-quality materials — at approximately 1,500 pages, to boot. Add to all that a ream of formal requirements from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship — such as the mandate that the pagination be the same for all editions and that all publishers include a minimum of 15 illustrations — and the project became that much more complicated, publishers said.

For some publishers, the task was an unprecedented undertaking that consumed most, if not all, of their staff’s time and talents.
Aside from the altar Missal itself, World Library Publishers developed 17 musical settings for the Mass, which were all done in the space of two years — a remarkable achievement, given that it normally takes up to a year and a half just to do one music setting, according to Jerry Galipeau, associate publisher at World Library Publications, which is a division of the J.S. Paluch Company, Inc.

“It has been an unbelievable two years,” said Galipeau. “It’s amazing to see what we’ve done.”
World Library Publications is also re-publishing any of its hymnals and missalettes that had the text of the Mass in it. “We went back to square one on everything. Everything that contains the text of the Mass has been redone,” Galipeau said.

Reaffirmation of "In God We Trust"

2011-11-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON (EWTN News)—The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a resolution reaffirming the United States’ official motto: “In God We Trust.”

The non-binding resolution, introduced by Rep. J. Randy Forbes, R-Va., passed by a vote of 396 to 9. It encourages the motto’s public display “in all public buildings, public schools and other government institutions.”

“Today, as in other times of division and difficulty in our nation’s history, the House of Representatives again reaffirmed ‘In God We Trust’ as our official motto and, in so doing, provided clarity amidst a cloud of confusion about our nation’s spiritual heritage and offered inspiration to an American people that face challenges of historic proportion,” Forbes said Nov. 1.

Latest Blog Entry of Bishop Callahan

2011-11-03T12:52:00.000-07:00

AUTUMN IN WISCONSIN
27 October 2011

I've had the pleasure of driving through the diocese these past few weeks from Ellsworth to Edgar, with stops in Stratford, Marshfield and points back toward La Crosse. It is just beautiful out there! I joined some of my Franciscan brothers last week in Savannah, Ga. Another member of the Conventual Franciscans was ordained and consecrated as the bishop of Savannah. It was wonderful to see so many of the guys I've known for years. Many of those men are from New England states. People PAY money to drive through some of those areas this time of year. The guys were saying there wasn't much of a color show this year. I told 'em to come to Wisconsin. They wouldn't have to pay and the colors were magnificent! I sure hope that we all take some opportunity to give thanks to God for this great season!

Now it's Halloween. I've never really liked this holiday - even when I was a kid. It has only gotten worse over the years. Some people claim that Halloween is fast outpacing Christmas in popularity and decorations. Go figure. Makes me wonder why? I think Halloween has taken a real trend toward the dark side. Christmas is about light and the Light of the world. As society tries to turn that Light off, I guess it's easier to dress up, act out, and accept fantasy in place of reality.

We bishops of Wisconsin have just completed our Fall Meeting of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference. Archbishop Listecki, the archbishop of Milwaukee, is the president of the gathering of bishops who include Bishop David Ricken (Green Bay), Bishop Robert Morlino (Madison), Bishop Peter Christiansen (Superior), and me from La Crosse. There is, of course, much to discuss in our state and how some of those issues generally affect each of us. You will be hearing about some of the actions we discussed in the near future as they are rolled out in The Catholic Times.

November will soon be upon us and two of the most significant celebrations for us as human beings with faith start the whole month off with a bang! November begins with All Saints Day. What a terrific celebration to keep in mind everybody in heaven! People like us, who have made it. They help us and they intercede for us. Remember your baptismal and confirmation patron saint that day. Keep in mind, All Saints Day is a holy day of obligation. Like Sunday, Catholics are obliged to attend the Mass on that day.

All Souls Day follows on Nov 2. That day we remember our own mortality. Every one of us will die someday. How we live helps us to plan for how we will spend eternity. We pray for our beloved dead since they are now outside of time. While we are not obliged to attend the Mass on that day, it is the best prayer we can offer for anyone dead or alive....and I'll see you at Sunday Mass.Feel free to forward this message to everyone you feel would enjoy reading it.More at http://www.dioceseoflacrosse.com/blog

New Saint Josemaría Escrivá Adult Formation Program

2011-11-02T13:33:00.000-07:00

Saint Josemaría Escrivá Adult Formation Program

At Saint Peter and Paul Parish

Mission: Themission of the Saint Josemaría Escrivá Adult Formation Program is to assist laymen and women to deepen their personal relationship with Christ by providingclasses, bible studies, presentations and events that seek to increase theirknowledge and love of the Catholic Faith.

Patron Saint – St. JosemaríaEscrivá:

“With supernatural intuition, [Saint] Josemaria untiringly preachedthe universal call to holiness andapostolate. Christ calls everyone to become holy in the realities ofeveryday life.”
- Pope John Paul II in his homily at thebeatification of Saint Josemaria

St. Josemaría was a priest from Spain, who lived from 1902 –1975, and dedicated his whole priesthood to serving the laity and constantlystressed the importance of holiness no matter what vocation God has called youto. A person can become a Saint inanything that he or she does, whether a father or a mother of a family, anoffice worker, or even a truck driver. It doesn’t matter what you do, so longas you offer it to God.

Summary:

By learning more about Christ, we can draw closer to Him,entering into a deeper relationship with Him. We cannot love someone who we do not know. To quote Saint Jerome: “Ignorance of Scriptures, is ignorance ofChrist.” Therefore, let us open not only Sacred Scripture, but also SacredTradition, so that we can learn more about Christ and fall in love with Him.

For more information, check out the website:http://josemariaadultformation.blogspot.com/

All Souls Day

2011-11-02T04:01:00.000-07:00

“Death represents for us a wall we are unable to see over; even though our hearts reach out beyond, and even though we cannot know what it hides ... we imagine it, expressing our desire for eternity through symbols”

“Christ breaks down the wall of death, and in Him there resides the fullness of God, which is life, eternal life. Therefore death had no power over Him; the resurrection of Lazarus is a sign of his full dominion over mortal death, which is like sleep before God.”

“But there is another death, against which Christ fought hard; and for which he paid on the cross: spiritual death, sin, which threatens to ruin the existence of every man.”

~ Pope Benedict XVI ~

Receive Updates via E-mail

2011-11-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

If you desire to be informed about events that are happening at SS Peter and Paul, or be updated on new posts to the website, you may subscribe using the following services:

Subscribe to Website Posts (every time a new post occurs, you will be notified via e-mail)
- Fill out the form "Follow by E-Mail" located on the right side-bar.

Subscribe to the Parish Bulletin (once the bulletin is available online, you will be notified via e-mail)
-Click this link: http://seekandfind.com/directory/subscribe_form/sid/190/tmpl/component.html

Subscribe to SS Peter and Paul Youth Bulletin (you will be updated on upcoming events for youth in the parish)
- Click this link: Subscribe to our Youth Newsletter

Subscribe to Monthly Saint Josemaria Escriva Adult Formation Program Newsletter (you will be updated on upcoming events and retreats for adults that are hosted at Saints Peter and Paul Church, but are open to anyone)
-Click this link: Subscribe to our Adult Formation Newsletter

All Saints Day

2011-10-31T07:35:00.000-07:00

Mass Times for All Saints Day:

October 31st - 5:15 PM
November 1st - 8:00 AM & 5:15 PM

Let us make haste to our brethren who are awaiting us

"Why should our praise and glorification, or even the celebration of this feast day mean anything to the saints? What do they care about earthly honours when their heavenly Father honours them by fulfilling the faithful promise of the Son? What does our commendation mean to them? The saints have no need of honour from us; neither does our devotion add the slightest thing to what is theirs. Clearly, if we venerate their memory, it serves us, not them. But I tell you, when I think of them, I feel myself inflamed by a tremendous yearning.

Calling the saints to mind inspires, or rather arouses in us, above all else, a longing to enjoy their company, so desirable in itself. We long to share in the citizenship of heaven, to dwell with the spirits of the blessed, to join the assembly of patriarchs, the ranks of the prophets, the council of apostles, the great host of martyrs, the noble company of confessors and the choir of virgins. In short, we long to be united in happiness with all the saints. But our dispositions change. The Church of all the first followers of Christ awaits us, but we do nothing about it. The saints want us to be with them, and we are indifferent. The souls of the just await us, and we ignore them.

Come, brothers, let us at length spur ourselves on. We must rise again with Christ, we must seek the world which is above and set our mind on the things of heaven. Let us long for those who are longing for us, hasten to those who are waiting for us, and ask those who look for our coming to intercede for us. We should not only want to be with the saints, we should also hope to possess their happiness. While we desire to be in their company, we must also earnestly seek to share in their glory. Do not imagine that there is anything harmful in such an ambition as this; there is no danger in setting our hearts on such glory.

When we commemorate the saints we are inflamed with another yearning: that Christ our life may also appear to us as he appeared to them and that we may one day share in his glory. Until then we see him, not as he is, but as he became for our sake. He is our head, crowned, not with glory, but with the thorns of our sins. As members of that head, crowned with thorns, we should be ashamed to live in luxury; his purple robes are a mockery rather than an honour. When Christ comes again, his death shall no longer be proclaimed, and we shall know that we also have died, and that our life is hidden with him. The glorious head of the Church will appear and his glorified members will shine in splendour with him, when he forms this lowly body anew into such glory as belongs to himself, its head.

Therefore, we should aim at attaining this glory with a wholehearted and prudent desire. That we may rightly hope and strive for such blessedness, we must above all seek the prayers of the saints. Thus, what is beyond our own powers to obtain will be granted through their intercession."

- From the Office of Readings for All Saints Day (universalis.com)

Bishop Callahan Blog

2011-10-04T09:43:00.000-07:00

30 September 2011 - A First Step I have always believed that the journey of ten thousand miles begins with the “first step.” That, my brothers and sisters is what I am doing here. This is the first step of many I hope to take with you in the coming years of my ministry in the Diocese of La Crosse. I am a firm believer in the importance of communication and like to take advantage of any opportunity I can to be in touch with all of you, my dear brother priests and deacons, consecrated men and women, trusted collaborators in mission, benefactors and friends, and the Faithful of the Diocese.

This little missive will come along weekly to “keep in touch.” I will try to share some of my personal thoughts along with an effort to comment on things that may seem pertinent and helpful to our general well being as Catholics trying to fulfill the mission of Christ together in His Church. It will, further, serve as a means of exercising my obligation as teacher and pastor of the diocese. Sometimes, I fear, it is far too easy to simply think of the bishop only as the administrator of temporal matters.

For more click here

CCD for the 2011-2012 School Year

2011-08-30T06:11:00.000-07:00

It’s time to register students for the 2011-2012 CCD school years. Please complete a registration form for each student. Classes are available to members of Saints Peter and Paul Parish; tuition will be $60 per student for the year. Tuition and completed registration forms can be returned to the parish office in person or to 1150 2nd Street North, Wisconsin Rapids, 54494. Please talk to the office if you have concerns about the tuition.

Classes are available for First Grade through High School. Those wishing to receive First Holy Communion are to be at least second graders and are required to attend CCD or Catholic school. Confirmation students are to be at least 9th graders. The Confirmation class is two years in length, so students will be confirmed in the spring of 2013. Any student wishing to be confirmed is required to attend the two year class.

As in the past, classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:45 PM. Tentatively, classes will begin on October 5th in Saints Peter and Paul School.

If you have questions, please contact Sarah or Phil in the parish office at 715-423-1351.If you have questions, or to register your child, please contact Sarah or Phil in the parish office at 715-423-1351.

Marriage Renewal Retreat at SS Peter and Paul

2011-08-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

Marriage Renewal Retreat

Keynote Speaker: Dr. John Buri
John Buri, Ph.D., is a professor of Psychology at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. He and the love of his life, Kathy, also his high school sweetheart, have been married for thirty-eight years and have six children and six grandchildren. Dr. Buri has taught a university course on the Psychology of Marriage and the Family for the past twenty-five years. He is the author of the marriage book How To Love Your Wife, as well as over fifty research articles and book chapters. He is a frequent speaker on topics of dating, marriage preparation, marriage enrichment, parenting, and family life.

Where: SS Peter and Paul Church Basement, 1110 1st Street North,
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Who: All Married Couples (if you are married, then you are invited)
Schedule: Saturday, November 12th, 2011

9:00 AM - Registration/Coffee & Donuts
9:20 AM - Session I: Marriage as a Vocation
10:20 AM - Session II: Sexuality
11:20 AM - Session III: Conflict Resolution
12:15 PM - Lunch
1:00 PM - Session IV: 5 Keys to a Successful Marriage
2:00 PM – Conclusion & Blessing for Married Couples
*There will be discussion time after each session

Child-Care will be available by request.
If you would like to bring your children to this retreat, there will be child-care for them. Please notify us if you are brining your children.

You may send the below registration form to the SSPP Parish Office (1150 2nd Street North, Wis. Rapids, WI 54494) - Call 715-423-1351 for more information. You may also register via e-mail by sending the below information to: sspeter_paul@hotmail.com
**Please Register by November 1st**

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registration for Marriage Renewal Retreat
Name:_____________________________
Address: ___________________________
_____________________________
Parish:_____________________________
E-Mail:_____________________________

Single $10 Couple $15

Saint Thérèse Mini-Retreat at SS Peter and Paul

2011-08-24T09:48:00.000-07:00

Mini-Retreat on the Life & Spirituality of St. Thérèse of Lisieux
"The Greatest Saint of Modern Times" - Pope St. Pius X

Speaker - Father Samuel Martin
Parochial Administrator at St. John the Baptist, Marshfield, WI

Schedule:
Saturday, October 1st, 2011 (Feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux)
Saint Peter and Paul Church (1110 1st Street North, WR)
8:30 AM - Mass
9:00 AM - Coffee & Donuts
9:15 AM - St. Thérèse at the Foot of the Cross
10:15 AM - St. Thérèse: Daughter of the Father's Mercy
11:15 - Closing Prayer (Ending of the Novena Prayer to St. Thérèse)

There will be a free-will offering to cover the costs of the retreat.
All are invited to come!

Sponsored by SS Peter and Paul Parish & The Marian Center

Questions? - Call Phil Kosloski at 715-423-1351 or e-mail: sspeter_paul@hotmail.com

Catholicism Series at SS Peter and Paul

2011-08-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

The Catholicism Project

DVD Adult Formation Classes led by Mr. Phil Kosloski

Where: SS Peter and Paul School Library, 1110 1st Street North,
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Schedule: Wed., October 5, 2011 (Every Wednesday during CCD; 6:30 PM- 7:45 PM)

An optional Study Guide Workbook can be purchased for $20.00
You may send the registration form to the SSPP Parish Office (1150 2nd Street
North, Wis. Rapids, WI 54494) - or to sspeter_paul@hotmail.com. Call 715-423-1351 for more information

**There is a possibility of a day session on every Wednesday, from 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM. Please contact us if you are interested in the day session.**

**Please Register by September 27th**

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Registration for Catholicism Project Adult Formation Class
Name:_____________________________
Address: ___________________________
_____________________________
Parish:_____________________________
E-Mail:_____________________________

Enclosed is my $20.00 for the Study Guide Workbook

Solemn High Mass Highlights

2011-08-16T11:42:00.000-07:00

Here are a few highlights from the Solemn High Mass that was said here at SS Peter and Paul on July 3rd, 2011. Father James Altman, pastor of SS Peter and Paul served as Deacon. Father Robert Letona, Parochial Vicar of Saint Peter Church in Stevens Point served as Subdeacon and Rev. Canon Fragelli served as celebrant.

Mystical Body, Mystical Voice Conference on Sept. 24

2011-08-12T08:59:00.000-07:00

Mystical Body - Mystical Voice Encountering Christ in the Words of the Mass By Christopher Carstens & Fr. Douglas Martis

DVD Presentation by Mr. Phil Kosloski

Where: SS Peter and Paul School Library, 1110 1st Street North,
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Schedule: Saturday, September 24th, 2011

9:00 AM - Registration/Coffee & Donuts (School Library)
9:15 AM - Session I: The Word Becomes Flesh
10:45 AM - Session II: Maturing in the Word
11:15 AM - Session III: Liturgy of the Word
12:15 PM - Lunch in the Gym
1:00 PM - Session IV: Liturgy of the Eucharist
2:00 PM - Conclusion, General Tips for Catechesis & Closing Prayer

A Participant's Guide Workbook can be purchased for $2.00
There will be a free-will offering to cover the costs of the lunch
You may send the registration form to the SSPP Parish Office (1150 2nd Street North, Wis. Rapids, WI 54494) - Call 715-423-1351 for more information
**Please Register by August 26th**

You may print this page and cut the below registration form and send to the SSPP Parish Office (1150 2nd Street North, Wis. Rapids, WI 54494).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registration for Mystical Body - Mystical Voice Conference

Name:_____________________________
Address: ___________________________
_____________________________
Parish:_____________________________
E-Mail:_____________________________

Enclosed is my $2.00 for the Participant's Guide Workbook

Shrine in La Crosse Connected to Basilica in Rome

2011-08-05T08:01:00.000-07:00

Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe Now Affiliated with
Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome
Pilgrims May Gain Plenary Indulgences

On Sunday, July 31, 2011, the third anniversary of the dedication of the Shrine Church, His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, Founder of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, announced that the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has affiliated the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse to his Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.

With this affiliation comes the opportunity for pilgrims visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe to gain plenary indulgences, under the usual conditions.

“Today, we also have a particular cause to rejoice because our Holy Father has affiliated, has bonded, this church to his Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the great pilgrimage church of Rome, dedicated to the honor of the Mother of God," said Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke. "With the affiliation comes a most generous grant of indulgences, so that pilgrims to this church of Our Lady of Guadalupe may draw more fully upon the rich treasury of the merits of the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and of His Sorrowful Mother and of all the saints who have shared with Him, to an heroic degree, in His Suffering and Dying. In gratitude, let us pray, in a special way today, for the intentions of our Holy Father. Let us also hasten to draw upon his rich gift to us for the sake of the salvation of souls, especially the souls of our brothers and sisters in Purgatory.”

Specific information about the indulgences and conditions for gaining them may be found below.

Plenary indulgences may be gained at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe:

1. On the patronal feast day of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome: August 5, with which the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is now affiliated;

2. On the patronal feast day of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse: December 12;

3. On all solemnities of the Virgin Mother of God: January 1, March 25, August 15, December 8;

4. On any day chosen by a pilgrim once a year;

5. As many times during the year as the faithful are part of an organized pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse for the purposes of devotion, reform of life, growth in holiness and greater communion with the Holy Father and all the members of the Church through the intercession of the Virgin Mother of God and Mother of the Church, each of the participants in the pilgrimage may gain a plenary indulgence.

Conditions for gaining the Plenary Indulgence: visit to the Shrine Church, sacramental Confession (within eight days of fulfilling the other conditions), Holy Communion (within eight days of fulfilling the other conditions) and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father (e.g., Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be; or the Creed and an Our Father) during the visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

To plan a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, please call (877) 799-4059.

The press release for the announcement is available for download here.

[Photo by Pgnielsen79]

Low Mass on Sunday

2011-08-02T06:40:00.001-07:00

Our next Tridentine Mass will be on August 7th at 4:00 PM with 3:30 confessions. We will be celebrating the 8th Sunday After Pentecost.

FRASSATI NIGHTS WRAPS UP THIS WEEK

2011-07-27T07:48:00.000-07:00

This Thursday night (July 28th) we will again be meeting at Pasquale's Italian Cuisine and Pizzeria (2930 8th Street South,Wis. Rapids).

Father Robert Schaller, Parochial Administrator of St. James the Less in La Crosse, will conclude our series with “The Holy Land Today. Reflections on visiting the Holy Land.” Night runs from 7:00 PM—9:00 PM

Bring a friend!

Any questions please call the SSPP parish office or Phil Kosloski at 423-1351 or sspeter_paul@hotmail.com

FRASSATI NIGHTS IS IN ITS THIRD WEEK

2011-07-19T11:17:00.001-07:00

This Thursday night (July 28th) we will again be meeting at Pasquale's Italian Cuisine and Pizzeria (2930 8th Street South,Wis. Rapids).

Dan & Christy Kitzhaber, Youth Minister at St. John the Baptist in Marshfield will be discussing “Sex and the Gospel: How to live out the Theology of the Body”

Night runs from 7:00 PM—9:00 PM

Next week (July 28th) Father Robert Schaller will conclude our series with “The Holy Land Today. Reflections on visiting the Holy Land.” Any questions please call the SSPP parish office or Phil Kosloski at 423-1351 or sspeter_paul@hotmail.com

[Picture: Dan with Sister Stephania]

Archbishop of Denver is Appointed Archbishop of Philadelphia

2011-07-19T06:15:00.000-07:00

July 19, 2011 ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT, O.F.M., CAP.
NAMED ARCHBISHOP OF PHILADELPHIA
Cardinal Justin Rigali will hold a news conference this morning to announce that Pope Benedict XVI has named Archbishop Charles J. Chaput O.F.M., Cap. as the 13th Bishop and 9th Archbishop of Philadelphia. Archbishop Chaput will be Installed on Thursday, September 8, 2011, the feast of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at 2:00 p.m. The Holy Father has also appointed Cardinal Rigali as Apostolic Administrator with all of the responsibilities of Archbishop until the Installation of Archbishop Chaput.

Archbishop Chaput, who is 66, is a member of the Order of Friars Minor, Capuchin. He was ordained a priest in 1970 and became a bishop at the age of 43. At that time he became the Bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota. Since 1997 he has served as Archbishop of Denver. A member of the Prairie Band Potowatami Tribe, Archbishop Chaput is the second Native American to be ordained a Bishop in the United States and the first Native American Archbishop.

News Conference
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Archdiocesan Office Center Auditorium
222 North 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Following the news conference, Cardinal Rigali will be the main celebrant and homilist for a Mass concelebrated by Archbishop Chaput as well as Auxiliary Bishops and priests of the Archdiocese. All are invited to attend.

12:05 p.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Peter and Paul
18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103

The news conference and the Mass will be streamed live on the Archdiocesan web site at www.archphila.org.

For more information about the Archdiocese of Denver visit www.archden.org
Follow Archbishop Chaput on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ArchbishopChaput
Follow the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ArchPhilly

FRASSATI NIGHTS CONTINUES THURSDAY

2011-07-12T08:50:00.000-07:00

This Thursday night we will again be meeting at Pasquale's Italian Cuisine and Pizzeria (2930 8th Street South,Wis. Rapids).
Fr. Victor Feltes will present “Coincidence? or Providence? God's Directing Hand in the Life of Blessed John Paul the Great.” The evening runs from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Bring a friend. Fr. Victor Feltes was ordained a Priest for the Diocese of La Crosse on June 27, 2009 and has been both the Chaplain at Columbus High School in Marshfield and Associate Pastor at St. John the Baptist since his ordination. Next week Dan & Christy Kitzhaber, Youth Minister at St. John the Baptist in Marshfield will be discussing “Sex and the Gospel: How to live out the Theology of the Body” For more information, contact the parish office or Phil Kosloski at 423-1351 or sspeter_paul@hotmail.com

Chris Carstens Talks at Frassati Nights This Thursday...

2011-07-06T10:07:00.000-07:00

This four-week speaker and discussion series features thought-provoking conversation in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. It all starts Thursday, July 7th at Pasquale's Italian Cuisine and Pizzeria (2930 8th Street South,Wis. Rapids) @ 7:00 PM! There is no age limit, but you must be 21 or older as there will be alcohol served.Speakers include:

Chris Carstens - May the Force be with you. And with your Spirit. Why the new translation of the Mass? - July 7

Fr. Victor Feltes - Coincidence? or Providence? God's Directing Hand in the Life of Blessed John Paul the Great - July 14

Dan & Christy Kitzhaber - Sex and the Gospel. How to live out the Theology of the Body - July 21

Fr. Robert Schaller - The Promised Land today. Reflections on visiting the Holy land - July 28

All of these speakers are dynamic and great to listen to. Come and fill your body and your soul!

Hope to see you at Pasquale’s Thursday at 7:00 PM!

Pope Benedict Celebrates 60 Years of Priesthood

2011-06-29T10:07:00.000-07:00

2011-06-29 Vatican Radio - Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday celebrated Mass marking the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, patron saints of the city of Rome. During the Eucharistic celebration, the Pope also conferred the Pallium on 41 new Metropolitan archbishops, from countries all over the world, who have been appointed over the past year.

But the Mass also marked a personal moment of reflection for the Pope himself who was celebrating the 60th anniversary of his own ordination to the priesthood.

“Sixty years on from the day of my priestly ordination….

In his homily Pope Benedict said that sixty years on from his ordination, he can still hear the words that were addressed to the new young priests that day in 1951, the words of St John’s Gospel, ‘I no longer call you servants but friends.’ Words, the Pope added, that bring great inner joy and can also be seen as the entire programme of a priestly life.

“Friendship is not just about knowing someone, it is above all a communion of the will..

Reflecting on the meaning of that friendship with Christ, the Pope said it is above all learning to grow in ever greater conformity with His will, to know Him better through the Scriptures, through prayer, through the communion of Saints. Jesus’ words on friendship, he said, should be seen in the context of His commission to His followers to go and make disciples of all nations – a command which challenges us to move beyond the boundaries of our own world and to bring the Gospel to all people. [Source: Vatican News]

Importance of Fathers

2011-06-14T07:35:00.000-07:00

The Importance of Fathers

(by Mr. Phil Kosloski)

In our culture today, fathers are becoming less and less a part of our children’s lives. Currently, 40 percent of American children do not grow up with their biological father. That number is on the rise as more and more couples choose the lifestyle of cohabitation and decide not to get married at all. Since the men in those relationships are not bound by any marriage vows, they feel less responsibility to stick around, especially if the marriage or childrearing starts to get tough. What are the results of fatherless homes? Let’s take a look at the statistics: (these statistics are taken from numerous psychological studies, if you want the details, ask me for the sources)

85% of criminals come from fatherless homes
90% of homeless come from fatherless homes
73% of drug addicts come from fatherless homes
63% of youth suicides come from fatherless homes
80% of rapists come from fatherless homes
Children, particularly boys, from divorced families score lower on average on
reading and math tests
72% of adolescent murderers grew up without fathers
98% of children where the father does not go to Mass (even if the mother does) will never attend Mass regularly once they leave home

Why is this the case? Let’s take a little lesson from nature: several decades ago there was a problem with overpopulation on an African game preserve—too many elephants. Limited by the technology available at the time, the solution arrived at was to move the babies to new preserves. Everyone watched, gravely concerned, but the babies thrived. However, unintended consequences emerged. At the new locations, a decade or so after the transfer, someone was killing off rhinoceros which are an endangered species. It turned out the killers were young male elephants. At first the game wardens couldn’t believe it, this was uncharacteristic behavior never before seen in elephants. They deduced that the young males had grown up without fathers—without male role models. New technology had made it possible to transport into these locations some large mature bull elephants. There was concern that it would be too late, but they tried it anyway. It worked like a charm. The mature bulls arrived and set things straight. The young males immediately stopped their precocious, rampant sexuality, killing and violence. And so it goes. Daddies do matter, even in elephants. (Story taken from 60 Minutes)

Resources

Now that we have addressed the problem, let us also try to fix it. Here are a few resources for men. Too often men live their lives as if they were perpetual adolescent teenagers and not REAL MEN.

So men, let’s truly MAN UP!

Books

Besides these, see some great book suggestions for men from the Knights of Columbus Book Club

Be a Man! by Fr. Larry Richards
Boys To Men: The Transforming Power of Virtue by Tim Gray and Curtis Martin
Signposts: How to be a Catholic Man in the World Today by Bill Bawden
Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul by John Eldredge (not Catholic), and Field Manual
The Way of the Wild Heart: A Map for the Masculine Journey by John Eldredge (not Catholic), and Manual
Clean of Heart: Overcoming Habitual Sins against Purity by Scott Rosemarie
Every Young Man's Battle Guide: Weapons for the War Against Sexual Temptation by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker with Mike Yorkey
Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know by Dr. Meg Meeker (Read an Interview)
Boys Should Be Boys: 7 Secrets to Raising Healthy Sons by Dr. Meg Meeker (Read an Interview)
Not Your Average Joe: The Real St. Joseph And The Tools For Real Manhood In The Home, The Church, And The World and Tools From Joseph's Workshop (30-Day Devotional) by Dr. Rick Sarkisian
Amazing Grace For Fathers by Jeff Cavins, Matthew Pinto, Mark Armstrong, Patti Armstrong
Spiritual Workout of a Former Saint by Danny Abramowicz (Watch him on EWTN "Crossing the Goal" which uses a sports show format to encourage men to get into spiritual shape.)
Father, The Family Protector by James Stenson (Also listen to his talk on "Succesful Fathers" and read his other articles at ParentLeadership.com.)
All Things Guy: A Guide to Becoming a Man that Matters by Teresa Tomeo, Molly Miller, Monica Cops and Cheryl Dickow - Mixed in with great messages on dignity, virtues, and becoming a "Man that Matters" are mazes, puzzles, games and activities that will appeal to boys and drive home the authors’ points. The book is aimed at readers ages 9 through 13, but could be read to younger boys under adult supervision and will also be enjoyed by older boys due to the depth of the content.

Websites

Catholic

St. Joseph Covenant Keepers

http://www.dads.org/

Includes some of the best resources available for Struggling with Pornography and Purity

Catholic Men's Quarterly

http://www.houseonthemoor.com

The King's Men

http://thekingsmen.org/

Building men to serve Christ

E5 Men

http://www.e5men.org/

Catholic Mountain

http://www.catholicmountain.com

Embracing the adventure of Christian manhood

Knights of Divine Mercy

http://knightsofdivinemercy.com/

Esto Vir

http://www.esto-vir.org/

The National Resource Center for Catholic Men (NRCCM)

http://www.nrccm.org/

Men of Christ

http://www.menofchrist.net/

Secular

Art of Manliness

http://artofmanliness.com/

While this resource is entirely "secular" I do recommend it as it offers a lot of practical advice about being man that we have simply lost through the decades. However, there are a few things that are not in keeping with the Catholic Church (hence it is a secular source), but overall it does promote virtue inline with Christianity and is a great resource for traditions of men that have been lost by the culture.

NEW: Online Giving

2011-06-13T07:38:00.000-07:00

Online-Giving! SS Peter and Paul has just recently started the option for online-giving. Parishioners can go to our parish website, click the “Donate” button and follow the instructions to give to the Parish straight from your bank account. The benefits of this type of giving include the ability to schedule monthly transactions that are automatically taken out of your bank account each month. Please call the parish office for more information.

Solemn High Mass July 3rd

2011-06-08T08:47:00.000-07:00

Solemn High Mass

In the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (Tridentine)

Sunday, July 3, 2011—4:00 PM

Sunday within the Octave of the Sacred Heart

Celebrant: Rev. Canon Fragelli

Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest

Deacon: Rev. James F. Altman

Pastor SS Peter and Paul Parish

Subdeacon: TBD

All are invited to attend this magnificent celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Experience the richness and beauty of the Catholic Church in this most ancient expression of worship. Encounter Christ in the manner in which our ancestors did. Booklets will be provided with both Latin and English text to allow for full active participation in the Mass.

Pope Speaks on the Sanctity of Marriage...

2011-06-07T10:05:00.000-07:00

"By the grace of God, many Christian families today are acquiring an ever deeper awareness of their missionary vocation, and are devoting themselves seriously to bearing witness to Christ the Lord.

Blessed John Paul II once said: “An authentic family, founded on marriage, is in itself ‘good news’ for the world.” And he added: “In our time the families that collaborate actively in evangelization are ever more numerous [...] the hour of the family has arrived in the Church, which is also the hour of the missionary family” (Angelus, 21 October 2001).

In today’s society the presence of exemplary Christian families is more necessary and urgent than ever. Unfortunately, we are forced to acknowledge the spread of a secularization which leads to the exclusion of God from life and the increasing disintegration of the family, especially in Europe.

Freedom without commitment to the truth is made into an absolute, and individual well-being through the consumption of material goods and transient experiences is cultivated as an ideal, obscuring the quality of interpersonal relations and deeper human values; love is reduced to sentimental emotion and to the gratification of instinctive impulses, without a commitment to build lasting bonds of reciprocal belonging and without openness to life.

We are called to oppose such a mentality! Alongside what the Church says, the testimony and commitment of the Christian family – your concrete testimony – is very important, especially when you affirm the inviolability of human life from conception until natural death, the singular and irreplaceable value of the family founded upon matrimony and the need for legislation which supports families in the task of giving birth to children and educating them.

Dear families, be courageous! Do not give in to that secularized mentality which proposes living together as a preparation, or even a substitute for marriage! Show by the witness of your lives that it is possible, like Christ, to love without reserve, and do not be afraid to make a commitment to another person! Dear families, rejoice in fatherhood and motherhood! Openness to life is a sign of openness to the future, confidence in the future, just as respect for the natural moral law frees people, rather than demeaning them!

The good of the family is also the good of the Church. I would like to repeat something I have said in the past: “the edification of each individual Christian family fits into the context of the larger family of the Church which supports it and carries it with her … And the Church is reciprocally built up by the family, a ‘small domestic church’” (Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI to the Participants in the Ecclesial Diocesan Convention of Rome, 6 June 2005). Let us pray to the Lord, that families may come more and more to be small churches and that ecclesial communities may take on more and more the quality of a family!"

- Pope Benedict XVI [Source: AMP]

Papal Wednesday General Audience 6/1/11..

2011-06-02T07:43:00.000-07:00

Click "Read More" to see video.

Forty Five priests to be transferred July 1...

2011-06-01T10:36:00.000-07:00

LA CROSSE, May 30, 2010 - On Sunday, May 22, 44 priests across the diocese announced to their parishioners that they were being transferred. The transfer was initiated by Bishop William P. Callahan of the Diocese of La Crosse.
In a letter to the priests, deacons and curia staff Father David C. Kunz, the vicar for clergy, explained that the vast number of changes has been prompted by the implementation of the Pastoral Plan. The Plan is a reflection of the continuing decrease in the number of priests we have to staff our parishes and institutions of the diocese. With five priest retirements and only one ordination this year, it is obvious that the status quo would no longer serve the people of our parishes.
He also said that the diocese’s Personal Council that has been planning these changes since January, 2011, took its mandate carefully, attempting to match the gifts of the individual priest with the needs of the individual parish.
Bishop Callahan, in his “Bishop’s Corner” on page five explains in detail his reasoning on why the transfers are needed.
The priests and their assignments can be found on The Catholic Times website.

[Source: The Catholic Times]

Welcoming the New Translation of the Roman Missal Part VI...

2011-05-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

"The Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Sanctus"

By Mr. Phil Kosloski

To continue our series on the New Translation of the Missal, we examine the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the "Sanctus."

We now enter into the second part of the divine liturgy, and that is the "Liturgy of the Eucharist." This is the part of the Mass where the words that were spoken at the Gospel become Flesh in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist.

"At the Last Supper Christ instituted the Paschal Sacrifice and banquet by which the Sacrifice of the Cross is continuously made present in the Church whenever the priest, representing Christ the Lord, carries out what the Lord himself did and handed over to his disciples to be done in his memory.

"For Christ took the bread and the chalice and gave thanks; he broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take, eat, and drink: this is my Body; this is the cup of my Blood. Do this in memory of me." Accordingly, the Church has arranged the entire celebration of the Liturgy of the Eucharist in parts corresponding to precisely these words and actions of Christ:

1. At the Preparation of the Gifts, the bread and the wine with water are brought to the altar, the same elements that Christ took into his hands.

2. In the Eucharistic Prayer, thanks is given to God for the whole work of salvation, and the offerings become the Body and Blood of Christ.

3. Through the fraction and through Communion, the faithful, though they are many, receive from the one bread the Lord's Body and from the one chalice the Lord's Blood in the same way the Apostles received them from Christ's own hands" (GIRM).

At the start of the Liturgy of the Eucharist there is the Preparation of the Gifts, where the gifts to be sacrificed are given to the priest. After the gifts are prepared at the altar by the priest, the "Santcus" (Holy, Holy, Holy) is intoned and all kneel in preparation for the greatest miracle of all times: God humiliates Himself so much as to dwell in a simple piece of bread and a small chalice of wine. Historically, "not every one of the ancient liturgies knew this hymn, although its institution is attributed to St. Sixtus I who, as Pope, introduced it into the Mass in the second century" (TM).

In the new translation of the Mass, the Sanctus has a slight revision that better expresses the mystery that it is meant to teach us. "The opening line of the Sanctus is taken not from a hymn book, but from the angel's worship of God in heaven. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah was given a vision of the angels praising God, crying out: 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts' (see Isaiah 6:3). The word 'hosts' here refers to the heavenly army of angels. When we recite 'Holy, Holy, Holy Lord' in the Mass, therefore, we are joining the angels in heaven, echoing their very words of worship. The previous translation of this prayer referred to the Lord as 'God of power and might.' In the new translation, we address him as 'Lord God of Hosts.' This more clearly echoes the biblical language of the angels in Isaiah and underscores the infinite breadth of God's power" (TM). When we said "God of power and might," it was more abstract, while when we say "Lord God of Hosts," it is more concrete and specific, referring to the heavenly "hosts" of angels, archangels, principalities, virtues, powers, dominions, thrones, cherubim and seraphim; in other words, the entire heavenly army!

Sacred Music Concert...

2011-05-19T11:42:00.000-07:00

St Peter and Paul Catholic Church

Presents

St. Peter Schola Cantorum

Under the Direction of

Patrick Burkhart

In a Sacred Music

Concert

June, 5 2011

5:30 P.M.

The choir will be singing for the 4:00 P.M.

Mass and presenting a Sacred Music

Concert Immediately following

The concert is free and open to the public.

A free-will offering will be taken, with proceeds to go toward the Choir‘s Pilgrimage

to Rome to sing for the Holy Father.

Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church

1110 First Street North

Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

Welcoming the New Translation of the Roman Missal Part V...

2011-05-07T06:52:00.000-07:00

“The Collect and Liturgy of the Word” by Mr. Phil Kosloski

To continue our series on the different parts of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we conclude our look at the Introductory Rites with "The Collect" and then move on to take a look at the "Liturgy of the Word”
"Next the priest invites the people to pray. All, together with the priest, observe a brief silence so that they may be conscious of the fact that they are in God's presence and may formulate their petitions mentally. Then the priest says the prayer which is customarily known as the Collect and through which the character of the celebration is expressed. In accordance with the ancient tradition of the Church, the collect prayer is usually addressed to God the Father, through Christ, in the Holy Spirit, and is concluded with a trinitarian...ending." (GIRM)

"Historically that title (Collect) recalls the old custom of Urban Rome where, about the fourth century, it was the practice for the whole Christian community to come together in one church that they might proceed with solemnity to the sanctuary chosen for the celebration of the day's Mass; in this sense the Collect is the prayer of the plebs collecta, the prayer of the assembled people." (TM)

Today, the priest gathers "together, as if in one sheaf, all our hopes and all our good purposes...to offer them to God" and so continues this tradition of a unified prayer of the people at the start of every Mass.

After the Collect, starts the "Liturgy of the Word." "The main part of the Liturgy of the Word is made up of the readings from Sacred Scripture together with the chants occurring between them. The homily, Profession of Faith, and Prayer of the Faithful, however, develop and conclude this part of the Mass. For in the readings, as explained by the homily, God speaks to his people, opening up to them the mystery of redemption and salvation and offering them spiritual nourishment; and Christ himself is present in the midst of the faithful through his word. By their silence and singing the people make God's word their own, and they also affirm their adherence to it by means of the Profession of Faith. Finally, having been nourished by it, they pour out their petitions in the Prayer of the Faithful for the needs of the entire Church and for the salvation of the whole world." (GIRM)

The history behind the Liturgy of the Word is very ancient and even extends before the Christian Church began. To "seek the origin of these readings, we would have to delve into the most ancient of Christian usages, and to go, in fact, even beyond them to practices dear to the heart of devout Israel. The Service of the synagogue knew such readings from the Law and the Prophets. Have we not seen Jesus reading Isaias to his fellow Jews (Luke 4:16,21)? The early church faithfully preserved this usage: reading from the sacred books bulked large in the primitive liturgies, and it would be surprising to the first Christians were they now to return and hear only the...brief scraps which are left in today's Mass.

"At first, these readings were neither brief nor formally delimited beforehand...and the reader used to go on uninterruptedly until the bishop saw fit to signal him that he thought enough had been proposed for the instruction of his hearers. It was only with the appearance of the Roman Missal of 1570 that there came into general usage the...previously selected fragments...accommodated to the feast being celebrated." (TM)

In the Liturgy of the Word, we start out by first hearing a reading from the Old testament, and then a reading from an Apostolic Letter, and then finally we reach a selection from one of the Gospels. The reasoning behind this is simple: "it shows that in the beginning God speaks to us by the agency of intermediaries, by the mouth of men who are His witnesses or confessors, who are inspired by Him to prepare us that we may later receive His own message directly." (TM)

(Next week, Responsorial Psalm, Creed, Prayers of the Faithful)

He has Risen as He Said! Alleluia!

2011-04-29T07:28:00.000-07:00

Good Friday...

2011-04-22T09:16:00.000-07:00

"They divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots" - Psalm 22 during the stripping of the altar.

Holy Thursday...

2011-04-21T13:18:00.000-07:00

The Sacred Triduum starts tonight and so does the reinstitution of our Eucharistic Canopy (Baldachin).

Sacred Triduum

2011-04-20T12:32:00.001-07:00

Mass times for the Holy Triduum

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)

Palm Sunday

2011-04-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

All the statues were veiled for Holy Week.

It is Passiontide and the images in church are hidden from our sight. When Easter comes the joyful contrast will be all the greater. Meanwhile we focus more on God. When we look around church today we see the veils - but what does God see when He looks at us? He sees veils too. His image in us is hidden by our sins and failings. Source

Church finally coming together...

2011-04-07T12:48:00.000-07:00

Last week our first angel was put up on the wall and next week our second angel will be placed as well. Also installed was our original Altar Rail gate as well as our two statues that were painted. It is the last "chapter" of the SS Peter and Paul Renovation of 2010-2011

Welcoming the New Translation of the Roman Missal Part IV...

2011-03-29T10:26:00.000-07:00

“The Kyrie and the Gloria” by Mr. Phil Kosloski

To continue our series on the different parts of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we continue to examine the Introductory Rites and take a look at the "Kyrie & Gloria”
"After the Act of Penitence, the Kyrie is always begun, unless it has already been included as part of the Act of Penitence. Since it is a chant by which the faithful acclaim the Lord and implore his mercy, it is ordinarily done by all, that is, by the people and with the choir or cantor having a part in it." (GIRM)
The Kyrie and the Gloria have been a part of the preparation to celebrate the Divine Mysteries of God since the very beginning. "The Kyrie [Lord have Mercy] is a remnant of those litanic dialogues, of those acclamatory prayers, which rose up spontaneously in the breast of the primitive Church. It originated in the Greek-speaking East, perhaps in Jerusalem where [it was heard] sung [in] about the year 500 [AD]. [The Kyrie] carries to the Three Divine Persons in turn, our heartfelt need and purposive desire for salvation." (This is the Mass (TM), 44)
These two essential parts of the Mass express two desires that arise in the hearts of man. "To give glory to God and to beg His mercy are the two purposes which link man to God: it is because we know that God is Almighty that we beseech Him to have mercy upon us." (TM, 44) In other words, we recognize in the Kyrie our need to ask God for mercy and we do this because in the Gloria we sing of his Majesty and Power.
Immediately following the Kyrie, "there is intoned a hymn to the Majesty of God." (TM, 44) "The Gloria is a very ancient and venerable hymn in which the Church, gathered together in the Holy Spirit, glorifies and entreats God the Father and the Lamb. The text of this hymn may not be replaced by any other text...It is sung or said on Sundays outside the Seasons of Advent and Lent, on solemnities and feasts, and at special celebrations of a more solemn character." (GIRM)
"The Gloria is a very old prayer, already in existence in the second century, which was incorporated into the Roman Mass in the sixth century. It opens appropriately with the words in which the angels sang praise 'to God in the highest;' for is not every Mass a renewal, in some sense, of Christmas, and does it not mark, once more, the Coming of Our Lord? " (TM, 44)
"In the new translation, Jesus is addressed as the "Only Begotten Son." This more closely follows the theological language used in the early Church to highlight how Jesus is uniquely God's Son, sharing in the same divine nature as the Father. This also reflects the biblical language in John's gospel, which uses similar wording to describe Jesus' singular relationship with the Father." (A Guide to the New Translation of the Mass, 12)
The Gloria also has some of the most changes in the new translation, starting out in a similar fashion as in the old translation, but going right into new language. The Gloria begins as follows:

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory. Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father, Amen.

Put on the Armor of God...

2011-03-24T11:47:00.000-07:00

Now the two bands of lettering are finished and the angels will be put up this weekend and next.

The two phrases are in Latin and are as follows:

TU ES PETRUS ET SUPER HANC PETRAM AEDIFICABO ECCLESIAM MEAM

You are Peter, and on this rock I shall build my Church

Induite vos armaturam Dei, ut possitis stare adversus insidias diaboli

Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil.

Welcoming the New Translation of the Roman Missal Part III...

2011-03-19T16:00:00.000-07:00

The Penitential Rite (By Mr. Phil Kosloski)

To continue our series on the different parts of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we continue to examine the Introductory Rites and take a look at the "The Penitential Rite.”

"Then the priest invites those present to take part in the Act of Penitence, which, after a brief pause for silence, the entire community carries out through a formula of general confession. The rite concludes with the priest's absolution, which, however, lacks the efficacy of the Sacrament of Penance." (GIRM, 51)

The history of asking for forgiveness at the start of Mass is very long and rich and started with Christ at the Last Supper:

"In the primitive Church, which had its roots in the heart of Christ, there was a spontaneous sense of the soul's need to ask for pardon at the beginning of Mass. (And, indeed, it seems that there may have then existed a penitential rite like the washing of the disciple's feet by Jesus before the Last Supper.)

"The Roman Missal as drawn up in 1570 [formalized the need to ask pardon before Mass and] constructed [the rite] in the dramatic manner associated with the four states of a trial: the soul appears before the bar of justice, the soul confesses its guilt, the advocates plead, and pardon is granted. This is a public collective prayer in which priest and people. ..acknowledge their sinfulness, not just privately, but in the face of the whole Church, of all her saintly witnesses, and even in the face of the very powers of Heaven." (This is the Mass, 32)

The new translation of the Penitential Rite not only "better reflects the Latin text of the Mass [it also] helps us cultivate a more humble, sorrowful attitude toward God as we confess our sins. Instead of simply saying that I have sinned 'through my own fault' as we have in the old translation, we will now repeat it three times while striking our breasts in a sign of repentance, saying 'Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.' This repetition more fully expresses our sorrow over sin...This prayer in the liturgy helps us recognize that sinning against God is no light matter. We must take responsibility for whatever wrong we have done and whatever good we failed to do." (A Guide to the New Translation of the Mass, 11)

Henri Daniel-Rops describes the symbolism of the Penitential Rite best when he writes:
“The thrice repeated act of deep repentance , at [through my fault], when the hand strikes the breast in an old biblical and monastic gesture, brings consolation to the sinner in his racking sorrow; for is it not written that the prayer of the humble shall be heard before the Most High? (Ecclus. 35:21) (This is the Mass, 32)

I confess to almighty God,

and to you, my brothers and sisters,

that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words,

in what I have done

and in what I have failed to do,

[strike breast while saying]

through my fault,

through my most grievous fault;

therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,

all the Angels and Saints,

and you, my brothers and sisters,

to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Now on to St. Paul...

2011-03-17T10:16:00.000-07:00

Tu Es Petrus...

2011-03-16T12:29:00.000-07:00

The lettering going up is the final stage of detail painting.