 The Solemnity of Pentecost marks the end of the Church’s observance of the Easter Season. This celebration commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, the Blessed Mother, and the whole Church. The coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost also fulfills God’s revelation of Himself in three divine persons. Though existing eternally, the Father is made known through His creation, the Son in the Incarnation, and now the Holy Spirit is revealed as “the Lord and giver of life, Who proceeds from the Father and the Son” (Nicene Creed). Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, promised to send to His Church the Comforter, the Advocate, Who would strengthen and confirm us in our faith. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love! The period of time between the Lord’s Ascension into heaven and the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday has always been observed as a special time of prayer. Scripture tells us that Jesus ascended to heaven 40 days after Easter and Pentecost occurred 50 days after Easter. The Lord instructed His disciples to spend the nine days between those events praying. This is the origin of the Catholic practice of the “novena” (from the Latin word for “nine”.) A novena consists of praying for some particular intention for nine consecutive days. Sometimes this is expressed in prayers or practices which are observed over nine weeks or nine months (such as the custom of attending Mass for nine consecutive First Fridays). It’s just another example of one of the those “Catholic things” that we didn’t just make up, but comes from the scriptures and the practice of the early Church. May God bless you! Fr. Schaller  The Ascension of the Lord marks a turning point in the life of the early Church. It signifies the transition which takes place when the Lord leaves His disciples – but with the promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus leaves, but He does not leave them alone. He is still present with us today, especially in the Blessed Sacrament. And the Holy Spirit continues to strengthen His Church. Several decades ago the Bishops of the Dioceses of Wisconsin (with the permission of Rome) moved the observance of the Lord’s Ascension from the 40th day after Easter (always a Thursday) to the Sunday following. This was a concession to the secular commercial and business practices which make it difficult for many Catholics to attend Mass on a Thursday. On this Solemnity the Church celebrates that event in the life of the early Church when they witnessed the Lord’s return to His Father forty days after His resurrection. With the Father, the risen (and now ascended) Lord promised to send the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the Church. Liturgically, this time from the Lord’s ascension until the feast of Pentecost is a time for us to pray more earnestly for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Next Sunday the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Blessed Mother, the Apostles, and the disciples of the Lord. To help us observe the coming of the “Fire of the Holy Spirit”, I invite everyone to wear something red to Mass next Sunday. May God bless you! Fr. Schaller  The Holy Father has designated this Sunday as the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. We commonly associate the word vocations with those called to the priesthood or religious life. I confess that I probably encourage that association by regularly praying at Mass for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. And I will continue to pray for that. But that does not detract from the truth that all Christians have a vocation. We have a common vocation – that is, a call from God (from the Latin vocare: to call) – to holiness. But the common vocation to holiness that God calls us to must be lived out in a definite way. For priests it means a certain way of living, for consecrated men and women (the religious life) it means another, and for single people and married people it means living faithfully according to those states of life. For all, the common goal is holiness – that is, a life in communion with God. All too frequently we settle for so much less. We fall into the trap of thinking: “What’s the least I have to do to get into Heaven?” or, “What’s the most I can get away with, and still avoid Hell?” The example of Saint John Paul II has shaken us from this sort of spiritual lethargy. His life was a visible reminder of the sacrifice that is required from each authentic follower of Christ – and validation that the sacrifice is worth it. While affirming the truth that ALL of us are called to a life of holiness, the Church still demands a unique witness from her priests. Some people suggest that if we would ‘soften the sacrifice’ of the priesthood – by relaxing the rule of celibacy and ordaining married men – we would have many more priests. But that argument fails even on natural grounds. John Paul II understood that principle very well. He challenged young people to reject the selfishness of materialism, and to follow Christ. And the young people loved him. To these same young people, the Pope has entrusted the mission of the New Evangelization. What is that mission? To help each person follow Christ. To help each person be holy. Please join me in continuing to pray for our bishops and civil leaders. There are many difficulties in the culture, in our country, and in the Church. Good Shepherd Sunday is an especially fitting day to pray that God will fill our bishops and civil leaders with wisdom, prudence, and courage! May the Lord bless you all throughout the Easter Season!
Fr. Schaller  The Church celebrates Easter for fifty days (from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday inclusive), but observes the Octave of Easter (octave means eight), from Easter Sunday through Second Sunday of Easter inclusive, with particular solemnity. This always serves as a great contrast to the secular society which, as it does with Christmas, throws away all reminders of the Feast the following day. Make sure you continue to make the Easter Season a festive time of celebrating our Savior’s Resurrection. I look forward each year to the Sunday following Easter because of the beautiful Gospel account from St. John. The story of ‘Doubting Thomas’ is recorded for our benefit, so that his doubt – satisfied by the appearance of the Risen Lord – might be the means of strengthening our faith. Do you sometimes doubt certain doctrines of our Faith? Or do you even doubt, from time to time, the existence of God? Then you need to ask for the intercession of St. Thomas! His simple profession of faith, “My Lord and my God,” is one each one of us should utter often. This is especially true when we gaze upon the Lord in the Eucharist during Mass (when the Priest elevates the Host, and then the Chalice containing the Precious Blood, during the Eucharistic Prayer).
Today is also observed as “Divine Mercy Sunday.” Sister Faustina Kowalska, to whom the Lord Jesus mystically appeared, was canonized 23 years ago on this Sunday by Pope John Paul II in a ceremony at St. Peter’s Square in Rome – the first saint canonized in the New Millennium. And nine years ago Pope Francis canonized John Paul II! This is a great day to reflect upon the mercy of God, which Saint Faustina and Saint John Paul II both fostered in their lives. Divine Mercy devotions will be observed today (Sunday) at Sacred Heart Church in Nekoosa. Yesterday (Saturday) we hosted all the WI Rapids deanery parishes for the annual Confirmation Mass. May all our young people who have been “sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit” be drawn ever closer to our Lord Jesus Christ, and remain always His faithful disciples! May the Lord bless you and your family today and throughout this Holy Easter Season!! May God bless you! Fr. Schaller  Jeremiah Denton (died, 2014), former Senator from Alabama (1981-87), had served 31 years in the Navy, retiring as a Rear Admiral in 1977. While flying a combat mission in Vietnam he was shot down and captured. He spent nearly eight years as a POW (in the “Hanoi Hilton”), four of which were in solitary confinement. His Catholic Faith enabled him to persevere through great suffering and torture. On this Easter Day, I present for your meditation and encouragement this poem that he wrote while in solitary confinement.
The Great Sign (a conversation after Jesus’ crucifixion, but before His resurrection, between three women: Joanna [1], Mary, the mother of James[2], and Mary Magdalene[3]) 1.His manger birth drew kings in awe, His smile the former blind men saw, In Him divine and mortal merged, Yet He’s the one the soldiers scourged. 2.He praised the humble and the meek., The grateful deaf mute heard Him speak, His face was love personified, Yet He’s the one they crucified. 3.Now our tears with doubts combine, How could He die yet be divine? We must dispel this faithless gloom, Let’s pray at dawn beside His tomb. Dark clouds can hide the rising sun, And all seem lost, when all is won! Do not be afraid! Christ is Risen, Alleluia! He is Risen indeed, Alleluia! May God bless you! Fr. Schaller  The Holy Season of Lent culminates in the Church’s celebration of Holy Week. There is no more important observance in the Christian calendar than the celebration of the events of our salvation: the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday; the institution of the Sacraments of Holy Orders and the Eucharist at the Last Supper on Holy Thursday; the suffering and death of the Lord on Good Friday; and His glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday. Each year, on Palm Sunday, the Church begins Holy Week by reading the Gospel account of the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem, and then reading the Passion story from one of the synoptic Gospels (i.e., Matthew, Mark, or Luke). This year the Passion account is taken from the Gospel of Matthew. It is fitting that we get a “preview” of the events of Holy Week in the scripture readings on Palm Sunday. On Good Friday we will read the Passion story from the Gospel of St. John. (The Passion story is always taken from John on Good Friday.) Plan now to participate in the whole Sacred Triduum: Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday at 7:00pm (followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until midnight), Passion Service on Good Friday at 12:30pm, and the most important celebration of the entire year, the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday at 8:30pm. This is what we have been preparing for all Lent! I strongly encourage you to attend all three services, if possible. Together let’s make this a Holy Week!! Each year during Holy Week the Bishop presides over the Chrism Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral in La Crosse. This year it is celebrated on Tuesday, April 4, at 10:30am. All the priests and deacons of the Diocese who are able will join him (I’ll be there!) We priests renew our ordination promises at this Mass. All the faithful of the Diocese are invited as well. If you have never attended the Chrism Mass before (and even if you have), and you are able to make a day of it, I encourage you to attend.
May God bless you! Fr. Schaller  The Gospels recount many of the miracles the Lord performed: restoring sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, strength of limbs to the lame and palsied, multiplying the loaves and fishes to feed the hungry. Saint John, in his Gospel, does not call these great works of Jesus miracles; he calls them signs. Truly, the Lord’s miracles are signs, since – in addition to what the miracle accomplishes in itself – it points to some further reality. This can be seen clearly in the miracle of the raising of Lazarus, which is recounted in today’s Gospel. Not only is Lazarus raised from the dead, but this miracle points to a greater work of God: the glorious resurrection of our Savior on Easter. This is why the Church places this Gospel story towards the end of Lent, as a means to help us prepare spiritually for Easter.
Are you ready for our final sprint towards Easter? Next Sunday is Palm Sunday, and the beginning of Holy Week. Plan now to participate in the whole Sacred Triduum: Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday at 7:00pm, Passion Service on Good Friday 12:30pm, and the most important celebration of the entire year, the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday at 8:30pm, and Easter Day at 9:00am. The whole liturgical year - and our faith! - revolves around the celebration of this central mystery of the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Savior. May God bless you! Fr. Schaller  Our Lord frequently made use of material things in order to teach a spiritual message. In today’s Gospel he uses the occasion of meeting (and healing) a man born blind to teach us to “see” with eyes of faith. “There is no one so blind as the person who will not see,” i.e., the person who chooses not to see. Lent is such a great time for spiritual renewal. And the Church enriches our experience of Lent by selecting for our reflection some of the most startling Gospel accounts. Last Sunday, today, and next Sunday, the Church draws from the Gospel of John with the stories of the “Woman at the Well,” the “Man born Blind,” and the “Raising of Lazarus.” I encourage you to spend some extra time today to read carefully these Gospel accounts, especially today’s Gospel of the “Man born Blind.” If we observe times of quiet prayer – alone with God – He will help us see where we have wandered from the Truth. Pray that the Lord may open your eyes to see the fullness of the Truth to which he is calling you. Today, Laetare (Rejoice) Sunday, marks the midpoint of Lent. It is a time to pause, assess how I have observed this holy season thus far, and recommit myself to a fruitful conclusion of Lent. We are just a few weeks away from the holiest week of the year. The Holy Week Liturgies provide the opportunity for us to enter more fully into the Sacred Mysteries of our salvation. From Palm Sunday, through the Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Thursday) and the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday) we journey with the Lord to arrive at His glorious resurrection. Mark your calendars for Holy Week. I encourage all our parishioners to participate in ALL the Holy Week services if possible. What a great culmination for Lent! May God bless you! Fr. Schaller  Today’s Gospel account – the Transfiguration of the Lord on Mount Tabor – has long been read in the Church’s liturgy at the beginning of Lent because of an early tradition which held that this event happened forty days before the Lord’s death on the cross on Good Friday. It is a remarkable event for several reasons. The vision of Moses and Elijah with the Lord indicates that Jesus is the fulfillment of all that the Law and the Prophets taught. Present are the same three Apostles who were present at our Lord’s Agony in the Garden (Peter, James, and John). And the glimpse of the Lord’s Glory – His divinity breaking through His humanity – was meant to strengthen the faith of those three Apostles, who in turn were to strengthen the faith of their brothers.
Lent is a “Season of Grace”, a built-in spiritual retreat time. We are fortunate to have so many opportunities for spiritual growth in our parish and around the deanery. I encourage you to refer to the Lenten Calendar mailed to all parishioners before Ash Wednesday (extra copies are available in the Holy Family Cenacle). In particular I recommend attending the Stations of the Cross Wednesdays at 5:15pm, followed by soup supper; the Sorrowful Mother Novena Fridays at 5:00pm; and the Holy Hour of Adoration (with Vespers) each Sunday from 3-5pm. And, in addition to the regularly scheduled confessions in our parish, all the local parishes we be hosting Lenten Penance Services with individual confessions, so that many more people might have the chance to receive the Graces of this Sacrament. Make good use of Lent! May God bless you! Fr. Schaller  The different seasons of the Church year present us with opportunities to express our faith in a variety of ways according to our human nature. For example, this season of Lent is an occasion for disciplining our bodies and our spirits. Just as every athlete needs training to sharpen his skills and tone his muscles, so the Christian’s spiritual life needs training to tone his soul. Since God made us with a body and soul, it is natural and good that we discipline our bodies along with our souls. This is the benefit of ascetical practices (the “giving up” of certain good things which we enjoy, like sweets, television, etc.) Fasting, along with almsgiving and prayer, is the means to spiritual growth (as we heard in the Gospel on Ash Wednesday).
As always, it takes a special and intentional effort to embrace this holy season. The special devotions during Lent help us to appreciate its penitential character. Please note that we have Stations of the Cross each Wednesday at 5:15pm (soup supper follows), and Sorrowful Mother Novena each Friday at 5:00pm. Most of the parishes in the deanery are hosting a Lenten Penance Service, with private confessions. Along with our parish schedule of private confessions, this provides ample opportunities for the chance to receive the graces of this Sacrament. Each Sunday of Lent we will have a Holy Hour of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament beginning at 3:00pm, with Solemn Vespers beginning at 3:30pm, and conclude with Benediction. Our Lord spent 40 days in the desert fasting and praying (as we read in today’s Gospel). Let us endeavor to be more like Him by the fervent embrace of our Lenten disciplines. May God bless you! Fr. Schaller |