From the Desk of Fr. Schaller - September 10, 2023

"No man is an island.” The English poet John Donne wrote those words nearly 400 years ago. They express a truth found also in the Sacred Scriptures, especially in today’s readings. None of us lives in a vacuum; rather we are bound together by our common humanity. And much more than that, we are bound together by our Faith, by Baptism. We are truly responsible for each other. This is most easily seen within the family, where parents take care of their children and children watch out for each other. This also provides the motive for evangelization. We need to do all we can to bring others to know, love, and serve God, and to live the Faith. Out of love for others, we should assist them with their physical needs, and teach them in word and action the moral and spiritual truths of our Faith.

It has been an adjustment for our two Eastside Parishes of WI Rapids, SSPP & SVdP, these past two months. The changed Mass schedule is certainly the most noticeable and has the biggest impact on many families’ Sunday routines. The staff from both parishes is also adapting to some changes. We have converted both parishes to a new phone system which will provide better service and at a much-reduced cost. We have been making needed improvements in the St. Vincent de Paul parish office building (former convent, then rectory), which now also hosts the central office of Assumption Catholic Schools (north end of the first floor). This provides a mutual benefit: rent for SVdP and modest cost to ACS. By the end of the month the SSPP parish secretary will be moved to the SVdP parish office building, where Fr. Williams and I already have our offices. Each parish’s secretary works part-time. By staggering their hours, we will be able to provide greater accessibility for all our parishioners. And beginning next Sunday, September 17, we will publish a single bulletin for the Eastside Parishes of WI Rapids. That will reduce bulletin preparation and provide fuller information for both SSPP & SVdP parishioners.

I have been attending the Catholic Medical Association conference in Phoenix, AZ the past week, and will be back this Tuesday. My thanks for Fr. Williams for holding down the fort!

May God bless you!
​Fr. Schaller 

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