Blog Archives

‘Angel of Dachau’ Declared Martyr by Pope Francis

1/29/2016

‘Angel of Dachau’ Declared Martyr by Pope Francis VATICAN CITY — Father Engelmar Unzeitig, a young priest with Czech roots serving in Germany and Austria, was arrested by the Nazis on April 21, 1941.

His crime? Preaching against the Third Reich from his pulpit, particularly against their treatment of the Jewish people. He encouraged his congregation to be faithful to God and to resist the lies of the Nazi regime.

As punishment, Father Unzeitig was sent to what has been called the “largest monastery in the world”: Dachau concentration camp, which became renowned for the number of ministers and priests within its walls...Read more

Pope Francis: ‘We Can Be Mediators of Mercy VATICAN CITY — On Wednesday, Pope Francis renewed his appeal for the faithful to put the works of mercy into practice during the jubilee, urging them to open their hearts to others and to show God’s tenderness to those who suffer.

In his Jan. 27 general audience, the Pope recounted how “Divine Mercy had saved” the biblical figure of Moses from death in the waters of the Nile as a newborn infant...Read more

High School Youth Group

1/28/2016

High School Youth Group: We meet every Wednesday from 8-9pm in St. Francis Hall – Youth Group is a great time to be with friends who want to build you up. In addition to snacks, games and social time, we’re going to ask & find answers to tough questions. These youth group nights will leave you wanting more… Check out this awesome program!

Steubenville Youth Conference for teens presently in grades 8-12. An awesome, high energy event with 2,000 other teens . Plus: we'll roll up our sleeves and lend a hand while serving others. It will be at St. Thomas in St. Paul, July 29th-31st. The cost will be about $260 which includes most meals, transportation, and all housing.

Catholic Adventure Camp: Teens currently in grades 6-12 can spend the week of June 21st-26th at Crosswoods Christian Adventure Camp. This high adventure week will offer you the chance for rock climbing, repelling, canoeing, mountain bike riding, low ropes and high ropes, adventure trails, hiking, and time for prayer, the sacraments and reflection on God’s marvelous creation. The total cost will be about $385 for youth and $200 for adults. An information meeting will be held Mon., Feb., 16th, at 7pm in the Columbia Room of St. John’s school. Financial help is available.

Pilgrimage with the Pope and a Saint: World Youth Day July of 2016: Not too late to be part of an 11-day pilgrimage to Poland for a gathering with Pope Francis and youth from around the world to celebrate WYD 2016 in Krakow. Contact Dan Kitzhaber if interested!

How to Forgive Offenses Willingly

1/27/2016

The fifth spiritual work of mercy (to forgive offenses willingly) is one of the hardest to perform. Jesus did not go easy on His disciples when they asked about this attribute of discipleship:

“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22)

Jesus instructs His apostles to forgive “seventy times seven,” which is believed by scholars to mean “without limit.” This forgiveness Jesus speaks of stands in contrast to the “limitless” vengeance Lamech proclaimed in the book of Genesis:

“If Cain is avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy-sevenfold.” (Genesis 4:24)

If we are to be a true follower of Jesus, we must become missionaries of forgiveness instead of warriors of vengeance.

Above all, we must not limit our own forgiveness of others lest we become hypocrites. How can we be forgiven of all our sins in the sacrament of Confession if we continue to hold a grudge against our neighbor and refuse to forgive them?
Jesus reminds us, “For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get” (Matthew 7:2).

If we want Jesus’ mercy to be limitless for us, should we not have boundless mercy towards others?

When Pope John Paul II was shot in St. Peter’s Square, he quickly forgave his attacker at the first moment he could. In fact, he forgave his assassin during the ambulance ride to the hospital!

The greatest way we can cultivate a forgiving heart is devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He is Mercy itself and teaches us the perfect and boundless way of forgiveness. When we find ourselves unwilling to forgive, we must recite these words:

O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Make My Heart Like Unto Thine!

Think about this work of mercy for a few minutes and while you do that, think over the past year. Do you hold any grudges towards friends or family members? Are you willing to forgive them? They may not be open to your forgiveness, but that is up to them. All you need to worry about is having a right relationship with God and holding onto the past, seeking retribution, can injure that relationship.

If you can not forgive, ask Jesus for the strength. One of the regrets many people have on their death-beds is that they didn't forgive someone.

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February Activities: Parish Bake Sale, Ash Wednesday & More!

1/26/2016

St. John’s Parish Family has the opportunity to aid the less fortunate in our area by serving a fellowship meal in the Gathering Room of St. Vincent de Paul Center. We meet on Jan. 27th, at 3pm to set up, serve the meal at 5pm and finish with clean-up by 6:30pm. If you are able to help, call Jane at 715-387-2019.

“Grace before meals...dot com!” For all who came out to see Father Leo on January 15th, you’ll recognize this as one of his signature phrases. It was a wonderful event, coupled with a special cooking class on January 16th in our Columbia Room. Just being around Father Leo and witnessing his infectious enthusiasm for God and feeding His people (another trademark of Father Leo is his insight that the quickest way to a person’s heart is through his stomach) was a source of joy and hope for all who participated. And the event raised around $6,000.00 for Sister Sabina which puts the final touches on her order’s convent. If you’re interested in learning more about Father Leo’s unique and impressive work, please check him out at gracebeforemeals.com!

Baptism Class for those requesting the baptism of their children will take place Tuesday, Feb. 9th, 5:30-8:00pm in the Columbia Room. Pre-registration is required; please do so by calling 715-384- 9565 ext 2. For those not registered in the parish, information will be given on how to do so. This class is for all parents of their first child and/or those who have not yet taken Father Martin’s Baptismal class

Ash Wednesday is on February 10th. Please consider assisting at the 6:30am and 12:15pm Masses as a Lector, Server, or Eucharistic Minister. Sign-up sheet is in the Sacristy. Thank you!

An Evening With Our Lady of Guadalupe: The Adoration Committee will sponsor a potluck dinner/Speaker evening held at Our Lady of Peace parish hall on Friday, Feb. 5th.The evening will begin with the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 5:15pm, dinner at 5:30pm, speaker, Father Tim Oudenhoven from 6:00-7:30pm.

Parish Bake Sale Our St. John’s Parish Bake Sale will take place February 6th and 7th at all weekend Masses. Please support the sale by supplying baked items and by purchasing some of the wonderful baked goods that have been donated. The money helps provide educational opportunities for our parish. Thank you for your help and support. Any questions please feel free to call Connie at 715-305-6742.

Columbus Catholic High School Seeking Host Families for 2016- 2017 School Year: Did you ever wonder what living in the Czech Republic, China, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, South Korea and Vietnam would be like? How about the courage of a student who wants to learn about America while attending school and living with an American Host Family? Currently, Host Families are needed for students who wish to study at CCHS for 1 semester or more. Students are of varying faith denominations, including Catholic, have their own health insurance & spending money. Learn more! Contact: Dorothy Flees, CCS International/Exchange Student Program Coordinator / flees.dorothy@ccsstaff.org / 715-387-8224.

Homily for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

1/25/2016

Here is the latest homily from St. John the Baptist Catholic Church for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time:

Click here to listen to the homily

The Number of Christian Martyrs Has Tripled in Two Years

1/22/2016

The Number of Christian Martyrs Has Tripled in Two Years by CNA/EWTN NEWS — In 2013, there were some 2,100 Christians killed for faith-related reasons across the globe. But within two years, by 2015, that number rose to at least 7,100, according to a recent report from an advocacy group. “The persecution of Christians is getting worse, in every region in which we work, and it’s getting worse fast,” Lisa Pearce, CEO of Open Doors UK and Ireland, said in the group’s 2016 report. “Many countries have dropped down the list, not because persecution there is decreasing, but simply because others are getting worse faster. And it wasn’t good three years ago.”...Read more

Pope Francis: Baptism Unifies Christians by CNA/EWTN VATICAN CITY — In his general audience, Pope Francis focused on the common baptism Christians share, saying the strength of this bond is stronger than existing divisions. “We are truly the holy people of God, even if, due to our sins, we are not yet a people fully united,” the Pope said in his Jan. 20 general audience, adding that “the mercy of God, which works in baptism, is stronger than our divisions.”...Read more

Steubenville, Adventure Camp & World Youth Day

1/21/2016

Steubenville Youth Conference for teens presently in grades 8-12. An awesome, high energy event with 2,000 other teens . Plus: we'll roll up our sleeves and lend a hand while serving others. It will be at St. Thomas in St. Paul, July 29th-31st. The cost will be about $260 which includes most meals, transportation, and all housing.

Catholic Adventure Camp: Teens currently in grades 6-12 can spend the week of June 21st-26th at Crosswoods Christian Adventure Camp. This high adventure week will offer you the chance for rock climbing, repelling, canoeing, mountain bike riding, low ropes and high ropes, adventure trails, hiking, and time for prayer, the sacraments and reflection on God’s marvelous creation. The total cost will be about $385 for youth and $200 for adults. An information meeting will be held Mon., Feb., 16th, at 7pm in the Columbia Room of St. John’s school. Financial help is available.

Pilgrimage with the Pope and a Saint: World Youth Day July of 2016: Not too late to be part of an 11-day pilgrimage to Poland for a gathering with Pope Francis and youth from around the world to celebrate WYD 2016 in Krakow. Contact Dan Kitzhaber if interested!

CCS Corner: Computer Coding At Columbus we know how important it is for students to learn to navigate today’s tech-saturated world. Regardless of what our students do when they grow up, whether they go into medicine, business, politics, or the arts, knowing how to build technology will give them the confidence and know-how to succeed. Students at both OLP Intermediate and Columbus Middle School have been learning about computer coding. The online site, Code.org designed "The Hour of Code” to demystify coding and show that computer science is not rocket-science, anybody can learn the basics. Through the online lessons students are learning about the “repeat” block and “if-then” statements. Logical thinking is required to give exact directions from the characters to complete their tasks. Students are really enjoying the lessons and discovering that coding was not as difficult as they thought. We think there may some future programmers in our school. Columbus Catholic Schools building bold futures. Call Mary Hartl at 715-387-2444 for more information

How to Admonish & Bear Wrongs Patiently

1/20/2016

The next spiritual work of mercy is one that few of us like to engage in: “admonish the sinner.” This work of mercy is highly misunderstood and many of us do not know how to “admonish” in a Christian context.

Admonish the Sinner

Let us first look at the biblical roots of this work of mercy. Jesus provides His own explanation:

"Jesus said, 'If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven'" (Mathew 18:15-18).

Jesus says we should first seek out our brother in private. First of all, this means that admonition is a private affair, rather than a public exposition. Additionally, Jesus calls the other person "your brother." This highlights the fact that admonition is best done in the context of an established relationship. A person is much more likely to listen to a trusted friend or relative, than a street preacher. While the message might be the same and true, it does not mean it will be effective.

Saint Paul echoes these words when he writes,

"If any one refuses to obey what we say in this letter, note that man, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not look on him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother" (2 Thessalonians 3:14).

So the next time you feel called to admonish someone for the sake of their own salvation, remember to do so in private and in the context of an established relationship. Otherwise, it is very likely it will fall on deaf ears.

To Bear Wrongs Patiently

The fourth spiritual work of mercy is simple, but difficult in practice. We all know how to be charitable and patient to those who are pleasant, and kind to us. However, our initial reaction is not "patience" when a rude person cuts in line in front of us after waiting for an hour at the DMV.

Jesus had this to say in response,

"'You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.'" (Matthew 5:38-41)

Jesus’ instruction to "turn the other cheek" is radically different than what the world (and our own sinful hearts) want to do. We feel that when someone hurts us in some way we must "return the favor."

One of the many saints who gave us examples on how to perform this work of mercy is Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. While in the convent her first "victory" consisted in "bearing wrongs patiently." She narrates in her Story of a Soul,

"A small jar, left behind a window, was found broken. No one knew who had put it there, but our Mistress was displeased, and, thinking I was to blame in leaving it about, told me I was very untidy and must be more careful in future. Without answering, I kissed the ground and promised to be more observant. I was so little advanced in virtue that these small sacrifices cost me dear, and I had to console myself with the thought that at the day of Judgment all would be known."

Similarly, Saint Thérèse was tested when a fellow nun annoyed her,

"For a long time my place at meditation was near a Sister who fidgeted continually, either with her Rosary, or something else; possibly, as I am very quick of hearing, I alone heard her, but I cannot tell you how much it tried me. I should have liked to turn round, and by looking at the offender, make her stop the noise; but in my heart I knew that I ought to bear it tranquilly, both for the love of God and to avoid giving pain. So I kept quiet, but the effort cost me so much that sometimes I was bathed in perspiration, and my meditation consisted merely in suffering with patience."

Going forward, let us learn from the example of Saint Thérèse and combat the sinful desires in our heart. We might want to strike back at someone, even for such a small thing as being annoying in the adoration chapel, but we must not let our fallen nature overtake us. We must allow God to penetrate our heart and transform it into something new.

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Pro-Life Vigil Evening of Recollection

1/19/2016

Evenings of Recollection: The next Evening of Recollection will be held Thurs., Jan. 21st from 6:30-8:00pm. The theme will be centered around a Pro-Life Vigil and will begin by exposing the Blessed Sacrament followed by a half hour meditation. There will be time for silent adoration and confession. Benediction will close the evening.

Movie of the Month: Temple Grandin is the movie selection for January. This movie paints a picture of a young woman’s perseverance and determination while struggling with the isolating challenges of autism at a time it is still quite unknown. The movie will be shown this Sunday (Jan. 17th) at 3pm on the big screen in the Columbia room. Feel free to bring snacks and beverages.

Baptism Class for those requesting the baptism of their children will take place Tuesday, Feb. 9th, 5:30-8:00pm in the Columbia Room. Pre-registration is required; please do so by calling 715-384- 9565 ext 2. For those not registered in the parish, information will be given on how to do so. This class is for all parents of their first child and/or those who have not yet taken Father Martin’s Baptismal class

Parish Bake Sale: Help is needed for the parish bake sale which will take place February 6th & 7th. Baked goods of all kinds are needed. Pies, yeast breads, bars and breakfast treats are some of our best sellers, but all items are greatly appreciated. Money earned goes to support educational opportunities for the parish. Please contact Connie Manlick at 715-305-6742 if you are willing and able to help.

Women at the Well will meet in St. Francis Hall on Thursday Jan. 21st from 6:30 - 8:00pm. Questions? Call Judy at 715-305-2261.

St. John’s Parish Family has the opportunity to aid the less fortunate in our area by serving a fellowship meal in the Gathering Room of St. Vincent de Paul Center. We meet on Jan. 27th, at 3pm to set up, serve the meal at 5pm and finish with clean-up by 6:30pm. If you are able to help, call Jane at 715-387-2019

Homily for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

1/18/2016

Here is the latest homily from St. John the Baptist Catholic Church for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time:

Click here to listen to the homily

MASS SCHEDULE
Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM
Saturday: 8:00 AM
Saturday: 4:30 & 7:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00, 9:00 & 11:00 AM

CONFESSION SCHEDULE
Tuesday–Friday: 6:30 - 6:50 AM
First Friday: 6:00-7:00 PM
Saturday:3:45 -4:15 PM & 6:15 -6:45 PM

ADORATION

PERPETUAL ADORATION: The Marshfield Deanery has the John Paul II Adoration Chapel located in the basement of St. John the Baptist Parish, at 201 W. Blodgett St. The chapel is accessible from the rear parking lot. For more information or to sign up:
contact Dale at 715-383-2262 or Jean Kaiser 715-387-0571. Click on the image below for more information.

Stay Connected with Our Parish

Welcome From Our Pastor

Welcome to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church! Ever since 1877 this parish has been assisting souls in their quest for deeper union with God. Pope John Paul II called the parish a “school of prayer” and St. John’s is committed to promoting growth in holiness in every state in life. Each of us is called... Read More

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