Blog Archives

Milwaukee priest on road to canonization

1/31/2020

Born in Canada, Fr. Stephen Eckert joined the Capuchin order, was ordained in 1896 and sent to New York for his first assignment. While there he fell in love with African Americans and felt a desire to minister to their spiritual needs, something that was rarely heard of in America at the time.

This calling was further cemented after a visit to the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in Philadelphia, a religious community founded by St. Katherine Drexel, who served various African American communities. He was convinced that God was calling him to this apostolate and wrote to his superior in 1903.

“I humbly ask you for the privilege of devoting my life to missionary work alone, in conformity with God’s holy will. I must point out that since last year I have been thinking of going south to work with the Blacks; so if you think that this might redound to the greater glory of God, I would be glad to do so…”

His dream wasn’t fulfilled until he was appointed pastor at St. Benedict the Moor Parish in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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Evangelical Catholic training

1/30/2020

Andrea Jackson, our Evangelical Catholic training consultant will give a presentation on prayer called "The One Thing" on March 24th, at 6:30-8pm in the Columbia Room of St. John's Primary School. All are encouraged to attend this special event.

From the Desk of Fr. Jim - January 26, 2020

1/29/2020

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
Dear Friends
The announcement last week was a long time coming, and it has taken a toll on our bishop as you can see by watching the announcement on the diocesan website. Looking at the list of priests in the diocese with a substantiated allegation, there are some names that will be recognized after serving in this area. It is a time that calls for reflection and prayer, and a time of reparation. It is hopefully the beginning of a time of healing as well. Please pray for all involved in this scandal that has rocked and continues to rock our Church.

As Bishop Callahan noted, this disclosure is an important step. Just as when we go to individual confession, it is important that we name our sins. Shining the light of Christ upon our sin helps remove the power sin holds over us. Remaining in darkness only benefits Satan as he thrives in darkness, and make no mistake; Satan’s hand is all over this abuse scandal. Bishop Callahan also writes that this is a necessary step. Victims often state they feel no sense of justice, and this step helps to provide them with this. He concludes stating this is also a painful step; for victims as it reopens painful wounds and it is painful for the faithful laity and clergy who feel anger and humiliation for the sexual abuse and abuse of power committed by these men.

You can find the bishop’s letter and video of his announcement as well as a list of those with substantiated allegations on the diocesan website (www.diolc.org). These efforts are meant to be a way forward. Sin has been a part of the history of mankind since the dawn of time, and we are living in a time of heightened sexual abuse both within our Church and in Western society, which the ‘Me Too’ movement attests to. There is never anything that can justify any of this, but we need to do our best to acknowledge it and put into place protections so these things end. Again, we are steeped in sin, and it will never be totally eradicated, but we need to be honest and strive for perfection as we move forward, so this terrible part of our past is not a part of our future. With God’s grace and mercy we can overcome this as we have overcome many other failures in the history of our Church.

God bless Fr. Jim

Parish Mission February 16- 19

1/28/2020

Don't Miss the St. John the Baptist Parish Mission February 16- 19, featuring Deacon Ralph Poyo. The mission will be from 6:30pm to 8pm each night. Deacon Ralph is a popular speaker capable of communicating with a wide variety of audiences. His passionate, humorous, and playful style has captivated audiences of all ages with the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His presentation style disarms and speaks directly to the issues that plague our efforts to live the Catholic Faith. Deacon Ralph is married to his high school sweetheart, Dr. Susan Poyo, and has five daughters, three sons (In-law), and three grandchildren.

3 Louisiana causes for canonization

1/24/2020

From the Church

The list of canonized saints from the United States might soon be notably lengthier, with the bishop of Lafayette, Louisiana, set to advance three causes.

Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel is advancing the causes for Charlene Richard and Auguste “Nonco” Pelafigue.
A third cause, for Lieutenant Father J. Verbis Lafleur, requires collaboration from two other bishops since he was in the military, but is also moving forward.

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Pilgrimage for Life Prayers

1/23/2020

March For Life: Please keep the 61 people from our area in prayer as we attend the Pilgrimage for Life January 22nd-26th. We are praying that life may be valued and defended at all stages from conception to natural death. Thank you for the tremendous support. we receive from you.

From the Desk of Fr. Jim - January 19, 2020

1/22/2020

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
ANNUAL APPEAL UPDATE
On behalf of your parish family, I would like to express our gratitude for the initial response to our Annual Appeal. As I stated in my letter last fall, the appeal is how the business of the diocese gets done. The various curial offices budgets are supplied through this appeal, as well as the many outreaches that are returned to the individual parishes. As far as I am aware, most dioceses in the United States operate in this or a similar way, and it works fairly well, although it is far from perfect.

St John the Baptist has a goal of $139,200 for this year’s appeal. In the first 4 months of the appeal, we have received a total of $119,557, with a total of 443 donors. This is a very strong response from our parish families, and it is much appreciated. This means that we are in need of an additional $19,643 in order to make our goal. Last year we had a total of 535 contributors, which is close to 40% of our families, and we would love to surpass that number this year. It is normal for parishes in the Diocese to have around 30% to 35% participation, so I commend the St John family, but there remains a challenge for us as well. Increasing this to 55% to 60% participation, we would see an increase of more than 125 families. If the average donation of $270 continues, this would bring in over $35,000, which would put us over the top and include a very nice rebate to the parish.

As a reminder, all gifts that come in over the goal are returned to the parish 100%, and are not subject to the normal diocesan tax that is paid on normal contributions. As the Christmas season has come to a close, and tax season is still a couple months away, this is a special time for an additional push. If you have not yet contributed to the annual appeal, please pray over this, and consider making a contribution. Any and all contributions are much appreciated. I would also like to mention the listing of names in our bulletin in thanksgiving. Everyone that returns a response card, whether making a financial contribution or a spiritual contribution is listed as a means of saying Thank You! The names are listed in order the gift was received by the diocese, and if you have not yet seen your name, due to the number of families that have responded, we are still listing contributors from October; please be patient and you will be listed soon. If you do not wish to be mentioned for any reason, please let the parish office know, and your name will not be included.

In closing I would ask especially for your prayers for this effort. Nothing that we do in the church or family has any value if not supported first and foremost spiritually. Even if you are not able to make a financial contribution at this time, everyone can make this an intention in prayer, and this will be repaid with eternal dividends when we leave this world. God bless.
Fr Jim

Evangelical Catholic

1/21/2020

Andrea Jackson, our Evangelical Catholic training consultant will give a presentation on prayer called "The One Thing" on March 24th, at 6:30-8pm in the Columbia Room of St. John's Primary School. All are encouraged to attend this special event.

Pope Francis calls for prayers for Australia

1/17/2020

From the Pope

Pope Francis asked for everyone “to pray to the Lord to help the people [of Australia] in this difficult time" as major fires rage across the nation. Addressing Australian speaking pilgrims at the General Audience, the Holy Father said “I am close to the Australian people”.

Major bushfires have broken out around Australia, with more than 10.3 million hectares (25.5 million acres) of land burned in recent weeks. More than twenty people have lost their lives in the fires.

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First Reconciliation

1/16/2020

Please pray for our second grade students as they prepare for their First Confession! Students attending CCS will celebrate their First Reconciliation on January 14th and students in our Religious Education program will celebrate their First Reconciliation on February 5th.

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

CONFESSION SCHEDULE
Tuesday–Friday: 6:30 - 6:50 AM
1st and 3rd Fridays: Confessions begin at 6:00*
Saturday: 3:30 - 4:15 PM

*Friday confessions begin at 6:00, but vary in duration

ADORATION

PERPETUAL ADORATION: The Marshfield Deanery has the St. John Paul II Adoration Chapel located in the lower level of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, at 201 W. Blodgett Street. The chapel is accessible from the rear parking lot. For more information or to sign up, contact Jean Kaiser at 715-503-0118 or Deacon Ray Draeger at 715-207-6085. 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

Safe Environment Program

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