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 Captive Carwash – Sun., June 3rd All cars parked in the north parking lot during the 9 & 11am Masses will be washed by the young people participating in Adventure Camp, Steubenville Conference, Tanzania Mission Trip or Discipleship Training. This car wash is a way to raise awareness through service as well as invite those who are interested to help them financially by a free-will offering at the exit. The same youth will also be holding a bake sale after all Sunday Masses – yum, yum!
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 Praised be Jesus Christ! “There are no atheists in foxholes.” I was reminded of this quote when reading the latest copy of the Knights of Columbus magazine “Columbia.” Among the many riveting stories of wartime valor was one about Captain Gary Rose. He was recently awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Vietnam War. At one point during the interview, the exchange went like this: Columbia: “You have said that God’s hand was clearly evident in your survival and that of your brother Green Berets. How aware were you of God’s presence during those harrowing days, and what role has your faith played since? Capt. Rose: “It’s your right in this country not to believe in God, to be agnostic or atheist, but I don’t see how anybody couldn’t believe in God if you were with us on that day. When I think about those four days, I don’t see how you could survive something like that without Somebody deciding it was not your time to go.” A powerful testimony, one that demonstrates how faith is basically the opposite of Karl Marx’s “opiate of the masses.” This weekend we remember the men and women who served a cause they thought greater than themselves, namely the right to be free. For my money I don’t think it’s ever been put more eloquently than in the fourth verse of The Battle Hymn of the Republic: “In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me; As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free! While God is marching on.” Thank you, veterans! By the way, if you don’t receive the aforementioned Columbia magazine, that must mean that you have not yet joined the Knights of Columbus. We need more men in our communities who are passionately Catholic and joining the Knights is a very effective way to achieve that. Moving right along, this weekend is the traditional gateway to summer and we naturally look forward to some time to relax and recreate. Next weekend Marshfield hosts its annual Dairy Fest. The following weekend features Spencerama. Both of these are opportunities to support our communities as they provide fun for the whole family. One of the biggest local events this summer will be Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, hosted by the Sternweis and Heiman families on July 10-12. As you know, it’s very difficult for farming families to make ends meet for a variety of reasons. I will always be grateful to God for the many sacrifices my parents made so that we could grow up on a farm. Supporting our farmers is supporting all of the things that are best about living in central Wisconsin: family life, faith in God, and an honest day’s work. We’re praying for favorable weather so that big crowds will make this year’s Farm Technology Days a tremendous success. Of course, later that same week on Friday, July 13th we’ll be hosting our 6th Annual Parish Pull at the Marshfield Fairgrounds. This year the word on the street is that Bishop Callahan will be leading the opening prayer. The Bishop will be in town as a part of the Diocese of La Crosse’s sesquicentennial celebration (and a public schedule will be coming soon). We’ll be rolling out the red carpet for the Bishop and you’ll really want to be present for the beginning of the Pull for something that you just don’t see every day. By the way, the proceeds of this year’s Parish Pull will be given to Columbus Catholic Schools, Sacred Heart parish to help them replace their school with a new building, and to Mary’s Place (a non-profit housing facility focused on helping the homeless get back on their feet through personal responsibility and regular work). As we remember the sacrifices that made our life in this great nation possible, we praise God for the sacrifice of the Mass that opened the way to eternal life for those who believe. May God bless our veterans with an experience of love that validates the sacrifices they made! Your friend in Christ, Father Martin  Vacation Bible School - The week to set aside is July 23rd - July 27th. Adult and teen volunteers will be needed and childcare will be offered. Registration forms can soon be found in the kiosk as you enter church.
For more Parish News, check out our bulletin.
 From the Bishop:
I believe that prayers and devotions such as the rosary need to come back into prominence in the spiritual lives of Catholics. I often introduce the gift of the rosary to the young people by reminding them that the rosary is not jewelry for the dead or a pop culture accessory. May could be a good time to help emphasize that point in your home by praying the rosary together at least once during Mary’s Month. Read More...  Download Our New Parish App!
Our St. John the Baptist & Christ the King Parish app is now available to download for iPhone and Android smart phones. Stay connected with our parish throughout the week with instant notifications, an easy-to-access event calendar, and the ability to quickly reply to or share messages via Facebook or Twitter. Also enjoy a bunch of additional features like prayers, daily readings, helpful reminders to silence your phone before Mass or Confession, and much more. Help foster a stronger parish life at St. John the Baptist and Christ the King Parishes and better engage the New Evangelization. Download our app today at myparishapp.com or search your phone's app store for myparish.  Praised be Jesus Christ! Even though it was a month ago, I’ve been meaning to revisit the mid-April storm because it provides us with a “teachable moment.” Many congregations cancelled their Sunday services and some wondered why we did not. If the priest can make it to church, then he should celebrate Mass as scheduled, regardless of how many people come. After all, that’s why you pay us the big bucks! And the people who cannot make it should not feel guilty – God does not demand that we risk our lives to attend Mass on Sunday. But the “teachable moment” is to honestly answer this question: “Were you happy that you didn’t have to go to Mass because of the snowstorm?” This is a great way to see if we really love Jesus in the Eucharist or are merely going through the motions. Oh, and before I move on, another fair question is “Did you drive anywhere else that day?” Sometimes it’s interesting to note that the people who miss Mass because of bad roads somehow manage to attend other events under the same conditions. Before I go too far and incite my fan club into sending mail because they think they’re being judged (and isn’t that the great news?! Someday we’ll be judged by a Being who is all-just and supremely merciful – our excuses will melt away into nothingness and only the truth will remain), it behooves us to remember our graduates. To the class of 2018, we offer our prayers and a couple of pieces of unsolicited advice: first, “you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free,” (John 8:32). There are many counterfeits to the truth in this world. With God’s help, you can discover the truth that will challenge you but will also inspire you. This world insults your intelligence by claiming you’re easily manipulated by transparent scams and appeals to your insecurity. Be the person God made you to be and you’ll bring fire to the earth! And the second piece of advice flows from the fact that many of you will forget the first piece of advice: if you fail to live in the truth, God is a perfect Father, which is to say that He is merciful. Last weekend I shared an anecdote that reminds us of our Father’s love: At the end of Billy Graham's funeral a couple of months ago his daughter came up and delivered a short eulogy. She talked about her 1st marriage failing and the devastating divorce she endured. Then almost immediately afterwards someone introduced her to a widower. She was smitten from the start and even though her parents begged her to slow down and let them all get to know him better, she dug her heels in and stubbornly pushed forward, marrying him on New Year's Eve. She said she knew in a very short amount of time that she'd made a terrible mistake and it wasn't long before they separated because she was afraid of him. Driving home to her parents she was full of dread at what they would say... after all, she had rejected their advice and no doubt had embarrassed her father. When she pulled in the driveway her Dad was waiting outside for her. As she got out of the car Billy Graham embraced his daughter and said, "Welcome home." She knew then the love of God the Father - that He knows our shame, our guilt, our sins; but that He sent His Son that we might be forgiven and start again with the hope that comes from God. We’re proud of our graduates and will be praying for you in all of your future endeavors. And while there will be formidable challenges, this is maybe the best news of all; “Thank God we live in times such as these, that allow none of us to be mediocre.” God bless you, class of 2018!
May God send us the Holy Spirit, who consoles, challenges, and fortifies us for the road ahead! Your friend in Christ, Father Martin  Baptism Class for those requesting the baptism of their children will take place Tuesday, June 5th, 5:30-8pm in Columbia Room. Pre-registration is required and you can 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.
For more Parish News, check out our bulletin.
 From the Pope:
Pope Francis has urged for prayers for peace in Syria and in the world. His call came during his weekly general audience of Wednesday, where he greeted Arab-speaking pilgrims. “I invite you to cultivate the devotion to the Mother of God with the daily recitation of the Rosary, praying in a special way for peace in Syria and in the entire world,” the Pope said in Italian. Read More... |
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
Monday: 6:30 - 6:50 AM & 7:30-8:30 AM Tuesday–Thursday: 6:30 - 6:50 AM Friday: 6:30 - 6:50 AM & 7:00-8:00 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 ParishWelcome 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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