Blog Archives

Bishop Callahan offers reflection on the Blessed Mother

5/25/2018

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.

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Don't Forget to Download Our Parish "App"

5/24/2018

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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.

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From the Desk of Father Martin - May 20, 2018

5/23/2018

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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

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Next Baptism Class on June 5

5/22/2018

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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.

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Pope asks Catholics to pray the Rosary for peace

5/18/2018

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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.

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Youth Rummage Sale - May 17-18

5/17/2018

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Youth Rummage Sale May 17th & 18th the youth will be holding a rummage sale at St. John’s in the Columbia Rm. You are invited to donate your gently used items by bringing them during office hours to St. John’s Rel. Ed. Office on Wed. afternoon, May 16th from 3-6pm or Thur., May 17th from noon -3pm. You are also invited to come purchase items from this sale to support our youth. Sale times are Thurs., May 17th, 3-6pm and Fri., May 18th, 8am-5pm St. John's school Columbia Room 307 N. Walnut Ave.

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From the Desk of Father Martin - May 13, 2018

5/16/2018

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Praised be Jesus Christ! “Whatever happened to Maude?” I hear that question on a regular basis, and now that we’re celebrating Mother’s Day it’s probably best for me to respond. The most honest and accurate response would be to admit that I do not know the whereabouts of Maude and am not sure why she failed to return to our parish. This is a very typical scenario, by the way: when someone stops coming to our parish there’s rarely an explanation or sincere good bye, it’s just suddenly over without so much as a parting quack. Now allow me a moment of speculation: Maude got hooked on the 70’s sitcom “The Jeffersons” and especially enjoyed the theme song about “moving on up.. to a deluxe apartment in the sky... we finally got a piece of the pie.” One should never underestimate the power of such propaganda – to wit, Maude became increasingly convinced that living behind a Bleeding Heart bush at Saint John’s is just not in keeping with the sort of comfort she deserves. So Maude is living on top of Our Lady of Peace and routinely being confused for the Holy Spirit as she makes reconnaissance missions to feed her little ones. Please keep in mind that this is merely my own suspicion as to what happened to Maude this year... I’ve been known to be wrong about these things from time to time. Okay, on to much more important matters – it’s Mother’s Day weekend and it’s our duty to pray for our dear Moms and show them our gratitude for all they’ve done for us. I always have a Mass said for my Mom at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and I’m sure each of you has traditional ways of showing love for your Mother. Our parishes are blessed by so many wonderful mothers and it seems that we are growing younger with many beautiful families generously raising God’s children with the help He gives in the Sacraments. It’s impressive when the confession lines are filled with young families, not to mention the crowds at Mass on weekends and weekdays too (a great opportunity for young families in the summer when school is no longer in session). Motherhood is a challenge, as the following quote from a mother of four makes evident: “The baby was extra clingy today. At eighteen months, Monica has just this week cut two of her three emerging molars, which had been bulging and sore for weeks. She did not want to be put down and kept coming to grab my legs as I tried to make sandwiches for the older children, unload the dishwasher, fold laundry. Every time I nursed her, she looked intently into my face, willing me to quiet myself, unwind my attention from the rest of life, and give her the one thing in the whole world that no one else can give: my undivided, loving attention. But today was a hard day. Last night I’d stayed up much too late reading (one of the habits of my pre-motherhood life that I have not been quite willing to give up), and got up several times to comfort Monica after the Tylenol wore off around 2 a.m. All morning the children quarreled, and mediating between the irrationality of three-year-old Jonah and the legalism of five-year-old Abigail had just about done me in. By three this afternoon, as I drove over to pick up Abigail from kindergarten, I was neck-deep in self-pity. Why did I think that this was what I wanted? What was so bad about wearing panty hose and working for pay? Wasn’t I accomplishing more? So much of my day is taken up with triviality, frustration, and minutiae! When I got home I realized I’d forgotten to take the meat out of the freezer. Then the cat threw up. But I did give Monica some more baby Tylenol, so that was good. And I did get a chance to brush my hair.” Motherhood is all of that and then some. But the article ends beautifully with the claim that this woman, had she one hundred lives to live, would live them all as a Mom. So give your Mom a hug if you can, and pray for her if you cannot. And speaking of prayers, say one for Maude too – sooner or later she’ll be back with her tail between her webbed feet!
May God bless and protect our Moms – may they experience our sincere love and gratitude!
Your friend in Christ, Father Martin

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Baptism Class on June 5

5/15/2018

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Homily for the feast of the Ascension

5/14/2018

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Listen to the homily for the Ascension from St. John the Baptist Church:

Click here to listen

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Holy Father challenges lay people to be courageous in new video

5/11/2018

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From the Pope:

In his most recent Pope Video, an initiative of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, the Holy Father focuses on the mission of the laity. Specifically, Pope Francis highlights his prayer intention for this month, “the lay faithful may fulfill their specific mission, by responding with creativity to the challenges that face the world today.”

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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
Monday: 7:30 - noon

PERPETUAL ADORATION: The Marshfield Deanery has the John Paul II Adoration Chapel located at 510 Columbus Ave. For more information or to sign up, contact Dale at 715-383-2262or Jean Kaiser 715-387-0571 or see available hours here. Or click on image below for a visual tour.

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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

Bishop Callahan offers reflection on the Blessed Mother

Don't Forget to Download Our Parish "App"

From the Desk of Father Martin - May 20, 2018

Next Baptism Class on June 5

Pope asks Catholics to pray the Rosary for peace

Youth Rummage Sale - May 17-18

From the Desk of Father Martin - May 13, 2018

Baptism Class on June 5

Homily for the feast of the Ascension

Holy Father challenges lay people to be courageous in new video

Stay Connected with Our Parish

Safe Environment Program

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