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Men of the Cross Conference 2019

6/28/2019

Men of the Cross 2019

Sat, Oct. 26 in La Crosse

The Men of the Cross Men’s Conference exists to empower and motivate men to live out God’s view of manhood and be the best husbands, fathers, and leaders God has called them to be. You will not want to miss out on October 26, 2019 conference, which will be taking place at Aquinas Catholic High School, located in La Crosse, WI.
Our keynote speaker will be Steve Ray, a dynamic convert sure to engage men of all ages.

Register at: https://menofthecross.org/

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Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Registration

6/27/2019

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Registration is now taking place for The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at St. John the Baptist Parish. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level 1 is for 3-6 year olds and is a Montessori-based Catholic faith formation where children can grow in their relationship with God through a deep engagement in Scripture and liturgy. There are two sessions offered starting in September: Thursdays from 3- 5pm or Saturdays from 9-11am, cost $25/child.

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From the Desk of Father Martin - June 23, 2019

6/26/2019

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Praised be Jesus Christ! This penultimate column will be dedicated to thanking people who have made serving here a source of great joy. There are so many reasons to be grateful, but let me start with an ordinary one: you fed me good and nutritious food and that’s one of the reasons my Mom sleeps better at night. My idea of a well-stocked kitchen is a microwave, a toaster, and most importantly, a coffee maker! Once I get to Wausau I’ll probably take the time to cook a bit more often (I can hear people giggling and guffawing – especially Father Burish). For all of you who brought in meals and delectable sweets and fresh produce and fantastic wild game, I’m going to miss you! They say the quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and so my heart is now full. Another group to thank is my staff and all with whom I collaborated during these past eight years. Both of these parishes are blessed with fantastic people who serve selflessly and generously and Father Weighner will now benefit from having such a strong staff. I will truly miss Sister Rita, whose very life has been a living Gospel for me and whose friendship gave me courage and hope. I’d also like to thank Deacon Jeff Austin for his fidelity to Christ and constant support. These are active parishes and I think of all of the groups that animate the faith by teaching, service, and prayer. From Eucharistic Adoration to serving meals at Saint Vincent de Paul’s, there are amazing signs of faith, hope and love in these two communities. It was an honor to serve alongside so many good people. I also must thank those of you who pray ceaselessly for priests. Our prayer for vocations is indispensable in helping our young people find God’s will for their life. But once they do, we owe it to them to continue praying so that they persevere. Good priests are a combination of God’s grace, good formation, and the prayerful support of the faithful. If I ever do become truly holy, each of you will receive credit. So many of you prayed for me every day and I can never repay that or fully explain what a difference that made. I know you’ll pray for the new pastor with the same fervor and that will help him to adjust and heal from the hurt of leaving the people he’s loved and served for the past decade. And let me thank you now for the prayers you will continue to offer for me – I know I will sorely need them in the years ahead. And lest I forget, I probably owe the deepest gratitude to the folks who helped me to grow by challenging me in various ways. Saint Thomas Aquinas said we owe more to those who disagree with us than to our allies because the former demand so much more. So thank you to those who stretched my heart the most by trying me more than you know. Of course, now that my farewell party has come and gone, I owe so many of you gratitude for your kind words, cards, and generous gifts. It was a tremendous foretaste of the communion we will one day, please God, share in Heaven. I can honestly say is that you brought out the best in me and for that we can collectively thank God. As I take leave of Marshfield and Spencer, I’m reminded of the poetic words written in 1870 by a young priest leaving Rome for the last time. His sentiments are mine and they make clear how hard it is to say good bye: “This evening I bade a sad farewell to the friends I love best perhaps on earth, to the College most dear, to the years the happiest of my life, and to the City of my very soul, to the soil moistened by the life stream of martyrs. Farewell Rome, but not, I hope, forever,” (John Cardinal Foley).
May God bless each of you with the joy that comes to those who have served Him well!

Your friend in Christ, Father Martin

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Vacation Bible School 2019

6/25/2019

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Vacation Bible School The week to set aside is July 29th - Aug. 2nd. Adult and teen volunteers will be needed and childcare will be offered. If you are able and willing to volunteer, please call Heather Adler Registration forms can be found in the kiosk.

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Father Tolton takes another step along path to canonization

6/21/2019

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From the Church

Pope Francis has recognized the heroic virtue of Father Augustus Tolton, a man born into slavery who eventually became a priest in the United States.

With the decree, Father Tolton (1854-1897) is now recognized as venerable, a step along the path of canonization.

Read Father Tolton’s story below.

Read More...

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Support our fundraisers!

6/20/2019

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Support our fundraisers! Please visit the Festival Brat Barn on June 28 in Marshfield. Profits will go towards Adventure Camp, Steubenville Conferences, and the March for Life. You can also sign up to work at the Brat Barn on the parish website.

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From the Desk of Father Martin - June 16, 2019

6/19/2019

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Praised be Jesus Christ! My parents celebrated their 50th anniversary on Friday, June 14 and it was a day of sincere gratitude to God. We took a family picture and then celebrated Mass at Saint Wenceslaus in Eastman. Afterwards we had a meal and shared many fond memories of the years that we spent growing up together. I know there were times when I wondered if Mom and Dad would achieve this milestone. Not only was it a concern based on Dad’s waning health; marriage is tough and I know both Mom and Dad were tempted at times to throw in the towel. The fact that they are still together is a testament to their faith in God, which contributed mightily to helping them endure the many trials of life. As you know, my Mom was with the School Sisters of Notre Dame for about ten years and Dad spent a year in the seminary. Mom never made final vows because it simply wasn’t God’s will for her. By the time she and Dad met, I suspect Dad had resigned himself to the single life and was busy running the farm that would become our home. My parents both received good spiritual formation and they were generous in sharing it with us. Their practice of the faith was constant, and I look back with profound gratitude because of the countless graces that were available to me and my siblings. For example, my brother Tom and I probably served more Masses than anyone else in our parish... anytime it looked like Father needed help, Dad “invited” us to suit up and serve. At Masses when we weren’t serving, especially if it was Holy Week or Christmas, Mom recruited us to sing in our little choir as she played the organ. Once again, we weren’t always thrilled about it, but a retrospective glance shows how blessed we were by such opportunities. God knows we had lots of struggles and we each carry the wounds that are simply a part of growing up with other imperfect human beings. Somewhere Oscar Wilde captured it perfectly when he said something to the effect that, “When we’re little we idolize our parents, as we get older we judge them, but if we get close enough to God, we forgive them.” Yes, my parents made countless sacrifices so that I could live a good life and I thank God for the tremendous gift He gave me in sending me to my Mom and Dad. As we remember fatherhood this weekend and pray for all of our dear Dads, it’s right for us to remember that only God is a perfect parent. The rest fall short, some woefully. But we thank God anyway, because we know He can draw straight with even the most crooked lines. I’ll close with the anniversary blessing that I gave my Mom and Dad (and I’ve given it dozens of times here too): “On the day of your wedding, you stood before the altar of God and solemnly vowed your love to each other. Today you stand before the altar, your family and friends, in striking testimony of what God’s grace, conferred in matrimony can accomplish in a husband and wife who carefully guard and use the divine treasure that is in them. The world today has great need of the living sermon which your example of fidelity and love shows forth. You have been dauntless in the face of many problems and difficulties, known only to yourselves and hidden from others that could have made your marriage something entirely other than it has actually been. We have every reason to believe that your married love has closely resembled Christ’s love for His spotless bride, the Church. The way has not always been easy. You have had to endure suffering together. But because you have been faithful to God, He has been faithful to you, blessed you abundantly, and with His help you have been able to accomplish what you of yourselves without divine aid could never have accomplished. You were married in Christ and Christ has continued these many years to be your portion in happiness and your chalice in sorrow. We beg Him to guide you and watch over you, helping you to persevere in fidelity and love for the years ahead, which we pray will be many and blessed.”
May God bless all Fathers with a share of His selflessness and peace! Your friend in Christ, Father Martin

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Parish Pull - July 12

6/18/2019

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Save the Date: Our 7th annual Parish Pull will take place on Friday, July 12th. This year the proceeds will be donated to Columbus Catholic Schools and PIER of Wisconsin (a nonprofit that teaches sign language, among other things). We will keep some this year for future church repairs. On a separate note, we will not be hosting our annual parish picnic this summer. We hope to resume next summer.

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Pope Francis' prayer intention for June

6/14/2019

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From the Pope

Pope Francis releases a video message accompanying his prayer intention for June, which is that priests may commit themselves to "solidarity with those who are most poor."

In his prayer intention for the month of June 2019, Pope Francis calls us to pray that priests, "through the modesty and humility of their lives, commit themselves actively, above all, to solidarity with those who are most poor."

It has become the custom of Pope Francis to release a video message detailing his prayer intention for each month.

Read More...

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Brat Barn on June 28

6/13/2019

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Please support Youth Ministry on Friday, June 28th at the Festival Brat Barn in Mfld. Profits will go towards Adventure Camp, Steubenville Conferences, and the March for life. You can also sign up to work at the Brat Barn on the parish website.

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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
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

Men of the Cross Conference 2019

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Registration

From the Desk of Father Martin - June 23, 2019

Vacation Bible School 2019

Father Tolton takes another step along path to canonization

Support our fundraisers!

From the Desk of Father Martin - June 16, 2019

Parish Pull - July 12

Pope Francis' prayer intention for June

Brat Barn on June 28

Stay Connected with Our Parish

Safe Environment Program

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