St John the Baptist Catholic Church
  • Home
  • Bulletin
  • Parish News
    • Virtual Tour
    • Parish Blog
    • From the Pastor >
      • Welcome
      • Father's Homilies
      • Parish Mission 2020
      • Parish Mission 2018
      • Parish Mission 2014
    • Parish History >
      • Brief Parish History
      • Extensive Parish Histories
      • Parish Directories
      • Parish History Photo Gallery
    • Past Events
    • Sacred Restoration
    • Staff Directory
    • Parish Committees >
      • Family Life
      • Social Justice
  • Ministries
    • Prayer Chain
    • Prayer Shawl Ministry
    • Mission Team
    • Marriage Resources
    • Ministry Schedules >
      • Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
      • Lector Schedule
      • Server Schedule
  • Sacraments
    • Baptism
    • Reconciliation
    • Holy Eucharist
    • Confirmation
    • Holy Matrimony
    • Holy Orders
    • Sacrament of the Sick
  • Religious Education
    • First Communion 2020 >
      • More from July 12 ...
      • More from August 16 ...
    • Marshfield Faith Formation
    • Cherubs
    • Catholic Kids Camp / VBS
    • Columbus Catholic Schools
    • MERIT - for Special Needs
    • Ongoing Education
  • Evangelization/Youth Ministry
    • Formed.org
    • Youth Group
    • Small Groups
    • Adventure Camp
    • Serving the Community >
      • Rotary Winter Wonderland
      • SVDP Fellowship Meal
    • Fundraising Opportunities

From the Desk of Fr. Jim - May 17, 2020

5/17/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

PARISH OFFICE POSITION

We begin this week’s article with a note of gratitude and well wishes for Pam Housworth, the parish financial administrator for the past 4 plus years. In this time, Pam was challenged in getting our financial records onto a new computer program, and has been instrumental in updating these records for our parish, for which we are grateful. Pam has taken a new position at Christ the King parish in Spencer, and we congratulate her and wish her success in this new endeavor.

St. John the Baptist now has a position open for a part- time financial secretary/ bookkeeper. If you would like more information about this position, please contact Brian Kaiser, chair of St. John the Baptist finance council or you may contact the parish office.

RELATIONSHIP IS KEY

As we continue working our way through this time of uncertainty, I am reminded of a note I once received, a note that is applicable for our times. This note (cannot recall the author) read: rules without relationship leads to rebellion. This is a great insight, and it speaks to the critical difference between Christianity and other religions in the world. We are the only ones who know a personal God and savior. When we follow the ‘rules’ we do so out of love; it is a response to God first touching our hearts and minds. Other religions do not have this personal relationship, and for them the rules can lead to rebellion in their hearts. Even for us Christians, if we are not in a relationship with God, the rules can seem overbearing, and can lead to rebellion. I think we all know people or have family members who no longer practice their faith because they lacked that relationship, and the rules became simply unbearable. Relationship is the key to all areas of our lives.

Each Sunday is a celebration that calls us to reflect on our relationship with God as the primary relationship in our life. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are an eternal relationship, and they invite us into their relationship. How are we doing in this relationship? Is my relationship with God the primary relationship in my life? This is the one that all other relationships in our lives are based on, and their strength is a direct ratio of our relationship with the Holy Trinity. Our relationship with our spouse, our children, our friends, our parents; anyone and everyone are only as healthy as our relationship with the Holy Trinity, who is closer to us than our beating heart.

It is easy to forget these things. We can all get caught up in trying to build a perfect world for our children, striving for that perfect job, going after that newer, bigger house with a perfectly manicured yard, spending all our time and energy on things, we can forget who we are doing these things for. None of these are bad in and of themselves, but they need to be in balance, or all of our lives will be out of balance. The Covid19 pandemic is a test for all of us in one way or another. How we respond is a statement of who we trust in. Do we simply trust in the state? Science? Our medical practitioners and medical infrastructure? These are all good, but they are only part of the equation we need as human beings. We are material and spiritual beings. Neglecting our spiritual reality leads us on a dead end path. Perhaps this is a time to strengthen our relationship with our merciful Father, deepening our prayer life and our devotional life, preparing our hearts for the day, hopefully soon, when we can return to the sacraments in their fullness.

Here is an exercise to try: if I were given 5 months to live, what would I change in my life? And remember, for some of us, this is not an exercise.
​

God bless, Fr Jim 

​
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    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
    Picture

    Stay Connected with Our Parish

    Welcome From Our Pastor
    Picture
    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
    ​

    Picture

    Safe Environment Program

    Picture

    Archives

    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015

    Categories

    All
    Adult Formation
    Catholic News
    Father Martin
    Homilies
    Parish News
    Pastor's Desk
    Youth

    RSS Feed

 *All photos and videos on this site are used with permission. Special thanks to Dorothy Flees for contributing countless photos. Unauthorized duplication, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. | Copyright © 2020 Saint John the Baptist Parish. All Rights Reserved.
201 W. Blodgett St.. Marshfield, WI 54449 
​  715-384-3252 (parish office) 715-384-4989 (school)