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 - October 4, 2020

10/4/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
OCTOBER IS DEDICATED TO MARY AND THE ROSARY


When you look at the world today, both secular and within the Church, it is obvious that we are in need of help like never before. This is another reason to be grateful to God for His gift of Mary, especially during this month of October, a month the Church has long dedicated to our Blessed Mother. How do we honor Mary and seek her intervention? First and foremost, it seems natural to listen to what she says when she appeared to the children of Fatima: Mary reassured the children in a gentle voice, saying “Do not be afraid; I will do you no harm.” She told Lucia, “I come from Heaven.” She asked the children if they would “pray the Rosary every day, to bring peace to the world and an end to the war.” On June 13, as Mary appeared to the three children, Lucia asked, “What do you want me to do?” The Lady responded, “Continue to pray the Rosary every day and after the Glory Be of each mystery, add these words: ‘O my Jesus, forgive us our sins! Save us from the fire of Hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.’”

God loves us so much that He desires for us to know Him and receive His personal love. We offend God when we don’t make time for Him each day in prayer. There is no better prayer than the rosary, a prayer that brings us to meditate on the events in the life of Jesus through the eyes and heart of Mary. In the Rosary we encounter Christ through quietly reflecting on how He faced various situations in life; from the events prior to his birth in the Joyful Mysteries, the events of his public life in the Luminous Mysteries, the events of his passion in the Sorrowful Mysteries and his resurrection and events following in the Glorious Mysteries. These reflections can prove to be helpful in our own circumstances. Further, we are transformed by praying the words of three profound prayers: The Our Father, which Jesus gave us; the Glory Be which gives glory to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; and the Hail Mary which asks for her intercession as the Mother of God. If praying the Rosary each day seems too daunting, start out by praying a decade, and a Rosary will be completed every five days. Doing this each day during the month of October will help build a habit that can be the base of a deeper prayer life.

I would encourage everyone to honor Mary in a special way in this month of October. As Catholics, we do not worship Mary; however, we do hold that she is in a special place in heaven, and we honor her. We ask for her intercession, that God may listen to her prayers for her children, and turn His gaze upon us. If there are sins you are trying to overcome, if there are health issues you are facing or if you are seeking reconciliation in your relationships, if you are concerned for our Church, our nation or the unborn children; the list is almost endless for us in these days. Turn to Mary and place your trust in her hands. Who better to trust in than the woman God entrusted His Son to in this world?

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)