Peter s Post. Newsletter of Saint Peter Catholic Church. Madison, Wisconsin

Transcription

1 Peter s Post Newsletter of Saint Peter Catholic Church Madison, Wisconsin Founded: 1967 Pastor: Msgr. O. Charles Schluter February 2014 Volume 13 No. 1 From Msgr. Charles Dear Parishioners and Friends, Around 380 AD a holy woman from Europe named Egeria went on a lengthy pilgrimage to the Holy Land. By this time the Emperor Constantine and his mother, St. Helena, had constructed the great Christian churches of the Nativity in Bethlehem and of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. What was special about Egeria is that she has left us a detailed written account of her journey. Thousands of other pilgrims would visit the Holy Land in the centuries that followed, but most Christians never got there. This led to a desire to at least experience spiritually, or in the imagination, such a journey. One of the ways this was done was through the Stations of the Cross. The route established in churches symbolized the path followed by Jesus (the Via Dolorosa) on his way to Calvary. During this coming Lent you will have six different opportunities to experience the Stations here at St. Peter s. I hope you can join us for at least one. A full schedule of these services can be found in this newsletter. Wishing you a blessed Lent and a happy Easter. Our Baptismal Call Lenten Retreat sponsored by East Madison Catholic Adults Friday, March 21, 2014 at St. Dennis Parish Registration fliers can be picked up in the atrium at church or at Diocesan Rally Frassati Fest High School students and chaperones attending the three day Diocesan Rally Frassati Fest at Kalahari in the Dells January 31 - February 2 were Ben Gartland, Declan Schlichting, Hailey Hilgendorf, Peg Miller and Msgr. Charles. Through speakers, scripture, prayer, Reconciliation, Adoration, Liturgy and fellowship we were reminded to rekindle our faith. Kindle the flame to love, know and serve God; to focus our lives on Christ and go out and share our faith, evangelize and live it. The students created a parish flag during one of the activities. Diocesan Lenten Regulations The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5. Lenten regulations from the Diocese of Madison are as follows: 1. Catholics who have celebrated their 14th birthday are to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, all Fridays in Lent, and Good Friday. 2. In addition to abstaining from meat, Catholics who have celebrated their 18th birthday, until they celebrate their 59th birthday, are to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those who are bound to this regulation may eat only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one s needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted.

2 The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick A beautiful Lenten tradition at our parish is the special celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. It is a time when our community comes together to offer prayers for those who are sick and in need of God s healing. Those who have life-limiting or serious illness, as well as those with less serious illnesses, are encouraged to attend this beautiful Mass with family members. This special celebration will be held on Saturday, March 29th at 10:30 a.m. with a luncheon provided by the parish to follow. Please watch for sign up sheets in back of church in March (or call the parish office at ) so that we know how many will stay to enjoy lunch after Mass. Transportation to/from church can be provided if needed. Please call Helping Hands Coordinators, Pat at or Sylvia at to arrange for a ride. All parish members are invited to attend this Mass in love and prayerful support. OPERATION RICE BOWL Brings Lent to Life Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl helps millions enrich their Lenten journey as we draw closer to God in preparation for Easter. We pray to deepen our relationship with God and reflect on what type of person we are called to be. We fast to remove the things that can get between us and God, and to remember those without enough to eat. We give alms, honoring Jesus call to serve those in need. As Jesus disciples, we have a responsibility to care for our brothers and sisters in all nations. As we prepare for our Lenten journey, our community of St. Peter will once again participate in Catholic Relief Services Operation Rice Bowl as a sign of solidarity with our global family. One Rice Bowl packet will be available for each family prior to Ash Wednesday. Please be sure to take home a Rice Bowl packet and follow this simple yet powerful Lenten practice to enhance your Lenten experience at home. Operation Rice Bowl invites us to: Pray together. Fast in solidarity with those who hunger. Learn about the joys and challenges in the lives of our brothers and sisters around the world. Give sacrificial contributions to support those in need. Moving Through Grief Series In April The Moving Through Grief series will be offered at our parish this spring on Thursday evenings, April 24, May 1, 8, and 15th, 2014 from 6:30 8:30 p.m. A reunion session is also scheduled for June 5th. These wellreceived sessions provide a beautiful opportunity for caring support for those grieving the death of a loved one. Please watch the bulletin in April for more information about this special support series. Enrollment will be limited. Register after April 1 by calling Judy Stolper at Stations of the Cross This year at St. Peter s we will pray the Stations of the Cross as a community on Tuesday evenings beginning at 6:30 p.m. on March 11, 18, 25 and April 1 concluding with Benediction. Living Stations of the Cross will be presented by our Middle and High School Religious Education students on Sunday, April 6 and Monday, April 7, at 6:45 p.m. You are all invited to make this beautiful and timeless traditional prayer of the Catholic Church a part of your Lenten journey. Bingo and Barbeque Mark your calendar for your next chance to win at BINGO night: Saturday, March 15 - following 5:15 p.m. Mass Our high school students are sponsoring this FREE fun event open to all ages. Bring your family, friends, neighbors or a special date. Play bingo and enjoy fellowship, dinner and snacks. You might even win a fabulous prize. A free will offering for dinner will be accepted. Ladies Guild Bake Sale The Annual Ladies Guild Palm Sunday BAKE SALE will be held on Saturday, April 12 before and after the 5:15 p.m. Mass and on Sunday, April 13 before and after all Masses. All members of the parish are invited to participate by donating baked goods or by purchasing baked goods. Baked goods may be brought to the church hall after 3:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. ALL PROCEEDS from the sale will be donated to St. Peter's Scholarship Fund for our high school seniors.

3 The Church of St. Peter Celebrates The Lenten and Easter Seasons March 4 - April 20, 2014 Taize Prayer Tuesday, March 4, :00 pm There s something incredible that can happen when we meditate on God. He is a great mystery to us and yet he slowly reveals himself to us in his time. When we are completely vulnerable to him and invite him to enter into the depths of our heart, he shows himself to us. Sometimes this open reception of Christ can be fearful for us to allow him to take control of us and govern over our hearts. Or we are willing but simply don t know how to let him speak to us. We need others to show us how. We need an opportunity. Well we hope to provide just that opportunity as we prepare for Lent, Taize prayer. This simple musical prayer can help us enter into a deeper knowledge of God through meditation, setting the tone for our journey into Lent. When our minds are quieted and our hearts are at peace, we can put aside the busyness of our days and hear his call. These are the moments that Taize prayer invites us to enter into. So come celebrate peace with us this year by joining voices in Taize prayer. Music will be led by our adult choir. Ash Wednesday Wednesday, March 5, :00 and 9:00 am and 6:30 pm Ash Wednesday is one of the starkest, yet one of the most loved days of the liturgical year. Many people come to be reminded that they are dust, and to dust they will return. Many come to be admonished to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel. The practice of using ashes from the palms of the previous year s Palm Sunday is a relatively new element of the liturgy, first appearing in the 12 th Century. It adds another layer of meaning to this rich rite, reminding us of where we are headed to the glory of Easter. As one of the antiphons for the rite of imposition of ashes tells us leave the past in ashes and turn to God with tears and fasting; for He is slow to anger and ready to forgive. (Roman Missal) Palm Sunday - April 13, :15 Saturday Evening (April 12) 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 am (April 13) 1:00 pm Spanish Mass (April 13) We come together this day to commemorate Christ s entrance into Jerusalem to accomplish the Paschal Mystery of His death and resurrection. Accordingly, the memorial of this event is celebrated at every Mass with a procession and solemn entrance. Weather permitting we will begin this liturgy outdoors; if not, we will gather in church as usual. Palm branches will be distributed. The Ladies Guild will host its annual bake sale after all Masses. The Prayer of Tenebrae Monday, April 14, :00 pm We Remember Calvary a poignant 35-minute Tenebrae Service designed to recreate the emotional and spiritual aspects of the passion story through music will be performed. Both traditional and contemporary hymns and songs are combined with congregational singing, scripture reading and narration to paint a vivid and moving picture of Christ s last days and his journey to the cross. Written by Joel Raney, and performed by a subset of our adult choir, this service will prove to be a powerful time of reflection. Holy Thursday April 17, :00 pm On this night, we begin the Sacred Triduum of the Lord. Together with Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and ending with Vespers on Sunday evening, the Holy Church marks this time to more deeply enter the mystery of Christ s suffering, dying, and rising from the dead. At this Mass, the Holy Oils blessed by Bishop Morlino at the Chrism Mass will be presented. There will be an opportunity for adoration before the Holy Eucharist following the Mass until 11:00 pm. We invite everyone in the parish to take part in this peaceful quiet time before the tabernacle.

4 Good Friday, April 18, :00 pm Today we celebrate the Passion of the Lord. This Prayer Service consists of three parts - the Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross, and the sharing of Holy Communion, which was consecrated during Mass on Holy Thursday evening. There will be a dramatic reading of the Passion. It is a very moving and prayerful reflection on the last days of Christ here on Earth. The Easter Vigil, April 19, :45 pm When we enter the church we will already smell the sweetness of the flowers and get a sense of the joy we will encounter with tonight s celebration. We will bless the new fire and water symbolizin g Christ s p resence among us, and we will relive God s saving actions in human history through listenin g to the Word of God. Finally, we welcome with great joy new members to our Church through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. There will be a reception following the Liturgy. Please come and celebrate with our parish family on this Night of all Nights! Easter Sunday, April 20, :30 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am 1:00 pm Spanish Mass Reconciliation East Side Communal Reconciliation Reconciliation at St. Bernard s Sunday, April 6, 3:00 pm Reconciliation at St. Peter Tuesday, April 8, 7:00 pm Reconciliation at St. Dennis Wednesday, April 9, 7:00 pm Reconciliation at Immaculate Heart of Mary Thursday, April 10, 7:00 pm Individual Reconciliation at St. Peter s Saturday, April 12, 4:00-5:00 pm Monday, April 14, 5:00-6:30 pm Tuesday, April 15, 9:30-10:30 am Wednesday, April 16, 7:30-8:30 am and 3:30-4:30 pm March Calendar of Activities 4 TAIZE Prayer Service, 7:00 pm 5 ASH WEDNESDAY, 7:00 and 9:00 am and 6:30 pm 11 Stations of the Cross with Benediction, 6:30 pm 18 Stations of the Cross with Benediction, 6:30 pm 21 Lenten Retreat at St. Dennis, 8:45 am-noon, lunch to follow 25 Stations of the Cross with Benediction, 6:30 pm 29 Anointing of the Sick Liturgy, 10:30 am 30 Mass celebrated with Youth Choirs, 11:00 am April 1 Stations of the Cross with Benediction, 6:30 p.m. 6 Living Stations of the Cross, 6:45 pm 7 Living Stations of the Cross, 6:45 pm 8 St. Peter s Communal Reconciliation, 7:00 pm PALM SUNDAY WEEKEND Masses at 5:15 pm Saturday 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 am Sunday 1:00 pm Spanish Mass Bake Sale after all Masses sponsored by Ladies Guild 12 Individual Reconciliation, 4:00-5:00 pm 14 Individual Reconciliation, 5:00-6:30 pm 14 Tenebrae, 7:00 pm 15 Individual Reconciliation, 9:30-10:30 am 16 Individual Reconciliation, 7:30-8:30 am and 3:30-4:30 pm 17 HOLY THURSDAY, Mass at 7:00 pm 18 GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE, 1:00 pm 19 RCIA Vigil Rehearsal, 9:00 am 19 EASTER VIGIL, 7:45 pm, reception to follow 20 EASTER SUNDAY Masses at 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 am (Youth Choirs) Spanish Mass at 1:00 pm

5 St. Peter s Sent Eighteen to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) On November 21-23, 24,000 Catholic youth and their chaperones gathered at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium for a 3-day conference of prayer, service, and faith formation called The N a t i o n a l C a t h o l i c Y o u t h Conference, otherwise known as NCYC. NCYC offers a dynamic program of worship and witness, and is the largest biennial gathering of Catholic teenagers in the country. An enthusiastic group of 18 youth and adults including Msgr. Charles from St. Peter s were among the 24,000 Catholic youth and chaperones. Students were able to rekindle some friendships and make new ones with others in the Diocese of Madison as they traveled by coach bus. St. Peter s Group included, Rebecca Brokaw, Charlie Carroll, Anna Dolphin, Jane Ann Drill, Spencer Halberg, Paige Hergenrother, Hailey Hilgendorf, Hanna Hilgendorf, Greta Johnson, Mitchell Johnson, Robbie Knauff, Joseph McKenzie, Connor Schlichting, Declan Schlichting, Msgr. Charles Schluter, David Krause, Joe Spangler and Peg Miller. This year's conference theme Signed. Sealed. Delivered reflected the richness and distinctiveness of our Catholic sacramental heritage. It offered a dynamic program of worship and witness through keynotes, workshops, inspirational music, liturgies, Reconciliation, prayer, exhibits and hands on service projects. Our Catholic faith and relationship with Jesus Christ are what will get us through life. To help us get ready to sign, seal, and deliver it we experienced the Inspiration Junction which is a Thematic Park set up as the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. There were many opportunities to explore prayer, service, grow in knowledge about our faith, and the many ways God s grace touches and fills our lives. Our students made awesome superhero capes for ill children at Children s Hospital at St. Vincent. Greta Johnson got her hair cut for Locks of Love and several students took a hospital bracelet of an ill child to keep in their prayers. We donated food to St. Vincent de Paul, books to help families in need and jeans for the homeless shelter. Some students decorated backpacks and t-shirts for children in Haiti, made fleece blankets for the St. Elizabeth House and created scrapbooks for families with loved ones at Hospice and made wreaths for nursing homes. Catholic Relief Services and Stop Hunger Now, Helping Hands was onsite to lead us in the service of packaging meals for people who are suffering from food shortages and famine. The goal was to package 100,000 during NCYC. During St. Peter s shift on Saturday afternoon we reached the goal of packing 100,000 meals. We then continued packing until the supplies ran out. The total meals packed were 101,087. The meals were boxed and sent to the country Burkina Faso in West Africa. As one student said, It felt amazing to be a part of such a big and helpful task. It gave me hope for the people we help around the world and I will definitely keep these people in my prayers. Our students also took it upon themselves to serve the people on the streets they saw walking the many blocks from our hotel to the convention center. They gathered and packed food and drinks that they brought for themselves and offered it to the people out in the cold that they passed. It was so heartwarming to see these amazing students walking an extra block in the cold to say hello to strangers and offer to share what they had. They were truly being the hands and feet of Christ and understand the message that Christ is everywhere and in each of us. What our students had to say. I had a great experience during Mass on Saturday night. It was so amazing to see and be a part of 24,000 Catholics kneeling and praying in the Lucas Oil Stadium. When I gave food to the homeless people in Indianapolis that made me feel good and to actually see the effects of giving. I learned God loves you no matter what you do and he will always be there even if you are lost. I had a lot of fun and re-connected with God. I experienced saying the rosary as a group and even led one of the decades out loud. I felt proud to lead this prayer. I liked doing the service projects and knowing I was making a difference in someone s life. How powerful God can be in your life just as long as you have faith. Meeting so many new people from all over who wanted to strengthen their faith just like me. I really want to go again. The keynote speakers were great and helped me connect with God and how we should act to fulfill the life that God gave us. If you ever have a chance to go to the next NCYC take it, it s one of the best times of my life. You can meet new people, be yourself and become one with God. I have new Catholic friends from around the United States. I learned that being free is not doing whatever you want but making nonsinful choices to be free to love Jesus. To be a part of giving a moment of silent prayer and 24,000 not making a Continued on next page

6 sound, that was the most powerful thing to be a witness of and a part of. I m so proud to be Catholic. I definitely got closer to God on this trip and felt surrounded by him the whole weekend. I learned what it means to be a true follower of Christ and how to shine the light of Christ around the world. Above: Gathering to support Greta as she donates her hair to Locks of Love. I learned if you are not free from sin you are not free to love. Even if you feel lost and alone God is with you! I loved all the Catholic artists, music, writing inspiring quotes to the children in Haiti and decorating backpacks for them. I enjoyed feeding the homeless and seeing them smile. Walking into the Lucas Oil Stadium was unbelievable to think that all those teens gathered were Catholic. It was so awesome to see people from all 50 states. Getting a small wooden cross blessed by Pope Francis! Listening to the speakers definitely changed my Catholic faith and now I m prouder than ever to be Catholic! Everything that I experienced this weekend will stay with me for the rest of my life! Our relationship with God started at Baptism and we are called to be children of God and serve. I felt a deeper connection with God after this experience. The keynote speakers really connect with us and reminded us that God is always there for you even if you lose your way. I m thankful for this experience and for the chaperones and all of us having dinner with Msgr. Charles. I learned what it truly means to live a meaningful life in Christ. It was cool to celebrate Mass and listening to the speakers with 24,000 other Catholic teens. Volunteering with CRS, packing a rice and vegetable meal for those without food in Africa was great. My favorite moment was when we reached the goal and all the meals were packed. It made me feel like we were Joey and Greta With their super hero cape. truly making a difference in someone s life. I encountered many teens with a common interest and met my big family that is adopted through the Catholic Church. It was cool to see 24,000 Catholic teens all together in one stadium; I definitely felt God s presence, especially during the Saturday night Mass. I took a hospital wristband to pray for Parker, an eleven year old with a fatal disease called ITP, he loves sports and studies hard. I invite you to pray for him along with me. I heard Bishop Thomas Paprocki speak who wrote Holy Goals for the Human Body. He talked about his experiences with athletics and how they connect to faith. Everyone is called Above: Packing the CRS meals. Charlie and Mitchell Making a super hero cape. to holiness and holiness can be encountered anywhere. I had lots of fun, meeting new people, sharing our faith, trading all kinds of items with lots of people and just taking in all the Catholic energy. The faithful spirit was unbreakable and I will definitely come back for NCYC We are Signed. Sealed. Delivered! The closing Liturgy was phenomenal and one of the highlights of the conference. Seeing all the bishops, priests, deacons and seminarians was amazing. More pictures on next page

7 NCYC (cont d) Praising God! Thank You! St. Peter s youth helped the fight against hunger by manning soup pots after all Masses on February 1 and 2 during Souper Bowl of Caring, which is in its 14th year at the parish. Thanks to all who supported this tremendous project we raised $1, % of the profit goes to feed the hungry in our community. Youth Outreach Valentines for Luke House is one way youth can share the love of God with others. PreK through 5th grade students made Valentines for those eating meals at Luke House. Hanging out. St. Peter s Mardi Gras Dinner to Benefit the High School Mission Trip Sacramental Prep It s cool to be CATHOLIC! First Eucharist preparation began on January 15. First Holy Eucharist will be celebrated Sunday, May 18, 2014 at the 11:00 a.m. Mass for our students. Please pray for the twenty young people who are preparing for this sacrament. 8th Annual Night at the Duck Pond Friday, August 1 Save the date for this fun event as the Madison Mallards take on the Kenosha Kingfish. Fliers will be available in the spring. Come and enjoy a delicious Mardi Gras dinner on Saturday, March 1, after the 5:15 p.m. Mass. Our high school youth will be serving up Jambalaya, salad, hotdogs, bread and dessert. You will be treated to New Orleans music, beads, crowns and surprises at this fun event. This is a fund raiser for our high school mission trip to Charleston, South Carolina in July. A free will offering for the meal will be accepted. Please sign up in the back of church if you plan to attend. St. Peter Youth Blanket Project St. Peter s youth will begin making fleece blankets which will be donated to our St. Peter s St. Vincent de Paul Conference. We are in need of donations of patterned or solid colored fleece measuring 1 ½ or 2 yards. Monetary donations will also be accepted to purchase fabric for the blankets. Please bring donations to the parish office. Make checks payable to St. Peter, attention Youth Blanket Project. Please contact Peg Miller at ext. 21 with questions.

8 St. Peter s Catholic Church 5001 N. Sherman Ave. Madison, Wis Peter s Post is published to keep members informed of parish activities. Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No Madison, Wisconsin Address Service Requested Pastor:. Msgr. O. Charles Schluter Parish phone: Religious Education pdickey23@yahoo.com Website: Newsletter Editor: Jared Cordasco Phone: stpnews@coglib.com Ladies Guild and Knights of Columbus Garage Sale The Ladies Guild and Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a Garage Sale on Friday, March 7 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 8 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We will not except any computers, electronic devices, clothing, or exercise equipment. Please call the office after February 1 at and they will accept your donations. Please call Bernie Grota at if you have any questions or if you are able to help set up on Thursday, March 6 at 3:00 p.m. or take down on Saturday, March 8 at 3:00 p.m. Baptisms Mikael Cuauhtemoc Valencia Parents: Manuel & Shannon Valencia Deaths Lorraine M. Hanson Kenneth Zeutzius Virginia Matilda Payne Jeanette Kautzer Terri Jean Reda Alice McCarten Patricia McGettigan Henrietta Paulina Jones Myron Harris Emma Bethke Pamela Ann Cuga Dawn M. Kilen Germaine Ann Van Horn Ronald W. Carlson Siena Janae Meyer Parents: Benjamin & Diana Meyer New Parishioners November 2013 Mark & Nicole Degner Lisa Tantillo Janet Rios Dorothy Crenshaw John O Brien Maria & Gary Thompson Joseph & Staci Uebersetzig December 2013 Leslie Roweeder Teresita Perales & Juan Morales Ronald & Carol Holt January 2014 Jeannie & Kris Schultz Steve & Laurie Walsh Elaine Babitz Jose Lopez & Martha Gonzalez James Coppola Cole Ellsworth Uebersetzig Parents: Joseph & Staci Uebersetzig