THE BANE AND THE BLESSED

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1 Sixth Sunday of Easter May 6, 2018 It was enough to make me regret not having a smart phone to take a photo of it. It was written in very small but legible handwriting near the paper towels in the restaurant restroom. If you have looked this far, you must be looking for something. Why not try Roman Catholicism? I wish the writer had left an address so I could send a word of thanks. I wanted to hug him not just because of the invitation to Catholicism but also because of the encouragement to ask the larger questions. Too often we step away from the big questions. Why is there something rather than nothing? What is human happiness? What is my destiny? Too often we grow smaller not larger in terms of what we believe is possible. Too often we so much want to prevent our hearts from being broken that they become unbreakable. Too often we live as though Christ is risen and nothing has changed. It is Easter and Christ is risen for me. With Mary our mother, I want to do whatever Jesus asks of me. It is Easter, and I want to come to him in Eucharist where he tells us he is to be found until the end of time. It is Easter, and I want to love him more so that others will want to be his beloved. It is Easter, and I want to recognize him however and whenever he comes to me. It is Easter, and I have far to go in recognizing and following him. But the Lord is near, in his Church. He is my joy and strength. And I trust the Risen Christ to make me his risen Christian. The Lord be with you. Father John Parr THE BANE AND THE BLESSED

2 SEAS STEWARDSHIP Thank you to fellow parishioner, Randy Stetzer, who will be doing some landscaping in the front of the church. Memorials were donated in his wife Patty s name to be used for this landscaping project. Anyone who remembers Patty can envision her smile while working on the front flower gardens. We look forward to the finished project and again, thank you Randy for sharing your time and talent. Our parish staff can not thank all of our parishioners enough who have stepped up to take on projects of necessity around our parish grounds. We truly are blessed with your gifts of time, talent, and treasure. Thank you for being good stewards in Christ. APPEAL PLEA The countdown is on. We only have about 8 more weeks to reach our parish target of $82,615. If you have not pledged yet, please prayerfully consider how your donation can help the appeal. Any donation no matter the size is sincerely appreciated. We are still below the number of donors who contributed last year so if by chance you have forgotten to send your pledge card back in, there is still time. June 30th is the deadline. You may also donate online for your convenience and remember you can make payments as well. If you are not able to give at this time, could you please send in the pledge card and indicate that as well. That helps with record keeping. Please keep the Annual Appeal in your prayers. Thank you and God bless you! As of 5/1/2018 Total pledged: $70,140 Under: -$12,475 BABY BOTTLES FOR BIRTHRIGHT The annual fundraiser for Birthright of La Crosse is here. On May 12 (Mother s Day) - June 3, 2018, baby bottles will be available to take home and fill with spare change (or more). Birthright is an international volunteer organization, with a La Crosse chapter since 1976, available to those with an unintended pregnancy to provide love, information, a gentle listening space, and referrals as well as emotional and spiritual support where needed. Your donations help to make this mission possible. Please take home a bottle, read the insert, and return the bottle, full or empty on June 9-June 17, 2018 (Father s Day). Your pro-life support will be appreciated by moms and dads-to-be and their unborn children. ALL PARISHIONERS - HOSPITAL STAYS Because of ever-stricter Federal Privacy Laws and the conversion of medical records to electronic format at the local hospitals, our parish is no longer notified when parishioners are in the hospital. In short, if you do not tell us, we will not know that you are in the hospital. To ensure that you receive a visit from the pastoral staff, kindly notify the parish office before any planned hospitalization or call when you are admitted. Fr. Parr will be happy to administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick prior to planned surgeries. PRAYER REQUESTS KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Do you want to be part of a faithful men s group whose core principles are Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism? If so, please contact Brian Clements at or use the new online membership form at: Sara (Wozney) Balaker Richard Brandau Trudy Brieske Dorie Delaney Sr. Bridget Donaldson, OSB Elizabeth Donaldson Patrick Donaldson Sharon Grabar June Kukovec Kent Limberg (military) Sue Lund Jerome Malin Kevin McIntyre Judith Niedfeldt Robert C. Ristow Bailey Rohrer David Ruff Erica Schultz Lynn Schultz Sascha Stephens Lynne Taylor Pam Tischer Colleen Tisil Tim Van Eijl 6th Sunday of Easter 2 May 6, 2018

3 FAITH FORMATION Vacation Bible School for kids grades K -5 Register here: youth-faith-formation. Volunteers needed (6th grade and up and adult)! Questions? Contact Mary Luebke in the Faith Formation/Youth Ministry Office Foster a new appreciation of the Mass and a deeper love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Kids will discover more about the Mass and the saints through great faith lessons, music, games, crafts, snacks, and more... Each day there is music, a daily theme, daily virtue, and a daily Saint. Bible verses, prizes, songs, and skits are interspersed between the Faith, Craft, and Mystery Snack stations. The kids will enjoy fun games while learning important aspects of their faith. An outline of the week: Day 1 - The Mass is a Mystery Day 2 - The Mass is a Gift Day 3 - The Mass is a Celebration Day 4 - The Mass is a Meal Day 5 - The Mass is a Call HONOR HER ON MOTHER S DAY Honor a mother and support LIFE at the same time. Buy a rose or two for your own mother, but don't forget the other "mothers" in your life...your mother-in-law, grandma, or the woman you know who is a mother to everyone and always showing she cares. Mother s Day is a good time to say, I Love You! and show you care. Roses will be available after all Masses May 12 & 13. Suggested donation of $2.00 per rose. All proceeds go to Wisconsin Right to Life. Remember to update the parish office with any changes to your address, phone, or . MEN S SCRIPTURE STUDY Parishioner Emil Meindl is continuing the Sunday Scripture Study for Gentlemen only. This Scripture Study will be held on Monday evenings from 7:00 8:00 pm in the Guest Room across from the kitchen in the church. Come and join other men for fellowship and support and to learn how the Sunday readings relate to your daily life. The readings will be provided for you, but bring a bible if you have one. Hope to see you there! BAPTISM CLASS Expecting parents, the Baptism class is an opportunity for you to enrich, strengthen and deepen your Catholic Faith the Faith you are asking to have your child brought into at the celebration of their baptism. Please RSVP by calling the parish office or online at seasholmen.org. Our Next Class is Monday, June 25 at 6:30 pm Come, Follow Days - June 12-13, 2018 Young girls ages 9-13 are invited to Mater Redemptoris House of Formation in La Crosse! Come spend time with the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George learning more about your faith. You will enjoy prayer, food, fun activities and more! For more information and registration, please visit or contact Sister M. Consolata at materredemptoris@gmail.com or call Registration is open until filled with 30 girls. CARD MAKING RESCHEDULED Due to the last snow storm, our card making is rescheduled to Monday May 7th at 2:15 in the gathering place. No experience is necessary. We will walk you through the process in creating All Occasion cards for the home bound members of our parish. Share your creativity with those who can t always be with us at the table of the Lord. PARISH INCOME (FISCAL YEAR 7/1/17 6/30/18) Last Week s Collections Weekly Budget Difference Annual Budget Envelopes/Plate.$6,239 $10,594 -$4,355 $550,888 Fiscal Year-to-Date $452,202 $455,542 $3,340 6th Sunday of Easter 3 May 6, 2018

4 NEW MEMBERS FOR PASTORAL COUNCIL In the fall, two members of the Parish Pastoral Council will complete their terms. We are very grateful to Francis Brown and Karen Anderson for serving so generously, faithfully, and well. Rather than elections for new members, the Pastoral Council has chosen to rely on the Holy Spirit for the selection of new members. In the Acts of the Apostles we are told that when the position of Judas was to be filled the apostles prayed and drew lots, selecting Matthias (Acts 1). Our council members will be chosen in the same fashion: prayer, trust in the Holy Spirit, and drawing of names. Do you know someone whose gifts of mind and heart would benefit the parish as a member of the Pastoral Council? Parishioners are invited and encouraged to submit names of fellow parishioners who could assist the pastor in providing leadership for the parish. Those names that are suggested will then be contacted by Father Parr. By letter or in person, Father Parr will share with the possible nominee the role and responsibilities of the pastoral council. If willing to serve, each person s name will be dropped in a hat. After prayer and relying on the Holy Spirit, the two names drawn will become new members. If necessary to represent the fullness of our parish family (age, marital status, etc.), Fr. Parr may select a third member. Pastoral Council members must be registered parishioners who are fully initiated into the church (Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation). Please submit the name(s) of fellow parishioners who you believe would serve the parish well in this important regard. Please provide names no later than July 1st, 2018 (fill out & turn in at parish office). I believe the following person(s) would serve our parish well on the Parish Pastoral Council. Name of Parishioners Recommended: PARISH INFORMATION PARISH RECTORY & OFFICE Phone Fax Number office@seasholmen.org STAFF Pastor, Father John Parr pastor@seasholmen.org Pastor Emeritus, Monsignor Delbert J. Malin djm133@charter.net sbridget@seasholmen.org Pastoral Minister, Carol Reider carol@seasholmen.org C.R.E. (3 years-gr. 5),.Mary Luebke reled@seasholmen.org youth@seasholmen.org Director of Music, Beth Lakmann music@seasholmen.org Secretary, Sandy Jerue office@seasholmen.org Sister Jean sjean@seasholmen.org MASS SCHEDULE Weekend: Sat. 5:00 pm and Sun. 8:00 & 10:15 am Weekday: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 am except Tues. 7:00 am Gluten Free Hosts: St. Elizabeth s has gluten free hosts available. Please contact Fr. Parr, and he will make the necessary arrangements. SACRAMENTS Reconciliation: Saturday 4:00 pm or by appointment. Baptism: Baptism involves membership in the church. Parents are to attend three sessions early in the pregnancy. Marriage: Our church is trying to create successful marriages. This takes some time. Arrangements for a wedding date are to be made at least six months before the anticipated date. Anointing of the Sick: Communal celebrations in fall and spring. Individual celebrations upon request. Please call the office when family members are hospitalized. PASTORAL VISITATION Anyone who desires a personal home visit is invited to call the parish office. CATECHUMENATE Anyone wishing to become a full member of the Church is invited to visit the parish office. NEW PARISHIONERS Please call the parish office. Parish Council Members Karen Anderson Laura Antonie Len Beranek Francis Brown Finance Council Members Ryan Malak Janice Dvoracek Brian Clements Les Giesler Angie Hendrikson Shelly Linskey Christine Olson Larry Warzynski Shawn Handland Pat Stephens Larry Warzynski th Sunday of Easter 4 May 6, 2018

5 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Sunday, May 6 6th Sunday of Easter 8:00 am Mass Donald Pedretti 10:15am Mass People of SEAS 11:00 am Square Foot Gardening Workshop Monday, May 7 Easter Weekday 8:30 am Mass Paul and Mary Hughes 1:00 pm Good Mourning Ministry 2:15 pm Card Making for the Home Bound 7:00 pm Men s Scripture Study Tuesday, May 8 Easter Weekday 7:00 am Mass Paul and Mary Hughes 4:30 pm Finance Council Meeting Wednesday, May 9 Easter Weekday Thursday, May 10 Easter Weekday Friday, May 11 Easter Weekday Saturday, May 12 Easter Weekday 8:00 am Pray the Rosary 4:00 pm Sacrament of Penance Vigil: The Ascension of the Lord 5:00 PM Mass People of SEAS Sunday, May 13 The Ascension of the Lord 8:00 am Mass Katharine Nelson 9:15 am Simple Living Discussion Group 10:15am Mass Art Dolan 7:00 pm KC General Meeting BACCALAUREATE BRUNCH St. Elizabeth s Baccalaureate Brunch is scheduled for Sunday, May 20 following the 10:15 am Mass. All graduating high school seniors should watch for your invitation in the mail and RSVP as soon as possible. Please contact the office if you do not receive an invitation. This is a wonderful opportunity for us as a parish to recognize our young parishioners and wish them well in their endeavors. Volunteers are needed to help with the brunch. If you are available, please contact the parish office. April Snow Showers, bring May flowers! SIMPLE LIVING GROUP Mother s Day Gift Idea Our Common Home Prairie Wildflower Seeds Looking for flowers for Mother s Day that will last year after year and help restore part of God s creation? We have donation certificates you can purchase for any amount. We will use the donations to buy wildflower seeds for Our Common Home Prairie that will be planted in November. Certificates will be available after Masses or by contacting Carol Reider in the parish office. Please join us today, Sunday, May 6th after the 10:15 Mass for a Square Foot Gardening workshop hosted by the Simple Living Group. The workshop will demonstrate how to build a square foot garden as well as how to organize and plant for maximum harvest. NEWLY BAPTIZED Today, we welcome, Mason Joseph Miller, son of Mitchell and Brittany Miller, to our faith community in the celebration of Baptism. It is now our privilege to help this child grow in faith. We have a great gift of faith to share. THANK YOU A huge thank you to all our volunteers who gave of their time, talent, and treasure during our Annual Rummage Sale last week. This PCCW fundraiser helps with maintaining our kitchen for the various meals our parish puts on during the year and the funds raised also have been used for improvements to our bathrooms. Thank you again to all who gave of their time and those of you who shopped as well. SEAS GOOD MOUNRING MINISTRY SEAS Good Mourning Ministry will meet Monday, May 7th at 1:00pm. Join fellow grief travelers for one or all of the gatherings. 6th Sunday of Easter 5 May 6, 2018