THE BANE AND THE BLESSED

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1 Twenty-sixth Sunday in September 30, 2018 THE BANE AND THE BLESSED Sister Rita Jeanne Abicht was a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse. I met her when I was a seminarian. I don t recall the circumstances of our meeting. However Sister Rita Jeanne was a source of great encouragement for me. She was one of the first sisters I met at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse. And she eagerly introduced me to other sisters. She and her community have been a rich and abiding blessing for me over these many years. One summer I stopped by to say goodbye before returning to my seminary studies in Rome. We wouldn t see one another again until I returned home two years later for priesthood ordination. I recall Sister Rita Jeanne s parting words to me. I will pray for you daily before the Lord in the tabernacle, and before our Lord in the tabernacle there are never any miles between us. As you know, I am a great admirer of Blessed John Henry Newman. In 1845 at great personal expense he became a Roman Catholic in England. His journey is one of the great soul stories. In that story he tells us that he finally took the step of becoming Catholic not because of the Church s teachings or liturgies or history. He became Catholic because of his visit to a Catholic Church where he found the red light burning and Christ present in the tabernacle. We are fortunate to have a parish church that is open much of the day. The red light is always burning. The Lord is present in the tabernacle. I invite you to join me in stopping by to rest in the Father s gaze. To allow Christ to declare who you are and what you are worth. In the Eucharist reserved in the tabernacle Christ reminds us that what matters more than our knowing him is that he knows us. And wants to tabernacle in us. The Lord be with you. Father John Parr

2 CARING & SHARING DECEMBER 7, 2018 The Food Pantry committee will again ask parishioners to provide a Christmas gift for a family in need by filling a box with non-perishable food items. On Nov. 3/4, we will hand out empty boxes after Masses. For those who like to plan ahead and shop sales, here is a list of some suggested foods. We especially want to include foods that go together to make meals. Thank you and God bless! Canned Ham (non-refrigerated), Beef Stew, Cooking Oil, Canned Chicken, Meats, Rice or Potato Sides, Hot Cocoa Mix, Canned Fruit, Pancake Mix + Syrup, Dessert Mix SEAS STEWARDSHIP To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him. Gratitude, therefore, takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, and is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference. - Thomas Merton 150 YEARS Sunday, October 7, 2018 is the closing Mass for the year of celebration of the Diocesan Sesquicentennial. Bishop William Patrick Callahan will be the celebrant at the 10:30 am Mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman. Immediately following Mass until 3:00 pm there will be an Open House reception at the La Crosse Center Ballroom. The Open House will feature our Offices of Ministry. Everyone is encouraged to attend this special day as we celebrate 150 years of Building Upon A Tradition of Faith. For more information visit diolc.org/150/ KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Attention all men! Are you looking to strengthen your faith in an inspiring way? If so, please attend the 4 rd Annual Catholic Men s Conference called Men of the Cross. It will be held in La Crosse on Saturday October 27 th. To find out more information and register please go to menofthecross.org today! Reminder to all Knights our General Council Meeting is Sunday October 14th at 7:00 pm in the gathering space at St. Elizabeth's. If you are interested in becoming a Knight contact Brian Clements at iviva Cristo Ray! (Long Live Christ the King) FOR YOUR MARRIAGE In marriage, the joy of love needs to be cultivated. When the search for pleasure becomes obsessive, it holds us in thrall and keeps us from experiencing other satisfactions. Joy, on the other hand, increases our pleasure and helps us find fulfillment in any number of things, even at those times of life when physical pleasure has ebbed. St. Thomas Aquinas said that the word joy refers to an expansion of the heart. Marital joy can be experienced even amid sorrow; it involves accepting that marriage is an inevitable mixture of enjoyment and struggles, tensions and repose, pain and relief, satisfaction and longings, annoyances and pleasures, but always on the path of friendship, which inspires married couples to care for one another: they help and serve one another. - Pope Francis, The Joy of Love Sara (Wozney) Balaker Richard Brandau Trudy Brieske Mike Candahl Theresa Davis Sr. Bridget Donaldson, OSB Elizabeth Donaldson Patrick Donaldson DeEtte Gillmeister Joe Gittens Sharon Grabar Lois Hanson June Kukovec Kent Limberg (military) Sue Lund Jerome Malin PRAYER REQUESTS Kevin McIntyre Judith Niedfeldt Ken Proctor Robert C. Ristow Bailey Rohrer Celia Scholze Erica Schultz Sascha Stephens Lynne Taylor Phyllis Thaldorf Pam Tischer Colleen Tisil Tim Van Eijl Please remember, the sick, hospitalized, military members, homebound and anyone needing of our prayers. May they experience the healing power of God. WHEN REQUESTING THAT AN INDIVIDUAL BE ADDED TO OUR PRAYER LIST, YOU MUST HAVE THE CONSENT OF THE INDIVIUDAL OR THEIR FAMILY FOR THEIR NAME TO BE PUBLICIZED. ALSO, PLEASE REMEMBER TO INFORM US WHEN SOMEONE SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE LIST 26th Sunday in 2 September 30, 2018

3 FAITH FORMATION Raise Them to be Personally Mature This is a perfect time of year to review your family s routines and ask yourself, Do we focus more on what our children do or on who they are? As you reflect on this question, consider the following. Look at what you display in your home. Take a look at your refrigerator. What do you see? If the first things you see are ribbons and stars and certificates, you might be valuing what your kids do more than who they are. If you see pictures of your children at play or rest; laughing or pensive, you are likely valuing who they are more. Think about what you ask in conversation. Which question are you more likely to ask your kids each day: what did you do today? or what is one thing you did today that was fun (or surprising or [fill in the blank]? The first focuses on doing while the second focuses more on them as a person. Learn to ask questions that engage them. Survey your family s downtime. Check your weekly calendar. Is there time set aside for your family to be together and just chill? Think about it. You schedule other important events. What is more important than spending time with those you love? Get intentional about protecting your family time. Assess your ability to pray as a family. When does your family pray together at home? What prayers do you all know that you can recite together? Do your family members pray for each other? Where is your family s bible and when was the last time you read it together? While this may be the hardest step in your review, it is likely the one step that will bear the greatest fruit in helping your children mature personally over this school year. Heinzen, Alice. BAPTISM CLASS Expecting parents, the next Baptism class is scheduled for Monday, October 29 at 6:30pm. It is necessary for you to attend this session before your child is baptized. Call Sr. Bridget at the parish office ( ) or RSVP online at: CHRISTMAS BAZAAR The PCCW is looking for a chair or co-chairs for the Grocery Cart and Unique Boutique booths for the Christmas Bazaar, which will be held this year on Saturday, November 10 from 8:30am to 1:30pm. If you are interested or would like to know more about the responsibilities about these booths, call Anne Hein at We are now taking donations of new or gently used items for the following booths: Jewelry, Bucket Raffle, General Store (hand made goods, Christmas decorations, home decorating items), Unique Boutique (Items that can be grouped and wrapped in gift baskets) and Silent Auction (Unique items such as a service baking etc, winery tour, handmade items, vintage items) Please have your donations labeled as to which booth you are donating to and have them at church no later than Oct. 25. RCIA THIS WEEK The Church welcomes all adults interested in the Roman Catholic faith. This process of RCIA prepares adults for initiation into the Church through the reception of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. All inquiry sessions are held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 pm beginning Oct. 2nd in the gathering place at St. Elizabeth s Church. If you, or someone you know, is interested in knowing more about a Catholic Christian way of life with the possibility of becoming a member of the Church, please contact Fr. John Parr, or Patrick Brueggen at the parish office youth@seasholmen.org PARISH INCOME (FISCAL YEAR 7/1/17 6/30/18) Last Week s Collections Weekly Budget Difference Annual Budget Envelopes/Plate.$10,676 $11,031 -$355 $573,616 Fiscal Year-to-Date $124,128 $132,372 -$8,244 26th Sunday in 3 September 30, 2018

4 ANOINTING OF THE SICK The 7 th grade Religious Education class has planned a service for Anointing of the Sick. If you are in need of this Sacrament, the service will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 10 th at 6:30pm in the church. To better understand the teachings of the Catholic Church on who is to receive this sacrament, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, CCC states in par. 1514, The Anointing of the Sick is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived We will be serving refreshments afterwards. If you are interested in attending this service, please contact Mr. Brueggen at WHITE MASS All persons are welcome to attend the Diocesan White Mass celebrated by Bishop William Callahan on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at 6 PM at the La Crosse Diocesan Center, Christ the King Chapel. A dinner and a lecture by Theresa Notare, PhD, entitled What Men and Women Want and How the Church Can Help will follow the Mass. For dinner and lecture registration please visit: Diolc.regfox.com/white-mass Cost is $25. Reduced rate available for college students. For questions contact Dr. Stephen Pavela at slpavela@gmail.com.sponsored by the Diocese of La Crosse and the La Crosse Guild of the Catholic Medical Association. FLOOD RELIEF We are accepting monetary donations for 1 more week on behalf of Catholic Charities to be used in assisting the local communities affected by the recent flooding. If you wish to make a donation, place it in an envelope marked Flood Relief. Please make checks out to St. Elizabeth s. Place them in the collection basket or drop off at the parish. We will then forward these donations to Catholic Charities to help with their effort in assisting those in need in our area. Thank you. 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 Alyson Haugen Laura Antonie Len Beranek Jennifer Fisk Finance Council Members Barry Ploessl Janice Dvoracek Brian Clements Les Giesler Angie Hendrikson Shelly Linskey Christine Olson Larry Warzynski Shawn Handland Pat Stephens Larry Warzynski th Sunday in 4 September 30, 2018

5 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Sunday, September 30 26th Sunday in 5th Sunday Collection 8:00 am Mass Everett Parr 10:15am Mass People of SEAS Monday, October 1 St. Therese of the Child Jesus 8:30 am Mass Maybelle Haas 1:00 pm Good Mourning Ministry 6:30 pm Church in Crisis Video/Discussion Tuesday, October 2 The Holy Guardian Angels 7:00 am Mass Special Intention for 60th Anniversary of Leo and Marie Dummer 6:30 pm RCIA Wednesday, October 3 Weekday 8:30 am Mass Deana Guesman 6:30 pm Youth Faith Formation classes Thursday, October 4 St. Francis of Assisi 8:30 am Mass Jerome Frohmader 6:30 pm Church in Crisis Video/Discussion Friday, October 5 Weekday 8:30 am Mass Grace Hanson Saturday, October 6 Weekday Diocesan Appeal Kickoff at All Weekend Masses 8:00 am Pray the Rosary 4:00 pm Sacrament of Penance Vigil: 27th Sunday in 5:00 PM Mass People of SEAS Sunday, October 7 27th Sunday in 8:00 am Mass Grace Wolf 9:15 am Wee Believe Sunday School 10:15am Mass Marilyn Beranek 5TH SUNDAY COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND St Elizabeth's is most grateful for the generosity of our parishioners in their gifts of their treasure during the second collection at Mass every month that there is a 5th Sunday. It is this revenue which permits us to assist those in need who come to us for assistance with their critical financial needs. We thank you for your generous response. The next collection is this weekend September 29/30. THIS WEEKEND Please welcome Father Joseph Westfall who will speak at all the Masses this weekend on behalf of Cross Catholic Outreach which was founded to create a meaningful link between parishes in America and the priests and nuns working in the Church overseas in the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Central and South America. Please be generous in your response to Father s appeal. Brochures will be provided if you wish to support this worthy Catholic ministry. THE CHURCH IN CRISIS This is an agonizing time for the Church in our country. Catholics are reeling from the recent disclosures of past sexual abuses committed by members of the clergy and the catastrophic failure of many church leaders to protect the most vulnerable. At the most recent meeting of the parish council, members viewed a conversation with Bishop Robert Barron, auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles. He offers his frank appraisals and prudent thoughts about the crisis. You are invited to attend one of the following sessions to listen to his conversation and share informally feelings about the crisis and the challenges and opportunities to our Catholic faith. The sessions will be held in the gathering area of church on the following dates and times. Monday, October 1 (6:30 PM) Please Note: Father Parr will NOT attend this session Thursday, October 4 Thursday, October 15 (6:30 PM) (10:00AM) Please pray for all those harmed by the sinful actions of clergy and ask the Lord for healing and purification of his church. COUNCIL/COMMITTEE MEETINGS Finance Council Meeting - Oct. 9th at 4:30 pm PCCW Meeting - Oct. 9th at 6:30 pm Pastoral Council Meeting - Oct. 15th at 6:30 pm 26th Sunday in 5 September 30, 2018