January 6, 2019 Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12 *********************************

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1 January 6, 2019 Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12 ********************************* Virtuous Disobedience Disobedience a virtue? Think about it. When someone in authority requests or requires us to break God s law, our only choice is disobedience. We obey God by disobeying. Granted it takes a strong character and a stronger faith to stand up to someone when we re asked to do something unethical, illegal or immoral. It may be our boss or a family member who not-soinnocently asks us to cross the line, but no matter who asks we must stand firm. God wants us to follow Him faithfully, even when the road gets seriously bumpy. The magi followed the star over thousands of miles, but the terrain was never tougher than in Jerusalem, facing off King Herod. To obey God, the wisemen had to disobey the king leaving Jesus location secret. They followed the star of faith, and by doing so protected the newborn Savior. What acts of disobedience do you need to participate in this week? Has your boss asked you to fudge the numbers? Has someone asked you to back up a little white lie or something even darker? Step out in faith instead and follow the magi in disobedience. You ll find the star of faith shining even brighter on your path. Copyright 2005 C L Enterprises

2 Weekly Calendar Monday, January 7 Memorial of Saint Raymond of Penyafort, priest 7:00 pm: Parking Lot Meeting, parish office Tuesday, January 8 7:00 am: Mass: Walter & Dorothy Hankel Wednesday, January 9 8:00 am: Mass: Leon & Florence Hoeser 3:50 pm: CCD Gr. K-6 7:00 pm: CCD Gr Thursday, January 10 8:00 am: Mass: Hans Weber Friday, January 11 8:00 am: Mass: Stan Pekol 2:00 pm: Nursing Home Mass Saturday, January 12 4:00 to 4:45 pm: Confessions 5:00 pm: Mass: Tom and Donna Hurt Sunday, January 13 Feast of the Baptism of the Lord 7:00 am to 7:30 am: Confessions 8:00 am: Mass: St. Mary s Parish Family 10:30 am: Mass: Vernon E.A. Smith 11:30 am: Baptism, Frank Russell Nauertz General Parish Information Father Varkey Emergency Cell Phone: New Parishioners: You are most welcome to join the family of St. Mary s. Please contact the parish office. Prayer Chain: Jean Kuhn (715) Meal Ministry: Mary Sladich (715) Bereavement Ministry: Annie Augustine (715) Visitation Ministry: Anne Durst (715) or Annie Augustine (715) Elizabeth Ministry: Renee Schoen (715) Marriage: Contact with the parish is required six months to a year before marriage. Preparation begins with the first contact. Baptisms: Baptisms are celebrated during the 10:30 am Mass on the fourth Sunday of each month. Baptisms following Mass can also be scheduled. Preparation classes are required. Weekly Collection December 30 and January 1 Tithe $5, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Christmas 1, Offertory Student CCD Tuition Total $8, Weekly Budget $4, Building Fund $20.00 Uganda Student Sponsorships $ Liturgical Ministries Saturday-Sunday, January Lectors (A) (B) Sat. 5:00 pm Jean Moseley Volunteer Sun. 8:00 am Cheyenne Thomas Wayne Thomas Sun.10:30 am Volunteer Mary Hartung Extraordinary Ministers Sat 5:00 pm Jean Moseley/Jared and Lance Thomas Sun. 8:00 am Mary Luedtke/Cheyenne Thomas/Wayne Thomas Sun.10:30am Volunteer Cantors Sat: 5:00 pm Mike Hart/Mary Ann Ingold Sun. 8:00 am Rita Kuchenbecker/Renee Schoen Sun.10:30am JoAnn Blum/Lorraine Spencer Servers Sat. 5:00 pm Lucas Moseley Charlie Schoen Sun 8:00 am Faustina Thomas Sun 10:30 am Volunteer Volunteer Ushers for January Sat 5:00 pm Kent Genteman/Richard Hagen/Tony Langreck Sun. 8:00 am John Langton/Jim Langreck/Al Spaete Sun.10:30am Eric Backaus/Steve Brey Rosary Leaders Sat. 5:00 pm Larry Hoeser Sun 8:00 am John Matuszak Sun 10:30 am Joel & Christine Feucht Greeter Schedule January 5:00 pm: Louis and Shirley Kessler 8:00 am: Jeannette Bymers 10:30 am: Steve & Debbie Brey Children s Liturgy of the Word: 8:00 am: Caitlin Hannasch/ 10:30 am: Cindy Wirkuty

3 Parish Announcements Diocesan Annual Appeal Target: $37,250 Pledges Received: $30,720 83% of Goal Please prayerfully discern your pledge and return in the envelope provided or put in the collection basket. Thank you to those who have already submitted their pledge for this year Church Calendars are still available. These calendars are a great resource to help follow the liturgical year. Please take a moment to pick one up. St. Mary s Youth Group will be having a team for the Annual Trivia Night on Saturday, January 26, 2019 here at St. Mary s. If you would like to join in the fun contact Dr. Amy Schneider via amyschneider@ymail.com or phone Safe Haven Sunday March 10 In the coming weeks, you will be learning more about an initiative called Safe Haven Sunday that will equip parents to protect their family from the harms of pornography. Why is this important? Let s look at a few facts about youth and pornography. In 2016, a study by the Barna Group discovered among teens age % came across porn daily; 8% intentionally sought it out daily. 21% came across porn weekly; 18% sought it out weekly. 21% came across porn once or twice a month; 11% sought it out. In total, 57% of teens sought out porn at least monthly. Learn more about ending porn exposure on Safe Haven Sunday March 10. Teams Signed up for Eleventh Annual Uganda Trivia Night Saturday, January 26, pm Thirsty Book Worm 4 plus 4 = Won Weirauch s Wonders I (WWI) Fantastic Franklins Dead Thinkers Society The Small Boats & Their Reithers St. Mary s Youth Team (Sponsored by Gross Motors) Christie Cats A Pastor and his flock JBC Screenprinting and Embroidery The Unthinkables Contact Martha in the Parish to sign up your team!! All proceeds support the ongoing efforts of our relationship with Uganda Africa. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine CCD Assignments Grade 1 Mrs. Grota: Color the color sheet Joseph the Worker, Pray for us. Say the Our Father each night before bed with your parents. Continue to collect Box Tops. Grade 2 Mrs. Carney: Read Chapter 13 Good News in textbook and complete homework. Must know Act of Contrition. Parents: please listen to your children say their prayers and help them where needed. Grade 3 - Mrs. Schmitt: Do take home test and be sure to bring it back to class. Grade 5- Mr. Veltus: Chapter 12 in workbook Grade 9 Dr. Greg Foster: Study your notes for a quiz on Exodus. Please continue to root out wickedness and evil from the Catholic Church. St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. Winter Parking The Pastoral Council strongly advises all people to park in the main parking lot during the winter months (November through April). Clearing of the snow from the back parking lot and the sidewalks to the north of the church may not be complete prior to Mass. For you and your family s safety, please park in the main parking lot.

4 At the Bishop's Christmas Gathering with seminarians, Alex Kren moved forward in his formation, as he declared his Candidacy for the Priesthood. Alex will conclude his philosophical studies at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary and St. Mary's University in Winona, MN this coming spring. In the fall he will take up studies in Theology, as he continues discernment. Having declared Candidacy for the Priesthood in the Diocese of La Crosse, Alex is now privileged to wear the clerical clothing of a priest during liturgical and academic activities. Please continue to pray for him and that God will raise up many good men to serve His people as holy priests. Alex Kren Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary 750 Terrace Heights Winona, MN 55987

5 Sponsoring a student at Our Lady of Guadalupe School Uganda Africa The 2019 School Year will begin February 1, Many of you have generously sponsored students at Our Lady of Guadalupe School in the past. The students and their families are grateful and the students have hope for their future. If you would like to participate with a full sponsorship for $200 or help to subsidize tuitions, flyers are available in the narthex. You can simply place your donation in the collection basket noting that it is for student sponsorships. If you have any questions, please call Martha at the parish office. God bless you for your generosity in helping those in need. Melody Gardens Christian Music Skate Nights 1200 South Oak Ave, Marshfield, WI 7:30 pm to 10 pm January 25, February 22, March 22, April 26, 2019 Area Events Message from Bishop Callahan.Please join me on a nine-day pilgrimage to Lourdes, Lyon and Paris. On this all-inclusive pilgrimage you will experience sites such as the Grotto of Massabielle and the pilgrim s path to Compostela, the Carmelite Monastery of St. Therese, the Little Flower, Omaha Beach, and the City of Light, Paris, plus many more. Each guest will enjoy 4-star hotel accommodations, breakfast and dinner daily, as well as an opportunity for daily Mass and spiritual activities. For more information, contact my office at or call Ashley at Canterbury Pilgrimages at Flyers are also available in the carport vestibule. Video of Ben Nguyen s talk, Roe v. Wade on the Brink Watch Ben Nguyen s Oct. 23 talk, Roe v. Wade on the Brink. Visit Ben gives a compelling account of the legal and human tragedies intertwined in the infamous 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. March for Life Pilgrimage to Washington DC registration is open: Consider joining other pilgrims from the Diocese of La Crosse traveling to Washington DC on January 16 returning on January 20, The annual Pilgrimage for Life is open to all people ages 13 and up. Either join the group from your parish or contact the diocesan Office for Youth & Young Adult at or visit our website at diolc.org/m4l-reg