Praised be Jesus Christ! Frank McCourt’s book Angela’s Ashes was all the rage when it came out 20 years ago. McCourt is Irish, which is to say he knows how to tell quite a tale. His story de- scribes his childhood and all of the deprivations that he and his family suffered while growing up in Limerick, Ireland. One of the more memorable stories was of his 1st Communion. Poor little Frankie ate so much candy after Mass that he got sick in his Grandma’s backyard. His Grandma went berserk and marched Frankie back to church to confess his sin – after all, “he thrun up the body and blood of Jesus. I have God in me backyard.” The priest instructed little Frankie to wash it away with some water, but that did not satisfy his Grandma. She made Frank go back into the confessional and ask if he was to use holy water or ordi- nary water! For the record, McCourt seems to have long ago forsaken his Catholic upbringing. As we celebrate the 1st Com- munion of our children this weekend, we will be praying for the graces that will lead to a deep love of Jesus for all of their lives. One is reminded of the insightful quote from Dom Chautard that I will modify here so that it reveals the indispensable role of our parents: “If the parents are saints, the children will be fervent; if the parents are fervent, the children will be pious; if the parents are pious, the children will at least be decent; if the parents are only decent, the children will be godless. The spiritual generation is always one-degree less intense in its life than those who beget it in Christ.” Love of Jesus in the Eucharist is the hallmark of true holiness and we will ask the great patron saints of 1st Communi- cants to intercede for our little ones: Saint Tarcisius and Blessed Imelda, pray for us! And if you don’t know who they are and why they are the patrons of 1st Holy Communion, then you have some homework to do! Two future saints that you may recognize are Jacinta and Francisco Marto, the seers of Fatima. 100 years ago the Blessed Mother appeared to 3 shepherd children in a remote part of Portugal. Jacinta was only 7 years old at the time, Francis- co was 9, and their cousin Lucia was 10. The first time Mary ap- peared was on May 13th, 1917. Lucia asked Mary, “And will I get to Heaven? Yes, you will. And Jacinta? Also. And Francisco? Also, but he must say many Rosaries!” These children believed in the beautiful woman from the start and never wavered in their faith, though it was sorely tested by many critics. In August of that year the mayor of Ourem had the children arrested and then threatened with death by being boiled in oil unless they divulged the secrets Mary had told them. They held their ground and showed both courage and trust in the Lord. These wonderful children obeyed Mary when she asked them to, “sacrifice your- selves for sinners and say many times, especially when you make some sacrifice, ‘Oh, Jesus, this is for love of Thee, for the conver- sion of sinners’.” Mary also revealed to the children that those who attend Mass and go to confession on five consecutive 1st Saturdays will be assisted by the Mother of God at their death. Mary kept her promise to both Francisco, who died on April 4th of 1919 and to Jacinta who died alone in a hospital in Lisbon on Feb- ruary 20th of 1920. Both children were beatified on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima (May 13th) in the year 2000. This year Pope Francis will canonize them saints, their feast day being February 20th. These children are wonderful role models for us at any age, but especially for our 1st Communicants. Saint Francisco and Saint Jacinta, pray for us! May God grant our 1st Communicants and their parents a deep love of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist! Your friend in Christ, Father Martin
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REMINDER to Parishioners * 24 Hour Eucharistic Adoration – 2017 - First Friday – May 5 through May 6
** Starting at 9 am on Friday an ending at 9 am on Saturday) Note: There will be a prayer petition book placed out the week prior to our First Friday Eucharistic Adoration. Anyone wishing to have petitions offered during Adoration may enter their petition into the book and they will be prayed for. Atten- tion: Church doors are locked @ 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. if you are coming to pray during this time please knock on door (under carport) 5 minutes before the start of each hour and you will be let in by person already inside of church. * Evenings of Recollection * Eucharistic Adoration and Reflection * Meditations in honor of the “Year of Mercy” led by Father Samuel Martin * Time: 6:30 pm-8 pm on Thursday– May 4 , 2017 @ Christ the King Catholic Church in Spencer. *** Please note parish location change *** Theme for the evening: Evangelization During the month of May, the Social Justice Committee members of the parish will be collecting “Baby Shower Gifts” for the Hannah Center. A “Wish List” will be provided in the Play- n’Pack, placed in the gathering room of church. Also this year is the “Baby Bottle” to take home and place your loose change in during the month to be returned back to the church at the end of May. The Family Life Committee has decided to Not to Participate in the “Rose Sale” for the Hannah Center. We encourage you to please participate in the Baby Shower and Baby Bottle collections. Thank you for your past support of the Rose Sale. The “Priestly Ordination” of Deacon Aaron Becker will take place on Saturday – June 24th, 2017 @ 10:30 @ the St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral in La Crosse. A bus has been acquired for parishioners to have transportation to La Crosse and back on June 24th . Cost of $15.00 per person is to be paid when you register. Space is limited to 49 bus seats and will be filled on “First Come” basis. Please register by calling parish office @ 715-659-4480 and talking to parish secretary, Judy. A required Mandatory “Adult Medical Release and Permission Form” is needed and Judy will provide one for you, when you register. You are asked to bring the form with you on Saturday morning, June 24th . The Progressive Travel Bus will be in the church parking lot @ 7:45 am and leaving @ 8 am for La Crosse. If you are not able to personally go to the cathedral for Aaron Becker’s ordination, the event will be live streamed for those who are unable to a end but wish to watch using their computer or other connected device Use this link at: www.diolc.org/live the day of the ordination mass. During the “Month of May ” the rosary only will be recited 20 minutes before Mass * Needed: Parishioners of the parish to lead the congregation in reciting the rosary. A sign-up sheet can be found on back table in gathering room. Your help in be- ing a prayer leader (Ladies, men or young adults) in reciting the rosary would be greatly appreciated. Parishioners * Please show respect for the rosary being prayed and enter church quietly. Thank you. BASEBALL FANS: Save the date: Thursday-July 20, 2017 for our “Parish Family Night” with the Wausau Woodchucks, organized by the Family Life Committee. Watch the weekend bulletin in June for the sign up details. Ladies mark your calendars: Annual Mother/Daughter Breakfast will be hosted by the Holy Name Society on Sunday- May 7, 2017 after the 8 am. mass. Grandmothers, mothers, daughters, godmothers and ladies who have given guidance to our families are extended an invitation to come to the dining hall of church and enjoy a good meal, on their special day! Men, teenage boys and boys of the parish: your help is needed to set-up, prepare, serve, clean\up, etc. for this event. Please contact Todd Rueth @ 715-659-5213 to offer your time & talent to make this a memorable time for the ladies. Thank you.
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MASS SCHEDULE
Tuesday - Friday: 8:00 AM Saturday: 4:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM RECONCILIATION
Saturday: 3:15 - 3:45 PM OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM Stay Connected with Our ParishWelcome from Our PastorWelcome to Christ the King Catholic Church! Ever since 1938 this parish has been assisting souls in their quest for deeper union with God. Our mission statement is essentially found in the stained glass window above the main altar: “For Christ our King.” Insofar as God made us and we belong to Him, we have come to... Read More
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