As we explore the liturgical season of Lent, we look at the threefold call of the Church to increase our efforts in prayer, fasting and almsgiving. This week, we will look at one practice during Lent that the Church recommends to foster a greater sense of prayer: the Stations of the Cross.
An ancient tradition has it that Mary visited the sites of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection on a daily basis after His ascension into Heaven. Even before that other traditions say that Mary followed Jesus along His bitter Way of the Cross that led to Calvary and Scripture at the very least testifies that Mary was there at the foot of the Cross. Mary was the first to accompany Jesus in His sufferings and she kept all of these things in her heart, reflecting daily on them after His ascension. After her assumption, Christians would continue to flock to the sites of Jesus' crucifixion. They wanted to be close to their Lord and to walk in his footsteps. However, not everyone was able to make the pilgrimage to the Holy Land and for many centuries it was dangerous to travel there. That is why, around the 17th century, Franciscans began to develop a “Way of the Cross” in local churches whereby the faithful could walk through the passion narrative without having to go to Jerusalem. Here is a brief history: Innocent XI, in 1686, granted to the Franciscans, in answer to their petition, the right to erect the Stations in all their churches, and declared that all the indulgences that had ever been given for devoutly visiting the actual scenes of Christ’s Passion, could thenceforth be gained by Franciscans and all others affiliated to their order if they made the Way of the Cross in their own churches in the accustomed manner. Innocent XII confirmed the privilege in 1694 and Benedict XIII in 1726 extended it to all the faithful. In 1731 Clement XII still further extended it by permitting the indulgenced Stations to all churches, provided that they were erected by a Franciscan father with the sanction of the ordinary. At the same time he definitely fixed the number of Stations at fourteen. (Catholic Encyclopedia) The Stations are a great devotion to unite us to Christ’s suffering and death and allow us the opportunity to accompany Him on the Via Dolorosa. We watch as He suffers under the weight of the cross and realize it was our sins that crucified Him. This meditation on the passion of Christ, stirs within us a spirit of prayer, whereby we can not help but be drawn closer to God. We want to console Jesus and are sorry for our many sins. The Stations of the Cross is just one way that the faithful can devote themselves more to prayer during Lent. Next week, we will look at what the Church recommends for fasting in Lent and beyond. Read the Entire Series
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Friday - July 8 - Parish Tractor Pull @ 7 p.m. at the Mfld Fairgrounds Gates open @ 5 pm & concessions stands open @ 5:30 pm * lets pray for “good” weather to make this a success!!
2016 FORTNIGHT FOR FREEDOM: WITNESSES TO FREEDOM. The fifth Fortnight for Freedom will run from June 21-July 4 (from the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More to Independence Day). The theme for this year’s Fortnight is “Witnesses to Freedom.” On Tuesday, June 21 at 6:30 pm – “A Call to Prayer for the Fortnight for Freedom,” a Holy Hour led by Deacon Jeff Austin will be hosted by St. John the Baptist Church in Marshfield. Please join us in praying for the protection of our conscience rights (e.g. the right to refrain from participation in abortion or same- sex marriage or contraception, et alia). Family Night The Family Life Committee is organizing a “Family Night “at Athletic Park in Wausau, Woodchucks vs. Battle Creek, on Wed. July 13 at 6:35. Gates open at 5:35. Reserved seating, a Woodchucks ball cap, a hotdog and soda, all for $10.50. Transportation is on your own as no bus will be provided. If you wish to join us, please put $10.50 per person in an envelope provided (under the bulletin board) for registering and place your completed envelope in the collection basket or give to an usher. First come, first served, but please do so before June 26th. If you have questions please contact Joan Meyer. The annual month of June “Project Milk” is sponsored by the PCCW of the parish. The monies collected will go to the Cosa Hogar Juan Pablo Orphanage near Lurin, Peru. It is 20 miles outside of Lima. This project provides milk for the children at the orphanage and the surrounding Peruvian area. Please note the “Special Milk Can” in the gathering area is to place your monetary contributioninto. The children sincerely appreciate your support.
News from the Diocese of La Crosse:
Fortnight for Freedom 2016 - Join Bishop Callahan before the Blessed Sacrament – June 21 Holy Hour, 6:30 pm. It is fitting that this Fortnight for Freedom will begin with a Holy Hour celebrated by Bishop Callahan at 6:30 pm at Blessed Sacrament Church in La Crosse. We begin humbly on our knees. Those in the La Crosse and surrounding area are encouraged to be in attendance at Blessed Sacrament for that Holy Hour. Elsewhere throughout the diocese, parishes, clusters or deaneries are invited to celebrate a Holy Hour (led by a deacon or priest) simultaneous with that of the Bishop, or, if that is not possible, at another time during the Fortnight...Read More News from the Vatican: Pope: Christ's miracles reveal God's love for us - Jesus’ first miracle, at the Wedding Feast of Cana, was the focus of Pope Francis’ catechesis at the General Audience Wednesday 8 June 2016. Following on from his earlier reflections on parables of mercy during this Jubilee Year, the Pope said Christ’s miracles were not performed so that people would “marvel” at them, but rather, through them, Christ revealed the Father’s love for us....Read More News from the Church: Woodworking Bishop-to-Be Carves His Own Crosier - COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Deep in the heart of Texas, a campus chaplain is busy making his final spiritual and practical preparations for becoming a bishop. However, unlike many of his soon-to-be brother-bishops, Father David Konderla is carving his very own staff — or crosier — to signify his new position and duty as a teacher and head of a diocese. “Every Jedi has not completed his training until he has made his own light saber that he uses to fight evil with, so this is my ‘light saber,’” Bishop-elect David Konderla told CNA in an interview...Read more CAPTIVE CARWASH & BAKE SALE – Sun., June 12 All cars parked in the parking lot during the 8 & 10 a.m. Masses will be washed by the young people participating in a Catholic Camp, Conference or World Youth Day Pilgrimage this summer. This car wash is a way to raise awareness through service as well as invite those who are interested to help them financially by a free-will offering at the exit. The same youth will also be holding a bake sale after all Sunday Masses – yum, yum!! If you have any other questions, please contact Mr. Dan Kitzhaber
After a few short weeks of Ordinary Time, the Church quickly shifts her focus to the season of Lent. The word "Lent" comes from the Old English word len(c)ten, meaning "spring season," and has been used by English speaking countries to denote this part of the Church's year since the Middle Ages. Lent is always during spring in the Northern Hemisphere and reminds the Church of the need for spiritual renewal.
On the other hand, the official word for this season in Latin is, "quadragesima," or simply put, "forty days." The Latin term calls to mind the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert before embarking on His three-year mission of proclaiming the Good News to all people. Regardless of what we call this penitential season, it is a time of the year when the Church focuses onspiritual preparation for the great feast of Easter. Ever since the early centuries of the Church, there has been a period of time dedicated to prayer, fasting and almsgiving before celebrating Christ's resurrection from the dead. In the Early Church, Lent was a time of immediate preparation for catechumens who were to be baptized at the Easter Vigil. They would perform many spiritual exercises and receive multiple blessings to prepare their hearts for Christ. Eventually similar practices were expanded to the universal Church and everyone was encouraged to use Lent as a time for renewal. As time progressed, the Church continually went back to the examples of Noah, Moses, and Jesus for inspiration. Noah was asked by God to create an ark to protect him and his family from the rain that would last 40 days and 40 nights. During Lent, the Christian follower is called to fortify themselves in the faith so that they can endure any temptations or trials that come from the outside. Moses led the people into the desert and because of their infidelity and distrust of God, they were asked to wander the desert for 40 years before entering the promised land. Following this example, we are taught to use Lent as a time for spiritual purification, renouncing their sinful ways and making amends for any past infidelity to God. As already mentioned above, Jesus Christ freely submitted to being tempted in the desert for 40 days in preparation for his public ministry. We are to follow His example of renouncing the world, flesh and the devil during the time of Lent, so that we are prepared to preach the Gospel of Christ's Resurrection to the whole world. The Church, in her wisdom, gives us some specific practices to consider during Lent, namely, prayer, fasting and almsgiving. During the next few weeks, we will look at these practice and discover why each is so important to the life of a Christian and central to a fruitful Lent. Read the Entire Series Family Night
The Family Life Committee is organizing a “Family Night “at Athletic Park in Wausau, Woodchucks vs. Battle Creek, on Wed. July 13 at 6:35. Gates open at 5:35. Reserved seating, a Woodchucks ball cap, a hotdog and soda, all for $10.50. Transportation is on your own as no bus will be provided. If you wish to join us, please put $10.50 per person in an envelope provided (under the bulletin board) for registering and place your completed envelope in the collection basket or give to an usher. First come, first served, but please do so before June 26th. If you have questions please contact Joan Meyer. The annual month of June “Project Milk” is sponsored by the PCCW of the parish. The monies collected will go to the Cosa Hogar Juan Pablo Orphanage near Lurin, Peru. It is 20 miles outside of Lima. This project provides milk for the children at the orphanage and the surrounding Peruvian area. Please note the “Special Milk Can” in the gathering area is to place your monetary contribution into. The children sincerely appreciate your support.
News from the Diocese of La Crosse:
Diaconate Ordinations in La Crosse - The Diaconate Ordination of Peter John Kieffer and Jaun Pedro Roblez Baltazar took place Saturday, May 7 at 10:30 am at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral in La Crosse, WI. Click here for photos. News from the Vatican: Pope: Christians serve with joy and not with a grimace - Pope Francis on Tuesday urged Christians to serve other people, without delay or hesitation, saying if we learnt how to reach out in this way, the world would be a very different place. His remarks came during his homily at the morning Mass in the Santa Marta residence where he used the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary for his reflections on the theme of Christians at the service of others...Read More News from the Church: Pope Praises Hollywood Actors George Clooney, Selma Hayek and Richard Gere- VATICAN CITY — On Sunday, Pope Francis praised Hollywood actors George Clooney, Salma Hayek, and Richard Gere at a conference promoting a Vatican education initiative that helps poor communities. Speaking in the Paul VI’s Synod Hall, the Pope reminded the celebrities of their responsibility to “help the world recover the language of gestures.” During the gathering, the actors received the “Olive Medal” of peace, which were presented by the Scholas Occurentes initiative, who organized the Vatican conference...Read more CAPTIVE CARWASH & BAKE SALE – Sun., June 12 All cars parked in the parking lot during the 8 & 10 a.m. Masses will be washed by the young people participating in a Catholic Camp, Conference or World Youth Day Pilgrimage this summer. This car wash is a way to raise awareness through service as well as invite those who are interested to help them financially by a free-will offering at the exit. The same youth will also be holding a bake sale after all Sunday Masses – yum, yum!! If you have any other questions, please contact Mr. Dan Kitzhaber
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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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