Saint Peter's Point- The Catholic Blog of Saint Peter Parish, Stevens Point Wisconsin

Two weeks ago this opening paragraph of my column was mistakenly omitted. So here it is, just a little bit late! Thank you to all of those who took part in the filming of television Masses last week. Thanks to the lectors, altar servers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, Patrick Burkhart and all the musicians as well as those who made up the congregation. Look for us on TV as the Masses will be broadcast on August 31 and September 7! Thank you, too, to the men who took part in our inaugural event in observance of the Jubilee Year of Saint Paul (June 28, 2008-June 29, 2009). Our recent gathering geared specifically to men began with the praying of Evening Prayer and listening to an extended homily on Saint Paul and how he is a model for living the vocation of being a "real" man, a man of God, as well as a husband and father. Phil Lawson then gave some very practical suggestions how men can prayerfully observe this Pauline Year. We then adjourned to Emy J's for ice cream and good conversation! Keep an eye on the bulletin as we will soon have a similar event specifically geared towards the women of the parish.

Time flies, as the saying goes, and this passage of time brings with it many changes. Our parish pictorial directory is five years old and is clearly outdated. Thanks to our parishioners, Lee Petersen and Mary Skrzeczkoski, who have volunteered to spearhead the effort, we are in the process of assembling a new picture directory of and for our parishioners. Please make sure you stop in the Saint Faustina Room after weekend Mass to schedule a time for your photo to be taken. It costs you (and the parish) nothing to have your picture taken and you are under no obligation to purchase anything. Just for having your picture taken you will receive a complimentary 8 X 10 custom natural portrait and a free directory. Of course, you are welcome to purchase additional copies of your photos in various sizes. Again, please sign up to get your picture taken so that we can have a directory that includes every one of our parishioners!

I never cease to be amazed at how many activities for the building up of God's Kingdom that we have at Saint Peter! This week is a particularly busy one! Our parishioner-designed and led Vacation Bible School runs every morning this week. On Tuesday evening (July 29) our altar servers and their fathers are gathering at the rectory with our priests and our resident seminarian, Dan, in order to say "thank you" to them for their service. But more importantly, the evening will center on exploring the vocation to the priesthood. On Saturday evening (August 2) at 6:30 our parish is offering a night of enrichment for married couples featuring Jeff and Alice Heinzen who will speak about the languages of love. It does not matter how long you have been married, all couples are welcome! Just call the parish office to reserve your spot.

This week also has events of world-wide significance in our Diocese of La Crosse as the church at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe just outside of the city of La Crosse will be dedicated. Even during these past few years as the Shrine complex was being systematically constructed, it has already become a place of pilgrimage and prayer for people from all 50 of our United States and from countries around the world. From April to June of 2005 – right before Bishop Listecki assigned me to Saint Peter – I regularly celebrated Mass and heard confessions at the temporary chapel at the Shrine. I can attest first hand to the fact that Our Lady of Guadalupe is already working miracles and astounding conversions through this beautiful place dedicated to her! I very much enjoy my visits to the Shrine to soak up the breathtaking natural beauty of the bluffs and the forest as well as the peace and tranquility of the isolated location – all of which makes time spent there conducive to prayer and reflection. The jewel of the Shrine complex – the church itself – will be dedicated with great solemnity this Thursday (July 31). In attendance will be people from all over the world – bishops and priests, consecrated religious and lay faithful. EWTN (Charter Cable channel 19 and www.ewtn.com) will be broadcasting live as will Relevant Radio (93.9 FM). It will be a privilege for me to concelebrate this Mass of dedication, a once-in-a-lifetime event. The week of activities surrounding the dedication of the Shrine church features many spiritual programs and prominent guests from around the world – including Father Benedict Groeschel, author and host of Father Benedict Live on EWTN; Eduardo Verástegui, star of the highly-acclaimed movie Bella; Raymond Arroyo, host of The World Over Live on EWTN; Drew Mariani, talk show host on Relevant Radio; Anne Ball, author of numerous books on the lives of the saints; Msgr. Paul Lenz, Vatican-appointed Vice-Postulator for the cause of canonization of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha; and Bishop Joseph Madera, a native of Mexico and retired auxiliary bishop of the Military Archdiocese of the United States. Actually, Bishop Madera recently stayed with us at Saint Peter as he celebrated the wedding Mass of his dear friend, Cynthia (Meshak) Calhoun to Leon Kosiec. We are so blessed that this Shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary is located so close to us! Our parish will be organizing a pilgrimage to the Shrine this fall. May Our Lady of Guadalupe intercede powerfully for us before her Divine Son!

Please note the following changes in the usual Mass schedule at Saint Peter due to the events of the week of dedication of the Shrine. Thursday morning, July 31, there will be a simple reposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 7:50 am instead of the usual Benediction. That day there will be no Mass but rather a Communion Service at 8:00 am. Friday, August 1, is the First Friday of the month in honor of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. There will be exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as is customary at Saint Peter. The morning will begin with a Communion Service at 8:00 followed immediately by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The First Friday afternoon schedule remains the same, however: Confessions at 4:30, Benediction at 5:00, and Mass at 5:15. Please note that no confessions will be heard the mornings of July 31 and August 1.

Saints Peter and Paul, pray for us! Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

Father Kevin C. Louis