Phil’s Notes & Tidbits

Where can you find 4 religious sisters, 3 religious communities, 4 priests-including our diocesan vocation director, Irish ceili dancing, snow football, presentations on Saint Francis and Saint Claire, the Rosary, Liturgy of the Hours, Stations of the Cross, skits, all-night adoration, confessions being heard till 1:15AM in the morning, Mass, and a host of amazing young adult Catholics?   All were part of last weekend’s John Paul II Young Adult Discernment Retreat.  44 people were part of this retreat, now in its 9^th year.  

To give you a sense of the faithfulness of these young people, confessions began about 9PM on Saturday evening and didn’t end till 1:15AM. (Don’t worry, the priests truly enjoyed working with the young adults, even for such a long duration!)  Similarly, we had no difficulty filling all the time slots for all-night Eucharistic adoration.   It is always such an inspiration to be around so many amazing young people! 

The retreatants came from St. Peter’s of course, but others came from as far away as Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and La Crosse.   As far as I know, this is the only retreat of its kind in Wisconsin.  It is a beautiful gift to get this large a group of faith-filled young adults (ages 18-39) together to strengthen each other, inspire each other, and ultimately ask the most important questions, i.e. “what does God want me to do with my life?” 

This retreat was first initiated as an opportunity for the St. Peter’s college-DTS group to go deeper in their faith and concretely as God to what vocation He is calling them. 

Some of the evaluation sheet comments: 

“I was reunited and convicted of my Catholic faith again. I believe I have the strength and courage to say yes to God’s will and say no to my own.”

“…it was BEAUTIFUL being around people my age asking God about vocations.”

“I am encouraged by how many young folks are discerning their call.”      

“Please keep having these retreats!”

Please keep these young adults in your prayers—from retreats like this will come our future priests, future religious, and the future adult pillars of our parishes.    

God bless you!

Phil Lawson

Director of Catechesis & Evangelization

Phil’s Notes & Tidbits

“Now it springs forth…”

This phrase from the Book of Isaiah in today’s first reading is a good description of what has been flowing forth from St. Peter’s these past few years!  One way of measuring a parish’s relative “success” is the fruits that spring forth from it.  

One of the great blessings of working with young adults is seeing where God calls them.   Amazingly, 3 of our former college-DTS members are now religious education directors at their parishes.  In addition a fourth is volunteering for young adult offerings at her parish.   Phil Kosloski now directs all the religious education and evangelizataion efforts at Saints Peter & Paul Parish in Wisconsin Rapids.  Nick Landwehr is now the Director of Religious Education & Evangelization at St. Lawrence Parish in Wisconsin Rapids.  And Melissa Riese is the religious education coordinator and Youth Minister for 3 parishes in the Cashton area.   Finally, Natalie Elskamp is working on young adult events for her parish in Iowa.   I don’t know that you’ll find another parish in the diocese with that kind of results!  

St. Peter’s was blessed to both use their talents during those college years and in having the privilege of helping to form them in the careers they now work at.   A few years ago I was part of a conversation where my colleagues were lamenting the number of young people who were entering into parish work such as this.  We haven’t had that problem here!

On Wednesday, Feb. 8^th, we hosted the Vocation Night for Women with Sr. Mary David, FSGM and our own Sr. Michelle SSJ-TOF.  What a blessing it was!  We divided the evening into 2 sections, starting with pizza and conversation and with the sisters at 530PM.  25 young ladies showed up for this part!   The second half was a more formal presentation by the sisters on their vocations and both listening and responding to God’s call. For this, we also brought over the religious education girls from Grades 3-9.  Some 43 young ladies attended this portion.  The girls loved it, being glued to every word the sisters were saying.  Sr. Mary David, before heading back to LaCrosse that night, said to me she’s happy to come any time and mentioned how impressed she was with the young women here! 

This weekend I am with young adults from our parish and throughout the diocese at the annual John Paul II Discernment Retreat.  As I’ve mentioned previously, this retreat has been very powerful in helping young adults hear and respond to God’s call, with (so far!) 3 seminarians, 3 religious sisters, 1 religious brother, and 4 marriages coming out of it over the past 7 years we’ve held the retreat.  Please keep this weekend’s participants in your prayers!

God bless you!

Phil Lawson

Director of Catechesis & Evangelization

                        Phil’s Notes & Tidbits

“Thank you for helping (us) prepare for our wedding day & marriage, and for helping us understand how God is with us during it all.  It feels good knowing that the Church cares about us and keeping our forthcoming marriage healthy and strong.” 

The above was received as a thank you note from a couple married at St. Peter’s.    

St. Peter’s spends more time preparing couples for marriage then most parishes.  The couples have 4  – hour long  sessions with me in which we cover everything from the Church’s teachings on marriage to the practical skills and communication that help a marriage to flourish.   The couples then attend a retreat weekend organized by the deanery.  We also have large group sessions for all the parish engaged couples.  Finally, the couples take an online course in NFP (Natural Family Planning.)  In addition, the couples have a total of 4 meetings with the pastor which covers the FOCCUS Test, a prenuptial questionnaire and of course planning the actual ceremony.  The whole Marriage Prep Checklist which couples are given can be found on the parish website.  

About 5 years ago, an effort was undertaken to strengthen the parishes’ marriage preparation program.  Everyone knows the dire statistics on divorce and we want to ensure we do everything possible to prevent that from ever happening to the couples who approach the altar at St. Peter’s.  The vast majority of couples appreciate the efforts on their behalf as indicated by the note above.  I recall last year a couple who was going through the process. They shared with me a conversation with a friend about the marriage preparation process.  The friend expected they would be dreading all the steps they had to take to get married here.  The soon to be groom instead told his friend how much he was enjoying it and how much it was strengthening his and his fiancees’ relationship!

“The family that prays together, stays together.”  As we celebrate Valentine’s Day this week, here’s a prayer I give to couples and encourage them to pray daily.  I first discovered this prayer when my wife and I got engaged—and it’s a prayer we’ve prayed every night since. 

Prayer of Spouses for Each Other

Lord Jesus, grant that I and my spouse may have a true and understanding love for each other. Grant that we may both be filled with faith and trust. Give us the grace to live with each other in peace and harmony. May we always bear with one another’s weaknesses and grow from each other’s strengths. Help us to forgive one another’s failings and grant us patience, kindness, cheerfulness and the spirit of placing the well-being of one another ahead of self.

May the love that brought us together grow and mature with each passing year. Bring us both ever closer to You through our love for each other. Let our love grow to perfection. Amen.

God bless you!

Phil Lawson

Director of Catechesis & Evangelization

Phil’s Notes & Tidbits

            “CATHOLICISM”

Many have likely heard of the Fr. Robert Barron’s new documentary “CATHOLICISM” produced by Word On Fire. 

“CATHOLICISM could well become one of the most significant efforts ever to advance what Pope John Paul II called ‘The New Evangelization.’  Truth, goodness, beauty – they’re all here, in a stimulating and compelling exploration of the spiritual, moral and intellectual riches of the Catholic world.  This is the Catholic story told from inside, with knowledge, sympathy, and passion, rooted in friendship with Jesus Christ.” –George Weigel, biographer of Pope John Paul II.  

            CATHOLICISM is both a 10 hour documentary and structured adult faith formation program.   The documentary was so well done that it has also been shown throughout the country on Public Television.  

The Diocese, through a generous grant, distributed a copy of the program to every single parish.  I expect, we’ll be offering this as a formal adult faith formation series, perhaps after we finish the current Tuesday night Bible study series.    However, in the meantime, especially with Lent approaching if any of the parish organizations or even small groups of parishioners want to borrow the videos for a meeting or evening of reflection please let me know and I’ll get them to you!   The DVD’s can be used in the whole series or as a stand-alone topic. You can find more information on the program online at www.CatholicismSeries.com. 

Fr. Letona and I previewed the first episode over the Christmas break, and both found ourselves glued to the screen.  The combination of on-site video as Fr. Barron travels the Catholic world, his explanations, and the conviction with which they’re expressed are captivating. 

Our parish religious education teachers watched the episode, “Amazed and Afraid – The Revelation of God Become Man” during an inservice on Jan. 4^th and loved it.   One teacher even asked if they could keep watching the rest of the videos that night!    

God bless you!

Phil Lawson

Director of Catechesis & Evangelization

Phil’s Notes & Tidbits

            “Unclean Spirits”

Several years ago, word leaked to the press that Cardinal Francis George of Chicago had appointed a new exorcist for the Archdiocese.   Did you know that every diocese has an exorcist?   At the Chicago press conference the reporters wanted details of why the Cardinal had taken this step.  His response was simple and right to the point, “There was a need.” 

Today’s Gospel reading from Mark shows Jesus casting out an unclean spirit (demon).  It’s worth asking, do we still deal with demons today? 

Yes, unfortunately, at least as long as we reside in this “vale of tears” on our journey toward Heaven.  The Catechism spells this out citing the 2^nd Vatican Council’s Gaudium et Spes, “The whole of man’s history has been the story of dour combat with the powers of evil, stretching, so our Lord tells us, from the very dawn of history until the last day.”  (CCC # 409).   St. Paul acknowledges this in his admonition about the battle against evil found in Ephesians 6:10-17 with special emphasis on v. 16:  “In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one.”

The diabolical—that which is of the devil comes from the Greek word– “diabolos” defined as “slanderer.”   Another way of viewing it is through the lens of division.  The devil always seeks to divide, to bring confusion, to sow disorder—ultimately to divide a soul from the love of God.    Note with interest that the first thing God does in Creation is to bring order, “the earth was a formless wasteland and darkness covered the abyss…and God said, ‘Let there be light.’” (Gen. 1:2-3).   The devil in turn seeks to undo and reverse that order.  

I am regularly struck by the accounts of those who meet with me and are seeking to grow in their faith.  For many it is an account of seeking “order” out of the chaos that their life has become.   At a recent RCIA session, the participants spent some time reflecting on how their lives are changing as they grow closer to Christ and His Church.  “Order” and “Peace” were two of the sentiments commonly expressed.  And you know what comes from that order and peace?  Joy.  St. Paul spells out the opposite of the diabolical with the Fruits of the Spirit in Gal 5:22-24 “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” 

We say the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel at the end of every Rosary.  Indeed, some parishes still say it at the end of every Mass.   We pray that God may “be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil…and thrust into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.  Amen.”   And of course, always keep in mind, as the Gospel of Mark demonstrates, Jesus always wins!   

God bless you!

Phil Lawson

Director of Catechesis & Evangelization

Phil’s Notes & Tidbits

            “The Defining Issue of Our Day”

            Tim Roach of Fairbault, MN was an out of work electrician.  His unemployment benefits were about to run out when he received a phone call offering a job making  

65-70k a year for at least 11 months.  Unfortunately, the job offer was for the construction of a Planned Parenthood Clinic in St. Paul, MN.  (Planned Parenthood is the largest provider of abortions in the US).  What did this Catholic father of a 9 year old boy and 11 year old daughter do?  He turned down the offer.  As his wife said, “Through this whole process, our faith has deepened.  We feel like it was a test of our faith.  We chose to stand by our faith.”  Amen!  (Source:  TheCatholicSpirit.com)

            Several years ago, Planned Parenthood decided to build a new abortion clinic in Austin, Texas.  As they began planning for its construction they encountered a problem, no construction company in the area wanted to participate in such a project.  It started with one Christian owner calling his colleagues and urging them to live up to their convictions.  The call kept spreading, and soon not a single construction company within 60 miles of Austin would take on the project of building this abortion clinic.    Amazing.  

            Today, January 22^nd, marks the 39^th tragic anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court Decision that legalized abortion in the United States.  The Catholic Church has always been at the forefront of defending the dignity of every human life from conception to natural death.  (Did you know, the Catholic Church remains the largest charitable organization in the world?  We just had a wonderful example of that last weekend with Fr. Demsey’s appeal on behalf of “Food for the Poor”.)  

            A special mention to our 4 high school students: Michelle Dubay, Ivy Engwall, Dalton Guinn, and Lucas Mancheski who are currently in Washington DC.  They are joining several hundred thousand others to peacefully march urging the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the defense of all human life.  Did you know this is the largest annual protest march that takes place in Washington every year?     

    Every single one of us has a role to play in what has been called “the defining issue of our day.”  The examples listed above, are simply accounts of regular Christians taking a stand in whatever large, or small way, was presented to them.   May we do likewise.

God bless you!

Phil Lawson

Director of Catechesis & Evangelization

            Phil’s Notes & Tidbits

                        “The Choir in Rome”

The Choir returned to Stevens Point about 1AM Tuesday and with an early bulletin deadline, we don’t have much for this week’s bulletin.   However, Fr. Letona was able to post a number of updates online while they were there. Expect more updates and stories in future bulletins! Below are some of the highlights from Fr. Letona:

“It is as if it was such a beautiful and awesome thing that it could only happen in a dream. Our choir, the St. Peter parish choir from little ol’ Stevens Point Wisconsin, rode shotgun with the Sistine Choir for the Papal Mass of the Epiphany. (Jan. 6^th)  The choir was given the privilege from the Sistine Choir master to sing two prelude songs. This privilege is rarely given to visiting choirs. A testament to just how awesome our choir was! The other priests around me commented on how great “that other” choir was. Of course I was so proud and happy for them, I couldn’t help but say ” I am here with them!” They all asked “How do you get so many young people to join a choir like that?”

 We had Sunday Mass (Jan. 8^th) in Santa Croce in Florence. Here in Italy Epiphany was on Thursday and it was a holiday. So today we celebrated the Baptism of the Lord. The mass was in Italian and Fr Derek and I concelebrated with a young Franciscan priest from Romania. Once more the choir sang. The celebrant, addressing the regular parishioners in Italian, thanked the choir for the magnificent job and gave us an edifying compliment. He said “It is said that when we sing we pray twice, well we have just prayed three times! Bellisimo!”

-On January 4^th, the choir was privileged to attend the General Audience with Pope Benedict XVI.  During the Audience, the various groups were introduced.  There is an amazing video of St. Peter’s Choir being introduced and then singing a hymn for the Pope.    It can be found here:  http://www.saintpetercatholic.com/  Just click on the Video on the main page of the Pope’s audience.  To see our students (public school, Catholic school, homeschool) our young adults and college students, parents from our parish, and even at least one grandparent parishioner, singing for the Holy Father made me beam with pride for St. Peter’s!  What an incredible gift for our parish!  Other updates and pictures can be found on St. Peter’s Facebook site.  Enjoy! 

God bless you!

Phil Lawson

Director of Catechesis & Evangelization

“Giving and Giving of Ourselves”

I want to highlight the beautiful response of our parish to the Giving Trees undertaken this past Advent.  Did you know St. Peter’s provides a gift to every one of parishioners who is in assisted living, nursing homes, or homebound?   Furthermore, the parish gives a Christmas gift to every single resident of Portage County Nursing Home and the Stevens Point Health Care Center, regardless of whether they are parishioners. This adds up to a hefty total of 224 gift bags that were distributed.  The beauty of this effort, apart from the token of love it shows those who are unable to physically get to St. Peter’s, is the wide breadth of parishioners involved.    The Family Life Committee does much of the preparation and coordination.  Countless parishioners took the tags from the trees and brought in an abundance of gifts.  When it came time to coordinate and prepare all the gifts for delivery, it was the Family Life Committee, aided by our homeschool families, last year’s RCIA Class, and various other parishioners who did the work.  For the delivery of the gifts—a large undertaking in and of itself!—the College DTS group took care of the 2 nursing homes, our parish Eucharistic ministers to the homebound took many of the gifts to the people they regularly visit, and students from Pacelli delivered the rest during their Service Day.   Overall, what a beautiful gesture for a parish to come together and give a gift of love and unity this Christmas.  Thanks to all who helped!

The ultimate “gift” we can give to Jesus is of course our lives in service to Him, in whatever way He calls, i.e. marriage, religious life, priesthood, or single.  This Saturday, Jan. 7^th was the Annual “Called By Name” event for the diocese.  Every parish is asked to submit names of high school and young adult men and women who they think might be open to a religious vocation.  These individuals then receive a personal letter from Bishop Callahan inviting them to a Day of Reflection at the Diocese which features priests, religious, conversations, presentations and Mass with the Bishop.  St. Peter’s submitted a list of 38 high school and college students to the Diocese.  Now, obviously not all of them will be called to those vocations, but it speaks highly of the parish to have such a large number!  And it’s a credit to the individuals named that the parish thinks so well of them!  Continue to pray for and encourage these vocations!

God bless you!

Phil Lawson

Director of Catechesis & Evangelization

Phil’s Notes & Tidbits

“Saying Goodbye to Fr. Letona”

            You arrived at St. Peter’s on July 15th, 2009.   We still remember how long it took this Polish heritage parish to get your last name right—and the patient smiles you gave to everyone as they tried.   We were privileged to see you ordained a priest on November 7th of that same year; a beautiful gift during the “Year of the Priest” declared by Pope Benedict XVI.   Roughly a month before your ordination, you were invited to address a deanery catechist in-service on the priesthood.  The enthusiasm, beauty and passion of your reflection on the priesthood as you eagerly anticipated your own ordination is still mentioned by the catechists to this day.   

            We have especially enjoyed your homilies.  Once, when asked about how you decided what to preach about you replied, “I simply speak about what I think I need to hear myself!”  Thank you for helping us all to journey with you towards God and holiness!

            Your love for the Liturgy is always evident.   During a recent class in the Church I wanted to make a point about what incense represents (our prayers rising to God).    You had recently celebrated Mass in the Church and the smell of incense was still fresh.  I asked the participants what they smelled.  One person blurted out, “Father Letona”, at which point the others smiled and laughed.  Fr. Letona and incense = inseparable. 

            It is a privilege and a blessing for a parish to participate in the nurturing and growth of a priest—and as we were your first assignment I hope we’ll always have a special place in your heart.  Now as you leave us for your new assignment—one that has you being part of 4(!) parishes, we promise to keep you in our prayers and are grateful for your promised prayers.

God bless you!

Phil Lawson

Director of Catechesis & Evangelization