Phil’s Notes & Tidbits

                        “Does It make a Difference?”

          Sometimes we’re tempted to wonder if our efforts make a difference.            This is particularly true in our efforts to proclaim the Gospel of Life in the face of a culture that seems to continually find new ways to degrade it.   

            We are incredibly blessed to have the Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a Pro-Life Apostolate approved by Bishop Raymond Burke, present at St. Peter’s, especially through the work of our own Jennifer Dunnett.  The Servants do tremendous pro-life work through their prayers, teaching, sidewalk counseling, peaceful demonstrations, and presentations—which literally take place all over the world.   It was tremendous to see just how deeply the parish has embraced this group in the response, (both donations & purchases) made at the bake sale the weekend of Nov. 12th/13th—and the many, many positive comments made about their work.  

            St. Peter’s has a justly deserved reputation as being one of the strongest “pro-life” parishes.  Did you know the pro-life group at UWSP, the Pointers for Life, originated about 7 years ago from St. Peter’s DTS & college students? 

          As far as the difference these efforts can make:  This past spring during a 40 Days for Life Campaign (DFL), sidewalk counselors related the following:   A woman and her two-year-old stopped by 40 DFL in Milwaukee. She wanted to show sidewalk counselors her little boy, alive today due to pro-lifers’ sidewalk counseling efforts. The mother had gone to the clinic seeking an abortion and had encountered these witnesses to life.   In talking with them, she changed her mind.  No one knew about this save until that very moment; like so much of the work that we do, the fruits are sometimes not seen till much later, if at all!

            The fall 2011  40 Days for Life Campaign, which included a site in Wausau, just ended.  At least 508 lives were saved, that is women who went to the clinics seeking an abortion but had a change of heart due to the witness of these men and women.  Overall, an estimated 4500 babies have been saved through 40 Days for Life Campaigns around the country.  In fact, 19 abortion clinics have now closed down due to 40 Days for Life Campaigns.  And of course, the effort doesn’t stop with the conversion of heart.  These same witnesses to life are the first ones to offer support to the mother and baby.  I regularly get updates from their efforts in Madison, and I’m amazed at how quickly these pro-life witnesses are to open their own homes, share of their resources, even offers to adopt, whatever it takes to save a life.  What beautiful examples! 

            I mentioned our own Jennifer Dunnett, who is a member of the Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  I’d like to share one particular story.  Jennifer was praying at the abortion clinic in Madison when she encountered a young pregnant couple who didn’t feel they had any other options outside of an abortion.  Jennifer talked to them, loved them, and was able to direct them toward resources that could be of assistance.  That young couple chose to give life to their baby.  And Jennifer?  The couple invited her to the hospital where the birth took place.  See the picture of Jennifer holding Baby Zion.   Jennifer is currently working with them to bring their child to God in Baptism.   She indeed, made a difference, for without her, it’s likely Baby Zion…and countless others wouldn’t be here.   

          Monday, Dec. 12^th is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas and the Unborn. May She continue to intercede for all of us!

                        God bless you!

                        Phil Lawson

                        Director of Catechesis & Evangelization

Baby Zion & Jennifer

Phil’s Notes & Tidbits

        A warm welcome to our RCIA Catechumens, Joelle Koelzer, Martin Rakacolli & David Wright.  And a warm welcome to our RCIA Candidates, Yvonne Stanke & Lydia Janka. 

At the 10AM Mass last Sunday, the RCIA participants were formally presented to the parish, welcomed and encouraged as they continue their journey into the Catholic Church.  They have been meeting weekly for instruction and formation these past few months.  Having grown in their conviction to follow Christ into His Church, they now seek the continued blessing of God and support of the parish. 

        Please keep them in your prayers as they continue this journey toward the reception of the Sacraments and full communion with the Catholic Church at Easter! 

        Almighty God, source of all creation, you have made us in your image.  Receive with love those who come before you.  Lead our catechumens to the baptism of new birth, and our candidates to a deeper share in the paschal mystery, so that, living a fruitful life in the company of your faithful, they may receive the eternal reward that you promise.  We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.  Amen.  (Prayer over the Catechumens and Candidates)

                        God bless you!

                        Phil Lawson

                        Director of Catechesis & Evangelization

Parents should request the Baptism of their infants at least two months prior to the anticipated date of Baptism.  The Baptism of infants is normally scheduled on the fourth Sunday of the month either at 11:15 am or during any of the regularly scheduled Masses of the Lord’s Day.  Baptisms are not celebrated during Lent.  New parents are required to take part in a preparation program if possible before the child’s birth.  Next Baptism Prep Series: Nov.  2, 9, 16, 30th    7-8PM each night in the Rectory Conference Room.  To register call the Parish Office at 344-6115.

“Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission” (CCC 1213). Before so great a gift and mystery, how can the person approaching the Church for Baptism – for oneself or one’s child – be filled with anything but awe and wonder! — Father Kevin C. Louis, July 2, 2006

Baptism Preparation

Parents must request the Baptism of their infants at least two months prior to the anticipated date of Baptism. The Baptism of infants is normally celebrated on the fourth Sunday of the month either at 11:15 am or during any of the regularly scheduled Masses of the Lord’s Day. Baptisms are not celebrated during Lent. New parents are required to take part in a four-session preparation program conducted in February, August, or November. Participation in the program should be completed before the birth of the child.

BAPTISM PREPARATION SESSIONS

Ideally Baptism Preparation should be attended prior to the birth of the baby. To register for the session contact the parish office during office hours (8:30-11:30 AM and 12:30-3:30 PM). The office phone number is (715) 344-6115.

THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ON BAPTISM
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) says the sacraments of initiation, including Baptism, “lay the foundations of every Christian life.” (1212) The CCC goes on to say (quoting Pope Paul VI):

The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By means of these sacraments of Christian initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity.

In other words, receiving the sacraments of initiation makes a person a Catholic, with all the treasures of the Church available to help him or her get to heaven.

Strengthen Your Brethren, Eucharistic Ministry – September 10, 2006

In my homilies, presentations, and writings I often wonder if I am making any sense to anyone other than myself! Thanks to those who commented that this column’s five-part series on the Sacrament of Baptism was of help to them. Your feedback is appreciated. It is always good to know what things are useful (and what are not!). OK, back to Baptism! After having focused our attention on the responsibilities of the parents and godparents in presenting a child for Baptism, we cannot forget that the “whole ecclesial community bears some responsibility for the development and safeguarding of the grace of Baptism” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1255). Thus, every individual member of Saint Peter, each family of our parish, as well as the parish family as a whole, must examine his or her – our – conscience in this regard. What am I – what are we – doing to develop and safeguard the baptismal grace of fellow parishioners and family members? At this point we are going to take a break from Baptism, but at a future date will resume the series with a focus on the Rite of Baptism and its meaning.

During the first nine years of my priestly ministry, the bishops of La Crosse deliberately assigned me to parishes with a parochial grade school giving me the mandate to spend a significant portion of my time teaching the children. I so thoroughly enjoyed time spent with those little ones talking about Christ and His Church! Entertaining questions the kids raised kept me on my toes! From the children at the Cathedral School in La Crosse to those in Plum City as well as those at Saint Mary’s Ridge and Cashton, the question that was asked of me by every age group was “What is your favorite thing about being a priest?” My answer has never changed in these 17 years as a priest! The top three things I love about being a priest are: (1) Celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the worship of God and the spiritual nourishment of His people; (2) Communicating God’s mercy to sinners in the Sacrament of Penance; and (3) Working with children. Of course the list could go on and on, but those are tops!

“It is in the Eucharistic cult or in the Eucharistic assembly of the faithful (synaxis) that (priests) exercise in a supreme degree their sacred office; there, acting in the person of Christ and proclaiming His mystery, they unite the votive offerings of the faithful to the sacrifice of Christ their Head, and in the sacrifice of the Mass they make present again and apply, until the coming of the Lord, the unique sacrifice of the New Testament, that namely of Christ offering Himself once for all a spotless victim to the Father” (Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 28). What a great honor and privilege to be able to celebrate the Mass each day and distribute Holy Communion as well as, by extension, to bring the Eucharistic Lord to those who are not able to take part in the Mass – those in the hospital or confined to the home or an institution.

Have you ever noticed that your reception of Holy Communion requires the mediation of a minister? You do not give yourself Communion – that is, you do not self-communicate the Host or the Precious Blood. This manner of the distribution of Holy Communion makes it clear that a gift is being received. Under normal conditions it is only those who are sacramentally configured to Christ, Head and Shepherd of the Church, and who thereby act in His person – namely, priests and bishops – take the Eucharist for themselves directly from the altar of sacrifice. The “Amen” that the communicant says is a profession of faith in the form of a response to a dialogue involving another: “The Body of Christ” and “The Blood of Christ.” Noted scholar A.G. Martimort observes that “all of the Christian liturgies bear witness, in their age-old practices, to these two modes of receiving Communion” (The Church at Prayer, II, 217). It is clear, then, that the ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are those who have received the Sacrament of Holy Orders – bishops and priests, as well as deacons (who have been sacramentally configured to Christ, Lord and servant of all, and who collaborate with the bishops and priests in the exercise of ministry). It can happen, however, that there may not be sufficient ordinary ministers for the task of distributing Communion during or outside of Mass. In such circumstances, rather than doing without ministers and allowing the faithful to take Holy Communion for themselves, the Church prefers to make use of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. Martimort notes that “this makes it possible for the brethren to receive Holy Communion . . . and to say their ‘Amen’ in response to a human voice that tells them that the bread and the cup are the Body and Blood of Christ” (The Church at Prayer, II, 217). To be continued!

Strengthen Your Brethren, Sacrament of Baptism- Part 5 – September 3, 2006

In this fifth installment in the series on the Sacrament of Baptism we continue examining the role of godparent or sponsor (the two terms are interchangeable). The Rite of Baptism of Children notes that through the godparents’ participation in the baptism ceremony they are “added spiritually to the family of the one to be baptized and . . . represent Mother Church. As occasion offers, (they) will be ready to help the parents bring up their child to profess the faith and to show this by living it” (8). The following details with regard to the office of sponsor are taken from canons 872-874 of the Code of Canon Law.

One godparent, male or female, is all that is required by Church law. If there are two sponsors, one must be male and the other female. Normally, it is the parents or those who take the place of the parents who designate the godparent of the child. When this is not possible, then it is the responsibility of the Pastor or, in his absence, another minister (for example, a catechist in mission lands) to name the sponsor. To be a godparent one must be qualified for this office and have the intention of carrying out the accompanying duties. Simply being present at the ceremony is not enough! Rather, it is a lifelong responsibility to assist the godchild in the unfolding of the grace of Baptism “on the road of Christian life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1255). The godparent must be mature enough to undertake such weighty duties. Thus, the sponsor must be at least 16 years of age.

The godparent must be a member of the Catholic Church who has already received the three sacraments of initiation, namely, Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms, the sponsor “must be (a) firm believer” (1255), that is, living a life in communion with the teachings of the Church and participating in her sacramental life through the regular reception of the sacraments, especially Penance and the Holy Eucharist. In order to be a godparent one cannot be under an imposed or declared canonical penalty. Also, the mother or father of the one to be baptized may not act as the sponsor.

According to paragraph 98 of the Directory for the Application of the Principles and Norms of Ecumenism of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (25 March 1993), strictly speaking, a baptized person belonging to a non-Catholic ecclesial community (for example, any Protestant Christian denomination) cannot be a godparent “in a liturgical and canonical sense.” However, such a person may be admitted as a Christian “witness to the Baptism, but only together with a Catholic godparent.” This option is exercised most frequently when the Catholic sponsor is in a marriage of mixed religion, that is, a marriage between a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic. The reason that a godparent should himself be a member of the Church in which the Baptism is being celebrated is because he does “not merely undertake a responsibility for the Christian education of the person being baptized as a relative or friend.” Rather, the sponsor is also there as a representative “of a co! mmunity of faith, standing as guarantor of the candidate’s faith and desire for ecclesial communion.” According to the same principles, it is not permissible for a Catholic to be a godparent for a member of a non-Catholic ecclesial community, but he may be admitted as a Christian witness of the Baptism.

That same Vatican document regarding appropriate relations with other Christians goes on to say that “because of the close communion between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches, it is permissible for a just cause for an Eastern faithful to act as godparent, together with a Catholic godparent, at the Baptism of a Catholic infant. According to the same principles, a Catholic is “not forbidden to stand as a godparent in an Eastern Orthodox Church, if he is so invited.”

Strengthen Your Brethren, Sacrament of Baptism- Part 4 – August 27, 2006

After more than a month’s hiatus, we take up again the series on the Sacrament of Baptism. We have already looked at the meaning of Baptism, the responsibilities that parents take on by presenting their child to the Church for Baptism, and the assistance our parish gives to new parents through our revised (infant) Baptism preparation program. In this fourth installment we will examine the role of the godparent.

At the very beginning of the Rite of Baptism for a child, the celebrant asks the parents if they clearly understand what they are undertaking by requesting of the Church Baptism for their child. By their positive response the parents accept the responsibility of training their child in the practice of the faith, the duty to bring their child up to keep God’s commandments by loving God and neighbor (see Rite of Baptism for Children, 77). The celebrant then turns to the godparents asking if they are ready to help the parents in these duties that have just been outlined. A few moments later in the ceremony, the celebrant says to the parents and the godparents: “You have come here to present this child for baptism. By water and the Holy Spirit he (she) is to receive the gift of new life from God, who is love. On your part, you must make it your constant care to bring him (her) up in the practice of the faith. See that the divine life God gives him (her) is kept safe from the poison of sin, to grow always stronger in his (her) heart. If your faith makes you ready to accept this responsibility, renew now the vows of your own baptism. Reject sin; profess your faith in Christ Jesus. This is the faith of the Church. This is the faith in which this child is about to be baptized” (Rite of Baptism for Children, 93).

It is notable that the godparents along with the parents present the child, petitioning the Church for the gift of Baptism. By approaching the Church with this request, the godparents – trusting in God’s grace and renewing their own profession of faith – freely embrace the accompanying duties and responsibilities for the spiritual life of their godchild. These duties and responsibilities are not transitory, but rather must be given their constant attention. Among these, the rite mentions the obligation of assisting their godchild to actually live out the faith. The responsibilities of the godparents for the spiritual life of their godchild include a preventative aspect, namely, ensuring that the child is not (unnecessarily) exposed to the poison of sin and those things (and persons) which might be damaging to innocence and faith. The duties of the godparents also include a positive aspect, namely, nurturing that baptismal grace so that it may continually grow and the child may attain heaven. It is only in faith that godparents can embrace such serious obligations. Thus, the rite of Baptism calls for them to renew their own baptismal promises: rejecting sin and the lies of Satan, and professing their faith in the Tri-personal God.

To be a godparent – what an awesome privilege and a grave responsibility! And what care parents must exercise in choosing people for such an important task of faith and love! Remember to pray for your godparents, just as you hope they daily pray for you. Next week we will look at some of the very practical questions with regard to godparents.

Strengthen Your Brethren – Sacrament of Baptism, part 3 – July 16, 2006

In the first two parts of this series on Baptism, we have explored the serious obligations that the parents freely take on when they present their child to the Church for this sacrament of rebirth. Universal Church law requires that assistance be given to parents so that they may faithfully fulfill their grave responsibility to form their children, by word and example, in faith and Christian living. The Code of Canon Law (canon 851) states that the parents “are to be suitably instructed on the meaning of this sacrament and the obligations attaching to it. The parish priest (Pastor) is to see to it that either he or others duly prepare the parents, by means of pastoral advice and indeed by communal prayer, bringing a number of families together and, where possible, visiting them.” As this canon does not give particulars with regard to the content or organization of this parental preparation, Baptism preparation programs vary from parish to parish.

In accord with canon 851 of the Code of Canon Law and in order to better meet the needs of new (first time) parents at Saint Peter’s, as Pastor I have promulgated some revisions to our baptismal preparation program effective 1 July 2006. Parents presenting for the first time a child for Baptism are required to attend our parish’s four-session program. It is preferable that participation in the program be completed before the birth of the child. If a family has already taken part in a baptismal preparation program at Saint Peter’s or at their previous parish, as a general rule, they need not repeat it. It is advisable for the family to contact the parish office during the pregnancy in order to complete a Baptism Registration Form. This form gathers basic information about the family (name and religion of the parents, address, phone number, etc.) in anticipation of the birth. It also serves as a notification to the Pastor to spiritually accompany the family during their pregnancy. In the case of new parishioners or parents presenting for the first time a child for Baptism, a meeting with the Pastor is necessary.

At any time during the pregnancy the family may approach the Pastor to receive the “Blessing of Parents Before Childbirth,” a brief rite found in the Book of Blessings published by the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship (31 May 1984). According to this Book of Blessings, “a husband and wife participate in God’s love through the Sacrament of Matrimony and cooperate in the gift of life through the conception of a child. It is appropriate that they receive God’s blessing together as they wait in faith and hope for the birth of their child” (215).

Under my supervision, our Director of Catechesis and Evangelization, Phil Lawson, now coordinates the Baptism preparation program. It is a four-session program conducted in February, August, and November. The next series is August 9, 16, 23, and 30. Please call the parish office to register. Each session lasts approximately one hour with Phil Lawson and young families of our parish conducting the first three. Topics discussed during these sessions include the nature and meaning of the Sacrament of Baptism, faith, family prayer, and Catholic parenting. The fourth and final session is led by the Pastor during which questions are entertained and the ceremony discussed. Stay tuned as this series on Baptism continues next week!

Fr. Louis’ bulletin column 7/9/06

This is the second installment in the series on the Sacrament of Baptism. At the very beginning of the Rite of Baptism for a child, after the celebrant asks the parents what name they give their child, he exhorts them: “You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training him (her) in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him (her) up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?” (Rite of Baptism for Children, 77). A few moments later in the ceremony, the celebrant says to the parents: “You have come here to present this child for baptism. By water and the Holy Spirit he (she) is to receive the gift of new life from God, who is love. On your part, you must make it your constant care to bring him (her) up in the practice of the faith. See that the divine life God gives him (her) is kept safe from the poison of sin, to grow always stronger in his (her) heart. If your faith makes you ready to accept this responsibility, renew now the vows of your own baptism. Reject sin; profess your faith in Christ Jesus. This is the faith of the Church. This is the faith in which this child is about to be baptized” (Rite of Baptism for Children, 93).

The first thing to note is that it is the parents who present their child, petitioning the Church for the gift of Baptism to be given to the little one God has entrusted to their care. By approaching the Church with this request, the parents – trusting in God’s grace and renewing their own profession of faith – freely embrace the accompanying duties and responsibilities for the spiritual life of their child. These duties and responsibilities are not fleeting, but rather must be given their constant attention. Among these, the ritual mentions the obligation of training their child how to actually live out the faith. This means that in the family the child is to learn about and experience God and His Church; to pray to and worship the One God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit; to love God and neighbor by living the Commandments; and to generously serve others, especially those most in need. The responsibilities of the parents for the spiritual life of their child include a preventative aspect, namely, ensuring that the child is not (unnecessarily) exposed to the poison of sin and those things (and persons) which might be damaging to innocence and faith. The duties of the parents also include a positive aspect, namely, nurturing that baptismal grace so that it may continually grow and finally the child might attain faith’s goal, heaven. It is only in faith that parents can embrace such serious obligations and so the rite of Baptism calls for them to renew their own baptismal promises: rejecting sin and the lies of Satan, and professing their faith in the Tri-personal God. In the face of such weighty duties, it is no wonder that within the ceremony the celebrant bluntly asks the parents: “Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?”

The very nature of faith and family life means that no family can take up these responsibilities on its own in complete isolation from others. Rather, parents do so within the Church, and, more concretely, within the family of families, our parish. Saint Peter’s offers various supports for families to live faithfully their vocation. Our parish offers a special four-part program for new (first-time) parents. More on that next week!

Fr. Louis’ bulletin column 7/2/06

One of the great joys of being a priest is the loving way in which families open their homes and lives to you. During my first year here at Saint Peter’s so many of you have kindly made me a part of your extended family with invitations to your special celebrations or just to “hang out”! For that I am most grateful. It is particularly delightful to accompany a family through pregnancy, birth, and then rebirth in the Sacrament of Baptism.

Earlier this week I took a call from an anonymous young woman concerning the Baptism of her newborn. She told me that she had already contacted at least one other Catholic parish in our area and was dismayed that she had to be a member of the parish (or at least have the permission of the priest of her home parish) and would be required to participate in a baptismal preparation program. After explaining to her that that was standard procedure according to universal Church law (see Code of Canon Law, 849-878), she responded with an irritated tone: “Oh, I myself was baptized at Saint Peter’s and thought I could get a quick and easy Baptism for my child. I guess I’ll keep looking.” The click in my ear of a hung up phone ended our conversation. Unfortunately, that is not the first such phone call that I have taken in 17 years as a priest. These calls always make me so sad. Sad for the child who may never receive the gift of new birth or formation in the Good News of Jesus Christ. Sad for the mother who – although possessing a flickering ember of faith – apparently suffered from a faulty formation in the faith that has rendered her unable to comprehend, much less fulfill, the basic responsibilities of being a Catholic mom handing on to her child the hope of eternal life. Her words still echo in my mind: “a quick and easy baptism.”

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission” (1213). Before so great a gift and mystery, how can the person approaching the Church for Baptism – for oneself or one’s child – be filled with anything but awe and wonder! What is more, any gift given by God is at the same time a task. It brings with it grave responsibilities for the one seeking Baptism (for oneself or for one’s child) and the one to be baptized (in the case of the child presented by his parents). The Church is obliged to assist her members to fulfill faithfully these duties having been freely taken up. Saint Peter’s gladly accepts this responsibility! For adults seeking Baptism, our parish offers a faith formation program following the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.). This multi-month series begins in September. For parents seeking Baptism for their child, our parish offers a four-session preparation program in February, August, and November.

Do not miss next week’s column, as I will continue this explanation of the preparation for and the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism at Saint Peter’s.