E-News from Father Frerichs
December 9, 2010
Dear Friends in Christ,
Sorry about the long absence. I wasn’t on a sabbatical although some of you may be thinking that. The fact is that other things have just had priority. Never the less there are a few bit of news and the like that you may be interested in hearing from the local pastor.
Parish Happenings:
· The first item worth mention is the number of baptisms during this month of December. Last Sunday Collin James McDonough, the Son of Timothy and Tasha McDonough, and Jillian Ann Schmitt, the Daughter of Shawna and Haylie Schmitt were baptized at Saint Agnes. Next Sunday Noah Stephen Meyer, the Son of Chris and Amy Meyer from Hampton, MN will be baptized by Fr. Stamschor at Saint Felix. After that Christmas will already be upon us. Please keep these new Christians and their families in prayer.
· It seems that Catholics Come Home is off to a good start. Once again, this is a program to be implemented across the Diocese of Winona this coming lent. The Diocese of Winona will purchase time on local television networks to air high quality messages inviting people who have fallen away from the Church to return. Three of the messages were aired at Mass last weekend. If you would like to learn more about Catholics Come home or would like to see some of the messages then visit http://www.catholicscomehome.org/. All you need to do is click on one of the small images on the right side of the short video to see specific commercials. Envelopes are located at the back of each church for those who want to make a tax deductible contribution to support this endeavor. It’s a good one!
· This weekend we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadeloupe and Gaudete Sunday. Our Lady of Guadeloupe appeared to Juan Diego near the area of what is Mexico City today. Mary provided the tilma which proved her existence and was instrumental in the conversion of hundreds of thousands of Mexican people. Our Lady of Guadeloupe is the patroness of all of the Americas. More can be learned about her at http://www.catholic.org/about/guadalupe.php. Gaudete Sunday is the day we light the rose colored candle on the advent wreath for the first time. This signifies that Advent is more than half over and we rejoice that the coming of Christ will soon be here.
Church News:
· There was a big event in Wisconsin last week. On December 8th, Bishop David L. Ricken of Green Bay has approved the Marian apparitions seen by Adele Brise in 1859, making the apparitions of Mary that occurred some 18 miles northeast of Green Bay the first in the United States to receive approval of a diocesan bishop. There is a tremendous story behind this apparition which is well worth learning about. The official website for this shrine is:
http://www.shrineofourladyofgoodhelp.com/index.html.
This apparition forewarned what would become, just 12 years later, the largest and possibly the most devastating fire in the United States. The story can be found at the same website under the following address:
http://www.shrineofourladyofgoodhelp.com/htmPages/g_hst_p5.html.
You may see me driving around in a different vehicle these days. With less need for four-wheel drive I have decided to downsize. My little Malibu may not be on par with an old Coupe de Ville but I am sure that it will get me to where I am going and will run just as well. Be sure to wave as I drive by….
I continue to do house blessings although Advent has slowed things up a bit. I am calling people in no particular order but would also enjoy being invited. Saturdays and Sundays after Mass work well along with different times during the week. If you are interested in working me in soon then please give me a ring at the office (651) 565-3931.
Other than that all is well. I’ve been adjusting to my new diet and feeling much better in many ways.
Since I have rarely had an Enews without a picture I thought you may enjoy seeing a photo of the dog, Prince, I had while in Janesville. You can see him working at his desk trying to earn his keep.
Will go for now and promise to get back to you again sooner next time.
Fr Glenn Frerichs
Everyone who expressed interest on last year’s census has been added to our mailing. If you are not interested in receiving this mailing in the future then please reply with a message asking us to remove you from the list or call the parish office at 651-565-3931.