St. Joseph Ridge Parish W2601 State Road 33 La Crosse, WI 54601 608-788-1646

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord January 10, 2016 Rev. Timothy Welles – Pastor & Member of the Mariological Society of America PHONE (608) 788-1646 * Father Tim’s Cell (920) 471-8240 WEB SITE: www.saintjosephridgeparish.com E-MAIL: [email protected]

WEEKEND MASSES: Saturday, 4:00 PM; Sunday, 8:30 AM

“Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye….” Bell ringers used to cry this in the market square years ago. More recent, as a former paper boy, we used to say, “Extra, Extra, read all about it!” “What is there so important to read?”, you might ask. Well…. Please protect the Blessed Sacrament    

Be aware that there is a need for care for Jesus in the Eucharist: Jesus truly is present! Be aware that every particle of the consecrated host IS Jesus. Be aware that pieces of the Host may fall on the floor or other areas. Be aware that there is a need for Priests (including myself), Eucharistic Ministers, Sacristans, Church Cleaners, all receiving Holy Communion, to care for, to lookout for, to protect to the best of our abilities; Jesus in the Eucharist, the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Has the Mass become so routine and boring that we walk in the communion line without ever thinking of what we are doing and WHO it is that we are receiving? Has the Mass become so automatic that we think of just “punching our spiritual timeclock every weekend” instead of actually thanking Jesus when we receive Him? Or do we think of the Eucharist as only a piece of bread and nothing more? The reason why I’m writing this to you today is because in recent weeks we have found particles of the host—or worse yet—whole hosts in places such as the parking lot (maybe 1 slipped out of a pyx) and on the floor and worse yet—under the pews (such as gum under the tables in restaurants!). Is this the best that we can do to show respect for our Lord? How do think our Lord feels? Folks, this is not happening to “just us” in this parish; I’m not trying to “single anyone out.” Priests all over the world are trying to “get the message out” that Jesus is REALLY PRESENT in a consecrated host by the words of institution “this is my body, this is my blood.” This is not magic; the priest is not a shaman or a medicine man or a miracle worker. To give a humorous example, there is a Jimmy Buffett song called “Overkill” that I recite the following lyrics to when people think their local priest is a shaman of some kind: “I went to find the truth in the Himalayas; bundled up have frozen munching on Milky-Way’s….found a shaman in a diaper with a poppy-pot...when I asked if he was cold he said: “I just think hot.” So, please folks, “Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye…..” Fr. Tim Welles/Pastor

St. Joseph Ridge Parish MASS TIMES

MASS INTENTIONS

Saturday, Jan. 9, 4:00 PM Sunday, Jan. 10, 8:30 AM Tuesday, Jan. 12, 8:30 AM Thursday, Jan. 14, 8:30 AM Saturday, Jan. 16, 4:00 PM Sunday, Jan. 17, 8:30 AM

+John, Bernice & Sam Mashak Our Parish Family +Russell Hundt +Steve Lang Hilby Special Intention +Rudy Schamberger

St. Peters, Middle Ridge Sat. 8:00 PM & Sun. 10:00 AM Wed. & Fri. - 8:00 AM

St. Mary, Coon Valley Sat. 4:00 PM & Sun. 8:30 AM Wed. & Fri. 8:30 AM

LITURGICAL MINISTERS Saturday, January 16, 4:00 PM Servers: Katie Murphy & Volunteer Ushers: Cassidy Murphy & Regan Murphy Reader: Paula Silha Communion Minister: Barb Mikshowsky

Sunday, January 17, 8:30 AM Servers: Ethan Schamberger & Colin Dickman Ushers: Stan Clements & Doug Elsen Reader: Bobbi Schamberger Communion Minister: Diane Elsen

LAST WEEK’S STEWARDSHIP: Adult Envelopes, $1,295.00; Offer tory, $182.00; Chr istmas, $25.00; Initial offer ing, $70.00; Solemnity of Mary, 275.00; Solemnity of Mary Offertory, $126.00. CONGRATULATIONS! WE DID IT! THE DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL TARGET IS $15,890.00: As of 12/28/2015 we have $16,205.00 pledged from 73 families. That is $315.00 over target. Any pledges now come right back to the parish. So if you intended on pledging an amount please still do and the money will come back to us!! UPCOMING EVENTS THIS SUNDAY after Mass, help is needed to take down all of the Chr istmas decor ations. This is a big job so many hands will be needed, please consider helping out. Thank you! RELIGIOUS EDUCATION – Regular schedule - Wednesday, January 13, 2016. DONUTS AND COFFEE sponsor ed by the PCCW will be ser ved after the 8:30 AM Mass on Sunday, J anuar y 17th. Please make plans to join us. MARCH FOR LIFE in Chicago will be held on Sunday, J anuar y 17th. A bus is leaving the La Cr osse ar ea at 7:30 AM and returning the same day. Cost is $25 per person or $85 family rate. Register online at http://www.ProLifeWI.org or for more information contact Matt Von Rueden at 262-796-1111 ext. 15 or email [email protected]. UPCOMING MEETINGS PCCW - Monday, J anuar y 18, 2016 at 7:00 PM in the school hall. PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING: Thur sday, Febr uar y 18, 2016 at 7:00 PM in the school hall. ANNOUNCEMENTS THANK YOU to ever yone who was in or involved with the Chr istmas Pageant. It was as beautiful as always. Thank you too for remembering me with cards and gifts during this Christmas season. Have a great New Year ~ Dolores Knobloch CONGRATULATIONS to Chad and Patr icia Seuber t on the Baptism of their daughter , Mar li J ean, last Satur day. 2016 ENVELOPES AND CALENDARS can be found in the back of chur ch. Please help us save on postage and deliver . Take a look at the envelopes left to see if it’s your friend, relative or neighbor and drop them off in their door. DO NOT PUT IN MAILBOXES! Thank you so much for helping out. Also, there are envelopes for you even if you do the ACH withdrawal, as the envelopes contain Holy Days and Special Collections. Thank you! RELIGIOUS EMBLEMS FOR CUB, BOY AND VENTURE SCOUTS. Would you like to ear n your Religious Emblem but don’t know how? For information contact Cindy Sjolander, Diocesan Religious Emblems Chairman at 608-783-4911 or email at [email protected] and find out how. WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY Blessed Broken and Beautiful, led by Sister M. J udith Pennington, FSGM will be on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month beginning January 12, 2016 at the Mater Redemptoris House of Formation, 3730 East Ave. South, 608788-4530. Refreshments provided. Please call with any questions.

DAY OF PRAYER FOR LIFE - Friday - January 22, 2016 The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe will host a Day of Prayer for Life on Friday, January 22, 2016. Opportunity for Confession is available before and after the 12:15pm Mass. At 1:00pm, at the Memorial to the Unborn, Matt Sande, of Pro-Life Wisconsin, will give a pro-life reflection. At about 1:10pm, we will pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Refreshments and a showing of the 40 film will be offered afterwards. Eucharistic Adoration, Rosary and Vespers begin at 3:30pm. Note – If it is extremely cold, the Pro-Life talk and the Divine Mercy Chaplet will take place in the Church. For further information and a printable flyer: http:// www.guadalupeshrine.org/events/day-of-prayer-for-life. AQUINAS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS is hosting an informational meeting. Join them at St. Pat’s in Onalaska on Tuesday, Jan. 19th at 6:00 PM OR at Cathedral school in La Crosse on Thursday, Jan. 21st at 6:00 PM. More information can be found in the back of church or at www.aquinasschools.org. AQUINAS FOUNDERS DAY CELEBRATION! All ar e invited to the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas Founders Day Mass on Thursday, January 28th, 2016 at 9:30 AM in the Reinhart Gym at Aquinas High School. You are also invited to the Founders’ Day Dinner which is Sunday, January 31st at the Radisson Hotel Ballroom. Social begins at 5:00 PM. More information and invitations can be found in the back of church. ALERT J anuar y is National Slaver y and Human Tr afficking Awareness month. Women, men and children in the U.S. and around the world are subjected to forced labor, domestic servitude and the sex trade at the hands of human traffickers. U.S. Catholic Sisters are working together to end this crime. Learn more about it at sistersagainsttrafficking.org. Ending Slavery is everyone’s work. TEACHER HELP NEEDED! We ar e still looking for a 1st grade teacher, however if you would prefer to just help with the 1st grade, that is ok too. This would be a great opportunity for recently confirmed young adults to help teach. It would certainly be a great addition to a resume or college application. Please consider helping out. Call Dolores - 608-788-6873.

CONFESSIONS - every Saturday from 3:30 to 3:50 PM or by appointment. THE ROSARY is r ecited befor e the Satur day-evening Mass around 3:30 PM. BAPTISM! If you wish to have your child baptized, please contact Father Tim at the numbers on the front of the bulletin. PRAYER INTENTIONS for the sick in our Par ish. Anyone who is ill and/or needs prayers is encouraged to call the rectory office at 608-788-1646 to have your name added to our weekend intentions. Your name will be announced at both Masses. Please also let Father Tim know if you would like communion brought to you. NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING (NFP) Lear n NFP at home and at your own pace with the Home Study Course from NFP international, www.nfpandmore.org. Includes Ecological Breastfeeding (it really can space babies), a double-check system of fertility awareness, and Catholic teaching that’s easy to understand. Work with a live instructor by email. Completion certificate. Only $70. We are listed at the U.S Bishops' website under NFP long distance learning: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/ marriage-and-family/natural-family-planning/nfp-distancelearning.cfm WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER Couples who make Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends not only rediscover the joy, intimacy & romance in their relationships, but also become more active in their parish. Together, we are making marriages, families and our Church stronger & healthier. In today’s gospel it says, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Bring the Holy Spirit into your marriage. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends are Feb. 12 – 14 in Ankeny IA and May 13 – 15 in Dubuque IA. Early registration is highly recommended. For more information visit our website at: www.iowa-wwme.org or call 563-9274352.

PHONE NUMBER HELP! It is ver y impor tant, especially if your children are in Religious Education to make sure Dolores and the church office have an updated phone number. Please take a moment to verify your phone number on file, especially if you recently removed your land line to only be cell phones.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 the La Cr osse VFW has an Omelet breakfast from 8:00 am - 12:00 noon for $7.00. Included in the breakfast you get an omelet, made to order, hash browns or sliced potatoes, toast, coffee, orange juice and champagne. VFW Post 1530; 630 6th St South, La Crosse, WI 54601, 608-785-1530

FIRESIDE TRIPS WITH HOLY TRINITY PARISH Ar e you looking for a special gift for that hard to buy for person or do you want to experience an awesome lunch and breathtaking show, plus fun and fresh coffee, rolls, and goodies on the bus ride to and from the Fireside Theatre in Fort Atkinson, WI? Trips are scheduled to the following: Legends in Concert- Saturday, February 20th, Peter Pan-Saturday, March 19, and Sister Act on Saturday, April 30. Cost is $90 per person-includes everything. Contact Arlene Young at 788-3440 for information/sign up for the trip.

AT ST. JOSEPH RIDGE PARISH, we ar e pursuing new opportunities to foster a stronger parish life and better engage the New Evangelization. As a part of these efforts we are happy to announce that St. Joseph Ridge Parish now has it’s own App for Apple and Android phones.

OUR FUNERAL COMMITTEE needs mor e help. Ar e you a stay at home mom, or is your job flexible, or are you retired? If yes, we need you. If you would be willing to help with funeral luncheons; prepping, serving and cleaning up, please contact the church office at 608-788-1646 for more information or to volunteer. One of the Corporal Works of Mercy is “Bury the dead”. Since we began the Jubilee Year of Mercy on December 8th, please consider helping out.

Our new App will allow us to send you useful and important messages throughout the week regarding our parish life and events, and allow you to reply to messages or RSVP for events. Just download My Parish App on your smart phone; text App to 88202 or visit myparishapp.com. After downloading, search for St. Joseph Ridge Parish.