ST. RAPHAEL T H E A R C H A N G E L

830 S. Westhaven Drive · Oshkosh, WI 54904 · www.raphael.org

JULY 20, 2014

Rev. Doug LeCaptain ..................... Pastor

Rev. Michael Warden .... Parochial Vicar

Betty Schwandt ........... Pastoral Associate

MASS SCHEDULE

WEEKEND

Saturday ........................................ 5:00 pm

Sunday ........... 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am

Reconciliation

Saturday ....................................... 4:00 pm

WEEKDAY

Mondays, Tuesdays Wednesdays …...8:00 am

at Franciscan Courts

Thursdays & Fridays ..................... 7:15 am

................................ at St. Raphael Church

PARISH TELEPHONES

Church Office .............................. 233-8044

Fax .............................................. 233-2360

Office Hours 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

......... (Monday - Friday)

Lourdes Academy ...................... 426-3626

This Weekend

Back to School Faire Tags in the

Gathering Space

Oshkosh Area Food Pantry Collection

6:30 pm Adoration/Activity

Activity: TBD

7:00 pm High School Social

Next Weekend

Fr. Carr’s Meal Prep

920-233-8044 parish.office@raphael.org

2 | ST. RAPHAEL PARISH · OSHKOSH

DEAR PARISHIONERS...

The gospel today brings us, again, to the wheat fields. Last week it was the parable of the sower and the seed. This week it's the parable of the wheat and the weeds. In this mid-month of July and of our summer, take note of the wheat fields and the crops, the green of the earth, the warmth of the sun and the great growing season. Remember back to the cold of the winter, when our mantra was "wait till summer.” Well it's here and it's time to take a moment and realize that we need to take a break from the busyness of our scheduled life, and enjoy the sun and the green of the Earth. Enjoy your yard, plan a family meal for the deck and take some time and enjoy the outdoors. Build warm memories that will help us to forget last winter and be ready to face next winter. Thanks to Sara, our Coordinator of Social Communication and I.T., and Karen, our Liturgy and Music Coordinator, who have been working on our church sound system. On a recent Sunday morning we did not have sound in the church ten minutes before our first mass. Fortunately, they figured out that we lost another port on our sequencer and were able to work around it. I'm not sure I could have done three masses without a mic system. I know this is technical, but it’s important that we understand the need to maintain and update our electronic systems. Since then we have been working with R & R Sound to assess our Parish’s needs and create a plan for upgrading our equipment and system. On Wednesday, July 16, we replaced two 20-year-old amplifiers with one new one that does the job of both and produces a noticeably clearer sound in the church. We also installed a new sequencer, which allows us to power on the entire sound system without a surge in power. With ports on the old sequencer failing, we were forced to use wall outlets for various pieces of equipment, so this was a necessary step in terms of safety as well as function. We are continuing to assess and create plans to upgrade our sound system and other technology needs. After new carpeting, re-covering of our pews and other work in the church, we will be ready for to review and invest in an even better system. Do you know of anyone who is looking for a house in Oshkosh? The parish house on 9th and Greenfield is for sale. Our hope is to sell this house and pay off the mortgage on our rectory. It's a "holy" house lived in most recently by Sr. Pam and Sr. Anne Marie. It’s a 3 bedroom bi-level home and in recent years we added a deck with entrance to the kitchen, and new windows. It is in good shape and close to church. Sr. Pam, who is the Pastoral Leader at St. Mary Omro and St. Mary Winneconne had been living in the house, along with Sr. Anne Marie Lom, who was our Director of Spirituality. Sr. Anne Marie left our staff last year when she was elected to a leadership position in her community. Sr. Pam thought this would be a good time to start in a new place and decided to move to an apartment. Additionally on August 1, Sr. Regina Rose will be working and living with Sr. Pam, and will share parish ministry duties at both parishes part time, while she finishes her schooling in that field. This made the house available and we decided it was a good time to sell it. If you or someone you know is interested in purchasing the property, please call the office for an appointment to check it out!

Fr. Doug

PARISH LEADERSHIP

Business Manager ........................................ Mark Lindekugel

Deacons Greg Grey, John Ingala

Trustees Stephanie Geurts, John Thiel

PARISH STAFF Administrative Assistant ............................................ Jill Eaton

Coordinator of Social Communications ............. Sara Erickson

Coordinator of Music and Liturgy ........................ Karen Dean

Coordinator of Pastoral Ministry ........................ Paula Rieder

Coordinator of Stewardship ............................ Sr. Sylvia Egan

Executive Secretary ....................................... Deb Ransbottom

Facilities Management ..................................... Mike Sheridan

High School Youth Ministry ............................... Tanya Heilke

Financial Department ... Anne Glowcheski, Mark Lindekugel

Religious Education Dep........... ...................... ........Jessie Adrians,

Religious Education Secretary .................................. Ann Olig

VIRTUS TRAINING SESSION

Thursday, August 21, 2014

or

Monday, September 21, 2014

6:00-9:00pm at St. Raphael

Registration is available online at

gbdioc.org, click on “Protecting Our

Children” and follow the instructions.

If you have any questions, please contact

a member of the Religious Ed staff

at 233-8044.

JULY 20, 2014 SIXTEENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME | 3

WHAT’S HAPPENING Sunday, July 20

Back to School Faire Tags/Gathering Space

Oshkosh Area Food Pantry Collection 6:30 pm Adoration

7:00 pm Benediction

Activity: TBD

7:00 pm High School Social

Monday, July 21

8:30 am RU Support

1:00 pm COPD Meeting

6:00 pm Scouts

6:00 pm Mom’s Group

6:00 pm Prayer Shawl @ Fran Cts

Tuesday, July 22

8:00 am Mass at Fran Cts

10:00 am High School Justice Class

Wednesday, July 23 8:00 am Mass at Fran Cts

10:00 am High School Justice Class

4:00 pm VBS Meeting

Thursday, July 24 7:15 am Mass

10:00 am High School Justice Class

5:00 pm Gr. 6-12 Arts & Crafts Night

6:00 pm Baptism Class

Friday, July 25

7:15 am Mass

Saturday, July 26

Return Back to School Faire Items

8:00 am Fr. Carr Meal Prep

Sunday, July 27

Return Back to School Faire Items

6:30 pm Adoration

7:00 pm Benediction

Activity: TBD

Stewardship of Sharing

Week ending 07/13/2014

Budgeted Expenses: $ 26,054

Offertory Collections:

Envelopes $ 14,284

Loose Collection $ 1,845

EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) $ 876

Other Revenue $ 2,300

Total $ 19,305

Deficit ($ 6,750)

Parish House for Sale: 2355 W 9th Ave, Oshkosh (9th & Greenfield Trail)

$126,900

All appliances included. New windows plus much more. For further information,

contact Mark Lindekugel at 233-8044 or mark.lindekugel@raphael.org

Congratulations to Antanella and Arvid Carrick who are

celebrating their

70th Wedding Anniversary.

Administrative Assistant St. Mary Parish, Omro

Job Opening

32 hours per week, Monday-Thursday,

8:00am-4:00pm.

Responsibilities: administrative support to the

pastoral leader and staff, managing office

communications and parish website,

maintaining church records, filing and creating

publications.

Qualifications: 3+ years work experience in

office administration.

Must have strong computer skills with

proficiency in Word and Publisher.

If interested, please send a resume and cover

letter to:

Sr. Pamela Biehl

730 Madison Ave

Omro, WI 54963

Email: directorstmary@sbcglobal.net

Saint Vincent de Paul is in need

of volunteers! If you are willing

to donate 4 hours a week and

would like to give back to your

community, Saint Vincent de Paul is

the place to be! We are looking for volunteers to help with

electronics, crafts, metal recycling, pricing and bicycle repair

specifically, but volunteers with all skill sets are welcome.

Please contact Laura or Emily by phone at 920.235.9368, or

by email at svdposhkosh@hotmail.com.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

4 | ST. RAPHAEL PARISH · OSHKOSH

Wilderness Escape!

VBS is coming

August 11-15

VBS is now FULL! Contact

the parish office at

233-8044 to be put on a “waiting list.”

VBS needs your help! VBS donations tags

were given out on June 21/22. Please

return VBS tag items by Sunday, July 27.

Thank you for your generosity!

Middle and High School Volunteers will be

needed! Please be sure to save

August 11-15, 8:30-12:00 on your calendar!

A meeting for all VBS volunteers will be

held Wednesday, August 6, 6-7:30 p.m.

Help is needed for VBS set up

August 9/10. Contact Erin Bal

m-bal@sbcglobal.net for details.

Youth Ministry Summer Calendar

Join us for Adoration at 6:30 pm on

Sunday, July 20. Outside games to follow!

Crafting Night: Thursday,

July 24 from 5:00 to

8:00 p.m. we will be making

jewelry, bird and butterfly

houses, duct tape wallets,

crochet and knitting projects!

Sign up by calling the parish

office.

Noah’s Ark Bus Trip:

Tuesday, August 12

8:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Cost: $52 per person

includes all day pass and

coach bus transportation. Registration forms

are in the gathering space or contact Tanya

at the parish office. Deadline for

registration is Friday, August 1.

Who: All students grades 6-8

Where: Badger Sports Park, Appleton WI

When: Tuesday, July 22, 5:30-8:30

Details: Meet at the parking lot at St. Raphael to caravan to Badger Sports Park.

We will: Eat unlimited pizza and soda

Play mini golf, arcade games, go-cart, laser tag and more!

Laugh and talk with friends

Cost: $15 per person to cover cost of ticket and food. (Additional spending money is optional.) Drivers Needed: We will need parent/driver’s chaperones for the trip.

RSVP: Fill out the permission slip online or at Kiosk 85 and return it and $15 to Jessie Adrians by

Friday, July 18

JULY 20, 2014 SIXTEENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME | 5

Reflecting on the Scriptures (Wis. 12:13-19, Ps. 86:5-16, Rom. 8:26-27, Matt. 13:24-43)

“Do you want us to go and pull them [the weeds] up?’ He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.” ---Matt. 13:28-30

This is the year of rain. God has watered my garden well and often. Until recently I hadn’t even tapped my rain barrel. While we’ve been receiving frequent precipitation, I’ve had fewer opportunities to weed, and boy, are they thriving! They were the first to resurrect this spring, and they’ve had the upper hand all along.

It’s one thing to pull a weed or two and quite another to uproot the entire garden in order to get rid of the undesirables. This is certainly true of trying to eradicate all of the sin in my life. I find myself strongly identifying with St. Paul when he writes, “For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want.” (Rom. 7:19) I can be kind and loving, yet unkind thoughts and words appear out of nowhere, like weeds. Yes, it’s possible to be seeking God with all of my heart, yet find myself with the troublesome growth of sin springing up. And I hate those sins and inclinations in myself. I am tending my spiritual garden daily, and I clean out the weeds through prayer, Sacrament of Reconciliation, watering the soil with the Word of God, and fertilizing it with prayers to the Holy Spirit to guide and lead. So here I am wishing to bear only the good fruit of faith, yet I’m also growing weeds, many of which are known as “invasives” in the world of horticulture.

So, here’s a key point of today’s Gospel. The sins I commit don’t, in truth, agree with the person that God created me to be. Yes, they are “invasives”, trying to take over, like weeds in the garden, but they are only a fragment of who I am. My urge to impress others falsely, to get what I want no matter what, to be lazy, tendency to be irritable, obstinate, greedy, gluttonous or … (fill in the blank), these are never the complete reality of my truest self, who bears the fingerprint of my creator God. And this is why the Lord does not rip out the weeds in people. Mixed in with all the crab grass, there is beautiful pasture land that God loves very much.

Perhaps showing understanding and kindness to the voice within that itches to do wrong will settle it down if I just love it as I would a naughty child, into goodness. Imagine if Jesus had condemned his crucifiers from the cross, “Father, eternal damnation on these people because of what they are doing to me,” thus, tearing out both weeds and wheat. But instead he leaves the weeds alone and says, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

Lord, help me to deal with the sins in my life, through prayer and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, always recognizing that I am created in your image and am striving to be the fullest and best version of who you created me to be.

Betty Schwandt - Pastoral Associate

Have you ever thought about becoming Catholic but aren’t sure how or where to begin the process? Do you have questions about Mary, the

sacraments, the Mass, saints, the Pope, Catholic views?

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the process that begins the Catholic journey of faith. Beginning September, inquirers and team members meet Monday evenings to break open the scriptures, share life and faith experiences, reflect on God’s grace and focus on questions about the Catholic faith.

If you or someone you know is interested in or curious about the Catholic faith, consider the RCIA program. There is nothing to sign or commit to. The process is open to all adults. Contact Judy Mayo at 920-426-3627 or jmayo@lourdesacademyoshkosh.org

Baptism Preparation

Infants accept the faith through the faith of their parents, so St. Raphael the Archangel Parish offers group sessions to prepare parents for the baptism ceremony and for leading their children in a life of faith. Sessions are held twice per month, all year round. Please call, e-mail or stop by the parish office to register for the Baptism Preparation group session and to schedule your child’s baptism. See the parish website for more details. (www.raphael.org)

6 | ST. RAPHAEL PARISH · OSHKOSH

WORKING WITH THE SCRIPTURES – (MT. 13:24-43) This week’s Gospel is what I like to call “Water Cooler Wisdom”. Good seed produces a good crop. Or, for the purposes of our more urban population, ethical decision making is good business practice! The recent Starbuck’s scholarship fund story is a good example but there are other, less publicized, stories all around. Recently a young architect was involved in a minor traffic accident for which he took full financial and personal responsibility. Months later his firm was awarded a million-dollar project. The major decision maker for the client turned out to be the other person involved in the accident. He was impressed by the young architect’s honesty and integrity and, because of that encounter, acted on his confidence that the same values would be brought to the contract. When we read the papers and watch the news it seems that fraud and dishonesty rule the day. “Clean up the mess” (“tear out the weeds!”) is our first response. But “Water Cooler Wisdom” . . . and the words of Jesus . . . say think again. Look “inside”, see as God sees. Does judging the motives and actions of others somehow relieve us of the responsibility to answer for our own? A few days ago I was drinking coffee in a local cafe. In the early morning quiet of the restaurant these words came to me: Green chair seats pulled up to white tables. Who will sit here? What burdens will be laid down . . . or picked up . . . at these tables? What stories? plans? dreams? frustrations? hurts? failures? successes? will be discussed here today? What weight will these chairs bear? What food will be eaten here? What hungers fed? What feet will walk this wooden floor? Where will they come from? Where will they go? Lord God, bless this place. Bring peace and joy to the hearts and lives of those who will pass this way today. Amen. This Sunday’s Scripture passages are about God’s action in our lives and our response. In the final analysis (the “harvest” of our life), how do we measure up?

Vinal Van Benthem

SUMMER MEMORIAL MASSES

SCHEDULE

The Oshkosh Catholic Parishes would like to continue the tradition of celebrating Summer Memorial Masses at each of our three Catholic Cemeteries; Riverside Catholic, Sacred Heart and Calvary Cemeteries.

We want to encourage all parish families to participate and pray for our family members and friends who have moved on to life with Jesus Christ in heaven. Please come even if you do not presently have loved ones in a particular cemetery. Your prayers and participation in these Masses is a powerful witness to our Catholic faith in a life beyond death with Christ.

Bring lawn chairs and plan to visit the graves of loved ones. If it rains, we will postpone and plan another date that we will announce in the bulletins.

If anyone has any questions in advance, please feel free to call Thomas Donovan Cemetery Administrator at 920-379-6482.

The next Memorial Mass will be:

Tuesday, August 19, 2014 Location: Riverside Cemetery Presider: Fr. Jim Jugenheimer

Human Concerns

Commission

“I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did

this to one of these least brothers of mine

you did it for me” -Mt. 25:40.

Week Ahead: Preparing for Back to School Fair

Continuous opportunities for service:

Fr. Carr’s Place 2B: Call 920-231-2178 or Web:

www.frcarrsplace2b.com to help.

Thought for the day…

ASAP=Always Say A Prayer!

JULY 20, 2014 SIXTEENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME| 7

Community Back to School Fair The 17th annual Back to School Fair collection will be July 21-22 & July 26-27. The mission

of the Fair is to give the most needy Oshkosh children the opportunity to return to school with the

necessary supplies in order to be on a more equal level with their peers. Students who receive these items

are referred by participating agencies. The goal for 2014/2015 is 1000 children.

Please choose a tag from the tree in the Gathering Space and purchase any of the items on the

tag. The items are not child specific but are for a general age group.

Do not wrap the items. Return them to the Gathering Space by August 3. Cash donations may also be given. Checks should be written to Community Back to School Fair.

Our New Neighbor: the Little Free Library

Our parish has a new little neighbor - a Little Free Library! The Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother's retirement home, SSM Franciscan Courts, located across

the street at 815 S. Westhaven Drive, has installed a Little Free Library near its entrance. This allows anyone who passes by to take a book or return a book. The idea is to encourage reading for all ages. Stop by the Little Free Library today!

Esto Vir Oshkosh Men's Spirituality Morning

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Celebrant/Speaker: Fr. Michael Warden

Topic: Stella Maris: Mary, the star of the New Evangelization

MBS Parish - St. Josaphat Church 1333 Walnut St. (Corner of Walnut St. & Congress Ave.) Oshkosh

7:00 am – Registration 7:00 am to 7:35 am – Confession (Fr. Warden) 7:15 am - Holy Rosary 7:45 am - Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (Fr. Warden) 8:15 am - Continental Breakfast/Fellowship 8:45 am - 9:15 am - Speaker: (Fr. Warden) 9:30 am - Wrap Up

Free Will Offering

Contact Person: Dcn John at (920) 203-9272 or deaconji@gmail.com

Learn the biblical principals of eliminating debt, building positive cash flow, investing and tithing. With 33% of Christian marriages ending in divorce and money being the #1 cause, it is time to take back control and no longer be a slave to debt. Find Financial Peace in your home!

To Register: Contact the parish office 233-8044 or email parish.office@raphael.org

Classes Start Thursday, August 28 9 weeks 6-8 pm St. Raphael Church

Cost: $100 per family

Bella Medical Clinic Thanks YOU!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the

Bella Medical Clinic baby bottle campaign. Year to

date we have raised over $4300.

8 | ST. RAPHAEL PARISH · OSHKOSH

PARISH LIFE

Readings for the Week of July 20, 2014 Sunday: Wis 12:13, 16-19, Rom 8:26-27, Mt 13:24-43 or 13:24-30 Monday: Mi 6:1-4, 6-8, Mt 12:38-42 Tuesday: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20, Jn 20:1-2, 11-18 Wednesday: Jer 1:1, 4-10, Mt 13:1-9 Thursday: Jer 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13, Mt 13:10-17 Friday: 2 Cor 4:7-15 Mt 20:20-28 Saturday: Jer 7:1-11 Mt 13:24-30 Next Sunday: 1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12, Rom 8:28-30, Mt 13:44-52 or 13:44-46

©Liturgical Publications Inc

STEWARDSHIP OF TIME & TALENT

LITURGICAL ROLES JULY 26 & 27, 2014

GREETERS

5:00 pm M. Malchow, K. Hetue, E. Miller,

R. Vandersee Family

7:30 am S. Feryan, B. Griesbach, C. & J. Kocken

9:00 am M. & C. Vanden Heuvel, J. Brady,

E. & A. Leafgren

11:00 am M. & L. Neveau, A. Patzwald,

A. Spaulding Family

USHERS

5:00 pm D. Strand, T. Mettlach, B. Feig, J. White

7:30 am W. Nocito, D. Shikoski, C. Hayes,

T. Hellmann

9:00 am R. Coshenet, T. & B. Glaeser, M. Diker

11:00 am L. Robinson, S. Hawi, N. Hofacker,

D. Kersztyn

SERVERS

5:00 pm Chloe Downs, Dylan Konop, Hans Woldt

7:30 am Martell Family

9:00 am Jacob Diker, Abby Leafgren, Ian Leafgren

11:00 am Carver Schmidt, Diani Tessier,

Katie Tessier

LECTORS

5:00 pm M. White, C. McCabe

7:30 am W. Baurecht, R. Vandenhouten

9:00 am C. Thies, B. Thies

11:00 am S. Hawi, C. Byron

SACRISTANS

5:00 pm P. Blackmore

7:30 am L. Loker

9:00 am H. Roesch

11:00 am T. Glasnapp

MUSICIANS

5:00 pm Annemarie/Small Group

7:30 am Jenna/Megan

9:00 am Elizabeth/Kate

11:00 am Jon/Leah/Sydney

Mass Intentions

Saturday, July 19 5:00 pm Bob Sosinski † Raymond Zelhofer † Sunday, July 20 7:30 am Helen Ruedinger † Anne Casse † 9:00 am Elizabeth Bellen † Kathryn & Louis Ranieri † 11:00 am Walter & Bernice Sawicki † Elda Andreini † Monday, July 21 8:00 am At Franciscan Courts † Tuesday, July 22 8:00 am At Franciscan Courts † Wednesday, July 23 8:00 am At Franciscan Courts † Thursday, July 24 7:15 am Bill Vande Hei † Friday, July 25 7:15 am Noah Zeinert † Saturday, July 26 5:00 pm Jose Gutierrez † Carol Sanders † Sunday, July 27 7:30 am Elaine Reiter † 9:00 am David & Gloria Schreiber † Bob Manders † 11:00 am John & Teckla Check †

R U Support is a ministry to the recently unemployed and under-employed. We meet in Good Samaritan Hall at St. Raphael Parish on Monday morning from 8:30 – 10:30 am. All are welcome.

Questions? Call Dennis Kotloski at 920-830-8980.

Sunday 5pm Mass

Our Sunday night Mass will resume on September 7th. We will be scheduling ministers in the following areas: Greeters, Lectors, Ushers, Servers and Sacristans. If you and/or family members would be willing to be scheduled as Sunday night ministers, please call the office at 233-8044 or email Jill at jill.eaton@raphael.org. Your help is greatly needed!