Messenger

Winter I ssue 2019

515 N. Main S t.

Holmen, WI 54636

MOTHER SETON

The purpose of the Mother Seton Messenger is to assist a congregation of worshipers in

becoming a communion of believers who act for the betterment of all.

First expressions photography

Advent: Season of Waiting The Church gives us the Advent season as a time of joy and hope, of preparation, and of waiting patiently for the coming of

the Lord. It is a season that looks both to the past and to the future. Pope Francis has told us that “We Christians are called

to safeguard and spread the joy of waiting: we await God who loves us infinitely.” Several parishioners offer their thoughts

here on waiting - waiting for a surgical procedure, waiting for the birth of twins, waiting to begin life together in marriage,

and waiting to come into full communion with the Church.

Sue Lund - Advent: Anticipatory Waiting!

Waiting - a difficult thing to do! Especially when it involves waiting to have risky spinal surgery. I have had

two spinal surgeries recently - one in March and one in September. There is doubt, angst, worry, prayer,

and finally acceptance and faith. Faith that the Lord is with you and your surgeons. Faith in the surgeon’s

education, skill, knowledge, and experience.

I call my surgery in March “My Miracle Surgery.” I had a calcified, ruptured disc in my thoracic spine. To

operate on it, my left lung had to be deflated. I was told there was a 10 percent risk of paralysis with the

surgery. There was an 80 percent risk I would be in a wheelchair within two years without the surgery. I

also would be on a ventilator after surgery. When I woke up in the recovery room, I was not sure that I had had the sur-

gery. I was not on a ventilator, I could move my legs, I was in NO pain. It was truly a miracle. (The surgeons had injected my

incision with an anesthetic.)

Faith and hope - an incomparable combination.

Melissa and Adam Glahn - Waiting is a difficult task, especially for Adam and me. When we first found out we were

adding twins to our family in December, we had a roller coaster of emotions... excitement, scared,

and overjoyed! We could not believe God blessed us with this gift. The appointments began, belly

grows, and our love for them. As our family grows from three to a family of five we reflect on our

blessings that God has given us. The months of preparation for us have been a time of togetherness,

stress, anxiousness, and happiness. The nine months of pregnancy is God’s way of preparing us

physically, emotionally, and spiritually for our little additions. We have grown even closer to God in this

time through prayer, Mass, and reflection. As we prepare our son, we know God is watching over us as

his time as the only child is coming to an end (which might be tough at first). We are anxiously waiting

for the babies to be here but know that all good things come to those who wait. Continued on page 4.

2 Mother Seton Messenger

Do You Know These Parishioners? These parishioners are siblings and were born in La Crosse and live in Onalaska with their younger brother and their parents. They both attend Holmen High School. One has a job in the food industry and as a janitor. The other one has worked as an umpire. They both have done or are doing extracurricular activities such as theater, recycling club, softball, basketball, powerlifting, and track and field. The older sibling wants to work in the medical field and is choosing which college to attend next fall. The younger would like to go into the medical field as well since they had to have surgery and spend a lot of time with therapists.

Away from school, they are active in volunteering at St. Elizabeth's Food Pantry, New Horizons women's shelter, Salvation Army, and other groups. Both think it is important to give back to others and to the community.

Both like to spend time with friends, family, and their dog. They love movies, playing video games, Mexican dominoes, and puzzles.

The identity of last issue’s parishioner is Mary Lenz (pictured with one of her “littles”), professional painter and wallpaper hanger, baker, and member of the Huberters.

For those who are stumped, the identity of this issue’s parishioners will be revealed in the next issue of the newsletter.

Winter 2019 Newsletter

Parr for the Course... In Rome on October 13, Cardinal John Henry Newman was canonized a saint by Pope Francis. Like so many

others yesterday and today, I have long considered him to be such and an exemplar in his Gospel life. After

my parents and the Blessed Mother, he has had the greatest impact in my life. Among his many gifts of mind

and heart is his eloquence with the written word. For a long while at this time of year I have pondered and

prayed his words about Advent. With gratitude to St. John Henry Newman, and gratitude to God for him, I

share his words with you.

And this I conceive is one of the main points which, in a practical way, will be found to separate the true and perfect servants of God

from the multitude called Christians—true Christians, whoever they are, watch, and inconsistent Christians do not. Now what is

watching?

I conceive it may be explained as follows: --Do you know the feeling in matters of this life, of expecting a friend, expecting him to

come, and he delays? Do you know what it is to be in unpleasant company and to wish for the time to pass away and the hour strike

when you may be at liberty? Do you know what it is to be in anxiety lest something should happen which may happen or may not, or

to be in suspense about some important event which makes your heart beat when you are reminded of it, and of which you think the

first thing in the morning? Do you know what it is to have a friend in a distant country, to expect news of him, and to wonder from

day to day what he is now doing, and whether he is well?......To watch for Christ is a feeling such as all these, as far as feelings of this

world are fit to shadow out those of another.

He watches for Christ who has a sensitive, eager, apprehensive mind, who is awake, alive, quick-sighted, zealous in seeking and

honoring Him; who looks out for Him in all that happens, and who would not be surprised, who would not be over-agitated or

overwhelmed, if he found that He was coming at once.

And he watches with Christ, who, while he looks onto the future, looks back on the past, and does not so contemplate what his

Savior has purchased for him, as to forget what He has suffered for him. He watches with Christ, who ever commemorates and

renews in his own person Christ’s Cross and Agony, and gladly takes up the mantle of affliction which Christ wore here, and left

behind Him when He ascended…

This then is to watch; to be detached from what is present and to live in what is unseen; to live in the thought of Christ, as He came

once, and as He will come again; to desire His second coming, from our affectionate and grateful remembrance of His first.

May these Advent days be blessed for you. St. John Henry Newman, pray for us.

Father John Parr

3 Winter 2019 Newsletter

Parish Life Eagle Scout Project Enhances St. Elizabeth’s Worship Space

Jake Hawes said that he put in “plenty of hours and lots of work outside of the troop to accomplish it” (his Eagle Scout

project). The result is: the parishioners of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish can worship in a place that he has made even

more worthy. As a server at Mass, Jake noticed that the wooden rectangles that form the platform for the altar and other

celebration furnishings in the worship space were in need of repair and refinishing. He decided to make this his Eagle

Scout project.

As a first step, Jake created a sample of what he hoped to do. The parish’s Buildings and Grounds volunteers provided

some suggestions and approved his plans. Jake then set to work creating schedules, setting up work times and due dates

for the completion of sections. Since worship services continued during the project, only a fraction of the 2’ by 4’

rectangles could be worked on at any one time. The parish could watch his progress as the refinished rectangles

appeared in place of worn ones.

Work began on the rectangles June 6. With 7-8 scouts

working at a time, the restoration required 231 hours. In

discussing what he learned from the project, Jake said that

repairing and refinishing the rectangles entailed learning

about both woodworking and flooring. He noted that

different finishing products had to be used on the new

parquet squares that were installed on the wooden base

than what was used to refinish the wooden portions. He

obtained funds for the project from St. Elizabeth’s

Huberters, the Knights of Columbus, and the Parish

Women’s group.

Jake is the son of David and Resa Hawes and a junior at

Holmen High School. He belongs to Troop 91, Holmen, and

has been a scout since first grade. He works part-time at

Features and hopes to attend Western Technical College and

pursue studies in Information Technology (IT).

In commenting on the appearance of the restored platform, Monsignor Del Malin said that the platform now “looked

better than when it was new.” The parish is indebted to Jake for seeing the need, acting on it, and enhancing our worship

environment.

Fifth Annual Wild Game Feed To Be Held February 22, 2020 St. Elizabeth’s Huberters are busy preparing for the fifth annual Wild Game Feed. Once again, a limited number of tickets

are available at $40 each. The menu is a variety of tasty game dishes, and there will be prizes and games of chance for

archery equipment, guns, and fishing gear.

The success of last year’s event allowed the group to give a $1500 scholarship to each of two parish high school

graduates, and to donate $4000 to the parish youth program and $16000 toward parish improvement (capital) projects.

The group also funded a new AED (automated external defibrillator) and a training class in its use, and donated $500 to

aid individuals with compelling needs.

Aside from the Wild Game Feed, St. Elizabeth’s Huberters seek to encourage enjoyment of the outdoors through hunting

and fishing activities. They have sponsored ice fishing outings and arranged pig hunts. This past hunting season, the

Huberters were able to obtain a bear tag and to arrange a successful bear hunt for a handicapped boy.

To obtain Wild Game Feed tickets, contact Pat Brueggen or any of St. Elizabeth’s Huberters. For more information, click

on St. Elizabeth’s Huberters under Councils/Committees on the parish website: seasholmen.org.

Mother Seton Messenger

Jake Hawes and his completed Eagle Scout project.

4 Mother Seton Messenger

Parish Life

New Welcoming Committee Hosts First Welcome Weekend

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in

Christ Jesus.” This biblical verse from Galatians truly states the welcoming attitude of God. Our God is a welcoming

God. We, as God’s people, are called upon to be a welcoming presence, a welcoming parish. We must ask ourselves,

“Do we exemplify a welcoming attitude to those who join us each weekend at Mass? Do we, as a Stewardship Parish,

reach out to our first-time visitors as well as to our new parishioners?”

Our parish continues to grow, and we are blessed by the presence of each new member. To ensure that we are

meeting the needs of our new parishioners, a Welcoming Committee has been recently formed . This committee was

organized with the goal of making all individuals feel welcome when joining our parish family. The mission of the

Welcoming Committee is to extend a welcoming spirit of community and offer a deeper spiritual and personal

connection to the parish. This ministry seeks to enhance the faith community, strengthen attendance at Mass, and

provide avenues for involvement in parish ministries, organizations, and activities for the entire family.

On October 19th and 20th, the Welcoming Committee hosted our first “Welcome Weekend.” We, as a parish, held a

reception after each of the weekend Masses and welcomed the 22 new individuals and families who have registered

with us since January of 2019. We are grateful to all the new parishioners who attended. We are also thankful for all

our current parishioners who joined us, greeting our new parish family members and helping make all who enter our

church feel welcome. We are so blessed by the presence of everyone who helps complete the mosaic of our St.

Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish family.

Advent: Waiting Continued from page 1.

Liz Murray and Connor Rumpca- “We’re engaged!” we excitedly told our families almost one year ago. Ever since

then, it has been wait…wait…wait for the big day to come. All the preparation that

goes into this day and then poof! It’s over. But, then it’s the start of our life together.

Advent is also a time of wait…wait…wait. During this time, we’re preparing for

another big day – the birth of Jesus. It’s here, and then gone. During the engagement,

a lot of planning, organizing, and most importantly, marriage preparation must occur.

All of that preparation must be done with intention to achieve the best outcome, and

the same goes for Advent. It’s a time for us prepare for the birth of Jesus and

understand just what that means for the rest of our lives. Let us intentionally prepare for the birth of Jesus, with

as much excitement and joy as we do for a wedding!

Travis Elam - My journey into the church hasn't been a long one but I'm glad I’m making it. I was raised Lutheran by

my parents but never took it very seriously. It wasn't until I became engaged to my fiancé Briana

that I considered becoming Catholic. She and I want to raise a family with good values and we

both agreed that joining the church and building a better relationship with God is the way to do

that. To be honest, I didn’t even know that you could become Catholic if you weren't raised and

baptized in the Catholic Church. Over the past couple of years, I have gone to mass at St. Elizabeth

with Briana and her family on the holidays and enjoyed it. Also, the Catholic Church has been very

generous to my handicapped father and I'm very grateful for that. I am looking forward to joining

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish and becoming a member of the Catholic community.

Winter 2019 Newsletter

Book Reviews

By Kathy Smalley

Everybody Needs to Forgive Somebody

Allen R. Hunt, 132 pages, paperback, 2016

Tattooed on the inside of my right wrist is 70X7X.

The reason why I had it inked there is a long story,

but it is my constant reminder of Jesus’ command

and my way of remembering the need to ask for forgiveness and to forgive those who have

hurt me. Jesus said we are to forgive others “seventy times seven” (70X7X) in response to

Peter’s question, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?

Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21-22). Jesus tells us, when he teaches us to pray, that we

are only capable of this type of forgiving spirit because the Spirit of God lives within us, and it is He who

provides the ability to offer forgiveness over and over, just as God forgives us over and over.

Allen Hunt’s book is few in pages but immense in meaning and inspiration. Hunt shares the stories of twelve

real people who discovered the life-changing power of grace through forgiveness. He breaks the book into

three parts: “Receiving Forgiveness,” “Deciding to Forgive,” and “Sharing Forgiveness.” Hunt is a senior

advisor at Dynamic Catholic. The Dynamic Catholic team, “is dedicated to reenergizing the Catholic Church in

the US by developing world-class resources that inspire people to rediscover the genius of Catholicism.”

In the prologue to the book, Hunt says, “The truth is obvious: Jesus very simply, is all about forgiveness. So

much so that His first sermon is just one word, ‘Repent!’ as He makes it plain that we need forgiveness. And

His last words are uttered to the Father from the cross on behalf of the soldiers below. ‘Father, forgive them,

for they know not what they do.’”

About midway through the book, Hunt shares the story of Gary. Hunt says, “Forgiving is not forgetting. They

are two very different things.” Gary is dealing with the pain and hurt from a twenty-five-year-old wound.

Hunt goes on to say, “No eraser exists that can remove all the damage or the memory of it. But Gary chooses

each day to forgive, to set aside the past rather than forgetting it, and to spend his effort on making this day

the most fruitful it can be. He doesn’t forget the hurt; rather, he moves past it.”

He closes the book with a chapter entitled, “Why We Call It Good Friday.” Here, Hunt says, “The lesson is

simple: Give forgiveness and you will unleash a flood of grace from heaven. Everybody needs to forgive

somebody. When you do just that, you will open the door to becoming the-best-version-of-yourself as you

lavish God’s grace on people around you and on yourself. Best of all, you will also discover that you are

touching the very heart of God.”

One of the things I appreciate about this book is the study guide for group discussion that is included at the

end of the book. It goes hand-in-hand with the reflection questions and “real life help” suggestions at the

end of each person’s story. It can easily be used for small group conversation for high school-aged religious

education classes or adult prayer groups. The study guide includes opening and closing prayers for each

chapter in addition to the reflection questions.

If you are looking for an easy read with profound insights and lasting value, this book is for you. Remember,

as Allen Hunts says in his book, everybody needs to forgive somebody.

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and to discover that the prisoner was you.” (Lewis Smedes)

5 Winter 2019 Newsletter Mother Seton Messenger

The parish of St. Elizabeth Ann

Seton is established to bring us

together as a Catholic Faith

Community. Our parish life

centers on the Eucharist,

during which we celebrate the

presence of the Risen Lord

among us. As a baptized faith

community, we the people of

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish are open to the

Spirit of Jesus who brings to us new life.

We provide support for all our members

through liturgy, worship, the sacraments,

religious education, service and social events.

We reflect a familial love in our ministry to one

another. We are witnesses to the Christ who

has touched our lives. We are His Church and

proclaim His Gospel. We pursue justice and

peace. We are responsible to the community

at large of Holmen, the Diocese and the

World.

Here to Serve You Staff Pastor Father John Parr ......................................................................... 526-4424 Pastor Emeritus Monsignor Delbert J. Malin ......................................................... 526-4908 Pastoral Associate Sister Bridget Donaldson, O.S.B................................................. 526-4849 Pastoral Minister Carol Reider ................................................................................ 526-4424 Coordinator Religious Education, 3 year old –5th Grade Mary Luebke ............................................................................... 526-4424 Director Religious Education, 6 –12th Grade/Youth Minister Patrick Brueggen ........................................................................ 526-4424 Director of Music Beth Lakmann ............................................................................. 526-4424 Secretary Sandy Jerue .............................................................................. 526-4424

Editorial Staff Publisher…………………………………………………. .. …..Father John Parr Editor ............................................................................. Katherine Warzynski Book Review Editor………………………………….. .………….Kathy Smalley

Publication Schedule Vol 7 No 1 March 2019 Vol 7 No 3 September 2019 Vol 7 No 2 June 2019 Vol 7 No 4 December 2019

Deadline for articles is the 1st of the preceding month. Send all inquiries to:

Father John Parr Church of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 515 N. Main St., Holmen, WI 54636-9387

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