D3
4th Sunday of Ordinary Time, January 30, 2022
Jer 1:4-5, 17-19/1 Cor 12:31—13:13 or 13:4-13/Lk 4:21-30
    Today we kick off Catholic Schools Week.  This is a joyous celebration for Catholic education, when we take time out of the busy day-to-day schedules, to pause and think about the blessings our Catholic PSR Academies and Parish Schools provide to our families. Families are the first teachers in the faith; not only in their religious practices, but in raising their children with love, respect, and a strong sense of morals. We are fortunate to have classrooms filled with students who have already been shown how to walk in Jesus’ footsteps. It is through these beginnings that teachers can continue to help students grow in their faith. 

     We are thankful for the teachers, who have demonstrated their excellence over this past year, through their flexibility in their delivery of instruction. We have been through remote, hybrid, and in-person learning and with each situation, our faculty and staff have responded to meet the needs of students and families.  Our students grow not only through the academic excellence provided by teachers but also through the support which comes from their homes families and our church.
I grew up in a family that embraced education and their faith.  I was taught by the Adores of the Blood of Christ Sisters, from Ruma and many dedicated lay teachers.  I remember each of them, now, a part of their love of education and faith resides inside of me.  In 2018, after my ordination to the Holy Priesthood, Bishop Braxton asked me where I felt I could best serve the people of the Diocese.  Without hesitation, I said, “I would take a parish with a school.”  Sure, Catholic schools present their own challenges, but the rewards (for me) always triumph!  So today my dear friends, I again reaffirm my commitment to Catholic Education.  I will do my best to promote our small but growing school each and every day.  I ask you today, to join me!  Many hands working together will achieve success.  Both of our parishes, St. Lawerence and St. Mary have a long history of Catholic education.  Let us do all in our power to “hand on the faith,” to the next generation.  It is an immense responsibility with many crosses to carry.  Through prayer, hard work, dedication, and love we can make it happen! 
3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, January 23, 2022
Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10/1 Cor 12:12-30 or 12:12-14, 27/Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21
              Every single Inaugural Address from George Washington’s to Joe Biden’s has been preserved. In these speeches, presidents have laid out for the country their dreams, goals, and aspirations. Here is a part of the speech given by our first president, George Washington (April 30, 1789), when he bravely acknowledged the role of God in his administration: He said, “It would be improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being Who rules over the universe, Who presides in the councils of nations, and Whose providential aids can supply every human defect.” Franklin Roosevelt said on March 4, 1933, “This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly.” Americans remember the role of citizens outlined in President John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address (January 20, 1961), “In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. …. And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” More recently we call to mind Ronald Reagan’s American Song theme in 1985: “hopeful, big-hearted, idealistic – daring, decent and fair. That’s our heritage, that’s our song… we raise our voices to the God who is the author of this most tender music.” No doubt you were able to identify several of the presidents by the historical references or by the famous lines, and while all of these Inaugural Addresses are important, some are moving, inspiring and worthy of remembrance.
              Today in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 4, we have listened to an “inaugural address” delivered not to a Nation but to a synagogue congregation; not in an American city but in a poor village, Nazareth, in Galilee; and not by a man elected by the power of the people but by the God-man Jesus, anointed with the power of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus outlines his mission, vision and dreams in this famous reflection and teaching. For Luke, the word that best summarizes the person and work of Jesus is the word “prophet.” In the story we heard today, Jesus is a different kind of prophet. The prophet Jesus says, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” When the prophet Jesus says, “Today the Scripture is fulfilled,” he turns memory into mission. He transforms a hope into an assignment. He claims the beautiful poetry of Isaiah as his job description.

2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, January 16, 2022
Is 62:1-5/1 Cor 12:4-11/Jn 2:1-11
     Today the Church begins Ordinary Time. There is nothing ordinary about it! Jesus begins his ministry today with the first public miracle. This miracle at the wedding of Cana wasn’t planned; it happened out of necessity. A newlywed couple wants everything to go perfectly. The most significant factor I encounter with couples preparing for marriage is stress, especially the bride—those who have been there knowing exactly how that feels. Like a medical doctor, I write a prescription – a spa day! Take some time, relax, let that stress melt away. The best planning, attention to detail, and pinpointing every problem sometimes don’t do the trick. This raging pandemic has caused last-minute cancelations and plenty of unwanted stress. At the marriage at Cana, Mary noticed a problem. She knew how embarrassing it would be for the newlywed couple. She asked her son, Jesus, to intervene. Today, we call it “mom-power,” moms have a way of getting their kids to do whatever they want. A classic scene from “A Christmas Story” shows mom convincing a reluctant son Randy to eat by making him pretend to be a pig at a trough.   Success! A wedding feast is a joyous time to celebrate a couple beginning a journey together. If all else fails, call on “mom-power!”
     The Lord wants to tell us today that life is a feast. A feast? With all its troubles and miseries? Yes, a feast, if we learn to look at it with eyes of faith, if we come to see what makes life beautiful. We all have our daily cares, we may have days of mourning and problems, but the most profound reality is that we are not alone, that we have God, who lets us drink the wine of his love, God who gives us Jesus to lead us to him. Let us drink the wine of joy! Says Isaiah, God delights in his people as a groom delight in his bride. God adorns us with various gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. Jesus performs his first miracle at the wedding at Cana.
Baptism of the Lord, Sunday, January 9, 2022
Is 42:1-4, 6-7/Acts 10:34-38/Lk 3:15-16, 21-22

          This past Wednesday evening as I traveled home from Milwaukee after the preaching conference was not usual.  On the northern track, there were about two inches of snow.  The wind was blowing at over 20 miles per hour which made driving dangerous.  I was happy Deacon Arthur was diving, not me!  But it helped me to understand, that our journey is not always a smooth interstate highway.  It has ups and downs, snow, snow sleet, and hail.  It also has beauty, such as blowing snow, are the majestic windmills dotting the interstate. 
            The road to the manger is not an Interstate. Nor is the journey sentimental. The path is decorated neither with candy canes nor red-nosed reindeer. There are no shortcuts. The Advent journey begins in a darkness so deep you can see the stars. From there it leads by the Jordan River and its prophet, John. If we could only get to the babe without having to hear the Baptist cry, "Repent!" John would never make the list of the ten best dressed, nor win anybody's popularity contests.  I'm not certain I want my world to be much different than it is now. Do you? Perhaps there is no superhighway we can take from here to Bethlehem. Perhaps we can never get there at all until some landscape is leveled, some mountains pulled down, some valleys built up, some crooked places straightened, and some rough spots made smooth. If that is our task, we had better be about it, lest when he comes, we shall miss him, and missing him miss life at its best."
            Within just a few weeks we have traveled from the birth of Jesus to his baptism in the Jordan river at age 30.  That doesn’t diminish those thirty years that he walked the earth.  They were just as important as the last three.  They provided him with the knowledge and understanding of humanity.  Today, allow yourself to travel that long winding road, we call life’s journey. 

Epiphany, Sunday, January 2, 2022
Is 60:1-6/Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12
     Thank you so much for remembering me during this holy time.  The beautiful cards, delicious treats, candy, notes, phone calls, visits, and wonderful gifts are such a blessing.  I am deeply thankful that God has allowed me to serve as your Pastor.  I am ever mindful of the honor of being called “Father”, yet also mindful of the obligation I have to love and serve you in any way I possibly can.  May God continue to bless our amazing parish family, your family, and everyone who loves and serves the Lord!   Fr. Steve

Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, Saturday, January 1, 2022
Nm 6:22-27/Gal 4:4-7/Lk 2:16-21
A New Year’s Blessing from Father Steve,
     Happy New Year to you! In everything, our faith tells us that we must always give thanks and praise to God, the Father Almighty.  I am thankful to Him for His many blessings upon us as a parish family. I never fail to marvel at what a wonderful family we have here at St. Lawrence and St. Mary Parish. My thanks and appreciation go to you all.   I pray God to bless and reward you for your dedication and devotion to our beloved parishes and school. Thank you also for your tolerance, patience,  understanding, goodwill, and prayers.  This continues to be a great source of strength and support for me. 
     Thank you for your benevolence and cooperation ~ your words of comfort and compliments ~your constructive criticisms and useful advice.  Your strong faith, your smiles, and your laughter have always lifted my spirit.  I wish you and your family a blessed, happy, peaceful, and healthy New Year in 2022.  God bless you and your loved ones! Sincerely Yours in Christ, Fr. Steve