September 06th, 2019

Q: As Catholics, we talk a lot about "redemptive suffering" and "carrying your cross."                         What does that mean practically in daily life?
 
             When Jesus spoke these words, they would have sounded quite intense to his hearers. "Pick up your cross daily and follow me." At the time, Jesus hadn't yet been crucified. A cross was a Roman torture instrument. "Pick up the thing that tortures you the most," Jesus seemed to say. Unfortunately, most of us have no real shortage of these in our life. To take up the cross isn't to seek out new sufferings in our life. It's to accept the life we have.
Of course, unjust or unhealthy circumstances should be rectified when possible. But there are always circumstances that remain out of our immediate control. It could be pain management, the defiance of our teenage child, or an unhealthy work environment... but you need the paycheck to pay the bills. In difficult circumstances, it can be easier to blame, complain, or daydream our way out of it. None of these are real solutions, since none of them accept the reality of the situation at hand. Those options only add to our suffering, since they damage relationships, fixate on the problem, or set up unrealistic expectations.
Instead, Jesus invites us to take up our cross - to look at the uncomfortable situation square in the eyes, take a deep breath, and do our best to be present to God's grace in the moment. To love those in our path. To take things one step at a time.
 
I you plan on spending time in the RE classrooms or chaperone in some form you must complete the safe environment training through our diocese.  Only those adults who have been trained will be allowed to spend time with our youth per the bishops of the United States.  Contact Kathy at 715-762-4494 x116 for more information.
 
Calendar:
Registration forms/calendars for RE are available at the parish office.
Sept. 18=first Religious ed classes for everyone
                          Grades K-5 from 3:45-5:00
                          Grades 6-11 from 7:00-8:15pm
Sept 25=class K-11
 
 
Nothing is so strong as gentleness; nothing is so gentle as real strength.  ~St. Francis de Sales