Holy Spirit Parish

 
   We are Disciples

      Called to Worship

  and Sent to Serve

Dear Holy Spirit Parish:                                                               August 9,  2020

 “Jesus said ‘Come’. And Peter stepped out of the boat....” (Matthew 14:29)

Congratulations to children making their first Holy Communions today, as well as those making them the next two Sundays. Congratulations to you parents for remaining faithful to the promise you made at their baptism to raise them with faith. And, congratulations to our catechists and all others who’ve had a part in supporting these children’s parents in growing faith in their hearts. It does take a village to raise a child!

With all of you I pray that the Eucharist will guard and protect these children throughout their lives. And with Matthew, the writer of today’s Gospel, I pray the Eucharist will also move these children to step out of their boats and walk in faith when needed in life. It is another one of Jesus’ paradoxes. Like the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Like she who gave the least gave the most. So also Jesus comforts the disturbed, and disturbs the comfortable. Sometimes he calms the storm, and sometimes he asks us to walk through it.

It is a good indication that a bishop is truly following Christ if sometimes he comforts us and sometimes disturbed us. Just after last week’s bulletin went to press, Governor Evers promulgated the policy that all in Wisconsin must wear masks when in enclosed spaces other than the home. The next day, July 30th, Bishop Callahan sent out a letter and an update to his policy for the Diocese of Lacrosse. Here are excerpts from the letter and the policy update: 

”...I, like all of you, long for the return to some semblance of normalcy, but, once again, we are reminded that the virus continues to change our world and we are responsible for the safety of all who enter our Churches and participate at the Mass. ....Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers issued a new public health emergency today which includes a statewide mask mandate. .... Given our reverence for life and human dignity I call on the Catholic faithful to comply with these regulations. Be strong and let your heart take courage.”

“On 14 May 2020 the Diocese of La Crosse issued Guidelines for the Public Celebration of Masses. Effective 1 August 2020 this additional directive should be followed within the Diocese of La Crosse. Face masks/ coverings must be worn by all individuals, 5 years or older, present within our Churches, businesses and office spaces, or attending any function associated with the ministry of the Diocese of La Crosse. 

• Face coverings are required when indoors or in enclosed space, other than private residence (Enclosed space is defined as a confined space, open to the public, where individuals congregate)
• Face coverings are required when another person(s) who are not members of individual’s household or living unit are present in the same room or enclosed space
• Face coverings are required even if you are able to maintain proper social distancing
• Face coverings must be worn to cover the nose and mouth completely
• Face coverings should not include face shields, mesh masks or masks with holes, openings or vents
• Exceptions are made for certain individuals who are exempt as outlined in the CDC guidance Individuals may remove the face covering in the following situations:. While a single individual is giving a religious presentation, the single speaker may remove the face covering while actively speaking. While the face covering is removed, the speaker must remain at least 6 feet away from all other individuals at all times. (exception vi.-emergency order #1)”. (End of Bisohp’s policy statement)

I hear the calm steady voice of Christ in Bishop’s Callahan’s words above: “Given our reverence for life and human dignity I call on all Catholic faithful to comply. Be strong and take courage. " Lord I come. 

Fr Steve

Our first listening session will be virtual on August 18th at 7pm. African Americans who either grew up in Stevens Point or went to the University here will be sharing their experiences. Our Zoom call has a limit on participants and in order to monitor the number of people planning to attend the session, a sign up has been created. The Sign up genius link can be found here: 
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0548A9A82BA6FB6-social

 Click Here for additional resources and information regarding racial injustice. 

Join in our live streamed weekday Mass Tuesday through Friday at 8:15am by clicking on the "Parish Facebook" button above.  A screen should appear about 8:10am.

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