Holy Spirit Parish

Dear Holy Spirit Parish:                                     October 17, 2021

    “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant….”
                                                                                                   (Mark 10:43)
 
You better sit down for this one.  I had to.  It is with great sadness and sweet joy that I share that our beloved Lee Olsen is retiring December 1^st.  The great sadness is for us.  The sweet joy is for her.  A week ago Lee’s daughter, Amelia and husband Aaron accepted an offer on their home and began preparations for moving back to Stevens Point.  That in itself is wonderful news.  But what is even more exciting is they are bringing with them ... Lee & Gary’s first grandchild…Grace!  Pictures of Grace on every computer and shelf in the office just aren’t meeting Lee’s needs for a grandchild fix anymore. Lee wants to be the primary caregiver for Grace like Lee’s mother was for Amelia.
 
Lee promises she will make the transition for the next person smooth and problem free.  I would scoff at such a promise—-it will be impossible to replace her—except that Lee has day in and day out done the impossible. Please stay tuned for news of a retirement party in her honor.  But for now we’ll let Gospel writer Mark sum up our feelings.  “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant.”  Lee you are great.
 
And yes we are actively searching for the right person to pick up where Lee has left off.  A job description and application are available on the parish website.  The job description includes keeping track of everything, taking care of everyone, and filling the office with joy. 
 
This coming Thursday the Pastoral Council will be meeting with the Faith Formation Committee.  The Council thinks it is to talk about implementing the vision of Fr. Mallon as expressed in his book Divine Renovation.  All who have been reading the book know that Alpha is one of the primary engines of parish transformation for Fr. Mallon.  But the Faith Formation Committee is also coming with proposals of their own.  A primary desire for them is expanding ministry to our middle and high school youth.  Their hope is to move from a college intern to a full time Youth Minister.  Where else in life will they hear the message:  If you want to be great, serve others?
 
This Saturday will be our first wedding for the year. Ellie Brzezinski and Ryan Schmidt will be placing their lives in God’s hands.  December 31^st new parish members Austin Swisher and Shannon O’Fallon will marry in their home Church in Menomonie, IL.  Presently we have three weddings scheduled for 2022 and one for 2023.  Ellie and Ryan, you are a rare and precious couple, willing to make a permanent commitment with God as its foundation.  Or in the words of today’s Gospel, who are willing to be great in the way that comes from laying down your life for a family.  Congratulations!
 
Next Sunday we will have our second RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) gathering.  At our first meeting we had five candidates: two unbaptized, one coming form another Christian Church and two Catholics seeking Confirmation.  I am aware of two others who have expressed interest in the past. Of those who came, three are currently UWSP students and two are recent graduates.  Our first meeting was so very encouraging.  Absolutely lovely young people.
 
I, and our Campus Ministry Committee are looking forward to your feedback on Fr. Billy Dodge and the two UW La Crosse students testimonies about FOCUS ministries today.  If you didn’t get one in church, there is a feedback form on the parish website. We will draw upon it when we report to the Pastoral Council Nov. 18^th on whether it is feasible to bring FOCUS ministries here.  But would you at least agree, they were “great” young people for their desire to “serve” the Lord.
 
Fr Steve
 

     
 

 

We are excited that Fr. Dennis Lynch will be giving a presentation entitled "Caring for Our Common Home: Reflections on ope Francis' Encyclical, Laudato Si" on October 14th at 6:30pm via Zoom.  To obtain a link to the program, please email Susan Zach of the Enfironmental Stewardship Subcommittee at zachfam@wi-net.com. 

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