Thank you to the Boyceville Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) for their generosity in hosting and funding the day of prayer and reflection for our three parishes. Thanks, too, to Rita Zimmerman for her hard work in organizing and promoting this opportunity for spiritual growth for all three of our parishes. This initiative exemplifies the spirit of communion and generosity that should permeate our three communities of faith!

Congratulations to the parishioners of Boyceville for having outstanding participation in the Diocesan Annual Appeal! For years Saint Luke Parish never came close to meeting their goal and so had to drain substantial funds from the general checking account each year to make up the difference. Last year Boyceville finally made its target with a little room to spare. You will recall that all monies beyond the goal are returned to the parish for our use right here. Participation increased this year such that the second rebate check from the Diocese just arrived this week bringing the total that has come back to us to $1042! Outstanding!

In addition to carving out time for prayer at home and as a family, essential to any Lenten spiritual program is regular participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in observance of the Lord’s Day (Vigil on Saturday or Sunday itself). As your schedule allows, you might additionally assist at Mass celebrated on weekdays (consult the weekly bulletin). Also, consider spending some time with our Eucharistic Lord. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed continuously for adoration at Spring Valley beginning at 5:00 PM Thursday through 8:00 PM Friday and Mondays at Boyceville from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Morning Prayer (Lauds) from the Liturgy of the Hours is prayed within the context of Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament following the 8:00 AM Mass Thursdays in Spring Valley. One of the most popular devotions during the Season of Lent is praying the Stations of the Cross. The Way of the Cross is prayed within the context of Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament Tuesdays at Spring Valley after the 6:30 PM Mass and Fridays at Elmwood at 7:30 PM.

I have been so blessed to have made three pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Of the many opportunities for prayer at sites named in the Scriptures and made holy by the Lord Himself, one of the most impressive is walking the path Christ trod through Jerusalem to His death on Mount Calvary. Pilgrims take turns carrying a cross as we prayerfully make our way through the chaotic and claustrophobic streets of Jerusalem. We pause and pray at 14 different locations along the Via Dolorosa (Sorrowful Way) – the route from the praetorium of Pontius Pilate to Golgotha. These 14 stops or stations commemorate various events that occurred as the Lord bore the Cross making His way to die to reconcile us with the Father. Travel to Jerusalem has always been dangerous and expensive, so few disciples of Christ are afforded the opportunity to walk THE Way of the Cross. When the Franciscan priests were given custody of the sacred sites in the Holy Land in 1342 they promoted these Stations of the Cross as a fitting way to meditate on the Passion and Death of our Savior. The practice spread beyond Palestine so that churches throughout the world displayed on their walls depictions of the 14 Stations of the Cross. In this way, then, accompanying the Lord on the way to the Cross is available to anyone. Praying the Stations of the Cross has become a standard devotional practice for Catholics around the world especially during the Season of Lent.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! Saint Luke, pray for us!
Father Kevin C. Louis, STL