“Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on His head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed” (John 20:3-8). A happy and blessed Easter to you and your loved ones! May the Crucified and Risen Lord abundantly bless all of you!

Thank you to everyone who made our Holy Week celebrations so prayerful and beautiful at our parishes – decorators including those who work with candles and flowers and altar coverings, sacristans, custodians, musicians, cantors, readers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, ushers, Deacon Kevin Ray, Billy Dodge, and each of you through your participation! May the special graces of these liturgies bring continued spiritual renewal to our parish families! To further this renewal of faith among our parishioners, please take home a free copy of Matthew Kelly’s book Rediscover Catholicism. Matthew Kelly is a dynamic speaker and outstanding author. In this book he “reveals the essence of Catholic spirituality while addressing some of the most important questions we face today both as individuals and as a Church.” Copies are available at the entrances of all three of our churches. Take copies home for yourself, your family, and give copies to friends!

Thank you for your kindness and generosity to Deacon Kevin Ray and me during this Easter season. We are most grateful for the numerous cards, notes, and gifts that have been delivered to the rectory. We appreciate, too, your words of encouragement written in so many cards and the assurances of your prayers. Know that you and your loved ones are daily in our prayer.

Having completed the “marathon” of the Season of Lent and Holy Week, I will be away from our parishes this week spending time with my family in Marshfield and undergoing the first of two weeks of extensive examinations at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
Please remember seminarian Billy Dodge in your prayers as he prepares for ordination to the diaconate. Bishop Callhan has called him to Holy Orders and will ordain him and Charlie Richmond “transitional” deacons for our Diocese of La Crosse at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman on May 3. We are most grateful to Bishop Callahan that he has assigned soon-to-be Deacon Billy Dodge to our parishes for the summer. How blessed our parishes are! Several years ago we had no connection with young men studying to be priests for our Diocese. Now we have one of our own – Elmwood’s Levi Schmitt – completing his third year of college seminary and seminarian Billy Dodge has been in our parishes for three years! Our parishes had never had a Deacon minister in our midst. We have been blessed to have Deacon Kevin Ray in our parishes the past year. And now for the coming year we will have not only one, but two deacons – Deacons Kevin Ray and Billy Dodge – ministering to us! These past several years have seen many changes in our parishes. Most parishioners have embraced the changes and are filled with joy at doing God’s will in the midst of new circumstances. For some parishioners, however, these changes have been a burden and all they see is the negative. Yet can we not see the wholly unexpected and undeserved blessings God has bestowed on us during these recent years of transition?! Did Jesus not assure us that for our sacrifices “for His sake and for the Gospel” that we will “receive a hundredfold now in this time” (Mark 10:29-30)?!

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