St. Joseph Ridge Parish W2601 State Road 33 La Crosse, WI 54601 608-788-1646

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 5, 2017

Rev. Timothy Welles – Pastor & Member of the Mariological Society of America PHONE (608) 788-1646 WEB SITE: www.saintjosephridgeparish.com E-MAIL: [email protected]

WEEKEND MASSES: Saturday, 4:00 PM; Sunday, 8:30 AM

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time This weekend, we celebrated the annual “Blessing of Throats” in honor of St. Blaise; Bishop & Martyr with the famous blessing: “Through the intercession of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr; may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” His story goes like this: St. Blaise lived in Armenia in the 300’s. After his ordination as a Bishop, a fierce persecution of all Christians broke out under the Emperor Licinius. To flee this persecution, as he wandered along the hills, he found a cave that he thought he could take refuge to hide in. The only problem was that the cave was populated with wild animals that were sick; they didn’t like it one bit that their home was being invaded! However, Blaise cured those animals of their illnesses and made them his friends. Soon after, people discovered what was happening and so they brought Blaise a boy who had a fishbone stuck in his throat; and it looked like the boy was going to die at any moment. But Blaise healed him, and word got out to the enemies of the Church were Blaise was hiding. The city officials brought Blaise to court and sentenced him to death for being a Christian. They tried to starve him, but people would sneak in the jail with candles and food. So the governor himself went to the jail and murdered Blaise on the spot. This is how we get the Blessing with candles that are placed as a cross and a red ribbon tied on end for the blessing. As with every blessing the Church has to offer, one word of caution! These blessings ARE NOT magic acts: they won’t keep you from getting a sore throat and no more colds for the rest of your life! This is not intended to be a “cure all” or any kind of “magical New-Age formula” to promote holistic health of “mind, body, and spirit” and things like that! What’s important to keep in mind is the supernatural healing of the body and soul to heal us from spiritual diseases; which are more deadly as far as our eternal salvation goes! Sometimes I have a tendency to be a little miffed (angered) at some people that want to reduce our Holy Religion and Catholic faith down to “magical words” and “hocus-pocus” of some kind. Believe me, folks, the Bishop (Jerry Listecki) did not say at my ordination to carry a black case filled with magical wands and to have magical potions of some kind to give to the sick with little black books filled with “spells” or “magic words” where I can control the forces of nature! Some of you mistakenly think I can control the weather or control the outcomes of Packers and other sporting events just by snapping my fingers. I wish it were that easy, folks! We both that trying to control the forces of nature is known as: witchcraft! The main idea to keep in mind: Did you ever notice that most of the healings and miracles of Jesus were brought about because Jesus physically touched them? Never underestimate the healing power of touch! My Aunt Cathy is a social worker in the town of Shawano that works with new-born infants and knows how important the healing power of “touch” is between the new-born infant and the mother! The bond that is formed in the early days of birth teaches the new-born infant a lot about “trust.” Jesus teaches us that the Sacraments are administered through the 5 senses and especially by “trusting” in His power to heal us! The only way we can experience the healing power of Jesus is to let him “touch” us by His love and mercy for us. Sadly, some people shy away from letting their souls be healed by a loving God that wants the best for us. Well….the sacraments of the Church won’t bite you….(Baptism, Confession, Penance, Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, Anointing)...no vaccination needed!

What’s on Fr. Tim’s Calendar? Sat/Sun Feb. 25-26th: Fr. Tim at Knights of Columbus State Bowling Tournament. Wed. March 1: Ash Wednesday as Lent begins; Day of Fasting & Abstinence from meat. Your Pastor, Fr. Tim

St. Joseph Ridge Parish ~ Weekday Masses

St. Peters, Middle Ridge

MASS TIMES Saturday, Feb. 4, 4:00 PM Sunday, Feb. 5, 8:30 AM Tuesday, Feb. 7, 8:30 AM Thursday, Feb. 9, 8:30 AM Saturday, Feb. 11, 4:00 PM Sunday, Feb. 12, 8:30 AM

St. Mary, Coon Valley

Sat. 8:00 PM & Sun. 10:00 AM Wed. & Fri. - 8:00 AM Adoration on Wed. from 7—9 PM

MASS INTENTIONS +Charles Knobloch +Alice Silha Jennifer Althoff & Family Jennifer Althoff & Family +Kevin Hilby +Rita Weber

Sat. 4:00 PM & Sun. 9:15 AM Wed. & Fri. 8:00 AM

LITURGICAL MINISTERS

Schedules can also be found on our website: saintjosephridgeparish.com

Saturday, Feb. 11, 4:00 PM Servers: Marty Roesler & Jackson Roesler Ushers: Bob Kotek & Larry Mikshowsky Reader: Diane Elsen Communion Minister: Polly Hilby

Sunday, Feb. 12, 8:30 AM Servers: Ethan Schamberger & Colin Dickman Ushers: Marvin LeJeune & Nick Clements Reader: Jim Weber Communion Minister: Stan Clements

LAST WEEK’S STEWARDSHIP: Adult Envelopes, $877.00; Offer tor y, $252.00; Initial Offer ing, $4.00; Catholic Campaign for Human Development, $322.00; Ramp Donation, $100.00. DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL - PLEASE, your help is still needed!! As of Thur sday, J anuar y 26, we have $14,294.00, with 38% participation! Only $3,185.00 of the $17,479.00 to go!! UPCOMING MEETINGS PASTORAL COUNCIL: Monday, Febr uar y 13, 2017 at 7:00 PM in the school hall. PCCW MEETING: Monday, Febr uar y 20, 2017 at 7:00 PM in the school hall. Minutes for the meetings are posted in the back of church on the bulletin boards between the bathrooms. ANNOUNCEMENTS CONGRATULATIONS! Zachar y and Shana (Reeck) Raab on the Baptism of their son, Tr istan J ohn. Tr istan was baptized here last Saturday, January 28th. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - Regular Classes - February 8, 2017. Grades 1—5, 5:45-7:00 PM; Grades 6-10, 7:15-8:30 PM. FOUR CHAPLAINS SUNDAY - This weekend we are celebrating Four Chaplains Sunday. Thank you to John Thurk for always taking care of this and helping us remember. The Four Chaplains, also sometimes r efer r ed to as the " Immor tal Chaplains" or the "Dorchester Chaplains", were four United States Army chaplains who gave their lives to save other civilian and military personnel as the troop ship SS Dorchester sank on February 3, 1943, during World War II. They helped other soldiers board lifeboats and gave up their own life jackets when the supply ran out. The chaplains joined arms, said prayers, and sang hymns as they went down with the ship. SUPER BOWL BREAKFAST! The Amer ican Legion in Coon Valley is hosting a br eakfast this Sunday, the 5th fr om 8 AM until noon at the Coon Valley Legion hall. ACS OPEN HOUSE: Com e, Get to K now Us & Bring a Friend! Cathedral Elementary School, 1319 Ferry Street, La Crosse, 608-782-5998 February 9th (5 yr old Kindergarten), 16th (4 yr old Kindergarten), 23rd (3 yr old Preschool), all @ 1:00 p.m. Attend a presentation, meet the teachers and staff & then get a tour of our schools! THANK YOU FROM CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (CCHD) Thank you to all of you who support our CCHD collection last weekend. Donations will still be accepted for the next few weekends.

BABY BOTTLES FOR BIRTHRIGHT Is the baby bottle you took home in J anuar y being fed? The next two Sundays, February 12 and 19, 2017, are the days designated for return of the baby bottles you’ve been filling with change for Birthright of La Crosse. And even each empty bottle returned is a gift, as it will be needed for next years project. Return your offerings as love gifts for mothers, fathers and babies. Early and late returns should be brought to the church office. Thank you. YOUTH GROUP BREAKFAST - Save the date, Next Sunday, Febr uar y 12, 2017, from 9:30—noon. More details soon! HOLY TRINITY MARDI GRAS ROAST BEEF DINNER & PARTY February 11, DINNER 4:30-7:00 p.m., PARTY 7:0011:00 p.m. at the American Legion Post 52, 6 th and Market Streets. Dinner Tickets-1 for $15 or 2 for $25; Squareboards, Raffle, 50/50, DJ, Beer, Live and Silent Auction. Contact the Parish Office 608-782-2028 for tickets THANK YOU fr om Bethel Butikk and Food Pantr y for our food donations this past year. It is ver y appr eciated, have a Happy New Year!

VFW VALENTINES DAY DANCE Ginny & The Right Combination will be playing the best Country, Variety, 50’s, 60’s & Today’s music at a Valentine’s Day dance at VFW Post 1530 / Eagles Club on February 11th. The event starts at 6:30pm and will continue until 10:30pm. This event is open to the public and free for all so please tell your family and friends. EVENING FOR LOVERS Sunday, Feb. 12 (6-8:45 p.m.): Join old and new friends for this St. Anthony’s tradition! Treat your spouse to a delicious meal and an entertaining conference afterwards. The evening finishes with a blessing of marriages in the Chapel. Cost: $55 per couple. Contact St. Anthony’s at 715443-2236, [email protected]. Go to www.sarcenter.com to register for an upcoming event. Note: Our bookstore is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-11 a.m. and on Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. if there is a retreat. MARDI GRAS BALL: Satur day, Febr uar y 18. Suppor t Aquinas Catholic Schools! The Ball is 4:30 pm – midnight, at the La Crosse Center Ballroom. Other events include Bourbon Street Bash – Feb 22, Family Day – Feb 26, and Fat Tuesday Celebration - Feb 26. Purchase ball tickets by Feb 4. Go to lacrossemardigras.com for more information and to purchase tickets online. Money raised goes to Aquinas Catholic Schools. WILD GAME FEED: If you'r e an avid outdoor smen, hunter or simply enjoy a tasty meal of wild game, we have a very special event for you. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton has recently formed a new club called the ST. ELIZABETH'S HUBERTERS. This group was formed in an effort to raise money for St. Elizabeth parish and surrounding community. Our second event will be held Sat, Feb 18 2017 at the Holmen American Legion with doors opening at 4:00- dinner serving at 6:00-10:00 p.m. The menu will include wild game such as elk, buffalo, caribou, mule deer, Whitetail deer, wild hog, quail, pheasant, squirrel, rabbit, antelope, black bear, salmon, variety of fish, and that’s just a start. You will have a chance to win a wide variety of top of the line guns, archery equipment, camping gear, fishing packages as well as a special MYSTERY Prize throughout the evening. Tickets are on sale with only 300 to be sold. Cost is only $40 per person and will include all you can eat wild game, refreshments, and a chance at one of the grand prizes. Please help spread the word about this event to all your outdoor enthusiasts. If you are interested in reserving a ticket or a special sponsor table of 8, please contact Pat at St. Elizabeth's at 608-526-4424 or email [email protected] Check out our FB page at Saint Elizabeth Huberters LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT MOTHER’S DAY GIFT? Give a Bus Trip to the Fireside Theatre in Fort Atkinson. Saturday, Feb. 18-MAMMA MIA, Saturday, Mar 18BEAUTY AND THE BEAST-Child’s Rate is Available-contact Arlene for information; Saturday, May 6-SOUTH PACIFIC. Cost is only $90 per person. Contact Arlene Young at 788-3440. Bus leaves from Holy Trinity. MEN’S WEEKEND SILENT RETREAT - Feb. 24-26, 2017. Pick your path (or mix and match) conferences to personalize your retreat experience. This dynamic format offers both Biblical and Mindfulness perspectives around the topic of “Cultivate a Vision.” Begins with Friday evening registration at 5 p.m. and will conclude by 1 p.m. on Sunday. Cost of $185 includes overnight accommodations, delicious buffet meals, and program fees. Contact St. Anthony’s at 715-443-2236, [email protected]. Go to www.sarcenter.com to register for an upcoming event. Note: Our bookstore is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-11 a.m. and on Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. if there is a retreat.

CONFESSIONS - every Saturday from 3:30 to 3:50 PM or by appointment. THE ROSARY is r ecited befor e the Satur day-evening Mass around 3:30 PM. Volunteers are needed to lead. PRAYER INTENTIONS for the sick in our Par ish. Anyone who is ill and/or needs prayers is encouraged to call the rectory office at 608-788-1646 to have your name added to our weekend intentions. Your name will be announced at both Masses. Please also let Father Tim know if you would like communion brought to you. HAVE YOU MOVED OR PLAN ON MOVING?? Please remember to notify the parish office by phone, 608-788-1646 or by email, . If you would like visits from Father Tim, please give him a call and let him know. The rectory phone is 608-788-1646. TELEVISED MASS: La Crosse, Channel 19, at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. The Mass is also available any time of day, throughout the week, on the Diocesan web: www.diolc.org. LAY FORMATION INSTITUTE Would you like to see if the diocesan Lay Formation Institute (LFI) is right for you? What better way than to sit in on part of this exciting formation experience and “catch the spirit”? This opportunity is being offered for a limited number of inquirers the weekends of Feb. 3-4, March 3-4, or March 31-April 1, 2017 at beautiful St. Anthony Spirituality Center in Marathon. If you are interested in sitting in on part of a weekend, or even just one class, contact us at [email protected] or call the Office for Ministries and Social Concerns at 608-791-0161 to learn more. There is no fee unless you choose overnight lodging or meals. For more information on the LFI, visit www.diolc.org/layformation. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM AQUINAS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS: Daniel Villare, Sudha Schultz, Hannah Petersen & Christine McElligott, members from AHS Band, performed in the National Band Association All-State Band. This achievement signifies that these AHS musicians rank in the top percentile among all student musicians in our State. Students are pictured with noted composer/conductor, Dr. Jack Stamp. Randy Jacobson & Nick Johnson placed 1st out of 231 high school teams in the "WI Stock Market Game." Good luck to these guys on February 6th, when they begin their national stock market game called "The Capital Hill Challenge", which runs until May 12th! Elissa Nott has once again made it to the semifinals for the 2017 Military Child of the Year Army award out of nearly 400 nominees. Award winners are selected based on their scholarship, volunteerism, leadership and extracurricular involvement. Best of luck to Elissa! Aquinas Dance Team scored very high at Regionals, advancing them to state with both their Jazz & Pom routines. AMS Boys Brawn team were the 2017 Boys Brawn Champions at the annual Diocese of La Crosse Brains and Brawn Tournament on January 28. Bishop William Callahan presented the trophy to the team members: Joseph Savoldelli, Matthew Reuteman, Noah Arlt, Jared Everson, Bishop Callahan, William Cambio, Camden Gregg, Chukwuma Nduka, Andrew Skemp. The AMS Brains team placed 2nd. Those team members were: Ella Reichenbacher, Nicholas Lawrynk, Ryan Conzemius, Monica Bowen, Allison Bakalars, Bishop Callahan, Elizabeth Bowen, Seth Capelli, Grace Kearney, Jennifer Platt.