From the Pastor's Desk:

My Dear Parishioners,

Today is the Third Sunday in Lent. Water. Life-giving water. Ever flowing water, Water, as seen in today's readings, reminds us of the gift of faith. Let us dive into the waters of faith and see how refreshing they can be.

The First Reading takes place in the desert. The Israelites are complaining about being in the hot, dry desert with no water. Moses prays to God and God gives them water flowing from the rock, not because of their faith in God, but because of their lack of faith. God gifts them, though they do not deserve God's gift.

The Gospel of Jesus' meeting of the woman at the well speaks of water and faith. Jesus reaches out to the woman. He begins the life-giving conversation that will end, not only in her own belief in God and in Jesus, but also in many others coming to believe.

God, through Jesus and other believers, has offered us the gift of faith. Just as the promise of living water was made to the woman at the well, faith is a divine gift that is made accessible to us. We can choose to accept the gift or reject it. It is our free will that allows us to do what we want with the gift of faith. The gift may make us face the realities of our lives, just as Jesus did with the Samaritan woman. We may try at first to hide our lives from God, but God knows our lives better than we know them ourselves. God will continue to develop the relationship, if we are open to the gift of faith.

After we have experienced the newness of the gift of living water (faith), we will want to share the gift with others. We will want others to experience what we have experienced. When they come to the One Who gives living water, and the Lord Jesus offers them the gift of this faith, we will rejoice with them because they have accepted the gift of faith.

May you continue to come to the source of life-giving sustenance and partake of Him Who is essential to life. Amen!

God Bless You,

Fr. George, MSFS

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE:

Sts. peter & paul Catholic Parish

AnnouncementS

Weekend Mass Schedule:

Saturday, March 7, 2026...

4:00 pm

Sunday, March 8, 2026...

SJA at 8:15 am

SSPP at 10:15 am

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Confessions:

SSPP Saturdays - 3:00 pm

SJA —Sundays - 7:45 am to 8:15 am

For Any Other Time Needed: Please Call the Office for an Appointment at 715-985-2227.

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RELIGIOUS & ADULT EDUCATION

(Reminder) Charity: To Love as God Loves

Jesus “raised the bar” for us and instituted something new in calling us to “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) In loving us by giving the totality of Himself for us on the Cross, Jesus obtained for us the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to live out this call to love ourselves and our neighbor. This is the very heart of the Christian life.

Lent: Keep First Things First: God’s Unconditional Love for each Person
Personal sin is a part of our lives through selfishness; all of us miss the mark. We are reluctant to go to confession as it is difficult and humbling to look at our failures and faults. However, the first thing to do is realize and recognize all the good things God has given us. Spend a few minutes to look back, or notice what happened even today, and write down the special blessings that you received from God. It becomes easier to take our sins to Christ in the sacrament of confession when we examine our conscience in light of how much He loves us.

Remember, even the small choices we make in our daily life matter. We are invited to align ourselves with the kingdom of God through prayer, reflection, and cooperation with His grace received in the sacrament of reconciliation. Lent is an appropriate time to make a good confession.

Tradition Corner:

Tradition Corner– 40 is an important number in Biblical history. 40 years for the Israelites to roam the desert, 40 days of Jesus Fasting in the desert, 40 days & 40 nights for the Flood, etc. This number symbolizes more than just a number but according to Paul J Niemann, it is “another way of saying ‘long enough’ or ‘enough time.’” So just as each of the 40 stories in the Bible had “enough time” to change something in history, may this 40 days be for us “enough time” to turn from our distractions back to the Way.

Source: franciscanmedia.org/ The Lent, Triduum and Easter Answer Book by Paul J Niemann

CCD/Confirmation:

Classes resume on March 11th.

Are you being called? Looking for those willing to lead a Bible Studies for kids. Please reach out by phone/text 715 530-3225 or email to ssppcre@gmail.com.

Wanted: Looking for those wanting to lead Studies. Please send what you would like to do to 715 530-3225 or email to ssppcre@gmail.com

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If you have any memories or traditions you would like to see, please send them to ssppcre@gmail.com

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St. FAUSTINA ADULT STUDY GROUP

A study group highlighting the life and diary of St. Faustina, including Divine Mercy, will start in September, dates to be determined if we have enough interest. This study is most appropriate for interested adults now that we have a first class relic of her.

Contact Marge if you are interested in attending: mbaecker@ssppwi.org or call or text 715-538-3638.

DIOCESE OF LA CROSSE GUIDELINES FOR REPORTING INSTANCES OF CHILD ABUSE:

The Diocese of La Crosse, through its policies and procedures, seeks to provide a prompt, appropriate and compassionate response to reporters of sexual abuse of a child by any diocesan agent (bishop, priest, deacon, employee, religious, vendor or volunteer). Anyone wishing to make a report of an allegation of sexual abuse should send that report to Mrs. Teresa Brown, Complaint Intake Agent, at the Diocese of
La Crosse, P.O. Box 4004, La Crosse, WI 54602-4004. Alternatively, you can contact Mrs. Brown at 608.791.0179 or intakeagent@diolc.org.
The reporting form is available through the Diocese of La Crosse Office of Safe Environment or on the diocesan website at: diolc.org/safe-environment/reporting. Individuals are also encouraged to take their reports directly to civil authorities. Copies of the diocesan policy are available through your local Parish and on the diocesan website.
If you have any questions about the Diocese of La Crosse and the implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, please contact Teresa Brown, Diocese of La Crosse, at 608.791.2679 or tbrown@diolc.org .

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If you have a birthday during the month of March come to Mass the first weekend to SS Peter & Paul Church. Father
will invite all children to come forward to receive a birthday blessing.

Adults can stand or come forward and also receive this special blessing. The parish will then sing Happy Birthday. Let us all celebrate Life and your Birthday’s.

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WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES —

If you were married in the month of March, please call Julie at the Rectory (715-985-2227) and let her know the number of years you have been married. Blessings will be given on March 28st and March 29nd Masses.