From the Pastor's Desk:

September 14th, 2025

My Dear Parishioners,

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation or Triumph of the Holy Cross. In the Book of Numbers and the Gospel of John Chapter 3, we see reference to Moses in the desert lifting a bronze serpent on a pole to protect and heal the people from the fatal bites of the serpents. As we know, the Old Testament prefigures and anticipates Jesus and the New Testament so the bronze serpent on the pole prefigures the healing power and conquering of evil of the Cross of Jesus Christ. We renew in Philippians 2, with St. Paul, our commitment to the self-emptying of Christ on the Cross experienced in our own lives.

The power of the Cross reminds us that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the unbloody renewal of Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary. The power of the Cross helps us to live heroically, courageously and faithfully Our Lord’s commandment in the Gospel of John 13: “…Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one other.”

Just as Simon of Cyrene, helped Jesus to carry His Cross on the road to Calvary, so we, in union with Christ crucified, are mysteriously able to help others to carry their Crosses. We give encouragement that touches the souls of others deeply and inspirationally. We become teachers of the power of the Cross because we have embraced the Cross with love and trust and are witnesses to the love that flows from the Cross and the light that streams from the Glorified Wounds of the Risen Christ. May those same Glorified Wounds of the Risen Christ touch the wounds of all those in Ukraine and Poland and may we embrace our Crosses in union with the Crosses carried by all in Ukraine, Poland and all war-torn and violence-torn regions of the world. May the Cross of Jesus Christ triumph in our lives!

God Bless You,

Father George, MSFS

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE:

Sts. peter & paul Catholic Parish

AnnouncementS

Weekend Mass Schedule:

Saturday, September 13, 2025...

SSPP at 5:00 pm

Sunday, September 14, 2025...

SJA at 8:15 am

Sunday, September 14, 2025...

SSPP at 10:15 am

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Confessions:

SSPP Saturdays -4:00 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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"Happy 150th Anniversary to SS Peter & Paul Parish!"

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RELIGIOUS & ADULT EDUCATION

Religious & Adult Education

Weekly proclamation based on hope for the Jubilee Year of Hope Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 Jesus is Our Hope

Out of His goodness and love, God made a promise to Adam and Eve when they let their trust in Him die. God promised a Savior who would save them, and us, from the evil one, sin and eternal death. Jesus – the Son of God – took on human flesh to fulfill this promise. Through His life, death and resurrection, Jesus won the victory. Christ rescued us from the kingdom of darkness, lies and hatred so that we could be free to live in His kingdom of light, truth and love. During this Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, let us ask our Savior to increase our trust in His perfect goodness and unconditional love.

JUNIOR CONFIRMATION: the Parent-Student meeting for those to be confirmed in October will be held this Wednesday, September 17th , starting at 7:00 p.m. in the School. Emails have been sent to all parents with the meeting details along with the registration form.

St. FAUSTINA ADULT STUDY GROUP We will meet this Monday, September 15th at 6:30 p.m. in the School for our first session. Contact Marge if you are interested in attending: mbaecker@ssppwi.org or call or text 715-538-3638.

CATECHETICAL SUNDAY 2025 September 21 has been designated Catechetical Sunday 2025. The theme is “Always be ready to give an explanation for a reason for your hope.” (1 Pet 3:15) This corresponds beautifully with the Jubilee Year of Hope. The rite of blessing of the catechists used on Catechetical Sunday also includes a blessing of parents and guardians.

CCD & Confirmation: regular classes for Sept 17th. Grs. K-5 5:30-6:30pm, Grs. 6-8 7-8pm, Grs. 9-10 7-8:30pm, and open gym for 6-10 at 6:30.

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St. FAUSTINA ADULT STUDY GROUP

We will meet on Monday, September 15th at 6:30 p.m. in the School for our first session. Contact Marge if you are interested in attending: mbaecker@ssppwi.org or call or text 715-538-3638.

TWO NEW SAINTS

Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati are two young Italian Catholics who will be canonized as saints together this Sunday, September 7, 2025, by Pope Leo to inspire holiness in young people today. Acutis, who died in 2006 at 15, is remembered for his love of the Eucharist and his use of the internet for evangelization, while Frassati, who died in 1925 at 24, is known for his joyful faith, his service to the poor, and his love of mountain climbing. They are presented as examples of holiness attainable in ordinary life, balancing faith with friendships, sports, and technology.

Canonization Mass schedule on EWTN: Cable Channel 79

Live Broadcast

Time: 2 a.m. CDT on Sunday, September 7. The Mass will be presided over by Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter's Square. Encore Presentations: Time: 2 p.m. CDT and 5 p.m. CDT on Sunday, September 7. The 5 p.m. CDT encore presentation will offer viewers another opportunity to watch the Mass.

Religious Education Classes

K-10th classes will be at normal times on Wednesday Sept. 17th

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 October 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 September, 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 September 27th and September 28th Masses.

Jubilee Year

Making a Pilgrimage

There is a long tradition of making pilgrimages in the Catholic Church. This practice has been encouraged by Pope Francis during the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope. The Pope explains that a pilgrimage is a "fundamental element of every jubilee year." He also granted an indulgence to the faithful who complete pilgrimages in this Holy Year.

Diocesan Churches that have been designated by Bishop Battersby as places of pilgrimages for the 2025 Jubilee Year:

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