From the Pastor's Desk:

Today is Gaudete ("Rejoice") Sunday. We sense a change in emphasis today as we start to transition from focusing on the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of time to His First Coming in His human form. We are called to rejoice, discern, and witness.

The passage from Isaiah speaks of God's Spirit's coming and empowering. The result of this coming of God's Spirit is the discernment to make things new and right.

In the Gospel, John the Baptist ministers as a witness to the Light Who is coming and is actually present, but in a hidden way.

These beautiful words we heard today proclaimed to us in their totality reminds us that true joy and happiness is to be found only in God. If we are not finding our joy and happiness in God we are under an illusion and sooner or later God will give us the painful grace of allowing that illusion to give way to reality. God is the answer. Only in God can we find true happiness. Those who abandon God are on the road to sorrow and pain. Advent reminds us that the joyful answer to our problems lies in God. So, when Jesus summarized the first three commandments as loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength He was really giving us a prescription for deep and permanent joy and happiness. Any unhappiness we experience is really an experience of the lack of God. God is the fulfillment of our anxieties and worries, of our needs, of our greed.

We need to rejoice at the coming of the Light, and also ask that we may be enlightened to discern what the Lord Jesus is asking of us. May you continue to rejoice in the coming of the lord Jesus into your life and may you assist others in recognizing His presence by giving witness to the Light. Amen!

May God Bless You,

Fr. George, MSFS

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE:

Sts. peter & paul Catholic Parish

AnnouncementS

Weekend Mass Schedule:

Saturday, December 13, 2025...

SSPP at 4:00 pm

Sunday, December 14, 2025...

SJA at 8:15 am

Sunday, December 14, 2025...

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

Religious & Adult Education

Weekly proclamation based on hope for the Jubilee Year of Hope

Jubilee Year of Hope 2025
Advent: Jesus is Our Hope (1 Tim. 1:1)
The Advent hymn Come, O Long Expected Jesus is about hope as it refers to Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah promised throughout the Old Testament. Jesus is “the hope of all the earth” because He brings salvation to each and every person, fulfilling God the Father’s universal plan for redemption. Jesus is the “dear desire of every nation” because He is the ultimate answer to the deepest longings and needs of every person.
The second verse of Come, O Long Expected Jesus:
Israel’s strength and consolation, You, the hope of all the earth,
Dear desire of every nation, come, and save us by Your birth.

The Jubilee Year of Hope officially ends on January 6th when Pope Leo XIV closes the Holy Door at St. Pater’s Basilica in Rome. A Mass to close the Jubilee Year in the Diocese of La Crosse will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman by Msgr. Richard Gilles, 10 a.m. on December 28th. All are welcome.

ST. FAUSTINA STUDY GROUP: the next study group session will be held this Monday, December 15th starting at 4:00 p.m. in the school.

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CCD & Confirmation:

Meeting for recently confirmed December 3 at 7:00pm.

Tradition Corner:

Did you know that the first Christmas tress originated in Germany? Mothers would secretly decorate the trees on Christmas Eve.

Source: https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/germany

Bringing them back

With so many things in this world, it is easy to forget the things that hold us together, that make us a one, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic people. Passing on traditions is one way to do this. Throughout the next couple years, it is the hope that we can find some of those forgotten or lost traditions that make our lives fun and inspiring. We are looking for things that will enrich the lives of all ages, happenings that will pull together our Faith, Family, Growth,
and Knowledge.

Some of the Traditions/Activities
that are in the works:

Las Posadas Dec 16-24, at 6:30pm

Nativity Play, Dec 20th after Las Posadas

Oplatki Wafers for Christmas

Weekly Rosary

A few Ideas for the Near Future:

Wine and “Dine” with the Word

Blessing of the Easter Dinner Ingredients

40 hour Devotion

There are so many possibilities and so many ideas you may have. Please text them to 715 530-3225 or email to ssppcre@gmail.com so we may get started on making them happen. Anyone interested or with a gift for organizing, please also reach out.

Save the Date:

6:30pm nightly from Dec 16-24 at SSPP Church. Please bring the family to celebrate Las Posadas (The Inns).

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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 November 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 November, 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 December 27th and December 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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