From Fr. Brad
It was great meeting all of you this past weekend! I'm truly blessed to be part of such a friendly, welcoming community. Before the general announcements this week, I wanted to answer a few questions about this coming weekend. I had mentioned at Mass that the bishop will be coming for my installation. This weekend is an opportunity to think a little more deeply about what it means to be a parish which is part of a diocese which is part of the worldwide church. The bishop will preside at all Masses this weekend. There will be an appetizer reception after the Saturday Mass and donut Sunday after both Sunday Masses. The installation itself will take place at the 10 AM Mass on Sunday. Here are a few of the questions I've been getting:
Why is the bishop coming?
The bishop is coming to install me as pastor. While I officially started July 5th, this ceremony is an opportunity for the bishop to formally introduce me to the parish community.
What is a bishop?
Bishops are successors of the apostles themselves. The apostles ordained others to succeed them and that chain of ordination remains unbroken until the present day. They have received the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Most of the time bishops have the pastoral care of an entire diocese. Some larger dioceses have auxiliary bishops who assist the diocesan bishop in his role. Today, almost all Catholic bishops are appointed by the pope.
St. Ignatius of Antioch who died in the early 100s AD said that for the Eucharist to be legitimate, it must be held under the bishop himself or under one to whom he has entrusted the celebration. This is just one of many early attestations of the importance of priests being in communion with their bishop. Priests are co-workers of the bishops, and their ministry is, in a sense, an extension of the bishop's ministry in a local community.
Who is our bishop?
The current bishop of Marquette is Bishop John Doerfler. He is originally from Appleton, WI. He was a priest of the Diocese of Green Bay where he had a number of different assignments. He was ordained bishop of Marquette 2014. I was both in the first class of deacons and the first class of priests that he ordained.
What is a pastor?
Church law explains that the "pastor exercises the pastoral care of the community committed to him under the authority of the diocesan bishop in whose ministry of Christ he has been called to share, so that for that same community he carries out the functions of teaching, sanctifying, and governing, also with the cooperation of other presbyters [priests] or deacons and with the assistance of lay members of the Christian faithful."
What is a parish?
"A parish is a certain community of the Christian faithful stably constituted in a particular church, whose pastoral care is entrusted to a [parish priest] as its proper pastor under the authority of the diocesan bishop." We often think of parishes as churches, but they are actually two distinct realities. The parish refers to the community; the church refers to a sacred place where we go to worship. If something were to happen to the church building itself, the parish would still exist.
What happens during a pastor's installation?
The main part of the rite involves the new pastor making the profession of faith and the oath of fidelity. Some dioceses have new pastors do this privately before they begin, but I'm glad our diocese has me make these promises publicly. They signify that I believe all that the Church teaches and that I will conduct my ministry in communion with the bishop and the pope. You have the right to expect that I will only teach the Catholic faith and that I won't put forward my own opinion as the official teaching of the Church. Additionally, it signifies my commitment to administer the sacraments and manage the parish in accord with all relevant church laws.
The bishop will also present me to the parish and "introduce" me to the parish leadership.
I look forward to seeing you at Mass this weekend!
In Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,
Fr. Brad
An image of Fr. Brad being ordained a priest by Bishop John Doerfler on May 29, 2015
Parish Announcements:
Wednesday Adoration
There will be a slight change in our schedule for Wednesday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Beginning next Wednesday, July 20, there will only be one hour of adoration immediately following the 4 PM Mass. Adoration will take place from approximately 4:30 to 5:30 PM. Benediction will begin at 5:20 PM. This schedule will be in place for the remainder of the summer.
St. Joseph’s Vacation Bible School (VBS)
Vacation Bible School will begin on Monday, August 1 through Friday, August 5 for all children going into kindergarten through 5th grade. Please join us each day starting at 9:00 AM through Noon.
There will be games, crafts, music, adventures, Bible verses, videos, snacks and more. We promise an adventurous time celebrating the goodness of God.
This program is free of charge. Registration forms available after the 5 PM and 10 AM Masses on the weekends of July 9th & 10th, 16th and 17th, 23rd and 24th, and 30th and 31st. We hope to see you there!
If you would like to help with the program we are always looking for volunteers. Contact Josie Benoit @ jsife@hotmail.com.
Baraga Youth Fraternity
When: Monday, August 22nd through Thursday, August 25th.
Who: Boys ages 11-15 (limited to first 25 registered boys)
Mission: to bring middle-school boys together to enjoy the outdoors while providing Catholic formation in prayer, virtue, and fraternity.
Goal: to form young men into spiritual leaders with a sense of fraternity, with the vision that this foundation will lead to more Catholic men who will lead their families and parishes in the pursuit of holiness as husbands, fathers, and priests.
Registration fee: $100 Financial assistance available. Registration due by August 18th.
Contact the parish office for more information.
Buildings & Grounds Fish Dinner Fundraiser
When: August 12th, 4:30-7:00 p.m.
What: Whitefish, fries, coleslaw, bread, dessert, and beverage (while supplies last)
Where: O'Callaghan Hall (Take-out will be available)
Cost: Adults: $15; Children 10 years and under: $7
Proceeds to benefit St. Joseph Parish Buildings and Grounds.