Bambino Jesù (“Baby Jesus”) Christmas Collection for Ukraine Through Dec. 11, 2022
As we approach the Christmas season, Chalice of Mercy Mission to Ukraine is holding a Bambino Jesù (“Baby Jesus”) collection. During this time of war and desperate suffering, we can reach out with prayer and concrete help. Many families have lost their homes and jobs, many children have lost their parents, and parents their children. The elderly are in need of special care. And because of the continual bombings, many people have lost limbs and need prostheses.
Since Feb. 24, 2022, the day Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine began, Chalice of Mercy has been able to help literally hundreds of thousands of people by sending more than 460 pallets – weighing over 200 tons – of medical supplies and equipment, over-the-counter medicines and hygiene items, clothing, baby supplies, and much more, for a total value of more than 21 million dollars. An incredible team of Chalice of Mercy volunteers in Ukraine helps distribute the items. God is awakening so many hearts and bringing about so many conversions in Ukraine thanks to the goodness, charity, and teamwork of people in our La Crosse Diocese. Ukrainians are deeply touched to know that people care about them and desire to relieve their suffering.
If you wish to show the generous spirit of Christmas to someone in Ukraine, please consider donating at one of the collection sites, from the items indicated on the needs list. All these gifts will be shipped by air and will arrive before Christmas and be distributed by my trusted Chalice of Mercy team in Ukraine. If you wish to make a financial donation, please visit www.chaliceofmercy.org/donate.
St. Mary Parish - Altoona is the collection site for the Eau Claire Deanery
May Jesus bless you in this Holy Season!
Valentyna Pavsyukova,
Founder and President of Chalice of Mercy
Founder and President of Chalice of Mercy
Note: Chalice of Mercy was founded by Valentyna Pavsyukova as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2007, and is in good standing with the Diocese of La Crosse.
Friday Feature
HopeSick
Advent is a season of Hope. We allow our hearts to long for the coming of Jesus. We dare to desire more.
The Church’s liturgy invites us to listen to the prophets, who burned with an eagerness for the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah imagines what things will be like: swords turned into plowshares, a definitive end to war; the desert blooming with flowers; the blind restored to sight, the deaf restored to hearing, the lame leaping with joy; the lion and the lamb living in harmony; the stump of Jesse blossoming and bearing fruit.
In one sense, the longed-for Messiah has come. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Humans and angels alike who participated in the events of that night were bursting with joy and praise.
In another sense, nothing has changed. There seems to be just as much greed, devouring, exploitation, hatred, contempt, abuse, and violence as in Jesus’ day.
In one sense, Jesus has definitively won the victory. “It is finished.” In another very sense, as you and I engage these challenging times, that victory feels anything but assured.
Many aspects of life went “back to normal” nine months ago. But no amount of socializing or traveling has restored joy or peace. Many of us feel depleted, burnt out, or discouraged. We struggle to remember how long ago things happened, and feel a great uncertainty and dis-ease about where things are headed.
I have a word for this dis-ease: being HopeSick. I sometimes feel sick amidst my hoping. And yes, like the prophet Jeremiah, sometimes I cry out to the Lord because I am just sick of hoping.
I was expressing this felt heartache to a wise mentor, who offered the metaphor of sickness – not as a moral failing (any more than Covid or the flu is a failure!) but as a point of powerlessness. We all know those moments of a disease in which we feel utterly overwhelmed. We can’t change anything; we can’t alleviate anything. Even if we know it will eventually pass, we have no way of knowing how long.
And then there are those aches or illnesses that may never go away – not in this life. It doesn’t always get better. Many of you live with debilitating pain day after day. You alternate days of serenity with days of discouragement. The darkness can be very, very real.
Advent is a time of Hope amidst the darkness. As the warmth and light of the sun flee us, we still dare to Hope. In a time of sickness and powerlessness, we endure.
Advent is a time of “already but not yet.” The Kingdom of God has indeed broken into this world, in the person of Jesus Christ. He promises to come again with the fullness of justice – and he will. Meanwhile, we watch and wait. And wait. And wait…
If our hearts are anything like the hearts of the prophets (or like the just ones in the Book of Revelation), we eventually cry out in agony, HOW LONG??
What joy to be like Simeon or Anna in the temple, keeping prayerful watch for decades and finally, at long last, beholding the object of their desire, embracing and delighting in the newborn Jesus. Simeon was ready to die amidst his overflowing satisfaction and joy.
Luke narrates that exhilarating moment of fulfillment. He only hints at all the moments of heartache that preceded. I wonder – how often, through all those decades of waiting, did Simeon or Anna feel HopeSick?
We know that Jeremiah and Job felt HopeSick, as did Abraham and Moses. They often cried out to God in exasperation, feeling as though they couldn’t possibly go on. God met them in their longing, and they went on.
Hope can be precarious because it so often includes a felt powerlessness, and even moments of darkness. For many of us, there have been many such moments – even from a young age. The prince of darkness loves to draw near in those moments, whispering his lies about who we are, who others are, and who God is. See, this is what always happens… Nothing will ever change… What’s the point?... You can’t count on others; just take care of yourself…
Those of us who have known intense moments of trauma felt powerless in those moments. Whether the “moment” was 15 minutes or 15 years, it didn’t matter. We lost our sense of time.
And our bodies remember. Present day moments of timeless trauma, of feeling stuck in HopeSickness, can bring back old feelings and old lies – and with them old behaviors! And then we can really feel stuck. Or we can begin shaming ourselves or feeling shamed by the well-intended advice of others.
Jesus did not shame the blind, the deaf, or the mute. Nor did he shame those who were sick in their sins. He bore our infirmities and connected with us amidst our anguish.
Most of the fixing and advice given to the HopeSick, even when it is totally true, is a way of spiritually bypassing the agony of Hope. But to lose our longing is to settle for less than God promises! The prophets are those who refuse to let go of their longing – even when they feel sick or stuck.
It is, however, vitally important to stay connected with Jesus as we abide in Hope. It is sometimes important to call on Jesus and tell the evil spirits where they can go. We can renounce their lies and proclaim our trust in the promises of Jesus. AND we can cry out to God, asking him “How Long?”. He always answers, though often not in the ways we imagine or expect. Sometimes silence is the best answer. It doesn’t mean he’s ignoring us. When we are in the throes of an illness, we need presence more than words.
Advent is a season of presence. Advent is a season of renewed Hope.
St. Raymond and St. Mary Parishes will be holding a 9-day giving event! We are seeking donations of warm winter clothing from infant to adult. These donations will go to King’s Closet, an organization who will give to all who are in need, free of charge. Men’s clothing are in particular need: boots, shoes (non-dress), socks, hats, gloves, and additional warm clothes for these cold months. We will begin accepting donations on Saturday, December 3rd and will continue through Sunday, December 11th. On Monday donations will be brought to King’s Closet. Please bring all items to the parish and place in designated areas. Thank you for your generosity!
Christmas Flower Donation
Once again our beautiful Church will be filled with Poinsettias, to celebrate the birth of our Lord, on Christmas day! Please help provide these flowers by using the Christmas Flower donation envelope provided in your envelope giving packet. Thank you!
St. Mary Knights of Columbus Christmas Signs
The Saint Mary Knights of Columbus will have their annual Keep Christ in Christmas yard signs available in the narthex after Mass. Donations are welcomed. Merry Christmas!
Decorating St. Raymond Church for Christmas
Join us for the annual tradition of decorating St. Raymond's for Christmas after the 8:30am Mass on Sunday, December 18. Families are encouraged to stay after Mass as we set up the Christmas trees and Creche' to celebrate the birth of our Lord! Coffee and donuts will be provided and many hands make the work seem light and enjoyable! Always a joyous time spent with fellow parishioners!
Help Needed
We need help for various tasks at the parish. Dusting, vacuuming, and washing are just some of the ways we keep our parish a beautiful and welcoming place to worship and gather. Our experience tells us that the best help comes from within the parish. Please contact Bonnie Firkus if interested in helping.
Upcoming Events:
Nov 26. Men of the Beatitudes discussion. 9-10am. St. Mary
Nov 29. Advent Confessions. 7pm. Immaculate Conception Parish
Nov 30. Women’s Bible Study: Romans. 9am. St. Mary
Nov 30. Parish Ensemble Rehearsal. 6:30pm. St. Raymond
Dec 1. Coffee Community. 8:45am St. Raymond
Dec 1. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. 9:45am. St. Mary
Dec 1. Spanish Choir Rehearsal. 4:30pm. St. Mary
Dec 1. Advent Confessions with Penance Service. 7pm. St. James the Greater
Dec 1. NO Confessions. St. Raymond
Dec 3. First Saturday Devotions. 7:30am. St. Mary
Dec 3. Men of the Beatitudes. 9am. St. Mary
Dec 3. Start of Spanish Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe. 5:30pm. St. Mary
Dec 4. Family Faith Formation. Nativity and Incarnation. 9:45am. St. Raymond
Dec 5. Knights of Columbus Meeting. 6:30pm Officers. 7pm General. St. Mary
Dec 6. Advent Confessions. 7pm. St. Olaf Parish
Dec 7. Women’s Bible Study: Romans 9am. St. Mary
Dec 7. Vigil Mass. Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. 5:30pm. St. Mary
Dec 7. Family Faith Formation. Nativity and Incarnation. 6pm. St. Mary
Dec 7. Parish Ensemble Rehearsal. 6:30pm. St. Raymond
Dec 8. NO 8am Daily Mass. St. Raymond
Dec 8. School Mass. Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. 9am. St. Mary
Dec 8. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. 10am. St. Mary
Dec 8. Spanish Choir Rehearsal. 4:30pm. St. Mary
Dec 8. Mass. Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. 7pm. St. Raymond
Dec 8. Confession following Mass. 8pm-9pm. St. Raymond
Dec 9. NO 9am Daily Mass. St. Mary
Dec 10. Men of the Beatitudes. 9am. St. Mary
Dec 11. Las Mañanitas. Mass at 7am in Spanish (No 1pm Mass). St. Mary
Dec 11. Office Closed. St. Mary
Small Group Communities & Studies
For those of you looking to grow deeper in faith and community, consider one of our small groups offered through the Parish.
Join our Becoming Catholic (RCIA) group, that provides a place where you can listen to, consider, and explore God’s calling for the next step in your faith journey. The group meets twice a month to discuss a variety of topics surrounding our practice of faith and Christian living. There is no obligation to become Catholic by attending and simply provides a space to be uplifted by others and grow in your individual faith journey. For more information contact Michael Van Hemert at mvanhemert@smsrcatholic.com.
Men of the Beatitudes
Men of the Beatitudes is a group of men sharing their faith, holding one another accountable, and deepening their prayer life by experiencing the Beatitudes as a path to healing. If you are in need of fellowship and connection, contact Lucas Munns at munnsld@gmail.com.
Elizabeth Ministry
Women are welcome to join us to build community through fellowship and spiritual discussion. Evenings begin with wine, appetizers, and desserts provided by Elizabeth ministry. Ladies are welcome to contribute, but it is not necessary. For more information contact Liz Johnson.
Employment Opportunities
Administrative & Pastoral Coordinator (full-time, both parishes)
A full-time position that provides administrative support to our parish staff and provides welcoming and pastoral care to parishioners & guests. The position will coordinate our pastoral outreach programs, helping to reach those in our community that are homebound or in care facilities.
Director of Evangelization & Faith Formation (full-time, both parishes)
A full-time position that builds up, coordinates, and leads the parishes’ employees and teams into effective evangelization, especially the programs of Family Faith Formation, sacramental preparation, catechesis, and mystagogy.
Click here for the full job description.
Click here for the full job description.
Online Giving
Weekly Stewardship Made Easy. Donate Online or at Mass!
Estate Planning
There are many ways to financially invest in our communities. Would you prayerfully consider treating one of the parishes as one of your children in your will or estate planning? For more information contact Bonnie Firkus.