Prayer for Veterans Day
God of peace,
we pray for those who have served our nation
and have laid down their lives
to protect and defend our freedom.
We pray for those who have fought,
whose spirits and bodies are scarred by war,
whose nights are haunted by memories
too painful for the light of day.
We pray for those who serve us now,
especially for those in harm’s way.
Shield them from danger
and bring them home.
Turn the hearts and minds
of our leaders and our enemies
to the work of justice and a harvest of peace.
All Souls Day Mass at Catholic Cemetary
A Mass for the Dead will be celebrated on All Souls’ Day, Wednesday, November 2, in the Saint Francis of Assisi Mausoleum Chapel of the Catholic Cemetery, 519 Losey Boulevard South, at 5:15 pm. Please note the time change. This will hopefully allow for more families to attend. A plenary indulgence, under the usual circumstances, can be gained for the souls in purgatory by the Christian faithful who, within November 1-8, devoutly visits a cemetery and prays for the dead. The Rev. Msgr. Robert Hundt will be the celebrant. All are invited to attend.
Church missionaries in Wisconsin
The words mission and missionary almost always bring to mind a vision of a third world country where abject poverty prevails. Where starvation, disease, homelessness and a lack of education, medical care, jobs are the expected norms rather than the exceptions. For those who bring Christ and his love to such a community, they must be immersed into a new culture to effect change. They ask for financial support, materials and prayer to accomplish their ministry from their home parishes, families and agencies. Less than two hundred years ago we were that mission field for many French, Irish and Germany missionaries. While we were looked on as a land of opportunity and poverty was not as severe, there were many obstacles facing those who left their families behind in Europe to bring Christ to this country and in particular this parish and our diocese. Our first bishop, Michael J. Heiss begged for priests to serve the diocese and sought financial aid from the Ludwig- Missionverein in Bavaria. Samuel Mazzuchelli was given money from the European Propagation of the Faith Fund which was started in France in1822. As late the late 1950, the diocese was given $30,000 by Mexican Catholics for the construction of our present day Cathedral. We have a rich history of supporting missionaries and their work which will continue through your prayer and financial support.
The history windows depict many of the Church’s missionaries. In particular are four mentioned in the Wisconsin window, Fathers Ménard, Allouez and Marquette were all from France and Jesuit missionaries. Father Mazzuchelli was a Dominican missionary from Italy.
Fr. René Ménard(1604-1661) worked among the Huron and Iroquois Indians. He died near Wausau.
Fr. Jean Claude Allouez(1620-1689) established a mission on Lake Superior. He was the First Vicar-General of the US.
Fr. Jacques Marquette(1636-1675) and Louis Joliet explored the northern shore of Lake Michigan and came into Wisconsin at Green Bay. Their detailed chronicle became an important US historical document.
Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli worked extensively in eastern Iowa, central and southwestern Wisconsin founding over 30 parishes. He mapped out the Diocese of La Crosse in 1844.
