Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe November 26, 2017

THE BANE AND THE BLESSED

Quarters, dimes and nickels I stop and bend over for. Not pennies. On my morning walks I sometimes find money in the street. It surprises me how often it happens. I write this now because during my walk a couple days ago I found two quar-ters dropped at two different places. When I pick up a coin I wonder to whom it belonged, and how many hands had touched it before mine. Was the coin missed? Like the woman in the story told by Jesus, did the person look diligently for it? Was it dropped by someone who counts coins and knows how much he/she has in the pocket? Did others see it in the street but not bother to pick it up? I stop for silver but not copper. I don’t reach down for a pen-ny. Though when I walk alone I remember the comment made years ago by a colleague who taught with me at Regis High School in Eau Claire. He said you can always tell the faculty in the hallway because they are the ones bending down to pick up the loose change. Perhaps it is my pride that keeps me from stopping for the penny. Or perhaps it is because in my life I have never had to count my pennies. Or maybe be-cause I think there is nothing you can buy with a penny. Part of the reason, certainly, is because I think my standing in the world means I should not have to bother with something so small and insignificant. But Jesus valued pennies. He had an eye for stray pennies and would always bend down to touch and heal and embrace those who thought their lives not worth a penny. Jesus never walked by a penny whether it was the road-side beggar, the infectious leper, the scandalous woman, the cowardly friend. He valued them as pennies from heaven. He still is searching everywhere for pennies, and when he finds one who is willing to be found, it makes him feel like a King. Jesus, a King who always is bending low to find pennies, always giving himself for what others re-fuse to value. A King who is recognized only by those who let him show them the value of a penny. The Lord be with you. Father John Parr

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 2 November 26, 2017

FOR YOUR MARRIAGE

CARING AND SHARING

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please celebrate the Lord’s mercy in the Sacrament of Penance during these days of Advent. All parishioners are welcome to join the Faith Formation students on Wednesday evenings, November 29, December 6 and December 13 at 6:30 pm. Four confessors will be available each evening. Also confessions are scheduled at 4:00 pm every Saturday. Please feel free to contact Father Parr if you wish to schedule a time more convenient for you.

SACRAMENT OF PENANCE

Mark your Calendars Rotary Lights Parade - Nov. 24 at 5 pm Blessing/Lighting of the Nativity - Dec. 2

after 5 pm Mass followed by dinner in the gathering place. All are invited to attend. Rotary Lights Teardown - Jan. 5 between 9 am to 3 pm Free Throw Contest - Jan. 12

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

Sara (Wozney) Balaker Trudy Brieske

Elizabeth Donaldson Patrick Donaldson

Robert Heim June Kukovec

Kent Limberg (military) Jerome Malin Kevin McIntyre

WHEN REQUESTING THAT AN INDIVIDUAL BE ADDED TO OUR PRAYER LIST, YOU MUST HAVE THE

CONSENT OF THE INDIVIUDAL OR THEIR FAMILY FOR THEIR NAME TO BE PUBLICIZED.

ALSO, PLEASE REMEMBER TO INFORM US WHEN SOMEONE SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE LIST

Yearning for a baby? For some couples, pregnancy comes quickly, but for those still waiting, it can be emotionally draining. Natural Family Planning can help couples identify their most fertile days. Pray for

pregnant couples and for those who wait.

Having a hard time finding that perfect Christmas gift

for someone special? We now have donation cards

available in the office so that you can make a cash

donation in someone’s name to our Food Pantry. The

certificates read, “In the spirit of joy this Christmas

season, a donation to the Holman Food Pantry at

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was made in your name.” See

Sister Bridget or Carol Reider for a donation card for

your gift recipient. Thank you and God Bless!

GREAT GIFT IDEA

YOUNG AT HEART

The 55+ Young at Heart group will gather for a Christmas get-together on Thursday, December 7th. Join us for 8:30am Mass followed by a potluck and games. We will then resume Young at Heart gatherings in the spring. Watch the bulletin for future dates.

How can you share your stewardship of

time and talent at this time of year? On December 1st, SEAS will be hosting our annual Christmas Caring and Sharing event for our food pantry guests. We are in need of a great many volunteers to make that day as special as it can be for our guests. Today, Sunday, Nov. 26th after the 10:15 am Mass, we will be arranging tables and transporting goods from the rectory to the church. From Monday, Nov. 27th – Thursday, Nov. 30th from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, we need help sorting and arranging all the donated items. The actual Caring and Sharing event is on Friday, Dec. 1st, from 8:30 am – noon, and we need many elves to make this day a success. Please contact Sr. Bridget or Carol if you are available to help. We can guarantee that you will walk away from this experience with a heart full of gratitude and Christmas joy. And, as always, thank you for seeing the face of Christ in our sisters and brothers in need. God bless you and your family.

FAITH FORMATION

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 3 November 26, 2017

BULLETIN EARLY TO PRESS - NO FINANCIAL INFO AVAILABLE

Praying Through a Season of Noticing It frustrates me when I feel God is calling me to something, but I cannot name it. I get impatient wanting to act, but knowing there is no move I can make, because the gift of clarity eludes me. Have you ever felt like this, when you notice a growing desire within, but you are not sure what it means? That’s the season I’m in—a season of noticing. Noticing the desire within. Noticing the way my heart swells, ready to burst. Noticing that there are new growing invitations before me, but they don’t quite make sense. Noticing that on any given day I move between the emotions of excitement and fear as I wait to see what God is unfolding before me. Noticing that change and transition are a piece of my life, yet again. God is not absent in this season by any means. God is very present in the desires of my heart, in the growing invitation to the calls before me, and in the gift of this little prayer making itself back into my life. It gives me great hope in this season of newness, change, and transition, especially when my fears or doubts rise up within me. It is then, when I feel I have no other words to pray, I can lean on the penned prayer of Colombiere: Jesus, I feel within me a great desire to please you but, at the same time, I feel totally incapable of doing this without your special light and help, which I can expect only from you. Accomplish your will within me—even in spite of me. —St. Claude la Colombiere, SJEldredge, Becky. “Praying Through a Season of Noticing”. https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/23304/praying-through-a-season-of-noticing

Important Faith Formation Dates Wed., Nov. 29 - Penance Service grades 4th-6th at 6:30 in church. Parents encouraged to attend. Wed., Dec. 6 - Penance Service grades 7th-10th at 6:30 in church. Parents encouraged to attend. Wed., Dec. 13 - Penance Service grades 3 and First Penance at 6:30 in church. Parents encouraged to attend.

The Nuts and Candy have arrived. If you had placed an order from our Home Bound Committee Fundraiser, please pick up your order after Mass or in the office during the week. Thank you so much in supporting the efforts of the Committee to send greeting cards to our home bound parishioners.

NUTS AND CANDY PICK UP

ROTARY LIGHTS

The next Baptism Session is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 4 at 6:30pm. Parents, this session is an opportunity for you to enrich, strengthen, and deepen your Catholic Faith — the Faith you are asking to have your child brought into at the

celebration of their baptism. Preparing adequate materials for these classes requires pre-registration. Contact Sr. Bridget at the parish office to RSVP

EXPECTING PARENTS

Thank you, thank you, thank you, to those that have already sent in their pledge card for the Diocesan An-nual Appeal. Even if you can’t give at the moment, send in the card and they will bill you according to your wishes. Please note: make checks to Diocese of La Crosse and use the enclosed return envelope to mail your pledge directly to the Diocese.

Parish Target : $82,615 Total received: as of 11/17/2017

Visit www.diolc.org/appeal to donate online, be sure to designate St. Elizabeth’s

as the recipient.

APPEAL UPDATE

Help assist Rotary Lights in its mission of collecting non-perishable food items to help feed the hungry in the greater La Crosse area. Please bring your family (and your non-perishable food items) to the Rotary Lights display in Riverside Park. It is a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy an evening together. The SEAS Holmen Food Pantry is the recipient of the donated food items on the fol-lowing evenings:

Friday, December 8 Saturday, December 16 Wednesday, December 20 Friday, December 22 Sunday, December 25

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 4 November 26, 2017

PARISH INFORMATION

PARISH RECTORY & OFFICE Phone ............................................................................... 526-4424 Fax Number .................................................................... 526-3177 Email: office@seasholmen.org STAFF Pastor, Father John Parr ............................................... 526-4424

pastor@seasholmen.org Pastor Emeritus, Monsignor Delbert J. Malin............. 526-4908

djm133@charter.net

sbridget@seasholmen.org Pastoral Minister, Carol Reider .................................... 526-4424

carol@seasholmen.org C.R.E. (3 years-gr. 5),.Mary Luebke ………………526-4424 reled@seasholmen.org

...... 526-4424 youth@seasholmen.org

Director of Music, Beth Lakmann…………………..526-4424 music@seasholmen.org Secretary, Sandy Jerue ................................................. 526-4424 office@seasholmen.org

Sister Jean ....................................................................... 526-4908 sjean@seasholmen.org

MASS SCHEDULE Weekend: Sat. 5:00 pm and Sun. 8:00 & 10:15 am Weekday: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 am except Tues. 7:00 am Gluten Free Hosts: St. Elizabeth’s has gluten free hosts available. Please contact Fr. Parr, and he will make the necessary arrangements.

Parish Council Members Karen Anderson.…...526-9687 Laura Antonie………526-6047 Len Beranek………...526-3623 Francis Brown……...783-2744

Brian Clements……..526-2198 Les Giesler………….526-9625 Angie Hendrikson….385-4213 Shelly Linskey……...526-2286 Christine Olson.507-766-3654 Larry Warzynski.… ..526-6474

Finance Council Members Ryan Malak…...608-385-3326 Janice Dvoracek……526-3957

Shawn Handland…..526-2257 Pat Stephens.……….526-2480 Larry Warzynski..…..526-6474

Have a good back and willing to work strange hours? The parish needs volunteers to do snow shoveling this winter clearing sidewalks at the church and rectory driveway. Good news is the parish owns not one but two snow

blowers. And shovels will be provided! For more information please contact the parish office. And our many thanks to those volunteers who offer their labors in this regard.

SEAS NEEDS YOUR HELP

If you would like to make a donation toward Christmas flowers to decorate the church, please use the Flower Offering Envelope in your December contribution packet. If you do not receive contribution envelopes, due to ACH

contributions, please place your donation in a plain envelope and mark it “Christmas Flowers”. Include your name and the names of those you would like honored or remembered. Thank you.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS

SPORTSMEN NIGHT & WILD GAME FEED SEAS SIMPLE LIVING

The next group discussion for Simple Living is scheduled for Sunday, December 10th at 9:15am. Please join us the

second Sunday of every month from 9:15 to 10:00 a.m. as we continue to discern what we, individually and as a community, are called to do as stewards of creation. Please know that all are welcome to pray and reflect on Pope Francis’ words – even if you have not attended previous sessions. There is much to share!

Tickets are available for the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Sportsmen Night and Wild Game Feed. The event will take place on Saturday, Feb.17, 2018. Doors open at 4:00 pm and dinner starts at

6:00 pm. Limited seating. Tickets can be purchased at the parish office or contact Pat Brueggen at 526-4424. Don’t delay; tickets are going fast.

THANK YOU

Thank you to all those that attended our presentation on Catholic Burial rites a week ago. Fr. Parr shared very important information on the steps taken before and after death. Staff from the Dickinson Funeral Home answered questions about cremation and parishioner, Seth Barna, spoke about organ donation. If you have any questions, please contact Fr. Parr. There is a download of questions and answers regarding this topic under the funerals tab on our website at seasholmen.org.

HAPPENINGS IN OUR FAITH COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sunday, November 26 Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 8:00 am Mass † David Otte 10:15am Mass People of SEAS

11:15am Caring and Sharing Set Up

Monday, November 27 Weekday 8:30 am Mass † Madelyn Grabowenski

Tuesday, November 28 Weekday 7:00 am Mass † James Kohlmeier 6:30 pm Stewardship Committee Meeting 6:30 pm RCIA

Wednesday, November 29 Weekday 8:30 am Mass † Madelyn Grabowenski 6:30 pm Youth Faith Formation Classes 6:30 pm Sacrament of Penance

Thursday, November 30 St. Andrew, Apostle 8:30 am Mass Priest Intention 6:30 pm Choir practice

Friday, December 1 Weekday 8:30 am Mass † Madelyn Grabowenski 9:00 am Caring and Sharing

Saturday, December 2 Weekday 8:00 am Pray the Rosary 4:00 pm Sacrament of Penance

Vigil: 1st Sunday of Advent 5:00 PM Mass † William Kroner 6:00 pm KC Blessing/Lighting of the Nativity followed by a Christmas party in the gathering place

Sunday, December 3 1st Sunday of Advent 8:00 am Mass Special Intention for the families of the Knights of Columbus 9:15 am Wee Believe Sunday School 10:15am Mass People of SEAS

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 5 November 26, 2017

COMING HOME FOR ADVENT

During the season of Advent we prepare in a special way for the Lord who makes his home with us. Would you be willing to invite Father Parr to celebrate Mass in your home during the Advent season? Perhaps it would be an occasion to welcome family, parishioners and friends for prayer and celebration. The following evenings are available: Tuesday, December 5; Thursday, December 14; and Monday, December 18. Please contact Father Parr to confirm a time and date.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017 MASSES AT 8:30 AM AND 6:30 PM

A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION (PARISH OFFICE CLOSED )

CELEBRATE WITH US THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Madelyn Ann Grabowenski, age 77, died Thursday, November 9, 2017 Her funeral was celebrated at

SEAS on Wednesday, November 15, 2017. Madelyn is survived by her daughters, Lynn (James), Mary (Charles), Ann (Brad) and Teresa (Nathan) and son Thomas (Kelly) along with many grandchildren. Please keep Madelyn and her family in your prayers.

May she rest in peace.

JOIN US

SEAS NATIVITY LIGHTING

SEAS will be hosting an Advent Bible Study. Join us December 4,12, and 19 from 6:30-8:00pm. Mr. Pat Brueggen will lead us as we travel with Mary and explore the connection between the joyful mysteries and this blessed Advent season. This is open to all ages wanting to grow in their faith. If you have any questions, contact Pat Brueggen at 526-4424 or youth@seasholmen.org

Fr. Parr will bless and light the Nativity on Dec. 2nd after the 5:00 pm Mass. Following, the Knights of Columbus invite every-one to their annual Christmas

Party in the gathering place. Come enjoy a free meal, Christmas caroling, and just maybe, a special visitor from the North Pole.