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God’s Holy Family of Saints

December 30, 2023

Feast of the Holy Family
By Deacon Dick Kostner

Today we celebrate the Holy Family the mentor of “Patience.” I like many Americans suffer from the illness I call “Patienitus” an illness that attacks those who demand results in conquering life struggles and challenges not tomorrow but rather right now- before any suffering can occur. Oh I know the rules of nature that God is not governed by “time” as we know it and you will hear me say “…remember God does not wear a watch like we wear” because God has no beginning nor end. But I also know that God has no limitations so God can speed things up or slow things down, if he so desires.

Today’s Gospel tells us the story about the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple as was required by the Law of Moses and two old people of faith Simeon and Anna who believed in the coming of Jesus and were awaiting his arrival to meet him before they died. They knew God is not governed by time but they also knew that their age was getting up there and I am sure they worried that they would die before they could meet Jesus and the Holy Family. They were beginning to show symptoms of coming down with “Patienitus.” But their faith held strong and they were finally blessed with meeting the Holy Family. Simeon and Anna knew the vaccination for not getting “Patienitus” was faith in God. God did not speed up their prayers to meet Jesus rather God just extended their life span so that they could witness their prayers being answered.

We live in troubled times. As a Parish family we continue to meet and offer our prayers to God together as a family asking for help for ourselves and help and direction for the welfare of our children and friends. But we sometimes wonder if God is really listening to our prayer petitions. The world needs divine help now not sometime in the future. We need Jesus to come to us now before we loose are freedoms, and before we just give up and that’s when we are most likely to become a disciple of the evil one who is working very hard to destroy our faith that God will always be there for us.

You have heard the saying, “Only death and taxes are certain.” Well I learned a new certainty at my Deacon Education session a few weeks ago. The priest speaker said it is a certainty that as followers of Christ we must experience suffering before we are able to be admitted into heaven. He also said that we all expect that maybe we can get a pass but that cannot happen. Even Jesus prayed that the cup of suffering might pass, but then he ended his prayer with saying “but not my will but the will of the Father be done.” We need to remember to include that phrase in all our prayers for relief from suffering. No one, not even Jesus or Mary escaped the certainty and need for suffering as a requirement to enter into the Kingdom of God.

This is when we need to ask for help from the saints like Simeon and Anna who were growing old waiting to see in person, the Redeemer of the world, who would bring light to the darkness we experience during our journey to join Jesus and the Saints in the land of light. Mary and Joseph did not know what their experience would be like raising the Son of Light before their trip to the Temple with Jesus. But, God gifted them with the presence of two special people who shared with them a look into the future by sharing communications they had received from God on what life would be like raising the Son of God in a very troubled world.

The gift that God gave the Holy Family is also given to us as a member of the Holy Family, and that is the gift of faith. Faith that God has us covered even though things may seem hopeless, and time is running out for us to see in person our friend and redeemer, Jesus. Remember that Jesus has many faces and many bodies in people we call Saints who are members of the Holy Family who are living with and praying with us, and for us, every day.

No Jesus does not have a watch to keep track of time, but he does give us members of His Church to guide and support us here and now who will reveal to us our future life as Simeon and Anna did for Jesus and Mary. Let us remember today to give thanks to God for allowing us to become a member of the Holy Family and join them in prayer and thanksgiving celebrating our faith that Jesus is present with us for support and waiting for a hug from his brothers and sisters of faith.

Posted in Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Marriage and Family, Patience, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Call No Man “Father”?

November 5, 2023

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Victor Feltes

Today’s gospel understandably prompts a question. Jesus says, “Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in Heaven.” So why are Catholic priests called “Father”? Some non-Catholic Christians object to calling Catholic priests “Father” and abstain from doing so. However, I have never witnessed anyone similarly object to using the title “father” for their own beloved, male, biological parent. Jesus also says, “Do not be called ‘Rabbi,‘” and “Rabbi” means “Teacher,” yet every Christian school is staffed by “teachers.” Does Jesus intend us to take his words here literally or is he teaching us something deeper?

It is good to use Sacred Scripture to interpret Sacred Scripture, since the Holy Spirit inspired every passage and, rightly understood, God’s Word will not contradict itself. When we read the New Testament we see many men referred to as fathers. The 1st Letter of St. John says, “I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.” St. Paul writes in his Letter to the Romans about “our father Abraham” and “our father Isaac.” The Holy Spirit also inspired St. Paul in his 1st Letter to the Corinthians to call himself a spiritual father to those Christians. He writes, “Even if you should have countless guides to Christ, you do not have many fathers, for I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” St. Paul similarly says in his Letter to Philemon, “I urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become…” So we see that it can be fine to call some living or deceased men fathers. It can even be good to call yourself someone else’s father. So what does Jesus mean to warn us about by teaching, “Call no one on earth your father”?

Today’s gospel says Jesus was speaking to the crowds and his disciples about the authority and the flaws of the scribes and the Pharisees. In the ancient world, teachers would teach seated. For instance, Jesus sat down to give his Sermon on the Mount and sat in Simon Peter’s boat to preach to people gathered onshore. Ancient rulers reigned from chairs called thrones, so Christ is now “seated at the right hand of the Father.” Jesus said the Jewish scribes and the Pharisees had “taken their seat on the chair of Moses.” Before the establishment of the Church they apparently possessed legitimate authority to teach. “Therefore,” Jesus said, “do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.”

Jesus noted these teachers’ lack of concern for others: “They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them.” He noted their vain egotism: “All their works are performed to be seen. … They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’” Instead of this, Jesus teaches us: “The greatest among you must be your servant.”

We who are fathers, or teachers, or who have any role of authority must remain humble. We are not flawless or perfect. We are not the Lord, our God. We are not given authority over others in order to serve ourselves. Jesus says, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Resemble Jesus Christ in this and your reward will resemble his. Christians must also remember that our fathers, our teachers, and all people in roles of authority on earth are not perfect. Even if they are trying their best, they are not the Lord, our God. Even popes, preserved by the Holy Spirit from teaching errors “ex cathedra,” can still misstep as shepherds in their words and actions.

A faithful leader is a great blessing; promoting truth, and love, and righteousness within their sphere of influence. That is why it is so important for each of us to be good servant-leaders. But we must not make idols of ourselves or others, as if we were perfect, this world’s savior, or the source of every good. We have only one such Good Teacher. We have only one such Father, in Heaven. And we have only one such Master, Jesus Christ our Lord, who is worthy of our absolute trust and devotion.

Posted in Catholic Church, Christian Perfection, Fatherhood, Homily, Politics, Service, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Union With The Other — The Derek Seibel & Jocelyn Zwiefelhofer Wedding

October 14, 2023

By Fr. Victor Feltes

From the beginning of creation, God has made us male and female. Male and female are a foundational difference in our human nature. Though equal in dignity, the two sexes are not the same. We do not think about it much, but it is curious that God created us with this inherent division among us. He did not have to do this. God could have created us differently. Yet this distinction, this separation between us, is what makes marriage possible.

Does marriage divide us? Does marriage separate people? What do I mean? Well, like Jesus says, the man and woman leave father and mother for each other. There is a leaving of a previous family to form a new one. And because of marriage, both bride and groom forsake all others. In saying “yes” to one other person the newlywed is saying “no” to hundreds of millions of others. Marriage is an exclusive and binding relationship that separates a man and woman from having the same relationship with all others. A blinkered person could look at men and women and only see opposition. One could deconstruct marriage and denounce it as discriminatory and divisive. But these strange perspectives would not see the fullness of reality, the beauty of what God is doing.

Derek and Jocelyn, I doubt you feel today like you are abandoning your families. Rather, you are becoming parts of each other’s families even as you form a distinct new family of your own. And I very much doubt that you, Derek and Jocelyn, are thinking today about how getting married cuts off your dating options. Instead, you are experiencing joy in becoming more perfectly one with your beloved.

As a man and a woman, God made you for each other. And the unity you can experience together is described by Jesus as two becoming one such that you “are no longer two but one flesh [one body].” Marriage unites human beings and the human family. And here is the greater wonder: all men and women are made for union with God, who is supremely Other. And holy marriage offers both an image and foretaste of the loving harmony with God in Heaven.

In receiving this Sacrament of Marriage your union becomes more than natural. By cooperating with grace you become a living icon of the marriage of Jesus Christ the Bridegroom with the Church his Bride. You can tap into the love they express and give to each other, loving beyond your human strength. “Therefore,” Jesus says, “what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” Derek and Jocelyn, and every married person here: do not disregard or fail to realize what is possible in your sacramental bond. Invite God to perfect your love, for each other, for himself, and for all.

Posted in Homily, Jesus Christ, Marriage and Family | 1 Comment »

Forgiveness 77 Times?

September 18, 2023

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Deacon Dick Kostner

Today’s gospel lesson has Peter questioning his friend Jesus as to how forgiving he must be with others. The answer Jesus gives him is the answer our heavenly Father gives to each and every one of us and that is “always.” We are to forgive others just as many times that we would ask God to forgive us for our failings in life. Peter, the first Pope of our faith, seems to think that he is without fault or at least he feels that “seven” would be a reasonable number of times that humans should be allowed to be forgiven. But Peter will soon learn that God will always forgive us for our human weakness if we approach him with a contrite heart when we stumble and disappoint our creator.

Jesus answers Peter with a parable story to help him mature into a worthy disciple. He uses a king to represent his Father in heaven to display what is required to receive forgiveness from God for our failings. We must be sincere and contrite when we ask God and others for forgiveness. Is that not what is required for us to receive forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation? But the king and God expects more of us than that as the parable continues. The servant in today’s story is forgiven by the king and his debt is erased, at least so he thinks. But now comes the kicker, when he is asked for forgiveness from a debt a fellow servant owes him, his answer is “no” and he has the man arrested and put in prison.

The forgiven servant soon finds out that the king requires of him and of us that when we receive forgiveness of our failings from God that we are to extend the act of forgiveness to all who approach us and ask to be forgiven if they approach us with a contrite heart. If we do not do this we can expect to be corrected by the king, by God, when we meet him in person at the conclusion of our life here in this world.

Recently, I presided over the marriage of a young couple and I told them things that I had learned from my fifty-plus years of marriage to Barb. One of the first things I shared with them was the fact that although they might think that their new spouse is perfect in every way, that this is a myth for we are all humans and as Father Tom would always say, “We have feet of clay.” Humans by their nature, have weaknesses and all of us will display our weaknesses during our lives here on earth. God knows this, and that is why he forgives us seventy times seven. When this happens, we will realize that we are not perfect and that we will need to ask for forgiveness. This holds true especially in married life. What makes this especially beneficial in a marriage is that our spouse has the obligation to try their hardest to prepare their spouse for the heavenly kingdom. That means to tell them and show their spouse that they are not perfect and that sometimes they will need to realize this and approach forgiveness with a contrite heart. Marriage helps us learn to be a forgiven person so that we can extend that forgiveness to not only our spouse, but also to our children, friends, and even strangers who have offended not only us but our heavenly Father.

I want to thank my wife, Barb for being a good wife and for all the times that she has pointed out to me that I am not perfect. My only concern is why she always grins when she corrects me. I guess that it must just be what a good wife of fifty-plus years is called to do.

Posted in Homily, Marriage and Family, Mercy, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

‘Keep My Commandments & Love as I Love You’ — The Riley Henneman & Emily Holloway Wedding

September 11, 2023

By Deacon Dick Kostner

These words of Jesus in today’s gospel spell out a wedding gift to Riley and Emily that enables them to live out a life together of happiness not only in this life but also an eternal life with Jesus and the children of the creator of happiness, in the kingdom of God. To Riley and Emily, your Father in heaven tells you today, to listen to His Son and you will find eternal happiness.

These words of Jesus will not eliminate for you pain and suffering in this life but it will allow you endure the misfortunes that all human beings will encounter in an imperfect world. I have spent in my life many hours of prayer asking the Father to share with me his gift of wisdom, so today I will share my thoughts on what it means to follow the Eleventh Commandment Jesus gave us to “Love as I have loved you.”

Oh, it may seem like an easy task when you face each other today for you love one another and feel that you have found the “perfect” spouse to spend a lifetime with, but I must burst that bubble and share with you some wisdom and the fact is that there exists no human being that is “perfect.” To be human is to be imperfect. You might try and fool yourself into thinking you’re perfect, but time will prove you wrong. Trust me when I tell you that God programmed spouses to remind you that you are not perfect. All we have to do is look at our Bible readings and we will find that our first pope, St. Peter, thought he was perfect and would never turn against his friend, Jesus, but guess what happened; he was put to the test and failed not once but three times in saying he did not know Jesus.

We all have fears that we will encounter in life, such as job failures; broken friendships; illnesses; and yes that big one, deaths that we must experience and live through. How in the world can we love someone who hates us? Answer—Ask Jesus. How can we overcome the feeling we get when someone we love, does something to us that causes us to wonder if they really care about my feelings? Ask Jesus. How do we have love for a God that allows his only son to go through pain and suffering and yes even death without offering help? Ask Jesus. And how about the big one why would anyone be willing to surrender their life for someone that is not a friend or for someone who not only dislikes you but hates you? Ask Jesus.

Riley and Emily, I know you really enjoy hunting as I do. But I will share with you some wisdom that I discovered recently that made me appreciate animals more to the point that I enjoy watching them teach me how to love, more than I enjoy pursuing them in the field. Recently, I watched a program on Paramount entitled “1883” about early settlers making there way to Oregon to find a new life. On their way, they were confronted with a shortage of food and one of the travelers set out with his young son who was about ten years of age to hunt for some food. They came upon some deer and the father allowed and taught his son how to aim his rifle and acquire his first kill which was a nice buck. After the kill the father took some of the blood of the deer and smeared it on his sons face and told him that this deer gave up its life so that they might live so its important that hunters express their thanks to animals killed for providing us with food, by saying “thanks.” He then told his son to say “thanks” to the deer, which he did.

This stuck in my mind and I thought about how Jesus gave up his earthly life and his friends whom he loved, so that we might live and how that mirrors our directive from him to “Love as he has loved us.” It also opened my eyes to how all of God’s creation has that same vocation, to give of oneself so that someone or something else can live even if it means giving up your life. Some times this isn’t easy but its worth it to know that God has blessed you with a spouse. Riley and Emily, God has given you another set of hands, feet, heart, and mind to consult with and care for you when something breaks on you and you are hurting and who will lovingly remind you that you are not perfect when we get out of hand. I learned this first hand when I had my knees replaced and Barb babysat me.

I also would recommend that, as that young man in the episode did, to give thanks to your spouse for their gift to you of their lives. I would also encourage that you, as a couple, at least once each week to give thanks to Jesus by attending his Mass, receiving the Living Bread, and thanking him for giving up his life so that you two may live a life of happiness not only in this world but also Everlasting Life in the Kingdom of God. Giving thanks acknowledges are pledge to Jesus to love as he has loved us. Now let’s celebrate the “Love as I have loved you” Sacrament of Marriage, where Riley and Emily will pledge their love for one another and become one in being through the love of the Father.

Posted in Christian Perfection, Homily, Marriage and Family, Television, Wedding Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Like Gentiles or Tax Collectors

September 9, 2023

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Victor Feltes

Jesus teaches us today about how to practice fraternal correction. In short, if a brother or sister in the Church sins against you, approach him or her privately. If that fails to persuade, come again with one or two others. If that does not work, bring the matter to the Church. And “if he refuses to listen even to the Church,” Jesus says, “then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.” Jesus says to treat an obstinately unrepentant Christian like “a Gentile or a tax collector.” What are we to make of this?

How would the Jewish crowds hearing Jesus’ preaching treat Gentiles or tax collectors? The Old Covenant kept Jews and Gentiles (that is, non-Jews) separate. For example, archeologists have found stone signs from the Jewish temple dating to the Gospel era which warned Gentiles or foreigners not to enter its inner courts. Those signs’ chiseled, red letters declared in Greek: “No foreigner is to enter within the stone railing [balustrade] around the sanctuary and the enclosure. Whoever is caught will himself be responsible for his ensuing death.” Without full conversion to Judaism, Gentiles in those days could not enjoy full communion with God’s people. Meanwhile, Jewish tax collectors were viewed as collaborators with Israel’s enemies, traitors harming their own people, and shunned. So how would the early Church respond in the case of a persistently unrepentant Christian?

In the First Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul addresses a scandalous matter brought to him concerning the Church in Corinth. He writes, “It is widely reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of a kind not found even among pagans — a man living with his father’s wife,” that is, his stepmother. I imagine if you had asked this romantic couple why they were together, they might have answered, with sincerity, “We love each other!” They might have said what they were doing made them happy. They might have even said, “All love is love.” How would St. Paul answer? In today’s second reading from God’s inspired word, he says, “Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.” But not all things called “love” are loving in accord with Christ’s commands. Not all pleasures lead to true and lasting happiness. Not all paths lead to God.

In the case of that scandal at Corinth, St. Paul the Apostle declares to the Church:

“The one who did this deed should be expelled from your midst. I, for my part, although absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as if present, pronounced judgment on the one who has committed this deed, in the name of our Lord Jesus: when you have gathered together and I am with you in spirit with the power of the Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.”

St. Paul excommunicates the man. It is a strong response because grave sin is serious business. (The man’s partner who goes unmentioned was apparently not a member of the Church.) The goal of an excommunication, beyond the spiritual welfare of the community, is the sinner’s conversion and salvation. St. Paul’s loving hope was that this offender’s sufferings would eventually lead to the salvation of his soul. For better or worse, formal excommunications are uncommon today. Nevertheless, just because one’s body remains inside the church building does not mean his or her soul remains with Christ. If we are living in grave sin, we need to repent and go to confession. And if someone else gravely sins, we could be called, with discernment and prayer, to share the truth in love.

When Jesus says to treat the unrepentant like “a Gentile or a tax collector,” recall how he himself treated Gentiles and tax collectors. Though not yet converted, he loved them. He cared about them and wanted to draw them to himself. He wished for them to change their ways and eventually come into full communion with him in his Church. If we are prayerful and loving, Jesus will enable us to correct the errant in a Christ-like way, and perhaps they will be saved.

Like our Lord appointed the Prophet Ezekiel in today’s first reading to be a watchman for the house of Israel, the Lord may call on you to invite sinners to change their way. As a watchman who loves God’s holy city and wishes the blessed number within her to grow, without abandoning your post on the walls of truth, encourage those who are spiritually outside of her walls to pass through the gate of mercy.

Posted in Catholic Church, Chastity, Culture, Homily, Jesus Christ, Love, Marriage and Family, Repentance, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Fruitful Love Despite Our Flaws — The Justin Wachtendonk & Brenna Werner Wedding

July 8, 2023

By Fr. Victor Feltes

Justin and Brenna, you have chosen beautiful readings for your wedding Mass. Including your second reading, the most popular of all wedding reading options: St. Paul’s famous poetic hymn about love. In the 13th chapter of his 1st Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul teaches what love does and does not do. These words contain blessed lessons for us all. Today, I wish to highlight the rarely-considered context of those passages to help married couples and people within Christ’s Church of our day.

When we think of the early Church, we tend to picture it as a golden age. The apostles were still alive on earth preaching the Gospel, performing miracles, and founding Christian communities. Divinely inspired books were still being written for what would become the New Testament of the Bible. The Church’s membership was growing widely and rapidly, while producing great saints and martyrs. But this does not mean that everything was perfect. Far from it!

You can see this in St. Paul’s 1st Letter to the Corinthians. He writes them to address the many things that were going wrong at the Church in Corinth. For instance, Paul corrects the Corinthian Christians’ bitter internal rivalries and factionalism. He notes the external scandal caused by them suing each other in secular courts. He critiques the Corinthians’ inflated pride. He excommunicates a certain man for his unrepentant sexual sins. He condemns the Church at Corinth’s liturgical abuses (against the Real Presence of Jesus and one another) at their celebrations of the Holy Eucharist. And St. Paul cites still more controversies than these. So things in the early Church were not so idyllic as we might imagine. And that can be a great encouragement for us today!

The early Church, despite the many flaws of her members, produced good, much good, world-transforming good and the salvation of many souls, in those days and thereafter. The Church today, despite the many flaws of her members, still produces much good, world-transforming good and the salvation of many souls. His Church build upon a rock is, as Jesus says in our Gospel, “a city set on a mountain which cannot be hidden.” She remains, “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” — purifying, enlightening, enhancing, and saving.

Whatever goodness is found in Christ’s Bride, the Church, is like the worthy wife the Book of Proverbs describes in our first reading. As the pearl of great price, “her value is far beyond pearls.” “Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize. She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.” She labors alongside him, “reaches out her hands to the poor,” and he will “give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her.” This is a great encouragement for us in his Church, but also a great encouragement for all Christian married couples here.

Justin and Brenna, you are about to enter a new covenant with Christ. In your sacramental marriage, you will encounter each other’s flaws and experience trials, as every married couple will. Do not be surprised when not everything is perfect and do not be alarmed. Maintain your peace. With a love that is patient, a love that is kind, a love that most importantly has its origin and strength in Christ, you will ‘bear all things and endure all things.’ His “love never fails.” Like his Church, which despite the imperfections of her members produces much good fruit, your marriage — if united to Christ — will never fail.

Posted in Catholic Church, Christian Perfection, Faith, Homily, Love, Marriage and Family, St. Paul, Typology, Wedding Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Marriage & the Eucharist — The Jonathan Lynch & Abigail Butek Wedding

July 5, 2023

By Fr. Victor Feltes

Johnathan and Abigail, the three readings you chose for your wedding are each about divine love. The First Letter of St. John says “in this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he has loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.” Jesus tells us in St. John’s Gospel, “As the Father loves me, so I love you. …Love one another as I love you.” And the third reading you chose (the first we heard today) comes from The Song of Songs. This Old Testament book is curious in the canon.

The Song of Songs is a collection of sometimes graphic love poetry. Though traditionally attributed to King Solomon, and so sometimes called The Song of Solomon, scholars’ estimates for the year it was written range between 1,000 and 100 BC. And most extraordinarily, the book contains no explicit references to God, or religion, or spirituality. So why is it in the Bible and a fitting source for a Catholic wedding reading?

For starters, The Song of Songs it is not an ode to fornication, for at the center of the book we find a royal wedding procession; the man and woman are husband and wife. And just as Jewish writers saw it as an allegory of God’s love, early Christian saints see it depicting Jesus Christ’s love for us, his Bride, the Church. All four Gospels, two Pauline epistles, and The Book of Revelation call Christ a bridegroom or husband, and Jesus describes himself as such. Therefore, the saints’ view of The Song of Songs is not an outrageous reading but a natural interpretation.

Johnathan and Abigail, you have fittingly chosen to enter marriage today in a wedding Mass. Though getting married in a simple Catholic ceremony is an option, being married at a Holy Mass is best. Like the titles “King of Kings” or “Lord of Lords,” the title of The Song of Songs proclaims it as the most excellent or greatest of songs. In the same way, the Holy Mass may be called the meal of meals, our prayer of prayers, the sacrifice of sacrifices, the covenant of covenants. “Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.”

Today, I wish to highlight for you a few parallels found in the sacraments of marriage and the Eucharist. First, both sacraments establish covenants. The covenantal nature of the Eucharist is made clear at the Last Supper when Jesus offers us his Blood in the chalice. “Take this, all of you, and drink from it,” this is “the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you…” Marriage is likewise a covenantal union between bridegroom and bride.

Second, both marriage and the Eucharist are effected by words and action. With the priest’s words of consecration, you have the Real Presence of Jesus on the altar at Mass. With your exchange of vows, you will be married before God’s altar. But that is not the consummation of these sacraments. If neither priest nor people consumed Communion after the consecration, an aspect of the sacrament would remain unfulfilled. Both of these holy sacraments are effected by words and action.

Third, these covenantal unions are ongoingly renewed. Much is made of the day of First Communion and one’s wedding day. These firsts are worthy of celebration, but they are just the beginnings. Through the mutual gifting of one’s whole self to the other, these sacraments are renewed through repetition. Jesus tells us at every Mass, “Take this… this is my Body,” and we are called to offer our whole selves to him in return. Many Catholic couples have placed a crucifix above their headboard reflecting the sacrificial self-giving each spouse is called to. These two sacraments reflect and reveal each other; husband and wife, Christ and his Church. “Love one another as I love you… Do this in memory of me.”

Before receiving Jesus in the Eucharist, we proclaim: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof…” Jonathan, Abigail, and all married spouses, maintain your reverence towards each other. Like approaching Jesus in the Eucharist, do not take each other for granted.

Before receiving him in the Eucharist, we also declare to Jesus: “Only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” Jonathan and Abigail, realize the power of your words for each other. They can wound and they can heal; you too can strengthen and transform each other through the power of your words.

And finally, Jonathan and Abigail, always remain close to Jesus and do his will. He tells us, “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.” As the Song of Song tells us, “As stern as death is [his] love, relentless as the nether-world is [his] devotion; its flames are a blazing [divine] fire. Deep waters cannot quench [his] love, nor floods sweep it away.” Remain in his mighty love and your love will fruitfully endure.

Posted in Homily, Love, Marriage and Family, Mass, Real Presence, Wedding Homilies | Leave a Comment »

A Mother’s Love — Memorial Mass Homily for Georgetta Thibeau, 94

May 15, 2023

By Fr. Victor Feltes

Georgetta was born here in Bloomer in 1928. She grew up in this parish, attending our St. Paul’s School. Her funeral Mass was offered in Racine after she passed away this January. And following this morning’s Mass, her remains will be laid to rest in our South Catholic Cemetery.

In the gospel for today, Jesus says, “Love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” So I asked Georgetta’s daughter, Sue, whether her mother had laid down her life for her friends. She replied, “No,” — her mother laid down her life for her family.

Georgetta raised her six children all by herself in Racine for most of their youth. Her two boys and four girls knew it was not easy for her and helped out as they could. In an era with much less government support, Georgetta worked night shifts to provide for her family. But she lovingly provided them more than just food and shelter. She also gave them the example of her Catholic Faith.

Georgetta, it is said, was never without a rosary in her hands, day or night. Whenever she came across a rosary she would pick it up and place it into her prayer rotation. But there was one rosary in particular about which she gave her children special instructions. On more than one occasion, she told them to take the rosary she kept on her headboard and place it into the urn (this urn) with her ashes when she died. Why? “Because that one glows in the dark.”

The Holy Rosary and our Blessed Mother Mary were always near to her heart. And the Blessed Mother she loved leads me to a final reflection. Jesus Christ perfected his mother in love to love like himself. Jesus said, “Love one another as I love you.” Who besides the Lord has loved with a greater love than her? Jesus said, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Yet this presents a puzzle, since the Virgin Mary never died a martyr’s bloody death.

From Mother Mary we discover that a person can lay down one’s life with the greatest love as a loving offering for others even without dying a red martyrdom. And these others (these “friends” one loves and lays down one’s life for) can be one’s own sons and daughters, since Mary is our spiritual mother and we are her dearly beloved sons and daughters. Mother Mary learned how to love like Jesus loves us, and Georgetta learned how to love like Mary loves us. That is why, even in death, Georgetta remains in the light.

Posted in Blessed Virgin Mary, Christian Perfection, Funeral Homilies, Homily, Love, Motherhood, Rosary, Weekday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Behold the Tree of Life

February 26, 2023

1st Sunday of Lent
By Fr. Victor Feltes

God grew many lovely, fruit-bearing trees in the Garden of Eden, but only two trees are mentioned by name. In the middle of the Garden the Lord God placed the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Tempted by the Devil, Eve ate from the forbidden tree and “gave some to her husband—who was with her—and he ate it.” If only Adam had been willing to confront the dragon-serpent and protect his bride, perhaps even to lay down his life for her! But the first man did not do this and the whole human family fell. (Let men called to lead and protect their families take note.)

Then our Triune God said: “Behold! The man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil! What if he now also reaches out his hand to take fruit from the Tree of Life, and eats of it and lives forever?” For this reason, God banished our first parents from the Garden. This was not from divine jealousy, but from divine concern for us. Imagine everlasting human lives lived in unending sinfulness; that would be a hell on earth. “Through one man, sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all men…” But God promised Adam and Eve a redeemer who would crush the serpent’s head and save us from sin and death.

In today’s Gospel, that Savior undergoes the Devil’s temptations not in a paradise but in a desert. The ancient tempter approaches Jesus and says, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread… If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down (from this temple rooftop)… All (the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence) I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” Jesus refuses each of these diabolical suggestions.

If the Christ conjures bread for himself when hungry, then how can he refuse to fill every hungry mouth? But what good would our filled stomachs be if we are never delivered from sin and death? And if the Christ demands that God his Father protect him from every harm, then how could he ever offer his life’s blood as our saving sacrifice? And if the Christ submits to our enemy’s rule over this world, then how could we ever be free? Jesus Christ understands his messianic mission and where it will lead him. It will lead him to the Cross.

Jesus calls himself the Bridegroom, and St. Paul calls him the second and final Adam. Unlike the first Adam, Jesus Christ the New Adam willingly and courageously lays down his life in battle with the Devil to save us, the Church, his Bride.

“[T]hrough one transgression
condemnation came upon all,
so, through one righteous act,
acquittal and life came to all.

[T]hrough the disobedience of the one man
the many were made sinners,
so, through the obedience of the one,
the many will be made righteous.”

One beautiful Mass preface for Sundays in Ordinary Time praises God with these words: “[W]e know it belongs to your boundless glory, that you came to the aid of mortal beings with your divinity and even fashioned for us a remedy out of mortality itself, that the cause of our downfall might become the means of our salvation…”

St. Paul’s tells the Galatians, “Christ ransomed us from the curse… by becoming a curse for us — for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree…’” In the tree that is his Holy Cross, we now see the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life combined.

During this Lent, contemplate the crucifix. Meditate upon the crucifix to know goodness, to behold God’s love for us. And gaze upon the crucifix to know evil, to see our sins at work. And ever-faithfully eat the fruit from this Tree of Life, which is Jesus Christ himself given us at Holy Mass. As Jesus taught in the synagogue at Capernaum, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life… For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. …Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” God once said in the Garden: ‘You shall not eat of the Tree or even touch it, lest you die.’ But now Jesus invites us, provided we are well-prepared: “Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body… given up for you.”

Posted in Adam and Eve, Homily, Jesus Christ, Marriage and Family, Passion, Salvation History, Satan, Sunday Homilies, Typology | 1 Comment »

The Loving Communion of Persons — The Larry Feltes & Shirley Conibear Wedding

February 19, 2023

By Fr. Victor Feltes

For the story of humanity, God began with a single couple, Adam and Eve; a single family, the family of Abraham; a single people, the twelve tribes of Jacob; a single nation, the nation of Israel; and ultimately a single Church, a Church for all peoples and lands, the Church of Jesus Christ. Notice the trend of God creating a wider and wider circle of relationship.

This growth is all detailed in the Bible. God began with two in the Garden of Eden, later a family of seventy journeyed into Egypt, generations later hundreds of thousands came out of Egypt in the Exodus, until there was up to millions at the birth of the Church. These events are all recounted through personal stories, about people such as Joseph, Moses, Jesus and Mary and his friends, the Apostles. This was necessary for God’s purpose. Perhaps an angel could be engaged by a long list of statistics and historical dates, But human persons require personal stories of personal experience to come to know God.

God desires us to know him better. In the time of Moses, God commanded his people to worship no other gods. In the time of the prophets, God clarified for his people that there are no other gods. But in the coming of Jesus, God revealed for all people that God is a communion of Persons. Our God is not a solitary oneness but a unity of three, an eternally loving and blessed Trinity.

So why did God create us? Did he need us to do something for him? Was he incomplete without us? No, we are not the result of necessity. God is complete in himself, but his fullness overflows. Love likes to share. Our creation, our existence, is a gratuitous gift. And God desires and delights that we would be in personal relationship with him and in close personal relationship with one another through him.

Larry and Shirley, you are about to enter a holy covenant together. In a moment, you will exchange vows to be married, and we are all here to support you. But hypothetically, could you both survive without marrying each other? Sure. Could you survive without music, or sweet foods, or sunsets? Of course! You marry today not by compulsion, nor from necessity, but freely and overflowing delight. You both desire to be a blessing to each other; to be the blessing that a wife can be to her husband and the blessing that a husband can be to his wife in this holy communion of persons. He desires for you to have holy joys in life, to support each other through the inevitable trials ahead, and to sanctify each other, to grow each other as saints for Heaven with God.

Larry and Shirley, you both know that wedding days are full of many memories, but from this homily I hope you will remember this: at quiet times in days ahead reflect and see how Jesus has walked with you, leading you to this moment. And as you go forward together in marriage, grow in love with him. You, like all of us here, are created in love, made for love, and called to more perfect love, together with our Lord.

Posted in Holy Trinity, Homily, Marriage and Family, Salvation History, Wedding Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Holy Shepherds and a Holy Mother

January 1, 2023

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
By Fr. Victor Feltes

The shepherds, after encountering the herald angels, went in haste to Bethlehem. They knew they were searching for an animal stable, for the angel had told them their “Messiah and Lord” would be “lying in a manger.” They came to the cave of the Nativity and found St. Joseph, Mother Mary, and her holy child. She had wrapped Jesus’ tiny body in strips of cloth called swaddling clothes and laid him in a feed trough to serve as his first crib. On the first Christmas night, lots of people were in and around the little town of Bethlehem. The Roman census had brought so many visitors that there was no room for the Holy Family at the inn. So of all the people in the area why did the angels announce the big news of the Savior’s birth to the shepherds in particular?

Jesus was “born of a woman, born under the law,” about five miles from the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. In the law of the Old Covenant, God commanded his people to sacrifice lambs. Every day and especially for the Feast of Passover, lambs were offered on Jerusalem’s holy altar. God’s instructions were clear: the “lamb must be a year-old male and without blemish.” By custom, these lambs came from the fields outside of Bethlehem. And so, the young, male, flawless lambs to be sacrificed in Jerusalem were first presented by these shepherds. Mary had a little lamb; the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world, and these shepherds made him known. The circumstances of Jesus’ birth foreshadowed what was to come.

Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, would go on to be slain, sacrificed at Passover. His mother Mary, who had wrapped him in swaddling clothes, would go on to see him wrapped in a linen shroud. One Joseph had arranged the place for his birth, another Joseph would provide the place for his burial. Mary, who had given birth to Jesus in a cave, would deliver his body to a rock-hewn tomb. And Baby Jesus, who was laid in a grain box in a city whose name means “House of Bread,” would offer his own Body as the Bread of Life for the salvation of the world.

Today we celebrate Mary as the mother of God. How is she the mother of God? Is she the mother of God the Father? No. Is she the mother of the Holy Spirit? No. Is she the mother of Jesus? She is. Is Jesus God? Yes, he is. Therefore, Mary is rightfully called the mother of God. Celebrating her as the mother of God at the start of each year helps to preserve and protect the truth about who her Son is. Jesus is fully human, born of a human mother, while at the same time he is also fully divine, begotten by God the Father. On Christmas, Mary gives birth to a single person who is both God and man. Without Mary, we would not know Jesus in the way that we do now.

There is further reason to celebrate Mary: God created her to be Jesus’ mother and to be our mother, too. As the recently departed Pope Benedict XVI said, “Mary has truly become the mother of all believers.” He observed that “if Mary no longer finds a place in many theologies and ecclesiologies, the reason is obvious: they have reduced the faith to an abstraction. And an abstraction does not need a mother.” Our faith is more than a mere concept—it is about relationship as part of a family. “Being Christian,” Pope Benedict wrote, “is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.” He wrote: “Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary. There is nothing more beautiful than to be surprised by the Gospel, by the encounter with Christ.”

In the future, Pope Benedict is very likely to be canonized a saint and declared a Doctor (that is, a great teacher) of the Church. He is arguably the greatest theologian of the 20th century. So what would you guess were the last dying words of this brilliant man (according to his private secretary)? They were simply, “Jesus, I love you.” We are blessed and rejoice to have a mother in Mary. And through her we have a Brother, Friend, Lord, and Savior in her Son, Jesus. With this new year, let us rejoice in Jesus Christ, our Mother Mary, and our Catholic Faith, for they produce great saints and salvation from Christmas in Bethlehem to across our world today.

Posted in Catholic Church, Holy Trinity, Homily, Jesus Christ, Motherhood, Nativity, Saintly People, Sunday Homilies, Typology | Leave a Comment »

The Power of the Sacraments, the Importance of the Priesthood

June 27, 2022

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Victor Feltes

It is possible to receive the sacraments and greatly benefit from their graces without feeling very much. Some babies, for example, sleep entirely throughout their baptisms. The power of the sacraments do not depend upon our emotions. Yet sometimes God gives us the grace of sensible consolations from them. Consider, for instance, the St. Paul’s second grader who, when asked by her mother how she felt after her 1st Confession, joyfully answered, “My soul feels so light!”

When I was in high school, as we drove to a restaurant following my Confirmation, I wondered at why I felt so very joyful. Then I remembered, “Oh yeah, the Holy Spirit.” In college, sometimes when I attended weekday Masses I felt very little but sometimes I experienced great consolations. Eventually, I realized that my most consoling Masses typically preceded hard times to come. After that, I would be at Mass and think to myself, “Wow, this feels wonderful. Oh no… Well Lord, thanks for heads up.”

Thirteen years ago this week, I was ordained a priest of Jesus Christ at our cathedral in La Crosse. I knew going in that my ordination would come through the bishop’s laying of hands and his consecratory prayer immediately thereafter. I realized I would be a priest by the time my bishop said “amen” at the end of the prayer, but I wondered if there were some precise moment before that when I would be ordained. I had not studied the words of the ceremony beforehand, so after the laying of hands I listened to the words of the bishop’s prayer closely.

For ten sentences, through more than twenty-two dozen words, the prayer recounts what God has done in the past: the Old Covenant priesthood, the high priesthood of Jesus Christ, and the priesthood of his apostles. Then comes these words:

“Grant we pray, Almighty Father, to these, your servants, the dignity of the priesthood; renew deep within them the Spirit of holiness; may they henceforth…”

At the moment I heard that word, “henceforth,” I felt a pleasant but unsettling wooziness. And the words which followed were these: “may they henceforth possess this office which comes from you, O God…” There was power in those words.

I answered God’s call to become a priest, forgoing the goods of natural marriage and children, because I believe the sacraments and teachings of Jesus Christ’s Catholic Church are that important for souls. The seven sacraments are not empty words and gestures, but important and effective instruments of God’s saving power.

My own ordination came to mind as I contemplated Fr. Matthew Bowe’s priestly ordination last Saturday. I’m reminded of my own ordination day whenever I attend an ordination. I imagine the same thing happens for those of you who are married when you attend a wedding; you’re reminded of your own wedding day and the vows that you made. Now a wonderful thing about entering into priesthood or marriage is that you now know your calling, your vocation, the state of life in which Jesus wants you to follow him. There is then no purpose to looking back, lamenting what was left behind, or looking to alternate life paths on left or right, but to simply plow ahead.

Jesus called Matthew Bowe, Fr. Matthew followed after him, and this brings all of us great joy. People tell me Matthew was so quiet and shy as a child. But if Jesus is calling you, he grows and strengthens you, so there’s no reason to be intimidated. Many feel unworthy to be a priest or a religious brother or sister. Of course! Everyone is unworthy, but Jesus still calls us like he did the apostles; asking us to follow him before long we’re perfect. The priesthood saves souls and God’s vocation for your life (whatever that is) is always the best, so if Jesus is calling you to be his priest, follow him. And if you see someone else who seems to have a calling to priesthood or religious life, do your part to encourage them to follow Jesus Christ.

Posted in Christian Perfection, Homily, Marriage and Family, Mass, Sunday Homilies, Supernatural Phenomena | 1 Comment »

What We Have to Give is Enough

June 19, 2022

Corpus Christi Sunday
By Deacon Dick Kostner

Have you ever wished that you could do more or give more during your life? Sure you have because part of being human is the desire to always try to do more than what you think you are capable of doing. This is not bad for it makes us strive to accomplish more than what is possible in our present condition. The problem is that sometimes this is not possible it might be because of a disability that we have been burdened with. It could be physical, mental, financial. It might be because we see ourselves powerless because of circumstances that appear beyond our control. That is what the disciples of Jesus faced in our “Father’s Day” Gospel Jesus shares with us today.

The disciples face a dilemma in today’s Gospel. Jesus has been teaching a crowd of thousands of people and his friends have come to realize that they have no food to provide for the crowd and no resources to take care of that many people. They search for an answer and help from the crowd but find but a couple of fish and five loaves of bread. They are overwhelmed and they do what we would do and search for a miracle from their friend Jesus. After all he can walk on water and raise people up from the dead. He certainly can take over and solve this problem right?

Is that not what we all do when we are overwhelmed with our life problems? Sure, we pray for a miracle. We look to someone else to take over. Although Jesus could do just that after all He is God, but what does he do? Jesus does not take over but rather he tells his disciples to take care of it themselves. He puts them in charge. He does not allow them to slip out the back door and find someone else to solve the problem rather he empowers them to find a solution and shows them that he believes in them to solve this problem.

The disciples search for an answer and find but two fish and five loaves of bread, which they take to Jesus confessing that this is all they could find. Jesus takes what they have found, blesses the food, and tells the disciples to distribute what they have to the people. They do as he says and guess what, it not only feeds all the people but there is also food left over. Jesus shows them that all they need to do is to do the best they can and then have faith that God will provide them with enough support to solve any problems they may run into.

Let me share with you my true story of how this plays out. The Law School I attended in Chicago required a grade average a 82% or the student would go on probation. If one at any time would go on probation a second time you were expelled. There was one exam for each course for each semester. It was a timed exam and consisted of five or six essay questions which contained multiple issues and rules of law to apply. I always was running out of time and not completing in full all the questions and yes I went on probation the first semester. Pressure was on and I knew this was my last chance. Sweating this out a couple of semesters I made it without another probation until my final year. Just before my semester exam I said a prayer to God telling him I was doing my best but wondered if He really wanted me involved with this profession. The exam day drew near and a met with Bob, a friend of mine after one class to have a beer and forget about the exam day. I confessed to him that I had been on probation before and that I always seemed to run out of time before completing the questions to my satisfaction. He looked at me and said, “Dick, are you out-lining each question before you apply the law?” I looked at him puzzled and said, “I don’t have time to do this.” He laughed and said that I needed to do that first for each of the questions and then go into application of the law for the instructor would see that I had arrived at the issues and knew the law which was 90% of the grade. Well I took his advice and was one of twelve of our class of 200 who graduated.

Today we celebrate the gift God has given us in the Eucharist. His body and blood for us to consume and give us all that we need to find success and fulfillment in this world of problems. This gift requires only that we do the best we can in handling problems of life and then if we offer this up and ask the Father to bless it, that this will be enough! Today is Father’s Day and I know that dads want the best for their children but many times feel powerless in helping their children solve life problems. Jesus gives to us dads the solution. All that we need to do is to try to do the best we can and then offer it to God as a gift and guess what? This, and faith the size of a mustard seed, will be enough! Happy Father’s Day and remember what we have to give of ourselves is enough in God’s eyes!

Posted in Fatherhood, Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

The Lover’s Return — Funeral Homily for Richard “Dick” Aubert, 85

February 24, 2022

Dick was swept off his feet and went head over heels on his first date with Michele. It was during the winter which spanned 1959 and 1960. They were both quite young. He had just returned from service in the U.S. army She was piously contemplating becoming a nun. Facilitated by mutual friends, Dick and Michele decided to go ice skating together.

There were a lot of people at the rink that night. Many skaters going to-and-fro on the ice. Suddenly, during a moment while Michele was either distracted or not nearby, Dick slipped, and fell, and smacked his head on the ice. Michele later saw somebody sitting on the ice, a crowd of people gathered around him, but she did not realize that that young man was her date.

Having suffered a concussion, Dick was brought off the emergency room. But Michele thought he had ghosted her. She assumed he had abandoned her, without even saying goodbye. Surely this must have seemed like the end of their relationship. How could a relationship continue after that? Well, Dick soon returned, explained what he had happened and where he had gone, and they booked a second date.

After a year of dating, they committed their hearts to each other, entering a marriage covenant in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Eau Claire in 1961. And their love bore fruit, particularly in three daughters; Catherine, Lori, and Heather, in their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

We are gathered here on this day, rather than gathered elsewhere, because of one man more than any other. For love, he pursued a holy and beautiful bride. He was painfully struck down, and they were separated for a time. She did not understand why they were parted and had not hoped to see him again. But then he rose again and returned to her, and their love has borne fruit since. I speak of Jesus Christ and his Church. Behold, he makes all things new, renewing his mysteries within our lives.

The holy love of a husband and wife reflects the holy love Christ and his Church. Dick and Michele have been married for sixty years, even throughout the past three years of his mental decline, living together at home until just three months ago.

On a day like there are tears from sadness due to parting and tears from beholding the beauty of faithful love. Jesus will one day wipe every tear from our eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, when this world is finally set free from slavery to corruption and this old order has passed away, replaced by the new. St. Paul urges us to “consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.”

The Lord Jesus, who makes us children of God the Father; Christ, the lover of our souls, who proposes to us an everlasting covenant with himself; Jesus Christ, who suffered with us but rose again, he is the reason we are here today for Dick’s funeral. In this broken world of suffering and beauty, Jesus is our cause for hope and our greatest consolation.

Posted in Funeral Homilies, Homily, Jesus Christ, Marriage and Family, Salvation History | Leave a Comment »

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