St. Anthony's Catholic Church

Fr. Matt’s Corner:  . . . see, I am doing something new!. . .

            Greetings to you again, my dear friends in Christ. Good news!  Jesus says, Behold, I make all things new … see, I am doing something new!  Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?  It is I, I, who wipe out, for My own sake, your offenses; your sins I remember no more.

            “Hmm, I was with you Jesus, right up to that last part … it seemed so nice, so fresh and exciting:  something new!  But now, well, here you go harping on my sins and offenses again.  It just seems so judgmental, so intolerant.”

            Unfortunately, friends, this seems to be the view of our culture: to deny that sin exists (or at least to deny that it exists in us – in me).  In that cozy darkness of denial, the light of God’s great mercy can certainly seem “judgmental” or “intolerant”.  In fact, God is both judgmental and intolerant, and He displays both of these characteristics in today’s Gospel.  Jesus is intolerant of paralysis, death, envy, fear, selfishness, spiritual complacency, lust, greed, … – Jesus is intolerant of everything that keeps us from being fully alive!  He is judgmental and intolerant of every kind of dysfunctional human “No” to God’s great “YES”.  As God is faithful … the Son of God, Jesus Christ, was not "yes" and "no,” but "yes" has been in him. For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him.  He came so that we might have life and have it to the full!  He came to make us new again!

            And so, he says to the paralytic and to you and me, “Your sins are forgiven.  All that paralyzed you, I wipe out; your sins I remember no more.  Therefore, rise, pick up your mat, and walk!”  He is judgmental and intolerant because He is Love; and He loves us.  Sometimes, we might be like that paralytic who probably didn’t want his sins pointed out, but Jesus did point them out – precisely to cast them out:  Your sins are forgiven! 

            For you and I, then, there are two steps on display in our journey to God (to life in abundance!).  First, we must have our own sins forgiven by Jesus – that He might make us new and do something new in us.  That’s why He gives us the Sacrament of Confession (Reconciliation). If we won’t let Him cast out the old, how can He do in us the new? Second, it then becomes our turn to do what the paralytic’s friends did for him (perhaps even against his will!) – that is, it becomes our turn to bring others to Jesus. 

          Peace to all of you this holy day and to all who love the Lord in simplicity of heart,

Fr. Matt

Fr. Matt’sCorner:  . . . If You wish, You can make me clean. . .

            Grace to you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  I really love being a priest;  heck, I really love being Catholic – and as I continue doing both of those things right here in Wisconsin along the Menominee River – I can only pray that both you and I will experience more and more the joy of drawing near to Him who can make me [and you] clean.

            In the movie Seabiscuit, Red Pollard (a jockey) cries out to Charles Howard (the horse’s owner), “You made me better!”  In that sense, Howard fills the role of a priest acting in Personae Christi.  Jesus Christ makes us better; He makes us who we really are; He saves us; He makes us clean of the leprosies that isolate, scatter, and divide us.

            The priests of the Old Testament could not do this – they could only bear witness to the reality that a leper was in fact unclean,and therefore that he must dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp. Until Jesus came, there was no one who could make a leper (or anyone else) clean.  Thanks be to God, however, that Jesus has come.  All we have to do then is to approach Him in faith saying: If You wish, You can make me clean.  I hope that sounds familiar to all of us, because that’s precisely what happens to us lepers in the beautiful and powerful Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). 

            “Um, Fr. Matt, I ain’t no spotted wild cat.”

          No, no . . . not leopards . . . lepers.  You see, we all have something about us that is unclean, and we’ve all been branded by society at one time or another – we’ve all been outcasts, isolated from others.  The leprosy that we suffer from here and now is not so often a leprosy of the flesh, but of the spirit.  We might not wear its sores on the outside, but its effects are real all the same – and all the more dangerous because of its subtleties.  This leprosy is the disease that causes factions, rivalries, jealousies, fear, anger, distrust, gossip, abuse, use of others, shame, and anxieties – in a word, this leprosy is Sin; it is unclean.

          Jesus will make us better – through the power, the beauty, and the distinctiveness of our Faith.  Nowhere are these 3 characteristics of our Faith more vividly displayed than in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  I know it’s been a long time since many of you have come to Jesus here – maybe now is the time.  I invite you to come and experience once more the wonder of God’s abundant, renewing love. Confession:  It’s not just for Lent anymore!

          Peace to all of you this holy day and to all who love the Lord in simplicity of heart,

Fr. Matt

Fr. Matt’s Corner:  . . . If I preach the Gospel. . .

            Greetings to you, my friends in Christ.  These are troubled times – the economy still struggling, the Packers not playing in the Super Bowl, moral confusion in our culture, and now an outright declaration of war by our own government on the Catholic Church – and all this on top of the ordinary struggles of daily and family life.  So, in the midst of all this, what are we to say?  Shall we echo the cry of Job:  “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle; they come to an end without hope … I shall not see happiness again”?

            Or rather, shall we not echo that rabbinic proverb: “Where there is life, there is always hope!”  God had allowed Job’s faithfulness to be tested in every way:  His wealth and possessions were stolen from him, his sons and daughters were killed, his health was taken away so that he was in great physical pain, and his wife and friends had turned on him.  What a lousy day!  If anyone had ever had reason to lose hope, it was Job.  And yet, by his faithfulness and through his prayer to (and even his challenging of) God, the Lord brought him to a much greater life than he could ever have imagined.  Truly, troubled times are – with and through our faith – times of great opportunity. I believe that God is calling us to greatness here and now. 

            St. Paul is another who experienced great troubles in his life when he began to follow God’s great plan – preaching the Gospel.  He was beaten, shipwrecked, stoned, whipped, starved, frozen, falsely accused, imprisoned, and finally beheaded – but through all of this, he became the great Saint Paul.  How will we respond to the challenges that we face? Where is God leading you and me?  I believe that He is calling you and I to greatness and sainthood in our own time.  I know that He has brought us together; I know that He will always be with us; and I know that in Him is our life, our hope, and our joy.  We have had the Gospel proclaimed to us; the torch has been passed; the heat is on.  Now is a time of trouble; now is a time for greatness; now is our day to preach the Gospel of Life and of Hope and to do so willingly.  Will you join with me in being His ambassadors for Hope here in our community and in our nation?

            I invite you to join me in following the courageous lead of our own Bishop Ricken.  Let’s fast and pray for the conversion of ourselves and our nation – for our sake and for the sake of our children and our grandchildren.  Let’s lend our voice to the Voice and the Gospel of our Lord – and let the Truth be heard in this great land of ours!

          Peace to all of you my friends this holy day and to all who love the Lord in simplicity of heart,

Fr. Matt

Cardinal-designate Archbishop Timothy Dolan's video response to the HHS' final ruling.

How to contact your representatives to respond to this, and voice your support of the

Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179 & S. 1467)

 Click below for full letter in original format:

                                            Bishop's Letter in pdf

Diocese of Green Bay

P.O. Box 23825 • Green Bay, WI  54305-3825 • 920-272-8194 • FAX 920-435-1330

January 26, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

I write to you concerning an alarming and serious matter that negatively impacts the Church in the United States directly, and that strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith.  The federal government, which claims to be “of, by, and for the people,” has just dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people—the Catholic population—and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception.  Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write.  And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies.

In so ruling, the Administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics our Nation’s first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty. This blatant disregard for our religious values is difficult to reconcile with this Administration’s earlier assurance that they would provide for “robust” conscience protection for religious groups in health care reform.  And as a result, unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled either to violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so).  The Administration’s sole concession was to give our institutions one year to comply.

We cannot—we will not—comply with this unjust law.  People of faith cannot be made second class citizens.  We are already joined by our brothers and sisters of all faiths and many others of good will in this important effort to regain our religious freedom.  Our parents and grandparents did not come to these shores to help build America’s cities and towns, its infrastructure and institutions, its enterprise and culture, only to have their posterity stripped of their God given rights.  In generations past, the Church has always been able to count on the faithful to stand up and protect her sacred rights and duties.  I hope and trust she can count on this generation of Catholics to do the same.  Our children and grandchildren deserve nothing less.

And therefore, I would ask of you two things.  First, as a community of faith we must commit ourselves to prayer and fasting that wisdom and justice may prevail, and religious liberty may be restored.  Without God, we can do nothing; with God, nothing is impossible.  Second, I would also recommend visiting www.usccb.org/conscience to learn more about this severe assault on religious liberty, and how to contact Congress in support of legislation that would reverse the Administration’s decision.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

The Most Reverend David L. Ricken, DD,JCL

Bishop of Green Bay

Fr. Matt’s Corner: ... Repent and Believe! ...

          Greetings to you, my dear friends in Christ. I tell you, brothers and sisters, the time is running out … This is the time of fulfillment! The Kingdom of God is at hand!

          "Whoa, Fr. Matt, slow down a bit; Hold on here . . . what's up with all this urgency?‟

          As we live through the Gospel of Mark again this year, we can begin to see the urgency – the zeal – with which Mark writes. In the original language (Greek), almost every other sentence begins with: And immediately . . . ! It almost seems as if the story is being told by a breathless child who is recounting some stupendously adventurously exciting event.

          Hmm . . . come to think of it, maybe that really is what's happening here. As Jesus breaks onto the scene, so He breaks into our lives. Maybe we can see and hear Him anew this time – like those four fishermen: Simon, Andrew, James, and John. Maybe whatever it is we've been fishing for with our lives, Jesus will turn up the heat – calling us to a new and bigger catch: Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men! Maybe we might be given the courage to respond by leaving the past behind and following Him like they did. Maybe . . . just maybe . . . we can live with Him, too.

          Perhaps He will fill us with that same zeal as we forge ahead here at St. Anthony‟s parish. Beautifully prayerful liturgies, youth, family, and community activities, picnic and adult education, social justice and outreach, dinners and fish fry‟s and dances and movies, new and renewed ministries – living through, in, and with Jesus – now that's something to get excited about.

          It took one man, Jonah, to bring new hope and a new way of life to the great city of Ninevah. It took Simon and his brother Andrew and James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John to abandon their nets and their father and their boat in order to follow Jesus and to bring about the Kingdom of God for all the world.

          Where might it take us; and what might it require of you and me? This is the time of fulfillment! The Kingdom of God is at hand! Won't you join in?

          Peace to all of you this holy day and to all who love the Lord in simplicity of heart,

Fr. Matt

Fr. Matt’s Corner:  Come and see . . .

            Greetings to you, my dear friends in Christ.  This weekend, we get to be like the proverbial ‘fly on the wall’ – listening in on some beautiful conversations between God and His people. 

            ‘Samuel!  Samuel!’ . . . ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’

            ‘What are you looking for?’ . . . ‘Rabbi, where are you staying?’ . . . ‘Come and see.’

            ‘You are Simon son of John; you will be called Cephas (Peter).’

            While we are privileged to eavesdrop on God’s conversations with Samuel, Andrew, and Simon Peter; let us not forget that God calls to each of us in much the same way.  May we respond with Samuel:  Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.  May we then hear Jesus’ call to Come and see so that He may make us (like Simon) a new creation (with a new name) – you will be called Cephas.

            This week, we have been called to be aware of and to pray for vocations – particularly vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Thanks be to God that He continues to call many young people to this beautiful and wonder-filled life.  We are blessed here at St. Margaret and St. Anthony parishes to have some of these young people in our midst.  May we – like Eli the priest – help them to recognize the voice of the Lord speaking to them in the silence of prayer.  Let us continue (or else begin) today to make our families places of prayer.  If you gather around the ‘boob tube” to watch the Packers this weekend, then also gather around the Word of God to listen to the Lord. 

          May we – like John the Baptist – point our young people in the right direction:  Behold, the Lamb of God.  If you have a son or daughter, or a niece or nephew, or a god-son or a god-daughter; then take some time with them to find out about their life of faith.  Ask them what they’ve been learning at religious education.  Take the time to come out and support them by sitting in on their classes Sunday morning or Wednesday evening.  Better yet, volunteer to help teach our young people as a catechist, a catechist sub,or a catechist aide.  Help them to learn the Truth by continuing to learn the Truth yourself through any of our adult faith formation opportunities.  Let us support and encourage them as they respond faithfully to God’s call.

            Not only that, but God continues to call each and every one of us – married, single, young, old – to share ever more deeply in His life of faith, hope, and love.  May we silence the noises in our lives long enough to hear His call so that we may respond and act with zeal, enthusiasm, and gratitude.  I think I hear Him calling now . . .

            Peace to all of you this holy day and to all who love the Lord in simplicity of heart,

Fr. Matt

Fr. Matt’s Corner:… but upon you the LORD shines.. . .

          Mary Christmas, everyone!!! Today, on this Feast of Epiphany, we come to the final celebration of the Christmas season – but that doesn't have to mean that we cease to come to the Christ Child and His mother with that special sense of wonder and awe. In fact, the more we look at this great gift of Christmas, the more wonderful and strange it appears. Take today's gospel of the journey of the Magi, for instance.

          Such strange characters! What could have induced them to leave their homes and businesses and families in order to undertake an arduous and dangerous journey – braving desert wilderness, bandits and robbers, foreign kings and soldiers, storms and famine – for what? To follow some star that they think may lead them to a new king? What business is it of theirs anyway, if a new king is born over in some little out-of-the-way foreign country out west? As far as we know, they didn't have any direct message from an Angel like Mary or Joseph or those shepherds – telling them what was going on. What were they thinking?

          Have you ever felt a little tug on your heartstring? Or have you ever stopped to wonder what it's all about anyway? Or have you ever been broken down or broken-hearted and at the bottom of that pit? Or have you ever known in the depths of your being that your life must take this path? I think that something like this (perhaps to an extreme) must have been what drove these strange wise men to do what they did. They followed a star to seek a King – but not just any king. This King is the one that they somehow knew beyond knowing (what faith!!!) would be the answer to their questions and pains, and so they would seek Him out regardless of the ridicule and opposition (from friends, neighbors, and kings – like Herod).

          These three remind me of one of my favorite musicals – about Don Quixote de la Mancha – who sings a song about an Impossible Dream. “This is my quest: to follow that star; no matter how hopeless; no matter how far. To fight for the right without question or pause; to be willing to march into Hell for a Heavenly cause.” I think that's part of what Christmas is – or ought to be – for us: an Impossible Dream that came (and comes) true. Jesus Christ was willing to march from Heaven into Hell for a Heavenly cause – because God so loved the world. And so now, upon you the LORD shines. The question remains, will you dare to go where this Great Star leads?

          Peace to all of you, my friends, this Holy Day, and to all who love the Lord in simplicity of heart,

Fr. Matt

Fr. Matt’s Corner: Theotokos, and our mother, too

          Merry Christmas, everyone!

          “Umm, Father Matt, I think you‟re about a week late with that . . .”

          Well, actually, it is still Christmas. The Christmas season began last weekend on December 25, and continues now until next weekend. This Sunday marks the eighth day of Christmas, so . . . Merry Christmas! It is also the feast of Theotokos today.

          “Fr. Matt, did you say thayo-tacos? What is that, some new kind of Tex-Mex food?”

          No, no, no. Theotokos – that‟s Greek for: God-Bearer. That‟s Mary‟s title: the Mother of God, and today we celebrate the feast of the Mother of God (Theotokos). As we remember during this Christmas season that Jesus – the Word of God – the Son of God – became man, we also realize that He did this by being born of a mother, Mary. So, the greatest blessing of all – God‟s dwelling among us (one with us) – came to us through His mother, Mary – Theotokos.

          Just as Jesus grew and lived in a human family – the Holy Family, so too, may our lives grow in Our Family the Church – under the loving care of Mary our Mother. Just as Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart, so now I ask that you prayerfully consider how you may invest yourself more and more into growing our family here at St. Anthony parish. Like all families, we have numerous gifts (many of which are still lying dormant) as we face challenges and needs together.

          Most of all, I ask that we all fill our hearts with the joy and hope that comes with Christmas. Joy that comes from knowing God is with us, and hope that comes from God‟s promise to renew us – to grow us to be ever more than what we have been.

          As we live out this Christian mission, may you and your families have the blessing of Christmas (God-with-us). May the Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let His face shine upon you and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you with kindness and give you peace!

          Peace to all of you this holy day and to all who love the Lord in simplicity of heart,

Fr. Matt

Fr. Matt’s Corner:  . . . and He shall be a Son to Me. . .

            Mary Christmas, everyone!!!  Have you heard the news?!  Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord!  In the fullness of time – in the silence of this holy night – God sent his only Son to be our Savior.  Perhaps the most amazing parts of this whole story are (1) that He came, and (2) how He came.  That He came tells us of God’s great love for us.  How He came tells us something of the Great Love who is God. 

          Not as some superhero we can only marvel at (sorry about the pun) did He come; but as the Babe of Mary – in the words of St. Paul:  born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those (us) under the law (of sin) so that we might receive adoption (as sons and daughters of God). [Gal 4:4b-5]  At this, we can not only marvel, but also draw near in wonder and silence to the One who draws Himself into our life, into our hearts. 

          A friend once told me, “Matt, Christmas is for kids.  My wife and I don’t celebrate Christmas anymore since the kids have grown.”  His first statement was, I think, right on; but his conclusion was all wrong.  Yes, Christmas is for children (as the child – the babe shows us).  Let us not forget, then, that we are all children of this Babe of Mary.  So who is this little Babe?  He’s the One we’ve been singing about for four weeks now:  O Wisdom, O Lord and Ruler, O Root of Jesse, O Key of David, O Dawn of the East, O King of the Gentiles . . . O Love . . . O Emmanuel – God is with us – has come.  Let us continue to sing with the wonder of children.  He has come in such humility and love, the Greatest Gift of all. 

          May you all have a very Mary Christmas.  Peace to all of you this holy day and to all who love the Lord in simplicity of heart.

ps:  I would like to thank all who have been so generous this Christmas with greetings, cards, and gifts – especially to the needy in our community.  Thank you to all of you especially for the gift of yourselves!  Let us not only keep Christ in Christmas, but let’s keep Christ’s Mass in Christmas both today and throughout the coming year.  Merry Christmas!

Fr. Matt