NOTE FROM THE PAST

S o n s o f Z e b e d e e : S s J a m e s & J o h n C a t h o l i c C h u r c h

W 5 8 8 2 C h u r c h R o a d

F o n d d u L a c W I 5 4 9 3 5

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The son of a Roman military officer stationed in Britain, Patrick was more interested in a career than in religion. At the age of sixteen, how-ever, he was captured by Irish pirates and taken to Ireland. For six years he worked as a shepherd, suffering from cold and hunger as well as his loss of freedom. He finally turned to God, his only hope, as he looked for a way to return to Britain. Eventually he escaped aboard a German ves-sel, paying his way by taking care of a pack of stolen dogs the crew planned to sell back at home, Patrick became a priest.

When the Church discussed sending missionaries to Ireland, Patrick remembered his days of slavery and struggled to decide whether or not to volunteer. Finally, when the first bishop of Ireland died, Patrick asked to go. He had had a dream in which voices of Irish people called to him, “We beg you come and walk with us again.” Though Patrick was not well educated, the pope saw in him the qualities of a missionary. In addition, Patrick already knew the language of Ireland and had spent fifteen years in parish ministry. At the age of forty two, Patrick was ordained a bishop and was sent to northern and western Ireland, where no one had ever preached the Gospel before. The people of Ireland lived in tribes and clans and worshipped pagan gods. Druids, who were magicians and wizards, kept the people away from any other religion. Patrick started with the most powerful clan: Tara. The chief respected Patrick and was converted, The Druids plotted to do away with Patrick, but Patrick continued to preach the faith, ready for death at any time. It is said that he used a shamrock to teach that there is only one God, but three di-vine Persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. People remembered this mystery of faith whenever they saw a shamrock with its three leaves. One of the Druids’ great feasts was the spring festival, celebrated the same night as the Easter Vigil. The day before the feast, people all over the land were ordered to put out their fires. No fire could be lit again until the sacred fire blazed up on the hill of Tara, where all the pagan leaders met to honor their gods. Patrick had heard the order, but he knew that Jesus Christ, not the gods of the Druids, was the Light of the World. That evening, as soon as it was dark enough. and before the Dru-ids could light their fires, Patrick and his companions began the great Easter Vigil celebration. They had gathered on the Hill of Slane, directly opposite the Hill of Tara. Patrick knew that the Druids would be angry when they saw the Easter fire, he was right! When the Druids saw the fire, they told their king, “Unless we put out that fire at once, this very night, it will blaze for-ever in this land.” The pagans rushed toward Patrick’s Easter fire and tried to put it out and to kill Patrick. But nothing they did could extinguish the fire, and Patrick was kept from harm. He stood by the Easter fire and sang a song that has sounded from Ireland ever since: “Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered.” Christ, the Light of the World, has brightened the lives of Irish people and made their land a great Christian nation. Patrick showed compassion for all classes of people. He set up monasteries and convents, established parishes, adapted Irish celebrations to Christian feasts, and worked to destroy paganism. His prayers kept him calm whenever British priests criticized his way of ministering or when enemies tried to damage his reputation. In response to his critics. Patrick wrote his Confessio, a kind of autobiography, in which we find the facts of his life. Today Patrick’s feast is a world wide day of celebration.

Saintly Information Page 4

THE ZEBEDEE INFORMER

Sons of Zebedee: Ss. James and John Catholic Church

W5882 Church Road, Fond du Lac, WI 54937-8602

Reverend Michael C. Petersen, Pastor

Phone: (920) 922-1167 zebedee@excel.net www.sonsofz.org

From the Pastor’s Desk:

Faith In Our Future/Let US Pray Capital Campaign Update

April!...April?...it still feels like December. Where’s the warmth? Well at least it is a little warmer in the entryway of the St. James site as this past October a gentleman connected to the Charlotte Switon Chari-table Trust in Fond du Lac saw the Informer at a parishioners house and sought to meet one of our parishes needs. The result, a generous contribution of $5,000.00 from the Charlotte Switon Charitable Trust. New doors for the entrance of the St. James site have been installed. In your Christian charity please keep Char-lotte in your prayers for her generous gift to our community. This spring the parish will also be tackling the problem of the roof on the hall at the St. John site. For the past several years we have been living on a wing and a prayer with the roof. At this time I’m trying desperately not to mention the fourth project of resurfac-ing the parking lot at the St. James site. Through use of monies collected during the Faith In Our Future Capi-tal Campaign, and as the “Let US Pray” Capital Campaign continues to receive contributions, I wish to thank all who have contributed, (and are in the process of fulfilling your pledges), to the campaign to make our fa-cility upgrades a reality. If you have not made a contribution to either the “Faith In Our Future” or “Let US Pray” campaigns it’s not too late and no contribution is too small. There are other projects our parish com-munity needs to attend to as the weather improves and your contribution to these projects is not insignifi-cant. Need a lift?...we have one...right this way, please!

Parish Council Nominations/Elections

With the arrival of spring thoughts turn to Parish Council elections. Three positions will be opening up on the Council this spring. In the coming weeks there will be nomination forms in the pews for your prayer-ful consideration of nominating yourself or someone you feel has the gifts to be a member of the parish lead-ership team. I wish to thank Steve Wessing for his faithful, thoughtful and courageous leadership for the past few years. I have every confidence that he will continue to be a much needed voice in the governance of the parish. On behalf of myself and that parish community...thank you Steve!

Spaghetti Supper April 5, 2014 Saturday from 4-8p.m. at the St. John site

All the preparations have been made for the upcoming Spaghetti Supper being held at the St. John site hall on Saturday, April 5, 2014. Thanks goes out to the Spaghetti Supper team headed up by Mrs. Deb Sabel. I can’t overestimate the importance of this annual fundraiser for our parish community as well as the other fundraisers, the Parish Picnic and Chili Supper. Please come and enjoy a delicious meal and jovial fel-lowship while supporting the parish community and its effort to live the Gospel calling we all share.

Holy Week/ Easter Schedule

The following is the schedule for the upcoming celebration of Holy Week (the Triduum—the three most holy days of the year) and Easter.

Holy Thrusday—Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7:00p.m.

Good Friday Service (not Mass)—1:00p.m. St. James site, Oakfield and 7:00p.m. St. Mary site, Lomira

Holy Saturday—8:00p.m. St. Mary site, Lomira

Easter Sunday—9:00a.m. St. James, Oakfield, 9:00a.m. St. Mary, Lomira, 11:00a.m. St. John, Byron

Please mark your calendars. Peace and prayers, Fr. Michael

A p r i l 2 0 1 4

V o l u m e 1 3

From the Pastor’s Desk 1

Sunday Gospel n 2

Human Concerns 2

Religious Education 3

Meet Your Parishioner 3

Saintly Information 4

P a g e 2

Contributors:

Rev. Michael Petersen

Cheri Neitzel

Mary Rhein

Loreen Kuslits

Article Deadline For Next

Issue:

June 1, 2014

Next Issue July, 2014

Upcoming issues:

October, 2014

January 2015

We have added a weekly reflection on the Sunday Gospels and will alternate each week between St. Mary’s Lomira and Sons of Zebedee: All are welcome. No fee and materials are provided. Contact Alice Newton or Mary Pable. Sunday Gospel Reflection Dates: Friday, April 4………..9:30-11:00am, St. Mary’s School Tuesday, April 8……..9:30-11:00am, St. John Upper Hall

Thank you to all who contributed to OPERATION RICE BOWL during the Lenten season. This program raises money for Catholic Relief Services who work with local, national and international Catholic groups to help alleviate hunger. 25% of our Rice Bowl collections will be donated locally to the FDL St. Vincent de Paul. We also hope you all enjoyed this year’s SOUP & STATIONS events held at each of he three church locations. It was a wonderful chance to visit and share our faith. SPRING/SUMMER PROJECTS: FOOD PANTRY: Every Sunday is “Sharing Sunday!” Place your donations in

the bins at the back of each church. Toilet paper and personal care items are always in short supply. Your continued support is greatly appreciated! Oakfield Food Pantry is open Wednesdays from 4-6pm or by appointment. For more in-formation, call 920-948-0393. Lomira Food Pantry, located in the United Meth-odist Church, is open on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 10-11am.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY: Calling all knitters and crocheters! Join our group and create prayer shawls to wrap someone in well wishes, prayers and the love of our spiritual community. These shawls are symbols of God’s love and uplift those most in need of comfort. For more information, contact Jane Langenecker at 920-269-4393.

PALM SUNDAY BREAKFAST: Sunday, April 13, 8-11:30 am at St. Mary’s School Hall, Lomira. Join us for a family-friendly brunch. Adults $7.50, kids $3.50. Hosted by the Family of St. Mary.

MS WALK: Sunday, April 27, 9 am at Marion University. This event raises criti-cal funds that support research, facilitate education and provide services to help people with MS. Gil & Pat Ahtonen are our team captains Collections will be held after masses leading up to the event. To sign up for the SOZ team or get more information, visit: www.WalkMS.org.

MOTHER’S DAY: Sunday, May 11. Mothers will be honored at all of the masses Mother’s Day weekend with a special gift.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: Collection houses to be placed in the back of each church from mid-May until mid-June to cover the cost of refreshments and food for Habitat volunteers. Wondering how you can help in other ways?

Call 920-921-6623 to volunteer your time or shop at the ReStore thrift shop at 150 S Brooke St., FDL. Visit www.habitat.org for more details. FATHER’S DAY: Sunday, June 15. Fathers will be honored at all of the masses

Father’s Day weekend with a special gift. OPERATION BACK TO SCHOOL: Collection buses to be placed in each

church from mid-June to the end of July. Last year we purchased much-needed backpacks! Hopefully, with your help, we will be able to give a significant dona-tion again this year.

SPRING MEETINGS: Wed., April 9: St. John’s Hall: Wed, May 14: St. Mary’s Church; Wed., June 11: St. John’s Hall. Opening prayer at 6:30pm, meeting at 7pm. We value YOUR input. Please consider attending. ALL ARE WELCOME!

Human Concerns Update - Cheri Neitzel

CONTENTS

Spaghetti Supper

April 2014

Sunday Gospel Reflection

P a g e 3

Shrine Information

Religious Education

.

Jon and Dawn Kuechenberg are active participants of the Sons of Zebedee community. Dawn has taught religious education for 5 years, is a volunteer to clean the church, and serves on the picnic volunteer committee. Jon is on the cemetery committee and is an usher. They have been married for 18 years and have two children. Lexi is 12 years old and plays soccer, basketball, and softball. Taylor is 15 years old and plays soccer and runs cross country.

Jon works at Advanced Tool in Mr. Calvary as a shop supervisor at tool design manufacturing and sharpening. He enjoys hunting and snowmobiling. Dawn teaches 5th grade at Lakeshore Elementary School in Fond du Lac. She enjoys walking and reading in her free time. We appreciate the contributions they make to the Sons of Zebedee community.

Meet Your Parishioner

Religious Education

LENT—A time to reflect on the sins of our past.

A time to work with discipline in the present.

A time to make a better, stronger relationship with God for our future.

Looking a few weeks back, we celebrated the confirming of faith by seven of our parish family. McKenzie

Becker, Andrew Feavel, Matthew Gross, Tyler Holz, Morgan Schaefer, Brian Sheahan and Cassie Wessing

each, in turn, stood before Bishop Hying and received the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It was a joyful occasion and

a wonderful beginning to the next chapter in their lives. Please remember them in your prayers.

God has a plan for you—you’re gonna do great things!

Presently, our students are actively learning about Lent with their regular lessons in class. our catechists are

doing a great job of sharing their faith and bringing the Word of God to our children in fun and exciting ways.

Thank you all for your time and dedication: Amanda Schraufnagel, Dana Swanson, Ann Buck, Deb Sabel,

Julie Bauer, Kris Bovee, Jackie Cedar, Josh Meyer, Shannon Boelhower, Mike Margelofsky, and Jim Hefter.

Soon to come will be our First Eucharist Ceremony. Deb Sabel is working hard to prepare our second grad-

ers. In addition, these students and their parents will join me for a few additional lessons/meetings. We will be

making bread and sharing it with those who come for Soup & Stations and we will be working on our banners

for presentation at the ceremony.

O Overall, this is a very busy time of year: Confirmation, First

Eucharist, March Madness, spring break, etc. We all need to be

aware of the hustle and bustle and not get swept away. Now

more than ever we need to be focused on the ultimate goal-life

with Christ.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Peace,

Loreen Kuslits, DRE