December 8, 2019 PARISH STAFF 788-5483

Rev. Brian D. Konopa ext. 7 Pastor frkonopa@mmoclacrosse.org

Rev. Mr. Richard Sage ext. 8 Deacon rsage@mmoclacrosse.org

Sr. Kathy Stuttgen, FSPA ext. 5 Ministry with the Elderly and Sick kathy@mmoclacrosse.org

Therese van Oss ext. 4 Religious Education and Pastoral Minister tvanoss@mmoclacrosse.org

Andy Foley ext.6 Buildings and Grounds afoley@mmoclacrosse.org

Mary Jo Lium ext.2 Sacred Music mjlium@mmoclacrosse.org

Brandee McKane ext.3 Holly Gerling Finance Assistants finance@mmoclacrosse.org

Laura Boden ext.2 Parish Secretary secretary@mmoclacrosse.org

AQUINAS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Ted Knutson 784-8585 President

Patty Gallagher-Kosmatka 782-5998 Principal, Cathedral School

Kay Berra 782-5564 Principal, Blessed Sacrament School

Sue Amble 783-5483 Principal, St. Patrick School, Onalaska

Denise Ring Principal, Aquinas Middle School 784-0156

Principal, Aquinas High School 784-0287

2006 Weston St. La Crosse WI 54601 (608) 788-5483 mmoclacrosse.org mmoc.blog mmoc.mobi

OUR MISSION

Mary, Mother of the Church parishioners are called to be the

People of God, formed by the Holy Word and nourished by

the Holy Eucharist. We joyfully share our faith and gifts of time,

talent, and treasure. We are committed to serve all God's people in the building of the

Kingdom.

MASS TIMES Saturday Vigil 4pm Sunday 8am & 10am Tuesday–Friday 7:30am

CONFESSIONS Saturday 3:15-3:45 pm or by appointment

Contact the parish office to register, schedule a baptism, schedule a wedding (six months notice required), and to request the Sacrament of the Sick.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS Tuesday–Friday 8am-3pm FINANCE OFFICE HOURS Tuesday and Thursday 8am-Noon

SCRIP Scrip is sold before and after all week-end Masses and in the parish office on Fridays from 8am-3pm.

Second Sunday of Advent Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Since December 8, 2019, is the Second Sunday of Advent, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is transferred to Monday, December 9. The obligation to attend Mass, however, does NOT transfer. We will have a 5pm Mass to celebrate this Feast Day. Christmas Mass Times Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 4pm & 6:30pm Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 9am Many liturgical positions need to be filled for all these Masses including Sacristans for the 6:30 pm and 9am Masses, Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers, Gift Bearers, Song Leaders at 4pm and 9am, and Servers at 9am. Please volunteer online by going to www.mmoclacrosse.org and clicking on the Ministry Scheduler link at the top of the page, or by calling Laura in the Office: 788-5483, ext. 2. Mary, Mother of God Mass Times For this Holy Day of Obligation, there will be two Masses. Dec. 31 at 4pm Jan. 1 at 9am Many liturgical positions need to be filled for both Masses. Opportunities for Confessions During Advent Penance Services at MMOC, Wednesday Dec. 11 at 4pm and 7pm. St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral will have all-day confessions Monday, Dec. 23 at 9am-6pm. COOKIE WALK The Cookie Walk is fast approaching. Signups continue in the back of church and in the Parish Hall. Please review what is needed from baked goods all the way to crafts. With being so close to Christmas, the expectation will be for more – more pies, more breads, more candies and more and more cookies. Put on your aprons and chefs’ hats, heat up your ovens, set out your mixing bowls and let us bake to many hearts' content. Your baked good donations can be dropped off in the main entrance of the Parish Hall Thursday Dec. 12 from 7:30am-5:30pm or all day Friday, Dec. 13. Please use the printed labels to help identify items that contain nuts or no nuts. Raffle tickets for the dollhouse and a variety of specialty gift baskets continue to be on sale in the Parish Hall. MyParish App For Advent Now available on the MyParish app: Special Advent Reflections. Please visit mmoc.mobi on your smart phone and select iPhone or android to download. These helpful reflections will aid in reflecting on the Mass readings each day as we await Christ's coming. Christmas Flower Donation We are receiving Christmas flower donations toward the purchase of flowers in memory of a loved one or as a gift. You can use the flower envelope in your November/

December packet or use a blank envelope with your donation and the name of the person(s) you would like to memorialize. A list of those who are honored and remembered will appear in a January bulletin. Gifts For Baby Jesus During the Season of Christmas, all MMOC children are invited to join in the parish effort of Building Our Future Together. There will be a basket at the Nativity Crèche, for children and others who would like to bring a gift of coins at offertory time. Rite of Welcome On Dec. 8 at the 4 pm Mass we celebrate the Rite of Welcome, which is the first major liturgical ritual for baptized adults (i.e. candidates) going through the RCIA process. During this rite, we gather as a community, and surround the candidates with care and support as they journey towards the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation, which they will receive at the Easter Vigil. During this rite, we hear the candidates express their desire to enter more fully into the life of the Church and we watch as they are signed with the cross on their foreheads and their senses, which brings them grace and strength as they continue their faith journey. We celebrate this ritual with Lance Hughey. Lance Hughey is married to Deon (Imhoff) Hughey and is the father of Christopher and Ella. They make their home near Mindoro and attend 10 am Mass at MMOC. Christopher and Ella attend Cathedral Elementary. Lance works for the US Army at Fort McCoy and he enjoys spending time outdoors and raising Labrador Retrievers.

The Angel Tree 2019 It’s up and decorated with angels. As in the past, each angel will have a dollar amount attached. You have the opportunity to donate cash or check, or purchase scrip of your choice in that amount and place in the box. All angels and donations need to be turned in by TODAY December 8. This project is designed to help Catholic Charities provide for families in need during the Christmas season. Thank you for always being so generous. Special Collection Retirement Fund for Religious Our second collection is for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Many senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests served for little or no pay. Today, religious communities often do not have enough savings to meet retirement needs. Your gift helps provide medications, nursing care, and more for tens of thousands of elderly religious. It also helps ensure younger members can continue the good works of their elders. Please be generous.

Social Justice

Food Baskets for December Catholic Charities is grateful for all the food donations and is most in need of weatherproof gloves and hats for the whole family; non-perishable food items for Christmas dinners; coffee and hot chocolate. New Life Choir The New Life Choir will sing during Advent and Christmas. This is a great time to join the choir, even if you are unable to commit to singing funerals throughout the year! The rehearsals will be on Tuesdays (Dec. 10 & Dec. 17) at 9am and will last approximately 45 minutes. We will meet in the choir room in the lower level for rehearsals.

Football Mania Winners Week 11 Jeff Lee, Rod Kadrmas, Scot Tye, Patrick Burns, Jean Melson, Brian Smith, Larry Tabbert, Kerry Gloede, Ed Watson, Dennis Myers, Matt Kloss, Alice Nyberg, Tom Glodosky, Kristi Duenkel, Dave Hanson, Sharon Berger, Phyllis Pielhop, Janet Stuckey.

Baptism Class Parents who are welcoming a new baby to their families are asked to attend our Baptismal Preparation. Session I - Sunday, January 5 at 9:00 - 9:50 am (immediately following the 8 am Mass) Session II - Monday, January 6 at 6 - 7 pm Upcoming Baptism weekends will be January 11 & 12 and February 8 & 9. Please contact the parish office to register: 788-5483 x. 2 Welcome to the Waters of Baptism Congratulations to Demi Janelle McIlquham who was baptized on November 23 at the 4pm Mass, and Cormac McNabb Withrow who was baptized on November 24 at the 10am Mass! We welcome them to God’s family with great joy! Requiescant in Pace Please pray for the repose of the soul of LaVeta “Vee” Molling, Jim Arens, Virgil Meinking, and Jerome Papacek. Our prayers and sincere sympathy are extended to their families and friends who mourn their loss. Eternal rest grant onto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them.

Offertory Envelopes All registered parishioners automatically receive offertory envelopes. These envelopes assist the money counters and office staff in assuring your donations are accurately applied to where you wish and are recorded under your household’s giving. You may opt out of getting all church envelopes. You may also opt out of receiving the bi-monthly (white) envelopes and simply receive special occasion envelopes for any

reason. This is a great option for people who have set up their tithing through WeShare or some other form of automatic giving. If you are currently not receiving offertory envelopes, and have not opted out, please contact the parish office to insure you are on record as a registered member of the parish. If you have any questions about envelopes please contact the finance office. Thank You! A growing number of parishioners are enrolling in our WeShare online giving program. WeShare improves efficiencies in the office as it eliminates manual entry of envelope information; it increases the reliability of regular income; and its cost to the parish is equivalent to ACH fees or printing/mailing church envelopes.

Please take the time to learn more. Visit our parish website, click the WeShare icon, and see how easy it is! It's an important benefit to you and to your parish.

Plan Ahead For The Holidays As Christmas approaches, please plan ahead for your Scrip purchases for all your shopping, baking, decorating and gift buying needs. Purchase scrip in the parish office on Fridays from 8am-3pm and before/after all weekend Masses. You can also buy scrip online, please call Brandee or Holly in the office for all the details 788-5483, ext. 3.

Our Rel. Ed. students in grades 3-5 will attend the Advent Penance Service on Dec. 11 at 4pm. Our Edge students in grades 6-8 will attend the Advent Penance Service on Dec. 11 at 7pm. FORMED This Thursday, December 12, we celebrate the miraculous apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe to San Juan Diego. Watch “Guadalupe: The Miracle and the Message” on formed.org. This riveting film, narrated by Jim Caviezel, explores both the inexplicable mysteries behind the image, and the continued relevance of the Guadalupe apparition to the modern world.

Men’s Club

Family Life

Finance

SCRIP

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Mary Mother of the Church

The number of active donors who use WeShare online-giving:162 households (27%) as of December 3

Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration PRAYER PARTNERS “How would I ever manage to add an hour each week for prayer?!?” Put the big rocks in first! In his book, First Things First, Steven Covey challenges us not to make our schedule a priority, but to schedule our priorities. These priorities are the big rocks! His analogy continues with a classroom of students filling a jar with varying sized rocks. If you don’t put the “big rocks” into the jar before the gravel, sand, and water you will never fit them into the jar. As Christians, prayer is the BIG ROCK! Recognizing that prayer is essential to our relationship with God means we should be scheduling time to talk with Him every day. Are you an early bird? Then give God your first fruits of the day in prayer. A night owl? Spend time reviewing your day with God before going to bed. Do you enjoy television or playing apps on your phone? If so, consider sacrificing some of this time for prayer.

How about adding an hour of Eucharistic Adoration each week with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration at St. Rose? If you look at your calendar, is there a time slot that is open consistently that you could schedule an appointment with Jesus? Next weekend, MMOC Prayer Partners

will speak after Communion about their experiences. Barb & Joe Kruse will be at the 4pm Mass and Brad & Lynn Sturm will be at the 8am & 10am Masses. In the meantime, these prayer partners have shared their insights into how they commit to being a Prayer Partner: “I was nervous about becoming a prayer partner, but I think God’s will prevailed. The sacrifice of the time and journey to spend an hour in prayer in this holy place is truly special. The quiet time, appointed for Jesus only, completely fulfills me.” ~ Mary Jo Schumacher “You don’t have to commit to a specific weekly hour, but can be a substitute. As a substitute you receive a weekly email with hours available.” ~ Prayer Partner “When Jesus was with his apostles at the garden of Gethsemane, he went by Himself to pray; he returned and they were all asleep. He asked them, ‘Could you not spend an hour with me?’ I believe that I am answering that plea every week when I enter the Adoration Chapel at St. Rose.” ~ Nick Berry

December 8, 2019

December 14-15 Ministers of Holy Communion

4:00 p.m. Barbara Hauke, John Klouda, Mark Outzen, Rita Sanchez, Joseph van Oss, Larry Weibel

8:00 a.m. Karen Nordstrom, Betty Stoll, Wally Stoll, NOT FILLED, NOT FILLED, NOT FILLED

10:00 a.m. Chuck Berendes, Polly Berendes, Betty Brendel, Bill Brendel, Anne Kernan, Lance Miller

Sacristans 4:00 p.m. Germaine Klouda 8:00 a.m. Betty and Wally Stoll

10:00 a.m. Ann Keman Lectors

4:00 p.m. Joseph van Oss, Sue Ernster

8:00 a.m. Charles Heiderscheit, Donna Omernik 10:00 a.m. Bill Brendel, Pattie Nimocks

Servers 4:00 p.m. Kyle White, NOT FILLED 8:00 a.m. Alec Taylor, Jackie Taylor

10:00 a.m. Rachel Egan, Andrew Egan Musicians

4:00 p.m. Randy Lyden 8:00 a.m. Jenny Nielsen

10:00 a.m. Mary Jo Lium Cantors

4:00 p.m. Nancy Misch 8:00 a.m. Lisa Conzemius

10:00 a.m. Sunday Choir Ushers

4:00 p.m. Kevin Hennessy, Ciarra Lietke, Mark Misch, Dale Olson, Elaina Riemer, NOT FILLED, NOT FILLED, NOT FILLED

8:00 a.m. Paul Chapiewsky, Wally Stoll, Rich Waller, NOT FILLED, NOT FILLED, NOT FILLED, NOT FILLED, NOT FILLED

10:00 a.m. Marlin Buchner, Mason Herletzke, Jerry Kernan, George Luckner, Robb Pretasky, Jacqueline Schneider, Don Wavra, Lizzie Wintheiser

Gift Bearers 4:00 p.m. Lisa Servais, Tim Servais 8:00 a.m. Michael Taylor, Danice Taylor

10:00 a.m. Chuck Berendes, Polly Berendes Hospitality

8:00 a.m. Tom Ley, Margie Ley 10:00 a.m. Lisa Doering, Sam Horman

Scrip Sellers 4:00 p.m. Sarah Kopski, Sue Olson 8:00 a.m. NOT FILLED, NOT FILLED

10:00 a.m. Juli Jansen, Sue Pretasky

Money Counters 10:00 a.m. Lynn Grosch, Margaret Hammell, Neil

Kumm

Liturgical Roles

December 8, 2019

Weekly Mass Intentions Monday, December 9, 2019 5:00 PM † Catherine Servais by Roxanne & Stan Hamilton Tuesday, December 10, 2019 7:30 AM † Jim Shay by Barbara Stetzer Wednesday, December 11, 2019 7:30 AM † Mary Soller by Her Daughters Thursday, December 12, 2019 7:30 AM † Odell and Eleanore Arens by Jim and Arian Arens 2:00 PM † John Schumacher by Margie Schumacher (at Hillview) Friday, December 13, 2019 7:30 AM † Lorraine Keil by Her Family Saturday, December 14, 2019 4:00 PM † Carol Schams by Her Family Sunday, December 15, 2019 8:00 AM † Mildred Darling by Jack and Pat Darling 10:00 AM Pro Populo

The Rosary is prayed before each weekday Mass Tuesday through Friday beginning at 7:05 am.

$1.15 Mil

Cash Received

$2.38 Mil

Gifts And

Pledges

Building Our Future Together Advent is a good time for reflection and remi-

niscing. Recalling the Building Our Future To-gether bulletin article from this time in 2017 we reported on a number of items in the new Parish Hall that were completed or in the final stages of completion … the brick and stonework were com-pleted, windows installed, and sheetrock work was being finished. Then we mentioned, “Van Der Hoff Studios will complete and install the stained glass window of Mary in the spring.”

The bulletin article for this week in December 2018 reported that the “historic stained glass win-dow to be installed on the east end of the hall-way” would not be installed by Christmas. The Van Der Hoff Studios advise “they are having dif-ficulty matching the blue glass needed to fill in a center section. Due to the age and historical char-acter of the window they are making every effort to find accurate pieces. They remain confident the window will be restored, but it may take sev-eral more months … perhaps by Easter” (of 2019).

But, on this second Sunday of Advent, 2019, we continue to wait … with hopeful expectation. We are very confident that in time the stained glass artisans will be able to restore the window and it will be a treasure that we will all admire and say, “How beautiful! What a wonderful tribute to Mary, our Mother. It was worth the wait!”

Having now lit two candles on our Advent wreath, we will soon begin turning our sight to Christmas, the birth of Jesus and the tremendous gift of God coming to earth to dwell with us. We pray that God will continue to bless our parish family as we Build Our Future Together!

Building Our Future Together As of December 3

$985,000

Goal $3,833,000 “The Rest”: $1,432,000

$2,400,000

Second Need: Replacing the Mechanical and Electric Systems

First Need: Sealing the Building Shell

$985,000

For ad info. call 1-800-950-9952 • www.4lpi.com Mary Mother of the Church, La Crosse, WI A 4C 02-0155

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Proud of being a part of the new expansion!

La Crosse Backhoe Services, Inc.

Serving the Coulee Region since 1970

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New Homes & Light CommercialMarty and Tony Kirchner | (608) 782-30872809 28th Street S • La Crosse, WI 54601

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SCHALLER JACOBSON

Collision & Alignment RepairLa Crosse • 788-2545 Onalaska • 783-4554

SCHALLER/JACOBSON PlusTires • Shocks • Alignments

Brakes • Exhaust • Under hood

COMPLETE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR

RKB Accounting & Tax Service, LLCReginald “Kim” Boldon, CPA, MBAAccounting, Bookkeeping, Payroll, Income Tax Services &

Tax Resolution Services for Individuals, Small and Medium Size Businesses.1314 Johnson St. • La Crosse, WI 54601 (608) 782-6433 • rkboldon@rkbcpa.com

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Michael Schneider Adam Schneider

(608) 782-13461501 West Ave. S • LaCrosse, WI

Catholic Identity Since 1929

A Full Service CPA Firm • Tax Planning & Preparation

William J. Sherry, CPA 3317 Mormon Coulee Rd • La Crosse, WI 54602Bill@eacpas.net (608) 788-2181

Casual Dining With Quality Food & Spirits“A La Crosse Tradition Since 1955”

3119 State Rd788-5110

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• Sales • Service • Installation Hometown Proud Dealer for

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Full Service Plumbing Repair, Sewer Cleaning Specializing in Water Heaters & Softeners!

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Dickinson Family Funeral Homes & crematorywww.dickinsonfuneralhomes.com

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ONALASKA LACROSSE LA CRESCENT 907 Sand Lake Rd 200 West Ave S 111 So. Oak St. 782-1252 782-1252 895-2518

LACKORE ELECTRIC MOTOR REPAIRFactory Service Station For:

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Paul Gale - Owner 782-7635Over 35 Years of Experience

BATTERY MARTAuto • Truck • Tractor

Motorcycle • Boat • Deep Cycle“We Buy Old Batteries”

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PURVEYORS OF FINE MEAT AND SEAFOOD

Bakalars Sausage Co., Inc.2760 Hemstock St., La Crosse, WI 54603

bakalarssausage.com 784-0384

“Setting the Standard”

Commercial • Residential • IndustrialScott Kainz, Parishioner (608) 386-0575

Wisconsin State Certified Master Electrician Fully Insured

Earl L. Bonsack, Inc.Driving nice since 1963

‘Living the Dream’

The Freedom to go Everywhere • Free in home Assessments

608-782-1069

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Dan’s shoe RepaiRServing You Since 1935608-782-3775 • danielgrgn@gmail.com112 5th Ave. N. • La Crosse, WI 54601

Ron Hammes Refrigeration

788-3110 24 HR. SERVICE

REFRIGERATION SALES & SERVICE

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

Ron

Hammes

5416 S. 33rd. Street La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601608-788-6800

Member SIPC

Mike Wintheiser, Financial Advisor 1212 Horton St. (South Ave & Horton St) La Crosse, WI 54601 608-788-2668 www.edwardjones.com

HMC (FMF) Brickson | WI, MN, IA | 608 304 1671608-519-4324 ◆ BrightstarCare.com/LaCrosse

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Kevin Wilson, Owneraccurateautotrim@yahoo.com | 608-792-2308Springtime - Home Awnings and Convertibles

Accepting Reservations Now - Opening Spring 2020from those 55 and better

Call Dana today 608.791.2702622 Bennora Lee Court, La Crosse | www.eaglecrestcommunities.org

Anything but Ordinary!flowers, plants

gifts, decor + more

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New Construction Remodel • Repair

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Free Initial Consultation For Injury & Insurance Claims

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US Bank, Tenth Floor201 Main Street, Suite 1010La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601

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21

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Compliments Of

OUTDOOR SERVICES INC.For Your Lawn Care Needs Call: 608-786-3202

641 Brickl Road, West Salem WI Contact Gary Stang • gstang@4LPi.com • (800) 950-9952 x5838

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