MONC HES & NORTH LAKE OCTOBER 2008

The VOICE of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

Dear Members of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta,

At various meetings this summer, as well as in mailings and announcements over the last few months, we have been in dialog with you, our fellow parishioners, regarding the future direction and growth of our parish.

Even though 2008 began quietly on this subject, parish leadership planning and discussion was prompted by two Archdiocesan initiatives: 1) Vision 21, the strategic plan for parishes, to prepare us in the light of the priest shortage for a shared-pastor with an independent parish, St. Catherine in Mapleton; and 2) Faith in Our Future Capital Campaign to be conducted by all diocesan parishes for the benefit of Catholic schools, religious education programs, stewardship, and building community within our parishes. These two initiatives require us to consider prayerfully and seriously whether or not our parish can move into the future with our current two church buildings in Monches and North Lake.

From the discussion during this summer and fall has come a single VISION:

Unite and sustain Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish

as a viable congregation for current and future members in a new and common church building

where we will gather, pray, celebrate, socialize, and grow as one community of believers.

For this VISION to become a reality, your ideas, suggestions, and contributions are necessary. We’ve held several meetings to listen to your ideas and suggestions. Some, with good reason, question whether a new church building is really needed. As we have studied and reflected on the Archdiocesan initiatives in light of the size of our parish and constraints of our current buildings, there seems to be little alternative but to study the feasibility of building on our CTH V V land. Since the June Town Hall Meeting, many questions have been raised relating to our need to build. However, there have been as many expressions of support. These parishioners also have raised questions: How big should it be? What type of flexibility should be incorporated to adapt to the changing times in the Church? What other facilities should be included? How much will it cost? Is it feasible to think we can raise that amount of funding? To answer these questions reliably, we need experts to assist us with a feasibility study and the answers that we are seeking. Until your questions have been answered, seeking your moral and financial support is premature. Thus, we are engaging experts, Plunkett Raysich Architects, to provide us a master plan and feasibility study including preliminary cost estimates. The architects will give us a proposed layout drawing of the new worship site on our CTH V V land. The feasibility study will tell us what size and shape of a church is realistic as well as whether other ancillary spaces such as a meeting hall, religious education classrooms, or administrative offices should be included in the master plan. This process is familiar to a family who are thinking about building a new home. Before they make the decision to build, they explore what size house is realistic given their family needs as well as their family's financial resources.

Continued on page 2...

2

FFF R O MR O MR O M O U RO U RO U R P P P A S T O RA S T O RA S T O R

BLESSED TERESA OF CALCUTTA

Continued from page 1...

It is important to note that no decisions have been made regarding the scope or timing of a church building project. Your and our questions need to be answered before we proceed. Further, nothing can be decided without the moral and financial support of all of us as one parish community.

We are pleased that the master plan and feasibility study is proceeding on schedule. Parish leadership will review the work of Plunkett Raysich on October 2 and October 6. We will assess how the architect’s proposal meets our needs as well as our potential for funding a construction project that will shape the future of our parish. Within the next few weeks, we will communicate our findings to you.

We invite you to join us for a first look at the master plan and

feasibility study on Sunday, November 9th or 23rd at 11:30 am in the Parish Center.

Two sessions have been scheduled to make it easier for you to attend the one most convenient for you and your family. At these meetings you will be able to review a proposed church facility plan and have your questions answered.

With the experience and diligence demonstrated thus far by Plunkett Raysich, we fully expect that the proposed plan will meet our facility needs and can be advanced through the support of our parish family. It is our plan that the upcoming Faith in Our Future (FIOF) Capital Campaign will be used to supply the funds necessary to realize our vision. The campaign will kick off on a parish-wide basis in early January 2009. Depending on the charity of all parishioners, between 60% and 90% of all contributions to FIOF stays with our parish.

May the Holy Spirit and our patroness, Blessed Teresa, guide us in this process so that we will grow in discipleship, in love for one another, and in the love of Jesus Christ.

We are grateful for your patience as more specific information is prepared. Also, we appreciate your hopes and prayers for the future of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish.

In Jesus’ Name,

2008-2009 Parish Council: Don Burg, Larry Coble, Kim Dax, Jenny Eberhardt, Bobbi Gomon, Barb Jarchow, Kurt Weis, Vivianne Whitcomb & Fr. Anthony McCarthy

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS About ARCHDIOCESAN VISION 21 DIRECTIVE

And FAITH IN OUR FUTURE CAMPAIGN

Since early 2008, in group meetings, multiple mailings and announcements, a June town hall meeting, and two informa-tion and listening sessions, your Parish Council has responded to your questions regarding the future direction and growth of our parish. Here is a summary of those questions and re-sponses:

QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE VISION 21 ARCHDIOCESAN PLAN

Priest shortage and the role of the laity: Followers of Je-sus Christ believe that the Holy Spirit is present in our midst and nurturing the new life of the Catholic Church today. While the priest shortage is a reality, Catholics are inspired to be guided by the Holy Spirit in planning for the future of their par-ishes. There are some hopeful signs. Our Saint Francis Semi-nary enrollment has increased this year but this increase does not compensate for the 68 archdiocesan priests who are 55 or older and the 136 priests who are 70 or older. Other coun-tries and dioceses face a priest shortage as well. It is doubtful that the Archdiocese could draw needed numbers of priests from other areas.

With fewer priests, the role of the pastor will change. He will still be with a congregation to celebrate both the liturgy and the sacraments. However parish pastoral services as visiting the sick, Eucharist to the homebound, marriage preparation, religious education, and parish administration will utilize the gifts of qualified laity. This presents an opportunity for par-ishes to grow and prosper by virtue of the talents of their members.

Dear Friends, As the saying goes: a picture is worth a thousand words, however, I’m not sure what thousands of words are worth! So I begin by apologizing for the “wordiness” of this issue of The Voice. I do wish that a picture or two would en-compass the meaning of so many words. That being said, kindly take the time to read The Voice. Maybe you will have to do it more than one sitting. But please

do take the time. The message about Faith in Our Future and Vision 21 and the possibility for a new church in the future is both timely and very important. We can’t move ahead without your encouragement and financial commit-ment. While we are blest with clergy help-out at the present time, I was notified twice in the past several weeks that the Carmelites could not help at Blessed Teresa at their assigned Saturday evening Mass because they lacked a priest to send. I think it’s important that you are aware of this reality. Do enjoy the beautiful season of Fall in Wisconsin. Faithfully in the Lord, Fr. Tony

THE VOICE • OCTOBER 2008 3

Welcome New Parishioners! (Children are listed in parentheses) Steve & Tracy Buddenhagen (Joey, Josh, & Luke) Anthony & Mary Anne Drewes (Riley, Griffin, & AJ) Maria Forrest (James & Erin) Cynthia Helpap (Jonathan) Andy & Michelle Knipfer (Steven) Tom & Jessica Kurz Jennifer Puffer (Waylan) Charles & Tina Schultz (Nicholas & Emily) Jason & Erin Wieselman (Abigail)

Born Into God’s Family Jake Riggs Married in Christ Grace Spitza Timothy Michaud & Caroline Klein Ian Stemper David Kagan & Kelly Molinar Joseph Bay Earl Warnecke & Beverly Roskopf Augustine Dax Damien Dax James Novacek

Born to Eternal Life Marvin Nold Frank Pollard George Pollard Stanley Borgstrom

“Frequently asked questions” continued from page 2…

Relationship to St. Catherine in Mapleton: Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and St. Catherine in Mapleton will each retain their independence as separate parishes that share one pastor. The two parishes will not merge and neither is being closed.

QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE FAITH IN OUR FUTURE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

Due to the archdiocesan FIOF Capital Campaign initiative, Blessed Teresa has the opportunity to plan for its own future as one community. The campaign, with its emphasis on steward-ship and prayer, will present a Case Statement or “cause” that will likely establish the goal of a new worship site to be funded through the generosity of parishioners.

Intertwined with the FIOF Case Statement is our response to the Vision 21 directive. Given the priest shortage as identified in this directive along with our desire to unite and sustain our par-ish family, significant financial resources for a new church build-ing will be required. We see FIOF as an opportunity to be used as the vehicle to raise these funds.

As part of FIOF, parishioners will be asked to make a personal return, according to their means, of a portion of the financial resources that God has first given them. Through continued meetings, prayerful reflection and community building, parish-ioners will have input into the design of the new worship space and the financial opportunity to support its construction.

QUESTIONS RELATED TO SUPPORT FOR THE PARISH COUNCIL VISION

After review of Vision 21 and the FIOF Capital Campaign, the Parish Council prayerfully discerned these initiatives as opportu-nities to unite and sustain Blessed Teresa as a viable congrega-tion for current and future members. In a new and common church building, our parish family comes together to celebrate the Eucharist, socialize, and grow in the faith of Jesus Christ and love of one another.

The Parish Council commissioned Plunkett Raysich Architects to provide a feasibility study that, based on discussion with parish personnel, would provide a comfortable space for the current level of Mass attendance as well as expansion capability as the parish grows. While the new worship space will be larger and allow for growth, the goal is to retain the quiet intimacy and feel-ing of our two small rural churches.

Assuming financial contributions support the building of a new church, parishioners will have many opportunities during the design phase to voice their ideas and suggestions regarding the final design of the worship space.

QUESTIONS RELATED TO SEEKING ALTERNATIVES OTHER THAN BUILDING A NEW CHURCH It has been suggested that the parish seek alternatives such as expanding one of the current churches, renting an existing facil-ity, entering into a long term lease, etc. As was mentioned at previous meetings, expanding our churches is not feasible due to land constraints which do not meet the requirements stipu-lated by the Archdiocese for such expansion. →

As to renting or leasing a facility, given the diversified times and dates when we would use the facility, e.g., weekend Masses, weekday (and occasional mid-week Holy Day) Masses, funerals, weddings, etc., these options are severely con-strained not only because of the need to be suitable places for worship, but also due to considerations of availability, conven-ient location, and cost.

QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE DEMOGRAPHICS AND GROWTH OF OUR COMMUNITY These concerns are part of the research being done by the architect. But, we must also remind ourselves that we are con-sidering building a church primarily to address the needs of our current parish community. If we proceed, the initial phase will be focused specifically on those needs. If our area contin-ues to grow, further expansion will be considered (as noted in the Master Plan). Nonetheless, the immediate needs of our parish must be addressed.

QUESTION RELATED TO THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT SUPPORTING PARISH COUNCIL VISION The Parish Council has articulated a vision focused on parish unity and future sustainability. At the heart of this vision is providing support to a community of believers, focused on Jesus Christ, supporting and caring for one another as they carry out His mission. If a new church is not considered, we will be turning over the fate of our parish to others rather than controlling them our-selves. Although we are not certain of the future, the Vision 21 directive, the continuing decline in the number of priests, and the small capacities of our two current churches suggest that our current luxury of five Masses each weekend is short-lived. Fewer Masses in our current churches will ultimately mean that we will not be able to accommodate the current number of Mass participants, let alone provide for growth.

BLESSED TERESA OF CALCUTTA 4

“SOME SEED FELL ON GOOD GROUND” Year of St. Paul You may have heard me relate this episode before. I really should not tell it, because it was not a “nice” thing for me to say. But this couple’s letter to me bordered on the snob-bish. They wrote to inform me that “we are leaving the Church.” Yes, they went on, the Church had become “too em-barrassing, too tawdry” for them. All the scandals, all the cor-ruption! Tsk-tsk! It was just too much for their noble souls. So, they concluded, they were going to find “a better, more perfect Church.” Good luck, I wrote back. We’ll miss you. And, I sure hope you’ll come back home. Oh, and, by the way, if you do find “a better, more perfect Church,” you better not join, because then it won’t be perfect anymore! The charitable thing to say? Maybe not. But, true? Yes it is. I am very much inspired by the women mystics of our Catholic tradition, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Gertrude, St. Teresa of Jesus, St. Bridget, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, just to name a few. The way they speak of their love for the Church, I am in awe. Recently, for instance, I was pondering a selection from St. Catherine of Siena’s Divine Providence. Here was a woman who sure knew the flaws of the Church. But, listen to what she said: My dear Lord, look with mercy upon the mystical body of your Church . . . For I see that sin darkens the life of your bride the Church -- my own sin, and the sins of others. St. Catherine took the blame. What she states is that, yes, the Church is sin-ful . . . because I am and so are you! Our pastors tell me how often they receive these sad letters, so I’m not alone. One day we’ll get a note, “We’re leav-ing the Church because it is no longer true to the spirit of Vati-can II.” (Which of course means that the Church is not true to what I think she should be). The next day another card comes, “We’re leaving the Church because she’s no longer the pure, unchanging Church I remember as a child in the 1950’s.” (Of course, the Church was never ‘unchanging’ or without faults, as even a cursory knowledge of her history tells us). So, what do we do? Let them leave, I guess, and pray they come back. And a lot of them are departing, the studies tell us. (And, thank God, most are staying, and many are joining). We keep plodding along, as we have for 2000 years. As Carlo Carelto, the Italian poet, observes, “She’s the only Church we got. If I join another one, then it’s ‘my’ Church, not His. And then that church would be even more sinful, be-cause I’d be a member of it, and I’m a sinner!” Flannery O’Connor, the great southern Catholic novelist, remarked, “We expect the Church to be perfect, to make a profit. I’m happy if she just breaks even!” Could the big tempta-tion today be to remake the Church in our own image and like-ness, instead of having Christ, through His Church, remake us according to His designs? Sorry, but we don’t “Sing a new Church into being” at all. We hum in gratitude at the one we got, and have had for two millenia. Does she need re-form? Yep! She has from the beginning. As the Latin adage goes, Ecclesia semper reformanda -- the Church always in need of reform. Reform, renewal . . . not an amputation or a lobotomy. Because, when all is said and done, it’s not my Church, our Church, at all. It’s Christ’s Church. Ask St. Catherine of Sienna . . . and stay with her in His Church! Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan Some Seed Fell on Good Ground– September 2, 2008—was reprinted with per-mission from the Department of Communications, Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Our faith community is constructively preoccupied with projects required by the archdiocese whether they affect the present and future use of land and buildings, our efforts of service to our local parish or to the worldwide Church. They all deserve our careful attention and stewardship. We live and work in an era of transition and decision for the future, as well as the daily operation of ongoing programs in Christian Formation, Parish Life, Christian Concerns, Building and Grounds, Finance and Prayer and Worship. We are blessed with dedicated leaders and members of our Parish Council, its committees and our pastoral staff. Although we are all faced with considerable challenges, we thrive on our gathering at Sunday Eucharist with gratitude for the very privilege of celebrating Mass with a dedicated pastor and his helping priests, and their care for parishioners in the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Anointing and care of the sick including Communion, and Masses of Christian Burial. I want to focus especially on the Prayer and Worship dimension of parish life. Liturgical celebration and its various ministries need ongoing attention and new members in every area. In my current status as a ‘semi-retiree,’ with emphasis on ‘semi,’ I may not oversee these ministries or give them the full attention our parish might need, but I haven’t lost my interest in all of what worship demands and what it means to us as Catholics. The sights and sounds of worship are as important to me now as they have been through most of my life. They are just as vital now in our two churches as they might be in a new church building at some future time. I consider these ministries to be just as vital to my faith life whether I am a parish minister employed by a parish, a ‘volunteer ‘ or a worshiper in the assembly. Liturgical ministry is just as central to our parish life in our churches as they now stand as they should be in this or any parish that builds a new one. In fact, ‘part time’ or ‘retirement’ brings me a degree of freedom ‘off the road,’ off-site and off schedule to reflect on present needs, and to focus more on the musical aspects of worship. If you have an interest in the work that worship requires, and either have experience as a liturgical worship minister and/or are willing to be trained in any of its ministries, I encourage you to offer yourself as a prospective member of the Prayer and Worship Committee. You might ask “What should I expect to be doing with the Committee? My response is that I am currently reviewing a collection of talks delivered at an annual conference at Notre Dame University where the theme in 1995 was “Reform and Renewal.” It’s amazing to see that many of the speakers at that conference could have been speaking even now in 2008. Basically, the reform and renewal that is the vision of the Vatican II Council in the mid 1960’s is still being carried out. A lot of the reform has already happened. However the conference at Notre Dame thirteen summers ago had a subtitle . . . the “Renewal That Awaits Us” and a lot of that ongoing renewal is or should be taking place in our parish. Much reform was and continues to be external, such as questions about when to stand during Mass or how to show our reverence in gestures as we approach the Body and Blood of Christ at Communion. But the heart of our renewal, as the many bishops from the world at Vatican II emphasized, is our internal spirit. How do our externals reflect our internal spirit may be the major question at the heart of all our reforms. If this principle and how to put it into practice is a concern of yours, you may benefit from and contribute a lot to the discussion and resolutions of your parish’s Prayer and Worship committee. The committee meets on Leadership nights, (five Monday evenings during the year) and holds an occasional working meeting to prepare for specific celebrations such as Advent and Lenten Penance Services, or for major feasts and seasons of the Church year. Music ministries meet weekly or seasonally and include choirs, instrumentalists, and cantors. Singers need not be sight singers, but should be willing to learn over time, and willing to attend a sufficient number of rehearsals to be well prepared for the Masses at which they are scheduled. Interested in the Prayer and Worship Committee, in any music ministry or any other ministries (Eucharistic Minister, Proclaimer, Servers [Grade 4 and above] Sacristan, Usher/Greeter) may call the parish office. Please leave your full name, phone number and the time you may be reached. Bill Erickson

PRAYER & WORSHIP

THE VOICE • OCTOBER 2008 5

P A R I S H F E S T I V A L

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta P.O. Box 68 North Lake, WI 53064 info@blteresaparish.org Newsletter Staff Rev. Anthony T. McCarthy................Pastor Greg Budzien ..........................Proofreader Jessica Neddersen………………..……....Writer Maria Neddersen ...... Writer/Typist/Layout Webmaster……...…………….....Did You Know Articles, photos or other materials are due to the parish office by the 1st Tuesday of the month prior to the publication month. Please email to: maria@blteresaparish.org Deadline: November 4, 2008 Parish Office: (262) 966-2191 www.blteresaparish.org

Divine Word Mission

St. John School (pictured to the left) in Madri, India in the state of Rajasthan had its grand opening ceremony on Sep-tember 5th, 2008. This was possible through the kind con-tributions of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta parishioners. Fr. Mathew Chennakudy, a Divine Word Mission priest, (who has visited our parish in the past), is also working toward a second school in Ogna.

Children from St. John school in India.