Andrew and Maria Marz Michael Stein and Jessica Kuchta

...Valuing Our Tradition
Here we are, the first week of Lent. What will it
mean for us this year? Are we just going to watch
the weeks roll by or are we going to make this
time more meaningful by getting back to basics:
repent, reform, and renew? There are three
disciplines of Lent that should be on our minds:
prayer; fasting; and almsgiving. The Scriptures
will suggest how to let these three find expression
in our lives and we can follow up on them by
asking ourselves “What can I do for these 40
days that would help me to live the kind of life
Jesus speaks about in the Gospel?
Remember how often He says: “Love your
enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Offer
the other cheek. Lend what you have and expect
nothing back. Stop judging. Stop condemning.
Forgive. Give.” That doesn‟t sound all that hard
to do – when we think of it in the larger view. But
what about when we bring it closer to home? So
many people are walking around with a heavy
weight of anger and unforgiveness towards a
relative or friend for an infraction of friendship
years ago. To keep that hurt in their mind, they
add wood to the fire. Families have been torn
apart by comments and hurts that should have
been forgiven long ago. This Lent, let‟s recognize
what we are saying when we pray the Our
Father: “Forgive US as WE FORGIVE those ….”
We can enter the rhythm of Lent by taking a more
active role in the prayer opportunities offered to
us. We will have a Parish Mission at 7pm on
March 14, 15, and 16. Stations of the Cross will
be 7:30pm on March 23, 30 and April 6. Mass is
offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the
chapel and in church on Tuesdays and Thursdays
at 8am. You are most welcome to join us as often
as you wish. And most certainly, plan to
participate in all of the services during Holy
Week. We need to know that what matters is we
are a part of God‟s rhythm and each week of
Lent brings us together as the body of Christ in this
world.
Our lives are filled with small stuff and we live in
a world where religion has conformed to a culture
without discipline. In an age of instant
“everything,” it‟s only human to long for a life
without depriving ourselves of anything. But that
is not the role we are asked to live by Christ. He
himself chose his time in the desert and He expects
us to follow His example.
…. Mary Worley
From the Pastor . . .
January marked the third year since I arrived at St. Martin on Tours. I
have enjoyed my time here despite the headaches and occasional
problems. One thing I don‟t appreciate is “anonymous notes and letters.”
I have received them every year I‟ve been here and at different times of
the year. I‟ve come to understand that these letters are ways for people
to vent their anger but it‟s a venting in open space. I can‟t do much or
say much with notes and letters that are not signed. I don‟t think I‟m
unapproachable and I do think a better solution would be to talk face to
face in an attempt to solve or rectify the perceived problem and/or
concern.
I‟ve received notes and letters about anger over a speaker for a
Mission; anger at the Church, anger over a specific collection and/or
campaign, anger over perceived action of a fellow parishioner, anger
over something I preached about. Such notes usually end with an
individual or family saying they‟ll no longer contribute to the church and
in some cases they say they‟ll leave the church.
Today we celebrate the Feast day of Saints Perpetua and Felicity
from around the year 200. Perpetua at the age of 22 accepted the
Faith and was baptized along with her servant Felicity. Perpetua‟s father
did everything he could to discourage such an action because he feared
the persecution of the day against Christians fearing his daughter would
be persecuted. Perpetua and Felicity were arrested and imprisoned in a
private home at first before being moved to a prison. After examination,
both were condemned to death at the public games in the amphitheater
for failing to renounce their faith. They were exposed to rabid heifers,
and when Perpetua and Felicity were unharmed, they were sworded to
death. It took a lot of courage, a lot of faith, and a lot of will power for
Perpetua and Felicity to hold on to their faith while practicing it.
I pray to Saint Perpetua and Felicity to be an example for the
anonymous writers. It‟s time to take courage and come forward as
mature adults and engage in a healthy conversation over concerns.
Anger only breeds anger. Anger is that kind of garbage we carry
around only to end up letting it bring us down and keeping us from real
growth. I know I‟m not perfect, the church isn‟t perfect, and in fact none
of us are perfect. However the grace of God helps us through in every
situation.
In every situation, our perspective is only our perspective and
sometimes we miss the whole point or the total picture. I pray that the
anonymous letters and notes stop to be replaced by opportunities for
true dialogue and communication.
Our parish mission will take place this coming week, Monday,
Tuesday, and Wednesday at 7:00pm. It will last one hour each evening
followed by snacks. Please consider attending as an opportunity for
growth during this season of Lent.
Fr. Yvon
PAGE 8 ST. MARTIN OF TOURS · FRAN KLI N, WI