Parish Council of Catholic Women officers for 2002-2003 were (left to right) front: Lori Pekol, Sandy Mayer, Lynn Brekke, Annie Enstad, Chris Stanga, Bonnie Langreck, Mary Sladich, Judy Conner, Rita Kuchenbecker. |
Missions Rekindle the Home Fires of Faith
Weeklong parish missions have a long tradition at St. Mary’s. Fr. Weber conducted the earliest mission on record in 1925.
Fr. Henseler scheduled one immediately after the 1978 centennial. The parish bulletin that week admonished people to curtail social activity, bowling, television, including Monday night football and whatever else they usually did to attend. He even cancelled CCD!
"In our complex society with its rapid pace, it is sometimes difficult to maintain our Christian values. Without these values we seem to drift from day to day in a kind of senseless existence. A parish mission, or renewal, is a good time to re-examine our lives in the Light of the Gospel," Fr. Henseler wrote.
It was very successful event, as was the second one scheduled by Fr. Henseler in October 1987.
The most recent mission was in October of 2002, and resulted in more than 30 families committing to enthrone the Sacred Heart of Jesus in their homes. This devotion would have been very familiar to Fr.’s Biegler and Weber, who also encouraged it.
[pinevalley/footer_gif.html]