Local News
A visit from the bishop
Bishop James P. Powers was welcomed by parochial administrator Fr. Francis Adoboli at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Danbury; Sacred Heart, Crescent Lake; and St. John the Baptist, Webster, on March 21-22.
A life of challenges and joys
Fr. Joji Reddy Boyapati, serving at St. Michael’s in Iron River, will clearly be missed when he returns to India in April due to his expiring visa.
Sisters, priests honored at St. Francis Appreciation Celebration
On Sunday, March 1, the Lac Courte Oreilles Community turned out in huge numbers to honor and salute the staff of St. Francis Catholic Church and School at the church Community Building.
Re-established KC council marks 10 years of Lenten events
The Apple River Knights of Columbus Council 16298, Amery, was reestablished and ratified on Sept. 15, 2015, after the original council disbanded in the 1980s.
Retreat: Living Lent for Easter and beyond
Over a two-evening Lenten retreat for the clustered parishes in Spooner, Shell Lake and Sarona, Fr. Isaiah Schick presented the season and practices of Lent going back to basics
Rally encourages men to join ‘pride of lions’
Lions, brotherhood, a scary dream, forgiveness and a crowded heaven … all these made it into a memorable half-day Men’s Rally for Christ at St. Bridget Church in River Falls on Feb. 28.
World News
Pope at Easter: Jesus showed nonviolence is true power over evil
Appealing to those in power to end all conflicts through dialogue and not domination, Pope Leo XIV urged humanity to stop growing accustomed to wars and violence and announced a prayer vigil for peace April 11.
“Lay down your weapons,” pope says in Palm Sunday call for peace
Marking the start of Holy Week, Pope Leo XIV used his first Palm Sunday Mass to issue a forceful plea for peace, urging an end to war as he reflected on Christ’s Passion.
Columns
He is risen! Alleluia, Alleluia!
2026 Easter message from Bishop James P. Powers
Mini-ministry: St. Patrick parishioners inspired food swap
A friendly gesture by a couple of neighbors of bringing over a few bags of slightly fading vegetables, and then my swapping some back, has become a full-fledged food mini-ministry.
Thanks, Dad, for Ordinary Times
Not long ago, I was sorting through some of my dad’s old papers and I came across a candy wrapper and a Father’s Day card tucked into an envelope that bore a March 2001 postmark from Rome.
On hiding the ugly
Following a severe case of COVID last summer, I developed a bald spot. As with any flaw, I spend a disproportionate amount of time trying to hide it; AI tells me it could take a year for my hair to grow back. So I fuss and rearrange things and impatiently wait.
Do you really believe God loves you?
If you’re like me, you were impressed by the athletes of the Milan-Cortina Olympics. In them we witnessed both the rewards of hard work and the traumatizing effects of extreme expectation.
Questions and answers in Ordinary Time
“Will this be on the exam?” Anyone who is a teacher will recognize this question as one that erupts like clockwork when midterm or final exam season rolls around.
