Steve and Audrey Laszewski are featured in the January, 2026, issue of Green Bay Parish Neighbors West. Click the image to read the article.

The article below written by Fr. Don Everts was published in Green Bay Parish Neighbors West magazine.

 

This article about the Boughton family was in the September, 2025, issue of Green Bay Parish Neighbors West.

Click the image to read the article.

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Here’s an article written by Sr. Mary Peters, our Pastoral Minister, that was published in the July, 2025, issue of Green Bay Parish Neighbors West magazine.

The Ciak family was featured in March’s issue (2025) of Green Bay Parish Neighbors West.

If you’re like me, you have to put everything on a calendar to remember all of life’s busyness. We write down everything from volunteer obligations, to parties, shopping excursions, entertainment, upcoming visits with family and friends, and doctor’s appointments. At the end of the calendar year, I have a 12-page diary of the past 365 days of our lives. After all is said and done, I feel exhausted, frustrated, and dissatisfied. Especially when certain entries on the calendar compete for time.

According to Sarita Soares, M.D., in her article Wellness of the Mind, Body, & Spirit, “It can be incredibly challenging to focus on our faith when worldly distractions feel more immediate and tangible. That’s why actually scheduling prayer, meditation, and self-care is so crucial.” Dr. Soares adds that scientific evidence supports the importance of the benefits of prayer, mindfulness and gratitude in association with our physical well-being. Dr. Soares refers to this as “holistic wellness.” Although many science experiments are inconclusive with the actual healing of human maladies, it does not dispute the benefits of prayer and meditation to alleviate mindful stress and cardio-pulmonary tension.

There have been many nights where I lay awake while stressful thoughts disrupt my sleep. After tossing and turning for what seems like hours, I start praying the rosary, which for me, is one of the most peaceful prayers. The repetitive “Hail Mary’s” serve as the calming meditation my mind is needing. We shouldn’t limit our praying to the church pew. Dr. Soares suggests “transforming downtime such as driving or waiting in line into conversations with Jesus and observing my interior self.” Soares explains that without a balance of physical well-being with mental health and internal peace, many of us feel frustrated and distressed.

Finally, Dr. Soares says “As Catholics, we are so lucky to recognize that the antidote to these desolations lies in our faith and God’s love and grace for us.” Amen!

By Christine Smits
Health & Wellness Committee Member

A Jubilee Year is a special time of grace that encourages us to re-center our lives around Christ. The faithful are invited to turn away from sin, restore a relationship with God and one another, and strive for holiness. Jubilees are every 25 years in addition to any “extraordinary” jubilees such as Pope Francis’ Year of Mercy in 2015.

Pope Francis began Jubilee Year 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope on December 24, 2024, by opening the Holy Doors of St. Peter’s Basilica. The Jubilee within the Diocese of Green Bay began January 6, 2025, at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral and will conclude on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord on January 6, 2026.

Along with this Jubilee’s emphasis on spiritual growth and holiness, the faithful are also provided with the opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence which removes our temporal punishment for sin. Indulgences may be obtained for oneself or for the souls of the deceased. Bishop David L. Ricken’s Decree follows here. Click here for a PDF version.

 

To discover other ways you can participate in the Jubilee 2025—Pilgrims of Hope, visit www.usccb.org/jubilee2025.

 

 

Christ is fully present – Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity – in the consecrated communion host. Effective June 2, 2024, Bishop David L. Ricken decreed that Holy Communion under both kinds can be offered but only for certain liturgical celebrations. The practice of offering under both kinds was discontinued when COVID-19 became a pandemic in 2020.

The National Eucharistic Congress was held on July 17-21, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana. My wife and I, along with two other couples from our parish, attended the event. The event aimed to spark a Eucharistic Revival throughout our country. Actor Jonathan Roumie from The Chosen gave an incredible presentation to a packed Lucas Oil Stadium. I invite you to watch this video and allow yourself to enter into the Bread of Life Discourse in a new and profound way.

Paz y Amor, Deacon Bill Gerl

Our Parish Novena for Renewal starts on Sunday, April 14. Novenas are prayed nine days in a row. Please join us in prayer.