1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Cooks Valley Township – 4540 State Hwy. 40, Bloomer, WI
Web Site: http://stjohns.bloomertel.net – Mailing Address: 4540 State Hwy. 40, Bloomer, WI 54724
SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE
St. John The Baptist, Cooks Valley
Saturday, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, 9:30 a.m.
St. Paul’s, Bloomer
Saturday, 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, 8:00 & 11:00 a.m.
DAILY MASS SCHEDULE
St. John The Baptist, Cooks Valley
Tuesday & Thursday, 8:30 a.m.
First Friday Mass, 10:30 a.m.
St. Paul’s, Bloomer
Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.
Friday – School Mass, 8:00 a.m.
FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION
Adoration begins immediately following
the 8:30 a.m. Mass Thursday and ends
with the 10:30 a.m. First Friday Mass.
HOLY DAY MASS SCHEDULE
Please check bulletin
ROSARY
Recited every Sunday morning at 9:00 am
PARISH STAFF
Pastor – Fr. John Potaczek
Secretary: Candyce Sarauer
For all sacramental or emergency needs,
please call Fr. Potaczek at 715-568-3255.
TELEPHONE
St. John’s – Cooks Valley ................................568-3778
Fax................................................568-9778
Email…………………[email protected]
St. Paul’s – Bloomer .......................................568-3255
PARISH COUNCIL
Finance
David Loew ....................................................568-2754
Liturgy
Kevin Butek ....................................................962-3433
Family Life
Mary Kay Fanetti ...............................................568-3521
Buildings and Grounds
Jeff Hilger ..........................................................568-5917
Ken Schmitt, custodian......................................568-5508
Education
Deb Klukas ....................................................962-4186
ALTAR SOCIETY
President
Cindy Swartz ....................................................568-2584
Vice President
MaryJo Schley...................................................568-5644
Secretary
Amy Leavens ....................................................568-4704
Treasurer
Jean Schindler...................................................962-3026
MUSIC MINISTRY
SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
Saturdays 7:00-7:45 p.m.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION
Couples should contact the pastor before
the wedding date is set. Allow eight
months for preparation before the
wedding date.
BAPTISM PREPARATION
Parents
must
receive
baptismal
preparation prior to the baptism of their
first child. Please contact the parish office.
Organist
James Willi ........................................................568-2158
Choir Director
Christi Larson ....................................................568-2662
NEW PARISHIONERS
We welcome all new parishioners! Please contact the parish
office for registration.
BULLETIN DEADLINE is Tuesday afternoon. Call the
parish office with bulletin information, 568-3778 or e-mail:
[email protected]
FREE CATHOLIC MINISTRY NATIONWIDE
1-800-627-7846 or www.masstimes.org to find out Mass
times at a church near your travel destination.
DEDICATION OF THE LATERAN BASILICA
NOVEMBER 9, 2014
Ministry
Schedule
Saturday and Sunday – Nov. 15-16
Servers
Sat., Nov. 8
8:00 pm
Sun., Nov. 9
9:30 am
Tues., Nov. 11
8:30 am
Thurs., Nov. 13
8:30 am
Sat., Nov. 15
8:00 pm
Sun., Nov. 16
9:30 am
Vigil: Dedication of Lateran Basilica
+Joe Swartz
Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
+Denis and Terry Prince
St. Martin of Tours, Bishop
+Elenor Ziegler
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin
Rosary Altar Society, Liv/Dec
Vigil: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
+Jim Schindler
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
+Elenor Ziegler
Rosary is Recited Every Sunday Morning at 9 a.m.
24 Hour Eucharistic Adoration begins after the
Thursday Mass before First Friday
2014 Easter candle burns in memory of Bernadine Michels
Saturday: Jarod Loew, Dennis Sonnentag,
Trystan Czech
Sunday: Frederick Blair, Will Ottinger, Joseph Shakal
Lectors
Saturday: Linda Boehm
Sunday: Kathryn Shakal
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion
Saturday: Clayton Shakal
Sunday: Connie Eide and Courtney Ottinger
Rosary Leader for Sunday
Andy Shakal
Money Counters
Jim or Mary Willi and Christine Hall
Sacristans
Nov. 8-14: Rita, Maria, and Clare Shakal
Nov. 15-21: Laurie Schmitt
Altar Society Circles to Host Dinner
What’s on the Pastor’s Mind. . . .
Chicken & Gravy
Over Biscuits or Mashed Potatoes
That Man Is You program has presented some very
interesting information. For me, much of it is not new.
But it is helpful to be reminded and see it in a new light.
Gentlemen, if you are thinking about coming for any of
the sessions, please do. The Knights of Columbus have
played a big role in this and I see how they are doing
more and reaching out. I cannot encourage enough the
men of the parish to get involved. If you think they need
to do new things or in a new way, join them and stop
into the meetings offering your time and ideas. St. Paul
is getting organized for service at Sojouner House. There
is always more room for those who want to be a part of
serving those in need. Pray that our parishes get involved
in it and other local opportunities like the food pantry or
Clothes Closet. Our Lord mentions that what you do for
the least of my brothers and sisters you do for ME. So
what are we doing?
Sunday, Nov. 16
Serving from 10:30 am– 1:30 pm
Peas and Carrots, Coleslaw, Cranberries, Dessert
Free Will Offering – Drawing For Prizes
Hosted by St. Barbara and St. Margaret Circles
ONCE A MONTH – 24 Hour Adoration. Together
St. Paul and St. John parishioners have been coming
together since 2007 to adore the Lord in Adoration once
a month. Over the years our numbers have dropped
from about 240 to around 40 people. Needless to say,
we need help. Please prayerfully consider taking one of
these hours at St. John's. The hours that need help on 1st
Fridays are: 12 midnight, 1 am, 3 am, 8 am, and 9
am. The Thursday before hours that need help are: 9 am,
10 am, 11 am 3 pm . You can call Rita Shakal @ 5685243. Subs are available and remember it is only one
hour per month, NOT per week.
Diocesan Annual Appeal – Goal $14,069
Thank you to those who have already sent in
their pledge/payments. At this time we have
$5,250.00 in pledges with a balance of
$8,819.00 yet to go. This represents 37.32%
of our goal, with $4,580.00 of pledges paid.
Christian Giving–Nov. 2
Adults
$ 1,458.40
Offertory
96.00
Students
4.30
Total
$1,558.70
Fr. John Potaczek
Rosary Altar Society will meet this Thursday,
November 13. Rosary at 6:45 pm, meeting to
follow. Circle chairman, please start working on
your circle updates for the 2015 list so we can get
them out in December. Thank you.
The Annual St. John's CCD Food Drive is
currently underway. Students are asked to bring nonperishable food items by Wednesday, November 19th.
The items will be taken to the Bloomer and Colfax Food
Pantries.
Pastoral and Finance Councils will meet Tuesday,
November 18, at 7:00 and 8:00 pm.
DEDICATION OF THE LATERAN BASILICA
A Special Thanks
to those who donated the
Potatoes, Rutabagas, and Cabbage for the Pork Steak
Dinner to help towards the success of this annual dinner.
Baptized in Christ
Ashleigh Rose Prince Child of Bryan and Monica Prince Thank you to our great volunteers that helped with the
Colfax Rehab November birthday party on Friday,
November 7! The residents enjoyed an afternoon of
bingo followed by delicious birthday cake (made by
Darlene Zwiefelhofer), ice cream and coffee.
Food Pantry Holiday Collection – Once again this
holiday season St.John’s will be collecting paper
products (toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex, diapers)
for the Bloomer and Colfax food pantries. If you want to
help, leave your donations under the coat rack in the
church vestibule by December 12th. Thank you!
Sentiment for Seminarians. St. Paul’s Council 6585,
Knights of Columbus, is again supporting the Sentiment
for Seminarians program for the seminarians in the state.
Last year they collected $1,725.00 in gas cards and gift
cards purchased through Scrip to assist these future
priests. Your support was amazing! This year they have
again decided to take up a collection at all of the Masses
on November 15 and 16 to purchase gas cards and gift
cards through Scrip for the men who are in the seminary.
With your help, they will be able to distribute these
cards to these young men to help defray their travel costs
and personal needs. Thank you again for your support!
“That Man is You!”
We meet at St. Paul’s Saturday Mornings at 6:30am for a
light breakfast and coffee and faith building fraternity. We
finish by 8:00am. For those unable to join us on Saturday
morning, we are holding a 2nd Session on
Thursday Mornings from 6:00am to 7:30am at St. John’s –
Cooks Valley. For more information contact Tim Guski at
(715)821-5295 or [email protected].
Session 8: Laying a Foundation for the Future
• Selfishness Versus Selflessness
• Education and Family are Engines for Economic
Expansion
• The Family and Human Capital
• Family Dinner is Essential
• Reality of Peer Pressure
• The Family Forms Children as Foundation for
Future
To learn more go to the Paradisus Dei link:
www.thatmanisyou.org or
contact: Tim Guski (715)821-5295 or [email protected]
NOVEMBER 9, 2014
A Prayer for our Veterans
Let us pray for our brothers and sisters
as they go forth with courage and
determination to face the forces of
violence, weapons of destruction and
hearts filled with hate. And let us remember those who
have died fighting for our freedoms.
I. Banns of Marriage are announced for
Alex DeCook and Jacinta Jaramillo on
December 12, 2014 at St. John the Baptist
Church, Cooks Valley.
St. Paul’s Catholic School News
Veteran’s Day Program. All parishioners are invited
to St. Paul’s Catholic School’s Veteran’s Day Program
on Tuesday, November 11th from 8:30-9:15 am in our
gymnasium. We will be honored to have veterans from
several branches of the military present during this
program. During this time we will pay tribute to the
dedication and sacrifices of members of our Armed
Forces in service to our great nation. All parishioners
and families are welcome!
Students will be
Thanksgiving Food Collection.
collecting food items for the Bloomer Food Pantry to
distribute before Thanksgiving. Parishioners wishing to
donate may drop off items in the school’s lobby or in the
containers in back of Church. The students will present
these items to Father John at the all school Mass on
November 14th at 8:00 A.M.
Reminders: Shop the Scholastic Book Fair – Located
in the Conference Room; Nov. 8 – After Mass at 4:00
pm, Nov. 9 – Between Masses.
Upcoming Events
Bingo, St. Peter’s Church, Tilden, Sunday, Nov. 9.
Bingo Games: 2:00 p.m., $1/bingo card. Lunch: 4:00
p.m., $6 meal tickets. Roast beef & gravy, mashed
potatoes, green bean hotdish, salads, bread, cake or Bars.
Annual Christmas Bazaar and Dinner, Holy Family
Church Hall, Stanley, Sunday, Nov. 9. Booths open at 10
am; chicken and polish sausage dinner with trimmings
begin at 10:30 am. Bingo, raffles, visit with Santa.
Ladies Expo and Craft Sale at the Pines Ballroom,
Bloomer, Friday, November 14, 4-9 pm. Lunch will be
available; 30 plus vendors including Pampered Chef,
Tupperware, Scentsy, homemade dumplings, bake sale
and crafts. If you have any questions, please call Darla
Turner at 715-568-5193.
DISCOVER
the Joy of Christ
How Real is Jesus to You?
Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? We
Catholics tend to dismiss that as a Protestant question. If we answer it at all, we have learned to say that
of course we have a personal relationship with Jesus,
because we receive His grace through the Sacraments,
beginning with Baptism. And we receive Jesus Himself
most profoundly in Holy Communion. We know this by
faith.
That is all true, but the question wants to know if we
have a sense of personal connection, of familiarity,
with Jesus, similar to the feeling of connection we have
with a spouse, a family member or a really close friend.
Because unfortunately it is possible to experience our
sacramental encounters with Jesus in a way that is mechanical, impersonal, detached from the heart.
Of course it is clear that we can see and touch and
speak with family members and friends in an immediate and obvious way, while God is invisible to us, or
hidden under the appearances of bread and wine. But
that handicap doesn’t get us off the hook, because God
has a key to our hearts that is more powerful and available than anyone else.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells us that He is the Vine
and we must be joined to Him as branches. In fact He
tells us that that is the only way our lives can bear fruit.
Listen to the intimate language He uses: “Remain in
Me, as I remain in you…. Remain in My love” (15:4,9).
Then consider the invitation in the Book of Revelation:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears
My voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and
dine with him, and he with Me” (3:20).
It really is mind-boggling – Jesus, the Only-Begotten Son
of God, is knocking on the door of our lives, inviting us to
the most profound friendship. But He will not force His
way in. It is up to us. If we open, He is sure to respond.
Many men and women in the history of the Church have
opened the door to Jesus and chosen to remain in His
love. Their relationship with Him has been the center of
their lives every single day, and they have experienced
the joy and fulfillment our hearts were made for. Think
of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Padre
Pio, St. Faustina – the list goes on and on. Have they experienced also times of spiritual dryness and suffering?
Of course, but Jesus never stopped being the love of
their lives and the source of all meaning and fulfillment.
It is false modesty to say that their path is not our path,
that we are just “ordinary” people. There is only one
real path in life, and it is that of a living, breathing, close
friendship with Jesus, Who told us, “I am the Way and the
Truth and the Life” (Jn 14:6). After much searching along
false paths, St. Augustine finally discovered this truth
and cried out with joy, “O Lord, you have made us for
Yourself, and our hearts are restless till they rest in You.”
How to get there? Is it too much for us?
Just ask. “Jesus, please help me to know You better. I
don’t want to just know about You, I want to know You.”
Talk to Him often during the day, tell Him your joys, your
troubles, your hopes.
Read slowly from the Gospels, meditating on the words
and deeds of Jesus, asking Him to help you to see how
they apply to you. Then rest in silence and listen. Do
this for a few minutes each day. Visit Jesus in Eucharistic adoration, awakening your devotion with prayer,
Scripture and silent contemplation. Find inspiration in
reading about the saints.
Ask Jesus to help you see and touch Him in works of
mercy toward the poor, the homeless, the lonely. Ask
His forgiveness in Confession. Make your heart ready
each time you receive Him in Communion. Begin and
end your day by giving yourself to Jesus. Ask Mary to
help you.
In all this, you will not be perfect, you will stumble. Keep
going. Yes, you are busy, but set aside some time each
day. Because He is EVERYTHING, and in your heart of
hearts you know that remaining in His Love is exactly
what your life should be about.
Ebola continues to devastate three countries in West Africa: Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. The number of cases
is climbing rapidly—and the number of deaths has now surpassed 4,000. The rate in which these numbers are
climbing is both tragic and distressing. Catholic Relief Services is committing $1.5 million in private funds to
continue our emergency response. To do this, we urgently need your help.
There is no vaccine and no cure: Early detection and supportive care are the only ways to help people infected with
the Ebola virus. But a shortage of treatment centers and basic supplies, as well as rumors and misinformation, are
preventing many from seeking medical care and only perpetuating the spread of this deadly virus. To make matters
worse, the disruption of regular medical services is causing a rise in deaths from malaria, measles, yellow fever—
even childbirth.
The people affected are not only those who have died from Ebola, but survivors,
orphans and health workers—all who are facing rejection by their communities.
Local economies have been severely disrupted, and people are losing their
livelihoods. Without the means to purchase food, hunger is rampant.
Yes, this is an alarming situation. But we shouldn’t let fear prevent us from
supporting our brothers and sisters in their time of need. Our Church has always
tended to the sick. It’s what our faith calls us to.
We know that education is the only way to stop Ebola. CRS staff, and our Church
and government partners are using radio to broadcast critical messages about the
virus. We’re training health volunteers to go door-to-door, especially in rural
communities, to share information about prevention and treatment. And volunteers
are distributing medical equipment to ensure people have access to routine health
services. CRS is also distributing food and hygiene supplies, providing counseling
to families and evaluating needs for the upcoming planting season to support longterm recovery.
We recently had the privilege to meet with Father Peter Konteh, one of our partners
from Sierra Leone. Father Konteh, the director of Caritas Freetown, was visiting the United States to testify before
Congress, along with Dr. Kent Brantly, the American doctor who survived the Ebola virus. Their plea is urgent.
They are asking the international community to help contain the spread of this deadly disease.
Father Konteh says the outbreak is more dangerous than the civil war that ended 10 years ago. “We knew where the
enemy was coming from and where to avoid bullets.” he says. “And during the war, we could live as refugees. But in
the Ebola crisis, borders are closed, flights are not coming and no other country will accept you as a refugee.”
“The situation is at a point where it’s hopeless and people are giving up. But the role of the Church is to give hope to
the people, and we try to enhance that hope,” says Father Konteh. “There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.
We are sad for those who died. So my message is that we are a symbol of hope for our people and will continue to
give them hope.” We cannot cure Ebola, but we can bring help and hope to a daunting situation.
Please show your compassion to affected communities in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. Your support is critical.
To donate, visit www.crs.org or the diocesan website at www.diolc.org.
Sales &
Service
Richard Schley
MONUMENT, LLC
“Serving Families Since 1917”
(715) 568-5644
Between
Eau Claire & Chippewa Falls
Emergency Cell: (715) 933-1830
www.johnsonmonument.com
16101 Cty. Hwy A
715-723-5576 OR 1-800-236-5576
Bloomer, Wis. 54724
Horan Funeral
Home
723-4404
420 Bay St., Chippewa Falls
100% Grass‐fed Beef Shadick’s Foods
1502 16th Avenue – 715-568-4430
7:00 am – 9:00 pm
Shadick’s C-Store
18928 Hwy 40 – 715-568-1461
5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Seasonal Availability Club Calves Ken & Laurie Schmitt 715‐568‐5508
Blue Diamond
Family Dental
Thomas J Rufledt, DDS
Gregory A Mihm, DDS
David J Irwin, DDS
Christopher Goettl, DDS
1502 Main St., Bloomer
715-568-2363
Locally Owned and Operated
Propane•Fuel Oil•Gas•Diesel
(715) 723-2828
1080 W. River Street Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
www.rivercountrycoop.com
Seeds & Stuff
Pioneer brand seed products
General Farm Products
Pet, Lawn, Garden Products
Grain Handling Equipment
5 miles east of Colfax on Hwy. 40
962-3587 or 962-3154
Kent (Sid) Hoke MP.L.C. 224199
Dan (Slick) Hoage MP.L.C. 220974
Take your Faith beyond Sunday
and into the rest of the week!
Schriver - Thompson
Funeral Home &
Cremation Services
Farm Market
1806 17th Ave., Bloomer
Family owned and operated by
Matt Thompson
568-2310
ALBERTVILLE
TAVERN
Food & Spirits Nightly Specials
Open Wed. – Sun. for Lunch
It’s a pleasure to serve you!
Patti Nowak & Nick Anderson
874-6217
 Plumbing
Service  Remodeling
Construction  Sewer Systems
 Hot Water Heating Systems
The St. John’s Dairy Farmers say,
“Your body is God’s temple, drinking
MILK keeps it healthy”
Community
Clothes Closet
Open Tuesdays 4-7 pm
Fridays 11 am – 3 pm
1005 9th Avenue
(Behind Southworth Chevrolet)
 New
“Fully Insured”
Phone: (715) 962-4155 Fax: (715) 962-4156
568-5250
568-5152
Bloomer Floral & Gift
For Every Reason and Season
1316 Main St.
Bloomer, WI 54724
David & Benjamin Olson
1516 Larson Street, Bloomer
Over 60 Years of Service
Olsonfuneralhomebloomer.com
715-568-5600
E-Mail [email protected]
Rita & Kevin Lenfant, owners
Not Just a Flower Shop!
601 Main Street, Bloomer, WI 54724
Open Daily
Phone (715)568-1514
[email protected]
www.woodlund-hc.com
Hours:
M-F 7am – 6pm
Sat 8am – 4pm
Sun 10am – 2pm
715‐658‐1285
MC Trucking
Mark & Carol Clements
ShaleBlack DirtGravel Fill
Sand
Trucking & Excavating Needs
Bloomer, Wisconsin 54724
568-2826
Visit our Website: www.psbbloomer.com
Serving the Bloomer Community since 1912,
And Now Serving You.
OF BLOOMER
715-568-1100
Michael Sarauer
Hay Sales - Custom Baling
Large Square Bales
568-5540 or 715-456-2668
Nate’s Towing
Nate Prince, Owner
24-Hour Service
715-556-4174
Please patronize the Advertised businesses
who help make it possible for our weekly bulletin!
To advertise on this Bulletin call 568-3778
Remember St. John In Your Will
Our Legal Title is: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
4540 State Hwy. 40, Bloomer WI 54724
715-559-8184
14617 40th Street – Bloomer, WI 54724