Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Mary’s:

 As we continue our Centennial Celebration, Celebrating a Century of Blessings,  may I ask you to continue, in Faith, Joy and Hope, to look back to the Past, focus on the Present, and look toward the Future:

①  First, in Faith, let’s us continue to look back to the Past to give thanks & praise to God for His loving actions throughout the century --which means from 1918. From 1918 means from the end of WWI; 15 years after the Wright Brothers launched their first Aircraft; 1 year after Our Blessed Mother appeared in Fátima & 50 after the establishment of our Diocese Green Bay. It was in 1918 that God worked through Bishop Paul Rhode, the 6^th Bishop of Green Bay, to establish the St. Mary of the Lake Faith Community to be a Parish Feb 12, 1918, so that from that day forward, for better for worse... God’s Loving Presence & Actions would be at work in this Parish Community.
②   Secondly, with Joy, let’s continue to focus on the Present to celebrate God’s bountiful blessings throughout 100 years. That’s the reason we have chosen the theme for the entire year ‘Celebrating A Century of Blessings.’ On the top of the list of God’s Blessings is the Blessing of Faith (Blessing of Faith to parishioners in the past as well as in the present). Flowing from the Blessing of Faith, we would like to specially Thank God for having blessed us with many faith-filled leaders, countless faithful parishioners, and numerous meaningful events throughout the past 100 years.
③   Thirdly, in Hope, let’s continue to look toward the Future and ask for God’s continued blessings. Underneath all the teaching of the Bible --especially underneath all Jesus’ preaching, teaching & healing, as well as all his parables and miracles is a call to discipleship --which includes 4 important elements: To Discover Jesus, to Follow Jesus, to Worship Jesus and to Share Jesus. So, let’s pray that we be a true Community of Disciples: Rediscovering Jesus more deeply, Following Jesus more closely, Worshiping Jesus more zealously, and Sharing Jesus’ love more enthusiastically! 

Have you marked your calendar & planned to come for the Anniversary Liturgy at 4 pm July 28, 2018 at our St. Mary’s Church? Bishop Ricken will be the main celebrant. A Dinner at the Parish Hall will follow the Mass.  

◆ For a ‘meal count,’ there are Sign-up Sheets at the Entrances of all 3 churches.   

 Fr. Philip