MJS reporting Laser Monks fold printer supply business, abbey, Terry Nelson quoted

The abbey, now all but empty, is listed for sale at $2.6 million.

They were dubbed the Millionaire Monks, a small monastic community in rural Wisconsin feted around the world for its wildly successful Internet business selling laser printer inks and toners.

As recently as 2009, the Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady of Spring Bank was projecting annual sales of $3.5 million for its for-profit business, LaserMonks Inc. And their prior and chief executive officer, Father Bernard McCoy, was talking expansion - of both the company and the abbey. [oops]

Today, the monks' 15,000-square-foot home on 500 acres in Sparta is all but empty. They sold off their belongings - everything from furniture and farm equipment to religious artifacts - at an auction last month. And they have put much of their land and buildings up for sale.

LaserMonks ceased operating in the spring, though the abbey has since sold its name and customer list to a California firm.[check it out; lasermonks.com] And the monks have gone their separate ways. McCoy, who was touted as the LaserMonks' marketing genius, is now in Ireland, overseeing a community of nuns, according to a family member. Both she and the monks' lawyer said they did not know how to reach him.  [.... I don't like to be the rumor monger but I understand him to be on a non-voluntary sabbatical at their mother house... I thought that was in Switzerland.]

Attorney Kevin Roop of La Crosse, who represents the abbey, blames increased competition and the downturn in the economy for the liquidation of LaserMonks; and the dissolution of the abbey on the business failure and a dwindling interest in monastic life.

But the monks have a history of failed or attempted business ventures. And now their seemingly sudden change of fortune has raised questions about their business acumen and some say less-than-Spartan lifestyle.

"It's very troubling," said Terry Nelson of Minneapolis, a former Trappist novice who writes about monastic communities on a blog he calls Abbey Roads. "A year ago he (McCoy) was talking about growing vocations, building a new church. . . . And then it's just gone? How can a monastery just disappear?"

The details are not entirely clear, but one significant factor appears to be the abbey's debt. Since 2006, the monks have used their property as collateral to secure $3.1 million in mortgages, including a $1.4 million loan from the Valley of Our Lady Inc., a nearby community of Cistercian nuns, according to records on file with the Monroe County Register of Deeds.

The nuns' superior did not return a telephone call seeking comment. But Bryan Simonson, vice president of Stoddard-based River Bank, which loaned the abbey nearly $1.8 million over that time, said the notes were new loans and refinancings of existing mortgages and lines of credit opened for the monks' business and living expenses over the years, and that a portion of the debt has been paid.

Simonson and Roop declined to say how much the abbey still owes. But the banker said the monks have never defaulted on a loan and that he doesn't expect them to do so now.

"I hold the abbey in the highest regard," Simonson said. "They have a very viable exit strategy, and we do not expect to incur any losses." [... sooooo they did declare bankruptcy though...  I assume they are talking about the Cistercian nuns then...]

continue at Milwaukee Journal Sentinal

National papers are now picking up this story.  Very well done investigation Annysa!  I'll maybe give some more commentary in a few days.  Click the labels below if you are interested in the background.  I bet you will see the NYTes out there pick it up this weekend.

Two more Conventual Franciscan priest join new Viterbo(La Crosse) chaplain

Fr. Conrad Targonski, OFM,
blessing two of the many animals
present at the pet blessing on
St. Francis Day.

Though retired from the Navy after 22 years as a chaplain, this motorcycle-riding Franciscan friar who had been involved in the Fallujah offensive in Iraq, is far from done serving.

Targonski arrived at Viterbo University in March 2011 to fill the very large void left when Viterbo's previous priest, the Rev. Tom O'Neill, a former Jesuit, died in 2009. He had served at Viterbo since 1994.

Targonski is the first Franciscan friar to serve at Viterbo as its chaplain and has been joined by two other friars who minister to St. Rose Convent and the Mayo Health Center.

"Father Conrad is a real gift to Viterbo and our community," said Rick Artman, university president.

"His life experiences help him relate extremely well with students. He also is very well versed in the scriptures, very knowledgeable about other religions, and he is an excellent homilist. He is a perfect fit for Viterbo."

LaxTrib

The La Crosse diocese has in the past needed to devote at least a couple of priests for the whole campus.  I don't know the details but this might free up some for parish duties. 

Eau Claire Police Chief voices concern over La Crosse Diocese abuse policy

In light of the sex abuse charges at Penn State, Eau Claire Police Chief Jerry Matisyk says this is a good reminder to both parents and organizations on how to properly report abuse.

The grand jury report which talks about the Penn State sex abuse charges, notes that the scandal was covered up for years. Matisyk says, like in the Catholic Church's case, cover ups like this happen all too often

Over the years Matisyk has vocalized his opposition to the La Crosse Catholic Diocese child sex abuse reporting policy, saying the church should have parishioners report directly to the police, rather than the church first.

Matisyk says unfortunately the church isn't alone in covering up abuses, as the Penn State scandal so clearly proves.   [Good point]

“I think the lesson here for all citizens is that child sexual abuse is a crime, a serious crime and it needs to be reported directly to the police, not to the organization where the crime occurred,” he says.

But, James Birnbaum a lawyer for the La Crosse Diocese says its policy is to report sexual abuse to the bishop, as a way of to ensure it gets reported to authorities.

“The reason that we have a policy of reporting to the bishop is the bishop is obligated by law to make the reports and we want to make sure those reports are made. If the bishop fails to make a report as mandatory reporter, he can be sued for that,” Birnbaum explains.

But, Matisyk says human nature all too often turns to protect the organization above the victim.

“The problem is with some organizations, if some people in a higher position find out about this they tend to try to cover up evidence, tend to try and tell people not to cooperate and that's destructive to the truth. Nothing is worth the price of a new victim,” Matisyk tells us.

Even if you only have suspicions, Matisyk says don't be afraid to go to the police.

“If there are people that have either witnessed suspicious activity that seems unusual, doesn’t seem to make sense, we are fine with taking that kind of information and taking a closer look,” he explains.

Chief Matisyk says the cleanest policy an organization can have is to report any criminal behavior to police.

WEAU

It was proved recently in the Diocese of La Crosse that the flip side of the coin is also true; people make false accusations against priests for personal reasons or for profit.  We also have groups like SNAP out there who have actively campaigned in Wisconsin to remove the statute of limitation, allowing lawyers to sue dioceses for actions that have taken place since 1848.  Look, if I knew of abuse, I would go right to police but the reality is that character defamation is something that is practiced against priests, and SNAP wants every last one of our churches to look like this.  Chief Matysik does not address these concerns.

La Crosse Sacred Worship director to appear on EWTN Theology Roundtable

Catch Father Martis and Professor Chris Carstens [Director of Sacred Worship for La Crosse Diocese] on EWTN! Theology Roundtable will air the first of a three part series on implementation of the New Missal, highlighting the Liturgical Institute's Mystical Body, Mystical Voice program.

Sunday 11/13, 10 PM Eastern
Tuesday 11/15, 1 PM ET
Thursday 11/17, 5 AM ET

The Liturgical Institute

This last Tuesday, Chris also presented at Theology on Tap in La Crosse.  He really did a fantastic job.  We had probably 20-25 people come.  As you can imagine, he's giving several talks a week and it really made me appreciate all the work he's been putting in leading up to Advent.  ...  I also realized that people my age do not think like me... or at least these ones didn't.  Someone was actually arguing(and laying it on pretty thick) that pro multis should not be translated  "for many" but that translating it that way was Calvinistic.  *sigh*  Chris was much more patient that I could have been.  Without getting into too many details, does this young man really think that the whole Church up until now actually was filled with a bunch of idiots who really couldn't figure out how to liturgically express this mystery?  It is so hard for me to communicate with modernists who basically disregard all of Church history in coming to a conclusion.  There are several reasons why pro multis is used.  Aquinas said in the Summa that "the many" was referring either to the elect among the Gentiles or to those for whom Mass is offered.  Yes Jesus died for all, even sinners who reject him, but the Mass isn't just an anti-Calvinism high five.  There is depth here that should be explored prior to a wagging of the finger. 

"He was offered but once to bear the sins of many. Why does he [St. Paul] say, 'of many,' and not 'of all?' Because not all had faith. Although He died for all, as far as He is concerned, to save all, His death voiding the downfall of mankind, yet He did not take away the sins of all, because they themselves did not want Him to do this." - St. John Chrysostom, exegesis for Hebrews 9:28

Alright I really didn't mean to rant beyond the fact that *gasp* people actually had thought of some of these things prior to the 1970s. 

HT SG

La Crosse seminarian has ties to newly beatified friend of St. John Bosco

When Blessed Luigi Guanella is added to the calendar of saints on Oct. 23 by Pope Benedict XVI, there will be many from the Diocese of La Crosse with a special connection to the man who founded congregations, served as a model for the priesthood and Christian charity, and at the time of his canonization will be officially be recognized by the Church for enjoying eternal bliss with God in heaven.

Born in 1842 in a small mountain village in northern Italy, Blessed Luigi was ordained a priest and, as a close friend of St. John Bosco (1815-1888), founder of the Salesians, he carried on St. John’s mission of establishing academies and vocational training schools for orphans and troubled youth. Like his friend, he also established two orders in his time, the Servants of Charity for men and the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence for women. Both orders have houses in the United States.

Blessed Luigi died in 1915 and was beatified by Pope Paul VI in 1964, and his incorrupt body is on display for veneration at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Como, Italy, where he founded his orders.

Among those who plan to be in St. Peter’s Square for the canonization is a seminarian for the Diocese of La Crosse, Alan Guanella. That he and the Church’s newest saint share the same last name is no coincidence.

A fifth cousin of Blessed Luigi, Guanella has compiled an extensive archive of his relative’s life and works at www.luigiguanella.com.

continue at TheCatTimes

DOJ finishes investigation into Onalaska priest 10 months after his death

The state Department of Justice said today it finished its investigation into a Diocese of La Crosse priest who resigned from his parish after being charged with child pornography.

Great news, especially since the Rev. Patrick Umberger died in December of liver cancer.

The Tribune has been after reports from the DOJ since the onset of the case. Our requests were repeatedly denied because the matter was under investigation.

We continued to check on the request from time to time and always received a polite note from DOJ with the same response. Then today, the DOJ responded with this e-mail:

"Because the Umberger matter was closely tied with some other investigations that remained open up until recently, we were not able to provide those records without potentially jeopardizing the other matters. With the related investigations now closed, we have put your request onto our active response list."

Other investigations? This should be interesting.

The department continued that other requests have priority, but the Umberger records are being reviewed for release and should be available "soon." We'll eagerly await their arrival.

Read more: http://lacrossetribune.com/blogs/annejungen/article_b2f345f8-ff0c-11e0-a4b3-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1cNmRW6sn

Milwaukee's Fr. Jim Connell accuses Diocese of La Crosse of "putting children at risk" in LAX Trib

Require the related Essential Norms be audited along with the charter. While the charter is a profound, important and morally binding document, it does not actually stand as church law. The Essential Norms, however, has been approved by the Vatican as church law to assure diocesan compliance with the charter.

This audit issue regarding the Essential Norms is at the core of the concern I raised more than one year ago with the Diocese of La Crosse. According to its diocesan website, the standard of proof that their diocesan review board requires of a person making an allegation of clergy sexual abuse exceeds the standard of proof required by Church law. Because the review board is requiring more of the person making the allegation than is necessary, the possibility exists that the review board will determine that some allegations do not need to be forwarded to the Vatican that really should be sent, allowing priests or deacons who should be removed from ministry to actually continue in ministry. As a result of this incorrect standard of proof, I contend, children and young people in the Diocese of La Crosse could be at risk.

Read more: http://lacrossetribune.com/news/opinion/editorial/columnists/article_d267b9dc-01af-11e1-9e3e-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1cNXx04yl

Last year Bishop Callahan stated after the annual third party audit on the diocese that "we have been audited by the Gavin Group, the Diocese of La Crosse received a “clean bill of health.”"

So is Fr.Connell calling Bp. Callahan a liar?

Holy Spirit!

You never know what to expect of prayer, especially when praying with a large group, and most especially when that prayer involves Mass.

I was at Mass today at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe . The chapel was packed. The Shrine was hosting a convention for health care providers (which I had been unaware of) and Bishop Callhan was there to celebrate. It was great to see so many people worshipping on a Saturday afternoon.

Everything moved on as expected until after the Eucharistic prayers were ended. Within moments, while my head was still bowed in prayer, I was surprised by a blare of noise and bright flashing lights.

It was the fire alarm.

In a moment that made me proud to be one with my Catholic brothers and sisters, nobody moved. There was no way. It was almost time to receive Eucharist. God would take care of us.

The alarm continued for a bit, but still we waited. When it was finally silenced, Mass resumed as though nothing had happened.

After Mass, the Bishop couldn’t resist. He turned to us and said, “I always tell people to pray with intensity to bring down the fire of the Holy Spirit. You did it!”

I guess we did.

Leaving, I saw a fireman. I wondered how frustrated he must’ve been when nobody would leave.

Maybe he’s Catholic. If he is, he understands.

mystagogy

Chippewa Falls parish celebrates 125 years

Probably not the original sanctuary...

When Fr. Victor Inbaraj arrived to take over as pastor of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Chippewa Falls in February, he was somewhat surprised to see that the church had no decoration of any kind inside the church noting a connection with the third person of the Holy Trinity.

It seemed like a good time to rectify that oversight, since he also learned that this was the parish's 125th Jubilee year.

On Friday evening, the parish celebrated the anniversary with a Mass and banquet and the blessing by Bishop William Callahan of a beautiful wood carving display in honor of the Holy Spirit, installed on the right side of the church.

But the occasion was about much more than a piece of art work. The focus on the Jubilee year has provided the members of the parish with the opportunity to re-connect with their past, and re-dedicate themselves to the parish's holy patron.

"You are a parish that is under the patronage and protection of the love of God," Callahan, the Bishop of the La Crosse Diocese, said in his homily. "To be named after the Holy Ghost is a great gift."

Read more: http://chippewa.com/news/local/article_c92d5fcc-f78f-11e0-8311-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1bEvmIhX9

HT SG

Formation of a new diocese in Wisconsin

(WEAU) -Homeless in Eau Claire now have a new place to spend the night.

The Sojourner House held its opening celebration Friday. The shelter, which is located at 618 South Barstow, will provide a place for homeless men and women to stay and will offer programs to help get them back on their feet.

Bishop William Callahan with the Eau Claire Diocese says "This is an opportunity for us to stop and see that we actually are taking this seriously, and looking at the opportunities that are available to us to take care of the poor among us."

WEAU

The sad thing is that there are plenty of Catholics who have no idea what diocese they live in.

Diocese of La Crosse "not discussing" normalizing Communion under both forms

Source

The Diocese of La Crosse will not adopt a controversial new policy in Madison to phase out wine during regular communion services.

Catholic Bishop Robert Morlino has asked priests in the Diocese of Madison to move toward using only bread in regular Masses, reserving the use of both bread and wine for more solemn or special occasions.

The change would be a significant departure from current U.S. Catholic custom[this is precisely why when the USCCB requested the extension of the temporary 1975 indult allowing this practice, it was denied by Rome] , although bread-only is the norm in many other parts of the world. Madison would become only the second diocese in the country known to limit wine as a general policy.

Asked to comment about the change, La Crosse Diocese spokesman Stan Gould issued a one-sentence statement: “This is not a topic that’s been discussed by the priests of the diocese and is not under consideration.”

La Crosse Trib

I'm kind of surprised nobody want to blame the old white man in Rome for not being more pastoral...  What is so funny about the Church is that something this significant goes unnoticed for 6 years and everyone complains when the same law that permits Mass in the vernacular is followed.  If there was a new provision to allow clowns during Mass, these same folks would be clamoring that the law be followed. 

Interestingly phrased response...  Is he saying that the bishop IS considering it then?  Or did the response come directly from the Vicar for Clergy? 

Since we are talking Diocese of La Crosse today, how's everyone liking their new priests?  I've heard a lot of struggles within formerly solid parishes throughout the dioceses(some growing pains I guess should be expected).  Even theories as to why it was done....  .... ah, but I digress.  You can comment anonymously if you want but be charitable or you won't get approved.

Did I mention I went to Holy Trinity in La Crosse a couple months back and the priest changed the words of the Nicene Creed from "born of the Virgin Mary, and became man" to "born of the Virgin Mary, and became human."  We had thought about joining that parish at one point.  GUESS NOT.

Bishop Callahan starts new blog "There is a River"

As I mentioned last time, October is the month of the Holy Rosary. The rosary is not only a favorite prayer of many Catholics, it is a powerful weapon in an arsenal for peace in our especially troubled times. On 7 October 1571, the decisive Battle of Lepanto was won. In it the Catholic forces of Spain and Italy fought against the invading Turkish fleet in what was considered the battle for Europe. It was the last battle at sea that involved galley slaves at the oars of the great ships going into battle. Christian slaves in the galleys powered the Moslem ships. The Catholic ships were powered by the rosary. As the Turks howled and yelled their battle cries, the men on the Catholic ships continued the recitation of the rosary. The Christian forces were at a terrible disadvantage and Pope St. Pius V knew it; he, therefore, called upon all of Europe to pray the rosary to prevent the Islamic invasion of Europe. At the time of the victory, the Pope, who was miles away in Vatican City, rose from a meeting and with tears in his eyes, went to the window to announce the news that the fleet was victorious and encouraged thanksgiving to God. The feast that developed was first called Our Lady of Victory, and has subsequently been changed to the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary. It is a focus of this month.

continue at There is a River

It's nice to see bishops (and priests) get out on the internet and communicating with the people.  Particularly our bishop who I'm told is a big Chesterton fan.  I would love to see him dig into some articles or issues of the day.  I mentioned the idea of blogging priests one time to a liberal Catholic webmaster who did not like that idea(go figure).  Priests don't give homilies at Mass because they are necessarily the best orators or the most interesting of people, but because by their priesthood they have been given the ability to reach people that cannot be reached even with the most perfect of logical arguments.   You will probably note the blog format is a little dated(no comments, no RSS feed, no linking to posts) but it's important to see these efforts being taken.  These things can always be improved upon.

St. Catherine of Siena was an academically uneducated person, but divinely enlightened to understand what God had revealed. Writing in the latter half of the fourteenth century, she is quoting our Lord in what He expects of His priests:

They are my anointed ones, and I call them my Christs, because I have given them the office of administering me to you, and have placed them like fragrant flowers in the mystical body of Holy Church. The angel himself has no such dignity, for I have given it to those men whom I have chosen for my ministers, and whom I have appointed as earthly angels in this life. In all souls I demand purity and charity, that they should love me and their neighbor.… But far more do I demand purity in my ministers, and love towards me and towards their fellow-creatures, administering to them the Body and Blood of my only-begotten Son, with the fire of charity and a hunger for the salvation of souls, for the glory and honor of my name.

- Fr. Hardon

La Crosse Theology on Tap hosts "Rome & Coke" Oct 18th

Wouldn't ya think a bar would have a website with pics
so I don't have to put a generic one out here... but I digress

“Five Things Every Catholic Should Know About Canon Law”
Benedict Nguyen, M.T.S., J.D./J.C.L.

Sponsored by:
Young Adults Group of Blessed Sacrament Church, La Crosse

Where:
The Recovery Room Restaurant & Bar
901 7th Street South La Crosse, WI 54601

When:
Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011
6:30 pm

For more information call Fr. Jesse Burish at 608-782-2953

“In Catholicism, the pint, the pipe and the Cross can all fit together.” – GK Chesterton

An anniversary gift

Conrad and Joyce Zarecki of Wisconsin Rapids celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August with a family vacation for their children, their children's spouses and their grandchildren at the Conger House on Scattered Lake in Eagle River. A gathering for family and friends also was held at the Nepco Lake Lodge in Wisconsin Rapids.

The couple also renewed their vows with Bishop William Patrick Callahan at St. Bronislava Catholic Church in Plover.

A polka Mass was held in their honor Sept. 4 at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Wisconsin Rapids. They also will take a trip to Italy in October.

Rapids Trib

Remind me to avoid St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Rapids like the plague. ... and since when is the Sacrifice of the Mass "held in their honor" of anyone.  Gives you and idea of the spirituality that goes along with it.

Remove the Polka Mass line and it's like, awwww ,what a nice story.  Bishop blessing, trip to Italy...  oh, yeah, and beer hall music in church. 

Scott Hahn at Guadalupe Shrine November 5th

Scott Hahn and John Bergsma
Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
November 5, 2011


A one-day event at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe featuring author, theologian, and Catholic apologist Scott Hahn as well as EWTN guest and Franciscan University of Steubenville theology professor John Bergsma.

9:00 am – First Talk: John Bergsma “Confession, the Bible, and Spiritual Warfare”
10:00 am - 15 Minute Break
10:15 am – Second Talk: Scott Hahn “The Lamb’s Supper”
11:15 am – Book Sales and Signing and Speakers Mingle with Guests
12:15 pm – Holy Mass

Confession available before and after Mass.

$10 in advance; $15 at the door.

details and registration

Wis. Rapids Halloween Cemetary Prayer Vigil

6th Annual Halloween Cemetery Prayer Vigil
Monday, October 31, 2011, 8:00 PM
Calvary Cemetery, Highway 54 East, Wisconsin Rapids

Come and Pray with Father Tim Welles and The Knights of Columbus Honor Guard

The evening will include:
• Evening Prayer, Litany of the Saints, Night Prayer
• Exposition, Eucharistic Procession, Benediction
• Campfire

(Dress appropriately for the weather, bring your own flashlight or candle and if you plan to stay late, also bring your own lawn chair, hot cocoa and snacks.)

Sponsored by the Marian Center for Peace
Mother of America Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel
715-424-MARY / info@mariancenterforpeace.org / www.mariancenterforpeace.org

 Cool idea!

Fr. Szatkowski charges reduced in groping incident

Prosecutors today reduced a felony charge filed against a Wisconsin priest accused of groping a 15-year-old girl last month while he was in La Crosse.

The Rev. David Szatkowski, 37, now is charged fourth-degree sexual assault and disorderly conduct.

He was charged second-degree sexual assault of a child younger than 16 on Aug. 10 after the teen said he grabbed her breast outside the downtown La Crosse Radisson in early August, according to the complaint.

She told police a drunken man approached her group of friends and put his arms around her shoulders before groping her. One of her friends snapped a picture of the man on a Szatkowski on a cell phone.

Investigators tracked Szatkowski, of Franklin, Wis., to a canon law conference for canonists and civil attorneys at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

He identified himself in the cellphone picture but denied assaulting the teen, the complaint states.

Szatkowski resigned from his position as an assistant professor of canon law and director of the English as a second language program at Franklin's Sacred Heart School of Theology. He is not assigned to a parish.

Szatkowski's next hearing is set for Oct. 7.

Read more: http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/article_4d4abe1c-e3c2-11e0-8eff-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1Z3qThsQ9

I also got this info on Fr. Szatkowski:

Members of the U.S. Province held their summer assembly July 11-14. The kick-off for the gathering was the Province Jubilee Celebration on Monday night where the anniversaries of nine SCJs were celebrated.

Father David Szatkowski is the priest holding the mic. Yes, these guys are all priests, brothers or novitiates novices.

You can tell from their clerical garb ........ oh wait. Never mind.

40 Days for Life La Crosse kick-off rally

The La Crosse area 40 Days for Life campaign will run from September 28-November 5. We will be praying outside of Gundersen-Lutheran Hospital on the corner of South St. and 7th Ave. S. Gunderson Lutheran performs abortions.

To sign up for vigil times or for more information, visit our website or contact Elizabeth Garibaldi at (608) 769-4014 or email lizzdemos@yahoo.com or Marie Allen at (608) 784-5189 or marie.v.allen@charter.net

A Kick-off Rally will be held on Sunday, September 25th from 12:30-2:00pm at the Southside Community Center (1300 S. 6th St., La Crosse).

Wisconsin dioceses choose new OCP music settings as norms

We are honored to share the following list of parishes, dioceses, archdioceses and worship communities around the world who have chosen OCP Mass settings to implement the new English translation of the Roman Missal.

It is our hope that these settings will help Catholics everywhere to celebrate their faith with renewed vigor.


Belmont Mass by Christopher Walker
Diocese of La Crosse (WI)

Mass of Renewal by Curtis Stephan
Diocese of La Crosse (WI)

Mass of St. Frances Cabrini by Kevin Keil
Diocese of La Crosse (WI)

Mass of the Resurrection by Randall DeBruyn
Diocese of Madison (WI)

Oregon Catholic Press

What have Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Superior selected?  Does anyone know?  I haven't heard any of them so I couldn't give my totally uneducated opinion on the matter.

Transitus of St. Francis at Guadalupe Shrine in La Crosse

You are invited to join the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate in celebrating the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi (secondary Patron Saint of the Diocese of La Crosse)– Monday, October 3, 5-6 PM at the beautiful Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  The Transitus of St. Francis commemorates his holy passing from this world to the next.  It is an evening of prayer and devotion with the praying of the Rosary, homily, Rite of Transitus, and veneration of First Class relic of the Saint.