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. 

Why do you make me do this....

POOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLKA FRIDAY!!!

Warning; some off colored lyrics from secular songs



The Badger Catholic is raising awareness about the dangers of Polka music. Please readers, be safe with Polka! Using Polka music improperly can cause brain damage!

No words can describe how disturbed I am

Bp Christensen celebrating a "Polka Mass" in 2008

Iron River: The 2011 Lion’s Blueberry Festival Polka Mass begins at 10 a.m. with Bishop Peter F. Christensen of the Diocese of Superior, at Moon Lake Park, County Highway H, one mile south of U.S. Highway 2. Music provided by the “Singing Slovenes,” a popular group of musicians from Gary-New Duluth well known for their Polka Mass” and ethnic music. The group will also perform after the Mass for the enjoyment of the visitors at the Blueberry Festival.

Superior Telegram


His Excellency has celebrated the "Polka Mass" at Iron River for the past three years.  As a recent commenter from the north woods said:

Diocese of Superior is definitely a liturgical back-water. Please pray for us.

Let's all stop for a moment and say a prayer for the liturgical renewal for our brothers and sisters to the north.

You may remember that I posted on this quite a bit last year.  Along with "worshiping more vigorously" I would say the Polka Mass profanes what is sacred.  The fact that it is done outdoors on a ridiculous looking stage with a polka band standing right next to the altar isn't the worst part.  Sacred music is an integral part to normal Catholic worship.  We need appropriate music to worship our God.  The Polka Mass cannot provide what we need.  Even when done in a church it is totally inappropriate.  Apparently when someone is thirsty in a desert and asks for a glass of water, they are given a glass of sand instead of something to quench their thirst.

BTW for you new readers, The Polka Mass fiasco inspired the somewhat regular tradition of Polka Fridays on the Badger Catholic.