Kaukauna Catholic Parishes

God’s blessings! The wonderful joy-filled season of Easter continues. This is the second of two weekends in which our children receive their First Communion. We hope that every time we receive Communion it is as special as the first! Thank you to our Discipleship Team, teachers and volunteers who helped prepare our students, along with the families.

Our Gospel from John today is very fitting. Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.” “Remain in me, as I remain in you.” We are called to stay connected Jesus, like branches to the vine, to listen to the Word of God, and receive Eucharist. We are called to be missionary disciples, starting right in our own families and the local community.

Jesus continues, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because, without me, you can do nothing.” In addition to our First Communion students, we offer congratulations to all of our students receiving the
Sacrament of Confirmation on May 12 and 16. Thanks again to our Discipleship Team, sponsors, and volunteers who helped these students on their journey, and their families.

From the first Letter of Saint John, we hear, “Children, let us love not in word or speech, but in deed and truth.” This applies to all of us; that we are authentic Christians who practice what we preach. St. John goes on, “God is greater than our hearts and knows
everything.” May we all experience God’s ongoing compassion and mercy.

The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles speaks of Saul, who later became known as Paul, who has a change of heart after seeing the Lord. He began “to speak out boldly in the name of Jesus.” Considering his prior background as a persecutor of Christians, this was a remarkable turnaround. This provides hope for all of us, as St. Paul’s conversion of the heart shows how God’s love can work in all of us, as each of us experiences our personal journey.

The Acts of the Apostles reading points out that “Through the Holy Spirit, the Church continued to grow in numbers.” The number of Christians in the world is now very large, but there are also many challenges for our church in the world. May we pray that our church can maintain the energy and commitment needed to help bring harmony in families, deepen our respect for life in all stages, and strengthen our relationship with Jesus Christ, - the true vine.

Please be aware that we are ordaining seven new Permanent Deacons on Saturday, May 15. Among them is Bob Summers, who has roots in Kaukauna. His parents are Bonnie Summers and the late Tom Summers.  Peter Gagnon is being ordained and is Karen Hanson’s brother. Please pray for all of the candidates, and their wives.

The 25th anniversary of my ordination in 1996 is Tuesday, May 18. Time certainly flies. I was assigned to St. Mary’s, and 10 years later, St. Al’s and St. Francis were added. On July 1, 2007 – these 3 parishes merged to create St. Katharine Drexel parish. I served SKD for 5 months, and then as Parish Director of St. Thomas the Apostle in Newton for 21 months. From there, I was blessed to serve as
Pastoral Associate in the Tri-Parish Faith Community of St. John-Sacred Heart in Sherwood & St. John, St. Mary Help of Christians in Hilbert, and St. Mary of the Seven Dolors in Stockbridge from 2009 - 2017.

In 2017, I was privileged to return to St. Katharine Drexel as Pastoral Leader for one year. In 2018, I transitioned to being a part-time Pastoral Associate for both St. Katharine Drexel and Holy Cross parishes as the Kaukauna Catholic Parishes became a reality. I would like to thank my wife Peggy for her support and her own long-time presence in the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Green Bay, serving in various capacities and ministries, including the Kaukauna parishes, St. Thomas More in Appleton, Xavier High School, St. Norbert College Parish and the Green Bay Diocese as Family and Married Life Coordinator. We have been blessed to minister with some great people and are blessed with a wonderful family.

Peace in Christ,

Deacon Steve