Kaukauna Catholic Parishes

God’s blessings! In today’s Gospel from Luke, Jesus inaugurates “the mission of spreading the Gospel to the whole world.” Scripture tells us, “He sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.” Jesus said, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Jesus goes on, “Wherever you go, cure the sick” and say to the people, “The Kingdom of God is at hand.” This is no small task.

The disciples were going out to a massive and diverse population and needed to be well prepared. Jesus instructed them to travel lightly and not be weighed down by anything that would prevent them from continuing on their missionary journey. This applies to us today -- not to be distracted from our roles as “Missionary Disciples.” We can be confident that God is with us as we spread the Gospel right in our own communities. In the first reading from the Prophet Isaiah, we are told: “Your heart will rejoice, and you shall flourish like the grass; the Lord’s power shall be known to his servants.”

I had the privilege of blessing our students and  adults as they left for “Love Begins Here” in Waupaca on the Sunday Feast of the “Body and Blood of Christ.” Our young people have a true missionary spirit about them and are truly laborers in the harvest. We need to pray for them and continue to support them in whatever ways we can. We also need to continue to pray for more laborers for the harvest in general as we invite our world to “Let all the earth cry out to God with joy” (as we hear in the Psalm this weekend).

It was a wonderful experience to take part in the Eucharistic Procession on the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, as we publicly carried Jesus from St. Katharine Drexel (St. Mary Church) on the streets of Kaukauna and across the bridge to Holy Cross, praying along the way, and stopping to pray at specific temporary altars on our path, with a wonderful turnout of people. It was truly an example of spreading the Gospel and being “Missionary Disciples.” Our hearts were rejoicing!

THANK YOU to anyone and everyone who helped in any way (many behind the scenes), and/or participated. Special thanks to Deacon Bruce for coordinating many aspects of this effort. We shared in a wonderful meal afterward, recognizing that God’s love is abundant.

In the second reading, from the Letter of St. Paul to the Galatians, we hear a familiar greeting, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” Once again, God does not leave us orphans, but has promised to be with us. May God continue to be with us as we serve and reach out right here in the city of Kaukauna, Hollandtown, and beyond, as “Missionary Disciples.”

From my perspective, this has been really cool to have the Kaukauna area people working together more and more. Thanks to the parish staff and many fantastic volunteers in all facets of our ministries. The Kingdom of God is at hand! Peace in Christ.

Deacon Steve