Liturgy and Worship

Spring into Action -  5/3/2026

Spring is springing into action with all the rain, thunder and lightning. The last few weeks have been busy for the church and not just the weather. Easter was amazing with 7 baptisms and 11 confirmations. Congratulations to all of our Catechumens and Candidates. What an inspiration for all of us to grow in the faith and give it witness. Change is in the air and in our office too. Thank you Doreen for being a part of the front office and your assistance at St. Casimir. We are welcoming Tammy into that position along with some of her time to be devoted to St. Casimir. Be patient as she begins her time of training and learning more about St. Peter and St. Casimir parishes. 

It was amazing to have the pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe with us for about a week. Thank you to all of our volunteers handing things out, directing people, setting up or taking down. Fr. Tim figures it was around 2,000 people that came to see her. What a wonderful opportunity to share our parish with the larger community. A number of people traveled over two hours to experience our Lady’s presence. 

I was in La Crosse as part of the admissions Board for the diocese. I am happy to report that we will be adding another three men as seminary students for the Fall. Please keep priestly vocations in your prayers. A few weeks ago announcements were made about parish assignments. There will be 41 changes of assignments in July. Keep all of those parishes in your prayers and of course pray for St. Peter and St. Casimir. 

How impressive for our deanery to host the spring youth rally with a national speaker. Jason Evert spoke powerfully to our young people and those who drove over an hour away to be a part of the evening. Human sexuality as beautifully as God made it is so misunderstood or misused by society. Jason wonderfully articulated the truth of that great gift we each have. He did not shy away from the attacks that are often thrown at the Church and gave our young people tools that can help them wisely answer those who question the Church’s teaching. 

May 3rd at the 10:30 Mass will be the celebration of First Communion. Pray for them that this special day remains special to them for years to come. May each Sunday for us be a blessing.

Fr. John A. Potaczek 

They Were Cut To The Heart - 4/26/2026

In the reading from Acts of the Apostles we hear Peter make this statement to those gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost. Peter, filled with the Holy

Spirit is no longer fearful, rather he is proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Christ!  We see the power of the Holy Spirit at work in him and Peter’s statement

resonates with those gathered.  These people realized that their actions caused Jesus to be crucified and to their credit they accepted their culpability and took the action Peter gave; be baptized. When we listen to this passage we may think only the people of that time were guilty of causing Jesus to suffer and die so horribly. But we would be kidding ourselves if we believe that.

Each of us, because we are sinners, played a part in Jesus’ suffering. He died for all people of all ages to break the chains of sin and death. His

rising from the dead has given us cause to rejoice; spiritual death can be avoided! Yes, our physical bodies will pass away, but our souls are

immortal. And because Jesus has opened the gates of Heaven we now are provided the great opportunity to dwell with Him for eternity! But we must

acknowledge our role in His Passion. Yes, I too caused you to suffer Jesus!  We must abide with Him, living lives set aside for God; holy lives. We still

sin, we fall, yet have such a great sacrament of forgiveness to make us whole again, confession. So don’t allow the Devil to fill your mind with fear

of confession, rather allow God to welcome you back into union with Him.

And may God bless you.

Deacon Ray

The Easter Season - 4/19/2026

The Easter season is a time of grace and stepping into the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Divine Mercy Sunday was last weekend and a

powerful source of forgiveness and grace. Throughout the year the Church offers opportunities for indulgences which is the remission before God of

the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven in confession.  Depending on the indulgence we can apply this healing balm to ourselves

or for our beloved dead. Praying the rosary or stations of the Cross, reading scripture or going to adoration for 30 minutes or being on

pilgrimage are all ways of gaining these graces. Doing these or other options requires sacramental confession, receiving Holy Communion and

prayer for the Pope’s intention. Holy Mother Church wishes to offer her children many ways and supports in growing in our relationship with Jesus

that leads us to our eternal salvation.

Part of the work of the Church on earth is through events or meetings. This week we have a number of things happening and I am asking that you

keep them in prayer and that they be fruitful for all who are a part of them.  Wednesday I will be in La Crosse for the Admission Boards. We have

some young men who feel drawn to the priesthood and that is one of the steps along their journey. That evening is the Deanery/area wide Youth

Rally with Jason Evert which will be held at St. Bronislava parish. On Thursday the Deans meeting with the Bishop. On Saturday is the second

College student lead retreat from 9 am to 2 pm. The Mass for that event is at 10 am. It is uplifting to see the college students reach out to St. Peter

to host and feel comfortable here in prayer. I encourage your continued welcome of them along with your prayerful support as they take this time to

spend with the Lord building that sense of community; of being the one Body of Christ.

Father John A. Potaczek

Blessed Divine Mercy - 4/12/2026

Blessed Divine Mercy Sunday! Today we conclude the Easter octave. These eight days are to highlight the victory of the Cross of our Lord Jesus. Chocolates and candies on Easter remind us of the sweetness of new and eternal life that Jesus has won for us. We often know the bitterness of life and its trials. Yet no matter how hard things seem at times, Jesus is the light of the world. He shows us the way and because of the Cross we know that at times it is not easy. 

These trials at times point out that we are not perfect and have not handled things well. So what a great blessing that our Lord offers on this Divine Mercy Sunday. Jesus revealed this incredible source of mercy in the late 1930s before the Second World War. WWII pointed out the reality of a fallen world in need of a savior. Healing from that took years and the acceptance of mercy and God’s grace. 

We also know and experience the need for God’s grace in our daily lives. This feast should allow us to look to our own hearts to see how we live mercy in our daily lives. How patient, how forgiving, how understanding are we with those around us? 

Part of the devotion of Divine Mercy is the Chaplet that is to be offered at 3 pm (or when you can). It is an opportunity to pray for our beloved dead. As you are aware, many are not having a funeral Mass for their loved ones. Many reasons are offered nonetheless this prayer is not happening. So who prays for them? …. I encourage you to write down your wishes for a funeral Mass making your family aware of your desire. For all those who are not having a funeral Mass offering the chaplet would be an act of charity. As we enter the Easter season, may it be filled with the joy and hope that the resurrection offers us.

Father John A. Potaczek

Happy Easter!! - 4/4/2026

This is the greatest of all our feasts. Jesus is Risen, Alleluia, Alleluia!! 

Our Easter antiphon declares “I have risen, and I am with you still, Alleluia. You have laid your hand upon me, Alleluia. Too wonderful for me, this knowledge, Alleluia, alleluia.” Easter and all its wonder should fill our hearts. New life with sin and death’s eternal hold on us is destroyed. The sadness of Good Friday seems to touch everything in this fallen world, yet there is always hope. We do touch the risen Lord in the reception of Holy Communion. God is always giving and perhaps we take that for granted. 

With fresh eyes and a simple quiet calling, the Lord has brought to us 11 people that have entered the church through baptism and confirmation. What a blessing. They now join us around the altar of sacrifice and the ambo of the Word. It is at this time that the Lord has brought them to Himself. They have been on this journey of formation the last number of months, yet for our adults this journey has finally brought them home. For many of us already in the faith, our journey can at times be up and down. We are not perfect. We know that we need grace. More recently our Lord has revealed His mercy through St. Faustina. 

Next Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday. This feast is not only about the mercy of God but it concludes the octave of Easter. This great feast of the resurrection needs 8 days to fully sink into our hearts. I encourage you to attend the Divine Mercy Celebration that is hosted at Sacred Heart in Polonia. I will be one of the six priests hearing confessions there that day. With all of us priests there, It does not allow each parish to celebrate on its own. Nonetheless what a great day to gather as the larger church so to experience the largess of God’s mercy. 

Have a blessed Easter Sunday, octave and season that allows the joy of new, resurrected life to fill your hearts. 

Father John A. Potaczek