From the Pastor's Desk:

My Dear Parishioners,

It is the fifteenth Sunday of the year. Today the Word of God is compared to the seed that sprouts and brings forth new life. All of our life, the entire creation is groaning in anticipation of being all that we can become. God's spirit is infused within human beings where it brings forth divine fruits. The farmer is aware that he has to prepare the ground, weed it and water it to produce good fruit. We are invited to sow the seed of the Gospel with our lives.

In the first reading of today, Prophet Isaiah brings a message of consolation to the people of Israel in exile as he urges them to be hopeful of future glory. He gives them a powerful message drawn from the natural world. Everyone in the prophet's audience would have appreciated the transforming power of water and the cycle of life it made possible. He makes rain a symbol for the powerful Word of God. Rain comes down from above and makes the earth fruitful; the earth produces a good harvest and also prepares the seed for future use; just so God's word rains down and enriches the world. The world, like parched earth, is waiting for the rain of God's Word. The Word of God has the same dramatic influence on the spiritual landscape. Their lives of exile were deprived of life and hope. All of that will change if they allow the Word of God into their hearts.

In today's Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the Sower and the seed to the people gathered on the sea shore to listen to Him. For Jesus, the focus of the parable was the kingdom of heaven. Here in this parable Jesus Himself is the Sower of the seed. He is the Eternal Word incarnate, provides the seed and sows it into the hearts of the hearers in order to provide a harvest of thirty, sixty, or a hundred fold. The harvest depends on the fertility of the soil/soul where it gets planted. But the Word Himself will not make the soil fertile; it just depends on how much seed falls on the soil and how receptive the soil is to the Word. The Father provides Jesus with His Divine Word for the sowing, which in turn bears fruit unto eternal life for those who are willing to listen.

Sometimes we cannot take the Word of God because our hearts are just too hard. Sometimes we are enslaved by the attractiveness of the world. Sometimes when the Word of God is given to us we are crushed by the situations which take us away from God. Sometimes when conditions are just right we permit the rain of God's Word to bring forth the blossoms of our love. If the results have been less than satisfactory, it is because we have not matured fully enough to produce the supernatural yield of which Jesus spoke. There is clearly, of course, one place in particular where God's Word is more clearly experienced and that is in Jesus Christ.

May the Word of the Lord continue to take root in you so that you produce the rich harvest which God has planned for you. Amen!

God Bless You,

Fr. George, MSFS

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE:

Sts. peter & paul Catholic Parish

AnnouncementS

Weekend Mass Schedule:

Saturday, July 11, 2026...

5:00 pm

Sunday, July 12, 2026...

SJA at 8:15 am

SSPP at 10:15 am

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Confessions:

SSPP Saturdays - 3:00 pm

SJA —Sundays - 7:45 am to 8:15 am

For Any Other Time Needed: Please Call the Office for an Appointment at 715-985-2227.

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RELIGIOUS & ADULT EDUCATION

Religious Ed. News

Please pray and see if you are being called to be a catechist. The Religious Ed Program is looking for at least 3 teachers. Please contact the office at ssppcre@gmail.com or 715 530-3225.

For those who are interested in committing to the Catholic Faith,

Faith Formation News

Looking for adult volunteers and subs for musicians, leaders, organizers, and helpers for multiple new ministries. Please contact ssppcre@gmail.com or 715 530-3225.

Faith Enrichment Opportunities

Legacy of Love: Celebrating Decades of Married Life|7/19, 8/9| Eau Claire, La Crosse |Couples celebrating milestone decade Marriage Anniversaries |608.791.2680 or emailing her at lboden@diolc.org.

Com & See |8/1 |Seraphic Adorers of the Child Jesus | Women ages 18-29 https://seraphicadorers.com/works/blogs/news-and-events/come-and-see-2026

World Youth Day |8/3-8,2027 | Seoul, South Korea | worldyouthday.com

Diocesan Outreach

CCD/Confirmation:

Are you being called?: Looking for leaders 715 530-3225 or email to ssppcre@gmail.com.

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If you have any memories or traditions you would like to see, please send them to ssppcre@gmail.com

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St. FAUSTINA ADULT STUDY GROUP

A study group highlighting the life and diary of St. Faustina, including Divine Mercy, will start in September, dates to be determined if we have enough interest. This study is most appropriate for interested adults now that we have a first class relic of her.

Contact Marge if you are interested in attending: mbaecker@ssppwi.org or call or text 715-538-3638.

DIOCESE OF LA CROSSE GUIDELINES FOR REPORTING INSTANCES OF CHILD ABUSE:

The Diocese of La Crosse, through its policies and procedures, seeks to provide a prompt, appropriate and compassionate response to reporters of sexual abuse of a child by any diocesan agent (bishop, priest, deacon, employee, religious, vendor or volunteer). Anyone wishing to make a report of an allegation of sexual abuse should send that report to Mrs. Teresa Brown, Complaint Intake Agent, at the Diocese of
La Crosse, P.O. Box 4004, La Crosse, WI 54602-4004. Alternatively, you can contact Mrs. Brown at 608.791.0179 or intakeagent@diolc.org.
The reporting form is available through the Diocese of La Crosse Office of Safe Environment or on the diocesan website at: diolc.org/safe-environment/reporting. Individuals are also encouraged to take their reports directly to civil authorities. Copies of the diocesan policy are available through your local Parish and on the diocesan website.
If you have any questions about the Diocese of La Crosse and the implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, please contact Teresa Brown, Diocese of La Crosse, at 608.791.2679 or tbrown@diolc.org .

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If you have a birthday during the month of July come to Mass the first weekend to SS Peter & Paul Church. Father
will invite all children to come forward to receive a birthday blessing.

Adults can stand or come forward and also receive this special blessing. The parish will then sing Happy Birthday. Let us all celebrate Life and your Birthday’s.

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WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES —

If you were married in the month of July, please call Julie at the Rectory (715-985-2227) and let her know the number of years you have been married. Blessings will be given on July 25th and July 26th Masses.