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Ms. Bunnell graduated from St. Nor bert College this past May with a degree in Elementary Education and a focus in Mathematics. School has always been a positive experience for Ms. Bunnell and teaching was a natural direction for her to take.“When I was younger, I loved school,” Ms. Bunnell says. “I’d do the opposite of what everybody does and would count down the days of summer. I had some really good teachers, and one in particular who inspired me.”
Ms. Bunnell will now be working alongside some of her former teachers, a prospect that is a little strange but exciting for her.“It will be great to be able to learn from them as fellow teachers and hear their experience from a teaching standpoint,” Ms. Bunnell says. “That teacher who inspired me was once a student here too, so that was my goal — to come back and Catholicteach.”education truly shaped who Ms. Bunnell is today. The friendships she made, her teachers, and the ability to live her faith daily strengthened her faith and instilled deep values in her. She is excited to be able to help her students experi ence the same thing.
“The friendships I created and the community we had within our classroom
GETTING TO KNOW Payton Bunnell Class of 2018 Graduate Returns to All Saints Catholic School as Teacher
ll Saints Catholic School is blessed to welcome back one of its own this year. Payton Bunnell, a 2018 graduate, is returning to teach fifth grade. All Saints impacted Ms. Bunnell greatly and she is full of energy and enthusiasm, ready to give back to the community.
All Saints Catholic School is blessed to welcome back one of its own this year. Payton Bunnell, class of 2018, is returning to teach fifth grade.
Antigo Area continued on back cover SEPTEMBER 2022
Remember,together! the more fully you are formed, the better you will understand God’s calling for your family. Furthermore, the more you are formed in the faith the easier it will be to answer the call of discipleship.
Accordingfaith.
Formation is the fuel that keeps your family moving for ward as stewards and in becoming all that Christ is calling you to be. Have confidence as you incorporate this ongoing learn ing into your daily routines.
This realization is an opportunity for growth. A chance to dip your toe back in the water of faith formation and even to learn alongside the members of your family, including the youngest members who are also learning. Don’t ever feel embarrassed that you don’t know an answer to the faith ques tions asked to you by your children or grandchildren. Instead, learn
To find out more about the Stewardship Starts at Home book, visit www.stewardship-starts-at-home.company.site
The Importance of Catholic Faith Formation
Being properly formed in our faith and listening to God’s call allows us to understand if we are on the right path or if we need to redirect. Being prayerful and well-formed are key to our following His plan for our lives instead of our own wishes and desires. Remember, as stewards, we strive to listen to God and use the gifts He has given us to serve those he places in our paths. Thankfully, it is easier now more than ever to form ourselves and our families.
There is no need to search for faith-formation opportu nities. These options can be sent directly to our smartphones and tablets. Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ministry sends free daily readings along with a brief gospel reflection straight to our inboxes. Matthew Kelly’s Dynamic Catholic offers Lenten and Advent opportunities with free, reflective videos that also arrive via email. Blessed is She even provides an endear ing female faith formation perspective — perfect for women young and old. Plus, if you want to form yourself specifically in Scripture, you can also opt for the free podcast, The Bible in a Year featuring the entertaining Fr. Mike Schmitz, from Ascen sion Presents. Honestly, the possibilities are endless.
If that is the last time that you have formed yourself or that members of your families have formed themselves, don’t panic. You are not alone.
T here are Four Pillars of a Stewardship Parish — Prayer, Hospitality, Formation, and Service. The third pillar — Formation — teaches us to know and love our God and our to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Directory for Catechesis (2005, #20), there are six tasks of faith formation that constitute a unified whole by which faith formation seeks to achieve its objective. This pri mary objective is the formation of disciples of Jesus Christ. The six tasks of formation promote knowledge of the faith, promote knowledge of the meaning of the liturgy and the sac raments, promote moral formation in Jesus Christ, teach us how to pray, prepare one to live in community, and participate actively in the life of the Church, and promote a missionary spirit that prepares one to be present as Christians in society. Take a moment to consider how fully you are currently formed. When is the last time you read a book about the Cath olic faith? When is the last time you participated in a Bible study? When is the last time you read and reflected on the read ings before Mass? Or looked up something in the Catechism?
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Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from the 2022 book, Stewardship Starts at Home: Using God’s Gifts To Grow As Disciples Of Christ In Our Domestic Church, written by stewardship expert and retreat leader Lisa McArdle and pub lished by Catholic Stewardship Consultants. This excerpt is reprinted with permission from CSC.
Frequently, the last faith formation parishioners receive dates back to when they completed their Confirmation prepa ration or attended their last religious formation class as a mid dle or high school student. This means decades may have gone by since parishioners and family members have experienced formation.
irthdays are always special occasions we all enjoy celebrating. We send cards, give gifts, gather with family and loved ones, sing “Happy Birthday,” and enjoy the traditional birthday cake. We make a big deal about birthdays because they re mind us how special, precious and wonderful is the gift of life given to us by God.
On the Church’s calendar, we celebrate three important birthdays. On Dec. 25, we celebrate the Birthday of Jesus; on June 24, we celebrate the Birthday of St. John the Baptist; and on Sept. 8, we celebrate the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Fr. Joel Sember Pastor
Dear Parish Family, A Letter From Our Pastor
This Month, We Honor Our Blessed Mother on Her Birthday B
There are even some unique ways to celebrate Mary’s birthday. You can make a special birthday cake for Mary and have it as a family dessert one night this month — and even light a candle on the cake and sing “Happy Birthday” to Mary. Have your children or grand children make a birthday card for Mary — bring it to church and place it at the foot of Mary’s statue to show your love for the Mother of God. Decide to do a good deed or act of kindness and make that your special gift to Mary for her birthday. If you really want to make our Blessed Mother happy, gather for some family prayer time and pray a family Rosary as your gift to Mary. These are just some of the many ways we can honor our Blessed Mother and celebrate her birthday this month. Happy birthday, Blessed Mother Mary — we loveYouryou!brother in Christ,
Why do we celebrate Mary’s birthday on Sept. 8? The answer lies in another very important feast day of Our Lady, and that is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8. The Immaculate Conception is a dogma of the Church, which states that Mary was preserved free from all stain of Original Sin from the very first moment of her conception (this grace also preserved Mary from all sin throughout her life). This was a special gift from God and a wonderful privilege bestowed upon the Blessed Mother as she would become the pure, holy vessel to carry in her womb Christ, the Son of God. So, since we celebrate Mary’s Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8, we celebrate her birthday exactly nine months later on Sept. 8!
Along the way, the group prayed together and met many different people who they then carried with them in prayer.
“The most meaningful part for me was being able to meet all these wonderful people that I walked with and all the peo ple that hosted us for the night and fed us,” Keith says. “I also enjoyed the beautiful prayers and Mass that Fr. Joel shared with all ofTheus.” group also encountered challenges along the way.
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continued on page 5(From left) Keith Mortimer and Fr. Joel Sember
Keith A. Mortimer
“I Will Keep Going Every
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Keith A. Mortimer knew that he wanted to participate in the walking pilgrimage immediately after reading about it in the church bulletin.
Parishioners Share Reflections on the Walking
This summer, Fr. Joel Sember led a group on a walking pil grimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help. They started in Oconto Falls and walked 56 miles in five days from June 13 to JuneThe17.destination was a major factor in Alison Quinlan’s decision to participate in the pilgrimage.
“The pilgrimage was yet another opportunity for me to work on the virtue of humility,” Alison says. “I tried to refuse The group on the walking pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help (from left) Alison, Tammy, Kat, Lisa “I would encourage everyone to do the whole week at least once. It’s the best spiritual and uplifting experience you will have in five da ys. I can’t wait for next year and pray that I will be healthy and strong enough.”
“I could hear God calling me to go,” Keith says. “This was my very first pilgrimage with Fr. Joel, and I will participate in every pilgrimage from now on as long as I am able.”
While Keith battled terrible vertigo, Alison struggled with ask ing for and accepting help.
“Every time I visit this shrine, I seem to have a new prayer experience, and I was certainly in search of that again,” Alison says. “I was also looking for an extended pilgrimage this time, and the five-day option seemed like the right next step for me.”
Walking Pilgrimage
Every Year, God Willing”
“I would encourage everyone to do the whole week at least once,” Keith says. “It’s the best spiritual and uplifting experi ence you will have in five days. I can’t wait for next year and pray that I will be healthy and strong enough. I will be 59 next May, and I will keep going every year, God willing.”
Enjoying a recovery epsom soak — (from left) Tammy Behnke, Rhonda Wald, and Alison Quinlan
physical help, emotional help, and even help with prayer. I’m still working on this. Deep down I do have a desire to keep growing even at this stage of my life.”
If you would like more information about future walking pilgrimages, email Fr. Joel at father@pilgrimpriest.us.
If you do decide to participate in a future pilgrimage, Ali son suggests anticipating that it will be the beginning of a long-term conversation with God that doesn’t end when you return“Whenhome.Igot home, I still felt like I was on pilgrimage, and that mindset stands,” Alison says. “I think of a pilgrimage as constant movement where you experience personal growth, as well as growth in relationships among the pilgrims walking alongside you. When I came home, the areas of my life where I wasn’t allowing for growth became clear.”
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Keith and Alison would both encourage potential pil grims to discern if God is calling you to participate in a walking pilgrimage and if so, consider doing the whole week if you are able.
At a lunch stop, the group poses with a collection of bandanas from previous years, which Fr. Joel’s mother embroiders with the pilgrimage logo.
The group taking a quick break during the walking pilgrimage — (from left) Keith, Fr. Joel, Tammy, Rhonda, Kat, Alison, and Lisa
“Camp is a place where you know you belong,” says Anna Schlegel, who worked at Camp Tekakwitha this summer as a counselor. “It feels like a second home. All around you can feel and see God in many different ways. From seeing all the kids in adoration to seeing them play games, God shines through each and every kid. At camp, we love to share the story of St. Kateri Tekakwitha with everyone.”
Summer is a wonderful time for recreation, spending time outdoors, and connecting with other faith-filled people.
According to the camp website, “Camp Tekakwitha is an outdoor ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay, established to help young people encounter Jesus Christ through prayer, community, and self-discovery amidst the beauty of God’s natural creation.”
The camp opened in 1926 as an all-girls camp named after Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American saint. Now, Camp Tekakwitha hosts both boys and girls for nine weeks out of the summer from June to August, with differ ent activities including sailing, arts and crafts, gaga ball, and more. Cabins rotate between different program areas like archery, sports, waterfront, boating, service and steward ship, nature, drama, righteous religion, and arts and crafts. It is open for kids aged 6 to 15 years old, and older campers can participate in one of the many leadership programs.
“With working on kitchen staff last summer, I really enjoyed being with the kids and just getting to know them,” she says. “I loved seeing how all the kids grow in their love for camp and for the Lord. By the end of the summer, I was excited to hopefully be a counselor for this summer.”
“Working at camp gave me opportunities to be grateful for the little things, which really carried out into my spiritual life. At camp, a few minutes of rest might go a long way, just like a few minutes of prayer. I’ve learned to rest within my prayer as well. In the past, I may have gone on my phone in my free time, but now I’m more inclined to take a prayer break.” — Charlotte Steffen
Five camp counselors this summer are members of the Antigo Area Catholic Churches. Posing with Fr. Joel they are — from left Emma Steffen, Charlotte Steffen, Allison Schlegel, Carolyn Heuss, and Anna Schlegel continued on page 7
Camp Tekakwitha: Encountering God and Serving Others
Camp Tekakwitha is a place where young people can do exactly that! Several of our parish youth recently returned home from working at this overnight camp.
Her favorite part of Camp Tekakwitha is the kids, enjoy ing each week of fun and getting to know them.
Anna was a participant for one week in 2014, and since then she knew she wanted to help out as a counselor. Last year she worked in the kitchen, but this summer she worked as a camp counselor.
Camp Tekakwitha
“Last summer was going to be my last summer, but I was specifically asked to work here again in my current posi tion,” she says. “I just couldn’t say ‘no.’ I know every summer is a fulfilling summer of service and I can’t think of a better way to serve the Lord than to serve the youth.”
continued from page 6
“I have learned so much from working at camp,” she says. “I have learned how to always put the campers first. Our goal is to make all of the campers feel loved and wel comed. You never know where they came from or anything like that, so when they come here we try to make them all feel special and have a new experience.”
“Working at camp gave me opportunities to be grateful for the little things, which really carried out into my spiri tual life,” she says. “At camp, a few minutes of rest might go a long way, just like a few minutes of prayer. I’ve learned to rest within my prayer as well. In the past, I may have gone on my phone in my free time, but now I’m more inclined to take a prayer break.”
“The most difficult part about working at camp is learn ing how to turn your lens from yourself out toward the campers,” Charlotte says. “Everything we do here is for them, and sometimes it takes a little bit of time to align yourselves fully in their direction. For me, it really helped to imagine serving Jesus within each of our campers. So no matter how many times they struggle, I always make sure to help them back up because that’s what Jesus would do.”
Similar to Anna, Charlotte Steffen learned more about selflessness and putting the participants above her own interests and needs.
Serving the youth at Camp Tekakwitha provided Char lotte an opportunity to grow spiritually and deepen her per sonal relationship with God.
Save the Dates!!! Please mark your calendars for our upcoming parish festivities: St. John’s Fall Fest — September 11 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. St. Wenceslaus Fall Festival — September 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This was Charlotte’s fifth year at Camp Tekakwitha. She says it holds a special place in her heart.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know my students and creating those connections with them that my teachers had with me,” Ms. Bunnell says. “I’m looking forward to being there to guide them to new discoveries, encourage them, and help them grow.”
GETTING TO KNOW
“I’m looking forward to getting to know my students and creating those connections with them that my teachers had with me. I’m looking forward to being there to guide them to new discoveries, encourage them, and help them grow.”
Saint Wenceslaus N5340 Church Rd. Deerbrook, WI 54424 (715) stwencel@antigoareacatholicchurches.com627-2126
— Payton Bunnell
Saints Mary & Hyacinth 819 3rd Ave. Antigo, WI 54409 (715) ssmh@antigoareacatholicchurches.com623-4938
Payton Bunnell continued from front cover made it feel like a second home and family because we were all so close and grew together in our faith,” Ms. Bunnell says. “I was constantly practicing the faith, learning and growing, and that has influenced me and made me who I am today. Having that education has made me stronger in my faith, but also helped me become more compassionate and Herunderstanding.”loveforschool as a student has carried over to her pas sion as a teacher. Ms. Bunnell has always loved math and looks forward to helping her students understand and even enjoy mathematics. An avid reader growing up, she is also excited to share some of her favorite literature with her students. How ever, being a teacher is much more than academics to Ms. Bun nell. From her experience, she knows how impactful a teacher can be who forms real connections with her students.
Saint John the Evangelist 415 6th Ave. Antigo, WI 54409 (715) stjohn@antigoareacatholicchurches.com623-2024
MASS & CONFESSION TIMES
SAINT JOHN: Masses: Monday, 8:15 a.m., Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, 8:15 a.m., Thursday, 8:15 a.m., Saturday, 6 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m. Confession: Tuesday, 5:30-6:15 p.m., Saturday, 5:15-5:45 p.m. & Sunday, 8:15-8:45 a.m.
SAINTS MARY & HYACINTH: Masses: Wednesday, 7:15 a.m., Friday, 7:15 a.m., Saturday, 8 a.m. & 4 p.m., Sunday, 7 a.m. Confession: Saturday following the 8 a.m. Mass & 3-3:45 p.m.
SAINT WENCESLAUS: Masses: Tuesday, 8 a.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. Confession: Sunday, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
