On Living the Vocation to Holiness - 4th Sunday of Advent

In every cinematic presentation I have seen of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol", Ebeneezer Scrooge, after a night of visitations by the spirits of Christmas past, present, and future, commits himself to "keeping the spirit of Christmas throughout the year".  To this end he begins by making a commitment to support of his employee Bob Cratchet's family, in particular - Tiny Tim; meeting the gentlemen he had berated the day before when they asked him for a donation to their charity for the poor, he made a generous donation and assured them of continued support; finally, he joined his nephew and his family for Christmas dinner.

The one thing in Charles Dickens' book that isn't included is: he went to Christmas Day church services.  This is important to point out because we, as Christians, would recognize that it is our celebration of and participation in the mystery of the Incarnation - Christ's birth - that we are then motivated to do the other three things detailed above.  Indeed, it is our weekly participation at holy Mass that carries the mystery of the Incarnation through the rest of the year.

As I was contemplating this I also took notice of the opening prayer for today’s Mass (4^th Sunday of Advent) we hear: “Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection.”  Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?  The opening prayer sounds familiar because it is the collect for the devotion we know as “the Angelus”.

It is one of the beauties of the Roman Rite that in addition to a strong liturgical life: holy Mass, the sacraments, the Divine Office (breviary), and Eucharistic adoration; there is also a strong devotional life.  Sadly, when I was growing up in the 70’s, that devotional life was intentionally sidelined; it was considered an anachronism and treated as something old, of a bygone era.

Why is it that the devotional life was so intentionally looked down upon (even persecuted) in my youth and into my early seminary years?  I think there were three principal reasons: 1) there was a drive to emphasize the importance of the Eucharistic Assembly on Sundays; 2) a view that devotions were a manifestation of a bygone era of superstition and a detraction from the worship of Christ; 3) a continuing manifestation of the heresy known as Modernism which rejected a belief in the supernatural and the accompanying belief in miracles. 

I understand and have always accepted  what the Church teaches us about the holy Mass being the font from which the Christian life flows and the summit to which it is always drawn.  For this reason Christians have considered it absolutely necessary to participate in holy Mass each Lord's Day (Sunday) and on certain days appointed by the Church throughout the year.  It has also been the practice to assist at Mass daily where and when possible.

It is sad that, in addition to the above and with the rise of scientism, the devotional life was branded as a 'detraction' from holy Mass as well as smelling of superstition.  This is sad and wrong.  It is understandable I suppose, looking from the outside in, that the devotional life could seem superstitious.  As Catholics, we can sometimes seem like we have more faith in various prayers and devotional practices than we do in God; a sort of 'works righteousness' which is rightly condemned.  However, when approached properly in faith, the devotional life supports the liturgical life.

This leads us, however, to our third issue: modernism.  Modernism is a heresy identified in the 19th century and condemned by the Church which contends that there is no such thing as miracles.  Because of this heresy we entered into a period in which anything miraculous in scripture or tradition was immediately explained away or simply discounted.  Sadly, condemning a heresy doesn't mean it necessarily goes away - even within the life of the Church.  And so we have had much to suffer over the past 150 years because of it.  Indeed, we still see its influence on our present day approach to the sacraments, our beliefs and practices, even our translations of holy Scripture.

Each of these three issues conspired to deprive the people of God of a rich heritage.  Happily, the beauty and strength of the devotional life has been rediscovered, newly appreciated, and reacquired in our present day.  Indeed, over the past 20 years there has been a resurgence in devotion to the Rosary, the wearing of scapulars and holy medals (especially the Miraculous Medal), and devotions to the saints, novenas, and much, much more.  It is such that many of our young people today almost take it for granted.

In so doing we are re-discovering the power of our Catholic faith as we once again pick up the tools given us by God directly, and through Him our blessed Mother, and the saints, and then handed on to us by our forebears who were so powerfully assisted by these gifts of grace.

Indeed, in the practice of reciting the Angelus, we bring to mind the mystery of the Incarnation - the spirit of Christmas - not only throughout the year each week (as in holy Mass), or even each day, but three times each day!  (That is why the bells ring from our church each day at 7:00 am, 12:00 noon, and 6:00 pm - the traditional times to pray the Angelus)  How's that for keeping the spirit of Christmas???  From our liturgical life, supported by a rich devotional life, then comes the true and lasting motivation for the other three ways by which Scrooge committed himself to keeping the spirit of Christmas: charity to those in need closest to us; charity towards those in need who are unknown to us; and charity towards our family.

May you be strengthened in your devotional life so as to be drawn ever more deeply into the mysteries of our Faith which are celebrated and made present to us in the celebration of holy Mass and then lived out each day in our works of charity.

The Traditional Latin Mass at St. Mary's Ridge

Yesterday, December 13, I received a letter from Bishop Callahan concerning the implementation of Pope Francis' Traditionis Custodes in the Diocese of La Crosse.  After months of discussions and a real feeling that we had made our case, things were turned on their head a little over a week ago.

I think it's important to understand that Bishop Callahan truly struggled with how to implement the pope's motu proprio.  He has a real pastoral heart and concern for all his people.  Unfortunately, he has not been able to see any way forward.  His brother bishops have been all over the map on their implementation of this motu proprio and, sadly, he did not find the solutions of those who have left the practice in their dioceses "as is" compelling.  Thus, he has implemented the motu proprio strictly: the Traditional Latin Mass will be offered at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe - La Crosse, St. Mary's Oratory - Wausau, and Cor Jesu Oratory - Boyd; but not in any parish churches.  He has left open the possibility that this permission could be extended to St. Mary's Ridge again some time in the future, but this would be dependent on wiggle room appearing in future directions from Rome either in a revised motu proprio or signals that a relaxation of the directives of Traditionis Custodes will be allowed.

Obviously, I am very saddened by this decision; but in keeping with my promise of obedience made at my ordination to the priesthood, I will carry out Bishop Callahan's directive.  This includes the directive to begin offering the ordinary form of the Mass in Latin, ad orientem, and with all the smells, bells, chant, and ceremony that we have come to know and love in the Mass, regardless of form.

With that in mind, I will begin offering the ordinary form of the Mass as directed above at all the usual times formerly associated with the Traditional Latin Mass: Sundays at 12:00 pm, Thursdays at 6:30 pm, First Saturdays at 8:00 am, Ember Saturdays, and Holy Days of Obligation.

This community has been a true joy and privilege to serve.  I hope that many of you will allow me to continue serving you under the new regime.  I truly believe that we can continue to find joy and beauty in the holy Mass if we will all pitch in and embrace the changes that are being asked of us.

On Living the Vocation to Holiness - December 11, 2022

We all know someone who has been absent from our Eucharistic community.  Some have yet to return since the covid shutdown, whether out of fear or because they have gotten used to watching Mass on tv, or simply got used to not going to Mass.  Others have been hurt by someone in the community: either clergy, employees of the parish or larger Church, or even relatives or neighbors.  Still others have not, for some reason, come to know the intimate presence of God that occurs in a unique way in the Eucharistic celebration.

Many of us have noticed their absence.  Some have prayed for their return.  A few may have even gotten up the courage to speak with these brothers or sisters and invited them to return.  In any case, there are many in our community who are not present with us, and their absence is felt.

Christmas is a particularly good time to invite our brothers and sisters to “come home”.  With that in mind, we have produced postcards and have sent them out to everyone in our Tri-Parish Catholic Community.  These postcards invite everyone to “come home for Christmas” and include our communal Confession and Christmas Mass schedules.

These postcards are being sent to every home for a couple of reasons.  One: we don’t want to presume or leave ANYONE out.  All should be reached and feel they have been given a personal invitation to come home.  Second of all: recognizing that many of these cards will come to those who are already joining us, I ask you to give it to someone who may be in need of an invitation, but has not received one from us for whatever reason.

In any case, I ask that everyone in our parishes make it their personal mission to make sure that each person who has received one of the postcards recognizes our sincere desire that they feel welcomed home; and that armed with one of these postcards we each make the effort to invite an absent brother or sister to join us.

Recognizing that those who are hurting may be in need of reconciliation with the community, invite and encourage them to meet with me if that will help; you might even offer to come with them as a supportive brother or sister in Christ.

A parish is not a parish if all it does is prophetically proclaim the Gospel and dispense sacraments.  A parish is a community – a family; and each member of our family needs to be caught up in the warm embrace of that family; but it starts with a sincere and personal invitation.  Let us join together over these next two weeks to do our part in making that invitation so that we may all be one Body in Christ!

Health Update: December 10, 2022

The surgery to remove the rest of the skin cancer (melanoma) from my leg, and a couple of lymph nodes to make sure it hasn't spread went well.  Monday I have a follow up appointment with the plastic surgeon to make sure the skin grafts are ok.  In a week I should get a report on the lymph nodes.

I am resting at home now and staying put so as to let the skin grafts take hold.  Of course, I'm also nervously chomping at the bit to meet the needs of my parishes and school in this season of joyful preparation for the coming of our Lord.  I know, however, that all will go according to God's good plan.

It is now a time of resting, prayer, and relaxation (at least physically).  Know that your prayers have been greatly appreciated, and you are in my prayers of thanksgiving.

A Few Notes on Liturgical Practices

As we continue our entry into the Advent season it is a good time to re-visit some issues of liturgical practice in the Tri-Parishes so that understanding may be reinforced and tranquility reign in our hearts and community.  The particular issues I’d like to address are the use of Latin, ad orientem worship, and kneeling for the reception of Holy Communion.  The importance of these topics and the need to address them more thoroughly demands that I use the space normally reserved for both of my columns in one this week.

First, it must be remembered that all of these are well entrenched elements of worship in the Roman Rite.  While all three seemed, in the popular mind, to be “abolished by Vatican II”, nothing could be further from the truth.  

Regarding Latin in the liturgy, the Vatican II constitution on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, reminds us of the importance of Latin in the Roman Rite and the necessity of its preservation in the liturgy.  Theologically our catholicity is expressed in the language of the common parts of the Mass: the Kyrie, the Confiteor, the Creed, the Sanctus, and the Agnus Dei, as well as the Canon of the Mass.  In obedience to Vatican II we have had the practice in these parishes for 30 years now of using the Latin responses during Advent and Lent; and for the last eleven years we have also used these on Fridays such that the children of Sacred Heart School and those who attend daily Mass are then well cultivated in this aspect and practice of our Catholic faith.  In an era where international travel is not a rare experience for us, many have related their satisfaction that assisting at Mass in other parts of the world, they were able to follow the Mass in these other countries because the common parts of the Mass were known to them in Latin.

Ad Orientem worship as an issue has come to the fore over the last several years, encouraged especially by Cardinal Robert Sarah (the immediate past head of the Vatican Congregation for Sacred Worship).  Interestingly, the current General Instruction on the Roman Missal (GIRM), which is the instruction for celebrating Mass, continues to ASSUME that the priest is celebrating the Mass in this manner.  There is a beautiful truth communicated with Mass offered in this manner: the priest at the head of the worshiping community, leading them in the worship of God and leading them TO God.  There is a greater sense of the sacrificial nature of the Mass as well as a lessening of the focus on the priest; both of which serve to set the focus on God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ over either the priest or the community which are not unimportant in the context of community worship but are certainly secondary to the action of Christ on the altar.

Finally, the practice of receiving Holy Communion on the tongue and kneeling has made a come back over the last several years.  It must be noted that the practice of receiving in the hand while standing has become the norm, it is a practice allowed by the Vatican in this country, and many others, only by an indult – in other words, it was never intended to be normative, though it did become “normal”.  Over the 50 years since the practice was first allowed however, many have come to feel a greater reverence for what, for Whom, they are receiving when they are able to receive the Blessed Sacrament in the ancient manner.  On the one hand, many feel an unworthiness to touch the Blessed Sacrament with hands that are subject to the messiness of daily life and work; others have developed a greater appreciation for the sanctification of the priest’s hand which are consecrated with holy Chrism at the priest’s ordination precisely in recognition of the sacred work that is to be undertaken and the sacred species which these hands will touch.  Finally, there is the beautiful and ancient symbol that is reverently embraced of the father feeding his children, the shepherd feeding his flock.  It is for this reason that Communion rails / stations have made a comeback in many churches, including in our own diocese; and in those places where communion rails had been discarded, portable kneelers or prie deuxs have appeared to facilitate this form of reception.

It should be noted that in all of these areas I have always been very careful not do disallow (or denigrate!) what the Church clearly allows, even by indult.  I have respected the feelings and sensibilities of the diversity of people found in our parishes.  Latin is not used in our liturgies exclusively nor even primarily.  It is used seasonally and situationally in the spirit of the conciliar documents with a desire to bring us into ever greater conformity with the desires of the council fathers. 

In like manner, I never refuse Communion in the hand to those who desire it – except in the case of those carrying infants and small children (prudence dictates: two hands on the child and two hands on the Sacrament); nor do I judge anyone based on how they receive our Lord in Holy Communion.  While I have provided for those who desire to receive Communion while kneeling I don’t force the issue nor do I judge anyone on that basis. 

And finally, ad orientem worship is offered only in those situations where it has been well-responded to, or for catechetical purposes (school Masses on Fridays), or in the case of St. Mary’s on weekdays where I am just not willing to shift the altar around for one weekday Mass and in a church that has only a small handful of people in it (wouldn’t you rather look at that beautiful high altar than at a mostly empty church?).

While the liturgy, especially holy Mass is supposed to be that around which we are unified, there continues to be a legitimate diversity that must be respected.  If you have any questions about these issues, don't be afraid to ask! 

Health Update - December 3, 2022

I want to begin by thanking all for your words of support and your offers of assistance.  While everything seems to be covered at the moment, your offers and concern have given me confidence in knowing I can ask if and when things do come up.

Surgery to remove the rest of the cancer from my leg is scheduled for Friday, December 9.  It is a day-surgery, and I will be recovering at home (the rectory).  I have been advised that I will need to lay low for several days and then “take it down a notch” for at least two weeks.  With that in mind, I have Msgr. Robert Hundt retained to take the Masses for the weekend of December 10/11.  At this point I am anticipating that there will be no weekday Masses at least through Wednesday (12/14).  I will be offering the Mass intentions already scheduled for those days in my rectory chapel.

If there are any emergencies during that time don’t be afraid to give me a call.  If I am unable to help you myself, I will find the help you need and make sure your spiritual needs are met.

My voice continues to make its way back to normal, but slowly.  As for the spot on the lining of the brain, we're keeping an eye on that to see if it is something that is a problem.  Next MRI is in February. 

So, that’s the update.  I thought I should give it here since not everyone are members of the Tri-Parish Catholic Community and the details are important enough that you, my family and friends beyond the Tri-Parish, might like to know.

Blessings to you all and again, Thank-you!

            Fr. Klos

On Living the Vocation to Holiness - November 27, 2022

 As we observe this Thanksgiving Weekend I was moved to look through quotes from the Thanksgiving proclamations of United States presidents.  It was interesting and informative.  First of all to see the emphasis of our earliest presidents on gratitude to almighty God.  For instance, President George Washington said, “…it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor…”  Today that would seem to be a tall order for any country.  It is however no less true today than it was in 1789, 233 years ago.

In 1863, in the midst of the darkness covering our country called the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln said “The gracious gifts of the Most High God…should solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people.”  Wouldn’t it be something if we could at least agree on that.  Some might point to atheists and such as the reason this doesn’t happen, but it would seem the neglect of people of faith has at least as much to do with our lack of thanksgiving even on the day set aside for it.

President Ronald Reagan said “Let us keep this Thanksgiving Day sacred.  Let us Thank God for the Bounty and Goodness of our Nation.  And as a measure of our gratitude, let us rededicate ourselves to the preservation of this: the land of the free and the home of the brave.” Not so much an observation of duty as in the previous two quotes, but more of an invitation to join him in giving thanks to almighty God.  Maybe an invitation we could all extend to our brothers and sisters.

However, in my mind, the best quote of the bunch came from President John F. Kennedy, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”  Imagine that!  Living a life of gratitude to God.  Indeed, following the revelation provided in Sacred Scripture, we recognize that this life of gratitude is shown first to God, but then also to one another – benefactor and debtor alike.  Each play their part in revealing to us the ins and outs, the many crossing paths which weave a fabric of gratitude in our Church, in our country, and in all parts of society.

In my personal letter I have given thanks to all of you.  Know that I thank God for you and am eminently aware of what a blessings He has bestowed on me through you – saints and sinners alike.

Happy Thanksgiving, each and every one!