The majority of Catholics are born into the religious tradition, but there is another way of becoming Catholic. People can choose to enter the Catholic tradition as adults. For those who were not born and baptized Catholic, the church has designed a comprehensive process of initiation into the community of faith. This process of Christian Initiation is commonly called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It includes socialization, instruction, and ritual celebrations that last a minimum of one liturgical year. This time of bonding and instruction culminates in the reception of the sacraments of initiation and full membership in the Catholic Church.

If you are curious about the Catholic faith and would like to take a deeper look, contact Fr. Patrick, Pam Janssen, or Fr. Brendan at the parish office (920) 822-3279 or email us at lk2432@yahoo.com

At the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Saturday, April 11th, we had the privilege of celebrating with five people who have been diligently preparing to join us, as they come into full communion with the Catholic Church. Our parishes of Assumption B.V.M. and St. Stanislaus welcome and celebrate with Adam Geiser, Karla Killinger, Kevin Krueger, Stephanie Miller, and Kendall Lynn Olson, their sponsors (Paul Bertrand, Karen Bishop, Tom Vandenbush, Mary Hashbarger, and Teresa Olson), and their families. Rejoice!

I have learned
To look on nature, not as in the hour
of thoughtless youth; but hearing oftentimes
The still, sad music of humanity,
Nor harsh nor grating, though of ample power
To chasten and subdue. And I have felt
A presence that disturbs me with the joy
Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime
Of something far more deeply infused,
Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns,
And the round ocean and the living air,
And the blue sky, and in the mind of man:
A motion and a spirit that impels
All thinking things, all objects of all thought,
And rolls through all things.
William Wordsworth
"Tintern Abbey" [1798]

These five candidates have each sensed the 'presence that disturbs' and responded with a desire to know this holy Presence more deeply and intimately. Their willingness to open themselves to the Spirit of the Living God, who called them to a deeper union, serves as an inspiration to all of us. Sometimes we "old-timers" or Catholic "lifers" get a little complacent with regard to our spiritual growth.

Just one year ago, at the Easter Vigil Mass in 2008, we had another RCIA group join us!