Weekend Wisdom - August 17th, 2025

FROM THE DESK OF: Fr. Jason

Dear Saint Francis Xavier and Saint Mary Parishioners,

I would like to begin by thanking both parishes for their welcome. I have been in De Pere for the last month and a half. It has been good. I have gotten a chance to not only get to know Saint Francis Xavier but also have gotten over to St. Mary for meetings and for the picnic. I have also met with religious and civil leaders in the community.

What have I noticed? Both faith communities are ones that you can be proud of. I have served several different parishes, and I have found your parishes to be good parishes. I would like to commend you. We are blessed to have our own Catholic school. I look forward to getting to know that community as well as the discipleship formation families. De Pere is a good city.

I would like to reflect on hospitality. Hospitality is an important value for Christians. It goes without saying that as parishes we are called to it as well.

What does hospitality look like in a parish setting? It looks like smiling at the people in the pews with us. It looks like greeting those we know and those we do not know. It means helping the poor in our midst. Hospitality is always something we can be excellent at. Sometimes it challenges us to get beyond our comfort zones. It is worth it.

I think of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, friends of the Lord Jesus Christ. They showed him hospitality whenever he came to be with them. Every Christian is another Christ by virtue of their baptism. When we treat a Christian with hospitality, we are doing it for Jesus. Every person is made in the image and likeness of God. When we treat any person with hospitality, we recognize their dignity.

You have shown me hospitality. I am incredibly grateful. Let us show that hospitality to every person who comes through our church doors.

Sincerely through Jesus,

Fr. Jason