Announcements
Bishop Callahan would like to update everyone on the recent request from the WI Attorney General to the 5 dioceses of our state. More info at: https://diolc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Ltr-of-June-16-2021-WI-Attorney-General-request.pdf. Some copies of the letter are in the back of church. Additional copies available upon request. You may also read the letter here: WAG Update Ltr June 16 2021.
Two options for ONLINE CONTRIBUTIONS available here - https://diolc.org/annunciation-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-parish-viroqua/ - may make a single gift or set up a reoccurring donation which can be ended at any time.
We are looking for teachers for our Religious Education (RE) program at this time. If we don't have enough volunteers, then parents will simply have to teach from home this year. Younger students will have RE on Sunday mornings, older students Wednesday evenings. Teachers are welcome to express a preference in grade but may be asked to teach a different class. We will be using textbooks so teachers don't need to recreate the wheel. Two adults must be present in the classroom at all times. If a teacher is teaching alone, they must have another parent present to chaperone. A solo teacher is paid $50 per class. Team teachers are paid $30/person per class. Teachers for 1st Communicants and Confirmation students are paid $60 or $35 per class. Teachers must complete Safe Environment training and paperwork before classes can start. There are NO fees for RE this year. Interested teachers should contact Fr. Matt ASAP: mmarshall@diolclergy.org OR (608) 738-6806.
You are invited to “Sing a new song!” The choir will begin singing again starting September 26th for the 10:30 Mass. Rehearsals happen at 9:15 as we prepare for Mass and anyone grade 6 - Adult is invited to join in the fun! Hope you can come.
Beginning September 20th, 2021, our parish will no longer receive copies of Our Sunday Visitor weekly newspaper. With the great diversity of media resources available about Catholic news I would much rather that parishioners decide for themselves what they would like to read. I think it equally unhelpful either to subscribe on behalf of the parish to resources that I don't think helpful, or to simply subscribe to resources I find helpful, but others may not. As in all things...the choice is yours! If you have questions about Catholic periodicals, you are always welcome to ask my opinions. If you would like financial assistance subscribing to a Catholic resource, please also let me know. Happy reading!
Masking is being encouraged by Vernon County for any indoor gatherings even if people are vaccinated. I will begin wearing my mask for Communion again this week. Please visit this website for more info: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view. Counties with a high (red) or substantial (orange) level of transmission are encouraged to mask indoors.
St. Mary’s Fall Turkey Dinner – October 20, 2021 – 4 – 7 PM; turkey with all the trimmings and homemade pie; quilt raffle. All are welcome!
Mass & Services Schedule
Mon: No Mass
Tues: No Mass
Wed: 6:30 PM
Thur: No Mass
Fri: 8:00 AM
Saturday: 6:30 PM
Sunday: 10:30 AM
First Fridays Adoration: after 8 AM Mass; Benediction at 10 AM.
Religious Education Program
Due to lack of space for socially-distanced classrooms, we will be offering Wednesday evening Mass at 6:30 PM instead of RE classes. As events change, so will the plan. Masses may be tailored to grade levels, but everyone in the family is welcome. Masks are required unless exempted per Governor Evers' Emergency Order. RE Mass will also be offered on our Facebook page.
The Sacraments
God has chosen to save us not as individuals but as members of a community of faith. For this reason, the faithful who wish to receive the sacraments Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation are to be registered members of St. Mary's Parish. ALL are welcome to attend services and celebrate the Eucharist at St. Mary's!