From: Fr.

Robert Schaller
T0: Parishioners of St. Vincent de Paul and SS Peter & Paul
Friday, June 23, 2023

As you read this letter Bishop William Callahan will have already ordained four
new priests to serve in the Diocese of La Crosse. Providing a sufficient number of
good priests to serve the faithful is one of the most important responsibilities for
a bishop. Out of consideration for the spiritual, emotional, and physical health of
priests, our bishop has begun to assign priests in teams (a pastor with an
associate). My assignment as the new pastor of St. Vincent de Paul, along with
the assignment of Fr. Daniel Williams as associate, reflects that intention.

This new arrangement of the two Eastside Parishes of WI Rapids being served by
the same pastor and associate (and Deacons Jerry Ruesch & Tony Biolo) provides
opportunities for some real benefits for both parishes. While retaining each
parish’s identity, we will be able to cooperate in some ways to provide better
pastoral care. For example, where currently each parish office is only open about
half time, we will soon be able to provide 35-40 hours each week. Staff will be
able to share some common tasks which will increase effectiveness (and save
money). While Fr. Williams and I will reside at the SSPP rectory, our offices will
be at St. Vincent.

The most noticeable change will be the Mass and Confession schedule for our two
parishes. Several principles have governed my decisions: 1) provide daily Mass,
Monday through Friday, and Saturday morning; 2) two Masses at each parish in
observance of the Lord’s Day (1 Sat. eve & 1 Sunday, or 2 Sunday); 3) schedule
Masses so that 1 priest is able to celebrate them alone, if necessary; 4)
Confessions 1 hour before EVERY Mass.

After having consulted with the Pastoral & Finance Council members of both
parishes, I have determined to set the following schedule, effective July 4, 2023:

Daily Mass: MWF, 8am at St. Vincent de Paul (Wed. at 2:45pm during school)
Tues, 5:3opm; Thur. & Sat. 8am, at SSPP.

Sat/Sunday Sat. 4:30pm at St. Vincent de Paul

Sun. 7am at SSPP
Sun. 9am at SSPP
Sun. 10:30am at St. Vincent de Paul

Confessions begin 1 hour before EVERY Mass, except the Sunday 7am Mass.
The Deanery Sunday Mass remains at 6pm at SSPP.

 Fr. Williams and I will alternate Masses at each parish so that all the faithful will
see us at both parishes equally. The new schedule was set so that some historic
practices could be observed, or with small adjustments to better suit both
parishes. Holy Day Masses will be at 8am and 5:30pm, when they fall on
weekdays.

For some people from both parishes this schedule will mean a change in their
Sunday Mass routine. To maintain parish identity and commitment I strongly
encourage the faithful regularly attend their own parish for Mass, if possible, or
to attend the other Eastside Parish where you will still get to see your pastor (and
associate, and deacons!) and fellow parishioners.

I have been accustomed to holding an annual Parish “Town Hall” meeting each
year, and will schedule one at each parish sometime in September. This will give
the people from both Eastside Parishes the chance to let me know what’s on your
mind, and to make an account of how our parishes are doing.

Although this will be a new experience for these two parishes who now share a
pastor, the connections go back to 1956, when then Bishop John P. Treacy
appointed Fr. Carl Dockendorff, associate pastor of SS Peter & Paul, as the
founding pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish. Fr. Dockendorff had been at SS
Peter & Paul 6 years before his new assignment. So have I. He grew up in La
Crosse. I grew up on a farm 10 miles north of La Crosse. He made his home here
in WI Rapids. So have I.

Pray for me and Fr. Williams, and for Deacons Ruesch & Biolo. Pray especially for
Fr. Jerome Patric who soon leaves St. Vincent de Paul to be the new pastor of St.
Florian Church in Hatley, and St. Agnes Church in Weston.

God Bless you!

Fr. Robert Schaller

Pastor, SS Peter & Paul: June 29, 2017 -
Pastor, St. Vincent de Paul: July 4, 2023 -