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| my family with Fr. Matthew Widder after Mass |
There's nothing quite so special as a Sunday drive, but what makes a Sunday road trip even more meaningful is when it's made to visit and pray with a wonderful friend. My family and I made the one hour trip up north to Sheboygan, Wisconsin to attend Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Parish, the new home of our dear friend, Fr. Matthew Widder.
Holy Name and St. Clement Parish's newest pastor is beginning his first pastor assignment just three years out of seminary, and it looks like he's off to a fantastic start. Both Holy Name of Jesus and St. Clement Parishes are absolutely beautiful churches and Fr. Matthew was all smiles during the Mass we attended in a fully packed church. It's clear to see that he loves being a priest. He offered a fabulous homily regarding what a privilege it is to pray and the importance of keeping our connection with God through persistence in prayer. Ever deeply devoted to the Blessed Mother, Fr. Matthew concluded Mass with the Hail Mary.
Holy Name and St. Clement Parishes have made prayer cards for Fr. Matthew with the following prayer:
Lord God, in your loving kindness you sent your Son to be our shepherd and guide Continue to send workers into your vineyard to sustain and direct your people. Bless Father Matthew. Let your Spirit uphold him always as he takes up his new responsibility among the people of this parish. Amen.
If you live in Sheboygan, you are blessed! And if you don't live in Sheboygan but have a chance to visit, be sure to stop in and pray with Fr. Matthew and spend some time on your knees connecting with God in one of Sheboygan's gorgeous churches. You'll be glad you did!
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| St. Joseph in the Courtyard |
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| My friend and namesake, St Anne, and the Blessed Mother greet parishioners in the narthex |
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| Isn't He sweet? |
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| St. Michael the Archangel in the narthex |
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| and St. Michael the Archangel above the entrance to the church |
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| my blurry pictures don't do justice to the beauty... |
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| The Twelfth Station-Jesus Dies on the Cross |
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| the adoration chapel |
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| a collection of chalices in the narthex |
Beautiful church and family! Sounds like a wonderful day :) You are blessed and bless! Thank you...
ReplyDeleteMy family and I certainly miss father Matthew Widder at St Marys parish in Hales Corners, we intend to make the trip to Sheboygan soon God , and we can't wait to continue our prayer with him!
ReplyDeleteMark, he'll be here in Milwaukee for Roses for Our Lady's holy hour for vocations on Sunday, July 13th at 2 PM at St. Francis de Sales Seminary. You can come and pray with him there, too!
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I often assist Sunday mass at home through Heart of the Nation. We love Fr. Matthew's homilies! Especially the one he delivered yesterday on the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). Thank you Fr. Matthew!
ReplyDeleteWe as the family of Gills and Salms were Blessed to attend "The Cathedral of Sheboygan" aND I grew to love the Holy Names of God in a work called Sparks From Celestial Wheels...Thank You Lord!
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