St Mark Catholic Parish, Rothschild

05/28/2026

While most people probably don't get excited about furnace parts, we're still not sure who was happier to see them arrive: the students or the staff!

NCES: St. Mark was all smiles yesterday as new furnace parts arrived. Thanks to the generosity of those who have supported St Mark Catholic Parish, Rothschild over the years, this exciting delivery marks an important step forward in upcoming furnace repairs and helping ensure the longevity of the building for future generations.

Thank you again St Mark Catholic Parish, Rothschild. We can't wait to see them installed!

05/28/2026

A moment with Helen...
Is the Trinity about love?

We have used symbols to tell us about the Trinity. Often it is a shamrock that is used, three leaves on one stem. We might need to go deeper as we ponder the mystery of the Trinity. The Trinity is all about relationship. It is about love. We are invited to enter into this mysterious relationship of love.

In the gospel from John we hear that God sent his Son, Jesus into the world to provide eternal life. God did not send Jesus to condemn the world but to bring salvation to all. We are invited into this relationship with God believing in God’s goodness and love.

It seems that Jesus was intent on revealing a God of goodness, a God of love. The God Jesus reveals is one who did not come to judge but to bring salvation to all. Jesus shows us how to be a person of love. When we reject love, we condemn ourselves. The Holy Spirit prompts us to be people of love. Look to Jesus so that you too can be a person of love, bringing salvation to others.

Helen Ackermann, St. Mark Parishioner
Retired Parish Minister

05/21/2026

A moment with Helen...
What brings us the peace that Jesus promises?

When we hear from the gospel of John for Pentecost Sunday, we hear it expressed that Jesus promises his disciples peace. He says this not only once but twice. The disciples are gathered in a room with the doors locked. They are probably worried that what happened to Jesus will be their fate as well. Nonetheless with the coming of the Holy Spirit, they will be granted peace. They will now be able to go and preach in all languages about Jesus. This feast in the liturgical life of the Church reminds us through symbols like fire, wind and a dove that the Holy Spirit will renew the Church. It is often called the birth of the Church.

The gospel closes as Jesus breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” He also reminds them of the importance of forgiveness. The peace that comes from Jesus occurs when we are able to forgive others as well as ourselves. That is when we experience the peace that Jesus promised the disciples and promises to us.

Helen Ackermann, St. Mark Parishioner
Retired Parish Minister

05/14/2026

A moment with Helen...
Do we find ourselves looking for Jesus or do we find ourselves ready to go?

With this Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension. In it are contained some of my favorite passages from Scripture. We begin with the Acts of the Apostles written by Luke. It indicates that the disciples followed Jesus and experienced Jesus taken up out of their sight. They stood looking up into the sky but messengers came and questioned them asking why they were looking up into the sky. The messengers reassured them that Jesus would come again. The gospel from the community of Matthew indicates that the disciples should go and preach the good news bringing others to Jesus.

It seems that we too are often looking for Jesus and sometimes do not feel his presence. He is with us, however, when we celebrate the sacraments. He is with us in the community. He is with us when we take time for prayer sharing with him our most inner self. He is with us when we sit in silence listening to his voice in our hearts. As we feel his presence the Holy Spirit can give us the courage to go out and share with others the good news. He promises he will always be with us.

Helen Ackermann, St. Mark Parishioner
Retired Parish Minister

05/07/2026

05/07/2026

A moment with Helen...
Are we part of the Blessed Trinity?
During this Easter Season, we have heard from the Gospel of John. It is not an easy Gospel to understand. It continually challenges us. This week’s excerpt tells of Jesus preparing his disciples for his leaving. They try to understand but find it difficult.

It is difficult for us as well. We know we have been promised the Holy Spirit because Jesus tells us that the Spirit of God will be with us. We should not be fearful. Can we understand that in our lives we are part of the Holy Trinity? God has given us divine life when we were created out of clay because his breath became our breath. With Jesus we have come to know that we are one with him. In our baptism we put on the white garment signifying that we have taken on Jesus Christ. Jesus promises us the Holy Spirit, that divine presence that is part of who we are. We cannot read the Scriptures in a literal sense, but need to apply the idea of Trinity to our very self. We are one with the Blessed Trinity because God is in Jesus and we are in Jesus. The Holy Spirit enables us to believe that we are one with God,

The Easter Season enables us to better understand that we are a saved people. Being part of the Blessed Trinity helps us understand our holiness as a people of God.

Helen Ackermann, St. Mark Parishioner
Retired Parish Minister

04/30/2026

Our St. Mark Faith Formation and NCES students honored Mary during special May Crowning ceremonies.

04/30/2026

A moment with Helen...
How can we come to know God?

With this Sunday’s gospel from the community of John, we hear Jesus tell his followers that in order to come to know God we need to come to know him. Thomas questions Jesus and asks him where he is going. Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me you will also know my Father.”

In a way it is pretty simple but yet it is so difficult. We are to come to know Jesus and when we do, we will know so much more about God. In coming to know Jesus we need to find him in the Scriptures we read and in the ways we celebrate his presence when we come to worship. In coming to know Jesus we find that much is asked of us. We are to love others and be concerned for the well-being of all those whom we encounter. We are to understand that Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life.” When we come to know Jesus more deeply, we will come to know God. The God that Jesus revealed is a loving God who accepts all people believing in their goodness, not their sinfulness. Easter is a time when we can come to know God. In the words of Jesus, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

Helen Ackermann, St. Mark Parishioner
Retired Parish Minister

04/23/2026

A moment with Helen...
Why is it important to follow the voice of Jesus?

With the gospel of John this Sunday, we hear that Jesus tells his disciples that it is important to listen to him and follow him. He provides the gate through which we are to go and in so doing we hear his voice. It is through Jesus that we come to a deeper relationship with God. In other places in the Scriptures we hear that Jesus always searches for the lost sheep and never gives up on his search.

In the modern world, we are surrounded by many voices. They call us to pay attention and it might be that we give little thought to the voice of God through Jesus. If you have had a pet or have one now, you know how your pet listens to your voice and knows it. It takes time to develop this relationship with your pet. So too, it takes time and energy to develop our relationship with Jesus as we listen to his words and celebrate the sacraments. The importance of following the voice of Jesus is that we come to know God more deeply and our relationship grows. We acknowledge that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

Helen Ackermann, St. Mark Parishioner
Retired Parish Minister