I am happy to share the good news that Bishop Ricken has appointed Reverend Amalraj Roche Administrator of the three parishes effective July 3, 2012.

Father Amalraj was born on June 1, 1971 in Pandiarajapuram in sourthern India. He has two sisters and three brothers. He completed his seminary studies in India at Arul Anandar College and St. Paul Seminary. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Madurai on April 14, 1998. He served in various parishes in India as Associate Pastor and then as Pastor.

In 2006, he received permission to serve in the U.S. due to the priest shortage. He came to the U.S. in 2006, and has served in the Diocese of Bismarck, North Dakota. Since 2007, he has been serving as Administrator of St. Pius V, New Salem; St. Martin, Center; and St. Mary Queen of Peace, Almont, North Dakota. Father Amalraj will be serving in the Diocese of Green Bay with the permission of his Archbishop.

I trust you will support Father Roche as your Administrator. May you grow in holiness and grace as together you seek to advance God’s Kingdom in your midst.

Sincerely in Christ,

Reverend John J. Becker

 Editor’s Note: Here’s an article from The New Salem Journal when Father Roche started working in North Dakota in 2007. 

Over the course of the years hundreds of our students have served in the summer Young Neighbor service trips. These summer trips take service to a higher level. Serving for a week rather than for an hour or two, and serving those in different economic situations gives the students an entirely different experience in their call to care for ALL of God’s children. This summer nineteen of our youth will serve in the inner city of St. Louis and nine will serve in Gallup, NM. Our annual YNIA stock sale helps offset some of their trip costs. The stock sale is a great way for our youth to literally become the hands of our parish. When you purchase a share of stock you are empowering a student to serve for you. We see firsthand that “$10.00″ – a simple gift of stock – DOES make a difference. it is the gift that keeps on giving.

We are planning on a 38 passenger bus. We will need to fill it in order to keep the price at $25.00. if more people sign up we can graduate to a larger bus. Talk to your friends and family and call Merry at the office to sign up at 715-258-2088.

without them. Please help!  Call Greta at 920-867-2351 for more information.

The STC model can be used in serving people with many different chronic conditions:

• Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, heart/stroke, cancer, COPD, etc.
• In rehabilitation
• Grandparents or other relatives raising relatives’ children
• Returning veterans
• The frail or elderly
• End-of-life

Those providing care often may feel tired and overwhelmed and they do not know how to ask for help. With a STC group family caregivers don’t have to be responsible for every errand, meal or job. STC is a model that shows ordinary people (friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers and acquaintances) how to create a “care giving family” to help someone. The Health and Wellness Ministry is prepared to assist those parishioners who are in need of help at St. Mary Magdalene in starting a STC group. To start the process a family member or friend calls the parish at 715-258-2088 and we will put you in contact with the appropriate person who will in turn schedule a meeting time.