DODGEVILLE — Pastor Fr. Bill Van Wagner celebrated the Diocesan Harvest Mass of Thanksgiving on the first Sunday in November at St. Joseph Church.
A nearly-full church of worshippers heard him give thanks to God for the many blessings received, “knowing that God is in control.”
Gifts from God
“Eucharist means ‘thanksgiving,’” said Father Van Wagner.
“Everything we have is a gift from God. Nothing we can do can merit God’s love. He provides his abundant love as he desires good for his people.”
Despite the hard work of farmers and growers, he said, we aren’t in control. “We rely on the goodness of God who invites us to cooperate with him in taking care of the earth.”
Father Van Wagner said it takes faith and humility to accept everything God lays before us.
While we all experience suffering in our lives, God doesn’t will bad and evil. Rather, he said, “Evil is a lack of goodness, and darkness is a lack of light and lack of God. We can choose God and come before him in gratitude, faith, and humility.”
Father Van Wagner reminded the worshippers that to suffer is not to be loved any less by God. “Through the death of Jesus, we get eternal life.
“God allowed his son to suffer for the greater good, eternal life. Let us be cooperators with God in his plan for us.”
Tom and Lisa Eichman led the music, including the hymns, “Only This I Want,” and “Sent Forth by God’s Blessings”.
Blessing of the harvest
Following Mass, Father Van Wagner invited the churchgoers to join him outside for the blessing of the harvest and then symbolically blessed all farm equipment with the blessing of the tractor driven to church by Marge Oxnem.
Tom Nelson from the diocesan Rural Life Office coordinated the celebration.
A social hour was held following the service.
During the past two years, Nelson has facilitated rural listening sessions throughout the diocese and will soon be preparing a report for Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison.
For more information on the rural initiative, contact Nelson at [email protected] or 608-438-7154.