St. John Catholic Church

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Contagion in the Bible:
Introduction: This is a brief, and not comprehensive, examination of some texts of the scripture concerning contagion in scripture.
 
Chapter 1: The Plagues at the Time of Moses
 
Background:
 
In the 13^th Century B.C.E. the Israelites found themselves as slaves in Egypt. God told Moses to inform the Pharaoh that the people were to go into the desert to pray to God. The Pharaoh refused and God promised to bring his people to freedom and he sent ten plagues upon Egypt.
 
The Event:
 
The fifth plague was pestilence. In Exodus 9:3 God gives the warning that he will afflict the horses, asses, camels, herds and flocks with a severe pestilence. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but the livestock of the Israelites was spared.
 
The sixth plague was the boils. In Exodus 9:9 God promises to send dust that will cause festering boils on humans and beasts. So it happened to the Egyptians and their animals, but the Israelites were spared.
 
Many want to know if the plagues were miracles or natural disasters. Many simply ask if they are real. These disasters were known to happen in ancient Egypt. No matter what happened God freed Israel from Egypt. It may have been through natural disasters or miracles or some way we cannot fully discover so many years later.
 
Read Exodus 9:1-12
 
Chapter 2: The Philistine Capture of the Ark and The Return of said Ark
 
Background:
 
Philistines:
 
These people were known as the “sea peoples” who were known to invade the eastern coastlands of the Mediterranean Sea around the twelfth century B.C.E. They were feared for they had learned to use iron and made better weapons than their enemies. The most notorious Philistine character in scripture is Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1-58).
 
Ark of the Covenant:
 
The ark of the covenant was a small wooden box about the size of a fruit crate. It was kept in a tent sanctuary when the people were in the wilderness. It was adorned with a plate of gold, called the mercy seat. The Israelites believed it to be the throne of God. Eventually the ark of the covenant was taken into Jerusalem by David. Later, Solomon build the Temple in Jerusalem and the ark of the covenant was placed in the sanctuary of the Temple. This was the center of worship for the Israelites.
 
The Event:
 
Around the eleventh century B.C.E. the Israelites were attacked by the Philistines and the Philistines captured the ark of the covenant. In one sense the Israelites feared that the presence of God had been taken from them. The Philistines may have thought they had captured the power of their enemy. They placed the ark next to an image of their god, Dagon in their pagan temple of Dagon. When the Philistines arose from sleep and went to the temple of Dagon, Dagon was lying in front of the ark of the covenant, as in worship of God. Dagon’s head and hands were broken off. Soon the Philistines were inflicted with some sort of contagion. The scripture reports that they were inflicted with tumors or hemorrhoids. Scholars have proposed that there may have been an infestation of rodents in the Philistine camp and they may have suffered from the bubonic plague. The Philistines sent the ark away and gave a guilt offering to the Israelites. It is a wonderful presentation of the holy book about what happens when you mess with God and his people.
 
Read: 1 Samuel 4:1-11, 1 Samuel 5:1-12, 1 Samuel 6:1-18
 
Chapter 3: The Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem (701 B.C.E.)
 
Background:
 
Assyrians:
 
There are historical references to a people known as the Assyrians back to 2000 B.C.E. They took their name from their major city, Assur. There were struggles for leadership of the region against the rulers of Babylon, a city about two hundred miles southeast of As­sur. Assyria was located in the area now known as Iraq.
 
The Assyrians have a reputation as warmongers. They often tried to negotiate disputes with their neigh­bors, but more frequently their kings used tactics of terror that made the Assyrians a feared people who were despised throughout the Near East.
 
The height of Assyrian domination came in the seventh century B.C.E. In the reign of Ashurbanipal (668 to 627 B.C.E.), the As­syrians ruled the largest empire in the world-including what is now Iraq, Syria, Leba­non, and Jordan; much of Egypt; and some of Turkey.
 
The Assyrians were one of the first nations to train a professional army and to deploy it in battle.
 
At its peak, the Assyrian Empire was overextended. They were doomed to collapse. Fifteen years after Ashurbanipal’s death, Nineveh fell to the Babylonians.
 
King Hezekiah:
 
The unfaithful King Ahaz dies and his son Hezekiah takes over the throne is faithful to God. He destroys the pagan shrines and even the bronze serpent of Moses (Numbers 21:8-9), which the people have begun to worship.
 
In the sixth year of Hezekiah’s reign, the northern king­dom of Israel falls to Assyria, and its upper class and intellec­tuals are deported into exile. When Hezekiah considers the idea of revolting against Assyria, Isaiah is told to warn him by walking around Jerusalem in a loincloth, as a symbol of how Judah, the southern kingdom, will be sacked if it revolts.
 
In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Assyria sacks the Judaean cities north of Jerusalem.
 
The Event:
 
At this time the Assyrians were enemies of the Israelites and they eventually conquered the northern kingdom of the Israelites known at the time as Israel. They set their next conquest on the southern kingdom of the Israelites known at the time as Judah.
 
Judah paid tribute (money) to Assyria to keep them from invading Judah and their capital Jerusalem. Eventually that agreement ended and the Assyrians decided to invade Jerusalem. They surrounded the city and tried to force their surrender.
 
The King of Judah, Hezekiah dug a tunnel to get water from a spring outside of the fortified city walls (the tunnel is still there).
 
The bible says an angel killed the enemy of 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. The evidence uncovered by scholars is that the troops appear to have had problems with mice in their camp. The soldiers were probably in poor health and had poor nutrition and lacked clean water. The army probably suffered from a contagion of cholera or bubonic plague that made them weak and they retreated. Jerusalem was saved from the Assyrian assault because of the contagion.
 
Read 2 Kings 18:1-12; 19:20-36.
 
What does Jesus say about contagion?
 
Jesus told his followers (and therefore says to us) not to be deceived and that you will hear of wars, insurrections, powerful earthquakes, famines, plagues, awesome sights and mighty signs from the sky. But not a hair on your head will be destroyed. You will secure your lives through perseverance in belief of Jesus, for your redemption is at hand.
 
Read Luke 21:5-36
 

Our Friends

 

Maryann Muller, 98, of Whiting, Iowa, formerly of Onawa, Iowa, passed away quietly on March 18, 2020 in Whiting, Iowa.

A private family mass will be held on Friday, March 20, 2020 at St John’s Catholic Church, Onawa, Iowa with Father Michael Erpelding, Celebrant, officiating. A private family interment will be held Friday, March 20, 2020 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church Cemetery, Constance, Nebraska. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service, Onawa, Iowa.   

Maryann was born Maryann Teresa Arens on February 1, 1922 in rural Crofton, Nebraska, the oldest of Joseph and Anna (Sheiffer) Arens.  The family farmed and raised livestock.  Maryann attended Catholic and public schools, graduating from Crofton High School in 1939.   She attended Teachers College in Wayne, Nebraska.  She also trained in nursing in Rochester, Minnesota but returned to Crofton to teach elementary school during the 1940s. 

She met her husband, Raymond, at a dance in Bow Valley, Nebraska, they were engaged at Christmas 1948 and married February 14, 1949, in Crofton.  Because of the heavy winter storms that year, she did not get to shop for a wedding gown, marrying in her ‘going away suit’ instead.  They moved to a modest farm near Central City (Nebraska) and worked there until relocating to rural Onawa, Iowa in 1955 where they lived for 60 years, farming and raising their family.  

Maryann enjoyed music, sewing, gardening, art, and was the farm’s bookkeeper.   She worked alongside her husband on the farm and took pride in the family farm they built.  She was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Onawa and the Rosary Society.   She moved into the Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting in 2015.

She is survived by her daughter, Pam (Jim) Miller of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; two grandsons, Jonathon (Olathe, Kansas) and Ryan (University of Northern Iowa); a brother, Don Arens of Yankton, SD; a sister-in-law, Thelma Muller of Hornick, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Peterson of Norfolk, NE; a sister-in-law, Dolores Muller of Wausa, NE; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 67 years, Raymond; her son, Steven;   brothers, Francis, Joseph, and Jimmy.

Memorials may be directed to Catholic Charities or the Alzheimer’s Association (Alz.org).

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.rushfamilycareservice.com

Mahlon S. Pekarek, 80, of Blencoe, Iowa passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2020, at MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa with his loving wife, Fran Tramp, and Father Patrick O’Kane at his side.

Memorial Mass will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday, February 20, 2020 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Blencoe, Iowa with Father Patrick O’Kane, Celebrant, officiating.  Private family burial with be prior to the memorial mass at Graceland Cemetery, Blencoe, Iowa.  Military Honors will be provided by Stevens Kelley American Legion Post #665 of Blencoe, Iowa.  Visitation will be 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 19, 2020 with a scriptural wake service at 7:00 P.M. at the Church.  Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service, Onawa, Iowa.

Mahlon Stanley was born March 11, 1939 on a farm near Blencoe, Iowa the son of Ignac Andrew and Gertrude E. (Stanislav) Pekarek.  He graduated from Blencoe High School in 1957.  He joined the National Guard at Mapleton in 1961.  He served with the United States Army until 1968.

Mahlon and Audrey Ann Lafrentz were united in marriage on July 2, 1966 at St. Bernard’s Church in Blencoe, Iowa. He was a lifelong farmer in the Blencoe, Iowa area and loved John Deere tractors.  He also loved garden flowers, nature, and going for a ride through the country.

Mahlon was a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Blencoe, Iowa where he served as Parish Director for several years.  He was a member of Knights of Columbus.  He was a member of Stevens Kelley American Legion Post #665 of Blencoe, Iowa.

Mahlon is survived by his loving wife, Audrey Ann, of Blencoe, Iowa; two brothers, Rogene (Jean) Pekarek of Onawa, Iowa and Terry (Julie) Pekarek of Little Sioux, Iowa; two nieces; two nephews; and many great-nieces, great-nephews, other family, and good friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Harvey & Ethel Lafrentz; brother-in-law, Delbert Lafrentz; and nephew, Troy Lafrentz.

Memorials may be directed to Burgess Health Center Home Health/Hospice and the Blencoe Volunteer Fire Department.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.rushfamilycareservice.com.

Donna Mae Davis, 78, of Onawa, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2019, at Elmwood Care Centre in Onawa.

A funeral mass will be 10:30 A.M. Monday, March 11, 2019, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Onawa, with Father Michael Erpelding officiating. Burial will follow in Center Cemetery near Castana, Iowa. Visitation will be 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. Sunday, March 10, 2019, with a scriptural wake service at 7:00 P.M., NOW AT ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC CHURCH in Onawa. Funeral services are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa.

Donna Mae Davis was born on February 12, 1941, in rural Castana, Iowa, to Merlin and Helen (Warren) Davis. She contracted polio in 1952, and was thereafter confined to a wheelchair. She graduated from Castana High School in 1959, and later took several college classes at night through Western Iowa Tech Community College. She moved into Castana with her parents in 1973, and was the city treasurer for twenty-three years.  She was the Castana news correspondent for the local weekly newspapers for thirty-nine years.

Donna was an active member of the Castana community, having been a charter member of the GFWC Junior 76’ers, a past member of the Castana Ladies Aid, Grimsley-Thayer American Legion Post #502, Centennial Club, as well as the Onawa Woman’s Club, Denison Repeater Association, Boyer Valley Amateur Radio Club, and the Timber Ridge 4-Wheel Drive Club. She also served on the county committee that successfully campaigned for the passage of the first local option sales tax in Monona County. She has resided at Elmwood Care Centre in Onawa since 1996, serving on the Resident Council, the Marketing Committee, and as editor of the facility newsletter for seven years. Donna enjoyed several hobbies including amateur (ham) radio, cross stitching, crocheting, reading, playing cards, puzzles, traveling, and keeping in touch with friends via e-mail on the computer.

Donna was baptized into the Castana United Church of Christ and was a member for many years. In 1995, she converted to Catholicism and was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mapleton. After she moved to Onawa, she regularly attended St. John’s Catholic Church in Onawa, and assisted in leading the Rosary once a week at Elmwood. She had great faith in the Holy Trinity from which she drew her strength.

Survivors include the man she loved, Robert Rauterkus of Mapleton, IA; one brother, Ronald and his wife Doris Davis of Onawa, IA; one sister, Carol and her husband Rick Deeds of Correctionville, IA; one sister-in-law, Esther Stick of Marion, IA; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Merlin and Helen (Warren) Davis; one brother, Howard Davis; and two sisters, Garnet Miller and Darlyne Leisinger.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.rushfamilycareservice.com

Mary Joanne Heisterkamp, 81, of Blencoe, Iowa passed away Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at her residence.

A funeral mass will be 10:30 A.M. Monday, February 18, 2019 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Blencoe, Iowa with Father Michael Erpelding, Celebrant officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Blencoe, Iowa. Visitation will be 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Sunday, February 17, 2019 with a Scriptural Wake Service at 7:00 P.M. followed by the Rosary at the Rush Family Chapel in Onawa, Iowa. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service, Onawa, Iowa.
Mary Joanne was born September 9, 1937 near Blencoe, Iowa the daughter of Joseph “Tone” Anthony and Mary Marjorie “Gahm” Molle.

She grew up in the Blencoe area where she graduated from Blencoe High School in 1955. Joanne loved to play basketball and was nicknamed “Skip”.
Joanne and Roger J. Heisterkamp were united in marriage on December 28, 1955 in Blencoe, Iowa. The couple made their home and raised their seven children near Blencoe, where they were lifelong farmers.

Joanne was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church and Rosary Society in Blencoe, Iowa.  She was devoted to the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Our Lady’s Blue Army. She was always very active in community events. She was named an honorary member of the VFW after helping out at their many picnics. She was a past 4-H Leader. Joanne was named the Pickle City Queen during the Blencoe Centennial celebrations. She served as the Treasurer for the Monona County Democratic Party for many years. She was famous for her baked beans at family reunions and other social events. Joanne was very sentimental and always had a smile on her face willing to help anyone at anytime.

Joanne enjoyed gardening, sewing, knitting, crocheting, welding, carpentry, deer hunting, camping, fishing, and traveling to visit family. Joanne loved doing many things with her family, and she also loved being on the farm and farming. She was very proud that the combine she drove was also serviced and repaired by herself with her own tool box. Joanne and Roger worked side by side in everything that they did on the farm and for their family.

Survivors include her children: Rhonda (Wayne) MacClure of Hornick, IA, Roland Heisterkamp of Onawa, IA, Barbara Heisterkamp (Dr. Frederick Petty) of Winter Springs, FL, Stanley Heisterkamp of Omaha, NE, John Heisterkamp of Golden Valley, MN, Rodney Heisterkamp, and Douglas (Jodi) Heisterkamp of Cleveland, OK; grandchildren, Jeremy (Heather) MacClure of Sergeant Bluff, IA, Rachel (Damon) Eike of Ames, IA, Mary (Dejay) Langel of Yankton, SD, Joseph “Joe” Heisterkamp of Onawa, IA, William “Bill” Heisterkamp of Onawa, IA, Liann Heisterkamp of Iowa City, IA, and Alex Petty of Winter Springs, FL; great grandchildren, Levi, Noah, and Andrew MacClure, and Isabel Eike; sister, Judy (Thomas) Kane of Jupiter, FL; in-laws, Yvonne Hanneman of Council Bluffs, IA, Ardith Olson of Onawa, IA, Mavis Ryan of Blencoe, IA, Gayle Keele of Scottsdale, AZ, Franklin (Wanda) Heisterkamp of Blencoe, IA, Ronald (Geraldine) Heisterkamp of Mondamin, IA; sister-in-law, Patricia Heisterkamp of Onawa, IA; and many nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.   

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger J. Heisterkamp on March 31, 2004; her parents, Joseph “Tone” and Marjorie “Marge” Molle; brother, Chuck Molle; in-laws, Frank (Martha) Heisterkamp, Verla (Maurice) Benjamin, Delbert (Yvonne) Heisterkamp, Glenn Heisterkamp, Quentin Hanneman, Dennis Keele, James Olson, and Dwayne Ryan; and several nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.rushfamilycareservice.com