Welcome, everybody, to Midday Magazine for this April 4th, 2024.
Have your host, James, here with us.
With you, and right now, we have him with us, Father Weller, from Assumption Catholic
Schools.
We're going to be talking about Assumption's a talent show that is coming up Friday,
April 11th.
Father, good to see you.
Thanks for being here.
Good to see you, James.
Glad to be here.
It's been a while, so we appreciate you being able to stop by here and everything.
Always love being able to do these in person, and certainly want to not only thank you
for everything you and the staff do for the community and our Assumption School and
everything, but also being able to join us for moments like this, because we know that
a lot of people have seen the flyers, have heard about the talent show, maybe even have been
a talent show when they were a kid or something like that, but this has such a deeper meaning
to it.
And the purpose, the cause for it is so meaningful.
So before we dive into the details of the show and some of that, can we get into some
of the purpose behind this?
And we have a couple of different organizations, one of the touch on with us, a program.
Yeah, so a couple of years ago, when we first started this, there was a lot of discussion
about, you know, after COVID, a lot of things had gone away, and we really wanted a lot
of community events, and also something to promote youth ministry in the city.
And so we came up with the idea of the talent show, and it was a huge hit, and a lot of
people really loved it.
The big things that it goes towards, first of all, there's a community aspect, it brings
a lot of people together, but also it's, there's a fundraiser aspect to it too.
And we're really preparing for some big youth trips that we're doing this summer.
So we're bringing a lot of the high schoolers to a stupidville conference.
That's in Rochester.
It's a hugely transforming experience.
People walk away with that completely different.
And then Adventure Camp is another sort of youth trip that's for middle school and high
schoolers, and a lot of people walk away from that, just absolutely renewed in their faith,
and it's a really good facilitation of an encounter with Christ, so.
Can we, and we don't have to get too deep into them, but these, these, both of these,
if we can touch on what they, what they experience at these, and why they're so important in
this process and their journey, if you will.
Yeah, I would say there's just something about going away from your home to really experience
Christ. I mean, Christ himself, he, he took his disciples and he had them walk with him,
and there's something about being able to step away from the ordinary.
You sort of retreat from the ordinary to sort of experience God in the extraordinary.
And, and I would say that that's what, what happens on these trips.
My Nana used to talk about this and talk about faith and things like this in a, in a way of
seeing God in the different light and seeing and being able to envision or see him or feel him
from other people's light and other people's vision and how that enhanced hers and strengthened
her faith. She also talked very much about missionary work and how much she wanted to do that,
stuff that was never able to, but she had seven kids. So, but she had her own
missionary, she was working on it, but how important that it is to, for faith to travel
and how integral that is with it. And I haven't thought about this in a long time to be honest
with you, sir, but you talking about this now brought it back to me and her, her strength in her
for her faith. Certainly, I think that it was enhanced in part by that and by some of those
feelings and some of the work, you know, the, the things that she had learned from that.
So, it makes sense. Just for somebody like myself kind of on the outside looking in a little bit,
I wanted to know the details of that and I appreciate you sharing that because it's kind of what
we would think, but we don't know until less we ask. And you don't know unless I think you kind of
put yourself in those shoes and no pun intended, but the shoes of these, of these individuals doing
something like this or wanting to. With the adventure camp, what is it about that one? Is it a
similar thing? Because I imagine, and as I'm asking this, I realize right away, I'm asking you to
put things in the words you can't really put in the words. Like, because that's a lot of the feeling
of this, I imagine. Yeah, well, it's weird as a priest. I mean, my job is kind of twofold. It's,
I mean, I have many different tasks, but one of them is to convince people to give up their
lives. We really like our lives, right? And giving up. But the other one is, I have to also put
words to the indescribable, I have to describe the indescribable. And you know, we're only on this
side of eternity. And so that's why the facilitation of the encounter, the relationship with Christ,
so important, adventure camp, it's a week long experience, northern Wisconsin, away from technology.
And there's every day, there's prayer, adoration. That's the, where the Holy Eucharist has brought out
and confessions, the sacraments, all those things that are necessary for, you know, really
diving deep in, and then, and then every day, there's an adventure. You know, we go in canoes,
down the river, we, there's a rock climbing day, there's a water war day. They love to tip the
priests into the water, so that's really fun. It's exciting. And, and you can help be a part of
these things, just by attending this talent show, just by helping support the different events that
they have at assumption when you see these kind of things. And it's a great chance, not only,
you know, put back into your community, but honestly, it's a great investment in your community
in the future of it when it comes to those individuals doing these things and who knows where they
go with their faith and their journey from that point. It's really enhancing all of this. And,
and, and it's such a fun way of doing it too. Yeah, and talent shows are great. And I also just
wanted to add James that a lot of times I'll ask people, you know, when my students graduate
and they come back, and I'll ask them, what is it that really helped you to engage in your faith
and stay faithful to Christ and what really was transformative? And a lot of times, you know,
what they'll bring up is things like Stubinville or things like working at the talent show and being
involved. And we're, you know, that itself is a ministry. It's like, wow, the priest is here. He's
working on stage. You know, this is where a lot of those good conversations happen. What's life
about? What's really important? How else can I give myself to God and His people? Yeah, most of
and that that's a wonderful segue right into the talent show and talking about this a little bit.
The assumptions talent show again taking place Friday, April 11th. The show will begin at seven o'clock
at night. We'll get in the ticket prices and some of the prizes, some of that and the men. What can
people expect in this night as far as the show in the night goes? Yeah, so there's actually two shows.
There's a the ticket show on Friday night and then there's a dinner show on Saturday. You could
also get a ticket show on Saturday as well. But the dinner is kind of a nice bonus there in
community aspect. Yeah, the show is we have it's hosted by that we have our own MCs that are
students at at the school. I don't know if you've seen any of the videos on Facebook. Yeah, so
fun fact. I'm actually I help a lot with those and I just right off doing work with video.
You guys are great at them. It really are good at about. I'm not kidding. You guys are great at
those. They're very good and they have so much fun doing it too and that's just great. So the whole
night, you know, every year it's just been wow they just kids come and meet the challenge and they
they love it and so like this year we have we have some returning acts. Last year we had the tunes
in the year before that that's kind of a guitar group. Yeah music and it was really exciting last
year this year they're they're coming back. There's a Michael Jackson dance group that will be
really cool. Nice. There's a there's a first and second grade skit group that are doing some
comedy stuff that was pretty entertaining. I got to do a walk through with them the other day.
Oh, that's got to be good. That was hilarious. Yes, it's got to be good. But yeah, so that's you
know, there's a lot of dancing. There's going to be a lot of different acts, talents, variety,
juggling, comedy, you know, that kind of stuff and singing. It's going to be really fun.
And the participants are our students from Assumption? Yep. There's I think there's a couple like
homeschool groups. So there's a big change in the city this year where in an effort, you know,
an evangelizing effort to try to include a lot of different people, include public school kids,
homeschool kids. We've done a lot of work with that. So there's going to be some homeschool. I
imagine some public school kids too will become it's not just for Assumption. Yeah. Yeah.
Which I admire and I tip my hat so much to Assumption and to really so many of our schools
that do this. And we we've learned so much in this area. I think coming out of the pandemic and
some other things. One of the things I note to our nonprofits all the time. I was just talking
to Terry John's about it the other day. Our nonprofits work together and it's not crabs and a
barrel kind of thing. They're sharing information. They're sharing dates. They're sharing events
and everything. I see that in our public school system as well. And I'm very proud of it. I'm
very thankful for it. We succeed together. We achieve together and the more we work together
and the more we make things more inclusive and more just hey, come on, you know, come on over.
It only makes for a better community a stronger community. And also it certainly helps highlight
different things. If you're your kid and you are not going to assumption and you're going to this,
you may see something about assumption you like and want to attend there or there's a million
other layers to this that it could add to it. Along with the fact that and I wanted to make
sure to touch on this if I had an opportunity and you you set me up earlier for it. We're losing
more and more opportunities in society for strangers sitting next to strangers and having a laugh.
We need more of that. It creates camaraderie. It creates community and fellowship. And whether it's
a going to a movie or going to this talent show or anything like that, we have more opportunity for
or more of that happening with these events. So there's so many layers to why to go to this event,
why it's going to be a lot of fun. Yeah. We call that a lot of times the losing of the third place.
I don't know if you've ever heard of that. People don't hang out at libraries. I mean,
there's people who still go there, but not as in the numbers of the past. And that's really hard
on ministry. People really crave that. They really need, we're built for relationship.
God really wants to be in relationship with us and we're made as an image. We look like that.
We need to be in relationship. So yeah, I agree with you 100% on that.
This is for a lot of fun. And it's certainly to help some great causes and help out with the
funding. But there's also some really cool prizes available for the winners of this. I have to
do a double check out that. That's pretty cool. Yeah. So there is a $1,000 cash prize. That's the
the first place winner. And how it works is each night, the audience gets to vote. They get to
vote for three acts. You know, their first pick, their second pick, and their third pick. And that
translates to a different amount for their vote. And then at the end of the Saturday night show,
there's a big announcement. It's even like the big check comes out. And then there's a second
place and third place cash prize as well. But yeah, people really see that $1,000 in there.
There's a competition there too. And that's really, really awesome.
Well, and you know, in the audience getting the vote on this, I think is a fun part of this
for audience members, for people attending and everything. A people love that kind of stuff.
So that's going to be a lot of fun of this too. And I don't want to make light at all of the
different purposes behind this event and the greatness that this can do. And certainly the way
that this can invest in the assumption and the programs you were talking about there. But I'm always
drawn to the other silver linings of an event, the other things that can bring up. I mentioned,
you know, strangers sitting next to each other and laughing. Some of that. You know, any opportunity
we have as adults to give kids a bit of encouragement or support or confidence, that is one of our
main jobs as adults, I believe. And here is a great opportunity to be able to do that while also
being entertained. These kids are going to be out there and they'll see in the audience maybe
family members or other people they know. But when they see strangers laughing or clapping or
cheering them on, that's something they take with them the rest of their life. And I can speak to
that. I know this for a fact. I did a talent show in sixth grade. I'm still living off it.
I'm still here because of it in many ways. The confidence had helped give me the, I was
new to this community. I didn't know many people. It was an opportunity for me in sixth grade. It
may seem silly to some out there, but I'm promising you this. It's part of the reason I'm in this
chair right now. It's part of the reason I had an act, I have an acting career. I saw strangers
out there cheering me on that didn't know me. They, they, you know, laughed at the jokes I was telling
in things. That's stuff that these kids can build on that they can take with them. We don't know
what they might do with their lives, but whatever they're going to do could use some confidence
to go along with it. Could you use some support to go along with it? You get to do that through
this while also having a fun time and entering, you know, being entertained and enjoying yourself.
Because this is a talent show. I, you know, I'm not trying to raise the bar or anything here,
but they bring their A game to this. There's some really talented here at this. Yeah, and I,
just to go piggyback off of what you're saying in youth ministry, especially just ministry,
I'd say in general though, but especially in youth ministry. There are always three really key
elements to bringing and facilitating relationship with God. And there's the first one obviously
teaching. Like we have to learn about what God, who it God is, you know, you can't, you can't
have a relationship with someone you have no idea who, who they are. And then prayer, you have to
talk to them. But the last one we, we typically, I think kind of put off to the side and that's,
that's community fellowship. There's something about just sitting around a fire and just
sitting with other people. That is, that's also what we're looking for. And that's a lot,
after the first year we did it, so many people came up to us and said, we needed this.
We haven't had this, you know, in a while because of COVID and all this and it, and we really need
this. We really need an opportunity to just, if I, people, we have no idea who the other person is.
That's, that's beautiful. And, and all of this from a fun talent show, you know, when you think
about it, that all of these things we've been talking about. And while we've covered a lot, I,
I think there's parts of this and layers to this we haven't even had time for. So all of that just
from a, a fun talent show that you can be a part of. Let's get into the logistics a little bit
of this Friday night, April 11th, the show will begin at seven. And, and then the acts will come
out and be, you know, be able to take in some of that. And then an intermission, you know, that splits
up the, so there, there'll be a chance to get, you know, snacks or whatever in the intermission.
Yep. And then the, the second night, that one starts a lot earlier. There's a cocktail hour.
And then there's also, you know, the dinner that is served. And then, then the show begins just like
the other one, except that one, anyone who comes for the seven o'clock show who's not in the dinner,
they, they get a bleacher seat. So, okay, quite, quite a different row, like the dinner people.
The cocktails, uh, it will be a cash bar. There's the dinner will be there with instrumental
entertainment. That's nice. Yeah. That's a nice little touch right there. Um, and a shout out to
mission coffeehouse catering it. A great people over there. Great stuff over there. And I'm not
gonna be disappointed with that at all. Um, now we, we've told people about the event and how
great it is. Now they want to go. Now they want to get tickets. Where can they get tickets, sir?
Yeah. Great question. So there's, uh, the place to get tickets is right at the high school office,
the high school office, the, the very front office of the school. You just go in there and ask
the secretary, Hey, I want this many tickets and boom, there you go. And then I just give the money
and, and there it is. Uh, and, you know, keep in mind, uh, like a lot of things, if you get these
tickets in advance or a little cheaper, might want to do that. That's an incentive. Yeah. Uh, five
dollars per person, eight dollars a person at the door. So if you get them in advance, five bucks,
if you're getting them that day, eight dollars. Now a real quick note here, I, I believe,
we've done this before. I don't believe those prices have really changed. So that is amazing.
That's for the Friday show though. Uh, one of the, uh, give a little bit different prices for
the dinner tickets. Yep. That's the $30 a person. But, uh, to incentivize the community aspect,
um, you get a deal if you get a table of eight and that's $200. So that's, um, I can't do the
math right off the top. Yeah. But that, that is saving money. It's saving. Yeah. That's for sure.
Yeah. Yeah. We're neither of us are mathematicians. Not a wheelhouse. Um, but you're a hundred percent
right. You're definitely saving money. And, um, and, and really good deals to very affordable
for families, uh, love being able to see that and promote that. Appreciate that from everybody
when making these decisions. But also know that you guys are very in tune with the community and
are doing that in part for that. Um, but to bring it back all full circle here a little bit, uh,
we're doing this certainly to raise funds. And it's a great opportunity. The money you spend on
this event. Again, you're going to have a good time. You're going to enjoy it. And I almost
promise you, there will be moments during the event where you're laughing, you're smiling. And
whether it's in the back of your head or the front of your heart, you're really, oh, all of this,
and I put into my community. And I'm, I'm helping my community. I'm investing in my community.
Amen. Yeah. It's such a cool win-win situation. We love highlighting these things. Again,
the assumption talent show is happening Friday, April 11th. Um, and so if people that want those
previews and everything, Facebook, the best place to send them. Um, yeah. So that's where the
advertisements are, the videos and, um, yep, you can just scroll through the history and sometimes
they'll pop up just a simple Google search. We'll get them. Are we, um, still, uh, taking any kind
of sponsorships or anything like that? Are, uh, is the, uh, the talent part of this all booked?
Yeah. Um, well, actually, there's still, I, we could probably get a couple more
acts if people are super interested in that, you know, if students or young people want to do that.
Um, but yeah, in terms of sponsorships, um, just a great response from the community. There's
some people, uh, businesses and all those are going to be listed in the program on, you know,
once we get the final list of everyone. Yeah. Well, people have been very generous in donating
and say, Hey, we want to be a part of this talent show. We want to really encourage students
to go on these trips to do, um, different mission opportunities. And so, uh, they were very generous
in that. And I'm very thankful for that. Um, obviously the final list isn't 100% there yet. But,
yeah, yeah. But yeah, uh, one thing we know for sure, we know the dates. Uh, so go ahead and make
plans on your calendar for to take in the assumption talent show Friday, April 11th and Saturday,
April 12th will be the dinner and a show. So be sure to check that out too and keep in mind if you
take in both nights, there are no reruns in entertainment. There are no reruns in any type of
theater or anything. Every night is a different night. I encourage you to take in both nights and
enjoy yourself and feel good about it. Uh, follow assumption on Facebook. It's a great way to keep
up the day and all the things they're doing over there, along with, uh, things like this and see
in some of the previous data, uh, Father Weller and I were, uh, talking about there. Sir, if people
have followed questions, if they'd like to reach out to you, uh, is there a good way to do that?
Yeah, so um, follow up questions. One of the people helping run this is, uh, it's actually on
here, uh, Elizabeth Dean. She, she has all the comments or questions that those are on all the
flyers. Uh, she has a lot of that. But also, you know, um, at the office, sometimes they can ask
answer questions as well. Yeah, uh, real quick, uh, Elizabeth and Dean at gmail.com. But otherwise,
I would, I like the father said here, I'd take a look at the flyers and that should be able to give
you the information real well. Um, uh, appreciate the times, uh, tell everybody, break a leg, have a
fun time, enjoy themselves and, uh, uh, we'll be there. I'm going to be there if I can. I, I cannot
wait. I can, I, there's not much better than seeing kids doing stuff like this. So it's must see.
James, thanks so much. I really enjoyed this. We'll talk again soon. Uh, and thank you to everybody
out there. We appreciate you coming up next week on midday magazine. Be sure to join us from
four to five in part one on Monday. We will talk with assumption Catholic schools again with
run the rapids. Matt and J are going to join us in part two, Amy from the family center Tuesday.
Hard to Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce in in part two, realty radio on Wednesday. We'll hang out
with our friends family family natural foods and encourage Thursday. The store point boss coming
in and UW Madison extension. A little wrap of the week on Friday with our hidden heroes Jeremy
Schmidt coming in to talk about that along with our friends from the visit Wisconsin Rapids Bureau.
All of this going on and all thanks in part to our good friend Pam Hilke, the heart of WFHR. We
appreciate the scheduling week in a week out. Thank you to evolve our guests this week and to
all of you for listening. Remember, you can, uh, relisten to any of these interviews by going to
civicmedia.us and downloading the podcast and be listening every Monday through Friday four to
five for more midday magazine right here at 97 5 FM 13 20 AM WFHR locally grown radio.