Fr. Derek Sakowski

Father Derek Sakowski has been a priest for the Diocese of La Crosse since his ordination in 2003. After devoting the first five years of priesthood as a chaplain and high school teacher, he spent four years in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he completed a Licentiate and then a Doctorate in Sacred Theology, with a specialization in Ecclesiology. Since his return to Wisconsin in 2012, he has been pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Altoona and St. Raymond of Peñafort Parish in Southern Eau Claire County. Prior to ordination, his nine years of seminary studies took him through the early years of the Catholic Studies program at the University of St. Thomas, the Basselin program at The Catholic University of America, and the M.A. and M.Div programs at The Pontifical College Josephinum. Over those nine years and during the first year of priesthood, he also got to know his bishop quite well – now the world famous Raymond Cardinal Burke. While Father is grateful for his background in theology, philosophy, and languages, he is even more grateful for the healing and transformation he has begun to experience during the last four years. As he describes it, he wore himself out after more than three decades of shame-fueled perfectionism. He began to see the age-old truth and goodness and beauty of his Catholic faith in a radically new light. His blog, Abiding in Love and Truth, bears witness to the profound connection between love and truth, and the importance of subjectively receiving objective truth as a whole person. His blog can be found at www.abideinlove.com

Articles By Fr. Derek Sakowski

Desire

“To desire and not yet possess; to wait for the fulfillment of desire – it is perhaps one of the hardest human things to do, and the most worthwhile.” – Fr. Derek Sakowski

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Damaged Goods?

“We are damaged, yes, but we are ‘very good,’ and the Lord never stops pursuing us.” – Fr. Derek Sakowski

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Forgiveness and the Holy Spirit

“We are invited to approach our heavenly Father as little children, and to welcome the anointing of the Holy Spirit – especially when we find ourselves feeling the wounds of past harm.” – Fr. Derek Sakowski

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Forgiveness: Counting the Cost

“Sometimes we just don’t want to forgive. The hurt can be so deep. The damage can be so lasting – or perhaps ongoing.” – Fr. Derek Sakowski

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Motherhood and Our Blessed Mother

“Oh how the devil hates this beautiful gift of motherhood! In every age, he renews his assault against it, and against the precious daughters of God who are called to it.” – Fr. Derek Sakowski

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Healing and the Holy Spirit

“Only Jesus, through the anointing of the Holy Spirit, can liberate us. He breaks our chains, rolls away the stone that is blocking our self-created tomb, calls us forth, unbinds us and pulls off the masks that have obscured our vision.” – Fr. Derek Sakowski

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Learning from Joseph

“Joseph’s way of living in the present moment, trusting, receiving, and surrendering leaves nothing for the evil spirits to take hold of in a wrestling match.” – Fr. Derek Sakowski

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Waste Not? Want Not?

“Fear is a normal human emotion. But when fear of that happening again takes over and hops into the driver’s seat, we stifle the capacity to receive, to grow, and to bear fruit.” – Fr. Derek Sakowski

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