Thanksgiving Blessings
Next Thursday, we, as a country, pause to celebrate Thanksgiving—thanks to the Native Americans who generously taught the first pioneers to survive in their new land. And since then, there have been so many other blessings for us to be thankful for. May we thank God not only this one day of the year, but may Thanksgiving Day give us the gentle reminder to give thanks to God each day of our lives for the ongoing gifts, blessings, and graces that are ours to receive. Our Parish Thanksgiving Mass will be on Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m.
Thanksgiving Prayer from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Lord, we thank you for the goodness of our people
and for the spirit of justice that fills this nation.
and for the spirit of justice that fills this nation.
We thank you for the beauty and fullness of the
land and the challenge of the cities.
land and the challenge of the cities.
We thank you for our work and our rest,
for one another and our homes.
for one another and our homes.
We thank you, Lord: accept our thanksgiving on this day.
We pray and give thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We pray and give thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
2023 Giving Tree
St. John’s annual tradition of hosting a Giving Tree for those less fortunate will continue this year. I am pleased to say that Confirmation Candidates for the Spring of 2024 are again sponsoring the Giving Tree as one of their outreach service projects. The Giving Tree is now full of hundreds of gift envelopes. Individuals and families can take a gift tag and then purchase the gift marked on the outside of the envelope. Please return the gift unwrapped, with the envelope securely taped to the gift. Put your gift or gift card in the boxes surrounding the Giving Tree. Put your colored tag in the Prayer Basket at the foot of the Giving Tree, select an ornament, and hang it on the Giving Tree. Beginning this weekend, you will see the tree transformed from hundreds of tags representing gifts wanted to hundreds of ornaments representing gifts donated. All gifts must be returned by Noon on Sunday, December 10. Gifts will then be delivered to charities in the Milwaukee area. Gifts will be in the hands of individuals and families before Christmas. On behalf of all the recipients of your generosity, a big, hearty thank you!
In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, the Parish Office and School will be closed both Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, November 23, and Friday, November 24.
Both the School and Office will reopen on Monday, November 27.
Join the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on a 5-day Pilgrimage to this historic event, July 17-21, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis. We will travel as a group by coach bus. We will be led by Bishop Jeffrey Haines, Bishop James Schuerman, Fr. Juan Manuel Camacho, Fr. Dan Janasik, and Fr. Phillip Bogacki.
Eucharistic Revival
Starts in our Parish
We invite you to participate in the Archdiocese program . . .
Inspired by the National Eucharistic Revival, Emmaus 90 is a 90-day journey for Catholics seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.
Each Emmaus 90 “pilgrim” is given a daily prayer prompt for the 90 days between New Year’s Day and Easter, challenging practices to grow in holiness, and weekly formation videos on the beauty of the Catholic faith to discuss with a small group of fellow pilgrims.
This 90-day journey will bring pilgrims closer to Jesus, especially in the Eucharist, sending them to be “Eucharistic missionaries” in their families, workplaces, parishes, and neighborhoods.
- DAILY PRAYER PROMPTS
- SHORT WEEKLY FORMATION VIDEOS
- CHALLENGING DAILY PRACTICES
- A COMMUNITY WALKING WITH YOU
First of all, I want to thank Fr. Michael Merkt, Sr. Ngoc Nguyen of the Congregation of the Lovers of the Holy Cross, and the members of the Holy Name Society for the wonderful commissioning ceremony and breakfast they coordinated for our 2023-2024 Confirmation candidates. Last Sunday, the candidates were blessed by Fr. Michael as they officially began their program of studies to receive the third and final sacrament of initiation. Then, the Holy Name Society served up a hearty and delicious breakfast in our St. John’s Parish Hall. And finally, Sr. Nguyen shared her vocation story.
Both our Confirmation catechists, Paul Fruncek and Rick Fessenbecker, were in attendance along with many of the parents and sponsors of our Confirmation candidates. Please remember our Confirmation candidates in your prayers.
Thursdays With St. Thomas Aquinas
I also hope that you will consider participating in “Thursdays with St. Thomas Aquinas” during Advent. The program will be held in the parish rectory in Room B on three consecutive Thursdays, December 7, 14, and 21, from 2:00 to 3:15 p.m.
“We exhort you, venerable brethren, in all earnestness to restore the golden wisdom of St. Thomas and to spread it far and wide for the defense and beauty of the Catholic faith, for the good of society, and for the advantage of all the sciences.”
—Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903) Aeterni Patris, n. 31
Space is limited, and registration is necessary. Please contact me at the jpshimek@stjohns-grfd.org or call 414-321-8922.
Our 8th graders built catapults for science class to demonstrate six simple machines. The students were placed in groups. Hand tools, classroom supplies, and a power drill were used by each group to create a working catapult. Each catapult was then tested by launching a golf ball at a castle. There was not much damage caused to the castle this year. Students were then asked to reflect on what went well and what needed improvement. The students enjoyed making the catapults, working together, and learning.
Also, thank you for supporting our school fundraisers. Our Cousins Subs day last month earned $251.58 for our Home and School Association to use toward hosting more community events for our students and families.
Remember, Jesus is the bread of life.
After-School Care Help Needed
St. John’s School is seeking help in the After-School Care Program. This employee provides a safe, fun program for students each school day from 2:30 until approximately 6:00 p.m. (or until the last student goes home). The employee must be willing to supervise students outdoors, as well as engage in indoor activities such as board games. Applicants must be at least 18, submit to a criminal background check, and complete Archdiocesan Safeguarding training. If interested, please call the school principal, Ben Oberdorf, at 414-321-8540 or email at boberdorf@sje.school.
What can we know about angels?
Each Sunday at Mass, we say the Creed, affirming our belief in “things visible and invisible.”
What do we mean by “invisible” things? Certainly God, souls, Heaven, and Hell.
But also angels. Angels reside in Heaven and serve God, as we all hope to do after death.
Watch this short video to learn more about angels and Heaven:
Questions for Reflection
- What are the similarities and differences between angels and human beings?
- What is Heaven?
- What do you have to lose by saying “yes” to God? What do you gain?
St. John’s is fortunate to have 24-hour Perpetual Adoration. Please take advantage of this beautiful opportunity to stay close to God.
There are currently three hours available for a second adorer:
Fridays at 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Saturdays at 6:00 to 7:00 a.m.
Sundays at 10:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Contact Mary-Eileen Swart at 414-687-3512 to volunteer.
Live-streaming: Mass and Adoration
We are live-streaming daily and Sunday Masses as well as Adoration for those who are unable to attend:
Daily Masses:
Monday thru Saturday 8:00 am
Weekend Masses:
Saturday at 4:30 pm
Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30 am
If you miss the Livestream, you can watch the upload of each Mass on our YouTube channel.
Council Meeting
Join us on Thursday, November 16, for our council meeting in the parish hall. We will start with praying the Rosary at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m.
If you want to discover what the Knights are all about, join us for the Rosary or the meeting; contact Len, Peter, or Jason.
Len Felske, Membership Director, at 414-339-5779
Peter Kurz, Worthy Grand Knight, at 414-659-2656
Jason Zidek, Deputy Grand Knight, at 414-793-0450
Please RSVP for the breakfast by Wednesday, December 6, by emailing Gary Tveten at tveten@sbcglobal.net or by calling 414-282-1567
Scrip is available at all weekend Masses or during regular business hours at the parish office.
Download the RaiseRight app to reload cards, purchase ecards, or purchase physical cards. Contact the Parish Office or School Office for the enrollment code.