Parish Festival Update
As you look at the western part of our parking lot, you can see the preparations for the Parish Annual Festival are well underway. The Festival is July 26, 27, and 28. Good progress has been made in setting up the outside booths. As is tradition, the weather has been hot and humid during the first few days of setup. If you are healthy and have time, please join us in the morning or evening to continue the daily setup. You can find the exact times when setup is taking place further down in the newsletter. A big thank you to all of you who are working to prepare for the Festival; there is plenty of inside and outside work to be done. Many thanks ahead of time.
Join us for Morning Mass
The July Liturgical calendar is filled with wonderful celebrations of the saints. This week, we begin on Monday with the memorial of St. Mary Magdalene. On Tuesday, we continue with St. Bridget, and on Wednesday is St. Sharbel (more miracles are attributed to St. Sharbel than any other saint). On Thursday, we celebrate the feast day of St. James the Apostle, and on Friday, the church celebrates the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saints Joachim and Anne.
When you are able, please join us for morning Mass at 8:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Weekday Mass is followed by daily devotions, which usually begin with the recitation of the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Every Tuesday, devotions begin with the powerful Novena to St. Anthony of Padua.
2024 Catholic Stewardship Appeal
We are almost halfway to reaching our parish Stewardship goal of $71,057. Please prayerfully consider making a financial contribution. All donations are used to support the ministries of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, particularly for the needs of our Seminary and Seminarians. In the most recent update, there will be over 90 Seminarians beginning this Fall. They will represent all five dioceses in Wisconsin as well as Albany, New York, Gary and LaFayette, Indiana, Rockford, Illinois, and Spokane, Washington. Our donations to the Catholic Stewardship Appeal also help the Catholic Charities of Milwaukee, which often helps in the Corporal Works of Mercy.
Annual Seminary Dinner
The 2024 Annual Seminary Dinner will be held Friday, October 4, 2024, at the Baird Center in downtown Milwaukee. In 2022 & 2023, we were blessed to have a sold-out ballroom of 2,000 people joining in the mission of the Seminary. We hope you will consider joining us this year! Save the date, October 4.
Narthex Bathroom Project
Last week, while it looked as if nothing was being done in the construction of the new bathrooms in the church, the opposite was true as the interior plumbing was being installed. This week, exterior construction is back on building up the walls, especially inside the bathroom, such as the janitor’s closet and some of the other interior walls. While walls are being built, decisions are being made as to what color of tile will be used for the flooring and the walls. Please consider making a financial donation to help cover the construction costs. All donations are welcome.
Dinner Bakery Needed
Cupcakes and bakery bars are needed for the Fish Fry and Chicken Dinner. Call Sherrie at (414) 321-5502 to volunteer.
The drive-up drop-off for the Chicken Dinner will be on Sunday (9:00-11:00 a.m.) in the driveway at the base of the festival grounds on Cold Spring Road.
Festival Bakery Booth
Bakery items for the Sunday Booth sale can be brought to the information booth on Friday, July 26, and Saturday, July 27. Please do not bring items that need refrigeration; use disposable containers for your baked goods. The Booth Sale is on Sunday after all Masses and during Bingo in the Hall.
Grocery Booth Needs Your Help!
Thank you so much for your many donations to our Parish Festival. We are looking for various non-perishable food items for the Grocery Booth. We do not have enough donations to keep the booth open for the weekend.
We also need:
- Raffle Booth: Larger items such as electronics, appliances, lawn equipment, or any items you think someone would be eager to purchase a ticket for a chance to win.
- Gentlemen’s Chest: Unopened bottles of wine, whiskey, vodka, gin, and after-dinner cordials are needed
- Mystery Booth: NEW items worth at least 50 cents for men, women, and children.
Please bring items to the parish office.
Captains are needed
- Friday: Ball Bingo, Belgium Waffle, Sponge Bob
- Saturday: Bank Shot, Sponge Bob, Turkey Shoot, Wild Kingdom
- Sunday: Amaze-O, Brandy Spin, Sponge Bob, Workers' Rest Area Food
Please call Marie Stemo at (414) 427-7467 if you want to volunteer.
Hamburger & Hot Dog Booth
Hey there! The Hamburger & Hot Dog booth captains are looking for workers to help with four-hour shifts over the three days of our Festival. If you're available and interested in lending a hand, please contact Chery Cincotta at 414-378-5222. Thanks!
Festival Set-up
Meanwhile, the Festival Committee needs your help and asks that you reserve some time to help as we continue to set up for the Festival.
- Monday, July 22, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. & 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Various duties (day and evening shifts) - Lunch will be provided
- Tuesday, July 23, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. & 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Various duties (day and evening shifts) - Lunch will be provided
- Wednesday, July 24, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. & 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Various duties (day and evening shifts) - Lunch will be provided
- Thursday, July 25, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. & 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Various duties (day and evening shifts) - Lunch will be provided
- Friday, July 26, 9:00 a.m. until done - Various duties
- Sunday, July 28, after fireworks until 2:00 a.m.: Please meet at the Shed (help is also needed July 29, 30 & 31).
Contact Bob Stemo (262) 219-4251 or Marie Stemo at (414) 427-7467.
Pope Francis has invited all Catholics to enter upon a Year of Prayer in order to prepare for the Extraordinary Jubilee Year 2025. To help us take full advantage of this special year, the Carmelite friars of Holy Hill are hosting monthly Days of Recollection. These take place at the Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Holy Hill in Hubertus on the First Saturdays of August, September, October, November, and December. Each Day of Recollection begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. and includes two presentations on Carmelite spirituality and prayer given by the friars of Holy Hill, an opportunity for sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, Holy Mass, and lunch in the Old Monastery Inn. Registration for each monthly event costs $20 and closes at noon the Thursday before each event.
To register, you must visit https://www.holyhill.com/year-of-prayer. Please do not attempt to register for the Days of Recollection by contacting my office. However, in the parish office, Jan can help those of you without a computer.
As always, you can stay updated with the latest information about programs and other offerings by joining our SJE Adult Formation Flocknote or following us on Facebook.
Remember, Jesus is the bread of life.
July 21| The Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Friends, today’s Gospel shows Jesus’ compassion for the multitude in the desert. “When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.”
There is the motif of the people of Israel in the desert after their escape from Egypt. Isolated, alone, afraid, and without food, they clamored for something from Moses. Here, we see people who are dying to be fed and a prophet who is under threat of death. This crowd around the threatened Jesus is a metaphor for the Church. We have come to him because we are hungry, and we stay even when things look bleak.
-Bishop Robert Barron
Explore the goodness, truth, and beauty of the Faith.
Your parish has gifted you with full access to the entire library of Word on Fire's feature-length films, and short, engaging series through Word on Fire Digital. Click the button below to browse all titles and watch on-demand.
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 no open hours; however, a second person is needed at almost all hours of the day or night, particularly the beautiful, quiet overnight hours between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
Call or text Mary-Eileen Swart at 414-687-3512 if you are interested.
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.
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.