Consecration of the Election to the
Blessed Virgin Mary
On November 5, we are all asked to vote for our new president. Before voting, we also pray for the outcome of the upcoming election, invoking the Blessed Mother. Fr. Chad Ripperger has formulated a prayer to help us at this time in our country’s history.
Mary Immaculate, living tabernacle of the Divinity, where the eternal Wisdom lies hidden to be adored and served by angels and men, Queen of Heaven and of Earth, beneath whose sway are subject to all things that are lower than God, Patroness of the United States of America, sorrowful and mindful of our own sinfulness and the sins of our nation, we come to thee, our refuge and hope. Knowing that our country cannot be saved by our own works and mindful of how much our nation has departed from the ways of thy Son, we humbly ask that thou wouldst turn thine eyes upon our country to bring about its conversion. We consecrate to thee the integrity of the upcoming election and its outcome, so that what is spiritually and morally best for the citizens of our country may be accomplished, and that all of those who are elected would govern according to the spiritual and moral principles which will bring our nation into conformity with the teachings of thy Son. Give grace to the citizens of this land so that they will choose leaders according to the Sacred Heart of thy Son, that His glory may be made manifest, lest we be given the leaders we deserve. Trusting in the providential care of God the Father and thy maternal care, we have perfect confidence that thou wilt take care of us and will not leave us forsaken. O Mary Immaculate, pray for us. Amen.
Join Us for Daily Mass
During this second week of September, we have several special Masses. Monday, we celebrate St. Peter Claver, a Spanish priest who was a Jesuit missionary in South America. He dedicated his life to aiding enslaved Africans and baptized over 300,000 during his lifetime. On Thursday, we celebrate the Most Holy Name of Mary, a day to commemorate all the privileges bestowed upon Mary by God and all the graces received through her intercession. Friday is the feast day of St. John Chrysostom, a Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Saturday is the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, a day when we celebrate the love that God manifested to humanity by accepting death on the Cross.
When you are able, please join us for morning Mass at 8:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday, consider inviting a family member, friend, or neighbor to join you. 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.
Narthex Bathroom Project
For anyone interested in finding out how the Knights of Columbus put their Faith in Action, call Len Felske (membership) at (414) 339-5779 or Jason Zidek (Programs) at (414) 793-0450 or stop by their table in the Narthex on Sunday after Mass.
Planting Day Rescheduled
Our new parish project, the Meditation Garden on the north side of the school building, is almost ready to plant! With the help of Villani Landshapers, the garden has been cleared and will be tilled soon. We received many wonderful donations of garden perennials and now we need to get them in the ground. We need help on Saturday, September 21. We will start at 8:00 a.m. Bring your garden gloves, trowels, and shovels. Come when you are able and stay for as long as you can! If your child (10 years and older) is in need of service hours, send them to help! Contact jehrmann@sje.school if you have any questions.
Enjoy Some Quiet Time at a Redemptorist Retreat
Consider spending some special time to step out of the turbulence of our divided world. Follow Christ and discover what He has to tell us. Ladies of the parish are invited to the annual spiritual retreat at the Redemptorist Retreat Center on beautiful Crooked Lake in Oconomowoc. This year’s dates are October 11 through October 13, and the theme is “Following in the Footsteps of Our Redeemer during Times of Division.” The retreat offers time for prayer, celebration of the Sacraments, interesting discussions, and, most importantly, time for quiet meditation.
The cost for the two-night, three-day stay is $275, and meals are included. A $50 non-refundable deposit is required.
Please call Barb Heser at (414) 448-7117 for more information.
To register, please contact the Retreat Center at (262) 567-6900. Mail your payment to 1800 Timber Trail Lane, Oconomowoc, WI 53066. Carpooling is available.
Deepen Your Faith
OCIA (formerly RCIA) Classes: Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic faith and becoming a Catholic? Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) classes begin this fall on Sunday, October 6, following the 10:30 a.m. Mass if you are interested at 414-321-8922 or jpshimek@stjohns-grfd.org.
Starting in October, we will meet as a parish-based study group to delve into St. Teresa of Avila's classic, "The Interior Castle." Details are coming soon!
Religious Education Classes (Grades 1-11)
Classes resume in October; parent meetings will be held in late September. Online registration is open. Click here to register.
Special Events
Day of Recollection at Holy Hill: Join fellow parishioners on October 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for a day of reflection and spiritual renewal. The program includes Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, Mass, talks by Fr. David Centner, OCD, and lunch. Registration is $20 per person; please call (262) 628-1838 to make your reservation.
Answering the Call to Care
Pope Francis' Prayer Intention for September: Please join Pope Francis in praying for the care of God's creation throughout September. Learn more at popesprayerusa.net.
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.
The soccer league season has started for our St. John the Evangelist Parish School athletes. All games are played on the parish fields. Each Saturday, games are scheduled between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Sunday games are played between Noon and 4:00 p.m. There is no admission fee, and the concession stand will be open. If you love soccer, want to see children competing, playing, and smiling, or are just looking for a fun way to spend a weekend, please come out to the parish soccer fields and see our student-athletes in action.
Our K4 students are all super excited to begin their academic journey at our parish school. They were all smiles to start their school day.
"Go Out and Set Your Soul on Fire for God!"
September 8| The Twenty-Third Sunday in
Ordinary Time
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus heals a deaf man with a speech impediment.
Mark tells us he took him “off by himself away from the crowd.” Jesus then “put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, ‘Ephphatha!’—that is, ‘Be opened!’” Looking up to his Father and inserting his fingers into the man’s ears, Jesus establishes, as it were, an electrical current, literally plugging him into the divine energy, compelling him to hear the Word.
Now, let’s look at this healing in terms of its spiritual significance. The crowd is a large part of the problem. The raucous voices of so many, the insistent bray of advertising culture, the confusing Babel of competing spiritualities—all of it makes us deaf to God’s word. Therefore, we have to be moved to a place of silence and communion.
Jesus draws us into his space, the space of the Church. There, away from the crowd, we can immerse ourselves in the rhythm of the liturgy, listen avidly to Scripture, study the theological tradition, watch the moves of holy people, and take in the beauty of sacred art and architecture. There, we can hear.
-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.
We need a second Adorer on Mondays from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. along with many of the overnight hours, especially 12 midnight, 1 a.m., and 2 a.m., any night of the week. These hours are a bit of a sacrifice, to be sure, but there is great peacefulness in the quiet overnight hours. You can always try it out for a few weeks and see how it works for you.
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.