A parishioner recently asked, “Now that Fr. Michael’s term as Pastor will be completed in June, will Fr. Michael be here after June?” A quick response to that question is, “Yes, Fr. Michael will remain Pastor after June.” However, a quick response entails many little details, such as when a priest reaches his 68th birthday and/or completes his assigned term of office after his 68th birthday, he has a couple of options. One option is to turn off the alarm clock and retire from active parish work. Another option is if the Pastor wishes to continue pastoring, he has to seek permission. The priest is required to write the Archbishop stating his desire to continue being a Pastor. In October, I wrote Archbishop Listecki requesting to stay on as Pastor at St. John’s for another year and, if possible, until the age of 75, depending on my health. The Archbishop responded by stating he would pass my request on to the Priest Personnel Board as well as the Archdiocesan consultors.
About two weeks ago, I received a letter from the Vicar of Clergy stating that the new Archbishop has granted that all priests over 68 who requested to remain in full-time ministry may do so. The letter also stated that in the Fall of 2025, a future request to remain in ministry would be evaluated. To answer the above question, Fr. Michael has received permission to remain Pastor at St. John’s for one more year, and all future requests will be evaluated on a year-to-year basis.
Litany of Trust by the Sisters of Life-Part One
The Litany of Trust is a prayer composed by Sister Faustina Maria Pia, SV. In it, we ask Jesus to deliver us from the things that hold us bound, and we place our trust in His promises.
From the belief that I have to earn your love...Deliver me, Jesus,
From the fear that I am unlovable...Deliver me, Jesus,
From the false security that I have what it takes...Deliver me, Jesus,
From the fear that trusting You will leave me more destitute...Deliver me, Jesus,
From all suspicion of Your words and promises...Deliver me, Jesus,
From the rebellion against childlike dependency on You...Deliver me, Jesus,
From refusals and reluctances in accepting Your will...Deliver me, Jesus,
From anxiety about the future...Deliver me, Jesus,
From resentment or excessive preoccupation with the past...Deliver me, Jesus,
From restless self-seeking in the present moment...Deliver me, Jesus,
From disbelief in Your love and presence...Deliver me, Jesus,
From the fear of being asked to give more than I have...Deliver me, Jesus,
From the belief that my life has no meaning or worth...Deliver me, Jesus,
From the fear of what love demands...Deliver me, Jesus,
From discouragement...Deliver me, Jesus.
—Printed with permission by the Sisters of Life (www.sistersoflife.org)
Honey for Sale
We continue to sell jars of raw, local honey in the parish office. Each jar is $24, and we accept cash or checks.
Valentine’s Day fun! Classes had parties, did crafts, played games, ate snacks, and passed out Valentines. There were plenty of smiles as each class celebrated.
Each month, we award our Reading Rockstars. The class with the highest percentage of students reaching their reading goals receives a traveling trophy. Our January Reading Rockstar class was our 8th grade. Our 8th graders have won the trophy two months in a row. What a great example they are setting for our younger students.
Please visit our Facebook page: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063321523652 to see more pictures!
"Go Out and Set Your Soul on Fire for God!"
Join our study of St. Teresa of Ávila’s The Way of Perfection! Starting Friday, March 7, we’ll explore this timeless classic, filled with profound insights into the Christian spiritual life. Here are just a few of the reasons to join:
- Deepening Spiritual Life: St. Teresa provides a practical path to prayer, helping readers connect more intimately with God. Her focus on contemplation, humility, and surrender to God’s divine will can transform one’s interior life.
- Learning from a Mystical Saint: St. Teresa’s rich experiences in prayer and mysticism offer valuable insights. Her personal journey into a deeper union with God inspires others to seek a similar closeness to God.
- Practical Advice on Prayer: Central to the book is the importance of mental prayer, fostering a deeper, more intimate dialogue with God. St. Teresa’s clear advice on meditation and cultivating the interior life is transformative.
- Growth in Virtue: Readers are encouraged to grow in virtues like humility, charity, and patience. St. Teresa offers insights to help overcome distractions and progress in holiness.
- Guidance for Religious Life: For those discerning or living a religious vocation, St. Teresa’s wisdom on prayer, community, and service to God is invaluable, shaped by her experience as a reformer of the Carmelite order.
- Clarity on the Christian Path: St. Teresa’s profound yet practical writings make deep theological truths accessible, even to those new to spiritual literature.
- Cultivating a Life of Perfection: The title speaks to the aspiration of growing in love and service to God. St. Teresa encourages striving for spiritual perfection with a heart devoted to God.
- Strengthening One’s Interior Life: The Way of Perfection offers practical ways to quiet distractions and achieve mindfulness, helping readers cultivate a focused heart in today’s fast-paced world.
- Enduring Influence: As a Doctor of the Church, St. Teresa’s wisdom continues to inspire spiritual seekers worldwide, connecting readers to a rich tradition of Catholic spirituality.
In short, The Way of Perfection provides a roadmap for spiritual transformation, making it a must-read for those seeking to grow in faith, prayer, and holiness. Our sessions will be held every two weeks between 5:00 and 6:30 p.m. in the Church Hall. For more information, please get in touch with me via email at jpshimek@stjohns-grfd.org. There is a reading to prepare before the first session, so please register soon.
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.
Girl Scout Cookie Sale
It’s the sweetest time of the year. St. John’s Girl Scout Troop 37605 will sell cookies after both Masses on Sunday, March 16. Cookies are $6 per box. Checks, cash, and Venmo will be happily accepted. Their theme this year is “Kindness,” and they would love to share their hearts and smiles with you even if you stop by to say hello. They thank you in advance for your Girl Scout cookie purchase.
Congratulations, Ben Oberdorf, on being awarded the Knight of the Month for January. Ben works with our Council's Program Director, Jason Zidek, on programs such as the Soccer Challenge and the Free Throw Contest. He also volunteers at the Lenten Fish Fries, among other things. We are proud to have him as a Knights of Columbus Council member at SJE.
Join us on Thursday, February 20, and every third Thursday for our council meeting in the parish hall. We will start by praying the Rosary (all are welcome) at 6:30 p.m., and 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
We have many programs you may be interested in participating in or leading.
https://www.kofc.org/en/what-we-do/faith-in-action-programs/index.html
St. John’s Men’s Leadership Group
All men of the parish are invited to experience their best “Lenten Journey” ever. Our country and families are under attack. Jesus and His church call us all to rise up in courageous leadership. According to a recent Pew Poll, 94 percent of Americans do not share their faith. That should not be allowed to continue.
Please join the St. John’s Men’s Group and Men of Christ, who have joined forces, to present “That Man Is You” every Saturday morning during Lent (March 8 through April 12). They will meet in the Hall at 7:00am. The Men’s Group looks forward to helping you grow in your faith. Please direct any questions to Will Starcevich at (414) 531-7005.
2025 Men of Christ Conference
Attention men of the parish: Here is updated information on the Men of Christ Conference. You are invited to join the 2025 Men of Christ conference—Courage Under Fire—which will be held in parishes across the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Our parish will meet with other local parishes at Carroll University (100 N. East Avenue in Waukesha). The day will feature both virtual and live elements. The morning will feature well-known speakers, Mass, Adoration, Confession and fellowship. Get all the details and register at MenOfChrist.net. Your ticket will be sent to your email address. The day begins on Saturday, March 29, with recitation of the Rosary at 7:05 a.m., Mass at 7:30 a.m. with the program to follow. It should end at 1:30 p.m. For more information, contact Butch Sarnowski at (414) 403-0624 or email him at: ronsarnowski@gmail.com for more information.
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus commands us to love our enemies. Therefore, our enemies are also our brothers and sisters. Notice that I am not denying that we have real enemies who are wicked. But it is a Christian conviction that all of that evil is not telling the deepest truth about the enemy.
The deepest truth is that he or she is a child of God and thus worthy of our love. None of this implies that wicked people should not be brought to justice. But it does indeed imply that the person so arrested, tried, or imprisoned should remain a beloved brother or sister.
How should this manifest itself? There are heroic examples of enemy love, such as the Amish couple who befriended and then defended in court the young man who had brutally killed their own son or Cardinal Bernardin, who visited and anointed the man who had accused him falsely of sexual misconduct. But these are precious and rare.
Something that all of us can do is pray for those who mistreat us, offering them to God and expressing spiritual solidarity with them.
-Bishop Robert Barron
Explore the goodness, truth, and beauty of the Faith.
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St. John’s is fortunate to have 24-hour Perpetual Adoration. Please take advantage of this beautiful opportunity to stay close to God.
Please read carefully, as many of our open hours have changed. We are currently in need of one (or ideally two) people for the following:
Sundays, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Mondays, 3:00 to 4:00 a.m.
Tuesdays, 2:00 to 3:00 a.m.
Saturdays, 1:00 to 2:00 a.m., and 11:00 p.m. to Midnight
We also seek a second Adorer for Fridays, 3:00 to 4:00 p.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.