Parishioner News
We welcome the following individuals and families to our parish: Michael Schuerman, Jonathan and Hannah Zweifel, Christian and Mary Arredondo, and their children: Christian, Leslie, Hope, Ruth, Leo, Walter, and Simon.
We celebrate the children who have recently been baptized: Hailey Helm, Yeshua Josiah Sanchez.
We rejoice in the Sacrament of Marriage of Jonathan and Hannah Zwiefel.
We also mourn the individuals from the parish who have recently passed away: Kevin Cerda, Penny Danoski, Alice Grzona, Frances “Fran” Lorincz, and Irene Spors.
Pastoral Council Election
This weekend is Nomination Weekend for the next Pastoral Council Election. We have two At-Large Members who serve three-year terms, and one Trustee will serve a two-year term.
Nominees must be registered parish members, baptized Catholics, at least 18 years of age, and not be employees or immediate family members of employees of the parish. Nominations are due in the parish office by Monday, May 5, at 5:00 p.m.. A biography (subject to editing for length) and headshot photo are due in the office by Tuesday, May 13. Both can be sent by email to jsadlon@stjohns-grfd.org.
Nomination forms and pencils can be found in all pews this weekend and in the parish office during the week. Election weekend will be on May 17 and 18.
Ordination to the Priesthood
Deacon Timothy Sanchez recently wrote to us about his upcoming ordination to the priesthood. You may remember Deacon Tim from his three years here at St. John’s when he was assigned to our parish as his teaching parish.
Dear Parishioners of St. John’s Parish,
After a good, long number of years of seminary formation, I will be ordained to the priesthood of Jesus Christ on May 17! The Ordination Mass will be at the Cathedral in downtown Milwaukee beginning at 10:00 a.m. My first Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated at St. Robert’s Parish in Shorewood later that day at 4:30 p.m. You are all most welcome to attend! I will also be coming back to St. John’s to celebrate the 10:30 a.m. Mass with you on June 1. Perhaps this goes without saying, but I am very excited both for the ordination and for the opportunity to celebrate with you.
I’m so grateful for the privilege of having been able to walk with you over the years, both formally and informally, as a kid, as a Confirmation student, later as a Seminarian, and soon in Thanksgiving as a Priest. Thank you all so much for your prayers, kindness, and support. God Bless you all,
Sincerely,
Deacon Timothy Sanchez
Since receiving this communication, it was announced on Monday that after Tim’s Ordination, he will be assigned to a cluster of parishes in Racine. Let us pray for Deacon Timothy, that God will bless him with many faithful years of serving Jesus Christ through the ministries of the Catholic church.
Novena Prayer to elect the Roman Pontiff
I kneel before you, O Virgin Mother of God, Our Lady of Guadalupe, the compassionate mother of all who love you, cry to you, seek you, and trust in you. I plead for the Church at a time of great trial and danger. As you came to the rescue of the Church at Tepeyac in 1531, please intercede for the College of Cardinals gathered in Rome to elect the Successor of St. Peter, Vicar of Christ, Shepherd of the Universal Church.
At this time for the church and for the world, I plead with your Divine Son that the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, will humbly obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Through your intercession, may they choose the most worthy man to be Christ’s Vicar on earth. With you, I place all my trust in Him Who alone is our help and salvation. Amen
Heart of Jesus, Salvation of those who trust in Thee, have mercy upon us! Our Lady of Guadalupe, Virgin Mother of God, and Mother of Divine Grace, pray for us!
May Crowning
May Crowning will take place on Tuesday, May 6, at 1:00 p.m. The time has been changed to during the school day so all of our students can participate in honoring Mary.
Deacon Steve will be on hand to share his love of Mary. Please mark your calendars and join us.
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4th-10th. It is a week to honor teachers’ unwavering dedication, not only to academic excellence but also to nurturing faith, compassion, and strong moral values. Our staff serves as role models, guiding students with love, patience, and a deep sense of purpose rooted in faith, helping our students grow not only academically but spiritually. Each day, they help form a community where spiritual growth and learning go hand in hand. We are truly blessed to have dedicated teachers on our staff willing to go the extra mile for our students. Please pray that God will bless them abundantly for their service and devotion to the mission of Catholic Education.
"Go Out and Set Your Soul on Fire for God!"
Special Holy Hour and
Catechetical Presentation on the Papal Conclave
On Wednesday, May 7, the Cardinal Electors of the Holy Roman Church will enter the sacred conclave at the Vatican to elect the 266th successor to Saint Peter, Prince of the Apostles. Join us this Sunday, May 4, at 1:00 p.m. for a special Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration, followed by a catechetical presentation on the history, theology, and profound significance of the papal conclave. This event is free of charge and open to all. In the presentation, I will draw upon my previous experience as a Vatican journalist accredited to the Holy See Press Office tasked with covering the 2013 conclave. You will gain an inside perspective on the ancient and prayerful process by which the College of Cardinals elects the Roman Pontiff under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Come and deepen your understanding of the sacred rites and ecclesial traditions that shape the heart of the Catholic Church.
Congratulations to Our First Holy Communicants
Please join me in offering heartfelt congratulations to the children of our parish who received Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist for the first time on Saturday, May 3. This sacred milestone marks a deepening of their communion with Christ and His Holy Church. With sincere gratitude, we commend their parents, grandparents, and families whose faithful witness has guided these young souls to the altar. We also extend special thanks to our devoted catechists—Mrs. Kathy Kazik and Mrs. Julie Sarnowski—as well as to Nicholas and Larry, for their generous service and support, particularly during the April 12 First Communion retreat. Your dedicated service is greatly appreciated! May the grace of this Most Blessed Sacrament strengthen our young communicants and draw us all ever closer to the Heart of Christ. Ad multos annos!
2025 Summer Bible Camp: Help Needed!
This summer, we are hoping to offer a Bible Camp for the children of our parish. In order to make this a joyful and meaningful experience, we are in need of volunteers. If you are willing to share your time and talents in support of this initiative, please contact me at 414-321-8922 or jpshimek@stjohns-grfd.org. Your participation is essential to the success of this camp, and we would be grateful for your help in bringing it to life.
To keep up to date, join our SJE Adult Formation Flocknote or follow us on Facebook.
Christian Women will begin their May 8 evening with Mass and reception of new members at 6:00 pm in the Church. Please wear something BLUE in honor of Mary’s purity during the month of May. Mass will be followed by a business meeting, trivia, and social. Remember to bring payments for our bus trip/tour of St. Joseph’s Chapel and our “Dinner in June.”
Meanwhile, a big thank you to all who took part in our Rummage Sale, whether you shopped, donated, or volunteered to help out during the three-day sale, especially all Christian Women who helped with the extensive setup and tear down, you are all very much appreciated!
Join us on Thursday, May 15, 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
Friends, we must attend to the mystical depth of today’s Gospel. At the break of dawn, the disciples spy a mysterious figure on the distant shore who shouts out to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” When they answer in the negative, he instructs them to cast the net over the right side of the ship. When they do, they bring in a huge catch of fish.
This fishing expedition is a symbol of the Church, the barque of Peter, spanning space and time, in its apostolic task of seeking souls. The life and work of the Church, John seems to be telling us, will be a lengthy, twilight struggle, a hard toil that will often seem to bear little or no fruit. But after the long night, the dawn of a new life and a new order will break, the transfigured world inaugurated by Jesus. The catch of fish that he makes possible is the totality of people that Christ will gather to himself; it is the new Israel, the eschatological Church.
We know this through a subtle bit of symbolism. When the fish are dragged ashore, John bothers to tell us their exact number, 153—a figure commonly taken in the ancient world to signify the total number of species of fish in the sea.
-Bishop Robert Barron
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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, Midnight to 1:00 a.m.
Mondays, 3:00 to 4:00 a.m.
Thursdays, Midnight to 1:00 a.m.
Saturdays, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Call 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.