Summer Projects
At the recent Knights of Columbus gathering, one of the guests asked if the parish had any “bigger” summer projects planned. After a brief reflection, I responded, “Yes, we have three summer projects.”
- The first project, which has already begun, is to increase the number of security cameras for both outside and inside the buildings, especially within the school. The cameras will give us the ability to view what is happening on the property at all times, both on our computers and on our phones.
- The second major project will be two new HVAC units that will be installed on top of the Gym roof. This will help regulate heating and cooling both in the Gym as well as in several of the classrooms on the west end of the school’s second floor.
- Finally, after the parish festival, the entire parking lot will be resealed to help prevent new cracks, as well as stabilize any existing cracks. Also, the holes from the stakes holding up the festival tents will be professionally filled.
Two of these projects, the security system and the resealing of the parking lot, will be paid through the generous gifts of the “Love One Another” campaign. The LOA was an Archdiocesan mandate. Over five years, every parishioner throughout the diocese was invited to make a donation to this capital campaign. Forty percent of the amount donated went to the Archdiocese, and 60 percent came back to the individual parish. Please continue to be current with your previous commitment. Your generosity has enabled the parish to do many upgrades on our physical property: new sidewalks as well as new concrete in front of the church, tuck pointing of all our brick buildings, new flooring in the entire school including the church Hall and the church’s northeast stairwell which leads down to the church Hall, the new children’s playground, and the live-stream equipment in the church. We constantly receive positive notes, phone calls, and donations from people nationally, and even internationally, who view our Masses online both daily and on Sundays.
Two Sundays ago, a woman came up to me after Mass and introduced herself as being from Texas. She was here visiting her sister. She said to me, “I just had to come to your church. I have watched your Masses on the live stream, and the Masses have been such a help to me. I was able to come back to church because of your live-stream Masses. Thank you so much,” she expressed to me over and over again.
I say thank you to all who participated in the LOA campaign, as well as those of you who support the parish each week or monthly, throughout the years.
Sometimes we might think our ministries are just about brick and mortar. But when I, and our staff in the office, hear comments from people from near and far, we realize that our ministries of Time, Talent, and Treasure are truly touching people, making a spiritual impact, and changing lives. Thank you, and Let Us Praise God.
Throughout these summer weeks, may each of you find time to relax and enjoy your families and friends and set aside some special time to be with loved ones and especially with God.
The Parish Office will close at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, and will be closed all day on Friday, July 4.
Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!
The Festival Committee needs your help and asks that you reserve some time to help as we begin to set up for the Festival.
- Tuesday, July 8, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Preliminary set up and moving of supplies
- Friday, July 11, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Set up iron, heavy lifting
- Saturday, July 12, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Various duties, some heavy lifting -Lunch will be provided
- Monday, July 14, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Various duties
- Tuesday, July 15, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Various duties
- Wednesday, July 16, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Various duties
- Thursday, July 178, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Various duties
- Friday, July 18, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Various duties
- Saturday, July 19, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Various duties - Lunch will be provided
- Monday, July 21, 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 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
- Wednesday, 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
- Thursday, 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
- Friday, July 25, 9:00 a.m. until done - Various duties
- Sunday, July 27, after fireworks until 2:00 a.m.: Please meet at the Shed (help is also needed July 28, 29 & 30).
Contact Bob Stemo (262) 219-4251 or Marie Stemo at (414) 427-7467.
Raffle and Various Booth Items Needed
We need items for various festival booths. Please bring items to the parish office.
- Mystery Package Booth: Items should be NEW and worth at least 50 cents for men, women, and children.
- Raffle Booth: Larger items such as electronics, appliances, lawn equipment, or any other larger items you think someone would be eager to buy a chance to win.
- Grocery Booth: A wide variety of non-perishable food items is needed.
- Gentlemen’s Chest: We need new and unopened bottles of wine, whiskey, vodka, gin, and after-dinner cordials.
Hamburger & Hot Dog Booth
Hey there! The Hamburger & Hot Dog booth captains are looking for workers to help with four-hour shifts on the Saturday and Sunday of our Festival. If you're available and interested in lending a hand, please contact Chery Cincotta at 414-378-5222. Thanks!
"Go Out and Set Your Soul on Fire for God!"
Unveiled: A Transformative Couple’s Retreat:
July 17–19, Whitefish Bay
Hosted by the John Paul II Healing Center and St. Monica Parish, Unveiled is a powerful three‑day weekend experience grounded in St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. Led by Dr. Bob Schuchts and daughter Carrie Schuchts Daunt, this retreat invites couples—whether dating, engaged, newly married, or married for years—to rediscover unity, healing, passion, and intimacy in their relationship.
- In‑person at St. Monica (5681 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay): $350 per couple
- Live-stream option: $199 per couple, with access to replay for four weeks
Registration closes on July 21, and seats are limited—this retreat typically sells out. Register at: jpiihealingcenter.org.
Explore topics such as Discovering True Love, Healing and Reconciliation, and restoring sexual intimacy. Engage in guided meditations, couple’s exercises, sculpting experiences, journaling, and more. Scholarships may be available for financial need—contact jpiiretreatmilwaukee@gmail.com for details or visit st-monica.org.
Register early. Don’t miss this opportunity to reinvigorate your marriage and experience grace-filled transformation.
To keep up to date, join our SJE Adult Formation Flocknote or follow us on Facebook.
Sunday, June 29, 2025 | Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul | Matthew 16:13–19
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus declares that the gates of hell (“the netherworld”) shall not prevail against his Church. And Jesus insists that this society, grounded in Peter’s confession, would constitute an army so powerful that not even the fortified capital of the dark kingdom itself could withstand it.
It is fascinating to me how often we construe this saying of Jesus in precisely the opposite direction, as though the Church is guaranteed safety against the onslaughts of hell. In fact, Jesus suggests a much more aggressive image: his Church will lay a successful siege upon the kingdom of evil, knocking down its gate and breaching its walls.
Notice, too, how Jesus uses the future tense—“I will build my Church.” Therefore, he cannot be speaking simply of Peter personally but of all those who would participate in his charism throughout the centuries.
The integrity of this ekklesia will be guaranteed up and down the centuries, not through appeal to popular opinion (as instructive as that might be) nor through the ministrations of an institutional or theological elite (as necessary as those might be) but rather through the pope’s charismatic knowledge of who Jesus is.
-Bishop Robert Barron
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:
Mondays, 3:00 to 4:00 a.m.
Tuesdays, 1:00 to 2:00 a.m.
Thursdays, 10:00 to 11:00 a.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.