Archdiocesan Stewardship Appeal
Your gift to the Catholic Stewardship Appeal, whether large or small, makes a difference. Every gift is welcome and needed to help our diocese continue God’s work throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
To donate, please click here or mail your check to Catholic Stewardship Appeal, 3501 S. Lake Drive, St. Francis, WI 53235.
To date, our parish has raised $47,524; our goal for the appeal this year is $72,406. On September 1, a second mailing will be sent, inviting all to participate in the 2025 Appeal.
On behalf of all the ministries offered through the Archdiocese and on behalf of all those who are recipients of our generosity, a hearty “Thank You!”
In the meantime, please prayerfully consider making a donation to this year’s Archdiocesan Stewardship Appeal.
Saints Celebrated This Week
August is one of those months in which there are memorials, feasts, and solemnities almost every day at Mass.
On Monday, August 11, we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Joseph of Calasanz, a Spanish priest who founded the Piarist Order, which focused on educating the poor. He is also the patron saint of Catholic Schools.
Also on Monday, we honor St. Louis, also known as King Louis IX, recognized for his leadership during the Crusades.
The Feast Day of St. Monica is celebrated on August 27. The mother of St. Augustine of Hippo is honored for her unwavering faith and patience. She prayed for over 30 years for the conversion of her son. Her prayers were heard in a powerful way and eventually led to her son’s acceptance of Christianity.
On Thursday, August 28, we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Augustine, who would humbly describe himself simply as a servant of God. He spent his young adult years away from the Catholic Church but converted to fully embrace Christ in his 30s. He was a prolific writer, an accomplished preacher, monastic leader, and theologian.
The Passion of St. John the Baptist is commemorated on Friday, August 29. The feast day honors the martyrdom of St. John, who was executed by King Herod. He was known for his commitment to truth and righteousness even in the face of death.
On Saturday, August 30, our Mass is in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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, followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Every Tuesday, devotions start with the powerful Novena to St. Anthony of Padua.
"Live a life that reflects God's love."
2025-2026 St. John’s Religious Education Program
Now is the perfect time to start thinking about enrolling your children in our parish's Religious Education program! Designed for students in grades 1 through 11, this program helps children and teens grow in their Catholic faith and deepen their relationship with Jesus. Additionally, we offer sacramental preparation for our second- and eleventh-grade students. During the fall semester, second graders prepare for their First Confession, and in the spring semester, they prepare to receive the Lord in Holy Communion. Eleventh graders spend the entire school year preparing for their Confirmation.
Religious Education is more than classroom learning—it’s about forming disciples. Through engaging lessons, prayer, and a welcoming parish community, your child will discover what it means to know, love, and serve God in today’s world.
As parents, you are the first and most important teachers of the faith. Our parish is here to walk with you, providing the support, formation, and resources your family needs to grow in Christ. Our religious education program is one such resource.
Classes begin in early October, and registration will open online in early September on our parish website. Don’t miss this opportunity to nurture your child’s faith and future in the Church.
For more information, please email me at jpshimek@stjohns-grfd.org.
Starting this week, you can view the 2025–2026 Religious Education calendar by visiting our parish website and clicking on “Lifelong Faith Formation, then selecting “Religious Education.”
We look forward to growing in faith with your family!
To keep up to date, join our SJE Adult Formation Flocknote or follow us on Facebook.
You can also call Diane Gaffke at (414) 327-6780 to reserve your time slot.
Enjoy Some Quiet Time at a Redemptorist Retreat
Ladies of the Parish are invited to the annual spiritual retreat at the Redemptorist Retreat Center in Oconomowoc, the weekend of October 3-5. The retreat offers time for prayer, the celebration of the Sacraments, engaging discussions, and, most importantly, quiet meditation. The cost is $285.00 for the two-night stay, including a private room and all meals. A $50 non-refundable deposit is required.
Please call Barb at 414-448-7117 for more information or the Retreat Center at 262-567-6900.
Saint Francis de Sales Seminary’s 23rd Annual Dinner Will Be an Evening to Remember!
“It will be an extraordinary celebration of all that the Lord is doing at Saint Francis de Sales Seminary.” You will learn about the Lord “sending us good, holy men to be formed as His priests, His guiding of our capital campaign so that we can renovate, restore, and expand the Salesianum, His provision of a temporary home while the work is underway, and His blessing us with faithful supporters like you.” The evening is an opportunity to “meet our seminarians, get an update on the building progress, and enjoy a night with devoted Catholics who believe in standing up for truth, beauty, and goodness in our world. It is an event that will inspire you on your own faith journey.”
Please unite with these hundreds of faithful Catholics at the Baird Center, Fourth-Floor Ballroom, 405 West Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee, on Friday, October 3. If you are unable to attend and would like to offer significant help, you can do so by making a donation.
Please consider joining Fr. Michael and your fellow parishioners at this joy-filled evening!
Dennis and Mary Baumgardner are organizing the group from St. John’s (usually, the checks are sent in together). If you are interested in further details, would like to donate, or would like to attend, please contact Dennis or Mary by August 24 at the latest (414-427-0832).
Thank you in advance for your generous consideration!
Friends, our Gospel for today features a question that people have been asking from time immemorial and that they still ask today: “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” Heaven, hell, salvation, damnation, who will be in and who will be out? We have remained fascinated with these questions for a long time.
Here’s how I would recommend we approach this issue. The doctrine concerning hell is a corollary of two more fundamental truths—namely, that God is love and that we are free. Love (willing the good of the other) is all that God is. He doesn’t go in and out of love; he doesn’t change his mind; he’s not loving to some and not to others. He is indeed like the sun that shines on the good and bad alike, in the words of Jesus.
No act of ours can possibly make him stop loving us. In this regard, he is like the best of parents. However, we are free. We are not God’s marionettes, and hence we can say yes or no to His love. If we turn toward it, we open like a sunflower; if we turn from it, we get burned.
Here’s how I would recommend we approach this issue. The doctrine concerning hell is a corollary of two more fundamental truths—namely, that God is love and that we are free. Love (willing the good of the other) is all that God is. He doesn’t go in and out of love; he doesn’t change his mind; he’s not loving to some and not to others. He is indeed like the sun that shines on the good and bad alike, in the words of Jesus.
No act of ours can possibly make him stop loving us. In this regard, he is like the best of parents. However, we are free. We are not God’s marionettes, and hence we can say yes or no to His love. If we turn toward it, we open like a sunflower; if we turn from it, we get burned.
-Bishop Robert Barron
St. John’s is fortunate to have 24-hour Perpetual Adoration. Please take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to draw closer to God.
We have several open hours of Adoration:
Every Other Tuesday (twice per month), 1:00 to 2:00 a.m.
Thursdays, Midnight - 1:00 a.m.
We are also seeking a second Adorer for many of the late evening and overnight hours, particularly on Sundays at 11:00 p.m. If you are looking for some quiet time to be with Our Lord, please consider signing up.
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.