School Safety
In light of recent events and following further guidance from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, as well as staff discussions, we are implementing additional safety measures for school Masses on Wednesdays. All doors will be locked from 10:00 to 10:50 a.m. This includes the front doors of the church and the Adoration doors. We ask that, if you are attending the all-school Mass, please arrive before 10:00 a.m.
Summer Missionary Appeal
This weekend, September 13 & 14, Sr. Jan Gregorcich and Margaret Ward, a Board Member of Global Partners Running Waters, will be with us to present this year’s water project during all Masses. Together, they will invite us to help bring fresh running water to a village in Guatemala. Global Partners Running Waters is an affiliated ministry of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, a ministry begun by Sr. Jan Gregorcich, SSND. (Sr. Jan is also a sister to parishioner Marty Gregorcich.) This year’s project is in Xeabaj Centro in Joyabaj. Global Partners is working to raise $50,000 towards the project. The community of Xeabaj is made up of nearly 155 families who are committed to raising $11,000 and to doing all the work for the project. Last year, our parish alone contributed nearly $12,000 towards another water project in Guatemala, and the recipients were most grateful. Please be generous with your contributions.
Join Us for Daily Mass
Please join us for daily Mass when possible. We gather in church Monday through Saturday at 8:00 a.m. for Mass, followed by Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
On Monday, September 15, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, which is a special title given to Mary, the mother of Jesus. It honors Mary’s deep union with Jesus, sharing in His suffering during His Passion and Death. This special day helps us remember the deep sadness that Mary had to face, especially when she saw her son suffer and die. Even so, she showed great strength and love. By thinking about Mary’s sorrows, we can learn to face our own troubles with courage.
On Tuesday, September 16, we celebrate the feast day of both St. Cornelius, the twenty-first Pope, and St. Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage in modern-day Tunisia in North Africa. St. Cornelius was only Pope for two years when he was exiled to a city outside of Rome, and due to harsh conditions, he died the following year. St. Cyprian was born to wealthy parents and converted to Christianity at the age of 46, and gave most of his wealth away. St. Cyprian also refused to renounce his faith and was executed. Both men are honored as martyrs for their Catholic faith.
On Wednesday, we commemorate the feast days of St. Robert Bellarmine, a Bishop who lived very meagerly on bread and garlic, giving everything he owned to the poor. Meanwhile, St. Hildegard of Bingen was an eight-year-old girl from a noble family who lived in a small cloistered woman’s monastery. She wrote of her many visions and described God as a “living light.” Both are also Doctors of the Church.
On Friday, September 19, it is the feast day of St. Januarius, Bishop and Martyr. He was born in Italy and visited two deacons and laymen in prison, and was imprisoned himself and later executed in the year 305 AD.
St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon, St. Paul Chong Ha-sang, and companions were all martyrs for the faith in Korea, where Christianity was banned. It is said that thousands were executed for practicing their Catholic faith. We celebrate their Feast Day on Saturday, September 20.
Parent Night 2025 was a blast! Our VIP's (Very Important Parents) joined us for a fun evening of socializing, snacks and mocktails, trivia, raffles, and of course, meeting with our principal and teachers to learn about classroom and school procedures. Thank you to all of the wonderful parents who joined us for Parent Night this year!
A big thank you to anyone who helped in any way to make the evening a success. You are appreciated. A big shout-out to Mrs. Girard and Mrs. Roider for doing all the planning, purchasing, and organizing. We hope all who attended enjoyed their evening, learned important information, and were able to meet some new people and reconnect with old friends.
"Live a life that reflects God's love."
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
Are you feeling a gentle nudge, a quiet invitation from God, calling you into communion with His Catholic Church? Do you long to learn more about the beautiful Church founded by Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Are you ready to take that first step toward becoming a part of the communion of saints?
We would be absolutely delighted to walk with you on this incredible journey of faith! We invite you to visit our parish website. Simply click on the “Lifelong Faith Formation” tab at the top of the screen, then select “Sacraments,” and choose “Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.” Once you’re redirected to that page, you’ll find a brief interest form to fill out. After that, we’ll reach out to continue the conversation with you. It’s quick and easy—an exciting first step! We can’t wait to meet you and share this special path with you. Let’s begin this joyful adventure together!
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults,
Adapted for Children
Are you the proud parent or guardian of a school-aged child? Do you desire to have your child baptized into Christ’s Church? Whether your child attends our parish school or is enrolled elsewhere, we’re here for you, and we’ve got something special in the works just for you and your family!
You are an integral part of our parish family, and we’re so glad you’re here with us. We can’t wait to support you on your beautiful faith journey. Every family is unique, and we are excited to walk alongside you as you and your child take this important step toward Baptism.
Ready to get started? Simply hop onto our parish website, head to the “Lifelong Faith Formation” tab at the top of the screen, choose “2025-2026 SJE Religious Education Program,” and then select “2025-2026 Religious Education Registration.” Once there, select the second option: “Sacramental Preparation for Unbaptized Children.” There’s a quick form you’ll need to fill out, but once we receive it, we’ll be in touch. We look forward to connecting with you and being part of your family’s faith journey! You belong right here with us.
To stay updated, join our SJE Adult Formation Flocknote or follow us on Facebook.
The Christian Women Society of St. John’s will begin their fall season on Thursday, September 11, with Mass at 6:00 p.m. in the Church. Please wear something red, white, and blue to honor 9/11. There will be a business meeting, followed by a social in the Church Hall. Yearly dues of $5 need to be paid at this time. Please bring your check with you to the meeting or mail it to the parish office. Payment must be made by “Check Only” made payable to the SJE Christian Women. Also, please bring your non-perishable food items for the raffle (no outdated items, please). All women of the parish are invited to join them at Mass and come see what the Society is all about.
The St. John’s Holy Name Society will gather for Corporate Communion in church at the 8:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, September 14. Rosary will begin at 7:30 a.m. Breakfast will follow in the Church Hall after Mass. All men of the Parish (and their sons) are invited to join the Holy Name Society.
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.
Friends, today we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. How strange this feast would have sounded to someone in the ancient world! The triumph of the cross! It would have been analogous to someone speaking today of the triumph of the electric chair or the exaltation of the noose.
The cross terrified people in Greco-Roman times, and that was the point. The cross was state-sponsored terrorism, a form of capital punishment reserved for those who had in the most egregious ways undermined the authority of the Roman state.
So why are we celebrating the triumph of the cross? There is only one possible explanation, and that is the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. All attempts to downplay and explain away the Resurrection are rendered moot by this feast. If Jesus was a victim of that terrible cross tout court, then we should all go home.
Once they had taken in the experience of the Resurrection, the first Christians turned with rapt attention to the cross, convinced that in it they would find something decisive. Somehow, in the strange providence of God, that cross was an ingredient in the very process by which God would save the world.
The cross terrified people in Greco-Roman times, and that was the point. The cross was state-sponsored terrorism, a form of capital punishment reserved for those who had in the most egregious ways undermined the authority of the Roman state.
So why are we celebrating the triumph of the cross? There is only one possible explanation, and that is the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. All attempts to downplay and explain away the Resurrection are rendered moot by this feast. If Jesus was a victim of that terrible cross tout court, then we should all go home.
Once they had taken in the experience of the Resurrection, the first Christians turned with rapt attention to the cross, convinced that in it they would find something decisive. Somehow, in the strange providence of God, that cross was an ingredient in the very process by which God would save the world.
-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 one open hour of Adoration:
Every Other Tuesday (twice per month), 1:00 to 2:00 a.m.
We are also seeking a second Adorer for many of the late evening and overnight hours, particularly on Tuesdays at 10:00 and 1100, Wednesdays at 11:00 p.m., and Fridays 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.