Parishioner News
We welcome the following individuals and families to our parish: Mrs. Marilyn Klar, Michael & Diane Adamczyk, Riley & Anne Nowak and their sons, Patrick and Theodore, Brandon & Christina Grosz and their son, Blake, and Craig & Susan Kraczak.
We celebrate the recently baptized children: Gabriel Bonnell and Lenna Grace Maslach.
We mourn the individuals from the parish who have recently died: Marian Wendler, Rita Godejohn, John “Jack” Schiek, Delores McNew, and Don Kanter.
New Ministry
Deceased Parishioner Prayer Group
A new ministry is starting at St. John’s, one that will pray for parishioners who have died in the past year. When we think about “loving our neighbor,” what better way to show that love than to pray for those parishioners we have lost. The Catholic Church has long advocated praying for departed souls. Such prayers are extremely powerful not only for those souls but also for those who pray for them and for the families they have left behind. Eternity is forever. Imagine the comfort those families will feel knowing their loved one is being prayed for on a regular basis. All you need to join this group is your time, dedication to prayer, and commitment to follow through for those who have died. There will be no meetings; instead, each member of the prayer group will be given a short list of names to pray for, specifically each month. Then, each subsequent month, members will be given a new set of names. We will continue this for an entire year and then begin with a new set of names. Interested? Please contact Jeff Drzadinski at jeffdraz@sbcglobal.net.
Respect Life Sunday-Respect Life Month
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has designated October 5 as Respect Life Sunday, marking the beginning of Respect Life Month. As Catholics, we value the gift of human life and help to build a culture that cherishes and protects it. During this Jubilee year, our focus is on respect for human life, highlighting our Holy Father’s call to be signs of hope to all facing trials and difficulties. “It is not progressive to try to resolve problems by eliminating a human life.” —Pope Francis.
A Message to Parishioners from
Seminarian Nicholas Emsing (Part Two)
This summer, I served as a chaplain at a hospital in Indianapolis as part of the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program. CPE is a training program that helps seminarians hone their skills in pastoral care for the sick. Prior to my departure, my parish pastor back in Indiana warned me that “CPE is built to stretch you!” I had no idea how accurate his assertion would turn out to be! Of all the lessons CPE taught me, the one that stands out most is the impact that the presence of a minister of the Church can have on patients in the hospital. I couldn’t do anything to heal their physical ailments, nor could I provide the sacraments, but patients often told me how much they appreciated my simple presence. To them, I was a representative of Jesus Christ, accompanying them in their suffering. As I prepare to receive Holy Orders next summer, I have learned more about what it might be like to stand in persona Christi, offering a prayerful presence that brings hope during difficult times. Now that I am back, I am looking forward to returning to the school and working with the wonderful students, as well as starting some book studies, so be on the lookout for forthcoming information.
Before I go, I have one request of you, the St. John the Evangelist community. It has been a pleasure getting to be with you all and experience your welcoming presence. As I continue to serve here, I want you to know that I carry this community in prayer every day. One of the greatest joys of the priestly life, for which I am being formed, is getting to know the stories, hopes, and struggles of the people I serve. My request of you is, please don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to me and share your prayer intentions and stories. I want to get to know you and hear the many ways that God is working in your lives.
Oremus pro invicem—Let us pray for one another!
Enjoy St. John's famous Fish Fry and raise money to support the Women’s Support Center of Milwaukee on Friday, October 17, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and the Board of the Women’s Support Center.
Volunteer opportunities are available. Please contact Peter Kurz at (414) 659-2656 if you are interested. All volunteers should arrive by 3:45 p.m.
Donations of diapers, wipes, and infant clothing are also greatly appreciated.
First Prayer Pod of the School Year
On September 29, our school community came together for our first Prayer Pod of the school year. St. John’s School Prayer Pods are a unique experience that we participate in several times each school year. They consist of fun activities, prayer, and sometimes even a treat! Prayer Pods give our students a chance to get to know kids of all ages, because pods consist of a few students from each grade, 4K-8. One of our classroom teachers, along with a member of our National Junior Honor Society, is in each pod to guide students through the activities and prayer. In the Prayer Pod, we spent time getting to know our pod members through playing games, and then we prayed for the intentions of each pod member. It was a great way to start the week!
"Live a life that reflects God's love."
Thank You
The St. John the Evangelist Knights of Columbus Council 524 donates $ 5,000 for new Chromebooks for the School.
It's Pretzel Time!!
Below is the info sheet and an order form if you would like to order Milwaukee Pretzels from our school. Order forms for parish members are due at the parish office by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 8. Parish member pickup is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Communism and the Conscience of the West
by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
All parishioners are invited to dive into the powerful insights of Communism and the Conscience of the West by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. In this thought-provoking book, Archbishop Sheen examines the moral and spiritual challenges posed by Communism, urging Christians to understand its roots and respond with both faith and reason. Whether you are a long-time admirer of Sheen’s wisdom or new to his work, this study will deepen your understanding of the Church’s teachings on social justice, human dignity, and our shared responsibility to confront the challenges of today’s world.
The book study will be offered both online and in-person, four times a week, for a period of three weeks. Choose the time that best fits your schedule. Over the three weeks, we’ll explore key topics including:
- The decline of historical liberalism and the rise of godless ideologies
- Communism as the mortal enemy of the Western world
- The anti-Christian doctrines at the heart of Communism
- The heresies that shaped Communist thought
- The suppression of free speech and thought under Communist regimes
- How Communism is infiltrating schools, universities, and institutions
- The war on the family and moral order
- Our Lady of Fatima’s prophecy on the dangers of Communist Russia
This is an invaluable opportunity to engage with one of the most influential voices of the 20th century and better understand the spiritual battle of our time.
To register, please visit our parish website. Once there, select “Lifelong Faith Formation,” then “Adult Formation,” and click on “Book Studies.” Or, simply visit https://www.stjohns-grfd.org/adult-formation. Program participants are responsible for purchasing their own copy of the book. Just follow the link on the registration page.
(PLEASE NOTE: There is a reading for the first meeting, so please order your book and register today!)
To stay updated, join our SJE Adult Formation Flocknote or follow us on Facebook.
62nd Annual Mission Gala Auction
You are invited to the Xaverian Mission Gala Auction Fundraiser on Saturday, October 18. The event will take place at the Homewood Suites (right next to IKEA). Because the Gala is being held on a Saturday, they will begin the evening with Mass at 5:00 p.m.. This would fulfill your Sunday obligation. There will be free beer, wine, and soda from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., followed by dinner and dessert. You’ll have the chance to participate in a cash raffle and other fun games, as well as a silent auction. Bishop Jeffrey Haines will be the Keynote Speaker. Tickets are $100. The deadline to purchase tickets is October 3.
For their auction, if you have new items that you will not use, but that others may find beautiful, useful, or just plain fun, please bring them to the mission on or before October 10. Your help is deeply appreciated. Any questions, contact Linda at the Xaverian Mission office: 414-421-0831.
The St. John the Evangelist Knights of Columbus will be running their Life Savers 4 Life before and after masses this weekend, October 4 & 5, to support the Respect Life Ministry here at SJE. The Knights will match your donations up to $1000 to help support Life.
Millions of mothers have watched their children abandon their Catholic faith in a chaotic, stressful, and struggling world. Join other Catholic women who are being called by the Holy Spirit to imitate St. Monica and pray for our children to return to practicing their Catholic faith.
Join us at church on Wednesday, October 8, at 7:00 p.m. We are a group of mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and friends who believe in the power of prayer.
The Christian Women's Society will hold its next meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Church Hall on Thursday, October 9. They will have a demo of “Sit & Be Fit.” Please bring your filled “Boxes of Joy” as well as non-perishable food items for the Craft Fair Raffle Baskets (no outdated items, please). Also, please bring your yearly dues of $5, paid by check only. All ladies of the parish are welcome to join.
The Holy Name Society will gather for Corporate Communion at the 8:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, October 12. Rosary will begin at 7:30 a.m. Breakfast will follow Mass in the Church Hall. All men of the Parish (and their sons) are invited to join the Holy Name Society
The next meeting of the St. John’s Prayer Shawl Ministry will be on Friday, October 17, from 10:30 a.m. to Noon. Bring your new creations of Prayer Pockets, Shawls, Lap Blankets, Twiddle Muffs, and Baptismal Gifts. If you enjoy knitting and crocheting, we would love for you to join us and learn more about this ministry.
Thank you to those who made new yarn donations and monetary donations, which were dropped off at the Parish Office to help with this mission!
The meeting location is near St. John's, with easy access and no stairs. Any new members are invited to call Diane Oakland at 414-617-0721 for the location and more information, or email her at: dianeoak@gmail.com.
Friends, in our Gospel, Jesus tells us that if we had faith the size of a mustard seed, we could uproot a mulberry tree and plant it in the sea. What is being communicated here is something simple: faith is power. When our lives are aligned to God we become conduits of enormous power.
Attachments block us and break this flow. An attachment is anything that you convince yourself you cannot live without. This idea is central to the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola. What are the attachments that block the divine power from flowing through us? Wealth, pleasure, honor, power.
Look at the one that we hold up as the model of power. Notice, please, how comfortable he looks; notice how many “nice things” he has around him. And remark how popular he is, how everyone is singing his praises. And notice how successful he is, what a brilliant career he’s had!
Love what Jesus loved on the cross, and despise what he despised, said Thomas Aquinas. That is the key to a spiritually successful life and to the unleashing of divine power.
Attachments block us and break this flow. An attachment is anything that you convince yourself you cannot live without. This idea is central to the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola. What are the attachments that block the divine power from flowing through us? Wealth, pleasure, honor, power.
Look at the one that we hold up as the model of power. Notice, please, how comfortable he looks; notice how many “nice things” he has around him. And remark how popular he is, how everyone is singing his praises. And notice how successful he is, what a brilliant career he’s had!
Love what Jesus loved on the cross, and despise what he despised, said Thomas Aquinas. That is the key to a spiritually successful life and to the unleashing of divine power.
-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 two open hours of Adoration:
Every Other Tuesday (twice per month), 1:00 to 2:00 a.m.
Saturdays, Midnight to 1:00 a.m.
We are also seeking a second Adorer for many of the late evening and overnight hours, particularly on Saturdays at 1:00 a.m. Tuesdays at 10:00 p.m. Also Tuesdays, Wednesdays, 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.