Emmanuel, God With Us Christmas Concert
A hearty thank you to the many people involved in the preparation and execution of our annual Christmas concert on Sunday, December 7. A special recognition to Karen Schulteis for her vision and energy to bring the concert to fruition. Also, an extra thank you to Chris Schulteis, Karen’s husband, along with the technicians like John Schindhelm and Bennett Rausch, who helped bring the sounds of voices alive. And thank you to all the singing voices and those who played instruments; we appreciated all of your time and work, and the sharing of your talents. And finally, a big thank you to the many people in the audience who came and enjoyed the music for the seasons of Advent and Christmas, which makes all the work so worthwhile. Working together brought about another successful and beautiful concert. Emmanuel, God With Us, pray for us.
Let Us Pray In Remembrance
On the last day of October, a very long-time parishioner, Charles Pogorelcnik, passed away. He worked as a civil engineer for the City of Milwaukee with a special focus on Milwaukee bridges. In his leisure time, he owned and oversaw the growth and care of hundreds of acres of forest up north. In fact, the wood picnic tables that we primarily still use at our parish festival were made from the wood he harvested from his trees. He was always involved in our parish festival in so many ways. Chuck would come down from his property up north in the month of July to help with the festival each year. Chuck’s funeral will be on Friday, December 19. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., and his funeral Mass will begin at 11:000 a.m.
The First Mass of Christmas Eve, 3:00 p.m.
A reminder for those who take part in the early Christmas Eve Mass. The first Mass of Christmas Eve on Wednesday, December 24, will begin at 3:00 p.m. with a pre-Christmas music concert beginning at 2:30 p.m. Please plan accordingly. The late Christmas Eve Mass will start at 10:00 p.m., with a pre-Christmas music concert beginning at 9:30 p.m. On Thursday, December 25, Christmas Day, there will be two Masses, at 8:30 a.m. and at 10:30 a.m.
Honey Is Here!
We are once again selling locally grown honey from our parish office. There are three flavors to select from: Clover and Basswood (both light in color) and Wild Flower (a bit darker shade of amber). Each three-pound jar is $24, preferably paid in cash. It is distributed by Rolling Meadows Sorghum Mill in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
2025 Giving Tree
All gifts must be returned by Noon on Sunday, December 14.
The parish Confirmation Candidates for Spring of 2026 will again sponsor the Giving Tree as one of their outreach service projects. This weekend, three of the Confirmation Candidates will speak about the Giving Tree before the announcements.
Gifts will be delivered to five charities in the Milwaukee area. Gifts will be in the hands of individuals and families before Christmas. Let us all share the true meaning of Christmas with those in need. On behalf of all the recipients of your generosity, a big, hearty thank you!
A Contest to Honor Teachers
Catholic Financial Life's “Give Back” Contest honors teachers for their remarkable dedication to transforming their students' lives. One of our very own St. John’s Parish School teachers, Mrs. Kazik, was nominated. You may vote for her once per day per device through Friday, December 19.
Also, if your child has been in Mrs. Kazik's second-grade class, please share your thoughts when voting, as these stories and comments are taken into consideration by the judges, as well as the vote tally.
Three outstanding teachers will each receive a $500 cash prize, and their schools will receive a $4,000 donation to support their mission. Let's get Mrs. Kazik into the top three.
Vote online Monday, December 15, through Friday, December 19. The link to vote is: www.catholicfinanciallife.org/givebackcontest.
St. John’s Prayer Shawl Ministry News
The next meeting of the St. John’s Prayer Shawl Ministry is on Friday, December 12, from 10:30 a.m. to Noon. Please bring your new creations of Prayer Pockets, Shawls, Lap Blankets, Twiddle Muffs, and Baptismal Gifts. If you enjoy knitting and crocheting, they would love to have you join them and learn more about this ministry. Thank you to all who have donated new yarn and money to this ministry. The meeting location is the Building Community Room at the Highland Ridge Complex, 3993 S. Prairie Hill Lane, with easy access and no stairs. For more information, please contact Diane Oakland at (414) 617-0721 or email her at dianeoak@gmail.com.
The Holy Name Society will gather for Corporate Communion at the 8:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, December 14. Rosary will begin at 7:30 a.m. Breakfast will follow Mass in the gym. All men of the Parish (and their sons) are invited to join the Holy Name Society.
Our students decorated two Christmas trees at the Milwaukee County Zoo using ornaments our students made in their art classes. This year, there were two themes: for our K4 through 4th-grade students, it was “Fantasea,” which included ornaments of sea creatures. Our older students' theme was “Jungle Bells.” The ornaments looked amazing, and our students enjoyed decorating the tree.
Our school Christmas concert is on Thursday, December 18, in the school Gym. We will have performances at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Doors open one-half hour before each concert. Our music teachers are putting together a wonderful show. Our students are working hard, mastering their songs and beginning final preparation for the big event. Please join us for one of the concerts. The afternoon performance usually has plenty of good seats available. Our evening performance is well attended, and seating is limited.
"Live a life that reflects God's love."
Young Adults
Save the Date!
What: Winter Weekend Retreat 2026
When: Friday, February 13 – Sunday, February 15, 2026
Where: Schoenstatt Retreat Center, Waukesha, WI
Why: “God is there in these moments of rest and can give us in a single instant exactly what we need.” — St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
Who: Young Adults Aged 20-39
Take a step away from your busy routine and come be refreshed. This retreat, organized by Brew City Catholic, is an invitation for young adults in their 20s and 30s to find renewal — in relationship with Christ, in community, and in the life of faith.
Whether you come to deepen an active faith or simply to explore the Church and meet others, you’ll find a welcoming place here. The weekend includes keynote talks, small-group discussions, quiet time for prayer and reflection, and fellowship with other young adults.
Registration is open now. You can book lodging or choose a commuter package (from $95 to $260) online at brewcitycatholic.com/winter-weekend.html. If you have questions, contact Anna Kozlowski at kozlowskia@archmil.org.
To stay updated, join our SJE Adult Formation Flocknote or follow us on Facebook.
Friends, in today’s Gospel, John the Baptist asks if Jesus is “the one... or should we look for another?” When this inquiry is conveyed to Jesus, the Lord does not respond theoretically, but rather by pointing to things that are happening.
“Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.”
Was Jesus doing all of this in the literal sense? Yes! That he was a miracle worker and a healer was one of the most fundamental perceptions regarding Jesus. When God came among us in Christ, he effected the work of repairing his broken and hurting creation. He is not interested simply in souls but in bodies as
well.
And so we hear indeed of the man born blind, of Bartimaeus, of the paralyzed man lowered down through the roof to Jesus, of the woman with the flow of blood, of the man who is deaf and dumb to whom Jesus says “Ephphatha!” (Be opened!). We hear of Lazarus, and the daughter of Jairus, and the son of the widow of Nain.
“Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.”
Was Jesus doing all of this in the literal sense? Yes! That he was a miracle worker and a healer was one of the most fundamental perceptions regarding Jesus. When God came among us in Christ, he effected the work of repairing his broken and hurting creation. He is not interested simply in souls but in bodies as
well.
And so we hear indeed of the man born blind, of Bartimaeus, of the paralyzed man lowered down through the roof to Jesus, of the woman with the flow of blood, of the man who is deaf and dumb to whom Jesus says “Ephphatha!” (Be opened!). We hear of Lazarus, and the daughter of Jairus, and the son of the widow of Nain.
-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 (every other week), 1:00 to 2:00 a.m.
Tuesdays, 4:00 to 5:00 a.m.
Saturdays, Midnight to 1:00 a.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.