Rules of Fasting
Fasting Days: Catholics are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, with the option to fast on other weekdays during Lent.
Meal Structure: On fasting days, Catholics may eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal.
Abstinence from Meat: Catholics must abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, as well as on all Fridays during Lent.
Health Exemptions: Individuals who are ill, pregnant, or nursing are exempt from fasting.
Personal Sacrifices: Catholics are encouraged to impose personal penitential or charitable acts for Lent.
These rules are designed to help Catholics deepen their spiritual practice and prepare for the celebration of Easter.
Another Prayer Style for Lent
Holding a Loving Conversation with Christ
- Preparation: Place yourself in the presence of Christ.
- Select a scripture passage: Perhaps from the Gospel of the day.
- Consideration: Reflect upon the material and ask yourself the question, Who? What? Why and for what reason?
- Conversation: This is the core of the meditation. Converse with Jesus about the material. Use the affection of love, adoration, thanksgiving, sorrow, and petition.
- Conclusion: Offer gratitude to Christ for gifts received.
Examination of faults during meditation and resolution of further effort in succeeding meditation.
Further Guidelines for Making a Good Meditation
- Talk directly to Christ.
- The conversation should be done slowly and sincerely.
- It should be phrased in your own words.
- The conversation is exercised silently and interiorly through the use of words or sentiments of the heart.
- It is to be a conversation, interspersed with periods of silence.
- The conversation is sustained without tense or violent efforts to stimulate sentiments and emotions.
God, in turn, converses with us through inspiration and illumination.
Ushers Needed
We need to increase the number of ushers at each Mass. We have ushers who are aging and some who are moving away. I ask that you prayerfully consider taking part in this important parish ministry. If interested, please talk to one of the head ushers at your Mass. On Saturday’s 4:30 p.m. Mass, that is Jim Andritsos; on Sunday’s 8:30 a.m. Mass: it is Randy Skonieczny, and at 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass; it is Tony Adams.
Compassion in Action
Six-Week Lenten Drive to Help the Less Fortunate
Parishioners are asked to support our school chapter of the National Junior Honor Society by donating various items during Lent. During Week One (February 15-21), basic health and hygiene products will be collected, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, deodorant, body wash, soap, and similar products.
Only NEW products can be accepted, and they are collecting for both children and adults. You may bring your donations to the Church and leave them in the marked boxes in the Narthex or bring them to the parish office during the work week. The products collected will change each week. Please see the flyer below.
Thank you for your generosity. Items will be given to Robyn’s Nest, Kathy’s House, and the Milwaukee Diaper Mission.
Our next meeting is Friday, February 13, 2026, 10:30 am 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 for your monetary and new yarn donations, dropped off at the Parish Office, to help us in this mission! The meeting location is near St. John's, with easy access and no stairs.
For location, directions, and more information, contact Diane Oakland at 414-617-0721, dianeoak@gmail.com.
Your Virtuous Lenten Journey
Men of St. John’s parish, the St. John’s Men’s Group, and the Men of Christ invite you to join them for Your Virtuous Lenten Journey every Saturday morning during Lent, starting on Saturday, February 21, at 7:00 a.m. This journey covers a 40-day path of intentional growth to slow down and allow God to strengthen your life. This journey includes an invitation to attend the 20th Annual Men of Christ Conference—Building Men of Virtue on March 14, which is sure to be an inspiring day for men of all ages at the Miller High Life Theatre in Milwaukee.
This Lent, they hope you will be ready to join them and step out of the ordinary and do something extraordinary—let God stretch you, strengthen you, and lead you deeper into virtue.
Please see below for the complete schedule. If you have any questions, please contact Will Starcevich at 414-531-7005.
Catholic Schools Week
Catholic Schools Week began rooted in worship and prayer. Our Junior Lectors, Youth Choir, and Youth Hand Bell Choir participated in parish weekend Masses, and students gathered for a schoolwide Prayer Pod to learn about their pod’s patron saint while building community across grade levels. School spirit was on full display with an energetic pep rally and a teachers vs. 8th graders volleyball game, beginning with a prayer service led by our National Junior Honor Society (NJHS).
Cheerleaders energized the crowd as students proudly displayed posters supporting their teams in this friendly competition. Students also enjoyed the SJE Catholic Schools Week Olympics, led by NJHS, featuring teamwork-focused activities ranging from STEM challenges to movement and problem-solving events. The celebration concluded with gold medals and treats for each class. To honor our parish, students created Valentine’s Day cards with their buddies for some of our parishioners.
The week wrapped up with a joyful celebration of creativity and imagination. On the final day of Catholic Schools Week, students and staff dressed as their favorite book or movie characters - featuring everyone from The Lorax and the Grinch to Bluey and more!
The afternoon ended with a movie party complete with snacks, and it was so much fun to see all of the clever costumes.
It was truly an awesome week celebrating faith, community, and Catholic education at St. John’s School!
"Live a life that reflects God's love."
Do You Go to Dave & Busters?
If so, can you support our Amazing School?
St. John the Evangelist is pumped to continue our Dave & Buster’s Power Card Fundraising Campaign until March 9, 2026!
When you purchase a Dave & Buster’s Power Card from our fundraising page, 50% of your order directly supports St. John the Evangelist! Whether it’s classic arcade thrills, action-packed racing, or multiplayer challenge, enjoy endless gaming fun at any Dave & Buster’s location nationwide when you purchase your Power Card at the link below.
Don’t forget to share it with friends and family to join in the fun: grouprai.se/davebusters69004m.
These Shining Lives
Sunday, March 15 at 3:00 p.m.
Join Acacia Theatre Company for These Shining Lives, a compelling and heartfelt drama by Melanie Marnich. Set in 1922 Ottawa, Illinois, this powerful play tells the true story of women who find friendship, purpose, and hope while working at the Radium Dial Company.
What begins as an exciting opportunity for these women soon turns into a courageous fight for truth and justice as they confront the dangers of their workplace and challenge a system that overlooks their well-being. These Shining Lives is a moving tribute to resilience, solidarity, and the enduring strength of community.
The parish has reserved a select number of tickets for the performance on Sunday, March 15, at 3:00 p.m.
To claim your ticket, please contact me at jpshimek@stjohns-grfd.org.
To stay updated, join our SJE Adult Formation Flocknote or follow us on Facebook.
Sunday, February 15, 2026 | Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time| Matthew 5:17–37 (or 5:20–22a, 27–28, 33–34a, 37)
Friends, today’s Gospel presents Jesus as the new Moses delivering his Sermon on the Mount.
In the Old Testament, we find Moses, the great teacher, going up a mountain to receive the Law and then sitting down to teach it. Likewise, Jesus goes up a mountain and sits down to teach. However, Jesus is not receiving a law; he is giving one. During his sermon, we hear, “You have heard that it was said . . . But I say . . .” which reveals that Jesus has authority even over the Torah.
The Law is not being abrogated; it is being intensified, raised to a new pitch. Jesus declares that he would not undermine the Law and the prophets but fulfill them.
For instance, Jesus teaches, “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.” To be like God utterly, we obviously have to eliminate cruel and hateful actions. But we have to go deeper, eliminating cruel and hateful thoughts and attitudes as well, for God is love right through.
-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 currently have one open hour:
Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
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.