Parishioner News
We welcome the following individuals and families to our parish: Charles & Gina Cifaldi and children Maria, Luciana, Amelia, & Rocco; Earl & Laura Reed; Judith “Judy” Zielke; Priciliano & Nicole Saavedra and sons Damian & Sebastian; and Kathleen Cook.
We also mourn the parishioners who recently died: Dorothy Kowalski, Moises “Mike” Nazario, Larry Larson, Joan Lewandowski, Albert “Al” Szews, and Dorothy Colburn.
Christ Is Risen - Indeed - Alleluia
Easter blessings to all as we continue to celebrate the resurrection of Christ over the next 50 days.
During this time, we give thanks to God for the great turnout of prayerful parishioners and visitors for the Holy Week services. I would like to thank the many people behind the scenes who helped make the extra Holy Week Liturgies flow with the least amount of distractions and interruptions.
We began Palm Sunday with the biggest turnout both for the three Masses, and we also packed the Church Hall twice after the morning Masses for the pancake breakfast. It is always good to see so many people enjoy refreshments and fellowship.
I am thankful for the folks who worked so faithfully in the kitchen flipping pancakes, grilling sausages, cleaning tables, pouring milk and coffee, and serving the delicious Slovenian dessert delights. A special thank you to the Slovenians who baked for the pancake breakfast. It was also wonderful to see them in their native dress processing the palms in church at the 8:30 a.m. Mass.
In addition, a thank you to the parishioners who agreed to have their feet washed on Holy Thursday. It is a humbling act not only to wash feet but also to have your feet washed. We thank all those who ministered during the Holy Week, church decorators, lectors, acolytes, and Communion distributors. And a hearty thank you to all our choirs, both youth and adults, in voice and ringing of the bells. Along with ushers, gratitude to Wally and Bob who prepared the Holy Saturday fire for the lighting of the new Easter Candle. Our church was absolutely beautiful.
Finally, a big thank you to Dennis Baumgardner, who prepared the three men for Baptism and Confirmation prior to the Easter Vigil. If you are aware of anyone who would like to become Catholic, be baptized, or be confirmed, please call the parish office at (414) 321-1965 to enroll them in our OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) program.
Parish elections will be coming up soon. Next weekend, April 18 and 19, is nomination weekend for the next Pastoral Council Election. We have two At-Large Members who serve three-year terms and one Trustee who serves a two-year term. Nominees must be registered parish members, baptized Catholic, at least 18 years of age, and not be immediate family members of employees of the parish.
Nominations are due in the parish office by Monday, April 27, at 5:00 p.m. A biography (subject to editing for length) and a headshot color photo are due in the office by Tuesday, May 5. Both can be sent by email to rectory@stjohns-grfd.org.
The photos and biographies will be in the bulletin on May 10. The election for the Pastoral Council will take place at the weekend Masses on May 16 and 17.
Nominations are due in the parish office by Monday, April 27, at 5:00 p.m. A biography (subject to editing for length) and a headshot color photo are due in the office by Tuesday, May 5. Both can be sent by email to rectory@stjohns-grfd.org.
The photos and biographies will be in the bulletin on May 10. The election for the Pastoral Council will take place at the weekend Masses on May 16 and 17.
The Christian Women Society will meet on Thursday, April 16, at 6:00 p.m in the church Hall.
The guest speaker will be from the Milwaukee County Zoo. The topic will be the History of the Zoo.
All are welcome.
The guest speaker will be from the Milwaukee County Zoo. The topic will be the History of the Zoo.
All are welcome.
Compassion in Action!
Almsgiving in action! Throughout Lent, our National Junior High School students held a drive for a variety of products, from hygiene and baby care to cleaning supplies and school supplies. Each week, the group used its recess time to collect each classroom's donations and sort them into categories. Some of the supplies formed mountains!
We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the generosity of our school and parish families! We thank you so very much! These donations will make their way to local organizations: Robyn's Nest, Kathy's House, and the Milwaukee Diaper Mission.
Thank you for your generous donations to our Compassion in Action supply drive!
"Live a life that reflects God's love."
Love Begins Here:
A Local Mission Experience for Our Youth
Looking for a meaningful way for teens to grow in faith, serve others, and build lasting friendships this summer? Love Begins Here (LBH), a mission program of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, offers middle and high school students a powerful, week-long local mission experience rooted in prayer, service, and community.
Inspired by the witness of St. Teresa of Calcutta, LBH invites young people to encounter Christ not in distant places, but right here in our own neighborhoods. Participants spend their days serving those in need through simple but meaningful acts—helping at food pantries, assisting the elderly, cleaning yards, painting, and more. These experiences emphasize that even the smallest acts, when done with great love, can make a lasting impact.
Evenings are filled with prayer, fellowship, and fun—creating space for teens to deepen their relationship with Jesus while forming friendships with peers from across the Archdiocese. Each week includes daily Mass, opportunities for Confession and Adoration, and engaging talks that help participants reflect on their experiences and grow as missionary disciples.
Unlike distant mission trips, LBH focuses on serving “neighbors first,” reminding us that God has placed us in this time and place for a reason—to be His hands and feet to those closest to us.
If your child is entering grades 6–12 and is looking for a summer experience that is both fun and faith-filled, consider joining LBH. Visit https://www.archmil.org/love-begins-here to learn more.
To stay updated, join our SJE Adult Formation Flocknote or follow us on Facebook.
Vacation Bible School
Elementary school–aged children entering grades K5 through 6 are invited to join us for an exciting week of faith and fun at our 2026 Vacation Bible School: Rainforest Falls – An Epic Adventure of Faith! Vacation Bible School will run from June 15-19 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.
Each day, children will discover God’s love through engaging Bible stories, music, games, and hands-on activities in a vibrant rainforest setting. A snack will be included.
Space is limited, so please register today. The cost is $10 per child or $30 per family (for families sending three or more campers).
Students entering grades 7 and 8 are welcome to apply as Junior Crew Leaders, and high school students may apply to serve as Rainforest Rangers.
For more information about the Rainforest Rangers program, please contact me.
To register campers (grades K5-6) and Junior Crew Leaders (grades 7-8), simply scan the QR code to access our registration page. Those applying to serve as Rainforest Rangers should contact me at jpshimek@stjohns-grfd.org.
To stay updated, join our SJE Adult Formation Flocknote or follow us on Facebook.
Sunday, April 12, 2026 | Sunday of Divine Mercy| John 20:19–31
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Thomas says that he will not believe in the Lord’s resurrection unless he puts his finger in Jesus’s nailmarks and his hand in Jesus’s side. Thomas is a saint especially suitable for our time. Modernity has been marked by two great qualities: skepticism and empiricism, the very qualities we can discern in Thomas.
And when the risen Jesus reappears, he invites the doubter to look, see, and touch. But then that devastating line: “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.
If we stubbornly said—even in the area of science—that we will accept only what we can clearly see and touch and control, we wouldn’t know much about reality. This helps us to better understand Jesus’s words to Thomas. It is not that we who have not seen and have believed are settling for a poor substitute for vision. No, we are being described as blessed, more blessed than Thomas. God is doing all sorts of things that we cannot see, measure, control, or fully understand. But it is an informed faith that allows one to fall in love with such a God.
And when the risen Jesus reappears, he invites the doubter to look, see, and touch. But then that devastating line: “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.
If we stubbornly said—even in the area of science—that we will accept only what we can clearly see and touch and control, we wouldn’t know much about reality. This helps us to better understand Jesus’s words to Thomas. It is not that we who have not seen and have believed are settling for a poor substitute for vision. No, we are being described as blessed, more blessed than Thomas. God is doing all sorts of things that we cannot see, measure, control, or fully understand. But it is an informed faith that allows one to fall in love with such a God.
-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.
There is one open hour of Adoration:Saturdays 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
We are also seeking Adorers for several hours during the week, with many options to fit your schedule! Please consider an hour during the day, the evening, or overnight.
If you are looking for some quiet time to be with Our Lord, please call or text 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.