Mail Scam Regarding Xaverian Fathers
Fr. Alex was approached recently by a parishioner here at St. John’s who told him they had received a letter through the US Postal Service, supposedly sent by the Xaverian Fathers, asking for money. The Xaverian Fathers send out a letter with their raffle tickets once a year and three novena notifications annually, but if you received such a letter asking for money recently, please disregard it. It is a scam.
Spam Emails from Fr. Michael
In a similar scam, from time to time, parishioners and staff here at St. John’s will get an email supposedly from me, or a Parish Council member, asking for a favor. If you check the return email address, you will see that it is not from a legitimate email account, but is disguised as one. A recent email to a staff member asked her to reply to set up a surprise for the rest of the staff. Some of these fake emails will ask for gift cards, promising to reimburse you once they are delivered. Please know that I, nor Council members, will not reach out to you to ask for any monetary favors. Usually, the content of these emails is written in poor English, with awkward phrasing. Disregard and delete any of these emails you may receive.
World Day of Prayer for Vocations
On Sunday, April 26, we celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. It is dedicated to praying for vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, consecrated life, secular institutes, and missionary work. In our prayers, we encourage young people to discern their calling to the Church and respond to the Shepherd’s call. Pope Leo emphasizes that every vocation is a gift from God and a path of beauty.
Reminder that 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 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 weather is turning warmer, and our Parish Festival will be here in no time. A few recommendations from the Festival Committee include:
Additional volunteer opportunities will be included in future bulletins. If you have never volunteered at the festival, give it a try this summer. You will make new friends and have a lot of fun. There are also opportunities for families to volunteer together and begin to make special memories for years to come.
- If you still have a festival yard sign from last year, please return it to the parish office or leave it in the back of the church.
- You can begin donating to the Grocery Raffle and Mystery Package in the back of the church or at the parish office.
- If you like to bake, keep in mind the festival dinners will need cupcakes or bars, and there is also the bake sale after Mass.
- Inside food operations is looking for workers to fill many slots before and after the festival. A complete list is available in the parish office.
The Festival Committee is looking for someone to take over for Mary Mitchell. After many, many years, Mary is leaving her duties on the Food Committee, and she will be missed.
If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please contact Marie Stemo (414) 427-7467 or Mary Mitchell (414) 916-2298.
Additional volunteer opportunities will be included in future bulletins. If you have never volunteered at the festival, give it a try this summer. You will make new friends and have a lot of fun. There are also opportunities for families to volunteer together and begin to make special memories for years to come.
Tootsie Roll Sales Before and After Mass
on May 2 and 3
The Knights of Columbus Council 524 Tootsie Roll Drive will be held on Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, before and after Masses to help people with intellectual disabilities. The Knights will match up to $1,000 of total donations.
Respect Life Committee
Mother’s Day Roses
The St. John’s Respect Life Committee will be distributing roses for Moms on Mother’s Day weekend (May 9 and 10) at the Saturday and Sunday Masses in the Narthex. These long-stem red roses make a great gift for Mom on her special day, and your free-will donation will benefit the parish's Respect Life activities.
Volunteer Landscapers Back in Action
The St. John’s Landscapers have begun another season of planting on the parish grounds. Last week, they cleared away last year’s mulch to prepare the flower gardens in front of the parish office for this growing season. They keep the grounds looking beautiful all summer long. If you would like to volunteer, please stop by the parish office. They have weekday and weekend availabilities.
St. John’s Prayer Shawl Ministry News
The St. John’s Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet on Friday, April 24, from 10:30 am to Noon. The meeting location is 8101 W. Dreyer Place, with easy access and no stairs. Bring your new creations of Prayer Pockets, Shawls, Lap Blankets, Twiddle Muffs, and Baptismal Gifts. If you enjoy knitting and crocheting, please join them and learn more about this ministry. Thank you for dropping off your monetary and new yarn donations at the Parish Office to help in this mission! For more information, contact Diane Oakland at 414-617-0721 or email her at dianeoak@gmail.com.
Panel Members Needed for Justification of Graduation (JOG) Presentations
As mentioned last week, our 8th-grade students will continue the St. John’s JOG tradition on May 11 and 12. Our 8th-grade students will present to their parents, mentors, and members of the parish and school community on how our parish school has prepared them for their futures.
Would you be interested in being a part of the viewing panel? As a panel member, your job is to sit back and listen to an 8th-grade student's accomplishments in the areas of Catholic faith, academics, service, extracurricular activities, and future plans, then offer positive feedback.
Please consider being a part of this event. Each PowerPoint presentation should last approximately 20 minutes. We would like you to consider listening to two or three students’ presentations.
Two presentations will take about one hour. Presentations are scheduled for:
May 11, from 8:30 am-11:30 am and 12:30 pm-2:00 pm. May 12, from 8:00 am-11:30 am and 12:30 pm-2:00 pm.
If you are interested, please contact me at 414-321-8540 or email boberdorf@sje.school by April 30 to let us know of your interest and availability.
"Live a life that reflects God's love."
Reminder: First Holy Communion Rehearsal on Wednesday April 29
Students registered in our School and Religious Education program preparing to receive their First Holy Communion on Saturday, May 2 will have a special rehearsal on Wednesday, April 29 at 6:15pm. This rehearsal is mandatory. Upon arrival, please enter through the narthex doors.
“Saints, Steps & Sips”
Catholic Young Adult Line Dancing Night
Join us for a fun and lively evening of dancing, fellowship, and community on Saturday, May 16 at Sacred Heart Croatian Parish. Doors open at 7:00pm, with a full hour of line dancing lessons beginning at 8:00pm. Throughout the night, participants will continue learning one to two new dances each hour—no experience necessary!
This event is open to ages 18+ (but participants must be 21+ with valid ID to purchase alcoholic drinks).
Tickets: $10 presale | $15 at the door
Location: Sacred Heart Croatian Parish
917 N. 49th St., Milwaukee, WI 53208
For more information, or to order tickets in advance, please visit https://sacredheartmilwaukee.square.site/.
Come enjoy great music, meet fellow young adults, and step into a night of fun!
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 26, 2026 | Fourth Sunday of Easter| John 10:1–10
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus identifies himself as the sheepgate and says, “Whoever enters through me will be saved.” Well, does this mean that only explicit Christians will be saved? Does it mean that unless you are baptized, you don’t receive the Holy Spirit?
There are two extremes to be avoided here. On the one hand, the exclusivist claim that only baptized Catholics can be saved. That is not the teaching of the Church. But the other extreme (I think more prevalent today) is that one’s religion is finally a matter of indifference as long as one finds oneself on a spiritual path.
This second view doesn’t give nearly enough weight to the uniqueness of Christianity. With Jesus Christ, something altogether new has entered the world, something that is deeply pleasing to God and therefore of salvific significance to us.
This is the power and message of the cross, that dynamic into which we, the baptized, have been drawn. Redemptive suffering is what Jesus did on the cross: enduring suffering for doing what is right. This is pleasing in God’s eyes, precisely because it is redemptive for the world, precisely because it takes away something that God hates.
-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.