St. Joseph the Worker
Feast Day Friday, May 1
We recently celebrated the Feast Day of St. Joseph the Worker. In his honor, we reflect on this prayer:
Through the example of St. Joseph the Worker,
you have shown us the dignity and value of honest labor.
We thank you for the gift of work,
not only as a means to provide for our needs,
but as a way to serve others and glorify you.
St. Joseph, faithful guardian of Jesus and Mary,
you labored quietly with skill and humility.
Turn each task into an act of love.
Teach us to work with patience, integrity, and joy,
even in the face of difficulty or fatigue.
Protect all workers, those who toil with their hands,
those who labor with their minds, and those seeking employment.
May every workplace be a place of respect, fairness, and cooperation.
Guide us to see Christ in those we serve and in those who work alongside us.
Help us to remember that our true reward
is not found in wealth or recognition,
but in the peace of a job well done in God’s sight.
St. Joseph the Worker, pray for us.
Spiritual Bouquet for Nicholas Emsing
Parishioners are invited to help prepare a spiritual bouquet for Nicholas Emsing. As you may know, Nicholas has been our teaching parish seminarian for the past three years and will be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate on Saturday, June 6, at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary, Indiana. He will return in the fall to finish his seminary formation and continue to serve in our parish. In the meantime, we can offer him our prayers and support. You may fill them out and return them by the weekend of May 23/24. There will be a collection box in the narthex to collect the forms, or you can turn them in at the parish office. The forms will be gathered together in a gift album and given to Nicholas at his ordination. Your participation is much encouraged and appreciated!
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 Drive 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.
The Christian Women Society will start their May 14 meeting with Mass at 6:00 p.m., followed by a business meeting and trivia.
Ladies are reminded to bring a $29 check, payable to SJE Christian Women, for their “Dinner in June.” All are welcome.
Ladies are reminded to bring a $29 check, payable to SJE Christian Women, for their “Dinner in June.” All are welcome.
Spelling Bee Winners
Our St. John’s school was filled with excitement as students in grades 2 through 8 put their skills to the test in this year’s spelling bee! In the weeks leading up to the event, students studied their word lists, showing impressive dedication and determination.
Each classroom crowned two top spellers, who advanced to the final round, where our grade-level champions faced off in an intense, spirited competition. The energy was felt throughout the gym as classmates gathered to cheer on their peers, creating a wonderful sense of community and support.
All finalists were recognized for their hard work with a certificate and an “out-of-uniform” pass. Our top three spellers of 2026 also earned a sweet candy bar reward.
Our top three spellers were:
1st place — Eliezer M.
2nd place — Lauren H.
3rd place — Tommy V.
It was truly inspiring to see so many students excited about spelling, challenging themselves, and celebrating one another’s success.
"Live a life that reflects God's love."
Safe Environment Week April 19 -April 25
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee recognizes April 19th–April 25th as Safe Environment Awareness Week. Each year in April, which is recognized around the country as Child Abuse Prevention Month, we dedicate a week to raising general awareness of the Church’s efforts to keep our children safe. We want people to know that we are committed to maintaining safe environments in our parishes and schools through adult-child abuse prevention training; criminal background checks for all clergy, volunteers working with minors, and employees; safety training for children at each grade level; and adherence to all mandatory reporting requirements.
Proclamation for Safe Environment
https://intranet.archmil.org/ArchMil/Resources/SAFE/ENGLISHProclamationforSafeEnvironmentWeek2026.pdf
USCCB Flyer on 10 Tips for Protecting Children from Abuse and Offering Assistance to Victims/Survivors
https://www.usccb.org/resources/10-tips-bulletin-insert.pdf
USCCB Flyer on Abuse Warning Signs
https://www.usccb.org/resources/warning-signs-bulletin-insert.pdf
USCCB Flyer on Keeping Children and Teens Safe Online-
https://www.usccb.org/resources/cyp-safe-online-bulletin-insert.pdf
With Joy,
We Welcome Our First Holy Communicants
Please keep our First Holy Communicants in your prayers as they received the precious Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, May 2. Throughout this year, they have devoted themselves to catechesis, prayer, and growing in their love for Christ, striving to conform their hearts and minds to His teachings.
This sacred milestone marked not only a moment of joy for these children and their families, but also a renewal of faith for our entire parish community. When they approached the altar for the first time, we pray that they were filled with reverence, wonder, and a deep awareness of Jesus’ abiding presence in the Eucharist. May this encounter strengthen them, guide them, and inspire a lifelong relationship with Him.
This weekend and in the weeks ahead, we invite you to join us in prayer for:
Adrian M., Aubrielle B., Bernadette P, Eli C., Elianna C.,
Faustina S., Gabriella B., Geneva M., Gianna S., Ignatius H.,
Kasandra R., Kaylee R., Kora C., Liam R., Lilia W., Luna K.,
Luna R., Maia R., Malachi P., Manuel M., Matthew B., Noah T.,
Peter G., Sofia M., and Zander Q.
Faustina S., Gabriella B., Geneva M., Gianna S., Ignatius H.,
Kasandra R., Kaylee R., Kora C., Liam R., Lilia W., Luna K.,
Luna R., Maia R., Malachi P., Manuel M., Matthew B., Noah T.,
Peter G., Sofia M., and Zander Q.
May God bless them abundantly today and always. Dennis N. and Olivia E. received their First Holy Communion preparation here at St. John’s but received the Sacrament at another parish in our Catholic community.
“As two pieces of wax fused together make one, so he who receives Holy Communion is so united with Christ that Christ is in him and he is in Christ.”
- St. Cyril of Alexandria (376-444), Father and Doctor of the Church
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), contact me at jpshimek@stjohns-grfd.org.
To stay updated, join our SJE Adult Formation Flocknote or follow us on Facebook.
Sunday, May 3, 2026 | Fifth Sunday of Easter| John 14:1–12
Friends, today in the Last Supper discourse, Jesus reveals the mutual indwelling—the coinherence—of the Father and the Son.
John Dunne told us that “no man is an island.” Rather, we are all interconnected. How do we identify ourselves? Almost exclusively through the naming of relationships. Coinherence is indeed the name of the game, at all levels of reality.
And Jesus lays out for us the coinherence that obtains within the very existence of God. “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?” Though Father and Son are really distinct, they are utterly implicated in each other by a mutual act of love.
John Dunne told us that “no man is an island.” Rather, we are all interconnected. How do we identify ourselves? Almost exclusively through the naming of relationships. Coinherence is indeed the name of the game, at all levels of reality.
And Jesus lays out for us the coinherence that obtains within the very existence of God. “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?” Though Father and Son are really distinct, they are utterly implicated in each other by a mutual act of love.
Now, the impossibly good news is that Jesus and the Father have invited us to participate in the life that they share, to enter fully into their coinherence. “In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places.” What is the “house” of the Father but his own life? Jesus’s point is that there is infinite room within the expanse of God’s life. The love between the Father and the Son—which is called “the Holy Spirit”—can be penetrated, entered into, and participated in.
-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 are two open hours of Adoration:
Tuesdays 3:00 to 4:00 a.m.
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.
You are welcome to sign up on a temporary basis to see how it works for your schedule. 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.