Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (cont.)
Last week’s newsletter listed the Consecration to the United States by the U.S. Bishops. This weekend, you will find the words of the Original Consecration to the Sacred Heart written and used by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, from the book Devotion to the Sacred Heart by Fr. John Croiset, S.J.
Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring, and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.
I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.
I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants.
Amen.
St. John the Baptist Feast Day June 24
June is filled with wonderful solemnities and feast days, which help nourish our Christian faith. This week, we celebrate the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the prophetic forerunner of Jesus Christ. This feast is on Wednesday, June 24. Please join us for Mass at 8:00 a.m., followed by the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. On that same day, please join the Respect Life Committee for the Holy Hour for the Unborn at Noon.
Vacation Bible School
By all accounts, Vacation Bible School, which was held this past week, was a great success. A big thank you to all of the volunteers. We look forward to a bigger and even greater event next year.
The Festival Committee needs your help and asks that you set aside some time to assist as we begin setting up for the Festival.
- Tuesday, July 7, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Preliminary setup and moving of supplies
- Friday, July 10, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Set up iron, heavy lifting
- Saturday, July 11, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Various duties, some heavy lifting -Lunch will be provided
- Monday, July 13, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Various duties
- Tuesday, July 14, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Various duties
- Wednesday, July 15, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Various duties
- Thursday, July 16, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Various duties
- Friday, July 17, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Various duties
- Saturday, July 18, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Various duties - Lunch will be provided
- Monday, July 20, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. & 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Various duties (day and evening shifts) - Lunch will be provided
- Tuesday, July 21, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. & 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Various duties (day and evening shifts) - Lunch will be provided
- Wednesday, July 22, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. & 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Various duties (day and evening shifts) - Lunch will be provided
- Thursday, July 23, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. & 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Various duties (day and evening shifts) - Lunch will be provided
- Friday, July 24, 9:00 a.m. until done - Various duties
- Sunday, July 26, after fireworks until 2:00 a.m.: Please meet at the Shed (help is also needed July 27, 28 & 29).
Contact Bob Stemo (262) 219-4251
Firecracker Backer Donations
As a Firecracker Backer, you may choose to donate at any of the following levels:
Diamond $1,000
Platinum $500
Gold $250
Silver $150
Bronze $100
Copper $50
Your name or business would appear on the donor placemat, which is used at our Fish Fry and Chicken Dinners, Pancake and Holy Name breakfasts, and any other special event at St. John’s. Please make checks payable to St. John the Evangelist and drop them off or mail them to the Parish Office by Monday, June 29. Thank you so much for your many donations for our Parish Festival Fireworks.
Any questions? Call Diane Gaffke at (414) 573-5461.
Booth Sponsorship
St. John’s invites you to support our beloved festival by becoming an official sponsor of a festival booth or game for your business or organization, or by honoring a loved one with a sponsorship. St. John’s is an extremely popular festival that attracts thousands of attendees, providing strong traffic for your sponsorship. The cost is $175, which includes a professionally produced custom sign and inclusion in daily announcements on the PA system throughout the three-day festival weekend.
Please contact Dave Radke at (414) 529-2356 to become a sponsor or if you are interested in learning more about the opportunity to not only promote your business, but help St. John’s thrive for years to come.
Booth Captains Needed
The following booths need captains:
Friday: Bank Shot, Belgium Waffle, Coke Toss (6:00 - 11:00 p.m.), Door Security, Nachos, Ride Tickets, Spot Challenge, Turkey Shoot, Wild Kingdom
Saturday: Bean Bag Toss, Belgium Waffle, Brandy Spin, Coke Toss (6:00 - 11:00 p.m.), Door Security, Pot O'Gold, Ride Tickets, Turkey Shoot, Wild Kingdom
Sunday: 3-Pin Bowl, Bean Bag Toss, Coke Toss (5:00-9:00 p.m.), Door Security, Nachos, Ride Tickets
Contact Marie Stemo at 414-427-7467 to volunteer.
Raffle and Various Booth Items Needed
We need items for various festival booths. Please bring items to the parish office.
- Mystery Package Booth: Items should be NEW and worth at least 50 cents for men, women, and children.
- Raffle Booth: Larger items such as electronics, appliances, lawn equipment, or any other larger items you think someone would be eager to buy a chance to win.
- Grocery Booth: A wide variety of non-perishable (not expired) food items is needed.
- Gentlemen’s Chest: We need new and unopened bottles of wine, whiskey, vodka, gin, and after-dinner cordials.
Hamburger & Hot Dog Booth
Volunteers are also needed at the Hamburger & Hot Dog Booth. This is a great opportunity for families to work together. Four-hour shifts are the minimum, but longer shifts are also available with a break as needed.
If you're available and interested in lending a hand, please call or text
Chery Cincotta at 414-378-5222. Thanks!
Respect Life
Popcorn for Pops
In honor of Father’s Day, the Respect Life Committee will be selling small bags of Badger Popcorn. It’s been very popular for the last few years. Pro-Life Wisconsin is supplying three-ounce bags of popcorn. The cost is $3 per bag or two for $5. The popcorn sales will take place at all Masses on Father’s Day weekend, June 20 and 21.
Volunteer Mowers Needed
We are looking for volunteers to help mow the soccer fields during soccer season. Cutting the entire field takes about three-and-a-half to four hours, while mowing just the soccer fields takes about one to one-and-a-half hours. The soccer fields are typically cut every two to three weeks throughout the season, beginning in mid-August and ending in late October.
Your time and help would be greatly appreciated. If you are interested in volunteering, please leave your name and phone number at the parish office at 414-321-1965.
"Live a life that reflects God's love."
Dear Friends in Christ,
It is with a heart full of gratitude, mixed with a touch of sadness, that I share some bittersweet news with you all. After a wonderful season of shared ministry here at St. John the Evangelist Parish, I will be stepping down from my role as Director of Lifelong Faith Formation. Beginning June 29, I will transition into a new role as Associate Director of Diaconate Formation for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Looking back on our time together, I am incredibly proud of what we have built and experienced as a community. We journeyed deep into the heart of our faith through numerous book studies and formation programs for children, youth, adults, and families. Two particularly unforgettable highlights were our parish's participation in the Marian Consecration program that culminated in a parish pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion and our parish's involvement in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. Both were profound moments of grace that drew us closer to our Eucharistic Lord and to one another.
None of these fruits would have been possible without an incredible team. My deepest gratitude goes to our pastor, Fr. Michael Merkt, for his constant leadership, guidance, and support during my time here. And to the wonderful parish staff, thank you for your daily collaboration, patience, and friendship. It has been an honor serving alongside you. To all our dedicated catechists and adult volunteers—thank you for your tireless zeal, your late nights, and the beautiful witness of faith you offer our community. In particular, I would like to thank our catechists: Mary Arredondo, Dennis Baumgardner (OCIA), Matthew Crivello, Laura Dolkiewicz, Pam Donegan, Rick Fessenbecker, Paul Fruncek, Amy Grundrum, Hugh and Kathy Harty, Susan Krawczak, Emmett and Lauren Nienhaus, and Julie Sarnowski. And I would like to thank our adult formation small group leaders: Janet Bartol, Karen Hess, Will Starcevich (Saturday morning men’s group), Jenny Stern, Callista Toman, and Laura Lee Wierzbinski. You are all wonderful and amazing!
In my new role with the Archdiocese, I will assist the director in implementing the vision of Catholic intellectual, spiritual, human, pastoral, and vocational formation for our permanent diaconate program, as laid out in the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States of America, promulgated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
While I am excited to step into this new vineyard of formational leadership, I will deeply miss the daily rhythms and wonderful people of Greenfield. Please keep me in your prayers as I begin this new chapter, and know that you remain in mine.
With prayers and gratitude.
To stay updated, join our SJE Adult Formation Flocknote or follow us on Facebook.
It is with a heart full of gratitude, mixed with a touch of sadness, that I share some bittersweet news with you all. After a wonderful season of shared ministry here at St. John the Evangelist Parish, I will be stepping down from my role as Director of Lifelong Faith Formation. Beginning June 29, I will transition into a new role as Associate Director of Diaconate Formation for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Looking back on our time together, I am incredibly proud of what we have built and experienced as a community. We journeyed deep into the heart of our faith through numerous book studies and formation programs for children, youth, adults, and families. Two particularly unforgettable highlights were our parish's participation in the Marian Consecration program that culminated in a parish pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion and our parish's involvement in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. Both were profound moments of grace that drew us closer to our Eucharistic Lord and to one another.
None of these fruits would have been possible without an incredible team. My deepest gratitude goes to our pastor, Fr. Michael Merkt, for his constant leadership, guidance, and support during my time here. And to the wonderful parish staff, thank you for your daily collaboration, patience, and friendship. It has been an honor serving alongside you. To all our dedicated catechists and adult volunteers—thank you for your tireless zeal, your late nights, and the beautiful witness of faith you offer our community. In particular, I would like to thank our catechists: Mary Arredondo, Dennis Baumgardner (OCIA), Matthew Crivello, Laura Dolkiewicz, Pam Donegan, Rick Fessenbecker, Paul Fruncek, Amy Grundrum, Hugh and Kathy Harty, Susan Krawczak, Emmett and Lauren Nienhaus, and Julie Sarnowski. And I would like to thank our adult formation small group leaders: Janet Bartol, Karen Hess, Will Starcevich (Saturday morning men’s group), Jenny Stern, Callista Toman, and Laura Lee Wierzbinski. You are all wonderful and amazing!
In my new role with the Archdiocese, I will assist the director in implementing the vision of Catholic intellectual, spiritual, human, pastoral, and vocational formation for our permanent diaconate program, as laid out in the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States of America, promulgated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
While I am excited to step into this new vineyard of formational leadership, I will deeply miss the daily rhythms and wonderful people of Greenfield. Please keep me in your prayers as I begin this new chapter, and know that you remain in mine.
With prayers and gratitude.
To stay updated, join our SJE Adult Formation Flocknote or follow us on Facebook.
Sunday, June 21, 2026 | 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time| Matthew 10:26–33
Friends, three times in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us not to be afraid. When we fear, we cling to who we are and what we have; we see ourselves as the threatened center of a hostile universe. Fear is the “original sin” of which the Church Fathers speak. Fear is the poison that was injected into human consciousness and human society from the beginning.
And fear is a result of forgetting our deepest identity. At the root and ground of our being, there is what Christianity calls “the image and likeness of God.” This means that at the foundation of our existence, we are one with the divine power that continually creates and sustains the universe. We are held and cherished by the infinite love of God.
When we rest in this center and realize its power, we know that we are safe, or in more classical religious language, “saved.” And therefore, we can let go of fear and begin to live in radical trust. But when we lose sight of this rootedness in God, we live exclusively on the tiny island of the ego, and our lives become dominated by fear.
And fear is a result of forgetting our deepest identity. At the root and ground of our being, there is what Christianity calls “the image and likeness of God.” This means that at the foundation of our existence, we are one with the divine power that continually creates and sustains the universe. We are held and cherished by the infinite love of God.
When we rest in this center and realize its power, we know that we are safe, or in more classical religious language, “saved.” And therefore, we can let go of fear and begin to live in radical trust. But when we lose sight of this rootedness in God, we live exclusively on the tiny island of the ego, and our lives become dominated by fear.
-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.
You are welcome to sign up temporarily to see how it works with 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 most weekend Masses (unless it's a holiday weekend), 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.