July 4th God Bless America
Next weekend, we as a country will celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the official establishment of the United States of America. Throughout the country, there will be many parades, fireworks, picnics, and concerts to celebrate this once in a lifetime event.
Here at the parish, we will begin the July 4/5 weekend Masses with a brief 1-minute-and-30-second video celebrating our country, and 15 minutes before the 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning Mass, there will be patriotic choral music. Please join in celebrating by coming to Mass a few minutes early for the video, music, and during our marking of America’s 250 years as a country. Let us pray for our country that we may always strive to be a leader and bring about peace throughout the entire world.
Knights of Columbus News
Recently, Peter Kurz completed his tenure as the Grand Knight for our local Knights of Columbus Council. Jason Zidek was elected to take on the position of Grand Knight, leading and directing the local council.
The Knights of Columbus, while being a spiritual organization, also involves itself in many generous outreach ministries, such as the Tootsie Roll and Life Saver drives, helping out the parish with the fish fry dinners, and parish festivals. Recently, in connection with the Evangelization Committee, the Knights helped finance the monthly “Welcome” Sunday with refreshments following the 10:30 a.m. Mass. This weekend will also be a “Welcome” Sunday. Please stay after Mass and join the Knights and fellow parishioners for refreshments in the Narthex or outdoors, weather permitting.
Looking Ahead to the Coming Week
This coming week, we have four great feast days to celebrate at Mass.
On Monday, June 29, we celebrate the two Pillars of the Church, Saints Peter and Paul, honoring their martyrdom and foundational role in the Catholic Church.
On Tuesday, June 30, we celebrate the First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church who were early Christians in Rome and were killed during Emperor Nero’s persecution following the great fire of 64 AD. These martyrs teach us to stay faithful to Jesus even during fearful times and great suffering. On Wednesday, it is the Feast Day of St. Juníper Serra, a Franciscan friar and missionary priest. He is known as the Apostle of California, having left Spain in 1749 and founding the first nine of the 21 California missions which provided education, shelter, and spiritual guidance to indigenous peoples.
On Friday, July 3, it is the Feast Day of St. Thomas the Apostle, also known as “Doubting Thomas,” who initially doubted the Resurrection until he saw and touched Christ’s wounds. He later became a missionary, bringing the Gospel to India. His Feast Day honors his journey from doubt to faith, his missionary courage, and his dedication to truth.
I hope to see you at Mass, which is celebrated each day, Monday through Saturday, at 8:00 a.m.
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: Bankshot, Belgium Waffle, Coke Toss (6-11 pm), Door Security, Nachos, Ride Tickets, Spot Challenge, Turkey Shoot, and Wild Kingdom.
Saturday: Bean Bag Toss, Belgium Waffle, Brandy Spin, Coke Toss (6-11 pm), Door Security, Pot O' Gold, Ride Tickets, Turkey Shoot, and Wild Kingdom.
Sunday: 3-Pin Bowl, Bean Bag Toss, Coke Toss (5-9 pm), Door Security, Nachos, and 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!
"Live a life that reflects God's love."
A Wildly Wonderful Week:
Thank You for an Amazing VBS!
What a week! From June 15–19, our parish corridors were transformed into a vibrant jungle adventure for Rainforest Falls Vacation Bible School. Beneath a canopy of towering trees and colorful creatures, over 30 children gathered to dive deep into God’s Word and explore His amazing character.
Through standard-busting science experiments at Imagination Station, immersive storytelling at Rooted Bible Adventures and Sticky Scripture, high-energy worship music at Tune Lagoon, engaging interactive play at Wild Games, and delicious snacks and desserts at Treetop Trees, our young disciples explored what it means to be truly rooted in a relationship with God. They learned that He is their Creator, He knows their hearts, and He is always their safe place in life’s storms.
An incredible week like this only happens because a community comes together. Please join me in extending a massive thank you to our phenomenal teen and adult volunteers who gave their time, energy, and creativity to lead our crews, decorate the halls, and share their faith so authentically. We are grateful for our teen volunteers who fearlessly led our many groups of campers and shined the light of Jesus to them all week: Chloe and Jameson who bravely led the blue team, Dannica and Justine who courageously led the orange team, Eliezer and Madeline who heroically led the green team, Bella and Madeleine who masterfully served on the pink team, Jed and Noah who gallantly led the red team, Ben and Joe who valiantly led the yellow team, and Eva Medina who fearlessly floated among all the teams.
And how could we forget our adult leaders, without whom the camp would never have been possible? A tremendous debt of gratitude is owed to Jessica Cannistra, Jane Esenberg, Mary Mayotte, Renee Parworth, Ashley Pitcher, Natalie Pitcher, Melinda Prideaux, Dariana Rios, Julie Rueth, and Yenny Wichgers. We are also deeply grateful to everyone who supported us through prayers and donations. Particular mention should be made of a very generous anonymous donor, whose charitable contribution made it possible for the campers to attend and participate in the program entirely tuition-free.
To one and all: Thank you for helping the next generation grow in faith, hope, and love!
To stay updated, join our SJE Adult Formation Flocknote or follow us on Facebook.
Sunday, June 28, 2026 | 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time| Matthew 10:37–42
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus lays down the condition for discipleship: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. . . . Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Well, let’s perform a little thought experiment. Could you imagine any other religious leader or religious founder saying such a thing?
Could you honestly imagine Muhammad saying it? No! He might say, “Whoever loves father or mother more than the Quran . . .” Could you honestly imagine the Buddha saying it? No! He might say, “Whoever loves father or mother more than my teaching . . ” Could you imagine Moses saying it? No! Perhaps he would say, “Whoever loves father or mother more than the Lord . . .”
But they wouldn’t say, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” This is precisely what Jesus says, which makes all the difference. For he is not one religious founder among many, not one prophet of the truth in a long line of prophets. He is the one to whom all religions, directly or indirectly, point; he is, in person, the truth to which all prophets testify.
Could you honestly imagine Muhammad saying it? No! He might say, “Whoever loves father or mother more than the Quran . . .” Could you honestly imagine the Buddha saying it? No! He might say, “Whoever loves father or mother more than my teaching . . ” Could you imagine Moses saying it? No! Perhaps he would say, “Whoever loves father or mother more than the Lord . . .”
But they wouldn’t say, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” This is precisely what Jesus says, which makes all the difference. For he is not one religious founder among many, not one prophet of the truth in a long line of prophets. He is the one to whom all religions, directly or indirectly, point; he is, in person, the truth to which all prophets testify.
-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:
Saturdays 3:00 to 4:00 p.m and 7:00 to 8:00 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.