July 4, God Bless America
A big thank you to those who worked on preparing the 15-minute prelude before each Mass last weekend in honor of our country’s 250th birthday. I heard many positive compliments. As the country continues to mark this occasion, may we pray that each of us and our great nation will grow ever more pleasing to God.
July is a busy month around the parish. I often chuckle when I hear people say, “Father, it’s summer, you must have more “free” time. As we prepare for our annual festival, work has begun on setting up the festival grounds. Please keep an eye on the newsletter, and if you have time and a bit of strength, please come help with the setup.
New Director of Religious Education
I am pleased to announce that we hired a new Director of Religious Education, Jessica Cannistra. Jessica has been a lifetime member of the parish and has also served as our K-5 teacher for 9 years. Now that she and her husband have begun their family, she wants to work outside the home with more flexible hours. Let us welcome Jessica as she prepares to take on this new role in the parish. She will make a great addition to our parish staff. Her first column appears in this newsletter.
Looking Ahead to the Coming Week
This coming week is filled with many special Feast Days.
Monday, July 13, is the Feast Day of St. Henry, which commemorates his dedication to serving God and the Church. He is the patron saint of the childless, of the handicapped, and of those rejected by Religious Orders.
Tuesday, July 14, we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American saint. She was very devout and known for her steadfast prayer and commitment to living a life of holiness.
Wednesday, July 15, we remember St. Bonaventure, a Bishop and Doctor of the Church. He was known for his deep spiritual insight and devotion to Jesus, the Church, and the Franciscan tradition.
Thursday, July 16, we remember Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. She has a special place in my heart. My “Auntie Olive” (my Dad’s oldest living sister, who lived next door to us) sponsored a “Block Rosary” Monday through Friday at 11:00 a.m., and neighbors would come to her house to pray the rosary. On the Feast Day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, all who attended Rosary throughout the year were invited to a fabulous picnic with all of her favorite summer picnic foods. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, pray for us and especially for the conversion of our country. In her honor, may we each turn our minds, hearts, and lives to God.
Saturday, July 18, we wrap up the week with the Feast Day of St. Camillus de Lellis. He was the founder of the Camillians, a religious order dedicated to the care of the sick and poor. He was canonized in 1746 by Pope Benedict XIV and recognized for his pioneering work in healthcare ministry. He is the patron saint of the sick, hospitals, nurses, and physicians.
I hope to see you at Mass, which is celebrated each day, Monday through Saturday, at 8:00 a.m.
Welcome to Our New
Director of Religious Education
Jessica Cannistra
Hello, my name is Jessica Cannistra, and I am so excited to take on a new role at St. John the Evangelist as the Religious Education Director! If you have been a parishioner at St. John’s for any number of years, you may have seen me—or even watched me grow up. You may have seen my parents, Jeff and Pam Schein, march my siblings and me up to the first or second pew on the St. Joseph side for one of the Sunday Masses. Today, alongside my husband, Alex, we continue a similar tradition by sitting toward the front on that same side with our son, Henry!
I feel incredibly blessed to have grown up at St. John’s, where I learned so many valuable lessons that continue to shape my life today. From preparing for and receiving the sacraments and practicing the virtues through sports to putting our faith into action through service, St. John’s has played an important role in forming who I am today. Some of my favorite childhood memories were made at St. John’s, including running a booth at the festival, blowing up countless balloons for the athletic banquets, riding around on the cannoli cart at the spaghetti dinners, and spending long—but always fun—weekends helping with the athletic department's concession stands. Those experiences helped foster a deep love for this parish and the incredible community that makes St. John’s feel like home.
The faith I developed at St. John’s inspired me to attend Ave Maria University, where I earned my degree in elementary education. After graduating, I returned home knowing that I wanted to teach at a Catholic school. Eight years ago, God led me back to St. John’s, fulfilling my lifelong dream of becoming a teacher here. Being the kindergarten teacher has been one of the greatest joys of my life, and I have cherished every minute of it.
More recently, God blessed me with another dream fulfilled when I married Alex and became a mother to Henry. As I reflected on my vocation as a wife and mother, I realized that balancing my wholehearted commitment to my students with being fully present for my own family would become increasingly challenging. When the opportunity to serve as Religious Education Director arose, I saw it as a beautiful way to continue answering God's call while also embracing this new season of family life.
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve our parish in this new role. I look forward to deepening our understanding of the Catholic faith with families and parishioners of all ages. If you see us at Mass, please stop and say hello!
I feel incredibly blessed to have grown up at St. John’s, where I learned so many valuable lessons that continue to shape my life today. From preparing for and receiving the sacraments and practicing the virtues through sports to putting our faith into action through service, St. John’s has played an important role in forming who I am today. Some of my favorite childhood memories were made at St. John’s, including running a booth at the festival, blowing up countless balloons for the athletic banquets, riding around on the cannoli cart at the spaghetti dinners, and spending long—but always fun—weekends helping with the athletic department's concession stands. Those experiences helped foster a deep love for this parish and the incredible community that makes St. John’s feel like home.
The faith I developed at St. John’s inspired me to attend Ave Maria University, where I earned my degree in elementary education. After graduating, I returned home knowing that I wanted to teach at a Catholic school. Eight years ago, God led me back to St. John’s, fulfilling my lifelong dream of becoming a teacher here. Being the kindergarten teacher has been one of the greatest joys of my life, and I have cherished every minute of it.
More recently, God blessed me with another dream fulfilled when I married Alex and became a mother to Henry. As I reflected on my vocation as a wife and mother, I realized that balancing my wholehearted commitment to my students with being fully present for my own family would become increasingly challenging. When the opportunity to serve as Religious Education Director arose, I saw it as a beautiful way to continue answering God's call while also embracing this new season of family life.
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve our parish in this new role. I look forward to deepening our understanding of the Catholic faith with families and parishioners of all ages. If you see us at Mass, please stop and say hello!
The Festival Committee needs your help and asks that you set aside some time to assist as we begin setting up for the Festival
- 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
Booth Captains Needed
The following booths need captains:
Friday: Bankshot, Belgium Waffle, Coke Toss (6-11 pm), Door Security, Spot Challenge, Turkey Shoot, and Wild Kingdom.
Saturday: Bean Bag Toss, Belgium Waffle, Coke Toss (6-11 pm), Door Security, Pot O'Gold, 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.
Food Operations Needs Your Help
The festival committee for inside-food operations is looking for workers to fill various tasks before, during, and after the festival. A complete list is available in the parish office, and copies are also available in the narthex.
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 breaks 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."
Sunday, July 12, 2026 | Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time | Matthew 13:1–23 (or 13:1–9)
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches the parable of the sower: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil… and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
Imagine a crowd of farmers listening to this parable and shaking their heads at the farmer’s strange sowing. He would have been expelled from the seed sowers’ union for such irresponsible farming. Like the foolish sower, God’s love is so extravagant that it defies all of our expectations of what is reasonable.
The most important point of this parable is that we must imitate the foolish love of God. We must love not only those who love us, not only those who are like us and affirm us, but precisely those who are different and unresponsive. Our sun should shine on the good and bad alike.
Imagine a crowd of farmers listening to this parable and shaking their heads at the farmer’s strange sowing. He would have been expelled from the seed sowers’ union for such irresponsible farming. Like the foolish sower, God’s love is so extravagant that it defies all of our expectations of what is reasonable.
The most important point of this parable is that we must imitate the foolish love of God. We must love not only those who love us, not only those who are like us and affirm us, but precisely those who are different and unresponsive. Our sun should shine on the good and bad alike.
-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 SIX open hours of Adoration:
Sundays 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Fridays 2:00 to 3:00 a.m. and 3:00 to 4:00 a.m.
Saturdays Midnight to 1:00 a.m., 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.