Soon to Be Ordained to the Permanent Diaconate: Rene Rillorta in His Own Words
“Some brief highlights of my vocation story include the very beginning with my Mom bringing me to a block rosary prayer group with my neighbors in front of a four-inch image of the Blessed Mother. That made a great impression on me. Another was my Dad holding my hand as we walked to church on a Sunday when I was quite young. The first time I uttered a personal prayer to God was when I asked Him to let me win a first-grade school competition, and then there was an immediate announcement that I had won first place.
Being an altar server in my grade school days was another highlight, especially when I encountered John Paul II in 1981 as he stood just four feet in front of me. While being an altar server in my high school years, I discussed the priesthood with my close friends. Then reading the “Lives of the Saints” had a big impact on me.
My Catholic faith was briefly shaken by the doctrinal issues put forth by the “Born Again and Baptist Christians,” only to be strengthened by Catholic Apologetics, which defends the truths of the Catholic faith in a rational way. Next, becoming a member of the Legion of Mary and the missions we did, such as visiting the sick, the imprisoned, and doing church surveys for our parish. This made a further impact. Becoming a member of Opus Dei and learning about St. Jose Maria Escriva (who was not yet declared a saint at the time of my joining) was my next step. However, during the World Youth Day in Manila in 1995, it became clear to me that my vocation was for married life, as indicated by the presence of Jona, who was with me in those days and who eventually became my loving wife.”
Thank you, Rene, for sharing your journey to the deaconate. Be assured of our prayers in the last days before your ordination. And St. John’s parishioners, please return your Spiritual Bouquet card for Rene to the parish office before Labor Day.
A Healing Prayer from Fr. Glenn Sudano
Lord Jesus Christ, I come before you this day, seeking
an increase of divine grace in my soul.
Please illumine my mind, strengthen my will, and inflame my heart.
Please illumine my mind, strengthen my will, and inflame my heart.
I surrender myself to you.
I cannot save myself, but you have come to save me. Grant me the grace,
Good Lord, for a deeper humility, a great trust, and a lively hope.
Come now into my poor heart, and by Your Divine Power,
I cannot save myself, but you have come to save me. Grant me the grace,
Good Lord, for a deeper humility, a great trust, and a lively hope.
Come now into my poor heart, and by Your Divine Power,
cast out every evil desire, influence, or entity.
I hereby reject the enemy of my soul, and humbly beseech
I hereby reject the enemy of my soul, and humbly beseech
You to send him now to the foot of Your cross.
Indeed, under the pure and powerful heel of Your Holy Mother,
Indeed, under the pure and powerful heel of Your Holy Mother,
please send the Holy Spirit to fill any void
And heal any wound in my heart.
And heal any wound in my heart.
Direct my steps from here to Heaven. Amen.
St. John Prayer Shawl Ministry News
Do you knit, crochet, or do other needlework? Would you like to learn? You are invited to join others in the parish for crafting and conversation on Stitch Night in the St. John’s School Multi-Purpose room on Thursday, September 3, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Please enter the school through the north door (Door 12) of the Church. Yarn, needles, and hooks will be available.
For more information, please call Julie Kloiber at (414) 688-8343.
Christian Women Society News
The Christian Women Society will begin its new season with Mass on Thursday, September 10 at 6:00 p.m. in Church. Yearly dues of $5.00 are due at the meeting. If you are unable to attend, please drop your check off at the Parish Office or mail it there. Please, checks only and make them payable to St. John’s Christian Women. There will be a speaker on Butterflies at the next meeting. All women of the parish are welcome to join them for Mass and the meeting in the Hall.
Respect Life Ministry Baby Wipe Drive
The Women’s Support Center is in need of baby wipes. These wipes will go into layette bags that are given to new moms. Space in each bag is limited, so they need small packages with no more than 80 wipes per bag. The wipes will be collected the weekend of September 26 and 27, but the baby wipes can be brought to the parish office anytime in the next few weeks.
Parish Blood Drive
The next St. John’s Blood Drive, administered by the Christian Women Society, is just eight weeks away on Monday, September 14. With that in mind, please do not donate blood at any other upcoming blood drive; schedule with our blood drive instead. Your efforts truly make a lasting impact as our blood drive gives patients and their families the gift of a brighter tomorrow. Your generosity brings hope and healing to those who need it. Our parish goal is to collect 35 blood products to help meet the high demand from local hospitals for patients such as new mothers, car accident victims, and heart surgery patients. Each donation means three patients will benefit from this lifesaving gift.
Sep
24
Beyond the Screen
7:00 p.m. St. John's Church Hall
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
Our St. John School Staff returned on August 17 to get our school ready to welcome students back on August 24. The staff prayed, worked, and laughed together as we prepared for the 2026-27 school year. This year, the staff will teach 160 students and serve 109 families.
We are excited to introduce two new members of our school staff. Mrs. Karie Williams joins our staff as our new Middle School Social Studies and 5th grade Literacy teacher. During the interview process, Mrs. Williams impressed us with her passion for Catholic education, commitment to academic excellence, and genuine enthusiasm for working with middle school students. She is dedicated to creating a classroom where students grow in confidence and deepen both their knowledge and their faith. Mrs. Williams brings 28 years of experience teaching in Catholic schools to our St. John’s School and community.
We are also excited to share that Ms. Rios will be our new K5 teacher. Many of you already know Ms. Rios, either as a parent of a student or as our long-term substitute teacher in K5 this past school year. During her time as a long-term sub, she quickly became a valued member of our school staff. Her kindness, dedication, and love of our students were evident daily.
Ms. Rios brings a passion for working with young children and a commitment to helping every student grow. She is eager to create a warm, engaging, faith-filled classroom where students feel welcomed, supported, and excited to learn each day. Ms. Rios is a wonderful addition to our school community, and we look forward to her sharing her gifts and talents with our students and families. We are happy to welcome her as a full-time member of our staff.
We are excited to introduce two new members of our school staff. Mrs. Karie Williams joins our staff as our new Middle School Social Studies and 5th grade Literacy teacher. During the interview process, Mrs. Williams impressed us with her passion for Catholic education, commitment to academic excellence, and genuine enthusiasm for working with middle school students. She is dedicated to creating a classroom where students grow in confidence and deepen both their knowledge and their faith. Mrs. Williams brings 28 years of experience teaching in Catholic schools to our St. John’s School and community.
We are also excited to share that Ms. Rios will be our new K5 teacher. Many of you already know Ms. Rios, either as a parent of a student or as our long-term substitute teacher in K5 this past school year. During her time as a long-term sub, she quickly became a valued member of our school staff. Her kindness, dedication, and love of our students were evident daily.
Ms. Rios brings a passion for working with young children and a commitment to helping every student grow. She is eager to create a warm, engaging, faith-filled classroom where students feel welcomed, supported, and excited to learn each day. Ms. Rios is a wonderful addition to our school community, and we look forward to her sharing her gifts and talents with our students and families. We are happy to welcome her as a full-time member of our staff.
Today and Every Day Be a Peacemaker
Sunday, August 30, 2026 | Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time | Matthew 16:21–27
Friends, last week we heard the great Gospel describing Peter’s confession. Because he says correctly who Jesus is, he is declared a rock, the firm ground upon which the Church shall be built. And just moments later—our Gospel for today—he is told that he is a Satan, a stumbling block, thinking not as God thinks but as men think. What accounts for this rather remarkable reversal?
In the Gospel, it’s always relatively simple: he doesn’t get the cross. The entire momentum of the life of Jesus is toward the cross. All sorts of forces are trying to keep him from it—some out of self-interest, some out of genuine concern. But they all have this in common: they don’t get it; they don’t get him.
So Peter, probably out of genuine love for Jesus, urges him away from the passion: “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” Having correctly confessed who Jesus is, Peter promptly forgets what that entails. Being the Son of God, he thought, meant power and lordship, not ignominy and death.
In the Gospel, it’s always relatively simple: he doesn’t get the cross. The entire momentum of the life of Jesus is toward the cross. All sorts of forces are trying to keep him from it—some out of self-interest, some out of genuine concern. But they all have this in common: they don’t get it; they don’t get him.
So Peter, probably out of genuine love for Jesus, urges him away from the passion: “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” Having correctly confessed who Jesus is, Peter promptly forgets what that entails. Being the Son of God, he thought, meant power and lordship, not ignominy and death.
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 FIVE open hours of Adoration:
Sundays 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Mondays 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesdays 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Fridays 2:00 to 3:00 a.m.
Saturdays Midnight to 1:00 a.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.