One faith community, two worship sites
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
03 December 2021 Volume 101
November 30, 2021
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
If you were to ask a sports coach, director of a play or musical, or the conductor of an orchestra, “What is the most important time before a performance?” they would all probably tell us that it is in the preparation. It is there where the mistakes are ironed out, the talent is challenged to elevate to the next level, and the participants are called to envision the best they have to offer.
 
I believe it is also important that the liturgical season of Advent is viewed as our preparation to receive the Lord Jesus Christ at Christmas. During the Advent season, we try to iron out the mistakes. Many live in a world that views faith as something you should do on the weekend if you have the time; it’s a social thing. Rarely do we see ourselves in the daily struggle to witness to the faith and engage in the evangelization of our neighbors.
 
Advent challenges us to elevate our practice of the faith. Have we matured in our knowledge of the faith, or did our understanding of the Church’s teachings end in the religious education classes of our youth? Does our prayer life reflect a person who knows the Lord Jesus? What does it mean to view Jesus as my friend? When and where have we put our commitment to the faith in view of the public? All of these elevate our public profession and demand growth.
 
During Advent, do we envision ourselves as saints? This is not “egotistical”; it’s a vocation that we are all called to embrace. It is a life of holiness. Am I prepared to assume my citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven? What identification will I be able to use to demonstrate that I belong to God?
 
Advent prepares us to meet Jesus and celebrate the great mystery of the “Incarnation,” the Word made flesh. This is the Son of God. Christmas is our celebration of “God with us.”
Although Advent is the preparation for Christmas and the coming of Jesus Christ into the world, we must also prepare for two other comings of Jesus. He will come for us at the time when we least expect it. In a blink of an eye, we will be standing before the Lord Jesus. We prepare now and are in a mode of constant readiness. This judgement will demand from each of us an individual accounting of our actions in this world.
 
There will also be a second coming of Jesus. This is the final judgement of the world. He promised that He would prepare a place for us and return to take us with Him. At His Ascension, the angel said that He would return: “This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.” (Acts 1:11) We do not know that exact time, but it will happen.
 
Until then, we must prepare ourselves by leading lives worthy of our baptismal commitment and LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
 
Sincerely,
 
Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
This Weekend's Mass Worship Aid

Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin
 
Lessons and Carols
 
Friday, December 17, 2021, 7:00 PM
St. Thomas Aquinas Church
305 S. 1st St.
Waterford, WI
 
The Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin will make its long-anticipated return to in-person concerts with its perennial favorite, Lessons and Carols: December 17th at 7:00 p.m. in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Waterford. Audiences return year after year for the joy, wonder, and peace of the Christmas story and music. All are warmly invited to these beautiful venues to listen, sing along, and share fellowship in this season of hope and love.
 
The audience will be treated to inspirational music including familiar carols such as “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” jazz‑inspired “Evening Prayer” by popular contemporary composer Ola Gjeilo featuring Patricia Backhaus and Patricia Badger on trumpet, and an ethereal setting of William Blake’s poem, “The Lamb” by British composer John Tavener. The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols had its Kings College, Cambridge, premiere in 1818, and has become a beloved tradition worldwide.
 
The Choral Arts Society is looking forward to welcoming audiences while keeping health and safety a top priority. To that end, we have developed these policies and protocols: All, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask (covering mouth and nose) throughout the building. Distancing should be maintained. Hand sanitizer will be available. Anyone experiencing symptoms or recently exposed to Covid-19 should not attend. Vaccination, or a recent negative Covid-19 test, is strongly encouraged.
 
The Choral Arts Society is a volunteer, auditioned community chorus. CAS celebrates the human spirit through choral music. In an atmosphere of fellowship and collaboration, the CAS fosters the creative talents of musicians and composers. The CAS partners with others who share our passion for artistic excellence.
 
  • Tickets: Adults $15 in advance/$17 at the door,
  • Seniors $12 in advance/$14 at the door,
  • Students $5.

Advance tickets available at Personal Touch Florists in Racine at 5445 Spring St., or online at www.choralartsonline.org, or at the door. Contact the CAS by Email at
or call 262-634-3250.  
Come join our team

St. Clare Administrative Assistant 
Part-time, 20 hours/week

Preferred hours are Tuesday - Friday mornings with flexibility. For more information contact:

Julie Boulware at julieboulware.stclare@gmail.com
or visit the job posting on the Archdiocese of Milwaukee website (archmil.org)
Mission Trips are Back
 We have an opportunity for you!
 
Over the years, our mission trips have been extremely impactful and enjoyable learning opportunities for the youth of our parishes. Students are exposed to different parts of the country as well as different cultures. They serve others in need, pray and build friendships.

We are looking for sponsors to help ease the cost for our High School students who will travel to Knoxville, TN in the summer of 2022.

The cost for one student to attend this mission trip is $700 but any donation amount, big or small, will help all students experience this amazing opportunity.
We are grateful for any donations! 


Checks can be dropped off at the St. Clare or St. Thomas parish office or simply write mission trip donation on your check and place it in the collection basket at Mass. Please be sure to include your name.
 
We will be inviting all our Donors for an Appreciation Dinner in late summer. Students will be sharing their experience with you. 

Thank you 
Caregiver Needed

Caregiver (part-time, Burlington, WI): Attends to the physical, nutritional, safety, social and emotional comfort of its religious order of men by providing direct patient care consistent with their comprehensive care plan and assessments. They work under the guidance and direction of an R.N to protect the rights and safety of residents and help the facility function smoothly, observe and collect data and perform all duties as assigned to provide care to residents. This position has housekeeping duties such as cleaning bedrooms, living areas and laundry. Must be available evenings and every other weekend. Prior experience in a skilled nursing facility preferred.

For more information please contact
Bro. Craig Wilking
(262) 763-3241 X123/124.
We would like to highlight and thank a few of our loyal sponsors in each email.
St. Thomas and St Clare thanks you very much!
A complete list of all our sponsors can be found on our website. Please support them whenever possible
St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Clare of Assisi parishes
Waterford and Wind Lake, WI.