One faith community, two worship sites
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
08 April 2022 Volume 119
April 5, 2022
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 
 
We are bombarded today by a culture that rejects the intellectual tradition of Western civilization. New theories are readily accepted, usually without question if they fit into a progressive agenda. I have often said that the Catholic Church can handle any new theory, so long as it is critiqued by Catholic Teachings. The teachings include Christian anthropology; the foundational aspects of our faith based upon the view of the truth of the human person as revealed by reason and divine revelation.

Trying to reshape human beings violates the understanding that man is made in the image and likeness of God, “Imago Dei.” We suffer from the sin of Adam and Eve. The longing to be God and exercise control over our lives. But first God must be removed. Modern society is trying to replace God with a false image of man. One of the wonderful gifts of the Church is the intellectual tradition established by some of the greatest Christian thinkers who embodied in their thought the “truth” of teachings which lead us to salvation.

It is remarkable a that man/woman can be anything they desire, so long as they maintain a blind eye to biology, science and reason. We have been involved in these culture wars for decades. But the current trend seems to be more aggressive than previous generations. There is a loss of objective truth, the concept of freedom is associated with personal license and religious thought is characterized as repressive. But despite the obstacles, the truth will come out.

As we approach the Easter season, the stone before the tomb could not suppress the truth of the resurrection. However, we do need champions to proclaim that truth.

For 26 years, the Church was blessed with the teachings of Pope John Paul II, now St. John Paul II. His works grounded the teachings of the Church and provided insight for scholars and teachers for years to come. Pope Benedict was one of the greatest theologians of this modern era and warned of the dangers inherent in our modern culture. Their teachings have built upon the tradition of Aquinas, Augustine, the Church Fathers and others. They are modern voices that take seriously their Catholic Identity.    
 
This past Thursday (March 31) at the Brookfield Conference Center, the Pallium Lecture presented a forum for a presentation by Ryan T. Anderson. The title of his lecture was “Religious Liberty is Important but It’s Not Enough.” Although religious freedom is a cherished right and the very first listed in the Bill of Rights, it is truth proclaimed by the teachings that must also be protected. Truth proclaimed by those outside of the faith, and those who embrace the truth embedded in their conscience.
 
It is remarkable to me that, in this society that values free expression of thought, someone like Ryan Anderson could be banned by social media. Is it the fear of the forcefulness of his presentation or the simple reasonableness of the truth? We need to hear the counter positions to those presented by our social media.
 
This past Monday at St. Francis de Sales Seminary, Archbishop Charles Chaput presented the “Ethics Lecture” with the topic, “Things Worth Dying For.” He has been a voice of clarity in the presentation of the Church’s teachings. Well-known for speaking truth to the most difficult issues, Archbishop Chaput, former Archbishop of Philadelphia, has been a voice of reason and clarity at various meetings of the USCCB. I and others have benefitted greatly from his insights. In his talk, he critiqued the current American culture, yet at the same time challenging his Catholic audience to witness their baptismal commitment to proclaim Christ, engage the Church and serve the poor.
 
Our hope is and has always been in Christ. Let us stand before the mirror of life and examine whether or not we truly LOVE ONE ANOTHER. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee        
This Weekend's Mass Worship Aid
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CALLING ALL PARISHIONERS

We would like EVERY parish family in our new St. Clare and St. Thomas pictorial directory. We need EVERYONE to make an appointment for a portrait session and there are only a few dates left to choose from. Please consider setting an appointment TODAY. Photo sessions are being held at both St. Thomas and St. Clare. You can go to either location which provides a variety of dates and times.

Remaining Dates to choose from include:
St. Clare 2:00 - 8:30pm
April 18 and 19

St. Thomas 2:00 - 8:30pm
May 10th thru 13th

St. Thomas 10:30 - 4:30 pm
May 14 (only remaining Saturday date)


ONLINE SCHEDULING INSTRUCTIONS
FOR FAMILY APPOINTMENT SETTING
 
Go to the Universal Church Directories website
 
  • Click on the box on the right side of the homepage entitled “photography appointment scheduling login”
  • Enter your church code wi175
  • Enter your church password photos
  • Click on the Enter button
  • Click on the desired photography date
  • Click on the Reserve Time button beside the desired photography appointment time
  • Enter the appropriate information in all required fields (indicated by the asterisk)
  • Enter your email address if a confirmation email is desired
  • Click on the Schedule Appointment button at the bottom of the screen to reserve the photography appointment time in your family’s name
  • If you have more than five family members being photographed, please reserve two appointments consecutively (such as 6:00 and 6:10)
  • Print the next screen to use as a reminder of your family’s photography appointment
 
Contact Kelly Hill (STA) 262-534-2255 or Sue Brunner (SC) 262-895-2729 to change or cancel your photography appointment
Pope Francis Wants Your Opinion

Over the coming months, Catholics from around the world will be participating in a worldwide Synod, or consultation process. Lend your voice to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's response to Pope Francis' Synod on Synodality! What would you like the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, and Pope Francis to know? Click the link below and provide your input via a short survey.
Holy Week Livestreaming Options

Several of our Holy Week services will be live streamed and recorded as indicated in the schedule above. However, there will be no livestream or recorded services here at St. Thomas or St. Clare for Holy Thursday and the Easter Vigil. We have also learned St. John's Cathedral in Milwaukee will not be livestreaming or televising any services for Holy Week other than the Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday services.

Outlined below is the livestream/recording schedule for Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington D.C. if you are looking for additional options to watch remotely.
 
Holy Week 2022 Live Stream/Recording Schedule
 
  • Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord - April 10 at 11 AM CDT
  • Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper - April 14 at 5 PM CDT
  • Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday - April 15 at 2 PM CDT
  •  Solemn Easter Vigil Mass - April 16 at 7 PM CDT
  •  Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection - April 17 at 11 M CDT
 
Click on the link below to access the Livestream/Recorded YouTube Channel for the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington D.C. 
Link:
In observance of social distancing, this year's Chrism Mass is by invitation only. However, you can tune in to this beautiful Mass by visiting the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist’s YouTube and Vimeo channels. Please join us in spirit by watching our livestream to see the blessing of sacred oils and to hear incredible music and wonderful scripture.
Country Fair is Back for 2022!!
 
Our St Thomas Country Fair is fast approaching and we are once again requesting help from all our parishioners. Beginning this weekend, Grand Raffle tickets will be available in the St Thomas Gathering Space for parishioners to take home. There are 15 tickets in each envelope and we ask every parish family to sell or purchase 15 tickets or more. Over $10,000 in prizes will be given away so you don't want to miss out on a chance to win these fabulous prizes. Tickets are $5 each or 5/$20.00. Please help support our Country Fair by purchasing or selling some Grand Raffle tickets. Completed raffle tickets and monies may be turned into the St Thomas Parish Office through May 29th. Tickets will then be available to purchase at the fair. 

PLEASE PICK UP YOUR TICKETS SOON
As a reminder, it is illegal to mail raffle tickets so this is why we ask everyone to pick them up in the Gathering Space.

Thank you in advance for your support and see you all at the fair June 2nd-5th, 2022.
Volunteers Needed!!
We have a few more spots to fill for our LAST LENTEN Fish Fry. PLEASE consider helping with clean-up. Sign up below.
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.