One faith community, two worship sites

LOVE ONE ANOTHER 17 December 2021 Volume 103

December 14, 2021   Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,   Advent is about preparation. We are preparing to greet Jesus as He enters the world. But of course, He has already come, and our preparation is for the liturgical celebration of Christmas. But we will meet Him in person again; this is certain. If we are going to meet a great personage or a celebrity, it is only natural that we desire to present the very best of who we are.   I lived in Rome for four years. My first year in Rome was the first year in my life that I would be away from home for Christmas. My sister, Penny, was determined that I would not be without family and decided that she would come to Rome with my cousin and join me for Christmas. I was touched by her solicitation and decided I would do something special for her. I told her that I had secured special seating for Midnight Mass with Pope John Paul II. Needless to say, she was thrilled. I was on for ceremonies with the pope. Therefore, I could not be with her and my cousin in St. Peter’s. Trusting that she and my cousin could fend for themselves for lunch on the streets of Rome, I informed her that I needed to pick up the tickets at the Vatican.   Picking up the tickets, I returned to the residence. My sister and my cousin arrived after their adventurous lunch. As we gathered, I was reaching into my pocket to retrieve the tickets and tell them of my surprise. It was then that I noticed the smell. I couldn’t quite put my finger on the origin. Then to my horror, I realized it was coming from my sister and cousin. What did you have for lunch? Pizza, she said. What type of pizza? Garlic pizza. I think it was double garlic, my cousin chimed in. Oh no, I said. What’s the matter? Responded Penny. Producing the tickets, I said these are not just tickets for the Mass, but my Christmas surprise for you is that you will be the select few people who will be receiving holy Communion from the pope at Midnight Mass. At St. Peter’s, you must receive Communion on the tongue. I now envisioned the pope passing out from my sister and cousin’s garlic lunch. A bottle of mouthwash later started to make it tolerable. We want to present ourselves in the best manner possible when meeting unique personages.   I constantly ask myself, am I ready to meet the Lord? As I get older, I realize that life can change in an instant. So, am I ready? Just this week, tornadoes struck our midwestern states, causing extreme destruction and many lives were lost. It’s hard to imagine sitting in your living room one moment, and suddenly your home is destroyed. The next minute, you’re standing before God. I believe our neighbors in Waukesha who were celebrating their love for the season with their friends, could never have imagined the instant horror that visited upon them. Advent reminds us to get ready, because we never know when we will be called to present ourselves before Jesus. Hopefully, I will not have had a garlic pizza.   One thing I know for sure is that I will ask for mercy, and He will ask me what I did to follow His command to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.   Sincerely,   Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki Archbishop of Milwaukee

This Weekend's Mass Worship Aid

Click here for the Dec. 18-19 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. Please visit www.choralartsonline.org   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 admin@choralartsonline.org or call 262-634-3250

November Financials

The St Clare Dynamic Men’s Group will start a nine week study called The Turning Point.   This Bible study experience is perfect for people who want to get to know Jesus in the scriptures but don’t know where to start.     This study will introduce you to people and stories in the Gospel of John that you won’t find anywhere else in the Bible. The people in these stories were transformed by their encounters with Jesus. By entering into their miraculous stories, you will encounter Jesus in a personal way and develop a deeper relationship with him that will transform your everyday life.   What: The Turning Point Bible Study   When: 7:00 PM Monday evenings starting January 3rd and every Monday after that for 9 weeks   Where: The lower level of St. Clare Church   Who: All men of all ages   Why: To help us understanding the Word of God through the friendship of other men; making us better sons, brothers, fathers, and husbands

Mark Your Calendar   As St. Clare & St. Thomas Aquinas Parishes present   Celebrate Twelfth Night   Thursday, January 6th at 7:00 PM at St. Clare Parish   To mark the end of the holiday season, please join us for an evening of music and prayer followed by a social time including hors d’oevres and beverages.

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

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St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Clare of Assisi parishes Waterford and Wind Lake, WI.