Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 22/23, 2018
Our Blessed Mother takes center stage on this fourth Sunday of Advent, and fittingly so, as we draw near to the celebration of her Son’s birth. After our Lord Himself, Mary is our model and guide to a stewardship way of life.
Today’s Gospel passage from Luke describes Mary’s actions immediately after her “yes” to the angel Gabriel’s message. “Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah… and greeted Elizabeth.” Mary immediately begins to think of others before herself, setting out quickly to be with her cousin, modeling two of the pillars of stewardship; Hospitality and Service.
What warmth and humility the Mother of our Savior shows, traveling to Elizabeth to spend time with her, rejoicing with Elizabeth over her own incredible pregnancy, and assisting her in a time of need. Moreover, what joy this hospitality and service brings to Elizabeth.
Our Blessed Mother’s example of a stewardship way of life is one that we, her children, can follow in our own lives today. With all the gifts God gives us- our time, our talents, our material possessions- we, too, can offer ourselves to God by using these gifts to serve and glorify Him. In so doing, we will effectively spread the Good News of the Gospel to the world around us today.
We will be stewards after our Mother’s own heart.
|
|
Christmas Eve
4:00 p.m. (Church)
4:15 p.m. (Gym)
10:00 p.m. (Church)
Christmas Day
8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
|
|
Monday, December 24- 8:00 a.m. to Noon
Tuesday, December 25- CLOSED
Wednesday, December 26- 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 27- 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday, December 28- 8:00 a.m. to Noon
Monday, December 31- 8:00 a.m. to Noon
Tuesday, January 1- CLOSED
Normal Office hours resume on Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
|
|
Last Minute Christmas Gifts
Last chance for the last minute Christmas gifts! We will be selling SCRIP this last weekend before Christmas, December 22/23. Although you will be able to order, we will not receive any out of stock items until after Christmas. As always, SCRIP is available in the Parish Office during regular business hours.
|
|
This program allows .5% of your regular shopping on Amazon to be donated to St. John the Evangelist. If you purchase Scrip, St. John's receives an additional 2.25%. That's 2.75% of your purchases to St. John's if you are already shopping Amazon.
|
|
What's Happening in Our School
|
|
Fundraiser Updates
Our Home and School Association would like to thank our wonderful parishioners for your support in our fall and winter fundraisers. Our recent Christmas Fundraisers: See’s Candies, Colectivo Coffee, and Rubi Red Cranberries yielded nearly $1500 in profit for our school.
Our Home and School provides support for our school program in many different ways. Our largest project this year is funding the purchase of new Literature and Language Arts textbooks for our students in grades K4 through 4. These materials will provide the bedrock for our early literacy program and will come to us at the cost of more than $10,000.
This purchase would not be possible without the support of our amazing parishioners! Thank you so much!!
|
|
Small Plates, Big Hearts!
A Night at St. John's
Save the Date: Saturday, February 2, 2019
We are now accepting auction donations for our event! As you are shopping the great sales this holiday season, look for the following items that make for a successful auction: electronics, jewelry, sports/outdoor equipment, household items, gift cards, timeshares, sporting event tickets, sports memorabilia, spa items, etc.
Tickets are now available. The cost per ticket is $25. We will be selling tickets after all Masses through December 23, 2018. What a great Christmas present for those hard to buy for people in your life - an evening out with you!
To purchase tickets online click
here!
|
|
Athletic News
Save the date for this year's Athletic Banquet - Sunday, March 24. More details to come in January.
It’s time to start thinking about futsal and track for the spring. Registration will open in January for those that haven’t signed up yet.
Save the date for SJE Night with the Milwaukee Wave - Sunday, March 31, 1:05 p.m. game. If we lock in with 100+ tickets, seats are only $10 each. More details to come out soon.
|
|
Recipe of the Month
Part of our Fuel Up, Play 60 program focuses on healthy eating. Part of teaching healthy eating is to have it start at home. Each month we will try to share a healthy "Recipe of the Month". For the month of December it is Confetti Soup.
This delicious recipe mixes together black-eyed peas, savory smoked turkey ham, fresh vegetables, and a secret ingredient, kale, to make up this warm, winter-wonder soup!
Click
here to enjoy this delicious soup.
|
|
Tuesday, January 1
Holy Day of Obligation
Vigil Mass~December 31
4:00 p.m.
January 1
9:00 a.m.
|
|
Miller Park Concessions
As an activity of St. John's Stewardship, we need adult volunteers (18 years old and up) to help with the concession stand at Miller Park for the 2019 season. This past season volunteers generated over $11,000 of additional revenue for the parish and school. All volunteers are requested to do a minimum of 3 games and will receive training.
Contact Gary Tveten at 414-282-1567 for more information.
|
|
THE 2018 PARISH FINANCIAL BOOKS WILL CLOSE ON DECEMBER 31
If you wish to have any contributions credited to your account for 2018, it must be received by end of day December 31. Any contributions received after end of day on December 31 will be credited to 2019.
PLEASE BE AWARE: Even if your check is dated and mailed in 2018, it must be
POSTMARKED in 2018 or it will be credited to 2019.
QUESTIONS??
Please call the parish office to avoid any complications with your 2018 tax deductions.
|
|
The newsletter is published on Wednesdays. Articles for each week's publication are due on Mondays at noon.
To submit articles e-mail to: newsletter@stjohns-grfd.org
|
|
"Remember God's Will in Yours!"
Please keep the needs of St. John the Evangelist in mind as you do your estate planning. For information on how to include the parish as a beneficiary, contact the Parish Office at 414-321-1965.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
