Second Sunday of Advent
December 7/8, 2019
On this Second Sunday of Advent, our second reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans encourages us to focus our Advent preparations in this way: “Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God.” And how does Christ welcome us? With unconditional love.
That is the essence of Christian hospitality, a vital aspect of stewardship living. Fully embraced, it has the power to transform our lives and the lives of those who experience it through us.
The practice of Christian hospitality is also a way for us stewards to answer the call of John the Baptist, in our Gospel passage from Matthew. His words apply just as much to us today as they did to the people awaiting the Savior’s arrival. John says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” And he recalls the words of the prophet Isaiah, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” There is a definite connection between repentance and effective hospitality.
How can we make repentance a regular part of our everyday lives? We can make an “examination of conscience” a daily part of our prayers, thanking God for the times we said “yes” to Him, and asking forgiveness for the times we chose our own will. We can, and should, go to Confession this Advent. We can reach out to a family member or friend where there is distance or discord and make peace.
As we “straighten the paths” of our hearts and minds, we become more hospitable people, better stewards of God’s grace and mercy, far more open and ready to invite others into our lives, homes, and parish. That is preparation fitting for our merciful Savior.
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Wednesday, December 4
- 6:30 p.m. Gym Unavailable
- 6:30 p.m. Dart Ball - Hall
- 6:30 p.m. KSKJ Meeting - Rectory Room A
Thursday, December 5
- 7:30 a.m. Mass followed by Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
- 2:45 p.m. Youth Hand Bell Choir Rehearsal - Music Room
- 6:00 p.m. Adult Hand Bell Choir Rehearsal - Music Room
- 6:00 p.m. Groark Rehearsal - Church
- 6:30 p.m. Christian Women Christmas Social - Hall
Friday, December 6
- 8:00 a.m. Mass followed by Confessions during Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
- 2:00 p.m. St. Vincent de Paul Meal Program - Hall
Saturday, December 7
- 6:45 a.m. St. John’s Men’s Group Meeting - Hall
- 8:00 a.m. Mass followed by Confessions during Mother of Perpetual Help Devotion, Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
- 12:00 p.m. KSKJ Christmas Party - Hall
- 3:30 p.m Confessions
Anointing of the Sick Before and
Scrip Holiday and Oplatki Sales
Before and After 4:30 p.m. Mass
Sunday, December 8
- 9:00 a.m. Religious Education (Grades 1-8) - School
- 9:30 a.m. Holy Name Meeting - Hall
- 6:00 p.m. Religious Education (Grades 9-11) School
Scrip Holiday and Oplatki Sales
Before and After All Masses
Monday, December 9
- 8:00 a.m. Mass followed by Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
- 6:30 p.m. SPBH Planning Meeting - Room A
Panera's Restaurant Fundraiser 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 10
- 7:30 a.m. Mass followed by St. Anthony Devotion, Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
- 2:45 p.m. Youth Choir Rehearsal - Music Room
- 6:00 p.m. Grade 5 Girl Scouts Meeting - Gym Kitchen
- 7:00 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal - Music Room
- 7:00 p.m. Fr. Cliff on Mental Prayer - Church followed by reception in the Hall
- 7:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus #524 Council Meeting - Rectory Room A
Wednesday, December 11
- 8:00 a.m. Mass followed by Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
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GROARK ORDINATION
Please Congratulate Deacon Michael Joseph “MJ” Groark on his impending ordination into the priesthood on Saturday, December 7. MJ is the son of Parishioners Michael and Anna Marie Groark and will celebrate his first Mass, or Mass of Thanksgiving, here at our parish on Sunday, December 8 at 2:00pm. All are welcome to celebrate this joyous occasion with a reception in the Church Hall following Mass.
Deacon MJ’s story is one of hope and faith, and he addresses many problems facing our youth and society in today’s world. He is able to tackle the realities of our culture and offers a Franciscan response to confront these issues.
Deacon Groark is a young Capuchin friar ministering at the St. Labre Indian Mission in Montana. He attended the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, completing his theological studies. He grew up in California and the Pacific Northwest. Following high school, he was very successful in the business world. However, he recounts how poor decisions landed him on the streets of Portland, Oregon, for two years. After a series of miraculous events, he made his way to Milwaukee in 2006 and was received into the Church on Easter of 2007. Soon after, he found his vocation with the Capuchin friars.
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Did you know?
Sr. Mary Frost, SDS., who teaches Scripture in two parishes, celebrated 60 years of service as a Sister of the Divine Savior on August 13, 2019.
December 8th is the Foundation Day of her order, founded in Rome, Italy, in 1888. Each year on that date, 1,200 sisters of this order all over the world renew their vows. Sr. Mary has served the church in Tanzania and Zambia, as well as in the United States. The next time you see her, please express your thanks to her for her dedicated service to Our Lord!
God Bless you Sr. Mary!
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CDs from Augustine Institute
Did you know we have CDs (and other items) located in the narthex? Each week we will highlight one of the available CDs.
Cost is $4 each.
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In one of the most inspiring CD's we have ever offered on the Virgin Mary, Dr. Scott Hahn reveals incredible insights on the Biblical basis for the Catholic teachings regarding Mary as the Ark of the New Covenant. This presentation will help shatter many misconceptions and clearly demonstrate how Catholic teachings are unmistakably rooted in Sacred Scripture.
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'Tis the Season! When you are shopping, remember to use SCRIP. When you purchase SCRIP, St. John's will receive a percentage. Click
here to view and print our order form. We order on Mondays and have them ready to be picked up no later than Thursday each week.
Every weekend through December 21/22 will be SCRIP weekends. As always, SCRIP is available in the Parish Office during regular business hours.
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This program allows .5% of your regular and holiday 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.
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What's Happening in Our School
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Restaurant Fundraiser
Monday, December 9
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
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Bakers Needed
It’s time to dust off your favorite cookie recipes and share your baking talents with the parish. This year’s Cookie Walk will be held after all Masses the weekend of December 14 and 15.
Parishioners are asked to please bake a few dozen cookies and bring them to the school on Friday, December 13, or to the Hall after 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 14.
Cookies will be sold by the quarter pound at the incredibly reasonable price of $8 per pound.
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YOUR PARISH FESTIVAL
NEEDS YOU
Your St. John’s Parish Festival needs your help! When making your 2020 vacation plans, please give prayerful consideration and reserve some time to volunteer for the festival. Dates are July 24, 25 & 26.
The Festival also needs a lot of help with setup and tear down, a very important part of a smooth-running festival. Setup begins on Friday, July 10, and runs through Friday, July 24. Tear-down begins at 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, and continues through Wednesday, July 29. Please contact Ron Heser at 414-448-7117 or email him at daheez@hotmail.com if you have any questions or would like to volunteer.
We are looking forward to another great festival!
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The Giving Tree
Now through December 15.
Each year, St. John the Evangelist’s Confirmation Class collects items for the needy of our area.
The Giving Tree is our way of reaching out to those less fortunate. On our Christmas tree in the front of the church are envelopes to be taken by parishioners, gifts purchased, and returned UNWRAPPED. The Confirmation Class will sort them and then distribute the items collected to the following agencies: House of Peace, Hope House, Sojourner Family Peace Center and Stork’s Nest. All instructions will be included in the envelope you select.
Let us share our joy and love of God with others during this Christmas season!
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Christmas Concert Cancelled
Due to unforeseen circumstances, this year’s Christmas Concert “His Name is Jesus,” scheduled for Sunday, December 15, has been cancelled. However, there will be plenty of Christmas music during Masses this Christmas season.
Saturday, December 14, the Adult Choir will sing at
the 4:30 pm Mass.
Sunday, December 22, the Adult Choir will sing at
the 10:30 am Mass.
Tuesday, December 24 , at 4:00 pm, Christmas Eve,
the Youth Choir and Youth Hand Bell Choir will perform.
Wednesday, December 25, at 10:30 am, Christmas Day,
the Adult Choir and Adult Hand Bell Choir will perform.
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The newsletter is published on Wednesdays. Articles for each week's publication are due on Mondays at noon.
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"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.
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