What's Happening at SJE
This Week
First Sunday of Advent December 1, 2019

Today we begin the beautiful season of Advent. It is a season meant for preparation. For what exactly are we preparing? Two things: the celebration of our Savior’s birth and the anticipation of His second coming. 

These are weighty tasks with eternal consequences. So, let us stewards make the words of the Prophet Isaiah our motto for the season: “Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways and we may walk in his paths.”

In the weeks leading up to Christmas it seems everywhere we turn, we are pushed to do more to create a “perfect” Christmas day. But the Church’s guidance to use these weeks to focus on our spiritual lives can indeed seem like a mountain-climb. 

The intentional use of the gift of time is what the Christian steward is called to do, and with even greater intensity during Advent. How can we use our time to prepare for Jesus’ birth on December 25 and for His second coming at a date we do not know? 

We can push back against the world’s pressure to have the “perfect Christmas.” Scale back on materialism, so we have more time for spiritual preparations: Confession, weekday Mass, adoration, family prayer time, lighting the Advent wreath, acts of kindness.

In the end, we will be prepared to celebrate a truly meaningful Christmas, become more like our Savior, and be ready for Him to come again.
Wednesday, November 27
  • 11:00 a.m. School Dismissal
  • 6:30 p.m. Gym Unavailable
  • 6:30 p.m. Dart Ball - Hall
  • 6:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Vigil Mass - Church
Cousin's Sub Day School Fundraiser (All Day)

Thursday, November 28
Thanksgiving Day - No Morning Mass
Parish & School Offices Closed

Friday, November 29
  • 8:00 a.m. Mass followed by Confessions during Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
Parish & School Offices Closed
 
Saturday, November 30
  • 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
Scrip Holiday and Oplatki Sales
Before and After 4:30 p.m. Mass

Sunday, December 1
  • 9:00 a.m. Religious Education (Grades 1-8) - School
  • 6:00 p.m. Ablaze - Hall
Scrip Holiday and Oplatki Sales
Before and After All Masses

  Monday, December 2
  • 8:00 a.m. Mass followed by Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
  • 6:30 p.m. Stewardship Meeting - Room A
 
Tuesday, December 3
  • 7:30 a.m. Mass followed by St. Anthony Devotion, Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
  • 2:45 p.m. Youth Choir Rehearsal - Music Room
  • 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

Wednesday, December 4
  • 8:00 a.m. Mass followed by Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
Thanksgiving Vigil Mass

Wednesday, November 27, at 6:30 pm


No Mass on Thanksgiving Day
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.
In recent years, the use of the word 'masculinity' has become controversial, and discussion about it unwelcome or silenced. Is all masculinity “toxic”? Dr. Tim Gray strongly asserts that while fallen masculinity does exist, authentic, God-given masculinity is a great virtue that is desperately needed in our world. Drawing on personal and cultural examples, Tim challenges men to face their fears about failing or "striking out," and encourages them to become the men they desire to be—loyal, dependable, and beloved friends, spouses, and fathers—in the image of Jesus Christ, the Perfect Man.
'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.
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.
What's Happening in Our School
Cousins Sub Day
Wednesday, November 27
ALL DAY

Are you tired of cooking for Thanksgiving? Traveling for the holiday and need a quick meal? We have the answer! Cousins Subs, 7495 W. Layton Ave., will donate a portion of all sales to SJE School on Wednesday, November 27. Just by stopping in and having lunch or dinner you can help our excellent school.

Scrip cards are available in the Parish Office during regular business hours or during SCRIP sale weekends.
Restaurant Fundraiser
Monday, December 9
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Spirit Wear Sale

We are offering a chance to order spirit wear items that will arrive before Christmas. You can use this link to order. All orders are due at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 1.

Orders will be delivered to the School Office. We will make arrangements to deliver them to the Parish Office for pick-up.
If you would like to donate cookies for the walk, please bring them to the Church Hall on Saturday, December 14, starting at 2:00 p.m

Contact the School office for more information
In the Coming Weeks
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! 
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.
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