Second Sunday of Lent
March 7/8, 2020
Our readings for this second Sunday of Lent offer us Christian stewards motivation to continue on our 40-day journey towards deeper holiness.
The first reading from the book of Genesis describes God’s call to Abram (who would later be called Abraham). God instructs Abram to leave his home and set out to a land that God had chosen for him. Abram’s response is an ancient example of good stewardship. Instead of clinging to his comfortable home and way of life, he recognizes that all he has is a gift from God, puts his trust in God and obeys. And God rewards him, saying, “I will make your name great so that you will be a blessing.”
To “be a blessing” is the true aim of a stewardship way of life. It is also an excellent way to live out the season of Lent. The sacrifices we take on, the spiritual disciplines we practice, the extra acts of service we perform during this season, all give glory to God and transform our lives into a blessing for others.
Lest we grow weary on this path, our Gospel passage today, from Matthew, offers us a powerful image of the great God we serve. It is the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus when our Lord reveals Himself in His true glory, and the Father says, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” The apostles who witnessed this were awestruck. But our loving Savior reassured them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”
As we continue on our Lenten journey, let us take these two verses, “Listen to Him,” “Rise, and do not be afraid” to heart. Let us rely on God’s strength to aid us in our spiritual disciplines as we move through Lent. We will arrive at Easter with deeper holiness, as a blessing to God and others, and as better stewards of all God’s gifts to us.
|
|
Choir Loft Remodel
Things are moving along! We are looking at having the carpeting installed next week. Once it is completed, we will have more room for our growing choirs, including our hand bell choir, but there will be limited seating in the Choir Loft.
Stay tuned as the project continues.
|
|
Measuring Spiritual Growth and
Parish Engagement
The Disciple Maker Index Survey is now open. All St. John parishioners are asked to take part. This survey is designed to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ and become more engaged in our parish. By answering the questions in the 15-minute survey, you will have the chance to reflect on individual spiritual growth as well as provide our parish leadership with invaluable insight into our parish strengths and opportunities.
This will allow St. John’s to set priorities and allocate resources in the years ahead.
There are two ways to participate. There is a convenient online survey that you can take at home. There is a link on our parish website or you can
click here
. Click on the link and first select the Archdiocese of Milwaukee then St. John the Evangelist Parish, Greenfield, from the options provided.
There are also paper surveys in the narthex. Contact the parish office if you would like a survey in a language other than English. The survey will close on Monday, March 23.
The survey is completely confidential. St. John’s will not receive any individual survey responses.
|
|
33 Days to Merciful Love
Week One
During the first sessions of Father Michael Gaitley's 33 Days to Merciful Love Retreat, participants explored the topic of trust. They discussed the importance of faith and trust in Mary and Abraham, who believed God’s promises would be fulfilled, despite how humanly impossible those promises seemed. However little faith one has, however greatly one has sinned, one should never despair of God’s Merciful Love. Next week’s topic is “The Little Way.”
|
|
Stations of the Cross
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
March 4, 11, 18, 25
Fridays at 2:00 p.m. (School)
March 6, 13, 20, and April 3
|
|
Wednesday, March 4
- 6:30 p.m. Dartball - Hall
- 6:30 p.m. Gym Unavailable
- 6:30 p.m. KSKJ - Rectory Room A
- 7:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross - Church
Thursday, March 5
- 7:30 a.m. Mass followed by Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
- 2:45 p.m. Youth Hand Bell Choir Rehearsal - Music Room
- 5:15 p.m. Love One Another CEC Meeting - Church
- 6:00 p.m. Adult Hand Bell Choir - Music Room
- 6:00 p.m. Christian Women Society Meeting - Hall
Friday, March 6
- 8:00 a.m. Mass followed by Confessions during Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
- 2:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross lead by the School Children - Church
Saturday, March 7
- 6:45 a.m. Men's Group - Hall
- 8:00 a.m. Mass followed by Confessions during Mother of Perpetual Help Devotion, Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
- 9:00 a.m. Jesus and the End Times All Day Retreat - Hall
- 3:30 p.m. Confessions
Anointing of the Sick, Prayer Shawls,
and SCRIP after 4:30 p.m. Mass
Sunday, March 8
- 8:00 a.m. Holy Name recites the Rosary before Mass - Church
- 9:00 a.m. Grade School RE Classes - School
- 9:30 a.m. Holy Name Society Meeting - Hall
- 6:00 p.m. ABLAZE - School
SCRIP sold after all Masses
Monday, March 9
- 8:00 a.m. Mass followed by Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
- 6:45 p.m. 33 Days to Merciful Love - Hall
Tuesday, March 10
- 7:30 a.m. Mass followed by St. Anthony Devotion, Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
- 9:30 a.m. Lenten Reconciliation - School Grades 3-8 - Church
- 1:00 p.m. 33 Days to Merciful Love - Rectory Room A
- 2:45 p.m. Youth Choir Rehearsal - Music Room
- 6:00 p.m. Girls Scouts Grade 5 Meeting - Multipurpose Room
- 6:30 p.m. Lenten Reconciliation - RE Grades 3-8 & Families - Church
- 7:00 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal - Music Room
- 7:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus #524 Meeting - Hall
Wednesday, March 11
- 8:00 a.m. Mass followed by Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
- 6:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross - Church
- 6:30 p.m. Gym Unavailable
|
|
Jesus and the End Times
Last Chance to Register!
Parishioners are invited to a one-day retreat on Saturday, March 7, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the Hall. The program is based on Dr. Brant Pitre's DVD series, Jesus and the End Times. A continental breakfast and lunch will be served. There will be a free-will offering.
If you h
ave ever wondered what the Bible teaches about what will happen at the End of Time, this program is for you. Many Catholics have heard about “the Rapture,” the coming of the “Antichrist,” and the "Second Coming," but are unsure exactly what to believe about these topics. Moreover, while Protestant Christians are often well-versed in the study of the “end times,” Catholics are often unfamiliar with what the Bible actually teaches.
Many Christians are unaware that the Catholic Church has very explicit teachings about the Tribulation, the Antichrist, the Second Coming, and the New Creation. In this detailed Bible study on the end times, Dr. Pitre brings clarity and precision to the confusion that frequently surrounds the doctrine of the end times, by answering crucial questions such as:
- What is the meaning of Jesus’ prophecies of tribulation and the coming of the Son of Man?
- Are we in the “end times” now?
- Why did Jesus prophesy the destruction of the Temple, and how does it relate to the End of the World?
- Is the Protestant belief in a secret “Rapture” a biblical teaching or a false doctrine?
- What will the Final Judgment be like, and how will we be judged?
If you have ever wondered about where this world is heading and what the ultimate destiny of humanity is, then don’t miss this powerful study of the truth about what the Bible and the Catholic Church teach about the last days.
Call Austin Rahill at 414-321-8922.
|
|
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.
|
|
Dr. Scott Hahn explains the essential teachings from God's Word regarding the theology and practice of Catholic family life based on the image of the Blessed Trinity. Dr. Hahn demonstrates that God's Word is all that is needed to create a loving family life.
|
|
Looking to get away to warmer weather? Use SCRIP for all your travel needs. Whether you are flying, driving, or taking a cruise, there is a SCRIP card for that! When you purchase SCRIP, St. John's will receive a percentage. Click
here to view and print our order form. If you would like to set up an online account, our enrollment code is
18DE7D4F11822
.
We order on Mondays and have them ready to be picked up no later than Thursday each week.
Upcoming SCRIP weekends are March 7/8 and 21/22. As always, SCRIP is available in the Parish Office during regular business hours.
|
|
This program allows .5% of your 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
|
|
Cafe Zupas Fundraiser Night
|
|
Men's Retreat
A retreat for men will be held Friday, March 13, to Sunday, March 15, at the Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Oconomowoc. The weekend begins with check-in between 6:00 and 6:30 p.m. The program starts at 7:00 p.m. and runs through noon on Sunday. Carpooling is available.
For details and/or to sign up, call Ron at 414-448-7117
or the Retreat Center at 262-567-6900
|
|
The newsletter is published on Wednesdays. Articles for each week's publication are due on Mondays at noon.
|
|
"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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
