What's Happening During Our Catholic Comeback |
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As we navigate our Catholic Comeback, this newsletter will continue to bring you
updated information.
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Saint Michael the Archangel, Raphael, and Gabriel
This Tuesday, the Church celebrates the three Archangels: Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel. About 18 months ago, we began reciting the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel after each Mass at St. John’s. What follows is a brief history/genesis of the St. Michael Prayer along with the long version and the short version which we are most familiar with.
One day, after celebrating Mass, the aged Pope Leo XIII was in conference with the Cardinals when he suddenly sank to the floor in a deep swoon. Physicians who hastened to his side could find no trace of his pulse and feared that he had expired. But after a short interval, the Holy Father regained consciousness and exclaimed with great emotion: “Oh, what a horrible picture I have been permitted to see!”
He had been shown a vision of evil spirits who had been released from Hell and their efforts to destroy the Church. But in the midst of the horror, the Archangel St. Michael appeared and cast Satan and his legions into the abyss of Hell. Soon afterwards, Pope Leo XIII composed the following prayer to St. Michael:
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“Oh Glorious Prince of the Heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan.
Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.
These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.
Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee Holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of Hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in Heavenly beatitude. Oh pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen"
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V. Behold the Cross of the Lord; be scattered ye hostile powers.
R. The Lion of the tribe of Judah has conquered, the root of David.
V. Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
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Let us pray. O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy Holy Name, and as supplicants, we implore Thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious St. Michael the Archangel. Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.
The Pope ordered the more well-known, shorter version of this prayer to be recited daily after Low Mass in all the churches throughout the Catholic world. However, this practice was almost completely swept away in the 1960s by liturgical changes made in the wake of Vatican Council II.
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
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24-Hour Perpetual Adoration
St. John’s is fortunate to have 24-hour Perpetual Adoration. Please take advantage of this beautiful opportunity to stay close to God in these difficult times. Hand sanitizer is available in the Adoration entrance (south side of Church), and we ask that you practice social distancing and stay at least six feet from others while in Church.
There are currently two openings for Adoration:
Thursday Noon to 1:00 p.m. and Saturday 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Please call Kay Shomperlen at 414-763-1250 to volunteer.
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2020 Seminary Dinner
Friday, September 25
(6:30 - 7:15 p.m.)
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Please join the St. Francis de Sales Seminary in celebrating 175 years of priestly formation! While they are unable to gather everyone together this year, the joy and hope of their Annual Dinner will still be offered to all during a live event that will take place on the front steps of the Seminary. The program will be streamed on their website for online viewing.
They ask that you please support the formation of holy priests by celebrating with them during the event, by praying for the men, and by contributing generously to their formation. Your gift is so important to the men who are studying to become your priests.
To receive an email reminder and link to watch the event online, please register at www.sfs.edu/DinnerRegistration. There is no fee for online viewing. To attend the event in person, please register at www.sfs.edu/DinnerRegistration. There is a $50 cost to attend in person, however children attending with a parent are free. A limited number of people will be allowed on a first-come, first-served basis. Then bring a lawn chair and enjoy! Guests will be asked to respect proper social distancing. In the event of inclement weather, the viewing party will regretfully have to be cancelled and the seminarians will move indoors.
Contributions are accepted online or checks can be mailed to St. Francis de Sales Seminary, 3257 South Lake Drive, Saint Francis, WI, 53235. You can sponsor a Seminarian for as little as $150 or contribute up to $25,000 or more.
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Milwaukee Fatima Shrine
Outdoor Mass and Eucharistic Procession
October 7, 5:00-6:30 p.m.
68th and Stevenson
Please join Catholics from all parishes to an outdoor Mass and Eucharistic Procession with Rosary and a rededication of the Fatima Angel of Peace statue.
Come experience the rejuvenated Fatima Shrine and give honor to our Blessed Mother!
You are also welcome to join us every Saturday at noon to pray the rosary.
Any questions, please contact
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12th Annual Women of Christ Conference
October 10
With millions of sacraments not received over the last five months, there is a void of Sacramental grace. Women of the parish are invited to help fill that void on Saturday, October 10 during a half-day retreat, which will take place at parishes throughout the Archdiocese.
Here at St. John’s, the retreat will begin with Mass at 8:00 a.m., followed by recorded reflections by three local priests - Fr. Patrick Burns, Fr. Jacob Strand, and Fr. Nick Baumgardner, who will share Christ’s message of love and hope during this difficult year. Confessions and Adoration will begin at 10:15 a.m.
Follow this link to sign up:
Space is limited.
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Join us October 18 - November 1, 2020
for our first ever
Fall Fest Auction!
We are just a few short weeks away from our first ever Fall Fest Auction. Visit our online auction site or text sjefallfest20 to 76278 to register and check out some of the amazing items we have to bid on:
- 43 inch Fire TV
- Instant Pot Duo Crisp Package
- Thomas Kinkade "A Quiet Evening"
- Gift certificates
- And so much more!
Bidding will open at noon on Sunday, October 18 and close at 4:00 p.m. sharp on Sunday, November 1.
If you have any questions please email Denise Kasulke at dkasulke@stjohns-grfd.org
Happy bidding!
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Your donations are needed and will help us
continue to operate during these unsettling times.
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Twenty-Sixth Sunday in
Ordinary Time
September 26/27, 2020
As Christian stewards we are called to a high and holy standard — living as Christ’s disciples every day and with every person the Lord places in our path. But we can move towards this goal in “baby steps.”
Jesus demonstrates this comforting truth through the parable He tells in today’s Gospel from Matthew. It is the story of two sons whose father instructs them to go out and work in his vineyard that day. While the second son agrees to his father’s request, he does not follow through — he fails to obey the father’s will. The first son tells his father, “no.” At least he is honest! And in the end, he reconsiders and obeys his father.
The first son’s honest, less-than-perfect response, is consoling to us Christian stewards. Haven’t we all felt this way at times when God’s will for us seems to be just too hard?
We can be honest with God at these times. He knows our thoughts already, after all. But when we stayed engaged in a real relationship with Him, even if it’s just to say, “I don’t think I can, Lord,” He will supply us with just the grace we need to change our minds and do what He is asking us to do.
We can even take a step backward from time to time because our Father is merciful and kind. What matters is that we keep baby-stepping along, assured of the grace we need to more closely imitate the actions and attitudes of Christ. This is the beauty of the stewardship way of life.
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Testing...
Our students and teachers continue to wear masks and distance from each other in the hallways, and classrooms. They have assigned areas to play on the playground, and their arrival and dismissal procedures have changed to minimize time spent together. School looks different than it did last March in so many ways!
Many things, though look the same. Our students have been working on Star testing over the last two weeks. These computer-adjusted tests provide us with “snapshot” information. After more than six months away from our classrooms, we are anxious to discover where our students are in math and reading. Star testing will provide us with data about where we are starting, and give us a baseline to measure growth throughout the year.
Before we know it, our first set of parent-teacher conferences will be here. This year, we will be meeting virtually with our families, and providing them with Star testing information will be an important part of those conversations. Measuring growth is a critical part of our responsibility as educators. We love Star testing because it takes very little learning time, and gives us valuable data to measure learning.
...Together in God’s Name
Mary Laidlaw-Otto, Principal
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Greetings from your Director of Religious Education,
Our schedule for Religious Education Programs for the first two months is as follows:
October 4, 2020
Grades 1-8 9:30 to 10:45 p.m.
Grades 9-11 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
October 11, 2020
Grades 1-8 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.
Grades 9-11 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
October 18, 2020
Grades 1-8 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.
Grades 9-11 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
November 8, 2020
Grades 1-8 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.
Grades 9-11 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
November 15, 2020
Grades 1-8 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.
Grades 9-11 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
November 22, 2020
Grades 1-8 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.
Grades 9-11 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
We hope to begin Adult Religious Education Programs in November.
God Bless!
Austin Rahill, DRE
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Coming Soon!
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
Thirsting for God? Do you know someone who is not baptized or baptized in a non-Catholic Christian tradition, who is thirsting for what it means to become Catholic? Do you know someone who is already Catholic, but who has not yet received Confirmation and/or First Communion? They may be thirsting too!
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a place to ask questions and seek understanding. Weekly “no obligation” inquiry sessions begin at St. John’s Parish on Sunday, October 4 at noon in Room A of the Rectory. Physical distancing and masks will be required.
For more information or to register,
contact Austin Rahill at 414-530-5770.
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Live-streaming: Mass and Adoration
We are live-streaming daily and Sunday Masses as well as Adoration for those who are unable to attend:
- Monday at 8:00 a.m.
- Tuesday at 7:30 a.m.
- Wednesday at 8:00 a.m.
- Thursday at 7:30 a.m.
- Friday at 8:00 a.m.
- Saturday at 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday at 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Our YouTube channel is SJE-Greenfield.
If you miss the livestream, you can watch the upload of each daily Mass on our YouTube channel.
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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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For Catholics, the Mass is entirely familiar, but often not well understood. Scripture scholar and well-known author Dr. Edward Sri takes listeners on a journey through the sacred liturgy that is sure to help Catholics experience the Mass more fully as the most powerful and important prayer of the Church. Dr. Sri examines the historical and biblical roots of the words, prayers, actions, and gestures contained within the Mass in order to arrive at a deeper understanding of their significance. |
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Start earning the easy way with the new mobile app: RaiseRight by ShopWithScrip
RaiseRight is simply the right way to fundraise for our organization. Shop gift cards from more than 750 top brands to earn on your daily purchases—right from your phone.
Turn your shopping list into fundraising
· Discover new earning opportunities every day
· Narrow your search with categories that fit your everyday shopping needs
· Easily browse brands offering bonus earnings
· Add brands you love to your Favorites for faster shopping
· Manage your gift cards in one place: your Wallet
Pick up right where you left off. Sign in with your same ShopWithScrip username and password. Access your gift cards right away. And check out with payment information already saved to your account.
SCRIP will now be sold before and after all weekend Masses. We will be outside under the tent in front of the church. As always, SCRIP is available at the parish office during regular business hours. We have materials available below if you would like to set up an online account.
Our enrollment code is 18DE7D4F11822. Once you have an online account you can pay by direct debit from your checking account (Presto Pay), by credit card, or by check here in the parish office. If we do not have the item in stock, we will order on Monday and have the cards by Thursday. Once you have the physical card you can enroll it in your "wallet" and reload it as needed.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the parish office at 414-321-1965.
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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.
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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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