What's Happening
at St. John's
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Catholic Schools Week
We just celebrated another Catholic Schools Week with many fun and educational activities in our St. John the Evangelist School. On behalf of the students and their families, who take advantage of Catholic schools, I say thank you. Thank you to the many parishioners who, through your generous donations of time, talent, and financial offerings, have made our Catholic school a reality for 54 years and counting.
As Fr. Paul Hartman from St. Eugene’s in Fox Point wrote in his bulletin column:
“To vigorously support parish-based Catholic education is not meant to put down the many fine government-run schools...But, there is a value in holding in high regard the unique power and the gift of school communities being extended families based on prayer and faith. There is also something unique about framing the educational mission around terms such as “God-given” potential and “servant leadership.”
Catholic schools are assets not only to students and families but also to parishes, the wider church, communities, and the world. In his encyclical Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis correctly stated that:
“Catholic schools, which always strive to join their work of education with the explicit proclamation of the Gospel, are a most valuable resource for the evangelization of culture.” (#134, Nov. 14, 2013)
Masks Required
Since Christmas, I have received a number of communications from parishioners expressing their concerns about people not wearing masks during Mass. Having fielded most of these concerns, the parish staff said it’s time we make a change. After consulting with what our neighboring parishes are doing, we decided to require the wearing of a mask during Mass.
For the weekend Masses, people without a mask will be invited to view Mass in the church hall via the live stream, and Holy Communion will be brought down to them.
For the weekday Masses, people without a mask have been asked to sit in the pews in front of the confessional, using every other pew and remaining physically distanced.
There are two or three people who have health concerns and will not need to wear a mask with doctors' orders. This practice will begin on the weekend of February 13 and 14.
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Bipolar Ionization System
A Continuation
To date, we have collected $31,030 for the new Bi-Polar Ionization systems. We are still in need of an additional $1,170 to completely pay the final bill. Again on behalf of all of us who benefit from this ionization system, thank you to our many generous donors. If you can donate, please mark that your donation is for the “New Air” system.
Fr. Michael
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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 is an open hour on Thursdays - 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Please call Kay Shomperlen if interested
in volunteering at 414-763-1250.
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The Jewish Roots of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection
By Dr. Brant Pitre
Saturday, February 6, 6:30 p.m.
Church Hall
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says to the people: “Think not that I have come to abolish the Law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them.” — Matthew 5:17.
If you have ever wanted to better understand the mystery of Jesus’ death and Resurrection, then we invite you to please join us at our next Adult Education Presentation. “The Jewish Roots of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection,” presented by Dr. Brant Pitre. Some of the questions that will be covered include:
- Have you ever wondered why Jesus was crucified on a Friday at 3:00 p.m.?
- Why do Catholics worship on Sunday rather than Saturday, which is the Jewish Sabbath?
- Do you want to understand the mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection more deeply?
- Would you like to get more out of meditation this Lent?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, we recommend attending this dynamic and ground-breaking DVD presentation.
For more information, call or text:
Laura Lee (414) 840-0261, or
Chris (414) 507-7660, or
Austin (414) 530-5770.
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Holy Name Society News
The Holy Name Society will celebrate Corporate Communion at 8:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, February 14, 2021. They will also pray the Rosary at 7:20 a.m. in the Church before Mass.
There will be a short meeting in the Gym, BUT NO Breakfast will follow. All men 16 and older are welcome, and fathers are encouraged to bring their sons 8 years and older.
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Men's Retreat
February 26-28, 2021
A retreat for men will be held from Friday, Feb. 26, to Sunday, Feb. 28th, 2021, at the Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Oconomowoc. The weekend starts around 7:00 p.m. (Check-in starts at 6-6:30 p.m.) on Friday and ends around noon on Sunday. Carpooling is available.
Social Distancing and mask-wearing will be required.
For details and to sign up,
call Ron. Heser at 414-448-7117
or the Retreat Center at 262-567-6900.
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Your donations are needed and will help us
continue to operate during these unsettling times.
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Fifth Sunday
in Ordinary Time
February 6/7, 2021
Our readings today remind us that Christ came to serve. Jesus’ entire life was focused on others. He came to fulfill His Father’s mission — the salvation of mankind. He labored for this mission by becoming the humblest of servants.
In today's Gospel, Simon says to Jesus, “Everyone is looking for you.” Jesus did not seek after the praise. Rather, He responded by saying, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also.” Jesus was already looking to whom He could serve next.
As Christian stewards, we are also called to be humble servants who labor for our Father’s mission. We should strive to imitate the Perfect Steward, Who was constantly aware of the needs of those around Him and put His gifts to good use. For us, this begins right here in our homes, parish, and community. We are called to live each moment in awareness of our Father’s mission and in gratitude for all He has given us.
Jesus tells us that the way to be attentive is through prayer. Before Jesus decided to go to the nearby villages to preach, He first went off to pray. It is through prayer that Jesus could hear what His Father was asking of Him. We, too, are called to spend time in daily prayer — we will then become aware of the opportunities to serve the Lord.
Let us commit to finding some quiet time this week to pray. Let us ask the Lord — how can I serve You better throughout my days? And let us pray, "Make me humble, Lord."
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As you know, the past week marked our annual celebration of Catholic Schools' Week. Even with Covid-19 precautions in place, the week was a flurry of activity. Decades Day and an escape challenge were some of the highlights. Although we were not able to complete the buddy activities that usually mark this week’s celebration, we found ways to share virtual contests and class team challenges. In addition, our students reached out to various members of our community with Thank You notes for health care workers and Valentines for senior parishioners and veterans who were all on our list of outreach activities.
Our students are not too young to be considered active members of our faith community. Writing notes to thank our first responders and Valentines for our seniors are lessons in respect and love for all members of God’s family. We are so lucky to have each other as friends. Catholic Schools Week provides us with the opportunity to celebrate that!
After the busy-ness of Catholic Schools Week, we are ready to get back to work. As quiet returns to our classrooms and hallways, we can almost feel the students return to the focus of their studies. What a great feeling it is. We are ready to tackle the second half of the school year, pushing ourselves to learn as much as we can!
...Together in God’s Name
Mary Laidlaw-Otto, Principal
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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:
Daily Masses are:
Monday thru Saturday 8:00 a.m.
Weekend Masses are:
Saturday at 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 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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Though St. Philomena lived approximately 1700 years ago and was only discovered in Rome's catacombs in the early 1800s, her faithful witness as a young virgin who was martyred for her purity and for her fidelity to Christ speaks powerfully to our culture, and especially to young people. Commonly referred to as a "wonder worker", she has the distinction of being the only saint canonized solely on the basis of the profound miracles attributed to her intercession. Learn more about St. Philomena and what a powerful advocate we have before the throne of Almighty God. |
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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. 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.
You can also click here to view a how-to video from Scrip on how to open an account.
To protect the program from fraud, please contact the Parish or School offices for the enrollment code. 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 Thursdays. 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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