What's Happening
at St. John's
|
|
|
Ashes on Ash Wednesday
As published a couple of weeks ago, on Ash Wednesday, Ashes will not be placed on our foreheads but will be sprinkled on top of our heads. After the homily, the Ashes will be blessed, and the priest will say only once: “Repent and Believe in the Gospel.” Just as for the distribution of Holy Communion, the Eucharistic Minister will approach each parishioner in the pew. If possible, you will be asked to kneel and bow your head. No words will be spoken as a pinch of Ash will be sprinkled on your head.
This ancient practice is from the early church, which is still practiced in some European monasteries today. Because of Covid-19, the United States' Bishops have approved this method for the beginning of our Lenten Season.
Disciplines of Lent
Here are a few suggestions for our Lenten practices:
The first suggestion comes from Fr. Richard Heilman of Pine Bluff, WI. He and two others have written a book called, Let Freedom Ring: A 40 Day Tactical Training for Freedom From the Devil. The book lays out disciplines for the 40 days of Lent. You can order the book from Fr. Hellman’s website:
The goal for all of us during Lent is that through acts of reparation, fasting, penance, charity, and prayer (both personal and sacramental), we call upon the power of God to release ourselves, our families, our parishes, our diocese, and our nation from all demonic influence and oppression.
Methods and suggestions Given by Fr. Heilman
- To pray a Rosary each day,
- To pray a Divine Mercy Chaplet each day in reparation for sin,
- To commit one act of spiritual or corporal works of mercy for those who have been harmed by our sin or who have been harmed by their sin,
- To commit to fasting or abstinence (particularly on Wednesday and Fridays: abstinence from sweets, soda, junk food, fast food),
- To commit to some physical exercise based on one’s abilities,
- To commit to going to Confession at least once during Lent (when available),
- To refrain from all use of the conventional media throughout the 40 days and to limit use of social media to one hour a day for non-business or evangelical use.
As mentioned last weekend, during Lent, we are promoting the book, The Consecration to St, Joseph in this Year of St. Joseph. This very inspiring book written by Fr. Don Calloway leads one in how to make the Consecration. Those who wish to make the Consecration can do so after the Masses on the weekend of May 1 and 2.
On Wednesday evenings during Lent, the Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 6:30 p.m.
Parishioners are invited and encouraged to come to daily Mass at 8:00 a.m. each day Monday through Saturday. For Ash Wednesday, we will have four Masses: Tuesday evening Mass of Anticipation at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 8:00 a.m., Noon, and 6:30 p.m.
Prayer to St. Joseph
“God gave St. Joseph the love, the care, and the authority of a father over Jesus. He gave him the affection of a father that he might guard Him with great love; the solicitude of a father, that he might watch over Him with care; and the authority of a father that he might feel sure that he would be obeyed in all that he arranged concerning this Son.”
—St. John Damascene
“St. Joseph, be always a father to us; and grant
that we may be always your faithful children.”
|
|
|
|
Bipolar Ionization System
We have reached our goal of $32,200. On behalf of our staff and students, thank you.
|
|
Join us for the start of Lent
Mass Schedule
Tuesday, February 16
6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 17
8:00 a.m.
Noon
6:30 p.m.
Masks are required except for individuals who have a medical exemption.
|
|
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 Sundays -
3:00 to 4:00 a.m.
Please call Kay Shomperlen if interested
in volunteering at 414-763-1250.
|
|
Be a Good Steward of
the Lenten Season
Ash Wednesday has always been a special day of devotion for Catholics. This year, of course, will be different as Ash Wednesday, to be celebrated on February 17, is situated in a time when health and safety precautions are of the utmost importance. We are in the middle of a pandemic. Nevertheless, Ash Wednesday continues to be an outward sign of the beginning of a season of penitence, and we embrace the call to conversion that Ash Wednesday heralds. Christian stewards will greet Lent with the best of intentions. But sometimes, we reach Easter disappointed in our own efforts. Here are some suggestions for keeping us on task during this Lenten season:
- Plan ahead. Give thought and prayer to what will most help you draw closer to Jesus during this special season. Write your intentions down, and review them often.
- Please keep it simple. Like those folks who sign up for gym memberships on January 1 and give up by January 15, sometimes we approach Lent with too many resolutions. Be realistic and don’t set yourself up for guilt.
- Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are the pillars of Lent. Try to do one thing in each of these categories. Stretch yourself a bit and come up with something new and challenging.
- Keep your eyes on Jesus. Coming closer to him through his passion and resurrection is our goal.
- Prepare your home with Lenten reminders. If you have no crucifix in your living areas, place one there. If you have a crucifix, perhaps affix a purple spot to it as a reminder of Lent. Find a picture or holy card that speaks to you and display it.
- Simplify something tangible in your daily life, like your closet or your schedule.
- Place a special candle on the dining room table, and when your family says grace each evening, encourage them to share the struggles and joys of their Lenten resolutions, or perhaps an act of kindness they did that day. This is a good activity for kids.
- If possible and safe, take your family to the Stations of the Cross at least once.
- Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and encourage your family to do so.
- Make it a point to prepare for and participate in the beautiful Triduum liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and even the Easter Vigil, even if you can only do this online. Celebrate the completion of your Lenten exercises.
After Easter, reflect on your Lenten practices. Remember, God’s mercy to us is unlimited. It’s not all about what “we” did, but what God does within us.
-ICSC Catholic Stewardship Newsletter
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Your donations are needed and will help us
continue to operate during these unsettling times.
|
|
Sixth Sunday
in Ordinary Time
February 13/14, 2021
Today's readings prepare us for the penitential season of Lent.
In our Gospel, a leper knelt before Jesus and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched this diseased man and healed him. He then encouraged the man to show himself to the priest and offer himself a cleansing, referencing what was commanded in the Law of Moses. By completing these rituals, this man might be reinstituted into the community.
Let us approach this holy season of Lent like the leper. By our faults, we have distanced ourselves from God and His community. The leper reminds us Whom to go to so that we might be healed. Let us approach the Lord this season on our knees asking for forgiveness and healing from our offenses, saying, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” There is no doubt that, if we have a contrite heart, Jesus will stretch out His hand in forgiveness, and His mercy will touch our lives.
And like the leper, we too should go forth from being healed with a commitment to cleansing ourselves from the lasting effects of sin. Lent is a time to offer acts of reparation through Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving so that we might be purified in all areas of our life and walk with the Gracious Healer, Who sacrificed His life for our sake.
This holy season of Lent is an opportunity to be healed and cleansed on our journey as disciples of Christ. Let us consider what we can do to offer acts of reparation so that we might be purified and one day partake in the resurrection of Christ.
|
|
The last week was filled with cold, cold weather, leading to something everyone in a school hates - indoor recess. We strongly believe that children need plenty of time outdoors, even when it is cold and snowy. Still, we work hard to make the best of our indoor days - our students have plenty of games and activities available in their classrooms to provide a break from learning activities, and they play in the gym when it is available.
Even when it is dark, cold, and dreary, our days in school fly by. We celebrated the completion of 100 days of school on Thursday. This is a popular event for our youngest students, who have been counting the days since the very first day of school. They spend the day exploring what 100 of everything looks like, and even, in some cases, what they might look like when they are 100 years old. Getting to 100 days is something to be celebrated for these young learners.
This year feels like an accomplishment for all of us. We take the opportunity to come to school each day for granted. This is one of the lessons we have learned from Covid-19. No longer do we take anything for granted; especially the privilege to come to school to learn, grow, and pray together.
If you have not already done so, I encourage you to explore our parish YouTube channel:
Our weekly student Mass is live streamed at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesdays. Our students would love to have you join them virtually in prayer.
...Together in God’s Name
Mary Laidlaw-Otto, Principal
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Amid crisis, scandal, and confusion in the modern world, where does the good news of the Resurrection and God's endless mercy fit in? In these three homilies—on The Easter Vigil, Divine Mercy Sunday, and Pentecost—priest and pastor Fr. Brian Larkin shares stories and insights, including from G.K. Chesterton, George Weigel, St. John Paul II, St. Faustina Kowalska, and the Old and New Testaments, to proclaim the joy, hope, and mission of every Christian, to love and serve a God “who never tires of forgiving you,” and “who knows His way out of the grave.” |
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
 |
The newsletter is published on Thursdays. 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
