Jan/Feb Newsletter 2021
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
St. Thérèse’s poem is about the fragility and brevity of life. She reminds us that we have only today to live in faith and to show our love for God and others by genuine acts of kindness, generosity and compassion. In the midst of St. Thérèse’s physical and moral sufferings, and her own interior darkness, she faced life Dear Parishioners of St Mary of the Hill, with extraordinary realism. To love is not a dream or emotion locked in her heart. Love is real and expressed concretely in the I am writing this on December 8, Solemnity here and now, especially in her relationships. Her reflection on of the Immaculate Conception. I just heard on fraternal life in Manuscript “C” in the Story of a Soul is a the news that the first person was vaccinated against Covid 19 in profound spiritual treatise on loving others in the present moment England today. Hopefully this is a sign that this international and in the midst of darkness and poverty. The importance of the pandemic will be over in the not to distant future. The pandemic present moment is an essential element of her “way of confidence teaches us to be still and accept the unknown. “When will this and love.” “Let us see only each moment!...A moment is a end?” We learn to live day by day, one day at a time. We have treasure.” (GCI, p. 558). “We have only this short moment of this often heard people say, “We don’t know whether we can travel life to give to God.” (GCII, 882). “Ah, let us profit from this short home, or attend this meeting, or celebrate a birthday. Travel plans moment of life.” (GCII, p. 1117). “I’m suffering only for an have been canceled for the third time. What next? There is no instant. It’s because we think of the past and of the future that we vaccine at this moment and the virus is overwhelming our become disappointed and fall into despair.” (Last Conversations) hospitals. How can we and the hospitals cope?” The response I St. Therese reminds us to live in faith and love in the present often hear: “Well, what else can we do but take one day at a time? moment. No matter what the future may hold we remain steadfast We have to live day by day.” It’s as though we are forced to live in faith, hope and love. May God bless you all in this New Year in the present moment, to live as best as we can one day at a of Grace 2021. time. I am reminded of St. Thérèse’s poem: “Just for Today.” Fr Jude, O.C.D. My life is but an instant, a passing hour. My life is but a day that escapes and flies away. (Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, born Marie Françoise-Thérèse Martin Oh my God! You know that to love you on earth (2 January 1873 – 30 September 1897), also known as Saint I only have today!... Thérèse of the Child Jesus, of the Holy Face, was a French Lord, what does it matter if the future is gloomy? Discalced Carmelite nun who is To pray for tomorrow, oh no, I cannot!... widely venerated in modern times. Keep my heart pure, cover me with your shadow She is popularly called “The Little Just for today. Flower.” Pope St. Pius X called her the “Greatest Saint of Modern If I think about tomorrow, I fear my fickleness. Times.” She was canonized by Pope I feel sadness and worry arising up in my heart. Pius XI on May 17, 1925. She is a But I’m willing, my God, to accept trial and suffering modern day “Wonder Worker" who Just for today. promised to spend her Heaven doing I’ve just this fleeting day to form good upon the earth. Her window in This cluster of love, who feeds are souls. our worship space is to the left of St. Ah! Give me Jesus, the fire of an Apostle Joseph near our newly installed Just for today. ambry to the left of the sanctuary.) New Year’s Eve Mass HAPPY NEW YEAR! Though we are in the midst of our Christmas season, the staff of December 31st, 2020, 4pm in the Parish St. Mary of the Hill would like to wish you a happy and blessed Center, we will celebrate the Mary, Mother of New Year! God Vigil Mass. What a beautiful way to kick TJ Dickau off your New Year’s Eve celebration! Attending this Mass, Bill Schmitt Fr. Jude satisfies the Obligation of the January 1st Holy Day. Mary Grosel Tony Heppe Melinda Diels Inside this Issue… Pastor’s Column Page 1 Wendy Newburg Parish Happenings Page 2 Mary Whelan Richard Smith Parish Happenings Page 3 Christian Formation Page 4 Tim Thompson Parish Happenings Page 5-8 Taylor Schmitt Anne Breitenbach January Calendar Page 9 February Calendar Page 10 Parish Happenings Page 11 Brianna Vogel Carla Dal Santo Kathy Spies 2021 Don Strobel Anne Fredrickson Jeff Neu Jan/Feb Newsletter 1 Attending Mass Parish News Do NOT attend Mass if you have a fever or flu-like symptoms. Baptisms Facemasks: Each person attending Mass MUST properly We welcome the newest members of our parish wear a facemask (nose & mouth covered) while they are in family through the sacrament of Baptism. the building. Please welcome: Mass Update Zachary Ignatius Pruski We apologize for any confusion about Mass sign up. We Son of Timothy and Roberta Pruski received new knowledge and had to act accordingly. It was out of our hands. Our classrooms are not contiguous to the Charlotte Joan Marie Boehlen Daughter of Brian and Moriah Boehlen Parish Center, therefore, the Archdiocese explained that we cannot have classroom signup. We can only use it for over- Brantley Gene Sutton flow. Moving forward there is NO sign up for any Masses. Son of Evan and Meghan Sutton Please pray that our newest members grow in their faith. St. Mary of the Hill Parish With Deep Sympathy Eucharistic Adoration and Mass Our deepest sympathy is extended to the The Church and the world have a great families of: need for Eucharistic worship. Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love. Carol Trautner - Mother of Jennifer Tobin Let us not refuse the time to go to meet Him in adoration, in Josephine Syrjanen - Mother of Merry & Gregg Gerschke contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends for the John Russell - Brother of Maureen Russell and serious offenses and crimes of the world. Let our adoration never Marilee Fuss & Joe Stoll cease. -Pope St. John Paul II Daniel Hauser, Parishioner Every Thursday - Exposition and Adoration 12-6pm Margaret Stevens - Mother of Karen Stevens Benediction & Mass: 6pm Randy Gritt - Brother of Ron & Martha Gritt Resumes January 7 and continues throughout the year. Helen Klappa - Mother of Sue & Tom Krause This is a great way to begin the new year!! John Novak - Husband of Laura Novak Please keep this family in your prayers. Pastoral Council Nominations 2 seats needs to be filled this year. We are looking for nominees Church Texting & Emailing Made Easy whose faith is alive and gospel oriented, has a sense of mission of How To Sign Up For Flocknote Online the Church, is a team player, creative, energetic and has a willing- Go to Flocknote.com ness to listen to others’ point of view. Find Your Church-enter zip code 53033 or Hubertus The nominees must meet the following requirements: 1) Be a registered member of the parish for 2 years. Click on St Mary of the Hill 2) Be a baptized, practicing Catholic. Enter First Name 3) Be a participant in the parish worship life, especially Mass Enter Last Name and the sacraments. Enter Email address 4) Be at least 18 years old. 5) Nominee must sign the nomination form. Save Nomination Deadline: January 9 & 10, 2021 You are now signed up for Flocknote and will receive all Pastoral Council Elections: April 10 & 11, 2021 important parish wide information. Also if you want to receive an electronic copy of the Bulletin you can select the group Bulletin Please give prayerful consideration to this issue. You may in Flocknote. Contact Mary Grosel if you need any assistance nominate yourself. Nomination forms will be available after Mass with Flocknote, 262-628-3606 ext 7. in the entryway or in the office during regular business hours. Thank You to everyone who helped make the Pastoral Council Trustee Nominations Christmas Season much brighter for others. We One seat needs to be filled this year for Pastoral Council thank those who decorated the churches at Holy Trustee Treasurer. Pastoral Council Trustee Nomination Hill and the Parish Center, those who gave gift Nomination Deadline: January 16 & 17, 2021 cards or money for the Giving Tree, prepared gifts to the Pastoral Council Elections: April 10 & 11, 2021 homebound, donated money for poinsettias, those who participated in the Christmas Liturgies, the Musicians, 2020 Catholic Stewardship Appeal Report Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, Altar Set Up, Ushers and all who were involved in the Children’s I. Total Received December 1 .………$31,351.98 Christmas Eve Liturgy and Christmas Day Masses at the II. Parish Goal..…………….………….$30,300.00 2 Parish Center. Human Concerns Committee. Identifying a group or place as “Catholic” does not mean it is true The Human Concerns Committee would like to thank you Various groups and/or places within the archdiocese have, for your support of people in need. unfortunately, used “Catholic” as a descriptor, or offer services structured in such a way that might easily lead to You have supported the homeless through the Hygiene that identification.