Weekly Message from Fr. John

September 4, 2020

Dear Friends,

In our Second Reading this weekend, Saint Paul reminds us that all of the commandments can be summed up in this one saying: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” It is a call to love our spouse, children, friends, and co-workers as we love ourselves and as Christ loves us. People have told me that one of the hidden blessings during these strange times has been the opportunity to be at home more with loved ones. But maybe being at home all the time with the people we love means that we’re all going a little bit crazy right now!! Funny how that works, but it can happen to the best of us.

The beautiful quote above from First Corinthians is often read at weddings, which Fr. Tim and I are doing (still) in droves these days. Married love is such a gift, but it is not easy. There have been so many strains placed on families during this time in a variety of different ways. Please be assured of our prayers, especially as children and students return to school! We know of the burdens you carry and they are not light. You have our prayers, support, and love always. We marvel at the beauty of your vocations and how graciously you have endured so much. Love bears all things, hopes all things, and endures all things, and our God who is Love will see us through even this. Safe travels and I hope it’s a blessed and restful Labor Day weekend!

Video Mass for Sunday, September 6th. Here is the recorded Mass for this upcoming Sunday (the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time). We provide a worship aid to help you better enter into the prayer of the Mass. Please know that we will continue these recorded Masses indefinitely. We are so grateful to DV Productions, our Liturgists Mary Robertson and Brian Eggers, and our music ministers for their efforts in making our prayer as beautiful as possible.

September Mass Schedule. In-Person Masses have been expanded for the month of September. The schedule can be found on the Mass Times and Reopening pages of the parish website. Please note we will continue to follow all the safety protocols and limits for in-person worship the Archdiocese has set forth. Masks are required, social distancing, and due to limited attendance at Masses depending on the size of the church, signup for weekend Masses through the website is necessary. Signup can be found at www.oldsaintmary.org/reopening. Thanks for your patience as we move forward.

Virtual Food Drive. We know that our parishioners are incredibly dedicated to supporting the ongoing ministry of the Riverwest Food Pantry. Although the pandemic has required the cancellation of all food drives for RWFP (including the physical donation of the “Item of the Week” at our parish Masses), we would like to support the Community of Generosity with a Virtual Food Drive. Instead of purchasing your Item of the Week and bringing it with you to Mass, all you have to do is visit https://yougivegoods.com/familyoffourparishes-september, click on your parish, and then shop. Thank you for your generous giving!! If you have any questions about this food drive, please contact Laura Hancock at hancockl@archmil.org.

The St. Vincent de Paul Six Saints conference has been very busy during the pandemic. Although they have needed to adjust their procedures in meeting the needs of the poor in our community, those needs have not diminished in any way. If you would like to support the ministry of St. Vincent de Paul by offering donations of kitchen items (pots, pans, plates, silverware, cups etc.), household items (new or like-new bedding, new towels, etc.) or furniture, please contact Laura Hancock at hancockl@archmil.org or leave a message on her office voice mail 414-271-6577 and she will connect you with the chapter President to arrange for pick-up of your donation. Also, financial donations via cash or checks made out to St. Vincent de Paul are always appreciated. Please mail checks to Three Holy Women, Attn: Laura Hancock, 1716 N Humboldt Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202. Thank you for your ongoing generosity!

Parish Financial Support. We continue to be humbled by your financial support of the parish during these tender and tenuous times. Thank you so much, it has been amazing to witness the generosity of so many! Please mail in your envelopes and contributions to our parish office (Old St. Mary Parish, 835 N Milwaukee St, Milwaukee, WI 53202), and our parish staff will process these.

Please do not hesitate to contact me (Cell: 414-305-3824; baumgardnerj@archmil.org) or Fr. Tim (Cell: 414-762-7986; kitzket@archmil.org) if you need anything! Be assured of our love and prayers.

Sincerely, with love,
Fr. John