This weekend brings the First Sunday of Advent, an opportunity to re-connect, to re-establish important routines and to renew.
Begin Advent with Mass at 4 p.m. Saturday, 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday. If you are unable to join us in-person, here is a link to the livestream at 8:30 Sunday, and this week's worship aid.
AN EXCELLENT PREVIEW: The Sundays of the new Church year will feature the Gospel of Matthew. Scripture scholar John McHugh offers an excellent overview of what is important and special about this gosel in this Quick Things conversation with Fr. Tom.
HAVE YOU MADE YOUR PLEDGE?
We are steadily closing in on our target for the Inspired By the Spirit campaign. The Fall Follow-up has brought us to 93 percent of our target, with parishioners pledging $839,113 and $65,000 left to go. THANK YOU!
if you haven’t pledged or contributed please be attentive to and generous in responding to the letter and newsletter recently received in the mail. Brochures and pledge forms also are at all entrances. You can also pledge online!
LITTLE BLUE BOOKS to guide daily prayer and reflection throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons are available in church entranceways. Large-print editions also are available.
WEEKDAY EVENING MASS: Mass will be celebrated at 5:30 p.m. on the four Thursdays of Advent. This simpler, more subdued version of Lord’s Day Mass provides a mid-week opportunity to re-focus and prepare.
RECONCILIATION: This sacrament of healing, repentance, mercy and anticipation will be celebrated from 5-6 p.m. on all of the Wednesdays of Advent - Nov. 30, and Dec. 7, 14 and 21, and 9 a.m. Saturdays in the Reconciliation Room in church. An examination of conscience can be found at this link.
GIFT CARD GIVING: Throughout Advent and Christmas parishioners are encouraged to donate gift cards, which will be given to St. Vincent de Paul to share in their outreach to individuals and families in need. Cards are requested for Kwik Trip, Pick ’n’ Save and Walgreens valued at $5 to $25. Cards will be accepted until Jan. 8, and can be put in the collection basket at Mass.
Baby bottles also will be distributed to support Hope Life Center and its outreach for those facing an unplanned pregnancy or dealing with a past abortion
SINGERS AND BELL RINGERS: We are forming a Christmas choir to help us celebrate the 6 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve. We will be practicing Thursdays Dec. 15 and 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the church following the weekday Advent mass. Everyone is welcome. If you have any questions please contact Kristine Lato or call the parish office. THE BELL CHOIR is also a significant part of our worship and bell-ringers are needed. An interest in music is really all you need. An ability to read music is helpful, but not essential. To learn more, contact Tracy Scheels.
ADVENT ONLINE
> ADVENT HEROES: Receive a daily Advent gift from U.S Jesuits and collaborators identifying significant figures who reveal the courage and compassion of Christ.
> ADVENT SIMPLICITY CHALLENGE: This Advent, commit to simplicity. In a season that can mistakenly be focused on gifts and consumption, explore ways to live simply as we hopefully prepare for the coming of Jesus and the restoration of the earth. > DAILY REFLECTIONS from Bishop Robert Barron can be found at stanneswausau.org.
> ST. JOHN'S ADVENT RETREAT: Join an online retreat, "Parables and the Reign of God" with Abbot John Klassen, O.S.B, from St. John's Abbey in Collegeville Minn. < ADVENT RETREAT: Jesuits of the United States and Canada are offering "Room at the Inn: An Ignatian Journey with the Holy Family into Advent."
MINISTRY AT MASS: Here are new November links for ministers to sign-up for ministry at Mass. Thank you to all of our generous ministers! READERS - WELCOME MINISTERS - SERVERS
WHY WE REPAIR OUR HIDDEN PARTS: Here is the latest column by Eric Clayton, a young Catholic father, husband and writer who shares his discovery of God in all things.
THE SUNDAY READINGS: Read, discuss and pray over next Sunday’s readings in a weekly gathering at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays in the Gathering Space. It’s a great way to anticipate hearing the readings proclaimed at Mass and to gain a deeper awareness into the meaning and power of God’s word. All are welcome!
READY, GO - COMMIT! Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2023 Youth Mission Trip to Mission, SD. July 8-15! All youth ages 14 and up (including adults young at heart) are welcome to register for this life-changing and transformative experience! Click here to learn more and to register. Or, contact John Schmitt, co-director of disciple formation. And, watch this video featuring Wyatt, Sephorah and Haley, participants in last summer's adventure.
Celebrating Mass is a collaborative venture — we need people to assist with the various and necessary roles. As we move through the fall, we hope to bring new and more people to the essential ministries of Mass. All of them. Let’s consider this week the ministry of Server. This is a ministry to which children, teens and adults are invited, including parents and children. Send an email to Fr. Tom to learn more.
THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION is now celebrated in the new Reconciliation Room, what was the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Penitents may sit face-to-face or behind a screen. An examination of conscience is available to prepare for celebrating the sacrament just outside the Reconciliation Room. The sacrament is celebrated at 9 a.m. Saturdays.
SHARING WITH THE PARISH
Parish worship and ministries depend upon the generosity of ALL parishioners. And, it couldn't be easier to make a contribution. Scheduling an ongoing contribution or making a one-time donation - is just a click away. Thanks to all who share generously with the parish.
