ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH

Transcription

1 Welcome to ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH 115 Plymouth St., Plymouth, Wisconsin FATHER PHILIP D. REIFENBERG - Pastor Saturday Mass 4:00 p.m. Sunday Mass 9:30 a.m. with Children's Liturgy of the Word 6:00 p.m. 2nd and 4th Sunday Weekday Mass 8:00 a.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Eucharistic Adoration 3:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays in Church Confession 9:30 a.m. 2nd and 4th Saturday Mission: We, the faith community of St. John the Baptist Parish, believe that we are called daily to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ: to learn, to share, and to live the message of Jesus. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we recognize that we are unique with diverse gifts from God and that we are to develop these gifts to nurture and strengthen our faith community Advent and Christmas Schedule Advent Penance Service December 17 / 6:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Vigil Masses December 24 / 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Christmas Day Mass December 25 / 9:30 a.m.

2 St. John the Baptist Parish Fourth Sunday in Advent December 23, 2018 Dear Parishioners: Confession time! I was down in Milwaukee last Saturday afternoon/evening for a 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration of a couple I ve known since my years as temporary administrator at St. Boniface in the early 90s. When St. Boniface was closed along with my full-time parish, St. Anne, and seven other Central City parishes in 1994, two new northside parishes were created: All Saints and St. Martin de Porres. I moved to St. Martin de Porres, and so did this couple. I left St. Martin de Porres in 1998 for a new assignment; the couple stayed. Their Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass was celebrated at St. Martin de Porres. Of course, this was not the first time I ve returned to St. Martin de Porres since But most of the other times have been for funerals. This was undoubtedly the happiest occasion for me, and it wound up being a home coming of sorts. Lots of familiar faces, and a lot of catching-up who s married whom; who s doing what; a woman who was beautiful back then and is still beautiful today holding her first great-grandchild; a high school sophomore back then who s a doctor in family medical practice today; the father of one of my goddaughters was there, but his wife and my goddaughter s younger sister weren t because she was graduating from college that very same day with a degree in criminal justice. They d ask me where I was stationed, and I told them Plymouth and Elkhart Lake. A bit of a quizzical look came over many of their faces, not being quite sure if those places were still in the Central Time Zone, much less in the State of Wisconsin. Having been assured that both I and these parishes remain in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, they asked what these parishes are like. They were a little amazed when I told them how many families there are in STA and SJB; STA being over twice as large as St. Martin de Porres, they were somewhat surprised that one person could pastor both parishes. They asked how many Masses we had; they asked what the people are like; they asked if I liked it up here and if I was happy. The more I talked about STA and SJB, the more I found myself admitting that I do like it here, and I am quite happy. Which led me to feel a little sad that in order to celebrate with them at St. Martin de Porres, I d had to arrange for someone (Father. Dennis Van Beek) to take my Saturday Masses at SJB and STA a sadness compounded by the fact that I d missed out on two of those rare opportunities to wear my Ed Pfeifer Memorial Chasuble for Gaudete Sunday. (The Mass at St. Martin de Porres had different readings and, even though it counted for one s Sunday obligation, it was not the Mass for the Third Sunday of Advent.) But that s history now. This weekend marks the Fourth Sunday of Advent, and we re a wake-up away from Christmas Eve. If you re travelling for the holiday, I hope your joy from being with family and friends is at least as great as mine was to be with the people of St. Martin de Porres last Saturday; if you re staying at home, come and share with us the same kind of joy I found being back here last Sunday. Wherever you find yourself, may you be truly and richly blessed with the peace and joy of a wonder-filled Christmas. Father Phil Anointing of the Sick St. Thomas Aquinas December 29, 2018 after the 5:30pm Mass St. John the Baptist December 30, 2018 after 9:30am Mass Mass for the Solemnity of Mary St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Tuesday, January 1, :00 a.m. On this holy feast day, start your new year by honoring our Blessed Mother, who in her yes to God brought our Savior into the world to redeem us. The staff and faculty of St. John the Baptist Parish and School wish you and your family a blessed and peacefilled Christmas. As we rejoice in the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, may we strive to see and feel His presence in our world each day. May you have a joyous Christmas filled with Peace, Love and Prosperity and may the New Year be filled with good health and happiness.

3 CHRISTMAS 2018 Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests. (Luke 2:14) Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This Advent and Christmas, as we enter our 175th anniversary as an archdiocese, we have been continually blessed with many gifts from God: the daily gift of life, new additions to our families, sacramental celebrations and milestones, and finding more ways, big or small, to be closer to God. In this season, may we embrace the spirit of giving and sharing with our loved ones. In the spirit of giving and sharing, we think of family first. Whether it be immediate family, friends, or our Catholic community, the importance of family has been, and will continue to be, the focus of our archdiocesan family as we move into the New Year. We see God s love for us in the Holy Family. Carrying precious cargo, these loving parents remained faithful to God. Even in the midst of great danger and personal sacrifice, Mary and Joseph put Jesus first. What a wonderful example to always remember to put our Savior first, and place our families in His care -- where they will be forever blessed. We also see God s love in our surroundings, which have been the face of God in southeastern Wisconsin for 175 years. As our archdiocesan historian, Fr. Steven Avella, writes: Catholicism manifests itself in words and deeds of charity, in care for the poor and helpless, in education for children and adults, and also in brick and mortar. The presence of the Catholic Church in any community can often be seen by examining the skyline. Church steeples vault into the air, large portions of urban or rural ground are set aside for churches, residences for clergy and sisters, and hospitals. In these locations, Catholics believe men and women see the face of God. As we begin to reflect on 175 years of our Church family in southeastern Wisconsin, please be sure to take time to treasure your family during this very special season. The ability to give love and to receive love is the greatest gift we can share as followers of Christ. Through Christ, we are one family. May peace and joy be with you this Christmas, and throughout the New Year. I Am, Sincerely Yours in Christ, Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki Archbishop of Milwaukee

4 ZeruZeru, Inc. Supporting the Mary Mother of God Perpetual Help center in Tanzania, East Africa St. John the Baptist and St. Thomas Aquinas Twinning Project Karene Boos of ZeruZeru, Inc. will be traveling to Tanzania to visit the center December 29-January 16. A Physical Therapy professor from Concordia University and a teacher from Minnesota will be traveling with her. Students from SJB School and Faith Formation program, and families from Family Faith Formation at STA created Christmas cards to send along with Karene for the students at the center, in hopes of possibly starting some type of pen pal friendship. The STA Christian Women put together a lovely Christmas greeting of their own (watch out Youtube sensations) for the Tanzanian Christian Women s group. With all the Christmas spirit in the air, please keep Karene and her fellow travelers in your prayers and watch for an upcoming video message from Karene during her travels. Learn more about ZeruZeru, Inc on their website: Spaces Just for You Created by Your Peers * Facilitated by You and Your Peers Bring Friends...Catholic or Not Come for One Day... Or All of the Days Stay for One Hour... Or Two You make it what you want it to be. Board Games / Thurs. Jan. 3 / 6-8pm / SJB Meeting Room Enter Door V / West Church Hall Entrance Movie Time / Fri. Jan. 4 / 6-8pm / SJB Meeting Room Bring your own blanket and pillow Ultimate Frisbee / Sat. Jan. 5 / 6-8pm / SJB Gym or indoor soccer, kickball, dodgeball, etc. And, if there is interest, we can do it again the next week. Questions? Contact Paige Katzfey x 118 Church Security During Masses Beginning the first week in January the main church entrance doors will be unlocked for the duration of Mass, while all other entrance doors will be locked ten minutes after the beginning of Mass. Late-comers will be directed by signs posted at those doors to use the main entrance if they are late. While we want to and need to be a welcoming and physically accessible place, we must do what we can, to whatever extent possible to lessen our vulnerability to acts of violence. Thank you to those who attended Wednesday night's Advent Retreat! It was energizing to plan and inspiring to facilitate a prayerful space for those of you who attended, especially during such a busy season like Christmas. My hope and prayer is that you found benefit to taking some time to pray, reflect, and center in on why the Advent and Christmas seasons are so special. I look forward to offering more formation opportunities like this in the future! Christ's Peace, Paige Katzfey, Pastoral Associate Congratulations Knights of Columbus Annual Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest Winners. First Grade 1st Norah White 2nd Place Addison Patin 3rd Place Kylie Drews Third Grade 1st Chloe Sember 2nd Kamiya Kracht 3rd Erin Mischo Fifth Grade 1st Issac Schneider 2nd Grace Erdly 3rd Nate Helsell Second Grade 1st Elenor Seifert 2nd Myla Nothem 3rd Giuliana Miller Fourth Grade 1st Clare Holton 2nd Claire Bindl 3rd Greta Jarr

5 School News St. John the Baptist Catholic School - 3K-Grade 8 A Message from the Principal Walt Disney once said, You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful ideas in the world, but it requires people to make the dream a reality. This is certainly the case as a principal. The reality is that the learning experiences and many extra projects that have taken place already this school year could not have happened without a great deal of commitment and support from Father, from the Parish, from School Board, from staff, from parents, from students and from our greater community. The staff and I applaud the academic efforts being made by our students. We find it a privilege to witness the joy that comes with the understanding of a problem solved, or the wonder of new adventures in the learning taking place. It is wonderful to celebrate academic accomplishments, as well as, showing pride in the extracurricular areas that our students participate in. As a school community we treasure the opportunities when we worship together. It is through these opportunities that we experience the message that God loves us in creative and engaging ways. Our Advent service times together have filled our hearts with much hope, joy, love and peace. On behalf of our parish school, I would like to wish everyone a very happy and Holy Christmas season! Yours in Christ, Mrs. Amy Nelson Stewardship Committee Chapel Repurposing Update The Stewardship Committee thanks all those who offered input regarding the chapel re-purposing project. We have received good, thoughtful feedback from the questionnaires, question & answer session and from individuals. The Stewardship committee with members of the Liturgy & Worship, Buildings & Grounds committees and staff will provide input to the Pastoral Council. Look for a summary of the main points to be shared in the bulletin in January. After considering the information, the Pastoral Council, with Father Phil, will make the final determination as to the future of this space. Faith Formation News Adults, Young and Youth Faith Formation Faith In Action Last week, several of our classes volunteered in the community. Also some of our younger students made Christmas cards for the residents at Rocky Knoll, Anita s Garden and for the children in Tanzania. Baptism Do you have a wee one that you d like to welcome to the Catholic community some day? Interested in meeting other new parents? Could you use some TLC for a night? Come join us for a Baptism Preparation Class. All it takes is one class. Classes are held bi-monthly (every other 4th Monday night of the month from 6-8pm in the Pastoral Ministries Office). The next class is Monday, January 28, Come to prepare for your child s Baptism and have some food and fellowship in the meantime! Please call or Paige Katzfey to sign up ( X118 or pkatzfey@sjbplymouth.org). Parish Offerings St. John the Baptist Parish invites you to consider our Online Giving program for your regular weekly or monthly offerings. Not comfortable with the computer? Let us do the work for you. We can set up an automated donation for you, simply call Julie at the parish office Online Giving is convenient and worry-free. If you are currently giving on a weekly or monthly basis, you will no longer need to write out checks or prepare envelopes. When travel or other circumstances prevent you from attending Mass at SJB, this program will allow your weekly or monthly offerings to continue on an uninterrupted basis. To set up Online Giving, visit and click on Online Giving and follow the steps or contact the Parish Office at (920) Donate from the convenience of your mobile phone.

6 Mass Schedule and Intentions Saturday, December 22 4:00pm For the People of St. John the Baptist and St. Thomas Aquinas 5:30pm Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Sunday, December 23 9:30am Robert Stoll 9:30pm Gabriel Wirtz and Deceased Members of the Herbert and Evangeline Wirtz Family Monday, December 24 4:00pm For the Children of St. John the Baptist 4:00pm Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas 6:00pm For the People of St. John the Baptist 6:00pm Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Tuesday, December 25 9:30am For the People of St. John the Baptist Wednesday, December 26 Thursday, December 27 8:00am Robert and Josephine O Malley 8:00am Bob and Vera Meyer Friday, December 28 Saturday, December 29 4:00pm Walter Sprangers Family 4:00pm James and Jillene Helmke 65 th Wedding Anniversary 5:30pm Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Sunday, December 30 9:30am Carl Underhill 9:30am Living and Deceased Members of the Jerome and Mildred Skelton Families Member Information Update Please help us keep our records current. Please let us know if you move, get a new phone number, change your address or have a different way you wish to be contacted. Help us keep our records up-to-date concerning the members of your household; if you have a baby, or if your child grows up and leaves home, please let us know. Any significant changes to your household or status (single, married, widowed, divorced etc.) let us know. We do try to keep up, but sometimes the only person to tell us about these changes is you. Also, if you would like to confirm your registration, or register as a St. John the Baptist parish member please contact the parish office at or sjbparish@sjbplymouth.org. Scriptures Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 23, st: Micah 5:1-4a (12C) 2nd: Hebrews 10:5-10 Gospel: Luke 1:39-45 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph December 30, st: Samuel 1:20-22, (17C) 2nd: John 3:1-2, Gospel: Luke 2:41-52 The Week at St. John the Baptist December 23-28, 2018 Sunday... December 23 10:30am... Folk Choir Rehearsal/Church Wednesday... December 26 7:00pm...Adult Volleyball/Gym St. John the Baptist Parish and School Holiday Office Hours The School Offices are closed from December 24 January 2. The Parish Offices are closed December 24, 25, 28 and January 1. The Parish Office will be open on December 31 until Noon. Another way to connect with what is happening at St. John the Baptist Parish Find us and LIKE us at

7 St. John the Baptist Parish Information Sacramental Celebrations Eucharistic Liturgies: See the front cover of Bulletin. Baptism: Contact the Parish Office Reconciliation: 2nd and 4th Saturday from 9:30-10:00am in the Reconciliation Room. Marriage: Contact the pastor no later than six months prior to day of the wedding. Very Reverend Philip D. Reifenberg Shared Pastor Parishes of St. John the Baptist and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Trustees Bill Barbieur Treasurer Tom Paul..Secretary Pastoral Council Chair : Adam Schneider Members: Michael Hartke, Bill Marklein, Tony Mischo, Cheryl Nicholson, Keith Ott, Joel Pierce, Tony Glenboski, Isabel Roy Finance Council Chair : Jim Birenbaum Members: Bill Barbieur, Mark Gumm, Tom Paul, Joel Pierce St. John the Baptist School Amy Nelson..Principal Ann Penkwitz...School Secretary Joel Pierce. School Board Chair St. John the Baptist Faith Formation Amy Albers Director of Faith Formation Nancy Kultgen.Faith Formation Assistant Contacts Cemetery..Parish Office Prayer Needs.Kate St. Vincent de Paul sjbplymouth.org Parish Membership We welcome you to the St. John the Baptist Parish Family. To receive a registration form or to notify us of an address change, please complete the form below. Place the completed form in the collection basket, or return it to the Parish Office (115 Plymouth Street, Plymouth 53073). Name Address: Phone: New Parishioner Address Change Bulletin Deadline Please submit announcements to the parish office by noon on Monday. bulletin@sjbplymouth.org Parish Office Contact Information Hours: 8:30am-Noon and 1:00-4:00pm Phone Website sjbparish@sjbplymouth.org Lisa Schoneman.....Director of Administrative Services Paige Katzfey...Pastoral Associate Katie Kleiber.....Communications Coordinator Julie Krueger.Parish Secretary Scott Dedlow...Building Maint./Dir. Of Music &Liturgy Hearing Assistance: The induction loop system for hearing device users is installed in church. To take advantage of this hearing assistance, please turn your hearing device to the T coil setting and sit in either of the middle two sections of church. St. John the Baptist Bulletin Advertiser of the Week Knights of Columbus, Plymouth Council 1789 The support of our advertisers helps offset the cost of publishing our bulletin. Please thank them when you can and support them with your business.