October 2014 Good Shepherd Catholic Church BREAKING BREAD Newsletter GoF (Generations of Faith) Opening Day Sept. 13th and 14th
Pastoral Council Meeting Notes September 8, 2014 Monthly Reports Budget The roofing project is nearly complete, Skylight work is yet to be done. Good Shepherd has obtained a Line of Credit secured by the Eschweiler Funds at 4%; payments will be amortized over 5 years. Human Concerns The event at St. James was very good; Bishop Hying was excellent; Christian Formation 13 First Communicants; proposal for a youth room in process; GOF on target; grade level classes covered by volunteer teachers/leaders. Finance Council Working on developing committees; discerning chairperson; Barb Murphy secretary; Parish Director Report The Synod Report from the Archbishop due 9/14; parish assessment to follow; 28 new families have enrolled including 14 young families; Mass attendance has increased by 260 over 7 months (average of 37/ month). Survey was taken on 9/7 to determine how many would rather have traditional hosts instead of current bread; 10 15% favored hosts so there will be one station providing this option for the time being; discussion on other options continuing. Stewardship Committee Tim Nolan provided an update on the newly formed committee. Mike Bub, Meg Latus and Tim have been working on forming the committee; asked for approval to move ahead with planning. Request council members to provide 2 or 3 names of parishioners who might serve on this committee. Council Formation Theme of formation is Diversity ; Members will go to St. Michael s for the 10:30 Mass on 9/14. Enhance Your Soul with Musings by Maggie Brooks Frederick William Faber said, A single act of kindness grows out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves. Have you been kind to someone today? What do you think? 64
How do we Keep From Singing? Iubim România "We love Romania" by Mike Crain If someone told any of us we would be going to Romania for vacation, none of us would have believed it. But thanks to Tim Ehlinger, who's been working in the Balkans for over a decade, our adventure became a reality. August 2, 2014 Tim and Kathy Ehlinger, Mike and Dottie Crain, Bill and Jeri Schuster, Dian Fellows and Marcia McBride took off for Romania. We were greeted by Tim's friends and colleagues Professor Lucica Tofan and Colonel Dr. Edi Tofan, who joined us on our 2 week adventure and offered to be our guides to enter through the door and experience the warmth and beauty of the Romanian people. The spectacular mountains and streams and landscape opened a window into a world we had never seen. We toured ancient Castles, Palaces and Citadels, and ate amazing food while surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Each village where we stayed surpassed imagination. And the love and deep faith shared with us by the people filled our hearts. Each time the calendar told us we needed to depart for our next destination, our eyes filled with tears of joy and gratitude. The people of Sinaia, Fundata, Gura Raului and Vatra Dornei will be forever in our hearts. Jeri could not resist telling the mayor that she thought we should sing for Romania. Little did she know that the annual week long Gura Raului International Festival of Arts was scheduled to begin during our visit, and the mayor insisted we perform during the reception on opening night. Needless to say, the group was caught by surprise by Jeri volunteering us, but we could not refuse the mayor and rose to the occasion as best we could. Tim selected two songs, "How Can I Keep from Singing" and "Send Out Your Spirit", who's words he thought would make a meaningful connection between the richness of the Romanian Orthodox Tradition and the diversity of the American Christian expansion. Tim greeted the crowd with some heartfelt words of gratitude in Romanian, thanking them for inviting us to be part of their wonderful celebration. Then with the help of Lucia, he talked about how he has been so impressed over the years by coming to know how the Romanian people have drawn hope, joy and strength from their faith throughout the 2000 plus years since Saint Andrew the apostle brought the gospel to their land. The singing began enveloped by a warm audience and surrounded by the majestic Carpathian Mountains. The response from the crowd overwhelmed us. Music and faith are truly a common language that transcend continents and oceans. The Mayor requested we stop by his office at city hall the next day before we left town. He thanked us again for coming to Gura Raului and presented Tim and the "American delegation" with a certificate of gratitude for sharing our songs and spirit with his community. It was truly a Romanian highlight that we will hold in our hearts forever. God Bless Romania and it's beautiful people. In the village of Gura Rauliu (translates "mouth of the river') we stayed the Pensiunea of the Mayor Ghita Calin, his wife Ioanna and their 2 sons Gheorge and Ionica. Being the 11:00 music group groupie, Kathy Ehlinger, Marcia McBride, Lucica Tofan, Jeri Schuster, Tim Ehlinger, Dian Fellows, Mike Crain, Dottie Crain and Bill Schuster 5
Salvadoran Dinner On Sept. 6th the Ellacuria Sister parish Committee hosted a Salvadoran Dinner. They shared, with their guests, the Salvadoran fare they have come to know and love. They also gave a presentation about the ministry and their experiences travelling to visit our sister parish. Walking a Sacred Path Relax this autumn and enjoy the final warm days of the season by walking the Labyrinth at Good Shepherd. The Labyrinth was created in 2000 by members of the Women s ministry who wanted to give parishioners a special area to relax, reflect and pray. The Sacred Design of a labyrinth originated more than 4,000 years ago. This sacred symbol has been used worldwide by many cultures and can be found in most religious traditions. The meaning of the labyrinth may vary for each of us. It can be thought of in three stages: 1. Entering and walking towards the center you may let go of the details in your life. 2. In the center you can stay as long as you like, it s a place for prayer and can be thought of as the heart of God. 3. Walking back out into the world you may think of ways your life may be strengthened or renewed because of your new awareness. Prayer itself or simple quiet reflection may be the gift of this experience. 6 Fr. Ken Blessing the Labyrinth, Aug. 2000
By Mary Kult Have a good day. By Laverne Schoonover How often do you say that, or hear it from someone saying it to you? Norman Vincent Peale, the author of the book The Power of Positive Thinking, offers some insightful advice: Wake up creatively, it's important and a skill that can be cultivated. Try these techniques: Set your frame of mind at the beginning of each day. Psalm 139:18 states, When I am awake I am still with Thee. Say the words of this text and then add, I am with God. He has watched over me throughout the night and has brought me to to this new day. He will watch over me and guide me all day long. As you arise, mentally picture the good day that you want and expect. Visualize it clearly in your mind, and strongly affirm that mental picture in this dynamic sentence: This is the day the Lord hath made; I will rejoice and be glad in it (psalm 118:24). Then, no matter what the weather is or whatever problems occur, God and you can make it a good day. The next step involves your conversation with others. What you say has a great effect on how you think. So, talk pleasantly to everyone for the first half hour and the rest of the day is likely to remain pleasant. Always start every day with a prayer, for prayer is the greatest of all mind conditioners. Welcoming New Members ~ Ruth Ann Rheingans ~ Ricki and Payton Murray ~ Peter, Stephanie, Austin, Jacob, and Lily Anderson 7 Get out and enjoy God s creation this fall and consider visiting working artists on the COVERED BRIDGE ART STUDIO TOUR OCTOBER 10 th, 11 th AND 12 th. This will be a self guided tour of over 50 artists studios across beautiful Southeastern Wisconsin. The artist s can be found in Mequon, Thiensville, Cedarburg, Grafton, Saukville, Port Washington and Newburg. Get an up close and personal look at some of Wisconsin s finest artists, giving you rare access to their studios. Ask questions, watch demonstrations and learn more about their creative process. You can pick up your maps at: Cedarburg Cultural Center W62N546 Washington Ave. I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine staying in the house. So, I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air. ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne Enjoy Being Green in 3 Easy and Fun Ways Save your plastic bags and bring them to Good Shepherd and deposit them in the kitchen. The blue bin is located in the corner of the kitchen opposite the stoves. They will be used for take out food at Saint Ben s after their dinners or they will be crocheted into sleeping mats for over 1500 homeless in Milwaukee, Waukesha and Washington areas. Lastly I am looking for any one who might be interested in helping with the Farmer s Market this year, which will be held on December 7 th here at Good Shepherd. Please email me with any questions at marykult@gmail.com or call 414 378 3361. (Please note, this is a new phone number which is not in the directory.) BREAKING BREAD Furthering the spiritual growth of the Good Shepherd Community by providing an inspirational view of parish life. www.mygoodshepherd.org Phone: (262) 255 2035 N88 W17658 Christman Rd, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 Mark Steimle. Editor Mary Crawford.Layout Coordinator Mary Ann Erdtmann...Staff Writer Meriel Christensen...Staff Writer Mary Kult...Staff Writer Laverne Schoonover...Staff Writer