Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday, October 31, 2021
My Dear Friends in Christ,
In this Sunday’s readings Jesus tells us, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Everyone wants to love and be loved. Real love is caring about the happiness of another person without wanting anything in return. Love is not just a feeling, but a matter of what one does rather than what one feels.
Love is not always a happy, painless, easy, carefree thing. Love, when it is real love, requires sacrifice. “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” (1 John 4:20). Let us seek more to love than to be loved.
Spend some time with the offerings below from staff to prepare for Sunday Mass. And check out the opportunities to continue your life-long learning.
Anticipate Sunday, October 31
- Mass Readings – One common theme in the scripture readings is strength. From the Psalm: “I love you Lord, my strength.” And from both the first reading and the Gospel, quoting Moses: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength.”
- Scripture Reflection – In this week’s reflection Jon helps us think about how we show love to God and our neighbor.
- Music – Doug presents the music menu for Sunday.
- School Blessing and Reception – Sunday at Mass there will be a special blessing of teachers, tutors and staff of Saint Catherine School that will be followed by a reception. Find out more.
Other Offerings
- Getting to Know You – The guest on “Getting To Know You” is Joe Sheehan, a teacher at St Sebastian School, retreat director and Children Sacramental Minister for both Saint Sebastian and Saint Catherine Parishes.
- November 21 Cluster Mass – Father Peter Patrick will be installed as the pastor of Saint Sebastian and Saint Catherine Parishes at a Mass celebrated by Bishop Haines. Mass will be at 10 a.m. at Saint Sebastian church. There will be no 9 a.m. Mass at Saint Catherine church on November 21.
- Children’s Faith Formation – This Sunday, pick up family faith formation packets in the Saint Sebastian church hall between 11 a.m. and 12 noon.
- Annual Mission Appeal – The Camillian Disaster Service International (CADIS) is engaged in the healthcare ministry of the Church in 37 countries in Europe, Africa, Americas and Asia. Find out more at: www.cadisinternational.org. Make checks payable to “St. Catherine” with “MCP” in the memo.
- Support Catholic Education – This October, each school in the Archdiocese will host their own Soles for Catholic Education Walk. Visit www.catholicschoolswalk.org to find Saint Catherine School and make a gift.
- Facing Racism – November is designated Black Catholic History Month, highlighting the presence and the contribution of Catholics of African descent in the Church. In celebration of Black Catholic History, you are invited to attend three presentations at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Milwaukee beginning November 6. Find dates, times and descriptions.
- Financial Reports – Find the year-end financial statements on the bottom of the parish home page.
Covid-19 Update: The parish safety committee is recommending all parishioners wear masks for Sunday Mass. Three rows on the east side of the church are available for masked-only parishioners who need to maintain distancing. Staff, ushers and minsters will wear masks.
Click HERE for your bulletin.
Click HERE for online giving.
If someone you know needs our prayers, you can send requests to wepray@saintcatherine.org. If you would like to receive the bulletin in the mail or are in need of some assistance, please contact Sister Pat at prussell@saintcatherine.org or 414-445-5115.
God is good all the time; all the time God is good.
Blessings of peace and gratitude.
Father Peter Patrick Kimani
Saint Catherine and Saint Sebastian Parishes
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday, October 24, 2021
My Dear Friends in Christ,
Created as rational beings, we have been given the dignity to initiate and control our actions. Today I am focused on this freedom God has given each one of and on how we use it. Jesus spent His whole life trying to heal the blindness in our minds and hearts: our prejudices, our inability to forgive, our selfishness and self-centeredness, our criticism of others without seeing our own faults, and even blindness to our own good qualities.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives Bartimaeus, the blind man, freedom by telling him, “Go your way, your faith has saved you.” People following Jesus rebuked Bartimaeus. He wasn’t discouraged; instead, he kept calling louder. When we don’t get what we want, do we get discouraged, stop praying and give up? Or do we continue like Bartimaeus?
Spend some time with the offerings below from staff to prepare for Sunday Mass. And check out the opportunities to continue your life-long learning.
Anticipate Sunday, October 24
- Mass Readings – In the scripture readings today we think about how we use this gift of life.
- Scripture Reflection – In this week’s reflection Jon helps us think about how we understand our blind spots.
- Music – Doug presents the music menu with a special selection for the anointing.
- Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick – Anyone who is dealing with physical or emotional stress is encouraged to receive this Sacrament of healing during Mass on Sunday.
Other Offerings
- Getting to Know You – This week the guest on “Getting to Know You” is Annie Weisen, a St. Catherine parishioner who is extremely active in the St Vincent DePaul Society.
- The Rosary for Complainers – Pray the rosary with the Crabby Mystic!
- Annual Mission Appeal – The Camillian Disaster Service International (CADIS) is engaged in the healthcare ministry of the Church in 37 countries in Europe, Africa, Americas and Asia. Find out more at: www.cadisinternational.org. Make checks payable to “St. Catherine” with “MCP” in the memo.
- Support Catholic Education – This October, each school in the Archdiocese will host their own Soles for Catholic Education Walk. Visit www.catholicschoolswalk.org to find Saint Catherine School and make a gift.
- Facing Racism – Consider joining the Ignatian Solidarity Network’s upcoming racial justice program on Wednesday, October 27, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. A Parish Journey for Racial Justice: Let’s Talk about Social Sin.
- Facing Racism – November is designated Black Catholic History Month, highlighting the presence and the contribution of Catholics of African descent in the Church. In celebration of Black Catholic History, you are invited to attend three presentations at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Milwaukee beginning November 6. Find dates, times and descriptions.
Covid-19 Update: The parish safety committee is recommending all parishioners wear masks for Sunday Mass. Three rows on the east side of the church are available for masked-only parishioners who need to maintain distancing. Staff, ushers and minsters will wear masks.
Click HERE for your bulletin.
Click HERE for online giving.
If someone you know needs our prayers, you can send requests to wepray@saintcatherine.org. If you would like to receive the bulletin in the mail or are in need of some assistance, please contact Sister Pat at prussell@saintcatherine.org or 414-445-5115.
God is good all the time; all the time God is good.
Blessings of peace and gratitude.
Father Peter Patrick Kimani
Saint Catherine and Saint Sebastian Parishes
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday, October 17, 2021
My Dear Friends in Christ,
You may have heard the saying: “We help people not because they are Catholic, but because we are.” We are called to serve others no matter who they are, where they come from or what they believe. We are called to be Christ to them.
In Sunday’s Gospel, we hear Jesus telling His disciples, “Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” It is important to be Christ-like to everyone we encounter.
Spend some time with the offerings below from staff to prepare for Sunday Mass. And check out the opportunities to continue your life-long learning.
Anticipate Sunday, October 17
- Mass Readings – In the scripture readings today Jesus emphasizes to his disciples that, if any among them want to be great, they will need to be servants as Jesus is a servant for all
- Scripture Reflection – In this week’s reflection Jon helps us think about being a man or woman for others.
- Music – Doug presents the music menu.
Other Offerings
- Annual Mission Appeal – The Camillian Disaster Service International (CADIS) is inspired by the heroic commitment of the Camillians in witnessing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy during the massive plagues, epidemics and wars in Italy and Hungary. Today, the Camillians are engaged in the healthcare ministry of the Church in 37 countries in Europe, Africa, Americas and Asia. Find out more at: www.cadisinternational.org. Make checks payable to “St. Catherine” with “MCP” in the memo. The collection will be on October 17 and 24.
- Common Ground Assembly – We are approaching our big October 17 Assembly! We need you to attend. If you can only attend one CG action or meeting in 2021, this is the one. It will be via Zoom from 3 to 4:30 p.m. RSVP Here! We will be going public with our new agenda. Organized people showing up persistently and consistently is our power. Who are you going to invite?
- Getting to Know You – This week the guest on “Getting to Know You” is Kathleen Cullen, a Sebs parishioner and grief coach in her work with Grief-Grit-Gratitude. Kathleen shares her insights about faith, grief and resilience.
- Facing Racism – Consider joining the Ignatian Solidarity Network’s upcoming racial justice program on Wednesday, October 27, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. A Parish Journey for Racial Justice: Let’s Talk about Social Sin.
- Gather with Other Catholic Women – The annual Women of Christ Conference will be held on Saturday, November 6, at the Washington County Fair Park. Join Catholic women as we celebrate our faith with camaraderie, inspirational speakers and a vendor market. Find out more and register online at https://womenofchrist.net/. Invite a friend or two. Come to be inspired and renewed.
Covid-19 Update: The parish safety committee is recommending all parishioners wear masks for Sunday Mass. We encourage everyone who can to get a vaccination. Three rows on the east side of the church are available for masked-only parishioners who need to maintain distancing. Staff, ushers and minsters will wear masks. Ushers may implement some of the previous COVID-19 protocols.
Click HERE for your bulletin.
Click HERE for online giving.
If someone you know needs our prayers, you can send requests to wepray@saintcatherine.org. If you would like to receive the bulletin in the mail or are in need of some assistance, please contact Sister Pat at prussell@saintcatherine.org or 414-445-5115.
God is good all the time; all the time God is good.
Blessings of peace and gratitude.
Father Peter Patrick Kimani
Saint Catherine and Saint Sebastian Parishes
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday, October 10, 2021
My Dear Friends in Christ,
If we are truly in love with God, then that love is going to want to be expressed in going above and beyond, in leaving the comfortable and familiar, in stretching and growing, and in following a voice other than our own. It requires a sincere and unconditional self-investment.
On this Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we reflect on transferring our treasure from an investment in tangible secular things and move it into the Kingdom of God. Following Christ is less a matter of intellect and more a matter of heart and soul. The gifts of wisdom and discernment can help us decide what to do and how to do it.
Spend some time with the offerings below from staff to prepare for Sunday Mass. And check out the opportunities to continue on your life-long learning path.
Anticipate Sunday, October 10
- Mass Readings – The scripture readings today helps us think about how we live day to day in God’s love. There is a recurring theme of Wisdom. The value of wisdom over any material things, asking the Lord for wisdom of heart, the wisdom inherent in the Word of God, and the wisdom in sacrificing our material possessions and following Jesus for greater rewards in Heaven.
- Scripture Reflection – In this week’s reflection Jon helps us think about how we foster our own discipleship.
- Music – Doug presents the music menu. Here are YouTube links for some of the newer selections on this week’s list:
- Opening song “As We Gather At Your Table” BB 311. Familiar tune, less-familiar text.
- Psalm 90 “Fill Us with Your Love, O Lord” (C. Browning)
- “Come, Follow Me” (2nd Communion song, BB 507)
- Celebrating Mass with us this Sunday will be Father Jerry Herda who serves as Vicar General and Vicar for Ordained and Lay Ecclesial Ministry for the Archdiocese. As a faith community, we hold Fr. Peter Patrick in our prayers while he is on retreat and pray for the St. Catherine women who are also on retreat this week.
Other Offerings
- Common Ground Assembly – We are approaching our big October 17 Assembly! We need you to attend. If you can only attend one CG action or meeting in 2021, this is the one. It will be via Zoom from 3 to 4:30 p.m. RSVP Here! We will be going public with our new agenda. Organized people showing up persistently and consistently is our power. Who are you going to invite?
- Facing Racism – Consider joining the Ignatian Solidarity Network’s upcoming racial justice program on Wednesday, October 27, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. A Parish Journey for Racial Justice: Let’s Talk about Social Sin.
- Who Do I Need to Forgive? – This is the question being explored at the John Paul II Healing Center’s 2021 Virtual Healing Conference, and you are invited, FREE! This year, October 8-10, the conference returns with a refined focus: Forgiveness. Register HERE.
- Getting to Know You – This week the guest on “Getting to Know You” is Rocky Marcoux, a trustee of Saint Sebastian Parish who has a lot to share about his time as a parishioner including his most recent experience with the renovation of the bell tower.
- Gather with Other Catholic Women – The annual Women of Christ Conference will be held on Saturday, November 6, at the Washington County Fair Park. Join Catholic women as we celebrate our faith with camaraderie, inspirational speakers and a vendor market. Find out more and register online at https://womenofchrist.net/. Invite a friend or two. Come to be inspired and renewed.
- Facing Racism – As Part of our parish’s effort to identify and confront racism in our midst, we offer this reflection: Oh Lord, help us reach out beyond our level of comfort to meet and learn about others, hear their stories and be open to their full humanity. Amen – adapted from Sisters of Mercy, Prayer for the Elimination of Racism
Covid-19 Update: The parish safety committee is recommending all parishioners wear masks for Sunday Mass. We encourage everyone who can to get a vaccination. Three rows on the east side of the church are available for masked-only parishioners who need to maintain distancing. Staff, ushers and minsters will wear masks. Ushers may implement some of the previous COVID-19 protocols.
Click HERE for your bulletin.
Click HERE for online giving.
If someone you know needs our prayers, you can send requests to wepray@saintcatherine.org. If you would like to receive the bulletin in the mail or are in need of some assistance, please contact Sister Pat at prussell@saintcatherine.org or 414-445-5115.
God is good all the time; all the time God is good.
Blessings of peace and gratitude.
Father Peter Patrick Kimani
Saint Catherine and Saint Sebastian Parishes
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday, October 3, 2021
My Dear Friends in Christ,
“Happily ever after” is the dream of every couple when they get married – until death do they part. Many times when I meet with people who are struggling with their marriages, I ask them to go back and reflect on their marriage vows. To some, the marriage dream comes true, but others end up with a painful divorce.
This Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, we pray for all those who have been divorced and any children involved. We do not judge them. It was their wish to live happily ever after. Let us continue praying for all married couples – especially those struggling with their marriages and those who have gone through the pain of divorce.
Spend some time with the offerings below from staff to prepare for Sunday Mass. And check out the opportunities to continue on your life-long learning path.
Anticipate Sunday, October 3
- Mass Readings – The scripture readings today dwell on God’s love for us and our need to love one another.
- Scripture Reflection – In this week’s reflection Jon helps us think about how we can help those who may feel alienated.
- Music – Doug presents the music menu. This Saturday is the Memorial of the Guardian Angels. In honor of all the angels, our 2nd Communion song this Sunday will be “Angels Around Us” — a song that our own Mary Utschig wrote several years ago to the poem “Ministering Spirits” by Jessica Powers (Sr. Miriam).
Other Offerings
- Facing Racism – Consider joining the Ignatian Solidarity Network’s upcoming racial justice program on Wednesday, October 27, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. A Parish Journey for Racial Justice: Let’s Talk about Social Sin.
- Who Do I Need to Forgive? – This is the question being explored at the John Paul II Healing Center’s 2021 Virtual Healing Conference, and you are invited, FREE! This year, October 8-10, the conference returns with a refined focus: Forgiveness. Register HERE.
- Getting to Know You – This week the guest on “Getting to Know You” is Molly Ambrose, a Sebs parishioner and the speech pathologist at Saint Sebastian School. Enjoy this “joy-filled” conversation!
- Alpha Program – Our small faith-sharing group process began last week. Join us either on Tuesday mornings at St Catherine at 9 a.m. or Tuesday evenings at St Sebastian at 6 p.m. Please register by emailing pkennedy@saintsebs.org. Find out more here.
- Young Adult Gathering (those in their 20s and 30s) – On Thursday, September 30, at 7 p.m. in the St Sebastian Multipurpose Room. We will have drinks, snacks, fellowship, formation and prayer. Questions email Jon Metz at jmetz@saintsebs.org
- Gather with Other Catholic Women – The annual Women of Christ Conference will be held on Saturday, November 6, at the Washington County Fair Park. Join Catholic women as we celebrate our faith with camaraderie, inspirational speakers and a vendor market. Find out more and register online at https://womenofchrist.net/. Invite a friend or two. Come to be inspired and renewed.
Covid-19 Update: The parish safety committee is recommending all parishioners wear masks for Sunday Mass. We encourage everyone who can to get a vaccination. Three rows on the east side of the church are available for masked-only parishioners who need to maintain distancing. Staff, ushers and minsters will wear masks. Ushers may implement some of the previous COVID-19 protocols.
Click HERE for your bulletin.
Click HERE for online giving.
If someone you know needs our prayers, you can send requests to wepray@saintcatherine.org. If you would like to receive the bulletin in the mail or are in need of some assistance, please contact Sister Pat at prussell@saintcatherine.org or 414-445-5115.
God is good all the time; all the time God is good.
Blessings of peace and gratitude.
Father Peter Patrick Kimani
Saint Catherine and Saint Sebastian Parishes