The First Sunday of Advent
Sunday, November 29, 2020
My Dear Friends in Christ,
Today’s gospel is about being prepared for an unknown future date when Christ will return in glory. To be prepared, we need to remove all negativity that makes us judge others and ourselves critically. We need to remove past regrets and future worries that keep us from living in the present. The list of things that keep us from focusing on the coming of Christ is endless. When we are done removing our regrets and worries, we then need to focus on what to put on–and that is Jesus Christ.
On this First Sunday of Advent we begin a season that reminds us to keep our hearts ready to receive Christ. At Mass, we are not only clothed with Christ, we receive Christ into our body and spirit so that he can transform us to become more like him. Be watchful! Be prepared!
I invite you to scroll down in this email for the many opportunities prepared by our staff that will help you fully participate in the Advent season.
Anticipate Sunday, November 29
- Mass Readings – As you read the scripture readings think about how you can be more watchful and alert during Advent.
- Adult & Teen Formation – Minister Margaret Lee presents prayers and practices to guide us through Advent.
- Gospel Reflection – from Father Coleman
Sunday Mass
- The 9 AM Mass at St. Catherine continues to be in person following COVID-safe guidelines. Watch a video message from Fr. Peter Patrick here.
- Don’t miss the Bulletin!
- The 8 AM Mass at St. Sebastian is live on site and will be live streamed on Facebook.
- The 10:30 AM and 6 PM Masses at St. Sebastian are live on site.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you or someone in your household is not feeling well, please stay home.
Other News
- Happy Thanksgiving – Fr. Peter Patrick sends his blessings in a video message.
- Virtual Advent Family Program – For resources and activities to aid your family’s observance and preparation for Lent, click on the link below: http://saintsebastianonline.net/faith-formation/family-faith-formation-programs/
- Facing Racism – The education subcommittee would like to recommend an opportunity for your at-home reflection this Advent season. It is call “Advent Made Simple.” Join our free daily video program for short video reflections from an amazing group of black Catholic speakers with prayers and reflections to help you grow in your faith. If you would like to receive these daily emails please sign up at https://www.videos.church/advent-made-simple or search for “advent made simple” in Google or other search engine.
- Weekly Advent Adult Formation – Each session will have a theme. This week we will focus on Hope. Each session will include faith sharing, prayer and opportunities to reflect during this Advent season. If you would like to join the virtual option please email Jon Metz at jmetz@saintsebs.org so he can send you the link to join. There are a variety of times to join:
- Tuesday mornings at St Catherine following morning Mass at 9 am,
- Wednesday evenings virtually at 6:30 pm, or
- Friday mornings at St Sebastian following the rosary at 10 am.
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
Click HERE for your bulletin.
Click HERE for online giving.
The Solemnity of Christ the King
Sunday, November 22, 2020
My Dear Friends in Christ,
Today, the last Sunday of the liturgical calendar of the Church, we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King before the beginning of Advent and the start of a new liturgical year. In Advent, we prepare for the two comings of Christ: as a baby in Bethlehem and His return as a king in glory. This celebration of Jesus’ kingship prepares us for both comings of Christ.
Christ’s kingdom is not political, but a spiritual rule of love established in human hearts through service and sacrifice; it belongs to those who hear His voice and bear witness to the truth revealed by Him. The Gospel today is telling us, “Whatever you did to the least of my brothers, you did unto me.” Feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, clothing the naked, visiting the ill and those in prisons is easy, but we should go beyond that. Use the reflections below from pastoral staff to help.
Anticipate Sunday, November 22
- Mass Readings and Music Selections – As you read the scripture readings think about how you prepare for Advent.
- Adult & Teen Formation – Minister Margaret Lee presents reflection questions to help us think about how we can be saved.
- Reflection on the Readings – From Fr. Colman.
Sunday Mass
- The 9 AM Mass at St. Catherine continues to be in person following COVID-safe guidelines. Watch a video message from Fr. Peter Patrick here. There will be no music at Mass.
- Don’t miss the Bulletin!
- The 8 AM Mass at St. Sebastian is live on site and will be live streamed on Facebook.
- The 10:30 AM and 6 PM Masses at St. Sebastian are live on site.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you or someone in your household is not feeling well, please stay home.
Other News
- Weekly Interview – This week’s guest on “Getting to Know You with Jon Metz” is Seb’s parishioner Rob Shelledy who serves as the Director of the Dignity of the Human Person Office and Coordinator of Social Justice Ministry at the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and is director of the Food Pantry.
- Soles for Catholic Education Walk The 8th annual Soles Walk has gone virtual! And all the money raised stays right here at St Catherine. Donate today by visiting catholicschoolswalk.org.
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
Click HERE for your bulletin.
Click HERE for online giving.
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday, November 15, 2020
My Dear Friends in Christ,
In today’s gospel, Jesus presents the parable of a man who gave his servants a number of talents according to each one’s ability. Think about our own lives; we are all blessed with different gifts and talents. God has placed us where we are for a purpose. Every day is another opportunity to discern what God wants us to do. Sometimes we work so hard to be successful in life, which is not a bad thing, but we forget the most important thing–our relationship with God and others.
On this Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, as we come to the end of the liturgical year, the readings point to the end of time. It is an opportunity to examine our own life as St. Paul says in today’s second reading, “Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night.”
Anticipate Sunday, November 15
- Mass Readings and Music Selections – As you read the scripture readings think about how you prepare for Advent.
- Adult & Teen Formation – Minister Margaret Lee presents reflection questions to help us think about how you are using your gifts and how you might be staying alert.
Sunday Mass
- The 9 a.m. Mass at St. Catherine continues to be in person following COVID-safe guidelines. Don’t miss the Bulletin!
- The 8 AM Mass at St. Sebastian is live on site and will be live streamed on Facebook.
- The 10:30 AM and 6 PM Masses at St. Sebastian are live on site.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are not feeling well, please stay home.
Other News
- Weekly Interview – This week’s guest on “Getting to Know You with Jon Metz” is Mary Krolikowski, chair of Pastoral Council and active in several human concern efforts in the Parish, including Facing Racism.
- Prayer for Unity and Charity – Our cluster parishes are hosting two non-Eucharistic prayer services for the healing of the nation with a vision for people united in mutual support of peace and prosperity for all. The St. Sebastian service will be in person (limited to 100 people) and will be live streamed. The St. Catherine service will feature harpist, Mary Utschig. We will be in prayerful unity with the whole archdiocese during that time. The services are:
- St. Catherine on Wed, Nov. 18, at 3:30 PM
- St. Sebastian on Thu, Nov. 19, at 7 PM
- Soles for Catholic Education Walk The 8th annual Soles Walk has gone virtual! And all the money raised stays right here at St Catherine. Donate today by visiting catholicschoolswalk.org.
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
Click HERE for your bulletin.
Click HERE for online giving.
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday, November 8, 2020
My Dear Friends in Christ,
In life, we are always preparing for so many things. We may try our best to prepare for those things we can control, but sometimes we forget our spiritual life. How can we best prepare to meet the Lord? Jesus teaches his disciples how we are to live in the kingdom of God here on earth, so as to live with God after our death. We need to work on having loving relationships with God and our neighbors.
On this Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time we learn that, when overtaken by life-events, it is the wise who survive! When things don’t go as planned we fall back to our default mode of functioning. It is here that our previous choices and habits come into play. In a sense, when caught unawares, our authentic self is tested.
Anticipate Sunday, November 8
- Liturgy and Music – The readings can help us to think about how to prepare for our spiritual lives. And Doug’s music menu for Sunday.
- Adult & Teen Formation – Minister Margaret Lee presents reflection questions to help us think about Sunday’s readings and how you might live your life differently if you knew you only had a short time.
- Find a reflection from Fr Colman here.
Sunday Mass
- The 9 a.m. Mass at St. Catherine continues to be in person following COVID-safe guidelines. Don’t miss the Bulletin!
- The 8 AM Mass at St. Sebastian is live on site and will be live streamed on Facebook.
- The 10:30 AM and 6 PM Masses at St. Sebastian are live on site.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are not feeling well, please stay home.
Other News
- Prayer for Unity and Charity – Our cluster parishes are hosting two non-Eucharistic prayer services for the healing of the nation with a vision for people united in mutual support of peace and prosperity for all. The St. Sebastian service will be in person (limited to 100 people) and will be live streamed. The St. Catherine service will feature harpist, Mary Utschig. We will be in prayerful unity with the whole archdiocese during that time. The services are:
- St. Catherine on Wed, Nov. 18, at 3:30 PM
- St. Sebastian on Thu, Nov. 19, at 7 PM
- Soles for Catholic Education Walk The 8th annual Soles Walk has gone virtual! And all the money raised stays right here at St Catherine. Donate today by visiting catholicschoolswalk.org.
- Weekly Interview – This week’s guest on “Getting to Know You with Jon Metz” is the new deacon at St. Sebastian, Deacon Jim Matthias.
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
Click HERE for your bulletin.
Click HERE for online giving.
Solemnity of All Saints
Sunday, November 1, 2020
Mass of Remembrance
My Dear Friends in Christ,
This Sunday we will celebrate the Feast of All Saints. The gospel reading points out how the saints lived and how we are called to attain holiness. We may ask ourselves what holiness is. First, it is Christ living in a person’s mind, will and body and, second, it is his loving presence being evident to others. Mother Theresa of Calcutta said, “Holiness does not consist in doing extraordinary things. It consists in accepting, with a smile, what Jesus sends us. It consists in accepting and following the will of God.”
By virtue of our baptism, we are all called to lead a holy life. It’s not just meant for certain people. According to Lumen Gentium, the universal call to holiness is the vocation of every Christian to hold onto and complete in his or her life the holiness received in Baptism. The nature of holiness we received at baptism is this: “They truly become sons and daughters of God and sharers in the divine nature.” (LG. 40)
Anticipate Sunday, November 1
- Remember: set your clock back one hour on Saturday night.
- Liturgy and Music – The readings can help us to think about the saints among us and the call to all of us.
- Adult & Teen Formation – Minister Margaret Lee presents reflection questions to help us think about Sunday’s readings and how open we are to Jesus teachings.
Sunday Mass
- The 9 a.m. Mass at St. Catherine continues to be in person following COVID-safe guidelines. Don’t miss the Bulletin!
- The 8 AM Mass at St. Sebastian is live on site and will be live streamed on Facebook.
- The 10:30 AM and 6 PM Masses at St. Sebastian is live on site.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are not feeling well, please stay home.
Other News
- Weekly Interview – This week’s guest on “Getting to Know You with Jon Metz” is Judy Ballard, long-time parishioner at Saint Sebastian.
- Soles for Catholic Education Walk The 8th annual Soles Walk has gone virtual! And all the money raised stays right here at St Catherine. Donate today by visiting catholicschoolswalk.org.
- Prayer for Unity and Charity – The Archdiocese has invited all parishes to offer a post election prayer service November 18 through 20. The service will be held at Saint Catherine on Wednesday evening, November 18, and at Saint Sebastian on Thursday, November 19. Both evenings will be at 7 PM. Please watch for further details in next week’s bulletin. People are welcome to attend either or both. We will be in prayerful unity with the whole archdiocese during that time.
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.