Feast of the Holy Family
Sunday, December 27, 2020
My Dear Friends in Christ,
Like the Holy Family, we are called to grow in holiness. One of the most precious gifts a parent can give to a child is an appreciation of personal prayer, family prayer and group prayer. And there is no better way to do this than by example. Sundays are communal prayer days when we meet as the big family of God. Of course, it is not always possible for families to celebrate the Lord’s Supper together as a complete family. But there should be times when the family makes an effort to do this.
Today’s Feast of the Holy Family invites us to ask ourselves about the quality of our family prayer life. In particular, it invites us to ask ourselves how well we – fathers, mothers, sons and daughters – are contributing to the prayer life of our family.
Best wishes for a blessed New Year!
Anticipate Sunday, December 27
- Mass Readings – As you read the scripture readings think about your own family.
- Music – Follow along with the music menu.
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.
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 Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 20, 2020
My Dear Friends in Christ,
On this Fourth Sunday in Advent we hear that the angel Gabriel was sent to Mary to deliver the good news, “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.” Before Mary received this message, the world had no hope. Sin and violence were everywhere. For her, this message seemed to be impossible and unimaginable.
There is no difference in our time and Mary’s. Our world may be messed up, our family, our lives so different, but there is hope because God’s power in the person of Jesus has entered our world. This is what we prepare to celebrate these few days before Christmas. It is what gives us joy beyond imagining, hope beyond dreaming. With all that we are going through now, let us hope for better days ahead and better years ahead, because God is always with us. The long-awaited Messiah never abandons us; we are the ones who distance ourselves from him.
On my behalf and on behalf of all the pastoral staff Saint Catherine and Saint Sebastian Parishes, I would like to wish you all a blessed Merry Christmas!
I invite you to scroll down in this email for the opportunities prepared by our staff and updates to help you fully participate in the Advent season.
Anticipate Sunday, December 20
- Mass Readings – As you read the scripture readings think about seeing the light in the darkness.
- Adult & Teen Formation – Minister Margaret Lee presents prayers and practices as we rejoice in the coming of Jesus.
- Music – Doug presents the music menu for Sunday.
- Reflection – Fr. Colman offers his words on the readings.
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.
- Holy Day Mass Schedule
- December 24, Christmas Vigil, 4 PM
- December 25, Christmas Day, 10 AM (planning to live stream)
- December 31, New Year’s Vigil for the Solemnity of Mary, 4 PM
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you or someone in your household is not feeling well, please stay home.
Other News
- Reservations Are Required for Christmas Masses – Call the parish office at 445-5115.
- Weekly Interview – This week’s guest on “Getting to Know You with Jon Metz” is Jesus Villa star of Jesus Time!.
- Christmas Gift – The pastoral staff would like to gift parishioners with the book The Search this holiday season. The hope is that it will be a reflective tool for your personal formation. Inside the book you will find a bookmark with some helpful dates and an opportunity to sign up for Lenten formation groups centered on topics in the book. Books can be picked up in the gathering space after Mass.
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 Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 13, 2020
My Dear Friends in Christ,
This has been a tough year. It has brought a lot of stress, anxiety and depression to many adults. If we adults are troubled processing all this, how do we expect the young ones to deal with it? We are being called to be the voice that promises tomorrow; we should not assume everything is all right for them. We are being called to be like Prophet Isaiah and John the Baptist to the young ones and all those who are despairing because of the hardship of this life.
Today is the 3rd Sunday of Advent, called the Joyful Sunday because we are so excited about Christmas coming. Good news is at the core of the readings. John the Baptist does what every true Christian ought to do – turn attention away from yourself and focus on Jesus, who is tomorrow’s promise, who offers a message of hope and eternal life. John came to prepare the way for Christ; what about you and me? How are we preparing the way for Christ and leading others to him? Let us be intentional disciples of Jesus in how we live our lives every day. Let us be a herald of tomorrow’s promise.
I invite you to scroll down in this email for the opportunities prepared by our staff and updates to help you fully participate in the Advent season.
Anticipate Sunday, December 13
- Mass Readings – As you read the scripture readings think about seeing the light in the darkness.
- Adult & Teen Formation – Minister Margaret Lee presents prayers and practices to help us recognize the presence of Jesus in our midst.
- Music – This Sunday is Gaudete (Rejoice!) Sunday, from the first words of the Latin intro to the Mass, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice.” It’s an opportunity to pause during an otherwise penitential season to express joy at the coming of the Lord. Mary’s Magnificat (“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord”) leads the way on this Sunday. Find the complete music selection here.
- Reflection – Fr. Colman invites us to be a John the Baptist.
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.
- Holy Day Mass Schedule
- December 24, Christmas Vigil, 4 PM
- December 25, Christmas Day, 10 AM
- December 31, New Year’s Vigil for the Solemnity of Mary, 4 PM
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you or someone in your household is not feeling well, please stay home.
Other News
- Sacrament of Reconciliation – is being offered on Saturday, December 12, 9:30 AM in Church.
- Reservations Are Required for Christmas Masses – Call the parish office by noon on Monday, December 14, at 445-5115. After that date, reservations will be open to the general public.
- Weekly Interview – This week’s guest on “Getting to Know You with Jon Metz” is Joann Perleberg our Cluster Finance Director.
- Facing Racism – This Advent season join “Advent Made Simple,” a free daily program with short video reflections from an amazing group of black Catholic speakers. 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.
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 Second Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 6, 2020
My Dear Friends in Christ,
Today’s readings give us a hint on how to become a better Christian. They talk about the need to prepare the way for the Lord. All three readings tell us that if our lives are not what they should be, then we should do something about it. If we have strayed from the basics, then today’s readings invite us to return to them. If we have placed our work ahead of our families, then today’s readings invite us to put our families first. If we have placed success ahead of our personal relationship with God, then today’s readings invite us to set aside time to spend with God.
As we enter the second week of Advent, we not only prepare for Christmas, but also for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in glory. Our lives should always be like Advent, meaning we should always be prepared and ready to welcome Christ.
I invite you to scroll down in this email for the opportunities prepared by our staff and updates to help you fully participate in the Advent season.
Anticipate Sunday, December 6
- Mass Readings – As you read the scripture readings think about how you can turn your life around.
- Adult & Teen Formation – Minister Margaret Lee presents prayers and practices to prepare for the second Sunday of Advent.
- Scripture Reflection – Father Colman offers his reflection on the readings.
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.
- Holy Day Mass Schedule
- December 7, Vigil for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, 4 PM
- December 24, Christmas Vigil, 4 PM
- December 25, Christmas Day, 10 AM
- December 31, New Year’s Vigil for the Solemnity of Mary, 4 PM
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you or someone in your household is not feeling well, please stay home.
Other News
- Reservations Are Required for Christmas Masses – Call the parish office by noon on Monday, December 14, at 445-5115. After that date, reservations will be open to the general public.
- Christmas Wishes – Archbishop Listecki’s letter reminds us that Christ is the light in the darkness.
- Facing Racism – This Advent season join “Advent Made Simple,” a free daily program with short video reflections from an amazing group of black Catholic speakers. 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.
- Sacrament of Reconciliation – is being offered on Saturday, December 12, 9:30 AM in Church.
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.