Birthday Blessings for our

Special Priest, Father Phil

Wish him a happy birthday on Saturday, May 30th...

Your holy service to the Lord

touches so many hearts

And inspires so many lives.

God bless you with

peace and joy as you

Celebrate your birthday

And another year

Of faithful service in Christ

With love,

your

STA flock

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS PARISH Dear Parishioners: The day after I submitted last week’s article for the bulletin, the Wisconsin State Supreme Court delivered its ruling against Governor Evers’ “Safer at Home” protocols. The day after that, Archbishop Listecki issued a document entitled “The Catholic Comeback Matrix,” which outlines parameters for a broad range of Church and parish ac-tivities, including the celebration of Sunday Mass. Rather than try to summarize the nine-page chart for you, I would encourage you to look at it for yourselves. You can access the Matrix on-line by following these three steps: 1. “Google” “CoVID-19 Updates–Archdiocese of Milwaukee” 2. Hit the tab for “Updates for Parishes” 3. Near the top of the list you will find: “The Catholic Comeback Matrix” Since this site does not include the cover letter which the Archbishop sent out with the Matrix on May 14th. I’d like to offer a relevant portion of that letter here:

We remain in the “Safer at Home” phase until, Tuesday, May 26, when we will move into Phase 1. Sunday Mass will resume with Masses on Sunday, May 31 (including Masses of Anticipation on the evening of May 30). I know people are anxious to return to normal. However, we must also acknowledge that people are anxious about returning to public activities and crowded spaces. Following the matrix is a prudent approach and a reasonable and responsible way to resume Catholic life in our archdiocese without taking unnecessary risks. The safety and well-being of our people is a top priority. Please note that Phase 1 restricts participation in those events that are permitted to 10 people. The only activity in which this restriction does not apply is Sunday Masses. Such will be the practice until Phase 2 is reached, when the maximum number of participants will be raised to 50 while still practicing social distancing. I would guess that, barring a sudden significant spike in reported cases of CoVID-19 infections, we might see Phase 2 announced before mid-Summer. Phase 3, with the lifting of all restrictions, may be a while in coming. So, it looks like at least for the next several months, social distancing will be the norm applicable to all church and parish functions, especially our celebration of the Mass. No doubt, it will take a while for all of us to get accustomed to this new normal, particularly as we watch people outside of Church behaving in ways anywhere on the spectrum from super-cautious to hyper-careless. As I mentioned last week, if you come to Church for the Feast of Pentecost next weekend, be flexible and follow the ushers’ instructions (Give ‘em a break! It’s new to them, too!). Please be courteous, be patient, and allow the gifts of the Holy Spirit to fill your imagination and your heart.

Father Phil

MASS SCHEDULE

Seventh Sunday of Easter ~ Ascension of the Lord

May 24, 2020 Saturday, May 23: 5:30pm † Mike & Roger Schmitz 5:30pm † Babe Petty Sunday, May 24: 8:00am For the People of STA & SJB Wednesday, May 27: 8:00am † Don Diedrich Friday, May 29: 8:00am Family and Friends Saturday, May 30: 5:30pm † Herman Koenigs 5:30pm † Francisco Sarmiento Sunday, May 31: 8:00am † Oscar & Phyllis Bardon 8:00am † Katherine Brotz-Rakowski

I have decided toscheduled weekday and weekend Massesnine attendees other than myself. We will begin by inviting the person who has paid for each particular

Until further notice, people who have a fever or are experiencing flu-like symptoms should not attempt coming to Mass. Moreover, people

over the age of 65 and those with compromised auto-immune sys-tems and/or pre-existing health issues that render them more suscep-

tible to infections or respiratory difficulties should consider staying away, as well. The Archbishop has extended his dispensation to all

Catholics in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, no matter their age, from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass through Sunday, July 5th.

Stewardship

May 13-19, 2020

Stewardship Envelopes $2550.00 Building Mnt. Envelopes $330.00

Loose $200.00 Ascension Envelopes $25.00 5th SundayZeruZeru/Sheb. Cty Pantry $20.00

Due to the coronavirus Memorial Mass at St. Fridolin is cancelled!

We have two vacancies starting July 1st on Pastoral Council. If you are interested or want more information please contact

Matt O’Connor (buckgb2000@gmail.com or 920.265.7205), or Lynn Kulow

(920.226.1636) by June 9th. The Pastoral Council should research the ideas,

the hopes, the life and activity of the people of God, so that our Parish, can effectively carry out the

mission of the Community and fully participate in the ongoing conversion that is central to its life.

StThomasAquinasEL.org

TO ALL STA COMMUNION

DISTRIBUTORS & LECTORS:

With the new Catholic Comeback Matrix that starts Saturday, May

30th we are asking if any distribu-tors or lectors are comfortable participating with Mass again. Please let Chris at the parish

office know, so you can be put on our temporary schedule.