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ST. Welcome to 6060 WEST LOOMIS ROAD • GREENDALE, WI 53129 414-421-2442 • www.st-alphonsus.org Our Lord Jesus Christ, King Of The Universe • November 24, 2019 Happy Thanksgiving
ST. Welcome to
6060 WEST LOOMIS ROAD • GREENDALE, WI 53129 4 1 4 - 4 2 1 - 2 4 4 2 • w w w . s t - a l p h o n s u s . o r g
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King Of The Universe • November 24, 2019
Happy Thanksgiving
S t . A l p h o n s u s N o t e s 2
Father Aaron, Father
Britto and the Staff of
St. Alphonsus Parish
are THANKFUL for all
of our supportive
parishioners and
wonderful volunteers.
It is a joy to serve you
and serve the Lord
alongside you.
We wish you and your loved ones a Blessed and
Happy Thanksgiving!
Saint Alphonsus 21st Annual Parish Benefit Auction—
Friday, April 24, 2020 Mark your calendar for “Springtime in Paris,” the annual parish Auction on Friday, April 24, 2020. The Auction is always a fun way to spend the evening with your fellow parishioners, while supporting the parish. We hope you’ll join us!
As the Christmas season approaches, please consider including the parish Auction on your shopping list. It’s not too early to take advantage of the many holiday sales, while shopping for a good cause. All donations are greatly appreciated: household items, sporting goods, wine, liquor, electronics, gift cards, etc. – Have fun and be creative!
If you have any questions about the parish Auction, please contact Sue Ruedinger at 414-731-0537, or Doris Jome at 414-529-4739. Thank you for your support!
Advertiser of the Week
Altius Gymnastics AltiusGym.com
Polish Kolendy Choir Are you interested in singing the polish
Kolendy at the 10:00 p.m. Christmas Eve
Mass? Rehearsals will begin at 6:00 p.m., on
Wednesday, December 11, in the church. Feel
free to speak with Terry after any Mass, or call
the parish office, 421-2442, for more infor-
mation.
Giving Tree The Giving Tree, a way to help children in need this holiday season, has been placed in the church greeting area. Simply choose a tag (or two) with a child's age/grade and gender from the tree, purchase a new toy and place it--unwrapped with the tag secured to the gift--under the tree or in the designated box next to the tree. Toys will be collected through Sunday, December 15. Your generosity will help us put smiles on the faces of many boys and girls this Christmas.
In a couple of weeks, on Decem-ber 8, at 4:00 p.m., the Saint Alphonsus Music Ministry will offer the annual Christmas concert in
the church. Posters have been set on the bul-letin boards, and a slide is on the screens in the church lobby. We hope you can join us for “Mary Did You Know,” in honor of the blessed mother. This concert is the beginning of the Faith and Beauty project in your parish. We hope to see you there.
Your Help Is So Needed Adult and teen volunteers are desperately needed to help at the St. Nick’s Breakfast on December 8. Please, if you can, consider helping out to make this yearly event a success. If you can help or need more infor-mation, please email Kathy Monacelli at [email protected], or call 414-975-0533.
Thanksgiving Prayer This Thanksgiving, let us remember all the good things and people, who have come into our lives. We focus on thanking each one who has helped us, and ultimately thank God for the good gifts of this world. Let us pray...
Generous and merciful God, we thank you for your abundant gifts to us. As we celebrate this Thanksgiving feast, we ask you to send your Spirit to open our hearts to you and our neighbor, that we may share the gifts you have given us as your Son Jesus taught us to.
Thank you for the many blessings of our lives: our family and friends, our home and the food we eat, our health and employment.
We ask your blessing on all gathered here today, and all your people throughout the world, through Christ your Son. Amen.
S tewar d sh ip : T ime , Ta l en t & Tr ea su r e 3
Outreach Collection The Outreach collection, benefiting Catholic Charities, is $1,406.86. Thank you for your continued generosity.
2019 Catholic Stewardship Appeal Update As of November 4, St. Alphonsus has received pledges totaling $115,471 from 490 donors, which is 71% of our Parish goal of $163,000. There is still time to donate to this year’s Catholic Steward-ship Appeal. Our many thanks to those who have graciously pledged funds so far this year! -Bill & Mary Kelly, St. Alphonsus 2019 Catholic Stewardship Appeal Co-chairs
Heaven’s Helpers Need You Have you ever thought about who cleans up the church after week-end Masses. Many of our dedicated members of the parish come in once a month to clean out the hymnal racks, water plants and dust the altar furniture. We need some new hands to come forward and offer some time. We have 5 groups of people that work once a month on Monday morning. Please consider lending some time to make our church look nice. Call Terry at the Parish office, 421-2442, for more information.
The St. Alphonsus Care for Creation Committee encourages you to choose eco-friendly Christmas gifts by seeking stores and websites that promote a cleaner environment. Choose organic cotton linen, organic/vegan cosmetics, house plants, organic perfumes, soy candles, fabric shopping bags, biodegradable and plant-based phone covers, cork yoga mats, swimwear made from 100% recycled plastic, handwoven grass baskets and jewelry. Look for labels that say 100% organic. Use websites in which percentages of their profit go to environmental causes.
For more ideas, search the web for Eco-friendly Christmas gifts. Give a gift that truly does keep on giving.
Parish Giving Results Envelope and Offertory Contributions:
July 1, 2019 through November 18, 2019 * This Past Weekend’s Contributions $ 32,265 This Month’s Contributions (to date) $ 91,088 Last Year Same Month Contributions $ 84,838 (to date) Budgeted Amount for November $ 130,008
*
For more detailed information on the Operations Budg-et and Balance Sheet, see the Monthly Financials at www.st-alphonsus.org/financecouncil.cfm.
Please Remember St. Alphonsus Parish In Your Will.
Annual Parish Meeting Parishioners, Those interested are cordially invited to attend the 2019 St. Alphonsus Corporate Review meeting.
When: One session, after the 9:00 a.m. Sunday, November 24, Mass Where: Community Room Length of Review: Approximately 45 minutes What: Every year, St Alphonsus holds an annual Corporate Review meeting that is open to all parishioners to review the corporate structure. The officers give an overview of the most recent fiscal year financials and cover parishioners’ questions.
Hope to see you there!
Agenda: 1. Purpose of meeting 2. Overview of corporate structure 3. Policy/Procedure Changes 4. Review 2018-2019 FY financials 5. Ministry update 6. Fund a Need update 7. Capital Campaign update 8. Q&A
-Mary Sue Taft
Trustee – Secretary
2020 Annual Stewardship
Appeal Set your Hearts on Fire with the love of Christ and your love for St. Alphonsus Par-ish! Don’t forget to turn in your Annual Appeal pledge card. We truly appreciate your support. A special “Thank You” to the stuffing team and mailing team for all of the time and effort they dedicated to the Annu-al Appeal mailing! We could not have done it without you.
Why Does The President
Of The USA Pardon A
Turkey At Thanksgiving? Each Thanksgiving, the president of the United States “pardons” a hand-selected turkey, send-ing it to a farm where it lives out the rest of its days. But, contrary to
popular belief, President George HW Bush was not in 1989, the first president to grant such a pardon.
According to the White House, the tradition dates to Abraham Lincoln’s days, when his son Tad begged him to write a presidential pardon for the bird meant for the family’s Christmas table, arguing it had as much a right to live as anyone. Lincoln complied, and the turkey lived. -History Extra
If you cannot attend the Annual Parish Meeting, you can view the presentation slides on the Pastoral Council and Finance Council pages of the St. Alphonsus website.
Please be advised that there are many early bulletin deadlines for all December bulletins up until the new year. If you have any articles that you want printed in the December bulletins, please drop them at the Parish Office or email them to [email protected] as soon as you can so you won’t be disappointed.
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Y o u t h & S c h o o l N o t e s
P a s t o r a l S h a r i n g s
Christian Formation News Julie Lobitz has taken over the role of Director of Christian Formation for St. Alphonsus, replacing Julie Petri, who has decided to resign. We thank Julie Petri for her many contributions to the Christian Formation program these past years and wish her many blessings in the years ahead.
School Scene Mandalas Fourth graders created Mandalas. In designing their Mandala, they had to think about many things. First, they had to learn how the Mandala works with radial symmetry. Next, they had to work with lines to create variety and interest, and they learned that when lines connect, shapes are created. Finally, they learned about the color wheel and all of the color families. Their Mandalas had to become color wheels, and in each section, they had to show their understanding of the element of art known as value. Value creates interest and contrast in a design when light values are placed next to dark values. On top of all of this learning, they also had to make sure they were working with good craftsmanship. Craftsmanship makes the artwork look good.
This is the first in a series of updates on new Technology at St. Alphon-sus Parish. Think back to about 2010. Although it was the 21st century, the St. Alphonsus campus was far behind the times in terms of technolo-gy. Many other large businesses had in place various electronic commu-nication signs, and our previous pastor, Fr. Alan Jurkus, requested we look into making some improvements at St. Alphonsus. With the gener-ous support of you, our parishioners, we were able to purchase and in-stall two TV’s in the Gathering Space and an outdoor electronic sign along Loomis Road.
These signs are used to pass on pertinent timely information, such as Mass times, special events, major news/information that is important for parishioners, etc.
In our current fast-paced world, where information is ever-changing, these signs provide improved communications, which is vital to an effec-tive ministry. I had someone tell me he came to our church for Mass for the first time, because he noticed the Mass times on our outdoor sign as he drove past. Again, THANK YOU for your generous support in helping make these important improvements happen at St. Alphonsus!
If you have any suggestions on additional messages to display, please contact me at [email protected]. Thank you!
-Bill Kelly, Office and Technology Mgr.
Breakfast With St. Nick
And His Friends Prayer, program and a very special pancake breakfast with sausage, beverages and dessert on Sunday, December 8. Doors open at 10:00 a.m.
Reservations and payment due on or before Monday, December 2. All tables will be as-signed upon receipt of your reservation and payment. Reservation forms can be found on the parish website.
The cost is $8.50/adult; $6.50/senior; $5.50/kids 3-12; free/kids 2 and under.
Make checks payable to St. Alphonsus Saint Nick Fund, and return the registration and payment to Breakfast With St. Nicholas, 5960 W. Loomis Road, Greendale, WI 53129.
Bakers and volunteers are always needed. Please email Kathy Monacelli at [email protected], or call 414-975-0533 with questions or to volunteer.
F o c u s o n t h e W o r d 5
W h a t ’ s H a p p e n i n g
Please Join In For The 175th Anniversary Closing
Mass On November 24, 2019 | 11:00 am All are welcome to come to the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee to celebrate the closing of their 175th anniversary year. A reception will follow in the Cathedral Atrium directly after Mass.
Tree Lighting Ceremony Celebrate the start of the holiday season at Greendale’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:00 p.m., on Friday, November 29, at Village Hall. Live holiday music from The Eric Look Band, special holiday drinks, snacks and treat ven-dors, kid's games, face painting, crafts, holiday raffle and coupons for Small Business Saturday...all leading up to Santa's big arrival on the Greendale Fire Truck (at 6:30 p.m.). Kids get to sit on Santa's lap and pose for photos; stay to eat, drink and participate in the new holiday activities this year!
Dicken’s of A Village Greendale’s 20th Annual Dicken’s of A Village holiday event on Friday, December 6, 4:00-9:00 p.m., transforms the Village into a scene from the famous novel ‘A Christmas Carol.’ Shops are open late, and merchants are dressed in Dickens era costumes for this magical evening. Featuring holiday entertainment by strolling carolers, bell and chamber choirs and string instruments, along with horse-drawn wagon rides, and Santa’s sleigh hay ride. Beer tent and food vendors, along with special sales, photo booth, kid’s activities, and face painting inside the shops make for plenty of indoor and outdoor fun, sure to put you in the holiday spirit!
The Rite Of Christian
Initiation Of Adults (RCIA): A
Journey Of Faith Beginning this past September, the RCIA Team (Sandy Kramschuster, Bill Mitchell, Mike Wusterbarth, and Sister Eileen Kazmierowicz) has gathered with adults who were inquiring into the Catholic way of life. They’ve gathered for seven Wednesday evenings, learning about the Catholic Tradition and sharing the Sunday Scriptures. This year’s group includes two women, eager to learn about the Faith.
Starting in November, the RCIA group begins going to the 9:00 a.m. Mass; our catechetical session takes place afterwards. We’re joined by parish sponsors, faith companions who have committed to journey with these women during their time of preparation.
On Sunday, November 24, a special rite will be cele-brated during the 9:00 a.m. Mass. We’ll formally wel-come our catechumen, Kate Mattson (parish spon-sor, Mary Taranowski) and our candidate, Denise Kunz (parish sponsor, Elizabeth Hanson) who are
preparing to become fully initiated Catholics during the Easter Vigil Liturgy, on April 11, 2020. Please back them up with your prayerful support and gra-cious hospitality.
“The rulers sneered … the soldiers jeered … one of the criminals hanging there reviled Je-sus.” Is this the King of the Jews, the King of the Universe? If it is so, perhaps his kingdom is not at all what we would expect! In his letter to the laity, St. John Paul II spoke about how
Christians share in the kingly mission of Christ. First, “they exercise their kingship as Christians, above all in the spiritual combat in which they seek to overcome in themselves the kingdom of sin.” In other words, before we give any thought to transforming society, we must first allow God to transform us. Through daily prayer, regular self-examination, and frequent confession, we can recognize our faults more readily and choose love instead!
Second, St. John Paul II writes that the laity “make[s] a gift of themselves so as to serve, in justice and in charity, Jesus who is himself present in all his brothers and sisters, above all in the very least.” Christ’s kingship, and our own participation in it, requires us to look beyond the privileged of society. It goes beyond networking and struggles of power. It goes with Jesus to the Cross!
Still, the kingship of Christ ought to effect society. “The lay faithful are called to restore to creation all its original value … ordering creation to the authentic well-being of humanity.” Jesus does this in a radical way through his death and resurrection. We, too, are invited to bring new life to the world around us. This means holding the world and everything in it as sacred. It means advocating for civil policies that respect life and paying special care to the vulnerable and marginalized in every stage of life. It means being disciples of Jesus, inviting people into authentic love so that one day we will together “be with [him] in Paradise!” ©LPi
Question Of The Week Theme: In Christ, everything continues in being. Question for Youth: This week we celebrate Christ the King. In the best sense of the word, a King is someone who cares for the people under his care, and also has authority over them. When have you felt Jesus’ care for you? How do you allow Jesus to have authority over you? Question for Adults: As you think about Jesus on the cross, having compassion on the “good thief,” what lesson do you draw from it for your own life?
Scripture Readings Readings for the week of November 24, 2019 Sunday: 2 Sm 5:1-3/Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5 [cf. 1]/ Col 1:12-20/Lk 23:35-43 Monday: Dn 1:1-6, 8-20/Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 [52b]/Lk 21:1-4 Tuesday: Dn 2:31-45/Dn 3:57, 58, 59, 60, 61 [59b]/Lk 21:5-11 Wednesday: Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28/Dn 3:62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 [59b]/Lk 21:12-19 Thursday: Dn 6:12-28/Dn 3:68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 [59b]/Lk 21:20-28 Friday: Dn 7:2-14/Dn 3:75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81/Lk 21:29-33 Saturday: Rom 10:9-18/Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 [10 or Jn 6:63]/Mt 4:18-22 Next Sunday: Is 2:1-5/Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 [1]/Rom 13:11-14/Mt 24:37-44
Observances for the week of November 24, 2019 Sunday: Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Monday: St. Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin & Martyr Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Thanksgiving Day Friday: Saturday: St. Andrew, Apostle Next Sunday:1st Sunday of Advent ©LPi
Tear Along Perforated Line
Mass Intentions Saturday, November • 23 Weekday 4:30 pm † Riana Sweet (Ken Sweet) Sunday, November • 24 Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 7:30 am † Anthony Burbach (Relatives & Friends) 9:00 am For the Parishioners Intention of Dave Kelley (His Loving Family) 11:00 am † Larry Antonovich (Mary Antonovich) Baptisms Monday, November • 25 Weekday 7:00 am † Richard & Grace Feit (Family) Tuesday, November • 26 Weekday 8:00 am † All Souls (Family & Friends) ←Note Time Change
(All School) 6:30 pm Rosary-Devotions in the Chapel Wednesday, November • 27 Weekday 7:00 pm † Quentin Borucki (Wife, Joan) ←Note Time Change Thursday, November • 28 Weekday (THANKSGIVING DAY) NO MASS/NO ADORATION Friday, November • 29 Weekday NO MASS Saturday, November • 30 St. Andrew, Apostle 8:00 am † Ed & Jean Szews (Karen Szews) 8:30 am Confessions 3:30 pm Confessions 4:30 pm † Bonnie Hildebrand (Zawadzki Family) Sunday, December • 1 First Sunday of Advent 7:30 am † Catherine Kluever (Scott & Christine Mather) 9:00 am For the Parishioners † Gil Smieja (James & Jill Simaras) 11:00 am † Mary Quirk (St. Al’s Lectors)
Contacts Church Building 6060 West Loomis Road • Greendale, WI 53129 Parish Ministry Center & Christian Formation Office…….414-421-2442 5960 West Loomis Road • Greendale, WI 53129-1824 Fax…………………………………………………………………414-421-8744 E-mail…………………………………………………[email protected] Website………………………………………………….www.st-alphonsus.org Pastoral Staff…………………………………………………….414-421-2442 Pastor, Rev. Aaron Esch………………………… [email protected] Associate Pastor, Rev. Britto Suresh…….. [email protected]
[email protected] Office & Technology Manager, Bill Kelly……………[email protected] Director of Finance, Kathy Jaeckels………………[email protected] Director of Liturgy & Music, Terry Piontkowski ……[email protected] Director Of Christian Formation, Julie Lobitz…………[email protected]
School Principal, Mary Stallmann…………………. [email protected] Facilities Manager, Jacob Majstorovic……………[email protected] Permanent Deacon, Ted Gurzynski………[email protected] Permanent Deacon, James [email protected]
Rev. Walter Vogel………………………………………….Priest In Residence School Offices…………………………………………………..414-421-1760 6000 West Loomis Road • Greendale, WI 53129 School & Gym Entrances…………………………...6080 West Loomis Road Fax…………………………………………………………………414-433-0709 Pastoral Council Chairperson, Denna Flemming…………………..430-1482 Parish Trustee, Mary Sue Taft……………………………………….425-6400 Parish Trustee, Robert Lange………………………………………..940-2755 Neighborhood Outreach Program……………………………………488-6500 Emergency Food Pantry……………………………………………...514-4400
Prayer Network If you have a Special Intention for which you would like prayers, please call one of the St. Alphonsus Prayer Networks: St. Patrick (Rosemary)………………………………………………..421-2548 St. Ann (Geri)…………………………………………………………..281-4507 The networks are confidential; please feel free to contact them with your requests.
Eucharistic Celebrations Weekend……...Saturday 8:00 am 4:30 pm; Sunday 7:30, 9:00 & 11:00 am Weekday…………………………………………………………..See schedule
Sacrament of Baptism For Baptismal arrangements, call the Parish Office, 421-2442.
Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday 8:30 am 3:30 pm or anytime by appointment.
Anointing of the Sick Please contact the parish office to make an appointment to be anointed
New Membership Joining our parish community can be easily done at the Parish Ministry Cen-ter, Mondays through Thursdays from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., or Fridays from 8:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. You can also register online at www.st-alphonsus.org.
S t . A lphonsus D i r ec to r y and Ca l enda r s 6
This Week
Saturday, November 23, 2019 6:30 pm Trivia Night Community Room Sunday, November 24, 2019 9&11:00 am Children’s Liturgy of the Word Chapel 9:30 am RCIA PMC/P-101 10:00 am Parish Annual Corporate Meeting Community Room Monday, November 25, 2019 7:00 pm Sunday Choir Rehearsal Church 7:00 pm St. Vincent DePaul Meeting (2nd & 4th Monday) PMC/P-104 7:30 pm AA Reality Support Group PMC/P-101 Tuesday, November 26, 2019 7:00 pm Recovery (Mental Health Support Group) PMC/P-103 Wednesday, November 27, 2019 7:00 pm Saturday Choir Rehearsal Church Saturday, November 30, 2019 8:30 am Instrumental Rehearsal Church Sunday, December 1, 2019 9:30 am RCIA PMC/P-101
The Cookie Walk Is Back The Home and School Committee's Annual Cookie Walk will be December 14 & 15 after all Masses. Stop into the Community Room to select your choice of delicious homemade cookies from our school families or purchase a pre-packaged tray. For more information, con-tact Erin Ryan at [email protected].
Do you know that St. Peregrine is the cancer saint?
