Here are some helpful resources:
- See how you can help the Afghan Refugees.
- Help us fill the shelves of St Anthony's food pantry in Neopit.
- View the pick of the week on Formed.org
- Ideas for living the four key discipleship skills.
- Please pray for those intentions on our prayer tree.
- The Xavier school system has something fun planned for kiddos!
- Check out this week's new meaningful meals starter question, and faith sharing help!
- There will be a memorial mass for Sister Sue Dietz, on Oct 3rd, 2021.
- This week's Lincoln Log.
- Check out the News, Updates, and Links to the bulletin and other great resources.
- And something to make you laugh.
Know that you are in our prayers.
STM Service & Justice Commission is sponsoring this collection at STM
Afghan Refugee Assistance
- Catholic Charities across Wisconsin are partnering to support efforts at Fort McCoy to welcome and care for Afghan Refugees. We are working collaboratively with the United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) at Fort McCoy to establish Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Centers (MWR) for the Afghan guests, as well as assist with basic needs. We are offering assistance via our Immigrant and Refugee Services and are here to help in any way we can to welcome the stranger.
Urgent needs have been identified for the refugees at Fort McCoy. Currently we are looking for community partners to fill a truckload of much needed, new clothing to be delivered to Fort McCoy on October 1st.
Highest need items to be collected (at this time only NEW items can be accepted): - Clothing (bulk items accepted): **Summer/Fall clothes only, no Winter clothes at this time**
- Men's-unbranded, modest clothing like shirts, pants, socks, shoes, and undergarments in various sizes
- Women's-unbranded, modest long-sleeve crew neck shirts, long pants, socks, shoes, and undergarments to remain culturally appropriate in various sizes
- Children's-mirror gender appropriate recommendations above in all age ranges and sizes
- Donations will be accepted until September 29th.
Would you like to partner with us? Here are three ways to do so; - PRAY. For the safe passage of refugees as they embark on a journey, we can only begin to imagine or understand.
- DONATE. Make an online donation today. Your donation will be used to get needed supplies, housing, provide services, and help refugees along their journey to building their lives in Wisconsin and becoming part of our community.
- We sincerely appreciate your partnership.
Read recent articles regarding our support to Afghan Refugees:
Wisconsin Catholic Charities Agencies Coordinate Aid for Afghan Arrivals at Fort McCoy
A Call to Assist Afghan Refugees
Brown County Organizations Offer to Resettle Nearly 50 Afghan Refugees, Call for Volunteers and Donations to Assist
Resource: Operation Allies Welcome Fact Sheet
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock,
in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
Psalms 18:2
Ideas for the Four Skills...
Simple is the magic word this year. While these four skills are simple, they take commitment to get started. Please make the effort this year. The long-term benefits are fantastic! We are taking a back to basics approach for Discipleship Formation by focusing on four key skills for individuals and families:
- To use the bible as individuals and as a family
- Idea: Pick a book of the bible to read through during the summer and read it slowly for 10 minutes each morning during your prayer time.
- To pray regularly as an individual and as families
- Idea: Pray with the new parish intentions listed below.
- To share a meaningful meal together regularly
- Include some guests in your meals. What do they think of your discussion?
- To have faith sharing conversations - "faith talks" and "faith walks"
- New questions every week! Use this week's "Faith Talk" questions in the Mealtime Moments section below at a meal or some other time as a chance to go deeper in your faith as a family. It will be awkward at first, but stick with it and it gets easier.
In case you missed it, watch all of our Discipleship Formation Sessions at our STM Facebook page. Other formation videos can also be found there.
New COVID liturgical guidelines
Bishop David Ricken has announced the reinstatement of the Sunday Mass obligation in the Diocese of Green Bay. On the weekend of August 15, 2021, the parishes of the diocese will welcome the faithful back to Mass. Please see the Bishop’s column and the accompanying video on the lifting of the dispensation. There are also some parish resources included below to help out priests and
pastoral leaders prepare with the faithful for the August 15 weekend.
Our 5 pm Saturday Mass will have a focus on protecting the vulnerable. We are asking those who attend the 5 pm Saturday Mass to wear masks to protect the vulnerable
At all of our other events and liturgies, masks will be welcome, but not required. We continue to monitor the COVID rates in our area and will make adjustments as needed (see the Lincoln's Log below for the guiding principles).
Attached, you will find the latest COVID liturgical guidelines from the Diocese.
- Please pray that grace is given by our Lord that our society learns to respect all life, and for an end of abortion.
- Jodi, recovery from surgery.
A memorial Mass will be held on Sunday, Oct. 3, for Sister Sue Dietz. She is a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph-Third Order of St. Francis, who died during the past year. Due to COVID-19, a funeral Mass could not be held. Sr. Sue was a catechist, a member of the Pastoral Care Commission, co-founder of the Prayer Shawl Ministry, and founder of Heart-to-Heart Care, a miinistry to the elderly. The Memorial Liturgy will be held at St. Thomas More Parish, 1810 N. McDonald Street, in Appleton. All are welcome to the 2 p.m. Mass with Fr. Dave Beaudry as celebrant. Family, friends, and parishioners are welcome to attend this celebratoin of life. A luncheon for all will follow in the fellowship hall. For a food count, RSVP the parish as soon as possible at (920) 739-7758.
Three Big Questions
Who is God?
What is the Gospel?
Who am I?
I’ll be spending the next 5 months focusing on these three big questions as part of the discipleship formation I’m engaging in the Renovaré Institute. I’ll be in online discussions, reading, writing, and finding creative ways to engage these three questions. These questions are foundational to our life as disciples. They cut to the heart of what we believe.
How would you start to answer them? Where would you look to find some answers? They are questions that, whether you are aware of them or not, we are answering every day. These questions lurk behind our decisions and actions. They shape each of our days.
As a Catholic, I know the key place to look is at Jesus Christ. The church teaches:
The truth is that only in the mystery of the incarnate Word does the mystery of man take on light. For Adam, the first man, was a figure of...
Mealtime Moments...
Remember, a weekly meaningful meal is a key discipleship skill. You can even make them more meaningful by having a "faith talk" around the table. Here is a gentle starter question to get the ball rolling:
What’s your favorite number? Why?
This one is a little off the wall, but you never know, you might get an interesting answer. Especially by asking, “why?”
And for that "faith talk"...
based on this weekend's readings
TAKE TIME TO CHAT
- Consider the power in invoking the name of Jesus. Where else in the Gospels does Jesus encourage us to invoke his name? (Hint: John 14:14)
- In what way do my actions lead people toward holiness or lead them toward sin?
- In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses graphic imagery to depict the seriousness of the
consequences of sin. Although Jesus is not being literal about cutting off one’s body part, he is trying to make clear that sin can have eternal consequences. Do you think people today take the consequences of sin seriously? What is it that we can do to receive forgiveness for sins?
... or you can just use these questions at a meal or any time for a "faith walk"!
Adult Question: What are the three most important values motivating your daily decisions?
Child Question: Could a poor person who is wise be richer in a way than a foolish person who has many things? Why?
Exploring His Kingdom Podcast
Check out the podcast for the latest homilies and an interview with Maximus Cabey, the Director of the Encounter School of Ministry which will be hosted at St. Thomas More this year. Find out more and consider enrolling in this life-changing school.
You can also find all the previous episodes at stmcath.org or wherever you subscribe to podcasts.
Bishop David Ricken has announced the reinstatement of the Sunday Mass obligation in the Diocese of Green Bay. On the weekend of August 15, 2021, the parishes of the diocese will welcome the faithful back to Mass. Please see the Bishop’s column and the accompanying video on the lifting of the dispensation. There are also some parish resources included below to help out priests and
pastoral leaders prepare with the faithful for the August 15 weekend.
We are no longer asking you to sign-up for Mass. But be sure to look at the updated COVID liturgical guidelines attached. Be sure to note that moving forward, our Saturday 5 pm Mass is will be a Mass for the vulnerable and we are asking those who participate in this Mass to wear masks. At all other events and liturgies, masks are welcome, but not required.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation continues with our regular schedule (see below for details). We have resumed the public celebration of the Sacrifice of the Mass with precautions (see above for details).
Our regular schedule for celebrating the sacrament of Reconciliation (4:15 pm on Saturday and 9:15-9:45 am on Sunday).
