Here are some helpful resources:

This week's Lincoln's Log.
Ideas for living the five key discipleship skills.
View the pick of the week on Formed.org.
Check out this week's new meaningful meals starter question, and faith sharing help!
2022 Raffle Calendars are now on sale!
Interested in learning more about St Vincent de Paul? See below for more details.
Angel Tree is back!
COVID-19 clinic, find times for testing and vaccines.
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.

Why Watch?

“The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah.”

Jer. 33:14

“Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Lk. 21:36

The readings this weekend invite us to wake up and pay attention. This message to “watch” and keep vigil comes at the beginning of every Advent. Usually, we hear the message and then fall back asleep, like hitting snooze on our alarms.

But why are we encouraged to watch? Why does the scripture have an underlying theme of watchfulness?

The answer is simple. We watch because we expect God to do something and we don’t want to miss it.

We know that God promised to save His people. He has done that in Jesus Christ. But God has also promised to “come to judge the living and the dead” (Apostles Creed). Jesus is going to return. “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Lk. 21:27). We watch because every day brings...

Click to read more

We've added a new skill for households this year...

The four skills we focused on last year help to form your family culture as a culture of faith. Many of you commented on how helpful they were (especially the family meal). This year we are continuing to focus on those four skills, but we are adding a fifth skill. Skills 1-4 are the same as last year, and we will continue to support them, but the fifth skill is new and is about moving outside of your family and working for the good of our community and world.

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.
To use the Bible as individuals and as a family
To pray regularly as an individual and as families
To share a meaningful meal together regularly
To reach out as individuals and a family for service and justice

In case you missed any Discipleship Formation Sessions last year, you can watch all of our Discipleship Formation Sessions at our STM Facebook page. Other formation videos can also be found there.

Breaking Open the Word with Question of the Week - Google Docs.pdf

Sign up for Formed

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 do you do to get rid of stress?

Everyone gets stressed out at times, and everyone deals with it differently. Find out how they deal with it and maybe pick up some extra stress relief tips for you.

And for that "faith talk"...

based on this weekend's readings

TAKE TIME TO CHAT

In today’s Gospel, Jesus wants us to be ready when he comes again. We
do not know when that will be. What are some ways you can stay vigilant
and be ready for Jesus?
The word “redemption” means being saved from sin. Does everyone in the world need to be saved from sin? Explain your answer.
What does it mean to “stand before the Son of Man” at the end of time? How can we prepare for this now?

... or you can just use these questions at a meal or any time for a "faith walk"!

Adult Question: What have been the strengths of your prayer life? What habit of prayer could you strengthen during this Advent season?

Child Question: What prayers will you say each day and each week during Advent?

mealtimemoments43.pdf

Buy Now

Reverse Advent Calendar Fun

What is a Reverse Advent Calendar? It’s a lot of fun and a great way to share the
blessings of the holiday season with others.
The STM Service and Justice Commission has created two
Reverse Advent Calendars
for this year’s Advent season. Here is how they work:

Calendar 1: Food Products
Find a big box or basket. Each day of Advent, add the item listed on the
calendar to the box or basket. On Christmas, bring the box or basket to
STM and we will make sure the items are passed on to our friends at
St. Anthony Parish in Neopit.

Calendar 2: Random Acts of Kindness and Reflection
Each day of Advent, perform a simple random act of kindness for
someone in your life. That person may be someone you see every day or a
new person. Or, take a little time to reflect on a part of your life you wish to
give a little attention. We’ve provided you with a calendar to give you
ideas, but be sure to keep it simple and fun! Then, watch for how God
works through your kindness.

May your Christmas be blessed with the warmth of Jesus’ love.
Blessings,
STM Service and Justice Commission

Advent Calendars 2021 (1).pdf

The Family of Donald Mentzel would like to thank Father Jack, Deacon Lincoln, Irene Skarban, and the choir for the beautiful service they had for Don. We also would like to thank Carol Paltzer and her crew for the luncheon that followed.

~The Don Mentzel Family

Please consider making a donation to St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Appleton for this year’s Giving Tuesday November 30.

When you donate to SVdP Appleton, you help to provide beds for children sleeping on the floor and families transitioning into stable housing, keeping a couple in their home after unexpected job loss or medical bills, and provide food and clothing to those who’ve fallen on difficult times. The Covid-19 pandemic has thrust even more families and individuals into situational poverty. Your support is needed now more than ever before! Your donation to SVdP Appleton’s Giving Tuesday campaign will be doubled thanks to a generous $5,000 grant from the Menasha Corporation Foundation. That means you have an opportunity to make twice the impact! To make a donation please visit our website at www.svdpappleton.org or mail to our Appleton store at:

1924 College Ave,

Appleton, WI 54914.

Thank you for your support!

Welcome Back: Angel Tree & Advent Giving Tree

Our Christmas Tree in the church gathering space serves two spirit-filled activities!

The Angel Tree is dedicated to children of incarcerated parents. Angel tags are the first to adorn our tree. The purpose is to brighten a child’s Christmas with a gift. In selecting an Angel tag, please indicate your name and the child’s name on the sheet provided by the tree. Then the fun begins...purchase a gift for the child, wrap the gift, and return to the church gathering space and place under the Angel Tree by December 12. Please contact, Karen, with any questions that you may have 920-915-5321.

Then our tree is transformed into the Advent Giving Tree. Stars will hang from the branches with each star bearing the name of someone who may delight in receiving a Christmas card from you with its own personal message. We all face challenges in our lives and sometimes it is good to know that we are not alone and that others care. Please choose a star and be that light.

*In addition, you may also share the warmth of Christmas with those in our local homeless shelters by donating new hats, mittens, and socks. A basket will be available under the tree on December 19 for these gifts of the heart.

God bless your goodness with Christmas joy.