Family Faith Formation Spotlight!
Youth Ministry Fall Clean-Up
These awesome people raked and picked up 40 bags leaves from around the parish, school, rectory, parish house, and also a parishioner's house for our Youth Ministry Fall Clean-Up. We are so grateful for their generosity of time and spirit! Pictured: Tommy Perkins, CJ Olson, Elias Lopez , Levi Frank, Mason Neusse, Alex Rosener, Lucas Rosener, Ines Gonzales, Micah Olson, Ben Olson, Bayron, Ocelotl-Gonzales, and Madeline Ocelotl-Gonzales. Not pictured: Jennifer Rosener
Friday Feature
November 2022 Family of the Month
Our Lady of Guadalupe Counsel of St Mary’s would like to announce that Donna Schultz has been named as Family of the Month for November. Donna has been a member of St Mary’s for 42 years. She was married June 5th 1971 to Kip Schultz. Donna has 2 Children, Samantha Schultz and Jennifer Holec whose husband is Bob. She also has 2 granddaughters, Aubrey and Alex. For many years Donna and Kip ran the teen masses, would play music and sing at church. They accompanied youth group trips to Steubenville Ohio several times. She was a past member of the church finance council. Behind the scenes Donna is a money counter for weekly collections, Fall Fest money manager for 40 years, cleans the rectory and has put in countless hours working weddings and bingo for our Parish. Donna is also a current Scrip seller and does the running to pick up the Scrip. Donna enjoys camping and gardening. She retired from Associated Bank after 37 years. The Knights of Columbus thank Donna Schultz for her great service to our parish and her example of Catholic faith. May God bless her and her family!
Pastoral Council Elections
Elections for Pastoral Council will be held this weekend during Mass announcement time. Please select up to three candidates (including write-ins) to vote for. Ballots will be collected in a basket in the Narthex following dismissal.
St. Raymond Knights of Columbus
The St. Raymond Knights of Columbus will begin offering Rosettes for Sale in the Narthex this weekend! In addition to these delicious treats, the Knights will be offering food for the soul with their annual Advent Daily Devotional as a free gift for your continued walk of faith with Christ.
Christmas Flower Donation
Once again our beautiful Church will be filled with Poinsettias, to celebrate the birth of our Lord, on Christmas day! Please help provide these flowers by using the Christmas Flower donation envelope provided in your envelope giving packet. Thank you!
St. Mary Knights of Columbus Christmas Signs
The Saint Mary Knights of Columbus will have their annual
Keep Christ in Christmas yard signs available in the narthex after Mass. Donations are welcomed. Merry Christmas!
Decorating St. Raymond Church for Christmas
Join us for the annual tradition of decorating St. Raymond's for Christmas after the 8:30am Mass on Sunday, December 18. Families are encouraged to stay after Mass as we set up the Christmas trees and Creche' to celebrate the birth of our Lord! Coffee and donuts will be provided and many hands make the work seem light and enjoyable! Always a joyous time spent with fellow parishioners!
Help Needed
We need help for various tasks at the parish. Dusting, vacuuming, and washing are just some of the ways we keep our parish a beautiful and welcoming place to worship and gather. Our experience tells us that the best help comes from within the parish. Please contact Bonnie Firkus if interested in helping.
New Office Hours at St. Mary
Due to our current staff shortage, beginning with the week of November 13th, we will no longer be providing office hours on Mondays. While we realize this is an inconvenience, we have reallocated staff responsibilities as much as possible and are unable to continue offering Monday office hours without eliminating other essential responsibilities and tasks. Please make use of our current available office hours if you need direct assistance with an in person employee. If you need assistance outside of these hours, we encourage you to leave a voicemail or email a staff member directly and we will help you as soon as we are able.
We would also like to ask any of you who has experience in office administration or reception work to consider applying for our current open position(s). If any parishioners know of a community member who would be a good fit for this/these position(s) please encourage them to submit an application. Thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to strive for diligent service of our parish with the current resources we have.
Our current hours can be found in the Sunday Bulletin and parish website.
New Phone System at St. Mary
St. Mary’s recently updated their phone system! Please be patience as we update. Thank You.
WINTER WEATHER NOTICE
If the roads are bad and travel is hazardous on Saturday or Sunday for Mass, members of the parish should use caution. Please use your best judgment when deciding if it is safe to travel to Mass. If schools are cancelled or delayed in the Eau Claire School District, then there will be no daily Mass.
Widow/Widower Blessing
All widows/widowers are welcome to attend any Mass on the weekend of November 19th & 20th to receive a special blessing.
No sign-up needed!
Upcoming Events:
Nov 19. Men of the Beatitudes discussion. 9-10am. St. Mary
Nov 19 & 20. Widow/Widower Blessing at Masses. St. Mary & St. Raymond
Nov 20. Catechist Master Class: Nativity & Incarnation. 4-5pm. Virtual. St. Mary
Nov 22. NO 8am Daily Mass. St. Raymond
Nov 22. 10am Thanksgiving School Mass. St. Mary
Nov 23. NO 5:30pm Daily Mass. St. Mary
Nov 24. Thanksgiving Mass 9am. St. Raymond
Nov 24. NO Eucharistic Adoration or Confession. St. Raymond
Nov 25. NO Daily Mass. St. Mary
Nov 26. Men of the Beatitudes discussion. 9-10am. St. Mary
Nov 29. Advent Confessions. 7pm. Immaculate Conception Parish
Nov 30. Women’s Bible Study: Romans. 9am. St. Mary
Nov 30. Parish Ensemble Rehearsal. 6:30pm. St. Raymond
Dec 1. Coffee Community. 8:45am St. Raymond
Dec 1. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. 9:45am. St. Mary
Dec 1. Spanish Choir Rehearsal. 4:30pm. St. Mary
Dec 1. Advent Confessions with Penance Service. 7pm. St. James the Greater
Dec 1. NO Confessions. St. Raymond
Dec 3. First Saturday Devotions. 7:30am. St. Mary
Dec 3. Men of the Beatitudes. 9am. St. Mary
Dec 3. Start of Spanish Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe. 5:30pm. St. Mary
Dec 4. Family Faith Formation. Nativity and Incarnation. 9:45am. St. Raymond
Dec 5. Knights of Columbus Meeting. 6:30pm Officers. 7pm General. St. Mary
Happy Thanksgiving! Our offices will be closed on Thursday Nov. 24th and Friday Nov. 25th. Additionally, we will not be having confession or adoration at St. Raymond’s on Nov. 24th. Have a great holiday and enjoy your feast!
Small Group Communities & Studies
For those of you looking to grow deeper in faith and community, consider one of our small groups offered through the Parish.
Join our Becoming Catholic (RCIA) group, that provides a place where you can listen to, consider, and explore God’s calling for the next step in your faith journey. The group meets twice a month to discuss a variety of topics surrounding our practice of faith and Christian living. There is no obligation to become Catholic by attending and simply provides a space to be uplifted by others and grow in your individual faith journey. For more information contact Michael Van Hemert at mvanhemert@smsrcatholic.com.
Men of the Beatitudes
Men of the Beatitudes is a group of men sharing their faith, holding one another accountable, and deepening their prayer life by experiencing the Beatitudes as a path to healing. If you are in need of fellowship and connection, contact Lucas Munns at munnsld@gmail.com.
Elizabeth Ministry
Women are welcome to join us to build community through fellowship and spiritual discussion. Evenings begin with wine, appetizers, and desserts provided by Elizabeth ministry. Ladies are welcome to contribute, but it is not necessary. For more information contact Liz Johnson.
Employment Opportunities
Administrative & Pastoral Coordinator (full-time, both parishes)
A full-time position that provides administrative support to our parish staff and provides welcoming and pastoral care to parishioners & guests. The position will coordinate our pastoral outreach programs, helping to reach those in our community that are homebound or in care facilities.
Director of Evangelization & Faith Formation (full-time, both parishes)
A full-time position that builds up, coordinates, and leads the parishes’ employees and teams into effective evangelization, especially the programs of Family Faith Formation, sacramental preparation, catechesis, and mystagogy.
Click here for the full job description.
Click here for the full job description.
Online Giving
Weekly Stewardship Made Easy. Donate Online or at Mass!
Estate Planning
There are many ways to financially invest in our communities. Would you prayerfully consider treating one of the parishes as one of your children in your will or estate planning? For more information contact Bonnie Firkus.