The 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time; February 5, 2023
A Note from Father Harmon...
Every month, our SFC School Principal, Will Waech, focuses on one virtue. This admirable practice helps the kids grow morally and spiritually throughout the year. This month our school virtue is perseverance. It is a fitting virtue for the month of February because this tends to be a difficult month. February is cold, dark, and spills over into the penitential season of Lent. Hence, we must dig deep and persevere this month.
Perseverance, or steadfastness, as it used to be called, is defined as continuing in the right in the face of opposition. Notice that perseverance is continuing in doing the right thing. It is not virtuous to persevere in doing evil. Rather, continuing on in evil is obstinate and foolish. Thus, the virtue of perseverance presupposes that we have discerned that some action is right and just and we are going to pursue it even in the face of opposition. Opposition to what is right and just takes many forms. One form is simply fatigue. It is hard to get up and go to daily Mass on a merely human level. Some days we want to sleep in and rest. Yet, we understand that it is a noble practice to attend Mass daily and so we overcome our fatigue and get to Mass. Sometimes opposition to what is right and just comes externally from other people or from the world. The world, and even many people, oppose my promise of celibacy. Thus, I receive opposition from them in my pursuit of the heavenly virtue of perfect chastity. This opposition requires me to remain convicted of what is right and just, and to remain committed to my promise no matter what is said to me. Sometimes opposition to what is right and just can reach a fever-pitch and become dangerous to us. This was the case throughout much of history when it came to being Catholic. The early Church understood that they could be put to death for believing in Christ. They had to persevere in the faith of almost certain bodily danger because they knew that believing in Christ was right and just and worth dying for. Thus, they sacrificed temporal safety for an eternal world. Our modern world finds this hard to understand because we are obsessed with temporal safety and, sometimes, we even make the mistake of placing bodily safety over spiritual safety.
Throughout Sacred Scripture we are urged to practice the virtue of perseverance. Just as our Lord faced opposition from Satan and the world, so will we face opposition. The fact remains that being a Christian requires courage in the face of adversity. Before I was ordained I reflected upon the life of John Paul Jones. Jones was sort of the founder of the modern American Navy. When he was fighting in the Revolutionary War, he needed to find a ship. John Paul Jones stated that he wanted a ship that sailed fast, for he intended to sail into harm’s way and he wanted to get there quickly. That is a nice allegory of the priesthood and Christianity. They are ships that will take you in harm’s way, but will eventually lead you to the eternal port of the Kingdom of Heaven if one perseveres. As Bernard of Clairvoux once said, perseverance is the virtue which obtains the crown.
A few pics from Candle Mass and Saint Blaise Blessing this week...
Readings for the week of February 5, 2023
Sunday: Is 58:7-10/Ps 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (4a)/1 Cor 2:1-5/Mt 5:13-16
Monday: Gn 1:1-19/Ps 104:1-2a, 5-6, 10 and 12, 24 and 35c/Mk 6:53-56
Tuesday: Gn 1:20—2:4a/Ps 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9/Mk 7:1-13
Wednesday: Gn 2:4b-9, 15-17/Ps 104:1-2a, 27-28, 29bc-30/Mk 7:14-23
Thursday: Gn 2:18-25/Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5/Mk 7:24-30
Friday: Gn 3:1-8/Ps 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7/Mk 7:31-37
Saturday: Gn 3:9-24/Ps 90:2, 3-4abc, 5-6, 12-13/Mk 8:1-10
Next Sunday: Sir 15:15-20/Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34 (1b)/1 Cor 2:6-10/Mt 5:17-37
2024 Mass Intention Book
will not be open for scheduling Mass intentions until the Summer of 2023. Please watch the bulletin for updates.
Please keep the pilgrims who are journeying to the Holy Land in your prayers over the next two weeks for a fruitful pilgrimage and safe return.
PRAYER SHAWLS:
Prayer Shawls are available in baskets at church entrances as well as the church office. Prayer Pockets, a smaller version that can slip into your pocket and be used as a bookmark, are also available. If you would like to support this ministry, cash donations can be made at the church office.
Please call 262-573-6200 with questions. All levels of experience are welcome.
SCRIP STORE
The Scrip store is open on the first full weekend of every month, immediately following the Saturday 4:30pm Mass and the Sunday 10:30am Mass. Email scrip@wbparishes.org with any questions.
PARISH LIBRARY:
We have a great selection of books for checking out. We use a self-checkout process. Stop in the library anytime and check out a book!
FULL SHELF FOOD PANTRY:
Thank you for your support of the Full Shelf Food Pantry.
We will be highlighting a needed item each month.
FEBRUARY: MAC & CHEESE AND HAMBURGER HELPER
MINISTRY OF THE MONTH....
FAMILY PROMISE OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Family Promise helps homeless and low-income families in Washington County achieve sustainable independence. We provide food, shelter and support services for homeless families through the hands-on work of our many volunteers. We provide advice and advocacy for at-risk families to prevent their becoming homeless. And we educate people about poverty and the means to combat it.”
At Saint Frances Cabrini and Saint Mary’s, since we no longer host families for Family Promise, 4 times a year we collect items highly needed by the Family Promise families and clients. During 1 of those 4 times, we also will collect funds to donate to Family Promise. We have several volunteers that will collect the items and drive them to either the Family Promise headquarters or to Karl's Place. Please contact Cathy Spies (SFC) at 262-689-4153 or Barbara Extence (SMIC) at 262-334-5019 for more information.
LENT 2023....
Stations of the Cross on Fridays During Lent
12Noon at Holy Angels lead by Deacon Mark
6:30pm at Saint Mary’s Church lead by Father Harmon and followed by a reflection
Confessions
Tuesdays at 5:30pm and Saturdays at 8:30am at SFC
Thursdays at 5:30pm at Saint Mary’s
(including Eucharistic Adoration until 6:30pm)
Father Harmon’s Mass Series
Wednesdays during Lent (March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5)
6:30pm at Saint Frances Cabrini Church
Confessions
Tuesdays at 5:30pm and Saturdays at 8:30am at SFC
Thursdays at 5:30pm at Saint Mary’s
(including Eucharistic Adoration until 6:30pm)
Father Harmon’s Mass Series
Wednesdays during Lent (March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5)
6:30pm at Saint Frances Cabrini Church
The Archdiocese kicks off its Catholic Stewardship Appeal this week.
Materials should have arrived in your mailboxes, but donation envelopes are also available at the church exits today.
Current urgent commitment needs:
Thursdays at 3am
Fridays at 11pm
To whom did Mary appear in Lourdes, France and pass along the message to repent and trust in her son, Jesus?
Lucia dos Santos
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St. Bernadette Soubirous
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Francisco and Jacinta Marto
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ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK'S QUESTION...
- Jesus was 40 days old at the Presentation in the Temple.
STAY CONNECTED WITH US!
We have started collecting donations for our upcoming silent auction. It's getting exciting! If you're interested in making a donation, or if you know of a business that would like to donate something, please download our donation form. Thank you!
We had a great Catholic Schools Week. The kids had a blast with the dress-up days. They enjoyed making thank you cards for veterans, and for the police and fire departments. The three area Catholic schools, Cabrini, Holy Angels and Holy Trinity came together on Tuesday for a beautiful Mass and special activities. The West Bend Color Guard did a flag presentation for the school. And everyone in the school, students and staff, brought in boxes of Mac and Cheese that will be donated to the food pantry. But first, we had a lot of fun making a domino maze with them in the gym.
Congratulations to Mrs. Katie Wolfe, who was presented with this year's Mother Cabrini Award this morning. The criteria for the award include: perseverance, missionary zeal, simplicity and educational mission.
Journey Mass
Sunday, February 19th
9:30am
Saint Mary's Church
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS
Pancake Breakfast-Speaker Anne Haines-Peace and All Good Products
At Holy Angels on February 11 & 12
Anne Haines, the founder and Executive Director of St. Bakhita Catholic Worker
House in Milwaukee, and the Franciscan Peacemakers, will be at Holy Angels on February
11 & 12. Anne will be speaking before all the weekend Masses. “Peace and All
Good” will be selling their handcrafted merchandise in the carport before and after all
the Masses. After Saturday’s Mass, we invite you to join Anne in the church basement
for cake and coffee. A Pancake Breakfast, benefiting St. Bakhita House, will be held
Sunday from 8:00am to 12:30pm in the church basement.
Saint Bakhita Catholic Worker House, in partnership with Franciscan Peacemakers
Clare Community, helps provide supportive community housing for women who are
survivors of sexual exploitation. Women making that transition benefit from the spiritual
nourishment and community building that are part of the Catholic Worker tradition.
Please join us in supporting St. Bakhita House and the Franciscan Peacemakers in
their missions to serve the poor and marginalized, on Saturday February 11th and Sunday
February 12th.
The Clothes Closet
at Salem UCC, Wayne; just north of the HwyH/Cty Rd W intersection.
Everything is FREE: Clothing from infant to adult sizes.
Open Alternating Mondays 9:30-11am
2nd Thursdays 3:30-5pm
1st and 3rd Saturdays 10:30-12noon
Call 262-665-2367.
Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity
invite Catholic Single Women 20-35 to discern and discover in-person or on-line. For more information visit https://fscc-calledtobe.org or call/text Sister Julie Ann at 920-323-9632.
Casa Guadalupe Volunteer Opportunities
Read to Succeed, Childcare, and Homework Help needed.
Contact http://www.casaguadalupeonline.org/ to learn more.
Interfaith Caregivers-Connecting Seniors with Caring Volunteers.
This organization provides local opportunities for both volunteers and recipients. They bring non-medical care, such as light housekeeping, grocery shopping, transportation, or just a friendly visit to Seniors who could benefit from resources necessary to remain independent. To register as a volunteer or recipient,
call them at 262-365-0902.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter-
Promotes experiences for couples who want to make their good marriage even better. Visit http://www.wwme.org/ for details.
Retrouvaille-Help for your Marriage
Please call (414) 502-7685 or email: Milwaukee@HelpOurMarriage.org or visit the website at http://www.HelpOurMarriage.org
Grief Support Groups-
FORMED.org offers a Catholic program titled
“Grieving with Hope” for free and can be done at home.
St. Dymphna Mental Health Group
1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 1pm
Saint Mary's of the Hill Parish
Contact Kim Geisler at 262-229-0821 or mikey28.max@gmail.com
*Be sure to search for Saint Mary's Immaculate Conception Parish as this is our shared account.
Normal Mass Schedule
Monday through Saturday: 8:00am
Saturday Anticipatory: 4:30pm
Sunday: 8:00am, 10:30am, 6:00pm
Normal Confession Schedule
Tuesdays 5:30pm and
Saturdays following the 8:00am Mass
Normal Parish Office Hours
Monday through Saturday: 8:00am
Saturday Anticipatory: 4:30pm
Sunday: 8:00am, 10:30am, 6:00pm
Normal Confession Schedule
Tuesdays 5:30pm and
Saturdays following the 8:00am Mass
Normal Parish Office Hours
Monday - Thursday 8am - 4pm
**Hearing Assistance Available
An induction loop system is provided for hearing device users.
To use, turn your hearing device to the "T" setting or request a loop receiver from an user.
**Low-Gluten Hosts Available
Low-gluten Hosts are available at Mass for persons with this specific medical need. Present yourself to the priest-celebrant at any Mass by coming for Communion at the very end of the Communion line as the last communicant. Inform the priest as you approach him for Communion that you need a low-gluten Host.
Adoration Chapel (located off the South Narthex entrance)
7pm Sundays through 8am Saturday
(please see the parish office for entry code after 7pm)
SFC Prayer Group
Rosary is prayed Monday through Saturday at 7:30am in the church.
Rosary is prayed Monday through Saturday at 7:30am in the church.
This group also prays the Divine Mercy Chaplet following the 8:00am Mass.
Rosary on Sunday at 10am. Vespers on Tuesday evenings at 6pm.