The 3rd Sunday of Lent; March 12, 2023
From Father Harmon...
Dear Friends:
Israel makes the same mistake in this weekend’s first reading, that we often make. The situation is that God has delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. However, they are now in the desert looking for water. Then, they begin to grumble and complain to Moses and they even go so far as to long for a return to Egypt. Essentially, their first impulse is to return to Egypt. They want to go back to the slavery which they know, rather than advance into the unknown while having to trust the providence of God. We often do this in our own lives. We make certain resolutions to pray a Holy hour, our confess or sins, or reform our lives. At first, this often goes very well. Then, however, we hit a period of dryness or a period of darkness. Our first impulse is often to give up and return to our comfortable, but less holy, way of life. We must resist this impulse. In order for Israel to reach the promised land, they had to go deeper into the desert. The same is true for us. When we hit dry spells, or periods of darkness in our spiritual lives, we must go deeper into the darkness. We must go deeper into the dryness. Then, we will come out on the other side and reach the promised land. By going deeper into the desert Israel learned to abandon themselves to Divine Promise and to humbly submit themselves to his Power and Will. Ultimately, they experienced the infinite abyss, which is the Goodness of God, when he brought them into the promised land. Likewise, when we enter deeper into the darkness or dryness of our spiritual lives, we learn to abandon ourselves to God. We learn to cling to him without reserve and to let go of our false securities. Ultimately, this also leads us to profoundly experience the sublime Providence, Power, and Love which God has for each one of us.
Readings for the week of March 5, 2023
Sunday: Ex 17:3-7/Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 (8)/Rom 5:1-2, 5-8/Jn 4:5-42
Monday: 2 Kgs 5:1-15ab/Ps 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4/Lk 4:24-30
Tuesday: Dn 3:25, 34-43/Ps 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9/Mt 18:21-35
Wednesday: Dt 4:1, 5-9/Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20/Mt 5:17-19
Thursday: Jer 7:23-28/Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9/Lk 11:14-23
Friday: Hos 14:2-10/Ps 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, 14 and 17/Mk 12:28-34
Saturday: Hos 6:1-6/Ps 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab/Lk 18:9-14
Next Sunday: 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 (1)/Eph 5:8-14/ Jn 9:1-41 or 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR GENEROUS DONATIONS TO THE GREEN TREE SNACK COLLECTION!
LENT 2023...
**After careful consideration, Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki has granted a dispensation for March 17, 2023, which lifts the obligation of abstinence from meat on Fridays during Lent so Catholics in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee can celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.
"The Transgender Movement: What Catholics Need to Know"
For Catholics 18 years or older
The Gospel reveals that the human person is made in the "image and likeness of God." There is an integral unity of body and soul that is fundamental to each human person. In opposition to the truths of the Catholic faith, "gender ideology" has been increasing throughout broader society. This presentation is being offered to Catholics looking to understand more about "gender ideology." We have invited the Person & Identity Project to present. PIP’s mission is to assist the Catholic Church in promoting the Catholic vision of the human person and responding to the challenges of gender ideology. Find out more information and how to register below:
General Presentation | Monday, March 27th | 7pm-9pm | Christ King Parish in Wauwatosa, WI
Spanish Presentation | Monday, March 27th | 7pm-9pm | Archdiocese of Milwaukee (MMCPC)
General Presentation | Tuesday, March 28th | 7pm-9pm | St. Francis Borgia Parish in Cedarburg, WI
SAVE-THE-DATE: March 26th following Masses: coffee/donuts and social with the Twinning group to share about their recent trip to Honduras.
PRAY, RECONCILE, AND REJOICE
On Wednesday, March 29, 2023, area priests will be available for the sacrament of reconciliation at 11 parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Our local parish is:
ST. PETER PARISH, SLINGER
200 E. Washington Street • 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
SUMMER UPDATE....SAINTS IN TRAINING
Please note that because of various construction projects, we will not be holding Saints In Training this summer. We encourage you to attend Totus Tuus at Saint Francis Borgia Parish in Cedarburg.
BEAUTIFUL OPPORTUNITY:
Have you ever attended the beautiful Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper? One of the traditions is to have Father wash the feet of several members of the parish, just as Jesus did at the Last Supper. Would you be interested in being a part of this beautiful tradition? Please contact Beth Habersetzer in the parish office to find out more.
OPERATION RICE BOWL
As we begin our Lenten journey, reflect on how your prayers, fasting and almsgiving can guide you. Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN USHER?
We would love to have you join us! Training Provided!
Please call the parish office for details.
SCRIP:
Is available after Sunday Masses.
CHURCH CLEANING:
Our next church cleaning is March 25 @ 7am. Many hands make light work. Questions about church cleaning please call Beth at the office.
FULL SHELF FOOD PANTRY:
Thank you for your support of the Full Shelf Food Pantry.
We will be highlighting a needed item each month.
March: Vegetable Oil and Spaghetti-O's
MINISTRY OF THE MONTH...GREEN TREE SCHOOL
Green Tree neighborhood School has the highest elementary enrollment in the district. St. Mary’s initial outreach (prior to Covid) was with a backpack/ school supply collection. After Covid, additional assistance was provided with needed winter clothing & snacks for the kids to take home for spring break. Going forward we hope to reserve August as the Green Tree school-supply month with any additional help on an as-needed basis. Contact Jean Franke for additional info.
Current urgent commitment needs:
Fridays at 7pm
Fridays at 7pm
PLEASE NOTE: The chapel will close at 4:00pm on Holy Thursday, April 6, and remain closed through Easter Sunday. The chapel will reopen at 9:00am on Monday, April 10.
During Saint Cyril's early years as a bishop, most likely around 350, he delivered a series of lectures to new initiates of the Catholic Church. Twenty-four of the lectures have survived and are studied today. Which pope praised the saint for providing an “integral” form of Christian instruction, “involving body, soul, and spirit.” St. Cyril's teaching, the Pope said, “remains emblematic for the catechetical formation of Christians today.
Pope John Paul II
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Pope Benedict XVI
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Pope Francis
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ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK'S QUESTION...
Saints Perpetua and Felicity died in the year 203.
Click the Logo Above to visit our web information about
this exciting and vibrant ministry with our friends in Honduras.
SAVE-THE-DATE: March 26th following Masses: coffee/donuts and social with the Twinning group to share about their recent trip to Honduras.
STAY CONNECTED WITH US!
A Ministry of the Catholic Parishes of Washington County that Educates and Empowers those with Special Needs in their Faith.
Click the Journey Logo for more info.
Mental Health Presentation
When: Monday, March 27 at 1 pm Where: Journey Room at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception School.
When: Monday, March 27 at 1 pm Where: Journey Room at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception School.
Please enter in the back of the school by Casa Guadalupe.
Presenter:
Kim Geisler, is the Leader of the St. Dymphna Mental Health Group of Washington County.
Presenter:
Kim Geisler, is the Leader of the St. Dymphna Mental Health Group of Washington County.
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS
HOLY ANGELS GIFTS FROM THE HEART RAFFLE & FAMOUS FISH FRY
33rd Gifts from the Heart Fundraiser and Famous Fish Fry at Holy Angels School on Friday March 17th from 4pm to 8pm. We are excited to have over 100 items generously donated by our school families, parish members, and many local and state businesses. Come enjoy an evening out with dinner and raffles at Holy Angels.
Love painting, drawing, photography, or graphic design? Submit your artwork for a chance to win the 2023 Pro-Life Wisconsin Art Contest for your grade. Winning entries will be printed as a prayer card and distributed in your church and through PLW. Learn more at ProLifeWI.org/prayer-card-contest.
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.
Grief Support Groups-
5th Avenue Methodist Church; 323 S. 5th Avenue in West Bend
First Thursday of the Month 6:30pm-8:00pm
Questions? Call 262-306-2691
or
FORMED.org offers a Catholic program titled
“Grieving with Hope” for free and can be done at home.
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
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
The Walk to Mary has become a pilgrimage like no other in the world. We start with St. Joseph (at the National Shrine of St. Joseph) and walk to Mary (at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help) to get to Jesus. Our annual pilgrimage has impacted lives and filled hearts with many blessings from the Holy Family.
The 21 mile walk spiritually prepares us for our destination – America’s only Church-approved Marian apparition site, where in 1859, the Blessed Mother appeared to Adele Brise on the site of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion, Wisconsin. CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE DETAILS
Normal Mass Schedule
Sundays: 7:30am, 9:30am
12:00pm (Español)
Tuesday through Friday: 6:15am
Sundays: 7:30am, 9:30am
12:00pm (Español)
Tuesday through Friday: 6:15am
*Signing for hearing impaired at the 9:30am Mass on the 2nd Sunday of the month
**Low-Gluten Hosts 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.
Normal Confessions and Adoration
Thursdays from 5:30pm-6:30pm
Thursdays from 5:30pm-6:30pm
Normal Parish Office Hours
Monday - Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 12Noon