Update from Finance, Building & Grounds
Bonnie Firkus
Director of Finance, Building & Grounds
This is the time of the year where all of God’s nature comes alive again. It has been an interesting year watching the birds migrate through Wisconsin. There are several species you rarely see in the feeders, but their food sources have been slight. This year we were blessed with evening grossbeaks throughout the winter months, I am waiting to see which birds will appear this spring. I personally am still waiting to see the orioles and hummingbirds. I have to be patient with God’s nature.
Both parishes are busy planning the budgets for next year, which makes my life busier too. It is always a challenge to prepare a meaningful budget for the upcoming year. The Director’s are once again helping prepare the budgets for their areas. We have a few new directors which will need guidance on how we prepare a budget here. We have been very blessed in the past to turn our net income/loss goals into a
better profit for the year.
It has been nice to see all of the people growing in faith and receiving the Sacraments of Initiation. Starting with the Easter Vigil, Baptisms, First Holy Communion and finishing with Confirmation, all are blessed to have God growing in their lives now and in the future. Thank you to all of the staff and volunteers who help with preparing these faith lives and their journey to become closer to God. Our parish is blessed with having all of your help.
Enjoy the warmer weather. God bless.
Bonnie Firkus
Director of Finance, Building & Grounds
Friday Feature
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact: Daniel Gutierrez, Director of Evangelization and Faith Formation at dgutierrez@SMSRCatholic.com
St. Raymond Baby Bottle Fundraiser
After Mass on Mother's Day weekend, please take home a baby bottle, put your spare change in it, and bring it back on Father's Day weekend to help support the lifesaving efforts of the Eau Claire County Chapter of Wisconsin Right to Life. A portion of the donations will go to the APPLE Pregnancy Care Center, and another portion will remain with St. Raymond parish to purchase pro-life materials for our library.
Mother's Day Rose Sale
The Eau Claire County Chapter of Wisconsin Right to Life is holding its annual Rose Sale after the Masses at St. Mary on Mother’s Day weekend. The beauty and delicacy of the rose reminds us of the dignity of each human life; its red color and thorns reminds us of the untold lives lost to abortion. Please consider purchasing a rose for the special woman in your life or in memory of that special person. Suggested donation: $3 each or two for $5.
St. Raymond Extraordinary Minister Training
At St. Raymond on Sunday, May 21st at 9:30am there will be a training for all current and new extraordinary ministers serving at St. Raymond. We will especially be reviewing the process of distributing the Blood of Christ. Please come to the training and invite anyone you know who may be interested in becoming an extraordinary minister. If you have any questions, please contact Nan Falbo at tnfalbo@charter.net or 715-450-5212.
St. Raymond Server Training
Inviting all St. Raymond Servers (and Attendants) to a server training refresher. A special invitations to anyone, young and old, interested in learning more about serving the Mass. Please tell anyone who wants to learn more about this important ministry. At St. Raymond on Sunday, May 21st at 9:30am.
Schedule Online! St. Mary’s Photo Dates: Tue-Sat, May 16-20 | St. Raymond: Mon-Thurs, May 22-25
To schedule your photography appointment online, simply click the button below. Or go to www.ucdir.com & click the “Photography Appointment Scheduling Login” button.
For St. Mary’s, enter wi260 in the “Church Code” field.
For St. Raymond, enter wi261 in the "Church Code" field.
Enter photos in the “Church Password” field for either one.
Note: The Church Code & Password are case sensitive. Follow the prompts to schedule your family’s appointment time. If you have 6 or more in your family, please use 2 time slots. The online scheduling option may not be available Saturday or Sunday because we will be doing paper sign-ups at Mass on selected weekends.
City of Altoona roadwork affecting travel to and from St. Mary Parish
The city of Altoona will be repaving selected roads starting the week of May 7th.
Sections of roads to be repaved include:
1. S. Wilson Drive, from Bartlett Avenue to Spooner Avenue
2. 4th Street West, from Bartlett Avenue to Spooner Avenue
3. 2nd Street East, from Garfield Avenue to Lynn Avenue
Construction will consist of removal and replacement of the asphaltic pavement. The roadway will not be fully closed during these activities, but there will be limited times when traffic will be impeded. There will be NO PARKING during critical stages. The duration of the work is intended to be brief, and the City appreciates your patience.
Upcoming Events:
May 6. First Saturday Devotions. 7:30am. St. Mary
May 7. First Holy Communion. All Masses
May 7. First Holy Communion. All Masses
May 8. KC Meeting 7pm. St. Raymond
May 9. Catechism in a Year Discussion Group. 9am. St. Mary
May 10. Parish Ensemble. 6:30pm. St. Raymond
May 10. Confirmation: Reconciliation Service. 6:30pm. St. Mary
May 11. Spanish Choir Rehearsal. 4:30pm. St. Mary
May 11. PCCW Monthly Meeting. 6pm. St. Raymond
May 13. Confirmation Mass. 1pm. Immaculate Conception
May 10. Confirmation: Reconciliation Service. 6:30pm. St. Mary
May 11. Spanish Choir Rehearsal. 4:30pm. St. Mary
May 11. PCCW Monthly Meeting. 6pm. St. Raymond
May 13. Confirmation Mass. 1pm. Immaculate Conception
May 13 & 14. Marriage Blessings at Masses
May 14. Hospitality Sunday. 9:30am. St. Raymond
May 14. Social Sunday. Noon to 1pm. St. Mary
May 16. Catechism in a Year Discussion Group. 9am. St. Mary
May 14. Hospitality Sunday. 9:30am. St. Raymond
May 14. Social Sunday. Noon to 1pm. St. Mary
May 16. Catechism in a Year Discussion Group. 9am. St. Mary
May 16-20. Photo Directory Appointments. St. Mary
May 17. Parish Ensemble. 6:30pm. St. Raymond
May 17. CPR and AED Training. 6:30pm. St. Raymond
May 18. Elizabeth Ministry Ladies Night Out. 6pm. St. Mary
May 17. Parish Ensemble. 6:30pm. St. Raymond
May 17. CPR and AED Training. 6:30pm. St. Raymond
May 18. Elizabeth Ministry Ladies Night Out. 6pm. St. Mary
May 21. Extraordinary Minister Training. 9:30am. St. Raymond
May 21. Server Training. 9:30am. St. Raymond
May 22-25. Photo Directory Appointments. St. Raymond
May 21. Server Training. 9:30am. St. Raymond
May 22-25. Photo Directory Appointments. St. Raymond
May 23. Catechism in a Year Discussion Group. 9am. St. Mary
May 25. Coffee Community. 8:45am. St. Raymond
May 30. Catechism in a Year Discussion Group. 9am. St. Mary
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.
St. Mary’s Parish Library. Every Tuesday through the end of May 9-10am. Are you following the Catechism in a Year Podcast? Join us for accountability and community as we journey together through the beauty of our Church's teachings. Drop in any Tuesday that works for you. No registration necessary. Contact Maryjo Frank with
questions: mdtimme@rocketmail.com or (715) 563-3808
Employment Opportunities
Administrative Coordinator: Are you skilled at working with spreadsheets? Love dotting "i"s and crossing "t"s? Our parishes are looking for a friendly and detail-oriented person to join the staff team as our new, part-time Administrative Coordinator. This position provides administrative support to our parishes, priests, and staff members by expertly managing spreadsheets, databases, schedules, forms, and critical records, enabling a variety of parish projects to run smoothly. After all, good administration is a ministry in and of itself! To learn more, click here to read the full position description. If you feel like God might be calling you to serve St. Mary's and St. Raymond's in this support role, please e-mail your resume to Michael Van Hemert, Director of Pastoral Ministry, at mvanhemert@smsrcatholic.com.
Director of Music and Liturgy: St. Mary and St. Raymond Parishes are now hiring for a Full-Time (32h) position of Director of Music and Liturgy. Position Overview: To provide outstanding leadership and teambuilding in all areas of liturgical ministry, particularly sacred music – all with a view to leading disciples into deeper conversion and fellowship, while ensuring that the parishes’ liturgical celebrations are uplifting and deeply prayerful. To apply, send your resume and cover letter to Fr. Derek Sakowski: DSakowski@diolclergy.org
Click here for the full job description.
Click here for the full job description.
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.
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.