May 30, 2021 – Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Dear Friends,
Peace of Christ! I pray that you have an opportunity to rest and relax on this Memorial Day weekend. Know of our prayers for safe travels if you will be out of town.
Our celebration of Pentecost last weekend marked the end of the Easter Season. Though we enter once again into Ordinary Time, these next two Sundays are a rich continuation of the mysteries of Easter. This Sunday, Trinity Sunday, offers us an opportunity to contemplate our God who was revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Next Sunday, often known as “Corpus Christi” Sunday (the Body and Blood of our Lord), allows us to reflect on the great gift of the most Holy Eucharist.
This Friday, June 4th, is the 8th grade graduation of our Catholic East scholars. Congratulations and know of our best wishes as you move on to high school! So much was accomplished in this most unusual of years and we are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate. Many thanks to our principal, Mr. Tony Gonzalez, and our wonderful faculty and staff for the great work they have done.
Lastly, next week I will be out of the office on vacation, spending time with my priest friends up in the northwoods of Wisconsin. Many thanks to Fr. Tim for the opportunity to be away! Know of my prayers and many blessings on this next week.
Sincerely, with love,
Fr. John
May 23, 2021 – Pentecost Sunday
Dear Friends,
Back in the days of the 1960’s, Holy Rosary Church used to have a big birthday party on Pentecost weekend to celebrate the birthday of the Church. It was groovy! (smile)
We know that indeed the Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, received new energy and a huge variety of diverse gifts to send out to a broken world the message of the saving victory of Jesus Christ over sin and death. However, Christ’s action after the Resurrection points not to balloons and cake or an easy pie-in-the-sky experience. Rather he points to his wounded hands and side given to him on the Cross.
Needless to say this has been a wounded time for all of us in the pains and struggles of a year that has moved us to tears! So many new wounds, so many old wounds…
As we pray for rebirth of hope and a renewed time of love and service to our broken Church and world, we claim our woundedness not as a sign of defeat, but as a challenge to work with Christ in whatever way we can to make our own wounded lives and the wounds of our Church, nation and world, the very seedbed of new birth!
Happy Re-Birthday!
Sincerely, with love,
Fr. Tim
May 16, 2021 – Seventh Sunday of Easter
Dear Friends,
Peace of Christ and Happy Easter!
These final days of the Easter Season are an invitation to open our hearts anew to the gift of the Holy Spirit. Traditionally, the Solemnity of the Ascension would have been celebrated this past Thursday, allowing for 9 days of prayer and preparation for the Feast of Pentecost and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In our Gospel for the Ascension this Sunday, the evangelist Mark tells us that “the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God” (Mk 16:19). This beautiful event is also a reminder of how Jesus’ invitation is a movement upwards. Up out of sin and darkness, up out of our shame and guilt, up out of others’ expectations for us, and into the peace and joy of life with God. This week, how can we help others to move upwards and turn their gaze to heaven? A smile, a prayer, a little act of kindness, or the words “I’m sorry” could change the course of another’s day.
In the church, the Sacraments are privileged encounters with God’s grace that lead us into this upward movement towards our heavenly homeland. Congratulations to Fr. Michael Malucha, Fr. Timothy Schumaker, and Fr. Michael Lawinger who were ordained to priesthood for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee this weekend! Congratulations as well to our high school students who were Confirmed this weekend! Thanks to Nino Rebholz, our UPLIFT formation team, catechists, and sponsors for all of their hard work and preparation.
Know of our prayers and support! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to either Fr. Tim or me if we can ever be of assistance in any way. I pray that in this week we may continue to open our hearts anew to the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Sincerely, with love,
Fr. John
May 9, 2021 – Sixth Sunday of Easter
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.” The Gospel of St. John, ch. 15
Dear Friends,
As we continue to move forward in hope rooted in faith that God is always with us, let us remember this Mother’s Day weekend and the approaching days of the Ascension and Pentecost that joy is a gift we receive not a product we buy or earn.
With a very difficult year having passed, it is easy to say to ourselves we have to work harder in order to be happy. But for the Christian, we need to see that Jesus doesn’t give us joy because of what we do, but because of who he is.
We need to deepen our relationship with him to deepen all our relationships in love. Then the world will be transformed not by our efforts but by his loving power! And every effort of ours then becomes not an exhausting task, but an exciting challenge to spread the Good News of God’s Kingdom of peace, justice, love!
Sincerely, with love,
Fr. Tim
May 2, 2021 – Fifth Sunday of Easter
“Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Dear Friends
Happy Easter! The above words of Jesus from this Sunday’s Gospel remind us of our utter dependence on Him in all things. Each day of life is a gift and the mystery of how our lives unfold is a beautiful plan known only to God. Made in the image and likeness of God, we are made to be in communion, in relationship with Him.
One of the important moments as Catholics in this lifetime of growing in communion with God is our celebration of First Holy Communion each year. Congratulations to our little ones who receive First Holy Communion this Sunday at SS Peter & Paul! Congratulations to those who received this beautiful sacrament for the first time on April 24 at Three Holy Women – St. Hedwig.
All of the efforts of our lay staff are aimed at bringing us into communion with God and each other through the many ministries in our family of parishes. I am so grateful for all that they do! In a particular way, I would like to offer a public word of thanks to Theresa Griesel, who serves as our Communications Administrator. Among other things, Theresa oversees our websites, weekly e-mail newsletter, and has put in much time and effort to make our recent e-mail transition possible. Much of our efforts to do ministry virtually in this last year were made possible by her work. Thanks, Theresa! We’re grateful to both you and your husband, Chad (our Pastoral Associate), for all that you do.
Have a blessed week everyone! Love God, love your neighbor, and I pray that our efforts will bear fruit, fruit that will remain.
Sincerely, with love,
Fr. John
