Sunday, November 24th, 2024 – The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Dear Sisters and Brothers, Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King, the last Sunday of the 2024 liturgical year. We will begin a new Church year next weekend when we enter the Season of Advent. Because I am still relatively new to the Family of Five Parishes, you may not know what I do aside from celebrating Mass. So, let me share with you some of the projects I will be working on in the new Church year:
- I am already working with Fr. Tim, Chad Griesel, and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee to renew our parish pastoral councils. Many of the structures and norms for pastoral councils have changed in recent years. This renewal will ensure that our councils are up to date and in line with archdiocesan expectations. This will take some formation for all our parishioners before we get these off the ground. We are looking to discern new members this spring, with the councils set to meet in August. Stay tuned.
- Trevor Beach, our FFP Director of Evangelization, and I will pilot the ALPHA Series in the new year. We will begin the first week of February and conclude early in Holy Week. ALPHA brings people together and helps them grow in their desire to know and follow Jesus more deeply through a meal, presentation, and smallgroup conversation. ALPHA is used around the world in both Catholic and other Christian communities, and I have seen the fruit it can produce. Our first task will be to form a prayer team that will pray for the participants and leaders before the series begins and while it takes place. You will be hearing more about this soon.
- Over the past few months, I have also been invited to speak at other parishes about addiction and recovery. It is time for me to do that for our five parishes, and I will do so in the year ahead.
On behalf of Fathers Tim, Carlos, and Joseph and our entire Family of Five Pastoral Staff, I would like to extend to you and your families our prayers and best wishes for a happy, blessed, and safe Thanksgiving celebration. All of us are most grateful for each and every one of you.
With my love,
Fr. Brian
Sunday, November 17th, 2024 – Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Happy Sunday!
November is devoted to praying for the dead, one of the corporal works of mercy. As we approach the end of the liturgical year, we are reminded of the end times. We have all lost people in our lives. It is important to pray for their souls. We have hope in heaven but are invited to pray for those who are in purgatory on their journey to heaven.
How can we pray for the dead this month? There are a lot of options and here are a few:
- Visit a cemetery as a family
- Offer a rosary for a loved one who has passed away
- Have a Mass offered for your loved one (contact the parish offices to have Masses offered)
- End your meals by praying for the dead using the following prayer, “Eternal rest, grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.”.
I encourage you to spend time as a family growing in holiness through participating in this corporal work of mercy. Have a great month!
God Bless,
Fr. Joseph
Sunday, November 10th, 2024 – Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
PRAISED BE JESUS CHRIST FOR OUR NEW ARCHBISHOP!
Dear Friends,
His Holiness Pope Francis announced his choice for the 12th Archbishop of Milwaukee on November 4, 2024. Our new Archbishop is the Most Reverend Jeffrey S. Grob.
With thanks to God for his care in sending us a new shepherd, let us pray for Archbishop-Designate Grob as the ten southeastern counties of Christ’s Vineyard continue to live the mission of Jesus in bringing God’s love to all, in governing, teaching, sanctifying through the efforts of wonderful parishes!
The installation of the new Archbishop is January 14 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Archbishop Listecki will continue to serve as Apostolic Administrator until then. We are so grateful for his time here, and assure him of our continued prayers and support and love as he moves to a well-earned retirement!
More information about our new Archbishop can be found at the Archdiocesan website: www.archmil.org.
A Prayer on the Appointment of a New Archbishop
Eternal God, source of every gift and talent,
Through your Son Jesus Christ,
You grant to us your blessings
That the Church might be nourished and strengthened,
Bless your servant Jeffrey Scott Grob,
the next Archbishop of Milwaukee.
Confer upon him the gifts of your Spirit
That he may remain humble in heart and generous in love
As he serves the Church.
Bring us all into the peace of your kingdom,
Where all honor and glory are yours,
Lord our God,
Forever and ever. Amen.
Sunday, November 3rd, 2024 – Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends,
We began the month of November celebrating all the Saints on November 1 and then we commemorated all the faithful departed the next day, November 2. Both celebrations bring to our attention the reality that, as St. Therese of the Child Jesus says, “the world is thy ship not thy destination”.
We are all pilgrims on this earth, journeying towards eternal happiness in God. As Christians, we are encouraged to look towards the end not with fear, but with hope. In the face of the challenges of this world we do not despair, for our faith teaches us that these too shall pass.
The consideration of eternity should also strengthen our commitment to work towards a better present here and
now, especially for those who struggle in life or are in pain.
This month of November, as we thank God for the witness of the Saints and pray for the repose of the faithful
departed, we also pray for the gift of peace of heart and mind, knowing that, as Saint Julian of Norwich once said, in the end “all shall be well”.
