MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
December 2019 | Issue IV
- December is the month of the Immaculate Conception -
In Our Community...
On Tuesday, Nov. 5 the community gathered for stories and discussion as the four priests of our community, Rev. Patrick Heppe, Rev. Harry Buzbuzian, Rev. Jorge Perez, and Rev. Chuck Wrobel shared stories about their journey into priesthood and vocation discernment.
A Message from Our Pastor:
Catholic Community of Waukesha Response to School Shootings
We pray for one another...
Request a Prayer
for yourself or a loved one in need - these requests will be prayed for at the city wide staff meeting by our staff and priests.
for yourself or a loved one in need - these requests will be prayed for at the city wide staff meeting by our staff and priests.
Become a Prayer Champion
Join our new CCWauk email prayer chain. When you receive the weekly email and prayer, pause for a few minutes and pray. Click the button to be added to the Flocknote Prayer Champion group.
We grow and learn together...
STAY UP TO DATE WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY
VIEW UPCOMING EVENTS
December is the month of
The Immaculate Conception
Mass for the Immaculate Conception
Monday, 7:45 am @ St. William.
The Church taught of the Immaculate Conception for ages, but it was in 1854 that Pope Pius IX officially proclaimed that the Blessed Virgin Mary “in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin.”
This teaching refers to the conception of Mary in the womb of St. Anne, her mother. Redemption was applied to our Blessed Mother from conception, by the merits of Jesus Christ, her son — a truly awe-inspiring reality. Preserved from original sin, Mary has been called “our tainted nature’s solitary boast,” in the words of the great poet William Wordsworth.
Read More from Aletia.com
10 Ways to honor the Immaculate Conception
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
(Not a Holy Day of Obligation This Year)
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, falls on a Sunday this year, which also happens to be the Second Sunday of Advent. The liturgy of the solemnity transfers to Monday, December 9; however, the obligation to attend Mass is lifted this year as the obligation does not transfer with the date.
Because the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is the Patronal Feast of the United States of America, only when the solemnity falls on a Sunday is the obligation to attend Mass lifted.
Evening Masses (those scheduled after 4:00 p.m.) on Sunday, December 8, will also use the liturgy for the Second Sunday of Advent. There is no December 8th Mass of Anticipation for the Solemnity.
Likewise, Evening Prayer II (Vespers) on December 8 is for the Second Sunday of Advent. The optional December 9, Memorial of Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, is omitted this year.
The story behind...
ADVENT WREATHS
Traditionally, Advent wreaths are constructed of a circle of evergreen branches into which four candles are inserted, representing the four weeks of Advent. Ideally, three candles are purple and one is rose, but white candles can also be used.
The purple candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and good works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas.
The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of his second coming to judge the living and the dead.
from United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Do Small Things with Great Love..
Call to Family, Community, and Participation
During December, Formation students are focusing on the Call to Family, Community, and Participation as presented through Catholic social teaching. This theme focuses on the person as both sacred and social. As members of families and communities, we are called to share in Christ’s mission to love and serve all. It is our right and duty to participate in society, to seek the common good and well-being of all.
This month we celebrate the feast day of the prime example of a family unit, the Holy Family. This day, December 29, commemorates the life shared by Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as well as their continued “yes” to God’s call. The feast of the Holy Family is also a day to celebrate our own families, our human and spiritual family members. We focus on making Christ the center of our families through participation in Mass and the sacraments.
Within the Catholic Community of Waukesha, we have a unique opportunity to answer the call to community. As we share our resources and come together for sacraments, celebrations, and service opportunities, we are able to grow our Catholic family and answer the call to welcome, love, and serve all. This month, talk with your family about how you can help to cultivate a sense of responsibility for building a society which recognizes and protects the dignity of every person. How does your participation in the Catholic Community of Waukesha enable you to contribute to the creation of a global community which celebrates God’s vision of justice?
Serve Others...
'Tis the season of giving... and there's no better feeling than giving to those less fortunate than us. Help our mission of serving the poor and hungry by participating in one of the many great projects happening all around our community!
St Joseph Advent Giving Tree
Giving Tree tags will benefit the Hope Center and Life’s Connection this year. There are even tags on the bottom of the tree for children! Please take a moment to select an item from the tree to help these worthy organizations during Advent.
Christmas Meals
The Light of the World has Come: Christmas Eve Meal at St. Joseph
December 24th from 4-7pm in the St. Joseph gym.
All are welcome!!
The meal is being sponsored by The Catholic Community of Waukesha and the Mukwonago Family Restaurant. The restaurant will be providing the food and 14 people to manage the organization of the meal. We will need volunteers to set up tables, chairs and decorations (starting at 2:30pm), clean tables during the meal time (4pm-7pm) and a crew to take down the tables, chairs, garbage, etc. (should be completed by 8pm). Please call St. Joseph Church 542-2589 and leave your name and phone number.
Christmas Day Meals
Wednesday, December 25, parishioners from St. William and other area churches will again be preparing and delivering FREE dinners to anyone in the Waukesha County area who may be in need this holiday season. We will also be asking for donations of homemade Christmas cookies to share with the meal recipients. The cookies can be brought to the St. William glass lobby or parish office anytime starting the week of December 15. Also, if you are interested in helping with the meal program, contact Marcia Slowinski at 262-798-1520. Please help us to serve those whose hunger for food and friendship are so much greater than our own. Thank you for your caring and generosity!
Toy Drives
St. John Neumann, St. Mary, and St. William will hold toy collection drives to benefit the families served by the Christmas Clearing Council of Waukesha County (CCC). Toys can be brought in this weekend. At St. John Neumann, place your toys in the red CCC barrels, at St. William, gifts should be placed at the foot of the altar, and at St. Mary, parishioners are asked to participate in the traditional Empty Stocking collection. This year, the CCC is making a special appeal for gift cards for teens. Gift cards in the amounts of $10, $15 and $25 to Target, Kohl’s or Walmart are appreciated. Secure boxes for the gift cards are available at all three parishes. Note: Most needed items this year include sleeping bags, books in English or bilingual for children up to age eleven, riding toys for toddlers, waterproof mittens and gloves, and STEM-related science or craft kits.
Christmas Food Baskets
St. John Neumann Vincentians will have a small Christmas tree on the Gathering Space table. You will find lists of food items needed for small or large families. Many of our parishioners like to purchase the entire food basket for a family. If you choose to take one of the lists, please sign your name and phone number on the form. Please return the baskets by the weekend of December 15. Drivers needed. We will need drivers to deliver the Christmas Food Baskets. December 22, 11:30 am - Please meet in Neumann Hall.
SCRIPT Gift Cards
Gift cards are available through the SCRIP program. Remember when you purchase products with SCRIP, you support our parishes and Waukesha Catholic. Stop by the SCRIP table after Mass this weekend and stock up on cards for Christmas Clearing Council, St. Nick’s stockings, and of course, Christmas. There are plenty of grocery store and gas cards available too
Season of Giving Blood Drive
December 16 3:00 -7:00 pm - St. John Neumann. Give the gift of life this season by donating blood to your local blood bank.
To make appointment visit bit.ly/sjndec2019 or contact Ronan at james@att.net. Appointments are encouraged. Walk-ins are also welcome.
For your Information...
Holiday Office Hours
Parishes offices will be closed December 24th and 25th, and December 31st and January 1st in observance of the Christmas and New Year Holidays.
Giving
During this season of giving- don't forget to add your parish to your list. Whether you prefer on a computer, tablet, smartphone or envelopes, helping your parish accomplish its mission goals has become easier than ever. LEARN MORE
Waukesha Catholic Visioning Presentation
The information and dialogue sessions are completed and approximately 375 parishioners participated. The purpose of the meetings was to present a draft proposal for Waukesha Catholic to downsize from three to two campuses. This move is prompted by the reduction in subsidy from the parishes, the age and deferred maintenance of the St. Joseph campus, the necessity to streamline costs and eliminate redundancies.
Tuesday, December 17 in St. William Parish Hall
Join us for a follow up meeting and discussion of next steps.
MASS TIMES GIVING BULLETIN & MORE...
