THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT – DECEMBER 17, 2017

A People Called CHURCH AND SCHOOL ST. PAUL CATHOLIC

ST. PAUL EUCHARISTIC

CELEBRATIONS Tuesday 8:00am Mass

Friday 8:45am Mass

Saturday 5:30pm Mass

Sunday 9:00am Mass

Reconciliation 2nd & 4th Saturday 10:00am

St. Paul Mission Statement

As a welcoming faith community centered in the Eucharist and guided by the Holy Spirit, our mission is to give glory to our Lord Jesus

Christ through:

Inspirational Worship Faithful Discipleship

Service to Others

Parish Office PO Box 95 Hwy. D & 83 Genesee Depot, WI 53127 Tel. 262/968-3865 Fax. 262/968-5546

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm

Religious Ed: 262/968-2276

School: 262/968-3175

Website: www.stpaulgenesee.net

Email: office@stpaulgenesee.net

Welcome to the congregation of

St. Paul Catholic Church. We are glad you joined us.

Regular weekend Mass St. Paul at 9:00 a.m. & St. Bruno at 10:30 a.m. Christmas Eve at St. Paul 4:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m. Christmas Eve at St. Bruno 4:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.

St. Paul at 9:00 a.m. & St. Bruno at 10:30 a.m.

Monday, January 1 St. Bruno at 9:00 a.m.

Regular weekend Mass St. Paul at 9:00 a.m. & St. Bruno at 10:30 a.m.

Celebrating Parish Life

Baptised in Christ: Savannah Lee, child of Charles and Claudia Wiggins

2

Weekly

Message

A Place For You Welcome! Maybe you have been away from the Church for a little while or for quite some time, but now you feel a tug at your heart calling you back to the Catholic Church. Listen to that tug. It’s your Heavenly Father reaching His arms out to you, the Holy Spirit whispering in your ear, hoping to draw you home.

We hope you accept this as your invitation to rediscover the truth, wonder and mystery of the Catholic faith. As your brothers and sisters in our worldwide Catholic family, we want you back. We’ve missed you, and our Parish is not the same without you.

If you are a practicing Catholic and have decided to make St. Paul your church home, simply call 262-968-3865, come by or visit www.stpaulgenesee.net to get registered.

The Holidays are almost here, which means there are several early bulletin due dates coming up. This year, we are coordinating these

dates with St. Bruno’s, in order to make things easier on

Fr. Dan. Thank you in advance for your help!

Early Bulletin Due Dates

Due Date Bulletin Dec 11 Dec 31 Dec 21 Jan 7

Letter from the Archbishop

And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the

angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and

on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2: 13-14

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Do you know what I consider to be the best thing about Christ-

mas? The fact that it doesn’t have to end. Christmas should not

just be another passing holiday. The birth of Christ allows us to

live out the spirit of Christmas each and every day. We can do this

by treasuring the gift of God’s love on a daily basis.

This year, my Christmas wish for you is to work towards a deeper

and more intimate relationship with our Lord. How can you do

this? Make prayer the highlight of your day, commit to read the

Bible regularly, devote time to attend Mass, go to Confession,

care for those entrusted in you and help others in need.

There are many faith-filled opportunities within the Archdiocese

of Milwaukee to cultivate and strengthen your relationship with

Christ – it is simply a matter of choosing and seeking.

May the peace, joy, and love of the Holy Family be present in

your lives each day of the New Year.

I Am, Sincerely Yours in Christ, Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki Archbishop of Milwaukee

Holiday Parish Office Hours Friday, December 22nd - Parish Office closes at noon Monday, December 25th - Parish Office closed

Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 26th - Parish Office closed Monday, January 1st - Parish Office closed

2018 Calendars NOW available after masses.

CATHOLIC QUOTES - WORDS TO INSPIRE THE FAITHFUL

When it is the depth and power of God that stirs, is there any-thing of which love is incapable? -Fr. Raniero Cantalamesa

The Alpha course will be offered again at St.

Bruno and St. Paul beginning the week of Jan-

uary 7 and ending the week before Holy

Week. Watch the bulletin for details about new days/times.

2018 Stewardship Pledge Challenge:

St. Paul Parish has had a generous donor step up to offer a match to your new stewardship pledge for 2018. If you have never pledged before, now is the time to do so.

For every $1,000 pledged-it will be matched!

This match is open until December 31st.

Please contact the parish office to make your pledge.

Thank you and may God bless St. Paul Parish.

Pledge Card Update: As of last week, we have received 260 pledge cards! Thank you all who have turned your cards in. In order to meet last year’s #s, we are looking to have 126 more pledge cards to be turned in. You may still drop them in the collection basket or mail them into the parish office. If you are not able to make a commitment at this time, please indicate that on your card and return it anyway. Thank you!

End of Year Notice Financial Books will be closed on December 31, 2017. If you wish to make a tax deductible donation to St. Paul Parish,

please do so at this time.

The Parish office will be closed Dec 25th & 26th and Jan 1st.

St. Paul Mortgage Update:

We have reached a milestone on our mortgage.

We are now under 1 Million Dollars!

Thank you to all of those who have

donated to make this possible.

God Bless you!

3

An Evening Under the Stars St. Paul Dinner Auction 2018

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Raffle Ticket and Early Registration Form

I would like to purchase ________ # of 50/50 raffle tickets at $10 each.

(Need not be present to win)

I would like to register _____ # of people for the “Early Bird” price of $75 each

($85 each after Jan 10)

I would like to purchase _____ “Star Gazer” Raffle packets @ $20 each.

(Must be present to win)

_____I am interested in donating to or sponsoring a portion of this event. Please contact me.

Name ____________________________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________

Phone ___________________________ Email ____________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________

Phone ___________________________ Email ____________________________________

Check Enclosed for $ ______________________ (made out to St. Paul Parish)

Receipt and ticket stubs will be available to pick up at the Parish office or at the Auction table in the Gathering space. Notification via email.

4

www.stpaulgenesee.net 262-968-3175

Get connected to our POWER!

ST. PAUL SCHOOL 3K AND 4K PROGRAMS Hello parents of future three and four-year-old students! It is time to start thinking of a 3K or 4K program for your child. Look no further than the programs at St. Paul School. We have a 3K Program that is well-established, literacy and technology focused, faith-based, and flexible in terms of options. Our 4K program has partnerships with the Kettle Moraine and Mukwonago School Districts and has a rich literacy based and student-based curriculum. You may call St. Paul School at 262-968-3175 to sign up for a tour for the 2018-19 school year. Spread the word to everyone you know with a three-year-old or four-year-old child. We provide Before School Care and After School Care programs. Watch the bulletin of future dates for open houses.

School Level Spelling Bee Our annual School Level Spelling Bee will be held in the cafeteria at 1pm on Monday, December 18. Anyone interested may come and observe this event.

Join our Family,

Ally Blonien, Principal St. Paul School

ST PAUL SCHOOL NEWS

St. Paul’s Christmas Memorial Represent your family, honor someone special, or remember a

loved one who has passed away by donating money towards

the purchase of poinsettias and live plants for the church and

sanctuary during the Christmas season. Names will be displayed

on the plants throughout the church.

Return this form to the Parish Office by December 18.

Name _____________________________________Phone_____________

Name(s) on Ribbon(s)_______________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Total Enclosed $10____ $20 ____ $30 ____ Other _________

Please Print Clearly

For the Kids Sharing the Gospel People noticed John the Baptist. He loved God, and he used words honestly. He really wanted to help people change and grow closer to God. He stood out as someone really different and special. People came from all around to hear him and learn about him. When people asked him questions, he pointed them to Jesus. Prayer Jesus, help me to be different because I love you.

Matthew 7:7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

These words from Matthew rang true for this year’s Adventure Day. So many generous, faith-filled people stepped up to make sure the kids at Reformation Lutheran in Milwaukee’s inner city had a Christmas celebration they will never forget.

We needed boxes for crafts; Discount Liquor supplied them. We asked for cookie bakers; our youth and adults baked enough delicious Christmas cookies to last throughout the season. We needed items for the store; our Human Concerns Committee members donated decorations, tins and trees. The children of St Paul School donated fleece scarves which they made themselves, and the Giving Tree supplied us with books. However, this day would not have been possible without our youth and volunteers who so generously gave of their time, their talents, and their hearts. The true meaning of this Advent season came alive through their works.

We asked and you provided with abundance.

Our heartfelt THANKS, Debbie Schneider and Melissa Rabay

5

$10.00

BIRTHDAY WISHES Happy Birthday to Gerald Herrmann on Dec 19 and

to JoAnn Hansen & Tom Mauermann both celebrating on Dec 23

Best Wishes to all who are celebrating this week!!

Did you know? Our parish website has a link to Fr. Dan's past homilies. If you wished you would have been taking notes during his homily, you can go back to listen to Fr. Dan's message again after mass. The link is on the right hand side of the front page of the parish website. www.stpaulgenesee.net.

FORMED.org - Free Resources Through our parish, we all have access to movies, Catholic study programs, audio presentations, and access to eBooks. Go to FORMED.org and enter the parish code 274255. Great Catholic content all in one place.

Parish Resources

For your BUSY little ones

There are children's books and "Busy Bags" in the coat room off the hallway on the way to the bathrooms. Please feel free to borrow from this supply of materials if you have a little one with you during mass. Jesus welcomed the little ones and so does St. Paul's!

ST. BRUNO Eucharistic Celebrations

Weekends: Saturday at 4:00 p.m. & Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Weekdays: Monday at 8:00 a.m. & Wednesday at 8:45 a.m.

(June 14-August 23)

Reconciliation: 1st & 3rd Saturday, 3:00pm & By appointment

Spanish Mass said every Sunday at 4:30pm.

St. Bruno’s Dynamic Men’s Group meets Thursday mornings, from 5:30-7am Contact Jerry Strand for more information, 262-965-3436 or jerrystrand52@yahoo.com .

ST BRUNO Events and Invites

Next meeting of the Book Club Tues., January 9 at 9 AM - St. Bruno Family Room.

We always welcome new members. The book for Jan is: Dorothy Day: The World will be Saved by Beauty

By Kate Hennessey "Even if you haven't read the book, come to share with us and you'll

probably want to come back!"

WHY DO WE DO THAT? - CATHOLIC TRADITIONS EXPLAINED Question: On many Sundays, especially during Advent and Lent, we hear a reading from one of the prophets. What is significant about them for us? Didn't Jesus fulfill all their predictions?

Answer: Lent and Advent are the times of the church year when the prophetic word forms an important part of the liturgical season. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Baruch, and Zephaniah are just some of the prophets who offer powerful and essential lessons for Chris-tians of any era. Prophets do not predict the future--they are very much concerned about the present, calling Israel to follow once again the word of God.

The prophets witness to a life of faith. In the midst of an intense relationship with God, the prophets are very aware of their un-worthiness to embrace this call from God, and struggle to accept the mission God entrusts to them.

The prophets speak on behalf of God. Each testifies that the word spoken is not from them, but from God. This lands them in trouble, at times, with their audience. Jeremiah, for example, felt betrayed by God as the prophetic message was delivered. People did not like the message because of their sin-filled lives and their displeasure was taken out on the prophet. While tempted at times to throw in the towel, the prophets remained true to the life of faith and persevered in the proclamation of God's word. In modeling these virtues and calling us to greater fidelity, the prophets offer an example and message that are still important to us today.

Reminder: Mark Your Calendar for these Advent Penance Services

Thur, Dec. 21, 6:30pm St. Teresa of Calcutta, N. Lake

6

WEDDING BANNS

II Alison Fesenmaier & Ryan Geiger

Parish Events this Week

Monday, Dec 18 9:00-10:30AM Work & Pray/FamRm 1:00PM Spelling Bee/Caf 6:30-8PM St. Bruno Finance Mtg/RmMatt 7-8:30PM St. Paul Finance Mtg/FamRm 6:00-9:00PM Men’s Basketball (**closed after 9:30pm) Tuesday, Dec 19 9:00-10:30AM Cleaning Church 6:30-8:00PM Stewardship Meeting/FamRm 6-7:30PM Awaken/Caf & Classrooms

Wednesday, Dec 20 9:00AM St. Paul School Concert/Church 2:30PM St. Paul School Concert/Church 7-8:00PM Men’s Group/FamRm 6:00-9:00PM Men’s Basketball (**closed after 9:30pm)

Thursday, Dec 21 8:30AM St. Ben’s/Caf 9:30-10:30AM Bible Study/Fam Rm 3:00PM Divine Mercy Chaplet/CH 6:30-8:30PM Auction Meeting/PO 7:00PM Scout Committee Mtg/RmJohn 7:00PM Boy Scouts/Caf

Friday, Dec 22 School Early Release at 1:00PM Parish Office Closes at 12:00PM

Saturday, Dec 23 7-9:00AM Men’s Basketball (**closed after 9:30am) 10:00AM Confessions

Sunday, Dec 24 Christmas Eve/Merry Christmas!

Other Upcoming Events

Mon (Mass at St. Bruno 8:00am)

Tue 8:00AM Pat Roche by Family

Wed (Mass at St. Bruno 9:00am)

Fri 8:45AM Charles Hansen by Family

Sat

5:30PM Lectors

Greeters

Clarence Stellpflug by Bereavement Comm. Margaret Schumann & Joe Beine Dave & Judy Gergen

Sun 9:00AM Lectors

Greeters

4:00PM Lectors

Greeters

10:00PM Lectors

Greeters

Jim Connell by Family Roger Varner, Anne Schultz Memmel Family

For Peace Among all People Cathy Labinski, Nancy Kubacki Sue & Mike Thomas

For a Greater Respect & Reverence of all Life Mary Ellen Bowers & Margaret Schumann Memmel & Spindt Families

Readings for the Week of December 18, 2017

Monday: Jeremiah 23:5-8, Matthew 1:18-25 Tuesday: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a, Luke 1:5-25

Wednesday: Isaiah 7:10-14, Luke 1:26-38 Thursday: Zephaniah 3:14-18a, Luke 1:39-45

Friday: 1 Samuel 1:24-28, Luke 1:46-56 Saturday: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24, Luke 1:57-66

READINGS FOR SUNDAY, Dec 24

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a,16 Romans 16:25-27

Luke 1:26-38

December Altar Care –Judy Reichow Home Communion Minister –

MASS INTENTIONS DEC 18—24

St. Paul’s Liturgical Week

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults: Prepare for the sacraments of

initiation with a small group to join the Catholic church. Call Mary Kral.

Infant Baptism: Parent sessions are required for registered parishion-

ers who would like their child baptized. Call Mary Kral, at least one

month in advance, to schedule a class time & make arrangements to

pick a date for your child’s baptism.

Confirmation: Youth at least 16 years of age or adults seeking to be

confirmed, call Parish Office.

First Eucharist: Parent and child preparation required. Contact

Karen Farrell.

Reconciliation: 2nd & 4th Saturday at 10:00am or by appointment.

Marriage: Arrangements should be made six months in advance. One

of the parties must be a registered parish member and a practicing

Catholic.

Care of Sick: Sacramental care of the sick, call the Parish Office.

Anointing of the Sick: Call the Parish office with request.

St. Paul Cemetery: Hwy DE & Snowdon Rd. Call Parish Office for

information.

Sacramental Information

Ushers: 5:30PM Earl Baumann, Brian Campbell, Larry Jendusa, Brian Schneider 9:00AM Andrew Johnson, Tyler Kopydlowski, John Van de Casteele, Dan Zehnpfennig, Dave Rasmussen

Please Join Us in Praying For…..

Evie Armstrong

In Loving Memory

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon them.

Dec 21 Brewing the Faith, a ministry for 20-30 year olds, meets at Point Burger Bar at 7pm for free beer/apps, message, discussion, and fellowship. W229 N1400 Westwood Drive, Waukesha WI 53186 www.brewingthefaith.com

Pray for all military personnel and their families. May God keep them

safe in his hands.

We would like to thank all our sponsors who advertise with Liturgical Publications Inc. (LPi) in our bulletin. Our bulletin sponsors defray the cost of our weekly bulletin. Before reaching out to the yellow pages, newspapers, etc., please reach out to our bulletin sponsors who appreciate your patronage!

7

PARISH PERSONNEL

Shared Administrator Fr. Dan Volkert 968-3865, Ext. 201 ............... pastor@stpaulgenesee.net Fr. Dan (emergency #) 262-965-2313 Shared Deacons John C. Mezydlo 602-885-1642 ........................ jmezydlo@lakelandautogroup.com Joe Senglaub 262-442-7888 ........................ joe.senglaub@siionline.com

School Principal Ally Blonien 968-3175, Ext. 210 .............. ablonien@stpaulgenesee.net Dir. of Child & Family Ministry Karen Farrell 968-2276, Ext. 214 .............. kfarrell@stpaulgenesee.net Dir. of Youth Ministry Bill Snyder 968-2276, Ext. 208 .............. wsnyder@stpaulgenesee.net Dir of Adult Ministry, and Human Concerns Mary Kral 968-2276, Ext. 202 ............... mkral@stpaulgenesee.net Dir. of Liturgy and Music Peggy Kolonko 968-3865, Ext. 205 ............... pkolonko@stpaulgenesee.net Business Manager Sherri Meyer 968-3865, Ext. 218 ............... smeyer@stpaulgenesee.net

Pastoral Council Chairperson Cindy Beauchamp ....................................................... DCBeau@wi.rr.com Finance Council Chairperson Curt Groninger ....................................................... curtisgroninger@wi.rr.com

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR PARISHIONERS AND FRIENDS WHO ARE SICK:

Albert Cutler, Doris Bloede, Maria Mauermann, and Robert Stephens.

All those undergoing treatment for cancer and other illnesses.

(Please call the Parish office to add someone to this prayer list.)

Parish Office Hours

8:00 to 4:30 Monday - Friday

NOTICE: Bulletin articles are due 9am on Friday.

(8 days before article appears in bulletin.) Please submit to ldurler@stpaulgenesee.net Like us: St. Paul Genesee and/or St. Paul School Genesee