St. Mary

837 Parkview Drive Milton, Wisconsin Parish Web Site Parish E-mail Address

Fr. Dave Timmerman, Pastor After Hours Emergencies, please call: Vicki Kersten, Office Manager Sabrina Elsen, Faith Formation Coordinator Angie McNally, Coordinator of Liturgy and Music Paul Schultz, Administrative Assistant Faith Formation Faith Formation Attendance Line Fax Number

Sat. Nov. 28

Sun. Nov. 29

Mon. Nov. 30 Tues. Dec. 1 Wed. Dec. 2

Thurs. Dec. 3 Fri. Dec. 4 Sat. Dec. 5 Sun. Dec. 6

First Sunday of Advent November 29, 2015 www.saintmarymilton.org [email protected]

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

868-3338 868-2338 868-3337 868-3334 868-3335 868-3336 868-3336 868-3345

4:00 p.m. (St. Mary) Bob Folk, Margaret Gunn 5:30 p.m. (St. Joseph) John W. Spray and St. Joseph & St. Mary Parishes 9:00 a.m. (St. Mary) Colette Lyons 10:30 a.m. (St. Joseph) In Memory of Mary Vosberg— Kruckenberg and For All Our Parishioners No Mass 8:30 a.m. (St. Mary) Nils Slepekis 8:30 a.m. (St. Mary) Deceased Members of the Turner Family Eucharistic Adoration to Follow Mass 8:00 a.m. (St. Joseph) Mark & Jeff Ogle 6:30 p.m. (St. Mary) Advent Bereavement Service 8:00 a.m. (St. Joseph) Vaughn Pratt 4:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m.

(St. Mary) Paula Ann Miller (St. Joseph) Dennis & Lyle Phillips, Jr. (St. Mary) St. Mary & St. Joseph Parishioners (St. Joseph) James Poettgen

Ministry

4:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m.

Reader One Reader Two

Cindy Baughman Frank Daniels

Sandy Tieglman Lou Pins

Commentator

Dave Lehmann

Mary Kay Mullen

Musician

Angie McNally

Bob Berger

Cantor

Doreen Houge

Krista Dugenske

Servers

Kellen Ryan Grace Crofts Gavin Bartels

Carson Lee Hayden Lee Megan Kreier

Extraordinary Ministers

Teresa Riesterer* Cathy Lehmann Betty Daniels

Marion Kaiser* Linda Groeschl Darlene Brewer

Ushers

Dennis Ryan Steve Riesterer Ross Veitenheimer Mike Baughman Brittany Riesterer Emily Riesterer Ashley Riesterer

Brian Kaiser Bill Bergs Jim O'Leary Zach Bergs Rick Tomten

*Denotes Check-in person

Sat./Sun. Nov. 28/29: Religious Goods sold in the gathering space after mass. Sun. Nov. 29: “Seeds” Ministry at 9:00 a.m. Mon. Nov. 30: Optimists play practice at 5:30 p.m. in the center. Tues. Dec. 1:  K-6 FF classes at 4:00 p.m.  Buildings & Grounds Commission will meet at 7:30 p.m. in the Ark. Wed. Dec. 2:  Staff Meeting at 10:00 a.m.  K-6 FF classes at 4:00 p.m.  St. Mary Choir practice at 6:30 p.m. in church

Thurs. Dec. 3:  YM Leader Inservice at 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. in the center.  Advent Bereavement Service at 6:00 p.m. in church. Social to follow in the center. Fri. Dec. 4: Cookie Walk donation dropoff from noon-5:00 p.m. Sat. Dec. 5:  Cookie Walk from 8:00-11:00 a.m. in the center  RCIA will meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Ark.

Sun. Dec. 6:  St. Mary Choir will sing at 9:00 a.m. in church.  “Seeds” Ministry at 9:00 a.m.  YM Leader Inservice at 10:00 a.m. in the lower level.  KC Christmas Party at 5:00 p.m. in the center.

Collection from last Sunday (November 22, 2015) Envelopes 5,494.11 ACH Auto-Debit 255.00 Offertory 341.00 Education 20.00 Loaves & Fishes 20.00 Catholic Herald 0.00 Special Collections 0.00 Collection from last year (November 23, 2014) Envelopes 6,269.00 ACH Auto-Debit 185.00

Monday, November 30 Romans 10:9-18 Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11 Matthew 4:18-22 Tuesday, December 1 Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 Luke 10:21-42 Wednesday, December 2 Isaiah 25:6-10a Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 Matthew 15:29-37

Thursday, December 3 Isaiah 26:1-6 Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a Matthew 7:21, 24-27 Friday, December 4 Isaiah 29:17-24 Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14 Matthew 9:27-31 Sunday, December 6 Baruch 5:1-9 Psalm 128:1-2a, 2b-3, 4-5, 6 Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11 Luke 3:1-6

CHRISTMAS MINISTERS NEEDED!!! The sign-up sheet for ministers for all four Christmas masses is on the table in the Gathering Space. All ministers are needed!! Readers, Commentators, Musicians, Cantors, Servers, Extraordinary Ministers (for bread and wine) and Ushers.

www.saintmarymilton.org

This week the Traveling Chalice will be in the home of

Rick & Becky Tomten Please pray for Vocations

CHANGE IS IN THE AIR: Change of season—liturgical and calendar, cooler weather, a little snow … change can be good! Beginning in January, our weekly parish bulletin will also change as we combine bulletins with St. Joseph, Edgerton. Our bulletin will still be the same size, same shape, and same basic format as you are used to, but it will include all of St. Joseph’s information, too. Stay tuned….

OFFERTORY COMMITMENT PROGRAM: Have you completed your Commitment card? Renew your commitment to our Offertory Program by completing a card. Cards are located in the Gathering Space or the parish office. VOLUNTEER NEEDED TO SELL RELIGIOUS GOODS: A volunteer is needed on Saturday, December 5 from 8:00-11:00 a.m. in the parish center to sell religious goods during the Cookie

Walk. Anyone interested should call the parish office at 868-3337. ADVENT BEREAVEMENT SERVICE: St. Mary, Milton Advent Bereavement Service will be held on Thursday, December 3 at 6:00 p.m. in church. All are invited to attend, especially those who have lost a loved one. A social will be held in the parish center immediately follow the service. LITTLE BLUE BOOKS: You are invited to take one of the Little Blue Book available at each of the church entrances. Little Blue Books include 6minute reflections on the First Readings for daily Mass during the Advent/Christmas Season. You can give more than six-minutes if you wish, but the main thing is to pray every day!

Stewardship: A Way of Life First Sunday of Advent “But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” Luke 21:28 We celebrate Advent each year in preparation of the birth of Jesus, His first coming, as we await his second coming. In this Advent season, use the sacrament of Reconciliation to strengthen your relationship with Jesus. It’s never too late.

Please keep these parishioners and family members in your prayers: Bob Dibble Dale Harvat Patti Harvat Jim Jenkins Jeff Kneiert Austin Martin Scot Nelson Val Pakes Gayle Reed Kathy Roberts Brett Urban Ed Windle

WORD OF LIFE: “If we ask him, Jesus will be with us every step of the way, giving us the grace we need. And his plans are

wildly more fulfilling than we can imagine.” USCCB 2015-16 Respect Life Program HOLIDAY MAIL FOR HEROS: Join us in celebrating our military personnel! Every year the American Red Cross distributes Christmas cards to our U.S. military and veterans home and abroad to let them know we are thinking about them at the Holidays. Join us on December 5/6 at the church entrances to help with this event! No cash needed, no long-term commitment, no long letter required (unless you choose), just a few kind words and sign your first name on a Christmas card—what a great way to spread joy to our military folks! (Christmas cards will be supplied.) Let’s help put a smile on a Veteran’s face! Are you in??

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ROCK HAVEN: As Christmas draws near please consider being a part of the gift giving opportunity for the residents of Rock Haven. Rock Haven is a county nursing facility in Janesville that we, as a parish, have supported for many years. These residents are always so grateful to be remembered during the Christmas season. This weekend, envelopes containing the information needed to purchase a gift for a resident are hung on the “Giving Tree” located at all three entrances . Gifts should be returned to St. Mary by December 13. Please use a gift-bag instead of wrapping paper as some residents have difficulty unwrapping gifts. Thank you in advance for considering this important and

greatly appreciated opportunity . 

gift

giving

GIFT CARDS FOR TEEN CHILDREN OF INMATES: Drop off your donation of gift cards in one of the baskets at each church entrance by November 29. Your donation will bring a smile to these teens as they choose their gift.

CHRISTMAS COOKIE WALK DONATIONS NEEDED: St. Mary Catholic Council of Women is hosting their annual Christmas Cookie Walk on Saturday, December 5 in our parish center. Donations of 3 dozen cookies or candies are requested to help make this event a success. Please bring your donation to the parish center on Friday, December 4 from noon-5:00. All proceeds are used for scholarships. Can you help out by baking 3 dozen cookies? Monetary donations appreciated, too! 2016 CALENDARS: St. Mary calendars for 2016 are now available at each of the church entrances. This year the calendar features Pope Francis. Pick up your copy today! TEC RETREAT COMING: December 28-30 at St. Clements of Lancaster. TEC (Together Encountering Christ) is an intergenerational movement of the Catholic Church especially designed to help meet the spiritual needs of Catholic Christians. Although it is an amazing experience for anyone over 16 years of age, it can be especially rewarding for those who are preparing for or have been recently Confirmation and those presently or recently in the RCIA program. Fr. John Sasse will be the Spiritual Director. Applications and

more information can be found at www.kairostec.org or by calling Jeff Jackson at 608-778-6027. DEEPEN YOUR FAITH WITH THE CATHOLIC HERALD—Issue of December 3, 2015: Each week the Catholic Herald gives its readers a Catholic perspective on national and international news with artic les from Catholic News Service. The Catholic Herald also keeps readers up-to-date locally with coverage of events happening around the Diocese of Madison. Learn more about your Catholic faith by reading the Catholic Herald. If you do not subscribe but wish to receive the Catholic Herald in your home, contact the parish office at 868-3337. Special THANK YOU to parishioners Gail & John Nordlof for the donation of altar wine. Northleaf Winery, LLC 232 South Janesville Street Milton Wisconsin 53563 608-580-0575 fax 608-580-0576 www.northleafwinery.com [email protected]

As we begin this season of Advent, we need to focus on the message of the voice crying out in the wilderness. Unfortunately, we have a lot of voices in our world vying for our attention. On American Idol, hundreds of people are all trying to get an audition in front of three judges so they can be heard. We have candidates for the upcoming election debating on our television screens, and we have the late night talk show hosts filling the airwaves with voices that are loud, funny, irreverent and compelling. But in the midst of this world of voices we also have another voice, a voice not as loud but persistent with his message. The voice of John the Baptist is encouraging us to straighten out our lives and address the sinfulness that is boring holes into our lives. The time is now for us to turn our lives around and get ready for the arrival of the Lord, our newborn King. John is calling for repentance; a mending of our heart, our mind and our soul. During this season we are all invited to visit a confessor and face the sins that have been hampering us in our spiritual journey. Pope Francis is encouraging all of us to do this during the Year of Mercy starting on December 8th, The Feast of the Immaculate Conception. As you are all aware, confessing sins is not easy to do but the resulting joy is beyond words. I would encourage all of you to find the time to experience true forgiveness that comes with the sacrament. This is an opportunity to turn our lives around and live in a way that is complimentary to the words of the voice of John the Baptist in the wilderness. Heed the voice that is not necessarily the strongest or the most attractive. It is a courageous voice that calls each of us to conversion, forgiveness and peace.

unlikely to be overly critical to the authoritarian government. But the murder of a friend and fellow priest, Rutilio Grande, just one month later, brought out a new resolve in Romero. He publicly denounced military violence against civilians and consequently received death threats. Romero was shot to death in 1980 while celebrating Mass in a hospital chapel in San Salvador. His killers were never found. Romero became the first Catholic bishop killed in a church since Thomas Becket was murdered in Canterbury, in 1170.

Archbishop Oscar Romero was beatified on May 23th of this year, the Catholic Church declaring him to be among the blessed and thus entitled to specific religious honor. “In times of difficult coexistence, Archbishop Romero knew how to lead, defend and protect his flock, remaining faithful to the Gospel and in communion with the whole Church,” Pope Francis wrote in a letter that was read at the service. “His ministry was distinguished by a particular attention to the most poor and marginalized.” Romero was named Archbishop of El Salvador in 1977, during a period where the Central American country was run by a succession of military dictatorships. Historians say he was chosen in part because he was seen as conservative and

A movie from 1989 starring Raul Julia is a good place to learn about Romero's life. There is also a book in the Ark parish library (in the Spirituality section) that assembles his homilies, letters, interviews and articles called The Violence of Love: The Pastoral Wisdom of Archbishop Óscar Romero. The title is based on a quote within, dated Nov. 27, 1977: “The violence we preach is not the violence of the sword, the violence of hatred. It is the violence of love, of brotherhood, the violence that wills to beat weapons into sickles for work.” Normally I’m not one to spoil the ending of a book, but the last entry is a chilling reminder of what can be the consequences of service in imitation of Christ: This passage is from Archbishop Romero’s last homily. He was assassinated as he concluded the homily. — Paul Schultz

examples of Jesus in the Gospels (Matthew 19:21, for example). The vowed religious life challenges everyone in the Church to live the graces of Baptism more fully. They don't take away the responsibility of the rest of the Church to live holy lives, but they place holiness in front of us in the world.

The nature of religious life is spelled out in chapter six of the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium (“Light of the Nations”), one of the principal documents of the Second Vatican Council that was put into effect on November 21, 1964. Lumen Gentium as a whole considered the visible and invisible aspects of the Church. Pertinent to consecrated life was its understanding that all Christians have a fundamental and universal call to holiness. By virtue of their baptism each person should pursue holiness according to their state in life. It will be lived out in various ways, depending on one’s personal gifts. Those who enter into consecrated life leave all worldly comforts and earthly pursuits behind, and embrace the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. As far as the hierarchical structure of the Church is concerned “the religious state of life is not an intermediate state between the clerical and lay states.” (#43) The evangelical counsels apply to every baptized Catholic. They are the ideals we all should honor and seek to put into our lives and lifestyles. Individuals from both of these states – laity and clerics alike – may assume the religious vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in their pursuit of holy perfection, based upon the words and

One thing Lumen Gentium did was reorient religious life from a way of individual sanctification (being made holy) to a means for the sanctification of the entire Church. There is a much more “community” aspect to it beyond a specific cloister, monastery, or abbey. Religious orders must cooperate with the bishop in serving in ministries needed in the diocese but they can also be removed from this jurisdiction and made directly subject to the Pope (the Jesuits, for example) “in order to more fully provide for the necessities of the entire flock of the Lord and in consideration of the common good.” (#45) Even if their consecrated life may be contemplative and set apart, though “religious do not directly mingle with their contemporaries” they still “are united with them in the heart of Christ and spiritually cooperate with them.” (#46) “Church authority has the duty, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, of interpreting these evangelical counsels, of regulating their practice and finally to build on them stable forms of living.” (#43) To this end, Vatican II would publish Perfectæ Caritatis in 1965 to articulate the “general principles which must underlie an appropriate renewal of the life and rules of religious communities.” We will look at this document in detail in a few weeks.

SENTIMENTS FOR SEMINARIANS: Please join St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus in supporting our diocese seminarians. They are collecting until December 4 the following items: gas cards, gift cards, phone cards, toiletries (toothbrush, dental floss, shampoo, deodorant, soap, shaving supplies or other consumable items), wash cloths, towels, winter hats, gloves, and office supplies (journal, notebooks, pens, pencils). Containers marked “Sentiments for Seminarians” are located in the Gathering Space below the pamphlet rack. As always, the Knights, along with the seminarians, appreciate your continuous generosity. A SPECIAL INVITATION: Sneak preview tour of the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Center Renovation on Tuesday, December 8 at 2:00 p.m. The

renovation of the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Center is scheduled to be complete in spring of 2016. It will be home to diocesan offices, Catholic Charities, the Catholic Herald, Catholic Radio and 53 beautiful one and two bedroom residences—Holy Name Heights. A brief overview will be presented by Msgr. James Bartylla and the project architect, prior to beginning the Sneak Preview Tour. A fully furnished model apartment will also be featured on the tour. Tours will conclude with refreshments in the newly renovated auditorium. All visitors should wear sturdy shoes or boots—Please no open-toed shoes or high heals. Call 608-821-3033 for more information.

Luke 21:25-26

BLOODMOBILE VOLUNTEERS: The Bloodmobile will be here on Thursday, December 17 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed to bring snacks, run the registration table and run the canteen. Go to the parish website to sign-up now! Questions? Call Vicki at 868-3337. ARE YOU UTILIZING YOUR TALENTS? God gave each of us unique talents to go out and share with others. Maybe you already share with others if you have a beautiful voice or you're a natural leader or if you offer support to those in need. But maybe God gave you talents that you haven't uncovered yet. The GPS / Spiritual Gifts Inventory is a tool to help you discover your hidden talents. Have no fears that you are committing to anything if you complete the assessment; it will simply help you find the area(s) of your greatest talent or gift from God. From there, it’s up to you how you choose to use that talent. We offer several suggestions, but the choice is yours - no pressure and no commitment required. Paper copies are available at all the church entrances or go to the parish website

Outreach tab: https:// docs.google.com/forms/ d/1CfmFW0LIkLtqV5W3GrcIRCVgN9b VGLTZz-VuJeM1no0/viewform “To live as He lived … To love as He loved … To serve as He served” AGRACE ORIENTATION FOR PROSPECTIVE VOLUNTEERS: Agrace will offer volunteer orientation for those interested in making a difference in the lives of others. Orientations will be held Thursday, December 10 from 8:00 a.m. to noon at the Agrace Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, 2901 N. Wright Rd, Janesville. Prior to attending, prospective volunteers will complete an application and an interview process with Agrace’s Volunteer Services staff to identify the volunteer’s skills and interests. Call 608-314-2922 to begin the preorientation process.

www.saintmarymilton.org

St. Mary Faith Formation Christmas Reflection December 8 & December 9 at 4:30 p.m.

Family Needing Help!

**I'm looking for private duty nursing** Without help for my son he can’t go to school, nor can I work to provide for my family. This will be the best nursing job you'll ever have! Everything you put in has a direct impact on a child's life. Not only providing typical nursing duties. but..... lots of fun and enjoyment with joining us on our family activities while caring for my amazing son. You'll be welcomed into a fun-loving family. The pay is very decent and the work extremely rewarding. Nurses applying for this job would be caring for a child with moderate medical needs at home and at school. This is a fun, easy and enjoyable work environment that would make a difference in a child's life and the family’s life. Work shifts are 6 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday and Sunday 6 am 9 am. Nurses are private billing and compensated through the State. Private billing is not difficult and can be easily walked through. Capitation is between $22 - $35 per hour; LPN or RN. Please email a resume or any questions, to: [email protected]

Pastoral Care Commission The Pastoral Care Commission plans and oversees the ministries which are directed to the people of the parish who have special needs because of illness, age, loss, or other difficult circumstances. Specific ministries in this area include:  Lourdes Ministry: Volunteers in this ministry provide care of the sick by bringing the Eucharist to them during a visit to the hospital, institution, assisted living facility, or their home.  Camillus Ministry: Volunteers in this ministry provide health-related services. A blood pressure screening clinic is offered each month.  Rock Haven Birthday Parties: monthly birthday parties are held for the residents of Rock Haven.  Martha Ministry: This ministry provides meals for a limited time to those who are recently released from the hospital or some other care facility.  Bereavement Ministry: provides companioning with those who have lost a loved one. The newly formed Widow/Widowers Support Group meets once a month on the 4th

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Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in the Ark. A Bereavement Service is held each year during Advent. Funeral Lunch Ministry: This ministry provides a funeral lunch for all funerals of parishioners or their families, whether the funerals are held here or not.

Meetings

Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 10:15 a.m. in the Ark Meeting Room. The chair and prayer positions are rotated each month. Current Members: Betty Jo Ban, Jan Cunningham, Mary Jane Hendricks, Barb Hensgen, Donna Platts, Sue Scherwitz