Greetings!

At St. Mary and St. John the Baptist we seek to continually build a culture that provides a sense of belonging, welcoming, and engaging, allowing Christ to work through each of us in loving service to each other. We want our parish to be vibrant, joy-filled, and Spirit-led. We want people to encounter Christ–and deepen their faith. And we all have a part in that. Every baptized Christian is called to evangelize. We must all profess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We must tell those around us, especially our friends and family. This is simple to do, we can profess Christ by giving witness with our lives and our words. You might not realize

just how much you are needed. You are not just another parish member but an integral part of the body of Christ. Dear friends, God intends each one of us to play a unique role in carrying out his divine plan and building His church here in Menasha at St. Mary and St. John the Baptist. And it takes all of us! Not just Fr. Michael, not just the parish councils, not just the parish staff - All of us!

So, here is some homework for you! Starting this weekend:

Strive to meet someone new each weekend at Mass...whether it be in the parking lot, before or after Mass. Can we all do that? The results would be phenomenal!

We should always be on the lookout for ways to grow, ways to more fully shine with the light and love of Christ. Feel free to suggest ideas that you have had or have seen in use at other parishes as you travel this summer. Just recently someone shared this reflection prayer that they experienced at another, and it led to this article! I invite you to pray this prayer daily, or at least before you come to Mass - and then let the Spirit work through you.

Dear Heavenly Father,

My parish is composed of people like me; I help make it what it is.

It will be friendly, if I am.

Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them.

It will do great work, if I work.

It will make generous gifts to many causes, if I am a generous giver.

It will bring other people into its worship and fellowship, if I invite and bring them.

It will be a parish of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith, and a parish with a noble spirit, if I, who make it what it is, am filled with these same things.

Therefore, with Your help, O God, I shall dedicate myself to the task of being all things that I want my parish to be. Amen.

See you at Mass!

Deacon Don

All are invited to celebrate St. John the Baptist Parish patronal Feast Day this Sunday, June 25. We will have a delicious breakfast buffet from 9am – 1pm at the Menasha Knights of Columbus Hall. Come join us for food, fun and fellowship. We will also have raffles for several themed baskets including artwork of our patron saint, St. John the Baptist, sketched by St. Mary parishioner, Brian Keliher.
We need help putting this event on, please visit our Sign Up Genius and help out where you can! Sign Up Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0c44ada92cabfa7-stjohn1#/

Our St. Peregrine prayer service is offered on the fourth Tuesday of each month following the 7:30 am Mass at St. Mary. This includes a blessing with a First Class Relic of St. Peregrine.

Many of us are touched by relatives or friends suffering from cancer or other pain or serious illness. Perhaps it is we ourselves who are suffering. We invite you to please come and be prayed for and blessed with the relic of this wonder worker saint. You will be blessed for all the intentions you bring to St. Peregrine, so please feel free to accept the blessing for someone you know is suffering.

St. Peregrine has been called the wonder worker for his intercession on behalf of those living with serious illness. He is the patron saint of all who are afflicted by cancer, leg ailments or any life-threatening disease. He is also the patron saint of at-risk youth.

St. Mary/St. John will be hosting Totus Tuus in June 25-30, 2023. This is a great opportunity for your kids to grow in their faith! Please see the attached brochure for more information. The link to register is below. If you’re able to help volunteer there is also a link to sign up for that opportunity.

Registration: https://forms.gle/dwi3PttMnJM2ZJqR7

Volunteers needed: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040545aaaa22a7fc1-totus2#/

I hope you’re able to take advantage of this great experience for your children!

St. Mary - The following is the result of our nominations for Secretary Trustee at St. Mary; two candidates received 10 or more nominations, Anne Hoernke and Austin Rose. Congratulations to both of you. They have both been approved by Fr. Michael to be placed on the election ballot. For the July 8 & 9 election. Here is a short biography of each of them:

Ann Hoernke - Ann is a life-long member of St. Mary Parish. She is currently finishing her first term as Secretary Trustee and would like to continue for a second term. She has been an active member of the parish for many years. She has served on the parish school board and the parish Worship committee. She has been a member of the Finance Council and continues to attend the Finance Council meetings along with the Parish Council meetings. At Mass she serves as a lector and Eucharistic minister and helps to train others in those ministries. She organized the Soup Sale as part of the Jolly Holly Craft Sale, and has assisted in decorating for Christmas. Along with her husband Mike they help clean the church on Monday mornings. She is a member of the Nicolet Ladies and helps the Knights of Columbus at their monthly fish fries. She is a strong supporter of our school system, having graduated from St. Mary Central, as did all three of her children. She retired as a science teacher from St. Mary Catholic high school in 2015, but continues to sub there and at the middle school often. Recently she also served as a member of the “one by One” campaign committee
Austin Rose - Austin is honored to be nominated for the Secretary trustee position at St Mary's. He has been a public-school teacher for fifteen years. Currently, he is a professor at Lawrence University where he teaches theatrical design. At St. Mary he serves as the head of the Worship Committee. He trains altar servers at both parishes and provides liturgical support for the functioning of masses. The worship committee supports the seasonal decorations for the church and the ongoing restoration efforts. Austin believes St Mary's is a beautiful church with a vibrant community and as such is a jewel of the Diocese of Green Bay. He would be honored support and represent our church as Secretary Trustee on this next part of our mission.

St. John the Baptist - The following is the result of our nominations for Treasurer Trustee at St. John the Baptist; one candidate received 10 or more nominations, Tom Michalkiewicz. Congratulations Tom! The election to confirm Tom for a second term as Treasurer Trustee will be held the weekend Masses of July 8 & 9. Here is a short biography of Tom Michalkiewicz:

Tom Michalkiewicz - Tom has been a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist. He and his wife Sally have been married for 44 years and have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. He worked for a carton company for 47 years. He has served the City of Menasha as an Alderman and during that time was council president and Chairman of the Public Works Committee. He has served as Treasurer Trustee for SJB for 2 years. He looks forward to serving another 2 years to help the parish grow and serving the wonderful people of the parish.

We are in need of more Altar Servers at both Parishes. We welcome anyone interested - young and old alike to come to either of these training sessions. Serving at the altar of the Lord in the sanctuary is awesome!

Get your kids involved this summer! Camping on the farm is FUN! You don’t want to miss out on this night of overnight camping, a farm with over 200 goats, and a day at the lake!

This event is for all those going into 8-12 grade. Sign up to join us here on July 7-8!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4ba8ae2ba2fdc43-camping

More details to come! For now - Save the Date! August 27, 2023! The event will be held in the parking lot of Tony's Bar.

We had 122 people who answered our call to update or provide us with their contact information. Of those 122 - there were 11 that expressed an interest in joining our parish family! The winners of the 3 $25 Kwik Trip gift cards were - Joe Dotterweich, Burton & Stephanie Willes, and Mary Siegel. CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU!

We want to ensure you have the most current information concerning our parishes, we are blessed to have much activity and a growing parish family. We will be having another sign up Sunday in September. In the meantime, if your email or phone number changes, please be sure to call the parish office so we can keep our records up to date!

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process for adults who desire to join the Catholic faith and for those seeking more information on the Catholic Church. OCIA can also be a method for Catholics to complete their reception of the initiation sacraments. The manual used in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults states that the rite is designed for adults “who after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God.” The manual also states when speaking about those in the process “By God’s help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time receive the sacraments fruitfully.”

OCIA is for the following persons:

• Anyone interested in exploring the possibility of becoming Catholic
• Anyone interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith

This would include:

• Someone who has never been baptized.
• Someone who has been baptized in another faith tradition, but who has an interest in the Catholic faith.
• A person who has been baptized a Catholic, but has not received all of their initiation sacraments (Holy Communion and/or the sacrament of Confirmation)

We enthusiastically welcome you to join us on this spiritual journey! Follow the call of Jesus!

https://parishesonline.com/find/saints-mary-john-the-baptist/bulletin/file/01-0180-20230625B.pdf

Ready to be a part of something life-changing? Jesus needs each one of us to be his hands and feet throughout this Eucharistic Revival. We’re seeking laypeople, families, religious orders, and priests to volunteer their time, talents, and prayers in pursuit of the grassroots renewal our world so desperately needs.

Just as many humble pieces come together to form a glorious stained-glass image, so too will God use each of us, however ordinary or imperfect, to bring about this Revival. He only asks that you listen for his voice! Click on the QR code to find out how you can participate!