May 15, 2022

I write this with the promise of some warmer weather on the horizon – I hope by the time you are reading this, the warmth has come to pass – it has been a long winter and a dreary spring, but I suspect we are all grateful that the promise of warmth and summer is now tangible! 
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Next weekend, Deacon Matthew Kirk, who has served as our Teaching Parish Seminarian for four years will be ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Listecki along with his classmates.  We have been blessed to have teaching parish seminarians over the past few years, Fr. Levi Schmitt (Diocese of LaCrosse), Fr. Justin Weber (currently Associate Pastor at Holy Family Parish in Fond du Lac) and now Fr. Matthew Kirk.  Fr. Kirk has been a real blessing to St. Mary’s over his four years here – from preaching and baptizing, to attending meetings, visiting classrooms, burying the dead, visiting the sick, and leading Stations of the Cross, he has had a taste of what it means to be a parish priest which is the goal of St. Francis de Sales Seminary’s Teaching Parish Program.  It looks as if we may be receiving another seminarian this fall, that’s not yet confirmed, but we hope to be able to continue to participate as a parish in this aspect of the formation of priests.  We are also blessed to have two parish sons in formation at St. Francis de Sales Seminary and continuing to discern their vocation – Andy Swietlik and Aidan Parks.  Please keep them, the newly ordained, and all the seminarians in your regular prayers and continue to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood.  Fr. Kirk has been assigned as Associate Pastor at St. Rita’s Parish (West Allis) and Holy Assumption Parish (West Allis).  We’ll have a chance to celebrate with Fr. Kirk in between his ordination and the taking up of his new duties over the next few weeks.  Fr. Kirk will be here to celebrate the 8:00 AM School Mass on May 24th and present the weekend of May 28th/29th as well as a few other occasions over the next few weeks.  If you see him around be sure to congratulate him and ask for his blessing.

With thoughts of Spring people turn their thoughts to their own yards and gardens.  We are blessed to have a beautiful campus here at St. Mary’s – and it is particularly beautiful over the warm months with everything in bloom.  The grounds here are a treasure and they are kept that way by the dedication of many of our volunteer gardeners – we are looking for volunteers to help with spring clean-up next Saturday (May 21st) and spring planting and mulching the following Saturday (May 28th).  If you are able to give an hour or a morning to helping, it would be greatly appreciated, you can see the bulletin for more information.  Feel free to bring the whole family!

Finally, I wanted to give you a heads-up on the coming Archdiocesan Capital Campaign.  The Love One Another Campaign is a campaign designed to raise money for the Archdiocese as well as for parishes.  You will be hearing more about the Campaign in the coming weeks and months and how St. Mary’s will participate in it.  In speaking of generosity, I would be remiss if I did not publicly thank all of you for your financial generosity to St. Mary’s – thank you!  May Our Lady, to whom this month of May and this parish is dedicated to, continue to visit us with the bountiful graces which come from her Son.