What's your weekly focus...
We are learning a lot during the pandemic and as a community, I am calling us to four simple weekly practices this year that will hopefully become part of our household cultures. Check out the "Four skills" section (Under the "+SIMPLE" logo) below for these four skills and a few ideas to help you continue (or begin) to implement them in your home.
Here's what else you'll find in this note:
- Watch the new video on the STM YouTube Channel, "Sports in the Spirit" - Why Did Jesus Have to Die?
- As we look ahead to November, we will continue to have virtual formation for all ages in November, except for High School and Confirmation Preparation which will be in person (but stay tuned in case the situation changes). Our next virtual gathering for Adults and parents will be on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 6:30 pm on our STM Facebook page. We will be exploring our Social Justice tradition and have a special guest you won't want to miss. If you are a registered family, you should have received our weekly Discipleship Formation note and an initial call from your Accompanier.
- Bp. Ricken has reinstated the Dispensation from the Sunday obligation to attend Mass. Please sign-up if you are planning to attend in-person Mass this weekend. More information attached below.
- Remember to continue the spiritual practice of sharing meaningful meals!
- This week's Log and a link to the pilot episode of the St. Thomas More "Exploring His Kingdom" podcast. In this episode, I interview your fellow parishioner, Rebecca Barfknecht and we discuss the rosary. The Podcast can also be found on our website.
- New weekly prayer intentions.
- A new picture of God's sacred spaces.
- News, Updates, and Links to the bulletin and other great resources.
- And a Halloween cartoon (warning, it's a little morbid).
Keep the faith!
Check it out sports fans!
Four Skills...
Simple is the magic word this year. While these four skills are simple, they take commitment to get started. Please make the effort this year. The long-term benefits are fantastic! We are taking a back to basics approach for Discipleship Formation by focusing on four key skills for individuals and families:
- To use the bible as individuals and as a family
- Idea: Read the readings of the day as a family as part of your meal prayer once a week. They can be found in the bulletin or on the Bishop's website by clicking here.
- To pray regularly as an individual and as families
- Idea: Pray a decade of the rosary before bed each night (or once a week).
- To share a meaningful meal together regularly
- Set a weekly day and meal for a "special meal" where everyone knows they will need to spend some time at the table and share an icebreaker question (see the Mealtime Moments section below). As your kids get older, this is even more important.
- To have faith sharing conversations - "faith talks" and "faith walks"
- Use the "Faith Talk" questions below at a meal or some other time as a chance to go deeper in your faith as a family. It will be awkward at first, but stick with it and it gets easier.
If you missed our kickoff video you can find it on our STM Facebook page along with other Discipleship Formation videos.
Mass October 31 & November 1
Mass Sat. 5pm
Mass Sun. 8am
Mass Sun. 10am
As you are probably aware, our area is in Very High Alert for COVID-19. In response, Bishop Ricken reinstated the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass in the diocese until further notice. This means that you are not obligated to attend Mass on Sunday (or Saturday night) for the duration of this dispensation (see attached letter from Bp. Ricken). Please know, that even with the reinstatement of the dispensation, St. Thomas More will continue to celebrate Mass publicly every weekend for those who are able to attend and willing to strictly follow the proper health protocols (attached). During this time of increased infection, our parish will be even more vigilant in observing the health protocols shared in the diocesan guidelines to help prevent the spread of disease and allow as many people as is safe to come to Mass without fear of infection. The wearing of masks is mandatory at Masses celebrated here and throughout the diocese. We thank you for your support and compliance as we find ourselves in this time of very high alert throughout the diocese.
We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as needed.
We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as needed.
Photography by Alica Bruce
Mealtime Moments...
Remember, a weekly meaningful meal is a key discipleship skill. You can even make them more meaningful by having a "faith talk" around the table. Here is a gentle starter question to get the ball rolling:
Which meal is your favorite: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Maybe this can help you schedule the next "Meaningful Meal!"
And for that "faith talk"...
based on this weekend's Gospel (Mt. 5:1-12)
TAKE TIME TO CHAT
• What does it mean to be poor in spirit?
• Which Beatitude is most challenging for you and why?
• What are some ways that you can be a blessing to those
around you this coming week?
... or you can just use these questions based on 1 Jn. 3:1-3:
For Adults: What qualities do you see in yourself and your children that mark them as a child of God?
For Children: What is good about being a child of God?
Jesus’ Compassionate Heart
“‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. ”
Mt. 5:6
As we turn our calendars to November, we also turn our attention to the great social justice stream that flows from the heart of Jesus. His compassionate and merciful heart challenges us to break out of ourselves and consider the world we live in. During his ministry, Jesus reached out to those who were the most vulnerable of his society. We must do the same. God sent ...
Together in prayer...
October is the month of the rosary. Consider praying a rosary together as a household. You could pray one a day, one a week, or at least one during the month.
Remember Jesus said, "If two of you agree on earth
about anything for which they are to pray,
it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father." (Mt. 18:19)
about anything for which they are to pray,
it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father." (Mt. 18:19)
- Please pray for the quick recovery of Fr. Ubald, who is struggling with COVID-19.
- Please pray for a parishioner’s brother who struggles with alcohol addiction, and for all those who are struggling with addiction and for their families.
- Please pray for my friend’s dad, Ed, who is in a lot of pain and wheelchair-bound.
- Please pray for Vincent, who has terminal cancer and is not doing well.
Your photos are back!
We are taking our picture theme outside to the great outdoors. Please share pictures of sacred places or moments that you have found out in God's glorious creation. If possible, please include a short explanation or reflection on the space (no more than a few sentences). You can send your pictures to: lincoln@stmcath.org.
From Barb Tremel (about a month ago): This is where I prayed my rosary for several days last week...Mauthe Lake, in Kettle Moraine. Very restful and peaceful.
Sacraments: See above for information about the dispensation for Sunday Mass obligation. If you plan to attend Mass this weekend, you can sign up using the sign-up form above or on the website or by calling the office.
We are celebrating weddings and funerals and baptisms and anointing of the sick with some precautions in place. The Sacrament of Reconciliation continues with our regular schedule (see below for details). We have resumed the public celebration of the Sacrifice of the Mass with precautions (see above for details).
Our regular schedule for celebrating the sacrament of Reconciliation (4:15 pm on Saturday and 9:15-9:45 am on Sunday).
Phone ministry continues. You may be receiving a call from a staff member or parishioner to see how you are doing, pray with you, and offer any assistance we can. We will never ask for money over the phone and will identify ourselves as being from St. Thomas More. This is one way we can stay connected during this difficult time.
Give us your Feedback...
Let us know what you want in our Wednesday Flocknote by replying. We want this to be useful to you as we grow as disciples of Jesus.