August 25/26, 2018| Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time

W e l c o m e t o t h e P a r i s h C o m m u n i t i e s o f

ST. MICHAEL & ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST

ST. MICHAEL – Suring ST. MICHAEL STATION – Chute Pond ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST – Gillett

Fair Expo Building, Zippel Park

Polka Mass at 10:00 AM

Featuring Music By Maroszek’s

New Generation Band

Food, Children’s Games/Prizes

Live/Silent Auction

Cash Raffle Prizes:

1st—$500, 2nd—$250

3rd—$100

4th & 5th—$50

6th & 7th—$25

St. John’s 12th Annual

‘Festival and Polka Mass’

ST. MICHAEL & ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST 2 Visit our Web site at http://stjohnstmichael.com

St. John and St. Michael Catholic Parishes are vibrant faith communities committed to living the Gospel of Jesus Christ through lives of prayer, service and education while ac-tively proclaiming “all are welcome.”

DISCIPLES ON THE WAY

A Message from the Pastor

I am writing this message in the days leading up to St.

John’s annual festival. I’m looking forward to the

day . . . and especially to celebrating my first Polka

Mass as we don’t have Polka Masses in Myanmar

(though I am used to playing and enjoying Polka mu-

sic)!

This summer, I’ve had the opportunity to attend sev-

eral church picnics, and I’ve enjoyed the food, music,

and camaraderie. Last Sunday, I visited St. Mary’s of

the Lake Parish in Lakewood for the parish picnic at

which Father Phillip Dinh-Van-Thiep celebrated an

outdoor Mass for more than 600 people!

What a beautiful tradition we have! I see that Church

festivals are about more than food and music. They are

also about coming together as people of faith, and

celebrating and sharing friendship with the broader

community. The parishioners at St. Mary of the Lake

were celebrating their centennial and 100 years of

blessings. As we have reached this milestone, we

know we have much to be thankful for.

See you at the festival!

God bless us all!

Fr. Robert Ni Ni

Looking Ahead Sun., August 26 St. John Festival

Begins with Polka Mass at 10:00 Mon., August 27 Knights of Columbus Mtg.

7:00 PM at St. Anthony Church Wed., August 29 Bingo, Woodland Suring

2:00 PM Mon., September 3 St. John and St. Michael

Office Closed

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

"This saying is hard; who can accept it?" The words of

Jesus' disciples in today's Gospel must sound familiar.

At some point in our lives, you and I have said it about

some article of our faith. Christianity makes firm

demands on our ethical behavior and gives no easy

answers for suffering. Many disciples were confused

and dismayed by Jesus' words in the Bread of Life

Discourse. Not all of them, however, had the same

reaction.

When the disciples question Jesus' teaching, he

confirms its truth. "The words I have spoken to you are

spirit and life." For some, Jesus' reassurance was not

enough. These disciples do not question Jesus further

or wrestle with their lack of understanding. The mighty

deeds Jesus has done fade to the background. "Many

of his disciples returned to their former way of life and

no longer accompanied him." For them, their doubt

proves too much.

Jesus turns to the Twelve, knowing that confusion

lives in their hearts as well. Peter answers. "Master, to

whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

We have come to believe and are convinced that you

are the Holy One of God." Notice this is not a

confession of perfect understanding. It is a confession

of faith in Jesus. The precise words may still confuse

them, but they believe the One who said them.

In our own lives, we face doubt, confusion, and

disillusionment in our Christian faith. The same choice

available to the disciples is available to us. Do you

have faith in Jesus, even when you lack perfect

understanding? Will you stay or will you go? What do

you do with your doubt?

Good luck to Kaylee Simon and Alex Young (this

year’s recipients of the St. John Christian Women’s

Scholarship) as they head off to college. May they

continue to serve others and God as they journey

through life.

AUGUST 25/26, 2018 TWENTY FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

3 Visit our Web site at http://stjohnstmichael.com

ST. MICHAEL PARISH SUPPORT

Needed Each Week………………………….$2110.00

Received Aug. 18/19 ...................................... $1902.00

ST. JOHN PARISH SUPPORT

Needed Each Week ......................................... $1912.00

Received Aug. 18/19 ...................................... $1579.00

LIVING LIVES OF MERCY

The final 6:00 PM Saturday Chapel Mass will be

Saturday, September 1st. The Mass will resume

again next Memorial weekend. Please help spread

the word!

Suring Labor Day Weekend

Suring will hold its annual Labor Day celebration

August 31– September 3. Events include a truck and

tractor pull, demolition derby, and “Conquer Suring

Hill” 5K/10K. The Suring Lioness will have their chili

cook-off on Saturday, September 1 and their pie stand

will be open Monday, September 3 following the 88th

annual Labor Day Parade. A complete list of events

can be found at: facebook.com/SuringLaborDay

Knights of Columbus Meeting-Council 4869

Monday, August 27th at 7:00 PM

St. Anthony’s Church, Oconto Falls

Food Pantry Help Needed

The parish community of St Michael will

bag groceries for the Care/Share Food

Pantry at St. John Lutheran church, 101

Main St. Gillett (the clock church), on

Wednesday, September 19th. We need helpers from

8:30 AM to 11:30 AM. If you can help with this

worthy project, please call Phil or Elaine Fischer at

920-842-2314 or come to church on Wednesday,

September 19th. Your help is always appreciated. You can also help-out by donating cleaning and

personal care items as well as non-perishable foods.

Donated items can be placed in the back of the church.

The food pantry distributes the third Wednesday of

every month.

St. Michael Hosts Bingo at Woodland

St. Michael will host bingo at Woodland Village

Nursing Home in Suring this Wednesday, August 29th

at 2:00 PM. If you have some time to share we would

love to have you join us!

Gillett Community Blood Drive

Wednesday, August 29th, Noon to

5:30 PM

Gillett Library Community Center,

204 E. Main Str., Gillett

Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome!

Call Cora for an appointment 855-2304

Suring Area Historical Society Upcoming Events

Labor Day weekend Brat/Burger Fry. Friday,

Aug. 31st at Lotter’s BP Suring from 9 AM-4 PM.

The SAHS Suring Museum will be open for view-

ing on Sat. Sept. 1st. From 10 AM – 4 PM. Come

& see our newly acquired items.

The Suring High School All Class Reunion/

Homecoming. Saturday Sept. 1st at Red Maple

Country Club.

BANNS I

Andrew Lefevre

&

Rebecca Timm

Thank you to all who have come together to make St.

John’s annual festival a success. To all those who

helped plan and organize the event, and to all the vol-

unteers who helped with numerous jobs to make this

day possible. We would also like to thank those who

donated items for the festival, and extend a special

thank you to The New Generation Polka Band for be-

ing a part of our Mass.

Join us today for activities, great food, and music. On

the auction block will be a 100th Season Commemora-

tive Green Bay Packer Canvas (compliments of Me-

unier’s Riverwood Gallery), an autographed 2017 GB

Packer football, golfing fun, an assortment of organic

meat, beer and wine baskets, and many other items too

numerous to mention. Come and join us for a day of

music, fun, food and fellowship!

AUGUST 25/26, 2018 TWENTY FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

4b ST. MICHAEL & ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST 4a

MASS INTENTIONS For the Week of Aug. 27 - Sept. 2

ST. MICHAEL - CHUTE POND

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

6:00 PM † Open SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

7:30 AM † Open

ST. MICHAEL - SURING

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

8:45 AM † Dave Reise

By Tammy Reise

ST. JOHN - GILLETT

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

4:00 PM † Open SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

10:00 AM † Open

MINISTERS OF THE MASS

CHUTE POND

SATURDAY 9/1 6:00 PM

Ministers of the Word Donna Vande Wettering

Ministers of Communion Ardis Poquette Paul Ponsegrau

Len Pelishek SUNDAY 9/2 7:30 AM

Ministers of the Word Deb Smith Ministers of Communion Bob Clark John Lubenske

SURING SUNDAY 9/2 8:45 AM

Ministers of the Word Steve Robillard

Ministers of Communion Steve Robillard Audrey Gilligan

Barb Truttman

Hospitality Ministers Ron & Kris Christensen

Ministers of Altar Cash Van Bellinger Greeters

GILLETT

SATURDAY 9/1 4:00 PM

Ministers of the Word Allison Huber

Ministers of Communion Felecia Kroll Alice Grogan

Stephanie Schmutzer

Hospitality Ministers Barb Makoski Ben Penkivich

Ministers of Altar Erich Schmutzer Tim Huber

Greeters Alice Grogan Hannah Elsner SUNDAY 9/2 10:00 AM

Ministers of the Word Mary Gerbers

Ministers of Communion Cliff Gerbers Mary Clark

Mary Matuszewski

Hospitality Ministers Chad Frank Ben Frank

Ministers of Altar Kallie Frank Tyler Frank

Greeters Chad Frank Ben Frank

Readings for the Week of August 26, 2018

Monday: 2 Thes 1:1-5, 11-12/Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-

3, 4-5 [3]/Mt 23:13-22

Tuesday: 2 Thes 2:1-3a, 14-17/Ps 96:10, 11-

12, 13 [13b]/Mt 23:23-26

Wednesday: 2 Thes 3:6-10, 16-18/Ps 128:1-2, 4-

5 [1]/Mk 6:17-29

Thursday: 1 Cor 1:1-9/Ps 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

[1]/Mt 24:42-51

Friday: 1 Cor 1:17-25/Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11

[5]/Mt 25:1-13

Saturday: 1 Cor 1:26-31/Ps 33:12-13, 18-19,

20-21 [12]/Mt 25:14-30

Next Sunday: Dt 4:1-2, 6-8/Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5

[1a]/Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27/Mk

7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Open Dates For Mass Intentions

St. Michael Parish

Suring, Sun.: Sept., 2, 9, 30

Chute Pond, Sun.: Sept., 2, 9, 23, 30

Sat.: Sept., 1 St. John Parish

Saturdays: Sept. 1, 15, 22

Sundays: Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want

to leave?" Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to

whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal

life. We have come to believe and are convinced

that you are the Holy One of God." - Jn 6:67-69