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Pastor Update

Dear Friends of NW Racine parishes,

It has been a month since we got into the boat together and started sailing. We are so happy that He is with us and He is not sleeping yet. Your prayers and support keep Him up in our boat.

Fr. Marco and I would like to thank you for the warm welcome and the great support you have given.

We are so happy to be with you in this journey.

We have met with so many of you and had chances to listen to many as well. The Leadership team also has brought up some points to be addressed immediately. We know that in our busy lives we are not able to pay attention to all the details of everything and we forget things as well. We do understand the fact that the more we communicate, the less we really say, so it’s necessary to have periodic letters to keep everyone in the loop. We would encourage you to read the bulletins as well as it will have the updates published after each planning meeting. Some of the letters may have repetitions, please understand that they are for the new parishioners and the ones who missed the previous letters. We will use all the means to keep you in the loop as we work together in building up this NW Racine cluster more efficiently.

We would like to address some of the common questions that came up recently: 

  1. What are the immediate changes that we anticipate? And when?
    You have already seen some of the changes. Two priests for the four churches. The major changes for the year are the following: (a) One bulletin for the cluster. Plans are underway and will happen as soon as the initial process is complete. (b) New Mass Schedule. Effective on Saturday, November 30th we will have a new mass schedule. (c) One Pastoral Council. We will have one pastoral council for the cluster. The process of building one council will begin soon, so that they can work on making a vision and mission for the cluster. Hoping to have it done by January 2025. (d) One Staff for the cluster: Effective on July 1st. Decisions will be made by March 31st.
  2. Who is making the decisions?
    Most of you are aware of the Big planning team having four representatives from each parish. Their names and the areas they serve in the subcommittees have been published in the bulletins. If you haven’t seen them, please check July 21st bulletin. The subcommittee studies, in detail, the areas that pertain to their subcommittee and bring suggestions to the Big planning committee guided by the Archdiocesan Planning team. With the approval of the pastor decisions are made. The areas we need approval from the Archdiocese are done accordingly.
  3. Why do it?
    It’s a short question but long answer. It’s impossible to give all the details in this letter. The letter you have received from each pastor in the beginning of the planning process explains all the reasons why we do it. In case you missed it and if you would like to have that letter we can make it available through the parish office. Or you can approach the parish representatives and they will help you understand. In Short, less attendance and too many Masses, Clergy shortage, and Shortage of the resources.
  4. Are we going to close?
    No that is not in our thoughts right now.

We will keep you posted with updates as the planning committee meets.

Please feel free to talk to us with your concerns and ideas. Let us continue our journey trusting in Him who will save us from the winds and waves.

Blessings,

Fr. Thomas and Fr. Marco

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Feast of St. Louis Update – Chicken Dinner

One of the best parts of a ‘Feast’ is the food. So join us on August 25, 1lam-2pm for a chicken dinner catered by Rupenas for our “Feast of St. Louis”

The adult dinner will include ½ roasted chicken, roasted parsley potatoes, creamy cole slaw, green beans, roll/butter, and a beverage. The children’s dinner will be ¼ chicken with the rest of the ‘fixins’.

Prices are $18 for adults ( ages 12 and over) and $12 for children ages 3-11. Children 2 and under are free. Take out dinners will be available. Serving dinner until 2 pm or until gone.

Don’t forget there will be other things happening that day as well. We’ll have raffle baskets, bake sale, farmer’s market, book sale, and pull tabs.

If you have questions, or if you’d like to help out in any way, please contact Barb at 414-418-9577 or bmaller98@aol.com.

Can’t wait to see you there!

 

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Feast of St. Louis Update – Calling All Bakers

Another feature at the Feast of St. Louis (held August 25, 11-2) will be the Bakery Booth. So “Calling All Bakers”!!! 

We have the best bakers in the area and we need you. There are actually several areas where you can help.

Friday August 23 – 9:00am – Jacque will be making her ever popular turnovers and can use helpers filling, baking, and frosting.

Saturday August 24 – 9:00am – Barb will be in the kitchen wrapping those turnovers and much, much more. Please stop in.

Baking at home. – We’d love to have your family favorite homemade cookies, muffins, pies, breads, cakes, snacks or bars to share with our “Feast” goers. Please label your desserts and specify if they have nuts or may be gluten free. We cannot accept any item that needs refrigeration. Also please put your name on the donation so we know who to thank. It would be helpful if you can wrap your bakery, but we would be happy to do that for you. You can drop off donations on Saturday.

Help in the booth on Sunday – We can always use a few people to help our shoppers with their sweet treats.

If you are able to help in any of these areas, (or any other area of the “Feast”), contact Barb at 414-418-9577 or bmaller98@aol.com

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Eucharistic Congress – Tune In From Home

THIS JUST IN! 

EWTN and Relevant Radio will offer streaming and live broadcast coverage of portions of the National Eucharistic Congress (July 17-21, 2024), including live coverage of the major evening events as well as some other daytime sessions and worship. 

Congress speakers include Bishop Robert E. Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, and founder of Word on Fire; Fr. Mike Schmitz of the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota, and host of “The Bible in a Year” podcast; Sr. Josephine Garrett, a member of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth and host of the “Hope Stories” podcast; and Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Jesus in “The Chosen.” 

Visit www.EWTN.com/eucharist and https://relevantradio.com/indianapolis for details!

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Feast of St. Louis Update – Book Sale

One of the features of our Feast of St Louis-August 25, 11 am-2 pm, is our Book Sale.

Books will be accepted during the month of July. There will be a cart by the gathering area doors for drop off. Please drop your books there.

For larger donations you can call Mary Kay 262-835-2453. We can arrange to meet you up at church for drop off or if weather isn’t the best.

Thank you for supporting with books, games or jigsaw puzzles.

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Welcome Father Marco

Get to know Fr. Marco, our new Associate Pastor

Father Marco

Father Marco Valentini was born in Rome in 1966. His two grandmothers were Italian, but born in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He lived twelve years abroad in off-limit countries and in Canada. Then he was ordained a Priest for the Diocese of Rome in May 1994.

Since 1984 he is a member of the former Pontifical Palatine Guards, now Association Saint Peter and Paul in the Vatican. Since November 9, 2022 he works for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and one in Theology. In 2016 he Graduated Highest Honors with Distinction, Summa cum Laude, with a Master in Liturgy from San Anselmo, Rome.

Fr. Marco collaborated with the Russell and Berrie Foundation for Interreligious Dialogue and with the Maximum-Security Prison inmates in Opera, Milan, for their theatre group and wood craft laboratory.

As one of the Italian liturgical advisors, he collaborated in various architectural projects, particularly in the one that in 2021 won for the setting of the Italian Conference of Bishops’ Chapel in via Aurelia 796, Rome.

Personal interests, suspended with his coming to the U.S.: technical drawing and manual works, particularly restoration, brickwork, electricity and woodwork. He likes driving in any condition of weather, traffic or terrain. In the Red Sea he used to fish and collect the most poisonous beings existing, the Conus Textile shells. Since the first day Fr. Marco arrived in the U.S., at St. John Vianney Parish in Brookfield, WI, he felt at home and likes Southeast Wisconsin very much.

Now he wants to focus to announce and offer the work of God with us in Northwest Racine, WI.

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Welcome Father Thomas

Get to know Fr. Thomas, our new Pastor

Father Thomas

Fr. Thomas also known as Sojan Vathappallil was born in Kerala, south India in September, 1974, into a devout Catholic family.  His parents, Joseph and Anna Vathappallil are both deceased.  Anna went home to the Lord in January of 2015.  Joseph went home to the Lord recently, in March, 2024.  Fr. Thomas has a living brother and sister in India.  Two of his younger brothers and a nephew, passed away in their childhood.  He has three nephews, three nieces and a great nephew.

Fr. Thomas had all of his formal education and seminary formation in India.  He was ordained to the priesthood on December 27, 2001.  He is passionate about his priesthood and the people he serves.  He served in India for five years, as Vocation Director and then Pastor of St. Sebastion/Little Flower churches in Karnataka India. In June of 2006, Fr. Thomas moved to America where he has served in different parishes in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.  Among them are:

  • Associate Pastor: Mount Carmel and St. James, Kenosha, WI (2006-2008)
  • Associate Pastor: St. Rita/St. Aloysius, West Allis, WI (2008-2011)
  • Associate Pastor: St. Aloysius, Immaculate Heart of Mary and Mary Queen of Heaven, West Allis, WI (2011-2014)
  • Administrator/Pastor: Mary Queen of Heaven, West Allis, WI (2014-2019)
  • Associate Pastor of the newly merged Mother of Perpetual Help Parish, West Allis, WI (2019-2020)
  • Pastor: St. Lucy, Racine, WI/St. Sebastian, Sturtevant, WI (2020-2024)

Now, he comes to serve the parishes of northwest Racine: St. Paul the Apostle, St. Rita, St. Louis and St. Mary’s by the Lake.

Among Fr. Thomas’ hobbies are: reading, listening to music, and calligraphy.

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Join Us for Our Feast of St. Louis

Sunday, August 25th from 11am-2pm

The Feast will be located at St. Louis Parish, 13207 Hwy. G, Caledonia WI 53108, 1/2 Mile East of I94, in the gathering area and lower level for dinner. Enter at the east entrance of the gathering area.

Adult dinner will include:
1/2 chicken, roasted potatoes, creamy coleslaw, green beans, roll, butter, dessert, coffee/juice.    

Children’s portion will include:
1/4 chicken plus all the sides.

$18 – adult  •  $12 – child  •  dine in or take out

We are serving from 11am-2pm or until gone. other beverages available for purchase.

Additional Feast of St. Louis activities include:

  • Bake Sale
  • Raffle Baskets
  • Book Sale
  • Pull Tabs

Raffle basket winners announced after dinner.

If you have any questions or would like more information about our Feast of St. Louis, please contact Barb Maller at: bmaller98@aol.com

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Archdiocesan Eucharistic Congress

Register today for a faith-filled morning of inspirational speakers and opportunities to worship together as we reignite our love of the Eucharist. Bring your friends, family, fellow parishioners, or even someone who’s non-Catholic, to our Eucharistic Revival to profoundly encounter Jesus Christ.

Use this link to see the schedule, more details and to register by June 1, 2023. https://archmil.regfox.com/archdiocesan-eucharistic-congress. We hope to see you at the Mary Mother of the Church Pastoral Center 3501 S. Lake Dr. St. Francis, WI. on June 10, 2023!

For questions, please contact the Office of Evangelization by emailing thompsonj@archmil.org.

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Eucharist Revival – Holy Hour at St. Louis Parish

The Eucharist Revival Committee, alongside St. Louis Parish, is hosting a Holy Hour on Apr. 21st. Adoration will begin promptly at 2 PM until 3 PM in the church, followed by light refreshments and fellowship in the lower level of the office building. An elevator is available for your convenience. St. Louis Church is located on Hwy. G in Caledonia, one block east of I-94.

We invite you to join us in silent prayer, allowing the Holy Spirit to fill your hearts.

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