Thank you to all who participated in the Discipleship Small Groups this year. Here are a couple photos from the end of season cookout.
We are taking a break from the sessions for the summer, but there will be more sessions to come in the fall and we would love for you to join us!
To learn more about our small groups, contact Amber. Watch the bulletin or subscribe to our emails to see when our small groups will start back up in the fall.
Last Tuesday afternoon, St. John Nepomucene Catholic Community held a healing service. Through anointing, prayer and reflection, many felt loved, heard and seen.
In the Gospels, we see again and again that Jesus meets people in their suffering—not from a distance, but personally, tenderly and with compassion. Many community members came seeking that same healing presence. Whether they came for physical healing, emotional peace, spiritual renewal or to pray for someone they love, we wanted to remind them that they are not alone.
Christ is always here, and He desires to bring you peace.
Fr. Ron spoke about how we are not here to have answers to all of the challenges we or others face, but to trust fully in the Lord and the plans that He has made for us.
Please continue to pray for all who were at this service as well as those who were not able to be present.
St. Johns plans to have a healing service twice a year. Watch the bulletin or subscribe to our email to learn of our next event.
In case you missed it last month, St. John Nepomucene Catholic Community hosted a prayer service for our neighbors in need. Continue reading to learn how the readings and speakers helped change our perspective and how you can still contribute to the cause.
Our first reading was from the first letter of John and reminds us that love is more than words. It is:
Something we live.
Something we choose.
Something we give.
It challenges us to love not in word or speech, but in truth and action. But what does that really look like? What does it mean to truly see another person – not for their situation, not for their struggles, but for their dignity as a child of God?
Chris and Sarah Simon shared with us about recognizing the dignity in every person, and how we are called to love others in ways that are real, tangible and life-giving. They talked about the works that they have done with St. Joseph’s Parish in Appleton and about the impact that we are all making by working together with our homeless population by offering grace, compassion and mercy. They also shared that Providence Place Warming Shelter will be continuing the mission of Blessed Solanace Casey (BSC) and will open their doors this winter.
We then shared how Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan to challenge the way we see others. In the story, people pass by not because they are bad, but because they are busy…unsure…or afraid.
But one person stops.
One person sees.
One person chooses compassion.
And in that moment, everything changes for the one who is hurting. Tonight we are reminded that being “the neighbor” isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to notice, to care and to act with love.
Maria, a woman currently homeless, spoke as a witness to the a story of what it means to be seen, to be cared for, and to experience hope through the kindness of others. She has felt this deeply through the work being done through BSC (Blessed Solanace Casey) and St. Joseph’s Parish in Appleton Kiley, a 20 year old former resident at the Trinity house through VIDA, shared her story of how her life has been transformed. Her little one recently turned one, and she is living independently, working and finishing up her schooling to help others encountering addictions.
During this service we also had a collection for shoes to share with our neighbors in need. We reflected on walking in our neighbors shoes and received a small, smooth heart made to help us think of loving from our heart of compassion, mercy and grace as our Lord and Savior has shown us.
For more information and for ways to contribute to, below are links to both organizations.
Thank you to everyone who attended the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony. As Fr. Ron, Deacon Dave and Kurt Peeters said, we are deeply grateful to all those who helped make the New Parish Center a success.
Fr. Ron asked to have some help with cutting the ribbon from “one of the oldest members” and “one of the youngest members.” Thank you Elaine Jansen, 97, and Elijah Hermus, 2, for representing St. John Nepomucene. He then invited all the children present to help with a second ribbon cutting, representing the bright future ahead of us.
We invite you to visit us and experience this wonderful space!
It has been a few months since the last update, and if you have driven down Vandenbroek Street, you can see that we are nearing the finish line. As you read this, we are finishing up the final punch lists and getting ready to move in. Once again, the weather this past month has been a huge help in allowing us to finish most of the outside work. In spring we will be completing the prayer garden, perimeter plantings and finish the grotto.
The office staff is set to move in by the middle of December and over the next few months the Faith Development students, the Food Pantry and the Mission Club will be settling into their new homes. Plans are in the works for a ribbon cutting ceremony in mid-December. More details to follow.
This is our last update for the project. From start to finish, it has gone extremely well. Hoffman was wonderful to work with and with the exception of a few bumps in the road everything turned out just as we had hoped. Thank you for your prayers for safety for the workers and also for your financial support. This project would not have happened without you.
What a difference six weeks makes! The overall look and feel of the parish center is really starting to show. Many people have commented on how much bigger the new center will be than they expected. With drier weather prevailing over the past month, construction has been able to move along with few interruptions. Significant progress has been made on the outside brick work and should be completed by the end of September. The lower level sheetrock and plaster work has been completed with painting to begin this week. Sheetrock on the main floor is well underway and painting will follow closely behind the lower level. Some outside windows have been installed with the remainder to be installed when they are shipped and the brick work is completed. Hoffman has estimated that the building will be completed in mid-December. With the increase in activity on our campus surrounding the end of summer and students returning, let us pray for safety and patience for workers, parishioners, parents and students.
A fun golfing event you won’t want to miss! All profits will go toward the $45,000 goal for meal ingredients packed at the MobilePack event at St. John Nepomucene on December 6th and December 7, 2024.
The construction site has been a busy place the past few weeks with five or six different contractors on site most days doing a variety of things. In spite of the severe storms and heavy rains we have seen in the past month, we have not experienced any damage to the construction site nor has there been any extended setbacks due to the weather. The steel work has been largely completed and the concrete work should be wrapped next week. Most of the lower level interior walls have been formed up and work has shifted to the main floor. Electrical and plumbing work is in full swing and the roof is two weeks away from completion. As we enter into the heat of the summer, I ask that you continue to pray for the health and wellbeing of all our workers.
We’ve updated our parish video! The Marketing Committee has been working on this for about a year, and we are so excited to show you what we think has made St. John Nepomucene such an amazing Catholic Community since 1836. Enjoy!
Thank you to everyone who attended the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony. As Fr. Ron, Deacon Dave and Kurt Peeters said, we are deeply grateful to all those who helped make the New Parish Center a success.
