ST. THOMAS AQUINAS ~ ELKHART LAKE, WI

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS PARISH Dear Parishioners:

Once again, I find myself trying to compose a message to you early in the week – before the news of the week breaks. Last week, it was the outcome of the 2020 Presidential elections; this week it’s the release of the long-awaited Vatican report on former Cardinal and Archbishop of Washington, DC Theodore McCarrick’s rise to power within the Church in the face of what seem to be widely-known instances of sexual abuse of seminari-ans. (In later years, he was also accused of sexual abuse of mi-nors, allegations which were deemed credible and for which he was “defrocked,” or “laicized,” last year.) The report, which was to be released on Tuesday, November 10, was expected to an-swer the questions: “Who knew what?” and “When did they know it?” If the report names names, it would seem inevitable that it must implicate other members of the hierarchy, both in the Unit-ed States and in Rome, for facilitating his advance in rank from Bishop to Archbishop to Cardinal as well as his transfer from the Diocese of Metuchen NJ to the Archdiocese of Newark and ultimately to Washington DC, despite his reprehensible behavior.

The report is sure to anger and disappoint: if it hints of cover-up or deals only in vague generalities, it will raise cries of “lack of transparency;” if it does report collusion, it will undermine further the credibility and integrity at the higher levels of the Church’s leadership. Either way, it’s going to hurt. Hurt all of us, in some part of our heart and soul. If after COVID and presiden-tial politics you have any prayers left, please pray for us all as Church!

On the good news side of the ledger, the Catholic Stewardship Appeal report came out last week. As of October 31, the Archdiocese has taken in pledges for $8,354,062.12 against its 2020 goal of $8.1 million. And with more than two months remaining in this year’s appeal, both STA and SJB have already surpassed their goals: with its target set at $90,125, SJB stands at $92,267, or 102.38% of goal, while STA is at a whopping $6,873 (129.15%) over its goal of $23,575 for the year. Well done, good and faithful ones!

But as with the Archdiocese as a whole, where they are reporting 1,900 fewer donors so far this year, SJB has some 75 donors fewer than last year’s total and STA is about 20 individuals shy of its 2019 figures. Jenny Mendenhall, the Director of this year’s appeal, has indicated that in the next week or two they will be reaching out by mail to those contributors from last year who have not yet participated in the 2020 Appeal. So, if you should happen to receive an official-looking envelope from the Archdiocese in the coming days, consider it a gentle reminder that your participation would be appreciated and every little bit helps.

Father Phil

Saturday, November 14th, 5:30pm: Lector: Kevin White & Communion Distribute: Don Meerstein Sunday, November 15th, 8am: Lector: Ann Buechel-Haack & Communion Distribute: Diane Slabe Sunday, November 15th, 10:00am: Lector: Mary Jo Jetzer & Communion Distribute: Bev Verhulst

Saturday, November 21st, 5:30pm: Lector: Konrad Kaczkowski & Communion Distribute: Lynn Meerstein Sunday, November 22nd, 8am: Lector: Red Platz & Communion Distribute: Al Zemlicka

Sunday, November 22nd, 10:00am: Lector: Ann Buechel Haack & Communion Distribute: Mary Jo Jetzer

Lectors: Please pick up your 2021 lector book in the Chapel, thank you!

STEWARDSHIP November 5 - November 11, 2020

Stewardship Env. Loose Bldg & Mnt. Env. All Saints Env. $2,210.00 $400.00 $100.00 $107.00 THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!

MASS SCHEDULE

Thirty-Third in Ordinary Time November 15, 2020

Saturday, November 14: 5:30pm † Marvin, Darlene & Michael Gries 5:30pm † Anne M. Schultz Sunday, November 15: 8:00am † Oscar & Phyllis Bardon 8:00am † Claude Meyers 10:00am Safety of Hunters Wednesday, November 18: 8:00am For Health of our Priests 8:30-9:30am ADORATION Friday, November 20: 8:00am For Families unable to visit loved ones Saturday, November 21: 5:30pm † Joannie Mueller 5:30pm † Nick & Margaret Sippel Sunday, November 22: 8:00am For the People of STA & SJB 10:00am For Faith Formation Families

Pastoral Council ~ Zoom Meeting ~ November 17th at 6:30pm

The Parish family

would like to

extend our

sympathy to the

family of

Peter Menne. Who passed

away on Wednesday,

November 4th.

Please keep Peter and his

family in your prayers.

Blessed are those that

mourn, for they shall be

comforted (Matthew 5:4)

For the month of November a remembrance book is placed by the altar for you to record the names of your departed loved

ones. These souls will be prayed for and remembered at all STA Masses.

Please keep our parishioners that have passed this last year and their family members in your hearts and prayers .

Marytown Altar and

Rosary Society Christmas Craft, Quilt & Bake Sale.

Friday, Nov. 27th ~ 9am - 4pm.

Saturday, Nov. 28th ~ 9am - 1pm.

Community Center at the

Marytown Athletic Field

FREE ADMISSION!

At Stthomasaquinasel.org

DON & LYNN MEERSTEIN, JANET KRAUS AND BEV VERHULST

For beautifying our church with outside decorations & flowers!!

GRAB N GO Anyone interested in helping out with

the November Grab n Go? Contact Teresa S. (tsuttner20@gmail.com). And if a free homecooked meal that you don't have to prepare or clean up

sounds good to you, sign up to reserve your meal HERE for

Tuesday, November 17!

And a big THANK YOU to Dennis Streblow, the man on our team, that keeps the grounds &

church super clean!

The Parish family

would like to

extend our

sympathy to the

family of

Ed Holzmann.

Who passed away on

Saturday, November 7th.

Please keep Ed and his

family in your prayers. Blessed are those that

mourn, for they shall be

comforted (Matthew 5:4)