Weekly Bulletin

Updated July3, 2008

From Our Pastor

As children, we are smart enough to know how dependent we are on adults for everything we need. When we grow up, we develop an appropriate feeling of independence – we can take care of ourselves. Unfortunately, however, we can sometimes forget that we are -- and always will be -- dependent on God. Zechariah announces God as our king and savior, banishing war and bringing peace. Jesus praises the “little ones” who rely on God to help them carry their burdens. Just as children want to stay close to Mom and Dad, so we need to stay close to God – through regular prayer, the sacraments, and our Church community.

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“ For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Matthew 11:30

When we think of being good stewards, we may think that God asks too much of us by asking us to generously share our time, talent and treasure. But the yoke of stewardship is not heavy. Good stewards learn that by passing up the materialism of the world, we can experience great joy in spending more time with God and sharing more of our gifts with others.

Parishioner Contributions

Week 26

2008 $ 9,642.65

2007 $ 9,589.12

Independence Day Mass

On Friday, July 4, 2008 there will be Mass at St. William beginning at 9:00 AM to celebrate the independence of our nation, which includes our freedom to gather to celebrate our Catholic faith. All are invited and welcome to join us for Holy Mass on this special day.

Collection total for Medical Missionaries

The integrity, insights, and stories that Sister Triona shared with us two weeks ago certainly touched our hearts to support her work. Our offering totaled $2,235.74.

This above-average total indicates our ability to let our compassion speak in helpful ways. St. James encourages us (James 2:14-17) to give a practical response to physical problems, motivated by our spiritual relationship with our brothers and sisters in need.

Thank you!

Parish Block Party

Saturday, Sept. 6th

&

Sunday, Sept. 7th

Ushers Needed!

We are in need of volunteer ushers to serve at each of our weekend Masses. This is a great volunteer opportunity for men, women, and families. Currently our ushers volunteer on a “every other month” rotation. If this is a ministry that you would be interested in volunteering for, please call Heather Rude at the rectory 752-7861.

Catholic Women’s Club

Just a reminder that the Catholic Women’s Club will meet at the Nativity House on Monday, July 7th for their Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Market Day

New Market Day order forms are available at each church entry. Orders due to Kathy Clanfield by July 30th.

A SPIRITUAL FEAST with Steve Ray – Saturday, August 16, 2008

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” is the theme for this year’s Spiritual Feast. You are invited to come and be spiritually nourished by Steve Ray who is a well-known popular author, apologist, conference speaker, Relevant radio guest, pilgrimage leader, and businessman. His books include Crossing the Tiber, Upon This Rock and St. John’s Gospel and he is the writer, producer and host of the video/DVD series “The Footprints of God: the Story of Salvation from Abraham to Augustine”. A convert to Catholicism, Steve will speak on conversion, evangelization and the Year of St. Paul.

The event will be held Saturday, August 16, 2008, at the Bishop O'Connor Pastoral Center, 702 S. High Point Rd., Madison. The day begins with check in at 8:00 a.m. and concludes with Mass at 4:00 p.m. with Bishop Robert Morlino as our Mass celebrant. Following Mass, prayer teams will be available for individual prayer needs. Pre-registration fee is $25.00, due by August 9th, or register at the door for $30.00. Box lunches are $9.50 and you must pre-register to make a lunch reservation (you may bring your own lunch). Mail checks payable to:

CCR, 214 Sauk Creek Dr., Madison, WI 53717-1818.

This event is sponsored by the Madison Diocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

For additional information call 608-833-6560 or e-mail jck@charter.net.

Summer Fund Raiser

Please make a donation that will help families in need.

Please send your donation to

ECHO, Inc.,

65 S. High St., Janesville, WI 53548

Thank you so much!

Life is an ECHO - what you send out, you get back!

ECHO’s July Needs

Canned Meats

Macaroni & Cheese

Hamburger Helper

Peanut Butter & Jelly

Soup & Crackers

Spaghetti Sauce

Canned Fruit

Sugar Flour

*** Personal Items

Large Diapers (sizes 4-6)

Toilet Paper

Dish Soap

Laundry Soap

Women’s Scripture Group

at St. John Vianney

Women’s Scripture Group will meet during the summer months on Wednesday mornings from 9:15-10:30 a.m. in Marian Hall. 1236 E. Racine St. We welcome any women, any age, any parish who would like to join this gathering to read and reflect upon the Scriptures of the coming Sunday. Please try us on and see if coming together once a week benefits your spiritual life. Child care is provided. Joan Prendergast facilitates.

AlbertFEST 2008

St. Albert the Great Parish in Sun Prairie will host “AlbertFEST” on July 11th, 12th & 13th on the parish grounds at 2420 St. Albert Drive (follow the signs).

Friday night: family entertainment, kids games,

snack bar

Saturday: 5K run/walk, grounds open at 4:00 p.m.

Sunday: Homemade chicken & ham dinner

11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Win a 2008 Crestliner Kodiak fishing boat or $10,000 cash, plus many other prizes in the raffle drawing on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Total raffle ticket is over $20,000!

Snack bar kid’s games raffles, toy & children’s clothing sale, bookstore, live auction and much more! For information, call the parish office at (608) 837-3798 or visit our website at www.saintalberts.org.

Mt. Olivet Cemetery

Mt. Olivet cemetery in Janesville is requesting cooperation from all property owners. The cemetery is experiencing numerous decorating violations that pose safety hazards and maintenance problems. We are asking property owners to remove any grave violations by July 15, 2008. Items remaining on graves after July 15 will be removed by cemetery staff and will be available for pick up at the cemetery. Cemetery Information and Decorating Regulations brochures can be obtained at the cemetery office or call 754-3472 for assistance.

St. Frances Solanus, Our Sister Parish

If anyone will be visiting the Hayward area this summer and has room in their vehicle, we have items that could be dropped off at our Sister Parish in Stone Lake.

A parishioner has collected children’s books & backpacks for the students in the school.

We continue to collect school supplies and winter clothing, especially for the children.

Anything that you could take would be appreciated!

Please call Dan & Judy Ansier at 752-6575 if you can help.

Chinese Students Looking for Host Families

On July 15, 2008, thirty Chinese students will be coming to Janesville, WI. They will be attending classes at St. Patrick’s School and will be studying English with the assistance of ESL teachers and will see some of our area. We need families to host these students for a three week period and provide room and board as well as transportation to and from school.

Last summer 2007 we had 33 Chinese students. Many generous families came forward to experience the Chinese culture through their student. The students loved their time in Wisconsin. They studied English, played games using their English skills. At a farewell dinner, they taught Chinese games and made traditional Chinese food as a thank you for all their families.

This is an enriching and rewarding experience for family’s young and old, small and large.

Any age can benefit from this experience. This program is organized through CULTURAL HOMESTAY INTERNATIONAL (CHI) which has sponsored many exchange students through out the years in Southern Wisconsin. The area coordinator is Linda Ehle, who has hosted 15 students herself, with many wonderful memories to embrace for the rest of her life.

Please consider hosting this summer. The students arrive July 15, 2008.

Linda Ehle, Teacher/Coor. - 743-1902, Scott Ehle, Teacher/Coor. - cell 359-8541, CHI, 1-800-210 6080

Going to College?

Do you know someone who is heading off to college this fall? Would you like to help them connect with people of faith when they get there? A new website of the Catholic Campus of Ministers of Wisconsin can help. At www.goingtocollege.org, students coming to campus can sign up to receive information about campus ministry at their prospective Wisconsin schools, as well as an invitation to get involved. The college years can be an important time for faith development. Don’t miss out on opportunities to meet great people and experience the prayer, service, and social events that campus ministry offers. If you know someone going to college, make sure they visit www.goingtocollege.org.

Traveling?

Want to go to Mass but don’t know where to go?

Call 1-410-676-6000 or go on line at www.MassTimes.org. This service doesn’t cost anything to you or our parish. Please use it. The advertisement on the internet says it serves 60 million Catholics in the U.S.

Eucharistic Adoration in Our Area

Nativity of Mary—4th Monday from 4-6:30 p.m.

St. Mary, Milton—1st Friday from 2-5 p.m.

St. Patrick—Thursday from 9:15 a.m.-4 p.m.

St. William—Tuesday from 7:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m.

St. John Vianney—Tuesday after 5:15 p.m. Mass until 7:30;

Thursday from 5:30-10 a.m.;

Friday from 8:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Readings for next Weekend

Is 55: 10-11

Rom 8: 18-23

Mt. 13: 1-23: 1-9 (103)

National Catholic Youth Choir

These pictures cannot convey the artistry, harmony and beauty the National Catholic Youth Choir shared with us in their glorious songs and chants. Their youthful spirit, combined with a mature spirituality, provided an evening that was both entertaining and inspiring. The thank you notes they left with their host families, as well as their respectful manner, left us all with a great appreciation for their visit.