Divine Mercy Weekly Update

Have in you the same attitude

that is also in Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 2:5

Parish News

Divine Mercy’s St. Vincent de Paul Conference thanks you for your amazing help in filling our shelves for our weekly Tuesday Food Pantry.   Your help will benefit the poor in our area!  Our pantry is always in need of non-perishable items like noodles, pasta sauce, macaroni and cheese, tuna, jelly and soup.  Any donation of food or personal hygiene items can be brought to the Gathering Space at church and deposited into our green bins.  

Come and join our ministry!   We welcome new members as we strive to help God’s people in need!! Contact the Parish Office at 414-762-6810 for more information.

This Sunday is Respect Life Sunday and October is Respect Life month, calling attention to the need to recognize and value all life from conception through natural death.  Join us at the following Respect Life Events:

40 Days for Life Campaign - September 27 - November 1, 2023.  Find out more about 40 Days for Life here.

Stand for Life with other Divine Mercy members in the public right of way on the west side of Hwy 100 between Green St. and Parnell.  Contact Jean Becher at 414-423-8879 with questions or to sign up.  More information about Life Chain can be found at www.milwaukeelifechain.org/about

Mass, Rosary, Adoration and Reconciliation at the Basilica of St. Josaphat (233 S. 6th Street in Milwaukee, WI).  

Anointing of the Sick will take place this Saturday, September 30 following the 4:00 p.m. Mass.  This is offered on the last Saturday of every month following Mass.  All those in need of healing, especially those preparing for an upcoming medical procedure or surgery, are encouraged to be anointed.

Cub Scouts Pack 235 will be selling wreaths and popcorn after all Masses September 30 & October 1 and October 7 & 8 for their yearly fundraiser.  Come support the Scouts!  All boys and girls in K5-5th grade are invited to join scouts, as well.  To sign up or for more information, contact Cubmaster Brian Genduso (bjg@genduso.net or 414-803-9976) or James Gates (jgates1@alumni.nd.edu or 414-301-9121).   

Pet Blessing on Sunday, October 1 at 12:30 p.m. at 800 Marquette Ave.  In honor of St. Francis of Assisi and his love and care for all creatures, we’ll have a pet blessing outside of church at Marquette Avenue.  Please have your pet on a leash or properly secured for the protection of pets and humans.

There are three opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration this week!  

Wednesday, October 4, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in our Four Saints Chapel on College Avenue

Thursday, October 5, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in church at 800 Marquette Avenue in conjunction with our All Committee Night Meetings.  Come pray for our parish, community, and world!  Your prayers make a difference.

Friday, October 6, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in church at 800 Marquette Avenue for an All Night Eucharistic Vigil of Reparation & Prayer.  See more details below.

Come spend some time with our Eucharistic Lord and let Him into your heart.

Prayer for the Synod.  Since October 2021, the Church has been engaged in a process of consultation and preparation for the 2021-2024 International Synod of Bishops. The theme for this international synod is, “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission.” The Archdiocese of Milwaukee engaged in the consultation process in Spring of 2022, and the synthesis of our local dialogue was submitted in June of 2022.

Bishops and delegates from all over the world are arriving in Rome for the opening session, which begins with Mass on October 4, 2023, and concludes on October 29, 2023.

Every session of the Second Vatican Council began with the prayer Adsumus Sancte Spiritus, the first word of the Latin original meaning, “We stand before You, Holy Spirit,” which has been historically used at Councils, Synods, and other Church gatherings for hundreds of years, being attributed to Saint Isidore of Seville. 

 We have been asked to pray this simplified version in the coming days and weeks, calling upon the power of the Holy Spirit: for the Synod, for our Holy Father Pope Francis, for bishops throughout the world, for all those who will gather, and that all may be attentive to the Holy Spirit.

October 5 is the celebration of the Memorial of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, virgin and apostle of mercy.  All are encouraged to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet this day.  3:00 p.m. (the Hour of Mercy at which Christ died on the cross) is the traditional time of prayer, but any time you can pray the Chaplet is good.  St. Faustina, pray for us!

Divine Mercy is honored to be a site for an October All Night Vigil of Reparation and Prayer on Friday, October 6 at 800 Marquette Avenue.  Beginning at 7:00 p.m. with confessions and ending with Mass at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 7, there will be the opportunity for confessions, speakers, Adoration and devotions all night long.  See the complete schedule here.  This Vigil is open to the public.  These All Night Vigils began in September of 1965 to answer our Lady’s call at Fatima to pray and do penance for world peace and for the conversion of sinners.  Sponsored by the Archdiocese in conjunction with the Legion of Mary.  Come spend an hour or more if you can!  Questions should be directed to 414-258-2665.  

The Divine Mercy Christian Women Fall Rummage Sale is on October 7! Please continue to save the following for donation: Gently used household items, purses, clothing, shoes, craft and sewing items, home decor, baby needs, toys, books, and games. Also looking for usable garage items, working electronics, and small size furniture pieces. We also love old and unique items, as well as jewelry, for our boutique. DONATION DROP-OFF DAYS are Wednesday, October 4 (6-8 pm), Thursday, October 5 (8 am-8 pm), and Friday, October 6 (8 am-12 noon) at the school cafeteria on 695 College Avenue. Please do not drop off items at the parish or school offices. Questions? Need a pickup? Please call Nancy at 414-571-1191.

Our next Healing Mass takes place Monday, October 9th at 6:30 p.m. in church at 800 Marquette Avenue.  This special Mass with the Sacrament of Anointing of the SIck is offered every 2nd Monday of the month.  If you know someone who may benefit, please invite them and come to pray for all those in need of healing and strength.

Rosary Procession
Join us on Friday, October 13, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. for our Rosary Procession to celebrate the month of the Rosary!  All families and friends are welcome to attend and pray the Rosary with us as we walk throughout the school grounds at 695 College Avenue. Please arrive no later than 9:20 a.m., as the parking lot will be blocked off for the safety of our procession.  We hope to see you there!

Catholic Schools Walk - October 13
Catholic Schools Walk is an annual fundraising walk geared towards building community within our Catholic schools, celebrating Catholic education and helping all of the Catholic schools within the Archdiocese raise money to support educational costs.  All proceeds raised at our Divine Mercy School are kept within the school; that means 100% of the money raised comes to our school! Our goal this year is to raise $9,000!  We know we can do it.  Money raised will be used for the following:

• Reduce the cost of field trips. Bussing costs have almost tripled since last year.  To reduce the burden on families, money raised from the Catholic Schools Walk will be used to help pay for buses. 
• Playground equipment and improvements, such as new game equipment, structure repairs and/or replacement.
• Outdoor reflection area and outdoor classroom seating, additions to the area such as whiteboards. 
• Technology for classrooms, such as new chromebooks, tablets, and laptops.

Help us reach our goals by texting SCHOOLSWALK12 to 71777 or at https://www.catholicschoolswalk.org/Schools-Walk Thank you for generously supporting our fabulous Catholic School!

The 8th Annual Divine Mercy's Women's Retreat - GPS - God Promises Salvation. . . Strengthening your relationship with God,  is taking place on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at 800 Marquette Avenue.. Please see the attached flier and registration form and sign up today!  We hope you will take time from your busy day to join us! 

All Sisters, Moms, Aunties and Friends are invited to our 8 th Annual Divine Mercy Women’s Retreat called GPS, God Promises Salvation. We have a great lineup of wonderful women such as Sister Kelley, OSF, Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi who will open our retreat with insight into How to pray and How to Incorporate Daily Prayer in our busy lives. In addition, we have invited two young women to speak, Ellie Hoffmann and Isabel Jimenez, from Brew City Catholic Missionary, to talk about Scripture Meditation and How to Journal your thoughts and prayers to our heavenly Father.

You are invited to start your day by joining us for Adoration & Rosary at 8:00 a.m. and Mass starting at 8:30 a.m. A continental meal and lunch will be served. So, give yourself time to fellowship and build and strengthen your relationship with God.

If you have any questions, please email or text, Dali Galaviz, dgalavizconsult@aol.com  or (479) 685-7749.

Divine Mercy’s final Saturday of Service for the 2023 season will take place on October 14 from 9:30 a.m. - Noon at 800 Marquette Avenue.  We’ll be preparing the grounds for fall and winter.  Bring your own garden tools and join us!  Contact Manny Torres with questions at 414-510-8985 or mannyt11@hotmail.com.

The Usher Pancake Breakfast is taking place Sunday, October 15 from 8:00 a.m. - Noon in the Gathering Space at 800 Marquette Avenue.  Pancakes with a Purpose is back!  Proceeds will go to provide formation classrooms with crucifixes.  All you can eat pancakes, french toast, applesauce, milk, juice, and coffee (sausage limited).  $5 for Adults, $2 for children aged 4-12, and Free for children 3 and under!  Join us for breakfast, prepared and served by our very own Ushers!

Join us for a special movie event - Power In My Hands - A story of hope and the power of prayer.  Sunday, October 15 at 2:00 p.m., 800 Marquette Avenue.  Light refreshments will be served.  The time is now to call upon God, through the powerful intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary, to heal our country and return it to holiness.  

Get ready for the Catholic Event of a Generation!  Join the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on a Pilgrimage to the National Eucharistic Congress, July 17-21, 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis. This historic 5-day gathering of 80,000+ Catholics from across the United States will be a new Pentecost, a powerful anointing and personal commission to invite others to know Christ. Learn how the Lord will bless you through this gathering by visiting Pilgrimage to the 10th National Eucharistic Congress today! 

On-going Offerings 

Monday Morning Bible Study "Plus" meets every Monday right after Mass, about 9:15 a.m. in the Parish Office Conference Room for scripture plus a book discussion of Bishop Barron’s “This Is My Body - A call to Eucharistic Revival.” We would love to have you - all are welcome!  Please contact Laurie Bania if you have any questions at 414-350-8469 or the office and leave a message. 

Grief Support is held the last Monday of every month.  The next meeting is Monday, October 30 from 10 am - 11:30 a.m. at 800 Marquette Avenue.  

Divine Mercy Card Club meets every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month in the Parish Office Conference Room at 1:15 p.m. for some card-playing fun and camaraderie.  All are welcome to join and to come and go as your schedule permits.  We usually play sheepshead, but are open to other card games, as well.   **Please note - Card Club will meet at the Kelly Senior Center at 6100 S. Lake Drive in Cudahy beginning in June until further notice.

Mother of Perpetual Help devotion and Rosary is offered every Monday at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel at College Avenue.  

Students and friends in grades 6-12 are invited to join us for Youth Group.  We meet  Mondays from 6-8 p.m. at 800 Marquette Avenue, beginning September 18th. This Fall, we are excited to bring you “Existence” (flier with dates here)! Keep an eye on the Youth Ministry page of the website and the Parent Portal for news, and fill out the online contact form and applicable permission forms to participate.  Questions?  Contact Amanda Decker at 414-762-6810 or amandadecker@www.divinemercysm.org. 

ALPHA meets Tuesday evenings from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at 800 Marquette Avenue.  Join a conversation about faith, share a meal, watch a video about a faith question/topic, and talk about it with others who are seeking to better understand.  Together, we will find Christ!  All are welcome.  Questions can be directed to Amanda Decker at 414-762-6810 or amandadecker@divinemercysm.org.

St. Anthony Devotional Group meets on the first and third Tuesdays of every month, at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel at College Avenue. Join us next on October 3 & 17. Come pray with us!

Lovely Ladies in Christ Women's Bible Study meets twice a month, every 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month at 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at Marquette Avenue. Please call Laurie Bania with any questions at 414-350-8469 and leave a message.

Divine Mercy’s St. Vincent de Paul Society hosts a Food Pantry every Tuesday from 11am-1pm at 800 Marquette Avenue.    Non-perishable food items like noodles, sauce, macaroni & cheese, tuna, jelly, and canned vegetables are always needed.  Also, personal hygiene products are running low and are needed.  Please place your donations in the marked bins in the Gathering Space.  Your support is deeply appreciated!!   

Divine Mercy’s Dynamic Men’s Group meets Wednesday Nights, 6-7:30 p.m. in the Gathering Space at 800 Marquette Avenue. Our Fall meeting dates include: September 27; October 11, 18, 25; November  8, 15, 29; December 13. 
Fellowship starts at 6 PM. Short video at 6:30 PM followed by small group discussions. Finished usually no later than 7:45 PM. Many of you have talked about how much attending these sessions have meant to you. Share this joy with a friend or relative and bring them along. For more information, contact Gary Branger at garybranger@www.divinemercysm.org.

St. Vincent de Paul Meal Program takes place every 2nd Thursday of the month.  Next on October 12.  Join Divine Mercy in preparing, cooking and serving a meal at the meal program site in Milwaukee.  Want to learn more or help in any part of the process?  Contact Manny Torres at 414-510-8985 or email mannyt11@hotmail.com.

In need of prayers for yourself or someone else? Call on our Prayer Network by contacting Dolores 414-762-0194 or Audrey 414-762-4638, so we can pray for your intentions. We also have established an email address for your prayer requests: Memorare72@gmail.com. We hope to help many through our prayers!

Unable to join us for Mass in person?  Our homebound brothers and sisters are still an important part of our parish, and we continue to pray with and for you. If you are unable to attend with us in person at this time, we livestream our Mass each Sunday.  Please contact the parish office at 414-762-6810 if you or someone you know would like a visit with Communion as well.  Masses are available for viewing anytime on our YouTube channel.  Live streams appear at the top of the page as they occur.  Our channel also has a cache of 200+ videos from the last two years nested under playlists according to type.  Listen to a homily again or share it with someone else, hear our ABIDE speakers, and more! 

Guatemalan coffee is available for sale at the Parish Office.  Cafe Juan Ana was established in 1992 by Fr. Greg Schaffer in response to challenges faced by primarily indigenous coffee farmers. Named in honor of his father & mother, John & Ann, the coffee is a delicious treat, with beans grown in rich volcanic soil.  A variety of coffee is available for $13. - $15. per bag.  We also now have K-cups and some new flavors - espresso, too!  After the independent farmer is paid, processing & shipping is covered, the balance of each bag purchased goes toward educational scholarships that Divine Mercy provides to needy students in Chinique, Guatemala.  Thank you for your purchase!

Order from the very popular Berres Brothers Coffee (Wisconsin made) and the company will give 15% off and make a 15% donation to the Scholarship Fund for a student at Divine Mercy. Opt to pay for shipping, or pick up in Watertown to save a little more money. Berres Brothers has excellent flavored coffees, as well as other options, perfect for gifts or as a treat for yourself.  Just visit www.berresbrothers.com/discount/FFSF and use code FFSF. Thank you for your support!

Got extra plastic grocery bags? Christian Women  are collecting them for a parishioner, Rita Sweet, who crochets them into mats for the homeless.  Bring your bags to church and place them in the large, marked collection box.  They’ll be given new life and these large, lightweight, weather-proof, durable sleeping mats will help someone in need.  

Fabulous Extras throughout the Archdiocese and our Community (because there’s a lot we can’t always include in our bulletin)