Parish Life This Week

Monday, March 16

9:00am Keep Warm Quilters

Tuesday, March 17 9:00am Liturgy— For Justice & Peace

1:00pm Faith Sharing Group

7:00pm Doubters, Seekers, Thinkers

7:00pm Grief Support Group

Wednesday, March 18 St. Ben’s Meal Program

9:00am Bible and More

6:00pm Stations of Cross

7:00pm Centering Prayer

Thursday, March 19 Feast of St. Joseph!

10:30am Liturgy— For Residents & Staff

(at Northfield Manor)

Friday, March 20 9:00am Liturgy— Jim Maples †

11:45am Repairers of the Breach Brown

Bag Lunch

Saturday, March 21 Workcamp Flower Orders

4:30pm Liturgy—Irnis Ivan Goveas †

Sunday, March 22 Workcamp Flower Orders

8:30am Liturgy— For the Parish

11:00am Liturgy—For Vocations

8:45am Generations of Faith

9:45am Newcomers Welcoming

12:00pm Generations of Faith

6:00pm Evening Prayer

Upcoming Events Mar 25 Faith In Our Future All Leadership

Team Meeting

Mar 25 Men’s Group

Mar 25 Guest House Shelter

Mar 28 Fair Trade Sale

Mar 28 Pastoral Council Nominations

Mar 31 Reader’s Preparation

OUR MISSION STATEMENT Good Shepherd is a Christian, caring community, nourished by a joyful spirit-filled liturgy that inspires our daily lives. We strive

to welcome, accept and love all people as they are, and through our ministries reach out with active concern to those in need.

Third Sunday of Lent—March 15, 2009

Welcome To

GOOD SHEPHERD Catholic Church

Menomonee Falls, WI

3rd Sunday of Lent — March 14 & 15, 2009

Reading II — 1 Corinthians 1:22 – 25

We proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews

and foolishness to Gentiles.

Our boast, our identity is drawn from Christ

crucified. Crucifixion was capital punishment by the cru-

elest means by the Roman Empire. On its face, such a

death does not look redemptive, just pure obliteration.

Crucifixion is an imperial threat telling the whole popula-

tion: ―This can happen to you, so stay in line.‖ Christ’s

attitude has transformed complete defeat into total tri-

umph. Death dies and still lies in the tomb. But Christ

has attained new life, despite everything done to him.

Christ crucified is our hope and salvation. Foolish?

The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,

and the weakness of God is stronger than human

strength.

God is God. And we’re not. We usually look at

the world with human values, worldly be-

liefs and cultural norms. Faith looks for-

eign. Faith isn’t leaping into the dark, into

the void. We know God’s will, we just don’t

want to do it. We have faith in our meth-

ods, not in God. Then, after getting into

trouble, we ask God to save us from our

will. But we’re still not embracing God’s

will. It remains undone. If we don’t want to

look foolish or weak, we can’t connect with

God.

4th Sunday of Lent — March 21 & 22, 2009 —

Reading II — Ephesians 2:4-10

But God, who is rich in mercy…brought us to life with

Christ…raised us up with him, and seated us with him in

the heavens in Christ Jesus.

Rich in mercy. No money involved, but true

wealth bestowed. We have difficulty valuing such

wealth. As the banks, lenders and investment houses

have collapsed, we rush to resume the upward tally of

money, since that’s what we know how to count. ―When

will we hit bottom?‖

Can we value spiritual blessings as riches?

Trade in spreadsheets, charts, prospectuses, accounts

and financial statements. Will Wall Street save? Follow

Christ as the way!

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and

this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from

works, so no one may boast.

Salvation is not a transaction with God. Points

aren’t accrued for being good, fulfilling commandments,

saying prayers, reading the Bible, doing devotions.

People say: ―Why is this happening to me? I’ve

always tried to be a good person. Is God punishing me?‖

We can’t shield ourselves from troubles with our works.

We don’t rustproof to prevent God’s corrosion! God isn’t

the source of our problems. Without our faith and faith-

fulness where would we be in trouble?

God is with us and we are with God, no matter

what happens. Painful conditions and sad events are

not God applying a test, but the offer of growth and ma-

turity. We earn nothing. We can only accept everything

gratefully, humbly and faithfully. We have enough of

what we need to serve God by God’s providence. God is

fully able and willing to communicate with each of us.

No need looking to ―someone holier‖ to know God’s will

for you. God is alive and active in our lives through faith

that we can become Godly.

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion — April 4

& 5, 2009 — Philippians 2:6-11

Have among yourselves the same

attitude as Christ Jesus.

Simple questions to ponder:

What was the attitude of Christ? What

do I have in common with Christ?

Rather, he emptied himself, taking

the form of a slave, coming in human

likeness.

More simple questions: What

needs to be emptied out of us to

make room for God’s presence? What are the possibili-

ties of our humanity, since Christ ennobled us by be-

coming like us in all things but sin?

He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even

death on a cross.

By being born as a human, Christ was destined

to die, but death on a cross was his willing act of sub-

mission and humility.

Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed

on him the name that is above every name.

Perhaps the name of Jesus Christ is not best

used in times of anger or frustration. Let’s exalt Christ

and honor his name in our thoughts and words. Make it

an Easter resolution.

— Chuck Murphy for the Prayer & Worship Commission

Lenten Scripture Readings from Saint Paul — II

March 15, 2009 Third Sunday in Lent

Food Pantry Needs: Canned Fruit and Personal Care Items

In the Spotlight will return in a Few Weeks on the Fifth

Sunday of Lent:

“When Transitions are Conversion Experiences.”

with Fr. Andre Papineau. The different transitions we

go through are potentially religious experiences. Being

aware of the potential for even the most

―irreligious‖ of our experiences as spiritual

might prove that God is closer than we think! “In the Spotlight” adult faith

formation is on these Sunday Mornings from 9:45-10:45 am.

Attention: Ushers and Commun-

ion Ministers and Acolytes. Please sign up in the sacristy for the

Triduum liturgies – Holy Thursday,

Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter

Sunday. Please fill in the days you

want as soon as possible, and note

the practice times for the liturgies.

Practice for all the Holy Week litur-

gies are on Saturday, April 4. All li-

turgical ministers are expected to

attend.

Giftbearers Needed: Please

sign up on the sheets posted on

the freestanding bulletin board in

the west lobby of church. All Good

Shepherd families and households

are invited and encouraged to fulfill

this ―priestly‖ role. If you are single,

invite some friends to participate

with you in this ministry. If you want

to do this but can’t walk the steps,

arrangements will be made for

someone else to place the

bread and wine on the altar.

Lenten Invitation Please join the Good Shep-

herd Immigration Study

Group on March 19, at 7pm

in the Christian Formation

Room as we continue to try

to understand issues regard-

ing immigration. Guest

speaker, Sr. Barbara Pfarr

SSND, a local immigration

expert, will share informa-

tion/opportunities for us to

see where Christ is crucified

today and for us to recognize

the complex roots of injustice re-

garding immigration.

Something special for your

calendars in April! Save the Dates: Tuesday through

Thursday, April 21, 22 and 23 - 7-

8:30 p.m.

A Mini-Course on the "Experience of

God in the Ordinary" with Fr. Jose

Eluvathingal. More to come...

Prayer Service for Peace – Thursday, March 19, 7pm On Thursday, March 19 at 7 pm Catholics for Peace and Justice will once

again gather together at the Joan of Arc Chapel on the Marquette campus to

commemorate the beginning of the war in Iraq, the founding event that

brought Catholics for peace and justice from Southeastern Wisconsin to-

gether in a grassroots community to pray and act for peace. On this 6th anni-

versary of the war, we must continue our efforts to seek peace.

Speaker Fr. G. Simon Harak, Director of the Marquette Center for Peacemak-

ing, will address the issue of Peace in Iraq and the Middle East

Brown Bag Lunch with our Homeless Brothers and Sisters If you’ve never attended a Brown Bag lunch with our homeless brothers and

sisters at Repairers of the Breach, here is an opportunity to do so. It would be

a great Lenten activity. Those who have attended found it an enriching experi-

ence. Our next Brown Bag lunch will be held on Friday, March 20. It includes

having lunch and reflecting on the following Sunday’s Gospel with members

of Repairers of the Breach, a daytime homeless shelter in Milwaukee.

We will carpool from Good Shepherd at 11:15 a.m. The Brown Bag lunch be-

gins at noon and ends at 1 p.m. There will be a short reflection time after-

wards. If you can attend and/or provide 10 lunches, please let me know.

For further information and to RSVP, please call Mary Ann Erdtmann, 414-

353-8740.

Pastoral Council Nominations As we approach the Glory and Joy of Easter, one of the everyday items of

being part of a Parish needs to be addressed. Specifically, we need

parishioners to reflect on their talents and their willingness to serve God

as a member of the Parish Council. If now is not the time for you, then,

think of others around you that might respond to the invitation to serve.

The first phase of the Parish Council Discernment process will begin on

the weekend of March 28/29 when you can nominate a fellow parish-

ioner as well as yourself.

To assure the future success of Good Shepherd, we

need you to step forward and emulate the Servant

Leadership that has always been the hallmark of the

parishioners of Good Shepherd.

Good Shepherd Directory N88 W17658 Christman Road

Menomonee Falls, WI 53051-2630 Parish Offices .............................................. (262) 255-2035 Courtesy/Hall Phones .................................. (262) 255-2213 Fax ............................................................... (262) 255-2020 Website ...................................... www.mygoodshepherd.org

Pastoral Team Pastor ............................................................. Kenneth Mich Deacon .................................................... Gene Christensen Deacon ..............................................................Sandy Sites Pastoral Associate ................................ Jane Clare Ishiguro Director, Administrative Services .................... Mark Steimle Director, Liturgy & Music ...................S. Joann Julka, SSSF Administrative Assistant ................... Marguerite Thompson Custodian ................................................. Jerry Podkowinski Liturgical Secretary .................................. Gene Christensen Director, Child Ministry ................................... Lorrie Maples Director, Youth Ministry ............................. Wendy Morrison CF Program Secretary................................ Ann Castiglione Coordinator of Time & Talent ..................... Shari Rodriguez Pastoral Ministers: ..................................... Ann Castiglione Pastoral Care Coordinator .......................... Cheryl Matusiak

Pastoral Council Dave Christensen ............................................. Chairperson Jim Yerger ................................................ Vice Chairperson Jeff Bloedorn......................................................... Secretary Marty Hassenfelt ...................................... Trustee Treasurer Jim Wrocklage ......................................... Trustee Secretary Eric Bloedorn, Beth Gonstead, Steven Grieb, Gerald Holbrook, Vivian Hughes, Larry Kolb, Mary Kult, Tom Moran, Julie Nolan

Staff Email Parish Office ............................ goodshepherd@gdinet.com Ann Castiglione ........................... castiglionea@archmil.org Gene Christensen ....................... christenseng@archmil.org Jane Clare Ishiguro ........................... ishiguroj@archmil.org S. Joann Julka, SSSF............................. julkaj@archmil.org Lorrie Maples ...................................... maplesl@archmil.org Cheryl Matusiak .............................. matusiakc@archmil.org Kenneth Mich ......................................... michk@archmil.org Wendy Morrison ............................ morrisonw@archmil.org Shari Rodriguez ............................. srodriguez@archmil.org Sandy Sites............................................ sitess@archmil.org Mark Steimle ..................................... steimlem@archmil.org Marguerite Thompson .................. margueritet@archmil.org

For the Hard of Hearing Hearing Assisted Devices available for celebrations and services, see usher for assistance.

Liturgy Schedule Weekend: Saturday 4:30 pm; Sunday 8:30 am & 11:00 am • Childcare (4 & under) during Sunday liturgies in Rm. 219. • Sunday 11:00 am liturgy signed for the deaf. Weekday: Tuesday & Friday 9:00 am; Thursday 10:30 am (at MFHCC, Tamarack, or Northfield Manor); 1st Tuesday 9:00 am (at Messner Manor)

Sacraments Reconciliation: Communal services held in Advent & Lent. Individual confession by appointment with the pastor. Marriage: Preparation begins by calling the pastor no later than 6 months prior to the planned date. Children’s Baptism: Call the pastor to register. Next celebrations are: April 18/19, June 6/7

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults RCIA is a time to consider full membership into the Catholic Faith. Call our office for more information.

Adult Confirmation Call our office if you wish to be confirmed.

Membership Families or individuals over 17 are invited to join our Faith Community! Call the Parish offices.

Readings for the week of March 15, 2009

Sunday: Ex 17:3-7/Rom 5:1-2, 5-8/Jn 4:5-42

Monday: 2 Kgs 5:1-15ab/Lk 4:24-30

Tuesday: Dn 3:25, 34-43/Mt 18:21-35

Wed: Dt 4:1, 5-9/Mt 5:17-19

Thursday: 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16/Rom 4:13,

16-18, 22/Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Friday: Hos 14:2-10/Mk 12:28-34

Saturday: Hos 6:1-6/Lk 18:9-14

Next Sun: 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a/Eph 5:8-14/

Jn 9:1-41 or 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

Scripture Readings for Week Vocation Views

Jesus cleaned out the temple of

money changers. He was angry;

He was zealous; He spoke with

authority. He was doing what He

had to do, even though it involved

risk, danger, insult and wonder.

Such is a vocation.

What Happened?

Fourth in a series of Lenten reflections

Presented by our local area LARCUM churches

I once heard a story that has continued to speak to me over the

years. It was about a father and his three year old son. They were

returning a book to a library in a church where they were not

members.

As the father and son walked through the church hallway, they encoun-

tered a crucifix on the wall. It was about five feet tall. The father watched as his

young son’s eyes took in the image of Jesus nailed to the cross. The boy was not

familiar with it because in their denomination, crosses were empty.

For a moment, the father considered hustling his three-year-old back out

the door to shield him from this new image. But it was too late. He had already

seen it all.

Without ever taking his eyes off the dying Jesus, the boy slowly spoke

words filled with great sadness, mystery, and wonder: “What

happened???”

Doesn’t the boy’s question let us see our faith with new eyes, too? This

Lenten season, let us ponder again what happened so many centuries ago and

then remember how it makes a difference in our lives today.

Marty Coons, Interim Pastor

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ

Chrism Mass Everyone Welcome… The blessing of the Oil of Catechumens, Oil of the Sick and Consecration of Chrism at the celebration of the Mass of Chrism, April 7, 7:30 p.m., Cathedral Church of Saint John the Evangelist, 802 North Jack-son Street, Milwaukee. If you cannot be present for this celebration, we invite you to be with Archbishop Dolan in prayer as he blesses these Oils and prays for those who will receive them.

Dolan’s Farewell To celebrate Archbishop Dolan’s dedicated ministry during his time in south-

eastern Wisconsin, and bid him a fond farewell as he now begins his new

ministry as shepherd of the Faithful in New York, we have planned two

archdiocesan farewell events.

• Sunday, March 22 – Laetare Sunday – 12:30 p.m. Mass at the Basilica of

Holy Hill, with a special invitation for permanent deacons and their spouses,

and religious sisters and brothers.

• Sunday, March 29 – the 5th Sunday of Lent – 2 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral

of St. John the Evangelist, with a special invitation for our parish directors, lay

pastoral staff, and volunteer parish leaders.

Both Masses are also open to any of the Faithful of the Archdiocese of

Milwaukee.

After reading this article, please pass

it on to a friend who might be

interested.

An Invitation to Non-Practicing

Catholics ~ The

Church has

changed and you

may not know it!

Has it been awhile

since you’ve been to Church? Are

you mad at the Church or at God?

Please give us, and yourself another

chance. Join us for informal ses-

sions for non-practicing Catholics.

We would like to know your feelings

and try to address your questions.

The Four Saints and Good Shepherd

cluster Parishes in the Menomonee

Falls/Butler area are offering infor-

mal weekly sessions called

―Catholics Returning Home.‖ The

sessions will be held at 7:00 p.m. on

six consecutive Thursday evenings

beginning April 23, 2009, at Saint

Agnes Parish. For more information

call Laverne (262) 251-3968 or

Shirley (262) 251-3888.

Centering Prayer During Lent You are invited to Centering Prayer

on Wednesdays during Lent. The

weekly Centering Prayer gatherings

are held at 7 p.m. in Room 200.

Experience the loving presence of

God during this time of silent prayer,

letting go of your thoughts, worries

and concerns. We will also spend

some time reflecting on the Lenten

Gospel readings. If you have any

questions about Centering prayer,

please call Mary Ann Erdtmann,

414-353-8740. Information is also

available at the south entrance.

One of Us God is active in the lives of individuals but it is always in the con-

text of the community i.e. God touches the lives of individuals

through the community of faith or God touches the lives of indi-

viduals for the benefit of the community. St. Paul writes, ―all gifts

that are given to individuals are given for the common good‖ (for

the benefit of the community). (I Corinthians 12, 4-14).

One case in point is the fact that our own son of

the parish, Mark Brandl whom God has touched

through us, the community at Good Shepherd, will

be ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of

Milwaukee on May 23rd at St. John the Evangelist

Cathedral. Mark is the first son of the parish to

be ordained a priest in our 52-year history.

Because Mark is a part of us and we are a part of him, Mark in-

vites us to be a part of the Mass of Thanksgiving which he will pre-

side, here at Good Shepherd on Saturday, May 30th , 4:30pm.

Mark invites us to be a further part of that day in two ways, 1)

some of us feel close to Mark and feel we would like to be a guest

at the dinner that follows the Mass, and Mark needs our names so

he can have an accurate meal count; 2) others of us will also feel

that we would like to help out with that day; some will serve as li-

turgical ministers. But Mark is also looking for people who are will-

ing to help with the food service for that meal. Mark has asked

that we collect names of willing people so that he will know ahead

of time if there are enough people to do it.

Please call the Parish office (262-255-2035) and tell if you: 1) will

be a guest at the dinner, or 2) if you are willing to help with the

food service.

—Ken Mich

Survey Results Many of you (to date over 250) have participated in our parish survey either

electronically or by the paper version. The raw data of the survey (electronic

and paper combined) is now available online by going to the parish website—

www.mygoodshepherd.org and then click on the ―survey results‖. If you do not

use the internet and would like a copy of the results, please contact the parish

office. Thank you for your participation in the survey.

—The Experience of God Vision group (Sandy Sites, Alice Murray, Mark Steimle,

Jane Clare Ishiguro, Kenneth Mich)

Fair Trade Sale The coffee, chocolate, cocoa and tea sold at the recent craft

sale were such a big hit that they are now back without the

crafts. The sale will be in the main lobby ONLY after masses

on March 28&29. Proceeds are for the benefit of Ellacuria,

our sister parish in El Salvador.