439 Washington Avenue • Neenah, WI 54956

Page 1
Spring 2015
439 Washington Avenue • Neenah, WI 54956 • (
Spring 2015
Our “Building Faith in India” Project
Celebrates Great Success!
T h r e e ye a r s ag o we b e g a n o u r ef f o r t s f o r “ B u i l d i n g F a i t h i n I n d i a ” . O u r g o a l f or S t . Ma r g a r e t Ma r y P a r i s h w a s t o a s s i s t J u n e I ng o l d a n d F r . S a vi o S a m a l a , a p r i e s t f r om s o u t h
I n d i a , b y r a i s i n g $ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 t o wa r d t h e co s t of b u i l d i n g t h e $ 3 2 3 , 0 0 0 S F A C E Mi s s i o n
C e n t e r i n I n d i a . C on s t r u c t i o n h a s b eg un a n d we a r e s o p l e a s e d t o s a y t h a t we s u r p a s s e d o u r g o a l a n d a r e g i vi n g $ 1 0 8 , 1 5 9 . 9 1 t o t h e b u i l d i n g p r o j e c t !
T h i s i s i n d e e d a t e st i m o n y t o t h e g e n e r o s i t y o f o u r p a r i s h m e m b e r s t o e xp a n d o u r r e a c h
b e yo n d o u r l o c a l a r e a a n d o u r n a t i o n , r e s p o n d i n g t o t h e n e e d s of p e o p l e i n a d e ve l o p ing country too.
I n a d d i t i o n t o t h i s f in a n c i a l g o a l , we l e a r n e d s o m u c h a b o u t t h e p e o p l e of I n d i a , t h e i r
s t r ug g l e s wi t h p o ve r t y, t h e i r c u l t u r e a n d t h e i r f a i t h . E a c h ye a r F r . Mi k e a n d h i s m o t h e r ,
J u n e I n g o l d , s h a r e d t h e i r f i r st - h a n d e xp e r i e n c e s i n I n d i a . T h e y s t r e s s e d t h e i m p o r t a n c e
o f s h a r i n g C a t h o l i c f a i t h w i t h t h e p e o p l e a n d t h e i m p o r t a n c e of e d u c a t i o n a s a m e a n s t o
b r e a k i n g f r e e f r o m po ve r t y, e s p e c i a l l y f or g i r l s , wh o h a ve a l i m i t e d a c c e s s t o e du c a t i o n .
W het h e r yo u d o n a t e d j u s t a f e w d o l l a r s o r m u c h m o r e o r yo u u s e d yo u r t a l e n t s o n c o m m i t t e e s , wo r k i n g o n b u l l e t i n s , c r a f t s o r pr o g r a m s l i k e T e a a nd S a r i s o r t h e H a l l o we e n
C a r n i va l o r yo u we r e s c h o o l c h i l d r e n t h a t d o n a t e d yo u r d i m e s a n d q u ar t e r s o r m a d e
p l a c e m a t s a n d d r a w i n g s o r t h a t yo u s u pp o r t e d o u r c om m i t m e n t wi t h p r a ye r , p l e a s e k n o w
t h a t yo u h a ve m a d e a g r e a t d if f er e n c e ! W e c a m e t og e t h e r a s a p a r i s h a n d l i ve d o u t o u r
f a i t h. W e a r e p r o u d t h a t o u r p a r i s h h a s b e e n a n i m p o r t a n t pa r t of t h i s e va n g e l i z a t i o n e f f or t .
A s we c o n c l u d e o u r “ B u i l d i n g F a i t h i n I nd i a ” p r o j e c t a n d h o s t F r . S a vi o ’ s c o n c l u d i n g vi s i t t o S t . Ma r g a r e t M a r y P a r i s h t h i s Ma y, we wi l l b e g i n t o l o o k t o wa r d t h e f u t ur e , c o n s i d e r i n g p o s s i b l e n e w r e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h o t h e r p e o p l e wh o l i ve i n p o ve r t y. W e k n ow t h a t
J e s u s h a s c o m m i s s i o n e d u s t o l i ve o u t t h e G o s p e l , c a r i n g f or t h e p o o r a n d t h o s e i n
n e e d . W e ar e p l e a s e d t o s a y t h e H u m an C o n c e r n s C o m m i t t e e h a s e s t a b l i s h e d a s u b c o m m i t t e e, t o i n ve s t i g a t e p o t e n t i a l f ut u r e o u t r e a c h i n i t i a t i ve s .
O n Ma y 2 8 t h , F r . S a vi o s p o k e a b o u t t h e p r o g r e s s of t h e b u i l d i n g p r o j e ct a n d
h o w C a t h o l i c p r e s e n c e a t t h e Mi s s i o n C e n t e r i s t o u c h i n g t he h e a r t s of n e a r b y v i l l a g e r s .
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Spring 2015
Building Faith in India Report
May 12, 2015
Total donations through May 12, 2015
Donation from St. Margaret Mary School Carnival
Total revenue from past events and sales
$ 92,275.92
$ 1,231.75
$ 9,497.94
Total raised in parish for Building Faith in India
$103,005.61
Donations sent directly to S FACE in name of SMM prior to date
$
6,891.00
+
Total raised for S FACE (in parish and direct donations)
Total Expenditures
$ 109,896.61
-
$ 1,736.70
That is about 1.5 % of total taken in! Approximately $560 of this was used for prizes and educational
materials given away so only $1176 was used for printing raffle tickets, bulletin inserts and other supplies.
Total Amount Given to or Reserved for S FACE Mission Center
$108,159.91
______________________________________________________________________________________
Report on Funds Received by S FACE
October, 2012 SMM to S FACE
February, 2013 SMM to S FACE
July, 2013 SMM to S FACE
June, 2014 SMM to S FACE
July, 2014 SMM to S FACE
Directly to S FACE from parishioner donors
$ 28,000.00
$ 3,000.00
$ 20,000.00
$ 6,000.00
$ 6,500.00
$ 6,891.00
+
Total received by S FACE in SMM name
$ 70,391.00
______________________________________________________________________________________
Current balance in BFI account
$ 37,768.91
Page 3
Spring 2015
From the Business Office
By Juanita Harder
Director of Business and Operations
Telephone: (920) 729-4560, ext. 107
Email: [email protected]
It has been great meeting many of you over the last several months and seeing the passion you have for St. Margaret
Mary Parish. I’m energized by how you exhibit your faithfulness through your time, talent and financial contributions.
Parish staff and the Finance Council have been working diligently to develop the 2015-2016 parish budget. Overall, our
preliminary operating budget remains the same as last year’s (i.e., no increases in expenses). However, in addition to
our operating needs, a capital expense of $28,000 is being budgeted for replacement of the boiler in the Parish Center.
The current boiler was installed when the building was built in 1954 and now is need of replacement. By replacing it proactively before an issue arises, we can avoid more costly repairs in the heart of winter and also benefit from a new,
more efficient heating system.
Much progress has taken place over the last year to improve St. Margaret Mary’s financial position. We’ve moved from
showing a loss of $150,000 at the end of last year to being on track to meet our operating needs this year, without having to rely on a line of credit. Although our cash flow still fluctuates from month to month – particularly in the summer
months as families enjoy weekends away -- we are definitely heading in the right direction and have reason to celebrate.
A continued focus on sacrificial giving will help us continue to be financially strong. In addition, consider these additional
financial opportunities:
Automatic withdrawals are a great way to make your sacrificial giving contributions every week and help us out
with cash flow variations so we can avoid tapping in to the line of credit. If you have not yet taken the opportunity to
contribute via automatic withdrawal and would like to do so, please complete an Automatic Withdrawal Form. Forms are
available on the parish website, at the church kiosk, or contact me and I’d be happy to help you get started.
Scrip purchases are easy, don’t cost you extra money and are available at the back of church every weekend.
By trading your money for gift cards that you can use for gas, groceries, gifts, restaurants and more, you help us earn
valuable credits for the church paid by Great Lakes Scrip every week.
Thank you for responding to God’s blessings with your generosity. We are blessed that you have chosen to be a member of our Parish community and want to provide everyone here with the spiritual support they need to walk closely with
the Lord every day of their lives. May God continue to bless you and your family.
SCHOOL PARENTS
Ordering Scrip through the summer to help offset your child’s tuition is easy!
● Paper orders and checks need to be hand-delivered to the SMCS Business Office by 9:00 am each Monday.
● On-line orders with PrestoPay need to be placed by 10:00 am each Monday.
● Pick up after 1:00 pm each Thursday.
There are also some limited hours of pick up available at the following parishes:
St. Gabriel Parish
St. Margaret Mary Parish
St. Patrick’s Parish
Please email [email protected] or [email protected] if you want to pick up your Scrip from one of those parishes.
Please remind all your friends, family and neighbors to keep the Scrip habit going. This last school year over $180,000 in Scrip
credit was put on family tuition accounts to offset tuition!
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Spring 2015
Eleanor Healy, principal
Together
We can soar…
St. Margaret Mary
School News
The Mission of St. Margaret Mary School is to provide a Christ-Centered Community of Life-long Learners.
Success is important and achievement matters, but if our accomplishments are not partnered with faith, character, and purpose, they are nothing.
“What does it benefit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul.” (Mk. 8:36)
St. Margaret Mary School is rich in academics, provides students with programs that employ technology and innovation, but
most importantly it is rooted in faith.
As Bishop Ricken has established a two year emphasis on prayer and holiness for his six year initiative, Disciples on the Way,
our emphasis throughout this school year and next is on prayer. Along with the academic subjects and specialist classes at
which our students excel, we want to recognize the importance of life-long development in our relationship with God.
Students participate in numerous service projects and leadership opportunities as well as after school Fine Arts and STEM
Enrichment classes. We provide wrap-around care for our students from 7:30-5:30 daily in a supportive and nurturing environment. The values taught in your home are reinforced in our schools.
Our students could not enjoy the gift of a Catholic education without the support of our parishes. Each student thanks you for
the lasting impact Catholic education will have on the person that he or she will become and I thank you for your investment
in the future of our Catholic Community.
Registration is on-going. Please access our web site at www.tcces.org and follow the directions for admission.
We Welcome
New Parishioners
Growing Our Endowment
Mer ed it h Me ye r
J o s h Li nd b o m
Ho wa rd & B e c k y P io tr o ws k i
Ro b er t & Me g a n P ir r i
Dar wi n B o r r el y
C yn t h ia S h ip l e y
La nce & Step h a ni e Er n s ti n g
J o s h & Al ic ia Ra y
Mat t he w & Kr i s ti e B ut le r
The St. Margaret Mary
Endowment Fund is like
this tree. In order for it to
grow it must be constantly
nourished with water. That
watering comes from the
generous gifts and bequests made by parishioners.
That is why the Fund Trustees has selected this
tree as a symbol of the Endowment Fund. Please
consider making the Fund a beneficiary in your
estate plans, memorial donations, and in your annual gifts so as to provide for the perpetual support of the Parish.
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Spring 2015
---RCIA--This year we have journeyed with four adults through their process of preparation to receive Catholic sacraments.
Three became Catholic and one completed Catholic initiation with Confirmation.
We welcome them with great joy!
They are grateful for your prayer and support and now share with you a portion of the letters they wrote
to express their desire to receive Catholic sacraments. It is so beautiful to glimpse
how God has been present to each of them through the RCIA process this year.
“While I have been blessed to have developed a strong Christian faith foundation over the years, the RCIA
process has certainly strengthened my faith and has really highlighted the Catholic sacraments and teachings, making them understandable and easy to embrace. I am ready to receive the Catholic sacraments as I
continue to serve God and others.”
-Dr. Thomas Zoch
My wife and I “started this journey for the sole reason of our children. We want our children to be raised and
educated n the Catholic faith…We have gained more than we sought in this RCIA process. I have achieved
a level of spiritual peace that has resulted in being a better father, son and spouse.”
-Greg Treep
“I have found this process spiritually lifting ‘a heavy load’ off my heart as I have been able to come to peace
with a close family member’s unexpected passing. RCIA has also brought new and GOOD people into our
lives…We are ready to finalize our last steps in this process…”
-Dr. Sara Treep
“My journey to convert to Catholicism has been much more than I ever could have imagined it to be…It was
out of a deep desire to continue serving God in partnership with my husband…I am so much more aware,
accountable and responsible for my daily actions than ever before…Catholicism has taught me how to better reflect on my past, present and future…My faith has never been stronger.”
-Michele Del Viscio
---RCIA--RCIA
2015 – 2016
Do you consider becoming Catholic or know someone who is waiting to be invited? Are you a Catholic adult
who was not confirmed? Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic Church? Call Joan Bartman
(729-4560). We could meet to discuss your interest and share information about RCIA at our parish. Our sessions will begin in September.
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Spring 2015
Parish Website
Go to our parish website— smmneenah.org. It
contains an amazing amount of information
about our parish and is continually updated with
news from the parish and across the diocese.
 Photographs of parishioners at parish functions
 Weekly bulletins and quarterly newsletters
 Information from Religious Formation, Youth
Ministry and a link to TCCES Schools
 Information from Parish Councils and Committees
 Information under Worship, Education, Outreach and
Parish Life
Wednesday Morning
Bible Study
Looking for a small group activity for summer? You are welcome to be part of group that gathers in the Parish Center on
Wednesday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. to study the Sunday scripture readings for the coming weekend. We are open to
new members. Just come weekly or as you are able.
Parish Outreach Fund Report
January 27, 2015 – May 6, 2015
Balance on January 27, 2015
$ 15,695.42
Income
Parish Outreach Fund Collection
+ $ 1,280.00
Expenditures
Easter Giving SCRIP for parish families
- $ 4,000.00
Balance on May 6, 2015
$ 12,975.42
(We serve about 40 families each time we offer support from our Parish Outreach account.)
…..Gratitude for Memorial Gifts……
This list acknowledges recent memorial gifts and expenditures made with those gifts. We are deeply grateful to those who
wished to honor and remember their loved ones by supporting the ongoing ministry of St. Margaret Mary Parish.
---In Memory of--Barb Peterson
Alice Derfus
---The Gift was used for--New Materials for St. Margaret Mary School Library
St. Margaret Mary Parish Endowment
---Future Memorial Gifts--Memorial gifts are published in the quarterly newsletter and a weekly bulletin shortly after the gift is received and families
have decided on its use. Our Pastoral Associate facilitates memorial gifts. Joan is happy to assist you with any questions
or concerns you may have about memorial gifts to the parish. Call her at 729-4560 ex 106.
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Spring 2015
Religious Education News
ST. MARGERET MARY IS A SACRAMENTAL CHURCH!
First Communion was a huge success at St. Mar gar et Mar y. We had 51 2 nd Graders come to the Table of the Lord for the first
time on May 2 & 3, 2015. The children participated in the Masses by reading the readings and universal prayers and bringing up the
gifts. What a wonderful time in the lives of our young believers. They have a place at the table of the Lord, they just need to come to
the gathering each Sunday.
On April 26th, 34 young adults were Confirmed by Bishop Banks. They participated in the Mass by reading the readings and universal prayers, leading the Psalm response, and bringing up the gifts. Many of the Confirmation candidates took Confirmation names
such as Esther, Genesius, and Sebastian. The Confirmation was a beautiful celebration of full initiation into the Catholic Church.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Registration forms for Vacation Bible School---Everest: Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power will be sent out by the
early part of June. If you have children that are in Grades Kindergarten thru 5 th Grade who would like to participate please send in
your registration form by June19th, 2015. VBS will take place at St. Margaret Mary Parish July 6 th-9th from 9:00am-11:30am. If you
have young people in Grades 6—High School who would like to volunteer please send Amy Matz their names via email at
[email protected].
Changes for the 2015-2016 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION YEAR
There are a few changes that will take place in the Religious Education Program for 2015-2016. One of the changes is the
title of the program: Religious Education. This program aims to instruct children and youth in the Christian religion, specifically Roman Catholicism. It will take time to see the changes in correspondence as we will need to make changes in envelopes, stamps, etc.
A second change in the RE program is in leadership. Tina Peirick, who has been coordinating the High School portion of the program will continue coordinating the High School curriculum, but in addition, will also coordinate Grades 6-8 Religious Education.
Any questions or concerns should be directed to Tina. Cindy Kyles-Werth, who coordinated Grades 6-8 Religious Education will
focus solely on Youth Ministry for Grades 6-12. There will be an increase of opportunities for the youth to gather as community as
well as opportunities for mission trips for both Grade levels.
A third change to the RE program is that High School Religious Education will be offered on both Sunday nights (6:30pm7:45pm) and Wednesday nights (6:30-7:45pm). An email was sent out looking for guidance of moving the Sunday night classes back
a half hour but the majority of the respondents said that the 6:30pm time worked best in their families.
Another change to the program is that Sunday night RE will meet the first three Sundays of a month to make it more consistent
with the weekday programs. It was made clear that when a young person missed a class on Sunday, they would miss a whole month.
That is not good consistency for young people and it doesn’t lend itself for catechists to get to know the youth.
Finally, the 2015-2016 Religious Education (RE) Year will focus on prayer as part of Bishop Ricken’s initiative “Teach My People To Pray” and to make prayer a priority in our lives and to be intentional in our prayer. The children and youth enrolled in the RE
program will learn different ways of praying as well as experiencing different forms of prayer.
A HUGE THANKS . . .
The Religious Education programs depends on the generous gift of time of many people who are willing to share their faith with
our young believers. I would like to thank the following people for willingly giving up one night a week to help teach our youth about
our rich faith:
Darby Schneider, Kaitlin Pickens, Casey Pickens, Barb Helwink, Lynne Hildebrandt, Anna Cihlar, Linda Drumm, Denise Murie, Amy Bornemann,
Tammy Fisher, Beckett Mathews, Sandy Wangard, John Draves, Karyl, Kubiak, Nathan Peirick, Steve Richard, Shannon Schultz, Jackie Habza,
Cindi Auth, Sue Marti, KarieAnn Zeinert, Danielle Lenz, Tamara Hasz, Carrie Clark, Kelly Mjaanes, Mary Schmeichel, Stephanie Vandeberg, Dan
Laurent, Dan Bornemann, Karen Kain, Erica Greis, Sarah Cunningham, Merideth Lauer, John Kerins, and Craig Freund. This wonderful group of
people were deeply dedicated and very enthusiastic to share their faith in the Religious Education and Confirmation programs.
People don’t always realize that, so much of a Religious Education program, is done behind the scenes. I would like to thank
Doreen Benedict (Sunday Morning Coordinator), Marcie Howard (Administrative Assistant), Cindy Kyles-Werth (Middle School RE
Coordinator & Youth Minister), and Tina Peirick (High School RE Coordinator) for all their hard work in making the program a success.
Finally, I would like to thank Aaron Ahlswede for helping in the RE office on Wednesday nights making phone calls, doing little
jobs, and watching over the building when I couldn’t be in two places at once. My sincere thanks!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! To all of you!!!!!!
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Spring 2015
Page 8
Dear Friends
St. Margaret Mary Parish
On behalf of the Friends of Haiti organization and the people we serve in
Haiti I would like to thank you for all of the wonderful gifts and supplies
you have provided. It is a wonderful feeling for many of us on the mission when we are able to give out one of the gifts you have provided!!
The people in the mountains of Haiti are without many resources. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap
are not common to everyone. Diapers for babies are a luxury. Your gifts have aided their personal
needs and have elevated their dignity.
Jackie has shared that you are open to suggestions for your future work. Getting things to Haiti is difficult for us at the time of the mission. So we are now shipping once a year. Your continued help is
greatly appreciated.
The hygiene kits for adults and children are a continued need. The ziplock bag with a toothbrush,
toothpaste, bar of soap, and a wash cloth are a wonderful gift for the people we are working
with. And, when you see 4500 to 6000 patients on a mission you know we would never have too
many!!
The baby kits with the diaper, pins, bar of soap or infant wash, washcloth, and the bottle are also very
well received and provide for basic needs. It would be helpful to have some with sippy cups rather than
all with bottles. And, again, with the volume of babies we see we never have too many!!
Other needs that we continue to try to meet and take with us are boxes of infant cereal, bottles of Selsun Blue, tubes of antibiotic ointment or antifungal ointment, and bars of soap. We are also in need of
some dishcloths. We send two with each bottle of dish detergent and we send 2 or 3 bottles to each of
our 5 or 6 sites. The purpose of this is to help prevent disease in our volunteer workers. We do have an
adequate supply of dish detergent.
Our friends in Haiti and the Friends of Haiti in Green Bay have been blessed with your Renew
Group. We extend God’s blessings to each of you, and we thank each of you for all of your efforts and
generosity!!!
Friends of Haiti-Green Bay
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Spring 2015
HUMAN CONCERNS COMMITTEE UPDATE
Since our last Friendship Flyer report, the Human Concerns Committee has sponsored the following projects as we work to
enable everyone to “be the heart and hands of Jesus” here in our parish, our community, and our world.
Lenten Almsgiving
Rice Bowl CRS Program
Thank you to all that participated in the Human Concerns Lenten Almsgiving program. We raised a total of $3,892.78 to donate to Catholic Relief Services. One fourth of our donations ($973) will come back to our diocese and be used locally in designated programs. Our parish members, Religious Education students and our school children all participated and WE THANK
YOU!
Easter Baskets
Our Easter Basket Project was a huge success due to the many parishioners who chose to be the “Heart and
Hands of Jesus.” Because of your generosity 79 beautiful baskets brought Easter joy to parishioners, a group
home and Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Center.
Help to complete the project came from Sheila Scanlan, Sally Bellile, Marcie Howard and those parishioners
who volunteered to deliver the baskets. They were: Dawn and Gabi Bolwerk Jackie Burr, Lloyd and Judy
Delveaux, Mary Hamblin, Jim Koziczkowski, Natalie Ripley, Ellyn Sachs, Pat Bowen, Jan Choronzy, Sally
Erdman, Paul and Lois Kerscher, Carol Reinhardt, Diane Roth, Will Scribner and Cindy Kyles-Werth.
The example of loving, sharing and caring was an inspiration to all!
The Human Concerns Committee
Darlene Rogers and Kathy Koziczkowski, co-chairs
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Spring 2015
Thank You for Contributing Towards St. Vincent De Paul Collection
St. Margaret Mary Parish Human Concerns Committee and Youth Ministry SDVP (St. Vincent De Paul) collection was a
HUGE success! Special thanks to the many families and parishioners whom participated so wonderfully to this important
cause. Gratefully, St. Margaret Mary Parish collected over 20 bags of new and/or gently used clothing the weekends of April 11
-12, and April 18-19 2015!
SVDP was elated with SMM parishioner's positive response and expressed much gratitude, as a result of the donations
contributed. St. Margaret Mary Youth Group/Youth Advisory Team Members and Human Concerns Committee worked well
together as we loaded up vehicles, delivered the collected items, and took a tour of SVDP, learning of their mission. Youth and
adults, alike, were amazed by the amount SVDP contributes to those in need. We learned that SVDP helps 5000 people in the
Neenah-Menasha area. The money generated here, stays in this area. Currently, the new SVDP store is four times the space of
the old store; thus, SVDP now helps five times more families in need in the Neenah-Menasha area! SVDP staffs ten employees
and 130 volunteers.
Blessings of Generosity, Gratitude, and Giving,
St. Margaret Mary Youth Advisory Team
and Human Concerns Committee
Members
Mother’s Day Roses for Life
Respect Life Father’s Day Candy Bar Sale
Thank you to all who supported the Mother's Day Rose Sale on May 8 & 9. A total of $662.00 was collected and the remaining
17 roses were delivered to a Neenah local nursing home. The donations will be sent to the local Wisconsin Right to Life for
educational purposes. We will again be having the candy bar sale for Father's Day June 20 & 21. The candy bars will be a
$1.00. The money collected will be used by our local Neenah/Menasha Respect Life Committee. Continue to pray and fast for
the unborn that are in danger of abortion. John 14:13-14 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be
glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it Thank you again for your continued support.
Noon Meal Outreach Update
Noon Meal Outreach served a delicious meal at Fox Valley Community Table on Tuesday, March 3. We served 73 guests
chicken divan, dinner rolls, carrots and brownies with ice cream. One guest enjoyed their meal so much, they asked for the
recipe!
The next meal we are serving is on Saturday, June 27. Please watch the bulletin and listen to the announcements for sign up
dates.
Thank you so much for your tremendous support of Noon Meal Outreach!
Page 11
Spring 2015
Human Concerns Committee Book Study
As we reported in the last Friendship Flyer, our committee has the goal this year of educating ourselves by
reading and studying the book “A Path Appears—Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunity” written by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.
We’ve completed the Part I: “Giving Opportunity Wings”. In addition to what was reported in the last Friendship Flyer, we have identified the following significant points in our continuing study:
--Poverty is not the lack of money. It is the lack of hope, the lack of jobs, and the lack of family and social
structures.
--It is critical to intervene in early life—there is a crucial window when the brain is developing and foundations
for adult life are being laid.
--Children’s programs are most successful when they address parenting skills.
--Poverty is often accompanied by clinical depression.
--We have invested minimally in early childhood and preventing delinquency, but enormously in the criminal
justice system.
--There has been a decline in traditional families across all racial and ethnic groups.
--When stressed, people are biologically less able to exert self-control.
--Sex trafficking is a significant problem world-wide.
--People exposed to violence are more likely to engage in violence.
The book identifies a number of charities who have been evaluated for their goals and outcomes in terms of
their success in transforming lives and creating opportunity. Our committee is using this information for our
planning of the disbursement of our 2014-2015 Parish Outreach funds so that we can use your donations wisely and have a significant impact on poverty and social injustice. Thus far we have decided to support the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Womankind Medical Clinic, Appleton, WI
CASA of the Fox Cities (Court Appointed Special Advocate)
Nurse-Family Partnership of WI
Reach Out and Read
Heifer International
Friends of Haiti
St. Margaret Mary Poverty Outreach
Thank you for supporting our efforts at transforming lives and creating opportunities to change the face of
poverty in our world.
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Spring 2015
Upcoming Human Concerns Project
● School Supplies Collection on July 18th-26th for the Neenah/Menasha Back to School Fair
“All that we do worth doing is what we do for others.
What we do for ourselves dies with us.
What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal”.
Albert Price
80+Birthday Club
A re yo u aware th a t a ll p a rish ion e rs 8 0 a nd old er receive a b irth d ay card, call
an d /o r visit arou n d the ir b irth da y? Vo lun teers are n eeded to make the calls
and visits. Most o f o ur sen io rs are so bu sy t h at they d o n o t wan t a visit b u t all ap p reciate th e parish
famil y sen d ing the ca rd s an d c a lls. (C a rd s are mailed fro m th e p arish o ffice. ) If yo u can spa re a n
h o ur o r two per mon th, p le a se c on tac t Barb B artz at 7 22 -3 0 64 o r b arb. bartz@ new. rr.co m to vo lun teer. Y ou will b e sen t a sc he d u le fo r tho se to co n tact. V isits and calls are arrang ed b y yo u a t yo u r
co n ven ience. T h is is a wo nd e rfu l min istry an d mu ch app reciated . A n ew sch edu le will be p re pa re d
fo r the su mmer mo n th s, so p le a se vo lun teer so o n. Man y o f o u r cu rren t vo lu n teers are o ve r 8 0 the mselves. T hank yo u .
“Parish Life Committee” News
The Parish Life Committee has a busy year ahead! Please see below and mark your calendars:
• June 7, 2015 - Parish Picnic following the *10:30* am Mass
• July 16, 2015 - 8:00 pm - Family Movie Night
• October 3, 2015- Family Hayride following Mass
• November 8, 2015 - 8:30 am - Senior Appreciation Breakfast
• December 7, 2015 - 6:30 pm - Advent by Candlelight in Friendship Hall
• February 13, 2016 - Marriage Recognition Event
• March 18, 2016 - 5:30 pm - Mac and Cheese Dinner and Family Bingo
Page 13
Spring 2015
“For the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is His name!” –Luke 1:49
Dear friends of Saint Margaret Mary Parish,
May the peace of Christ be with you! I would like to start off by thanking you all for your prayers and support over my
time of discernment! I have been blessed beyond words to be living at the Mater Redemptoris Convent and House of Formation
in La Crosse with the Sisters of Saint Francis of the Martyr Saint George. In my time here I have been able to embrace the life
of the sisters; learn, pray and be in community with many wonderful woman.
I have had the opportunity to visit and meet many different religious communities around the United Stated States and
it is true that our church is alive and blossoming with willing and joyful vocations! During my time here, I have been working
as a Support Specialist with Catholic Charities, taking care of mentally disabled adults and children. I have learned so much
from this position and it has increased my desire to spend my life serving God’s children.
Through prayer, the Lord has invited me to serve at the Shrine of Saint Therese in Juneau, Alaska for the next year. I
will be serving as a volunteer caregiver for the land and working with the pilgrims that visit the Shrine. I feel honored and
blessed beyond words to be given this opportunity, and I will continue with my journey to enter candidacy in the near future!
Please know that you are all in my daily prayers. I thank our Lord every day for allowing me such a supportive and
joyful home parish community! May God bless you!
In joyful thanksgiving,
Lexee Harbor
Music and Liturgy Update
It is hard to believe I have been here at St. Margaret Mary Parish for almost a year already. Your welcome has been nothing
but warm and open, and for that I am extremely grateful.
I wanted to take a moment and highlight some of what we have accomplished together over this first year.
Formation of a regularly scheduled youth choir to lead music once per month
A parish Taize prayer for peace that was extremely successful and prayerful, which will hopefully become a regular prayer
form for our parish
● A web based scheduling program for altar servers, soon to be used for readers and Eucharistic ministers as well which allows
for greater control and flexibility for our volunteers.
● The purchase of new hymnals to continue to grow our repertoire
●
●
These are just a few of the things we have done in addition to changes you may have noticed with music and liturgy.
As we move forward as a parish, I am encouraged by the energy of our youth. Some ideas going forward
might include: adding additional instrumentalists, the formation of a handbell choir, the formation of a
family choir, and a workshop for altar servers. These are just a few ideas for our liturgy and music programs going forward. If you have any additional ideas or would like to become more involved, please do
not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to getting to know many more parishioners over the next year.
Thank you for all you do and warmest blessings as the summer begins!
Musically Yours,
Justin Krueger
Director of Music and Liturgy
.
Spring 2015
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Easter Flower Donations
DONOR
IN MEMORY / HONOR OF
Mr & Mrs Andrew Nelson
Our Parish Family
Mr & Mrs Donald Boushele
Deceased Son & Parents
Eileen Marshall
Mr & Mrs Lloyd Delveaux
Delveaux & Chartrand Families
Mike Marshall
Mr & Mrs Wayne Reinhardt
Clyde Smith
Mr & Mrs Alan Sprague
Mr & Mrs Harry Michelkamp
Our Parents
Mrs Patricia Finch
Laura Batterman
Norbert Kuenzi
Nikolas Beek
Mr & Mrs Rick Recktenwald
Mr & Mrs Larry Stelow
Funeral Meal Ministry
DONOR
Mr & Mrs Mark Kellermann
IN MEMORY / HONOR OF
Ralph & Germaine Kellermann
Richard Finch
Mr & Mrs Kyle Barriger
Mr & Mrs Bernard Dvorachek
Mrs Sally Erdman
Deceased Members of the
Funeral Meal Ministry
Jon Erdman
Mr & Mrs John Konetzke
Konetzke & Steffensen Families
Mrs Jackie Burr
Mrs Glen Ahles
Peroutka & Detert Families
Mrs Jane Mrotek
Dale & Julie Mrotek
Mrs Eileen Vedra
Karen Beyer
Joe Fuchs Family
Vernon Rueckert
Mrs Helen Simon
Henry Simon
Mrs Dorothy Williams
Jack Williams
Mr & Mrs Paul Kerscher
Kerscher & Kaminski Families
Mrs Rose Marie Goodwin
John Goodwin
Mr Michael Simonis
Belva G.Simonis
Jeanette Kiesgen
Mr & Mrs Victor Turoski
Helen Turoski
Mrs Charlotte Steinkraus
Mrs Darlene Rogers
Jack Rogers
Janet Gehrke
Mrs Joan Below
Samantha Detlaf
Mr & Mrs Patrick Brennan
Dick Burr
Kris (Burr) Schmiedel
Earl Steinkraus
Mrs Jan Choronzy
Nick Choronzy
Marlin & Josephine Buss
Mrs Dorothy Bradley
Bradley & Ostdiek Families
Lee & Zita Freund
Robert Jankowski
Mrs Dolores Kluck
Thomas D Kluck
Mr Ambrose Gracyalny
Mr & Mrs John Scudder
Wilhelmina Wurzbach
Darell Gracyalny
Mr & Mrs Curt Kubiak
Bob & Dolores Grottola
Margaret Gracyalny
Mr & Mrs Thomas Merckx
Frank Merckx
Andrew Gracyalny
Mr & Mrs Michael Buss
Mabel Gracyalny
Russ & Della Hunt
Mrs Dorothy Kons
Bernard Kons
Mrs Diane Baudhuin
Allen Baudhuin
Mr & Mrs Robert Mucha
Our Deceased Parents
Mr & Mrs David Finch
George & Bev Finch
Mrs Audrey Glatz
Melvin Glatz
Alvin Slomski Family
Joe & Marie Deimer
Mr & Mrs David Purcell
Ed & Anna Glatz
Mr & Mrs John Giese
Gregg Deimer
Page 15
Easter Flower Donations, Cont……..
DONOR
IN MEMORY / HONOR OF
Marilyn Shutte
William & Josephine Shutte
Mr Gary Brennan
DONOR
Spring 2015
IN MEMORY / HONOR OF
Mr & Mrs Gant
Mr & Mrs Patrick Geniesse
Mrs Janice Schmitzer
James F. Schmitzer & Family
Ms Debora Keck
Ken & Florence Klabunde
Mr & Mrs Alfred Jugo
The Jugo / Klassen Families
Mr & Mrs Ronald Cook
Our Military
Mrs Oksanna Huxley
Gregor, Olga & Eugene Lytwyn
Mrs Kathy Prell
Grandma Szuster
Mrs Mary Brandt
Carl Brandt
Markewych Family
Mr & Mrs Robert Henby
Ian A. Huxley
Mr & Mrs Srerke
Mrs Evelyn Reddin
Jean Wieck
Mrs Donna Block
Marshall Family
Mrs Donna Block
DeCaluwe Family
Block Family
Mrs Ruth Pope
Jon Pope
Bob Young
Mrs Audrey Keyes
Deceased Family Members
Ms Audre Miller
A Parish Nurse Farewell
15 Years…..brought Lots of Fears, Tears, Cheers
THANK YOU for the privilege of being Your Parish Nurse….starting this ministry at St. MM. I will have an
opportunity throughout the month of June to Thank You personally and ask you to trust and share with my
successor. This "treasured "poem sums up so much of what transpires in Parish Nursing
Thoughts on Being a Parish Nurse: by J. Quigley
You welcome me with warm embrace, I see a joy upon your face
We sit a while and start to chat, discussing this and sometimes that.
At times we laugh, sometimes we weep.
Each worry that you give to me releases bonds and sets you free.
There seems so much that we can say….then comes the time to softly pray.
It's then I feel a healing calm, soul soothing from some sacred balm.
I wonder do you feel it too? Each visit brings something new.
It's hard to measure outcomes here, except in terms of copious cheer.
The hours that I spend with you are ones which certainly renew
My faith and brings such loving grace, I see that all upon your face.
How blessed I feel you let me share your life, your heart, your every care.
God's graces pour out over me in every moment of ministry.
.
Page 16
Spring 2015
Parish School Subsidy Is Most Appreciated
T he fi v e c a mp u se s o f o u r S t. M ar y Ca t ho l ic Sc h o o ls (S M CS ), i n cl ud i n g St. Mar g are t M ar y Grad e
Sc ho o l, ar e vi b ra nt a nd gr o wi n g. Our p ar i s h fa m il ie s wh o ha ve c hi ld re n enro l led i n o ur sc ho o l s t ru l y
ap p rec ia te t he r ed uct io n i n t u it io n t ha t t h e y p a y, t ha n k s to t h e p ar i s h fi n an ci al s ub sid y co m mi t m en t s
and t h ird -so urce fu nd i n g (d o n at io n s a nd fu nd rai si n g) t ha t s ub st a nt ia ll y r ed u ce t he co s t o f t he ir t uit io n.
T he 2 0 1 5 - 1 6 o p er a ti n g b ud ge t fo r o ur sc ho o l s ys te m’s h i g h sc ho o l, mi d d le sc ho o l a nd t hre e e le m en tar y
sc ho o ls wa s rec e nt l y ap p r o v ed b y o ur b o ard o f t ru st ee s a nd o ur co rp o rat e b o ard , o f wh i c h B i s ho p R ic k en i s p r es id e n t. T he to t al co s t to o p er a te o u r fi ve s c ho o l s n e xt ye ar wi l l b e $ 6 ,2 0 7 ,0 0 0 . T h a n k s t o t h e
s a c r i f i c e a n d g e n e r o s i t y o f o u r pa r i s h i o n e r s a n d o t h e r f u n d r a i s i n g so u r c e s , e v er y f a mi l y ’ s t u i t i o n
c o s t i s l o w e r t h a n t h e t r u e c o s t t o e d u c a t e a s tu d e n t . N e x t y e a r , t h e co s t p e r s t u d e n t fo r i n - p ari s h
fa mi lie s at o ur hi g h s c h o o l wi l l b e $ 8 , 5 2 5 and t he t u it io n c h ar ged wi ll b e $ 5 , 7 6 0 ; th e co st p er s t ud e n t
at o ur mid d le sc ho o l wi l l b e $ 6 , 2 3 5 and t he t u it i o n c har ged wi l l b e $ 3 , 5 9 5 ; and t he co st p er st ud en t
( f u ll - ti me, K - 5 ) at t he el e me nt ar y le ve l wi l l b e $ 5 , 4 8 7 and t h e t u it io n c h arg ed wi ll b e $ 2 , 7 7 5 . Yo ur
s up p o rt a nd t hird so u r ce f u nd s o f f s et t he co st o f t ui tio n at $ 2 ,6 5 0 - $ 2 ,7 5 0 p er st ud e nt, a nd a llo w
SM C S t o p ro vid e a q u al i t y, co mp r e he n s i ve Ca t ho lic fai t h - b as ed ed u cat io n at eac h o f o ur sc ho o l s.
In ad d i tio n to p ari s h s ub sid ie s a n d o t h er so urc es o f co ntr ib ut io n s, SM C S is b le s sed wi t h fi na ncia l aid
gr a n t s a nd t u it io n a s si s t an ce g i ft s f r o m o ut s id e d o no r s t ha t to ta l ap p ro x i ma tel y $ 2 6 0 ,0 0 0 p e r ye ar. W e
ha v e a co n fid e nt ia l fi n a nc ia l a id ap p li ca tio n p ro ces s t ha t re v ie ws req u es ts fro m fa mi li es wh o n e ed s up p le me n tar y fu n d i n g to m ak e a C at ho li c ed u cat io n a re al it y fo r t h eir c hi ld ren . Fo r t h e up co mi n g y ear,
f i na nc ia l a id req u e st s ha ve b ee n mad e fo r ap p ro x i ma tel y $ 5 0 0 ,0 0 0 fro m 2 1 % o f o ur fa mi l ie s wi t h ch il d r en i n o u r sc ho o l s. T hese ap p l ica tio n s wer e s ub mi t ted o n b e ha l f o f 2 1 0 st ud e nt s wh o ar e e nro ll e d fo r
t he 2 0 1 5 - 1 6 s c ho o l ye ar . R es t a s s ur ed , we d o o u r b es t to ma n a ge o ur l i m ited a ss i st a nce fu nd s i n a re sp o n sib le ma n n er wh i le see k i n g a wa y to ma ke e nro ll me n t a re al it y fo r a ll o f o ur req u es ti n g fa mi lie s.
W e cer ta i nl y we lco me f a mi lie s wh o ha v e t he fi n an ci al wh er e wi t h al to m ak e ad d it io na l p a y me n t s clo ser
to o ur a ct u al co s t o f
ed u ca tio n to d o so . W e al so ap p r ec iat e d o na tio n s fro m a n yo ne wh o wo ul d li k e to p ro vid e t u it io n as s is ta nc e d o l lar s o r ad o p t a st ud e nt.
T ha n k yo u ve r y mu c h fo r yo ur s up p o r t o f o ur Ca t ho l ic sc ho o l s ! O u r c h il d ren are tr u l y b le ss ed b y yo ur
ge n ero si t y. W e lo o k to t he m to b e t he a ct i ve a nd s up p o r ti n g me mb e rs o f o ur co m mu n i t y a nd o ur p ari s h es i n ye ar s to co me .
Sincerely,
Dick Bergstrom
Helen Englebert
Richard Bergstrom
Administrator of Financial/Tuition Assistance
Helen Englebert
President