Weekly E-bulletin 10.13.24

Last Sunday we conducted commitment weekend in our Annual Stewardship Renewal. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you for your generous response in time, talent, and treasure; it is a beautiful witness to your faith and dedication to our pastorate of Stella Maris.

In treasure we have been blessed with $113,000 in new gift commitments as we aim toward our goal of $175,000. Many have responded to talent and time in offering to volunteer and/or offering increased prayer for our pastorate. I’d like to invite 100 additional families to respond in the days/weeks ahead as we steadily move closer to our goal. Please know, through your participation, we are able to continue the vital ministries that serve both our pastorate and those in need beyond our doors.

This Stewardship Renewal is also a time to reflect upon how we use time, talent, and treasure beyond our pastorate. In light of the recent devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Bishop Hying is calling upon the faithful of the Diocese of Madison to join in support of those affected by these disasters. You’re welcome to make a donation directly by visiting madisondiocese.org/relief. Let us continue to lift up in prayer all those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods, as well as those still awaiting assistance. Your giving reflects your faith and trust in God's providence, and it strengthens the mission of the Church to serve those in need.

In Christ,

Fr. Chad Droessler 

Our Prayers & Sympathy 
to the family and friends of:
† Maria Frias
† Clara Fumusa
† Thomas Lottes
† Stanley Rockweiler
† Donna Swiggum
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen 

Overnight Adoration at IHM
Please sign up to spend an hour with our Lord. 8pm Wed. Oct. 30 - 8am Thurs. Oct. 31.

All Saints Day Masses - Nov 1
7:30am at St. Patrick
8:30am at Immaculate Heart of Mary
6:00pm at Christ the King

Mass of Remembering
Remembering those from Stella Maris Pastorate who have died and gone before us in the past year. You and your family are invited to attend a Mass of Remembering on Sat., Nov. 2 at 9am at IHM.

The St Vincent de Paul food pantry feeds about 3000 households each month. The need for food donations has grown over the last few years and financial resources are severely constrained. Nonperishable food (peanut butter, cereal, canned chicken/tuna) and personal care items (toilet paper, diapers, toothpaste, shampoo) can be placed in the donation bin located outside the ushers room at IHM. To see a full list of food pantry needs or to make a financial donation visit their website. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

Check out this review of Nico Fassino's recent book on IHM Shrine Church! The book is available for purchase in the narthex of IHM Church for $20.

Tiny Saints IHM School Fundraiser
Purchase Catholic charms and gifts and a portion of the proceeds are donated to IHM! Visit www.tinysaints.com and at checkout, use the “Choose a Fundraiser” dropdown to select Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School (Monona, WI). These make wonderful Christmas, All Saints Day, and birthday gifts. Contact Sammy Bock with questions.

Please Note: The Diocese of Madison is not affiliated with a newspaper called the Wisconsin Catholic Tribune. This publication does not have permission in the Diocese of Madison to present itself as Catholic.

Support the Respect Life collection and support the dignity of all human life. Visit madisondiocese.org/respectlife to make a gift or envelopes are available in the back of church.

Faithful Citizenship
The Wisconsin Catholic Conference has prepared resources to help Catholics reflect on what it means to be a faithful citizen, based on the USCCB's document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States. The Wisconsin Bishops also issued a letter with a summary of Catholic Social Teaching that the faithful in Wisconsin are invited to read. A guide for determining where a candidate stands on a variety of issues, based on Catholic Social Teaching

Read the October Marriage & Family newsletter here.

Sign up to be a prayer/peaceful witness at Madison Planned Parenthood Clinic at 3706 Orin Rd. Mondays 6-8pm. Details here.

CTK SVdP Meeting
The next meeting of the CTK Conference, Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be held on Sun., Oct. 13 at 10:15am in the CTK St. Ann's room. Open to anyone from Stella Maris who would like to learn more about our group and visit with the CTK members. SVdP is a Catholic lay organization that leads women and men to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are in need, suffering or forgotten. We welcome new members! Contact Vince Wagner with questions 608-561-7123.

High School Youth Group
Help serve food to those in need on Oct. 15, 5:30 - 6:30pm! Meet us at the Luke House (310 S Ingersoll St, Madison, WI 53703) or reach out to Tony / 608-291-5065 if your teen needs transportation. On Oct. 19, join for nighttime fun at Schuster’s Farm 6:15pm-10pm (haunted forest, corn maze, bonfire & live music). Please RSVP and see all the details here.

Oct. 16 Lay Witness Testimony Night in IHM Marian Hall at 6pm. Our speaker will be Dan Mahoney, a young husband and father who has worked at Camp Gray and has some beautiful reflections to share about how Christ has been at work in his life.

St. Anne's Society Bake Sale
St. Anne's will be hosting a bake sale after all Masses Oct. 19 & 20. All women of the pastorate are invited to donate items (cookies, bread, bars, or jellies/jams) which can be dropped off prior to Mass at any of the 3 churches. If you are interested in helping sell items the day of the event, please contact Teri. St. Anne's will be donating a portion of the profits from this sale to Stella Maris Pastorate toward purchasing vestments to be used by visiting or newly ordained priests. Thanks for your support. Teri Kuntzsch 608-206-5144.

Euchre Night
Oct. 20 at CTK hall sponsored by the CTK Men's Club. Open to all adults, single and doubles. Gather at 6:30pm, euchre starts at 7pm. $5 entry, beverages available for a donation to the club.

Bucky Books
IHM middle school students fundraising for their Washington D.C. trip are selling Bucky Books after IHM Masses on Oct. 20.

SVdP Bundle Sunday Clothing Drive 
The St. Vincent de Paul fall/winter clothing drive is scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 26 & 27. Donation bags will be handed out after all Masses at IHM, SP and CTK on Oct. 19 & 20. Bags with your donations (clothing, shoes, accessories and linens) can be brought back the following weekend, Oct. 26 & 27. Volunteers will be available in the parking lots of each church to accept your donations. This is a great chance to clean out your closets before winter. Thank you in advance for your support.

Trunk or Treat
Join the annual trunk or treat event on Oct. 25 from 5-7:30pm in the IHM school parking lot. Sign up if you'd like to decorate your trunk, bring a food item or help with the event.

The churches within our pastorate prepare and serve meals at the Luke House. Food donations and volunteers to serve the food are needed. CTK: Oct 15 & 30, SP: Oct 16 & IHM: Oct. 23

Rosary Rallies for Religious Freedom
CTK outdoor Marian Garden, Thursdays through Oct 31, 6-7pm. Bring a chair. Dress appropriately for the weather. More info here, or contact Julie, 715-862-2523.

Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat 
Find hope, healing and mercy at a Rachel’s Vineyard retreat. No matter how long it’s been, Rachel’s Vineyard retreats offer hope and peace for anyone (women or men) who struggles with emotional or spiritual pain after abortion. Nov. 8 - 10 Register at madisondiocese.org/rachel. Questions: Mary / 608-821-3177.