FRIDAY FIAT
September 2026 | St. John the Baptist Parish
Upcoming Events:
CALENDAR DATES
Sept. 8 - PCCW meeting at 6pm in the Columbia Room. All women invited to come and hear all about what the PCCW does. The meeting is followed by Bingo and refreshments
Sept. 9 - Faith Formation begins at OLP
Saturday Mass Change: 8:00am Saturday morning Mass and Confessions will now be held at Our Lady of Peace. The change will better accommodate Father's schedule and allow him to be at more of the weekend Masses. Our Lady of Peace also has four confessionals, thus aiding in Saturday morning Confessions. Therefore, there will no longer be Saturday morning Masses at St John's. Any Mass intentions that were scheduled for the 8am Saturday morning Mass will be rescheduled in 2027 as soon as possible.
OCIA Begins Soon!
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) will be beginning soon with full entrance into the church occurring at Easter of 2027. OCIA is the process whereby a person learns about the beautiful Catholic faith that we sometimes take for granted. Please contact the parish office if you or someone you know is interested in becoming Catholic or if you just want to deepen your understanding of the faith. More details on when these lessons will begin are forthcoming. This will be an excellent way to grow closer to God by learning about Catholicism and how it promotes heroic goodness!
Celebrate 150 years of our parish by being part of our new Church Directory! Every household is invited to enjoy a free 20-minute professional photo session and receive a complimentary 5x7 or 8x10 portrait. Help us put names to faces, strengthen our parish family, and create a lasting keepsake of this special milestone. Use the QR-code to sign-up and join us in making our directory complete!
SJB Children's Choir
Our parish’s Kid’s Choir will be starting up again and will now be under the direction of Ms. Schirger! If your child is entering 2nd-8th grade, we would love to have them come be a part of the music ministry at our parish!
The kid’s choir will sing once a month, the 3rd Sunday of each month, at the 9am Mass. There will also be two rehearsals each month, which will take place on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. The rehearsals will be from 10:10am-10:50am on those Sunday mornings and will be held in Ms. Schirger’s classroom at the school. Bring your kids to rehearsal after the 9am Mass or come early for practice before the 11am Mass.
For any students who are interested, they are welcome to join Ms. Schirger in the choir loft on Sunday, September 20 for the 9am Mass. Come see what it will be like! Rehearsals will then begin on Sunday, September 27.
If you are interested in your child being a part of the kids’ choir, please email Megan Schirger (schirger.megan@columbusdons.org). She will send you more information as well as can answer any questions you may have.
Cherubs
A new season of Cherubs is about to begin in September! Cherubs is a special time at Mass where children from the ages of 4 - 6 are invited to a lesson designed just for them. To be able to offer Cherubs, we need teachers and teacher helpers! It would be nice to have 4 or more willing adults to teach on a rotating basis. This is also an excellent opportunity for Confirmation students! If you have a gift for working with our little ones, please contact Heather Adler at 715-897-1941. Cherubs runs from September (beginning date not yet determined) through May.
Attention Engaged Couples!
Registration is now open for the Married Love: two becoming one classes. The next available dates are Oct. 3rd, 2026 (Session at Toeller Hall. Mass and dinner at St. John’s) and Feb. 27th, 2027 (Session at Toeller Hall. Mass and dinner at Our Lady of Peace) Couples should first contact their priest and then plan to attend a class at least six months before their wedding. To register, call Alanna Hart at 715-650-7310 or register directly at marshfieldmarriageprep@gmail.com
Secular Carmelite Discernment
Are you attracted to Carmelite spirituality or the writings of Ss. Teresa of Jesus, John of the Cross, or Therese, the Little Flower? Do you desire to deepen your prayer life, to seek the face of God? Do you desire the support of a Community? The Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites in the La Crosse Diocese meets once a month in Marshfield and will begin a new formation cycle in October. Please call Dave Ecke at 715-213- 2732 for more information!
Rosary Rally
You're invited to the Rosary Rally on Wednesday, October 7th at 5:30 PM in Columbia Hall of St. John's School. Noel Furger will be the main speaker talking about Father Joseph Walijewski, founder of Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II.
We will start with the Rosary at 5:30 PM led by children/students. There will be a potluck to follow. We will also have a few personal testimonies after the potluck and then Noel will speak.
During the testimonies and speaker, members of the Family Life Committee will lead young children in a Rosary making craft in the Saint Francis Room. This will be a wonderful evening of prayer and fellowship for the whole family in honor of Our Blessed Mother. Please spread the word and invite a friend!
Marriage Retreats
GIVEN: Unveiling the Mysteries of Marriage One Day Retreat
Saturday Oct 17, 2026, from 8AM-2:30PM | St. Joseph Parish, Stevens Point
“God destined us to experience communion with our spouse as an expression of our communion with him. This is what we vowed when we married and what it means to be devoted." (Schuchts 171). All ages and stages of married, engaged, and dating couples are encouraged to attend. There will be Mass, Adoration, and an opportunity for Reconciliation.
Engaged Couples $30
Married/Dating $50
Children's Programing for infants 6 mo-12 yr olds available.
Must register by Oct. 3, 2026
Additional questions can be emailed to region7.couple@domesticchurchfamilies.com and Dan or Christy will respond.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter - Fall into love all over again!
Remember why you fell in love and get the tools you need to keep your marriage on the right path. Sign up today to attend one of the upcoming Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends. Early registration is highly recommended. For more information, visit https://wwme.org/.
Retrovaille
Whether you have drifted apart, or arrived at separation or divorce, there is hope.
Retrouvaille [rétro-vī ] means rediscovery or joyful reunion. The Retrouvaille program is a lifeline of hope and healing for marriages of all ages, and even couples who are separated or divorced but want to try again.
For more information, frequently asked questions, or to register for the next program, visit https://helpourmarriage.org/ . Register online or by phone: Fully confidential Central Wisconsin Retrouvaille toll free local program info: 1.877.922.HOPE (4673).
Save the Date: Youth Group
The kick off for Youth Group this year will be on October 7th. Youth Group is deisgned for kids in grades 8-12. More information will follow!
Uplifting + Inspirational
Reflection: Are you a Steward or Renter?
Check out this new comic book about Blessed James Miller who is from Ellis, WI!
The Society of St Vincent de Paul – St John’s Conference would like to thank all the Parishioners of St John’s for the great support you have provided, through your time, talent and donations. Below are the numbers of friends and neighbors we supported this past April to June:
Food Pantry-
1,243 people were served and over 107,000 lbs of food were provided.
Fellowship Meals–
1,149 people were served. Meals are served on Mondays & Wednesdays.
Med Clinic-
62 people were served.
Voucher program-
$8,633 in clothing, $1,109 in furniture, $621 in household items and $3,698 in mattresses were provided.
The conference members conducted 15 home visits. The home visit is the heart and soul of Outreach. The visit helps us determine what other needs a family may have, in a dignified manner.
·Without the support of the parishes and the community none of this would be possible.
·Envelopes for SVDPhave been added in the back of church. Your donation directly helps those in need.
·THANK YOU! If you would like to join the conference or volunteer in the food pantry or our thrift store please call Lonny Roberts (715) 751-7830
Many people would be surprised to learn that the "Home Visits" are the primary mission of this conference!
“Jesus does not demand great actions from us, but simply surrender and gratitude.”
Please note that there will be no First Friday devotion on Friday, July 4th.
