FRIDAY FIAT
October 2026 | St. John the Baptist Parish
Upcoming Events:
CALENDAR DATES
Wed. October 7th - Rosary Rally*
Thurs. October 8th - Deanery Council of Catholic Women will have their Fall Assembly at Rembs
Sat. October 10th - Our Lady of Fatima Rosary rally (held at the K of C shrine “Christ guide us on our way” located at the south end of Marshfield at noon)
Tue. October 13 - PCCW Meeting
Feasts for October 2026
1. St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus
2. Holy Guardian Angels
4. 27th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
7. Our Lady of the Rosary
11. 28th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
15. St. Teresa of Jesus
17. St. Ignatius of Antioch
18. 29th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
19. Sts. John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues and Companions
25. 30th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
28. Sts. Simon & Jude, Apostles
2. Holy Guardian Angels
4. 27th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
7. Our Lady of the Rosary
11. 28th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
15. St. Teresa of Jesus
17. St. Ignatius of Antioch
18. 29th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
19. Sts. John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues and Companions
25. 30th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
28. Sts. Simon & Jude, Apostles
Notes
from
Father
Thelen!
This Month, Father Thelen requests that each family gather together and pray out loud one Rosary together during any day in October. Follow the link above on how to Pray a Rosary for those who may be new to this prayer!
We are blessed to welcome back Fr O'Hara to St John the Baptist Parish. Bishop Battersby has asked Fr O'Hara to join Fr. Thelen in serving our community for the months of October, November and December. After that point it is expected that he will get an assignment at some parish in the diocese. Fr O'Hara was with us for two months this past summer and we are excited for his return.
We are also grateful for the blessed opportunity to have Mandy Alcott join our staff and serve our parish family as the Parish Ministry Assistant. She will be assisting Fr. Thelen and the parish staff with the various ministries of our Faith community including Sacramental/Marriage Preparation, Marshfield Faith Formation, OCIA, Youth Ministry, and Evangelical Catholic. She looks forward to connecting with you and accompanying you in your Faith journey!
We are blessed to welcome back Fr O'Hara to St John the Baptist Parish. Bishop Battersby has asked Fr O'Hara to join Fr. Thelen in serving our community for the months of October, November and December. After that point it is expected that he will get an assignment at some parish in the diocese. Fr O'Hara was with us for two months this past summer and we are excited for his return.
We are also grateful for the blessed opportunity to have Mandy Alcott join our staff and serve our parish family as the Parish Ministry Assistant. She will be assisting Fr. Thelen and the parish staff with the various ministries of our Faith community including Sacramental/Marriage Preparation, Marshfield Faith Formation, OCIA, Youth Ministry, and Evangelical Catholic. She looks forward to connecting with you and accompanying you in your Faith journey!
An important part of the Rosary Rally is having FAMILIES! Please bring your children and email Mandy Alcott (malcott@stjmf.diolcparish.org) if your child would be willing to assist in leading the Rosary. There will also be a Rosary craft for children to work on during the speaker!
Adoration Opening!
Immediate opening at Pope St. JP II Adoration Chapel, Thursdays from 12-1 am. God bestows many graces through adoration! For more information or to schedule a holy hour, don't hesitate to call Jean at 715-387-0571 or Deacon Ray at 715-207-6085.
2026-2027 Chaplain's Fund Travel Raffle
This year, from October 7th (Our Lady of the Rosary) to December 8th (Immaculate Conception), we will be selling raffle tickets to raise money for the Chaplain's Fund. This fund helps subsidize all youth trips like the March for Life, SEEK, Adventure Camp, the Mission Trip, Steubenville Youth Conferences, etc. We accept cash or checks made out to the 'Chaplain's Fund'. Tickets are $50 each and only 600 will be sold.
This year, the grand prize is two tickets to join Fr. Clements on a 8-day Pilgrimage to Lithuania and Poland (April 12-19, 2027) or the cash value of $4000. Tickets will be sold after all the Saturday and Sunday Masses at OLP, Saint John's, and Sacred Heart, and at the OLP and Saint John's Offices between October 7th and December 8th. The winning ticket will be drawn on December 8th. Please consider buying a ticket or two or three in support of our students.
If you have any questions, contact Fr. Jared Clements (fatherclements@marshfieldparishes.org, 715.387.1177ext3316).
It's Not Too Late to Join OCIA!
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) has begun. If you know of someone interested in the Catholic faith, please let them know of the two options we offer. It is not too late to join!
OCIA classes with the Deacon began on Thursday, September 10th at 6:00pm. This is for all unbaptized. However, if this time works best for others, you are invited to attend. Please call the parish office.
OCIA for those already baptized began on Sunday, September 13th at 10:00am. Please join the team in Toeller Hall at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Marshfield.
Please call the parish office at 715-384-3252 if you have any questions.
OCIA classes with the Deacon began on Thursday, September 10th at 6:00pm. This is for all unbaptized. However, if this time works best for others, you are invited to attend. Please call the parish office.
OCIA for those already baptized began on Sunday, September 13th at 10:00am. Please join the team in Toeller Hall at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Marshfield.
Please call the parish office at 715-384-3252 if you have any questions.
Every household is invited to enjoy a free 20-minute professional photo session and receive a complimentary 5x7 or 8x10 portrait. Use the QR-code or button below to sign-up. We want and need you for the directory to be complete!
Below are some important updates:
6:45pm Lectors / EM Holy Communion / Ushers / Servers -youth & adult
7:00pm OCIA leaders / Cherubs vols / Evangelical Catholic vols
7:15pm Prayer Shawl / Rosary Makers/ St Vincent de Paul Conference & Board
- PARISH LIFE PICTURES NEEDED: The new directory will include photos of parish life. If you have some digital photos that capture aspects of our parish, please email them to Dan Kitzhaber drkitzhaber@gmail.com
- TWO MORE SESSIONS: There are more opportunities - Oct 19-23 and Nov. 30 - Dec 3.
- CENTENNIAL FAMILIES: If your family has had membership at St. John's for more than 100 years, please contact the parish office so we can honor this milestone in our new directory
- PHOTO NIGHT FOR GROUPS: Wed., Oct. 21 starting at 6:30pm, we will take pictures of all parish groups not yet photographed using the following timeline:
6:45pm Lectors / EM Holy Communion / Ushers / Servers -youth & adult
7:00pm OCIA leaders / Cherubs vols / Evangelical Catholic vols
7:15pm Prayer Shawl / Rosary Makers/ St Vincent de Paul Conference & Board
SJB Children's Choir
Our parish’s Kid’s Choir has started and there is still time to join! 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.
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.
There is also space in our Adult Choir! Do you like to sing? If so, please share your voice and join our adult choir. We practice on Wednesdays at 6:30pm from September through April in the choir loft. There is always room for more voices!
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! We still need 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 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
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
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.
