Confessions are held on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. at the northwest entrance (opposite the Adoration entrance) of the church.
For live Adoration or live Mass, click here to view our YouTube channel.
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Perpetual Adoration
Office Hours Parish (414) 321-1965 (414) 321-8540 School
Friday: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
After Hours by Appointment Only
Our Staff
Father Michael Merkt, Pastor Email: mmerkt@stjohns-grfd.org
Steve Pemper, Deacon Email: spemper@aol.com
Denise Kasulke, Dir. of Administrative Services Email: dkasulke@stjohns-grfd.org
Karen Schulteis, Dir. of Liturgy & Music Email: kschulteis@stjohns-grfd.org
John Paul Shimek, Dir. of Lifelong Faith Formation Email: jpshimek@stjohns-grfd.org
George Pitman, Jr., Bookkeeper, Building & Grounds Email: gpitman@stjohns-grfd.org
Jan Sadlon, Parish Secretary Email: rectory@stjohns-grfd.org or jsadlon@stjohns-grfd.org
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Gospel Reflection
November 3, 2024
Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Americans have long been fascinated with public debates. Farmers stood in muddy fields for hours to hear Lincoln and Douglas dispute each other in the 1860 presidential run-up. The televised debate between Kennedy and Nixon in 1960 fascinated the nation. These days, cable news outlets and social media parse every word spoken by candidates. We still love seeing public, rational disputes in the service of our nation.
In his day, Jesus also captured attention as a public debater. Mark tells us, “And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’” Jesus’ brief but all-encompassing response is the double command to love God and neighbor. Notice that he includes the importance of loving God with “all your mind.” Loving God is not simply a question of affection, loyalty, good deeds, and religious dedication. It demands honest and intense intellectual engagement — just like an accomplished debater.
How do we do this practically? One simple way is by embracing ourselves as life-long learners, setting aside time for reading, book studies, online classes, and, perhaps most difficult, engaging in open, honest, and curious conversations with those who think differently from us. These are all great ways to love God with our minds. Our country and our Church depend greatly on souls who love God in this way with their minds. Let’s commit to loving God with all our minds in the tireless pursuit of truth.
Publications
Love One Another Catholic Campaign
In the Summer of 2021, we entered the pilot wave of the Archdiocesan campaign, "Love One Another." Below is a video we produced to present some of our case elements. For a more detailed description of our case elements, or if you want to donate, please click here.
Welcome
St. John the Evangelist is a Roman Catholic Eucharistic community faithful to the values and traditions of the Church. We strive to live our faith every day, to embrace stewardship, and to be nurtured by continuous Christian Formation.