Happy February, the month of frigid temps and the Holy Family! Given the surprise post by a Cor ad Cor founder last week (yes, even we were surprised) we’re keeping this February round short (except for the calendar - there’s a lot going on!).
First, two reminders:
St. Robert has overnight adoration on Second Saturdays - please sign up and help us cover the remaining hours for next weekend!
Tuesday adoration is back at Newman (with gusto, apparently - great to see a busy chapel) - sign up here
And then here’s a quick, thoughtful excerpt from “Deus Caritas Est,” the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s first Encyclical:
If I have no contact whatsoever with God in my life, then I cannot see in the other anything more than the other, and I am incapable of seeing in him the image of God. But if in my life I fail completely to heed others, solely out of a desire to be “devout” and to perform my “religious duties”, then my relationship with God will also grow arid. It becomes merely “proper”, but loveless. Only my readiness to encounter my neighbour and to show him love makes me sensitive to God as well. Only if I serve my neighbour can my eyes be opened to what God does for me and how much he loves me. The saints—consider the example of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta—constantly renewed their capacity for love of neighbour from their encounter with the Eucharistic Lord, and conversely this encounter acquired its real- ism and depth in their service to others. Love of God and love of neighbour are thus inseparable, they form a single commandment. But both live from the love of God who has loved us first. No longer is it a question, then, of a “commandment” imposed from without and calling for the impossible, but rather of a freely-bestowed experience of love from within, a love which by its very nature must then be shared with others. Love grows through love. Love is “divine” because it comes from God and unites us to God; through this unifying process it makes us a “we” which transcends our divisions and makes us one, until in the end God is “all in all” (1 Cor 15:28).
For Your Calendar:
The Milwaukee Catholic scene is alive and well in the dead of winter - who cares if the groundhog saw his shadow? Check out the jam-packed month of February (and we’re probably missing something):
Saturday, February 4 from 8:00am-10:30am | Cor Mariae at Mother Teresa House (St. Robert) (RSVP)
Join young adult women for Cor Mariae, a space to ponder Mary’s heart through prayer, a talk, Mass, and a shared meal. Cor Mariae is open to all young adult women (18+) seeking God’s will in their lives. This month features a talk on “Dependence on God” by the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George. RSVP and find more information here.
Sunday, February 5 after 8:30am Mass | St. Robert YAM Brunch
YAM is inviting our young adult 8:30am Mass attendees to brunch at Hubbard Park Lodge on Sunday, February 5. RSVPs were already due - but if you’re interested in joining, let us know (strobertYAM@gmail.com) and we’ll see if we can work something out! If it doesn’t work out to add you this time, we’ll keep you posted on the next one.
Tuesday, February 7 at 7:00pm | Brewing the Faith EASTSIDE (Brew City Catholic)
Join Brew City Catholic at Good City on the East Side of Milwaukee to meet some friends new or old and hear a great message led by some other awesome young adults. Your first beer is on BCC!
Saturday, February 11 at 10:30am | Fides Patrum - Introduction to Origen
Fides Patrum is back at the Via Coffeehouse starting February 11. The winter/spring series will focus on Origen, who St. Jerome hailed as as an “immortal genius” and a “man of steel” due to his astounding scholarly output. You can find more details on the full schedule here, but the seminars kick off with a special introductory lecture by Dr. Marcus Plested, professor of historical theology at Marquette University. Come for the Mass, stay for the coffee, linger for the knowledge!
Saturday, February 11 at 5:30pm | Overnight Adoration at St. Robert
St. Robert offers overnight adoration on second Saturdays every month. We are looking for at least two adorers every hour between 4:30pm Mass and 8:30am Mass - so commit to an hour with the Lord and help make this effort possible! Sign up for a slot here and submit prayer intentions here.
Friday, February 17 at TBD | St. Francis de Sales Invitational Game Watching
YAM is planning to head out to cheer on our seminarians in their annual basketball tournament. Full details are still TBD as schedules get sorted out - email us at strobertyam@gmail.com if you want to be kept in the loop on plans.
Sunday, February 19 at 2:30pm | UPLIFT Young Adult at Old Saint Mary (RSVP)
All are welcome to join the Family of Four Parish in UPLIFT faith formation opportunities. The February event will feature Jessica Luebbering, Executive Director of Fr. Gene’s Help Center, teaching about her ministry, the dignity of clothing, and how it impacts our lives. Sessions open with communal prayer time in the church, followed by roughly 30 minutes of the speaker, along with Q&A. Food and beverages will be provided! You can see more info here.
Tuesday, February 21 at 7:00pm | Pallium Lecture and After Party (RSVP)
Join the broader Archdiocese for the annual Pallium Lecture, followed by a young adult after party at O’Donoghue’s Irish Pub, hosted by Brew City Catholic. This year’s lecture is “Love for the Eucharist in an Apostolic Age” presented by Monsignor James Shea, President of the University of Mary (we recommend his book). The events are free, but RSVPs are needed - so sign up here!
Saturday, February 25 at 10:30am | Fides Patrum - Interpretation of Scripture
Fides Patrum continues with the second lecture of the series on Origen. The full schedule is here.
Saturday, February 25 at 6:00pm | Pizza and Board Games at St. Robert
Save the date! We are still working out the logistics, so follow us on IG or check the St. Robert newsletter for more details as the date approaches so you can RSVP. We had over 70 people are this game night last year - we hope to have a great crew again!
Sunday, February 26 at 10:00am | St. Robert Young Adult Women’s Small Group
St. Robert YAM is hosting a young adult women’s small group for Lent - email us at strobertyam@gmail.com to join! We’ll be covering Dr. Edward Sri’s, “No Greater Love” (we’ll provide the books). Our Advent group enjoyed meeting at a local coffee shops - so we’ll be doing that again after 8:30am Sunday Mass (so roughly 10am) for the duration of Lent.
Every Wednesday evening | Cor Jesu
Young adults from across the area come to St. Robert for adoration and confession at 7pm, Mass at 8pm, and a social after. Young men are also invited to join for a 6pm dinner beforehand at the JPII House.
Every Saturday morning | Mass and Via Coffee
All are welcome at Panther Catholic Newman Center (3001 N. Downer Ave) for 9am Mass followed by socializing upstairs at the Via Coffeehouse on Saturday mornings.
Applications Now Open | Kinship Community Food Center’s Mission Intern Program
Are you looking for a new way to serve? Kinship’s mission interns live a year rooted in faith and social justice through prayer, community, and service in the Catholic tradition. Your year would include serving at the food center, working on the urban farm, attending formation sessions, and making connections with community members and other missionaries. Right now, applications are open for the summer of 2023 and the year 2023-2024. Come live a life of generosity as a Kinship Mission Intern -- Visit Kinship’s website to apply. For those who are interested in becoming a volunteer visit www.kinshipmke.org/volunteer.