Hi SP team in SFDS Parish,

Happy 2021 on this 16th day!

We have learnt from Molly about the school supplies that you have been putting together ready for shipping to St. John Baptist School(“Academy”).

It is such a relief for teachers and parents to have these supplies for our kids. We thank you and we pray for God’s abundant blessings in this new year.

We have 134 enrolled kids so far and the number is increasing fast. We are putting a lot of efforts to build up two classrooms and two dormitories are going to be a need soon.

We are sorry that our intention to visit you last summer was impossible due to covid19, neither the efforts of some of you to visit us. Let us pray that there will be a better protocol to live with Covid19 in this year and future.

Pass our regards to all parishowners in St, Francis de Sales.

Thank you

Fr. Beda Bernard Kiure (MD).
University of Dodoma, Tanzania.

The first annual “Live Nativity” at SFDS was successful in bringing our parish and the community together to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Under the starry roof of a December sky all came out to adore Him!

Thank you to our “cast of characters”, singers, narrators dancers and helpers, including Maureen Redmer, Geri Braun, Matt Abbott, Juan Chavez, Maddie Greenberg, Allegra Kayser, Benton Greenberg, Joel Chavez, Kayden Kayser, Connie Cook, Bill Meyerhofer, Pedro Perez, Fran Zappitelli, Kurt Kayser, Andy Kokodynski, Bob McCormick, Claudia Chavez, Kathleen Dobbler, Eloisa Esparza, Roxana Servin, Antonia Mata, Daryl Braun, Millie McCormick, Mark Smith, Don Cook, Toni Meyerhofer, Laura Zappitelli, Mary Ellison, Deb Miller, Nancy Lazzaroni, Vince Lazzaroni, Terrie Mess, Anne McCord, Martha Cucco and Jim Dobbler.

Special thanks to Dr. Mona from the Lake Geneva Animal Hospital and to Cass Kordecki for providing the ponies.  Thanks also to Chapel on the Hill for supplying us with many of the costumes and to Kathie Murray who designed and coordinated them all!  

Thanks to all of the SFDS staff for your support, especially to Michael Deane for sound, light, music and direction and to Fr.Ray for cheering us on.  Special thanks to the many friends of SFDS parish who “anonymously” donated supplies or gave financial support to underwrite this event. 

And finally, thank you to Kathleen Dobbler who had the vision to make this all happen!

We as St. Francis will be doing a number of Projects for those in need during this time of Advent: sharing and caring for our friends and neighbors. Our School will be having a drive for the needs of our Sister Parish in Tanzania. The general parish will have a drive to help these organizations listed during the next four weeks. We are looking to take care of some of the needs of Twin Oaks, Lakeland School, Day care centers, New Day Women’s Clinic and St. Francis de Sales Seminary our Archdiocesan Seminary. We have a list of things that you could donate which based on what you pick from this list will fairly easily explain which of the institutions will be supported by your generous gift. As I said during my recent homily there are things we can’t do but don’t let them interfere with what we can do, and this is a great way to help others know the Joy of Christmas when God shared with us the gift of His Son. What will you share with the world? Here are the needs: Laundry detergent, Diapers, wipes, formula, Feminine products. Snacks such as graham crackers, fruit snacks, goldfish and animal crackers…. Also gas cards, razors, shaving cream and men’s toiletries. Help us help others by reaching out as God came to our help by reaching out through the birth of His Son, Jesus the Christ.

We’re making progress on getting all of the data together from all of the graduating classes of our parish school.  Special thanks to Margot Hayes who did a ton of work on this project years ago and passed it on to us.  We now have a database of all of the names of each person in each class…from 1955-2020! Our goal is to have an event next summer for all past graduates and to honor the classes celebrating 10, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50 and 60 years (2011, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1981, 1971, 1961).  We would also like to create a newsletter in the future to highlight school happenings and events.

Now we need to update the information.  Would you be willing to be a “Class Captain”?  We would give you the names (and any past addresses etc) from those in your class.  Your job would be to get emails and addresses for as many as you can so that we can invite ALL to this special event next summer.  Please contact Mrs. Patti Black (262-745-6579) or Mrs. Martha Cucco (262-949-4493) or send an email to us at alumni@sfdslg.org if you are willing to be a Class Captain. Thanks in advance for considering to be a part of our team!

“Brother Sun…, Sister Moon…” are words from the beautiful Canticle of St. Francis of Assisi to the creation of God. October 4^th is St. Francis’ feast helping us to recall how he talks about the love of nature and the love of the creatures whom roam through nature. It is because of St. Francis’ words of love for nature and the creatures of the fields and forests that St. Francis’ statue is one of the most common statuary found in gardens throughout our cities and towns. Furthermore, based on his great love for these creatures of field and forest numerous times St. Francis is pictured with birds of the fields and wolves of the forest one of his favorite animals. As Catholics we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi founder of the Franciscan Order by the Blessing of our pets that we love as he loved God’s creation.

We will have the Blessing of the animals Sunday, Oct. 4 after both the 9:00 a.m. Mass which is 10:00 a.m. and after the 10:30 a.m. Mass which is 11:30 a.m. Bring your live animals and for our little ones their stuffed animals for this special blessings on the Feast of St. Francis on Oct. 4.

Click here to place your online food order for Irish Fest. Pick-up is on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 12-4 p.m.