St. John Vianney News

Our Summer Service Series continues with SJV Parishioners most recently organizing a picnic over at The Commons at All Saints Church Milwaukee.

Who doesn't love a picnic? Ashlyn Elizabeth loves one and so does... Ashlynn Elizabeth. The two girls met for the first time on July 26th when a group from The Quad Parishes (St. John Vianney, St. Dominic, St. Joseph and St. Mary Elm Grove) shared a picnic with members of The Commons from All Saints Church, as part of the Summer Service Series.

This is the second year for the event, and was once again led by SJV Parishioners Laurie Pasternak and Vickie Shultz. The Pasternak and Shultz families, along with several other families provided food, drink and fun in the beautiful courtyard at All Saints Church for the women and children who benefit from the mission of The Commons.

The Commons, started in 2005, supports women in need of housing and works to transition the residents from dependence to independence. Currently, twelve women and six children reside in the former convent. The Commons is unusual in that services are provided until the goal of independence is met. It is not unusual for a woman to remain at The Commons for at least one year. During that time, The Commons is much more than a safe home. It is a place where women are connected to needed services.

The parish of All Saints, with the help of several other community organizations and benefactors, provide material, educational and spiritual assistance. Barb, a former resident, independent for a year, came back to the picnic. Just a few tests away from earning her GED, she comes back often to help out in the home, and undoubtedly is an inspiration to the others at The Commons.

Elizabeth Owens, Director of The Commons, and Fr. Carl Diederichs, whose vision led to The Commons, are proud of the many successful transitions. Yet both know there is much more to accomplish and running a home for nearly twenty is costly. Donations are necessary, and anything one would need to run his or her own home is also needed at The Commons. Cash donations are used wisely.

Scott, son of picnic organizer, Vickie Shultz, was happy to report that the event "sure didn't feel like a service project. It's just really one, big, fun picnic!" The children played lawn tennis, football, made jumbo bubbles and broke a candy-filled piñata. School supplies and small gifts were given to the children residing at The Commons. Seven-year-old Aaron, opened his new bouncy balls and immediately shared one with his new football playing friend from St. John Vianney.

And what about Ashlyn Elizabeth and Ashlynn Elizabeth, two girls who share a name and a birth month? It goes without saying that they played all afternoon.

How can you help support the mission of The Commons?  Check donations may be made to All Saints Church, attn: The Commons, 4060 North 26th Street, Milwaukee, WI  53209.  Donations of household items, food, clothing, paper products and anything else needed to run a large household are welcome.  Please call Elizabeth at 414/444-5610 to arrange for drop-off or pick-up.   

Want to know more about St. John Vianney School and Parish ? Did you know that there are still school openings -- in the 5K, 2nd, 6th, 7th and 8th grades?  Interested in visiting the school?  Contact principal Jayme Hartmann at jaymeh@stjohnv.org or call 262/796-3940.

Thinking about volunteering this summer?  Consider helping out at one of SJV's several summer service series. Recently, a group of SJV school children and their parents spent the evening over at the Hunger Task Force sorting food.  They sorted 15,000 pounds of food on June 10, 2008.  No lazy summer nights for this group!  Thanks to the Greco Family (Lisa, Tom and R.J.) for organizing this!

 Here are some other opportunites to volunteer during July!   

2008 SUMMER SERVICE SERIES EVENTS!

Register for these July events by calling St. John Vianney @ 262-796-3944, ext 116. (Registrations are taken up to 3 days prior to each event.)

Friday, July 11, 6:00-10:00 PM. American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Brookfield East High School, 3305 Lilly Rd

Family friendly event where volunteers help with various activities including selling tickets, registration, games, set-up (day before) or clean-up (day after). No limit to the number of volunteers. Leader: Kathy Smith

Saturday, July 12, 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM. St. Benedict the Moor Center - Game Day with the Homeless

How better to experience the poor than to play with them! Come and join the fun in playing board games and snacking with the homeless at this center in Milwaukee. You will have a great time! Open to adults and teens, up to a limit of 10.

Monday, July 14, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. St. Vincent de Paul Meal Program, 10th & Madison site

Serve beverages and/or food to guests, and then join them for dinner and conversation. This program is open to any ages, as long as parents supervise their children. Be there by 5:00 PM for prayer, finish around 7 PM and stay for reflection with the group. Leader: Mary Janowak  Above: SJV parishioners sort food for Hunger Task Force

Thursday, July 17, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM. Art Truck at Prince of Peace Parish, 25th & Scott in Milwaukee

Come and join with children there as the Art Truck (from Artists Working in Education) comes to lead a morning of interacting and doing art together. Open to children ages 4-14 and their parents, with a limit of 25 children from here, and 25 from there. There will also be a simple lunch following the art morning. Parents must accompany their children. Leaders: Heidi Lemke & Mary Janowak

Monday, July 21 through Friday, July 25, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM. St. Vincent de Paul "Lunch in the Park", Haertel Field, Waukesha

Sign up for one of more days to play games with the kids in the park while others distribute bag lunches. We are in need of 6-8 volunteers per day, and families with children over the age of 5 are most welcome. Leader: Susan McNeil

Wednesday, July 23, 9:00 AM - Noon. Next Door Foundation Reading Day for Kids in Milwaukee

Kids in the inner city need reading help and attention. This event pairs volunteers from the suburbs with kids from the city for reading, then snacks, and a tour of the place (time permitting). Open to adults and kids with a parent. Limit of 20 people. Leader: Betsy Wellenstein

Saturday, July 26, 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM. All Saints Commons Family Picnic, Milwaukee

Bring your family to join with families at All Saints Commons transitional home for an afternoon of food, fun and community. This potluck picnic is open to families or individuals of all ages. Limit of 25. Leaders: Laurie Pasternak & Vicki Shultz

Thursday, July 31, 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM. Easter Seals Day Camp Field Trip to State Fair Park, West Allis

Assist an Easter Seals leader chaperone a small group of -campers‖ for a day at State Fair Park. Easter Seals serve children and adults with disabilities. Ages 14 and older. Bring a canned food item for park admission! Leader: Mary Altschaefl

Father Ken Knippel began his second weekend at St. John Vianney by celebrating the combined faith of Peter and preaching of Paul, Apostles to a packed church of parishioners.  It's only fitting that he would begin his second weekend on a beautiful summer day.  One could tell just how excited everybody was by the number of people lining up after church to chat and welcome him to the St. John Vianney community!  Here's some biographical information about Father Knippel:

College:  St. Francis de Sales College Seminary in 1972, where he earned a B.A. with a major in Theology, minor in Philosophy,  He also earned a M. Div. (Master of Divinity) from St. Francis Seminary School of Pastoral Ministry in 1976.

Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee:  May 28, 1976 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist by Archbishop William E. Cousins

Fr. Knippel has served in six assignments as a priest: As associate pastor at St. Sebastian from 1976-1981, as team member at Mary Queen of Heaven in West Allis from 1981-1984, for the Archdiocese as Residency Director of the Call to Ministry Program and subsequently as Director, including teaching part time at Dominican High School from 1984-1990, as pastor of St. Mary of Czestochowa (now Our Lady of Divine Providence) from 1990-1996, as pastor of St. Eugene Congregation from 1996-2008, and now here at St. John Vianney Parish as pastor. 

An appreciation reception was held in the chuch hall after the 11:00 am Mass on Sunday, June 15th to honor Father Paul Hartmann for his dedicated leadership as administrator of St. John Vianney Church for the past 18 months.  Fr. Paul will assume the presidency of Catholic Memorial High School  on July 1st.   

As Doug Miller of the SJV Parish Council put it, "Father Paul has done a wonderful job shepherding our Parish through some tough times and we would like the reception to be a lasting memory for him as he moves on to his new position at Catholic Memorial High School."  A 1984 graduate of Catholic Memorial, Fr. Paul will be the first alumnus to serve as president in the school's 60 year history.  Join us in wishing him continued success as he begins his new post. 

Father Paul displays his farewell cake.