Dear Family of Faith,

Last weekend we celebrated the reception of Jesus for the first time in Holy Communion with 22 of our young children, and this weekend, one more child will be receiving his First Holy Communion. I have been very blessed to watch these boys and girls grow in their love for Jesus and in their belief in His True Presence in the Eucharist. I’d like to especially thank Marnie Harrington, our Director of Family Catechesis, for her hard work in preparing these children. I’d also like to thank Sister Sue Keim, our 2nd grade teacher, and Mrs. Callie Meiller, our school principal, for their faith in the Eucharist which has, without a doubt, inspired these students.

The Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is at the heart of our Catholic faith, and it has sustained the Church since Jesus established her. We believe that, in the Eucharist, Jesus Christ is truly (yet mysteriously) present to us under the appearance of ordinary bread and wine. In the Eucharist, Jesus is physically and spiritually present with us -Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. This is the greatest gift we could ever receive!

Each year our First Communicants teach us adults many valuable lessons, and we might recall the joy of our own First Holy Communion. Everything for this day is so deliberate – the clothes, the flowers, the pictures, the reverence, the period of catechesis, and even the joyful celebrations planned after the Holy Mass. They are important things in a celebration, but only if they are able to indicate the true motive of our joy: that Jesus gives us His Body and Blood! But also, let’s not let these things be left only for our First Communion, but rather for EVERY Sunday. It does not make sense to only dress up nice for the First Communion and then next Sunday dressed for the basketball game. It does not make sense that our catechesis and learning about the Faith would stop after First Communion. Make every approach to the Eucharist like your First Communion – full of mystery, full of reverence, full of faith.

May you always know the Lord’s Real Presence as you receive Him in Holy Communion.

Chris Mattioli
Grace Ramos
Sophia Mattioli 
 

Memorial Gift to IHM
A gift to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Scholarship Fund was received in memory of Dawn Ladik.

IHM Mulching
If you can spare part of your morning on Saturday, May 6 from 8am-noon to beautify our grounds it would be greatly appreciated! Mulch will be spread around the rectory, church and school. Bring your own shovel, rake, truck and/or trailer!

Usher Signup
Please sign up here to ensure we have adequate coverage.

On May 2 at 5:30pm St. Anne’s will host their annual May potluck and baby shower to collect donations for Babies and Beyond in Marian Hall, all women of the parish are invited. Please bring a dish to pass! Contact Teri with questions at 608-206-5144 or tkkuntzsch@gmail.com. Items in most need this month at Babies and Beyond are: formula, baby equipment, bags (paper grocery, garbage, quart storage ziplocks) & diapers size 6 (all sizes are accepted, however, size 6 is low!).

On May 3 at 6pm, join us for a potluck in Marian Hall!

Join Sean Feucht at the State Capitol this Friday, May 5 at 5pm! Sean has been touring the country with free concerts to awaken the Church in America and bring back a spirit of worship. Click here for details. 

On May 6 from 10am-1pm, you are invited to join Walking with Moms at Holy Name Heights, 702 S. High Point Rd in Madison for Holy Mass with Bishop Hying and a morning of celebration and collaboration for parishes participating in Walking with Moms in Need in the Diocese of Madison! For more information, to get involved or to RSVP, please email wwminmadison@gmail.com.

Join Bishop Hying and Father Michael Radowicz for the 90th Rosary Procession on Sunday, May 7 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 2438 Atwood Avenue in Madison. The Rosary Procession and May Crowning will follow the 10am Mass. 

The Madison SVdP Youth Service Council is putting on a food drive Sunday, May 7 1-3:30pm at Vilas Park. They are hoping to collect one ton (2,000 lbs) of food and personal essentials. Bring your nonperishable food, personal care items and diaper donations to Vilas Park on Sunday, May 7 between 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. Enjoy the beautiful view and snacks while weighing in your donations!

Transitional Diaconate Ordination Mass
The Transitional Diaconate Ordination Mass will take place at IHM on May 12 at 7pm. We are in need of volunteers, food donations and monetary donations for the reception that will follow! Thank you to the following ministries who will be leading this effort: Vocations Committee, St. Anne’s, and Knights of Columbus! Monetary donations should be labeled as “Ordination Reception” and placed in the collection basket or the Parish Office. These funds will be used to purchase cake, punch, plates/silverware, and coffee for the event. Contact Teri with questions at 608-206-5144 or tkkuntzsch@gmail.com. Please sign up here.

Are you a Catholic woman looking for a sense of shared purpose? Want to meet other Catholic women that share your values and want to make a difference? Visit here to learn how to become a member! MCWC invites all women of the Diocese to attend their final luncheon of the season on Tues, 5/16 at noon at the Park Hotel, 22 S. Carroll Street, Madison. Contact Theresa with questions at 608-616-5251 or turzagaste@gmail.com.    

RaiseRight gift cards are available for purchase after Mass this weekend, in the parish office during office hours and online at RaiseRight. You get the full amount of the gift card you purchase AND the parish and school receive a rebate!

The RaiseRight App makes ordering gift cards super quick and easy; email scripihm@gmail.com if you’d like assistance setting up the app on your phone.