Let us attend to what is good, pleasing, and acceptable in the sight of God who formed us...and let those who have

love in Jesus Christ keep the commandments of Christ.

(Pope St. Clement I, “Letter to the Corinthians”)

SAINT CLEMENT CATHOLIC PARISH135 South Washington Street – Lancaster, Wisconsin 53813

Founded in 1859

For Parish Membership, Baptisms, Weddings, Communion Calls or any other pastoral need, contact the respective parish office.

Bulletin Announcements: Deadline is Monday at noon to the St. Clement Parish Office or to st_clement@tds.net

Fr. William Vernon, Pastor 723-4990Bill Manthe, Parish Associate 723-4990Katie Crosby, Parish Secretary 723-4990

Website: www.saintclementparish.com

Josh Jensen, Principal 723-7474Nick Crosby, CRE 7-12 723-4990Rebecca Dean & Melissa Martin, CREs K-6

Email: st_clement@tds.net (Katie)

Diocese of Madison, Bishop Donald J. Hying

OFFICE HOURS:Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays:

9 am to 5 pmThursdays & Fridays:

9 am to 2 pm

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD JANUARY 5, 2020

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE

Christmas & December 28-29Christmas Offertory � � � � � � � � � � $8,822�00Children’s Offertory� � � � � � � � � � � � �$124�00Church Support Envelopes � � � � � $7,371�00Offertory Cash� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �$636�00Weekly Electronic Giving � � � � � � � �$983�00Total � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �$17,936�00

Budgeted Offertory for Dec � � � $47,279�00Offertory Received in Dec� � � � � $53,785�00Budgeted Amount Exceeded � � � � � � $6,506�00

Monthly Offertory Comparison December 2019 (5 weekends)� � � � $53,785�00December 2018 (5 weekends)� � � � $47,515�00

RECONCILIATIONBefore Daily & Sunday Masses

Saturday at 4:00 PMFace-to-face reconciliation by appointment only�

Weekly Mass Schedule

Tuesday, January 7 � � � � � � � � � � 8:15 AM (Saint Raymond of Peñafort, Priest)

† Carl Muench

Wednesday, January 8 � � � � � � � � 8:15 AM † Gilbert Schmitz

Thursday, January 9 � � � � � � � � � 8:15 AM † Don & Florence Pluemer

Friday, January 10 � � � � � � � � � � � 8:15 AM † Kristy Phelan

Saturday, January 11 � � � � � � � � � 8:15 AM † Leona, Ruth, Emmett & Pat Hauth

5:00 PM People of Our Parish

Sunday, January 12 � � � � � � � � � � 7:30 AM Baptism of the Lord

† Joyce Mahr 9:30 AM

† Hannahmarie Horsfall

From Our Pastor:From Our Pastor:This Sunday, January 5, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Epiphany of Our

Lord Jesus Christ, also titled “the manifestation of the Lord�” During this Christmas Season (concluding with the Baptism of the Lord, January 12 this year), we recall on the Epiphany when God’s eternal plan of Salvation was revealed to the whole world – represented by the three Magi visiting the manger� Last Wednesday, January 1, we remembered Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in a special way with the Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God (Mary receives this title, among many, such as Mother of Mercy and Mother of the Eucharist, because she is the mother of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ)� As we listen to God’s Word during Mass this Sunday, let us join the Magi who came before the Lord bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:1-12) – that we would be more conscious of praising, thanking, loving and adoring God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, not so much with material goods, but with our very life, in faith, hope and love, centered in His gift of the Holy Eucharist�

When the King of Heaven was born, a prideful and earthly king named Herod was alarmed� Earthly pride is undoubtedly alarmed when heavenly eminence is made manifest, Pope Saint Gregory the Great (540-604 AD) has said� In fact, to this day, some leaders of nations and others attack Christianity and Christians because they see them as a threat to their power – such people remain hard of heart� No such earthly rulers guided the Magi or the shepherds – rather, God guided them with one of His stars and angels� Nevertheless, with all the signs from God, manifested from our Lord’s birth to His death and Resurrection, many people today remain hard of heart� They refuse to recognize Him as Lord and Savior� “In truth, all the elements bore witness that their Creator had come,” Pope Saint Gregory said� “Indeed, to speak of them in a human way, the heavens knew that He was God because they immediately sent forth a star; the sea knew Him because it allowed Him to walk upon it; the earth knew Him because it trembled when He died; the sun knew Him because it hid the rays of its light; the stones and walls of houses knew Him because they were broken at the time of His death; the lower world recognized Him because it gave up the dead it was holding; and yet some hearts remained full of unbelief, and did not know that He was God, although all the dumb elements perceived Him as Lord!”

As brothers and sisters in Christ, may we always proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior� May our hearts and minds always be open to the grace of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to live His virtues of faith, hope and love, in imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and all the saints� May we witness to and be instruments of His love and mercy for all whom we encounter and so lead them to Jesus Christ� The Epiphany calls us, like the Magi, to be led home by another way, the Way of Love – from the wood of the Crib to the wood of the Cross, the Way of Love, the Way of Our Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and risen from the dead, the Only Savior of the world�

With peace and prayers for a blessed and joyous New Year, in Christ,Fr. William

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUSPancake Breakfast & Bowling Tourney

On Sunday, January 19, come enjoy the pancake, ham, sausage and egg breakfast served by KC members from 8 AM - noon� Cost is $8 (ages 6 & under are free)� Following the breakfast, the KC’s are sponsoring a pro-life bowling tournament at Fireball Lanes� Contact Brandon Klaas at 920-445-5918 to sign up as a team or individual�

MASS INTENTION OPENINGSWe have openings for Mass Intentions for daily Mass in coming weeks and months� Have a Mass offered for your living and/or

deceased loved ones, in thanksgiving or for your special intentions� Contact Katie at the parish office (723-4990) or use the envelopes found in the entrances of the church�

THIS WEEK AT ST. CLEMENTWednesday, January 8 � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 8:15 am, All School Mass � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �9:30 am, Mass at Orchard Manor � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 10:30 am, Mass at Lancaster Care Center � � 6 – 6:45 pm, Pray to End Abortion, Our Lady of Fatima Chapel � � � � � � �RE classes; Grades K-6 (6-7 pm), Grades 7-9 (7-8:30 pm)

Thursday, January 9 � � � � � � 6 pm, Education Commission Meeting � � � � � � � � � �7 pm, Rosary; 7:15 pm Meeting, Knights of Columbus

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE: JANUARY 11 & 12

5:00 PM Lectors: Bill Manthe5:00 PM Servers: Mason & Avery Crooks, Dayne Kauffman7:30 AM Lector: Jan Block7:30 AM Servers: Gabi & JoJo Dressler9:30 AM Lectors: Josh Jensen & Kathy Larsen9:30 AM Servers: Aaron, Anna & Michael Murphy

SERVERS: Your new schedules are available in the sacristy� FAMILY PROMISE NEWSOur week to host families with children experiencing homelessness

is just a week away, January 12-18, with one family presently in the program, and the possibility of another coming in soon� Volunteer Sign-up Forms are at the entrance of the church� In this Season of grace, as we recall the humble birth of our Savior in the stable of Bethlehem, may we be mindful of the needs of many families in our county who experience homelessness� As we do, may we reach out to them in compassion by volunteering during our host week� Contact Bill Manthe at the parish office for more information�

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!All of us at Saint Clement School hope that you and your

family are having a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We would especially like to thank you for the positive examples you provide for our children as you live your faith each and every day� We would also like to thank you for continuing to support our Saint Clement Parish School through tax-deductible donations towards our school’s Tuition Assistance and Wish List funds� These generous donations help make our Saint Clement School available to every family that wishes for their children to receive a top-notch Catholic education� Please contact our school principal, Mr� Josh Jensen, at 723-7474 for more information or to make a donation� For all of this we very humbly say, “Thank you and Merry Christmas as the Season continues!!!

SAINT CLEMENT SCHOOL

IN MEMORIAMAs we continue to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ,

please remember in your prayers Mary Ann Myers of our parish who died on December 15 and whose funeral service was held on December 22� Mary Ann was a beautiful woman of deep and genuine love for God, and for her family and friends� She and her husband Roger had two children, Chris (Leah Ann) and Lisa (Gary), with numerous grandchildren and great-grandkids� Forty-six years ago Mary Ann was in a car accident that left her paralyzed and confined to a wheel chair� However, this did not confine her in life� While this left her with many health problems, she faced daily life with great determination and zest to live life fully� Mary Ann certainly carried the cross of Christ throughout her life� May she now know the fullness and joy of life eternal, where all things are made new� As we keep Mary Ann in our prayers, may we also pray for her family and all of her loved ones in this time of sorrow� May God’s consolation and comfort be with them�

“Eternal rest grant unto Mary Ann, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

EPIPHANY AND BLESSING OF HOMESToday the Church celebrates the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord�

Traditionally this occurs on January 6 (the 12th day of Christmas), but its observance has been moved to Sunday because of its importance� The word “epiphany” means to “show” or “manifest”� Throughout Jesus’ life there were many showings or manifestations of He being the Son of God� Today we have one of the first of His epiphanies, that of the coming of the magi to the infant Lord Jesus in Bethlehem� Israel had long awaited the Messiah, but with the coming of the magi, God shows forth that Jesus has come to also be Redeemer and Savior of the whole world� The three gifts the magi bring represent who Jesus is – gold, that He is the King of Kings; frankincense, that He is the Great High Priest who offers sacrifice and intercedes for us; and myrrh, that like many of the prophets, He will suffer and die, and will offer Himself on the cross as the eternal sacrifice to the Father out of love for all humanity�

A custom on the feast of Epiphany is the blessing of homes, a custom dating back many centuries� It’s very easy and all that is needed is a piece of chalk� The blessing of homes involves marking the upper door frame of the house with the date of the New Year and the names of the three magi- Casper, Melchior and Balthasar� Taking chalk, mark the door frame like this: 20+C+M+B+20� The + signs are not addition symbols, but crosses� When blessing the home, a prayer may be added� Use one you know, such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be, or simply make one up appropriate to your household�

IMPORTANT FOOD PANTRY NEWS!Calling all Food Pantry Volunteers! Karen Kilcoyne is our new

caller to schedule volunteers to assist at the food pantry when it’s St� Clement Parish’s turn to do so� With many people switching over from landline phones to cell phones, she is having a hard time contacting volunteers� It would be very helpful if EVERYONE contacted Karen (723-6660) to give her your current phone number� Also, we always welcome new volunteers, so contact her to become part of a terrific group of people making a difference in our community by sharing a little bit of their time� Give Karen a call whether you are a first-time volunteer or have done this for many years� Thanks!

Also…� In addition to the normal hours on Monday and Thursday (7-8 pm) that the Food Pantry is open, a daytime opportunity has been added� The Pantry will now be open on the 3rd Thursday of every month from 10-11 am� Churches from the LAC will take turns staffing the pantry� If you are able to help during these hours, contact Bill Manthe at the parish office�

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