Every ten years, Catholic Schools go through an accreditation process. We have begun the self-study for our school accreditation that will take place next year. We need all parishioners to fill out a survey by February 28. Below is the link for the survey.

Grief after the death of a loved one can be overwhelming. One can experience a host of feelings, thoughts, behaviors and physical reactions that can make one question one’s own mental wellbeing. There is the notion that, “time heals all wounds.” Time can bring healing, but it’s often what we do during this time that brings about relief and renewed hope. It has also been said that, “grief shared is grief diminished.” Those who have been involved in the ecumenical GriefShare bereavement support group can attest to this. Through video, discussion and sharing, GriefShare is a 12-session process that brings people together who have experienced loss and who seek support and healing in their unique journey. Our next GriefShare support group will begin on February 19 from 1:00-2:30 PM at St. Clement Church. To register online, go to: www.griefshare.org and choose “find a group.” You will see St. Clement listed. If our day/time are not the best for you, you will also see other offerings that may be a better fit. Contact Marcia Hampton at 608-732-8849 if you have questions or want to register.

Everyone is invited to attend Stations of the Cross on Mondays February 23 and March 2,9,16 and 23 at 2:00 p.m. with St. Mary's students and teachers.

Can you give just 20 minutes of your time to help our parish? Consider becoming a sacristan for our weekend Masses. You may wonder what that even means. Basically, it's helping the priest set-up for Mass. It's very simple. You would need to arrive about 20-25 minutes before Mass, and help set up the items that are needed for worship. Once you get the hang of it, it takes less than 10 minutes to do. At the end of Mass, it involves putting the Mass items away, and turning out the lights. Very simple! We'll provide on-the-job training too. Contact Dcn. Roger at 723-4990, ext: 2 to volunteer or to get more info.

We are seeking a volunteer to assist with our Altar Linen Ministry. This involves collecting altar linens once or twice a month, then washing, pressing, and folding them. Your help ensures the beauty and reverence of our Mass celebrations. If you are interested in serving in this ministry, please contact Deacon Roger for more details.

All are invited to participate in the 40 Day Holy Hour Devotion before the Holy Eucharist from January 20-February 24 to seek discernment about Ss. Andrew-Thomas School and Daycare.

Fr. Steve Brunner will lead a discussions on the options for Ss. Andrew-Thomas School and Daycare at 6:00 p.m. in the school gym. The meeting is open to the public.

Women who attended the CCW Advent Celebration on Dec. 11 in Lancaster shared an evening of friendship, faith, holiday treats, and carols on the harp. The event drew 25 people from Potosi and Lancaster to the beautifully decorated L. J. Arthur House. Bill Manthe spoke about Advent as a time for patient waiting as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus and also look forward to his second coming. Thanks to all who attended, brought food or helped with setup and cleanup. Thanks, also, to the women who decorated a tree for the Festival of Trees. The tree was beautifully adorned with white lights, garland of gold beads, and angel ornaments.

Fr. Dick Leffler is currently at Edenbrook Nursing Home, 1300 N Water St, Platteville, WI 53818. He is undergoing therapy to regain strength. Fr. Dick was the pastor of Ss. Andrew-Thomas Parish for 27 years and is part of all of our families. Please take a moment to say a prayer for him to regain his strength. It would be wonderful to do a Christmas card shower for him to show our love and support.

"Everyone wants eternal youth. God created us with this desire because he wants to fulfill it. How? Through the Sacrament of Confession." Everyone is encouraged to take home a The Fountain of Youth book, and one for family and friends. We received the books as a gift from an anonymous person. There was no cost to our pastorate. The book was written by Dave Durand (a cofounder of Lighthouse Catholic Media) and endorsed by Bishop Hying and Fr. Mike Schmitz.

If you work or volunteer in any of our parish churches and serve in ministries involving children, please ensure your Diocesan Safe Environment Training is current.

Fr. Herbert Schmidt would like help cleaning his apartment once a month. He lives at Sunrise Valley Apartments in Lancaster. If interested, please call him at 608-331-7148.

St. John's Parish is seeking a Sacristan and a musician (organist) to play for the Sunday, 8:00 a.m. Mass.

We pray for all who will be celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time at St. Clement Church on December 17, St. Mary Church, Bloomington on January 7 and St. Charles Church on January 14.

Thank you to everyone who helped in raising, picking or purchasing pumpkins for Ss. Andrew-Thomas School’s Pumpkin Sale this year! We raised $4,160 and couldn't have done it without your support!

TEC Retreat What is TEC? TEC (Together Encountering Christ) is an experience in Catholic Christian living, especially designed for adults and young people ages 15 and up

All 8th graders are required to participate in teh Confirmation Retreat at Badger Camp in Prairie du Chien, WI on April 17-19.

Have you ever felt like what you are doing or where you are at just isn’t really your destination in life? Could it be that you are not just called to a new job or a different apartment, but to a whole new life? Might religious life be the life for you? I am Sister Kathleen Murphy and that whole new life came to me when I became a Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity! It wasn’t a long journey from my farm home in the Diocese of Madison to our beautiful motherhouse in Manitowoc, and yet it was a chance to experience a God-given adventure. If you are up to enter on such a journey, visit my Community at https://fscc-calledtobe.org or even think about an in person stay with us here in Manitowoc, WI. As the Gospel urges, “Come and see!”

Hello! My name is Deacon Roger Scholbrock, and I’m a Permanent Deacon serving in the Diocese of Madison, currently assigned to the St. Joseph the Worker Pastorate. My wife, Wendy, and I have lived in the Potosi/Tennyson area for over 30 years, where we raised two daughters (now both married) and are blessed with one amazing grandson. After retiring from my previous career, I recently stepped into a new chapter as Pastoral Minister at St. Clement’s, following Bill Manthe’s retirement. It’s a big transition for me, and I sincerely appreciate your patience and support as I settle into this new role. For the past 40 years, I worked as a graphic designer, illustrator, museum and exhibit designer, and senior art director. Shifting into full-time ministry is certainly a major change—but one I’ve prayerfully hoped for over the years. I’ve often asked God to show me how I might use the gifts He’s given me in service to His people, and in His time, He answered. That’s what led me to retire from design and accept this new calling. I already have the pleasure of working alongside Leigh Boorn, our Director of Evangelization, across our pastorate communities. Together, we’re focused on offering prayer and outreach that helps individuals grow in their personal relationship with Christ Jesus. I’m truly excited to see how this ministry unfolds and how I can walk with you in your faith journey. I believe God is doing something beautiful in our parish, and together, we’re just beginning what promises to be a vibrant and faith-filled future. Pax, Deacon Roger

St. Clement’s Church Office will be closed at noon on Mondays.