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!”

TEC Retreat 198 Coming to St. Mary in Platteville: The start date is October 24 (start noon on Friday)- 26 (ends 3:30 on Sunday). TEC (Together Encountering Christ) is centered on the Paschal Mystery of Christ. Our Shepherd Bishop Donald Hying has also centered his 'Go Make Disciples' initiative on that same theme. TEC is especially designed to help us grow in our love for Christ and our Holy Catholic Church. It is an amazing experience for any age who are young at heart and at least 15 years of age. Regardless of your present walk in our Catholic Faith, you will be rejuvenated. This is also a 'shout out' to those of you who have already experienced a TEC retreat and would like to help out. Fr. Greg Ihm will be our Spiritual Director. Bill Seyer is the Lay Director and can be reached at 608.988.6543. More information about TEC can be found at www.MadisonDiocese.org/TEC

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. Mary's 3K Program is enrolling children for the 2025-26 school year.

St. Mary’s Holy Name Fair Stand The Blake’s Prairie Fair on July 18-20 will soon be here. LOTS of workers are needed to make sure that the fair stand is successful. Men from other parishes can also volunteer to help! All workers will need to have a fair button. The fair stand provides delicious food from morning to evening all three days of the fair and has also been an important part of the fair experience in Bloomington. The income from the fair stand is used toward the parish insurance which was over $20,000 this year. The stand will also need LOTS of double-crusted apple and cherry pies from our wonderful bakers! Please contact Mike Patterson or St. Mary’s Parish office if you would like to help at the stand or to make a donation. All men are asked to contribute $20.00 to help defray expenses. Everyone is invited to attend the fair, enjoy the delicious food and to help make this event successful.

St. Mary School is looking to hire a Middle School teacher (grades 5-8) for the 2025-2026 school year. Please contact Kelly Copsey if you are interested in being a part of our St. Mary's family. [email protected] / (608)994-2435.

We are very grateful to the parents for following through with the promises they made at their child’s Baptism, to bring them up in the practice of the faith. May God continue to bless them as they teach their child about Christ’s love and presence in the Eucharist. Our First Communicants: Kinsley Breuer Madilyn Cooper Everett Guthrie Jensen Hampton Clay Mezera Case Mulrooney Liam Needham Everett Patterson Owen Price Reid Raisbeck Bennett Redman Scarlett Udelhoven

St. Mary School Bike/Walk-a-thon Saturday, April 26 9am to 11am Additional information: 3k - 7th grade may participate Participants please see the forms

Children are a great gift to us. One way families can find support for the moral and academic formation of their children is in a Catholic school. Below are just few of the reasons why we value our Catholic school: *There is weekly Mass and special feast days where the children are more involved in the liturgy and regular prayer is a part of the school day. *There is a regular religion class several times each week so the children can come to understand the rich tradition and teachings of the Catholic faith. *Our Catholic School has a strong family feel and students are welcomed, and feel safe and comfortable while being challenged to grow and mature according to God’s plan for each of them. *Teachers help the children connect the Catholic faith with all other learning and work with parents for the good of children. Thank you to all of our wonderful parishioners, benefactors, and volunteers who make Catholic education in our area possible. Thank you to all of our dedicated teachers and staff who share their knowledge and faith each day with our students. Thank you to our parents and families who made the decision to entrust St. Mary’s School with the education of their children. May God continue to bless our students, families, and schools as we give thanks for the great blessing of Catholic school. Please contact the school or parish offices to learn more about enrolling your child(ren) in our excellent school.

Everyone is invited to attend St. Mary's Lasagna Supper at St. Mary School on Saturday, January 25 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. There will also be a Silent Auction and classroom displays.

THANK YOU to everyone who supported the Scrip Push! The goal was $30,000 and $69,700.00 in Scrip was purchased! The St. Mary's students will enjoy a pizza and movie party hosted by the Home & School Association.

St Mary’s School has teamed up with Hamann’s Helping Hands again this holiday season to help gathering gifts for children that are spending the holidays in the hospital. We will be collecting gifts until December 20.

St. Mary's Home and School Association is sponsoring a Calendar Raffle for the month of January. Please contact the school office at 608-994-2435 if you are interested in purchasing a chance to win. All money must be turned in by December 20.

The annual "Christmas Club" where you can donate money for gifts for the staff has begun. Donations may be left at the parish office or school.

Share the gift of life by donating blood. The Red Cross will be holding a blood drive at St. Mary School in Bloomington from 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 25.

Everyone is invited to attend this fun, family event and enjoy the yummy breakfast, craft show, raffle, delicious Christmas cookies & candy, and visit with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 1 at St. Mary's School in Bloomington. All St. Mary’s fabulous bakers are invited to donate cookies and candy for the Cookie Sale. Please drop your cookies or candy off at the school by 10 AM on Saturday, Nov. 30. Monetary donations would also be appreciated; call 994-2435 for more information.

A huge thank you to everyone who supported the St. Mary School Pizza and Bulb Fundraiser. A special thank you to Patsy White and Deb Van Bogaert for their help and to Catholic Financial Life Chapter #15 for generously donating $1,000.00 in matching funds.