Downtown Kenosha Catholic

05/24/2026

𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐒
On 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟓, join Fr. Sean as he celebrates Memorial Day Masses at our local cemeteries, offering a meaningful opportunity to pray for our departed loved ones. These outdoor Masses provide a time for reflection and remembrance in the sacred spaces where our family and friends rest. Please bring your own lawn chair, as outdoor seating will not be provided.

• 8:00 a.m. – Old St. Mark Cemetery, 7701 9th Court
• 9:00 a.m. – St. James Cemetery, 7002 7th Avenue
• 10:00 a.m. – St. George Cemetery, 2901 Sheridan Road
• 11:00 a.m. – St. Casimir Cemetery, 3531 47th Avenue
• 12:00 p.m. – St. Elizabeth Church, 714 49th Street (Daily Mass)

05/22/2026

𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐈𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐒𝐓
The Introit for the Pentecost Vigil Mass is a profound and fitting introduction to the celebration of the Holy Spirit’s descent. The St. Elizabeth Choir and St. James the Apostle Schola will sing this arrangement by Paul Jernberg at both the Extended Pentecost Vigil Mass at 𝟕:𝟎𝟎 𝐩.𝐦. on 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟑, and the 𝟗:𝟎𝟎 𝐚.𝐦. & 𝟏𝟎:𝟑𝟎 𝐚.𝐦. Pentecost Sunday Masses.

“The love of God is poured forth in our hearts by His Spirit dwelling within us, Alleluia, Alleluia. Ps. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless His holy name. Glory be to the Father...”

Drawn from Ezekiel 36:23-26, the Introit reflects the core theme of the Pentecost Vigil: the outpouring of divine love through the Holy Spirit. The passage from Ezekiel speaks of God’s promise to renew His people with a new heart and spirit, a message that resonates deeply with the vigil’s preparation for Pentecost Sunday. The inclusion of “Alleluia” underscores the joyful expectation of the Spirit’s coming.

The setting used at DTKC is composed by Paul Jernberg. Born in 1953 in Chicago, Jernberg is a composer known for sacred music, including the Mass of Saint Philip Neri, blending Gregorian chant with modern liturgical styles. After studying at the American Conservatory of Music, he composed and conducted in Sweden from 1983 to 1993. He now serves as Music Director and Composer-in-Residence at Wyoming Catholic College in Lander, Wyoming.

Listen here:

From "The Mass of St. Philip Neri"Recorded in Chicago, 2014

05/20/2026

𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃𝐔𝐋𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐒
In the city of Rome, Pentecost Sunday is also called “Sunday of the Roses”. Every Pentecost, Rome’s Pantheon temple (currently the Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs) practices a beautiful and ancient custom of dropping rose petals through the circular oculus opening at the top of the dome. It is said that this tradition dates back to 609 AD. The petals fall on the people in the pews below, reminiscent of the descent of the Holy Spirit like tongues of flame (Acts 2: 1-11). We are pleased to continue this Roman tradition this weekend after ALL of the DTKC Masses.

EXTENDED PENTECOST VIGIL MASS
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful! The Downtown Kenosha Catholic parishes will celebrate an Extended Pentecost Vigil on 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟑, at 𝟕:𝟎𝟎 𝐩.𝐦. at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 714 49th Street.

Inspired by the Easter Vigil, this extended form includes four Old Testament readings that speak of God’s promise to pour out His Spirit on His people. The St. Elizabeth Choir, St. James the Apostle Schola, and string orchestra will present the entire Mass No. 15 in C major, K. 317 "Coronation Mass" by W. A. Mozart as part of the Extended Pentecost Vigil.

Following the Mass, enjoy a FREE delightful reception in the Ministry Center with complimentary food, drinks, and dessert - all prepared in-house by our own parishioner, Tim Santelli & crew. Freewill offerings are greatly appreciated to help offset the cost of the food.

COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF PENTECOST MASSES
Here is the complete schedule of Masses for the DTKC Parishes in the celebration of the Solemnity of Pentecost on 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟑, and 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟒:

• 4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass at St. Elizabeth Church with Cantor & Organ
• 7:00 p.m. Extended Vigil Mass at St. Elizabeth Church with Choir, Schola, Strings & Organ - featuring Mozart's Coronation Mass
• 7:30 a.m. Mass at St. Elizabeth Church with Cantor, Flute & Organ
• 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle Church with Schola, Strings & Organ
• 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Elizabeth Church with Choir, Strings & Organ

𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: NO 5:30 p.m. Mass or 1:00 p.m. Mass (Spanish) offered on the weekend of May 23-24

05/19/2026

𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐙𝐀𝐑𝐓'𝐒 "𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐒" 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐘
As part of the Extended Pentecost Vigil on 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟑, the St. Elizabeth Choir, St. James the Apostle Schola, and string orchestra will present Mass in C Major, K. 317 "Coronation Mass" by W. A. Mozart in its entirety as the Ordinary of the Mass. Join us this Saturday at 𝟕:𝟎𝟎 𝐩.𝐦. at St. Elizabeth Church, 714 49th Street, and stay for a reception afterward with food and fellowship.

Listen to a performance by The English Concert & Choir under the direction of Trevor Pinnock at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXQKmrB4b_o&list=PLFpllkY6JbXzahsH9uWnzZIJxUCVTuJ_O

Mozart composed this Mass in 1779 at the age of 23 after returning to Salzburg to serve as court organist and composer to Archbishop Hieronymus Colloredo, and it likely premiered on Easter Sunday in that same year at Salzburg Cathedral. Although not written for any coronation, the Mass acquired its nickname later when it became a favorite for imperial ceremonies, including the 1791 coronation of Leopold II as King of Bohemia and the 1792 coronation of Francis II as Holy Roman Emperor.

The bright, festive work demonstrates Mozart’s skill at crafting a compact yet grand setting suitable for the archbishop’s requirement that even solemn masses are not needlessly lengthy. Scored for solo quartet, chorus, and orchestra, it features engaging rhythmic openings in the Kyrie, Gloria, and Credo. The serene soprano solo in the Agnus Dei is a melody Mozart later adapted for the Countess’s aria “Dove sono” in The Marriage of Figaro.

05/18/2026

𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
TODAY (May 18) marks the nineteenth anniversary of ordination to the priesthood for our Pastor, Rev. Canon Sean Granger, K.H.S. He has served the downtown Kenosha Catholic community since being assigned to St. Elizabeth in 2012 and St. James the Apostle in 2014.

Please pray that God blesses Fr. Sean in his priestly ministry. Thank you for all you do for the parishes of St. James the Apostle and St. Elizabeth, Fr. Sean!

05/17/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬
A heartfelt congratulations goes out to the students of our parish who celebrated their First Holy Communion on 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟑. It was a beautiful day as these young souls received Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament for the first time. May this encounter with Our Eucharistic Lord ignite in their hearts a deep and abiding love for Him and His Church.

We thank their parents, godparents, and dedicated catechists for accompanying them on this important journey. Please pray that these children remain faithful disciples of Christ throughout their lives.

📷: Molly G Photography
https://mollygphotography0.mypixieset.com/

05/15/2026

𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕮𝖆𝖓𝖔𝖓’𝖘 𝕮𝖔𝖑𝖚𝖒𝖓
Dear Parishioners: Last Sunday on Mother’s Day, seeing so many mothers gathered with us at church prompted me to reflect on the remarkable patience they demonstrate toward their children. The nine months of waiting for a child to arrive is a long season of anticipation, and the many inconveniences endured during that time truly represent a profound act of love.

In some ways, our own parish community has shared a similar experience. It has now been more than nine months since the interior renovation project began here at St. James the Apostle. Each Sunday presented its challenges as we sought to celebrate the liturgy amid the ongoing work, navigating missing sections of pews, scaffolding, lighting difficulties, and foot traffic areas that were completely inaccessible.

I am pleased to finally share some wonderful news. The painting of the sanctuary, nave, and narthex of the interior renovation is now complete. It brings me great joy to see our church looking so beautiful once again, a fitting and worthy space in which to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Although the work of the project is finished, a balance of $𝟏𝟔𝟓,𝟐𝟔𝟗 remains. I kindly ask that you pray and discern a contribution towards the interior renovation fund. Your generosity toward this restricted fund will help us bring the entire project to completion without incurring the cathedraticum, the archdiocesan assessment on our income, which means every dollar donated goes toward paying off the remaining balance.

This year, we will once again host our annual bonfire in honor of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist in the field on the grounds of St. James the Apostle campus. On 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟑, a 𝟔:𝟑𝟎 𝐩.𝐦. Mass for the Vigil of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist will be offered at the church immediately before the social gathering. For those who do not often have the opportunity to visit St. James the Apostle, this celebration may provide a wonderful chance to experience the beauty of the renovated church firsthand.

Finally, I wish to offer one last reminder regarding our Pentecost celebrations at the downtown parishes next weekend. There will be 𝐍𝐎 𝟓:𝟑𝟎 𝐩.𝐦. Mass on 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟑, and 𝐍𝐎 𝟏:𝟎𝟎 𝐩.𝐦. Mass in Spanish on 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟒.

We will instead offer our special Extended Pentecost Vigil Mass at 𝟕:𝟎𝟎 𝐩.𝐦. on 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟑, at St. Elizabeth Church.

Once again, I would like to highlight that our musicians, accompanied by a string orchestra, have been working hard to prepare the complete 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒔 by W. A. Mozart for the Ordinary of the Mass during this festive liturgy.

Additionally, I look forward to the reception that will follow the Extended Pentecost Vigil. I hope many of you will join us afterward in the Ministry Center cafeteria for food and fellowship. I can’t wait to see you there!

~ Fr. Sean

05/10/2026

𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕮𝖆𝖓𝖔𝖓’𝖘 𝕮𝖔𝖑𝖚𝖒𝖓
Dear Parishioners: I am pleased to share how proud I am of the young people who received Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time last Sunday during our First Holy Communion celebration at the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Their evident joy and the happiness of their families made for a deeply moving occasion. I am equally grateful to their teachers and to all our catechists, who take such care in passing on the faith to our youth. Although our Masses are always well attended, it was a particular blessing to celebrate this milestone with a congregation that filled the church, requiring additional seating in the organ loft.

In this weekend’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we hear that the people of Samaria had been baptized but had not yet received the Holy Spirit. As apostles and therefore bishops, Peter and John laid hands on them so that they might receive the Holy Spirit. This passage reminds us of the reason Confirmation follows Baptism. With that in mind, the sacrament of Confirmation remains essential, and its candidates should be well catechized and spiritually prepared to receive the Holy Spirit.

I wish to thank Deacon Ed and Steve Fredriksson for their dedicated work in preparing those who entered the Church this year through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. I also thank Jolene Schneider and Annie Fredriksson for their leadership of the Middle School and High School religious education classes as they prepared our youth for Confirmation in September.

I am grateful to Charlie Anderson and Thomas Connolly for their assistance in the high school classroom this spring as the students completed their final preparations for Confirmation. Both young men have generously offered to continue helping next year. Their witness as faithful young adults is a powerful example for our high school and middle school students. In addition, Thomas and Charlie lead Renewal in Christ, our young adult ministry, on Tuesday evenings, guiding others in the same pursuit of deeper faith.

As this weekend’s readings prepare us for the feast of Pentecost, I wish to remind you of our regular Mass times. There will be no 𝟓:𝟑𝟎 𝐩.𝐦. Mass on 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟑, nor 𝟏:𝟎𝟎 𝐩.𝐦. Mass in Spanish on 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟒. We are once again offering our special Pentecost Extended Vigil Mass at 𝟕:𝟎𝟎 𝐩.𝐦. on 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟑. Our musicians, with chamber orchestra accompaniment, will present the entire 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒔 by W. A. Mozart during this festive liturgy.

I look forward to the Pentecost Vigil reception and hope many of you will be able to either volunteer to help behind the scenes or stop by after the evening extended vigil for food and fellowship in the Ministry Center cafeteria. I hope to see you there!

~ 𝐹𝓇. 𝒮𝑒𝒶𝓃

05/01/2026

𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕮𝖆𝖓𝖔𝖓’𝖘 𝕮𝖔𝖑𝖚𝖒𝖓
Dear Parishioners: This weekend’s Gospel passage brings us back to the Last Supper, where Jesus tells the Apostles that he is going away for a while to prepare a place for them. His deepest desire is to bring us to live with him and the Father forever. The language he uses echoes that of a groom speaking to his bride, revealing the intimate closeness he longs to share with each of us.

Later, Philip asks to see the Father, saying that this alone would be enough. Jesus responds by speaking of the profound intimacy he shares with the Father—the very same intimacy he desires for us. Just as the Father and the Son are one, when we are united with the Son, we are drawn into that deep communion with the Father and the Holy Spirit. We encounter this great mystery every time we gather for Mass. In the Eucharist, we behold the Lord in the consecrated host and receive his fullness—body, blood, soul, and divinity—when we approach Holy Communion. In this way, the dialogue from the Last Supper finds its fulfillment in every Mass for us, his disciples.

This Sunday at the 𝟏𝟎:𝟑𝟎 𝐚.𝐦. Mass, several of our students will receive their First Holy Communion. Through this sacrament, they will enter into the profound closeness with God that the Gospel describes. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life.” To mark this joyful occasion, we will enhance our Sunday celebration with additional musicians and beautiful floral arrangements.

I offer my heartfelt congratulations to these children as they receive the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, body, soul, and divinity. I also want to thank the parents who are committed to forming their children in the faith, and I am deeply grateful to all our catechists who have guided them on this special journey.

This year marks the thirty-ninth anniversary of my own First Holy Communion. I have included a photograph from that day. The priest pictured is Rev. Fr. Paul Esser, who was my pastor at the time.

As we celebrate with our First Communicants this Sunday, may we all be reminded of the tremendous gift of the Eucharist. Let us strive to live ever more deeply in the intimate union with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that Christ desires for each of us. May we always approach the sacraments with the innocence and excitement of a young child, rejoicing in all that the Lord has done for us.

Finally, we have many exciting activities taking place in our parishes this spring. I encourage you to get involved in one or more of them—to build new friendships, strengthen old ones, and learn something new. Whether through faith formation, a Bible study, or even learning how to dance, our dedicated facilitators have prepared wonderful opportunities for all.

May God bless you abundantly.

~ 𝐹𝓇. 𝒮𝑒𝒶𝓃