St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Faith Community

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day! Enjoy some downtime with family and friends. 🥰 "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

09/06/2026

We live in an age of cancel culture: people sharing someone else's perceived faults in public with the goal of removing them from their position. Cancel culture isn't an attempt to bring someone to the truth; it's an attempt to remove them because they are considered an obstacle.
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As Jesus makes clear in today's Gospel, "cancel culture" is not the way of Christians. This doesn't mean there aren't times when we shouldn't go public with someone's wrongdoings. But this comes only after we have first spoken with them privately, and then within our Church.
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Why does Jesus insist on first bringing up someone's sin against you one-on-one? Because the goal isn't punishment or removal; it's reconciliation.
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Let's follow Christ's lead, and seek to reconcile with those who've wronged us--not cancel them.

09/05/2026

It's World Beard Day! Let's take a look at what Sacred Scripture has to say about facial hair?
In the Bible, beards are a sign of dignity and maturity. In fact, Jewish priests were instructed to let their facial hair grow.
"They shall not shave their heads, nor shave off the edges of their beards, nor lacerate their bodies." -- Leviticus 21:5
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And the Psalms reference beards in connection with the priesthood and blessing.
"Like precious ointment on the head, running down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron, upon the collar of his robes." -- Psalm 133:2
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The Bible doesn't explicitly say that Jesus had a beard, but it was the norm among Jewish men in the 1st century. Nonetheless, the New Testament shifts the focus away from external appearance to what's on the inside.
"Your adornment should not be an external one...but rather the hidden character of the heart." -- 1 Peter 3:3-4
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While a beard can be a symbol of wisdom and maturity, one's character and virtue are truly what count.

09/04/2026

As we prepare for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, spend time with Sunday's readings and see if it makes your experience at Mass any different.
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🔸Ezekiel 33:7-9
🔸Romans 13:8-10
🔸Matthew 18:15-20
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You can find them compiled here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090626.cfm

09/04/2026

Let’s play Mahjong! An instructor/coordinator is needed to create a Mahjong group for seniors. You choose the days, times and frequency. If interested, please contact Carol at [email protected] or call either parish office.

09/03/2026

On September 12th at 10 AM, 11 new deacons will be ordained for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Praise be to God! We give thanks for His abundant blessings. To watch the ordination live on September 12, visit the following link: www.st-monica.org/live

09/01/2026

Cursillo 2026!

Are you looking to reignite your spiritual life and experience the love of God in a new way? Registration is underway for our fall men's and women's weekends Sept. 24-27 and Oct. 29-Nov. 1 at the Schoenstatt Wisconsin & Illinois Retreat Center in Waukesha. Come and see what the Cursillo movement is all about! Watch video testimonials and learn more at milwcursillo.com.

08/30/2026

Happy Sunday! In last week's Gospel, Peter was granted the status of first Apostle and leader of the Church. Why the change? It seems that, even after all this time, he is still thinking too small. Jesus rebukes him and encourages him to lift his eyes and mind up and outward to the surprising way in which the Lord is going to save humanity. It may be difficult at times to see God's plan, as big and "impractical" as it may be! But that's how God works.

08/29/2026

Today we celebrate the Passion or Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist. A first-century Jewish prophet, the miraculous son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, and the cousin and forerunner of Jesus Christ. He is famous for preaching repentance and baptizing people in the Jordan River, including Jesus himself.
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As an adult, he lived as a hermit in the wilderness. After the Spirit inspired him, he went about preaching that the people should repent of their sins and be baptized to prepare for the Messiah.

08/28/2026

As we prepare for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, spend time with Sunday's readings and see if it makes your experience at Mass any different.
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🔸Jeremiah 20:7-9
🔸Romans 12:1-2
🔸Matthew 16:21-27
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