Dear Holy Family Catholic Community Parishioner(s),

Psalms 116:15 reads, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” This verse is especially pertinent, as on Monday, our country will mark Memorial Day and remember those who gave up their lives for not only their friends, but for everyone who calls this nation home. On Monday, I encourage you to take some time to reflect on the sacrifices of our troops and their families, and to offer a prayer on their behalf. We thank God for those who serve and for all who love them.

To honor the fallen, please join us at our Memorial Day Masses at 8:00 am at Holy Family Church, 8:30 am at Calvary Cemetery, 686 Fond du Lac Ave. (Rosary Walk with Troop 777 at 8:00 am), and 9:00 am at St. Charles Cemetery, W4287 Golf Course Drive.

In The Good News this week, you will read about renovation preparations at Sacred Heart Church, Brewing the Faith, Summer Bites, the return of the All Saints Gospel Choir, the need for Eucharistic Ministers for our homebound parishioners, and more. To read The Good News in English, please click the following link: May-24-25–2025-Good-News-.pdf. To read The Good News in Spanish, please click the following link: Spanish-Good-News-May-24-25–2025-.pdf.

Sign up your child to take an adventure of Biblical proportions this summer at our Vacation Bible School! Running the mornings of August 4-8, Vacation Bible School invites children entering grades 4K-6 this fall to join a wilderness expedition on which we will explore God’s love through Bible stories, crafts, music, and games. This year, we will transform Sacred Heart School into the Alaskan wilderness with the theme of “True North: Trusting God in a Wild World.” All people in grades 7 and up are welcome to volunteer at VBS. To register your child or to volunteer, please visit hffdl.org/cf.

Did you know there is a difference in the attire worn by priests and deacons at Mass? There is. Everyone wears the white alb, including servers, which represents the white garment that we received at baptism. The stole is a sign of authority and represents the sacrament of Holy Orders. Deacons wear a stole diagonally, which represents that he is the servant and is completely bound to the bishop. The priest traditionally wears a stole crossed in front of his body to represent that he is bound to follow his bishop. The deacon wears a dalmatic over the alb and stole, while priests wear a chasuble at Mass over the alb and stole. The dalmatic is a tunic with sleeves which represents the serving nature of the diaconate while the chasuble is a poncho-like vestment that represents that the love of God is over everything.

May you and your loved ones have a blessed week.

In Christ,

Very Rev. Ryan J Pruess

Pastor | Holy Family Catholic Community