When our family packed food boxes just before Thanksgiving, we felt grateful for our gifts and joyful as we worked together to help others. Through this Family Program tradition I was able to give my children a taste of what it means to me to LIVE the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because he has “no hands, no feet on earth but yours” (St. Teresa of Avila). 

When I volunteer here at St. Anthony’s and with our partner organizations, I especially SEEK to encounter and accompany those who are often marginalized, which allows my own faith to grow in its vitality and COMMITment.

Our Human Concerns committee exists to SERVE you, our parishioners by providing opportunities for each and every one of us to become what we receive both by providing opportunities for direct service and awareness of how to better accompany others. Through that lens I am delighted to share updates on our efforts and personally invite you to an experiential workshop called Resetting the Table. I attended this workshop myself and learned skills to melt tension when disagreements arise and get to the heart of what matters to a person who is speaking. It was an amazing experience! Registration by December 20 is required. To learn more or to REGISTER HERE.

I look forward to sharing this semi-annual update with all parishioners, and I invite you to SUBSCRIBE HERE to the recently launched Human Concerns quarterly newsletter! If you’d like to check out a committee meeting, please reach out to me at BurkeKLY@gmail.com for information. - Kate Burke

What a fantastic fall we’ve had helping over 200 St. Anthony parishioners become what we receive as we Build a Culture of Dialogue! Catholic teaching tells us that we are united as the Body of Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says “[we] must always pray and work to maintain, reinforce, and perfect the unity that Christ wills” (820). 

• Tools Jesus uses to have Holy Conversations were learned by over 100 parishioners, staff and committee members
• A fascinating Overcoming Bias presentation by Derek Mosely was experienced by over 100 parishioners. 
• The short film Purple America was watched and discussed by ~20 parishioners.

This is what some parishioners had to say about their active engagement in these events: “Wasn’t Judge Mosely’s presentation amazing?” - Fr. Tony Z. “That’s how you forge relationships!” - Jackie T. and ``I’m hooked!” - Allan K. 

"How very good it is when kindred live together in unity." - PS 133:1

We invite all parishioners to God is Here in Bridging Divides - Resetting the Table on January 13, 8:15am-noon. A trained facilitator of this celebrated experiential workshop will teach us tools to live together in unity.

Why on earth would I give up my Saturday morning? There had better be a great reason! Well…

• Are you awake nights worrying because your grown children refuse to listen to you about why it’s important to come back to the church?
• Do family gatherings end up split with factions facing off on one side of an issue or another?
• Are you already thinking about hiding in a cave to avoid the election year along with all its anger, division, and uncomfortable conversations?

If you want to learn and practice tools to have respectful and productive conversations in the face of strong differences, then perhaps it’s worth a Saturday morning after all. Please register by December 20!

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” Matthew 24:35,40

We have established long-term, deep relationships to SERVE others in need with five worthy organizations, our Partners in Mercy. We believe this approach helps us truly feel and experience first-hand that God is Here in each and every person. We know the combination of financial support, service, advocacy, and strategic partnerships can create a comprehensive and impactful approach to addressing societal challenges.

By supporting our Partners in Mercy, parishioners SERVE others in need through simple acts all the way to more immersive efforts. Rest assured - each level of engagement plays a crucial role in the success and sustainability of our Partners in Mercy. 

THE HANDS AND FEET OF CHRIST

“Christ has …no hands, no feet on earth but yours” - St. Teresa of Avila

As the hands and feet of Christ, the Human Concerns committee brings “… glad tidings to the poor ...  liberty to captives ...  sight to the blind and let the oppressed go free." (Luke 4:18)

We seek to help parishioners build relationships and grow in faith by promoting peace and justice and seeing and serving Christ in others in accord with Sacred Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching. Join us by reaching out to Kate Burke at BurkeKLY@gmail.com and…

Human Concerns at St. Anthony on the Lake

E-Newsletter Written by Kate Burke, Chair of Human Concerns Committee

W280 N2101 Prospect Avenue

Pewaukee, WI 53072