ST. MARY CHURCHES

Rock the Village #3 - Another Success!

This past weekend, more than 20 volunteers did Fall clean-up at St. Thomas Cemetery in Poygan, at St. Mary’s Church, the Library, and at Marble Park in Winneconne!

After three “Rock the Village” experiences, we are happy to share there have been over 80 volunteers working four hours at each Rock the Village outreach. This equates to more than 320 service hours in the communities within our St. Mary’s Winneconne parish!

The “Rock the Village” projects have included assisting parishioners with Fall and Spring clean-up and helping St Mary's and St. Thomas Cemetery with Fall grounds clean-up. The St. Mary’s team has also collaborated with the Beautification Committee and the Village of Winneconne on Fall and Spring clean-up at Marble Park, the Historical Society grounds, and the Winneconne Library grounds.
Why do we do it? Yes, it is part of our mission, but more than that, we simply like to gather together to help others within our communities, and to be outside making a difference!
Rock the Village outreach is a great way to make a difference, and to be the visible hands and feet of Jesus!
Thank you to everyone who has participated in this outreach and have allowed us to serve you!

St. Mary's Omro and Winneconne Virtual Choir. Even during the COVID Pandemic we can still join our voices in praise.

Church Walkthrough with Sr. Pam

Reconnect Groups

Thank you to those who have been facilitating and participating in the Reconnect Groups! As we continue to journey through the transition from our “once upon a time normal” to the “new normal,” I am happy to share these Reconnect Groups are bringing life, hope, and joy to hearts!
The following are three ways (a quote, photos, video clips) that demonstrate the good coming from our “Reconnect Groups.” It seems these days we need to offer a variety of options to share the Good News and to remain connected in community and with Jesus!

Facilitator Quote: “I wanted to share with you that our group meeting last night went so well. People were engaged and sharing and laughing. Even though we all knew each other on various levels, I felt that members were pleasantly surprised to discover that their thoughts and feelings were indeed shared by others. That validation and reassurance was incredibly comforting to the group. Without a doubt HE was present and it was a beautiful evening!”

Here are two video clips from participants on the first week’s experience on Loss and Encouragement:

Kristin Wright: https://youtu.be/-hvJwl4pTt4
Ron Jungwirth: https://youtu.be/X1o1UHnAEqQ
JoAnn Winnekens: https://youtu.be/I2V7b8uPxEQ
Courtney Stachura: https://youtu.be/Dk8zJzTjbgc
Tami Noffke: youtu.be/by1uQnXXATw

If you are interested in learning more about Reconnect Groups, contact Rose Unser at rose.unser@stmarychurches.org.

Our communities are truly blessed. May we continue to reach out, connect with, and encourage one another (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)! Most importantly, let us always remember that Christ is with us and we are not alone!

Wishing you Jesus,

The staff of St. Mary Churches – Omro and Winneconne

Masses resume June 13 - 14!
Omro - 4:00 p.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. Sunday
Winneconne - 6:00 p.m. Saturday, 8:30 a.m. Sunday

How Celebrating Mass Will Look

All who come to church are asked to wear a mask and have their temperature taken. Paper and cloth masks are available at church for anyone who needs one.
Hand sanitizer will be at all the entrances of the church for you to use when you enter and exit the building.
Holy water fonts will remain empty.
There will be no music books or cards in the pews. Greeters will hand you a worship aid with the music for the Mass. That paper will be put in the recycling container by the door when you leave church after Mass.
Baskets will be at the entrances for your donation envelopes because there will be no offertory collection during Mass.
Every other pew will be taped off in church to maintain proper distancing and ushers will be present to help you find a place to sit. Families do not need to practice physical distancing and may sit together in the same row.
We will provide extra seating in the choir loft and Marian Hall in Omro and we will have chairs set up downstairs in Winneconne along with the video projector so you can watch Mass from the places outside of the church.
We will not be able to have an offertory procession and that means no one will bring up the gifts of bread and wine to the altar.
We will not be invited to exchange a Sign of Peace during Mass.
The presider and I will be the only Communion ministers unless one is needed for the people in the overflow areas in each church and the sacristan will do that.
Everyone is asked to receive communion in the hand, and we will only distribute the Body of Christ.
Everyone will receive communion in the normal way but WHERE the Communion lines will start will be different from what we usually do in both churches. Please follow the directions of the ushers.
The pews, chairs and restrooms will be cleaned in-between Masses.

Global Outreach Program

Consider being a host family

Today we have a wonderful prayer form that focuses on the Word of God. It is a wonderful way to reflect and meditate on scripture. Join Rose as she leads us today in a Lectio Divina.

You can still come to church for private prayer
during the following times.

Omro: Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Winneconne: Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Of course we need to observe the CDC rules of no more than 10 people in church at one time and stay 6 feet apart.

Resources for Prayer and

Engagement during Coronavirus

Many people are understandably experiencing uncertainty and anxiety due to the spread of COVID-19.

The severity of the situation has forced our leaders to make significant changes in our daily lives including suspending publicly celebrated Masses. Recognizing these changes likely leave us even more in need of God’s grace,
The USCCB and other Catholic partners have generously made their resources available to support prayer during these difficult days.

Please use freely and share with others. A sense of community is of the upmost importance. We must encourage each other, take care of each other, pray for each other and stay connected to our faith during this time of social distancing.

Online Masses and Adoration

Daily Readings