Praised be Jesus Christ!

Thank you to everyone who has generously responded to our stewardship appeal thus far. Last Sunday kicked off our Annual Stewardship Renewal which will end November 1, as we venerate All Saints for their good example of Christian living and stewardship. The spiritual question for us to ponder, are we owners of all that we have or are we stewards? Owners see time, talent, treasure as their own, whereas stewards sees all as gift, as God’s bountiful goodness. And therefore, time, talent, treasure for a steward are goods entrusted to us from God, and means to offer glory back to God and to serve our neighbor.

I am elated to share that in stewardship of treasure $31,000 of new giving has been committed so far. Also, many of you have expressed interest in volunteering with our wonderful ministries and commitment in prayer. Please, let’s keep this amazing and faith-filled momentum. While this is a strong start, there’s still much progress to be made, and we need everyone’s participation. Please remember to complete the stewardship form online or submit to the pastorate office to ensure your gift is counted towards our goal and your volunteer interest is recorded.

Together, we can continue to accomplish great things in our pastorate!

With gratitude and prayer for you,

Be sure to take a Stella Maris medal and holy card after Mass this weekend; they will be available after all Masses in celebration of our patronal feast day.

To mark the occasion, all of our musicians will be focusing their efforts at the 10:30am Mass at IHM and will be joined by a string quintet this Sunday. Please consider joining us for this special celebration of our Blessed Mother and our first year as a pastorate. (The 9am Masses at CTK and STP on Sunday, Sept. 29 will be Low Masses, without music. The 4pm & 5pm Masses on Saturday and 7:30am Mass on Sunday are unaffected).

Priesthood Sunday
This Sunday (Sept. 29) there will be hospitality in the back of church to honor our three priests! Join us after 10:30am Mass at IHM. We are in need of cookies, bars, and cupcakes. If you'd like to donate items, please contact Mary Anderson.

The priests of our diocese have an assembly Sept 30 - Oct.2. Please note there will not be daily Mass these days.

Women’s Faith Formation at SP
All women are invited to join in fellowship for the Ascension Press study, When You Pray: A Clear Path to a Deeper Relationship with God. This 9-week session will be on Sundays from 6:30 - 8pm in St. Patrick’s Church basement beginning Oct. 6 & ending Dec. 8. To register (by Sept 29), contact Anne. Details here.

St. Anne's Society Meeting
St. Anne's membership meeting is Oct. 1 at 6pm at Christ the King. Julie Allington will be speaking at the meeting about the Mary's Rosary Assemblers and the Sister Parish Initiative Committee. All women of the parish are invited to attend. Contact Teri Kuntzsch 608-206-5144 with questions.

Prayer Shawl Ministry
Pick up a shawl during pastorate office hours for a loved one. The St. Patrick Prayer Shawl Ministry monthly meeting will be held on Oct. 2 at 9am in the parish center. New members are welcome. Questions: contact Gail, 608.219.2072. The CTK prayer shawl meeting is Oct. 9 at 1:30pm.

The next meeting of the IHM Conference of St. Vincent de Paul will be held on Thurs., Oct. 3 at 6:30 pm in the IHM rectory basement. This meeting is open to anyone from Stella Maris who would like to learn more about our group and visit with the IHM members. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a Catholic lay organization that leads women and men to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy, suffering or forgotten. We welcome new members! Please contact Pat Ponty with questions 608-241-4330.

The first meeting of Filiae Mariae will be Oct. 6 after the 9am Mass at St. Patrick from 10:30-12:30. Filiae Mariae of Stella Maris is a community in which young women learn to serve the Church through friendship, prayer, formation, workshops, and games. Lunch is provided. RSVP here by Oct. 3. More info here.

Cancer Group Meeting
Oct. 23, 6-8pm at SP parish office. For more info, contact Peggy Weber.

St. Catherine Ministry
St. Catherine Ministry partners with Our Lady of Hope Clinic to accompany families through miscarriage. Visit their website for information.

Babies and Beyond
Helps families in need in South Central Wisconsin, providing clothing, equipment, diapers and formula for stages of pregnancy through children aged 4. A new donation spot has been set up at Christ the King for diapers, wipes and formula, and it is located between church and the gathering hall.

Sign up to be a prayer/peaceful witness at Madison Planned Parenthood Clinic at 3706 Orin Rd. Mondays 6-8pm. Details here.

The churches within our pastorate prepare and serve meals at the Luke House. Food donations and volunteers to serve the food are needed. CTK: Sept 30.

Life is Sweet Panel
Our Lady Queen of Peace's Respect Life Committee invites everyone to a panel discussion on Oct. 1 at 7pm featuring local and national advocates for human dignity! All info here.

Discipleship Formation - for the entire family!
Oct. 2 - Catechesis Night in IHM Marian Hall at 6pm; Happiness: The Greatest Desire of the Human Heart.

Koats for Kids
Our IHM School 5th grade class is once again collecting gently worn coats, hats, mittens, gloves and snow pants (sizes infant to adults) for Koats for Kids. You may drop these items off in the barrels in the IHM Church narthex through Oct. 4. Thanks for making this winter a little warmer for those in need!

Mass of Hope and Healing with Bishop Hying
Sunday, Oct. 6 at 1pm at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. For anyone grieving the loss of children through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, abortion, stillbirth, or infant death. Questions? Contact Mary

Rosary Rallies for Religious Freedom
CTK outdoor Marian Garden, Thursdays through Oct 31, 6-7pm. Bring a chair. Dress appropriately for the weather. More info here, or contact Julie, 715-862-2523.

Moms Coffee Hour
Second Saturdays of the month; next meeting Oct. 12, 9:30am-10:45am. Meet in IHM narthex after 9am Mass. Details here. Contact: Avarie Roser

Hurting from Abortion?
Find hope, healing and mercy at a Rachel’s Vineyard retreat. No matter how long it’s been, Rachel’s Vineyard retreats offer hope and peace for anyone (women or men) who struggles with emotional or spiritual pain after abortion. Next retreats: Nov. 8 - 10 & March 28 - 30, 2025. Register at madisondiocese.org/rachel. Questions contact Mary / 608-821-3177. Confidentiality is assured.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter
WME has all the tools you need for a great marriage. Sign up today to attend one of the upcoming events: Oct. 12-13 in Mundelein, IL, Oct. 19-20 in Reedsburg, WI, Nov. 16-17 in Crest Hill, IL, or Dec. 6-8 in Brookfield, WI. Visit alifetimeoflove.org.