This weekend we welcome Most Reverend Siby Mathew Peedikayil, Bishop of the Diocese of Aitape in Papua New Guinea through the Pontifical Mission Societies, Mission Cooperative Appeal. He'll share details about the apostolic work his diocese is involved in and extend an invitation for us to support his community.

Catholic Diocese of Aitape, Papua New Guinea
Evangelization started in Aitape in 1896 by SVD missionaries. They were followed by the zealous OFM missionaries. Currently we have mostly native priests, a few missionaries, religious and lay pastoral workers. Bishop Siby Mathew Peedikayil HGN is from India. Although many challenges and struggles to live their daily life the ordinary Catholic in Aitape diocese is a peaceful, smiling person, just getting on with life. The diocese has more than 160,000 Catholics (75% of the population). They love the Church and perform wonderful liturgies with song and dance in beautiful costumes accompanied by drums.

The diocese has 32 parishes distributed in 3 deaneries. Evangelization work is carried out by priests (19), religious and laity, in a spirit of shared responsibility, under the leadership of the Diocesan Team of Pastoral Animation. Logistical and economic problems, lack of personnel, long distances and difficult communication routes deprive the faithful of a regular sacramental life. The diocese has a Pastoral Center for training catechists and lay ministers, as well as for continuing formation of the faithful. The diocese runs health facilities, schools, vocational centres, a centre for the disabled and a school that gives second chances. We have a lot of opportunities for evangelization and care of our people. But the diocese is short of money for all fields of pastoral works.

Aitape has few resources and infrastructure. Our parishes are poor, many of them are in the mountains, and they have dilapidated facilities. It is really urgent to renovate most of the existing facilities in the diocese. For the immediate need it is important to bring more missionaries. Many young men are willing to discern their vocation to diocesan priesthood. Many lay women and men are willing to be trained as lay ministers. Investing in the formation of local seminarians and laity are priorities.

We would like to invite you to be part of our evangelization initiatives. May God bless you abundantly and reward you richly for your generosity and love.

Yours in Jesus Christ,

Most Rev. Siby Mathew Peedikayil HGN
Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Aitape,
Papua New Guinea

Welcome to Stella Maris Pastorate!
 Christian Bond
 Niall Moore

Our prayers and sympathy to the family and friends of:
† Jonathan Dulli
† Evelyn Olson
† Ruth Vincent
† Eugene Walsh
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen 

Overnight Adoration at IHM
Please sign up here to spend an hour with our Lord. 8pm Wed. Aug 28 - 8am Thurs. Aug 29.

IHM School Prayer Partners
The prayer partner program invites you to help cover IHM School with prayer each and every day of the school year. As a Prayer Partner, you agree to dedicate 15 minutes--just 1% of your day--one to two weekdays per month to pray for the safety, health, and mission of IHM School, and its students, staff, and families. Sign up here. Questions? Email the IHM School Education Commission (EdCo).

St. Anne's Society Meeting
All women of the pastorate are invited to the September meeting. We will host guest speaker Franny Ruth for a presentation on the catechesis of the Good Shepherd Montessori, followed by our business meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 6pm in Marian Hall (IHM School cafeteria). Questions Teri Kuntzsch / 608-206-5144.

New Hymnals for IHM & STP
Since the end of the pandemic there has been a need for a new music resource for IHM & STP. After a period of searching, the music team selected the St. Michael Hymnal 5th Edition to be that resource! Read more about the new hymnal and FAQs HERE. Questions about Liturgy & Music in our pastorate are always welcome. Please direct all inquiries to Director of Worship, Michael Mills.

Share your Love of the Lord with our Youth
Are you enthusiastic and faithful? If so, we need YOU! As we prepare for Wednesday Discipleship Formation Nights, we are in need of classroom leaders and helpers for our 3yr old to 5th graders along with helpers for our High School group. If you are excited to help, contact Marnie.

Discipleship Formation
All high schoolers in the pastorate are invited to a summer bonfire on Aug. 25 at CTK, 7-8:30pm. Games, snacks, and a bonfire! No registration required for this event. For all details about our pastorate-wide Wednesday night gatherings and discipleship formation registration: visit our website.

All are invited to the Stella Maris Pastorate Picnic on Aug 25 at St. Patrick. Activities will begin after the 9am Mass with food being served around 11am by the Knights of Columbus. The pig roast will also include side dishes, soda, adult beverages and ice cream. DJ Musical Memories will provide games & activities for all ages until 3pm. A great way to end the summer! Help is needed for the picnic! Contact Dale.

Luke House - August
The churches within our pastorate prepare and serve meals at the Luke House. Food donations and volunteers to serve the food are needed. IHM: Aug 28

Rosary Rallies for Religious Freedom
CTK outdoor Marian Garden, Thursdays, Aug 29 - Oct 31, 6-7pm. Bring a chair. Dress appropriately for the weather. More info here, or contact Julie, 715-862-2523.

Men of Stella Maris Pastorate
If you are looking to deepen your relationship with God, be a better husband and more loving father, and build friendships with other like-minded men - join our pastorate’s second year of a vibrant men’s group this Fall featuring ‘That Man Is You!’ (TMIY), a program that invites us to discover what it means to be fully alive and experience authentic freedom as sons of God! TMIY will be hosted at CTK on Saturday mornings, 7-8:30am, beginning Sept. 14 and includes breakfast, a video presentation, & small group discussion. Email Tom with questions or register here.

Moms Coffee Hour
Second Saturdays of the month beginning Sept. 14, 9:30am-10:45am. Meet in IHM narthex after 9am Mass. Details here. Contact: Avarie Roser

Men of Christ Conference
Sept 21 at St. John the Baptist, Waunakee, 8am – 4pm. Features well-known speakers & Mass with Bishop Hying. Details here.

Retrouvaille
Is your marriage tearing you apart? Find help through Retrouvaille, (ret-tro-vi), where husbands & wives are helped to re-discover each other. Madison’s upcoming Retrouvaille program is Sept 27-29, at the Green Lake Conference Center. Follow up sessions will be in Madison. Call 608-249-2377 visit helpourmarriage.org

Fall Women’s Faith Formation
Women of Stella Maris pastorate please join us for a Endow study “The Science of Love” about the life of St. Therese of Lisieux. We will meet Tuesday mornings from 9:30-11am in the basement conference room at IHM. The study will begin Oct. 1 and continue for 8 weeks. Details here. Questions: contact Mary Sullivan. Prompt registration is appreciated.

Heart of Christ Encounter
Deep dive into Sacred Heart devotion. The morning of reflection features Mass with Bishop Hying and talks by Bishop Hying and Fr. Brian Dulli. 8am-12pm, Oct. 12 at St. James Catholic Church. Details here.