Masses of Thanksgiving
August 17 & 18 we will celebrate Masses of Thanksgiving to mark our next step to operating as one parish with one location. The weekend Masses at Saint Bernard (4:00 on Saturday, 8:00 on Sunday, and 10:30 on Sunday) are intended to give thanks for the ministry of both parishes in the past and look ahead to our merged parish. After 10:30 Mass, food will be available from Bunzels.
Rather than canceling the Christ King Masses this weekend, I encourage Christ King parishioners to attend Mass at the Saint Bernard campus instead. I look forward to approximately a year from now when we will celebrate our first anniversary as a new parish. I look forward to seeing you next weekend.
Updates to Staff
Several transitions will be occurring with our fantastic staff.
First, our Director of Formation for Youth (for Saint Pius X, Saint Bernard, and Christ King), Sarah Daszczuk, will move into a newly created role with Christ King as our Director of Parish Life. The role will adjust over time, but Sarah will especially coordinate our evangelization and missionary efforts to grow our parish’s fidelity to Jesus’ Great Commission. More immediately, she will help with the voluminous tasks related to our parish merger. I thank Sarah for taking on this new position.
We are happy to introduce Irene Tomasovic as our new Director of Formation for Youth (for Saint Pius X Parish and the soon-to-be merged Christ King parish). Irene will benefit from the mentorship of Sarah as she takes on this role. Below is a brief note from Irene.
“Hello, Christ King & St. Pius X parishioners! My name is Irene Tomasovic and I am the new Director of Formation and Discipleship for Youth. I feel at home here because I grew up in Wauwatosa before moving to Appleton during my childhood. I graduated from UW-Madison in 2023 and was a Brew City Catholic missionary last year. I am so excited to serve your home parish and come to know, love, and serve Christ with you all. God Bless You!”
Second, our Director of Formation for Children (for Saint Pius X, Saint Bernard, and Christ King), Sam El-Azem, will take on an opportunity at her children’s school. Luckily, Sam will continue at the parish but move to a part-time role. We will welcome a part-time Associate Director of Formation for Children (for Saint Pius X and the soon-to-be-merged Christ King parish) in Andrea Koczela.
Andrea is a long-time parishioner of Christ King with four children enrolled in Christ King Parish School. She has a master's degree in Early Childhood Education and is trained in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS). After running St. Rose Montessori School for many years, Andrea piloted a CGS program in Christ King Parish School last year which will expand during 2024-25. She has been an active part of Baptismal preparation at Christ King and looks forward to helping children prepare for First Reconciliation and First Communion this year.
Third, we welcome the staff currently employed at Saint Bernard Parish to our soon-to-be-merged parish. Christine Meyer, Saint Bernard’s Director of Administrative Services, will join our staff under our Director of Operations, Laura Brown, as a part-time assistant in our parish operations. She will be mainly engaged in the details related to the parish merger and operations related to our database and stewardship systems.
Pat Brophy, currently the administrative assistant at Saint Bernard Parish, will join our staff as a part-time administrative assistant. You will see her friendly presence at the parish office in various roles.
Greg Smrz, the musician at Saint Bernard, will assist us as needed. I am happy we can continue this relationship.
I am very happy these staff members will enhance our parish as we look to finalize our merger soon. The remainder of the Saint Bernard staff has already been in a shared relationship and will continue in our newly organized parish.
We are lucky to have such an amazing staff, who do incredible and generous work for our parishes.
Masses of Thanksgiving at Saint Bernard
During the weekend of August 17 and 18, we will celebrate Masses of Thanksgiving at Saint Bernard at the usual Mass times (4:00 on Saturday, 8:00 and 10:30 on Sunday). Particular emphasis will be placed on the 10:30 Mass, with social time to follow.
On this weekend, we will thank God for the work of the Catholic Church through the people of Saint Bernard Parish over many years. More so, this will mark the commitment of Christ King and Saint Bernard parishioners to improving our work as our parish spreads the Gospel mission in our area.
Starting on Monday, August 19, all liturgical celebrations will occur at our Christ King campus at 2604 North Swan Boulevard, and the parish office will begin operations there. As of this date, the Saint Bernard campus will no longer be accessible to the public. We will continue moving items to Christ King for use or storage. It is anticipated at least one more month will pass until we transfer our property to the new owners.
I strongly encourage all current Christ King parishioners to attend Mass at Saint Bernard on August 17 and 18, especially at the 10:30 Mass. Parishes do not "close." Rather, they merge into something new. This is a significant change for both Christ King and Saint Bernard, and we will begin "year 1" of our new identity with renewed strength and focus on the mission of the Catholic Church in our area.
Walking Tours
I will be holding walking tours of the Christ King campus on August 8 at 6PM and repeated on Sunday, August 11 at Noon, designed to show some of the behind-the-scenes spaces that are interesting, intriguing – and designed to make the campus feel even more like “Home.” These tours will last no more than an hour, and afterward, all are invited to the parish offices for light refreshments. It’s very informal—no need to RSVP!
New Daily Mass Schedule
Starting Monday, August 19, we will undertake a revised daily Mass schedule:
- Mondays: 8:00 a.m. Mass
- Mondays: 3:00-7:00 p.m. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
- Tuesdays: 5:30 p.m. Mass followed by the Sacrament of Reconciliation
- Wednesdays: 12:00 noon Mass
- Thursdays: 8:00 a.m. Mass (with parish school children when in session)
- Fridays: 12:00 noon Mass
- Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation
- Sunday Mass times will remain the same (4:00 on Saturdays, 8:00 and 10:30 on Sundays). Again, thank you for your support and enthusiasm for the life of intentional discipleship we will undertake with renewed vigor as we walk through this transition.
See you at Mass,
Fr. Phillip
