ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CHURCH

Transcription

1 ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CHURCH Father Mark Seiker Rectory / Office Echo Drive Parish Hall: Parish rectory-office@seas-np.org North Platte, Nebraska Webpage: 4 th Sunday of Easter May 7, 2017 Welcome to St. Elizabeth s: It is our hope that you feel at home and among friends here at St. Elizabeth. If you are a visitor for a day, we pray God s speed on your journey. If you are looking for a parish community, we would be delighted to welcome you into our parish family. Please introduce yourselves. Registration forms are available in the entry racks or contact us anytime at Religious Services Mass Schedule For Sunday Obligation: Saturday 5:00 p.m. Sunday 10:00 a.m. Weekdays & Holy Days As published in the Bulletin. Rosary Prayed 8:30 a.m. Monday mornings, and 30 minutes before weekend Mass. Sacrament of Confession Offered 30 minutes before most all daily Masses Saturday 4:00 p.m. 4:55 p.m. Sunday, 9:00 a.m. 9:55 a.m., or by appointment. Sacrament of Baptism Parents are asked to attend a baptism preparation class. This is recommended, and easiest to do before the birth of the child, but must be done before the baptism. Sacrament of Matrimony To assist those who plan to marry, all couples will be required to fulfill the diocesan marriage preparation policy, which includes the FOCCUS & Engaged Encounter Programs. This requires a minimum of 4-6 months. The assessment process must be completed before a wedding date is set. Contact pastor early to begin the preparation. Parish Information Bulletin Deadline All material is to be submitted to the parish office before noon Wednesday prior to the Sunday it is to appear. to: rectory-office@seas-np.org New or Moving Parishioners Please call the office to arrange an appointment with the Pastor to register in the Parish. Please call the office to notify us of any address change. Your Will Ask your attorney to include remembrance of your Church in your will. Religious Vocations Any young woman interested in religious life, or young man interested in a vocation to the priesthood should contact your pastor. Please pray for vocations! Education C.C.D. Programs Sunday mornings (Sept-May)11:00 a.m. 12:15 p.m. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) For those interested in possibly joining the Catholic Church. Usually on Wednesdays (Sept- May), 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. in Parish Hall. Please contact the parish office for more information.

2 SCHEDULE OF MASSES INTENTIONS Monday May 8 8:00 a.m. Bidal Cabrera + Tuesday May 9 7:00 a.m. Michael T. Bodensteiner + Wednesday May 10 5:30 p.m. Elli Fugate Thursday May 11 8:00 a.m. Phyllis J. Beckius + Friday May 12 5:30 p.m. For our Benefactors Saturday May 13 5:00 p.m. People of our Parish Sunday May 14 10:00 a.m. Anna Lee Adult Envelopes:...$1, Loose Plate:...$ Easter Sunday:...$20.00 Children:... $2.75 Total:... $2, Stewardship: April 30, 2017 Joy of the Gospel Campaign Total Pledged:...$958, Gifts last week:...$0.00 Total Gifts Received:... $520, Original DIAL Loan:...1,485, Total Received (CTTF Camp):$1,025, Misc Donations Received:...$739, Total Payments on Loan:...$1,345, Balance on DIAL LOAN:... $394, He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. 1 Peter 2:24a Good Friday/Holy Land:...$0.00 Combined Collection Unspecified:...$0.00 American Bishops Overseas:...$0.00 Black & Indian Collection:...$0.00 Catholic Communication:...$0.00 Catholic Home Missions:...$0.00 Catholic University:...$0.00 Retired Religious:...$0.00 Parish Calendar Sunday May 7 11:00am 12:15pm CCD Classes Monday May 8 7:00pm Knights of Columbus meeting in Parish Hall Wednesday May 10 7:00pm RCIA Class Sunday May 14 10:00am May Crowning during Mass 11:00am 12:15pm CCD Classes (last class) Catholic School News: Seniors Last Day Wednesday, May 3 rd is our Seniors Last Day. Please pray with us for our 26 St. Patrick s Graduates of IRISH BLESSING: May the road rise to meet you and May the wind be always at your back. May the sunshine warm you always and until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. SCRIP makes a great graduation gift SCRIP gift card fundraising program provides tuition assistance for McDaid and St. Pat s families. ANYONE can purchase SCRIP! Please stop by the SCRIP table in the gathering area after Mass to view a list of available retailers and to learn more. Direct your Dollars to McDaid Save those receipts from SunMart and turn them in to our school. Once $150,000 in receipts have been gathered and verified, a check for $1,000 will be awarded to our schools. We are still collecting Box Tops for Education as well as Labels for Education. Upcoming Dates 5/7-Graduation 1:30pm St. Patrick s Church; 5/8-Little Leprechaun Preschool Graduation; 5/10-May Crowning; 5/11-6th Grade Mass; 5/12 - McDaid Field Day; 5/15-16 Little Leprechaun Preschool Open House; 5/18 -Last Day of School. North Platte Catholic School: Faith and Knowledge for a Brighter Future Jump on the Bus Three men from St. Pat s and two from Holy Spirit will be ordained as permanent Deacons May 27 at the Cathedral in Grand Island. There is a bus available to make travel to the ordination easier and to limit the number of people driving themselves to this blessed event. There is no charge to ride the bus. If you would like to join us May 27, please call the St. Pat s parish office to reserve your seat. The bus will depart at 7:00am from St. Patrick s and return approximately by 3:00pm. Theology on Tap is a program for young adults in their 20's and 30's. Please join us for our first series of four monthly speakers starting May 21 st with Bishop Hanefeldt kicking us off at Lake Maloney Golf Course Clubhouse. A meal will be provided (7:00-9:00pm) & free will donations accepted. Cash bar. Please follow our link on facebook Theology on Tap North Platte. If you have any questions, please call Jennifer Kramer Knights of Columbus Meeting... Mon, May 8, 7:00pm, Parish Hall. All Knights are invited to attend. Breakfast by Knights of Columbus... Sunday, May 14, in the Parish Hall after 10:00am Mass; serving pancakes, eggs, fixings, biscuits & gravy, coffee & juices. Free Will offering accepted Proceeds go to the purchase of Missalettes. TOTUS TUUS (A Summer Catechetical Program) is scheduled for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish July 9 14, 2017 Makes plans for your children & other children you know to participate. Relics of St. Pio of Pietrelcina Coming to the Cathedral in Lincoln As part of a U.S. tour to celebrate the 130 th anniversary of his birth and the 15 th anniversary of his canonization, relics of the renowned 20 th century mystic and healer, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina better known as Padre Pio will be at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ, 3500 Sheridan Blvd, in Lincoln on Saturday, May 13. The relics will be visible for veneration from 8:00am to 8:00pm. A vigil Mass will be celebrated at 5:00pm in honor of St. Pio. The relics include a fingerless glove that the saint used to cover his stigmata, a piece from the bed upon which he slept, and a piece of cloth that he used to clean his stigmata. More information can be found on the Diocese of Lincoln website at Right To Life While there are many moral concerns that candidates need to address, concern for protecting the unborn needs to be at the top of the list. How indeed can we speak of other human rights if, as a nation, we are not prepared to protect the first and most basic human right - the right to life itself?... As Catholics, we believe in the inherent dignity of all life, created as we are in God's image and likeness. That's not just a nice idea, it is a powerful belief that has practical consequences in the way we treat one another in daily life (Archbishop John C. Nienstedt, "Life: What we believe influences how we act.")

3 City Limits & Sewer District for Farm some might have noticed the articles in the North Platte Telegraph last Sunday (04/30/17) and Wednesday (05/03/17) which mentioned some agenda items which included: a. First reading of an ordinance to include property owned by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church on Walker Road within corporate limits of the city. b. Another ordinance would create a sanitary sewer connection district of about 680 feet beginning at the intersection of Walker Road and Echo Drive. Due to multiple schedule conflicts, the Parish Council has not met since the new members were elected on March 5, 2017 (we will meet soon!). However, I have been in frequent contact and communication with our two lay trustees about these matters. The original 10 acres (9.97 acres) where the Parish Hall, Rectory, and Church have been built have been in the City Limits of North Platte for many years (about 20 + years). However, the acres of land directly South of the original 10 acres that most of us have referred to as The Farm is NOT in the City Limits. This property ( the Farm ) was purchased by the Parish in 2001 and has been used as rental property (the house, barn, corral, and pasture land, have been rented by various tenants at various times over the years). For many months now, there has been a concern about the Septic Tank on The Farm rental property. Since Jan. 20, 2017, we have had the septic tank pumped 6 (six) times which is almost weekly in recent weeks. Because the static ground water level is so high in this area, we are not able to install another septic tank. Rather, we would have to install a Mound System which probably would cost in excess of $20,000 and might need some repairs and/or maintenance in years. We have been in contact with Tom Werblow (City Engineer) and others at the City for about a year now, to see if it would be possible to connect the rental house on The Farm up to the City sewer. In the last week, we were told that it would be possible for the rental property to be connected to the City Sewer however, we would need two things to happen (& were on the 05/02 City Council Agenda). b. The City would create a sanitary sewer connection district St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church would pay for ½ of the installation cost (since we own the property of the East side of Echo Drive) less the installation cost for the first 150 feet South of Walker Road (since we are already connected to the City sewer to the North along Walker Road. We don t know the exact costs of this construction yet, but our share might be $15,000 - $25,000. In addition, due to ground elevations of The Farm we would need to entirely pay for about 400 ft of sewer installation (after or south of the 680 of the connection district). That installation is guessed to be around $10,000 - $15,000. It is hoped that the construction work would be able to begin about mid-june a. Because construction costs for sewer connections for areas not inside the City Limits are three (3) times more than for those areas inside the City Limits, we decided to ask the City Council to annex The Farm into the City limits. Yes, this will raise our taxes on The Farm (at current tax levels, this is expected to amount to $675 - $700 a year more for the current year.) [We do NOT pay any taxes on the original 10 acres (Hall, Rectory, Church), since we are Tax Exempt.] However, in the last three weeks alone, we have spent that much in pumping the septic tank. Once we are connected to the City Sewer, we should not have any more expenses for sewer / septic system at The Farm. The Lay Trustees and I think that this is a good long term solution to our current problems. The City Council at the May 2, 2017 meeting, approved the request to annex the Farm into the City and also approved the creation of the sanitary sewer connection district. Life of Peaceful, Truly Joyful Marital Biss Our modern society has been sold a promise of peaceful, ecstatically happy marital bliss free of responsibility, and fear of children, and that promise comes in packages of pills. The Church too promises a life of peaceful, truly joyful marital bliss, but one filled with responsibility and with gratitude for children. One is shallow and sterile; the other is deep, rich and fertile. Bishop Robert F. Vasa Charity & Stewardship Appeal CSA 2017 (DDP)... this weekend, May 6-7, & also May 13-14, you will be asked to stop at a table in the Narthex after Mass to make your pledge for The Charity and Stewardship Appeal (CSA 2017). The goal for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is $7, These funds will be used for the various programs funded by the Charity & Stewardship Appeal (CSA 2017). Since we support a Catholic Grade School and High School, 80% of our goal and everything over our goal comes back to us. So, 80% of our pledge payments are returned to our parish to help us provide Catholic education through our local Catholic School! Just as we are one in the Body of Christ, we must remember that we are one with other parishes in our diocese. Once a year, our bishop asks each of us to make a commitment to support the work of our diocesan programs and ministries that provide services that no one parish could provide on its own. This effort is a means by which we can all work together to care for the Church by sharing the gifts God has granted us. Our parish goal is 100% participation. Please experience the joy of giving and join us as we work to continue God s work of spirituality, charity and education. Over the last 22 years, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church has greatly benefited from The Charity and Stewardship Appeal (CSA), because we have borrowed $436, for the Parish Hall, Rectory, & Farm. We borrowed $1,485,000 for the new Church. These funds were borrowed at very low interest rates. We have paid off the loans for the Parish Hall, Rectory, & Farm. We still owe $394, on the Church loan. Though many parishioners have made significant contributions to our Joy of the Gospel Campaign through payments on pledges & other gifts, we need to continue to make a gift to CSA 2017 at a similar level as in previous years, & also use regular Sunday envelopes! ONE BOOK + ONE DIOCESE This spring, the Diocese of Lincoln Evangelization Office is recommending An Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales. Addressed as a personal letter, the book genuinely represents our desire to lead a devout and holy life, how we should approach God in prayer and the Sacraments, the practice of 16 important virtues, how to resist temptations and be firm in our practice of devotion. It is a book to be read again and again, and to use as a guide for the rest of your life. No one will come away without being profoundly impressed and without being motivated to begin their spiritual journey... which leads ultimately to God and to Heaven. An online study guide for use as individuals or groups is available at: /t/ f893fc0d9d35ab5af/ /dis_devout_life.pdf FROM FR. MARK SEIKER: Congratulations New Lectors... Loren Baxa, Michael Lafleur, Shane Lowrey, and Jim Nisley were installed as Lectors by Bishop James Conley, Thur., April 20, in McCook. We welcome them to their service of God s people in our Parish. Congratulations and Welcome to the new members of our parish family: Spencer Hampton and Tiffany Hampton, & their chidren Eidrey Hampton (5 years old) and Keaton Hampton (3 years old), and Logan Morris made their Profession of Faith at the Easter Vigil, April 15, Spencer Hampton and Tiffany Hampton, and Logan Morris were Confirmed and received First Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil, April 15, Melissa Kesterson was already Baptized a Catholic as an infant. She was Confirmed and received First Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil, April 15, We welcome Spencer, Tiffany, Eidrey, Keaton, Melissa, and Logan, and look to them for inspiration as they live this new life. We pledge our prayer & support as together we journey to the Father as one family! May all of us draw others to the Lord & to His Church!

4 Liturgical Minister Sat., May 13, 5:00pm Sun., May 14, 10:00am Readings for the Week Lector Jim Nisley Michael Lafleur Acolyte Rex Walz Conrad Buhrman Server William Krondak Jace Grunden Nicholas Krondak Kevin Bantam Music Greg Vandenberg Matt & Ashley Perlinger Gifts Paul / Renate Nordquist Blake & Teresa Niesen Ushers Jerry Beckius Duane Johnsen Sharon Beckius Heather Johnsen Monday: Acts 11:1-18; Ps 42:2-3; 43:3, 4; Jn 10:11-18 Tuesday: Acts 11:19-26; Ps 87:1b-7; Jn 10:22-30 Wednesday: Acts 12:24 13:5a; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Jn 12:44-50 Thursday: Acts 13:13-25; Ps 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27; Jn 13:16-20 Friday: Acts 13:26-33; Ps 2:6-11ab; Jn 14:1-6 Saturday: Acts 13:44-52; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 14:7-14 Sunday: Acts 6:1-7; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19; 1 Pt 2:4-9; Jn 14:1-12 Prayers for the sick: Sharon Beckius, Frank Schneweis (Emily Krondak's father), John Kahl, Mike & Kim Paul, Special Intention, Kade Folchert (grandson of Bob Folchert), Margaret Schuckert, Ella Ochoa, Eileen Boltz, Jim Beckius. Prayers for the deceased: Pat Sexton, Norma Pfeiffer (Shane Lowrey s grandmother), Mary Portz, Phyllis Beckius, Sheryl Darpoli, Lonnie Schmid (Jon Schmid s brother), Jose Luis Rodriguez, (Fr. Rafael Rodriguez s father). Birthdays: 5/7 - Beatrice Estrada, 5/10 - Loren Baxa, 5/11 - William Vapenik. TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION The fact that many monastic churches do not have a prominent tabernacle shapes the patterns of liturgical prayer. Monastic communities often protect the ancient value of receiving from the same sacrifice, meaning that the communicants are assured that what they eat and drink in the Holy Mysteries actually comes from the same celebration. It surprises many to learn that the Church does not foresee, nor does it provide for, Communion of the faithful from the reserved Sacrament. Liturgical laws have long defended your right to receive from the same sacrifice, the same Mass, that you attend. At one time, of course, the bread for the Eucharist was the ordinary bread of the day, except unleavened, probably prepared at home. It was broken and distributed to the faithful. Early on the loaf itself was referred to as the hostia in Latin, meaning the sacrifice, the same word for the sacrificial animal in Jewish worship, and for Jesus as the Lamb of God. By giving his life on the cross, Jesus became the hostia for us. To this day in the Greek Church, one of the tasks of the priest s wife is to bake the bread for the Divine Liturgy, sometimes in a bakery oven dedicated to that purpose and called a Bethlehem. Today s familiar individual hosts first appeared in the eleventh century at about the time when tabernacles were coming into use. The turn away from bready bread allowed the hosts to be reserved since they did not spoil like regular bread, and made the annual Easter duty counts easier. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. THE CALL OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD The Twenty-third Psalm, today s responsorial psalm, is arguably the best known of all the psalms. The line that reads Even though I walk in the dark valley / I fear no evil; for you are at my side / with your rod and your staff / that give me courage (Psalm 23:4) connects this week s scriptures to the wonderful story of the road to Emmaus, which we heard last week. The Lord Jesus, our Good Shepherd, is constantly at our side. He calls us each by name, beckoning us into a deeper relationship with him. That call, issued to each of us at the moment of our baptism, carries with it the promise of the Good Shepherd: I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. HEAVEN The goal of religion is not to get us into heaven but to get heaven into us. Anonymous COUNTING SHEEP Every person can tell how many goats or sheep one possesses, but not how many friends. Cicero Pray for our Seminarians: at St. Gregory the Great Seminary; at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary; at Mount St. Mary Seminary. Pray for the Priests teaching in the Seminary and the Formation faculty and the staff. HOLY FATHER S INTENTIONS: (MAY) Christians in Africa: That Christians in Africa, in imitation of the Merciful Jesus, may give prophetic witness to reconciliation, justice, and peace.

5

6