ST. AGNES CHURCH. April 22, 2018 Fourth Sunday of Easter

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1 ST. AGNES CHURCH April 22, 2018 Rev. Vincent L. Parsons Pastor Rev. Michael E. Wetovick Associate Pastor Sr. Vera Meis, C.S.J. Pastoral Minister Mass Schedule: (October - May) Saturday: 4:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 am (June - September) Saturday 6:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 & 10:00 am Monday, Tues, Wed, Friday 7 am Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays one hour prior to evening Mass or by appointment ( ) Sacrament of Baptism Please call the Parish Office I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. John 10: Third Avenue, Scottsbluff, Nebraska (308) Mailing address: PO Box 349, Scottsbluff, NE Fax: Website: Parish Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9am - Noon & 1pm - 4pm

2 Saint Agnes Catholic Church Today s Readings Acts 4:8-12 Psalm John 3:1-2 John 10:11-18 Parish Administration (308) / (308) (Fax) office@st-agnes-church.com Pastor Rev. Vincent L. Parsons (ext. 2) pastor@st-agnes-church.com Pastoral Minister Sr. Vera Meis (ext. 4) srvera@st-agnes-church.com Director of Religious Education Mrs. Terri Calvert (ext.5) dre@st-agnes-church.com Church Office Manager Theresa Trevino (ext. 3) office@st-agnes-church.com School Head Teacher Mrs. Julie Brown ( ) office@stagnesonline.org School Office Manager Teresa Johnson ( ) office@stagnesonline.org Page 2 Year B April 22, 2018 M y grandmother grew up on a farm near Cairo, Nebraska. Now Cairo is just a small country town. However, it proudly sported three taverns, one church which was Catholic, one general store and an electrical appliance store. Even though the town was small the people hosted a parade each year. People came in from the farms with their tractors pulling hay wagons decorated as floats. Others would show off their new combines or their restored John Deere tractors. People came from miles around to watch the parade. One year, as the people were watching the floats pass by, they noticed an unusual float. A man driving a John Deere tractor was pulling a simple flat-bed hay wagon. Three men were riding on the wagon loaded down with lumber. One man was measuring the two by fours. Another was sawing the wood. The other was pounding nails. No one understood the significance of the float. But then, it all became clear as the wagon passed by. The puzzled expressions on the spectators faces vanished. On the back side of the haywagon there hung a large sign which said, We thought the parade was next week! Time flies so very fast! This weekend, we welcome Bishop Hanefeldt to St. Agnes for the Sacrament of Confirmation which is being given to our Juniors. It seems that just the other day they were receiving First Communion and now they complete their initiation sacraments! Congratulations. Monday, April 23, 2018 Daily Mass (7:00am) Intention: Leo Temple by Danni Koeteman Communal Rosary (4:45pm) Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Tuesday, April 24, 2018 Daily Mass (7:00am) Intention: Jerry Young by Lucille Koenig Tuesday Discussion Group (8-9 am) Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) RCIA (7pm) Wednesday, April 25, 2018 Daily Mass (8:15am) Intention: John Smith by Jeff & Bridget Peck Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Contemplative Prayer Group (6:00pm) This Week s Schedule Thursday, April 26, 2018 Daily Mass (9:30am) Heritage Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Friday, April 27, 2018 Daily Mass (7:00 am) Intention: Gloria Klaas by Tara Longoria, Stephen & Jonah Klaas Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Saturday, April 28, 2018 Weekend Mass (4:00pm) Intention: Mass for the living & deceased members of the William Meis Family by Sr. Vera Meis Sunday, April 29, 2018 Weekend Mass (8:00am) Intention: For the Parish Weekend Mass (10:30am) Intention: Eileen Coleman by Gene & Mari Schwarzkopf

3 Page 3 This Week s Readings Monday: Acts 11:1-18; Ps 42:2-3; 43:3, 4; Jn 10:1-10 Tuesday: Acts 11:19-26; Ps 87: 1b-7; Jn 10:22-30 Wednesday: 1 Pt 5:5b-14; Ps 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17; Mk 16:15-20 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 9:26-31; Ps 22: 26-28, 30-32;1 Jn 3: 18-24; Jn 15:1-8 Please consider joining 100 Club for the May, 2018 to April, 2019 membership year! We so appreciate your support! One of the most important fundraisers for St. Agnes Catholic School is the 100 Club Lottery. The 100 Club is part of the St. Agnes Home and School Association. When the lottery started many years ago, no one could have predicted its success and longevity! This past year, the 100 Club raised close to $12,000 for the school. An equal amount was given away in monetary prizes to the members of 100 Club. Our goal is 200 members. **Donation envelopes will be available in the gathering space the first weekend in May.** Please save "Best Choice" bar codes! The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) of the Grand Island Diocese is collecting bar codes from "Best Choice" products. The DCCW turns the codes in for cash, using it to help with their on going project for clean water wells in Haiti. "Best Choice" products have recently been stocked in several grocery stores. Please clip codes, put in an envelope marked "Best Choice," and drop in the Sunday collection basket. Thanks from DCCW! Dates to Remember In 2018 April 22 Confirmation May 3 Altar Society Social May 6 High School Senior Mass/ Breakfast May 10 Ascension Thursday May 18 Last Day of School for St. Agnes Rest In Peace Verda Richter, Mother of Peggi Carbajal. World Day of Prayer will be observed on Sunday, April 22nd, also known as "Good Shepherd Sunday." The purpose of this day is to publicly fulfill the Lord's instruction to, "Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest" (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). Please pray that young men and women hear and respond generously to the Lord's call to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life, societies of apostolic life or secular institutes. Finance Corner Sunday Collections & ATW Giving April Totals Actual $ ATW $ Budget $ Surplus (Deficit) $ There is no 2nd collection next week April 28 4pm April 29 8am 10:30am Server Schedule Osiris Saucedo Kyle Henderson Liam Kicken Emily Esselstein Saphiah Montanez Tori Bogus Lector Schedule April 28 4pm Jean Ahrens April 29 8am Margaret Rood 10:30am Chuck Schwartz Our Lady of Peace is having the 19th Annual Pilgrimage, Saturday, June 9th, 2018, at 10:00 A.M. Father August will be presiding, all are welcome, parishes may plan a pilgrimage. Please bring folding chairs, there will be a big tent set up for weather. Our Lady of Peace Shrine can be seen off of Interstate 80 by travelers. For more information: please write Our Lady of Peace, P O Box 4163, Cheyenne, WY or leave a message at at: ourladyofpeaceshrine@gmail.com

4 Page 4 April 22, 2018 What does it take to be a good shepherd? The shepherd is responsible for his flock. The shepherd leads the flock to the greenest pastures to assure them of their daily sustenance. The sheep learn his voice so that they follow him away from possible dangers. The shepherd in his protective role prevents any from straying away, as well as, keeping away the predators. These actions indicate one who is diligent in his awareness of the needs of the flock, willingly give up even sleep to know his charges are safe. We could easily say that the shepherd loves his sheep and is ready even to give up his life for his flock. These features of a good shepherd represent how Jesus, The Good Shepherd, cares for us, His flock. We know that we continuously risk our souls by straying into sinful acts, thoughts, and words if we drift away from Jesus protective watch. He gently guides us in the path of righteousness so that we do not become lost and fall under the devil s predatory ways. He patiently returns us to safety every time we leave the flock if we have learned to recognize His voice, for Jesus never leaves our side. Jesus feeds us with His Body and Blood so that we may grow spiritually. Jesus is the Good Shepherd as He sees to our every need; even giving Himself up to death to bring us to salvation. Jesus also presents Himself as a role model for others who also would become shepherds, such as Peter, and his successors. When we initially encounter Peter in the Gospels, he represents our human frailty, our sinfulness, our failure to understand the teachings of Jesus, our denial of Jesus, and our inability to evangelize. However, when the Holy Spirit enters him at Pentecost, Peter becomes a changed man. He becomes a good shepherd in his own right. He is, as Jesus describes, the rock upon which the Church is built. Peter becomes fearless in his preaching regardless of the punishments, the imprisonments, and the ongoing threats of death. Peter, like the Good Shepherd, willing faces death, and dies on a cross to protect his flock. Peter likewise becomes a role model for us, for he shows to us what we can attain if we have faith. He changes from a weak, sinful man, who is afraid of being associated with Jesus during His Passion, and fearful of the possibility of dying himself into a man wholly dedicated to God. Once inflamed by the Holy Spirit, no one could deter Peter from his mission to spread the message of Jesus and to care for his flock. We are like Peter for we have had the Holy Spirit come upon us through Baptism and Confirmation. For just as Peter did these acts, we too can carry on the mission to evangelize and care for those we encounter confident to act in the name of the Lord. In our complete trust of the Lord, let us, like Peter, take up our cross knowing the Good Shepherd shall lead us into the green pastures of salvation. Follow the Lord, for He will show you the way to eternal life.

5 Page 5 Living Our Catholic Faith SAVED BY THE ONE WHO WAS REJECTED Some city teenagers often scorn and reject farm kids. Yet it s no exaggeration to say that humanity owes its life to farmers who care for the world s crops and livestock. This week s scriptures remind us that Jesus was as rejected as a shepherd, a farm boy, yet we owe our very lives to him. In this Sunday s reading from the Acts of the Apostles Peter tells the people that salvation comes through Jesus Christ, the one who was rejected. In John s letter we hear that we have become God s beloved children through Jesus, whom the world did not know. Lastly, in the Gospel Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11). Will you join Jesus in laying down your life for God s beloved flock? Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Most languages take the name for this fifty-day season from the Lord s Passover: Pasqua in Italian, Pâques in French, Paach in Dutch, Pascha in Greek and Russian. English has a much newer name, the name of a pagan goddess, Eoster. For centuries before Christianity took hold, in both Germany and Britain the spring equinox was dedicated to her and the concepts of fertility and rebirth. She was said to be a playful spirit, following the Sun King s chariot, and ending the reign of winter. She had a magical companion, a rabbit who hid eggs in the fields to coax plants and animals to rebirth. It was believed that Eoster once came across a bird with broken wings and saved it by turning it into a rabbit an egg-laying rabbit at that! Although they were baptized, most people didn t take to the new Latin name (Pascha Domini) too easily, and kept calling the spring equinox by the old accustomed name. For good measure, they kept a pagan name for Christmas, too: Yule. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. Reflecting on God s Word All of creation has the power to lay down its life. The yearly seasons lay down the bounty of their harvest, and daily our own lives pour forth their energy into tasks and labors all a laying down. Most people want to be and are generous. Most people want to forgive. Most people want to be patient, to sacrifice for the sake of love, to give back what is received. Most people want to give of themselves for the happiness of others, to do service for the community, to donate blood, to be able to forgo their own way for the sake of harmony, to be courageous even at great cost. `All of creation also has the power to take up life again. Springtime returns; each morning we instinctively awaken to another day; weakened bodies heal. We also have the power to take up life. We seek relationships of love; we desire to enflesh that love with children. We work hard; we long to be creative; we strive to be good; we seek to create harmony and peace. We hunger for a relationship with our God. And we succeed more often than not. We do have a God-given power to take up new life. It is our God s command to us. That dual rhythm of laying down and taking up is but the echo of the Lord Jesus and how he chose to live among us. It was his Father s command to him, bred in his bones and in his spirit, and it is a command that continues to show itself in our lives. Rev. Joseph J. Juknialis Copy ight 2014, World Librar Publications. All rights reser ed.

6 Page 6 R_ligious E^u][tion Progr[m dre@st-agnes-church.com Religious Education Office Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families Gospel: John 10:14-16 On the Way to Mass: What is an example of a leader who is like a good shepherd? On the Way Home From Mass: How do you care for God s creation? Living the Word: Today is Earth Day and one of our responsibilities as people of faith is to care for the earth and all of God s creation. Much like a shepherd tends his sheep so must we look after our precious resources. Invite the family to pledge to do something for the earth that shows they care. Track your progress on an earth chart throughout the week. See just how many things the family can do. Let this care be the family's prayer throughout the week. Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families Find Us On Facebook Twitter: stagnes-church Instagram: st.agnescatholicchurch Parish Website Grade School (Pre-K - 5th grades) Formation Sessions Meet from 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the school building. Mar. 25th, Apr. 1st - No formation sessions, Apr. 8th, Apr. 15th, Apr. 22nd, Apr last session Middle School Formation Sessions (grades 6th-8th) meet from 7-8:15 p.m. in the school building. 28th - No formation sessions, Holy Week, High School (CYM) Formation Sessions Youth gather in catechist s homes from 7-8:30 p.m. Mar. 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th - No formation sessions, Holy Week, Apr. 4th, Apr. 11th, Apr. 18th, Apr. 25th - Last formation session 11th CYM Schedule: Apr. 4th - Confirmation-Garden Room Apr. 11th - CYM - Leader s home Apr. 18th - Confirmation - Practice Apr. 22nd - Confirmation at 10:30 a.m. Save the Dates: Senior Breakfast May 6th - 8 am Pick of the Week Catholic Heroes of the Faith: The Story of Saint Augustine Bright, young Augustine thinks his mother s religion is foolishness. convinced that his superior intellect will guide him, he sneaks away from home and venture to a new life in the city of Rome. Divine Mercy In the Second Greatest Story Ever Told Renowned speaker and author Fr. Michael Gaitley tells the dramatic history of God's love and mercy as interwoven through the transformative message of St. Faustina, the miraculous appearance of Mary at Fatima, the witness of Maximillian Kolbe, and the world-changing papacy of Pope St. John Paul II. Featuring the brilliant cinematic artistry of the Augustine Institute's film studio, the vast panorama God s work of mercy in the world unfold as a story to be experienced. If you haven t signed up yet go to ed.org Enter your and create a password.

7 Page 7 April 22, 2018 Confirmation 2018 Oliva Albright Seth Dvorak Ford Eubanks Charity Franco Blake Greckel McKenna Hackett Kyle Henderson Abigail Kicken Levi Kicken Sarah Lewis Joseph Maag Logan Moravec Logan Murdock Mykinzee Musfelt Madelin Parks Ben Vidlak Higher Ground is a five-day Catholic youth program for those who will be juniors or seniors in high school at Fort Robinson, Crawford. This program is sponsored by the Diocese of Grand Island's Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, with John Burks as the Diocesan Director and Fr. Josh Brown as the Diocesan Spiritual Director. The purpose of Higher Ground is to create an environment where Christian community may be experienced. The activities provide an enjoyable opportunity for the young people to develop a better sense of self, to build positive relationships with others and to grow closer to God. High School Higher Ground Dates Week 1 : May 27th - June 1st Week 2: June 3rd - 8th Week 3: June 10th - 5th Middle School Higher Ground Dates June 3rd - 7th - Chadron July 22nd - 26th - Halsey The cost of the week is $150. There are 10 - FULL scholarships available on a first come basis! Contact the RE office for more information. To register go to Making chores into holy work Giving children chores helps them to contribute to the family and become good stewards over what God gives us. The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the Garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it (Genesis 2:15). When they contribute to the household by doing chores, they are contributing in an important way to the family. Make it a family affair. Assign chores to everyone in the family. Let them see that parents have chores, too. Give choices. Children can help with laundry, meal preparation, caring for pets, yard work, or house cleaning. Identify a few jobs to be done and let each person pick which one he or she wants to do. Connect chores with privileges. For each will bear his own load (Galatians 6:5). Set deadlines and offer rewards if chores are done or consequences if they aren t. Playtime can only happen if chores are done well, for example. Show appreciation. Earning compliments for a job well done is a great selfesteem builder. Partners in Faith - April 2018

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9 April 22, 2018 Monday, April 23rd 2nd & 4th a end Moon Midwest Theater 5th & 2nd MAP Test Tuesday, April 24th 3rd & 4th MAP Test Wednesday, April 25th 8:15-2nd Gr. leads 3rd MAP Test Advisory Council - 7 pm Thursday April 26th 3rd & 2nd MAP Test Friday April 27th 1st & 5th MAP Test St. Agnes School Employer of the Year St. Agnes School was honored as the Employer of the Year by the Business and Professional Women s Group of Scottsbluff. The recognition was given at a luncheon held at Scottsbluff Country Club on Wednesday, April 11 th. The school was recognized for their commitment to providing a quality work environment encouraging staff to thrive as mothers and women in the workforce. St. Agnes Catholic School 205 E 23rd, Scottsbluff, NE Ph: Testing Week is coming up!

10 What s Happening at St. Agnes School... Getting Ready for BMS Counselor, Lorna Davis, visited 5 th grade on Tuesday, April 10 th to discuss the transition from St. Agnes to Middle School. Students discussed coursework, elective classes, school policies and were able to have questions answered about middle school in general. The students and their parents will be attending visitation in May. Used Book Sale The annual used book sale was held on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 10 th & 11 th. Books donated to the library were sold for $.10. The total raised was not available at print time, but what a fun way to acquire some new reading material for a nominal cost. Thanks to all who donated books for the sale. A Trip Through Time Kindergarten students took a trip back in time when they visited the Farm & Ranch Museum on Tuesday, April 17. Students learned how tasks from the past were completed including: grinding corn, harvesting potatoes, washing clothes, spinning yarn, etc. What an education on how much easier life is today than in the 1800 s. NRD Spreads Earth Day Message Dave Wolf from the NRD visited 1 st and 3 rd grades during the week of April in honor of Earth Day. The students learned about soils, erosion, composting and the importance of taking care of our wonderful resources. Monday, April 23 Hot Dog on a Bun Baked Beans Peas 1/2 Banana Helpers: Shannon Sierra, Shannon Hafner Hot Lunch Menu for April 23rd - April 27th, 2018 Tuesday, April 24 Pancakes Sausage Pa Potato Triangle Spinach Orange Wedges Helpers: Laura Garcia, Irma Torres Wednesday, April 25 Cheese Pizza Fresh Green Salad Steamed Broccoli Applesauce Helpers: Jay & Ashley Wilson Thursday, April 26 Beef Pa y Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Corn Fruit Cocktail Wheat Roll Helpers: Mandi Adams, Kers n Clarkson Friday, April 27 Super Nachos - Taco Meat, Black Beans, Cheese Sauce & Salsa Potato Circles Mixed Fruit Helpers: Ryan & Jody Windhorst

11 Classroom News... Pre-K Class By Elise Gurrola This month we welcomed the new families for the upcoming year into our school. We had a Pre-K and Kindergarten visitation night. It was a success! We met with new students and parents along with our returning ones. We are so excited for our new friends to be in our classroom next year! With that being said, it is also bittersweet to let 7 students go on to Kindergarten. We will sure miss them, but they will have such a great year being with Mrs. Ramirez. The last few months of school we will conquer the last few teen numbers through identifying and writing. We will review our number writing, and also number identifying We will finish up learning the last few alphabet letters. Along with that, we have learned how to sign each letter and have been working heavily on letter sounds. In science, we are so excited because we are getting 5 Painted Lady Caterpillars. We will be able to experience the life cycle of a butterfly in our classroom. The students just love seeing the transformation each day they come to school. Pre-K students have also been doing a lot of sensory play. We have made goop and sand foam. We had so much fun making these sensory activities the students write with them, make different creations and also see the process of steps. It s great cognitive learning! We have a fun Zoo field trip coming up with Kindergarten as well as a drive in movie day. We will end our year with our Pre-K Graduation on May 14 at 10 am. 5th Grade Class By Liz Salazar This past month has flown by once again! It is hard to believe that the end of the school will be here soon. These last few weeks have been a flurry of activity for the 5th graders. We had the opportunity to present The Living Stations of the Cross as a shadow play to the rest of the school for Lent. This was an event that we enjoyed doing. We were also able to help our Kindergarten buddies by hiding their Easter eggs. In math, we have been working on dividing fractions, equivalent fractions, reciprocals, and decimals. We have also begun working with graphing on a coordinate plane. In science, we began our unit on Cells. We have put together a plant cell model and will be looking at both plant and animal cells through a microscope. As we progress through this unit, we will learn about plants and will be creating a mini greenhouse to grow plants in. We are excited about this project. In social studies, we are learning about the different branches of the US Government and how the system of checks and balances works for them.