St. Agnes Catholic Church

Transcription

1 St. Agnes Catholic Church October 4, 2015 Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 2314 Third Avenue, Scottsbluff, Nebraska (308) Mailing address: PO Box 349, Scottsbluff, NE Fax: Website: Parish Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9am - Noon & 1pm - 4pm Rev. Vincent L. Parsons Pastor Rev. Michael E. Wetovick Associate Pastor Rev. Mr. Daniel Gilbert Deacon Sr. Vera Meis, C.S.J. Pastoral Minister Mass Schedule: Saturday: 4:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 am (October - May) Sat. 6pm; 8:00 & 10:00 am (June - September) Mon, 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 Pre-Baptism Class is held quarterly: Nov 1, Feb 14, May 1 Sacrament of Matrimony: Please call the Parish Office for appointment. (4 months marriage preparation required.) Sacrament of the Sick: Call ext. 2 anytime to reach a priest Mon^[y, O]to\_r 5, 2015 Daily Mass (7:00am) Mass Intention: Lenore Marquez by Tillie Cabral Communal Rosary (4:45pm) Liturgy of the Hours (5:05pm) Tu_s^[y, O]to\_r 6, 2015 Daily Mass (7:00am) Mass Intention: Well-being of KCs & Families by Knights of Columbus Tues Morning Discussion Group (8-9:30am) Garden Room Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) RCIA (7pm) Garden Room W_^n_s^[y, O]to\_r 7, 2015 Daily Mass (8:15am) Intention: Bert Noffke by Fran, Mary & Jan Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Upcoming Events See more pictures pg 4... Thurs^[y, O]to\_r 8, 2015 Mass at Vets Home (9:30am) Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Fri^[y, O]to\_r 9, 2015 Daily Mass (7:00am) Intention: Souls of the Faithful Departed Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) S[tur^[y, O]to\_r 10, 2015 Weekend Mass (4:00 pm) Mass Intention: Patricia Franks by Ahrens Family Sun^[y, O]to\_r 11, 2015 Weekend Mass (8:00 am) Mass Intention: For the Parish Weekend Mass (10:30 am) Mass Intention: Priests/Religious by Jerry & Eileen Young

2 Saint Agnes Catholic Church Today s Readings Numbers 11:25-29 Psalm 19 James 5:1-6 Mark 9:38-48 Parish Administration (308) / (308) (fax) Pastor Rev. Vincent L. Parsons (ext. 2) pastor@st-agnes-church.com Associate Pastor Fr. Mike Wetovick 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 Mrs. Danni Koeteman (ext. 3) office@st-agnes-church.com Head Teacher Mrs. Julie Brown ( ) office@stagnesonline.org School Office Manager Mrs. Margie Dishong ( ) office@stagnesonline.org St Agnes School Foundation Alyssa Harvey, director ( x2) aharvey@stagnesonline.org P[g_ 2 Y_[r \ O]to\_r 4, 2015 Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time he Pope was here! No, not in T Scottsbluff, but in the United States. I imagine that most of you are aware that he visited Washington D.C., New York City, and Philadelphia on September 22-27, but the question is, what does this mean to us? Most of us were not able to get to any of these cities for his visit, so what should this visit have meant to us? First, how he interacted with us. He may not have visited Scottsbluff, and we did not see him, but he was visiting the U.S. He met with our bishops. He met with our president and he addressed the U.S. Congress and addressed each of them in a way that was specific to them, and specific to us as citizens of the U.S. But he wasn t only talking to them, he was also listening to them, seeing and hearing concerns and challenges that face us here that may be different from those in other parts of the world. He visited Catholic Charities in D.C., Central Park in New York, a school in Harlem, and a prison in Philadelphia. Pope Francis doesn t appear to want to stay separated from us by always staying in a motorcade and just waving from a distance, but rather wanting to have real experiences with people in all different situations. Hopefully we learned from him as he addressed the groups and individuals in all of these different venues, and we also hope that he learned from us, if not any of us specifically, then at least someone who we share common experiences, needs, desires and challenges with. Second, how he represents us. As Catholics the Pope is not only the pastor of our universal Church and the Vicar of Christ, but he is also the most identifiable personal representation of our faith to the world. In this trip he represented us to our country and to the world. Addressing Congress and then later the United Nations he challenged them both to live out values and morals that we, as Catholics, believe are critical. But not only do we expect him to express these Catholic beliefs and teachings in his words, but to represent us in how he acts and treats others. Pope Francis manages to represent our faith in a way that we can not only be proud of but also a way that many find very popular and attractive, that presents our faith to even the most skeptic in a very positive light. So why is the Pope s visit important to us? Because I believe it challenged and encouraged us, and all of those both Catholic and not, to consider how we are living today, and how we may need to change. To see how we need to grow closer to Christ, and how He wants to grow closer to us. A word of thanks to the Knights of Columbus who hosted the Parish Picnic last weekend. A great time was had by all! So, thanks for your work!

3 P[g_ 3 Tw_nty-s_v_nth Sun^[y in Or^in[ry Tim_ P[rish N_ws Adult Small Groups Discussion of Fr. Ron Rolheiser s book Meetings begin in October Adult small discussion groups are forming this fall using a book based on Fr. Ron Rolheiser s Sacred Fire. This book takes participants on a deeper spiritual journey by exploring the second stage of discipleship of giving your life away. By staying true to your commitment as disciples of Christ, participants are challenged to live the Gospel and live more generative lives. Groups will begin soon. Cost is $19 per book. Please contact Kathleen Roehl at or at ministers@st-agnes-church.com Young At Heart Luncheon The first meeting of this year for Young At Heart will be held Tuesday, October 13th in the garden level of the Church at noon. The luncheons will continue on the second Tuesday of each month until May. All adults are invited. The luncheons give us a time to get acquainted, enjoy programs provided by the school children and visit with one another. Please bring a vegetable, salad or dessert to share. 100 Club September Winners $200 - Jerome Otto; $100 - Connie McDonnough, Lizbeth Hernandez, Colleen Mathewson, $50 - Jim/Kathy Carney, Bryon/Mandi Adams, Troy/Carol Herman, Kent/Karon Harvey, Doris Flohr, Gary Kelley, Anonymous, Mike/Erika Hackett, Scott/Melissa Schaub EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS Saturday 4pm: Ciborium - Melissa Schaub Chalice - Doris Holloway; Bob & Anne Hippe, Alice Nye, Kathleen Roehl, Dcn Dan Gilbert Sunday 8am: Ciborium - Mary Ostry Chalice - Joe Ostry; Nancy Kerr, David & JoAnn Nash, Toni Warburton Deacon Dan Sunday 10:30am: Ciborium - Shelley Corr Chalice - Scott Corr; Roger Holsinger, Jacque Neu, JoAnne Krieg, Steve Viessman, Dcn Dan LECTORS Oct 3 & 10, 4pm Bridget Peck Oct 4 & 11 8am Tim Madden 10:30am M.C. Schaff SACRISTANS Saturday 4pm: Colleen Mathewson Sunday 8am: Marjorie Benzel Sunday 10:30am: Brad McCaslin O]to\_r Minist_rs GREETERS Saturday 4pm: Chad & Kelli Larson (E) Ann Anderson (N) Larry & Chris Burbach (S) Sunday 8am: Gene & Missy Hauck (E) Zita Bolinger (N) Steve & Janice Hamburger (S) 10:30am: Mike & Robin Hayhurst (E) Don & Sherry Weddell (N) Rod & Delores Brooks (S) USHERS Saturday, 4pm: Marvin Anderson, Captain; Steve Olsen, Jim Ellison, Mike Svitak Sunday, 8am: Thresa Cary, Captain; Mike Hackett, Jim Kerr, Troy Herman 10:30am: Doug Pieper, Captain; Gale McGrew, Mark Moran, Mark Overman SERVERS Oct 3, 4pm Fabiola Hernandez, Kaya Palmer Oct 4, 8am Tori Bogus, McKenna Hackett 10:30am Izayah Pelster, Spencer Schaff Oct 10, 4pm Abriana Lockwood, Kyle Henderson Oct 11, 8am Noah Henderson, Barbara Pieper 10:30am Lillian Golden, Kenny Witcofski H[ppy Birth^[y Fr. Mik_! Sunday Collections & ATW Giving September 27, 2015 Actual $ Budget $ Surplus (Deficit) $ VCNIN $ September 2015 Totals Actual $ ATW $ Budget $ Surplus (Deficit) $ St. Agnes Parish Fall Dinner October 25, 2015 Altar Society s biggest fundraiser is the Fall Dinner. By now, each registered parish household has received a letter in which some great raffle prizes are listed as well as other details of the dinner. Your support of this event is imperative for its success! Thanks for sharing your time, talent & treasure! KC News The Knights of Columbus are currently taking orders for olive wood crosses, at $10 each. Profits from the sales go to relief services for the persecuted Christians in the Holy Land. Call

4 P[g_ 4 O]to\_r 4, 2015 Parish Picnic 2015 thank You, Knights of Columbus, for sponsoring this fun & tasty parish event!

5 P[g_ 5 Tw_nty-s_v_nth Sun^[y In Or^in[ry Tim_ Living Our Catholic Faith TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION The old world of what we call canonical penance, or the extraordinary one-time public repentance of sinners, began to collapse with the conversion of Constantine in the early fourth century. It tottered for a hundred years or so and then virtually disappeared. It served an isolated and persecuted church well, but once people began seeking baptism for economic and political privilege, a real pastoral crisis exploded. There were more lukewarm Christians afoot, and some barbarians rampaging through the ruins accepted baptism just because their leaders did. As the old structures collapsed, people who still sought some sort of public conversion scampered off to the desert to live in monastic isolation. Penance disappeared from the parish scene, and the old bench where hungry penitents used to beg for prayers was empty. Some bishops faced the crisis by inventing alternate means of discipline, all more private than public. A person might be asked to refrain from receiving Communion for a time, or even to accept some sort of corporal punishment (the pedigree of the stocks and scarlet letters of colonial America). This had the effect of separating the sinner from the prayerful intercession of the gathered church, and made an already bad situation worse. Before long, the pastoral system of penance was in a shambles, and sadly irrelevant to ordinary Christians. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. Readings for the Week Monday: Jon 1:1-2:2, 11; Jon 2:3-5, 8; Lk 10:25-37 Tuesday: Jon 3:1-10; Ps 130:1b-4ab, 7-8; Lk 10:38-42 Wednesday: Jon 4:1-11; Ps 86:3-6, 9-10; Lk 11:1-4 Thurs: Mal 3:13-20b; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 11:5-13 Friday: Jl 1:13-15; 2:1-2; Ps 9:2-3, 6, 16, 8-9; Lk 11:15-26 Saturday: Jl 4:12-21; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Lk 11:27-28 Sunday: Wis 7:7-11; Ps 90:12-17; Heb 4:12-13; Mk 10:17-30 [17-27] Reflecting on God s Word Of all the events and circumstances that draw people together, it would seem that marriage is the most universal and obvious manifestation of that longing to be one. Though some may sacrifice marriage for what they deem to be a greater good or need, and others may never find their heart s way to that dream, all of us long to be touched by the magic of committed love. There is something woven into the warp and woof of our lives that passionately searches for it. More than anything, it is the ideal of marital love that reveals what we are meant to be all of life and love so united to one another that there is nothing to divide, since there is no longer anything but pure oneness. Then we are no longer two simply because we are one, one flesh. That is what makes divorce such a sadness, such a personal and even communal tragedy that it shatters the vision of what we are meant to be. That is also why it causes such pain, such a wrenching; for if marriage fails, might not then also God s dream of who we shall be? That seems to be too unbearable even to dare consider. Into such fragile human becoming, then, comes the Lord Jesus, among the married and the divorced, among the sad and the joyful, among the lost and the hopeful, into what we are no matter what we are. He is the most profound and transforming revelation of that unity to which we are called simply because he unites and embodies both the human and the divine in such a way that it can never again be alienated. Rev. Joseph J. Juknialis Copyright 2014, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. Equal Before God In today s Gospel Jesus tries to lead his questioners beyond the letter of the Law, with its many human interpretations, to the spirit in which it was given. The basic law from the beginning, he says, is that all human beings were created equal in the image of God. Thus, a man and woman in marriage have equality and a fullness that is expressed in their relationship with each other. (In speaking against divorce, Jesus is actually protective of women, who at that time could be divorced by their husbands, but could not obtain a divorce themselves.) The disciples attempt to keep some children and their parents from disturbing Jesus, probably thinking that women and children were not important enough to disturb the Master! Jesus is indignant at their lack of understanding. For him, the children and their parents have as much right to be with him as anyone else. In fact, he looks at the children gathered around him and says that they are the example that self-important people should imitate. He embraces and blesses them. Young children, in general, accept the rules of life without questioning every little detail. They are open to the love of their parents and trust that rules are imposed for their well-being, even if they do not fully understand them. We are offered the gift of faith by a loving Father. Jesus is asking us to be child-like, not childish, in accepting this gift in simplicity and trust. Learning and discussing issues of faith are fine, but we cannot stop there. Since we do not earn faith it is feely given to us we are called to express this faith in how we live our lives. We are equal in God s sight and equally responsible to live up to our calling. Copyright 2011, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

6 P[g_ 6 O]to\_r 4, 2015 R_ligious E^u][tion Progr[m dre@st-agnes-church.com Religious Education Office Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Gospel Mark 10:2-0, On the Way to Mass: Can you think of something that is very small and yet very valuable? On the Way Home From Mass: Are little children important to Jesus? How has Jesus blessed you? Living the Word: Print an image from the Internet of Jesus blessing children. Place it by the Bible in your sacred space. Read again Mark 10: Ask y o u r children how they think those children Jesus blessed must have felt. Remind them that on the day of their Baptism Jesus blessed them with his light and life. Bless one another, using a sign form the baptismal rite. With your thumb, make a small Sign of the Cross on the forehead of the person next to you. Continue until each person has been blessed. Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families Grade School (pre-school 5th grades) Formation Sessions will begin on Sunday, October 4th from 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the school building. October Sunday Schedule: 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th - Halloween Carnival is Wednesday, October 29th in the school gym from 5:30-7 p.m. Come join the fun! Hosted by the Middle School and CYM (High School) youth. Middle School Formation Sessions (grades 6th-8th) meet from 7-8:15 p.m. in the school building. October Wednesday Schedule: 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th - Halloween Carnival 5:30-7 p.m. - in the school gym. High School (CYM) Formation Sessions will begin Wednesday, October 1st in catechist s homes from 7-8:30 p.m. October Wednesday Schedule: 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th - Halloween Carnival 5:30-7 p.m. - in the school gym 11th Grade CYM Schedule: 7th & 21st Confirmation - 14th - CYM (Note: all sessions will be in the Garden Level at 7 p.m.) Halloween Carnival 5:30-7 p.m. - in the school gym First Communion Parent s Meetings October 11th - 9:30 a.m. in the school basement (Learning Center) November 8th - 9:30 a.m. in the school basement (Learning Center) Sunday Program (Pre-K - 5th) October 4th - 9:30 a.m. in the school basement (Learning Center) Wednesday Program (6th-8th) October 7th - 7:15 p.m. in the school basement (Learning Center) * Note if you have children in both programs you do not have to attend both dates as the meeting will be the same for both programs.

7 P[g_ 7 R_min^ is a tool that the Religious Education Office will use this year. It is private in that the phone numbers and s are not seen by the participants. At this point we have three groups, CYM - for the high school program, MS Youth Group - for the middle school program, and St. Agnes RE - for the Elementary (Sunday) program. To receive reminders via text msg: For the CYM reminders - send a text message to with the For the Middle School reminders - send a text message to with the For the Elementary (Sunday) reminders - send a text message to with the To receive reminders via For CYM (High School) reminders - to: catholiccym@mail.remind.com. Leave the subject blank. For Middle School Youth Group reminders - to: ygms@mail.remind.com Leave the subject blank. For the Elementary (Sunday) reminders - to: stagnesre@mail.remind.com. Leave the subject blank. Please sign up this year, even if you signed up last year. Tw_nty-s_v_nth Sun^[y in Or^in[ry Tim_ What will keep children Catholic? Mary and Joseph were devout and practicing Jews. They raised their son to be a devout and practicing Jew because they wanted to pass on the faith they loved. As Catholic parents, we rely on our faith and also want our children to stay Catholic when they are grown. Taking these steps when they are young will help: Model the life. Live the way you want your children to live. Give them an example of a faithful Catholic life. Teach the truth. No matter what society wants us to think, truth is not relative. Chil- dren need to know what is true and that it is the same for everyone. Keep handy a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) for easy refer- ence of Church teaching. Make Sunday Mass attendance non-negotiable. We require children to do tasks important for their life-long health attend school, brush their teeth, see the doctor. Likewise, ensure that they do what will gain them eternal life. Act with love. Children first learn about love from their families. When you show children love, they can believe God loves them, too. Avoid criticism and harsh words. Fairness, encouragement, kindness, forgiveness freely given all convey love. Being part of a loving family helps youngsters understand their place in the Family of God the Church. What is the mystical Body of Christ? Jesus said, I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:4). The Church is called the (mystical) Body of Christ because of the intimate communion which Jesus shares with his disciples (Catechism of the Catholic Church). Christ is the head of the Body leading the baptized. It is through the Church we are spiritually nourished. Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and reject not your mother's teaching; for they are a fair garland for your head, and pendants for your neck (Proverbs 1:8-9). Partners in Faith - October 2014

8 P[g_ 8 O]to\_r 4, 2015 With the help of an adult, complete the family tree.

9 October 4, 2015 UPCOMING EVENTS October 5th & 6th Catholic Teacher s Convention NO SCHOOL! Wednesday, October 7th All School 8:15 AM Friday, October 9th Pre-K & K visit Fire Station RED RIBBON WEEK COMING UP 10/19-23RD 4th Grade Class experiences school in the 1800s! Story inside.

10 What s Happening at St. Agnes School... Welcoming Our New Custodian We are pleased to welcome our new custodian, Dan Luna to St. Agnes School. Dan was born and raised in Texas. He moved to Nebraska as a teenager and graduated from Scottsbluff High School. He and his wife, Jan, have 2 children. Dan previously worked for Farmers Irrigation and Winter Creek Irrigation as a ditch rider. We are happy to have Dan join our staff, and ask you to help us welcome him to the St. Agnes community. Experiencing School in the 1800 s St. Agnes 4 th graders enjoyed the opportunity to experience school as pioneer children did when they enjoyed a day at the historic Flowerfield School in Banner County on Friday, September 25 th. Students baked bread, experienced writing with a quill, learned a recitation piece, ate food authentic to the era and of course enjoyed dressing as pioneer children. This fieldtrip is a wonderful hands-on learning experience that is one of the student s favorites. Home School Association What is Home & School?? The HSA is made of parents and guardians of St. Agnes School students who desire to provide support for activities done throughout the school year. As well, it is responsible for organizing the Penny Carnival and assisting with the Premiere event, the 2 major fundraisers of St. Agnes School. This group meets on the last Monday of the month at 6:30 PM. Meetings are held in the school learning center and childcare is provided. Please consider participating in this vital group and continue the fabulous community atmosphere we have here at St. Agnes. September 100 Club Winners $ Jerome Otto $ Connie McDonnough Lizbeth Hernandez Colleen Mathewson $ Jim/Kathy Carney Bryon/Mandi Adams Troy/Carol Herman Kent/Karon Harvey Doris Flohr Gary Kelley Anonymous Mike/Erika Hackett Scott/Melissa Schaub Fall Program St. Agnes Pre-K 5 th grade will present a fall program commemorating the 70 th anniversary of WW II at 7 p.m. on October 20 th in the school gym. A number of patriotic songs will be shared. Students are asked to dress in red, white and blue. Refreshments will be served following the program. CATHOLIC TEACHER S CONVENTION NO SCHOOL! Hot Lunch Menu for October 5th - 9th Monday 5th Tuesday 6th Wednesday 7th Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Green Beans, Mandarin Oranges; W. Roll/marg., Milk Helpers: Angie Blanco & Mary Ann Saucedo Thursday 8th Corn Dog Baked Beans Green Salad w/ranch Peaches, Milk Helpers: Tom Tylee Friday 9th Ham & Cheese Sub Lettuce & Tomato Fritos, Carrot Sticks Apple, Milk Helpers: Irma Torres & Shae Brost

11 Classroom News... PreK Class by Keri Benton For the month of September we have been learning about friends and feelings. The students have learned about making friends, family friends, keys to friendship, and how to talk to friends. On September 18 th we invited our Grandparents to come visit our classroom and have a snack with us. Grandparents can even be our friends! The grandparents brought in their grandchild s favorite snack to share, helped with a craft, and took a tour of the Pre-K classroom. We had a great time. This month the students have learned to recognize the letters A, B, and C and the sound that they make. They also have learned how to write the numbers 0, 1, 2, and 3. Round and round just like an O, now you have made the number Zero! They love learning how to form their numbers. We are looking forward to our first field trip to the Adams Pumpkin Patch on October 2! Next month will be full of Fall activities. Happy Fall You all! We have been in school for a month already... so much has happened with our class! The Fifth graders were invited by Mrs. Calvert and Mrs. Brown to do a project of sort about Pope Francis' visit to the US. Mrs. Calvert provided the class with some resources. We used the computers in our room to do some additional research and came up with four very well done Power Points. Only a few students had previously worked with the program; but we became experts in the process and we learned quite a bit about the Pope, too! Thank you, Mrs. Calvert and Mrs. Brown for the challenge, we had fun working on it! We have already had our first field trip of the year. We were invited to attend an educational workshop and a performance presented by Terrence Siemen & Zydeco Experience; we enjoyed this music experience. It helped us to better understand one of the characters in our novel, Wonder, because he plays this type of music...so we remembered the performance and what the music was like! We are beginning to get into some new concepts in Math such as the different properties of addition, subtraction, and multiplication. In Science, we are close to finishing up the unit on how scientists work. So far, school has kept us busy and we are working hard! 5th Grade Class by Liz Salazar