Saint Columbkille Parish

Modeling the Chapel

2012-01-27T06:25:00.000-08:00

The photo above is from an April, 1982 Papillion Times story on our church which was about to be dedicated. The model was created by our architect to help visualize the new church.

It turns out the architect still has the model, and he modified it so we could get a better understanding of his proposal for a new chapel. (Although he did not provide model people that could be situated within.)

His proposal is that the "alcove" to the north of the altar area be enclosed with a wall of etched glass and a tabernacle in the center. This would be so prominent that there would not be a need offset the Ascending Christ image above the choir area.

The back wall of the alcove would be removed and the area would expanded. 15 to 20 people would be able to pray in the chapel together. But it would be primarily used for Eucharistic Adoration. A new tabernacle would be installed where those in the chapel could view the host inside the tabernacle through bulletproof glass. There are similar tabernacles in parishes like St. Robert's and Holy Cross. The back wall would be even with the wall of the current back sacristy. There would also be stained glass windows installed.

So be certain to let Fr. Damian and/or members of the pastoral council what you think!

Pajama Day at Preschool

2012-01-26T11:12:00.000-08:00

This week our preschoolers have been learning about the letter “P.”

We started the week by making pizza.

Today we had a pajama day.

It was fun to come to school in our pajamas.

We even had pancakes for snack.

At the end of the day, we remembered a

special word that starts with “P”…prayer.

Is Following Our Conscience Important?

2012-01-25T10:12:00.000-08:00

Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), sharply criticized the decision by the Obama administration in which it “ordered almost every employer and insurer in the country to provide sterilization and contraceptives, including some abortion-inducing drugs, in their health plans.” He made the statement in a web video.

“Never before has the federal government forced individuals and organizations to go out into the marketplace and buy a product that violates their conscience. This shouldn’t happen in a land where free exercise of religion ranks first in the Bill of Rights,” Cardinal-designate Dolan said.

On January 20, Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the Health and Human Services, announced that non-profit employers will have one year to comply with the new rule.

Cardinal-designate Dolan urged Catholics and the public at large to speak out in protest.

“Let your elected leaders know that you want religious liberty and rights of conscience restored and that you want the administration’s contraceptive mandate rescinded,” he said.

Confirmation Preparation

2012-01-24T05:54:00.000-08:00

Sunday night confirmation candidates and their parents gathered for the third of five preparation sessions. Deacon Hill led a prayer service and reflection. Then Fr. Damian spoke to the group about Sacraments. Then candidates and their parents gathered around tables for small group faith sharing.

Here is an excerpt from Fr. Damian's talk:

Today is A Day of Penance

2012-01-23T07:08:00.000-08:00

2011 March for Life

Dear Friends,

Thirty-nine years ago, while I was a senior in high school, the Supreme Court ruled that a right to privacy under the due process clause in the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution extends to a woman's decision to have an abortion. As a young person, I was very optimistic that we, as a country, would be able to undo that decision; that we would pass an amendment to the constitution which would define and protect human life. There was a lot of energy in the early days to pass such an amendment to the Constitution. Congress has discussed the possibility of a Human Life Amendment to the constitution over the years, but it has not really been seriously looked at since 1983 when the Hatch-Eagleton version failed to pass the Senate. Since then, our country’s political leadership has failed to lead an effective fight to protect human life. It gets talked about a lot, but no one really does much to change anything. Everyone keeps pointing the finger at the opposition and saying they’re the problem.

The Bishops of the United States have asked us to observe a Day of Penance on Monday. Certainly we, as a church, will continue to fight for the dignity of every human life in the public arena, but prayer and penance are valuable tools in the life of faith, as Pope John Paul II taught:

Filled with this certainty, and moved by profound concern for the destiny of every man and woman, I repeat what I said to those families who carry out their challenging mission amid so many difficulties: a great prayer for life is urgently needed, a prayer which will rise up throughout the world. Through special initiatives and in daily prayer, may an impassioned plea rise to God, the Creator and lover of life, from every Christian community, from every group and association, from every family and from the heart of every believer.

Jesus himself has shown us by his own example that prayer and fasting are the first and most effective weapons against the forces of evil (cf. Mt 4:1-11). As he taught his disciples, some demons cannot be driven out except in this way (cf. Mk 9:29).

Let us therefore discover anew the humility and the courage to pray and fast so that power from on high will break down the walls of lies and deceit: the walls which conceal from the sight of so many of our brothers and sisters the evil of practices and laws which are hostile to life. May this same power turn their hearts to resolutions and goals inspired by the civilization of life and love.

There are many different ways of observing this national day of prayer and penance. You could refrain from eating something that day or go without a meal in solidarity with those who suffer. You could pray a rosary or chaplet for the unborn. You could pray for those who have been wounded by abortion, or visit and pray before the Blessed Sacrament, or read and reflect on Pope John Paul II’s encyclical on life, Evangelium Vitae, or offer your time to someone in need of a kind word or a listening ear.

Maybe I was naïve and overly optimistic thirty-nine years ago, but I have not given up hope. We have made so much progress in so many other areas in our country and in our world. Perhaps, this one will simply take longer. Abortions have been declining since 1990, but there are still too many happening each year. Maybe your prayer tomorrow will help a profound respect for all human life dwell in the hearts of others.

Peace,
Fr. Damian

The Benedictines are Coming

2012-01-22T13:38:00.000-08:00

Sr. Delores Dolezal, OSB and some of her students

It was the Benedictine Sisters from Atchinson, Kansas who provided all of the teachers in our school when it began in 1916. The first lay teacher was hired in 1962 and Sr. Delores was one of the last two Benedictine teachers in 1987.

Sister Delores, Sister Judy Sutera, OSB and Sister Barbara Smith will be here next Sunday. There will be two events on Sunday, then they will visit with the students in our school on Monday. Ther Sunday events are:

2:00 "Benedictine Education: Then and Now" a presentation by Sr. Judy Sutera, OSB in the Steinhausen Center

3:00 A gathering of Alumni in the school

Quilting

2012-01-21T13:28:00.000-08:00

A number of women came out today to help

First Communion families prepare quilts as

milestones of the big event this spring.

Every second grade student who wishes
to participate decorates a number of blocks.
These are incorporated into a quilt.

Thank you all!

New Staff

2012-01-20T11:21:00.000-08:00

Glenda McKenna is joining our staff in the Parish Office. She is learning about the parish now as she will work with Judy in the office about 20 hours a week. She is also working part time for IXIM.

Since David Batter left for another position and because we have not hired anyone on a full-time basis yet,. In the meantime we have decided to hire someone to work part time with our Liturgy and Music. It is very unlikely that a full time person will be hired before Easter. Our interim liturgist is:

... David Batter.

So make Glenda and David feel welcome when you see them.

Comfort or Joy?

2012-01-19T06:07:00.000-08:00

One of the discussion questions at That Man is You! (TMIY!)

today was: "When have you chosen comfort over joy?"

TMIY! meets Thursday at 6 am in the Steinhausen Center.

First Teachers

2012-01-18T11:13:00.000-08:00

Parents are rightly called the first teachers of their child's faith.

On Monday, and again tonight, parents and second grade

students are exploring their faith as the students

prepare for their First Reconciliation.

At a variety of educations centers families did

activities together to stimulate the process.

It was a good way to grow together.

Teachers at School

2012-01-16T15:36:00.000-08:00

The students at St. Columbkille Catholic

School today were teachers.

While the K-8 students had the day off, teachers

and principals in our deanery gathered to learn.

In the afternoon all the teachers of the same grade

gathered in small groups to learn from each other.

It shows that learning never ends.

Come and See

2012-01-15T15:37:00.000-08:00

In today's Gospel Jesus tells the one following Him, "Come, and you will see." This reminds us of our Come and See group. Come and See is an opportunity for non-Catholics who are somewhat knowledgeable about our faith (perhaps because they've been attending Mass with a Catholic spouse) to come and look a little more. After learning more about the faith for a few weeks they can see if they want to continue their faith journey by becoming Catholic.

Another Bathroom Remodel

2012-01-14T05:42:00.000-08:00

Almost a year ago a remodel of the bathrooms in the church was chosen as the Helping Hands project for the 2011 Columb's Ceili. That was done in the fall. In the meantime, over the summer, the bathrooms at the school were remodeled. Now the bathrooms in the Social Level have gotten some attention.

Here is a before picture of the women's bathroom:

And here is an after picture in the women's rest room:

Here is the men's:

There are new stalls, countertops, faucets and light fixtures.

States Party

2012-01-13T09:31:00.000-08:00

The first grade students at St. Columbkille

Catholic School have been studying states.

Yesterday they wore shirts from different states.

Each class got one point for every state represented

by their clothes. They got another point if

they knew the capital of the state(s).

Then the classes celebrated together.

Most of the snacks represented states or something about them.

So if you have a question about a state

or it's capital, just ask a 1st grade student.

Fr. Vogel & St. Marguerite Bourgeoys

2012-01-12T08:15:00.000-08:00

As Quebec began to flourish in the 17th century, there was concern in France that Quebec was too concerned with commercial enterprises. As a result Monsieur de Maisonneuve was chosen as the military leader and founder of the colony of Ville-Marie, which was later renamed Montreal.

Stories of hardships and dangers in Ville Marie that made other people shiver awakened a call from God in Marguerite Bourgeoys to serve the Indians and settlers who endured this adversity. In 1654 she met with the governor of Ville Marie and convinced him she was the person he was looking for to help start a school for the children.

When she arrived in Ville Marie, she found that few children survived to school age. She helped the remarkable Jeanne Mance, who ran the hospital, to change this tragedy. When she finally had children to teach, she had to set to up school in a stable.

During this time King Louis XIV set up a program to provide wives for French soldiers to establish lasting settlements in New France. These Fille du Roi or "Daughters of the King" were young women trained by nuns to be homemakers. When these women arrived in Canada, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys would bring them into the convent to live until they married. In the process she because a mother to these young women.

In 1670 Madeleine Chretien was one of these young women who arrived in Canada and lived with St. Marguerite until she married a soldier, Pierre Chicoine, three or four months later. Pierre amd Madeleine were Fr. Vogel's great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparents (10 generations) on his mother's side. Their son Pierre Chicoine II was born in 1676, the same year that soon-to-be-named-St. Kateri Tekakwitha was baptized. Blessed Kateri lived 40 miles south along the St. Lawrence River from where the Chicoines lived.

There isn't any detail of their interaction with these saints, but Fr. Vogel suspects the strong Catholic devotion throughout the generations of his family may be rooted in the faith inspired by his ancestors like Pierre and Madeleine.

Although it is not celebrated on the US calendar, today is the feast day of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys. We thank her for listening to God's call and helping establish the faith in North America.

The North Wind

2012-01-11T11:37:00.000-08:00

Sr. Delores Dolezal OSB did the Sacramental Preperation and taught second grade at St. Columbkille Catholic School from 1980 to 1987. Evidently the same wind hitting us has been blowing in Kansas where she now lives. Today she wrote us:

The North wind is blowing. We used to sing a song: "The North Wind Doth Blow and We Shall Have Snow." We do need snow. Farmers told me winter wheat does best with a covering of snow all winter long. I love snow. That reminds me, our deceased Sister Clementia, who taught at St. Columbkille, told me that she and the children (I bet they were boarders), would use sleds and slide down the hill in front of school. Every time I had playground duty at St. Columbkille, I'd look down that long hill and smile wide remembering Sister Clementia and the children sleigh riding down the hill. I wish I could have been there with her and the children.

We're working out the finals details, but Sr. Delores and two other Sisters will be visiting us as part of Catholic Schools Week.

Mommy & Me

2012-01-10T05:27:00.000-08:00

In December, our preschoolers had a special "Mommy & Me" Day.

We met our moms at the door.

We served them a snack.

We sat down together to enjoy some warm cider and muffins.

Then we decorated gingerbread houses together.

It was a great day to spend with our moms and grandmas!

The Baptism of the Lord

2012-01-09T11:16:00.000-08:00

In the Church's calendar, today is the last day of the Christmas season. Today we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus. This along with the visit of the Magi and the Wedding Feast at Cana are celebrated as "Epiphany" moments where the nature of Jesus as the Christ was revealed. It is still a wonder to ponder.

Blessing a home

2012-01-08T17:24:00.000-08:00

Today, Epiphany, is a traditional time to bless a home. A family can do this themselves:

All make the Sign of the Cross.
Head of Household: "Peace be to this house and: to all who dwell here, in the name of tfie Lord.
All: Blessed be God forever.
Reader: In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things cme to be through him, and without him nothing came to be..... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Fahter's only Son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-3.14)
Using chalk, write on the outside of your house, above or next to an entrance:
(write the first half of the current year)

+20

Christus

Mansionem

Benedicat

12+

(write the other half of the year) Or you can simply use the first letters C + M + B. These words mean. "May Christ bless this house". (Each word could be written by a different member of the household.)
All: Lord God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who inhabit it. May we be blessed with health, goodness of heart, gentleness and the keeping of your law. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our love for each other may go out to all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Science and Scripture

2012-01-06T07:05:00.000-08:00

Are Science and Scripture compatible?

This is the subject of our BASIC (Beginning Apologetics Studies in Catholicism) session tonight at 7 p.m. in the Steinhausen Center.

A Saint Among Us

2012-01-05T11:23:00.000-08:00

Today is the feast of St. John Neumann. As the fourth bishop of Philadelphia he oversaw the growth of the Catholic Schools from two to over 100. He is considered a Patron Saint of Catholic Schools. Because he was born 200 years ago, the Redemptorists are celebrating this as his Jubilee year.

After he was canonized in 1977, the National Shrine of Saint John Neumann was constructed at the Parish of St. Peter the Apostle in Philadelphia. His remains rest under the altar of the shrine within a glass-walled reliquary.

Mrs. Wilson's third grade glass is borrowing a relic of St. John Neumann and will have it in their classroom from his feast day through Catholic Schools Week.

Relics vary from a hair or bone of a saint to a piece of cloth touched to a saint. Relics can be a way to come closer to the saints and thus form a closer bond with God. A relic can never be sold.

Fr. Damian is talking to the Chancery about relics that may be available for our parish. We would like to be able to put a relic in the new altar as part of our remodeling.

Rats

2012-01-04T07:37:00.000-08:00

In science the 7th grade students at St. Columbkille

Catholic School got to dissect rats.

It was a chance for some great hands on learning.

A College FOCUS

2012-01-02T06:07:00.000-08:00

Shannon with some students and Sr. Virginia Joy of the Sisters

of Life celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

During this day when many of us are busy watch College Bowl games, we'll look at the faith life of some of the students. St. Columbkille parishioner Shannon Zurcher is in her third year working as a missionarry for the Fellowship Of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). Supported by donations from people such as many of our parishioners she invites college students into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. This year she is reaching out to students at UConn.

Of her work, Shannon writes:

As FOCUS missionaries, discipleship is our main goal with all the students we meet and work with here at UConn. In discipleship we share our lives with a few students by meeting with them throughout the week, teaching them how to live a full Catholic Christian life, and equipping them to be able to share their faith with their peers in college and wherever they go for the rest of their lives. This is the same plan Jesus had while He was on Earth. He invested His life in 12 men (His Apostles), taught them how to live, and to share His life with others through the power of the Holy Spirit.

At UConn we have 19 students in discipleship. Most of these students are starting up their own bible studies so that they can find new people to disciple themselves. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will work through us to raise up more Catholic leaders and laborers through discipleship. Pray for students who will be committed to proclaiming the Truth of Jesus’ love here at UConn and in the world. This school year I am discipling 5 girls. Tina, Kaitlin, and Rachel are Seniors, Liz and Jessica are Sophomores. They are all either discipling other women or working to find women to invest in and disciple.

To support Shannon, click here.

Theotokos

2012-01-01T06:03:00.000-08:00

The Council of Ephesus was held in 431 to consider the relationship between Mary and Jesus. Some had advocated that Mary was the "Christotokos" or Mother of Jesus in His human sense but had a difficult time with the idea that Mary had given birth to God.

But Council affirmed that Mary is the mother of Jesus in both His human nature and His divine nature. Thus she can rightfully be called the Mother of God of Theotokos. We celebrate the Feast 8 days after Christmas on January 1st. It is a good time to ponder on what it was like for Mary to be pregnant with and give birth to God.

Gingerbread Houses

2011-12-31T06:36:00.000-08:00

The week before their break, Kindergarten students built Gingerbread Houses with the help of their 7th Grade Mass buddy at St. Columbkille Catholic School.

We hope they tasted as good as they look.

The Octave of Christmas

2011-12-30T05:49:00.000-08:00

There is an ancient practice of celebrating Christmas for eight wonderful days, because how could you celebrate this unfathomable mystery in just one mere morning? This is in sharp contrast to the modern American practice of celebrating Christmas during December. Liturgically we celebrate each Mass during the Octave (eight days) as if it were Christmas. One of those ways is by including the Gloria every day.

The Hebrews celebrated many of their feasts, such as the “Feast of Tabernacles” and the “Dedication of the Temple” for eight days. Later, the Roman Emperor Constantine continued the tradition by celebrating the dedication of basilicas in the Christian World for eight days. Before the Second Vatican Council the Church granted certain feasts an octave including Pentecost, Epiphany, the feasts of Sts. Peter and St. Paul, St. Lawrence, and St. Agnes. Today we celebrate two feasts with Octaves: Easter and Christmas.

Life in the ancient world was so hectic and filled with pressure and families had grown apart and were being swept up in the older pagan traditions so the Church granted a period of eight days in order to contemplate the mysteries experienced in the Church’s liturgy. If the Ancients were busily distracted, what has become of us!? Take some time and be humbled before the Mystery: The Word of God has become man!

Celebrate the New Year

2011-12-29T08:06:00.000-08:00

Just as Christmas landed on a Sunday this year, so does the celebration of Mary the Mother of God. On Saturday, there will be an additional anticipatory Mass at 11:00 p.m. That will be followed in the Social Level with a celebration of 2012 at midnight.

You can bring some treats to share or just come join in the celebration.

Feast of the Holy Innocents

2011-12-28T06:08:00.000-08:00

While Jesus would end his life dying for other, his life began with other dying because of him. The story is told in today's Gospel:

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

A voice was heard in Ramah,

sobbing and loud lamentation;

Rachel weeping for her children,

and she would not be consoled,

since they were no more.

Today we are reminded of Rachel's weeping with the victims of abortion. Thus we pray for the innocents that were involved in abortion. Through Project Rachel, and similar groups, we pray for hope to those who have been involved in an abortion.

Project Linus

2011-12-27T06:52:00.000-08:00

Because someone stood up with an idea at a Teen Faith Meeting, a service project was done for:

As Charles Schulz’s Linus character from the PEANUTS® comic strip was comforted by his blanket, Project Linus strives to do the same and more for children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. The blankets our nearly 400 chapter coordinators collect from thousands of “blanketeers” across the United States and then distributed to these children provide love, a sense of security, warmth, and comfort.

Two Wednesdays they worked on blankets for children.

Money from the Cookbook sales by 8th grade students at St. Columbkille Catholic School helped pay for some of the meterials.

In the end, 21 blankets went to children in need.

Merry Christmas!

Cookbook

2011-12-26T07:09:00.000-08:00

The 8th Grade students from St. Columbkille Catholic

School compiled a cookbook of their favorite recipes.

For the cookbook they interviewed their 2nd Grade Mass buddies. They asked they what their favorite food is? what they think is in that food? and their favorite prayer? Those responses were included as well.

Sales on the cookbook were over $3,0000.

After the expenses were paid, all of the proceeds were given to charities.Some went to buy Christmas Items for children in need in Sarpy County. Some went to the Teen Faith's work on the Linus Project.

The rest of the money was given to the

Stephen Center to help the homeless.

It was their way of saying,

"Merry Christmas!"

Archbishop Lucas' Christmas Message

2011-12-25T15:23:00.000-08:00

For Archbishop Lucas's Christmas message, click here.

The Tree of Jesse

2011-12-25T03:57:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Taylor's Kindergarten class studied the Tree of Jesse. The promise of Jesus coming was promised long ago as God promised time and time again to send us the Prince of Peace. And in the birth of Jesus, that promise was fulfilled.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T06:57:00.000-08:00

Thursday morning our Children's Choir

was practising for the 5:00 Mass tonight.

Christmas Eve Masses:

5 & 7 p.m.

Midnight

Christmas Day:

7:30, 9, 10:30 a.m., noon and 5 p.m.

Preparing for Christmas

2011-12-23T08:45:00.000-08:00

The worship space is being prepared for Christmas.

There's some extra task in preparing

the Social Level for worship.

Music books need to be set out.

This year we also need to set out sheets with the words for

the New Roman Missal to assit the assembly in worship.

Christmas Parties

2011-12-22T05:36:00.000-08:00

There were Christmas parties at St. Columbkille Catholic

School during the half day before Christmas break.

Snowmen were made.

Christmas trees were decorated.

Games were played.

In one you tried to swing a ball onto your nose.

In another, you slide a cookie from your forehead...

... to your mouth without using your hands.

Or jump around to shake the jingle bells out of a box.

Skits were performed.

Crafts were made.

Joy was shared.

Before Mrs. Yanovich's students left, they read How the Grinch Stole Christmas! If all of your presents and decorations were stolen would you still celebrate Christmas? The Who's did, because they remembered what is most importatnt at Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Kindergarten Christmas Program

2011-12-21T07:50:00.000-08:00

This morning at Mass Fr. Damian thanked the Kindergarten students at St. Columbkille Catholic School for helping get us all in the Christmas mood through their program last night.

We hope you "leap for joy" on Christmas!

Preschool Christmas Program

2011-12-20T08:32:00.000-08:00

Sacred Heart Preschool had our Christmas

Program last night. We got ready by lining up.

We counted to make sure everyone was here.

Then it was time to let everyone take pictures of us.

Merry Christmas

670 Confessions

2011-12-19T11:03:00.000-08:00

Last week between the services for 3rd through 8th grade students in the Monday and Wednesday Religious Formation classes as well as the school students, about 670 received the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The Parish Reconciliation Service is tomorrow,

Tuesday, December 20

7:30 p.m.

We will have ten priests available.

O'

2011-12-17T13:12:00.000-08:00

Starting today, the O Antiphons begin. Each night in Vespers (or Evening Prayer) there is always an antiphon before praying the Magnificat. Each Antiphon begins with "O" and uses a distinct title to address Jesus. Each comes from prophecies of Isaias and Micah. The initials, when read backwards, form an acrostic for the Latin "Ero Cras" which means "Tomorrow I come." Those titles for Christ are:

Sapientia: Wisdom

Adonai: Ruler of the House of Israel

Radix Jesse: Root of Jesse

Clavis David: Key of David

Oriens: Rising Dawn

Rex Gentium: King of the Gentiles

Emmanuel: God with us

Today the O Antiphons are most familiar to us in the hymn "O come, O come Emmanuel". Each verse of the hymn parallels one of the antiphons. In addition to their use in the Liturgy of the Hours and the gospel acclamation, they have been popularly incorporated into church devotions and family prayer.

Pick up Your Calendar

2011-12-16T09:03:00.000-08:00

Pick up your 2012 Calendar in the church.

They should be by the main entrances.

Advent Family Festival

2011-12-15T07:34:00.000-08:00

During our Advent Family Festival, students

learned to say the Hail Mary in Sign Language.

Meanwhile Third Order Carmelite Tony Salamone spoke to parents about Advent. He spoke about key words to ponder in Advent and how to keep Advent alive in the home.

Happy Advent!

Goodbye Mrs. Petrini

2011-12-14T10:00:00.000-08:00

Today is Mrs. Petrini's last day teaching at Sacred Heart Preschool. There are three things Mrs. Petrini always wants her students to know:

Girls/Ladies first;
Your Guardian Angel is always with you; and
The quickest way to get get the help of Jesus is through His Blessed Mother.

Mrs. Crnkovich said she would sometimes go to conferences and hear theory on how to connect faith with children. Then she would return and hear Mrs. Petrini at God's Time. She would pass along the faith she had received from her mother in a simple way. The children could connect to what she said and bring it home. That truly is a gift.

40 Days: The Numbers

2011-12-13T07:51:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, October 15th our parish participated in 40 Days for Life by praying outside the abortion site in Bellevue. As we typically do, parishioners took 24 one hour shifts from 8 a.m. Saturday until 8 a.m. Sunday.

40 Days for Life is a national campaign. Over the last four years there have been participants in 422 cities across all 50 American states and 13 countries.

This has resulted in:

More than half a million participants

5,045 lives confirmed saved

61 abortion workers quit

18 abortion facilities closed

Thank you for praying!

A Concert after lunch

2011-12-12T13:55:00.000-08:00

After the Happy Lunch today, our seniors were entertained by St. Columbkille Catholic School's First Grade students who sang for them.

Here is some of what they sang for us:

As a thank you, each singer received a treat.

Thank you!

Clerestory

2011-12-10T13:46:00.000-08:00

The Stained Glass windows arrived ahead of schedule.

They are the only part of the Source & Summit

Campaign we are committed towards.

We want to see what six of the stained

glass windows look like in the clerestory.

Fr. Damian noted that they look very different up

close without the light flowing through them.

So what do you think?

Karly at Spirit Mass

2011-12-09T08:03:00.000-08:00

The second Sunday each month our 5:00 p.m. Masses are largely done by our youth. If you attend this Sunday this weekend you'll see a new face as the accompanist: Karly Jurgensen.

If you watched the Pandora Unforgetable Moments on Ice special on NBC November 27th, you may have seen her playing with Mannheim Steamroller.

If you run into her at Mass say hello and welcome her.

Iconographers

2011-12-08T10:04:00.000-08:00

Recently some parents of First Grade students helped teach the classes at St Columbkille Catholic School how to write an Icon.

There are rules for how to write an icon

(they are not drawn or painted.)

It is a very prayerful process.

The icons were blessed by Fr. Vogel.

Today some are in the church narthex

so they can remind people of

The Immaculate Conception.

Christmas Program Tonight

2011-12-07T10:53:00.000-08:00

This morning was the last rehearsal before the Christmas Program tonight. It is being done by the 4th and 5th graders from St. Columbkille Catholic School.

Here's a little video clip to give you a taste of it. You can watch the whole show at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium at Papillion La Vista High School.

The Immaculate Conception

2011-12-07T05:17:00.000-08:00

Whenwe celebrate the Immaculate Conception on December 8th each year, it is a common mistake to think we are celebrating the Immaculate Conception of Jesus. At Mass on the Immaculate Conception the Gospel is always the Annunciation. Because the Archangel Gabrial appears to Mary to tell her about the child she would have, sometimes people think that is the conception which is called immaculate. But the Immaculate Conception is about the conception that prepared Mary for this moment; the time where she would choose whether or not to participate in God's plan for salvation.

In the Gospel, the angel Gabriel says, "Hail Mary full of Grace." In Greek the word used, κεχαριτωμένη, is a perfect passive participle of χαριτοω meaning "to fill or endow with grace." The tense indicates that Mary was graced from the instant she first existed in her mother's (Anne's) womb (well before Gabriel visited) and ever since. It might be best understood as her being so full of grace that sin can not enter her.

The first Mass celebrating the Immaculate Conception will be tonight at 5:30 p.m. There will also be Masses tomorrow at 6:20, 8:15, 12:10, 5:30 and 7 p.m. It is such a special event that it is considered a Holy Day of Obligation.

Also tonight, immediately following the 5:30 Mass will start a time of Eucharistic Adoration and prayer for the end of abortion. This will culiminate at 9 p.m. with the Hour of Power.

In the Spirit of St. Nicholas...

2011-12-06T08:12:00.000-08:00

After every Mass last weekend there were piles

like this of items bought from parishioner who

picked out an ornament on the Giving Tree.

This is the 20th year our parish has worked with the Sarpy County Christmas Center to help those in need. Our parish's assistance is so significant and we are listed on their letterhead.

We sorted and compiled the donations given in the parish. If you haven't had a chance to drop your items off yet, they can be received here through Thursday.

These items will be combined with items from other community organizations. At a one-day event, parents of the families who qualify through Family Services can come to pick out a toy and an item of clothing for their children to open on Christmas morning.

On this day where the Church remembers

St. Nicholas, we want to thank everyone

who donated or helped in any way!

Basketball has begun

2011-12-05T09:53:00.000-08:00

Most of St. Columbkille's basketball teams

began their season last weekend.

The Deadline for Intramural

Basketball is Thursday

That is for first and second grade boys and girls

St. Vincent de Paul Omaha Council Meeting

2011-12-04T15:32:00.000-08:00

Those attending the 7:30 Mass may have been surprised to see Archbishop Lucas there. He was here as we hosted the Omaha Chapter meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. (Hear his homily here.)

Breakfast was served through the help of the Knights of Columbus and our youth who helped serve as well.

At this gathering of the Omaha District Council parishes throughout the diocese were represented.

Fr. Damian spoke to the group:

As did Archbishop Lucas:

The Kampschneider family was recognized with the Top Hat award. Besides Mary Jo being a past president of the St. Columbkille chapter, there entire family does a remarkable job with the Use it Again sale. They gather items throughout the year and fill their garage with items as thousands of dollars are raised each year.

Arlene Mayberger of St. Leo's parish also received the Top Hat award. Arlene was recognized for her contribution as she not only helps people get the help they need, but assists them so they won't need help in the future.

Congratulations to the

Top Hat award recipients.

Thanksgiving Meals for 380 Families

2011-12-03T08:29:00.000-08:00

How do you provide a Thanksgiving meal for over 350 families?

First you get a LOT of food.

Then you package together a turkey and everything needed per family.

Then you gather a whole bunch of people to

deliver food to each of the families in need.

Thank you to everyone who worked

so hard to make Thanksgiving

joyful for others.

A BASIC discovery

2011-12-02T07:04:00.000-08:00

Fr. Gregor Mendel was the Augustinian friar who is credited as the father of modern genetics. Mendel cultivated and tested about 29,000 pea plants between 1856 and 1863.As a result he made two generalizations, the Law of Segregation and the Law of Independent Assortment, which later became known as Mendel's Laws of Inheritance.

Interestingly, his paper on the subject did not garner much interest in his lifetime. In his day the theory of blended inheritance was held by most biologists. As many of Charles Darwin's ideas were found unsuccessul, Mendel's ideas were uncovered in the early twentieth century,

His story is evidence of the complimentary relationship between Faith, Science and Reason. Tonight is the second of a six part BASIC series presented by Fr. Kevin Vogel and Dr. Gintaras Duda.

The History of Faith and Science

7:00 p.m. tonight

Steinhausen Center

More information on the series can be found here.

Serving to the End

2011-12-01T07:27:00.000-08:00

In our 2009-10 Annual Report we showed the picture above of Mary Burns who had turned 95 on Christmas Day 2009. Over the year she had knitted 90 stocking caps to give to those in need.

After being actively involved in the parish for so long, Mary was initially saddened by going into a nursing home because she saw it as the end of her service. She came to realize that her methods of service just needed to change. Her new service included making certain everyone was gathered for Communion Services in her nursing home and reaching out to those around her.

Mary passed away last night. Her funeral will be Monday. Eternal Rest grant unto her O Lord.

Your Opinion Counts

2011-11-30T08:42:00.000-08:00

Fr. Damian continues to invite ideas and comments about the proposed changes to our worship space. We are inviting everyone to attend one of three meetings to discuss it. They will be held in the church itself so it is easier to visualize. At this point the only design element committed towards are six stained glass windows for the clerestory. The meetings will be:

6:30 p.m. Sunday, December 4

2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 6

6:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 6

Feel free to pick the time that works best for you, then come talk.

National Catholic Youth Conference

2011-11-29T09:36:00.000-08:00

Among the 23,000 students at NCYC this year ...

... were a number of our parishioners.

ValLimar, who led out 2010 Parish Lenten Mission, was there.

Our own Anne Grzywa (center) was one of the animators.

You can read more about NCYC in this National Catholic Register article written by one of our parishioners.

Tomorrow night we will ask those who attended NCYC to share with the rest of our youth the stories of how their hearts were stirred and faith strengthened by their time at NCYC. This was a fantastic experience! We will start at 7 with a meal in the Steinhausen Center and end at 8:30.

Hour of Power will start at 9:00

Dove of the Church

2011-11-28T17:58:00.000-08:00

This is one of six images which will be in the new stained glass windows. You may have noticed this image on the bulletin last weekend, the Advent Newsletter and the parish website.

In most churches, a dove in a stained glass window represents the Holy Spirit but in this case it represents St. Columbkille. Columb means “dove” in Gaelic and kille is “church,” so he came to be known as the “church’s dove.”

This is one of the six stained glass windows that have been ordered to give us a better sense of what it would look like to finish off the clerestory.

Fr Damian's Advent Study Starts Tomorrow

2011-11-27T09:59:00.000-08:00

Instead of his typical Advent Bible Study, Fr. Damian is offering the new video series on "Catholicism" by Fr. Robert Barron. Each session will include video from Fr. Barron as well as group discussion and a question and answer time with Fr. Damian.

After the four weeks of Advent, the series will continue in mid January until Lent. Then we will host a series of talks on Judaism and Islam.

It all starts tomorrow (Monday) in the Steinhausen Center. You can attend the morning (9 a.m.) or evening (7 p.m.) sessions.

November 28: Amazing and Afraid: The Revelation of God Become Man

December 5: Happy Are We: The Teaching of Jesus

December 12: The Ineffable Mystery of God

December 19: Our Tainted Nature's Solitary Boast: Mary, the Mother of God

Prepared for Advent

2011-11-26T09:56:00.000-08:00

This morning the church was busy as we prepared for Advent.

The missals were replaced for the new liturgical year.

It was a blur of action.

Pew Cards were also distributed to help us follow

along with the changes for the New Roman Missal.

End of an Era

2011-11-25T07:28:00.000-08:00

This morning was the last Mass in our church using the Sacramentary.

Tomorrow we begin to use the New Roman Missal.

For more information on the

New Roman Missal, click here.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T08:29:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday the Kindergarten students at St. Columbkille Catholic School dressed like Pilgrims or Indians and shared a meal together -- just like the first Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from Archbishop Lucas

2011-11-23T07:27:00.000-08:00

Archbishop Lucas recorded a Thanksgiving message for us.

The Patron of our Diocese

2011-11-22T05:13:00.000-08:00

St. Cecilia is the name of our cathedral and the patron saint of our Archdiocese. Because she was so highly venerated by the ancient Roman Church, she is listed in the Canon of the Mass. Over the site where her home had stood a church was built in the fourth century. (Next year, John Norman should have his first Mass as a deacon in this church.) Her martyrdom probably occurred during the reign of Emperor Alexander Severus, about the year 230. In 1599 her grave was opened and her body was found incorrupt. Cecilia is the patron saint of Church music.

In an era when women were thought to be marital property, when Cecilia and many of the other early virgin martyrs made vows of lifelong virginity, they were really early feminists. It is said that she converted many to Catholisim, including the pagen who was to marry her. This led to her martyrdom.

Paul Simon, of Simon and Garfunkel fame, wrote the song "The Coast" which references her when a family of musicians taking refuge in the Church of St. Cecilia, which seems proper since she is the patron saint of musicians.

A shot at Fr Vitalis' home

2011-11-21T14:05:00.000-08:00

Fr. Vitalis, one of our former Pastoral Associates, was not at his rectory when a shot was fired into his home. Here is some of the story from KETV:

A light of hope still shines bright at Saint Benedict the Moor Catholic Church, even as its sense of security sits shattered.

“The shot was fired, and I saw the glass coming all the way through here,” described Sonja Puszewski, a church volunteer. “I jumped on the floor right here. I kind of went down to sit here.”

Puszewski was cleaning the parish rectory Monday when what sounded like fireworks ripped a hole through a church window.

“I crawled along on the floor, over there,” said Puszewski. “It's very scary. It's unbelievably scary.”

See more here

Happy Birthday Fr. Vogel

2011-11-20T05:44:00.000-08:00

Today is Fr. Vogel's birthday.

Happy Birthday!!

Turkey Bingo

2011-11-19T06:42:00.000-08:00

It was a packed house last night for Turkey Bingo.

Thank you HSA for putting together a

great night for our parish family to gather.

National Catholic Youth Conference

2011-11-18T07:23:00.000-08:00

A group of 17 teens and their chaperones from St. Columbkille are in Indianapolis for the National Catholic Youth Conference! They are with 24,000+ other teens and adults from around the country to spend 3 days learning about and celebrating their Catholic faith!!

For those of us who didn't go, you can

watch a live video feed right now.

Please pray for everyone gathered at NCYC.

Principal Appreciation Day

2011-11-17T11:00:00.000-08:00

Today was Principal Appreciation Day.

In additions to receiving gifts, ...

... she heard from the Amy Bova of the

School Advisory Committe, ...

... Marian Hoffman & Derek Laney

of the Home School Association ...

... and Fr. Vogel. Each of them expressed in different

ways the message we all wish to convey:

Thank you Dr. Blue

Scouting Fun

2011-11-16T12:31:00.000-08:00

At their meeting Monday, Cub Scouts played a

game where they had to set a table blindfolded.

They were given balloons containing their

reward money for selling popcorn.

They had to pop the balloons to receive their reward.

Because every scout in one den sold over $100 of pocorn,

they were able to throw a pie in one of their leader's face.

It was a lot of fun!

Day of Reflection

2011-11-15T08:14:00.000-08:00

There was a crowd Saturday as
Jackie François led a Day of Reflection.

This was a retreat for 7th graders and their parents

as they prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Here's a video clip:

Preschool Library Trip

2011-11-14T05:27:00.000-08:00

Our preschoolers took a walk to visit the Papillion Library.

The children listened to some stories.

They were excellent listeners.

The preschoolers also worked on a number book.

We will return to the library each

month for new stories and crafts.

In just 2 weeks...

2011-11-13T12:15:00.000-08:00

In just two weeks we'll be using the New Roman Missal for Mass

To help us learn the changes, there

will be a "cheat sheet" in the pews.

So we will soon Welcome the New Roman Missal.

Source & Summit

2011-11-12T14:46:00.000-08:00

This weekend Fr. Damian will discuss a proposal for updating our worship space. Part of this includes things like replacing the 30 year old carpet. Other things are like bringing a crucifix into our worship space, moving the Tabernacle so it can be seen during worship and finishing completing the stained glass windows which were part of the original design.

McDonalds Night

2011-11-12T05:24:00.000-08:00

Wednesday night over $550 was raised as a percentage of all sales went to the Home and School Association at St. Columbkille Catholic School.

Thank you to everyone who came out.

We remember our veterans

2011-11-11T08:33:00.000-08:00

St Joan of Arc is the patron saint of soldiers. Just after the Battle of Patay, her greatest victory, she came across an enemy soldier who was mortally wounded. Joan dismounted and held the man’s head in her lap to comfort him as he died.

Today we recall all veterans and pray that all who rest with God rest in the same grace and mercy shown by St. Joan of Arc.

Images of Faith

2011-11-10T08:25:00.001-08:00

St. Columbkille Catholic School is looking internally as they prepare to look moving to a higher level of accredidation. To do that, it isn't enough to say that we are a Catholic school. We must also show Indicators of the faith life present in the school.

To help with this, a tour was made through the school on Thursday, October 27th to document Images of Faith that are present in the school. We found 584 images of faith in the school (not counting our students, teachers and staff.)

We found 132 images of Jesus in the school including 39 crucifixes.

There were 77 images of Mary.

There were three images of St. Columbkille.

Classes had the weekly Bible verse displayed in a variety of ways.

There were numerous prayers and inspirational Bible

quotes along with statues and 27 Holy Water fonts.

These 584 Images of Faith are among the reminders

to acknowledge God in our everyday life.

Lunch with Fr. Vogel

2011-11-09T05:52:00.000-08:00

There was something unusual in the lunch roon last Thursday.

Because class 7A had the highest percentage of

students at the Festival, Fr. Vogel had lunch with them.

Before lunch he handed out copies of his

card from his ordination and goodie bags.

Congratulations 7A!

"We Rise" has been released

2011-11-08T07:36:00.000-08:00

Adam Motz, who has been our regular accompanist

(and often cantor) at our Sunday 5 p.m. Masses

has released a CD called "We Rise."

To celebrate this CD of contemporary Christian

music, Adam had a concert Sunday night.

Congratulations Adam!

If you are interested in getting a copy of

"We Rise," click here to contact Adam directly.

Letter writing

2011-11-07T11:20:00.000-08:00

In January of 2009 Fr. O’Toole spoke at all of our Masses about the work of the Christain Foundation of Children and Aging (CFCA). CFCA has a sponsorship model in which one sponsor partners with one child or aging friend in a developing country, offering support and encouragement. This relationship impacts not only the child or aging friend but the sponsor as well.

They have attributed 330 people being sponsored as a result of the weekend visit to St. Columbkille. Last night some of our parishioners gathered to write letters to the person they are sponsoring.

Some of the kids drew or colored notes while others wrote Christmas letters for them. It was a fun way to think about their friends in other countries.

Thank you to everyone who came out!

Halloween at Sacred Heart Preschool

2011-11-06T11:39:00.000-08:00

Last week, our preschoolers were able to

wear their Halloween costumes to school.

Parents planned games,

... a special snack…

... and a craft.

It was fun to see our friends dressed in their costumes.

It was a fun day for our parents and preschoolers.

House Purchase

2011-11-05T12:23:00.000-07:00

With unanimous approval of the Pastoral Council and the Finance Council, the parish has purchased the house at 107 East 7th Street. This home is directly north of the parish office and next door to Fr. Damian's house. The owners approached us when they were interested in selling. In the short term we will be renting the home with those proceeds going towards the mortgage. The property will give us flexibility for the future.

A BASIC start

2011-11-04T07:05:00.000-07:00

An overflowing crowd was on hand last

Friday for the first session of BASIC.

Fr. Vogel and Dr. Gintaras Duda led this introductory

session on Faith, Science & Reason.

You can catch up on the first session at the BASIC

website, get the handouts and even sign up

for the BASIC email newsletter.

Session Two on the "History of Faith and Science"

will be Friday, December 3rd at 7 p.m. in the

Steinhausen Center. It is open to everyone.

Visiting Wel-Life

2011-11-03T07:16:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Wilson's 3rd grade class has been getting

to know residents at WEL-Life assisted living

in Papillion. They visited again last week.

They sang Halloween songs.

They read some of their stories.

The residents had some treats and snacks for them.

The students brought gifts as well.

It was a good time getting to know one another.

All Soul's Day

2011-11-02T08:17:00.000-07:00

In the 7th century monks decided to offer Mass the day after Pentecost for deceased community members. In the late 10th century the Benedictine monastery in Cluny moved their Mass for their dead to the day after All Saint's Day, November 2. The custom spread and in the 13th century, Rome put the feast on the Church Calendar of the entire Church.

In the nathex you can list people who should be prayed for this month. Tonight there will be a special Mass for deceased members of our community tonight at 7 p.m. in the church.

All Saint's Day

2011-11-01T06:38:00.000-07:00

Today is a celebration of all

saints known and unknown.

Today in our Opening Prayer we pray:

God our Father,

source of all holiness,

the work of your hands is manifested in your saints,

the beauty of your truth is reflected in their faith.

May we who aspire to have part in their joy

be filled with the Spirit that blessed their lives,

so that having shared their faith on earth

we may also know their peace in your kingdom.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Masses today are:

6:20 & 8:15 a.m., 12:10, 5:30 and 7 p.m.

Treat N Praying?

2011-10-31T15:48:00.000-07:00

In their Halloween costumes, the 5th grade

students from St. Columbkille Catholic

School visited Papillion Manor.

They had a good walk getting there.

Students each brought a prayer...

... which they gave to a resident.

That includes Claire who is 107 years old.

Besides meeting the residents ...

... the students also received candy.

One of the residents said that her three children attended our school. Today she says one is a lawyer, another is a scientist and the third works for the government. She says that their education at (then called) Sacred Heart Academy served them well. She prays that our students get the same great education.

Thank you Papillion

Manor for having us!

Pink Uniforms

2011-10-31T13:17:00.000-07:00

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness month,

today students & staff could pay to wear pink.

Scouting Out Vala's

2011-10-30T17:50:00.000-07:00

Some of our Scouts visited Valas where they

enjoyed a meal over a campfire and had some fun.

How will you grow your faith?

2011-10-29T06:35:00.000-07:00

This weekend is our Stewardship Renewal.

How do you plan to grow

your faith in the next year?

Papillion Fire Station

2011-10-27T05:30:00.000-07:00

Last week, our MWF preschoolers went on

a field trip to the Papillion Fire Station.

We learned a lot about fire safety.

We even had a chance to sit in a fire truck.

Thank you fire fighters for helping to keep us safe!

95 Years of School at St. Columbkille

2011-10-26T08:51:00.000-07:00

Our parish school was formally founded on February 24, 1916. In August the Benedictine Sisters of Atchison, Kansas arrived to teach, but the school wasn't done yet. They began classes in the church where students would sit on kneelers and use the pews as desks. October 12, 1916 was the first day of classes in the completed building.

Some of our alumni returned Sunday to celebrate 95 years.

Even the most recent alumni noticed changes.

Members of the Student Council gave tours. Dr. Cheryl Blue, our principal, was on hand to hear about the past and chat about the present and future.

It was great to gather. We realized we'll need to

start planning for the 100 year celebration in 2016.

On Retreat

2011-10-25T15:52:00.000-07:00

Fr. Damian is on retreat. He is not floating in the Dead Sea (as pictured above.) He is off at a cabin praying, sleeping and growing in his faith. He has said his retreats are when he feels he has some of his best prayers for parishioners. Please keep him in your prayers as well.

Rockin' the Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

Friday the Kindergarten students from St. Columbkille

Catholic School visited Vala's Pumpkin Patch.

We saw pigs race.

We saw a dragon that eats pumpkins.

There were rides.

We got to jump and play.

There were even pumpkins to pick.

It was a lot of fun.

Fashions have changed over 95 years

2011-10-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

We're not sure when this picture was taken, but evidently

there was once another uniform option for pants.

If you want to see the the changes at school since

we were so proud of this new technology:

come to the Open House at the

school today from 1:00 to 3:00.

Vocations Day

2011-10-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

The sixth grade students from St. Columbkille and many other Catholic Schools in the archdiocese gathered yesterday for Vocations Day.

Early on they learned the theme song.

Archbishop Lucas celebrated Mass

with the students and gave the homily.

Among those helping were High School students from Catholic Schools who led small groups as they went from session to session. A number of our alumni helped including students from Gross, Marian and Mercy.

In the sessions students had a chance

to interact with vowed religious.

A familiar face was speaking about

what it's like to be a diocesan priest.

Archbishop Lucas greeted students

as they lined up for lunch.

Before the gathering students took a test and some

of our students were recognized for their results.

We thank the organizers of Vocations Day for bringing

their faith and enthusiasm to sixth grade students.

Mandolfo Named MVC Defensive Player of the Week

2011-10-21T13:46:00.000-07:00

Creighton sophomore Julianne Mandolfo has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week after averaging 6.86 digs and 0.29 aces per set in two matches last weekend. This is the second honor in three weeks for Mandolfo, who earned similar recognition on October 3rd.

The St. Columbkille product began her weekend with a match-best 21 digs in Creighton’s 3-1 win over Bradley, which moved her from 12th to 10th in school history for career digs. Mandolfo leads the MVC with 5.85 digs per set, a figure that ranks among the top-10 averages nationally.

Congratulations Julianne!

Fr Vogel's book about the Mass

2011-10-21T07:57:00.000-07:00

Upon being ordained a transition deacon, then Deacon Vogel spent 53 Wednesdays sending an email to friends and family doing catechesis so they would understand what was happening at the Mass for his ordination. Not everyone he was mailing was Catholic nor even Christian, but they were people he wanted at his ordination and he hoped they would at least understand this better. Because the changes in the New Roman Missal were already forthcoming, he incorporated some of that into his messages as well.

At the end of the year he self published the book primarily for himself. Upon hearing that he wrote this, Fr. Vogel seemed surprised by the reaction of people who want to buy it. So he is making copies of this available in the Parish Office for $12.95 a copy. We hope to arrange a book signing party for this as well. He is donating the proceeds from this to the parish's forthcoming Source and Summit campaign to update our worship space.

Let the Flushing Begin

2011-10-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

The bathrooms are remodeled!

The Women's

The Men's

The new dryers are working.

Just make sure you use the proper door.

Thank you to the 2011 Columb's Ceili for
making this your Helping Hands project!

Congratulations Mr. Batter

2011-10-20T10:37:00.000-07:00

David Batter has accepted the teaching position of Director of Choral Activities at the University of Nebraska Omaha. He wasn't looking for another job, but felt this was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. We are delighted for him.

David will continue to direct the Adult Choir for now. When a new person is chosen he will assist them in the transition as well. Fr. Damian will put together a group of people as we do a national search for his replacement.