A STEWARDSHIP CONFERENCE (The Future of Our Rural Parishes...) will be held in McCook on Saturday, February 28, 2009 from 2:00-6:00pm. Les Mach of the Planned Giving Office of the Lincoln Diocese is arranging speakers. Mass at 6:00pm with Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz will close the conference. Please mark your calendars for this event.
THE SCHOOL LUNCH KITCHEN - needs a good, used microwave oven.
THE ALTAR SOCIETY - voted to donate $750.00 to Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House to help them replace the boiler (heating system). Total project cost is $75,000.
PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS - The Parish Council is an advisory board, with no administrative powers, that works to advise the pastor about many aspects of parish life, -- finances, adult & child education, buildings & grounds, and liturgical, to name a few. Parish Council members need to be hard workers who are ready to find and implement solutions if there is a problem; need to be able to get others involved in the solutions; and need to set the example for others. They should be dedicated Catholics, involved, prayerful, advocates of Catholic education (school, CCD, CYO), and team players. The members of the Council serve the parish for three years. Nominations for three new Council members are needed. Election will be held Saturday/Sunday, December 6 & 7th.
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING - Tuesday, November 25th, 7:00pm in the School Library.
AGENDA:
1) Nominations for new members
2) Community Dinner (January)
3) Order next set of CD's (pick topics)
4) Stewardship Conference
5) Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
6) HVAC update
7) Seven Steps for Financial Freedom Bible Study
A HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE - to encounter the land Christ walked will take place August 2-13, 2009. Fr. Rand Langhorst will serve as Director in union with the sponsoring agency, Tekton Ministries, $3,100 from Omaha, double occupancy, includes breakfast, supper, tips, and transportation in the Holy Land. You will only need extra money for souvenirs and lunches. If you have any interest please contact Fr. Rand for a brochure by email at otcerand@hotmail.com or by mail to: Pilgrimage, St. Vincent de Paul Church, 152 Pinewood Ave., Seward, Nebraska 68434.
PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED - for Pastor Chris Atkins of McCook's Evangelical Free Church. This past week Chris was diagnosed with a brain tumor and he and his wife have gone to Dallas, Texas for further diagnosis, possible surgery and other treatment.
A WELCOME DINNER - for Fr. Peter will be held on Sunday, November 23rd following the 10:00am Mass at Sacred Heart Church.
CYO MEMBERS ARE SELLING - personalized, decorated cake pans, pie pans and other baking pans and utensils as a fund raiser for their upcoming ski trip. These items would make great Christmas gifts. Contact any CYO member, freshmen through senior, if you wish to see a brochure, or contact Chris Carfield at 345-6623.
OUR CCD CLASSES - are in full swing with our volunteer teachers and approximately 80 students this year. In an effort to make our program the best it can be, we find that some of the media and materials used to instruct these students need to be updated. Some examples of our needs include new books on the lives of the saints, videos, and the supplemental materials to enhance the existing curriculum. We realize that at this time of year there are a lot of demands on your time and bank accounts, but any donations that you can make to our program would be greatly appreciated. Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so by putting it in an envelope marked CCD program and dropping it into the weekly collection basket at Mass. Thank you for your consideration to our program.
COLLECTION FOR CLOISTERED SISTERS - Annually a collection on Thanksgiving Day is taken to help support the work of the Pink Sisters in Lincoln and the Carmelite Sisters in Agnew, NE. These Sisters support our Diocese with their contemplative lives and constant hours of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Please be generous in your support of these Holy Women. An envelope is included in your boxed set for your contribution.
HOLIDAY DINNER - The holidays can be a lonely time or a struggle financially. In an effort to help ease these burdens a little, St. Patrick Church will host a holiday dinner on Sunday, January 4th in the Church basement. This feast includes ham, potatoes, vegetables, roll and dessert, plus ample time for visiting with others. A second collection will be taken up Saturday/Sunday, December 13/14 to help defray the cost of this meal. Personal invitations will be sent out to many names being compiled on a list. If you know of someone who should be invited to this dinner, Catholic or not, please contact the Rectory. R.S.V.P by Friday, December 30th. Help will be needed for cooking, serving, greeting, decorating, desserts, salads, clean up, advertising, etc. Watch the bulletin for more details.