blessed sacrament parish community

BLESSED SACRAMENT PARISH COMMUNITY
518 W. State St., Grand Island, NE 68801
308-384-0532 Website: blsachurch.net
E-Mail: [email protected]
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Fifth Sunday of Lent
In our desire to trust God and follow
Jesus wherever He leads us, it's not
a sin to feel troubled about it.
what Jesus would like to do for
them, and we spread the good
news about this as a continuation
of the ministry of Jesus.
Yes, we do have to be willing to lose
our lives (i.e., our own agendas, our
own desires, our own ideas on what
we should do with our time, etc.) so
that we can unite ourselves to Christ
and His mission. However, we don't
have to like the loss.
The Gospel reading shows us that
Jesus felt troubled by the sacrifices
He would have to make. Yes, even Jesus Himself
felt troubled! And the Father glorified Him.
Jesus came to earth to reveal God's ways and God's
love and lead us to heaven. Now we, His followers,
are called, commissioned, and prepared by the
Sacraments to reveal God's ways and God's love to
those around us, so that Jesus can lead them to
heaven. That is the mission, the purpose of being
Church, for all of us – laity as well as clergy.
The Sacrament of Baptism initiates us into this
calling. Confirmation commissions us to do it.
Confession enables us to do it better. Marriage and
Holy Orders give us a venue for perfecting it. The
Anointing of the Sick converts our illnesses into
opportunities to bear witness to Christ's Passion.
And the Eucharist unites us so fully to the Passion of
Christ that we become what we are called to do.
This is our everyday ministry of evangelization: We
love others as Jesus loves them, we do for them
Often, this involves making
sacrifices and doing good to those
who reject us and scourge us and
crucify us or in any other way
cause us to suffer. This is our
unity with Christ, our Passion.
We're not supposed to like it, but
we are supposed to do it.
The Father honors us for this. Just like He glorified
Jesus, He honors us with His compassion, His
rewards, and His approval.
It's okay to feel troubled by the challenges we face
in our mission. What keeps us going is knowing that
God is raising us up. There is always resurrection
after crucifixion.
Reflect & Discuss:
1. What troubles are you facing? Where is Jesus in
this? Is He ahead of you, leading the way? Are you
following Him?
2. How do you feel hearing Jesus admit, "I am
troubled now?”
3. When you make sacrifices for others, how does
this connect you more closely to the human heart of
Jesus?
4. How does the Father honor you as you serve in
Christ's mission?
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Sun., March 22
Jer 31:31-34
Ps 51:3-4, 12-15
Heb 5:7-9
John 12:20-33
Mon., March 23
Dan 13:41c-62
Ps 23:1-6
John 8:1-11
Tues., March 24
Num 21:4-9
Ps 102:2-3, 16-21
John 8:21-30
Wed., March 25
Annunciation of
the Lord
Isaiah 7:10-14;
8:10
Ps 40:7-11
Heb 10:4-10
Luke 1:26-38
Thurs., March 26
Gen 17:3-9
Ps 105:4-9
John 8:51-59
Fri., March 27
Jer 20:10-13
Ps 18:2-7
John 10:31-42
Sat., March 28
Ezk 37:21-18
Jer 31:10-13
John 11:45-56
Hello Church! This has
been a big week. We
continue to pray for our
Diocese as we welcome
Bishop Hanefeldt.
Thanks to the 50 plus
folks who showed up yesterday morning to pack high
protein food packets to feed the hungry as part of the
Stop Hunger Program. We accomplished a specific
task for a specific need. May the awareness and
growth in discipleship for those who participated
extend long beyond the day. Thanks! I appreciate
you.
Easter is coming. If Lent has not been as good for
you as you would like, there’s still time for a strong
finish. Take part in the liturgies in these next days.
Attend our Parish Reconciliation Service. Pick-up
the Little Black Book and invest six minutes a day in
reflection and prayer. It is still possible to make this
Lent good and growth-filled.
There is an opportunity to share your talent with
our Parish that I would like to share. We give prayer
shawls to the sick and dying. A prayer shawl is a
knitted piece that a person can wrap around them in
order to keep warm. A prayer shawl also brings an
awareness of the prayers and love of the Parish
community. Do you know how to knit? Would you
be willing to be on call when we have a need for
prayer shawls? If you can help, contact Mary Miller,
our Parish Nurse.
Peace, Fr. Todd
Weekend Mass Schedule
Saturday – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday – 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
Weekday Mass Schedule
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday – 12:05 p.m.
Friday – 7:00 a.m.
Friday - 7:00 p.m. – Evening Vespers &
Stations of the Cross
Reconciliation
Wednesday – 11:30 a.m.-Noon
Saturday – 10:30-11:30 a.m.
or by appointment
Our Deepest Sympathy
to the Family of:
RUBY REMPE
MAY SHE REST IN PEACE!
OUR GIFTS OF TREASURE
March 14/15, 2015
Adult Envelopes
Plate
Children’s
$ 7,655.00
336.14
53.50
Diocesan Appeal
Our Goal
Pledged to Date (151)
Received to Date
$96,905.00
33,063.00
28,909.00
Please remember the following
individuals in your prayers,
who are experiencing serious
health problems/issues:
Elna Gappa Anna Blake
Larry Palacz Pat Myers
Elizabeth Webster Genevieve Merrick
Scott Miller Andy Buhrman
Merlin Yosten
John Pedrosa, Sr.
Don Jarzynka Lori Walz Marion Schutte
James Lentz Leisa Gracia Kristine Bussinger
Kalyn Rodriguez Ruth Noziska
Rosetta Reimers Joyce Stobbe
Sharon Koperski Michael A. Lopez
Rose Ann Anderson Blanche Janulewicz
Terri Waskowiak Bernardine Ferguson
Glorene Harders Jerry Lammers
Let us know if you, or an immediate family
member, are experiencing a serious health issue and
wish to be included on this list.
WEEKDAY MASS
& INTENTIONS SCHEDULE
Tuesday, March 24, 12:05 p.m. –
Herman & Aileen Schafer
Wednesday, March 25, 12:05 p.m. –
Family
Thursday, March 26, 12:05 p.m. –
Richard Rech
Friday, March 27, 7:00 a.m. –
Alvin Reimers
Saturday, March 28, 5:30 p.m. –
Parish Family
Sunday, March 29, 8:00 a.m. –
Tim Philipsen
Sunday, March 29, 10:00 a.m. –
Therese Muchow
WEEK’S ACTIVITIES
Sunday, 3/22
10:00 a.m. - RCIA Third Scrutiny
9:00 a.m. - Children’s Choir Practice
10:00 a.m. - Children’s Choir Sings
Monday, 3/23
5:30 p.m. - Yoga
Tuesday, 3/24
6:30 a.m. - Men’s Early Morning
Tuesday Group
1:00 p.m. - Quilting
7:00 p.m. - AA & Alanon Meetings
7:30 p.m. - Knights of Columbus
Meeting
Wednesday, 3/25 10:30 a.m. - Scripture Study
5:00 p.m. - Rel. Ed. Grades P-5
5:00 p.m. - Adult Enrichment
6:15 p.m. - Rel. Ed. Grades P-5
7:00 p.m. - RCIA
7:00 p.m. - Adult Choir Practice
7:30 p.m. - Rel. Ed. Grades 6-8
7:30 p.m. - Adult Enrichment
7:30 p.m. - Freshmen Godparent
Group
7:30 p.m. - Sophomore Godparent
Group
Thursday, 3/26
10:00 a.m. - Fr. Ron Rolheiser
Lent Program
1:00 p.m. - Quilting
5:30 p.m. - RCIA Adapted for
Children
7:00 p.m. - Fr. Ron Rolheiser
Lent Program
Friday, 3/27
Going Bananas for Jesus XVIII
7:00 p.m. - Evening Vespers &
Stations of the Cross
Saturday, 3/28
Going Bananas for Jesus XVIII
10:00 a.m. - Alanon Meeting
Sunday, 3/29
Going Bananas for Jesus XVIII
Palm Sunday
Parish Outreach Collection
10:00 a.m. - Senior Mass &
Brunch
7:00 p.m. - Penance Service at
Blessed Sacrament
SAVE THE DATE! It’s that time of year again. The
Women’s Spring Thing will be coming up. We just
wanted you to be sure to save the date: Tuesday,
May 5, starting at 6:00 p.m. in the Jubilee Center. Be
sure to tell all your friends in the area. We hope to
see you there.
Liturgical Ministers:
Please sign-up in the
Gathering Area for Holy Week and Easter Masses.
RELIGIOUS FORMATION NEWS
 Senior Mass & Brunch, March 29, 10:00 a.m. Mass,
with brunch immediately following in the Jubilee
Center. Seniors and their families are invited to attend.
Edgar Barge Memorial Scholarship Winners will be
announced at this time.
 No Classes during Easter Vacation on April 1.
 R.C.I.A. Potluck Picnic, April 8, 7:00 p.m., Jubilee
Center. All R.C.I.A. class members and their families are
invited to attend. Please bring a salad, vegetable dish
or dessert. We will provide the fried chicken, along
with drinks and table service. Phone in your
reservation to Deb Wetzel at 395-8521, no later
than April 1.
 Higher Ground: Our diocesan summer program for
youth is now accepting applications. If you are about to
complete your sophomore, junior or senior year in high
school, or if you are at least one year out of high school,
Higher Ground has a program just for you! Please call
Deb Wetzel at 395-8521 for online registration
instructions. The cost of the week is $150, which
includes a t-shirt. If you are a registered member of
Blessed Sacrament Parish, we will pay half of the
registration fee ($75) for you to attend. Financial
assistance is also available based on need, through the
Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office. Non-refundable
round-trip bus fare is $80. The 2015 schedule follows:
Higher Ground - Ft. Robinson, Crawford
WK 1: May 24-29, 2015
WK 2: May 31-June 5, 2015
WK 3: June 7-12, 2015
Higher Ground II – Camp Norwesca, Chadron
WK 1: May 24-29, 2015
WK 2: May 31-June 5, 2015
Higher Ground College Retreat
Nebraska State 4-H Camp, Halsey
WK 1: May 18-23, 2015
(There is no bus service for this week.)
 Registration for Vacation Bible School, now through
May 3. Resurrection and Blessed Sacrament will be
hosting a joint Vacation Bible School the week of June
1-5 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for children age four to
those just completing the 5th grade. Cost for the week
is $25.00 per child, with a maximum charge of $60.00
per family. Parents volunteering to help with the week
will not be charged.
Early registration highly
recommended, as children accepted on a first-come,
first-serve basis. Please contact Deb Wetzel at 3958521 to register.
 Support Our Young Neighbors in Action Mission Trip,
purchase stock in our young people to help fund this
trip to the Omaha Winnebago Indian Reservation. Each
share of stock costs $10.00. You may purchase as many
shares as you’d like. We will have a stockholders’
meeting when our youth return from the reservation
this summer so that they can report back to you their
experiences. Contact Deb Wetzel at 395-8521 for more
information.
Welcomed into the Christian
Community through Baptism:
KAITLIN ISABEL,
daughter of
Kyle M. Payne, Sr. & Renee L. Zelasney.
Red Cross Bloodmobile: Good Friday,
April 3, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. If you
would like an appointment, please call
Mary Phelan at 382-0311, or you may
also go online at redcross.org.
We pray for the following
parishioners, who are
currently serving in the
military:
Jason Sands Bryan Hulit
Jeff Bellamy Eric Mohnike
Chad Brown Heather Rempe Steven Schwartz
Riley Allen Shawn Ruzicka Kevin Donovan
John G. Frankenberg Alex Witmer
Food Pantry: Thanks to all of you who have helped
with the Food Pantry. We are in need of: peanut
butter, jelly, tuna, canned chicken, tuna and chicken
helpers, canned vegetables, cereal, pasta, pasta
sauce, canned milk and powdered milk. If you can
once again help, we would greatly appreciate it.
Children’s Choir Practice sings the fourth Sunday
of each month. Practice October – May, every
Sunday from 11:10-11:45 and sing at the 10:00 a.m.
Mass on April 5, April 26 & May 24 (practice at 9:00
a.m.). Summer Practice only at 9:00 a.m. before
Mass, and sing on June 28, July 26, August 23 and
September 17. No weekly practice June-September.
Weekly practices begin October 4.
PARISH THRIFT STORE - 4th & Eddy Streets
Gross Sales, 3/14/15 - $1,075.51
Donations are accepted Mondays, Fridays &
Saturdays, from 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
If you are interested in helping at the Thrift Store,
please call Connie at 384-5508,
or the Thrift Store at 398-3443.
Blessed Sacrament Preschool: Registration for the
2015-2016 preschool year is under way. There are
openings in the 4/5 year old Tues/Wed/Thurs PM
class and 4/5 year old Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs PM
class. Registrations may be picked up in the
preschool office or on the website at
www.blsachurch.net.
Blessed Sacrament Parish has an
opening for a part-time Director of
Maintenance. Position is a maximum
of 25 hours per week. The job
involves general maintenance and being a “fix-it”
person. The job requires people skills and the ability
to coordinate outside contractors and volunteers.
The job is part-time, and the hours can be flexible.
However, there are times and situations which
require prompt availability. For an application,
please contact the Parish Office.
Coffee & Rolls: We are in need of individuals to
serve coffee and rolls on Sundays after the 8:00 a.m.
and 10:00 a.m. Masses. You don’t have to do it every
weekend, but sign-up for the weekend that you want
to help. If you are interested, please contact the
Parish Office at 384-0532.
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Where do you live? Come and see. With that invitation,
Jesus draws the first disciples to himself. They have
heard of him, but that’s not enough. They want to know
him.
It’s interesting that in the earliest three gospels--called the Synoptics because they tell the story with the
same eye―Jesus calls the disciples away from their
fishing boats and into public life with him. But in John’s
gospel the first disciples seek him first. They approach
him, and he invites them to come and see.
What a great Lenten message for us. The spiritual life
is
sometimes
illuminated
with
“God
encounters”―moments when we feel the Holy Spirit
alive in us, and we joyfully respond. This was the
experience of Peter, James and John when Jesus found
them and called them.
But most of our spiritual lives―which is to say, our
real lives―is spent actively seeking Christ, positioning
ourselves so that we may encounter him where he lives.
So that’s our great, soul-stirring quest. Do you have a
place of encounter with him, where you find the Holy
Spirit every time you go there? Some friends find Christ
every time they serve a meal to those who are homeless.
Others seek him where he lives by living and working in
the most challenging places in the developing world.
For me, any school where children are safe and happy
is where Christ seems to dwell in delightful abundance.
But I know that I must come and see him in the schools
where children are hungry, and not safe. As Mother
Teresa said, “There is Christ in his most distressing
disguise.”
Where do you go to find Christ where he lives?
www.thestoryandyou.com
Kathy McGovern 2015
Catholic Relief Services: Thank you for your generous
support of the Catholic Relief Services Collection.
Through your generosity, families will be reunited,
valuable skills will be taught to those seeking a better life,
and vital humanitarian needs will be met. Please visit
www.usccb.org (search “Catholic Relief Services
Collection”) to learn how your donations make a
difference and help Jesus in disguise.
Online Giving is one option we have for sharing our gift
of treasure with our Parish. Many folks are paying their
bills online. Online Giving is like online bill pay. It is
safe, secure and allows you to consistently give to your
Parish, even when you are out of town. You can set-up
Online Giving by going to our Parish website
(www.blsachurch.net) and clicking on the Online Giving
icon.
Online Giving is a way you can give off the top at the
beginning of the month when you are paying your other
important bills. Our Parish does a lot of good for a lot of
people in some very fundamental ways. Online Giving is
a way you can support the ministry of our Parish.
Electronic Fund Transfer is another way that you can
have funds transferred from your bank account to the
Parish. To set-up Electronic Fund Transfer, you can fill
out a form in the Parish Office that will be processed by
your bank.
EVENTS HAPPENING ELSEWHERE
Lenten Brown Bag Talk: Wednesday, Noon-1:00 p.m.,
St. Mary’s Cathedral Square. Guests are invited to bring
their sack lunches; drinks will be provided. This year’s
final speaker and topic is:
March 25 – Fr. Richard Piontkowski –
The Second Coming/Book of Revelation
Paschal Triduum Retreat: April 1-5, Benedictine
Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery, Yankton, South
Dakota. Come, enter the silence and experience the rich
liturgies of Holy Week with the monastic community of
the Benedictine Sisters. This silent retreat begins Holy
Thursday afternoon and ends on Easter Sunday.
Conferences on the meaning and symbolism of each day
and liturgical event are optional. For more information,
please
go
to
their
web
page
at
www.yanktonbenedictines.org/center-events. To register, email [email protected] or call 605668-6292.
Catholics Encounter Christ (CEC): Join us for a threeday weekend where you will experience how God’s grace
works within you and how you can share this grace with
others. Songs, prayers and talks presented by clergy and
laity will inspire, educate and motivate. Also along the
way, you may have some laughs. The weekend starts
Friday evening at Camp Comeca, south of Cozad, and
concludes Sunday evening. Men’s Weekend: April 1012. Brochure and registration form can be found at
http://bit.ly/cecne2015.
Tapping the Source of Married Love—Exploring
Ways of Praying Together: April 11-12, Saint Benedict
Center, Schuyler. Speakers: Laura Baum-Parr & Mary
Jo Pedersen. Spend time with your loved one exploring
the many ways prayer can accompany you in married life.
This relaxing retreat for couples includes presentations
regarding possibilities for prayer within the Catholic
Christian tradition. You will have the opportunity to pray
individually, and as a couple, in those ways to which you
feel drawn. The retreat includes a candlelight dinner on
Saturday and ends Sunday with an opportunity for
Reconciliation and Eucharist. For more information, or
to register, please call 402-352-8819.
Central Catholic News

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

On the Third Day He Rose Again: April 1-5, Saint
Benedict Center, Schuyler. Speaker: Fr. Voker Futter.
You are invited to join the Benedictine monks of Schuyler
in their prayer and worship during the “Three Holy Days.”
Times of silence, meditation, and talks will help you focus
on the mystery of Christ’s passion and resurrection and on
how it informs and forms our lives.
For more
information, or to register, please call 402-352-8819.

Crusader Eat Out Nights: Come and support Grand
Island Central Catholic by eating out at Buffalo Wild
Wings on April 13 & May 4 where a percentage goes
back to GICC. Pick-up a coupon from school or show
an electronic version on your phone.
Bill Dunn Book: Have you read it? It’s good! If you
have not yet purchased the wonderful collection of
Bill Dunn’s sketches, you can still do so. Remember,
a portion of these proceeds come back to Central
Catholic to his memorial fund. Books can be
purchased at the Grand Island Independent. They
make great gifts for Christmas or birthdays.
Karnival Kapers: Sunday, April 19. Volunteers are
needed. If you would like to volunteer to help, please
call Karen Kulp at 379-1036 or Peg Harders at 3792802. Salads, cakes and baked goods are needed and
can be brought to the school on April 18 from 10:00
a.m.-Noon. Glassware is also neeeded for the money
toss game. Carry-out and delivery dinners are
available by calling the school at 384-2440 by April
18, from 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Once Upon a Mattress: GICC’S major production
will be held March 27-29. Co-Directors are Steve
Spencer and Norbert Wenzl. The Accompanist is
Teri Osborn, and Jeannee Mueller is producing the
show.
Yearbooks/Memory Books: Students can purchase
books in the cafeteria during the lunch mod or during
mod 8 in Room 103.
Cost:
High School
Books/$50.00; Middle School Books/$20.00.