Shannon & FOCUS

At the beginning of January, parishioner Shannon Zucher moved to Chicago to serve the students at the University of Illinois—Chicago. As a FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionary, she is serving in FOCUS’s second year at UIC.

She sent us the following pictures & comments:

My new team at UIC from left to right. Genevieve, also from Nebraska. Mark is from Minnesota. Matt is from Peoria, Illinois. Joy was at UIC last semester and was married in December. She moved to her now husband’s campus to continue her work as a missionary. I am the last one on the right. Genevieve, Mark, and Matt have all served on UIC’s campus for a year and a half! They have really welcomed me and are teaching me a lot about how to be a better missionary.

A group of students from UIC at FOCUS National Conference. Bernadette is in yellow and is one of my disciples. I just asked her to start this mentor relationship 3 weeks ago!

This is me with my small group from a Koinonia retreat put on by the students at the UIC John Paul II Newman Center. This was a very powerful retreat and I was very excited to get to know all the students really well!

Shannon has these prayer requests:
· For the students at UIC. That they would be open to the gospel message.
· For my team at UIC
· That I would trust more completely in the Lord and allow His will to be done.
· For the sanctity of family life and marriage.
· For the girls in my bible study at UIC, and for my disciples Cathy and Bernadette.
· For an end to abortion.
I pray for you and your intentions daily, please email me specific intentions that you would like me to pray for.

Schlitterbahn Waterpark Getaway

At the Ceili bid on this getaway to the hottest waterpark in Kansas City. This package includes four (4) admissions to Schlitterbahn Vacation Village Waterpark and a $100 Visa gift card.

Supporting Our Sister School

Here Fr. Damian is pictured with some students in Guatemala.

Each Tuesday during Lent, students who donate at least 50 cents to our sister school can wear jeans to school.

Snacks

After each night of the mission there have been snacks. Monday they were provided by the Women's Guild. On Tuesday they were served by members of TEEN Faith.

Last night the School Advisory Council provided popcorn and M & Ms served in bags decorated by students.




We thank all three groups that helped us relax afterwards and spend time as a parish family.

Lunch with ValLimar

Some fo the parish staff were able to have lunch with ValLimar yesterday. She said, "It is so great to visit a parish where you can just see the love people have for one another as part of their parish family."

When asked what the after effects of her mission typically are, she said, "It continues. Largely because the children insist on continuing it."

It was also a good chance to quiz ValLimar on what she sees being done around the country and how we can do a better job of fulfilling our parish mission to "Go and Make Disciples."

We thank ValLimar for the wonderful job she did leading her portion of our parish mission. It continues tonight with our Parish Reconciliation Service.

6:15 Mass

7:00 Reconciliation Service

Live Auction Item # 4

Last Chance at the 'Blatt!

College World Series Tickets & Tailgate

Four reserved tickets in Section T, Row 4, lowere reserved section, third baseline, for one game of your choice on 6/23/10 to 6/25/10.

Game Package includes a tailgate party before the game complete with food and drinks.

Don't let the last season of the men's College World Series at the famed Rosenblatt Stadium pass you by!

And the winner is...

Sue White-Hamilton

Before the Parish Mission tonight, we drew a name for two free tickets to Columb's Ceili on Saturday, March 6th at Embassy Suites in La Vista.

Congratulations Sue!

Now you can go ahead and reserve your place for an evening of Friendship, Fellowship & Fun! Simply e-mail ceili@saintcolumbkille.org and let us know how many people will be in your party.

Parish Mission

Yesterday morning ValLimar Jansen, our

mission leader, met with our school students.

She got them to interact with one another,

including showing them how to properly offer the
sign of peace. She also emphasized the important
role they play, in the assembly, during Mass.

She taught them songs using various
prayer positions and actions.


The room was full of energy and power.

Last night she led the Parish Mission for the rest of us.

In addition to interactive singing

there was animated storytelling

as she told the story of creation.

She also asked the students from the morning

to come forward and lead the rest in a couple songs.

About eighty of them did.

The mission continues tonight with

Mass at 6:15

and the Mission at 7:00.

Mardi Gras Party

Just before Lent the Conversational Dinner

groups all gathered for one larger party.

This is a ministry where fun people gather on months where

they can and simply get to know one another.

More folks are always welcome.

Changing Seasons, Changing Banners

This pair of 4th graders were among those taking down the banners that hang around our campus.

Thanks guys!

ValLimar is here

See her at Mass this weekend.

The Parish Mission begins Monday at 7:00 p.m.

Come early at 6:15 p.m. for Mass.

Theology of the Body - For Teens

Theology of the Body for Teens answers question about sexual morality, your body, and how you were uniquely created for greatness. It uses a dynamic mix of stories, real life examples, activities, prayers, and relevant references to culture.

It is for 9th to 12th grade students and starts today at 7:00 p.m. It is in the TEEN Faith Center and is free.

Ash Wednesday

In today's Gospel:

Jesus said to his disciples:“Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streetsto win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you,they have received their reward.But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you,they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room,close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance,so that they may appear to others to be fasting.Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.But when you fast,anoint your head and wash your face,so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

Jesus said "When you give alms ... when you fast ... when you pray ..."

He didn't say,"If..."

Mardi Gras

The colors of Mardi Gras—purple,

green and gold—in order signify

justice, faith and power.

"I heard that Mardi Gras has something to do with Lent. How can that be?"

Mardi Gras means 'Fat Tuesday' in French. For those who fasted by severely restricting their diets, the Tuesday before the beginning of Lent was the last chance to 'eat-up' until Easter. They celebrated with food in a big way. The secular world has seized upon this day as an excuse to 'party hard' . . . much like the commercialization of Christmas."

"Why should I observe Lent? What purpose would it serve?"

It is a call to prepare for Easter. During this period of serious reflection, you spend time in self-examination and spiritual redirection. It is a time for you to acknowledge your shortcomings and to seek forgiveness for where you have fallen in your faith. Lent offers you the opportunity to seek spiritual renewal through the practice of prayer and self-denial.

"Why ashes [on Ash Wednesday]?"

The people of the Old Testament used ashes as a sign of mourning (Esther 4:1-3, Job 42:6, Jeremiah 6:26). Even today, ashes are considered a symbol of death and of nothingness. Ashes remind us of our helplessness and dependence on God. They remind us of our need to mourn our sinful nature, to feel contrition, and to repent so that we may receive God’s forgiveness. They are a symbol of sinfulness and of our commitment to spiritual renewal.

Scout Sunday

February 7th was Scout Sunday.

After Mass medals were given to a number of our young men.

Congratulations!

Happy Valentine's Day

On Friday the school celebrated Valentine's Day.

Some classes made fancy boxes to hold their valentine.

Some made flowers ...

... or crowns.

They enjoyed giving each other valentines.
And getting some candy.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Scholarships Awarded

On Thursdays both 8th grade classes came met as representatives from Duchesne, Gross, Creighton Prep, Mercy, and Mount Michael came and gave nine scholarships to our students.

We're delighted to see that they have recognized

what a great group of students we have.

Teachers vs 8th Grade

A week ago today, as a finishing touch to Catholic Schools Week, there was the annual volleyball match with Teachers versus 8th Graders. There were excited spectators cheering on both sides.

There was a constant rotation of Teachers and 8th Graders in the match.

And there was a lot of action!

In the end, the teachers were victorious.

(of course, they win ever year.)

But with the volume in the gym,

the wisest might have been those with cotton in their ears.