Thursday, February 28, 2013

Thank You Holy Father


Much has been said about Pope Benedict XVI and the legacy he has left the Church, much of it harsh.

He has been called a panzer, Rottweiler, and in kinder terms, an archconservative during his nearly eight years as pope and 25 years as prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Here are some of his own reflections, taken from the book “Let God’s Light Shine Forth; the Spiritual Vision of Benedict XVI,” edited by Robert Moynihan.

In a interview when he was prefect, the future pope was asked “Are they right . . . those who say that you are an ‘ultra-conservative’?”

“I would say the work is conservative,” Ratzinger replied, “in the sense that we must preserve the deposit of the faith, as Holy Scripture says. We must conserve it. But conserving the deposit of faith is always to nourish an explosive force against the powers of this world that threatens justice, and threatens the poor.”

“That sounds as if you are conservative and radical at once. But few would say that about you. Do you think you have been misunderstood?”

“By a certain part of the media, certainly, yes.”

“Does this cause you to suffer?”

“Up to a certain point, yes,” Ratzinger said. “But, on the other hand, I am a bit of a fatalist. The world is what it is. And it lives on the basis of simplified images . . .”

The book continued: “A deep contradiction has marked Benedict’s life. He wished to be a scholar, a man of books and study, yet he was compelled to give up scholarship and become a Church official, an administrator. All of the Church advancements he has obtained -- even this final one, to the throne of Peter -- have been against his own will for his life.

“The man who most influenced Benedict’s thought, St. Augustine, had a similar problem. ‘Augustine had chosen the life of a scholar,’ Benedict writes in his Memoirs, looking to Augustine’s life to understand his own. ‘But God had destined him to become a “beast of burden,” the sturdy ox who draws the cart of God in this world.’ Benedict saw that as his own fate as well: to be a type of ‘donkey’ or ‘pack animal,’ carrying the burdens God had set upon his back.”

I think the pope summarized his mission well when he selected this scriptural passage for his motto as a bishop and for his coat of arms, from the Third Letter of the Apostle John: “Co-workers of the truth.”

According to the book: “It is a motto that sums up his life work: to speak the truth in love, in season and out of season, against opposition and incomprehension, with humility and courage.”

Thank you, Holy Father, for your work in service of Truth.




Inspired by this Year of Faith we will be posting columns like this from Susan Szalewski about exploring and/or deepening our faith. Watch for it on Thursdays.




Prairie Club Golf Trip

Back by popular demand at Columb's Ceili Saturday…this is your chance to play 36-holes of golf at this semi-private club in an extraordinary setting that has been compared to the Sandhills. You will play two unique courses that will inspire you to become a devout believer in the game of golf if you aren’t already.

This package for up to eight (8) people includes two days of unlimited golf and one night’s lodging at the resort. Also included is deluxe round trip RV transportation to the resort, including food and beverage on the road and $500 clubhouse dining credit.

Who's In?

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

How will it work?

During the 8:15 Mass tomorrow Fr. Vogel may pray:

Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with Benedict our Pope and George our Bishop and all the clergy.

But, at the 5:30 Mass tomorrow, we won't have a pope. So what will Fr. Damian do?

Answer: He will skip that part. It won't be used until we do have a pope again, saying:

Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with George our Bishop and all the clergy.





Live Auction Item #4

Cheer on the Creighton Bluejays and be part of the Missouri Valley tournament's Arch Madness, March 7-10, as the Jays try to lock their bid for the NCAA tournament. We have your tickets and hotel rooms booked, all you have to do is pack your bags and hit the road for St. Louis. Don’t miss out on this exciting season for Creighton basketball.

The package available at Columb's Ceili Saturday night includes:
• Four (4) game tickets to the tournament, seating in the Creighton section
• Two (2) hotel rooms for 2-nights (Friday & Saturday)
• $250 travel voucher

So who are you going with?

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

An Evening with Justin Bieber or Fr Wee

How do you want to spend an evening?

In a suite of the Century Link Center
 for the sold out Justin Bieber concert?

Or enjoying an evening of pizza and
 ping pong on your new table?

Either is possible thank to Ceili
March 2, 2013
Embassy Suites

Monday, February 25, 2013

Cutting up Walls and Floors

The picture above was taken in the storage room of the Social Level of the church.

First part of the wall needed to come out of the way, then ...

... flooring needed to be cut out. There will be a hole 5'2" deep to hold the hydraulics for our elevator.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Studying Romans

Fr. Damian's Bible Study on Romans has just begun. 

But it's not too late to come.

The study is tomorrow (Monday) at 9 a.m.
 or 7 p.m. in the Steinhausen Center.



Saturday, February 23, 2013

Our Tabernacle Door's Twin

The Book of Kells is Ireland's greatest national art treasure. It is an illuminated manuscript that presents the Four Gospels in Latin accompanied by a dazzling array of decorative ornamentation, iconography and illustration. It was created by the monks of St. Columbkille's order and it is possible that St. Columbkille himself did some of the work.

Artist John Lajba suggested that one of the images from the Book of Kells be digitally painted onto brass for the chapel side door of our tabernacle.

That was not a simple task. You can't just scan a page from the Book of Kells. So first John had to acquire the best image he could get from Ireland. Then he oversaw the process of digitally enhancing the image to fully bring out the details of the image in the size we needed.

Before this was painted on brass, John did a test page of the same size for approval.

This "test sheet" has been framed and will be offered as an Auction Item at Columb's Ceili on Saturday, March 2nd. It truly is a one of a kind piece.

Friday, February 22, 2013

Great Weather for a Fish Fry

Right now people are preparing for our fish fry tonight. Here are a few pictures from last week.

We're open from 5 to 8 p.m. with the best fish fry in town.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Ask

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Thursday’s Gospel reading from St. Matthew invites us to give our needs and desires to God, and Jesus promises that He will answer our prayers.

But are some of the things we ask for too petty? Is it okay to pray that your sports team will win, that you will find a parking place, that you will pass a test at school? Should we bother God with the minutiae of our lives, when there are weightier things (the salvation of souls, world peace, etc.) for which to ask?

I think those questions are answered in a reflection contained in the monthly devotional Magnificat

“God takes delight in answering His people’s prayers, whether in great matters such as Queen Esther’s plea for the life of her people or in small daily needs. All He asks in return is our trust.”

I think trust is crucial here. When I pray for my favorite sports teams, a parking space for an oversized van or the success of my children at school, God often gives me what I want. (Of course I try to keep “Thy will be done” in mind.) When God answers my little prayers, He builds my trust in Him, teaching me to lean on Him in matters big and small. So that when I ask our Lord to bring souls to Heaven, heal the sick, and reconcile all that divides us, I know that He listens and cares.

For Jesus teaches us:

Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good things to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him.”


Inspired by this Year of Faith we will be posting columns like this from Susan Szalewski about exploring and/or deepening our faith. Watch for it on Thursdays.


Keepin' The Light On

The snow doesn't matter, we'll still have
 Reconciliation tonight from 5 to 7 p.m.



Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Get it at Ceili

A framed jersey signed by Bo Pelini and a Basketball signed by the Creighton men's team; these are just two of the great items available at Columb's Ceili this year. The celebration is Saturday, March 2nd at Embassy in La Vista.

Click here to register
or for more information

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Reporting on the Pope

Fr. Steve wasn't the only person from St. Columbkille to make it into the Omaha World Herald today. Parishioner Stephen Driscoll is interning with Catholic News Service in Rome as an Assistant Producer. It is a unique time to be in Rome with the retirement of Pope Benedict XVI and looking forward to a new pope.

Click here for the story

Coach Fr. Steve

The Omaha World Herald has an article on Fr. Steve's coaching vocation.

Click here to read

Monday, February 18, 2013

The Cardinal Tweets the Pope's Retreat

Fr. Vogel and Pope Benedict XVI are both on retreat this week, though Fr. Vogel claims they are on separate retreats.

The Lenten Retreat for Pope Benedict (and the papal staff) is being led by Gianfranco Cardinal Ravasi. One of the unusual aspect of this retreat is that Cardinal Ravasi is tweeting many of his meditations.

So you can pray along with Pope Benedict on his retreat by following Cardinal Ravasi on Twitter. You'll just have to ask Fr. Vogel about his retreat when he returns. (Evidently he isn't as tech savy on his retreat.)

And, by the way, you can also follow St. Columbkille on Twitter -- though we're just getting a handle on it.

The Feast of Blessed Fra Angelico

Today is the feast day of Blessed John of Fiesole who received the nickname Fra Angelico (or "Brother Angel) from his peers.

One of his first big projects was in Florence decorating the Dominican Monastery of San Marco. When he was called to Rome in 1445, he left the completion of the works to his assistants. But, before leaving, he completed one of his most beautiful works in a nondescript upstairs cell that may have been his own. It's an Annunciation painted high on the wall against the vaulted ceiling. Not a lavish rendition of the holy event it strikes us as deeply religious in its simplicity instead. Like the man who painted it, the scene can best be described as simply "holy." The angel Gabriel is positioned near the center of the arched composition, enlightening Mary of God's favor while off to the left, in one of several one-point perspective niches, stands Saint Dominic. The effect is that of a vision within a vision as Saint Dominic's prayers conjures up the vision of the angel and Mary and the whole painted scene is that of a vision seen by the occupant of the cell.

This image influenced John Lajba as he sculpted the angels which are on the inside of the sanctuary-side doors of our tabernacle. Their arms are, likewise, in a position of humility.

The image of the angel on the inside of the chapel-side door to our tabernacle is by Fra Angelico.

On The Roof

Early this morning, work was begun 
on the roof of the Education Center.

Some of the Furnace/Air units are being replaced.

With no school on President's Day,
 this was a great time for it.

Although the construction in the church has gotten most of the attention, there are maintenance items like this that are being kept up as well.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

The Next Steps

When the architect designed our church, the southeast door was primarily thought of as an emergency exit. Over time, it has become one of the primary ways in and out of the church. Part of the Source & Summit campaign is to redo this entrance. Among the ideas are a door with glass, an overhang to protect from weather and better steps.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Is Something Missing?

Yes, four pews are missing. 

They were damaged by the lift that one of our subcontractors had used. Yesterday our pew company took them for repair. Bill Heese is letting them know we would really like them back as soon as possible.