Conversational Dinners

Every active parish should have new ministries popping up and one new ministry at St. Columbkille is called:

This will be an opportunity for parishioners to get to know one another better. People can sign up to participate in the months that work for them. Then they will be paired together with others to create a dinner of eight. The group will determine when they will meet and what type of a meal: easy or elegant; banquet or barbeque. Dinners start in August but you can sign up now by emailing dinnersfor8@gmail.com.

Hour of Power

In Advent and Lent members of T.E.E.N. Faith led the parish in an hour of prayer which included Eucharistic Adoration, Benediction, Contemporary Music. It is a gift to the parish that our youth lead us in this faith event.

First Communions - Part I

Last weekend a number of Second Graders made their First Communion. On Saturday they gathered for instructions and practice.


After Fr Damian gave some instuctions on how to receive the Eucharist, they lined up and practiced. This included allowing them to taste unconsecrated bread and wine so they wouldn't be surprised by the taste at their First Communion.

Congratulations to the First Communicants and their families. Thank you to everyone who helped make this a memorable time. The rest of the Second Graders will make their First Communion this weekend.

Science & Solar Power

In Sixth Grade students studied how, many parts of the world, people must find ways to harness solar energy to heat their water. Thus sprang and expirement where students worked to see how much they could heat up water using some simple aids like aluminum foil.

Tomorrow they will discuss what worked, what didn't, and why.

Preparing the Soil

To the north of the north parking lot, there will be grass. First the soil is being prepared and grass planted and watered until the grass is the end result.
Jesus often used parables about events like this to ask if we are preparing ourselves to receive the seed of Christ, nourish it, and someday have it visible to all?
A lot of work is put into our parish grounds. We want to help people realize they are in the presence of Christ at Mass. Part of that is seeing the beauty in God's creation as they arrive at the church campus and enter the building. We appreciate everyone who helps in this ministry.

Arbor Day in Papillion

For the 20th consecutive year Papillion was recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. After Mayor James E. Blinn read the proclamation, The Papillion Junior Women's Club recognized ten area Fourth Graders in their poster contest.

Five of the ten honored are from St. Columbkille parish. Of the top five places, three winners atttend St. Columbkille School. In addition, two of the five Honorable Mention winners are also members of the parish. Congratulations to all of you!

There was even a chance to plant some trees on this Arbor Day.

Spring Tea

Wednesday the Kindergarten students got to invite one Special Person to their Spring Tea. They met at their classroom and attended Mass together. Then in the Steinhausen Center, they introduced their Special Person to everyone, sang some songs & recited a poem, served their guest and went back to get some cookies and lemonade for themselves. It was a great day for the Kindergarteners and their guests.

Administrative Professionals Day

Today we honor the people who keep the parish running smoothly. Pictured top left is Judy Lauber along with (clockwise) Chris Essink, Connie Svendsen, and Sonja Puszewski. Thank you for everything you do all year long!

7 Questions about Appointing Bishops

When Archbishop Eldon Francis Curtiss turned 75 in June of 2007, he submitted his resignation. Fr. Joseph Taphorn is the Chancellor for the Omaha Archdiocese and he was kind enough to answer some questions about the process that takes place when a new Archbishop is chosen.

1. At the Chrism Mass, Archbishop Curtiss said this would be the last time he blessed the oils for the diocese. Does that mean that a new archbishop is imminent? Or anytime in the next year?
Fr. Taphorn: I think it safe to expect a new archbishop sometime this spring or summer, hence, +EFC’s comment.

2. It was almost two years ago that Archbishop Curtiss offered his resignation. How long can it take between a bishop resigning and a successor being named?
The general timeframe is 1-2 years.

3. Who gives advice to the Pope on the naming of a new Bishop? How is that done?
The papal nuncio in Washington DC prepares a list of 3 candidates. Eventually that list is reviewed by the Congregation of Bishops. If it survives that review, it would be given to the pope. The pope is free to choose from the 3, or make his own choice, or send the list back and ask for more information or more possible names.

4. Is there a special time when new bishops are named?
No particular time is special to name one.

5. What is the typical time frame between someone finding out he is being appointed and it being publicly announced?
The man himself would probably know 2-4 weeks ahead of the public announcement. He has to accept the appointment willingly—he can’t be forced to accept it.

6. When a new archbishop for Omaha is announced, will it be announced by Archbishop Curtis, the Vatican, or the new Archbishop?
The announcement technically comes from Rome, but we will coordinate with them and the USCCB [United States Conference of Catholic Bishops] and have a simultaneous release go out—usually 5 am on the day local time (noon Rome time). There will be a press conference called for that morning and +EFC will introduce his successor.

7. How long will it be between the new archbishop being announced and him physically being in the diocese?
He will have up to 2 months to move here and be installed.

Thank you Fr. Taphorn!

Confirmation

Sunday afternoon Bishop Milone presided at two confirmation services. Within this sacrament, the candidates receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This is not a gift for them, but for the Church. As time passes, some of these gifts will be unwrapped as they are needed. We look forward to dicovering the gifts as they are unleashed in the years ahead. Congratulations to the 147 who were confirmed!

(Bishop Milone's homily is now on the homily podcast page of www.saintcolumbkille.org)

Divine Mercy Sunday

Today was set aside by Pope John Paul II as Divine Mercy Sunday. Interestingly, when he died it was the evening before this Sunday. It is a time when the faithful are asked to attend Mass, go to Confession and pray for the Holy Father's intentions within 20 days of this Sunday in order to receive the promises of Jesus.

Bikers Welcome

Thanks to the Parish Nurses, you now have a place to park if you ride your bike to the church. It is on the north side of the courtyard.

Fr Wee on Husker Football

As the Spring Game hits, it seems an appropriate time time to recall the kick in the Nebraska Colorado game ...


... and Fr Wee's subsequent homily about it.

http://www.saintcolumbkille.org/generalinfo/mp3/replay/20081130HomilyFrDamienWee.mp3

Father Garry improving

Fr Garry Welsh, who had been an Associate Pastor at St. Columbkille a few years ago, escaped from his rectory which was in flames on April 2nd. After almost two weeks in the hospital, he is "taking it one day at a time." He is in our prayers. See the link for more information:

http://catholicvoiceomaha.com/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=9&ArticleID=9539

D.A.R.E. Graduation

Today the 6th graders at St. Columbkille School graduated from the D.A.R.E. program. Four students were honored for the essays they wrote (which they read) as well as four students who were honorable mention. Then each student received a certificate, a t-shirt and a pencil.

Congratulations!

Strength Groups

Our Strength Groups are designed to help parishioners how to use their God given gifts right now. It teaches how to identify and affirm these gifts and starts the process of developing them into Strengths.
Due to demand, a second Strength Group is starting in April. In addition to the Monday group (4/27 to 5/18), a second group will meet on Wednesdays (4/29 to 5/20). For more information see http://www.saintcolumbkille.org/generalinfo/excerpts.asp#strength

Easter Vigil

The Easter Vigil is the liturgical highlight of the year. Our service starts in the courtyard and begins with candlelight. It celebrates the rising of Christ and includes baptisms and confirmation of those entering the Church.

Good Friday

Part of the Good Friday service is the chance to venerate the cross.

Holy Thursday

On Holy Thursday we remember the Last Supper, the institution of the Eucharist, the start of the priesthood and how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.

Living Stations of the Cross

Our T.E.E.N. ministry led the parish in Living Stations of the Cross last night.

Jesus in the Shadow?

Last night before the 5:30 Mass, Janine Sheldricks had to tap the gentleman in the pew in front of her and said, "I know this is going to sound crazy, but do you see Christ's head in that shadow?"

Deacon Bill Hill replied, "Wearing a crown of thorns? Yeah, I wish I had a camera."

Above is an enlargement. It was the first time she thought a camera phone was worthwhile.

New Parishioners

146

So far this year 146 people have joined our parish. Isn't that amazing?

Palm Sunday

An important part of the Palm Sunday Mass are the opening rites and the procession. A number of parsih disciples helped process during each of the Masses. Members of Sacred Heart Preschool were among those processing at the 9:00 am Mass.

Tournament Winners

One of the 5th grade basketball teams (mentioned in the March 18th post) won the St. Bernadette Tournament Championship game with a 45-38 win over St. Bernadette. Afterwards St. Bernadette's coach asked for both teams to have their picture taken together. Congratulations!