Arbor Day

The City of Papillion had an Arbor Day celebration yesterday

which included planting trees ...

and giving awards to 4th graders who were honored

in the Poster Contest including one from our school.

Mayor Black is pictured above presenting a pin and certificate.

We thank the Papillion Junior Women's Club

who sponsored the poster contest.

A Gift from Afghanistan

Last fall one of Mrs. Monico's students suggested they all write notes to a civilian who is serving our country in a war zone in Afghanistan. Everyone in the 8th grade classes participated. Some wrote notes of thanks for serving, others sent notes of encouragement and some wrote about the Nebraska football team.

What came as a surprise to the students and Mrs. Monico was that this man created a shadowbox for the class. He had the shadowbox delivered to the school and Mrs. Overkamp presented it after daily Mass today. He asked not to be identified so we are respecting that wish here.

The shadowbox contains coins, a US flag and a certificate.

On 30 December 2009 this flag was flown on a combat rescue mission

over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom

in honor of the 8th grade class at St. Columbkille School.

Mrs. Monico used this as a teaching moment to

emphasize how the little things that you do can

really have a large effect on others.

All the 8th graders gathered with the shadowbox.

First they prayed for all the military.

Then they prayed for all who have fallen in service of our country.

Then they had their picture taken.

They also heard secondhand the impact their letters had made; how they were read over and over. They heard how even those serving as civilians are sometimes diving under their desks during bombings. And they were encouraged to appreciate all the little things like crayons that children in Afghanistan are often without.

Thank you 8th Graders!

More Zoo Pictures

Here are some more pictures from the Preschool's field trip to the zoo last week:

It was fun!

Parish Survey

How can we best accomplish what God has in mind for us? How can we best use the gifts and talents of the people who are part of this parish? These are important questions for us at St. Columbkille.

To this end, we want to hear from each of you. We will conduct Gallup’s ME25 survey, a census of all adult members of our parish that will give you the opportunity to share your opinions about some of the key aspects of our parish life.

The survey will be administered by Gallup, an independent research company known for its understanding of people and their opinions. Although most of us know Gallup for its polling work, the organization has been listening to people’s opinions and studying successful organizations for more than 40 years. With this experience, Gallup brings a seasoned ability to help us gather and understand all of the opinions throughout our parish.

Your opinions will be completely confidential; Gallup will not reveal any individual responses to anyone. After we've received the results back from Gallup, we will use them to start a dialogue about our parish and how we can more effectively accomplish our mission to "Go and Make Disciples." We all have a stake in the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

The success of this effort hinges on the completion of the survey by each one of us who is at least 18 years of age. We all share equally in our responsibility to reach the goal of 100% participation by our parish. Your opinions need to be heard.

This is an exciting time for our parish. We are taking important steps toward fulfilling God’s purpose for us both now and in the years to come. The process and subsequent dialogue will help us all in that effort.

Preschool Zoo Trip

Our preschoolers began the day at the aquarium because we have been studying the ocean.

We enjoyed seeing so many of God’s creatures.

We had many parent helpers who made the day special.

Many of us were tired on the bus ride home, but we had a wonderful time!

Spring Tea

Wednesday was the Spring Tea for Kindergarteners.

Each invited a special friend to the Tea.

The students each served their guest ...

and enjoyed their time together.

Concern for anyone abused

On Tuesday the Archdiocese announced that a former Omaha priest is accused of sexual abuse of a minor in Texas and released a statement seeking any potential victims.

The priest, Fr. Fiala, was assigned to St. Columbkille from 1984 to 1987. This weekend there is a note in the bulletin from Fr. Damian concerning this and there will also be an announcement about this at all of the Masses this weekend.
The statement from the Archdiocese says, "The Archdiocese of Omaha is committed to serving the needs of anyone who has been abused by any member of the clergy or Church employee. [Fr. Joseph] Taphorn said victims should contact him at 402.558.3100, or the Archdiocese’s victim assistance coordinator, Mary Beth Hanus, at 888.808.9055 to report incidents of abuse."

Ping Pong & Pizza

One of the auction items at the Ceili was for one classroom to replace their normal lunch time with a Pizza and Ping Pong party with Fr. Wee. Mrs. Cerny's 4th grade got to celebrate that party on Wednesday.

After enjoying their pizza and pop in the Social Level, it was time for Ping Pong...

as Fr. Wee defeated all challengers.

We thank everyone who supported the parish through the Ceili ...

and we hope the class enjoyed the party

as much as Fr. Wee did.

Walk For Life

Saturday at 10:00 a.m. there will be a

walk to support A Women's Touch.

Everyone is welcome.

Spirit Spotlight

The Summer edition of the Teen Faith newsletter is out. If you want a copy let Mary Jane know at mjzeller@saintcolumbkille.org.

Get Ready to Picnic

The whole parish is invited to a picnic sponsored

by SPIRITuality ALIVE on the afternoon of

Sunday, May 23rd

Be sure to mark your calendar and plan to join us.

Happy Anniversary!

Five Years ago today:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

After the great Pope John Paul II, the Cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble laborer in the vineyard of the Lord. The fact that the Lord knows how to work and act even with inadequate instruments consoles me, so above all I entrust myself to your prayers.

In the joy of the Risen Lord, confident of his unfailing help, let us move forward. The Lord will help us and Mary, his Most Holy Mother, will be on our side.

Thank you.

First Communion Pictures

If you have any good First Communion Pictures, please let Deacon David know at dkrueger@saintcolumbkille.org.

Thanks!

Crazy Day

Monday was Crazy Hair Day in First Grade.

At Columb's Ceili, one of the items auctioned allowed one class to

wear crazy hair to school. This year the First Grade classes got to do it.

Of course the teachers got in on the fun.

There was also a marble party.



It was a very crazy day.

Dr. Blue

Tuesday night Fr. Damian introduced next year's principal, Dr. Cheryl Blue, to the school staff. Over the course of the next few months she plans to meet with teachers and staff individually before she becomes principal on July 1st.

A native of Lubbock, Texas Dr. Blue received her undergraduate degree in Spanish and English from Texas Tech University. She completed her Masters of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Northern Colorado in 1973 and her Specialist degree in Administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She received her doctorate in Administration, Curriculum, and Instruction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1995.

She has also been an elementary and middle school principal, a high school dean, and a Spanish and English teacher. She served as the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction in the Plattsmouth School District and has been teaching Graduate and Post Graduate courses at Peru State College for ten years -- the last four as a full time faculty member. She taught in the DOD schools in Weisbaden, Germany, in the Denver Public Schools in Denver, Colorado, and in the Ralston Schools prior to her tenure in Plattsmouth.

Dr. Blue is also the Executive Director of the Nebraska Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) a state affiliate of the International organization. She serves as a representative from Nebraska to the International ASCD Leadership Council. In addition she has presented at numerous conferences around the nation.

Dr. Blue lives in Plattsmouth with her husband, Jim. They have four children, five grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

Dr. Blue said she was attracted to St. Columbkille because of the school reputation and she missed being with the students and staff. She enjoyed meeting a few students after school yesterday and discussing their project.

Welcome Dr. Blue!

Fetal Hand Grasp

Photographer Michael Clancy took the picture above on Aug. 19, 1999 and was printed by USA Today on Sept. 7, 1999. Michael Clancy recounts that “… in the hushed but crowded operating room where outsiders have gathered to watch a rare medical event - spinal surgery on a child still in his mother’s womb - a stool falls with a loud bang. ‘Shh’, says, Joseph Bruner, the surgeon leading the operation. “You’ll wake the baby.”

At the age of 21 weeks Samual Armas was the baby grasping the hand of a surgeon who was performing surgery upon him at the age of 21 weeks to correct spina bifida.

Fox News caught up with Samuel in Georgia last year when he was 9. Samuel says he proud of the photo and is quoted saying, "A lot of babies would've lost their lives if that didn't happen."

Samuel will wear lower leg braces for the rest of his life as a result of spina bifida, which occurs when the spine fails to close properly during early pregnancy. He'll also use a wheelchair during long trips. His mother says Samuel "walks great."

Samuel is a decorated Cub Scout loves to swim, competing in swim team. He loves science and animals, especially orcas, bald eagles and tigers. He's also a bug collector.

Science Fair

Dr. Ein & Dr. Stein (transfer students from the Ralston School of Cosmetology) visited the 5th-8th grade classrooms to tell about their entry in the upcoming Science Fair.

They have been working on a formula to shrink things. Knowing how much students like vegetables in general, and Brussels sprouts in particular, they have invented a formula to shrink a day's worth of vegetables into a small spoon.

Unfortunately Fr Damian seemed to have stopped by their secret lab and drank from their beaker...

... shrinking him.

They are working to find a way to fix him before the Weekend Masses.

Thursday is the deadline to sign up to participate in the Science Fair. Students in grades 5 to 8 may sign up as an individual or as part of a team: just like Drs Ein & Stein.