Blessing the Oils

Every year we get Holy Oils. But what is the process by which they are blessed?

They start as containers of olive oil. These are place on an altar in a side chapel of the St. Cecelia Cathedral before the annual Chrism Mass. In the Omaha Archdiocese, this is traditionally held the Monday of Holy Week.

They are carried forward by teams of deacons and presented by people "involved" with the use of these oils.

For example the Holy Chrism was presented by Fr. Paul Hoesing and Linda Thomsen from the vocations office as this chrism will be used to ordain two new priests this summer. By chance both of those priests to be are in this picture: Deacon Ben Boyd is on the far side of Archbishop Lucas and Deacon Matt Capadano in on the near side. Dcn Capadano spent part of last summer helping us here at St Columbkille.

As the oils are announced, the deacons hold the oils aloft.

The same process is done for the Oil of the Sick as they are
 presented by Dr. Cheryl Pitner and Dr. Lloyd Pierre Jr. ...

... and the Oil of the Catechumens presented by Joyce Glen.

The oils are blessed by Archbishop Lucas as the deans bless them as well.

Archbishop Lucas pour the chrism into

 the olive oil to create the Holy Chrism.

He also breathes upon it as part of the rite.

The Mass goes forward with the oils on the side.

At the end of Mass, the oils are carried out.

In the back, Fr. Michael Gutgsell of St. Cecilia Cathedral oversees an impressive group of stewards who distribute the now blessed oils into plastic vials to be distributed to every parish in the archdiocese.

Last night, during the Mass of the Lord's Supper, we received our oils.

Farewell to our Transitional Deacon

I leave today to go to a retreat for then seminarians, then a family reunion, my grandparents are celebrating their 60th anniversary. Then preparing to go back to school. Then I cook for 400 new guys in the seminary for a week because I'm in charge of food for orientation.


I'll be busier when I leave. 

I would like to say thank you for a great summer. I've had a lot of great experiences here. Four baptisms, three wakes, helping with funerals and lot and lots of preaching which I think you can tell I enjoy.

Thank you,

Deacon Matt Capadano

What's Happening in Fr Damian's backyard?

There typically aren't horses in Fr. Damian's back yard.

But Sunday was a Holy Hoedown as

 we enjoyed a Picnic with Priests.

Luckily Fr. Damian has a good

 backyard for the celebration.

There were a variety of activities for all ages...

... even seminarians.

Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches were a hit.

 It was a great way to meet people ...

... and a lot of fun.

Bingo

Deacon Capadon joined the

Senior Happy Club for lunch today.

Lunch was followed by Bingo.

The end of Summer Formation Classes

This morning was the last of the Summer Religious Formation. Students gathered each morning in the courtyard. One morning we prayed thinking of the statue of St. Columbkille.

Another day Fr. John Norman spoke with us.

We collected items for the Tri-City Pantry.

Music was part of our curriculum.

Deacon Capadano spoke with some of our classes

 about how God has called him to serve.

And we learned a lot in classes.

Today we finish and bring what we learned into the world.