Fr Damian in the Papillion Times

Here's an excerpt from Michael Batchelder's article in this week's issue of the Papillion Times.

Moving from St. Columbkille to St. Frances Cabrini, located at 10th and William streets, will be an adjustment for Zuerlein, especially considering the difference in size between the two parishes. St. Columbkille has more than 9,000 parishioners while St. Frances Cabrini has only a few hundred. 

“It’s a change,” Zuerlein said. “The archbishop’s goal is to turn that around and to get the parish alive and growing.” 

Zuerlein said he will miss being at St. Columbkille, especially the everyday interactions with the parish community.

For the full story, click here.

Farewell Fr Damian

A phrase from Today's Gospel is "they begged him to leave."

There was no begging for Fr. Damian to leave St. Columbkille. Here is Fr. Damian's homily from this morning:

Although Fr. Dave was at Mass, he chose to observe rather than concelebrate. He said he wanted to "watch the master" and see how we have typically done things here.

There were farewells and hellos. Afterwards, Fr. Damian picked up his alb and his chalice and wished Fr. Dave well.

Fr. Dave said, "A lot of people will miss Fr. Damian, but no one will miss him as much as me."

Cleaning up for Pastor

One of the benefits of Fr Damian's trip to Guatemala was the ability to get in his house and paint.

All the nail holes have been filled in and everything will be fresh when Fr. Dave moves in tomorrow.

What's happening in Guatamala?

The pictures and comments below are from Fr. Damian's Facebook site. :

See the village in the valley? That is where

the Ixim group is staying these days.

At the water project in Huehuetenango that we installed years ago. It now produces 14,000 gallons of pure water a month.

Archbishop Lucas and others on the trip are in the procession at San Miguel Acatan Guatemala

Confirmation 2015

Where in the World is Fr Damian?

Here is a picture of Fr. Damian in the Wadi Rum,

Here he and some friends float in the Dead Sea.

 This is the place of the burning

 bush that Moses encountered.

 After climbing most of Mt. Sinai, Fr Damian 

had a camel ride the rest of the way to the top.

 Some rode camels down, but Fr. Damian walked down.

Here he is resting on the descent from Mount Sinai.

God's Covenant

While at the Sea of Galilee, Fr Damian took the picture above, which seems to fit in nicely with today's first reading:

 God said to Noah and to his sons with him:
“See, I am now establishing my covenant with you
and your descendants after you
and with every living creature that was with you:
all the birds, and the various tame and wild animals
that were with you and came out of the ark.
I will establish my covenant with you,
that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed
by the waters of a flood;
there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth.”
God added:
“This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come,
of the covenant between me and you
and every living creature with you:
I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign
of the covenant between me and the earth.
When I bring clouds over the earth,
and the bow appears in the clouds,
I will recall the covenant I have made
between me and you and all living beings,
so that the waters shall never again become a flood
to destroy all mortal beings.”

Fr Damian seems to be enjoying himself by the sea!

Six Inches of Snow Today ...

 ... in Jerusalem.

We appreciate the weather report from Fr Damian.

Jesus as Priest, Prophet and King

Fr. Damian's Advent Bible Study is underway using Fr Robert Barron's new series. This looks at the Old Testament foreshadowing of each of the offices of Jesus and how He fulfilled them.

Feel free to join in Monday at 9:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. in the Steinhausen Center for a look at "Jesus the King."

Priest Prophet and King

For our Advent Bible Study this year we will be using a new series from Fr. Robert Barron. The Priest, Prophet, King Study Program presents the Old Testament foreshadowing of each of Jesus’ three offices as priest, prophet and king and then describes how Jesus is the fulfillment of each as seen in the New Testament.

Mondays at 9:00 a.m. and

7:00 p.m. in the

Steinhausen Center

The lessons are as follows:
1. Adoratio: Adam as Priest and The High Priest
2. Challenging False Worship: Elijah the Prophet and The Word Made Flesh
3. Ordering the Kingdom: King David and the King of Kings

December 1: Jesus the Priest

December 8: Jesus the Prophet

December 15: Jesus the King

Each session will contain two twenty minute videos from Fr. Robert Barron with follow-up discussions led by Fr. Damian Zuerlein. The Bible Study takes place in the Steinhausen Center. Morning sessions will follow Mass. Each session lasts an hour and a half. Please bring your Bible.

Here is a preview of the video program:

Healthy Clergy Week

Governor Dave Heineman has proclaimed October 12-18 as Healthy Clergy Week. Our priests received "Healthy Care Packages" which included a gym bag, memory foam pillow (because good sleep is essential for good health), snacks, ear buds, iTunes card, and a water bottle. (Father Damian also received a Fit Bit, so be sure to ask him how it is working for him.) Our deacons all received a card and a healthy snack.

The parish nurses pray for our priests and deacon's health that God may bless with you all with good health of body, mind, and spirit. Remind our clergy that their health is important to them as well as all the Parishioners of St Columbkille.

Thank you for all that you do!

Will you Picnic with the Priests?

Fr. Damian and Fr. Vogel are looking forward 

to the annual Picnic with Priests on 

Sunday June 1st from 4 to 8 p.m.

It's a fun family event that also raises some money for

 the parish. It is $50 per family or $25 for an individual.

You can sign up here!