Surprise Mass

Typically at 8:15 every Saturday morning one of our deacons leads a Communion Service. But this morning Fr. Raphael Okitafumba celebrated Mass. Fr. Raphael is in the United States working on his doctorate. When he completes it, he shall return to the Democratic Republic of Congo where he will teach at the diocesan seminary.

This weekend Fr. Raphael will speak at all of our Masses on our annual coop.

Ascension Thursday Masses

Thursday is a Holy Day that sneaks up on us.

The stained glass windows in our chapel (pictured above) remind of us of when Jesus, before he ascended, spoke the words which are the basis of our parish mission statement, "Go and Make Disciples."

There is an anticipatory Mass tonight at 5:30 to celebrate the Ascension of Jesus to heaven. The Masses Thursday for this Holy Day are:

6:20 a.m.

8:15 a.m.

12:10 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Celebrating 100 Years with Archbishop Lucas

For the all school Mass today, on the 100th birthday of St. Columbkille Catholic School, Archbishop Lucas was the celebrant. Now only did Fr. Dave and Fr. Vogel concelebrate, but St. Columbkille graduate Fr. John Norman was there as well.

Archbishop Lucas said,“I had the blessing of going to a Catholic School myself. … I kind of took it for granted. I didn’t really realize the sacrifices my parents were making, I didn’t realize the sacrifices the teachers were making, it was all happening around me. … Now that I’m older, I’m getting closer to 100 myself, I’m more grateful all the time for that blessing Catholic education was in my life

“As I think back, … I try to think, what did I get from that? What did I really learn? There were a lot of things that were really good, here’s the one thing that sticks in my mind. I learned how to be free to live for somebody else besides myself. I learned how to be free to live for others.

“We can really be our best selves, we can really use our gifts, if we think about about brothers and sisters, our neighbors and see how we might best use our gifts to serve them.

“I promise to pray for you that you will receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit in abundance, to be able to learn and study and work together. I hope that you will pray for me too.”

After he processed out of the church, Archbishop Lucas said, "In the old days, on a day like this, the Bishop would call off school for the rest of the day. But with all the working families, I'd get crucified if I did that today."

Thank you archbishop Lucas!

8th Grade Mass - Catholic Schools Week 2016

Eighth grade students from Catholic Schools in the metro area gathered this morning for Mass. They packed the cathedral.

Each school had a banner which was part of the Mass procession. Almost every principal was there.

A number of priests were there as well.

 8th Grade students were active

 participants in the Mass.

 Here is a clip of Archbishop Lucas' homily:

It was a great Mass!

Catholic Schools Week - And Donuts

The first three days this week St. Columbkille Catholic School is inviting families to attend Mass with their student. Then, after Mass there are donuts.

The Start of Catholic Schools Week 2016

Sunday was the start of Catholic Schools Week. You may have seen some students who helped with Mass Sunday: greeting, reading or bringing the gifts forward.

There was also an announcement after Mass:

 Happy Catholic Schools Week!

Behold the Lamb of God

I have glasses, but I usually don't wear them.

My nearsightedness hasn't been too bad. I've only noticed it in certain circumstances -- like when I'm seated far away from the action at concerts or sporting events. But during those times, I'm always surprised at how much better I can see when I put my glasses on.

Sometimes I need to slip them on at Mass. When I need them most is just before Holy Communion, when the priest holds up the Consecrated Host and says: "Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb."

Over time, my nearsightedness has made it difficult to behold Jesus when I sit a distance from the altar. And I think it's important at that moment to physically look at Him, to gaze upon Him disguised in the Host.

At the same time during Mass, I'm reminded of my own sinfulness: "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."

The metaphor of sin as blindness becomes obvious as I'm struggling to see Jesus at Mass. Our sins have a gradual effect on our spiritual vision, diminishing our sight, but in a way we might not notice right away. And slowly but surely, we lose sight of our Lord and the world around us.

We become aware of our shortsightedness when we intentionally behold Jesus, the Lamb of God. If we let Him, He will correct our vision and heal our blindness -- especially in Confession, Holy Communion and the other sacraments.

More and more as I age, I find myself in need of my glasses.

But even more, I know I need to really see.

Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.

A Fun Ride - A Parking Challenge

The City of Papillion is hosting Slide the City on Saturday as people will get to slide down the hill on Washington Street (84th) starting between 5th & 6th street. The tickets to slide are sold out and have been for awhile.

Those parking are being encouraged to park at Home Depot or Tara Plaza and walk over. But the closest parking is on the west side of our church. If that fills with "sliders" it would be a challenge to those attending a wedding Saturday afternoon or our Saturday Masses to park.

Fortunately our Knights of Columbus are coming to the rescue. They will be monitoring our church parking lot to limit the lot to wedding guests and, later, Mass attendees. At the same time, they are going to charge people to park in the lots the parish owns south of Cornhusker. (As will First Lutheran Church and a number of other places.)

Because the folks for Slide the City are setting up very, very early on Saturday morning, the Knights will be blocking off all of our lots on Friday night and start to monitor those lots on Saturday morning.

We do want to warn everyone that despite the best work of our Knights to be proactive on this as well as cooperation from the city of Papillion and the Papillion Police, parking will still be a mess on Saturday.

Fr Dave suggested that perhaps we should expand our parking.

Masses at Religious Formation

Today was the last day of our Summer Religious Formation Classes. Every day began in the church as the students gathered for Mass. After Mass, the students would head to the classrooms to continue their formation in faith.