How will it work?

During the 8:15 Mass tomorrow Fr. Vogel may pray:

Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with Benedict our Pope and George our Bishop and all the clergy.

But, at the 5:30 Mass tomorrow, we won't have a pope. So what will Fr. Damian do?

Answer: He will skip that part. It won't be used until we do have a pope again, saying:

Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with George our Bishop and all the clergy.

Q & A with our Associate Pastor Elect

Rev. Mr. Vogel will be ordained a priest on Saturday, June 4th at 10:00 a.m. in the Cathedral. Effective June 23rd, he will be our Associate Pastor. He was recently kind enough to answer a few questions as we anticipate his arrival.

Do you know much about St. Columbkille parish?
Not very much yet. Only from what Fr. Zuerlein told me and from some of the things mentioned on the website. I read through the history of the parish found there. I am also reading about our patron St. Columbkille. [The parish] looks to be very active in so many ways. I am excited to meet people and become a part of their lives in the parish.

Are there certain things you hope to do or ministries you’d like to be involved with?
Teaching the beautiful truth of our Catholic faith and helping others to experience Christ working in their daily lives to bring them peace and freedom is an important part of being a spiritual father. There looks to be many ways in which I can to do this from being in the school to adult education. Of course my involvement in any specific aspect will be to aid Fr. Zuerlein in guiding the parish.

Now that your ordination to the priesthood is in sight, what emotions are you going through?
In one aspect, it is hard to believe that I am finished with school and will be ordained a priest. For any calling from God, one can always see reasons why one may not be ready, but that makes us dependent upon our relationship with God for the grace we need to do his will. While I have learned much already, I know that I still have more to learn so that I can better give my whole self for the good of others. I ask for the prayers of the people of the parish - and you are in mine as well - that together we may grow ever more in the image of Jesus Christ. St. Columbkille, pray for us.

Are you done with your studies or do you have more left?
I have completed my seminary studies, having graduated from Kenrick-Glennon Seminary on May 13.

Thank you for giving us a quick sense of you. We look forward to welcoming you here in one month.

Mardi Gras

The colors of Mardi Gras—purple,

green and gold—in order signify

justice, faith and power.

"I heard that Mardi Gras has something to do with Lent. How can that be?"

Mardi Gras means 'Fat Tuesday' in French. For those who fasted by severely restricting their diets, the Tuesday before the beginning of Lent was the last chance to 'eat-up' until Easter. They celebrated with food in a big way. The secular world has seized upon this day as an excuse to 'party hard' . . . much like the commercialization of Christmas."

"Why should I observe Lent? What purpose would it serve?"

It is a call to prepare for Easter. During this period of serious reflection, you spend time in self-examination and spiritual redirection. It is a time for you to acknowledge your shortcomings and to seek forgiveness for where you have fallen in your faith. Lent offers you the opportunity to seek spiritual renewal through the practice of prayer and self-denial.

"Why ashes [on Ash Wednesday]?"

The people of the Old Testament used ashes as a sign of mourning (Esther 4:1-3, Job 42:6, Jeremiah 6:26). Even today, ashes are considered a symbol of death and of nothingness. Ashes remind us of our helplessness and dependence on God. They remind us of our need to mourn our sinful nature, to feel contrition, and to repent so that we may receive God’s forgiveness. They are a symbol of sinfulness and of our commitment to spiritual renewal.