The Ixim Trip to Guatemala

As part of the Ixim trip to our sister diocese of Huehuetenango, each of our travelers will bring one bag for themselves and a second filled with medical supplies.

 Fr. Damian said, "One of things we teach during the preparation for the trip is the difference between charity and solidarity. The goal of our mission trip is a relationship between Catholic brothers and sisters across cultural and economic divides. The relationship precedes any act of charity. If we want our actions to truly benefit our brothers and sisters, then we first have to walk with them and know them. I really like what Pope Francis teaches in his encyclical, The Joy of the Gospel. He calls what we are doing on our mission trip 'accompaniment.'"

As part of that accompaniment, the group will stay with families in the region and live like they do.

As mentioned in last weekend's bulletin, Missionaries will supply fluoride and varnish to the teeth of children, to prevent tooth decay

Among those on the trip are parishioners Judee Chmura, Ben Fleming, Rick Fleming, Trish Franck, Dr. Mark Goodwin, Debra Kawa, Tracy Ortgies, Katie Pfeiffer and Fr Damian. The group includes two doctors, a nurse practitioner, and four RNs. In addition there are several retirees, a teacher, three college students, a seminarian and Fr. John Montag S.J.

On the trip they shall visit St Columbkille's sister school Santa Eulalia. There they shall deliver items donated by our school children.

It should be quite a celebration.

There will be a second collection at Masses this weekend to support the works project they are doing.

Visiting with Santa Eulalia

Santa Eulalia in the Huehuetenango diocese of Guatemala is the sister school of St. Columbkille Catholic School.

Through Ixim, Mrs. Dethlefs was able to visit Santa Eulalia.

 When she was there, the students gathered together ...

 ... did some presentations ...

 ... and gave some gifts.

She enjoyed her trip.

Monday there was a chance to reciprocate the trip as Padre Maco and Jandy visited from Guatemala as part of the Ixim leadership team. It is the Ixim team which organizes the "sister" relationships between schools in the Huehuetenango diocese in Guatemala and the Omaha Archdiocese. They were in town for a series of meetings between the dioceses to see how each can learn from the other and improve their relationship.

 Our students gathered together.

 Each grade had a presentation ...

 ... and gifts were given.

We also received a packet of letters

 from Santa Eulalia students.

Padre Maco and Jandy were able to visit our classrooms.

It was delightful to have them here. Mr. Makey and Jandy discussed how they may be able to skype to keep in better touch. We look forward to many future visits -- in both countries.

Pizza Night

Last night was Pizza Night. It was part of the celebration of Catholic Schools Week here at St. Columbkille Catholic School.

It wasn't just about the pizza as there

 was face painting and a cupcake walk.

 Cards were also made for Dr. Blue.

It was also a great chance to support Santa Eulalia, our sister school in Huehuetenango, Guatemala.

Supporting Santa Eulalia -- Our Sister School

During the last few school days before the Christmas break

students could wear jeans by donating 50 cents towards

our sister school, Santa Eulalia, in Guatemala.

The goal was to raise $300.

The actual amount raised was

$1500

Gracias

Santa Eulalia

Yesterday at VBS we learned about our

sister school in Santa Eulalia, Guatemala.

We learned that we are a lot alike.

We like to do activities.

And we like to get our picture taken.

But some families struggle to pay their tuition which is
about $45 per year. That means some families have to
choose which of their children to send to school.


This morning each child or family who donated
$5 or more to Santa Eulalia got to ring
the bell before the start of VBS.


Thank you to everyone who is helping
our friends at Santa Eulalia!
If you missed it today,
you can do it tomorrow.

A Busy Night at the Steinhausen

Last night was the second of four meetings with the parents of school students. Fr. Damian explained that last year at the parents meetings some suggested that this be done more often. He gave a snapshot of where the school is financially, responded to a few issues brought up in the recent survey and thanked everyone for being part of the school. Mrs. Galing spoke about technology and Dr. Blue briefly spoke about some of her plans going forward.

A group of 3rd to 5th graders had their concert entertaining the crowd.


HSA had their meeting which included a
reporting of the finances and reaffirming the board.

HSA announced scholarships to Kaleena Rains and Nick Larsen.

Nick will be attending Gross High School next year

while Kaleena will be attending Mercy.

And outside there was a bake sale raisng money for Santa Eulalia,

the parish's sister school in Guatemala.