Vocations Day 2015

The 6th Grade Students from St. Columbkille Catholic School were just some of the students from cross Omaha who gathered to learn about religious vocations.

Jesus was at the center for a great celebration.

A great band was leading the enthusiastic crowd before, after and during Mass.

 It was a great chance to meet and interact with the religious and clergy.

Students were in small group sessions as they heard about religious life and vocation stories.

 Everyone was well fed, and you never know who you might run into when a crowd gathers.

Our Sixth Grade Class represented us well!

2015 Clergy Retreat

Once a year the clergy from St. Columbkille Parish gather over a weekend for a retreat. It also gives a chance for the priests and deacons from St. Columbkille to spend time together.

This year the retreat was based on the book Falling Upward by Fr. Richard Rohr.

It was largely about the paradigm shift that often takes place in the lives of people as they realize that what they once thought was important isn't anymore. It was pointed out that when clergy have had the privilege of walking through the process of dying, their values change.

The retreat was led by Deacon Duane Thome. Incidentally, it was realized that Dcn Thome was ordained before Fr. Vogel was born.

Once of the traditions of the group, which has been meeting at the Benedictine Retreat House in Schuyler since 1998, is a four mile walk around the section.

One of the great things about the retreat is the slow pace which allows everyone time to think and pray ...

 ... or sneak off to check email.

It was a very good retreat. 

Pray for our New Pastor

The mere detail that we don't know who our next pastor will be yet does not prevent us from praying for him. We can also pray for the people he currently serves and will leave.

We are in a special time in our parish where we are in a mixed emotions. As we prepare to say farewell to Fr. Damian, we also long to know about the man who will become the 7th pastor in the 139th year of our parish. What we know for sure: He needs our prayers.

Pray

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!

Clergy Retreat

This weekend our parish's clergy gathered at the St. Benedict 

Retreat Center for their annual retreat together.

Fr. Damian led the retreat which considered lessons from St. Francis. In particular they looked at qualities St. Francis displayed in his life such as Solitude, Humility, Prayer, Chastity, Community, Compassion and Service.

It was also a chance for them to pray together, eat

together and connect more with one another.

The clergy have been meeting since the St. Benedict Center was built. The Retreat Center is on the bluff north of Schuyler and is surrounded by farmland. It has been a tradition for them to walk around the section together. They were fortunate that it was a little cooler on Saturday for the walk.

All of us need to "retreat" to God and recharge.

Clergy Retreat

Last weekend the priests and deacons of St. Columbkille

Parish went on their annual retreat together.

The retreat included time for each to pray, reflect

and share their insights with one another.

 It was also a good time to be together.

It is good for everyone to find a time

to get away and grow in faith.

Clergy Retreat

Last weekend Fr Wee and our 12 deacons gathered at the Benedictine

Center in Schuyler. It was a time for them to gather, pray and

spend time together as they seek to grow in Christ.