Praying with Our Lady

Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to St. Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531. It was due to her appearance that the practise of human sacrifices ended.

The Aztecs had no written language, but they read the meaning in pictures and symbols just as we read newspapers. This image told the Aztecs volumes. The woman stands in front of the sun, and is therefore greater than their sun god Huitzlipochtli. She stands upon the moon, and is therefore greater than the moon god, Tezcatlipoca. She is held aloft by a winged person, which means she is a heavenly being, yet her hands are joined in prayer, which means there is one greater than she. The mantle's bluishgreen color is reserved to Aztec divinity, yet her eyes are lowered, which means she is not a goddess herself. The sash at her waist was worn by pregnant women in Aztec culture, thus the child she carries is divine. The white fur at the neck and sleeves and the gold border are marks of royalty for the Aztecs. The stars on her mantle and the angel "carrying" her represent a new era being carried in. Touching the edge of a cloak represents a kiss, thus the angel is "kissing" the lady. The broach at her throat has the same black cross carried by Cortés and the Spanish Friars.

Because she is pregnant, Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of pregnant mothers and their unborn children. Her appearance, as mentioned, ended the Aztec practise of human sacrifice. Through prayer and the intercession of Our Lady, we can change our culture of death into a culture of life.

Please join us in Benediction,

Eucharistic Adoration and Rosary on:

Sunday, December 12th

1:30 p.m.

(following the noon Mass)

In the Parish Chapel

BASIC Tomorrow

Tomorrow (Friday) is the start of BASIC

BASIC: Begininning Apologetic Studies In Catholicism
Purpose: To help Catholics revisit the BASICs of their Faith, grow in relationship with God and be comfortable giving an account of our hope.
Agenda:

• 7:00 -- A look at the readings for this weekend
• 7:30 -- Fr. Wee's presentation on "How to Answer any Question with the Catechism"
• 8:00 -- Q & A on the presentation and/or other questions about our faith

Friday, December 10th

7:00 p.m. in the Steinhausen Center

Bring your Bible & your Catechism if you have it

Babysitting will be provided

Iconography

There is an art and a spirituality involved in creating icons. They are "written" not "drawn." Prayer is very involved as well.

Before they start, the iconographer prays. They ask God to help them in the process including helping them choose the colors to use.

The First Graders at St. Columbkille Catholic School recently studied the process and wrote icons of Mary and Jesus.

 Last week Fr. Wee came to each class and blessed the icons.

The Immaculate Conception

Today we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Mary. In the ordos used in Jerusalem in the 5th century, we see that Mary's conception was already being celebrated.

In the Gospel, the angel Gabriel says, "Hail Mary full of Grace." In Greek the word used, κεχαριτωμένη, is a perfect passive participle of χαριτοω meaning "to fill or endow with grace." The tense indicates that Mary was graced from the instant she first existed in her mother's (Anne's) womb (well before Gabriel visited) and ever since. It might be best understood as her being so full of grace that sin can not enter her.

The first Mass celebrating the Immaculate Conception will be tonight at 5:30 p.m. There will also be Masses tomorrow at 6:20, 8:15, 12:10, 5:30 and 7 p.m. It is such a special event that it is considered a Holy Day of Obligation.

Gift Giving

Last weekend a variety of items were brought

 to the church as part of Gift Giving Sunday.

 During Masses those items were brought to the Social Level and sorted.

 

These are all being transported to the Sarpy County Christmas Center. The parents of families in need will, with the help of a volunteer, choose two toys and a new item of clothing for each of their children. Last year the Christmas Center was able to help 838 children and 153 teens from 333 families.

Thank you for your generosity!

Entertainment at Happy Club

The entertainment at the Happy Club today was a concert

put on by the First Grade Classes at St. Columbkille.

 

 They had animated faces while singing

"I'm Gettin' Nuttin' for Christmas."

They sang tenderly during

"Away in a Manger."

The Cookie Walk is in Progress

 

 Just pick out the cookies you want.

 



Advent: Read, Pray, Reflect & Act

Through their website, the US Bishops have set up an Advent Calendar through Christmas. Each day gives a suggestion to Read, Pray, Reflect and Act upon. For today's reflection click here.

Advent Family Festival

On Monday and Wednesday nights families gathered for the Advent Family Festival. There were a number of activities for the whole family.

 The night finished with an activity which helped

memorize the prayer to our Guardian Angels.

 

 Everyone watched very closely.

Happy Advent!

Creighton Basketball Players Coach

Four members of Creighton's Basketball team (Samy Schuett, Carli Tritz, Alyssa Kamphaus and Graduate Manage Sara Cain) ran practice with the 8th grade girls basketball team last night.

 They emphasized the importance of good passing.

 They emphasized the fundamentals of shooting.

 

 

 

 It was fun and they ran a great, crisp practice.

Thank you and come back anytime.