It's Cold Out There

In this weather, be careful coming in and

 out of church as it is very slippery.

Gift Giving

The tags on the Jesse Tree in the narthex ...

 ... were transformed into gifts as families brought 

items for those in need in Sarpy County.

 These were gathered ...

 ... sorted ...

 ... boxed ...

... and readied to get to those who need them.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen!

Was Santa Eating Pancakes?

 We didn't spot Santa eating any pancakes at the Knights of Columbus breakfast. But we did spot him talking to folks about their Christmas lists.

Basketball Season has Begun

Half Full

"Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.

Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light."

-- From the hymn "Be Thou My Vision"

The glass really is half full.

One of the secrets to joy, I've discovered, is perspective.

I woke up this morning grumpy as usual. I was still tired and didn't want to wake up. It was cold inside and way colder outside. As I stumbled sleepily through the house, I glanced around to see kids' clothes and backpacks all over, a sink full of dirty dishes and a wet spot on the floor from a puppy. I asked God: Can't I just go back to bed? Why me?

But my perspective was wrong.

I woke up in a warm bed, next to a wonderful husband. I had shelter from the cold. I had a houseful of great kids who are kind, and for the most part, helpful. The puppy who left me the mess also licked my face incessantly. At least she knows how to wake up happy -- and how to spread that happiness to others. I, on the other hand, woke up family members with yelling and complaining.

George Bailey, Jimmy Stuart's character in the movie "It's a Wonderful Life," was in despair, about ready to commit suicide when his guardian angel intervened. Clarence, the angel in the movie, gave George perspective by showing him how the world would be if he had never been born. George was shown, that despite his current setbacks, he had a wonderful life.

As Christians we have the ultimate reasons to be happy and joyful. We know our sufferings and inconveniences have purpose and are only temporary. We know we are destined for greatness and victory in Christ.

When we lose our joy, we lose sight of Him and need to draw closer through prayer and the sacraments. He then becomes our Vision, where we see everything in proper perspective.

Children, the poor, and others who are close to Christ tend to be happy and grateful because they are like Jesus, meek and humble of heart. They have the right perspective. They have Vision.

"High King of Heaven, my victory won,

May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heaven's Sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all."

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.

2013 Advent Family Festival

 Monday & last night we celebrated an Advent Family Festival.

 It began with a Prayer Service.

 It included St. Nicholas and a skit about

 St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Then families came to the Social Level where materials 

were available to help families celebrate Advent.

 

There were also some enthusiastic 4th graders selling

 baked goods to raise funds for families in need.

Tell the Church (and Pope Francis) What you think

"The mission of preaching the Gospel to all creation, entrusted directly by the Lord to his disciples, has continued in the Church throughout history. ... Never before has proclaiming the Gospel on the Family in this context been more urgent and necessary. The importance of the subject is reflected in the fact that the Holy Father has decided to call for a Synod of Bishops, which is to have a two-staged itinerary: firstly, an Extraordinary General Assembly in 2014, intended to define the 'status quaestionis' and to collect the bishops’ experiences and proposals in proclaiming and living the Gospel of the Family in a credible manner; and secondly, an Ordinary General Assembly in 2015 to seek working guidelines in the pastoral care of the person and the family."

"Pastoral Challenges to the Family

in the Context of Evangelization"

Preparatory Document

To prepare for the Synod Pope Francis has called, every diocese is asked to respond to some questions. In order to help the Omaha Archdiocese to prepare a response, they have asked for our input. So they have set up a questionnaire at this site where we can look at the documents and answer the local questions until December 15th.

Some questions include:

• Have you personally or your family been impacted by divorce and/or remarriage? 
• What pastoral attention is or could be given to people who live in same sex relationships?
• What do you believe is the most difficult aspect of the Church’s teaching on contraception and responsible parenthood?
• What most obstructs your/your family’s ability to encounter Christ?

Let the Church know what you think.

Two Priests Hospitalized Following Car Accident

The Omaha Archdiocese has said:

Fr. Harry Buse and Fr. Frank Dvorak were in a serious car accident yesterday near Fremont. Both are now hospitalized in Omaha. Their injuries, while serious, are not life-threatening. At the present time they are not taking visitors as they need their rest. Please keep both in your prayers for a full and speedy recovery.

Fr. Harry Buse was once an Associate Pastor here at St. Columbkille. He is currently the pastor at St. Bernadette.

12/18/13 Update:  Partially because we keep getting so many hits on this, we're giving the update the Archdiocese gave today

Updates on Fr. Buse and Fr. Dvorak

Both Fr. Buse and Fr. Dvorak appreciate your prayers and are improving since their serious car accident on December 2. Fr. Buse had a complex yet apparently successful back surgery a few days after the accident. He has been released from ICU and is in a rehabilitation. Fr. Dvorak has been released from the Creighton University Medical Center and is undergoing rehabilitation. Like Fr. Buse, he undergoes physical therapy earlier in the day. Please continue to keep both of them in your prayers.

Finn & Gilbert during Thanksgiving Break

In Miss Hart's 6th grade class, students imagined how their class fish, Finn & Gilbert, would spend the Thanksgiving Break:

Cookie Walk

The Women's Guild Cookie Walk is happening right now. Choose the cookies you want for $4 per pound. It continues until 1:30 this afternoon in the Social Level of the church.