Shannon's News

We are delighted that one of our parishioners, Shannon Zurcher, is a FOCUS (Fellowship Of Catholic University Students) missionary. Her task is to disciple people who will, in turn, disciple others. The picture above is Shannon with her disciple Jenne and Jenne's disciple Sam at their Christmas Sweater Party. Jenne was recently hired as a FOCUS missionary for next year. Sam has started RCIA and will be received into the Church at Easter!

This is from Shannon's newsletter:

This first semester as a missionary has been a beautiful blessing from our Lord. I have been humbled to watch Jesus win over the hearts of the girls I have formed friendships with. I have grown in the trust I have for our Lord, because He always proves Himself faithful to me in every situation, and shows the power of His word through the missionaries, students, and priests I am blessed to serve with.

In this trust I have the great privilege of being sent to a new campus next semester! At the beginning of January I will be moving to Chicago to serve the students at the University of Illinois—Chicago. I will be serving there with 3 other missionaries in FOCUS’s second year at UIC. With that being said I will no longer be a UNO Maverick, but a UIC Flame! I know the Lord will continue to show me his power as I work to bring the gospel to the students in Chicago. Please continue to keep me and those I will be with in your prayers.

Thank you Shannon!

St. John Neumann

St. John Neumann is buried in a parish church in Philadelphia. He was the first bishop in the United States to organize a Catholic diocesan school system, and he increased the number of Catholic schools in his diocese from one to one hundred. He established and built so many new parish churches within the diocese that one was completed almost every month.

Neumann's efforts to expand the church throughout his diocese was not unopposed. The Know Nothings, an anti-Catholic political party, was at the height of its activities, setting fire to convents and schools. Discouraged, Neumann wrote to Rome asking to be replaced as bishop, but he received a reply from Pope Pius IX insisting he continue.

Traveling to a parish for Confirmation he was told by the pastor that one of the students wouldn't be able to be confirmed that year because he lived too far away. Bishop Neumann asked, "Does he have a soul?" After the Confirmation service, he walked to the youth's home and confirmed him as well.

In 1854, Neumann traveled to Rome and was present at St. Peter's Basilica on December 8 when Pope Pius IX solemnly defined ex cathedra the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

He collapsed and died in 1860 at the age of 48.

St. John Neumann, pray for us.

Snow

Over Christmas the campus has plenty of snow

as we rejoice in the new year.

Strengths Groups

Strengths Groups

Mondays at 7 p.m. :

January 18, 25, February 1 & 8

or

Wednesdays at 7 p.m. :

January 20, 27, February 3 & 10

In the Strengths Groups each participant will receive a copy of the book Living Your Strengths which included a Strength Finders assessment. This will give a sense of the gifts God has given you. From that, we will work on turning those gifts into Strengths. Each session lasts about 90 minutes. Cost is $20 and financial help is available.

To register contact Deacon David at 339-3285 ext 104 in the Parish Office or email him at dkrueger@saintcolumbkille.org

Dead Theologian Society

Tomorrow, is a Dead Theologian Society Meeting. Supper will be served in the Social Level beginning after the 5 p.m. Spirit Mass. DTS meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Meet in the Social Level.

There will be a presentation on the Saint of the Month - St. John Vianney. Our presenter will be Tom Murray, the Director of Archdiocesan Youth Camp.

This is a free event that takes place every 1st & 3rd Sundays of the month. Bring a friend and come check it out.

Mary, Mother of God

The shepherds went in haste

to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,

and the infant lying in the manger.

When they saw this,

they made known the message

that had been told them about this child.

All who heard it were amazed

by what had been told them by the shepherds.

And Mary kept all these things,

reflecting on them in her heart.

Then the shepherds returned,

glorifying and praising God

for all they had heard and seen,

just as it had been told to them.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision,

he was named Jesus,

the name given him by the angel

before he was conceived in the womb.

Theotokos

Tomorrow is the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. For this Holy Day of obligation, we will have Masses:

Today: 5:30 & 11:00 p.m.

Friday: 7:30, 9:00 & 10:30 a.m.

After the 11:00 p.m. Vigil Mass tonight (which typically ends about 11:45) there is a New Year’s party in the Social Level. Everyone is invited to attend. Drinks to toast the New Year and refreshments are served.

Chris Essink

Chris began working at St. Columbkille in August of 1993 as the housekeeper just a few months after Fr. Stillmunks became the pastor. For the last several years she has served the parish as Bulletin Editor and with Athletics. Today is her last day as she is retiring.

Fr. Damian said, "We wish her well and I want to extend a deep thanks to her for the outstanding bulletins she has prepared for us week after week. Chris took great pride in her work and it made all of us in the parish look better because of her dedication. She has also assisted with our athletic program and many know her from the kind smile and generous welcome she gives to all who come looking for a uniform or a schedule."

Thanks Chris!!

Another Lend A Hand Project

The Lend A Hand ministry keeps active doing projects for people who need some extra help.

On this project, the original green steps were 8” rise and 6” treads. This made the stairs difficult to negotiate. The new steps have a 5” rise and 11” treads and a railing for extra security.

Thank you for your service to the parish

and the community!

Feast of the Holy Family

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family.

Today we are reminded of the importance of family. As stewards of our Time it is important to make certain we are spedning time with God and with our families.

In our Stewardship Renewal, Adults would typically answer the quest of "How will I Transform the World in my family?" with answers about teaching their children or praying with them or having family meals.

Children would typically answer the question by saying they need to do activities like hiking or sledding or Game Night or Movie Night. The children of our parish say that they need to spend time with their families. They are wise children.