ST. PATRICK J es CHURCH 4 Valley View Dr, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 • 712-323-1484 www.stpatrickcb.org

August 22, 2021 21st Sunday/Week in Ordinary Time Rev. James Ahenkora Pastor

Rev. Maxwell Carson Parochial Vicar

Rev. Mr. Charles Hannan Rev. Mr. James Mason Deacon Rev. Mr. Emmet Tinley Deacon Rev. Mr. John Pfenning Deacon

Mass Schedule Saturday: 5 PM Sunday: 7:30, 9 & 11 AM Monday - Friday: 8 AM Tuesday & Thursday: 6 PM

Reconciliation Tuesday & Thursday 5 - 5:45 PM St. Patrick Mission Statement Wednesday We, the people of St. Patrick Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa, a 7:30 - 7:45 AM Community of Catholic believers, accept our mission of proclaiming Saturday and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We seek to deepen our 3:30 – 4:30 PM relationship with God and one another through individual and Or by appointment. Call the communal prayer, celebration of the Eucharist, reflective study of Office to arrange a time. scripture, education, and social activities. While responding to the needs of our own community, we reach out in union with other Christians to create a world of justice and love. + Upcoming Events FR. JAMES' WEEKLY REFLECTION

Monday, August 23, 2021 My dear family of God,

8 AM Mass Christ Tinley Today we celebrate the Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary 5:30 PM Catholic Daughters Time, Year B and we come to a close of the Church's journey through five weeks of studying the sixth chapter Tuesday, August 24, 2021 of John's Gospel. It is worth noting, however, that the 8 AM Mass for Daniel Collins Gospel reading for the fourth week of the five-week 5-5:45 PM Reconciliation series was interrupted with the celebration of the 6 PM Mass for Anonymous Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Mary. Today’s Gospel reading serves as the climax of our study of Jesus’ famous Wednesday, August 25, 2021 Bread of Life Discourse. So, this Sunday, we are looking at how Jesus’ followers 7:30 - 7:45 AM Reconciliation and hearers responded to everything we have heard over the last four weeks 8 AM Mass for Vic & Helen from Jesus regarding eating His flesh, drinking His blood and being the Bread Rupiper of Life who is given for the sake of for the life of the world. 9 AM - 12 noon Craft Ladies The beginning verse of today’s Gospel reading says that many of Jesus’ Thursday, August 26, 2021 disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” And 8 AM Mass for Frank & Emma towards the end of the Gospel reading, we are told that “As a result of this, Fischer many of His disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer 5-5:45 PM Reconciliation accompanied Him.” Jesus then turns to the Twelve and says to them “Do you 6 PM Mass Phyllis Barnes Larsen also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered Him “Master to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced Friday, August 27, 2021 that you are the Holy One of God.”

8 AM Mass for Pat Shea The hard saying that the followers of Jesus were referring to is found in John 8:30 - 9:30 AM Legion of Mary 6:53, “Unless you eat My flesh and drink My blood, you have no life in you.” 8:30 – 3 PM Adoration They saw this teaching to be a difficult one and as a result many of them will 3 PM Chaplet of Divine Mercy leave. One perhaps would expect Jesus to call them back and tell them that Oman/Rockwell wedding this saying is just metaphorical or allegorical, but He allows them to leave rehearsal because He meant what He said. The issue of the real presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist continues to be a difficult teaching which many people cannot Saturday, August 21, 2021 accept. Jesus Himself says in today’s Gospel “For this reason I have told you 2 PM Oman/Rockwell wedding that no one can come to me unless it is granted to him by my Father.” In this 3:30 - 4:30 PM Reconciliation verse, we clearly see the role of grace in accepting this difficult teaching. We 5 PM Vigil Mass for Margie should, therefore, count ourselves blessed if we believe in the real presence of Garcia Christ in the Holy Eucharist and pray for grace for those who still struggle with this teaching. Sunday, August 22, 2021 7:30 AM – Mass for St. Patrick Jesus wants us to make a personal decision to believe in Him and to follow Parish Him. He leaves that decision to us. Perhaps some of us became Catholics by 9 AM – Mass for Frank & Neva accident. Most probably we were born into the Catholic faith and there is Shudak nothing wrong with that, but we have to choose to remain Catholics. It is a 11 AM – Mass for Ed McGinn decision each one of us must make. Like Peter, can we also say to Jesus, “Master to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that You are the Holy One of God.” One The St. Patrick bulletin is produced weekly by songwriter once said, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back.” the parish staff. All submissions for the bulletin must be approved by Fr. James and Do have a grace-filled week. Shalom! received by the Wednesday to publication before 3:00 pm. To submit an article or place a sponsorship ad in the bulletin please contact the parish office at 712-323-1484 or [email protected] Fr. James Ahenkora

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•New MAY CROWNINGand Notable… Readings for the Week

• SEPTEMBER MASS SCHEDULE Due to Father James absence, there will be a change in the daily Mass Monday: 1Thessalonians 1:1- schedule in September. There will be Monday 8 AM Mass, 8 AM Eucharistic 5,8b-10; Matthew 23:13-22 Service on Tuesday, no Tuesday or Thursday 6 PM Mass and no Tuesday: Feast of St. Reconciliation on Tuesday or Thursday. Bartholomew, Apostle Revelation 21:9b-14; John 1:45-51 • SPECIAL COLLECTION ENVELOPES Wednesday: 1Thessalonians 2:9- There are envelopes in the Narthex for anyone who wishes to support the 13; Matthew 23:27-32 “Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa.” Please feel free to take an Thursday: 1Thessalonians 3:7-13; envelope. Make your check out to St. Patrick Church and we will forward Matthew 24:42-51 sums to the Diocese for this collection. THANK YOU for your generosity to Friday: 1Thessalonians 4:1-8; this Fund! Matthew 25:1-13 Saturday: 1Thessalonians 4:9-11; • RUMMAGE SALE Matthew 23:1-12 Mark your calendars for our Annual Fall Rummage Sale, September 9– 11. Sunday: Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-8; You may start to bring your items on Tuesday, September 7 – please note James 21:17-18,21b-22,27; Mark the change! (See the flyer in today’s bulletin.) 7:1-8,14-15,21-23

• MISSION WEEKEND, SEPTEMBER 11/12 The weekend of September 11/12, Fr. John Owusu Agyeman will celebrate all Ministry Schedule the Masses and will speak on a Mission Appeal for the Diocese of Konongo, Xnampong, Ghana. August 28/29 Saturday 5 PM th • LEGION OF MARY 100 ANNIVERSARY Sacristan – Gloria Thompson The founder of the Legion of Mary is "Servant of God" . He was Lector - Stacy Ring born in Dublin Ireland on June 7, 1889. At the age of 24, he joined the EMHCs – Margaret and/or Don Morse Society of St. Vincent dePaul where he was led to a deeper commitment to Altar Servers – Jacob & Joslyn Boswell Greeter –??? his Catholic faith and a great sensitivity to the needs of the poor and underprivileged. At age 27, he wrote and published his first pamphlet "Can Sunday 7:30 AM We Be ?" He was convinced that all, without exception, are called to Sacristan – Rosemary Lauver be saints. Lector – Teresa Chamley In 1917 Frank Duff, founder of the Legion, became acquainted with St. Louis- EMHCs – JoAnn Rasmussen Marie deMontfort's treatise, "." A work that changed Altar Servers – Brian Hunter & Blake his life completely. Being a spiritual man, he taught and practiced lessons Cihacek Greeter – Dan Duffek from "True Devotion", which is still in print today. Frank Duff wrote the Handbook for the Legion of Mary, filled with solid which has Sunday 9 AM influenced the lives of thousands. Sacristan – Rita Hughes Lector – Bob Stephany • NCYC EMHCs – Pat Sturm HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: There will be an informational meeting about the Altar Servers – Nora Monahan & Olivia National Catholic Youth Conference Sunday, August 22 in the St. Patrick Gardner Greeter – Dennis McEnearney Social Hall starting at 12 noon. Pizza and ice cream will be served. Please join us! Sunday 11 AM Sacristan – Tim Cortney • PART TIME JOB OPENINGS AT PRAIRIE GATE Lector - Stephanie Koch Our neighbor, Prairie Gate, has many part time openings for all levels of EMHCs – Tim Cortney Altar Servers – Amelia Carl & Easton work. They need CNAs, LPNs, a Chef, a Recreation Coordinator and a Campus Clark Pastor just to name a few. Check the listings on their website at careers- Greeter – Tony Jordan preshomes.icims.com. GIFT BEARERS Until further notice we will not schedule Gift Bearers

712-323-1484 stpatrickcb.org 3 Office Contacts Sacramental & RE Announcements • 2021-2022 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 712-323-1484 Last year was a year like no other but it offered abundant blessings [email protected] nonetheless. The year gave us a unique opportunity to look at our Faith Formation program and ministries through a different lens and what we Office Hours discovered was that overwhelmingly our families and volunteers appreciated Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 3 PM classes being held at St. Patrick Church.

We are pleased to share that classes will once again be held at St. Patrick Pastor Church but with a modified approach to accommodate all of our grade levels Fr. James Ahenkora each scheduled Wednesday evening. 712-323-1484 [email protected] Our schedule will be: · Grades 1-4 meet Wednesdays, 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., with a 15-minute snack Parochial Vicar time in the social hall offered beforehand (from 5-5:15 p.m.) Fr. Maxwell Carson · Grades 5-8 meet Wednesdays, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., with a 15-minute snack 712-323-1484 time in the social hall offered beforehand (from 6:15-6:30 p.m.) [email protected] · 9th Grade and 10th Grade Confirmation Candidates will meet according to their published calendars on Wednesdays, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., in the social hall. Rev. Mr. Charles Hannan We understand that this schedule asks families to be very flexible with their 712-323-6923 Wednesday evenings and while we would love to accommodate all children Rev. Mr. James Mason all at the same time, there is a lot of behind the scenes work and challenges 402-639-6965 that make it currently not possible. We feel the benefits of all children Rev. Mr. Emmet Tinley attending classes at the church far outweigh the inconvenience of staggered 712-323-4855 class times. We work together for one another and the greater glory of God! Rev. Mr. John Pfenning The Faith Formation year will kick off on Wednesday, September 22 at 6:30 712-322-2887 p.m. with a mass to celebrate the return of our children to Faith Formation. [email protected] All families are expected to attend. Classes will begin the following Wednesday, September 29 (see schedule above). Parish Manager The registration process will begin soon. Faith Formation families enrolled Darin Hecker last year will be receiving notification by email along with the complete Faith 712-310-3138 Formation calendar. Please continue to check the parish web site for all [email protected] current materials. Families new to Faith Formation, please contact Jill Faust, Director of Faith Formation, at (712) 323-1484 or at Director of Faith Formation [email protected]. Jill Faust 712-323-1484 •RCIA [email protected] Thirsting for God?” Are you someone or do you know someone not baptized or baptized in a non- Coordinator of High School Faith Catholic Christian tradition, who is thirsting for what it means to become Formation & Confirmation Catholic? Are you someone or do you know someone already Catholic but has Linda Pfenning not yet received Confirmation & Communion? They may be thirsting too! 712-323-1484 The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a place to ask questions and [email protected] seek understanding. An information session will be held at 7:00 PM on Thursday September 16. For more information, please contact John Pfenning Parish Secretary at 712-322-2887, [email protected]. Beth Wilson 712-323-1484 •PRE-BAPTISM SESSION [email protected] Sessions are held on the third Tuesday of the month at 7 PM in the church. The next session will be Tuesday, September 21. If you have a child that Hall Rental needs to be baptized, please call the Parish Office, 712-323-1484 to sign up. A 712-323-1484 session is required for parents and Godparents. The session must be completed before a baptism date is scheduled.

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Ministry Contacts Ministry & Organizational Activities

Music Ministry Lyn Stuntz 402-578-6081

Marriage Prep George & Kris Smith • 402-650-6471

The Knights of Columbus have their monthly meeting on the first Bereavement Ministry Thursday of the month. The next meeting is scheduled for September 2, Vickie Rule 2021. SAVE THE DATE: The Knights of Columbus Appreciation 712-325-0772 Dinner will be held on Saturday, September 25th. Please watch for further details in the near future. Prayer Chain

• ALTAR & SOCIETY Prayer requests may be submitted via the Parish Office or website. Ladies: be on the lookout for your membership letter. See you in

September! Hospital & Care Center Chaplain • LEGION OF MARY The Legion of Mary meets every Friday morning after the 8 AM Mass. Reiver Catholic The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with Jack DeLong – Club Advisor the sanction of the Church, and under powerful leadership of Mary [email protected] Immaculate, of All Graces, serve the Church on a voluntary Audriauna DeLong – Student basis in about 170 Countries. Leader [email protected] • JOY ON THE JOURNEY Joy on the Journey is a support and social activity for those who are widowed, divorced, or separated. It is a social coffee time which Organization Contacts includes fun, prayer and connection. We meet the Second Tuesday of the month after the 8 AM morning Mass, around 8:30 AM. Please feel Knights of Columbus free to join us. No reservation necessary. Don Morse – 402 960-7310.

Altar & Rosary Society Bridget Trager – 712-328-9603

Legion of Mary Cathy Eastwood - 402-598-0172 • REIVER CATHOLIC Welcome Iowa Western Community College students to St. Patrick! We Joy on the Journey encourage you to sign up for the Reiver Catholic Club as you exit the church Mary Bartlett - 712-269-1501 and grab some cookies with all our information attached. This semester we Dick Janousek - 712-256-0631 will be meeting on Thursday evenings at 7:30 PM in the church for Vickie Rule - 712-325-0772 UNPLUGGED! This holy hour will be a time of guided prayer and meditation to include Dynamic Catholic’s guided Prayer Process, Lectio Divina, Women’s Book Club Adoration with music, etc. Come unplug from your devices and tune in to Jeanette Kenny - 402-490-7983 the Lord! ALL high school graduates are welcome! Mission of 72 Margie Graeve – 712-309-1119

Parish Nurse Margie Graeve – 712-309-1119 Elaine Fenner – 712-328-2481

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STEWARDSHIP

• PROJECT HOPE UPDATE For the months of July and August Project Hope will be collecting school items to be shared between Lewis Central, Council Bluffs Community Schools, and St. Albert. Items needed are: #2 pencils, colored pencils, spiral wide ruled notebooks, loose leaf wide paper, 2 pocket folders, large pink erasers, earbuds (not wireless), wide tip washable markers, washable glue sticks (Elmer's preferred), scotch tape with dispenser, kleenex, scissors (pointed tip scissors and rounded tip scissors), index cards, 1” 3-ring binders, storage bags (quart, gallon or snack size), highlighters, hand sanitizer, Post It notes, black pens, fine point black Sharpie marker, pencil box, pencil cap erasers.

YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH December 8, 2020 - December 8, 2021 To celebrate the Year of St. Joseph, each week in the St. Patrick bulletin, we will feature information about St. Joseph all year long.

We are returning to the book “Husband, Father, Worker: Questions and Answers about St. Joseph” for this week’s information.

Q: What do we have in common with Joseph’s purpose in life? A: We are also called to use our God-given skills and virtues to serve Christ in our home, the Church, and the world. This is the unique role God has prepared for us to play in the story of salvation. This is our life’s work. We can think of these skills and virtues as “tools” for completing our mission. We can only speculate on what would have happened if Joseph had said “no” to God, to Mary and, ultimately, to Jesus. Thank God he said “yes” and said it often as God’s plan unfolded before him over the course of his life.

CONNECT: Take a moment to try to picture Joseph at work. Visualize a young, robust guy tough enough to tackle large timbers, chunks of stone, implements of metal and more. Now, rather than picture how he worked, picture why: to serve God and support his family. You may not be as strong or rugged as Joseph, but you can work with the same vigor and purpose as he did. He shows us the connection between the role of worker and the role of servant.

Parish Stewardship/Tithing week ending August 1, 2021 VOLUNTEER

Current Year Current Year Last Year Here areOPPORTUNITIES some places to look online Date Actual Budget Variance Actual for service opportunities: YTD (7-31-2021) 56,219 57,000 (781) 60,526 7-4-21 16,355 13,350 3,005 7-11-21 18,642 13,350 5,292 7-18-21 8,710 13,350 (4,640) 7-25-21 13,194 13,350 (156) 8-1-21 14,665 13,350 1,315 Unitedway.org/get-involved/volunteer#

Other Donations Received Building Maint: $1,103.00 Needy Fund: $50.00 Thanksgiving Fund: $250.00

Gifts paid Pledges Goal Variance 2021 ADA 60,100 3,652 76,001 Allforgood.org

(12,249) 2020 ADA 66,544 59,739 6,805

Capital Campaign: Payments received this week: $2,635.00 Pledges outstanding: $222,104 Loan Balance: $3,024,910

Number of registered families: 1,047 Centralusa.salvationarmy.org/councilbluffs/

6 stpatrickcb.org 712-323-1484 AROUND THE COMMUNITY

• CORPUS CHRISTI PARISH MISSION IS THE PARISH MISSION ON YOUR CALENDAR YET? If not, join us on Friday, September 10 from 6:00-8:30 PM and Saturday, September 11 from 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM for our Catholic mission you will never forget! Catholic speaker, best-selling author and radio host, Jon Leonetti will help us close the gap between the Gospel and our everyday lives. Daycare will be provided at the Corpus Christi Parish Center. There will be a spaghetti dinner on Friday beginning at 6:00 PM in the parish hall. Breakfast and lunch provided on Saturday; gluten free option available. Daycare available at the Corpus Christi Parish Center. Please RSVP by calling the parish office at (712) 323-2916, email [email protected], or on our parish website at www.corpuschristiparishiowa.org/ parish-mission-2021 by September 7.

• FR. JAMES' TUESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY Fr. James' Bible study has gone international! Friends from his time in Jamaica are helping to lead the study. To join Father James in his Tuesday night Bible Study, contact the Faith Formation Office at [email protected].

• CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court St. Anthony #330 will have their next meeting this Monday, August 23 at St. Patrick. Gift In Kind (GIK) is for the Food Pantry. They will pray the Rosary at 5:30 PM followed by the meeting. They welcome Catholic women, 18 years and older, from ALL the Council Bluffs parishes. Please join us or check us out at www.cda330.org

• ST. ALBERT SCHOOLS CATHOLIC EDUCATION IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF YOU! Catholic schools and their students benefit all year long from the religious guidance, prayers and support parishes provide. Thank you to all parishes across the Diocese of Des Moines for supporting Catholic education! On behalf of all our students at Albert Catholic, thank you for your support! Your generosity not only makes our school possible but successful. Deacon’s Corner This week’s perspective is from Deacon Chuck Hannah

The second reading today has always been a difficult one for most of us to deal with. The bottom line is that Jesus humbled himself when he became man and we, following his example, are to humble ourselves in all our relationships. This is contrary to the “me first” attitude being exhibited by too many today. It is seen in the attitude of no vaccine and no mask. This attitude is totally opposite the humility Jesus seeks from his followers. He came to serve, not be served and we should be following his example.

This is best taught and learned in the family environment. If husband and wife are always trying to serve the other, the two shall become as one and their children will follow their example.

Pope Francis in his book, “Let Us Dream” states: “We have neglected and mistreated our ties with our Creator, with creation, and with our fellow creatures. But the good news is that an Ark awaits us to carry us to a new tomorrow. Covid-19 is our Noah moment, as long as we can find our way to the Ark of the ties that unite us of love and a common belonging.”

Deacon Chuck

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