ST. AGNES CHURCH
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 17, 2017
Rev. Vincent L. Parsons Pastor Rev. Michael E. Wetovick Associate Pastor Sr. Vera Meis, C.S.J. Pastoral Minister
Mass Schedule: (October - May) Saturday: 4:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 am (June - September) Saturday 6:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 & 10:00 am Monday, Tues, Wed, Friday 7 am
Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays one hour prior to evening Mass or by appointment (632-2541) Sacrament of Baptism Please call the Parish Office
2314 Third Avenue, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361 (308)632-2541 Mailing address: PO Box 349, Scottsbluff, NE 69363-0349 Fax: 308-632-2146 Website: www.st-agnes-church.com Parish Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9am - Noon & 1pm - 4pm Page 2 Year A September 17, 2017 Saint Agnes Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Catholic Church
Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” Today’s Readings Jesus replied, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy- Sirach 27:30-28:9 seven times.” The response of Jesus teaches us that Psalm 103 FORGIVENESS is INMEASURABLE; it embraces the Romans 14:7-9 offender with LOVE, then, offers HEALING and HOPE, Matthew 18:21-35 and it creates PEACE in our hearts. However, with the anniversary of 9/11 recently upon us, some of us might still be holding the painful memories of this tragedy in our lives. But let us move on, and let FORGIVENESS become a constant companion in our journey towards healing. And let us treasure the creative memories that held us together as a people, a community and a
nation. Yes, the tragedy did change how we understand ourselves and the world. It became a story that we tell our children and grandchildren. And the retelling of that story is now. However painful it was, we recall the graced moments when we demonstrated the power of prayer, the strength of solidarity, and the dynamism of healing that propelled us to
rise as a nation of love and peace. And in those dark hours of our lives, what bonded us together is Jesus’ promise. He said: “For where two or Parish Administration three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Then (308) 632-2541 / (308) 632-2146 (Fax) and now, Jesus trusts us; in return we say with faith: “IN GOD WE [email protected] TRUST!” www.st-agnes-church.com Pastor Rev. Vincent L. Parsons (ext. 2) [email protected] This Week’s Schedule Pastoral Minister Thursday continued…. Sr. Vera Meis (ext. 4) Monday, Sept 18, 2017 Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Daily Mass (7am) [email protected] Friday, Sept 22, 2017 Intention: †Michael Gion Director of Religious Education Daily Mass (7am) by Larry Gion Intention: Don Young Mrs. Terri Calvert (ext.5) Communal Rosary (4:45pm) by Jerry & Eileen Young [email protected] Liturgy of the Hours (5:05pm) Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Church Office Manager Tuesday, Sept 19, 2017 Saturday, Sept 23, 2017 RCIA begins (7pm) Mrs. Danni Koeteman (ext. 3) Weekend Mass (6:00pm) Location: Garden Room [email protected] Intention For the Parish Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Sunday, Sept 24, 2017 Head Teacher Wednesday, Sept 20, 2017 Weekend Mass (8:00am) Mrs. Julie Brown (632-6918) Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Intention: †Felix Koenig [email protected] Contemplative Prayer (6:00pm) by Fourth Degree Knights Location: Office Basement School Office Manager Weekend Mass (10:00am) Thursday, Sept 21, 2017 Kristie Neilan (632-6918) Intention: : Eleanor Wolf Daily Mass (7am) by Robert Wolf Family [email protected] Intention: Ann Meis by Sr. Vera Page 3 Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Diocesan Appeal Update Finance Corner In early October, each registered parishioner will receive a mailing from the Diocese in regards to this year’s Diocesan Appeal. You are asked to read it carefully and Sunday Collections prayerfully. Each parish in the diocese is required to & ATW Giving contribute an amount to the appeal (via its’ parishioners) that is based on its income from the previous year. From now on, the September 10, 2017 Appeal runs from October – June each year. Actual $6829.14 ATW $4786.50 Fall Mass Schedule Living Stewardship Now Budget $9000.00 Saturday, September 30th Have you committed your abilities, your Surplus (Deficit) $2615.64 Mass time changes to 4pm time, and your financial resources to your Sunday, October 1st parish for God and the Church? Is your September Totals Mass times 8am & 10:30am involvement a true reflection of your Actual $10422.14 gratitude to God? Do you need to give more, or give differently? Copyright © 2010, World ATW $4786.50 Library Publications. All rights reserved. Budget $18000.00 Surplus (Deficit) $2791.36
September Ministers About next week’s collection…. The 2nd collection for next weekend LECTORS is for our parish outreach, VCNIN. Sept 23 & 24, 6pm Jean Ahrens (Valley Christian Neighbors in Need) 8am Margaret Rood Dates to Remember In 2017 Sept 19 RCIA begins 10am Michael Schaff Sept 30/Oct 1 Mass time Fall schedule This Week’s Readings SERVERS Oct Sundays, Caring Conversations Sept 23 & 24, 6pm Jacob Mark & Thurs Oct 12-Altar Society meets Kyle Henderson Friday, Nov 17-St. Agnes Premiere 8am Noah & Abrahm Hafner Sunday, Dec 3 Church rededication 10am Saphiah Montanez Jessie Claire McCaslin & Parish dinner Monday: 1 Tm 2:1-8; Ps 28:2, 7-9; Lk 7:1-10 Caring Conversations Tuesday: 1 Tm 3:1-13; Ps 101:1b-3ab, 5-6; Lk 7:11-17 All of us face aging and the need to make plans for our futures. We have to Wednesday: 1 Tm 3:14-16; Ps 111:1-6; make decisions about many aspects of our lives. These legal and health care Lk 7:31-35 decisions protect us from others making decisions for our care and other end Thursday: Eph 4:1-7, 11-13; Ps 19:2-5; of life issues that we might not want. They also protect family and loved ones Mt 9:9-13 by giving them guidance in the care that we would like to receive. Friday: 1 Tm 6:2c-12; Ps 49:6-10, 17-20; Most people would agree that when the time comes, they want a Lk 8:1-3 “good death.” But what that means is all too often left up in the air until a Saturday: 1 Tm 6:13-16; Ps 100:1b-5; crisis strikes or the stricken person is no longer able to communicate his Lk 8:4-15 wishes or his advance planning documents are not clear. When that happens, Sunday: Is 55:6-9; Ps 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18; spouses, adult children, siblings and others find themselves in the unenviable Phil 1:20c-24, 27a; Mt 20:1-16a role of surrogate decision-makers, trying to divine, sometimes with very few facts and under very emotional circumstances, what people they love would Interested in have decided to do if they were able to choose. becoming Catholic? The first four Sundays of October at 6:30 PM, St. Agnes Church is sponsoring ‘Caring Conversations About End of Life Decisions’. We will cover everything from our attitudes about death to legal issues and funeral arrangements. The idea is to be able to clearly think about these issues before decisions have to be made. Presenters will include Dr. Tom Perkins, Dr. William Packard, Attorney Phil Kelly, Linda Rock, Fr. Vince Parsons. Or is someone you know interested in becoming Catholic? if you’d like to These sessions are for all who expect someday to make talk to someone about the Catholic the transition from death into life. faith, call the Parish Office at 632-2541 Page 4 September 17, 2017
From the Seminary Parish Chairpersons
Hate has become a common term in today’s Adoration Coordinator vernacular. Hate crimes. Hate speech. Hate is the word that Diana Rohrick...... 631-9107 expresses an extreme disregard to the point that emotions Adult Education control one’s thoughts, words, and actions, leading to the Kathleen Roehl………… ...…...…632-7407 desire to destroy completely another person physically, or his Altar Servers or her values or culture. Certainly, there are occasions when Terri Calvert…………….. …...... 635-1362 what comes out one’s mouth is invective spitefulness that is Altar Society never appropriate. However, “hate” has come to be the word Nichole Hoesing...... (402) 984-7398 used whenever anyone expresses an opinion other than Church Environment “mine.” The accusation of being filled with hate is the apparent solution when Kathleen Roehl...... 632-7407 forced listening or visualizing something is offensively hard to hear or see. Church Music When the idea of hate enters into a conversation of what one says or Chris Wolf………….……………..635-0555 hears, then the possibility for a meaningful coexistence becomes almost Communion to the Homebound impossible, for hate destroys the hope in developing relationships. Hate leads to Sr. Vera Meis...... 632-2541 escalating violence where revenge is the priority as a solution. Without hope, evil Divorce Care Ministry rules the world. In the twentieth century, we experienced what the proponents of Jacque Neu………………...... …....635-0788 hate can do, the German Nazis, Stalin in Russia, and the Khmer Rouge in Extraordinary Ministers Cambodia. The United States too has suffered from its share of hate-mongers. All Bob & Ann Hippe ………….……..632-5555 this well-documented suffering and killing should be a stark reminder of what transpires when hate fills the heart. The core of the matter is that while we seem Finance Council President diverse because of differences we see in people, we are still God’s children. God Jim Kozal….…………………...…..635-3090 does not play favorites with His children. Therefore how do we, as humans, have Knights of Columbus the right to decide who is acceptable and who is not acceptable? How arrogant Hall rental …..…………….....…... 631-9711 can we be that we can selectively determine the “right” race, creed or religion? David Wolf…………...... 402-770-468 Words of hate are only self-serving expressions of evil that attempt to dominate Lectors and eliminate those whom we have determined as unacceptable. We, as humans, Jacque Neu……………………….. 631-3011 never seem to learn that hate only leads to self-destruction. The desire for Liturgy Committee retribution from those experiencing hate encourages a vicious cycle where no one Kathleen Roehl……………...... 632-7407 benefits. Maintenance Committee To break the cycle of the horrors of hate, Jesus is adamant about the Dick Lessert………………..….….783-5363 need for forgiving seventy times seven, even those have no common decency for Parish Council President others. Forgiveness becomes most difficult after the personal experience of David Wolf...... 402-770-4680 violence of those who hate. However, the world will not begin to change unless Prayer Chain we start the remodeling within ourselves to respect every person we encounter. Phyllis Temple...... 436-5245 This internal change means we must be open to listening to the words that Religious Education Office admonish us with the effort to improve our perspective. And we must not be Terri Calvert ...... 635-1362 afraid to explain to another the need to revise his or her views of the world. These R.C.I.A. interactions are beneficial only when they come from a clean heart that emulates the heart of Jesus. We must also learn that while hate-filled words are painful, Mark Loose…………………..…….631-8532 they will have little effect in the continuation of hate unless we allow rage to form Diana Rohrick...... 631-9107 our response. We must never stop praying. We must never stop forgiving. We Sacristan Coordinator must never forget that every other person is our brother or sister regardless of Jean Ahrens………………………..635-0434 their actions towards us. School Foundation These thoughts about hate are easy words to write on a page. They are Leave message.……………..…..632-6918 x2 easy words for us to read and give a qualified acceptance to the intent of their Young at Heart Coordinator meaning. However, when faced with real hate coming into our ears or seen with Sr. Vera Meis………..……….……632-2541 our eyes, suddenly we lose our reason, our understanding, our Christian values Ushers and hate speech spews from our mouths. We can only turn to Jesus for the Ben Castinado……………….……635-1590 resolution to hate. The emotions and expressions of hate cannot be corrected Valley Christian Neighbors in Need unless we allow Jesus to enter into our souls. For Assistance………..………....…632-2541 Lord, give us a clean heart. Wedding Coordinator Nellene Mailander.…………….…633-1630 Page 5 Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary time Living Our Catholic Faith
Tre asures From our Tradition Erich Segal died at the beginning of 2010. I remember reading his best seller Love We’ve seen how the rescue Story and being moved by its then famous line “Love means never having to say of Eucharistic Prayer II from the you’re sorry.” Over the years I have really come to disagree with this. I believe love means having to say you’re sorry and asking for forgiveness many times in mists of history changed the style life. of our prayer, introducing a sleek Today’s Gospel reminds us that love also means being willing to forgive many simplicity to the prayer said aloud times in life. We fail each other. We sin against each other. Sometimes we do this by the priest. Remember, before deliberately, sometimes thoughtlessly, but nonetheless it is painful for the one the reform of our prayer in the late sinned against. 1960s, the priest whispered the Is forgiveness ever easy—especially with a repeat offender? “Seven times?” Peter words of the Roman Canon, asks. “Seventy-seven times,” Jesus replies. Today’s readings give us the major reason to forgive others: God has forgiven us. There’s more. Not to forgive is to Eucharistic Prayer I. His voice was let anger and wrath poison our hearts. Being unforgiving can imprison a person, not amplified, his back was to the resulting in bitterness, revenge, and a slow death of the spirit. Not to forgive can people, who could only tell what be more costly for the one offended. Paul tells us we belong to the Lord, are was going on by a shift in his called to serve him, to do his will, which is the will of the Father. And God’s will is posture as he bowed and that we forgive one another. When the genuflected and as bells were rung risen Lord first appeared to the disciples in the upper room, he wished them to indicate his progress through peace, and then gave them the power of the prayer. the Spirit to forgive. This work is not lim- With the emergence of the ited to our going to the sacrament of new prayers, some feared that the reconciliation. —James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R. old prayer would be lost forever if it Copyright © 2012, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. weren’t somehow changed. The reformers asked that it be streamlined a bit by omitting the repeated “Through Christ” at the end of various intercessions, and Today’s Gospel tells about a landowner who hired laborers to work in his vine- yard. The first ones hired agreed to a price for a day’s work. Late in the day, the trimming the list of somewhat landowner took on some extra hands. When work ended and the men received obscure saints. The new edition their pay, the first hires found they had received the same amount as the ones therefore brackets parts of the two employed later. There was immediate grumbling about unfairness and being lists of saints in the prayer, cheated. We should not make the mistake of interpreting this Gospel story in unfortunately dropping all the terms of how a boss should behave and how workers are treated in today’s women from the second set. The world. Fairness and justice in the marketplace are essential, and when a few en- decision was also made to keep the rich themselves at the expense of the many, we know it is wrong. As far back as 1891, Pope Leo XIII issued his encyclical Rerum Novarum (“Of New Things”). This Lord’s words at the consecration ground-breaking document, well ahead of its time, focused on the relationships exactly the same in every and mutual duties of labor and capital, and between governments and citizens. It Eucharistic Prayer, although there is affirmed the necessity of a just wage for working people to support their families, precedent for more variety. On and the right of labor to form unions. The pope rejected both communism and November 2, 1968, Pope Paul VI unrestricted capitalism, while affirming the right to private property. In today’s signed off on the plan of the new Gospel story, we must realize that Jesus is not talking about any of these issues, but rather, God’s relationship with people. God acts with justice toward us: like Mass, and by April 1969, the the laborers who worked all day, we receive what God has promised. However, publication of the revised order of God is free to act above and beyond simple justice. God often gives with unex- Mass was announced. pected and lavish generosity, even to those we might consider unworthy. The —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. truth is that in God’s economy all of us get not merely what we deserve, but more than we could ever have bargained for. Copyright © 2010, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. Page 6 September 17, 2017 Religious Educa on Program Email—[email protected] Religious Education Office—308-635-1362
Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Gospel: Matthew 18:21-22 Catechetical Sunday This year, On the Way to Mass: Stewardship Opportunities the Church will celebrate Can you remember a time when Over 200 children and young people, Catechetical Sunday on September you needed to be forgiven? How preschool through grade 12, will sign up 17, 2017 and will focus on the did the person you hurt respond? this fall to learn more about Jesus and theme "Living as Missionary the Catholic faith. You can help them Disciples." Those who the On the Way Home From Mass: learn and grow by becoming a catechist. community has designated to serve We are currently looking for grade as catechists will be called forth to Is there someone you need to be commissioned for their ministry. school catechists on Sunday mornings. forgive, but it seems too hard to Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful do so? What would help make it Middle school catechists , catechists on opportunity to reflect on the role easier? Wednesday evenings. that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith Living the Word: If interested or for more information, and being a witness to the Gospel. Ask family members to try on the contact Terri Calvert at 635-1362 (RE Catechetical Sunday is an skin of a forgiving person today. Office) or Email dre@st-agnes- opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a Tell them to see if, for one day, church.com community of faith. On the next they can forgive big and little page you will find a list of things that happen. At the end of catechists who will be serving St. the day, ask them: How do you Agnes Catholic Church. Please feel? Will it be easier to go to keep these catechists in your sleep at night? Did you find your prayers as a new formation year day went smoother since you Catechist Formation begins. weren’t focusing on the bad things but the goodness of God’s All Sunday catechists are to attend forgiveness? What things were the upcoming formation session on April 13– 15, harder than others to forgive? Is Sun. Sept. 24th at 9am in the 21017 Christ the King this a practice you could keep up? Learning Center of the school. Gering, Nebraska Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families 2017-2018 Registration The Wednesday night, middle school deadline: 4-6-18 and CYM programs will begin on
Wednesday, September 20th SECOND SEMESTER SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS The Sunday morning, elementary AND SENIORS! program will begin on Sunday Are you unsure about your faith? Do you desire to know more? October 1st Find Us On Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) is a
weekend of fun, food and faith that Facebook may be just what you’re looking Twitter: stagnes-church for. The cost is $85 and includes a Instagram: st.agnescatholicchurch Parish Website t-shirt & other special gifts. To www.st-agnes-church.com register and for more information go to www. gidiocese.org/yya/tec Page 7 Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary time
RCIA St. Agnes School Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults Pre-K Fr. Vince Parsons Mark Loose Elise Gurrola Diana Rohrick Kindergarten
Sherry Weddell Teri Ramriez Gabby Montanez Religious Education First Grade
Brooke Lacy Pre-School Second Grade Becky Jo Wylie Lori Svitak Kindergarten Third Grade Elizabeth Kreiling Amanda Brill First Grade Fourth Grade Allyson Gion Kristie Becker Second Grade Fifth Grade JoAnn Nash atholic outh inistry Liz Salazar C Y M Third Grade CYM Music Mike & Beth Esselstein Jayme Haugen Fourth Grade Freshman CYM Library Chad & Kelli Larson Paul Pieper Lana Payne Fifth Grade Freshman CYM Para Educator Kaitlyn Hayhurst John & Betsy Vidlak Meghan Calvert
Mary Ann Saucedo Sophomore CYM Middle School RE Office Manager Jeff & Lisa Gion Kristie Neilan Sixth Grade Sophomore CYM Custodian Pam Brezenki Sal & Mary Franco Dan Luna Mike Moravec Junior CYM Seventh Grade Kitchen Supervisor Stephanie Parks Ann Anderson GiGi Alderete Eighth Grade Administrator Junior CYM Michael Calvert Julie Brown Stacey Murphy Rosalina Sabala Kelsey Albright Middle School Youth Group Junior CYM Ann Anderson Todd & Stephanie Lewis RE Office Confirmation Fr. Vince Parsons Marvin Anderson Mike & Beth Esselstein Niki Anderson
Adult Faith Formation Director of Religious Education Kathleen Roehl Terri Calvert Sr. Vera Meis Page 8 September 17, 2017
September 17, 2017
Up Coming Tools & Technology--4th Grade Events
Monday, September 18, 2017 4th Grade to Flower Field
Wednesday, September 20, 2017 No Mass Mid-Quarter Reports Grades 3-5
Thursday, September 21, 2017 Midwest Theater Liza Jo & Tin Town Troubadours Fourth Grade students a ended the Tools & Technology fieldtrip at the Grades 3-5 Legacy of the Plains Museum.
St. Agnes Catholic School 205 E 23rd Scottsbluff, NE Ph: 308-632-6918 Fax: 308-632-6943
What’s Happening at St. Agnes School... Tools & Technology from Long Ago -- 4th Grade
St. Agnes 4th graders enjoyed their 1st fieldtrip of the year to the Legacy of the Plains Museum on Thursday, Sept. 7th. Students enjoyed learning about the tools and technology of the past and how they have developed into today’s modern machines. Students tried grind- ing corn, working a pulley system, pedal- ing the harvest machine and more. Most discovered today’s modern tech- nology makes life much easier! MAP Tes ng
St. Agnes 1st-5th grade students will begin MAP tes ng on Monday, Sept. 18th. MAP growth measures what students know and informs teachers of what they are ready to learn next by dynamically adjus ng to each student’s perfor- mance- whether a student performs on, above or below grade level. It reveals how much growth has occurred be- tween tes ng events and allows for tracking growth through the school year and over mul ple years.
Students and staff are extremely excited to launch this new tes ng format and are grateful for the new Chrome- books that will allow us to test in this format. Results will be immediate once the test window closes on Sept. 29th. Parents watch for ini al scores and informa on on our new format, coming home with your student in early Octo- ber.
Losing One of Our St. Agnes Family Our deepest sympathy and prayers to our classmates and friend, Landon and Laetner Malm, their mom, Renee, and their family in the loss of their dad/husband. We are truly saddened by a young life cut short, but know God has giv- en Shane peace and taken him home to celebrate eternal life. We ask the school and parish communi es to keep the Malm family in their prayers. Hot Lunch Menu for September 18th -- September 22nd Monday, 18th Tuesday, 19th Wednesday , 20th Thursday, 21st Friday, 22nd Chicken pa y Ham & Cheese Sub Grilled cheese Spaghe w/ Meat & Macaroni & cheese -- Mashed potatoes sandwhich w/ le uce & Baked beans Marinara sauce Ham Steamed broccoli tomato Tater barrels Green salad w/ ranch Green beans Rolls & margarine Potato chips Peaches Grapes Carrots w/ ranch 1/2 banana Steamed broccoli Helpers: Char Pina, Whole wheat roll Pears Helpers: John Schmall, Mandarin oranges Anna Merrigan Helpers: Please sign up Whole wheat roll Char Pina Helpers: Josh Hill, to help for this date Helpers: Melissa Sundee Hill Dudley School News... Mrs. Lacy - 1st Grade We are off to a great start here in first grade! We are working on being good listeners and getting used to all the new things here in Mrs. Lacy’s class! There have been some laughs as we make mistakes while getting used to our new schedule too! We really enjoy center time, writing time, and doing science experiments! The first week of school we got to learn how we taste with our nose! If you’re curious what we mean by this, you’ll have to stop by and ask one of the first graders! Because first grade is so busy, we are also enjoying our brain breaks by dancing and doing yoga too!
We have been doing an awesome job in writing. We are learning that there are a lot more steps that authors take to make their writing great! We have been making sure that our sentences make sense and that it is has the necessary grammar components!
We have also been learning how to use our new chrome books! We have learned how to carefully get them out, turn them on, turn them off and put them away. Soon we will learn how we login to our chrome books and do work on them. Thanks to all those who donated for this cause! We can’t wait to use them even more in our class.
Miss Brill -- 3rd Grade
Welcome to Third Grade! The past two weeks have been fun-filled, but busy! We have been ac vely ge ng to know the rou nes and procedures of being upstairs with the big kids here at St. Agnes! We had so much fun on our first day of school. It was a very memorable one with the Solar Eclipse!
Academically we are learning about communi es in Social Studies, and how we can contribute back to the community we live in. Math, we are reviewing how to read charts, calendars, and how we solve problems using lists, and logic! We are ge ng started with learning the much-loved cursive handwri ng. The kids are excited to really take off and learn how to fully read and write in cursive this year!
Our theme this September in third grade is Jesus is the Core to a Good School Year. We are learning that when Jesus is our cen- ter, or “core”, similar to an apple, and we make him a priority in our lives, the rest of life falls into place!