st. joan arc...st. joan arc of 3122 south 74th street omaha, nebraska 68124 phone (402) 393-2005 fax...

3
St. JoAN ARC OF 3122 South 74th Street Omaha, Nebraska 68124 Phone (402) 393-2005 Fax (402) 398-9438 Website www.sjaomaha.org Email [email protected] Catholic Church D ECEMBER 27, 2020 T HE H OLY F AMILY OF J ESUS , M ARY , AND J OSEPH The Ox and the Ass Have you ever wondered why there’s an ox and an ass in every nativity scene? Perhaps like me, you’ve never even asked the question, just assumed that it was trying to depict the real thing. Look closely the next time you see a Nativity. Without fail, those two are always there. Often times they are nearest to the man- ger and sometimes they even seem to know something we don’t. None of the Gospel writers give us this de- tail, but it does come from scripture. It comes from Isaiah 1:3. “An ox knows its owner, and an ass, its master’s manger; but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” The ox and the ass do not usually have reputations of being the smartest animals. Yet, even they recognize the Savior. The implication here is that those of us who are too smart for our own good will not recognize the King of Kings. One of my favorite authors, Flannery O’Connor, once described this phenomenon in her short story The Enduring Chill , “When people think they are smart - even when they are smart - there is noth- ing anybody else can say to make them see things straight.” Only the humblest, the simplest, the child, and the childlike will recognize that this child is the answer to all of our questions, all of our desires. He is the rest for our restlessness, the way for our waywardness. He is Love for our world, which is cruel, violent, and distrusting. “In this child Jesus, the defenselessness of God is apparent. God comes without weapons, because he does not wish to conquer from outside but desires to win and transform us from within. If anything can conquer man’s vainglory, his violence, his greed, it is the vulnerability of the child” (Pope Benedict XVI). Merry Christmas - Fr. Lorig

Upload: others

Post on 29-Jan-2021

2 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

  • St. JoAN ARC OF

    3122 South 74th Street

    Omaha, Nebraska 68124

    Phone (402) 393-2005

    Fax (402) 398-9438

    Website www.sjaomaha.org

    Email [email protected]

    Catholic Church

    DECEMBER 27, 2020

    THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH

    The Ox and the Ass

    Have you ever wondered why there’s an ox and an ass in every nativity scene? Perhaps like me, you’ve

    never even asked the question, just assumed that it was trying to depict the real thing. Look closely the next time you see a Nativity. Without fail, those two are always there. Often times they are nearest to the man-ger and sometimes they even seem to know something we don’t. None of the Gospel writers give us this de-tail, but it does come from scripture. It comes from Isaiah 1:3. “An ox knows its owner, and an ass, its master’s

    manger; but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”

    The ox and the ass do not usually have reputations of being the smartest animals. Yet, even they recognize the Savior. The implication here is that those of us who are too smart for our own good will not recognize the King of Kings.

    One of my favorite authors, Flannery O’Connor, once described this phenomenon in her short story

    The Enduring Chill, “When people think they are smart - even when they are smart - there is noth-ing anybody else can say to make them see things straight.”

    Only the humblest, the simplest, the child, and the childlike will recognize that this child is the answer to all of our questions, all of

    our desires. He is the rest for our restlessness, the way for our waywardness. He is Love for our world, which is cruel, violent, and distrusting.

    “In this child Jesus, the defenselessness of God is apparent. God comes without weapons, because he does not wish to conquer from

    outside but desires to win and transform us from within. If anything can conquer man’s vainglory, his violence, his greed, it is the vulnerability of the child” (Pope Benedict XVI).

    Merry Christmas

    - Fr. Lorig

  • 2 SAINT JOAN OF ARC CATHOLIC CHURCH OMAHA, NEBRASKA

    Mass/Confession Times at St. Thomas More

    Monday - Friday: 7:00 am Saturdays: 8:00 am & 5:00 pm

    Sundays: 8:00 am & 10:30 am

    Confessions on Saturdays:4—4:40 pm

    PARISH PERSONNEL

    Pastor: Rev. Jeffrey Lorig

    Cell 402-509-3909

    Email: [email protected]

    Senior Associate Pastors:

    Rev. Greg Benkowski

    Rectory 402-393-8918

    Rev. Frank Baumert

    Cell 402-677-1565

    Deacon Ron & Julie Ryan

    402-551-4330

    Deacon Tim & Ruth Leininger

    402-731-7474

    Parish Business Manager

    Martha N. Saettele

    402-393-2005, ext. 4

    Bulletin Editor: Linda Boyer

    Email: [email protected]

    School Principal: Kayleen Wallace

    Secretary, Renae Vorland

    402-393-2314, ext 3

    Fax 402-393-4405

    Religious Education: Jennifer Muckey

    Email: [email protected]

    Athletic Director: Dylan & Beth Biros

    402-210-5407

    Email: [email protected]

    Prayer Assistance Line

    Melinda Kenton 402-390-9470

    Kim Large: [email protected]

    Holy Communion to Homebound

    Deacon Tim 402-731-7474

    Food for The Francis House

    Mary Kentch 402-593-8703

    Funerals: Please call the Parish Office

    SACRAMENTS

    Baptism

    Contact Fr. Lorig 3 months prior to

    baptism at 402-509-3909

    Marriage

    Please call Fr. Lorig at least 9 months in

    advance for date and instruction information.

    Always verify priest and church availability

    before reserving reception venue.

    Penance

    Saturdays, 4:00 - 4:50 pm.

    Anytime by appointment

    Liturgical Ministers January 2nd, 2021 and January 3rd, 2021

    Lectors EMHCs

    5:00 pm - Carol Nish Linda Boyer

    8:00 am - Bill Bayer Sue Thomas

    10:30 am - Colleen Quinn Harper Mike Elston

    Calendar of Events Sunday, December 27th

    Thursday, December 31st -

    8:30 am Mass with Fr. Benkowski

    5:30 pm Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of Mary - Fr. Baumert

    Friday, January 1st, 2021 - The Solemnity of Mary Holy Day

    9:00 am Mass with Fr. Benkowski

    Si necesita alguna información o tiene preguntas

    acerca de la iglesia por favor comuniquese con

    Martha Nevárez Saettele al 402-393 2005 ext. 4

    The Solemnity of Mary Mass Schedule Thursday, December 31st Vigil Masses

    5:30 pm - Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of Mary

    Fr. Baumert Friday, January 1st

    9:00 am - The Solemnity of Mary

    Fr. Benkowski

    A “volunteer” sign up sheet is on the table in the Gathering Area for

    Ushers, Lectors & EMHC’s for the 5:30 pm Vigil Mass on December 31st.

    Year End Contributions

    Contributions must be received by Dec. 31, 2020, in

    order to be reflected on your 2020 Year End Contribu-

    tions Statement. Anything received after Decem-

    ber 31st will be counted in 2021. Call the Parish

    Office with questions, 402-393-2005, ext 4.

    Dear Fellow Parishioners,

    The year 2020 will go down in the record books with an asterisk; almost everything in our daily lives has changed. No doubt the Christmas sea-son will be different this year as well, though the meaning and im-portance of the event are unchanged.

    Also unchanged is the importance of the Christmas collection to our parish finances. Last year, we received over $29,000 from this collec-tion, a wonderful display of the generosity of our parish family. The needs of the parish and school are greater this year, so maintaining this level of contributions is important for maintaining our mission. In this unusual 2020 Christmas, please give St. Joan of Arc a high priority in your Christmas planning. May this be a joy-filled season, Dennis Smid Chair, Finance Committee

    Christmas Break Information

    School Office will be closed thru Jan 4th

    Parish Office will be closed Dec 31-Jan 4th

    Newly Baptized

    Daniel S. Anyoun,

    son of Achok Mel,

    was baptized Sunday, December 13, 2020.

    We welcome you, Daniel,

    into the Catholic Church at

    St. Joan of Arc Parish.

  • 3 DECEMBER 27, 2020 THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY , & JOSEPH

    Mass Intentions Monday, December 28, 2020 Requested by

    8:30 am † Bud Peitzmeier (Peitzmeier Family)

    Tuesday, December 29, 2020

    8:30 am † Ronald McClellan (McClellan Family)

    Wednesday, December 30, 2020

    8:30 am † Joyce Luebbert (Doris Luebbert)

    Thursday, December 31, 2020

    8:30 am † Paul Dworak (Mary Anne Dworak)

    5:30 pm † Poor Souls

    Friday, January 1, 2021 - The Solemnity of Mary

    9:00 am Special Intention

    Dolores Nevárez (Saettele Family)

    Saturday, January 2, 2021

    5:00 pm † Sally Farley (Janiak Family)

    Fr. Baumert

    Sunday, January 3, 2021

    8:00 am SJA Parishioners

    Fr. Benkowski

    10:30 am † Janet Eymann (Saettele Family)

    Fr. Lorig

    *Students will use the entire section of pews to the right of center aisle.

    Please remember those who are sick in our parish, and those we

    have been asked to pray for: Paul Wade, Bill Stark, Jerry Hogya, Rose Romano, Bev Sladovnik, Shirley Bardsley, Connie Wade, Anto Kinsley,

    Ken Renkenberger, Maria Menjivar, Steve Hamill, Nadine Hansen, Bob

    Mercier, Maxine Kantor, Sam Marchese, Andrew Ascherl, Eileen Annin,

    Grace Fascianell, Roger Pedroza, †Brian Van Ormer

    Scholarship Opportunity

    The Omaha Urban Council of Catholic Women Deanery is offering

    a $250 scholarship to a senior Catholic girl. The winner of the

    deanery scholarship will be eligible to compete for the $500

    scholarship offered by the Omaha Archdiocesan Council of Cath-

    olic Women. Application forms have been sent to the guidance

    counselors of area high schools. The applications for the Omaha

    Urban Deanery Scholarship are due January 15, 2021, and need

    to be sent to Cathy Vak, 3255 S. 77th St., Omaha, NE 68124.

    Archbishop’s Annual Appeal

    We invite all those who have yet to make a gift to join their fellow

    parishioners in an expression of gratitude. Every gift, no matter

    how large or small, makes a difference. Our parish has a goal of

    $39,385.51. Donations, as of December

    14th, are $26,140.00 which is 66.4% of

    our goal. Help us reach our goal. You can

    donate online at archomaha.org.

    Discover the Gross Catholic Difference!

    Take a private tour or watch our Virtual Video on-line and then

    register to take the Admissions Exam and receive a $1000 tui-

    tion grant at Gross Catholic. Go to our website:

    grosscatholic.org or call 402-734-2000 to find

    out more about the Campus Visit Grant. Sign

    up for the Admissions or Practice Exam on

    January 9, 2021. Come Be a Cougar!

    The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph “…as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.” COLOSSIANS 3:13

    Forgiving is one of the hardest things for people to do. We can-

    not give what we don’t have. We need to receive God’s mercy

    and forgiveness first before we can give it to others. Go to the

    sacrament of Reconciliation and receive God’s mercy and for-

    giveness. Then, share the gift of forgiveness with someone - a

    family member, a friend, or a co-worker. Pick up the phone or

    text someone right now.

    500 Confraternity December 27, 2020 - Jim & Shirley Skinner

    St. Joan of Arc School Highlights

    GRIEVING WITH GREAT HOPE WINTER 2021 WORKSHOP

    Grieving with Great Hope is a workshop/support group for those who are

    mourning the loss of a loved one. This Journey is firmly grounded in our

    Catholic Faith and is a 6-week walk with those who have lost a spouse,

    parent, child, sibling, grandchild or a close friend. This workshop meets

    January 12th, 19th, 26th, and February 2nd, 9th , and 16th, 2021. These

    sessions are from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at St. Cecilia Cathedral. Attendance is

    necessary for all sessions and seating

    is limited. Please contact Deacon Jim

    Tardy at [email protected] or

    402/391-3711 and 402/551-2313.

    Saint Joan of Arc teachers and staff want to express our sin-

    cere thanks to the School Board and parents for the lunches

    and special treats, and to the Ladies Guild, the Human Needs

    Committee, and an anonymous donor for the generosity

    shown to us during this Christmas Season. Your thoughtful-

    ness is so appreciated!

    Kayleen Wallace

    Principal

    mailto:[email protected]