Dear Parishioners,
This Sunday’s first reading reminds us that it is in the still small voice that the Lord speaks to us. It not in the drama and noise of the storm, fire or earthquake. I hope and pray that you are taking time daily for prayer to allow for the soft voice of the Lord to speak to you amidst the drama and noise of our times.
Would you like peace? It is so important that we continue to pray for each other in these unsettling times. I hope the issues of the day do not divide our parish, discourage us, or dampen our faith, hope and love for one another. It’s good for us to be reminded that we are Catholic and Christ has already won the battle. If you desire peace and calm immediately in your life try shutting the TV, internet and all social media off for at least a week. I assure you it will do you good and more importantly give you much-needed time for prayer! Many understandably are anxious, angry, frustrated, and confused. Television and social media just add to this mix of emotions.
Some ways in which we can continue to soak in the graces of our Eucharistic Lord are by attending Mass, making a weekly holy hour in church, or in your home by making a spiritual holy hour with the intention of adoring Our Lord from a distance and making brief stops in the church to adore the Lord. Jesus is with us and he wants us to continue to come to him with all of the concerns of our hearts.
The dispensation from Sunday Mass attendance is still in place. People who do not attend Mass in person are encouraged to participate by viewing an online or televised Mass. Our parish continues to live-stream its Saturday 4pm Mass. This can be viewed live or watched later.
Those who attend Mass in person should follow these guidelines:
- People should give one another a 6-foot space.
- The pews, doorknobs, and other surfaces are being sanitized regularly.
- A reminder that masks are required when you come for Mass (as we are currently under the DHM that requires the use of masks when in public areas). With people following this precaution, I invite you to please join us for Mass.
- We will receive communion in the center aisle and on-the-hand.
- Please take a missalette from the vestibule to keep and use (do not return it to the box nor leave it in church).
Our current public Mass Schedule remains the same:
- Monday – Friday: 8:15am and 5:30pm (Starting August 17th the 5:30 pm Mass will move back to 6:30 am)
- Saturday: 8:15am and 4pm Vigil Mass (Vigil Mass is live streamed)
- Sunday: 8am, 10am, and Noon Masses
Confessions are available on Saturdays from 1:30-3pm and on Fridays a half-hour before the two daily Masses. (Starting August 20th Confessions will be heard on both Thursdays and Fridays a half-hour before the two daily Masses)
Know of my prayers for all of you. May Our Lady, Queen of heaven and earth, intercede for you and protect you at every moment.
In Jesus and Mary,
Father Hottovy
Pastor | St. Teresa Parish
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Parish Announcements:
Mass & Confessions Updates
- Beginning Mon, Aug 17th, 6:30am Masses will resume and there will no longer be 5:30pm Masses.
- Beginning Mon, Aug 17th, the 8:15am Mass will be closed to the public because the attendance
of school children.
- Confessions will be heard Thursdays 1/2 hour before Masses beginning August 20th (in addition to Fridays before-Masses and Saturday afternoon.)
Construction Updates: For the first time in its 70-year history, the school’s gymnasium has air conditioning! The cafeteria—after 90 years in use—also has air conditioning. The remainder of the school’s air conditioning should be functioning by early next week. Additionally, the school’s solar panels produced 4,743 KWh of electricity—enough to power 4.5 homes for a month!
Grand Group: Wearing our masks, using hand sanitizer, practicing social distancing and being mindful of how we handled refreshments kept us safe from COVID when we played Bingo last month and we will keep these practices in place for this month’s event. Wendy Tridle from “Organized by Design” is our speaker this month and she is just as anxious to be careful as we are. Wendy will give a slide presentation and answer our questions about organizing and downsizing all the things in our homes that we have accumulated over the years. This event will be held on Fri, Aug 21st at 1pm at KC hall. Let Phyllis know (402-488-9177) if you will attend by Mon, Aug 17th. Don’t miss out!
Godteens: Online registration is open for the 2020-2021 school year for our parish’s high schoolers. The deadline is August 30th. Please use THIS LINK. An Ice Cream Social is planned for Sept 2nd in the school parking lot to kick off the school year.
Holy Water is available in the large font near the red candles. It is exorcized water and salt—an extra-strong blessing, if you will—which is intended to ward off disease and evil as well as impart blessing. We encourage you to take home and use Holy Water.
Want Peace? It is so important that we continue to pray for each other in these unsettling and challenging times. We also need reminding that we are Catholic and Christ has already won the battle. If you desire peace and calm immediately in your life try shutting the TV and all social media off for at least a week. It will do you good. Many understandably are anxious, angry, frustrated, and confused. Television and social media just add to this mix of emotions.
Invitation to Fasting and Prayer
The upheaval in our world right now is not only physical but spiritual. It seems abundantly obvious that this is a battle against the enemy and his seeds of bitter division, deep anger, mass confusion, and crippling fear. Let us turn to prayer and fasting as Jesus teaches us to do in our battle with the enemy.
Consider observing a "mini Lent" of prayer and fasting from August 1st through August 14th, with "Easter" culminating on August 15th: the Assumption of Our Lady. Join in two weeks of prayer and fasting for the sincere and lasting conversion of the world and the reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary (or other intentions from your heart), and pass the information on to your friends and families. This is sort of a grassroots effort unites Christians in prayer and reminds us that we are one body - not isolated, fearful people.
Thank you for any sacrifices you can intentionally make in the next two weeks, and let's together beg the intercession of Our Lady in lead up to her Assumption!
Parish Giving & Income: In July 2020, we gave/collected $73,921.10. Our budget requires $88, 400 which means we came up $14,478.90 short. Please remember to be generous in your giving. If you do not yet attend public Masses, you may mail in your envelope, leave it in the dropbox at the Parish Office, or donate online.
Please pray for the repose of the souls of Julie Kregg, sister of Jennifer Siegel, John Butler, father of Barry Butler, and Bruce Buchanan, brother of Mary Mach.
In-parish Job Opening: St. Teresa Catholic Church and School is seeking a Custodian. This includes general cleaning—keeping the facilities clean and orderly—and upkeep of the parish, school, and grounds, sanitizing surfaces at school and public areas of the church and rectory, mowing and grounds maintenance, snow removal and ice-melt application, and occasional light maintenance and minor repairs. High school diploma or GED is required. For more information, contact the Parish Office: 402-477-3979.
ALL IN | Youth Bible Study: High Schoolers and College Students: come join us for a weekly Bible Study. It will be a great chance to grow in your faith and in a relationship with others from the diocese. The time is now to be ALL IN for the Faith. Meetings are normally Wednesdays from 7:30-9:30pm. The upcoming meeting will be TUESDAY August 11th at St. Peter.
ELC enrollment is open: As a service to St. Teresa School families we offer a state-approved after-school program with a mission to provide a holy and safe, helpful, and encouraging, positive and fun after-school learning and play environment for our students. Applications for Extended Learning Center may be picked up in the office or can be emailed upon request. Questions? E-mail Amy-VanGerpen@cdolinc.net.
A small number of printed bulletins are available at the exits of church.
Missalettes for June 7-Nov 28 are available in the vestibule. Please take a missalette but do not return it—keep it for personal use.
Our parish is still in need of Ushers for 8am and Noon Masses to assist parishioners with sitting accommodations, etc. If you are currently an Usher, or if you would like to volunteer to become an Usher, please contact Will Varicak at willvaricak@gmail.com or 402-416-1070.
St. Teresa Thrift Shop
…is open for business on Saturdays in Aug from 9-3 and one Friday: Aug 7th from 4-8. Donations can be made during these times at the back door of the store. All volunteers and shoppers must wear masks (which are not provided). We may limit the number of shoppers in the store at one time to adhere to the social distancing guidelines. Only children who are 12 and older and accompanied by an adult will be admitted at this time.
è Sale! Aug 7-8 (Fri & Sat) All items are half price!
Because many of our volunteers are elderly, many must stay away because of the pandemic. We are in need of volunteers during the week to sort and price items and stock the store. We are also in need of volunteers when we are open on the weekend to cashier, bag, monitor the door, and accept donations. Currently we are open Sat. 9-3, but would like to get back to our regular hours of Fri 4-8 and Sat 9-4.
Saturday the 11th, we made over $1700 in just 6 hours. There were many comments about how grateful the customers were to have us open. The thrift store is a wonderful outreach in our community.
To volunteer, call: Barb Bechtoltz: 402-499-9735, Karen Restau: 402-309-9769, or Ann Reinke 402-560-4114.
Walk the Little Way for 2020 is gearing up. If you have a business and would like to support Saint Teresa School by advertising on the t-shirts and banner for Walk the Little Way, please contact Janice Swanson at Janiceswanson7 @gmail.com.
St. Teresa School is looking to add to our list of Substitute Teachers for the 2020-2021 school year. If you do not have a teaching or substitute certificate, you may still be eligible to apply for a local substitute teaching permit. This permit requires a minimum of 60 semester credit hours of college coursework and at least one course in professional education. Contact Sister Mary Ruth at 402-477-3358 or sr.mary-ruth@cdolinc.net for more information.
Confirmation: The eagerly-anticipated confirmation of last year’s fifth graders will take place September 19th and 26th at 10am. Please note: attendance is by invitation only.
Congratulations to our parish’s Pius X 2020 seniors who officially graduated on August 2nd!
Pink Sisters & Adoration Chapel: Because the current (COVID-19) Risk Level in our community is high, the Chapel remains closed to the public in order to preserve the health of the sisters and the lay adorers. When the Risk Level lowers significantly, reopening of the chapel will be considered.
Mass Intentions
There are many dates and times available for those who wish to have Mass said for their intention(s). A $10 stipend is requested for each Mass. Dates are available beginning now, through the end of 2021. You may call the parish office or e-mail aubrey-potter@cdolinc.net with questions or to reserve Masses.
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Diocesan Announcements
Upcoming Retreats at Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House
Note: Altar Society or Men’s Club will pay for half of the cost of a standard retreat once per retreat-year for parishioners!
- August 14-16, a retreat for Women will be given (in person) by Fr. Sean Kilcawley. The topic is Contemplating the Face of Christ.
- August 28-30, a retreat for Men and Women will be given (in person) by Father Gary Coulter and Matt Simmons. The topic is Unbound: Freedom in Christ.
For more information, a complete list of retreats, or to register, please visit Our Lady of Good Counsel’s website.
2020 Calvary Cemetery Memorial Golf Tournament
This year we are adding a “Memorial Flag” sponsorship, available on each hole of our golf tournament. Your loved ones name(s) would be on the flag and the flag is a keepsake for you after the tournament. With the Memorial Sponsorship, a Friday, 12:15pm Mass at the Mausoleum, date chosen by you, will be offered for your loved ones. Please join us in a fun day of GOLF at Firethorn GC. The 4-person scramble is on Monday, August 17th – Registration & Chick Fil A lunch starting at 11:30am and a 1:00pm start. $150.00 per player/$600.00 per team includes green fees, golf cart, lunch, Firethorn Dinner and Prizes. Sponsorships/Donations are most Welcome. For more information or to sign up, email kathi-woody@cdolinc.net or call 402-476-8787.
Diocesan Confirmation Retreat
All students being confirmed along with their parents are invited to attend the “Confirmed in Mission” Confirmation Retreat! It will be held Saturday, October 3rd from 10am-4:30pm at Camp Kateri. This event is an opportunity for parents and their children to come together to be renewed in the Holy Spirit and prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. Light breakfast and lunch is provided, and appropriate health measures will be taken. Cost is $15 per person to register. To register or for more information visit: www.lincolndiocese.org/mission
The Benedict XVI Diocesan School of Catechesis is for Catholics wanting to strengthen their intellectual and spiritual formation to empower their evangelical mission in the world. It covers the Creed, the Sacraments, the Commandments, and Prayer (Year I) as well as Salvation History, Church History, Faith and Reason, and Spirituality (Year II). Participants can join in Year I or Year II and classes will be offered in-person and on Zoom simultaneously. The time commitment is one Saturday a month from September to April for two years. The cost is $100 per semester but those who teach CCD, God-teen/CYO, or in Catholic schools receive a 25% discount.
For more information go to www.lincolndiocese.org/bxvi or call 402-473-0631.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center with Catholic Social Services continues to support mental health for the Diocese of Lincoln through the use of telehealth. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health difficulties that adversely impact daily functioning or shadow the joy of living, please reach out. For more information, visit their website at immaculateheartcounseling.org or call 402-489-1834.
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May God bless you and keep you!