“O people of Sion, behold, the Lord will come to save the nations, and the Lord will make the glory of his voice in the joy of your heart” + Isaiah 30:19 (Entrance Antiphon, 2nd Sunday of Advent)
Dear Parishioners,
The words from our Entrance Antiphon for this weekend’s Mass couldn’t be more appropriate for the moment of history that we are living in. Allow these words from Isaiah to sink in. These words are true. Yes, there is a lot going on in our world to cause disquiet, fear, anxiety or anger but our “Lord will come to save the nations.” Do we believe this? He not only wants us to have confidence in His providential care but He even wants us to experience joy in our hearts. This is only possible if Christ is the center and foundation of our lives, and if he isn’t, now is the time to make Him so. This is what Advent is all about.
How has your first week of Advent gone? Have you been able to add daily Advent prayer and sacrifices?
You will find included in this weekend’s bulletin an insert with ideas on how to live fully this season of preparation. Many of the suggestions are ways that we can continue to build up the domestic church, the domestic monastery, of our homes.
The more restrictive, new directed health measures that went in to effect last Monday, November 30 (which limit indoor gatherings to 10 people) do not impact religious gatherings, including weddings and funerals. Nor do they impact our current guidelines during Mass.
- Churches may be filled up to 50% capacity (which is what we currently follow).
- We continue to practice social distancing, wearing of masks, etc. (please try to social distance by household when coming up for Communion).
- The option of receiving on the tongue is allowed.
- We continue to disinfect the pews and church between Masses.
Our current Mass and Confession schedule remains the same. On Sundays our 8 am and 10 am Masses are at the point of overflow. For these Masses once we reach capacity, Mass will be able to be viewed on the big screen downstairs in Kaczmarek Hall. At Communion time those in K Hall may come upstairs for Communion.
Continue to pray, fast and sacrifice for our country and the healing of our divisions.
“Come, Lord Jesus!”
Abundant Advent blessings,
Fr. Hottovy
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Handy Links:
- Eucharistic Adoration Sign-Up
- Parish Website
- Parish Facebook Page
- Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House Schedule
Attachments:
:: NEW & UPDATED PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS ::
Eucharistic Adoration Update: Beginning on Sunday the 29th, Exposition will be offered EVERY DAY at these times: Sundays (1-9), Mondays (9-9), Tuesdays (9-9), Wednesdays (9-9), Thursdays (9-9), and Fridays (9-9), and Saturdays (9-4). (One hour is yet unfilled: Fridays from 10-11. Check the signup to see if you’re available.)
NEW: CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES
Bishop Conley has made a special allowance this year. Christmas Eve Masses may begin as early as 3pm in order to avoid large crowds.
We will have a 3pm Mass AND a 5pm Mass on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, Masses will be said at Midnight, 8am, 10am, and Noon.
Formed.org Advent Resources
- The Road to Bethlehem: Daily Reflections and Enrichment for Advent. There are daily 5-minute video reflections for Adults and Children.
- Prepare the Way of the King by Dr. Scott Hahn: Dr. Hahn reveals what scholars now know about the shepherds, the mysterious Magi, and King Herod. This illuminating presentation is sure to help you grow in appreciation of the greatest gift ever given to mankind—Jesus Christ.
- The Story of the Nativity: The Truth of Christmas: Join top scholars, inspirational speakers, and popular authors as they explain the story behind the story of the birth of Jesus. The Story of the Nativity also includes stunning works of art depicting the biblical story, from Fra Angelico to Rembrandt, and footage from the Holy Land showing the places where the Christmas story actually took place
- "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas," or, at least that's the assumption based on that familiar holiday song. But what does that look like at your house? Through an exploration of the mystery of the Incarnation, the Virgin Birth, and the events surrounding the arrival of Jesus, this Advent study offers an opportunity to experience the joy of the true meaning of Christmas. This Advent series can be viewed as a personal Study or with a group or family.
Note: Our parish provides a Formed.org subscription; there is no cost for you to sign up. You’ll need the parish code (J4V3RY) to sign up initially. After that, your e-mail address will suffice to sign in.
Please Pray for the repose of the souls of Luke Anderson, son of Matt and Tammy; Charles Rickel, father of Stacy Rickel; Betty Barber, sister of Bernita Hruby; Bonnie Huggenberger, mother-in-law of Mary Huggenberger; Melva Van Gerpen, mother of Shannon Van Gerpen; longtime parishioner Ruth McKinstry; and longtime parishioner David Navratil.
Seminarian of the Week: Rev. Mr. Dale Allder is the son of David and Nancy Allder of St. Peter Parish, Lincoln. He is studying Theology 4 at Mt. St. Mary Seminary. Remember to pray for Dale and for his formation.
Sacred Art Spotlight:
Italian Baroque painter Caravaggio’s (1571-1610) depiction of John in the Wilderness (painted in 1605) is very distinctive. The original painting can be found at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri and is the only piece by the painter that can be viewed by the public in the Midwest. When one sees the image in museum, it leaps off the wall with its brilliance and dramatic use of light and dark when compared with the other paintings in the room.
Brooding and dark, John takes up the whole canvas. He leans forward out of darkness into the light. He is indeed the figure that will bridge the old world of sin and darkness and announce the coming of the Messiah who will usher in light, mercy, goodness and peace. The gravity of John can be explained by the purpose for which it was painted: a chapel for religious priests whose mission was to care for the sick and dying and to bury the corpses of plague victims.
John holds a thin reed cross which is a reference to Christ’s description of John as “a reed shaken by the wind.” The heavy cloak wrapped around him would have been necessary to stave off cold nights in the harsh wilderness. Its dark red color foreshadows his martyrdom as well as the blood of the Lamb of God which will wash away the sins of the world.
John’s melancholy is a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for all of us to repent and follow the Lamb of God who saves us from our sins.
:: REPEAT PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS (for your convenience) ::
Advent is to be a time of preparation, prayer, sacrifice, penance, and conversion. The purple, or violet color represents penance and preparation.
Although Advent is not as rigorous as Lent, it is to be a time of penance to properly prepare for the coming of Christ. We can give something up or fast, incorporate more prayer, and perform acts of charity, such as participating in our Advent Giving Wreath.
See the Advent Insert (attachment) for ideas.
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Charity: Advent Giving Wreath
We are encouraged to stop by the Advent Wreath(s) to choose gifts that we are able to give to such charities as Lincoln Right to Life, Catholic Social Services, etc.
Prices for the gifts vary from $1 upward. Please turn them in unwrapped.
You may see the insert for details.
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Advent Family Traditions
which are safe during health restrictions
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Attending or Watching Mass together
- Fast from tech and media
- Scripture Reading
- Advent Wreath with Scripture
- Feast of St. Nicholas: Dec 6th
- Jesse Tree
- Jesus’ empty crib on display
- Remember to allow for silence in your day: shut off the radio, TV, and computer. Add or incorporate meaning to Advent activities, as we need memory and tradition even more during this time.
The school needs recycled paper: any 8 1/2 x 11 paper that is blank on one side and free of wrinkles and staples
There will NOT be a December meeting for Grand Group.
Holy Land Rosaries
Rosaries of Olive Wood which were handmade by Christians in the Holy Land are available for purchase in the Parish Office (a minimum donation of $10 is requested). All proceeds go directly to the support of Christians in the Holy Land. These make wonderful gifts for sacraments, Christmas,
and all occasions!
Streaming Masses: Clarification
As in the past, 4pm Mass will be live-streamed and available for later viewing. At this time, 8am and 10am Masses will also be live-streamed.
Missalettes
New Missalettes—which begin on November 29th—are available in the vestibule. Please keep the missalette that you take, and use it each week.
Online Giving: Online giving is a safe way to give to the parish without using envelopes. We
encourage this practice! If you need help beginning, please call the parish office.
The link for online giving is in the upper-right hand corner of our parish website.
An Altar Society Prayer Line has been established to lift up our prayers to God as a community. Leva Orationes Deo is Latin for lift up prayers to God. Requests can be made by e-mailing levaorationesdeo@yahoo.com or calling the first caller for the phone prayer line: Mary Pat McBride at 402-314-1296. All intentions will be sent by e-mail to the Altar Society e-mail list. If you want to participate in the phone prayer line, please contact Mary Pat.
Home for sale: 4244 Witherbee is a 3 bed 1/5 bath being sold for $137,500. Call Bobby Bevins at 402-314-3254
:: NEW DIOCESE-wide ANNOUNCEMENTS ::
Mass of Hope and Healing: Our Lady of Guadalupe Ministry at St. Michael Catholic Church in Lincoln is hosting its first annual Mass on Sat., Dec. 12, at 8:15 A.M. for anyone seeking hope and healing for the holidays. If you struggle—or care for someone who struggles—with drug/alcohol abuse or mental health issues, join us for Mass and a healing service immediately following. St. Michael Catholic Church, in the gym: 9101 S. 82nd St., Lincoln. Contact Chris Jacobsen with questions: Chris-Jacobsen@cdolinc.net
“Am I not here, I who am your mother?” (Our Lady of Guadalupe)
:: REPEAT DIOCESE-wide ANNOUNCEMENTS ::
The annual Mass of the Holy Innocents will be celebrated on Monday, December 28th. All are invited to attend this Memorial Mass, especially those families who have suffered the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death or abortion. Reading of names will begin at 6:30 p.m. with Mass at 7:00 p.m. This year, the Mass will take place at Cathedral of the Risen Christ Church due to the pandemic and social distancing measures. The Cathedral is located at 3500 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln. If you would like your child's name to be remembered & placed on the banner, please call the Office of Family Life at 473-0620 before 5:00 p.m. on Fri. Dec. 18th. If you placed your child's name previously, it will remain on the list.
LINCOLN MOTHERS ON A MISSION (MOMs) will be meeting virtually on Saturday, December 5th @ 8:30 am. "Living with Hope this Advent" with Fr. Ryan Kaup. Lincoln MOMs is a group of Catholic mothers searching for fellowship, hope, & joy in our ever-changing vocation. Please check the facebook page or newsletter for the Zoom link for upcoming meeting. Contact us at lincolnmomsgroup@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/lincolnmothersonamission.
MASS with Prayers for HEALING. December 13, 2020. Cathedral of the Risen Christ, 35th & Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE. Please join together to pray for healing for yourself, your family, friends, for our Church and our Nation.
Remembering our loved ones. Please join us at Calvary Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum in Lincoln for our annual Advent Remembrance Tree Blessing and Lighting Ceremony at 5:30 P.M. on December 5, 2020. Christmas tree ornaments are available in the cemetery office to take home and decorate for the Remembrance Tree. Please bring the ornaments back to the cemetery office by December 1, 2020 Flyer attached
Register now for the following in-person or online winter classes with The Emmaus Institute for Biblical Studies, running November 30-February 18: Studying Ecclesiastes: A Journey Toward a Meaningful Life, The Historical Books (Joshua-Maccabees), Heaven Help the Home: Recapturing a Biblical Vision of Marriage and Family, and Encountering Jesus in The Gospel of Luke. Learn more and register now at www.emmausinstitute.net
Catholic Social Services provides cash assistance to those struggling to pay rent, utilities, car repairs, and more. Requests taken every Monday morning. Call (402) 327-6211, the line opens at 9am. Contact our Emergency Services Coordinator, Marilu Cazares at (402) 327-6222 or mcazares@cssisus.org with questions.
Calvary Cemetery has a new Burial Space Hold Policy. If you believe you placed space(s) on hold prior to the new policy which was started in 2019, please contact the cemetery at 402-476-8787 to complete the proper paperwork or to purchase the space(s). If you do not contact the office and complete the new form or purchase the space(s) by December 15th, 2020, your hold will be removed from the record so the space(s) can be released back into inventory for other individuals or families to purchase. Call 402-476-8787 for questions or more information. Thank You!