Be my protector, O God, a mighty stronghold to save me. For you are my rock, my stronghold! Lead me, guide me, for the sake of your name.
+ Psalm 31 [Entrance Antiphon, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time]
Dear Parishioners,
This weekend’s Entrance Antiphon reminds us of our God who wants to save us in all of the ways that we need protection and redemption. Come back to this antiphon often when you feel fearful, powerless, or anxious. Our God promises He will be with us and will stop at nothing to lead us to fullness of life.
Peace in Christ,
Fr. Hottovy
::
Handy Links:
- Eucharistic Adoration Sign-up (Next dates for Exposition are Feb 17-Mar 31)
- Parish Website
- Parish Facebook Page
- Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House Schedule
Attachments:
Lent Flyer (Lenten Suggestions)
:: NEW & UPDATED PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS ::
Lent is Beginning. Ash Wednesday is February 17, 2021
Fasting & Abstinence Reminders:
Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years old and older on Ash Wednesday and on each Friday of Lent. This obligation prohibits the eating of meat (and meat broth, bacon bits, etc.). Fasting means limiting oneself to one full meal on a given fast day. On fast days, two additional smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength, but they should not, if put together, equal one full meal. Also, eating solid foods or caloric beverages between meals (snacking) is not permitted. Catholics ages 18 to 59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Sickness, hard manual labor, pregnancy, nursing, etc., automatically excuse a person from these obligations but please remember: these are serious obligations.
If in doubt or if you have questions, please speak with a priest.
Please see the attachment for a detailed Lenten Calendar for our parish.
Ash Wednesday Schedule
- 6:30am Mass
- This year, the 8:15 am Mass is reserved for school students only, please.
- There are TWO evening Masses this year: 5:30pm and 6:30pm.
Thank You!
- Thanks to the women who cared for the Poinsettias during the Christmas Season!
- Many thanks to the large crew who came last Sunday to take down the Christmas Trees and decorations.
Lenten Adoration + Exposition
We hope you've grown closer to our Lord through Eucharistic adoration! It's time to think about our Lenten series. It will run Feb 17 through March 31 (no adoration during the Triduum). If you want to keep your current holy hour, you don't need to do anything. You're already signed up. If you wish to change to a different open hour or cancel, please do so as soon as possible. Check the parish e-mail for a link to the sign-up genius or call the parish office for help.
Hand Warmers
Many of you have taken hand warmers to hand out (check the vestibule, last week’s bulletin, or below in Repeat Announcements if this doesn’t sound familiar). We’re now running low—it’s a great “problem” to have! Please consider refilling the box by purchasing more hand warmers. A 10-pack is about $5.50 and a 20-pack is about $11. Let’s pay it forward and keep this going!
Seminarian of the Week
Scott Schieuer is the son of Kevin & Heidi Schieuer of St. Joseph Parish, Lincoln. He is studying College 4 at St. Gregory the Great Seminary. Remember to pray for Scott and for his formation.
Knights of Columbus #833 | 6044 South Street
Annual Friday Lenten Fish Fry: CARRY OUT ONLY
- Serving from 4:30-7pm
- Cost is $10 per meal
- Featuring fried Pollock & fries with a side of coleslaw and bread
- First Fish Fry: February 19th
::
Lenten Resources
Recommended by Bishop Conley:
- Join Chris Stefanick from Real Life Catholic and bishops from around the country, including Bishop James Conley, for a seven-week Lenten retreat using The Search. We will explore the major questions of life, like:
Why am I here?
What is the life I was made for?
Is there a God?
Does He even care about me?
Available on Formed.org or
realifecatholic.com/thesearch
⋅
- FOCUS Lenten Bible Study on Salvation History presented by Curtis Martin and Dr. Edward Sri. Watch LIVE each Monday or watch recorded studies on your own.
Sign-up at focusequip.org.
This Lent, join us as we dive deep into the one story that matters most: the story of salvation history. This is the story of God’s amazing love that has shaped the lives of countless saints throughout the centuries,
Participants will…
- Come away with the “Big Picture” of the Bible
- See the Catholic Faith in Scripture
- Discover the role they play in the story
- Learn how to share the story with others
Join us. And let’s help give the world its story back.
⋅
- Daily Lenten Reflections and special programming on Formed.org
::
:: REPEAT PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS (for your convenience) ::
PARISH BOOK STUDY
During this Year of St. Joseph, you’re invited to a parish book study on St. Joseph.
The book Consecration to St. Joseph (by Fr. Donald Calloway) is highly recommended, in order to learn more about this incredible saint!
We will meet in the church, following safety guidelines. There will be a zoom option for those interested.
Meetings will be on Tuesdays at 7pm for five weeks, beginning on Feb 16th.
Gloria Deo is offering a 12% discount to St. Teresa parishioners who want to participate, and there are copies available now (at Gloria Deo).
Note: the book is available on Kindle.
Funded by a Dillon Grant: Parish funds were not used to purchase or install this system.
Air Scrubber by Aerus® | In the first week of February, an Air Scrubber will be installed in the church!
What is the Air Scrubber? The Air Scrubber by Aerus® utilizes state-of-the-art technology developed by NASA to create a safe environment for the astronauts in the international space station. This same technology can be utilized on Earth—in our church, for example—to keep our air and surfaces sanitary.
How in the world? Many air scrubbers take in the air from a building, clean it, and release it again. This system is different. This system, which attaches to our HVAC, uses oxygen and water molecules to create oxidizers (ActivePure Molecules) that are released into the space, killing both airborne and surface pathogens.
How effective is it against the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID)?
- Within an hour, 99.9% of airborne viruses have been destroyed.
- Within three hours, 93% of surface viruses are destroyed and within six hours, 98% of surface viruses have been destroyed.
It’s not just the SARS-CoV-2 virus that will be “scrubbed” from our air, but other contaminants such as dust, allergens, other viruses, and bacteria.
We’re not astronauts … is it safe for us? Yes; It has been shown to be safe to use in indoor spaces with people present and is approved by the FDA. If you would like to learn more, search “Air Scrubber by Aerus” or visit https://www.airscrubberbyaerus.com/
We Help | What is the “We Help” Fund and how does it work?
A need was seen in our parish and so several years ago the “We Help” fund was begun. Sometimes there are parishioners who need a financial boost. There are a variety of causes and some that come to mind are job loss, unexpected medical costs, and emergency household expenses.
Our diocese has two wonderful charitable organizations in Catholic Social Services and St. Vincent de Paul which contribute important benefits to Lincoln as a whole. “We Help”, on the other hand, is made up of only St. Teresa parishioners helping other St. Teresa parishioners financially when they are in need.
Here’s how it works:
It can be almost completely anonymous with no one knowing who gives and who receives except for Father Hottovy.
¨ When someone is in need of assistance, that person contacts Father and explains why help is needed. Father then uses money or SCRIP from the fund to provide the needed help.
¨ This is made possible when parishioners, who have the ability to do so, donate what they can and place it in one of the specially marked “ We Help” envelopes. These envelopes are found in three “We Help” displays: one each on the shelves right inside the north and southwest entrances to the church and one on the shelf in the vestibule.
¨ Donations may be made in the form of cash, check, or SCRIP. If a charitable giving tax credit is wanted, there is a place on the envelope to add the donor’s name and church envelope number (this is optional). Donations may be deposited in the Sunday collection basket or in the drop-slot located to the right side of the rectory door.
¨ All donations are added to the fund which is then available to help our own parishioners when needed.
Please give what you can to the “We Help” fund so we can help each other in this way!
God bless you for your generosity!
Hand Warmers for Our Friends On the Street: In the vestibule, there is a box of hand warmers. Please take one or two to keep in your car (you can come back for more). When you see a homeless person on the street at a stop sign, you can start a conversation with them by saying, “Hello. Would you like a hand warmer?” Exchange names. Learn and use their names. They are your brother or sister disguised as Christ. Please see the box in the vestibule and its attached sheet for further ideas and details.
40 Days for Life begins Wed Feb 17th. St. Teresa’s assigned times are Thursdays from 11am-6pm. Sign up on the board in the vestibule to pray for an hour outside Planned Parenthood. Weekly commitments are greatly needed. Please join in and bring a friend.
Grand Group
In the last year, due to COVID, we were only able to enjoy four of our planned activities. Hopefully, by the end of February we will all have had our COVID vaccinations and we’ll be able to get together safely once again. Counting on that to be the case, our planning meeting is scheduled for Tue Mar 2nd at 1pm in K.C. Hall. Since we have seven events left over from last year we only have four new events to plan. Have a safe February, get vaccinated, and we’ll count on your help to make some great plans on Tue, Mar 2nd.
Altar Society Prayer Line
An Altar Society Prayer Line has been established to lift up our prayers to God as a parish community. Leva Orationes Deo is Latin for lift up prayers to God. Requests can be made by e-mailing levaorationesdeo@yahoo.com or by calling (the first caller on the list) 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.
:: NEW DIOCESE-wide ANNOUNCEMENTS ::
Catholic Social Services:
- Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska is seeking a compassionate, energetic, and inspirational team member for the position of Client Relations Specialist for the Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center. This person will serve as the first point of contact to all incoming clients, visitors, and vendors and assist in organizing and maintaining all clinicians' schedules, documentation, and office resources. This is a full time, hourly position with benefits. Full job description and application instructions available at csshope.org/careers.
- Celebration of Caring 2021. Due to continued social distancing efforts, Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska’s Celebration of Caring 2021 will be a virtual event. On Sunday, Feb. 21st, you are invited to join us online at 5:30 PM at csshope.org/Celebration2021. We will begin with Mass, enjoy some entertainment and celebrate how you help us bring Hope in the Good Life. Learn more at csshope.org/Celebration2021.
:: REPEAT DIOCESE-wide ANNOUNCEMENTS ::
St. Patrick Catholic Church at 6111 Morrill Ave. has two part-time openings. We are looking to fill a position as an assistant cook and a janitor. Please contact Father Schweiger at 402-466-2752 for more details.
Our nation is being torn apart. But what if there’s one big thing at the center of it all. In Divided Hearts of America, Super bowl champion and executive producer Benjamin Watson goes on a journey to discover the truth about abortion – a subject that has been at the center of heated debates since the passage of Roe V. Wade in 1973. Along the way, Watson sits down with over 30 experts in various fields and from both sides of the ideological and political spectrums and asks the question: Can the most divisive issue of our time actually bring us back together again? Free showing February 16, 2021, 7pm, Lincoln Right to Life Center, 5632 S. 48th Street. Refreshments will be provided. https://www.facebook.com/DividedHeartsFilm/
Healing Hearts Support Sessions for those who have suffered the loss of a loved one are being offered to assist Catholics in the grief process. The sessions will be held on six weekly Tuesday evenings beginning February 16, 2021, 7:00-9:00 p.m., at John XXIII Diocesan Center, 37th & Sheridan Blvd. Suggested Donation: $25 (for materials) To register, please call 402-473-0620.