DECEMBER 17, 2017 Third Sunday of Advent Parish News Mass Intentions Monday 6:30 a.m. Elizabeth Louis Whitney 8:20 a.m. Dennis Kucera 5:30 p.m. All Souls Tuesday 6:30 a.m. For Rich Lowery 8:20 a.m. For the Mattern Children 5:30 p.m For Living & Deceased Members of the Laboe Family Wednesday 6:30 a.m. Doug Vandervort 8:20 a.m. Hollis Jennings 7:15 p.m. Ray Syslo Thursday 6:30 a.m. Catherine Mulvey 8:20 a.m. All Souls 5:30 p.m. Gerald Pint Friday 6:30 a.m. For the Joe Walton Family 8:20 a.m. Joan Waggoner 5:30 p.m. Muriel Beardslee Saturday 8:30 a.m. For JoAnn Frost 5:30 p.m. Shanna Rurup Sunday 8:30 a.m. Joseph Guy 10:00 a.m. For the Parish 11:30 a.m. Rita & Joseph Guy 5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Anton & Rose Benes Monday Christmas Day 12:00 a.m. Shanna Rurup 8:30 a.m. For the Parish 10:00 a.m. Tom Lowery The season of Advent is like springtime in nature to refresh us and make us healthy, to be able to receive Christ in whatever form he may come to us. St. Teresa of Calcutta DATES & EVENTS: Rejoice this Gaudete Sunday, DEC. 17 th in the gym for Blessed Sacrament s Christmas Party! Coffee & Rolls after each Mass by Knights of Columbus Cocoa & Caroling 12:30-2 PM, featuring Santa Claus after caroling - ALL parishioners, guests welcome - no charge Homemade Christmas Bake Sale after each Mass to 2 PM sponsored by Altar Society Fr. Sullivan s Advent Presentation 2 to 3 PM AND bring your donations thru 2:15 PM for - Bible - Book - Rosary Drive for Needy -- new or used Catholic reading materials/sacramentals - Heavenly Host Ornaments -- ANGELS or STARS for our church Christmas tree December 17, 2017, Reminder, Drop off Homemade Baked Goods - in the gym any time after 8:15 Sun., Dec. 17 th for the Altar Society s Christmas Bake Sale. (Please package ready for sale and mark if contains nuts.) December 17 & 24, 2017, Girls' Choir -- We sing for the 5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass on Sunday, Servers Sat. December 23, 5:30 p.m.: Zach Uhing, Need 3 Volunteers Sun. December 24, 8:30 a.m.: Hunter Kirby, Sean Carney, Need 2 Volunteers 10:00 a.m.: Need 4 Volunteers 11:30 a.m.: Need 4 Volunteers 5:30 p.m.: Jackson Roberts, Stephen & Chris Sullivan-Diaz, John Paul Mattern Mon. December 25, 12:00 a.m.: Jacen & Jonathan Reeb, Need 2 Volunteers 8:30 a.m.: John Carey, Need 3 Volunteers 10:00 a.m.: Angel Huerta, Joey & Mason Ramaekers, Sean Carey Please find a sub if you are unable to come at your appointed time.
~ Christmas Mass Schedule ~ Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24 th ~ 5:30 P.M. ~ Christmas Day, Monday, December 25 th ~ 12:00 Midnight, 8:30 A.M., 10:00 A.M. ~ Confession Schedule ~ Regular confession schedule: Monday-Friday~6:10-6:25 A.M., 8:00-8:15 A.M. Advent Confession Schedule (in addition to regular schedule): Wednesday, December 20 th ~ 5:00 5:30 P.M., 8:00 8:30 P.M. Thursday December 21 st ~ 5:00 5:30 P.M., 6:30 7:00 P.M. Friday, December 22 nd ~ 12:30-1:00 P.M., 6:00-6:30 P.M. Saturday, December 23 rd - 8:00-8:20 A.M., 9:00 9:30 A.M., 12:00 noon 1:00 P.M., 4:30-5:20 P.M., 7:30 8:00 P.M. ~ Mary Mother of God ~ Sunday, December 31 st, 5:30 P.M. Vigil Monday, January 1 st, 8:30 A.M., 10:00 A.M. Regular Weekend Confession Schedule December 31, 2106 Saturday~8:00 8:30 A.M., 4:30 5:20 P.M., 7:30 8:00 P.M. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL THE RECTORY AT 402-474-4249 Dec. 24 th! Arrival time is 3:45p.m. A separate Christmas rehearsal is scheduled for Sunday, December 17 th from 4-6 p.m., in the choir loft. All 4th through 8th grade girls are invited to sing with the Girls' Choir. Bring a friend and sing a new song to the Lord! Any questions, please contact Hannah Jo and Krista at hannahjo smith@yahoo.com or (402) 525-2069 (call or text). December 17 & 24, 2017, Girls' Choir Alums - - All former Girls' Choir members are Invited to sing with us for the 5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass on December 24 th! Arrival time that day is 3:45 p.m. If you can join us, we'll have a special rehearsal on Sunday, December 17 th from 4-6 p.m., in the choir loft. We'd love to have you share your gift of music for this most sacred celebration! December 21, 2017, Usher s Club Meeting - in partnership with Blessed Sacrament St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Usher's Club will meet on Thursday, December 21 st, at 7:00 p.m. in the school gym to assemble Christmas Dinner Boxes for needy families to be delivered by members of the Blessed Sacrament St. Vincent de Paul Society. We will also hold an Usher's Club business meeting at that time. If you can, please sign up to bring one of the food items for the Christmas Dinner Boxes at http://www.signup genius.com/go/20f0b4dadaa29a20-blessed. Questions? Tim Sullivan at either (402) 419-1919 or timothy_p_sullivan@hotmail.com. December 23 & 24, 2017, Church Decorating - Please join us in helping decorate Blessed Sacrament for Christmas! We will be decorating on Saturday, December 23 rd at 9:30 a.m. to decorate part of the church, and then we will also decorate on Sunday, December 24 th at 12:30 p.m. There are many things to do in preparation for the holiday, so all the help we can get would be greatly appreciated! Please email
Ann at ann_ames@yahoo.com with questions! We hope you can join us! December 29, 2017, Tax Deduction for Charitable Contributions - those who wish to receive a tax deduction for charitable contributions to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in 2017 must have their donation to the rectory by 12 noon, Friday, December 29, 2017. Statements on contributions will be mailed to you in January 2018. January 5, 2018, Blessed Sacrament Girls Choir will sing for the First Friday Holy Hour at the Pink Sisters' Chapel, 1040 S. Cotner Blvd. The girls will meet to rehearse at 4:00 p.m. in the church choir loft, go out together for a meal at Valentino s, and then travel to the Adoration Convent. The Holy Hour begins at 7:15 pm. We'll return to Blessed Sacrament by 8:45 p.m. All 4th through 8th grade girls are welcome to sing with the Girls' Choir. Any questions, contact Hannah Jo and Krista at hannahjosmith @yahoo.com or (402) 525-2069 (call or text). Watch your email for a permission slip for this special activity. February 10, 2018, Table for Ten, Save the Date! - on Saturday evening, for a Casino Night. Make your plans now. $100 a ticket! A fun night to celebrate our parish family! Are you interested in hosting a table, attending or sponsoring, contact Christie Weston at 402-416-0381 or christie.weston@nifa.org. March 9-11, 2018, LOTW Parish Retreat, Save the Date No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, the Lord is longing for you - inviting you - waiting for you. This retreat is for you! For more information, or to register, contact Cindy Uhing at (402) 474-4249 or (402) 435-3731 or cindyuhing@blessedsacramentlincoln.org. Thank You to everyone who graciously donated to the St. Francis Food Pantry in the Month of November. It is greatly appreciated. The needy appreciate all your help. Thank You - Bishop Appeal for Vocations - We had great success with this year s Bishop s Appeal for Vocations. We made over our goal of $22,500, so give yourselves a big pat on the back. The total that we made this year was $24,432.00, which means the church will not owe anything to the Diocese for this appeal. Good work everyone. Meals For Priests Help Wanted! - Do you want to get involved in parish activities, but don t have much time? Would you like to get to know our priests better? What better way than to provide them with a meal just once/month! We are looking for someone to provide a supper-time meal for our priests every THIRD MONDAY each month. All you do is drop off a meal for three by 6 p.m. once/month. It s as simple as that! No meetings! No dues! These opportunities are open to families (cook with your kids!), friends (get your pal and swap months!) or groups. Interested? Please contact Maggie Aldrich at 402-419-0870 for more information. St. Vincent de Paul - As we begin Advent we are called to Be watchful! Be alert as we stand in joyful anticipation for the grace of Christmas to once again bless our lives. Your gift in the St. Vincent de Paul Poor Box will help the poor to celebrate the grace of God s love this Christmas. Scrip News: Still need any Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers? We have a lot of gift cards in stock! We also have several that are 'limited time only' and a few not on the regular order sheet: Amazon $10, Barnes & Noble $5, Starbucks $5, Target $10, Krispy Kreme $10, Little Caesars $20, JCPenney $25, Dick's Sporting Goods $25, Visa $50 & $100. Scrip will not be available on Sunday, Dec 24 th, so stop by the school office before the 20 th, or in between the Masses Dec 17 th.
Christmas Masses - Acolytes Dec. 24 th, 5:30 p.m.: Lyle Schueth, Mark Bartek Dec. 25 th, Midnight: Rich Lowery, Bob Svoboda 8:30 a.m.: Chris Beardslee, Mike Steadman 10:00 a.m.: Collin Aldrich, Sam Bethune Christmas Masses - Reader/Lector Dec. 24 th, 5:30 p.m.: Mike Weston Dec. 25 th, Midnight: Samuel Bethune 8:30 a.m.: Mary Beardslee 10:00 a.m.: Dan Mulligan Christmas Weekend Masses - Greeters & Gift Bearers DEC. 23, 2017, Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ~ Mike & Jill Muff DEC. 24, 2017, Sunday, 8:30 a.m. - Greeters: Tony & Linda Masek Gift Bearers: Ron & Ronnie Miller 10:00 a.m. ~ Dennis & Heather Leschinsky 11:30 a.m. ~ Chris & Amy Champoux DEC. 24, Christmas Eve, Sunday, 5:30 p.m.: Sam & Sharon Bethune Dec. 25, Christmas Morning, Monday 12:00 a.m.: Need Volunteer 8:30 a.m.: Tony & Linda Masek 10:00 a.m.: David & Mary Caudy your thoughts. Youth, School & CCD News December 20, 2017, Christmas Break - Our Christmas Break begins at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, December 20 th. Classes resume on Thursday, January 4 th. With a 12 p.m. dismissal, we will not be serving lunch that day. All students MUST be picked up by 12:10 p.m. No Extended Care. Please plan accordingly. Boys Town Skill of the Week - This week our students are practicing the skill of Having a Conversation. You can help practice this skill with your child by following these steps 1) Look at the person 2) Use a pleasant voice 3) Listen to what the other person says and 4) When there is a break in the conversation, ask a question or share S.T.A.G.E. Theatre - If you are looking for a unique Christmas gift for a child, please consider S.T.A.G.E. Theatre. Visit stage4ki ds.com for ticket info. on upcoming performances, along with our theater and art classes. Register soon for: Androcles, If You Please, a musical play for children 6-10 years. Classes begin Jan. 24 th -Feb. 18 th. The Winter STAGE Musical Production A Greek Tragedy will be performed January 19 t 21 st & 26 th -28 th, please mark your calendars now. Scouting Awards - Scouting Religious Award Ceremony for Boys & Girls! Scout Leaders obtain your religious award books for girls from the Youth Ministry Office and for Boys from the Local Cornhusker council. The award ceremony is scheduled for March 4 th, at 2:00 p.m. with Bishop Conley presenting! Visit www.lincolndioeseorg/ scouting for more info. If you have any questions, please contact Michele at 402-473-0625. Peace Hope Joy Love
Mary Ruth (School Sisters of Christ the King) Jan. 15 th - Jan. 21 st : Sister Regina Marie, Sister Mary Gabriel (School Sisters of Christ the King) December 17, 2017, Knights of Columbus are selling Christmas Cards after the Sunday masses this weekend in the gym. Please go check them out. Spiritual Enrichment Perpetual Adoration Come let us adore Him---not only at Christmas but throughout the year by becoming a part of this most holy devotion in adoring Our Eucharistic Lord in the Tabernacle. Adorers are needed for these open hours: Sunday - 2 a.m., 3 a.m., 4 a.m., 5 a.m., 12 Midnight; Monday --1 a.m. (once a month), 2 a.m., 3 a.m.; Tuesday - 2 a.m., 3 a.m., 8 a.m.; Wednesday 2 a.m., 8 a.m..; Thursday - 2 a.m., 3 a.m.., 7 a.m., 8 a.m.. 11 p.m.; Friday - 2 a.m., 3 a.m. (twice a month), 4 a.m., 8 a.m..;12 midnight (twice a month); Saturday - 1 a.m., 4 a.m., 8 p.m., 11 p.m., 12 Midnight If interested in becoming an adorer or a sub, or for more information, contact one of the coordinators listed below: Lois Korinek- 402-423-1949, Cathy Rokke-402-423-6844, Kathy Wobig-402-423-1883 Sisters Vocation Prayer Calendar for 2017, for parishes and Catholic schools in the Diocese. Each Religious Sister and Postulant is given a specific week during which we are encouraged as a parish to pray for that specific religious woman preparing for a religious order. The following is a list of the religious women to pray for during the month of Dec.& Jan.: Dec. 18 th - Dec. 24 th : Sister Fiat Marie, Sister John Marion (School Sisters of Christ the King) Dec. 25 th - Dec. 31 st : Sister Mary Grace, Sister Teresa Marie (School Sisters of Christ the King) Jan. 1 st - Jan. 7 th : Sister Peter Marie, Sister Mary Immaculata (School Sisters of Christ the King) Jan. 8 th - Jan. 14 th : Sister Mary Jacinta, Sister The Bishop s Lay Committee for Vocations has produced a Seminarian Prayer Calendar for parishes and Catholic schools in the Diocese. Each seminarian is given a specific week during which we are encouraged as a parish to pray for that specific seminarian. The following is a list of the seminarians to pray for during the months of December 2017 & January 2018: Dec. 18 th - 24 th : Rev. Mr. Douglas Allen Daro, Rev. Mr. Luke Joseph Fleck Dec. 25 th 31 st : Robert John Froeschl, Philip Thomas Hanigan Jan. 1 st 7 th : Caleb Daniel Hile Jan. 15 th 21 st : Santiago Jose Izquierdo, Robert William Johnson Pro-Life News January 27, 2018, Pro-Life Mass and Nebraska Walk for Life Join pro-life advocates from across the state on January 27 th, for the Pro-Life Mass and Nebraska Walk for Life. The Pro-Life Mass, celebrated by Most Rev. James D. Conley, Bishop of Lincoln, will be held at St. Mary s Church in Downtown Lincoln at 9 a.m. The Nebraska Walk for Life will follow with a rally and walk starting at the Nebraska State Capitol at 10 a.m. The Mass will be streamed live at fb.me/necatholic. For more information, call the Nebraska Catholic Conference at 402.477.7517. Abortion Tuesdays: Please we need people to come and pray at Planned Parenthood every Abortion Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Group Rosary prayed at 9:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. Did you know one half of all abortion mothers
going to Planned Parenthood on Tuesdays are married mothers? Support Groups & Education February 16-18, 2018, A Lifeline for Marriage Retrouvaille helps couples through difficult times in their marriages. It is designed to provide the tools to help get your marriage back on track. It will give you the opportunity to rediscover each other and examine your lives together in a new and positive way. This program has helped tens of thousands of couples experiencing marital difficulty at all levels including disillusionment and deep misery. For confidential information about or to register for the program beginning with a weekend on Feb 16 th - 18 th, 2018, call 1-888-317-5654 or www.retro uvaille.org on the web. Christian community & anyone who would like a better understanding of the meaning of deliverance, the Unbound ministry & how each person can benefit from it. Join us in Beatrice at St. Joseph Parish Hall on Thursday, January 4 th 7:00 8:30 p.m. No registration needed. Contact Matt at matthew-simmons@cdolinc.net or 402-805-9668 with questions. Southern Nebraska Register Please consider donating $15 to the Catholic Press Fund. So far we have collected $2,335.00 for the SNR, but our bill from the Diocese is $10,935.00 ($15 for each parishioner). Your donation will help us pay this bill. If you threw your envelope away, just use a plain envelope and write Southern Nebraska Register on it. Thank you. Additional News December 28, 2017, Holy Innocents Mass - The annual Mass of the Holy Innocents will be celebrated on Thurs., December 28 th. 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 p.m. at John XXIII Diocesan Center Chapel, 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln. If you would like your child's name to be remembered & placed on the banner for this year, please call the Family Life Office at 473-0620 before 5 p.m. on Dec. 19 th. If you placed your child's name previously, it will remain on the list. January 4, 2018, Introduction to Deliverance - Have you ever wondered what exactly deliverance is or how it fits into our Catholic Faith? The Diocesan Office of Evangelization will be hosting this free event consisting of four 20 minute talks. This is open to ALL: laity, religious, clergy, members of the Thru December 28, 2017, Warm Up Winter! Help Spirit 102.7 FM bring warmth to people across the listening area as we Warm up Winter! We're accepting donations of new socks, mittens, hats and boots for both adults and children. Drop off your new, unwrapped donations of warm, winter gear by Dec. 28. Visit spiritcatholicradio.com for more details. Warm Up Winter Drop-Off Sites: Catholic Social Services Lincoln - 2241 O Street in Lincoln. (Spirit 102.7-FM - 630 N. Cotner, Suite 101 in Lincoln Thank you for your help and a Blessed Advent to all! Thank You for your Stewardship Sunday Collection (December 3 & 10, 2017) Envelopes $ 26,208.25 Plate 843.31 Online Giving 17,436.82 Total Stewardship: $44,488.38