April 22, 2018 Fourth Sunday of Easter

Parish Office 5419 N 114 St. (114 & Fort) Omaha, Nebraska 68164 Phone: (402) 493-2186 Fax: (402) 493-0630

Email seas@stelizabethann.org

Web Site www.stelizabethann.org

Office Hours Monday through Friday 8:00 am to Noon; 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Office closed noon to 1pm

Rectory: (Residence Only) Phone (402) 498-9103

St. James/Seton School 4720 N. 90 St., 68134 Phone: (402) 572-0339 Website: www.sjsomaha.org Email: wkelly@sjsomaha.org

Religious Formation Director: Jo Kusek (P.R.E., Adult Ed. & School Faith Formation) 4720 N. 90 St., 68134 Phone: (402) 572-0369

PARISH PRIESTS

Rev. Frank Baumert, Pastor (402) 677-1565

frankbaumert@stelizabethann.org

Rev. Donald Cleary, Resident Retired Priest

ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON CATHOLIC CHURCH

5419 N. 114th St. • Omaha, NE 68164

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR

CONFIRMATION

Hunter Anderson Anna Krupka

Kylie Asselin Sydney Kwasa

Alexander Cann Emily Lamoureux

Alexis Chatfield Kyleigh Monaghan

Landon Chatfield Madeline Murphy

Gavin Dahlgren Danielle Neppel

Aryn Durr Ty Nocita

Robert Evans III Karina Rief

Zach Faucher Conner Rowland

Ella Fitzpatrick Hannah Spargo

Riley Fritz Mary Hope Simpson

Drake Gilbride Keaton Smith

Emily Gonzalez Aiden Starkey

Garner Graeve Emily Tran

Gage Johnson Anastasia Wewel

Owen Kelley Regan Wolff

Bailey Kollasch Autumn Woodworth

Hannah Krebs John Worden

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 2 Fourth Sunday of Easter

MASS SCHEDULE Tuesday-Friday 7:00 a.m. Monday-Thursday 5:30 p.m. Saturday Morning 8:30 a.m. Saturday Evening 5:30 p.m. Sunday Morning 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., Sunday Evening 5:30 p.m., (Youth Mass) Holy Day Schedule (except for Christmas, Easter & New Years)

Vigil (Evening Before) 5:30 p.m. Holy Day 7:00 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 7:00 p.m.

Devotions

Our Mother of Perpetual Help Novena Prayers

following Saturday 8:30 a.m. Mass

Exposition of Blessed Sacrament Thursday 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Newcomers To register either call the office or fill out a card found in the kiosk with your name, address and phone number and when would be the best time to call you. Then return the card into the collection basket or mail into the office. Parishioners Kim Burmeister or Connie Hoch will be calling to make arrangements to meet with you at a convenient time to complete the registration process.

THE SACRAMENTS Sacrament of the Sick

Whenever serious surgery is scheduled, serious illness

arises, or there has been a serious accident please call the

parish office if you need a priest.

Sacrament of Baptism

• 2nd & 4th Sundays after the 11:00 a.m. Mass.

• Two Pre-Baptism Classes required, 1st & 3rd

Wednesday’s of the month, 7:00-8:30 pm at the Parish

Center, Family Room. Call the parish office to register. • RCIA Program (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), Thursdays 7-9, contact Deacon Denny & Joan Connor, (402) 493-3702

Sacrament of Reconciliation

One half hour prior to all masses except Saturday

from 4:00-5:00 pm

Sacrament of Holy Matrimony

• Minimum 6 months notice of marriage date is

required.

• Scheduling is done by the couple with the parish

priests.

Sacrament of Holy Orders

• Those discerning a call to the Priesthood should

contact one of the parish priests or Rev. Andrew Roza,

Vocation Director of the Archdiocese of Omaha, at (402)

558-3100

• For Permanent Diaconate, you may contact any of

the priests or deacons or contact Deacon James Keating,

at (402) 558-3100 ext. 3010.

PARISH STAFF: St. James/Seton School: William Kelly, Principal 4720 N. 90 St.. • Omaha, NE 68134 Phone (402) 572-0339 Website: www.sjsomaha.org Email: wkelly@sjsomaha.org Religious Formation Director: Jo Kusek (P.R.E., Adult Ed. & School Faith Formation) 4720 N. 90 St.. • Omaha, NE 68134 Phone: (402) 572-0369 Parish Deacons: Deacon Dennis Connor, (402) 493-3702 Deacon Marty Crowley, (402) 498-3562 Deacon John Dagerman, (402) 493-4563 Deacon Jack Finney Deacon Duane Karmazin, (402) 571-1689 Deacon David Klein, (402) 492-8932 Deacon Rick Niedergeses, (402) 496-1385 Parish Bookkeeper: Bev Mausbach (402) 493-2186 ext. 10; .. bevmausbach@stelizabethann.org Parish Secretary: Dawn Willis (Mon., Tues., & Fri.) (402) 493-2186 ext. 14; ...... dawnwillis@stelizabethann.org Parish Receptionist: Marge Czarnik, (Tuesday – Friday) (402) 493-2186 ext. 11; ....... margeczarnik@stelizabethann.org Overflow (Youth Ministry): Hannah Keisling

(651) 331-0971 hannahkeisling@gmail.com

Daughters of Seton: Lenal Bottoms ............... (402) 964-9125 Danna Plummer............................... (402) 496-2012

H.O.P.E. Office: Renilda Mishek ...................... (402) 572-7897

Knights of Columbus: Jeremy List .................. (402) 203-7992

Music Director: Gene Klosner ......................... (402) 707-0760

Parish Council President: Shelly Gray ......... (402) 493-3006

Perpetual Adoration: Jean Dahl .............................................................. (402) 731-3144

Prayer Line: For anyone in need of prayers, please call: Kim Burmeister .................................................. (402) 281-8490 or Fran Thomas .................................................. (402) 493-7243 or email to: seaprayers@yahoo.com

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Christi Olsen .......................................... (402) 493-4963(home) colsen@infinitycpagroup.com ................ (402) 740-7790(cell)

Vocations Committee: Bob & Ruth Zaruba (402) 630-6140

Vocations Icons: Sue Niggemeyer ................... (402) 496-0225

Financial Stewardship Report

April 15, 2018

Sunday Collection-Needed: $14,942 Sunday Collection-Received: $13,359

$Dollar Bill (Roof) Collection: $557

Children’s Envelopes: $168.59 St. Vincent de Paul: $661

April 22, 2018 3 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

PARISH/COMMUNITY NEWS

†

CONTACT

HANNAH KEISLING DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRY

651-331-0971 or SEA_OVERFLOW23@LIVE.COM

High School 6:30-9:00pm - grades 9-12

4.22: Overflow @ SEA 5.6: Overflow @ SEA 5.20: Overflow @ SEA

SAVE THE DATE – TOTUS TUUS at SEA – July 22-27

TOTUS TUUS (Totally Yours), is returning to St. Elizabeth Ann from July 22nd through the 27th. The teaching team is made up of energetic Seminarians and college students who desire to witness their faith to our young people. The day pro-gram (M-F) is for students entering 1st-6th grade. The evening program (Sun-Th) is for Jr. High and High School students. The registration process will begin in May.

St. James/St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Book

Review Club begins meeting again Monday, April 23, at 7:00 p.m. in the St. James Parish Center. Jeanne Harrington

will be reviewing Britt-Marie Was Here: A Novel, by Fred-rik Bachman. If you want to join, you don’t have to read a book; just

come and enjoy a good book review and a dessert. The cost is just $10 a year, and we meet April through October. Jean Linse, 493-2728 for information.

Are you currently a 5th, 6th, or 7th grader

who would like to serve Mass at St. Eliza-

beth Ann Seton church? Training sessions will be offered on Sat., April 21st, at 11:00am; Sat., May 12th, at 9:30am & Sun., May 20th at Noon. Please contact the SEA parish office for additional information or to sign up. Thank you!

Our video for April will be Padre Pio: Miracle Man. This film is a biography of one of the most beloved saints of our time; dying at the age of 81 in 1968. He had a profound faith and humility. He bore the stigmata and suffered from physical

ailments; he was attacked by the devil and even persecuted by members within the Church. He was a renowned confessor and in some instances given the grace to know a penitents sins before they confessed them.

Movie dates and times are Friday April 13th at 7pm; Wednesday April 18th at 7pm; Sunday April 22nd at 2pm.

Length: 214 minutes (over 3 hrs) Audience: Suitable for most audiences. Some intense scenes involving satanic attacks and the stigmata may not be appro-priate for younger children. Parental guidance recommended. Language: Italian or dubbed English or dubbed Spanish Subtitles: English

You may want to bring a more comfy chair than what we have at the Parish Center.

For any questions contact Tom Schrad; phone (402) 493-4112

Making a will isn't expensive. But not having one may cost your family a great deal. Please be a good steward of your resources by using wisely the Lord’s gifts given to you. Make a will or revise the one you have if you haven't done so in the last five years. Contact your attorney with any questions. You can also reach out to Tony LaMar, Legacy

Planning Officer, Archdiocese of Omaha at 402-557-5650 or ajlamar@archomaha.org.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 4 Fourth Sunday of Easter

LITURGICAL ROLES, April 28/29

5:30 p.m. Lector: Wooten EMHC’s: Karmazin(2) Dolan Wooten Glass(2) Huetig Greeters: Sullivan Servers: Fenton(2) Musicians: Kreikemeier 8:00 a.m. Lector: Lytle EMHC’s: Klein Niggemeyer Baldwin Ortmeier Otte Peatrowsky(2) Greeters: Blum Servers: Lytle Poteat Musicians: 11:00 a.m. Lector: Hammen EMHC’s: Connor(2) Schmitz Schrader Sudtelgte Wojtkiewicz Zaruba Greeters: Opheim Servers: Woodworth Lonergan Musicians: Klosner Men’s Choir 5:30 p.m. Lector: Herbig EMHC’s: Niedergeses Servers: Cann(2) Musicians: Overflow Musicians

MONEY COUNTERS

Team #3 Petty

MASS INTENTIONS MONDAY Apr. 23, 7:00 a.m. Communion Service 5:30 p.m. Special Intentions, Amy Dziowgo TUESDAY Apr. 24, 7:00 a.m. Special Intentions, Tom & Marcia Schrad 5:30 p.m. Communion Service WEDNESDAY Apr. 25, 7:00 a.m. Communion Service 5:30 p.m. †Ellie Dziewa THURSDAY Apr. 26, 7:00 a.m. †Jim & †Delores Rogers 5:30 p.m. Communion Service FRIDAY Apr. 27, 7:00 a.m Communion Service 5:30 p.m. No Mass SATURDAY Apr. 28, 8:30 a.m. †Ray Forycki 5:30 p.m. †Linus & †Mary Jonaitis SUNDAY Apr. 29, 8:00a.m. For the People 11:00a.m. Special Intentions, Joe Spargo Family 5:30 p.m. †Jim & †JoAnn Lytle

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES Sunday Apr. 22, Fr. Frank @Mundelein Seminary this week

· 1:00 p.m. French Mass for Togalese, Church

· 2:00 p.m. AFF: Movie Night, Nursery

· 6:45 p.m. Overflow Night, Parish Center

Monday Apr. 23,

· 7:00 p.m. SEA/SJ Book Review Club, St. James

Tuesday Apr. 24,

· 9:15 a.m. Women’s Cenacle/Rosary Group, Parish Center

Thursday Apr. 26,

· 1:00 p.m. SEA/SJ Prayer Shawl Ministry, Parish Center

· 6-9 p.m. Adoration for Increase in Vocations, Chapel

· 7:00 p.m. RCIA, Parish Center

· 8:00 p.m. AA Mtg., Parish Center Saturday Apr. 28,

· 9:30 a.m. Grace Within Marriage, Katie Sciba Workshop & Babysitting, Parish Center

BULLETIN DEADLINES: The usual weekly deadline is Noon Monday for the following Sunday. Call Dawn at 493-2186, fax to 493-0630 or email: dawnwil-lis@stelizabethann.org.

The deadline for the monthly “At Your Service” publica-tion is the 15th of each month. Contact Marge at margeczarnik@stelizabethann.org.

St. Pius X Parish Summer Festival- Mark your calendar, June 2-3. June 2 6:30-10 pm Over 21 evening of fun. In collaboration with the St. Pius X/St. Leo Alumni office we will be hosting an Over age 21 event. It will include live music by George Heaston Experience, as well as Prairie Fire Pizza and drinks for sale. Everyone is welcome. Reservations in advance are $7.50, at the door $10. To register contact the St. Pius X/St. Leo School 402-551-6667) or the St. Pius X Parish Office (402-558-8446).

June 3 11:00 am-6:00 pm Family Festival Games, inflata-

bles, booths, food and much more!

PASTORAL MINISTER - St. Vincent de Paul Par ish is ac-cepting applications for a Pastoral Minister. Coordinates Senior Adult Ministry, and supports social service/outreach. Additional duties include, overseeing Safe Environment, managing volun-teers and other pastoral duties. Send resume and completed application by Friday, April 27th to: parishoffice@svdpomaha.org

PARISH EVENTS/NEWS

April 22, 2018 5 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

P.R.E. News

Grades K-7 have regular classes this Wednesday, April 25. It will be our last session in the classrooms for this school year. (No class for the 8th graders.) P.R.E. ends on Wednesday, May 2 with Mass at 6:15. As in other years, our students are invited to bring flowers for the Blessed Mother. Second graders and eighth graders are invited to wear the clothes they wore for their special sacraments, and bring any religious gifts that need to be blessed. God bless all our families as we end another year of Religious Education! (Jo Kusek, 402-572-0369)

School Daily News, updates . . . May 4: No School May 19: 8th Grade Graduation May 23: Last day of school, 10 a.m. dismissal Do you want to give food to the hungry? Do you look good in an apron? If so, we have got an opportunity for you! SJS Catholic School is in need of some help in the cafeteria. Both volunteer, and substitute lunch worker. It's a fun job, working with great kids and staff. If interested contact the school office for more information. 402 572-0339

HOPE NEWS

Please note that the HOPE OFFICE will be CLOSED from Monday, April 23 – 26th. I will be having eye surgery. Sorry for any inconvenience. HOPE physical scrip cards can be purchase at the both the Parish Offices during office hours 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. Use SWS “Prestopay” for Reloads & Scripnow! & your purchases will be release immediately.

Thank you, Renilda M. HOPE Office

402-572-7897

SAVE THE DATE !!

HOPE Program’s PARKING LOT SALE will be on June 23rd this year. Start cleaning the garage and your closets, bring items to the sale and help the program excel and yourself in the process. Call the HOPE office to secure 1 parking spot for $20 or 2 for $30

Registration for Vacation Bible

Fun (June 25-29) has start-

ed! The theme for Vacation Bible Fun this year is Shipwrecked: Res-cued By Jesus. We will explore how Jesus rescues us when we are worried, lonely, struggling, when we do wrong and when we are powerless. Student registration forms are available at St. James and St. Elizabeth Ann’s in the foyer of the church or can be found on our website: sjsvbf.wix.com/kids Teacher

volunteer applications and student aide applications can be

found on our website or foyer of the church and mailed in

to Crystal Anderson 7405 N 108th ST, Omaha 68142 or

dropped off to the SJS office Attn: VBF Addison Anderson

302. Please contact Crystal Anderson (402-278-2311), Jen

List (402-250-0775) or April Gamelin (402-677-9227) or

email at sjsvbf@gmail.com with any questions.

RONCALLI CATHOLIC SUMMER CAMPS 2018

FINE ARTS CAMPS Fine Arts Camps are for students entering Grades 3-8.

Supply fees are included in the cost of camps.

REGISTER ON-LINE AT WWW.JRPRIDE.ORG/CAMPS

CULINARY CAMP- $40

June 4-7, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Roncalli Culinary Camp provides fun, hands-on experiences in the kitchen through the week of June 5. Each day we will learn about cooking and baking through making new recipes, testing different ingredients, and practicing introductory culinary skills. To finish the week, we will celebrate with a Roncalli Cupcake Contest, where students will showcase the skills they learned throughout the week. No cooking/baking experience needed.

S.T.E.A.M. CAMP - $40

June 11-14, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. S.T.E.A.M. Camp is dedicated to exploring the creative and collaborative opportunities avail-able in the Roncalli Catholic High School S.T.E.A.M. Lab. The week-long camp invites children Grades 3 through 8 to ex-plore the maker space and the technology offered within the space's state-of-the-art learning environment. The camp will be equal parts educational and fun, encouraging campers to use their hands and their minds to create one-of-a-kind 3-D printed objects of their own imagination and creation. The camp will also include opportunities to experience other technologies in the S.T.E.A.M. Lab, including Zome Tool, Lego EV3, and K'nex.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 6 Fourth Sunday of Easter

PARISH/COMMUNITY NEWS

"Jesus, I want to experience the rest you

offer today. I give you the problems I can't

solve, the pain I can't heal, the desires and

urges I can't control. Teach me to relax in

the quiet of your presence and hear your

voice." Jesus, I love you. The following hours are OPEN at St. Eliz-abeth Ann’s Perpetual Adoration:

Sunday 12AM, 1AM, 2AM, 4AM, 5AM, 7AM, 9AM, 10AM, 12PM, 2PM, 3PM, 7PM, 8PM, 9PM, & 10PM; Monday 12AM, 1 AM, 2AM, 3AM, 4AM, 6AM, 9AM, 11AM, 12PM, 1PM, 3PM, 7PM, & 10PM; Tuesday 12AM, 1AM, 3AM, 5AM, 6AM, 7AM, 8AM, 10AM, 11AM, 12PM, 2PM, 3PM, 4PM, 5PM, 7PM, 10PM, & 11PM; Wednesday 12AM, 1AM, 2AM, 3AM, 4AM, 5AM, 7AM, 8AM, 9AM, 11AM, 2PM, 5PM, 7PM, 8PM, & 11PM; Thursday 12AM, 1AM, 2AM, 3AM, 4AM, 6AM, 7AM, 8AM, 9AM, 2PM, 3PM, 4PM, 5PM, 6PM, & 8PM; Friday 12AM, 1AM, 2AM, 3AM, 4AM, 5AM, 6AM, 8AM, 9AM, 10AM, 2PM, 5PM, 6PM, 7PM, 8PM, 9PM, 10PM & 11PM; Saturday 12AM, 1AM, 2AM, 3AM, 4AM, 5AM, 6AM, 10AM, 11AM, 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, 3PM, 4PM, 7PM, 10PM & 11PM. So can you spend at least one hour a week to show God how much you love Him?

PRO-LIFE UPDATES

Mother’s Day Ad

Nebraskans United for Life is placing a Mother’s Day ad in the Omaha World-Herald on Sunday, May 13th. This is your opportunity to honor special women in your life by listing their names in this ad in support of LIFE. There are three categories for listing a name: General, To Honor (the living), and In Memoriam (the deceased). The Sunday Omaha World-Herald is read throughout the state by a great number of people. The NUL Board believes this pro-life ad is another reminder that babies and families make a strong society. Please add your name as a pro-life supporter. The cost is $20 per line of 27 characters, including spaces. The cost of this full-page ad is $12,000 so extra donations are greatly appreciated. The form is included in the NUFL March newsletter, as well as in the Church foyer. Forms must be postmarked by May 5th to make the publishing deadline. For more information, please call NUFL at (402) 399-0299, or visit www.nebraskansunitedforlife.org.

Help Defend LIFE!

Join other pro-lifers in peaceful prayer on Mondays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the public right-of-way outside Planned Parenthood at 3105 North 93rd Street in Omaha. A priest or other volunteer leads prayers during the 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. prayer hour on Mondays. You are also invited to pray on Fridays (7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) and Saturdays (7:30 – 10:00 a.m.) at the Abortion and Contraception Clinic of Nebraska at 1002 West Mission Avenue in Bellevue. Priests lead group prayer from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Fridays in Bellevue. Prayer volunteers are especially needed on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. in Bellevue. Prayers are offered at the Omaha Planned Parenthood on Saturday mornings from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. as well. For more information, visit www.RespectLifeOmaha.com, or contact Whitney Bradley at

wabradley@archomaha.org or (402) 551-9003 x1306.

Founded at the invitation of the

Omaha Archdiocese and now in

its 9th year, Seeking Truth Catho-

lic Bible Study is taking regis-

trations for fall classes on LUKE: The Gospel of Mercy.

St. Luke wrote the greatest number of words in the New

Testament. Experience what a prolific writer he was, so

full of the Holy Spirit. He was the only evangelist to write

the Virgin Mary’s story in his infancy narratives. Only

Luke has the Prodigal Son, the Good Samaritan and nu-

merous others. Sharon Doran’s lectures are highly visual

and fast paced with discussions led by well-trained leaders.

Give it a try, but don’t wait to sign up, it fills up quickly.

Thursday DAY class (@St. Leo’s 1 P.M.) and Thursday

EVE class (@Creighton Prep 7:30 P.M.) as well as indi-

vidual on-line learning and FREE Parish Programming for

those who would like to start up a Seeking Truth class in

their own parish setting. LIVE classes begin on Sept 6th

2018 and end Feb. 28th 2019. More information available

@ www.SeekingTruth.net Please join us!

April 20-22, July 20-22, October 26-28

Rachel’s Vineyard Kansas City

Are you or a loved one suffering from abortion? Find hope and allow God to heal your heart by attending a Rachel’s Vineyard retreat. The 2018 Kansas City retreats will be held April 20-22, July 20-22, and October 26-28. For more infor-mation or to register, please call Teresa O’Donnell at (816) 679-4973 or email rvkcmo@gmail.com or visit www.rachelsvineyardkc.org.

St. Peter Soup Luncheon and Church Tour April 28. 11:30 am - 2:30 pm. Lunch served from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm in McMahon Hall, 723 S. 27th Street, Omaha, followed by tours of the renovated church, featured on EWTN. Tours end at 2:30 pm. Freewill offering. Sponsored by St. Peter Altar Society. Register to Lauren at 402-553-7163 or Lnd32186@cox.net

April 22, 2018 7 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

FAITH FORMATION

Question of the Week for April 22-28

Gospel: John 10:11-18 Key Passage: “I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14-15) Question for Adults: What qualities of God does the image of the Good Shepherd suggest? How do you exper ience God in this way? Question for Youth: How do you feel about Jesus’ being your shepherd? What does it mean to you that he lays down his life for you? Question for Children: Jesus tells us he is the Good Shepherd, but how do you exper ience God guiding and protecting you?

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Preferential Option for the Poor

Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching us the lesson of the Good Samaritan. Help us embrace our neighbor with care. Fill

our hearts with compassion so we may feed, clothe, heal and give shelter to those in need. May Christ’s parable of mercy inspire

us in all our deeds for all our days. (From Walk With Me: A 21 Day Prayer Journal Around the World)

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Seeking Truth Catholic Bible Study:

Registration for fall classes on Luke, “The Gospel of Mercy.” Classes begin Sept. 6, 1 p.m. at St. Leo the Great Church, 1920 N. 102nd St., and 7 p.m. at Creighton Preparatory School, 7400 Western Ave. Individual on-line learning and free parish programming for those who would like to start up a class in their own parish. Registration and more information available at www.seekingtruth.net. Classes fill up quickly.

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Support Group – next meeting May 3

The Servite Center of Compassion offers support to help those dealing with dementia in loved ones. The group meets with facilitator Nancy Flaherty, MS, CDP, the first Thursday of each month, from 10:00-11:30 a.m., at 7400 Military Ave. There is no cost. To register, contact Sr. Margaret Stratman at 402-951-3026. For more information, contact Nancy Flaherty at 402-312-9324.

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The Need, the How and Transformation of Prayer Hear why prayer is not only necessary, but also how it is accessible from your faith level and doable for your life; then relish the change it yields in your soul. Presentation by Katie Sciba, national speaker and five-time Catholic Press Award-winning writer. Saturday, April 28 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Childcare available.

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Faith Reflections

We celebrated Confirmation at St. Elizabeth Ann last Friday, and this Friday, we will celebrate Confirmation at St. James. With this wonderful sacrament, I like to meditate on these passages from the Book of Revelation: “I, John, had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood

before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.” (Revelation 7:9)

“Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, ‘Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come

from?’ (Revelation 7:13)

“I said to him, ‘My lord, you are the one who knows.’ He said to me, ‘These are the ones who have survived the time of the

great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’” (Revelation 7:14)

When I look at the number of Confirmation students and their sponsors ready to process into the church, I always think of this passage. Our young people will be strengthened with the Holy Spirit to be witnesses. The word, “martyr” comes from a Greek word meaning “witness”. Martyrs witness about Christ in the most extreme way by giving their lives. Perhaps our students will not be called to martyrdom, but they will be called to be witnesses in other great and small ways. May they live their lives faith-fully, and one day be counted in that great multitude. Please join me in praying for our Confirmation students: “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your spirit, and they shall be created and You will renew the face of the earth.”

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY - A great way to volunteer and help others....SEAS Prayer Shawl Ministry has openings for a few good folks! Prayer Shawls are lovingly created in prayer to comfort those in crisis. Compassion, caring and sharing are the only requirements. Instruction and donated yarns are available if needed. Join us Thursday, April 26, 1-3pm, in the Family Room of the Parish Center, for joyous fellowship and prayer as we work to help others! If you or someone you know needs a prayer shawl, contact Joan Connor 402-493-3702 or Mary Ann Miller 402-468-4014 for more information. We meet throughout the year, so keep that in mind when your other activities taper off--we'd love to meet you!