St. Agnes Catholic Church

June 24, 2018

2314 Third Avenue, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361 (308)632-2541 Mailing address: PO Box 349, Scottsbluff, NE 69363-0349 Fax: 308-632-2146 Website: www.st-agnes-church.com

Parish Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9am - Noon & 1pm - 4pm

Rev. Vincent L. Parsons

Pastor Rev. Michael E. Wetovick

Associate Pastor Sr. Vera Meis, C.S.J.

Pastoral Minister

Mass Schedule:

(October - May) Saturday: 4:00 pm

Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 am (June - September) Saturday 6:00 pm

Sunday: 8:00 & 10:00 am Monday, Tues, Wed, Friday 7 am

Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays one hour prior to evening Mass or by appointment (632-2541)

Sacrament of Baptism Please call the Parish Office

T his weekend we celebrate the Birth of St. John the Baptist. Luke tells us that John’s parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, were elderly, pious Jews that had been praying years for a son. According to Jewish tradition, it was God’s curse when a couple remained childless. Therefore, Zechariah and Elizabeth suffered from societal scorn during all of their married life. However, even with the ridicule associated with not having children, and finally recognizing that they had grown to an age that children were no longer possible, their faith in the Lord did not waver. Amazed that God had responded to their prayer, Zechariah could not believe Gabriel’s announcement that Elizabeth would now bear a son. Because of his disbelief, that God would give them a son in their advanced years, Zechariah was struck mute until John’s birth.

Not many of us in our youth can accurately predict what will happen to us in later life. John’s parent raised him to dispense with worldly desires. John was born for a higher purpose, God’s intention. Even before his birth, Zechariah knew what John would bring the children of Israel to the Lord their God. John would be the one whom Isaiah prophesized as:

A voice proclaims:

In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD!

Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!

Every valley shall be lifted up,

every mountain and hill made low;

The rugged land shall be a plain,

the rough country, a broad valley.

Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,

and all flesh shall see it together;

for the mouth of the LORD has spoken. (Isaiah 40:3-5)

John the Baptist birth was for the sole purpose of preparing the way for the Messiah. John would be the bridge between the Old and New Testament, the last and greater prophet of Israel, the prophet who would see the Savior, God’s promise of salvation. Hence the bareness of Elizabeth all the while was within divine plan. Her womb had been prepared to carry the herald who would proclaim the coming of Jesus. John the Baptist couldn’t have been born at any other time and for any other purpose apart from announcing the Messiah had come into the world. He was born for that purpose, and he knew it from the mother’s womb. No wonder then he leapt for joy when Mary the Mother of the Lord greeted her mother (Luke 1:41).

Zechariah and Elizabeth demonstrated remarkable perseverance in their faith in God even when it seemed apparent that there would be no children. However, with their faith and prayer and a willingness to participate in God’s plan, He provided them with a son. Because of their faith in following God plan, they raised John not to seek fame or fortune, but prepare for the coming of the Lord. Because of their faith and prayers, John the Baptist placed his life and ministry entirely under divine will and direction.

God has a plan for each and every one of us (Jer. 29:11). We are no different from Zechariah and Elizabeth in our ability to pray in earnest and have faith that God will work through us. We will be blessed if we work in accordance with God’s intention. What can we accomplish with faith and prayer? What plan does God have for us if we would only say yes?

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The Nativity of John the Baptist S a i n t A g n e s

C a t h o l i c C h u r c h

Today’s Readings

Isaiah 49:1-6 Psalm 139

Acts 13:22-26 Luke 1:57-66, 80

Parish Administration (308) 632-2541 / (308) 632-2146 (Fax)

office@st-agnes-church.com www.st-agnes-church.com

Pastor

Rev. Vincent L. Parsons (ext. 2) pastor@st-agnes-church.com

Pastoral Minister Sr. Vera Meis (ext. 4)

srvera@st-agnes-church.com Director of Religious Education

Mrs. Terri Calvert (ext.5) dre@st-agnes-church.com Church Office Manager Theresa Trevino (ext. 3)

office@st-agnes-church.com School Head Teacher

Mrs. Julie Brown (632-6918) office@stagnesonline.org School Office Manager

Teresa Johnson (632-6918) office@stagnesonline.org

Finance Corner Sunday Collections

& ATW Giving June Totals

Actual $15987.50 ATW $9314.50 Budget $27000.00 Surplus (Deficit) $1698.00

Next weekend’s 2nd collection is

for Peter’s Pence

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Server Schedule June 29 6pm Addison Gonzales Clancee Ott June 30 8am Liam Kicken Dalton Gass 10:00am Lillian Golden

Lector Schedule June 29 6pm Jean Ahrens June 30 8am Jordan Colwell 10:00am Jacque Neu

Fr. Vince’s Summer Address Theological College

401 Michigan Ave NE Washington, DC 20017

Monday, June 25, 2018 Daily Mass (7:00am) Intention: †Jan McMullen by Liz Curtis Communal Rosary (4:45pm) Liturgy of the Hours (5:10pm) Tuesday, June 26, 2018 Daily Mass (7:00am) Intention: †Jim Randall by Paul & Nellene Mailander Tuesday Discussion Group (8-9 am) Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Wednesday, June 27, 2018 Daily Mass (7:00 am) Intention: Sr. Dorothy Koenig OSB by John & Karen Koch Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Contemplative Prayer Group (6:00pm)

Thursday, June 28, 2018 Daily Mass (9:30 am) at Heritage Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Friday, June 29, 2018 Daily Mass (7:00 am) Intention: Marvin & Donna Reader by Zita Bolinger Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Saturday, June 30, 2018 Weekend Mass (6:00pm) Intention: Sofia Grace Canchola by Kevin Ott & Family Sunday, July 1, 2018 Weekend Mass (8:00am) Intention: †Lenore Marquez by Bill & Anita Ames Weekend Mass (10:00am) Intention: For the Parish

This Week’s Schedule

Monday: 2 Kgs 17:5-8, 13-15a, 18; Ps 60:3-5, 12-13; Mt 7: 1-5 Tuesday: 2 Kgs 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36; Ps 48:2-4, 10-11; Mt 7:6, 12-14 Wednesday: 2 Kgs 22:8-13; 23:1-3; Ps 119:33-37, 40; Mt 7: 15-20 Thursday: 2 Kgs 24:8-17; Ps 79: 1b-5, 8, 9; Mt 7:21-29 Friday: Vigil: Acts 3:1-10; Ps 19:2-5; Gal 1:11-20; Jn 21:15-19 Day: Acts 12: 1-11; Ps 34:2-9; 2 Tm 4: 6-8, 17-18; Mt 16:13-19 Saturday: Lam 2:2, 10-14, 18-19; Ps 74:1b-7, 20-21; Mt 8:15-17 Sunday: Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13; 2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mk 5:21-43 [5:21-24, 35b-43]

This Week’s Readings

Please save "Best Choice" bar codes!

The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) of the Grand Island Diocese is collecting bar codes from "Best Choice" products. The DCCW turns the codes in for cash, using it to help with their on going project for clean water wells in Haiti. "Best Choice" products have recently been stocked in several grocery stores. Please clip codes, put in an envelope marked "Best Choice," and drop in the Sunday collection basket. Thanks from DCCW!

Rest In Peace Jan McMullen, Grandmother of Sammy McMullen, and Marianne Sedgwick

May 2018 100 CLUB WINNERS

$200: Rob Polk; $100: Rahlene Katus, Nick/Jessica Mikoloyck, Kenny/Jill Wineman; $70: Troy/Carol Herman; $50: Nate/Beth Merrigan, Francis/Mary Heumesser, Jerome Otto, Phyllis Temple, Sandee Hoehn, Lonnie/Mary Lockwood, Dick/Susan Lessert

CONGRATULATIONS!

Please remember to continue to save your Coop receipts for St. Agnes

School throughout the summer. The school will accept them all year long.

For every $100,000 in receipts collected, the school will receive

$1,000! Thank you to all who have been collecting receipts this year!

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ST. AGNES CATHOLIC SCHOOL HALL OF FAME NOMINATION FORM

Please use this form to select your nominations for these two prestigious awards. These awards will be presented at the 2018 St. Agnes Premiere Dinner and Auction at the Civic Center in Gering, Nebraska.

Distinguished Alumni Award

This prestigious award is bestowed to a former St. Agnes student in recognition of outstanding achievement through his or her contributions to the arts, business, education, government, humanities, science and philanthropies. The recipient must be an individual who, in deed or action, has brought honor to themselves, to St. Agnes School and to their community. Nomination Criteria:

Must have attended St. Agnes School Must be at least 25 years old Nominee may be deceased Nominee’s Name:_______________________________________________ Age: _______ St. Agnes Student: YES______ NO_____ Attendance Dates:____________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________ City, State, ZIP:_____________________________________________________________ Phone:________________________Email:_______________________________________ Qualifications/Achievements: (Please use additional paper.)

Friend of St. Agnes Award

This service award is given in honor and recognition of an individual that has provided extraordinary service through volunteerism and support to St. Agnes School. The recipient can be alumni, faculty, support staff, clergy, parents, parishioners or community members. Nomination Criteria: Must be at least 25 years old Nominee may be deceased

Nominee’s Name:_______________________________________________ Age: _______ Address:___________________________________________________________________ City, State, ZIP:_____________________________________________________________ Phone:________________________Email:_______________________________________ Dedication & Service to St. Agnes: (Please use additional paper.) Nominator’s Name:_______________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________________________ City, State, ZIP:__________________________________________________ Phone:__________________________Email:__________________________

Return form by August 31, 2018 to:

St. Agnes School Foundation * PO Box 2214 * Scottsbluff, NE 69363-2214

Help children love Confession All children need reassurance that they are loved even when they make mistakes. That’s why Jesus created the Sacrament of

Reconciliation. He wanted to give us an outward sign of his unconditional love and forgiveness. Try these tips to help children appreciate God’s special, forgiving love: “Who, Me?!” Children often think of sin as relative. “It was okay to hit her because she hit me first.” “I took his pen because he took my glove.” Children need to know that God’s rules are the ones to follow. Use the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes as guides. “Say you’re sorry.” Even young children can understand the need to say they’re sorry when they do something wrong. That’s the first step toward taking responsibility for our actions and changing our behavior. Change. Avoiding future sin means deciding to change. The priest may have suggestions, but you can also help your child figure out how to keep from “messing up” in the future. Remember – forgiving sin is what God loves to do most.

Partners in Faith-June 2018

Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families

Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Gospel: Luke 1:57-66,80

On the Way to Mass: Is you name important to you? On the Way Home From Mass: How did you get you name? Living the Word: There is a power and much meaning in a name. In today’s reading, we see how some wanted to call John a name that would not be his. Spend some time exploring the meaning of your full names. Explore both the meaning of the worlds and the family meaning in context. If anyone goes by a nickname, discuss that as well. Invite family members to make visual images of their names, reflecting their personality and likes, or a poem using each letter of their name to some up with a word.

Celebrating Sunday for Catholic

Families 2017-2018

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st.agnescatholicchurch Parish Website

www.st-agnes-church.com

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R_ligious E^u][tion Progr[m Email—dre@st-agnes-church.com Religious Education Office—308-635-1362

Parent Talk: Last summer I wanted to make sure that – in the busy pace of our summer – our family prayer didn’t get neglected. My pastor suggested we keep prayer journals. We went to an office-supplies store to buy some pretty journals. I explained that this would be where we would write requests to God for ourselves, petitions for others, but also thoughts and dreams we want to share with God. I explained that we would gather each night and write in them together. Kara wrote her prayers as letters addressed to God and told him about her day. Tessa listed her prayer petitions and drew pictures “for God.” I recorded my prayers and meditations about Scripture I read that day. The prayer journals were the perfect devotion for the summer. Kara said, “It’s like talking to a good friend. I can tell him anything, and I know my prayers are in good hands.”

Partners in Faith-June 2018

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