May 27, 2018 The Most Holy Trinity

ST. MARY’S MISSION STATEMENT

“Our vision is to see Christ in others and to treat others as

Christ, because this is what we believe.” As a Catholic

community, we gather and celebrate the presence of

Christ in sacrifice and sacrament. “Our mission is to

support our community by mee"ng the spiritual, faith

forma"on and other needs of our parishioners.”

PARISH STAFF Fr. Lazarus Kirigia, Pastor of Red Oak & Imogene Parish Office: 712-623-2744 Rectory: 712-357-1159 Cell: 515-770-9064 Email: kirigia32@hotmail.com Jean Anderson, Secretary, stmarysrosecretary@gmail.com Cindy Joneson, Bookkeeper stmarysrobookkeeper@gmail.com Kassie Houdek, DRE,stmarysrodre@gmail.com Parish Office: 712-623-2744 St. Mary’s Parish Website: www.stmarysredoak.com

OFFICE HOURS Monday-Thursday-Friday-Closed Jean -Tuesday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.. Cindy-Wednesday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Please call the office or Fr. Lazarus prior to visiting the staff so we may assist you best.

PARISH LEADERSHIP PARISH TRUSTEES Tom Stamets 623-9797 Connie Sampers 623-2369 AT LARGE MEMBERS Charla Schmid (Secretary) 623-4675 Joe Nealon 623-9642 AT LARGE MEMBERS Jeff Grebin, Chair (Social Justice) 621-6954 Nancy Nealon (Arts & Environment) 623-9642 Charla Schmid (Music & Liturgy) 623-4675 Hank Latus (Property & Grounds) 712-829-2404 Ken Podliska (Property & Grounds) 623-3622 Kerry & Elaine Carlson (Stewardship) 623-4122 Connie Dentlinger (Pastoral Ministry) 623-8813 Pat Jensen (Health & Wellness) 712-370-2511

Nancy Nealon: Coordinator, Saturday Mass Tim Schmid: Coordinator, Sunday AM Mass David Bueno: Coordinator, Spanish Mass Kim Roberts: Coordinator, RCIA Vocations: www.vocationsonline.com

Des Moines Diocese Info: www.dmdiocese.org Catholic Charities: www.CatholicCharitiesDM.org

515-244-3761

Welcome! It is our hope that you feel at home

and among friends here. If you are a

visitor for the day, we pray God’s blessings on your

journey. If you are looking for a parish community,

we would be delighted to welcome you into our par-

ish family. Please join us at the beginning of each

mass before the opening song to pray three “Hail

Mary’s” and a “Glory Be” to end abortion in our

country.

Page 2 | St. Mary Catholic Church

AROUND THE DIOCESE

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. What I will argue this Sunday is that the Trinity - an eternal relationship with the Triune God - is the one thing that will make you or me happy. We have a lot of misconceptions about what will

make us happy. To illustrate misconceptions about happiness in heaven, I begin with a humorous story. It happened that a cat died and since it was a good cat, it went to heaven. Now, St. Martin de Porres takes care of animal heaven - at least the section for cats and mice. Being very kind to small creatures, St. Martin asked the cat if he had any special requests. The cat replied, "All my life I slept on hard surfaces. I want a nice fluffy blanket." After the cat came a group of mice. St. Martin asked them what they wanted. The head mouse replied immediately. "We had tough lives on earth," he said, "everyone was always chasing us. We want roller skates." So St. Martin outfitted them with tiny skates. A few weeks passed and St. Martin checked up on the cat. The cat was the picture of happiness. "My blanket is so comfortable," he said, "that I never want to leave it." Then he added, "By the way, thanks for the Meals on Wheels!" Well, as this story illustrates, it is easy to have misconceptions about what will make us happy in heaven. Unlike those mice, we probably don't imagine speedy roller skates, but we might think of other things: nice food, comfortable surroundings, good friends, beautiful music. Those things are great and in some way, they might be part of heaven, but this Sunday Jesus tells us what we really need to be happy. To survive we need things like food, clothes, and shelter, but to really be happy we need something more. Jesus says to us, "I have much more to tell you." To be happy you and I need knowledge, truth. Let me explain. Aristotle - who is considered the world's greatest philosopher - began his study of human psychology with this statement, "All men by nature desire to know." We delight, he said, in the knowledge that comes to us through our senses - sight, hearing, taste, touch. To illustrate this desire for knowledge, consider the example of Carl Sagan. You remember him - the astronomer who narrated the television series titled, "Cosmos." Shortly after producing that program, he was diagnosed with leukemia. He went to Seattle's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, hoping for a cure. While in Seattle, he said that he wanted a few more years of life, so he could keep learning about the cosmos. We humans have an insatiable desire to know. Carl Sagan spent his life studying the cosmos. Other people have different interests: the Civil War, railroads, archeology and so on. Many people today have become political junkies, gathering news about elections, polls, and politicians. Some can't find out enough about movie stars and athletes. And all of us - let's be honest - find it hard to resist a juicy bit of gossip. We want to know. Of course, we hunger for more than random facts. If we start reading a good novel, pretty soon we have a hard time putting it down. Even though the characters are fictional,

we want to know what happens to them. And even if we know how a story turns out, we can experience great delight in re-reading it. We discover new insights. I think heaven will be something like that. Our relationship with the Trinity will involve a continual joy of discovery. Think about it. Today's first reading describes how "wisdom" was with God when he made the cosmos. Wisdom is Jesus - God the Son, the Second Person of the Trinity. And by the power of a Third Person, the Holy Spirit, we enter a relationship with Jesus and the Father. It is the greatest voyage of discovery anyone can undertake. I came across a nice quote on this - by one of my favorite novelists, Dean Koontz. He has a character named "Odd Thomas" who says: "I tend to believe in the traditional architecture of life and afterlife. This world is a journey of discovery and purification. The next world consists of two destinations: One is a palace for the spirit and an endless kingdom of wonder, while the other is cold and dark and unthinkable." This weekend I won't get into how a person can pervert the desire to know and wind up in hell - a cold, dark, unthinkable place- that’s a story for another day. What I want to emphasize is that the Blessed Trinity fulfills our deepest longing. St. Paul says, "Hope does not disappoint." God has given each of us an insatiable desire to know. When all is said and done, only one can satisfy that hunger. This Sunday he says, "I have much more to tell you." Now, that's an understatement! But Jesus adds, "you cannot bear it now." We need the Holy Spirit - the "Spirit of truth." So that is the invitation today: Come to Jesus. He is the wisdom, at the Father's side, that fashioned the universe - including such creatures as you and me. He has placed in our hearts a desire to know. We can pervert that desire, but we can also accept his offer: "I have much more to tell you." Jesus - who has always existed as the Wisdom at the Father's side - has much more to tell us. He alone can satisfy our desire to know - by bestowing the Spirit of truth, making possible an eternal relation with the Trinity. Come to Jesus. By the power of the Holy Spirit, come to Jesus - eternal wisdom, at the Father's side.

Have a Blessed week. Fr. Lazarus Kirigia.

ANNUAL DIOCESAN APPEAL

CATHOLIC TUITION ORGANIZATION Families can apply in our second round for tuition assistance through the Catholic Tuition Organization. The deadline is July 31. Families will be notified of their award before the start of school.

FAITH RESOURCES Are you looking for faith resources as a source of motivation? In-spiration? Check out the St. Joseph Educational Center at sjecio-wa.org. There are blogs, books, articles, videos and more at sjecio-wa.org.

LEND A HAND AT CATHOLIC CHARITIES FOOD PANTRY Catholic Charities Outreach Center has re-opened as a choice food pantry. Call Brooke at 515-262-7290 to learn how you can volun-teer to feed the hungry.

St. Mary Catholic Church | Page 3

Readings for the Week of May 27, 2018 Sunday: Dt 4:32-34, 39-40/Ps 33:4-5, 6, 9, 18-19, 20, 22 [12b]/Rom 8:14-17/Mt 28:16-20; St. Augustine of Canterbury Monday: 1 Pt 1:3-9/Ps 111:1-2, 5-6, 9 and 10c [5]/Mk 10:17-27; Venerable Pierre Toussaint ; Memorial Day Tuesday: 1 Pt 1:10-16/Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 [2a]/Mk 10:28-31; St. Madeleine Sophie Barat Wednesday: 1 Pt 1:18-25/Ps 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 [12a]/Mk 10:32-45; St. Joan of Arc Thursday: Zep 3:14-18a or Rom 12:9-16/Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 [6]/Lk 1:39-56; Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Friday: 1 Pt 4:7-13/Ps 96:10, 11-12, 13 [13b]/Mk 11:11-26 ; St. Justin Martyr Saturday: Jude 17, 20b-25/Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6 [2b]/Mk 11:27-33; St. Marcellinus and Peter Next Sunday: Ex 24:3-8/Ps 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18 [13]/Heb 9:11-15/Mk 14:12-16, 22-26; The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

FAITH FORMATION

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SENIORS! Congratulations to the graduating class of 2018! We want to help you celebrate your very special day. This moment you've been waiting for has finally

come your way and we give all glory to the Lord for bringing you to this place. Now that you have graduated, go forth and take God's grace.

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FOOD PANTRY We are going to do a reverse collection for our local food pantry. If you did not bring anything please feel free to next week as well. There is a basket at the front of the church with ideas. We will deliver them to Christ Cupboard Food Pantry. Thank you in advance.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions!

Kassie Houdek, St. Mary's Catholic Church Director of Religious Education, stmarysrodre@gmail.com

ANNUAL DIOCESAN APPEAL The Annual Diocesan Appeal is now going on. This year our par-ish has an increase of only 2%, making our goal of $26,834.00.

This year’s theme is “We Are One Body”. As one body, we seek to respond to an emerging “change of age” so that our church may be vibrant and live with gratitude, generosity, and self-sacrifice.

We ask you to prayerfully consider how you can financially sup-port our campaign, helping our parish meet our goal of $26,834.00. You may make a commitment payable over 10 months with monthly installments-that can be made secure online, by sending a check, or you can make a one-time payment. Pledge cards were mailed out to each household, and if you did not get one you may get one from Fr. Lazarus. Thank you in ad-vance for your generous contribution in helping provide for the many ministries in our diocese that our Annual Diocesan Appeal helps support.

Fr. Lazarus

CATHOLIC FOUNDATION OF SW IOWA GRANT RECEIVED We are excited to announce that our parish was recently award-ed a $1950.00 grant from the Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa for the benefit of updating our media equipment. The Cath-olic Foundation of Southwest Iowa works with families like yours to facilitate giving and in particular, planned gifts to benefit organ-izations like ours within the Diocese of Des Moines. The return on investments managed by the Catholic Foundation come back in many different forms to diocesan organizations like ours and a grant program is one of them. Thank you to the Catholic Foun-dation of Southwest Iowa! For more information, go to www.catholicfoundationiowa.org.

UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS May 27-Reverse Collection-Donations for Christ Cupboard Food Pantry May 30-Pastoral Council-6 p.m. June 5-7:00 p.m.-Knights of Columbus Meeting Sept. 29&30-Christ Our Life Catholic Regional Conference

FIND A MASS Don’t take a vacation from God! While you’re on vacation, check out MassTimes.org and find the nearest church and Mass times.

Anyone who truly loves God travels securely

Saint Teresa of Avila

Saturday-June 2 Lector: Pete Crawford Altar Servers: Steve Gray / Ethan Horn Min. Communion: Hank Latus / Mark Johnson / Cindee Hays Greeter/Usher: Matt Ross / Kevin Naser / Joe & Nancy Nealon Musician/Singers: Charla Schmid / Ann Ross & Jim Kearney Sacristan: Nancy Nealon

Sunday-June 3 Lector: Richard Sampers Altar Servers: Sam Fields / Cyrus Mensen / Elaina Dougherty Min. of Communion: Karen LeRette /Judy Podliska /Jeff Grebin Greeter/Usher: John McDonald / Bill Drey / Mike Portz / Tim Schmid Musician/Singers: Charla Schmid / Kerry & Elaine Carlson Sacristan: Tim Schmid Money Counter: Pat Jensen / Corrine Jenkins

Please find a substitute if you are unable to fulfill your assignment. Thank you!

LITURGICAL MINISTRIES

BAPTISM: Please call the office to schedule the Bap-tism. A class is required for first-time parents. RCIA: Each Fall the parish forms a group of adults who are interested in becoming Catholic, or in leaning about the faith. Contact the Parish Office or Fr. Lazarus. CARE OF THE SICK: Please contact the Parish Office or Fr. Lazarus to receive the Sacrament of the Sick, or if you would like a visit while in the hospital or Communion brought to your home. MARRIAGE: Couples planning a wedding at St. Mary’s should contact Fr. Lazarus at least 6 months prior to the wedding to begin the preparation process.

PLEASE PRAY FOR: Dan Bruning Josh Watson Homebound Parishioners Patricia Menendez If you or someone you know would like to be on the prayer list, please call the office so that we may put it in the bulletin.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY RELAY FOR LIFE

PIE EATING CONTEST FR. LAZARUS NEEDS SUPPORT

Montgomery County Relay for Life is June 2nd at Chautauqua Park from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Please come and support the American Can-

cer Society’s Relay For Life. Relay For Life is the signature fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society. Relay is staffed and co-ordinated by volunteers in thousands of communities and 27 countries. Volunteers give of their time and effort because they believe it's time to take action against cancer. Cancer patients don't stop because they're tired, and for one night, neither do we. Help us fight this disease!

There is a PIE EATING CONTEST that Fr. Lazarus is participat-ing in at 7:00 p.m. Let’s help support this very worthy cause and come and cheer him on!!

Saturday, May 26 · 7:30 a.m. Holy Grounds (Hall) · 5:00 p.m. Mass in Imogene Sunday, May 27 · 8:30 a.m. Mass in Imogene · 10:30 a.m. Mass in Red Oak-Members of the Parish · 1:00 p.m. Mass in Spanish · Reverse Collection for Christ Cupboard Food Pantry · Have a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend. Monday, May 28-Office Closed Tuesday, May 29 · 8:30 a.m. Mass in Imogene Wednesday, May 30 · 8:30 a.m. Mass in Red Oak-Bill Vacha+ · 6:00 p.m. Pastoral Council Meeting Thursday, May 31 · 6:00 a.m. Adoration Begins · 5:15 p.m. Rosary · 7:00 p.m. Mass in Imogene · 8:00 p.m. Spanish Rosary Friday, June 1 · 6:00 a.m. Adoration Ends · 9:00 a.m. Mass at Good Samaritan · 6:00 p.m. ESL (Hall) Saturday, June 2 · 7:30 a.m. Holy Grounds (Hall) · 4:45-5:10 p.m. Individual Confessions · 5:30 p.m. Mass in Red Oak-Vera Kusleika+ Sunday, June 3 · 8:30 a.m. Mass in Imogene · 10:30 a.m. Mass in Red Oak-Members of the Parish · 1:00 p.m. Mass in Spanish · Have a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend.

WEEKLY CALENDAR

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SAVE THE DATE A Catholic Conference for our Searching Souls. Christ Our Life Catholic Regional Conference, Sep-tember 29th & 30th, 2018. Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, Iowa. ChristOurLifeIowa.Com. All Week-end pass: $25 Adult $15 Student/Youth.

Lets’ Believe...Live...and Celebrate our Faith!

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