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Rev. Vincent L. Parsons Pastor
Rev. Michael E. Wetovick
Associate Pastor
Sr. Vera Meis, C.S.J. Pastoral Minister
Mass Schedule: Saturday: 6:00 pm
Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 am (September - May) 8:00 & 10:00 am (June - August)
Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri., 7:30 am
Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday: 4:00 – 4:30 pm
or by appointment (632-2541)
Sacrament of Baptism Please call the Parish Office
Pre-Baptism Class is held quarterly: Aug.ust 3, November 2, 2014
Sacrament of Matrimony:
Please call the Parish Office for appointment. (4 months marriage
preparation required.)
Sacrament of the Sick: Call 632-2541 ext. 2 anytime
to reach a priest
St. Agnes Catholic Church July 13, 2014
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 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
Upcoming Events
Mon^[y, July 14, 2014 ╬ Daily Mass (7:30am) Mass Intention: Priests/Religious by Jerry & Eileen Young ╬ Communal Rosary (4:45pm) Location: Church ╬ Liturgy of the Hours (5:05pm) Tu_s^[y, July 15, 2014 ╬ Daily Mass (7:30am) Mass Intention: †Rich Dermer by Ron & Teresa Swank Family ╬ Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) W_^n_s^[y, July 16, 2014 ╬ Daily Mass (7:30am) Mass Intention: †James Hill by Alex & Andrea Hill ╬ Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) ╬ Contemplative Prayer (5:50pm) Location: Office Basement
Thurs^[y, July 17, 2014 ╬ Mass @ Golden Living (9:30am) ╬ Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Fri^[y, July 18, 2014 ╬ Daily Mass (7:30am)
Mass Intention: Special Intention by Jacque Bender
╬ Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) S[tur^[y, July 19, 2014 ╬ Weekend Mass (6:00 pm) Mass Intention: †Barbara Arneson by Danni Koeteman Sun^[y, July 20, 2014 ╬ Weekend Mass (8:00 am) Mass Intention: For the Parish ╬ Weekend Mass (10:00 am)
Mass Intention: KCs & Families by Knights of Columbus
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 55:10-11 Psalm 65
Romans 8:18-23 Matthew 13:1-23
Parish Administration (308) 632-2541 / (308) 632-2146 (fax)
[email protected] www.st-agnes-church.com
Pastor Rev. Vincent L. Parsons (ext. 2)
[email protected] Pastoral Minister
Sr. Vera Meis (ext. 4) [email protected]
Director of Religious Education Mrs. Terri Calvert (ext.5) [email protected] Church Office Manager
Mrs. Danni Koeteman (ext. 3) [email protected]
Head Teacher Mrs. Julie Brown (632-6918)
[email protected] School Office Manager Mrs. Margie Dishong
P[stor’s Not_s
T he gospel today tells us the par-able of the sower which is communi-cated this way: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed feel on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
This parable has been explained and articulated many times. However, I would like to offer this reflection. The SEED is the WORD OF GOD. The SOIL is our HEART. Some hearts are like the path; they listen to the WORD but reject it outright. Other hearts are like rocky ground; they receive and listen to the WORD but since the hearts are as hard as stone, they de-cline to embrace the WORD. Other hearts are like thorns; they refuse the
WORD, and the WORD is not given a chance to be listened to. However, other hearts are rich soil; they wel-come, listen to and embrace the WORD. In short, the WORD OF GOD finds sacred dwellings in rich and hospitable hearts. And in these hearts, the WORD OF GOD finds meaning, it is shared, and it is lived. They become WORDS of love, hope and peace for others. To deepen and strengthen our relation-ship with God, let us struggle to make our hearts the RICH SOIL. And when our hearts become the rich soil as sus-tainers and givers of LIFE, let us prac-tice the following virtue of GIVING:
“THE BEST THING TO GIVE… to our enemy is FORGIVENESS; to our opponent, TOLERANCE; to a friend, our HEART; to our child, a GOOD EXAMPLE; to our father, REVERENCE; to our mother, CONDUCT THAT
MAKES HER PROUD OF US; to ourselves, RESPECT; to all men and women, CHARITY!”
Giving of Oneself Scientists have recently begun to discuss the idea that the primary force be-hind all life in the universe is self-gift. This is how everything from galaxies to human babies are born and sustained. If we read the opening of today’s passage from Isaiah correctly, we see that he anticipated twentieth-century scientists by over twenty five hundred years. Using the self-giving example of the rain and snow clouds that water the earth that then yields fruit, which in turn is given over to nourish creatures, Isaiah leads us to under-stand that the primary force behind all life is the word of God. The ultimate giving of that word, we believe, was Jesus Christ, who, in the greatest revelation of divine love, gave of himself on the cross. To what degree are we in touch with that self-giving God in whose image we are made? To what extent do we really follow the self-giving example of Christ into whose death and resurrection we were baptized, whose ultimate self-gift we celebrate every week in the Eucharist? With God’s help, our lives can be like Isaiah’s rain and snow, and we will not return to heaven until we have done our part to make the earth fruitful. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 2 July 13, 2014
Finance Corner
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Readings for the week Monday: Is 1:10-17; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc- 17, 21, 23; Mt 10:34 — 11:1 Tuesday: Is 7:1-9; Ps 48:2-8; Mt 11:20-24 Wednesday: Is 10:5-7, 13b-16; Ps 94:5- 10, 14-15; Mt 11:25-27 Thursday: Is 26:7-9, 12, 16-19; Ps 102:13-14ab, 15-21; Mt 11:28-30 Friday: Is 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8; Is 38:10- 12abcd, 16; Mt 12:1-8 Saturday: Mi 2:1-5; Ps 10:1-4, 7-8, 14; Mt 12:14-21 Sunday: Wis 12:13, 16-19; Ps 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16; Rom 8:26-27; Mt 13:24-43
@ Not_ From Sr. V_r[ Sr. Vera will be on retreat at her motherhouse in Concordia, KS this week and next. She returns home July 20th. Also, she wishes to thank everyone for the cards, gifts and prayers on her recent birthday!
D[ily M[ss S]h_^ul_ Ch[ng_
You may have noticed on the front cover of the bulletin that a daily Mass has been added to Monday. Our new associate pastor, Fr. Mike Wetovick, will be offering Monday morning masses from now on at St. Agnes. All are welcome!
M[ss Int_ntions Sp_]i[l R_qu_sts
Requesting a Mass to be said for a loved one is a special way to honor either someone still living, or one who has gone ahead of us to the next stage of life in Christ. If someone dear to you is having a birthday, an-niversary, or a new baby, what better way to honor them? The suggested donation for a Mass is $10. For more information, contact the parish office (632-2541).
Sunday Collections & ATW Giving
June 29, 2014 Actual $4808.78 Budget $9361.53 Surplus (Deficit) $4552.75
June 2014 Totals Actual $26615.48 ATW $8461.50 Budget $46807.65 Surplus (Deficit) $11730.67
July 6, 2014 Actual $6571.31 ATW $5086.50 Budget $9361.53 Surplus (Deficit) $4552.75
- On the Cover - Rev. Michael Wetovick,
newly appointed Associate Pastor - St. Agnes Parish
Fr. Witovick is pictured at St. Theresa’s Church in Mitchell, where he had just
celebrated daily Mass.
Raising kids is hard. It's OK to ask for advice. The Nebraska Family Helpline is a free,
confidential resource for parents who have
questions regarding their child's behavior. From
bullying, drugs and thoughts of suicide to sharing
and obedience issues, trained counselors are
standing by to help. Any problem. Any time. S_rv_r S]h_^ul_
July 12, 6pm Quincey Johnson Raymond Palmer July 13, 8am Bernadette Pieper Barbara Pieper 10:00am Megan Golden Logan Moravec July 19, 6pm Ethan Gion Allyson Gion July 20, 8am Lucas Moravec MeKenna Hackett 10:00am Nick Maag Aaron Schaff
Beverly Grabatin, sister of Ray (Becky)
Murdock; Alex Herdt, grandson
of Zita Bolinger
@ Sp_]i[l Pro^u]tion Coming Soon!
West Nebraska Arts Center’s Theatre West presents Les Misérables July16-19 and July 22-26 at the WNCC Little Theatre. Showings are 7:30 each evening, with a 1:30pm matinee Saturday, July 19th. What
may make this an extra-interesting production for St. Agnes folks are the actors who are from our parish:
Mary Robinson, Chad Tillman, Matt Hutt, Matt Parsley, Gail Moran, Beth Anne Viessman and Chloe Holsinger. For tickets ($18 general or $17 seniors), call the box office, 635-6193.
GARDENING Kind hearts are the garden, Kind thoughts are the root,
Kind words are the blossoms, Kind deeds are the fruit.
—Anonymous
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Challenge to Change At this time of the year it is easy to see today’s Gospel in practice. Farmers and gardeners sowed, weeded, fertilized, and watered, and now begin to see the fruits of their labor. They sowed more seed than they actually needed, as nature is generous but also wasteful: no one who grows plants can tell you how many will survive and produce seed of their own. The parable of the sower, like all Jesus’ parables, stands conventional wisdom on its head and offers layers of new meaning. In Jesus’ day, the way of righteousness was spelled out in the Jewish scriptures. The person who lived as a pious Jew, fol-lowing the Law of Moses, could be assured of many blessings. Yet, as Jesus often demonstrated, following the rules and living the life are not the same thing. Why does the seed of the word not bear fruit in everyone who hears it? Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah, who describes people as dull of hearing with their eyes shut. Jesus explains this as a form of self-protection. If people really hear and really see, they might have to change. We may hear this Gospel with a hint of complacency. It is possible to hear this parable and enjoy it as a sim-ple tale. After all, we understand it, and we are not like the rest. But is this true? Do we really hear the word? Are we really seeking its meaning for us? Do we allow it to take root in the good soil in our lives, or do we push it to the edges or let it get choked out by other priorities? Disciples are the ones who water and nurture it, and ask Jesus to help them produce abundant fruit. Copyright © 2010, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.
W hen we see the straight rows of crops growing tall and healthy at this time of year, we know that farmers plant very carefully to guarantee the highest yield. But that’s not the way the farmer in today’s parable plants. This farmer takes a big risk, it seems. Throwing seed around indiscrimi-nately, some of it falls on the rocks, some on the road, some in the brambles, and, inevitably, some falls on good cultivated soil. Yet, even though many of the seeds die, this foolish farmer’s crop yields a hundred times what was to be expected. This is how God sows the Word. Like the seed, the Word of God is to be scattered indiscriminately over the whole earth, without regard to where the good soil is that can receive and nurture it. Even though the Word does not take root everywhere, Isaiah tells us “it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.” And Paul reminds us that the whole world will “share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.” —Virginia Stillwell Copyright © 2013, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.
Treasures From Our Tradition
With the Reformation, some early P r o t e s t a n t s , i n c l u d i n g t h e “Anabaptists,” rejected infant baptism in favor of “believer’s baptism.” Against Orthodox and Catholic practice, which favored baptism as soon as possible for a newborn, these movements desired that the candidate for baptism speak for him- or herself at a mature age, not through godparents as an infant. Today, it is clear that they were rejecting a very ancient practice (even as early as the second century) of baptizing children of all ages. Children came first in ancient baptismal ceremonies, and someone would speak for them. Gregory of Nazianzen wanted to delay the baptism of children to three years of age, since at that age they could retain at least some impression of the liturgy. He made an exception for the very ill, who were to be baptized ahead of the annual Easter baptism. That means that infants and children were normally baptized together with adults, and that everyone received confirmation and the Eucharist. The tone of the early bishops’ w r i t i n g s i s g e n e r o u s a n d compassionate, and seeks to build up the eucharistic assembly by widely celebrating the gift of the Holy Spirit. If a priest celebrated baptism, then the gift of the Spirit was postponed for the bishop, but with no regard for the person’s age. So, until the fifth century, confirmation was for infants, too. —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
R_fl_]ting on Go^’s Wor^
Celebrating Sunday for
Catholic Families Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time On the Way to Mass: Explain what a parable is: a short, simple story to teach a spiritual or
moral lesson. On the Way Home From Mass: See who remembers what happened to the various seeds. Why would the sower throw seeds so randomly? Living the Word: A good way for children to meditate on Scripture, particularly the parables, is by having them draw the story. This week’s parable could be done as small book, with one page for each of the four different places the seed was thrown. Don’t worry about
explaining the meaning, just let your children draw the story..
Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families
Early Registration for the 2014-2015 Religious Education and CYM formation sessions will take place during the month of August.
Pass it Forward!
The CYM (Catholic Youth Ministry) the High School program is looking for leaders for the u p c o m i n g f r e s h m a n class. If you are interested in sharing your Catholic faith with the young Church, give Terri a call at 635-1362 or Email at [email protected] for details.
Totus Tuus 2014
Stewardship Opportunity
Over 200 children and young people, preschool through grade 12, will sign up this fall to learn more about Jesus and the Catholic faith. You can help them learn and grow by becoming a catechist for St. Agnes Religious Education Formation Programs. We are currently looking for grade school catechists on Sunday mornings., middle school catechist on Wednesday evening. As you nurture the faith of our young, you will learn and grow as well! As one long-time catechist put it, “I learn so much from the children!” We provide you with training, materials, and support. Classes begin in October. If interested or for more information, contact Terri Calvert at 635-1362 (RE Office) or Email [email protected]
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R_ligious E^u][tion Email—[email protected] Religious Education Office—308-635-1362
P[g_ 6 July 13, 2014
Parents and faith always matter There have been frequent news reports about the secularization of America, with focus on young adults who don’t feel religion has a place in their lives. The good news is that recent studies show that in close and loving religious families, parents are just as likely as ever to pass on their religion to their children. Close parent-child bonds make the difference. Researchers found that when a child feels emotionally close to a parent, he or she is more likely to adapt the parent’s religious practices. When raised by a warm and affirming parent, it is easier for a child to understand and relate to a warm and loving God. Religious parents model what they preach. Children are motivated to follow in their parents’ religious footsteps when the parents practice what they preach. That kind of authenticity is compelling. Surrounding children with a loving faith community, teaching faith practices, encouraging service, and being a consistent presence were noted as convincing to children who adopted their parents’ faith when grown.
Getting along goes a long way
Knowing how to get along with others is a useful skill for children at any age. Social competence is also helpful in effectively spreading the Gospel. It is widely believed that loving and involved parents are key to developing children’s social competence and teaching them how to get along with others. Try these suggestions: Play with your child just for fun. Children whose parents frequently play with them have more advanced social skills and get along better with peers. When playing, just have fun. Avoid criticizing or directing the activity. Studies show that just-for-fun type of play teaches children to play with peers in positive, competent ways. Encourage problem solving. When your child has a problem with a peer, consider various solutions and perspectives together. Don’t necessarily step in. Teach children to weigh the consequences of their actions for themselves. Take a positive, flexible attitude to social setbacks. Some children develop a negative attitude after rejection. (“Nobody likes me.” “I’m no fun.”) You can help youngsters see that a social situation can be improved by changing behavior. “I’ll try joining their game instead of trying to change to a game I choose.” Develop the compliment habit. Coach children to notice what others do well and give sincere compliments. Spotting the good in others is a step toward empathy and leadership.
What do Catholics believe about the Last Judgment?
The Last Judgment will take place at Jesus’ second coming. "All who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment" (John 5:29). Nothing will remain hidden – not our thoughts or our actions. We will understand the meaning of God’s marvelous ways. Then it will be decided whether we merit eternal life or separation from God forever. Partners in Faith - June 2014
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Advertising page
CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS St. Agnes Catholic Church #019751 2314 Third Avenue Scottsbluff, NE 69361 TELEPHONE 308 632-2541 CONTACT PERSON Danni Koeteman EMAIL: [email protected] 2nd Contact: Fr. Vince Parsons (308) 390-8111 SOFTWARE MSPublisher 2007 Adobe Acrobat X Windows 7 PRINTER Canon MX 870 TRANSMISSION TIME Wednesday 3:00 SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION July 13, 2014 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 9 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS IMPORTANT NOTE! PLEASE READ! Request 325 copies THE ADVERTISING PAGE IS PAGE 9 IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL ME. THANK YOU.
