Feast of the Holy Innocents

Holy Innocents

Let us pray today:


That the President of the United States, all other elected officials and judges may come to acknowledge the humanity of every child in the womb and to enact laws and policies to defend them, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer.


--from the Diocese of Sacramento website, said as I wanted to say it in defense of our own "holy innocents".

Sisters' Christmas Dinner with Employees

Sr. Pia with gift cards

Glena trying to stack Large Bolts

Wednesday evening from 6-8:30, the Sisters hosted 20 of our employees for a wonderful dinner cooked by Sr. Kevin, Sr. Gabrielle Marie, Sr. Elizabeth and many more.  Sr. Jania Maria had games all planned for our guests too, playing something of  "A Minute to Win It" type games.  Lots of laughter and clapping.  Sr. Pia gave a very nice tribute of gratitude to our wonderful employees, after which she gave them gifts from the sisters.  Sr. Rita Marie told them too, that there would be something in their paychecks.  That will be a nice bonus, I'm sure.

St. Ottilien Monastery

St. Ottilien Archabbey Church

Today our Brother Monks, Missionary Benedictines are celebrating the feast of St. Odilia after whom their monastery is named.  We honor her today as the Patron of the monastery of the Missionary Benedictines in Germany, but also she is patron of those who have sight problems.

 From Wikopedia:   It is the mother house of the St. Ottilien Congregation, otherwise known as the Missionary Benedictines.

Let us pray today for those who are suffering from eye disease and blindness.

St. Odilia bless all those who are having vision problems and those suffering from blindness.  We pray.

Patroness of the Americas

Our Lady of Guanalupe
http://www.mustardseedrecording.com

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  She has been named the Patroness of the Americas.  What are the lessons we should take from Our Lady?

"The first lesson is that God has chosen Mary to lead us to Jesus. No matter what critics may say of the devotion of Mexicans (and Mexican descendants) to Our Lady of Guadalupe, they owe their Christianity to her influence. If it were not for her, they would not know her son, and so they are eternally grateful. The second lesson we take from Maryherself. Mary appeared to Juan Diego not as a European madonna but as a beautiful Aztec princess speaking to him in his own Aztec language. If we want to help someone appreciate the gospel we bring, we must appreciate the culture and the mentality in which they live their lives. By understanding them, we can help them to understand and know Christ. Our Lady of Guadalupe is patron of the Americas."   Catholic.org

According to tradition, on December 9, 1531 Juan Diego, a simple indigenous peasant, had a vision of a young woman while he was on a hill in the Tepeyac desert, near Mexico City. The lady told him to build a church exactly on the spot where they were standing. He told the local bishop, who asked for some proof. He went back and had the vision again. He told the lady that the bishop wanted proof, and she said "Bring the roses behind you." Turning to look, he found a rose bush growing behind him. He cut the roses, placed them in his poncho and returned to the bishop, saying he had brought proof. When he opened his poncho, instead of roses, there was an image of the young lady in the vision".  Wikopedia

Prayer Shawls to RCIA

Shawl by Sr. Fidelis Marie

Today the Prayer Shawl Ministry at the Parish will give each of the catechumens in RCIA a prayer shawl blessed by our Deacon Ted.  There are 10 participants in Sacred Heart/St. Mary's RCIA.  Several of us will represent the whole Ministry after the 9:30am Mass this morning.  Blessings to all who are entering into the faith of the Roman Catholic Church.  Pray for them and their sponsors.

Rejoice!  Gaudete!  Be Glad!

Wonderful Advent Retreats

Today, Sr. Celine Schock, OSB, gave a wonderful presentation on the O Antiphons.  She had 11 women in attendance who really found the information Sister gave as deepening their understanding of the Hymn, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel", a very common Advent Hymn.
Tomorrow we have "Gaudete" Sunday -- Rejoicing day in watchful praise for the coming of the Savior in a special way in our hearts.

Have a wonderful Sunday!  This is the day that the Prayer Shawl Ministry goes to visit the RCIA participants and give them each a prayer shawl.  Deacon Ted will bless them and then they will be given to each of the catechumens.

Chemo Cap Caper -- Knit/Crochet Retreat

34 Chemo Caps

Mary Pribnow, Sr. Paula, Bev Henkle, Milly Clemens
"The Caper Group"

Pat Schmits, Sr. Veronica Therese

From Friday, Nov. 25---Saturday, Nov. 26, Sr. Carole Ann facilitated a group of knitters and crocheters who met for an overnight retreat.  The focus was to make chemo caps for some oranizations such as Onthology Clinic -- FRHS here in Norfolk, or UNMC-Omaha Oncology Clinic.  There are other support groups that could receive some of the 34 caps that were finished before the participants went home.   Every hour we prayed a short prayer for the cancer patients who need special prayer.  And it is the custom during these retreats (this is the 3rd annual retreat) to spend time on personal spiritual enrichment, while praying with every stitch for the receiver of the item.

Mary Welsh from Omaha