BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH 518 W. State St., Grand Island, NE 68801 308-384-0532 Emergencies Only: 308-249-0009 Website: blsachurch.net E-Mail: [email protected]At this time, these Masses will be said privately by Fr. Marty. Sunday, April 26, 2020 Third Sunday Of Easter This is traditionally the Sunday when many Catholic Churches celebrate First Communion with those children who have been preparing throughout the year. It seems very appropriate because today’s Gospel is the Revelation of Jesus on the Road to Emmaus. And what better Gospel to have proclaimed at a First Communion Mass than this one, because it’s on the Road to Emmaus that the two men traveling with Jesus realize who He is in the breaking of the bread. Right now, because we’re unable to receive communion due to the pandemic, we feel a hunger, not so much a physical hunger, but a spiritual one. We can’t receive Jesus in the breaking of the bread. It’s this lacking that can make us feel somewhat forsaken. And we can’t fulfill our hunger for Jesus in the community of the Church either because we can’t come together for Mass. However, there are other ways that we can be spiritually fed. For example, when we take a risk and share with others from our want and need, and not just our surplus, we come to understand that communion is much more than just coming together for Mass on Sunday (or on a weekday). It’s about doing what God is calling us to do. Below, I want to share with you the financial status of our Parish since the COVID-19 pandemic became a reality for us on March 18 to the present. You’ll see that our church has experienced financial anxi ety and fear, much like your own family has. People haven’t been able to assist us financially like they were able to before the coronavirus took hold in our community. This situation has left us short on funds, which is something that we’ll have to address, as we find ways to see Christ in the breaking of the bread by sharing with our parish. Date Time Intention Saturday, April 25 Joyce Fotinos + Sunday, April 26 View at 9:00 a.m. on Facebook Parish Family Tuesday, April 28 Leo Reznicek + Wednesday, April 29 Linda Wemhoff + Thursday, April 30 Clarence Pfeifer + Friday, May 1 Anna Curtis Saturday, May 2 Connie Curtis + Sunday, May 3 Parish Family
Transcript
BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH 518 W. State St., Grand Island, NE 68801 308-384-0532 Emergencies Only: 308-249-0009
At this time, these Masses will be said privately by Fr. Marty. Sunday, April 26, 2020
Third Sunday Of Easter
This is traditionally the Sunday when many Catholic Churches celebrate First Communion with
those children who have been preparing throughout the year. It seems very appropriate because
today’s Gospel is the Revelation of Jesus on the Road to Emmaus. And what better Gospel to
have proclaimed at a First Communion Mass than this one, because it’s on the Road to Emmaus
that the two men traveling with Jesus realize who He is in the breaking of the bread.
Right now, because we’re unable to receive communion due to the pandemic, we feel a hunger, not so much a
physical hunger, but a spiritual one. We can’t receive Jesus in the breaking of the bread.
It’s this lacking that can make us feel somewhat forsaken. And we can’t fulfill our hunger for Jesus in the
community of the Church either because we can’t come together for Mass. However, there are other ways that
we can be spiritually fed. For example, when we take a risk and share with others from our want and need,
and not just our surplus, we come to understand that communion is much more than just coming together for
Mass on Sunday (or on a weekday). It’s about doing what God is calling us to do.
Below, I want to share with you the financial status of our Parish since the COVID-19 pandemic became a
reality for us on March 18 to the present. You’ll see that our church has experienced financial anxiety and fear,
much like your own family has.
People haven’t been able to assist us financially like they were able to before the coronavirus took hold in our
community. This situation has left us short on funds, which is something that we’ll have to address, as we find
ways to see Christ in the breaking of the bread by sharing with our parish.
Date Time Intention Saturday, April 25 Joyce Fotinos +
Sunday, April 26 View at 9:00 a.m. on
Facebook
Parish Family
Tuesday, April 28 Leo Reznicek +
Wednesday, April 29 Linda Wemhoff +
Thursday, April 30 Clarence Pfeifer +
Friday, May 1 Anna Curtis
Saturday, May 2 Connie Curtis +
Sunday, May 3 Parish Family
Sacrament Financial Comparison for
March18 – April 23 2020 to March 18 to April 23 2019
Mar 18 - Apr 23, 20 Mar 18 - Apr 23, 19
4111 · Church Support 53,828.21 72,605.92
4112 · Interest 9.92 14.91
4212 · Parish Outreach 1,355.00 1,394.00
4214 · Bequests/Memorial Donations 0.00 1,035.00
4215 · Designated Funds 1,315.20 -10,714.25
Bulletin Ads 716.67 266.67
Parish Activities 2,368.27 3,431.16
Resale of Religious Articles 184.27 394.44
Thrift Store 313.00 5,573.59
Religious Formation 0.00 313.00
Stole Fees/Stipends 486.00 1,220.00
Preschool 2,610.00 8,937.50
Utilities Reimbursement 30.00 1,020.00
Income Available for Church use 63,216.54 86,061.94
Diocesan Expenses 0.00 1,782.79
Payroll Expenses 30,861.78 28,764.33
Insurance 3,058.59 524.11
Parish Activities 566.04 2,840.29
Administration** 4,003.19 2,128.00
Utilities 3,955.47 3,531.97
Maintenance/ Repairs 1,611.27 0.00
Liturgy/ Church supplies** 2,756.87 210.60
Rectory General 395.50 1,410.55
Custodial Supplies 0.00 152.46
Thrift Store Expenses 1,778.97 2,125.48
Cathedraticum 9,402.09 7,743.95
Religious Education 205.47 6,184.22
Central Catholic 18,860.00 18,860.00
Pre-School 1,450.68 4,643.37
Total Expenses to date 78,905.92 80,902.12 -15,689.38 5,159.82
** Updated Church’s video equipment to stream services
Easter Collection Comparison
2020 - $4500
2019 - $7690
Let’s not freeze in place because of fear of the unknown! Let’s continue to build. Blessed Sacrament has
received a loan (grant) to help with payroll and utilities for the next eight weeks. Hopefully, this loan will
help get us through the rough patch that we’re currently experiencing so that we can regroup, as we move
forward into the future. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call at the office: 308-384-
0532.
“…And then they saw Him in the breaking of the bread" LK 24:35. Let’s pray that our hunger will be filled, and
that we will never take our parish community/communion in Christ for granted again! Fr. Marty
We have some wonderful books in the office if you would like to pick them up to read. We will have new titles next week:
The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi -Adapted from a Translation by W. Heywood
Life of the Beloved - by Henri J.M. Nouwen
Fresh Bread and other Gifts of Spiritual Nourishment - by Joyce Rupp
Quiet Places with Mary - by Rev. Isaias Powers
The Good News According to Luke - by
Richard Rohr
Hallowed Be This House - by Thomas Howard
Rediscover Catholicism - by Matthew Kelly
Rediscover Jesus - by Matthew Kelly
Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer - By Brother David Steindl-Rast
Spiritual Communion Prayer My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. AMEN.
Please remember the following individuals in your prayers, who are experiencing serious health problems/issues: Roseann Anderson Anna Blake Cari Cobler Dawn Ferris
Agnes Fila Cookie Gilroy Anita Graf Karen Hulit Marie Jakubowski Earleen Moroney Larry Palacz Evelyn Rech Bill Reher Teresa Scarborough Ted Schlick Rosalie Schriner Fr. Louis Sellam Joanne Vodehnal Elizabeth Webster Emily Webster Please let us know if you, or an immediate family member, are experiencing a serious health issue and wish to be included on this list. To add or remove a name from this
list, please call the Parish Office at 384-0532.
BeFriender Ministry Note: The BeFriender Ministers of Blessed Sacrament would love to reach out to anyone who would like a weekly phone call, just to visit with you during this time of the Coronavirus and when you have to stay home and limit your social contact. If you would like to receive a phone call because you are feeling isolated, or even just bored, please give Sr. Bernadette a call at 384-0532 or e-mail her at [email protected], and she will connect you with a BeFriender Minister.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS: Vacation Bible School: Please join us for the first ever Virtual VBS 2020 – Road trip: Israel! Our Virtual VBS is geared towards children age 3
and up through those just completing the 3rd grade. However, children of ALL ages can register and join in the fun. Go to www.tinyurl.com/virtualvbs2020 to register or go to the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Facebook Page. The cost is $5 per participant. VBS is Monday (June 1) through Friday (June 5) from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tune in to live streaming right from your home. Each participant will receive a “road trip” supply kit, which is a VBS knapsack filled with all of their craft supplies for the week, instructions for the parent/caregiver, a VBS t-shirt, and a mini-mascot. These kits will be available to be picked up the last week of May at Peace Lutheran Church, and you will be notified when they’re ready. If you have any problems registering, please email Sherri Probasco ([email protected]) or Shannon Seim ([email protected]), and they will send you what you need. Registration closes at midnight on May 10.
Our Deepest Sympathy to the Family of: Jim Rech, son of
