Saint aint aint C C Cecilia ecilia ecilia Catholic Community 2900 Hoover Avenue, Ames, IA 50010 WWW.stceciliaparish.org PARISH STAFF Pastor Father Ivan Nienhaus [email protected]Deacons Gary Aitchison, John McCully, Richard Tondra Office…………………... 233-3092 Jerry Greving, Business Manager [email protected]Robert Hauser, Director of Music & Liturgy [email protected]Joan Jones, Administrative Assistant [email protected]Therese Baker, Community Life Coordinator [email protected]Rectory…………………..233-9477 Religious Education…...232-3514 John Hayes, Director [email protected]Joe Lawlor, Coordinator of Youth Ministry [email protected]Annette Kelch, Secretary [email protected]School…………………….232-5290 Duane Siepker, Principal [email protected]Lois Vidimos, Administrative Assistant [email protected]Parish fax number: 233-6423 Catholic Charities 296-2759 Office located at St. Thomas Aquinas Mass Schedule Weekend: Saturday, 5:00PM Sunday, 8:30AM & 10:30AM Sunday, 5:00PM Misa en Español, Chapel Weekday: Tuesday thru Friday, 7:00AM, Chapel Reconciliation (Reconciliación) English & Español Saturday 3:30-4:30 PM Anytime by appointment. ( Cualquier horario para una cita) W e are called one by one and as a community to become part of the living presence of Jesus Christ. We are united with the Father and strengthened and enlivened by the Holy Spirit. We are committed daily to love and serve others as Jesus did. December 31, 2006 Feast of the Holy Family Prayer for the New Year D ear Lord, at the beginning of this New Year, I remember that you are a God of beginnings and endings. You created the world , with all its eternal patterns. Winter begins in frost, and ends in Spring’s thaw. Spring begins in new, green life, ending in Summer’s heat. Summer begins in sunshine, and ends in Autumn’s breezes. And Autumn’s color leads to the white of Winter again. As another year ends and begins in our lives, help us to remember that you have made a world of cycles. When fortune turns to trials or hardship turns to joy, help me take delight in the life I’ve received from you. Remind me that I will on day pass from this world and enter a new life like those who’ve gone before me. Amen
Transcript
SSSaintaintaint C C Ceciliaeciliaecilia Catholic Community
2900 Hoover Avenue, Ames, IA 50010 WWW.stceciliaparish.org
Reconciliation (Reconciliación) English & Español Saturday 3:30-4:30 PM Anytime by appointment. ( Cualquier horario para una cita)
W e are called one by one and as a community to become part of the living presence of Jesus Christ. We are united with the Father and strengthened and enlivened by the Holy Spirit. We are committed daily to love and serve others as Jesus did.
December 31, 2006 Feast of the Holy Family
Prayer for the New Year
D ear Lord, at the beginning of this New Year, I remember that you are a God of beginnings and endings. You created the world , with all its eternal patterns. Winter begins in frost, and ends in Spring’s thaw. Spring begins in new, green life, ending in Summer’s heat. Summer begins in sunshine, and ends in Autumn’s breezes. And Autumn’s color leads to the white of Winter again. As another year ends and begins in our lives, help us to remember that you have made a world of cycles. When fortune turns to trials or hardship turns to joy, help me take delight in the life I’ve received from you. Remind me that I will on day pass from this world and enter a new life like those who’ve gone before me. Amen
Generations of Faith January 7: Noon January 10: 5:30PM January 14: 5:00PM January topic: Marriage Pre-school Program is held during 10:30AM Mass the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. Next session: January 7
Middle School Youth Group (Grades 6-8) YIKES! (Youth Increasing Knowledge About Everything Spiritual) January 3: 7:00-8:30PM. Come for New Year fun, faith and friend-ship. January 17: 7:00-8:30PM, Casino Night. Visit the Webpage at www.stceciliaparish.org, go to “Middle School Youth Group” for a schedule of activi-ties. Youth Ministry Grades 9-12
Appalachia Service Trip applications are available in the RE office. Forms must be completed with deposit of $125. Verbal commitments not accepted due to number of expected applications. Next Benediction night is Wednesday, January 3, 7:00PM in the Church. Adult Education Scripture Study: Meets Mondays, 7:30-9:00PM in the Adult/Youth room. Will not meet January 1. Next ses-sion, January 8.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study: Meets in the A/Y Room 9:30-10:00AM for open discussion and 10-11:00AM for Bible Study. Babysitting provided. Class will not meet January 2. Next Session: January 9. Sunday Scripture Study: Please call John (232-3514) if interested in restarting this group to study the Sunday Scripture Readings. RCIA: meets Sundays in the Adult/Youth Room follow-ing 8:30AM Mass. New inquirers welcome. For more information contact John at 232-3514.
Religious Education for the whole parish family
Meetings/Events
St. Gerard’s Circle will meet Thursday, January 4, 7:00PM, at the home of Melba Gschneidner, 2216 Duff Avenue. Fr. Ivan Nienhaus will be the guest speaker. If you would like to attend this meeting, but are not currently a member of St. Gerard’s Circle, please contact co-president Carolyn Konechne at 232-3399. Note change of location. Grandparent/Grandfriend Mass & Luncheon During Catholic Schools Week (CSW), January 28-February 3, Saint Cecilia Day School students will host a grandparent/grandfriend day Wednesday, January 31.This is in lieu of the CSW Family Picnic. All senior members of the parish are invited to attend Mass at 10:30AM followed by a luncheon, entertainment and tour. The luncheon is $5 per person and senior members can RSVP by January 5, by calling Mrs. Vidimos at 232-5290 or e-mail [email protected]. Saint Cecilia Bereavement Ministry is beginning a grieving support group. Meetings will be held on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, 2:00PM in the St. Clare Room ( former rectory living room). Attendance is encour-aged if you are hurting or know someone who has experi-enced a loss and needs support. Fellowship for Parents/Playgroup meets Wednesdays, 10:00-11:30AM in the A/Y Room. Contact Jenni Mortimer at [email protected] or 296-1858 or Diana Thatcher at [email protected] or 292-9511. All are welcome to attend.
Baptism Our next preparation session is Thursday, February 1, 6:30-9:00PM in the Adult/Youth Room. All parents seeking baptism for their child are expected to attend a preparation session. To register for the class or schedule a baptism, please call the parish office at 233-3092. Next Scheduled baptism is January 14, during the 8:30AM Mass.
Mass Schedule
New Years’ Eve: 4:00PM New Year’s Day: 10:00AM
No mass on Tuesday, January 2
Adoration will resume at 7:00AM, Tuesday, January 2.
Parish Offices will be closed New Year’s Day.
First Eucharist Parent Meeting Monday, January 8, 6:30PM in the Social Hall. This meeting is for all parents of children in the First Eucharist Program, school and Religious Education. Religious Education students will meet for class at the same time.
Stewardship: The first reading today provides a challenging guideline for the good stewardship of our family relationships. How do I measure up?
Donations for the Saint Cecilia Gala auctions will be accepted in the Gathering Space January 13 and the Social Hall Janu-ary 14. Items of all types and prices are
needed to make this important fundraiser for our parish educational programs a success.
Saint Cecilia School Classes resume January 3
Happy New Year!
Thank You Donors The Our Faith, Our Children, Our Future School Tuition Organization has reached its goal of $1.4 million which will be used to provide need-based tuition assistance to quali-fying families who wish to attend a Catholic School in the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Thank you to everyone who so generously supported this program throughout all corners of the Archdiocese. The school tuition organization pro-vides Iowa income tax credits equal to 65% of the dona-tion with the gift also qualifying as a charitable donation on itemized federal tax returns up to a specified amount determined by the state of Iowa. Information concerning the 2007 program will be available beginning January 8 at www.arch.pvt.k12.ia.us.Families interested in applying for tuition assistance will be able to obtain applications from every Catholic school beginning January 28.
Save Cancelled Stamps Your cancelled stamps can be used to provide money for missions. Please leave 1/4 inch of paper around stamps when cutting them out. Place cancelled stamps in the special collection box in the usher’s room. English as a Second Language Classes are held on Thursday, 10:00AM to 11:30AM and 7:00PM to 8:30PM. Due to the success of the ESL pro-gram, more volunteers are needed to dialogue with stu-dents learning English. Knowledge of other languages is not necessary because the students have a high profi-ciency and merely need some conversational practice. All materials are provided. Contact Deacon John McCully at 232-6755 or call the Parish Office to volun-teer. Donation Wanted If you, or someone you know would like to donate a pick-up truck to Saint Cecilia Parish, please contact Jerry Greving in the Parish Office.
Thank You to those who support Saint Cecilia Parish with gifts of treas-ure. Your gifts are needed and appre-ciated. Gifts that are received or postmarked by December 31 will be included in 2006 donations.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
Monday, January 8, 5:00-7:00PM Multi-Purpose Room
Mr. Hayes & Mr. Siepker’s famous chili (their secret recipe)
Free will offering. Proceeds support religious education and
day school programs. Your support will be appreciated!!
As a thank you to our parishioners, we have printed refrigerator magnets list-ing Mass times , phone numbers, and the web page address. Ushers will be distributing one per family after all Masses next weekend. Additional mag-nets will be available in the parish of-fice.
Looking for a New Focus for the Coming Year? Here’s a wonderful tool to do just that!! Christian Experi-ence Weekends (CEW) are being held at Our Lady’s Im-maculate Heart in Ankeny and St. Henry’s in Marshall-town. The CEW weekend is an adult renewal experience offering participants a better understanding of old and new aspects of their Christian faith. The theme of the Ankeny weekends is Come and Follow Me and will be held on January 26-28 for women and February 16-18 for men. Marshalltown dates are January 26-28 for women and February 23-25 for men.
The Saint Cecilia Prayer Chain has been revised to include those who signed up via the Time & Talent sur-vey. If you would like to ask for prayer you may: • E-mail [email protected] • Call the Parish Office at 233-3092 • Call coordinator, Peggy Murdock, at 450-3334 Requests remain on the Prayer List for 6 weeks. Please make another request at the end of that time if needed.
Respect Life Pope John Paul II gave us the great Encyclical Evan-gelium Vitae. In it we can clearly see—it is, as it were, a portrait of the problems of today’s culture, hopes and dangers—that a society which forgets God, excludes God precisely in order to have life, falls into a culture of death. PopeBenedict XVI, Address to the Members of the Roman Clergy, March 2006
Saturday, December 30 5:00PM: Piero Accardi Sunday, December 31 8:30AM: Saint Cecilia Parishioners 10:30AM: Deceased members of the Judge family 4:00PM: Jim Olsson 5:00PM: Valverde Romero Family Monday, January 1: 10:00AM: Bob Best Tuesday, January 2 7:00AM: No Mass Wednesday, January 3 7:00AM: Orpha Walsh Thursday, January 4 7:00AM: Ethan Zilz Friday, January 5 7:00AM: Linus Putz Saturday, January 6 8:30AM: Magdalene Walsh 5:00PM: Saint Cecilia Parishioners Sunday, January 7 8:30AM: Carl & Cleone Pelzer 10:30AM: Susan Mullaly 5:00PM: Gonzalez Family (Misa en Español, Chapel)
Prayer Opportunities (Held in the Chapel) Scriptural Rosary: Monday, 7:00AM Evening Prayer: Monday—Friday, 5:00PM Eucharistic Adoration: Resumes Tuesday, January 2, 7:00AM Intercessory Prayer Group: Sunday, 9-10:00PM Rosary: Monday, 7:30PM, and Tuesday-Friday
before 7:00AM Mass Christians in the Spirit: Tuesday, 7:15-9:00PM Saturday Morning Prayer: 7:00AM Chaplet of Divine Mercy: Friday, 3:00PM (The Chaplet takes about 10 minutes to re-cite. St. Faustina, who was declared a saint in 2000, stated “The 3:00 hour is the ‘Hour of Great Mercy’ for the graces we most need.” Everyone is wel-come.)
Readings for the Week of December 31, 2006 Sunday: Sir 3:2-7, 12-14 or 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28/Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 or 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24/Lk 2:41-52 Monday: Nm 6:22-27/Gal 4:4-7/Lk 2:16-21 Tuesday: 1 Jn 2:22-28/Jn 1:19-28 Wednesday: 1 Jn 2:29-3:6/ Jn 1:29-34 Thursday: 1 Jn 3:7-10/Jn 1:35-42 Friday: 1 Jn 3:11-21/Jn 1:43-51 Saturday: 1 Jn 5:5-13/Mk 1:7-11 or Lk 3:23-38 or 3:23, 31-34, 36, 38 Next Sunday: Is 60:1-6/Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12
Catechism of the Catholic Church Part one: The Profession of Faith Section One “I Believe”—”We Believe” Chapter One: Man’s Capacity for God III. The Knowledge of God According to the Church - Paragraph 36 “Our holy mother, the Church, holds and teaches that God, the first principle and last end of all things, can be known with certainty from the created world by the natural light of human reason.” Without this capacity, man would not be able to welcome God’s revelation. Man has this capacity because he is created “In the image of God.”
12/31/2006 Feast of the Holy Family Luke 2:41-52
Christian comedian Jeff Allen successfully mixes his faith with his hu-morous look at everyday life. On his web page, he invites the public to relate funny family stories. One such story involved a boy at school and a homework assignment. On the board, the teacher wrote that the class should all read "Pg. 13" in their books that evening. The boy raised his hand and said he couldn't do the homework because his parents don't allow anything PG-13 in their home. Family miscommunications have been taking place for as long as there have been families. Thinking they had lost their son, Joseph and Mary searched for three days, only to find him with the teachers in the temple, listening and asking questions like a young man much older than his 12 years. Jesus was surprised at their concern, explaining that he was in the house of his Father. Though the Gospel of Luke says they did not understand what he meant, it also says Mary kept these things in her heart, as mothers always do. We are taught in The Catechism of the Catholic Church that the Chris-tian family is considered a community of faith, hope, and charity. Our family com-munity is both a sign and an image of the communion of the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit (CCC 2204-5). By having children and raising them in a holy and prayerful home, we are reflecting God's work of creation. A strong family will remain that way with the love of God.
From the Pastor: My first Christmas at Saint Cecilia Parish was truly a Blessed and Holy experience. The Masses were well-attended. The music was wonderful. The decorations were tasteful. The prayerfulness of the people was exceptional.
My personal thanks to everyone who remembered Saint Cecilia Parish with their Financial Gifts and Prayers. My personal thanks to everyone who re-membered me with warm words, cards and gifts.
Something very special is taking place at Saint Ce-cilia Parish. One would have attribute this in part to the pastoring of the Franciscan Priests (Fr. Terry Rassmussen), the prayerful atmosphere of the Par-ish as the result of Eucharistic Adoration and the gracious dedication of past and present Parishion-ers. May we all look forward to 2007 and the many graces of God that are awaiting us.
