|
|
|
January 1, Mary Mother of God Holy Day
Holy Day Mass will be celebrated at St Joseph Greenwood at 6:30 PM on Wednesday December 31 and at St. Mary Ashland at 10:30 AM on Thursday January 1. We begin each year not only celebrating New Year's Day, but also a Holy Day of Obligation, a special feast dedicated to Mary as the mother of Jesus, very appropriately completing the Octave of Christmas. For many years the Hoy Father has also dedicated January 1st as a World Day of prayer for Peace. Read the Pope's message at www.vatican.va.
|
|
|
|
Ladies' and Men's Fellowship this Month
The St. Mary's Altar Society plans a White Elephant Auction for their meeting on Thurs. Jan. 8, 7:00 PM (after 6:30 PM Mass). All ladies are invited to bring any items you want to get rid of (such as unwanted Christmas gifts) and be prepared to bid on other items. Come share in the fun and your treasures will make a nice donation for the Altar Society. The Altar Society 2009 Officers will be installed during the 6:30 PM Mass: Rita Smits, Joanna Torpy, Alice West, and Jean Stewart.
The St. Mary and St. Joseph Knights of Columbus are planning their annual Men's Social on Sat. Jan. 10, 6:00 PM (after 5:00 PM Mass). All men of both parishes are invited to this event. Chili is provided but bring a snack and beverages. Join in cards or bring your favorite game.
|
|
|
|
Our Lady of Charity
The weekend of January 17-18, the Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a traveling icon of Our Lady of Charity, which will come to our parishes as part of their Marian Prayer Program. Devotion to Our Lady of Charity dates to the early 1600s, when three young men in Cuba found a statue of the Blessed Mother holding the Christ Child. Special Marian prayers, especially for pro-life intentions, will be offered at all the Masses that weekend. May our Lady bring us all to a greater understanding of the virtue of charity, and inspire us to carry Christ's love around the world.
The image and a prayer card can be downloaded from the Knights of Columbus at www.kofc.org.
|
|
|
|
Fight FOCA Postcard Campaign
A bill in Congress called the "Freedom of Choice Act" or FOCA, represents the most serious legislative threat to unborn children ever. FOCA would create a "fundamental right" to abortion that government could not limit but would be required to fund and support. It would overturn a broad range of pro-life policies currently allowed under the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade abortion decision: laws protecting parental involvement in an underage daughter's abortion decision, laws upholding conscience rights, limits on abortion funding, bans on partial-birth abortion, and so on.
Jan. 24-25, our parishes will join Catholics across the country in a Postcard Campaign sending a message to Congress: Please oppose FOCA and retain laws against government funding and promotion of abortion. You will have the opportunity to sign postcards to your U.S. Representative and two U.S. Senators. Please plan to participate in this important event, sponsored by Nebraska Catholic Conference and the US Bishops Conference.
|
|
|
|
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
First observed from January 18-25, 1908, the octave of Prayer for Christian Unity has now been a tradition for over 100 years, see more online. The whole Christian community throughout the world is invited to pray in communion with the prayer of Jesus "that they all may be one" (John 17:21). The theme Chosen for this year is "That they may become one in your hand." (Ezekiel 37)
Here in Ashland, the day will be observed by having a Covered Dish Potluck Dinner sponsored by the Ashland Ministerial Association on Sunday, January 25, 1:00 PM at the Ashland First Christian Church. I hope many can attend this afternoon potluck and all will pray to build unity among all Christians.
|
|
|
|
Nebraska March for Life
The Nebraska Walk for Life will be Saturday, January 31 this year, beginning at 10:00 AM on the West Side of the State Capitol in Lincoln. Sponsored by Nebraska Right to Life since 1974, the walk is opportunity to stand in opposition to Roe v. Wade and in support of women and girls facing unplanned pregnancies. Contact Fr. Coulter for information on carpooling (this is a two-hour service opportunity for Confirmation students).
After brief remarks at the State Capitol, participants will walk eight blocks through downtown Lincoln arriving at the University of Nebraska Student Union (14th & "R" Sts., second floor) to hear Keynote Speaker Michael Clancy at approximately 11:30 AM.
Michael Clancy was a freelance photographer in Nashville when a routine assignment during medical surgery resulted in a photo of the first known human interaction between a child in the womb with a person on the outside. During a fetal surgery, the baby Samuel Arias reached his hand out of the womb. Attempts to squelch the photo and call it a fake propelled Michael into leaving the world of photography and entering a new mission, that of revealing the truth about the development of the unborn child in the womb.
|
|
|
|
Take Note...
CCD and Youth Group classes resume on Wednesday January 7, I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Christmas break. Confirmation students should be completing there ten service hours.
Confirmation is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 7:00 PM at St Mary Ashland for all the fifth through seventh graders of our parishes.
First Communion is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 5:00 PM at St Mary Ashland for all the second graders of our parishes.
|
