The Olive Branch Weekly
The Olive Branch Weekly
WEEKLY MESSAGE
FROM DEACON AL AULNER
In this Sunday’s gospel reading St. Mark includes the detail that the place where Jesus journeyed to and performed the sign of healing was Decapolis. This region had a cluster of ten small communities that formed a larger and very mixed population. Many of the inhabitants traced their arrival in the region back to the conquests of Alexander the Great; many were pagan gentiles. Mark is showing Jesus going beyond what would be expected of His ministry and influence. Expectations of the Jewish population would be that He attend to the children if Israel, but Mark lets us know that Jesus desired to be among all of the lost sheep of the world. The time of the gentiles living a spiritual deafness was coming to an end.
The man brought to Jesus had both a hearing and speaking impediment. This would not be unusual for someone who is deaf. Almost all people need to hear in order to speak properly. Spiritually, in order to speak the Word of God we must hear it first. Jesus came to open the ears of all peoples so they could clearly hear and listen to the Word of God and then speak the truth of the gospel to others.
The world has always had a hearing problem when it comes to God’s Word, and we all know that continues to be the case today. Jesus has honored the baptized by inviting us into His ministry of opening the ears of the world and delivering His message of love, forgiveness, redemption and eternal salvation. Jesus calls on us to proclaim the truth of the gospel to the people in our lives. To embrace that invitation, we must constantly remember to hear and listen to His voice first. The world is a noisy place, filled with distraction, temptations, promises, ideologies, and lies. It can be deafening. Alone, our own words only add to the noisy world around us, adding to the confusion. We who follow Jesus must listen to Him first. In the written Word and in the teachings of His Church our ears are opened and remain open. In Listening to His Word, we are given the truth and message of salvation that the world is desperately searching for.
May God grant us the gift of hearing His voice, the humility to listen and the courage to proclaim the good news!
OUR PARISH FAMILY
5219 South 53rd St.
Omaha, NE 68117
402-731-3176
Church website: holyghostomaha.org
Facebook: Holy Ghost Catholic Church
Mass Times
Wednesday & Friday: 7:00 a.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m.
Confessions on Sunday: 8:15 a.m.
Parish Office Weekday Hours:
8 a.m.—4 p.m. / Closed during Lunch 12—1 pm
Bulletin: stbbulletin@gmail.com
Items for the bulletin must be submitted 9 days prior to the date of the Bulletin!
7600 South 42nd St.
Bellevue, NE 68147
402-731-4694
Church website: stbernadetteparish.org
Mass Times
Tuesday & Thursday: 8:00 a.m.
Saturday: 5:00 p.m. / Sunday: 11:00 a.m.
Confessions on Saturday: 4—4:45 p.m.
Parish Office Weekday Hours:
7:30 a.m.—3 p.m.
Bulletin: stbbulletin@gmail.com
Items for the bulletin must be submitted 9 days prior to the date of the Bulletin!
PARISH FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS
We will be having a mandatory EMHC meeting for new and existing EMHC this includes all EMHC at St. Bernadette and Holy Ghost on September 29 at 3 p.m. at the St. Bernadette social hall.
Please RSVP to the St. Bernadette Parish Office: 402-731-4694. Thank you!
YOU are invited to our Parish Alpha!
Attending our Parish Alpha course gives you an opportunity to ask questions, have fun, explore your Christian faith more deeply and make new parish friends.
WHAT IS ALPHA? The Alpha course is a 12-week series that explores the basics of the Christian faith and is designed to stimulate thought and create conversation. Each night begins with dinner, then a video that explores some of our faith's most interesting questions followed by small group discussion of the topic.
Everyone is welcome, whether you have just started your journey of faith or have been on the road for some time. Alpha is a great way to learn and grow in your faith with others like you. Invite your family members and friends to join you. There is no cost to attend the Alpha sessions.
Our Parish Alpha course begins Monday, Sept. 23
Do you have questions or want to register?
Contact Deacon Al & Terri Aulner:
402-734-4557
Contact Deacon Tom & Kathy Schulte:
402-731-3599
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT!
In case you missed it, our friends at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church celebrated the 50th anniversary of their annual polish festival on Sunday, August 18. Dozens of volunteers worked all summer long creating 26,591 handmade pierogis: a popular polish dumpling filled with kraut, potato and cheese.
HOLY GHOST PARISH NEWS
The following section contains news and information on clubs, activities, special events and ministry initiatives specific to Holy Ghost Parish.
Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 - from 4:00 to 8:00 PM
Don't forget! Our Chicken Dinner is Friday, Sept. 13, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the parish social hall.
All dinners include: mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, dinner roll and soda. Desserts ($2), beer and wine will also be available for purchase.
Meat wheel raffles and take-out dinners will also be available!
FRIED CHICKEN DINNER CHOICES
4 PIECE DINNER - $12.00 (1 each breast, wing, thigh, & leg OR 2 legs & 2 thighs)
4 PIECES WITH 2 BREASTS - $13.00 (2 breasts & 2 wings OR 2 breasts & 2 legs)
2 PIECE DINNER - $8.00 (leg & thigh OR breast & wing OR breast & leg)
2 PIECE BREAST DINNER - $9.00 (2 breasts)
2 PIECE CHICKEN STRIP DINNER - $5.00
4 PIECE CHICKEN STRIP DINNER - $8.00
EXTRAS: Breast: $3.00 Thigh or leg: $2.00 Wing: $2.00 Chicken Strip: $2.00
**Bring your family and invite your friends**
Join us for Husker Night at Holy Ghost this Thursday, Sept. 12!
Doors open at 5 p.m. and the speaker starts at 7 p.m.
Admission is $5 for kids and $10 for adults
Food and drink are available for purchase.
Our guest speaker for Sept. 12 is Troy Dannen.
Our next Don & Millie’s Day is Monday, Sept. 16 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Grab your family and friends and join us at Don & Millie’s on Sept. 16
Twenty percent (20%) of every dollar spent on great food and drink will go right back to our parish!
Dine-in or carryout at 84th & “Q” Street location.
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 - from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
All women are invited to our Magnificat Omaha Fall Brunch at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 21 with guest speaker Maria Vadia. Born in Havana, Cuba, Maria Vadia was ten years old when she and her family fled to Miami, Florida, to escape the communist regime in her native country. She attended Catholic schools but became a Sunday-only Catholic with no personal relationship with Jesus as her Lord. Later, when she had everything all the world could offer, she was gripped by a deep emptiness. Maria’s life was radically changed when she was baptized in the Holy Spirit, consecrated her life to Jesus, and to preaching the Gospel to all. Maria has spoken at conferences in more than 30 nations, conveying faith, salvation, and healing. She is the founder of the Jesus is Lord Chapter of Magnificat in Miami and is associated with the Glory House of Miami, a safe haven for human trafficking victims. Despite great adversity, the Lord has been with Maria like a “mighty warrior” (Jeremiah 20:11). She is the author of several books, including No More Orphans; Healing is for You, There’s Power in Your Tongue and Fire Power: The Fire of the Holy Spirit Amid Chaos.
Reservations are required and will close when filled.
$20.00 person includes brunch.
For reservations and information, visit: www.MagnificatOmaha.org or call Terri Aulner at 402-669-9024.
Magnificat-Omaha is an archdiocesan-wide Catholic women’s organization focused on evangelization.
20th Annual Coat Giveaway to be held on Oct. 5
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is sponsoring its 20th annual Coat Giveaway on the following dates and times:
Saturday, Oct. 5
Centro Pastoral Tepeyac (5301 South 36th Street)
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19
Omaha Home for Boys (4343 N. 52nd St.)
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Please donate new or gently used coats, hats, scarves, mittens and gloves for children and adults by taking them to one of the Society’s SVdP Thrift stores, marked “Coat Giveaway.”
Store locations are:
Northwest Store: (402) 502-7837
5505 N. 90th St | Mon-Fri, 9 AM-8 PM, Sat, 10 AM-4 PM
Downtown Store: (402) 341-1689
2101 Leavenworth St | Mon-Sat, 9 AM-6 PM
Papillion Store: (402) 593-4055
807 Tara Plaza | Mon-Sat, 9 AM-6 PM
West Center Store: (402) 933-8242
12301 W Center Road | Mon-Sat, 10 AM-8 PM, Sun, 12-5 PM
Monetary Contributions & Volunteers
To bless this project with a financial contribution, go to the SSVP website at SSVPomaha.org and note that it is for the Coat Giveaway. With the help of the Knights of Columbus, we can order 12 new coats for about $250.
Many volunteers area needed to help sort donations before the event, and to help on the day of the Giveaway.
Check the SVVP website, SSVPOmaha.org for more information or contact Austin Bryant at 402-779-8499 or email: office@ssvpomaha.org.
Coats may be placed in the blue bins marked "SVDP at St. Bernadette" and in the bin in the back of Holy Ghost Church. Thank you for your support!
HOLY GHOST FINANCIALS
Finanical report from Sunday, Sept 1, 2024
Weekly Needs: $3,350.00
Collection: $3,815.00
YTD Needs: $26,800.00
YTD Collection: $30,545.00
Overage: $3,745.00
Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024
7:00 a.m. + Mary Ellen Flott
Friday, Sept. 13, 2024
7:00 a.m. + Sam Culotta
Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024
9:00 am + Robert & Loretta Baber
SUNDAY, SEPT. 15 - 9:00 A.M.
Deacon: Tom Schulte
Sacristan: Cathy Colgan
Lector: Deb Ray
EMHC: Al Aulner, Brian Drewel
Altar Servers: Jeff Farber
Gift Bearers: Doritio & Maria Mendoza
Greeter: Annette Jordan & Mike Siedlik
The following parishioners of Holy Ghost are now or recently have been in the hospital or are having health issues and in need of our prayers. May these parishioners and all from our Parish Family who suffer from health issues find strength and the healing presence of God.
We need your help in keeping our church prayer list up to date. Please let us know if someone needs to be added or removed from the list.
You can contact the office at 402-731-3176 or email parishsecretary@holyghostomaha.org
Dorothy Blach, Jan Brinck (sister-in-law of Marita Grebl), Mark Broich (brother of Marita Grebl), Carmen Cogan, Ron Coniglio, Becky English, Jackie Eubanks, Theresa Eubanks Schwartzer, Yvonne Fisher, Warren Hadley, Christine Haite, Donna Hansen, Cheryl Koziel (daughter of Jackie Peroutka), Cathy Longacre, Betty and Mike McMillan, Mark Mruz, Ender Pitman, Cooper Pofahl, Jon Ricci (nephew of Nellie Hadley), John Ripa, Ray Sempek, Hayden Sommer, Raymond Starks, Mary Townley, Donna Vaughn, Brian Walters, and Danny Watkins (brother of Brenda Tylkowski)
Let us also remember in our prayers those who in care centers or homebound:
Rick Becerra, Jean Buechler, Dee Clap, Patty Dworak, Jacob Fraser, Kim Hall, Dorothy Kazor, Joanne Leutzinger, Pat Makara, Darlene McKinley, Janet Nicholas, Dolores Noonan, Rita Tomes, Joe Zuchniak
with Father Phil Flott
23rd Sunday "B"
I will not regard others' clothes
As a standard of distinction;
You are the one who knows
Our eternal direction.
ST. BERNADETTE PARISH NEWS
The following section contains news and information on clubs, activities, special events and ministry initiatives specific to St. Bernadette Parish.
St. Bernadette School's 2nd Annual Tiger Trot will be held Friday, September 20. Students are gathering pledges for laps at this fun run fundraiser.
Tiger Trot is a fun day, where kids will walk/jog/surpass obstacles around Gross’ track. Music, picnic lunch, popsicles, prayer, and friends make the day extra special.
If you would like to donate, please visit https://myfunrun.com/sbstigertrot.
Click on DONATE TO A FAMILY.
Tiger Trot is Home & School’s major fundraiser for the school year. Let our students pray for your intentions!
St. Bernadette Home and School is also selling Prayer Intention Bags to be displayed at the Tiger Trot.
Sponsors can purchase these bags listing loved ones “In Memory Of” or “In Support Of” after weekend Masses at both St. Bernadette and Holy Ghost on the following dates: Aug. 31-Sept. 1, Sept. 7-8, and Sept. 14-15.
Bags are $10, payable with cash, check, or Venmo.
Our students will pray the Rosary for those listed on the bags on the day of the Trot.
Any questions, please email St. Bernadette Home and School at HomeAndSchoolSBS@gmail.com. Thank you for your support!
“The Hottest Festival In Town” had a great run, but now it’s time for a new community tradition currently named “It’s not the Festival.” There will be some things that look familiar like sausage and peppers, bingo, music, beer garden, and meat wheel. There will also be things for kids to do. Please check the home page of the parish website for more information as well as opportunities to make this a successful event.
Join us Tuesday, Sept. 10th at 6:00 p.m. for St. Bernadette Husker Night in the parish social hall.
Guest Speaker: Former Husker Matt Vrzal
Admission: $15 for adults, $5 for children
Pork Featherbone Dinner, refreshments, raffle and auction of Husker memorabilia
Special raffle for a HUSKER TAILGATE EXTRAVAGANZA
8 tickets to the Huskers vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Game
Transportation to and from game
Prime Rib Tailgate Party with all beverages
Only 200 tickets to be sold at $20.00 each.
What a fantastic first Family Class. Our first Saints and S'mores was great as we learned about and prayed to St. Teresa of Calcutta. Continue to live out her message of loving all and try this week to give of yourself to others.
Important Dates for the rest of September
9/11- Sacrament Classes- (Those preparing for their First Reconciliation and Confirmation)
9/18- Sacrament Classes- (Those preparing for their First Reconciliation and Confirmation)
9/25- Parent Class
10/2 - Family Class
Spending Time with the Saints
This year, during our Wednesday evening Family Classes for Religious Education (PRE), we decided to add something new. During the months of September, October, November, February, March, and April, we will be doing Saints and S'mores!
At our Family Classes during these months, we will do our closing prayer acknowledging and praying to certain Saints and then enjoying S'mores!
For each of these 6 classes, we will need graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bars. If you would like to donate to this part of our program to offset the costs of these items…it would greatly appreciated.
Please contact Sue Reed in the Parish Office or put your donation in an envelope labeled S'mores and place it in the weekly collection basket. Thank you for being supportive of this wonderful program.
This year we will once again be doing the Boxes of Joy. Collection of items will be in September and October. If you would like to shop for some items now, that would be great. We will have a collection basket in the back of the Church.
A couple of "Boxes of Joy" team members went on a mission trip, and below are some of the items they noticed the children really liked:
Playing cards, card games (UNO, GO FISH, etc.) \
Crochet hooks and yarn,
Craft items or kits, (beads, pipe cleaners, bracelet string)
Small playing balls, (can be deflated)
Matchbox cars
Lego sets
Solar digital watches
Calculators.
Remember that we can not include liquid of any kind in these boxes.
Continue to watch for more Boxes of Joy information!
Altar Society Bake Sale
The Altar Society will have our annual BEAP Bake Sale after both Masses on Sept. 14 & 15. There will be a wonderful variety of baked goodies available to purchase. We appreciate any baked goods donated for the bake sale. All proceeds of this sale go to the “Bernadette Education Assistance Program.” Thank you for your support and may God bless you!
ST. BERNADETTE CHURCH & SCHOOL
9/8-9/14
John Kempf, Al Zimmerer, Vern Mulhbauer
9/15-9/21
Rolly Yost, Pete Vana, John Pogge, Jerry Boukal
9/22-9/28
Jeff Mimick, Conde Groski, Greg Zoucha
9/29-10/5
Greg Zoucha, Clint Zoucha
10/6-10/12
John Kempf, Al Zimmerer, Vern Muhlbauer
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Our prayer shawl ministry has been busy providing a lot of prayer shawls to parishioners and their families, especially those who have lost a loved one. This is great! We are however in need of more prayer shawls.
If you knit or crochet or would like to learn, please join us on the second Friday of the month from 1 to 3 p.m. in the faculty lounge. We can provide instructions, tools and yarn.
If you knit or crochet but don't want to get involved with a commitment to a meeting -- we would welcome any prayer shawls you would like to make. Everyone who receives one is so appreciative. Please contact Mary Benak at 402-733-8451 or via email at mbenak@cox.net if you are interested.
COFFEE AND TREATS
Join us for Coffee and sweet treats after the 8:00 a.m. Mass every second Thursday of the month.
PRAYER LINE MINISTRY
The prayer line offers an opportunity to pray for requested special prayers promptly for fellow parishioners, family and friends. There is much need for prayer for many different reasons. Special prayers for our Military are also always needed. Please consider becoming part of the Prayer Line Ministry. Please call Betty Rezek at 402-734-2531 or Patty Pogge at 402-733-8234 to request instant prayer for those in need.
PATRIOTIC ROSARY
The Rosary at 4:20 p.m. before the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday's will be for the intention of vocations. We are praying the patriotic rosary every Monday night at 6:30 p.m. in the church. We are praying for the conversion of our country.
We will be praying our Parish Rosary for world peace, the peace our nation needs for the very survival which is now dying for lack thereof. We pray for people in Ukraine and those effected by war. We will be praying on Monday night at 6:30 p.m. in the church.
- The Legion of Mary, Holy Ghost & St. Bernadette Parish Family
ST. BERNADETTE FINANCIALS
Finanical report from Sunday, Sept 1, 2024
Weekly Needs: $13,585.00
Collection: $10,513.00
YTD Needs: $103,630.00
YTD Collection: $85,731.66
Shortage: $17,898.34
Ushers and Gift Bearers:
We are grateful to bring back the practice of gifts being brought up to the altar by Gift bearers at the offertory and the offering being collected by Ushers. Please prayerfully consider if you will help in either of these two ministries.
Email Kathy Schulte at tkschulte10@gmail.com or call 402-731-3599.
Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024
8:00 a.m. + John & Emily Onik + Gene Drvol
Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024
8:00 a.m. + Harry Sorensen + Joseph Circo
Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024
5:00 p.m. +Parishioners of Holy Ghost & St. Bernadette
Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024
11:00 a.m. + Joe Krejci
SATURDAY, SEPT. 14 - 5:00 P.M.
Lector: Charles Monico
EMHC: Kathy Wichita, Bill Veys
Altar Servers: Liam Wurgler
SUNDAY, SEPT. 15 - 11:00 A.M.
Lector: Mark Redford
EMHC: Lisa Burkhardt, Barb Slaven
Altar Servers: Sophia Parr
PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE SCHEDULED AND CANNOT MAKE YOUR SCHEDULED TIME, YOU WILL NEED TO FIND A SUB.
Did you know the Archdiocese of Omaha has an apostolate named Maria Regina Cleri, meaning Mary, Queen of the Clergy? Their mission is to encourage prayerful support of the ministerial priesthood and prayerful promotion of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. They offer resources to help others join in the movement to support our priests with the power of prayer. Visit their website, www.prayingforourpriests.org. Here you will find two prayer meditation booklets and audio CDs reflecting on the Mysteries of the Rosary for vocations and the Stations of the Cross for priests. Check it out! God has chosen each person in Christ for a particular vocation. If He may be calling you to a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life, please contact Father Boyd or email: vocations@archomaha.org.
The following parishioners of St. Bernadette are now or recently have been in the hospital or are having health issues and in need of our prayers. May these parishioners and all from our Parish Family who suffer from health issues find strength and the healing presence of God.
We need your help in keeping our church prayer list up to date. Please let us know if someone needs to be added or removed from the list.
You can contact the office at 402-731-4694 or email tristenriha@gmail.com
Cheryl Adamson, Annabelle Berrera, Rick Becerra, Elle Burgess, Alfonso Calderon, Leonardo Clymer, Kathi Ciurej, John Cunningham, Charlotte & Dominic Cullenward, Donna Dailey, Kathleen Devlin, Mike Digilio, Kelly Dix, Margaret Eipperle, Norma Flores, Juanice Furmanski, Louise LaFramboise, Adam Gutierrez, Josephine Gutierrez, Michelle Gutierrez, Lisa Hargis, Jeanette Hauptman, Barbara Jansen, Margie Janssen, Carol Johnson, Carol Jura, Olga Kanne, Phyllis Knicky, Connie Kleber, Donna Kubiak, Donna Krysl, John Kwapnioski, Terry Lampe, Jan Lampe, Michael Macdonald, Marge Monaco, Mark Maeder, Steve Maguire, Fr. Robert Matya, Edwin Maslonka, Lisa Meier, Carol McDaniel, Leonard Meier, The Meyer Family, Joel Rivera, Blanche Murphy, Charles Murphy, Sue Novotny, Maryn Page, Ellen Pankievicz, Ella Peters, Jonathan Perez, Rita Perito, Keelan Phillips, Joe Pitman, Jennifer Pryjmak, Jann Reinig, Betty Rodgers, Jodi Ronnfeldt, Joyce Salvatori, Kelly Burkhardt Sheard, Fred Sokol, JoAnn Simoens, Debbie Schumacher, Isabella Sterba, Pam Stein, David Virgilito, Hope Wicken, Mark White, Michael Winter, Claire Winter, Theresa Yost, and Annabella Zyla.
COMMUNITY NEWS
SUBMIT YOUR
GOOD NEWS!
DO YOU HAVE GOOD NEWS TO SHARE? WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT.
Have a story idea or suggestion? Need to tell us about an important event? Celebrating a special achievement, a wedding anniversary, baptism, birth of a child or grandchildren or another special occasion?
We want to hear about it so we can share it in The Olive Branch. Tell us all the details by sending them to: theolivebranchweekly@gmail.com
Please have submissions to us no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday of each week.
PARISHIONER SPOTLIGHT
Know of a parishioner or volunteer who is doing great things for our parish communities? Tell us about it. Nominate them to be featured in The Olive Branch Weekly!
Please send us the following information:
• Full Name
• Photo of the nominee (relevant to the work they might do for our parish communities)
• A brief description of the work, time, talents or gifts they have shared with our parish communities.
• Nominator contact information so that we may reach out should we need additional information.
Please send your nominations to theolivebranchweekly@gmail.com
Please have submissions to us no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday of each week.
HELP US KEEP OUR RECORDS UPDATED
Did you recently move? Did your address change? Do you have a new phone number or email address? Help us update our records! Please call our parish offices and let us know, so that we can update our information.
If you would like to receive parish emails from St. Bernadette, please call 402-731-4694 or email tristenriha@gmail.com at the parish office. Thank you!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT SOUTH VIEW HEIGHTS ASSISTED LIVING
Volunteering Opportunity
The Legion of Mary at St Bernadette’s is looking for volunteers to help at South View Assisted Living. If you are a talker or a listener or if you love to play cards and games, you can share your talents and brighten someone’s day.
For more information, please call:
Patty Pogge, Activities, Omaha Nursing at (402) 681-7331.
SPIRITUAL CARE VOLUNTEERS
Volunteering Opportunity
Nebraska Medicine is looking for Spiritual Care volunteers to offer our Catholic patients Holy Communion (EMHC) at the Nebraska Medicine 42nd Street Campus location.
Please contact Patty Ostronic, Volunteer Services at 402-559-4162 or postronic@nebraskamed.com to learn more about how to become a volunteer at Nebraska Medicine.