Rev. Vincent L. Parsons

Pastor Rev. Michael E. Wetovick

Associate Pastor Sr. Vera Meis, C.S.J.

Pastoral Minister

Mass Schedule:

(October - May) Saturday: 4:00 pm

Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 am (June - September) Saturday 6:00 pm

Sunday: 8:00 & 10:00 am Monday, Tues, Wed, Friday 7 am

Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays one hour prior to evening Mass or by appointment (632-2541)

Sacrament of Baptism Please call the Parish Office

ST. AGNES CHURCH

Second Sunday of Advent

December 10, 2017

2314 Third Avenue, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361 (308)632-2541 Mailing address: PO Box 349, Scottsbluff, NE 69363-0349 Fax: 308-632-2146 Website: www.st-agnes-church.com

Parish Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9am - Noon & 1pm - 4pm

Page 2 Year B December 10, 2017

A word of great thanks to the Centennial Committee who gave a so much time and talent to making our Centennial Celebration Finale such

a success. Everyone did a fabulous job and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. So thank you. Bishop Hanefeldt mentioned how impressed he was with the liturgy and celebration. St. Agnes Church has much to be proud of…and we are blessed through faith, family and tradition. May God bless our community as we move forward into the next 100 years. You will notice that there is an examination of conscience provided in this week’s bulletin on page 5. Please consider praying with this examination in preparation for next weekend’s Advent Reconciliation Service. It is always good to check in regularly and receive the sacrament. There will be many priests available next weekend for the service. Please note the time change of the reconciliation service to 3:30PM! Also, the parish calendars and the January edition of The Word Among Us is available after all the masses this weekend. Happy Advent,

Second Sunday of Advent

S a i n t A g n e s

C a t h o l i c C h u r c h

Today’s Readings Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

Psalm 85 2 Peter 3:8-14 Mark 1:1-8

Parish Administration (308) 632-2541 / (308) 632-2146 (Fax)

office@st-agnes-church.com www.st-agnes-church.com

Pastor Rev. Vincent L. Parsons (ext. 2)

pastor@st-agnes-church.com Pastoral Minister

Sr. Vera Meis (ext. 4) srvera@st-agnes-church.com

Director of Religious Education Mrs. Terri Calvert (ext.5) dre@st-agnes-church.com Church Office Manager

Mrs. Danni Koeteman (ext. 3) office@st-agnes-church.com

School Head Teacher Mrs. Julie Brown (632-6918)

office@stagnesonline.org School Office Manager Kristie Neilan (632-6918) office@stagnesonline.org

Weekend Mass (8:00am) Intention: †Everette Kelley by Tom & Mary Willnerd

Weekend Mass (10:30am) Intention: Priests/Religious by Jerry & Eileen Young

This Week’s Schedule

Because a new sound system is being installed this week in the church, no daily Mass will be held here. Masses at Our Lady of Guadalupe for the week are Monday, no Mass, Tues 8am, Wed 5:30pm, Thurs 6pm (in Spanish) Fri 8am Christ the King: Monday no Mass, Tues Thurs Fri 7am, Wed 5:15pm.

Saturday, Dec 16, 2017 Weekend Mass (4:00pm) Intention: For the Parish

Sunday, Dec 17, 2017

NEWS OF COMFORT In a time of preparation, much of it having to do with material things, it is good to hear the words of Isaiah, “Comfort, give comfort to my people, / says your God” (Isaiah 40:1). In a time of such stress and rush, when our usual burdens are augmented by piles of Christmas preparations, we can choose to slow down, take some time to heal, and appreciate the enormous gift we are about to receive. Christ, the Son of God, has become one of us, and knows our human limitations. Yet God, even now, is freeing us from the burdens that our inattentiveness to our God and to our deepest inner longings have heaped upon us. The Lord comes, not as a king with mighty armies, but as a shepherd leading the flocks with care and tenderness. Isaiah prophesies good news: our oppression is over, our sins forgiven. The savior we have awaited is coming, not the first time, but in the end times, as our salvation. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

St. Agnes Church News

Page 3 Second Sunday of Advent

Finance Corner Sunday Collections

& ATW Giving December 3 ,2017

Actual $6041.46 Budget $9000.00 Surplus (Deficit) $2958.54 Altar Flowers $1069.00

Valley Catholic Radio has kicked off its 4th Annual Appeal. This year's goal is once again $10,000, the same as last year. With your help, VCR can continue to broad-cast the fullness of the Roman Catholic faith outside the 4 walls of our church. Every contribution helps. $50 from 200 people will make it happen. Please use the blue envelope that is in your offer-ing envelope packet.

Please save "Best Choice" bar codes!

The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) of the Grand Island Diocese is collecting bar codes from "Best Choice" products. The DCCW turns the codes in for cash, using it to help with their on going project for clean water wells in Haiti. "Best Choice" products have recently been stocked in several grocery stores. Please clip codes, put in an envelope marked "Best Choice," and drop in the Sunday collection basket.

Thanks from DCCW!

Thanks for Pledging! A second Appeal letter

as been sent out this week to those who haven’t

yet responded to the first. Please return the envelope enclosed in the mailing to the collection basket or

St. Agnes Church Box 349, Scottsbluff 69363

Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Zec 2:14-17, Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; Lk 1:46-50, 53-54; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6- 8, 19-28

VCNIN Food Basket Info → Fill baskets Saturday Dec 16, 9am → Deliver baskets Sunday, Dec 17 1pm All events take place at the school gym. To sign up for delivering on Dec 17th, please call the parish office (632-2541) before December 12th. Please leave your phone # and the type of vehicle you’ll drive that day.

Toy Wrapping @ KC Hall

→Everyone - wrap toys for baskets Tuesday, Dec 12, 6pm

→Youth night - wrap toys Wednesday, Dec 13, 6pm

→Everyone - wrap toys Thursday, Dec 14, 6pm

Fri Dec 15, 6pm (if needed) Call Peter @ 631-0982 for more info

Advent Communal Reconciliation Services

December 17 - 3:30pm St. Agnes Church

December 17 - 6pm Christ the King Church

Individual Reconciliation

Friday, December 22 - 12 Noon Saturday, December 23 - 3pm

Holiday Mass Schedule

Christmas Eve 4pm, 8pm* & 11pm

Christmas Day 9am

New Year’s Eve 4pm New Year’s Day 9am

*choir sings 30 minutes prior to Mass

December Schedule

Young at Heart Please join us for a great celebration Tues-day December 12th at noon. Bring a wrapped ornament to exchange

and a salad or dessert to share - roast beef, green beans & potatoes will be served. Merry Christmas!

What is the Best Advent Ever? It’s a free email program that will help you slow down and focus on what matters most during this busy season. You’ll

experience Advent in a way you’ve never experienced it before - leading to the best Christmas of your life! Sign up at Dynamic Catholic.com/SignUp Participants receive daily emails with short inspirational videos, practical tips to incorporate into their everyday lives.

This Week’s Readings

volunteers who signed up to represent our church, ringing bells for the Salva-

tion Army this year! All in all, 27 people are helping to fill the 25 hours scheduled for our church. Wow!

Page 4 December 10, 2017

It is with much pride and joy the parishioners of St. Agnes Parish have celebrated a year of thanksgiving in this, our Centennial Year. The year-long celebration culminated with Mass offered by Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt, Fr. Vince Parsons, Fr. Steven Deaver, Fr. Gerald Harr and former St. Agnes Pastors, Fr. Bob Karnish and Fr. Don Buhrman. Following Mass was a festive parish-wide dinner on Sunday, December 3, 2017. The tasty meal was followed by cake and a wonderful slide show commemorating these past 100 years. Each person in attendance received an ornament that features the St. Agnes centennial logo.

Happy Birthday, St. Agnes Church!

Page 6 December 10, 2017

Grade School (pre-school—5th grades) Formation Sessions will begin on Sunday, October 2nd from 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the school building.

December Sunday Schedule: 3rd - 10th - 17th

24th & 31st (No formation sessions) Middle School Formation Sessions (grades 6th-8th) meet from 7-8:15 p.m. in the school building.

December Wednesday Schedule: 6th - Adoration & Reconciliation at 7 p.m. in the Church 13th - Gift Wrapping at the KC Hall 20th - Formation sessions (school) 27th - No formation sessions High School (CYM) Formation Sessions youth gather in catechist’s homes from 7-8:30 p.m.

December Wednesday Schedule: 6th - Adoration & Reconciliation at 7 p.m. in the Church 13th - Gift Wrapping at the KC Hall 20th - Formation sessions (school) 27th - No formation sessions

11th CYM December Schedule: 6th - Adoration & Reconciliation at 7 p.m. in the Church 13th - Gift Wrapping at the KC Hall 20th - Confirmation (Garden Room) 27th - No formation sessions 15th - Confirmation - Garden Level 22nd - No formation sessions 29th - Confirmation - Garden Level

Celebrating Sunday for

Catholic Families Second Sunday of Advent

Gospel: Mark 1:1-5, 7-8

On the Way to Mass: Do you feel prepared to meet Christ if he showed up today? On the Way Home From Mass: Ho can we be alight in a world that often looks so dark? Living the Word: Bring the light into your home tonight. As a family, make or decorate a special candle or candle holder that you can light at the dinner table to bring warmth and cheer in this time of darkness. Let it stand as a reminder of the constant need for preparation in our hearts and minds. You could use bits of tissue paper and a mixture of glue and water or mod podge to cover the outside of a glass jar, creating a stained-glass effect when a votive candle is place inside.

Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families 2017-2018

Find Us On

Facebook Twitter: stagnes-church

Instagram: st.agnescatholicchurch Parish Website

www.st-agnes-church.com

Meet the Catechists

My name is Mary Franco. Salvadore and I have been catechists for 14 years. We have two daughters; Lydia Hernandez and Ann Anderson. We have 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. This year we are catechizing one of the 10th grade CYM groups. Goals for this this year is to try to give my class understanding about the Catholic faith as they grow and become young adults. Trust in the Lord “There is a Person who can keep you going, trust in him! It is Jesus! Trust in Jesus! …The Lord is

always with us. He comes to the shores of the sea of our life; he makes himself close to our failures, our frailty, and our sins in

order to transform them.” Pope Francis “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

Partners in Faith - December 2017

Religious Educa on Program Email—dre@st-agnes-church.com Religious Education Office—308-635-1362

Page 7 Second Sunday of Advent

Meet the

Confirmation Candidates

My name is Logan Murdock. My dad is Shawn Murdock and my grandparents are Ray and Becky Murdock. I attend Gering High School and am a junior. I am involved in football, track, and one act. I am currently working at Runza. Upon receiving the sacrament of Confirmation I plan to become involved in the ministry of ushering.

Thank you to the following Altar Servers who have served the Altar 5 times or more this past year: Emily Esselstein, Katie Forsstrom, Ethan Gion, Kyle Henderson, Noah Henderson, Emma Herman, Yvonne Kreiling, Laetner Malm, Landon Malm, Clancee Ott, Addison Peck, Abigail Pieper, William Pieper, Adam Polk, Lily Polk, Isabella Tillman, and Jed Zulkoski. Correction: Last week Noah Henderson’s name was omitted from the list. Noah has served over 5 times this past year.

Why Do Catholics Do That?

Why do Catholics create “Jesse Trees” for Advent? The idea for the Jesse Tree comes from the prophet Isaiah, who

said, “a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse … the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him” (Isaiah 11:1-2). The “shoot” is Jesus, who was born from Jesse’s family line. The ornaments of the Jesse tree represent Jesus’ ancestors and the extraordinary purposes to which God put them. When we seek God and listen to him, he will do amazing things in our lives, too.

Thoughtful Moments St. John of the Cross

Mystic, reformer, and Doctor of the Church, St. John was raised by his mother, a poor silk weaver, in Spain. He entered the Carmelite

Order in 1563, and was inspired by St. Theresa of Ávila to lead a much-needed reform of the Carmelites. For this, some of his brothers imprisoned him in a tower for almost a year until he escaped. He is also known for his beautiful poetry on the soul’s search for God.

Partners in Faith - December 2017

Family Advent Calendar

Sunday December 10th - Light two purple candles in the Advent wreath each night this week. Sing “O come, O come Emmanuel.” Monday December 11th - Send a thank-you not to the priests or other parish ministers who enriched your seasonal celebration. Tuesday December 12th - Set out a rose tonight in honor of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Wednesday December 13th - Today, try to go the whole day without complaining or arguing. Thursday December 14th - Help children make a good examination of conscience and go to Confession together. Then go out for a treat afterwards to celebrate forgiveness. Friday December 15th - Family Movie Night! Make some popcorn and watch a Christmas movie together. Saturday December 16th - Put up and decorate your family Christmas tree.

Partners in Faith - December 2017

Youth Group Toys for Tots

Gift Wrapping at the KC Hall

Wednesday, Dec 13th at 7pm Bring a snack to share!

Page 8 December 10, 2017

St. Agnes Catholic School 205 E 23rd

Scottsbluff, NE Ph: 308-632-6918 Fax: 308-632-6943

December 10, 2017

Monday, December 11th

Meridian Bell Choir -- 10AM Singspirations sing at the Residency

2PM

Tuesday, December 12th An Advent Journey

Our Lady of Guadelupe 8:15AM -- 4th grade leads

Wednesday, December 13th

No Mass Today Singspirations to sing at The Village

10AM

Thursday, December 14th An Advent Journey

Las Posada 8:15AM -- 3rd grade leads

Friday, December 15th

Singspirations sing at Scottsbluff Rehab -- 10AM

Up Coming Events November Virtuous Students

Tristan Hoesing (Pre-K), Jonah Klaas (K) and Ayla Ellis(3rd) were recognized as the November Virtuous Students of the month at the Golden Rule Ceremony held on Fri-day, December 1st. Grand Knight, Dave Wolf, was on hand to make the presentation.

$200--Greg & Barb Goerke

$50--Leo & Phyllis Temple

$50--Mike & Terri Calvert

$100--Jeff & Dawne Wolf

$50--John & Betsy Vidlak

$50--Chris & Erin Dudden

$100--Kelly Coon/Daniel Funk

$50--Troy & Carol Herman

$50--Julie Brown

$100--Maria Janicek $50--Mike & Sarah Zeiler

$55--Jake Friedlein $50--Tina Delgado

What’s Happening at St. Agnes School...

Monday, Dec 11th Chicken & noodle Mashed potatoes Corn Roll & margarine Tropical fruit Helpers: Stephen Klaas, Delores Longoria

Tuesday, Dec 12th Chicken nuggets Steamed carrots French fries Grapes Helpers: Josh Hill, Sundee Hill

Wednesday , Dec 13th Mac & Cheese Fresh green salad Steamed broccoli Roll & margarine Fruit cocktail Helpers: Lizbeth Hernandez, Margie Dishong

Thursday, Dec 14th Cheese omelet Potato circles Peas & carrots Cinnamon roll Mandarin oranges Helpers: Betsy Vidlak, Margie Dishong

Friday, Dec 15th So shell tacos w/cheese, le uce & salsa Au gra n potatoes Apple Helpers: Gould, John Schmall

Hot Lunch Menu for December 11th-December 15th, 2017

Drive In Movie Night

St. Agnes students and families enjoyed a night at the movies on Friday, December 1st. Student Council hosted a Drive In Movie night in the gym as a means to build community and get in the holiday spirit. All enjoyed gathering to view the movie Elf . Money raised from the sale of concessions will be used to purchase new playground equipment.

Kindergarten students are preparing to “set flight” on their annual trip around the world to learn about how Christmas is celebrated in other countries. Mr. Monte Neilan hosted the class at his airplane hangar to give the children the opportunity to see, sit in, and experience a real plane before they use their imagination on their world journey. What an exciting field trip for these little ones! Excitement is building for their trip around the world.

Ready to Take Flight

School News...

Mrs. Amanda Brill--3rd Grade

Mrs. Brooke Lacy--1st Grade We are working so hard all the way up until Christmas Break, which is right around the corner! Our

reading is improving and we know many more sight words now!!! Our math skills are soaring and we are al-ready learning how to add 2-digit numbers together!!! We are becoming more independent with our work! I am so proud of everything my students have accomplished this year!

In Religion, we have been learning about baby Jesus, our precious Savior! We have been contem-plating what life would be like if there were no Jesus. There would be no Christmas, presents, lights, etc! It would be just any other day.

We have loved spending time on the Chrome books this month too! We are now working on our typ-ing skills! We learned why there are “bumps” on the f and j keys and how to hold our hands on the keyboard properly. This is no easy task, but they are getting better each time! In Social Studies, we are already diving into our Christmas unit! We have played Christmas games and sang LOTS of Christmas songs! We also just had our elf, Snowy, arrive! He has already been having plenty of ad-ventures! We found out he loves getting letters in the mail and have written him several letters and drawn him many pictures! We are trying to show him our best behavior! He has had some good reports so far to send back up to Santa!

Greetings from third grade! We returned from our field trip with lots of energy and excitement! We had the best time with our 1st

grade book buddies at the UNL Extension Center! We learned lots about the Engineering Design Process. We talked a lot about brainstorming and how we need to plan and process before we design! The students worked in groups and did a lot of hands on learning! A big thanks to our adopt- a - school partner!

We are hitting the multiplication facts hard in the second quarter of school! We have a math facts club that we have started. Students are timed for 2 minutes on their math facts. If they get them all right, 2 times, they are in that number’s fact club! Once the students get into three different clubs, they get to eat lunch with Miss Brill in the classroom! We are really working hard to know our math facts before we head over to 4th grade!

It’s hard to believe the holidays are so near! We are working on small acts of kindness in our classroom for the month of December. If Miss Brill sees students doing a kind or nice act, they get to fill out a Christmas light with their name and the act of kindness they were doing! Then we are going to create a string of lights throughout the room. The main goal here, is to try and do the acts without wanting to get praise, similar to our school wide Golden Rules. We want the ripple effect to take place, and spread the kindness rather than receive praise. We want to have A LOT of lights hanging in our room, and spread the kindness school wide!