Author: Skip Sopscak

From Deacon Ron Reno:

God willing, Bishop Ashman, Father Andrews and his wife Anneliese, will be here March 20 and 21st for our three confirmands. His Grace also wants us to meet as a family that Friday night before for dinner and conversation. It is always great when God’s children can gather together for these special events. Saint John’s will pick up the tab; the gathering will be at the Embassy Suites downtown Old Market. I will give out more information as the time gets closer. It is always a blessing when our Bishop comes here.

O Lord, who for our sake didst fast for forty days and forty nights; Give us grace to use such abstinence, that, our flesh being subdued to the Spirit we may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness, and true holiness, to thy honour and glory, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen…….collect for the First Sunday in Lent.

Please continue your daily readings from our Lenten booklets “ Not by Bread Alone”. If you didn’t get one, I believe we still have some at the church. These daily reflections are really important. Our booklet says that Lent is springtime for the soul. Whatever the Spirit is leading you to do this Lent, follow that call.

“We profess the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Faith professed by the whole Church before the disunion of East and West; more particularly, as professed by the Church of England, as it stands distinguished from all [medieval] and Puritan innovations, and as it adheres to the Doctrine of the Cross.” Thomas Ken, Bishop of Bath and Wells, England (1637-1711)

Just a reminder of what we believe, God bless, Deacon

 

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Lent 1, 2016

From Deacon Ron Reno:

It may make it to 54 degrees in Omaha this Thursday; there also may be an all time high this Monday of 54 degrees. Hooray for us!!! In Nebraska we are especially blessed to have upcoming days like these from the chill of winter.

Since we are using the chapel on the College of Saint Mary, our last service included the collects for Septuagesima and our service was oriented to Mondays “Presentation of Christ in the Temple” which was the ancient custom of the “Purification of Mary”. It was also the very last day of Christmastide. Please read Father Andrews homily which leads us into the pre-Lenten season. Thank you Father for such a well thought out homily for our people to hear.

After the Deacon’s liturgy is said, we are planning on going to the Good Evans Restaurant for fellowship and good food. We are always blessed when we can gather together; Saint John’s is covering all the expenses. Please enjoy this fellowship and 50 degree weather with us.

O Lord, we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people; that we, who are justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by thy goodness, for the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen. Chapel window and students at work glorifying God. God bless, Deacon

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From Deacon Ron Reno:

It has been an incredibly busy time for this Deacon the last two weeks. I have been helping out the John Paul II Classical Academy recently. There is a shortage of teachers in Omaha and I try to help out when I get a chance. During Mass Jesus tells us it is better to give than to receive; it is a true blessing for me to go to other schools and show students how honor God in their artwork. Doing God’s work on this earth is what we all are called to do.

Lord Jesus Christ, give us the strength to live our lives as you command, that the work of our day-to-day existence shall not overshadow our life with you. Let us, truly trusting in thy defense, have the courage to give our lives completely over to your charge, that we may find life eternal through your word. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Collect for Epiphany 3. Blessings, Deacon

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Conversion of St. Paul, 2014
Epiphany 3, 2019

From Deacon Ron Reno:

God willing Father Andrews and Anneliese will be with us for the Fourth Sunday in Advent. Pray for traveling mercies and good weather. It is a blessing for us to have them and their love of God and us is unwavering.

We are planning to have a Christmas Eve service. Although the campus will be closed through January 3rd, they will keep the chapel open for us for all of our services. If possible, please come to the December 24th service, honor Jesus’ birth and enjoy some great music.

As we progress in this Advent journey, God calls us to pay attention; believe that His divine presence is every where. We believe His divine presence is all around us; we just need to open our senses and be still, and recognize that quiet voice that God’s son is coming.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare the way before thee; Grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at thy second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen….Collect for Advent 3, God bless, Deacon

 

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From Deacon Ron Reno:

We were blessed to have the full Mass for All Saints Day. Thank you Father Andrews for our All Saints Mass and it was wonderful seeing Anneliese here too. We are blessed to have you both to be part of this church family. Our choir consisted of Julia and surprise singer, Jane Dahlke. It was a blessing to have Jane here; Jane is rejoining our choir as much as possible. Our choir had a wonderful prelude and our opening hymn was “For All the Saints”; Father Asperges Holy Water on our people after that. The choir finished Mass with a closing hymn “Lift Up Your Heads” and that was such a blessing to this mission church. Pray for Lynda’s continued recovery from surgery last Thursday.

We are so lucky to have these strong women amongst us. Think of all the women in the Bible, Deborah, Esther, Ruth, Mary, the mother of Jesus, Hannah, Mary Magdalene and others throughout the history of the Bible. Believe me guys, we need women and especially strong women in our parishes. Some of these parishes would not survive without the women. We are blessed to have several of these strong women in our small group. Women are not merely passive supporters but really are vital leaders in our Christian faith. Writing this email kind of reminds me of in the early church, how Priscilla along with her husband Aquila became mentors in intellectual engagement and theological training in the Christian faith. Priscilla was active in collaborating with Paul in educating and guiding new believers. We need these strong women.

O ALMIGHTY and merciful God, of thy bountiful goodness, keep us, we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things which thou commands; through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen. Collect for Trinity 20.

O  ALMIGHTY God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; Grant us grace to follow thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and Godly living, that we may may come to those unspeakable joys which thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love thee; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Collect for All Saints Day.

A homily by Father Ponec is attached. God bless, Deacon

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All Saints 2016

From Deacon Ron Reno:

God willing, we will have a full mass for All Saints Day this Saturday. Pray for traveling mercies for Father Andrews and Anneliese. We will have our usual gathering after the service for a light lunch. Father and Anneliese will be heading to Minnesota after the service to visit their son and his family. It its by the good Grace of God that we have Father consecrate the Holy elements (wine and bread) so that the Deacon can feed our people every Saturday. Thank you so much Father for all you do for this growing parish.

All Saint’s Day is also known as All Hallow’s Day. Its origin goes back to early Christianity, originally celebrated to honor martyrs on May 13th. The date was changed to November 1 in the 9th century by Pope Gregory IV. Many Western Christian denominations commemorate all saints, both known and unknown, who have obtained heaven. The Chesterton Academy, where I teach, is going to join with Saint Mary’s Church on All Souls Day (Monday). A Eucharistic Procession through the cemetery and prayer for the faithful departed will be after Mass. Mass starts at 8. I have done this at this school for the last 4 years and it is very gratifying, I will there as a participant not clergy; it is very special to honor those who have passed and a beautiful reminder that love and prayer connect us beyond this life.

O God, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee; Mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Collect from last week.

Let’s celebrate this weekend for the glory of God for all His Saints, known and unknown. Deacon

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From Deacon Ron Reno:

God willing, Father and Anneliese will be here November first for All Saints Day. We should pray for traveling mercies for them. Father and Anneliese will drive here from Fort Collins Colorado for the love of God and for the love of our small parish. It is always a blessing to see them and have the full Eucharist. Father will travel from here to Minnesota to visit their son and family. Let’s pray for traveling mercies for their entire journey.

Helmuth Wilhem Dahlke’s funeral was last Saturday. Thank you for all your prayers for this family. “ Eternal rest grant unto Him, O Lord; and let the perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace”.

Lord, we beseech thee, grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil; and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Collect for Trinity 18
From Thomas A Kempis “The Imitation of Christ” translated into English in the year 1503.

“Then his heart shall see and abound, shall marvel and be dilated in him, for the hand of the Lord is in him, and he hath wholly put himself into His hand for ever. Lo! So shall a man be blessed that seeks God with all of his heart. Such a man, in receiving this Holy Sacrament, deserveth the great Grace of the uniting in God, for he looketh not to his own devotion and consolation, but to the glory and honor of God”. May God continue to bless this small parish, God bless, Deacon

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From Deacon Ron Reno:

I am including the Trinity 16 homily along with the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity homily. Last week, life got in the way and no email was sent. I do my best to send out weekly because some of our family are home bound. God wants His children to get His message from these homilies.

Lord, we pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Collect for Trinity 17

O LORD, we beseech thee, let thy continual pity cleanse and defend thy Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without thy succor, preserve it evermore by thy help and goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord Lord. Amen. Collect for Trinity 16

Keep Jane Dahlke and her two daughters Ayn, Rachel, and her grandchildren in your prayers. Pray for God’s armor and protection for them. Pray for the Repose of the Soul of Jane’s beloved husband Helmuth Wilhelm Dahlke. His burial service will be at the Forest Lawn Funeral Home and internment will be at the Forest Lawn Cemetery this coming Saturday at 2:00.

Prayer to honor the departed:
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let the perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Deacon

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From Deacon Ron Reno:

Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command; through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen.

Thanks to Lynda and Julia, the music in the church was much like Nick would have done it!  We miss Nick dearly, but we blessed to have to have Julia and Lynda take on leadership and continue the his work. We owe a deep gratitude to David (Skip) Sopscak and Father Kurt for helping us with the digital end of what we are doing. God is working everywhere when we choose to see and do His good works evolve. God bless, Deacon

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