IN THIS ISSUE
JAN/FEB 2021
BLESSED SACRAMENT
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Can We Model 2 How the Faith for Our Children? orget the 3F Resolutions... Seize the Opportunities! he Sanitizing 4T Ministry: Ensuring that God’s House Is Clean and Parishioners Are Safe enten Practices: 6L Penance and Abstinence isiting Homebound 7V Ministry Builds Strong Connections in Our Faith Community
LENT PROVIDES MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW IN FAITH
E
“Make It a Sacred Time”
ach year seems to go faster and faster. It seems that Christmas and New Year’s Day have only just passed — and before we know it, Lent is over and Easter has arrived. We don’t want this time to sneak up on us this year — after all, Lent is an important time for renewal in our faith. With COVID-19 precautions in place, Lent activities could look different this year, says Fr. Marty Egging. But Lent can still be a time of conversion, personal prayer and penance. Stations of the Cross, a common Lenten devotion, are prayed on Fridays during Lent. There are also multiple opportunities for Reconciliation. And as Fr. Marty notes, we should also devote more time to prayer. An
easy way to do this is through the Lenten prayer books, which are distributed in the weeks before Ash Wednesday. “We hope these books will help spur parishioners into prayer,” Fr. Marty says. Also, parishioners are encouraged to watch for Adult Enrichment opportunities during Lent. Even in these uncertain times, it can be easy to get caught up in life and not take the time to observe the Lenten season. “We need to stop and take the time to evaluate how we have been doing, and what our relationship with God really is,” Fr. Marty says. “This is something we also need to do with our spouses — evaluate what is working and what is continued on page 5
Catechumens are welcomed into the church at the Easter Vigil, 2019.
BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH
HOW CAN WE MODEL THE FAITH FOR OUR CHILDREN?
T
he Church has made it clear that parents are primarily responsible for the spiritual and cognitive development of their children in matters of the faith. As the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church, Lumen Gentium, states, “Husbands and wives find their proper vocation in being witnesses of the faith and love of Christ to one another and to their children” (Chapter 4, Section 35). The Catechism of the Catholic Church further emphasizes this vocation, by pointing out that the moral education and spiritual formation of children is not only the right, but the responsibility, of their parents: “The right and the duty of parents to educate their children are primordial and inalienable... Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children” (CCC 2221, 2223). But how can we as parents create an environment in the home conducive to spiritual and moral development? As busy adults, how are we to disseminate the knowledge and understanding of the tenets of the faith to our children in the way that a trained and experienced catechist can? Furthermore, how do we strike a balance between teaching our children in the home and not interfering with the faith formation and sacramental preparation they are currently receiving through their parish school or religious education program? The answer to all of these questions is stewardship. Indeed, we must reinforce the lessons that our children learn in school or religious education classes by talking to them about the faith, reading Sacred Scripture with them, and spending time in family prayer. And there are several authoritative resources online that can help parents in this task, including Catholic Parents Online at www.CatholicParents.org — which links parents to numerous websites and documents that can help them in talking to their children about the faith.
But the best way that we can teach our children is by serving as a living example to them of how to live as disciples of Christ. If we want our children to grow up as strong Catholics and to display a lifelong commitment to their faith, then it is important that we ourselves live a committed faith life. This includes an ongoing commitment to our own faith formation as adults and active participation in the sacraments. It also includes the giving back of our time, talent and treasure in service of our community in thanksgiving for the gifts that God has given us. Parenting can be a tough vocation, and children deal with many influences in their lives that exist in stark contrast to the values that their parents often hope to instill within them. Fortunately for parents, the stewardship way of life provides a simple and effective model for teaching our children in matters of the faith. By living as stewards of God’s gifts and reaping the spiritual rewards that accompany this lifestyle, we are tangibly showing our children that sharing of our gifts and talents leads to a life of happiness and spiritual fulfillment. In doing this, we give them a good opportunity to follow in our footsteps and make their faith a top priority for the rest of their lives.
JAN/FEB 2021 A Letter From Our Pastor
FORGET THE RESOLUTIONS... SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES! Dear Parishioners,
O
ne of the most unforgettable years in our lifetimes is finally over and 2021 is here! With the new year, I recommend we forget the notion of making resolutions. This new year presents us with opportunities to practice faithful stewardship — that is, to view the start of 2021 as a time for opportunities instead of resolutions, and to choose to be the disciples we are called to be. The choice is ours, as it always has been. I know all too well that each New Year’s Day on Jan. 1, we do more than just begin a new calendar year. We make all kinds of promises, articulate expectations, and express hopes, desires and dreams. I don’t know who started that custom, but I do know I have spent years attempting, with the best intentions, to follow my own resolutions, only to become disappointed that most are forgotten all too soon. Therefore, it occurred to me that this year, I need a new and fresh approach to this. Perhaps we all need a new perspective. After all, isn’t that what faithful stewards are best at? The to-do list for 2021 should be seen as a list of opportunities to practice the discipleship intended by Jesus — not just at the beginning of each year, but each day throughout the year when presented with opportunities to be a Christian disciple. In doing so, we are practicing the stewardship way of life. Maybe this year, each of us will be open to embracing the connection between discipleship and stewardship. Discipleship and stewardship are indeed closely linked, so much so that it clearly defines our Catholic spirituality and touches every aspect of the life of the Church. I hope that the same vision is clearly in your sight — the moment of discovery that stewardship is a way of life,
a defining moment presenting opportunities to live what we believe, using our time, talents and treasure to reach others around us. Therefore, as we close out one of the most eventful years in modern history, and are at the start of a new year filled with promise and hopefulness, I ask you to join me in celebrating the opportunities that will present themselves during 2021. We need to keep our eyes, ears and hearts open to them. They will be there when we least expect them. Our Lord’s call to be faithful stewards of the gifts we have been given is already echoing in our hearts as we have concluded a season of giving in which God’s gift to us, Jesus Christ, remains the perfect gift that keeps on giving to each of us. If we continue to receive our Lord with grateful hearts, we can respond in our own way of giving time, talent and treasure back as opportunities to become Christ for others. I know that 2021 will be a year of great interest in regard to what is happening and what will happen in the world around us, and new opportunities will abound. Wait for them. Look for them. Treasure them when they become known. While resolutions always seem to be good ideas, opportunities are often what God has chosen for us to experience so that our lives may be more whole and fulfilling. Can you think of a better way to start a new year than to forget the resolutions, and instead seize the opportunities God has waiting for us? Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Martin Egging Pastor
BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH
THE SANITIZI Ensuring that God’s House Is C
I
t is probably safe to say that most of us have spent more time cleaning and disinfecting our homes and work environments in the past few months than we normally do. Tasks that we used to take for granted — getting the mail, grocery shopping, touching an elevator button, a doorknob or light switch — are now occasions to bring out the disinfectant wipes or sprays and hand sanitizers. It is no different here at Blessed Sacrament. “We have this new ministry that we do as a loving ministry for each other, to keep everybody safe,” says Barb Klein, Director of Music and Liturgy, including our Liturgical Environment. “To do this, we have begun a new Sanitizing Ministry.” Our Church Complex is fogged each week by our maintenance staff. This fogging is a safeguard that no particles, viral or otherwise, remain in the air. Ensuring that parishioners can worship safely is a high priority for us. Wearing masks, social distancing in the Church, and disinfection of used areas is important. To do the routine disinfection, volunteers serve after each Mass using a surface disinfectant
and spray the areas that have been used. In order to target all these areas in the pews, parishioners are asked to put the kneelers down where they sat to indicate the areas that need disinfecting. This ministry is quite informal, with volunteers responding to Fr. Marty’s invitation after each Mass. A time in the Mass that is open to easier transmission of the virus, is when parishioners approach to receive the Body of Christ from the Priest or Minister of Communion. In order to increase protections at this time, one of our parishioners built one-of-a-kind Communion stations. These also are sanitized after each Mass. “It’s an act of love for your fellow man and an act of love for Jesus, helping other people and not wanting recognition, but doing it out of Love,” Barb says. “You’re doing it for Jesus. He knows what you do — He sees what you do. Everyone who does the sanitizing knows how necessary it is to keep everybody safe.” Barb hopes that the additional safety and sanitizing measures will help reassure those who
Blessed Sacrament is blessed with two COVID-19 Communion Stations. Greg Rempe, a parish member and very talented carpenter, made them and had them ready for when the church opened back up to parishioners for Pentecost.
JAN/FEB 2021
ING MINISTRY Clean and Parishioners Are Safe have yet to return to Mass of the great care and caution our Faith Community is taking. “Everyone who does the sanitizing knows how necessary it is keeping everybody safe,” Barb says. “We’re trying to do more to get people who are staying at home, watching the livestream, to feel safe to come back. “You’re most welcome to come back,” she adds. “We’re keeping everyone as safe as possible.” Barb encourages parishioners to consider spending a few minutes after Mass disinfecting the Church.
“It’s not much a commitment at all,” she says. “It’s just a few minutes, so it doesn’t take much out of your day.” Many have already responded in generously serving our community. “Thank you for staying a few minutes afterward to make the Church safe for those coming to the next Mass and for the next Church family who comes to pray and Worship,” she says. “Without you, the Church wouldn’t be safe, and people would be afraid to come. You are there out of love, wanting to keep everyone safe. Thank you for your time.”
Parishioners are encouraged to consider staying after Mass to help disinfect the church. Only a few volunteers are needed after each Mass, and the cleaning process takes 10-15 minutes.
Lent Provides Many Opportunities to Grow in Faith continued from front cover not working, and start adjusting a little bit, to make the love a little more easy to find.” Fr. Marty wants to encourage giving a gift to our Lord, instead of “giving something up.” For instance, you might give up your daily $4 coffee drink, and instead give that money to the food pantry. “Look how much that would multiply,” he says. “Think of this as what you can do for someone else.” The opportunities for growing closer to our Lord this Lent are endless. Fr. Marty says it can be as easy as cleaning out a closet and giving the items to a local thrift store to help those in need. We can also visit the website for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops at USCCB.org and read the daily readings if you can’t make it to daily Mass.
“Sit down for five to 10 minutes and ask the simple question, ‘Where am I in this reading’,” Fr. Marty says. Fr. Marty points out that, for him personally, Lent is a time to be more serious about prayer. “It’s really easy to just miss it sometimes,” he says. “Rather, I try to make it a sacred time. It’s not about me. I say ‘thank you’ to God for His action in my own life and try to be more intentional.” Fr. Marty enjoys the beauty of the Easter Triduum. In particular, he always looks forward to the Easter Vigil where the RCIA participants are brought into the church, whether it’s through Baptism, First Holy Communion or Confirmation. “These men and women become part of the flock at Easter, and that is exciting,” he says.
Please refer to the bulletin for information on upcoming Lenten events and opportunities for prayer.
BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH
Penance and Abstinence
LENTEN PRACTICES:
F
or many Catholics, the practice of fasting and abstinence during Lent is as much a part of our faith as is our sacred liturgy. Catholics know that when Lent arrives, it’s time to say “goodbye” to meat on Fridays and “hello” to fish sticks and bean burritos. It’s almost as if our Lenten obligations were hard-wired into our biological clock at the moment we were baptized. If there is one thing that Catholics definitely understand, it’s adhering to the laws of tradition. Indeed, the tradition of fasting and abstaining from meat during Lent draws its lineage from the early days of the faith. But why, exactly, do we fast and abstain from meat during Lent? And what are the Church’s guidelines for this tradition? In November 1966, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a pastoral statement on penance and abstinence. The statement outlines the Scriptural significance behind fasting and abstinence, and directs the faithful on when it is encouraged and appropriate to do so. According to the statement, there are four main points the Church wants to make about the tradition of penance and abstinence. First, all humans are sinners. Second, penance and abstinence are ways to turn away from sin and back to God. Third, the Church is constantly in a stage of ongoing renewal and penance. And finally, Advent, Lent and the vigils of certain feasts are the primary penitential seasons of the Church. The statement makes clear that the practices of penance and abstinence are tools created to help lead us to Christ — they are not stringent laws designed to cause discomfort and pain. Fasting, abstinence and penance help us to reflect on, and
in some way understand, the suffering and selflessness our Lord experienced during His passion and death. Traditionally, Catholics must abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, which falls on Feb. 17 this year, and Good Friday, falling this year on April 2. And, because Christ died on a Friday, the Church asks us to also abstain from meat on all Fridays during the season of Lent. Lent is also a time of penance. In preparation for Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Church encourages all Catholics to seek forgiveness from sins and to renew their spirits in accordance with the Father’s spirit. The overarching goal of all Christians is to become “one with the Father,” and penance and abstinence help us attempt to do that. But Lent isn’t just about what we aren’t “allowed” to do. The Church encourages us all to seek ways to alleviate the pain and suffering of others — just as Christ lifted the burden of sin from the spirit of humankind — “by special solicitude for the sick, the poor, the underprivileged, the imprisoned, the bedridden, the discouraged, the stranger, the lonely, and persons of other colors, nationalities, or backgrounds than our own” (Pastoral Statement on Penance and Abstinence, 15). This Lent, as the world prepares for the anniversary of Christ’s death and resurrection, take on a few Lenten practices of your own. In addition to abstaining from meat on Fridays and Ash Wednesday, find a way to share the love of Christ with others through gifts of time, talent and treasure. The life of a disciple, as outlined in the Gospels, requires a renewed heart and a penitent soul. Seek to understand this Lent, in some small way, the magnitude of our Lord’s suffering and love.
JAN/FEB 2021
VISITING HOMEBOUND MINISTRY Builds Strong Connections in Our Faith Community
T
he very act of taking the Eucharist — the Body of Christ — to a fellow parishioner has a profound, spiritual impact on both the giver and the recipient. The members of our Visiting the Homebound Ministry are privileged to share the love of Christ with those who cannot take part in the celebration of the Mass, but who long for that precious connection. Sister Bernadette Engelhaupt coordinates and trains the ministry members who provide Eucharistic care to those who are homebound and do not have family available to help. Currently, however, the COVID-19 restrictions have prevented the ministry members from making their rounds. When Sr. Bernadette learns of homebound parishioners, she contacts them to see if they have family members available to take Communion to them. If family is available, she will train them to take the Eucharist. If not, she will assign a ministry member to that parishioner. “We haven’t had a lot needing it, but we did have several,” Sr. Bernadette says. “It’s a very positive experience on both sides.” While the recipients certainly benefit from receiving Communion, the ministry members also find that their own faith has grown in their service. “One said to me, what her service did was bring her to a greater experience, a greater appreciation for what the Mass and Communion are for herself and why it is important to the recipients,” Sr. Bernadette says. “Since the homebound can’t get to Mass, she sees their longing for it when they can’t get to Mass. The experience gives her a much greater appreciation of it.” The ministry members also find that they take the presence of Christ and love of Christ to others during their service. “When they are trained, we talk about the fact
that they bring Christ not only in the host, but also in their very presence,” Sr. Bernadette says. Anyone interested in becoming a ministry member may do so during the Stewardship Renewal period. Invitations also are posted in the bulletins. Sometimes, however, all it takes is an “ask.” Before the ministry was established, Sr. Bernadette learned of a person who was homebound, but wanted to receive Communion. She looked around the church one day during Mass, and spotted a particular individual. “I asked this man to do it, and he jumped at the chance,” she says. Sr. Bernadette has found that when parishioners are asked to serve, some say ‘no,’ and sometimes it’s a person waiting to be asked. The training is typically done in a group, but she can provide individual training. If someone is thinking about becoming a member of the Visiting Homebound Ministry, the continued on back cover
BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH 518 W. State Street Grand Island, NE 68801 (308) 384-0532 www.blsachurch.net
Visiting Homebound Ministry continued from page 7 main reason to do so is to bring the community of the church to others. “As for yourself, you will probably grow in your faith as you share and visit and know their faith,” Sr. Bernadette says. “And you get to know someone you didn’t know or know well.” The family members of those served are appreciative of that extra connection with the church that the ministry brings. “One of the ministry members said, ‘I feel like I wasn’t worthy to do it — yet, I realized it wasn’t about worthiness, but about doing what Jesus, and the Mother of Jesus would have done, offering comfort and friendship and closeness to Jesus,’” Sr. Bernadette says.
“One said to me, what her service did was bring her to a greater experience, a greater appreciation for what the Mass and Communion are for herself and why it is important to the recipients. Since the homebound can’t get to Mass, she sees their longing for it when they can’t get to Mass. The experience gives her a much greater appreciation of it.” — Sister Bernadette Engelhaupt
Anyone interested in joining the Visiting Homebound Ministry, or who would like to receive Communion, may contact Sister Bernadette Engelhaupt at 308-384-0532, ext. 202.