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St.

Leos’

Parish Community

THE PARISH COUNCIL: SUPPORTING

OUR PASTOR AND THE MISSION OF OUR FAITH COMMUNITY

hen we think of who is “in charge” of parish life at St. Leo’s, we probably first think of Fr. Don Buhrman — and rightly so! But there is also an important group here at our parish that advises Fr. Don and is there to represent the parish as a whole — the Parish Council. The group meets on the second Tuesday of the month in the evening and consists of members of all ages. “When I first got on the council, it was so eye-opening,” says Nichole Bubak, the newly elected Chair of the council. “I had no idea that all of this stuff went on in the church and no idea how many people were involved. I was so surprised by how much the church does for the community. The list is ongoing.” Nichole Bubak with her husband, For example, Nichole was so excited to Nick, and their three girls. Nichole learn about all St. Leo’s does to reach out and support the community of Grand Island. is the newly-elected Chair of our Parish Council. Nearly three years ago, Nichole was thinking that she wanted to get more involved at St. Leo’s, but she wasn’t sure how. One day, Fr. Don called her and asked if she wanted to serve on the Parish Council. She didn’t know it at the time, but she had been nominated by her childhood neighbor, continued on page 5

Inside OCTOBER 2021

The Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

A Letter From Our Pastor: A Month to Turn to Our Lady of the Rosary

Meet Parishioner Lee Hoelck: Celebrating a Life of Faith, Service and Gratitude

Golden Gems: A Catholic Gift of Community and Friendship

The Importance of Loving God More Deeply at Mass

THE PRINCIPLES OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

hat makes being Catholic, well, “Catholic”? Things like the Mass, the Rosary and the Seven Sacraments come to mind. But there is also an element of Church teaching that’s often overlooked and sometimes misunderstood — Catholic Social Teaching. Catholic Social Teaching guides Catholics on how to apply the faith to all aspects of life, and lays the framework for the Church’s teachings on the dignity and sacredness of human life. Catholic Social Teaching can be explained with 10 key points. These 10 principles demonstrate the depth of the Church’s teaching on social justice, and they call Catholics to take an active role in shaping the world in which we live. Catholic Social Teaching, when taken to heart, can become the catalyst that causes positive change in a world that desperately needs it. Consider these principles and strive to apply them in your own life.

Human Dignity Human dignity is the fundamental principle within the Church’s teaching on social justice. A firm understanding of this principle is required so that the rest of Catholic Social Teaching can be viewed from the appropriate perspective. God created us in His image and likeness, so we all are worthy of respect. Respect for Human Life Whether unborn or seconds away from death, no life deserves to be prematurely ended. The Church sees this principle as crucial to the health of any society. Association Association holds that social relationships must be developed so that all people may reach their fullest potential. The Church teaches that the family is the basic unit upon which all other elements of society rest. We must uphold the sacredness of the family, and foster the growth of other societal organizations that preserve the well-being of all people. Participation All people deserve the right to work and to participate in God’s creation. The joy of accomplishing a task and performing honest labor should be made available to all people. Protection for the Poor and Vulnerable Society exists in a balance between those with power, and those without it. The vulnerable — those with disabilities — and the poor must be protected from those with power who choose to wield it in an unjust manner. Solidarity “Love your neighbor as yourself” — this commandment extends beyond the boundaries of any town, state or country. The principle of solidarity encourages all people to reach out to their brothers and sisters in need and to help them, even if they live halfway around the world. Stewardship Everything we have — even our own lives — is a gift from God. Our talents, our time and our financial resources are not our own, but God’s. The same goes for the natural resources we so often take for granted. Responsibilities and Limits of Government Governments, while created for the common good, sometimes overstep their boundaries. The Church teaches that all governments should seek to operate at the lowest level of organization possible — striving to solve problems at the source, with those who understand them best, and not through oppressive force. Human Equality God made all humans equal, including those of different ethnicity and race, and in different stages of life. No one person is of more value than another. Common Good It is especially important in our society to promote the common good — the social well-being and development of the “human group.” If we consider the entire human race as one family, the common good urges us to support our brothers and sisters so that they may reach their full potential.

A Letter From Our Pastor

A MONTH TO TURN TO OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY Dear Parishioners,

ay by day, our heavenly Father provides spiritual food and graces to His beloved children, nourishing us on our earthly pilgrimage. October brings us the grace of the Holy Rosary, a prayer buried deeply in the heart of the Church, as one of its most precious treasures. The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, which takes place Oct. 7, is a commemorative feast established by St. Pius V on the anniversary of the naval victory won by the Christian fleet at Lepanto. The victory was attributed to the help of the Mother of God, whose aid was invoked by praying the Rosary. This victory revealed the power of the Holy Rosary more than ever. Catholics who were open to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit took with deep resolve the Rosary as their link to God. Pope St. John Paul II, in his 2002 Apostolic Letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, writes: “The Church has always attributed particular efficacy to this prayer, entrusting to the Rosary... the most difficult problems. At times when Christianity itself seemed under threat, its deliverance was attributed to the power of this prayer, and Our Lady of the Rosary was acclaimed as the one whose intercession brought salvation” (39). Thus, not merely through the Rosary, but more significantly, through the woman behind the Rosary — the glorious Mother of our Savior, Christ the Lord — a wellspring of God’s love has been discovered. Indeed, the Rosary is truly a way to discover Christ’s infinite love through the tender heart of His Mother. “With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths

of his love. Through the Rosary the faithful receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer” (Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 1). A great number of saints, such as Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who had a special concern for the preservation of the Christian family, sensed that its salvation would be through the Holy Rosary. And as Pope St. John Paul II wrote, “Today I willingly entrust to the power of this prayer... the cause of peace in the world and the cause of the family” (Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 39). Our Lady of Fatima, who pleaded with families to pray the daily Rosary, would agree with him! Let us entrust everything to the Rosary along with the saints. As our hearts burn with hope, let us give to the Mother of God every concern that we bear, each cross we carry, piece by piece, worry by worry. She will be there to offer everything to our Heavenly Father, Whose care for each one of His children reaches beyond anything we could ever imagine. Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Donald A. Buhrman Pastor

MEET

PARISHIONER LEE HOELCK: CELEB W

Lee Hoelck, his mother and three brothers celebrate the ordination of his brother, Frank.

Lee Hoelck and his wife, Margaret, were married upon his return from serving in Korea.

ith 100 years and a wealth of valuable experiences behind him, Lee Hoelck knows what is truly important in life. “I know what I got and I love the Lord,” Lee says. “And I want other people to know what I know.” Lee’s love of the Lord led him to offer years of service and leadership to the Church. From Grand Island to Denver, to Los Angeles and back, Lee has cultivated his faith and his determination to lead others to Christ. Lee and his four brothers were raised by their faithful Catholic mother. His father had left the family and the boys and their mother worked hard to make ends meet. They worked paper routes, delivered pharmaceuticals, and moved about 30 times during their childhood. Despite these hardships, their mother taught them the faith and constantly prayed for them. “She could do no wrong in our eyes,” Lee says of his mother. Three of the boys went on to fight in World War II, and Lee and his brother, Frank, entered the seminary. While Frank went on to become a priest, Lee discerned out of the seminary. He went on to work at Boys Town in Omaha and then attended law school at Creighton. Lee met his future wife, Margaret, shortly before being

drafted for the Korean War. Over the two years that he was away, the couple wrote letters back and forth. When Lee returned from Korea, he and Margaret soon married. “I stepped off the train and I told her, ‘I’ve got a job in Denver and I want you to come with me — you have 30 days to plan a wedding!’” Lee says. From there, Lee’s life moved quickly. He and Margaret moved to Los Angeles and entered the wine business. This gave Lee the valuable opportunity to travel the globe. The couple had two children, Maureen and Patrick. Lee’s faith, taught to him by the mother he loved and respected so much, always followed him. Eventually, Lee and his brothers re-established contact with their estranged father and flew out to meet him and offer their forgiveness. “We wanted him to know that we still thought of him as our father,” Lee says. Eventually, Lee and Margaret returned to Grand Island to care for Margaret’s father at the end of his life. Lee took on a new leadership role in the Diocese of Grand Island by bringing the Serra Club to the diocese and serving as its president. The Serra Club’s mission is to support vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Even after leaving his role as continued on page 5

BRATING A LIFE OF FAITH, SERVICE AND GRATITUDE “I know what I got and I love the Lord. And I want other people to know what I know.”

president, Lee continues to pray for vocations as a member of the 31 Club. He has also served by taking Holy Communion to patients at St. Francis Medical Center and is eager to return to his visits with the patients. “The Lord is there for them,” Lee says. Lee’s years of service and faithful presence to those around him can inspire us all as a sign that Christ is truly present in our parish community!

THE PARISH COUNCIL

— Lee Hoelck

Lee Hoelck’s love of the Lord led him to offer years of service and leadership to the Church.

continued from front cover

Steve Todd, who passed away shortly after. Nichole wasn’t entirely sure what the Parish Council was, but since she wanted to get more involved, she accepted the position. Since becoming involved as a council member, she has learned a lot. “We are here to support Fr. Don and serve as a valued opinion to him to help build up our church,” Nichole says. The Parish Council starts their meetings by reviewing the St. Leo’s mission statement: “As a Vatican II Church, we strive to provide uplifting experiences where people gather to be nourished, to be given new hope, to be challenged by the Gospel and to be re-energized so that they can return to the world to fulfill Jesus’ mission of loving God and loving humankind.” Council members go through our parish’s various ministries and events to make sure everything is working together to fulfill the mission. They are there to be the “eyes and ears” of the parish. Nichole has enjoyed getting to know more about St. Leo’s through the Parish Council. In addition to everything she has learned about

our parish, she has gotten to know so many new people. She is thankful she can give her time and talent to the Parish Council. “I just want to show other people that are busy with kids that there are ways to be involved here,” Nichole says. “No matter what you do, big or small, we are all contributing to this community.” Nichole grew up at Resurrection Parish here in Grand Island. She and her husband, Nick, have been members at St. Leo’s for eight years. As a parent to three young girls, Nichole wishes to thank her fellow parishioners for helping make St. Leo’s such a welcoming parish. “This is a great community to belong to,” Nicole says. “Everyone is so friendly. People always tell us they love to see little kids at Mass.

To learn more about the Parish Council, or to get involved, please contact Fr. Don Buhrman at 308-382-4753 or frbuhrman@stleos.org.

Golden Gems: A CATHOLIC GIFT OF COMMUNIT Y AND FRIENDSHIP

he gift of friendship and community is a blessing at every age — and for members of the Golden Gems of St. Leo’s, the group’s monthly get-togethers are a treasure. The program was halted for over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this September saw the group’s first meeting back together. “We are so glad to be back!” says Kathy Schweiger, a St. Leo’s parishioner who helps plan and orchestrate the monthly events. “Just hearing the laughter and the visiting was a joy. A good time was had by all and many were still hanging around afterward.” Golden Gems gatherings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 11:30 a.m., taking place in the Parish Hall. The church provides the main course and those attending are asked to bring a side dish to share. “We have a meal and some sort of entertainment,” Kathy says. “Father comes in and prays before we eat. We also have a nurse who provides health checks during this time.” Some of the entertainment has included Bingo,

music or speakers. This group is geared towards those 60 and older, but all are welcome. “It is just a good time for the older folks to get together and visit about their lives — share about their aches and pains — and just foster those relationships,” Kathy says. “Some of our members aren’t able to get out very much, so this is a very enjoyable opportunity for community.” Community and relationship are very important aspects of life in the Catholic Church. In the Bible, we find many examples of the importance of community — for instance, as St. Paul tells us, “We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another” (Heb. 10:24-25). “We have formed a community here,” Kathy says. “Everyone has their own level of faith, but the sharing between others and seeing the faith and relationships that your friends have with Christ encourages others and helps them grow. You see God working more in your own life.”

For those looking to spend time in fellowship with others, all are welcome to attend Golden Gems on the second Tuesday of the month. It begins at 11:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall.

More Deeply

THE IMPORTANCE OF LOVING GOD

hen young people see a person that intrigues them, that attraction becomes the topic of conversation at every opportunity. This attraction alters behavior so that we become enthralled with the other and desire to share our enthusiasm. Imagine if we were more enthralled with the presence of Christ in our lives. Imagine if we fully recognized that Christ is truly present to us in His precious Body and Blood, and present as well in the proclamation of His Word and in the gathering of our community, praying and singing (see Sacrosanctum Concilium [Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy], para. 14). Recognizing the living Christ in all these ways would awaken in us the desire to be with the One who is the object of our most fundamental, pure, and holy attraction to our merciful, loving, and gracious Savior. If we were to recognize the presence of Christ in these beautiful ways, wouldn’t our desire to be more completely in His presence increase? Surely our desire to be better stewards of our time with the Lord would grow. Our attention to the readings and other prayers of the Mass would bring about within us deeper communion with the One who suffered and died for us. If I recognized that God is the answer to all my pangs of hunger, that Christ is my way to the Father, and that the Holy Spirit works to convert my heart and soul every day, would I not seek to fill that hunger at the banquet of the Lamb? While active participation in Sunday Mass is an obligation for Catholics, we also will do well to see the lovely, motherly care the Church shows

AT MASS

us in establishing that requirement. The Code of Canon Law states clearly in paragraph 1247, “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.” Sometimes, we might hear that as an overbearing rule. But it might more correctly be understood as our Mother, the Church, helping us learn what is best for us. At Mass, we hear the living Word of God proclaimed. He speaks to us. We receive as hungry, needy sinners, the precious Body and Blood of Christ. We encounter Christ’s living presence in our brothers and sisters worshiping God with us. If we truly understood that amazing truth, then how might it affect our lives? How might it affect our relationships? How might it impact our decision to bring our children along to Mass? How might it awaken within us a deeper attraction, fascination, desire for the Lord? Generally, when we find ourselves fascinated with someone, we do not decide to spend as little time as possible with them. We do not ration our time with them. We want to spend time with them, to see them, to listen to them, to get to know them, to develop a healthy, loving relationship with them. Considering our reliance on the Lord of life and love, our fascination with His mercy, His goodness, His willingness to call us to Himself, maybe we should ask ourselves about what happens in us at Mass. As I prepare to come to Church, do I find my mind turning to a receptive welcome of the Lord, just as I’ll be welcomed at the door of Church? Have I dressed for the important weekly continued on back cover

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LOVING GOD MORE DEEPLY AT MASS (or daily) moment of meeting my King? Do I expect some profound wisdom from God in the readings? Am I open to correction, to challenge, to affirmation in the readings of God’s Word? Do I intently pray along with the priest presider throughout the Mass? Do I make an offering of my life, along with the bread and wine? Do I genuinely hunger for the Body and Blood of Christ? And do I long for that blessing that sends me on my way with the mission to build the Kingdom? Instead of worrying about what “counts” when it comes to Sunday Mass, maybe we should work hard at fostering our love for the Eucharist, our desire for eternal life, our attraction to the Master who calls us into a life of active discipleship. Instead of a merely heavy-handed requirement, maybe we can see more clearly that being at Mass

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At Mass, we hear the living Word of God proclaimed. He speaks to us. We receive as hungry, needy sinners, the precious Body and Blood of Christ together helps nourish us for a whole week of building God’s Kingdom. Coming with those expectations, desires, and hopes, leaving early when unnecessary would disappear as a temptation instantly. Coming late because other things have taken priority would not typically happen, other obligations notwithstanding. Christ desires our company at Mass, from beginning to end. Let’s draw near to Him.

LITURGY SCHEDULE Daily Mass: 9 a.m., Saturday: 5 p.m., Sunday: 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Confession: Saturday 4 - 4:30 p.m. Adoration: First Friday of the Month, 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Abide Adoration: Fourth Sunday of the Month, 7 - 8 p.m.