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ST. peter C ath athoo lic li c CHu r ch Monthly Newsletter
PA R I S H ACOLY TE S : SERVING AT MASS AND FINDING A CLOSER WALK WITH CHRIST
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ach weekend Mass here at St. Peter begins with a procession including two or three acolytes, four altar servers, and the priest himself. This beautiful ritual sets a reverent tone and signals the importance of the liturgy that is about to begin. As the coordinator of our parish acolytes, John Kuchta points to the participation of these men as a central part of the Mass experience in our faith community. “When we process into Mass, the reverence of that procession and the support those people give the priest lends itself to the importance of the Mass overall,” John says. Indeed, the support our acolytes provide to our priests during the liturgy is invaluable. Before Mass, they prepare the altar, chalices, and ciboria. During Mass, they help by handling the book and distributing Holy Communion. Afterward, they ensure that everything is cleaned up and put away. While all of these tasks are essential, there is one that stands out to many acolytes as being the most sacred. “You can think of an acolyte as a Master of Ceremonies,” John says. “The acolyte becomes a support for the
Acolytes serving at the altar during Mass at St. Peter.
priest so he can really focus on the Mass. And it’s an awesome responsibility to be able to distribute the Body and Blood to the people, so I consider that to be the main duty of the acolyte.” By serving as an acolyte, John has found his experience of the Mass to be greatly enriched. “It’s much more personal, it’s much more intimate — especially at the consecration,” he says. “You’re right continued on page 2
S t. pet er C atholiC Ch ur ch PA R I S H ACOLY TE S
continued from front cover
there and you see how the priest reverently changes bread and wine into the Body and Blood. There really is something that happens that I can’t describe, and you get this warm feeling. It continues to be a very powerful thing for me.” Our parish is blessed to have 32 active acolytes and 12 substitutes who have been trained and instituted by the Diocese of Lincoln. Any man between the ages of 21 and 75 who is in good standing with the Catholic Church is able to pursue serving as an acolyte. In addition to closer participation in the Mass, acolytes have a unique opportunity to build relationships with one another and with our parish priests. They are also invited to participate in a special time of formation and prayer each year. Knowing firsthand the abundant blessings that come with serving as an acolyte, John would encourage any male parishioner to prayerfully consider filling this important role in the Church. “It’s a great service,” John says. “I’ve done it for many years, and it’s still my privilege to be able to serve at Mass. I try every opportunity I can to be available to do that. It’s a great way for men in the parish to be closer to God. We’re looking for a few good men!”
“It’s much more personal, it’s much more intimate — especially at the consecration. You’re right there and you see how the priest reverently changes bread and wine into the Body and Blood. There really is something that happens that I can’t describe, and you get this warm feeling. It continues to be a very powerful thing for me.”
Fr. Clark washes feet at the Holy Thursday Mass.
Acolyte, Don Hegemann, holds the Roman Missal during Mass.
— John Kuchta
Are you interested in learning more about becoming an acolyte at St. Peter? Our bishop installs acolytes once a year after going through training. If you are interested, please sign up during our Stewardship Renewal this August. John Kuchta will provide information to you! 2
A Letter from Our Pastor
LET FREEDOM RING! Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
T
his month we celebrate our freedom to be called Americans! We live in one of the greatest nations on this beautiful earth. We are Catholics, but we also are Americans, and we should be proud to be both — grateful for the gift of faith, and equally grateful for the gift of liberty we receive as American citizens. We are blessed with so much here, but above all, we are blessed with the freedom of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Yet, to be Catholic and American should not mean choosing one over the other. These allegiances should be complementary. Our Catholic faith states that we need to work together as fellow citizens for the common good of everyone in this great country. Through the Constitution, our Founding Fathers guaranteed us religious rights to contribute to our common life together. Freedom is a special inheritance we have received, fought for by many at a great price, and it is a heritage that must be guarded — we are truly stewards of the gifts of freedom. In 1886, Bishop James Gibbons of Baltimore was
made the second American Cardinal. He attributed the progress of the Church in America to the “civil liberty we enjoy in our enlightened republic.” He continued to say that “in the genial atmosphere of liberty, the Church blossoms like a rose.” July is not just a time for us to celebrate — it is also a time for us to blossom. It is not a time to cease praying or working to build the Kingdom of Christ. Rather, it is a time to work even more diligently to express our appreciation for our many gifts, and to share them with others. We are blessed — by the gifts of our faith and the gifts of freedom — and we must always remember to thank God for that. “For freedoms sake, Christ has truly set us free!” (Gal. 5:1). In His Mercy,
Fr. Eric Clark, Pastor 3
S t. pet er C atholiC Ch ur ch WELCOMING
BLA
as Our New Pa
Blake Vajgrt and his wife, Kellie
W
e want to offer a big welcome to new Parish Catechist Blake Vajgrt — but it’s actually a combination of “welcome” and “welcome back”! Blake and his wife, Kellie — both Nebraska natives — are moving to the area from Emporia, Kan. Blake hails from Seward and Kellie from Holdrege.
Although they’ve spent time living in several cities in Kansas, before settling and becoming part of the community at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Emporia — where Blake had served as Director of Evangelization for about four years — both are really glad to be coming home to the Cornhusker State.
“There’s just no place like Nebraska,” Blake says. “We feel that in our bones. We’ve just always known we wanted to come back here.” Ever since Blake and Kellie met at Concordia University here in Nebraska and married, they have been open to following God’s will. “We have given God all of the small moments, and the Holy Spirit has always led us to the next place,” Blake says. For Blake, taking the role of Parish Catechist here at St. Peter even has a beautiful story behind it. Having grown up in Seward, Blake wasn’t really familiar with St. Peter Catholic Church. His niece, Clare, wanted to use her birthday money to light a candle. Clare and Blake’s mother ended up at St. Peter, where they lit a candle and struck up a conversation with Fr. Eric Clark. This brief, but friendly and hospitable interaction with Fr. Clark led to Blake and his family visiting St. Peter a few more times for Mass. They got to know Fr. Clark a little better, and, one time, Kellie came right out and said, “If you ever have an opening here for Blake, continued on page 5
“This is such a vibrant parish — we noticed that right away. Everyone is smiling and happy to be there. I can’t wait to be able to contribute to that.” — Blake Vajgrt 4
AKE VAJGRT
arish Catechist
let us know.” Fr. Clark replied, “Keep your eyes open in the next few weeks. We will be hiring.” “If my niece, Clare, hadn’t given Fr. Clark that money for lighting a candle, all of this may have never happened,” Blake says. Blake and Kellie are staying with Blake’s family for a bit while looking for a house in the St. Peter boundaries. They can’t wait to be back in the Diocese of Lincoln. Blake is excited to be doing this work at St. Peter Catholic Church, which is home to many strong
ministries and programs. “This is such a vibrant parish — we noticed that right away,” Blake says. “Everyone is smiling and happy to be there. I can’t wait to be able to contribute to that.” Blake’s faith has really flourished through praying Lectio Divina, which is a form of contemplative prayer while meditating on Scripture. He hopes to introduce this prayer form to more people at St. Peter. He also wants to make sure our young people know what it means to be Catholic.
“The youth play a part in the greater landscape of the church,” he says. “We want to help them find their role. They have a special place here.” An athletics enthusiast and a lifelong Husker and Denver Broncos fan, Blake loves to play sports, walk, lift weights and just be active. He also enjoys chopping wood. Blake looks forward to being back in the snow in the winter. So, let us all offer a big welcome — and welcome back — to Blake and Kellie Vajgrt!
A FOND AND GRATEFUL FAREWELL TO LYNETTE MCARDLE, Director of Religious Education This month, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Lynette McArdle, our Director of Religious Education, upon her retirement. We thank Lynette for her years of service to our faith community, forming our children and their families in the Catholic faith.
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S t. pet er C atholiC Ch ur ch TOP 10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN
A GODTEEN GROUP!
10. Enjoy food and games! 9. Fellowship with other teens who have the same beliefs.
8. A safe place to talk openly about things that matter most.
7. Develop a relationship with
your GodTeen leaders who become your role models for life.
6. Stay connected to Christ and other teens.
5. Be joyful! Learn to live life with the joy that God provides.
4. Pray for others and know they are praying for you.
3. Did we say yummy food and competitive games?
2. A time without the pressure of work, school or home life.
1. Develop lifelong friendships and a relationship with Christ!
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Fr. Dale Allder Reflects on a Faith Journey that Began in Our Parish
“It Takes a Parish to Raise a Priest”
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xperiencing Rome strongly influenced Fr. Allder says. “I loved serving at the 8 a.m. Mass, Dale Allder’s calling to the priesthood, and my parents still attend it.” and after traveling to the seat of the Another influence was a Leadership Catholic Church in high school, Fr. Camp that Fr. Allder attended in Allder returned during his priestly grade school. Also, in the Diocese formation. of Lincoln, many excellent priests “Rome is where I first had a taste modeled for Fr. Allder the joy that of the global scope, the ‘catholic’ comes from the life of the priesthood. element, of Catholicism,” Fr. Allder Although Fr. Allder had considered says. “Returning to Rome was one of the priesthood since high school, it the greatest highlights of seminary. I wasn’t until college that he committed to was able to embrace and to soak in so pursuing it. much more than when I was there as a high “I always knew the priesthood was a school student.” thought, but I also felt encouraged to go to Fr. Dale Allder Born in Lincoln, Neb., Fr. Allder is the college and get a degree,” Fr. Allder says. “I son of Dave and Nancy Allder, Parish Secretary at St. had good grades and received a scholarship for UNL to Peter Catholic Church. He considers St. Peter as his study engineering. It was difficult to make the choice home parish. for the priesthood, but once I did, it was easy to stick “In some sense, it takes a parish to raise a priest, and with it.” this is my home parish,” Fr. Allder says. “Without this Fr. Allder studied philosophy at St. Gregory the community, I wouldn’t be who I am today.” Great in Seward, Neb., and then spent a few years at Fr. Allder felt his early callings to the priesthood Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. While during grade school while training to be an altar server. he enjoyed the academic aspects of formation, he really “We were so close to everything on the altar,” Fr. embraced ministry. continued on back cover
Newly ordained Fr. Dale Allder celebrates his first Mass as a priest at St. Peter Parish.
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S t. pet er C atholiC Ch ur ch 4500 Duxhall Dr. │ Lincoln, NE 68516 402-423-1239 │ www.saintpeterslincoln.com
MASS SCHEDULE:
Saturday: 4:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. DAILY MASS Monday-Friday: 6:30 a.m., 8:15 a.m. Saturday: 8:15 a.m. CONFESSION: Monday & Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Saturday: 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Fr. Dale Allder continued from page 7 “I would consider myself a nerd by many metrics, but actually being out in the field and bringing Jesus into people’s lives was such a challenging and rewarding experience,” Fr. Allder says. “Once such experience was the summer I was assigned to Madonna, the rehabilitation hospital here. I encountered intense suffering in many patients, but ministering to them brought me great joy.” On May 29, 2021, Fr. Allder was ordained to the priesthood and has since been able to do what he was most looking forward to, namely celebrate the sacraments. Fr. Allder will be in McCook, Neb., where he is assigned to serve the faith communities at St. Patrick Church and
two mission parishes, St. Ann and Sacred Heart. “I didn’t want the assignment to be my decision because I don’t know the needs of different parishes, but the Bishop does, so he knows where I’ll be more effective,” Fr. Allder says. As young people discern their vocations, Fr. Allder would encourage them to pray and to foster a devotion to particular saints, for the saints always intercede on our behalf. “Honestly, the advice given throughout the ages is tried and true — so prayer, devotion to the saints, and fasting,” Fr. Allder says. “If you — or anyone — think you know your vocation, then pray that you can live it out. Have the courage to live it out.”