St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church Newsletter — October 2020

Vincen de Paul Saint

catholic church | seward, nebraska Inside this Issue 3 A Religious Formula 4 Questions & Answers

About Our Annual Stewardship Renewal

6 Join the Ranks and

Honor the Dignity of Life in October

7 The St. Vincent

de Paul Prayer Circle Calling Upon Our Lord’s Mercy

Living Our Parish Mission

Commitment to a Stewardship Way of Life begins with Unfailing Love for God and Neighbor

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hen we all rang in the new year back in January, few of us could have predicted just how complex daily life would become in 2020. Facing an ongoing pandemic, unstable economy, and divisive election season, it is easy to feel lost in this increasingly complicated world.

Thankfully, the Gospel message instructing us on how to live as intentional disciples of Christ remains beautifully clear and simple, and it is this clarion call that guides all we do here at St. Vincent de Paul.

“Our plan and our purpose are to grow in our love for God and our love for one another,” says Msgr. Tucker. “That’s pretty simple. When Jesus was asked what the two greatest commandments were, He said, ‘Love God with your heart, mind, and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself.’ So what does that mean? That is what I often focus on in my homilies — how do we love God and neighbor, what continued on page 2

OCTOBER 2020

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Living Our Parish Mission continued from front cover is preventing us from loving God and neighbor, and how can we best serve God and neighbor?”

Msgr. Tucker likes to preach about loving and serving God, but his homilies are far from mere “lip service.” Understanding the great importance of remaining close to God, he also encourages an active spiritual life in our parishioners through his support of various ministries. Most recently, a Men’s Group has started to meet on Saturday mornings, helping participants dig more deeply into their faith and grow as men and servants in their families and the Church. The parish has also done a consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary, which focuses on serving the Lord through the Blessed Mother. Our various Bible studies and the chance to spend even a few moments in Eucharistic Adoration are other ways that St. Vincent de Paul encourages the faithful to stay close to Christ.

Throughout the pandemic, our parish priests have provided an additional opportunity for spiritual growth that parishioners can view from the comfort of their own homes.

“Back in March, we started doing daily reflections on Facebook,” Msgr. Tucker says. “We have been posting little meditations or opportunities to pray, and a lot of people have found those helpful. They say it’s a good way to begin the day. It gives them some focus and encouragement, and that’s a tremendous thing to do every day, just starting the day in prayer.”

As time goes by, Msgr. Tucker hopes to see more

and more people returning to Mass. For those who aren’t comfortable with a group setting, he encourages them to consider stopping in the church during the week to pray and spend some time alone in the Lord’s house.

And, as we grow in our love for God, love for our neighbors surely follows. Here in the Seward community, we already see so much of this taking place — neighbors looking out for one another, bringing meals to families who have just had a birth or a death in the family, and reaching out to help those in need. While many may not be able to serve others in some of these more concrete ways, everyone is able to extend great love to their neighbors by keeping them in prayer.

By bringing our mission down to its essence — loving God and loving our neighbor — we are reminded once again of the call to a stewardship way of life.

When we love God well, we never fail to remember that all good gifts come from Him alone.

“If we really have gratitude for everything that we have and know that everything has come to us from God, it makes us grateful people,” Msgr. Tucker says. “If we understand that we should be grateful for everything and we truly believe that God made everything, then we have respect for everything and everyone. It’s important for us to be able to see the beauty in the world and know that God made these things and be grateful for them. That’s being a good steward.”

“When Jesus was asked what the two greatest commandments were, He said, ‘Love God with your heart, mind, and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself.’ So what does that mean? That is what I often focus on in my homilies — how do we love God and neighbor, what is preventing us from loving God and neighbor, and how can we best serve God and neighbor?” — Msgr. Tucker 2

A Letter From Our Pastor

A Religious Formula Dear Parishioners,

J

esus teaches us to pray always, to serve God with our whole heart and soul, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. How do we keep the Lord in everything we do? How do we keep Him in our home, our work, our friendships and our school?

It is more than speaking about Him or praying to Him each day. It is easy to compartmentalize our day into time for God and time for everything else. So how can He be present at every moment of every day?

When I talk about making our school Catholic, I say that it is more than tacking religion on to the subject. It is easy to talk about our country and the role Catholics had in building cities, schools, and our health care system. We find it easy to do this in a similar way in other subjects. Some say it is difficult to do this with mathematics. If you think about math, it is about formulas, reason and logic. The answer to the question “how we

make each moment religious” really comes down to a simple formula.

The formula includes identity, relationship and action.

To use the formula requires understanding, acknowledgment and expression of who we are at every moment of every day. We are God’s children and we are in relationship with Him from Baptism to our dying day. He entered our soul on that sacramental day and we need to acknowledge His presence and express it in the way we live our life. He directs us and strengthens us with His love in our soul. Acknowledging His presence always enables us to be patient and joyful. He helps us to be diligent in our work and disciplined in our actions. He helps us to have self-control and be selfless each day. He helps us to persevere when we fail, and to hope and strive for perfection. Most importantly, He helps us to love as He loves.

The formula is rather simple. He is present, we are His and together, we make Him present to the world. This is a simple formula for everyone to use.

We teach the formula to our students in our school.

Our school forms children in relationship with God and provides them with a life vision, helping them to understand, acknowledge and express His presence every moment of every day!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Msgr. Robert Tucker Pastor 3

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catholic church | seward, nebraska

Questions & Answers About Our

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his has most certainly been a trying and unusual year, as we have navigated through uncharted waters. In the face of great uncertainty or difficulty, it is easy to become complacent. Yet, this is not what God calls us to do. We are called to live stewardship as a way of life — in the good, bad or uncertain times. In moments of trial, God raises up saints!

Our Stewardship Renewal reminds us that God’s gifts never stop being poured out. In turn, we never should have reason to stop thanking Him. So, let us take this Stewardship Renewal as an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with God in the midst of our rapidly changing world.

Commitment Weekend is October 10-11. Don’t forget to return your Commitment Card!

How do I use my Commitment Card?

Your Commitment Card allows you to make commitments to prayer, parish ministries, and offertory giving. It is designed to be used by the whole family.

Time Section: Everyone should be able to check the boxes to commit to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days or to view the Masses online during the crisis. In addition to those commitments, try to check at least a few other items. Daily prayer should be a priority for every person trying to grow closer to God. We recognize that the current crisis may impact your ability to carry out your commitments. Know the Lord sees what is in your heart and is pleased with your best efforts.

Talent Section: You can either sign up for new ministries or re-commit to your current ministries.

Be sure to write your first name next to the ministry!

This is especially important if the card is being used by more than one person.

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Treasure Section: Clearly print how much money you plan to give each week or month to our parish. Try to take a step toward giving five percent of your income to St. Vincent de Paul.

Issues like my age, physical limitations, and the current crisis prevent me from being active in the parish. Should I still turn in a Commitment Card?

Yes! The first section of the card — Stewardship of Time — is the most important because it allows you to make commitments to prayer. Even if you can’t join a ministry or make it to Mass on Sunday, you can still pray for our parish. Your spiritual support has tremendous value in the eyes of God. One time I turned in a card, but no one ever called me when I signed up for a ministry.

If this happened in the past, please forgive us!

And don’t give up on filling out your Commitment Card! We have a very good plan to call every person interested in joining a new ministry. If for some reason the ministry leader does not call you within four weeks of turning in your card, let the parish office know.

How much should I give?

Your gift is entirely dependent on how much God has given you. At St. Vincent de Paul, we ask that you give five percent to our parish, one percent to the diocese, and four percent to other charities.

Why a percentage of income? First, because the tithe (10 percent) is a scriptural benchmark that the Church has honored for centuries (see Malachi 3:10). Secondly, we give a percentage of income because it is a common-sense standard by which everyone can equitably support the parish. Most of all, we give because we believe God comes first in everything, even finances.

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Annual Stewardship Renewal What if I can’t fulfill my financial pledge?

While our pledge is not a “contract,” we should all make a good-faith effort to fulfill it. Of course, if your financial circumstances change — if you lose your job, for instance — then the amount of money you give the Church will change, too. Likewise if you get a raise or bonus. The biggest reason many people don’t fulfill their pledge is that they attend Mass at another parish when they go on vacation, attend a wedding, etc. If you’re out of town, just make up for the missed Sunday when you write your next check to the parish. Using your envelopes is a good way to see which Sundays you missed.

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What happens if I don’t return my Commitment Card?

We will send you a reminder letter to encourage participation. Please make every effort you can to participate. Our Stewardship Renewal is a very important annual event in the life of our parish. You and your family are part of what makes St. Vincent de Paul Saint your a great community! Most importantly, commitments are actually promises to Christ l nebraska auGod Himself. All of us are called to givedback to eP ch | seward, tholic chur a portion of what He has givencaus. rd, NE 68434 Continued

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Every parish family receives a special “Stewardship Package” that further explains our parish’s vision of stewardship. It includes a booklet that describes every ministry in the parish, as well as your Commitment Card.

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Vincen de Paul Saint

catholic church | seward, nebraska

Join the Ranks and Honor the Dignity of Life in October

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ll Catholics are summoned to action — this month, and beyond.

October is Respect Life Month. And as we face the looming culture of death, we are all summoned to action.

An apostolic exhortation by Pope St. John Paul II, titled Ecclesia in America, described this culture of death’s effects on the “powerless” within American society: “I am thinking here of unborn children, helpless victims of abortion; the elderly and the incurably ill, subjected at times to euthanasia; and the many other people relegated to the margins of society by consumerism and materialism. Nor can I fail to mention the unnecessary recourse to the death penalty… Faced with this distressing reality, the Church community intends to commit itself all the more to the defense of the culture of life” (Ecclesia in America 63).

Respect Life Month is the perfect time to prayerfully examine our consciences in light of these critical issues, which directly violate the dignity of the human person. This includes not only the evil of abortion, but also euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, capital punishment, and contraception — all of which are vital contributors to the pervasive culture of death.

So we must individually ask ourselves, “Do I, in my personal, day-to-day choices, respect life? If so, do I boldly proclaim this belief or merely stand idle? Do I exercise my right to vote and support candidates who promote a culture of life? Am I known within my home, family, and/or workplace as someone that respects life?”

As with every movement of a Christian heart towards goodness, it is imperative that our efforts begin with a prayerful foundation. The work of the Holy Spirit allows us to receive the zeal necessary to promote the sanctity of human life, even in the face of suffering.

This October, please pray for a revitalization of the culture of life. Every night, as a family, meditate on the prayer from John Paul II’s encyclical Evangelium Vitae. As you pray, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with apostolic boldness, and ask the Lord to guide your heart towards ways in which you can personally contribute to the culture of life.

The call is clear, the stakes are set, and all Catholics are summoned to action. How will you respond?

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Pope St. John Paul II’s Prayer for the Revitalization of the Culture of Life O Mary, bright dawn of the new world, Mother of the living, to you do we entrust the cause of life Look down, O Mother, upon the vast numbers of babies not allowed to be born, of the poor whose lives are made difficult, of men and women who are victims of brutal violence, of the elderly and the sick killed by indifference or out of misguided mercy.

Grant that all who believe in your Son may proclaim the Gospel of life with honesty and love to the people of our time.

Obtain for them the grace to accept that Gospel as a gift ever new, the joy of celebrating it with gratitude throughout their lives and the courage to bear witness to it resolutely, in order to build, together with all people of good will, the civilization of truth and love, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life.

— Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae

The St. Vincent de Paul Prayer Circle CALLING UPON OUR LORD’S MERCY

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or Prayer Circle member Karen Coufal, being part of such a fervent group of “prayer warriors” has been a profound blessing.

“I strongly believe that our prayers are being heard,” Karen says. “Even though I am just praying for people’s intentions, I feel like it brings me closer to them. I also like to take the opportunity to personally send a note to some of them, and they really appreciate it.”

For decades, our parish Prayer Circle has been helping our church family turn to the lifeline of prayer in a beautiful way. Currently, the Prayer Circle includes about 90 dedicated members. It is coordinated by parish secretary Gloria Schneider, who receives new prayer requests and sends them out to all of the members of the Prayer Circle. Upon receiving each prayer intention, each member is asked to pray a brief prayer concerning it, and remember it in prayer throughout the next few days, such as in their daily Rosary.

Parishioners submit all kinds of prayer intentions — healing, gainful employment, spiritual needs or special intentions.

“When we pray for one another, it bonds us spiritually

Being involved with the Prayer Circle is a wonderful way to enact the stewardship pillar of prayer.

to one another,” Karen says.

“Our instinct is to want to help someone in need, and what better way to do so than by praying for them! By praying as a group, we collectively feel we are doing more good for all those in need than if we were to just pray alone.”

At times, these “prayer warriors” are privileged to reap the fruits of their labors.

“Occasionally we have had

someone follow up and tell us how our prayers have been answered,” Karen says. “Our prayers are not always answered the way we hope they will be, but we trust that Our Lord does what He feels is best for each person. It is so rewarding to see someone who feels their prayers have been answered.

It strengthens my faith in how powerful prayer really is.”

Overall, being involved with continued on back cover

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152 Pinewood Avenue | Seward, NE 68434 (402) 643-3421 | stvincentseward.org

PRAYER CIRCLE the Prayer Circle is a wonderful way to enact the stewardship pillar of prayer.

“I’ve been on the Prayer Circle for quite a long time,” Karen says. “I believe I first joined because I was looking for a way to serve Our Lord and our church. I don’t always have the money to help financially, so I

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try to focus on other means of stewardship, such as prayer.

Praying for someone is as fulfilling for me as physically helping someone. The Prayer Circle is the first thing that I think of when I learn of someone in need of prayer.”

In addition, our parish school now has a Prayer Circle.

“The St. Vincent de Paul School Prayer Circle is a group of dedicated parishioners who have committed to pray for the success and growth of our school,” says Principal Denise Ray. “We would like to invite any and all people who would like to be a part of our prayer group.”

If you would like more information on our parish Prayer Circle, or to submit a prayer request, please email Gloria Schneider at gloria-schneider@cdolinc.net or call her at 402-643-3421. You may also visit our parish website at www.stvincentseward.org. For further information on the St. Vincent de Paul School Prayer Circle, please contact the School Office at 402-643-9525.

LITURGY SCHEDULE

Daily Masses: Monday thru Friday at 7:00 a.m., Saturday at 8:00 a.m.

Sunday Obligation Masses: Saturday at 5:30 p.m., Sunday at 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.

Confession: Monday thru Saturday: 20 minutes before each daily Mass, Saturday: 4:30 to 5:20 p.m., Sunday: 7:30 to 7:50 a.m. & 9:30 to 9:50 a.m. Other confession times available by appointment.