The St. Columba Shepherd - 2/25/24

TheST. COLUMBA SHEPHERD

GUIDANCE FOR THE WEEK AHEAD

EACH WEEK THE ST. COLUMBA

SHEPHERD provides all the information you need to know and links to things that you might need to cross off your list. Stay organized by reading it every week and making sure that you add events and deadlines to your calendar!

LET'S DO IT!

DATES TO REMEMBER

2/27 - Stations of the Cross - 10:00

2/28 - School Mass - 6th Grade Leading Liturgy - 8:15

3/1 - 7th Grade Field Trip to Manna Soup Kitchen

3/4-3/8 - ITBS Testing

3/5 - Stations of the Cross - 2:00

3/6 - School Mass - 3rd Grade Leading Liturgy - 8:15

3/7 - Prayer & Praise Assembly - 8:15

3/7 - 6-8 Adoration - 1:00

3/11-3/14 - ITBS Retakes

3/12 - Stations of the Cross - 10:00

3/13 - School Mass - 2nd Grade Leading Liturgy - 8:15

3/14 - Lenten Penance Service - 10:10

3/15 - No School - End of Quarter/Professional Development

3/18-3/22 - No School - Spring Break

3/26 - Stations of the Cross - 10:00

3/27 - School Mass - 7th Grade Leading Liturgy - 8:15

3/27 - Lenten Almsgiving - Rice Boxes Due

- No School - Good Friday

- Easter Sunday

- No School - Easter Monday

- School Mass - 4th Grade Leading Liturgy - 8:15

4/4 - Prayer & Praise Assembly/3rd Qtr Honor Roll - 8:15

4/4 - 6-8 Adoration - 1:00

RSVP

DearSt.ColumbaFamily, Excitementisbuildingasweprepareforaspecialcelebrationinhonor ofourbelovedFr.Kevin,andwe'recountingonyoursupporttomake it truly extraordinary! This event is a community effort, and your participationwillplayavitalroleincreatinglastingmemories. HowYouCanContribute:

VolunteerSign-Up:Weinviteyoutobepartofthemagicbylending a hand in various capacities, from bringing food to helping with setup,runningtheevent,andassistingwithcleanup.Youcansign up HERE. You may also call the office to register your assistance. 970-247-0044 If you prefer to contribute financially, your support willhelpcoverthecostsoftheevent.Calltheofficetodonate.

Share Your Memories and Express Your Gratitude: Do you have photosforaslideshow,memories,orstoriesaboutFr.Kevin?Please emailthemtoparishoffice@stcolumbacatholic.orgbeforeFeb.29th. Therewillbeatableattheeventforcardsandaprayerbouquet.

GiftforFr.Kevin:ContributetoaspecialgiftforFr.Kevinfromthe parish.Separatefromthecards,yourmonetarycontributionsmust beattheofficebyThursday,Feb.29th,tocompilethemintoone check.Ifyouprefertodonateonline,pleasegoHERE.

Let's join hands as a community to make Fr. Kevin's celebration a joyousandmemorableoccasion.Yourinvolvementiskey,andwecan't waittoseethewarmthandgenerosityofourparishfamilyinaction. Thankyouforbeingpartofthiswonderfulcommunityeffort!

YourServantsinChrist, TheSt.ColumbaParishCouncilandStaff

WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU! PLEASE PROVIDE FEEDBACK AS WE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE OF ST. COLUMBA

We've entered the next phase of the St. Columba Campus Planning Project which includes many opportunities for your feedback and input.

In early February, we held three well-attended Town Hall meetings that engaged church families and school parents as they offered input on the future of St. Columba. Please read the newsletter HERE for details of the feedback provided.

Our next step is to ask all parishioners and school families to complete an online survey as part of our Feasibility Study, as we determine our readiness to move forward with a Capital Campaign to raise funds to address our building issues.

Please CLICK HERE to fill out a brief (5-10 minute) survey. We will be collecting responses until March 4. If you require a paper copy of this survey, please visit the church or school office.

Thank you for your continued prayers and for your participation in this exciting process.

Please click HERE to see our lunch menu for March. You can also always find this on our St Columba School website and app.

All gluten free options are noted for your convenience.

ATTENDANCE LINE

Please remember to call the attendance line, 970-828-9356, to report your student’s absences. This helps us to excuse your student for the day.

Parents Association Upcoming Gatherings

‘Spring Social’ Planning Committee Meeting, Tuesday 2/27, 5-6pm, at Zia North Cantina (2nd floor): Join the Spring Social planning committee! We are looking for volunteers to help us to plan this very fun community event We hope to see you there!

Parents Coffee, Friday, March 8th, 8am at Taste N. Main location (after morning drop off): Join the Parents Association for coffee and fellowship on the 2nd Friday of every month starting in February. All are welcome!

are welcome!

Come have coffee or tea with other parents on the 2nd Friday of every month. This will be an opportunity to connect with each other and discuss school happenings. We look forward to seeing you!

Parents Association volunteers met for coffee February 16th to share ideas and discuss upcoming spring events We hope to see you next month. All

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR HISTORY DAY WINNERS

7TH GRADE WINNERS:

1st Place: Nate Matlock & Conrad Klotz

6TH GRADE WINNERS:

1st place tie: Luke Martyn & Ruby Gallavan and Madeleine Hadrick

2nd Place: Quenton Coon

3rd Place: Lauren Best

Homorable Mentions:

Haddon Simons and Deacon Schreiber

Carter Robinson

Callie Zaremba

2nd Place: Molly Hays and Karleigh Kinn

3rd Place: Mira McMillen

Honorable Mentions:

Tessa Sanders

Will Talley

8TH GRADE WINNERS:

1st Place tie: Iris Molly O’Brien, Cole Potter and Joe O’Brien & Vivian Frazier

2nd Place tie: Elsa Conklin & Ryder Martyn

3rd Place: Callie Ziercher

Honorable Mentions: Linzie Bidart

Gavin Stiefel,

THANK YOU TO OUR JUDGES!!

Mandi Carpenter, Mark Poettgen, Peter May-Ostendorp, Michele Hilberth, Paul Kosnik, Lisa Mastny, Maryanne Felkins, Catie Bird, and Rob Zmarzlak

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

FR KEVIN PROVIDES WEEKLY SCRIPTURE REFLECTION QUESTIONS TO HELP INDIVIDUALS ENRICH THEIR FAITH BY CONTEMPLATING SUNDAY READINGS.

Based on the readings for the Second Sunday of Lent

Readings: Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18/Rom 8:31b-34/Mk 9:210 Pss

The first reading from Genesis is horrific to us It most likely reflects pagan practices known in Abraham’s day. Having been unerringly responsive to Hashem’s (the Jewish spoken name of God) bidding, did he now have to do as the other peoples and sacrifice his child, who was also his future, his hope for an entire nation? Clearly the God whom Abraham had encountered was not like the others But Abraham’s heart was willing to trust in the call of Hashem How do you spend your day-dreaming time? Do you ever wonder about what God is asking of you, or how God is present in even the uncomfortable situations of your life, your family’s, your community’s? Is God really ultimate? Our day dreams can tell a lot about our priorities.

In this beautiful section of Paul’s letter to the Christians gathered in Rome, the first line is worth our full attention “If God is for us who can be against us?” Read this verse Sit with it in quiet, repeating it over and again in your mind Read it again What are the forces you identify as “against” you It may be external or more frequently internal. Maybe an unrelenting sense of guilt, or the reverse… a sense of being as excellent as possible… a sense of having nothing to offer… faith doubts or questions that don’t seem to have an answer. ||: Let these issues surface individually. Read again the first line from Romans: || Repeat this for as long as needed Continue this each day this week

Most of us have had our ‘mountaintop’ experiences, of being so totally immersed in a situation so that everything comes together, just like the disciples experienced Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, and more! What have your mountaintop experiences been like? Even if you had no awareness of God’s presence then, what have these experiences revealed about God’s presence in your life?

THE PARISH CONNECTION

MEET OUR NEW YOUTH MINISTERS

Brie and Jacob Branch-Boyle are thrilled to help serve the Catholic Youth of Durango! Originally from Fort Collins, Brianna (Brie) grew up in the Lutheran tradition attending church regularly. While attending Fort Lewis College, Brie discovered a great love for Mother Mary and began attending the Catholic Newman Club which jump started her journey towards Catholicism As a former elementary and preschool teacher, Brie is excited to build relationships with the youth of the parish. Jacob grew up in Durango and attended St. Columba School. He attended Fort Lewis College and took an active role in the Catholic Newman Club. As a high school social studies teacher he is excited to help others grow in their faith and is very passionate about challenging others to be their best selves. Brie and Jacob recently grew their family by one, adding their sweet baby girl Lucia to the mix. Their family loves the outdoors, traveling, and are dedicated to pursuing Christ.