2314 Third Avenue, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361 (308)632-2541

Mailing address: PO Box 349, Scottsbluff, NE 69363-0349 Fax: 308-632-2146 Website: www.st-agnes-church.com

Parish Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9am - Noon & 1pm - 4pm

Rev. Vincent L. Parsons

Pastor

Sr. Vera Meis, C.S.J. Pastoral Minister

Mass Schedule:

(October - May) Saturday: 4:00 pm

Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 am (June - September) Saturday 6:00 pm

Sunday: 8:00 & 10:00 am Monday, Tues, Wed, Friday 7 am

Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays one hour prior to evening Mass or by appointment (632-2541)

Sacrament of Baptism Please call the Parish Office

January 13, 2019

The Baptism of the Lord

John said, “I am baptizing you with water, but one

mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the

thongs of his sandals.” -Luke 3:16

Today’s celebration of the Baptism of the Lord, which closes the Christmas season, offers us the chance to go as pilgrims in spirit to the banks of the river Jordan in order to take part in a mysterious event. So, imagine yourself as one in the crowd listening to John the Baptist as he pointed to Jesus and said: “I am baptizing you with water, but the one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Imagine you were there 2000 years ago and have witnessed the baptism of Jesus. When Jesus emerged from the water of the river Jordan, the Holy Spirit was there in the form of a dove and then God the Father initiated Jesus to his saving mission and public ministry with these words: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” The Baptism of Jesus and our own baptism are closely connected. If Jesus was commissioned by his Father to do his Father’s will during his baptism, so are we. We are called to discipleship and commissioned to ministry – the building of the Kingdom of God. Baptism then is not just a christening, it is a commissioning! When you leave the church today, and dip your hand into the holy water fonts by the entrances of the church, think of the baptism of Jesus and of yours, then listen with the heart, thus initiating you to become a committed disciple in bring about: PEACE in our families and in our world; JOY in our hearts, as well as in other lives; KINDNESS to our neighbors without counting the cost; GOODNESS towards all; PATIENCE with one another; FAITHFULNESS to our promises, SELF_CONTROL in all that we do; HUMILITY so we can hear what others are saying. God bless you all!

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The Baptism of the Lord

S a i n t A g n e s

C a t h o l i c C h u r c h

Today’s Readings Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7

Psalm 29 Acts 10: 34-38

Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

Parish Administration (308) 632-2541 / (308) 632-2146 (Fax)

office@st-agnes-church.com www.st-agnes-church.com

Pastor

Rev. Vincent L. Parsons (ext. 2) pastor@st-agnes-church.com

Pastoral Minister Sr. Vera Meis (ext. 4)

srvera@st-agnes-church.com Director of Religious Education

Mrs. Terri Calvert (ext.5) dre@st-agnes-church.com Church Office Manager Theresa Trevino (ext. 3)

office@st-agnes-church.com School Head Teacher

Mrs. Julie Brown (632-6918) office@stagnesonline.org School Office Manager

Teresa Johnson (632-6918) office@stagnesonline.org

Monday, January 14, 2019 Daily Mass (7:00am) Intention: Keith Porter by Eileen Young Tuesday, January 15, 2019 Daily Mass (7:00am) Intention: Cody & Meghan Roper Family by Steve & Cathy Pollnaw Wednesday, January 16, 2019 Daily Mass (8:15am) Intention: †Kelsey Konarek by Julie Brown Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Contemplative Prayer Group (6:00pm) Thursday, January 17, 2019 Daily Mass (10:00am) at Scb Care & Rehab Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm)

Friday, January 18, 2019 Daily Mass (7:00am) Intention: Pro-ProPolo (For the People) Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Saturday, January 19, 2019 Weekend Mass (4:00pm) Intention: †Paul Moore by a Friend Sunday, January 20, 2019 Weekend Mass (8:00am) Intention: For the Parish Weekend Mass (10:30am) Intention: Pro-ProPolo (For the People)

This Week’s Schedule

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Finance Corner Sunday Collections

& ATW Giving

January Totals Actual $6831.00 ATW $4670.00 Budget $9000.00 Surplus (Deficit) $2501.00 Next Sunday’s 2nd collection is for

Latin America

Monday: Heb 1:1-6; Ps 97:1, 2b, 6, 7c, 9; Mk 1:14 -20 Tuesday: Heb 2:5-12; Ps 8: 2ab, 5, 6-9; Mk 1:21- 28 Wednesday: Heb 2:14-18; Ps 105:1-4, 6-9; Mk 1:29- 39 Thursday: Heb 3:7-14; Ps 95:6- 11; Mk 1:40-45 Friday: Heb 4:1-5, 11; Ps 78 :3, 4bc, 6c-8; Mk 2:1 -12 Saturday: Heb 4:12-16; Ps 19:8 -10, 15; Mk 2:13-17 Sunday: Is 62:1-5; Ps 96:1-3, 7- 10; 1 Cor 12:4-11; Jn 2:1-11

Important Dates To Remember In 2018

Jan. 28 - Feb 1st Catholic Schools Week Jan. 30 Mass @ 8:15 with Bishop Hanefeldt for Catholic Schools Week Feb. 1 - First Friday Adoration Feb. 8-10 Women’s Retreat

This Week’s Readings Server Schedule

Jan 19 4pm Marley Wineman Emery Wineman Jan 20 8am Morgan Celli Bernadette Pieper 10:30am Logan Polk Jed Zulkoski

Lector Schedule Jan 19 4pm Carmen Trevino Jan 20 8am David Nash 10:30am Chris Burbach

Rest In Peace Nancy Peterson, parishioner of St. Agnes Church. Called To Serve

For many weeks now, we have been celebrating the appearance of the divine presence in human form. As a child, he came to Mary and Joseph, was seen by the shepherds, and then by some wandering magi from the East. Today we celebrate another showing, later in time, to a group gathered at the Jordan River. John hesitated to baptize Jesus, whom he recognized as “one mightier than I.” But he did as Jesus asked, and the “Holy Spirit descended” and heaven’s voice spoke to Jesus, “You are my beloved Son.” Jesus was beginning his public life of teaching and service. Soon he would start calling others to join him. Peter was one of the first to be called by Jesus. In today’s second reading, he announces the heart of the message, “peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” Peter was called, and you and I are called to spread that message and to serve God’s word. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Mass Inten ons Special Requests

Requesting a Mass to be said for a loved one is a special way to honor either someone still living, or one who has gone ahead of us to the next stage of life in Christ. If someone dear to you is having a birthday, anniversary, or a new baby, what better way to honor them? The suggested donation for a Mass is $10. For more information, contact the

Page 4 January 13, 2019

Most of us, baptized in our infancy, do not remember a time when Jesus was not with us. We don’t know of the dark time when Jesus was not in our lives when we were not in his saving light provid-ed by baptism. Those baptized as teenagers or adults can testify to the change in their whole being with the welcoming Jesus as the Savior into their lives.

Through our baptism, we begin to know Jesus and through him God the Father with the grac-es offered by the Holy Spirit. With this introduction to the Trinity, we are changed forever. Baptism, thus, is key to the door to our future, our transition from spiritual death to life. In our baptism; as John Baptist comments, the Holy Spirit infuses us with grace and fire to purify us from every sin.

Baptism is where the whole of our faith comes together. This evident at Jesus’ baptism re-vealed by the presence of the Triune God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When Jesus comes out of the wa-ters of the Jordon River, he opened for us the path to eternal life. All three Synoptic Gospels speak of the Father identifying his beloved Son. These Gospels also describe the Holy Spirit coming in the form of a dove upon him and remaining with him. The Triune God was present at our baptism for Jesus is our guide to salvation.

Just as the Father said of Jesus “You are my beloved Son; with you, I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22), so he says to us who are bap-tized in the Trinity ‘you are my adopted children with whom I am well pleased.’ For it is through our baptism that we become the children of God. It is the same Holy Spirit who descended upon us at our baptism and remains in the purified heart of the baptized. Jesus did not rest on his laurels once he was identified as the Father’s Son, neither should we fall into a false comfort of being the Father’s child. Jesus contin-ued to pray and followed the laws handed down by his Father. So should we, for we do not come to know the Father except through Je-sus.

The success of our spiritual lives of uniting ourselves with Jesus depends on three aspects of faith, knowing him, loving him and imitating him. As Jesus tells us we can only come to know the Father through him. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth* and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7) If we reflect on these words, it makes sense. For how can we know the Father who is beyond our comprehension? Our human senses cannot come to know God unless he purposefully reveals himself to us. Jesus who is fully human and fully divine enables us to see the presence of God. By faith, we come to know him through the Sacraments. The Triune God is present in the reception of every Sacrament if we open our heart to receive the graces offered.

Once we become aware of Jesus in our lives, we then can learn to love him with an intensity that surpasses all other forms of love. He is one who is always present in our lives. He is the one who never abandons us. The more that we love him, the more our lives are changed as we become more aware of the meaning of his words and his presence among us. Lest we forget all of Jesus offers all his words and actions to us as expressions of love.

Once love abounds in our lives for Jesus, then we begin to imitate him as a natural progression. When we follow in his footsteps, we recognize that Jesus provides the answers to the challenges in our daily lives. In our love, he becomes our focus, our way of life, our very being. Love of Jesus is without meaning unless we become wholly enmeshed in him. In our love for him, we follow him with the same deliberateness as the saints.

Jesus is our source for all that is good. Through him, we come to know the Father. Through him, we receive the Sacraments that give us the grace to avoid encounters with sin. Through him, we are infused with the Holy Spirit that is our constant guide to salvation. The saving hope from the Trinity comes to us initially through baptism with water and the words, “ I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Then we can grow in Light of Jesus as we come to know, love and imitate him for the greater glory of God.

“For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance* of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ,

who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11-14)

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L i v i n g O u r C a t h o l i c F a i t h

Women’s Retreat Feb 8th-10th 2019 Triple Header Women’s Retreat: Spirituality of Womanhood, Fortifying Your Marriage, and

Strengthening Your Family come together to uplift and motivate in a way that gets right to the heart of our roles as Catholic women, wives, and mothers.

Marge Fenelon is an award-winning author and journalist and nationally-known speaker who has written several books on Catholic spirituality and Marian devotion. Audiences love Marge’s authenticity, warmth, and unique ability to blend faith and life. They appreciate her way of putting complicated Catholic teachings into simple concepts that can be easily grasped and immediately applied to daily life. Her Marian devotion shines through in her presentations as she guides others into a deepening relationship with our Blessed Mother, Mary and her Son, our Lord Jesus.

Recommended Books: Strengthening Your Family Imitating Mary: Ten Marian Virtues Our Lady, Undoer of Knots: A Living Novena Forgiving Mother: A Marian Novena of Healing and Peace For more information about the retreat & registration, contact the parish office at 308-632-2541

Tate Ryan Olsen, Trace Scott Olsen & Kinlee Ann Olsen

December 29, 2018

Children of

Ryan & Kindra Olsen

Arabella Jalise Gurrola

January 6, 2019

Daughter of Anthony & Elise

Gurrola

Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

On the Way to Mass: Tell your children something about the day of their Baptism. On the Way Home From Mass: In this reading, the Holy Sprit appeared as a dove. What form might the Holy Spirit take today? Living the Word: The Holy Sprit is among us, adding richness to our lives. With your family, walk around your neighborhood and see what blessings and marvels you witness. Record what you notice. Where do you see the Holy Sprit active and engaged today? What kinds of things do you notice that inspire or challenge you? What can each family member learn from the perspective of the others?

Celebrating Sunday for Catholic

Families 2018-2019

Find Us On

Facebook Twitter: stagnes-church

Instagram: st.agnescatholicchurch

Parish Website www.st-agnes-church.com

myParish App In the App Store on your phone or

tablet

January

Schedules

Grade School Formation Sessions

Grades Pre-K - 5th meet from 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the school building. January: 6th, 13th, 20th, & 27th

Middle School Formation Sessions

Grades 6th-8th meet Wednesday evenings from 7-8:15 p.m. in the school building. January: 2nd - No formation sessions , 9th, 16th, 23rd, & 30th

High School (CYM) Formation Sessions

CYM Youth (10th-11th) gather in catechist’s homes & CYM Youth (9th) meet in the Office Basement from 7-8:15 p.m. January: 2nd - No formation sessions , 9th, 16th, 23rd, & 30th

11th Grade CYM Youth

CYM & Confirmation Formation Sessions

Jan. 2nd - No formation

Jan. 9th- Confirmation (Garden Room)

Jan. 13th - Confirmation Retreat

Begins with 10:30 Mass

Jan. 16th - CYM (leader’s home)

Jan. 23rd - Confirmation (Garden Room)

Jan. 30th - CYM (leader’s home)

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R_ligious E^u][tion Progr[m Email—dre@st-agnes-church.com Religious Education Office—308-635-1362

Meet the 2019 Confirmation Candidates

My name is Juan Soto. I am the son of Alice and Candelario Soto. I am a junior at Scottsbluff High School. I have two sisters and one brother. I like to play volleyball and I enjoy helping others. I work at the Bearcat Bistro and at Nutters. After confirmation I plan to continue to grow in my faith life.

First Communion Dates to Remember

First Reconciliation

Saturday, Jan. 19th at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will follow in the Garden

Room

Parent Meeting Sunday, Jan. 20th at 9:30 a.m.

In the Learning Center of the school

Going Bananas for Jesus XX will be held March 29-31, 2019 in Grand Island. This event is for grades 7th-12th. The Diocese of Grand Island Youth Ministry Office has mandated

many changes to participate in this event. If you are interested in attending please contact Terri Calvert in the RE Office 308-635-1362 or Email dre@st-agnes-church.com by 1/31/19

Thoughtful Moments: St. Francis de Sales Born to a wealthy family in Savoy, near Switzerland, St. Francis became the Bishop of Geneva and worked to revive Catholicism in Chablais, Switzerland. Controversial for his day, he taught that all Christians in whatever station in life could grow in holiness. He was known for his simple but profound sermons, and kindly spiritual wisdom. His famous work, Introduction to the Devout Life, is still a popular read today as it was when he wrote it. The Name In January we celebrate the Holy Name of Jesus. “…at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2:10). So honored is his name that its first three letters in Greek - IHS – were written over Christian homes. “So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Partners in Faith - January 2019

Help your family have a Happy New Year Making your family better, stronger, more harmonious may not require a overhaul, but rather a few strategic tweaks. Try these tips to ensure that 2019 is a happier and healthier New Year for you and your family. Eat healthier. Medical journals report that nine million children in the United States are obese or overweight. This year, try to avoid serving junk or overly processed foods and sit down together to family meals with average-sized portions of fresh, healthy foods. Stay calm. Words can heal or hurt. Promise each other that you will avoid yelling and use only kind words. Monitor input. Children absorb what they see and hear. Restrict what your child watches on TV or plays on screens. Keep moving. Go on family walks, bike rides, or go roller blading to-gether. Find fun ways to get family exercise and spend more time to-gether. Read together more. Reading together at any age can increase attention span and provide time for closeness. Combine two great activities and read together from the Bible? Seek the Sacraments. Our souls need Sacraments the way our bodies need nourishment. Through the Sacraments Jesus instituted, the Holy Spirit dispenses a share of divine life with each encounter. Resolve to receive Confession regularly as a family and let nothing come between you and the Eucharist on Sunday. Feasts and Celebrations Jan. 4 – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1821). Wife, then widow, then Catholic convert, St. Elizabeth was rejected by her wealthy Episcopalian family and friends. To support herself and her children, she opened a Catholic school for girls near Balti-more. Eventually, she founded the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1809, who ran schools and orphanages, marking the beginning the U.S. parochial school system. Jan. 25 – Conversion of St. Paul. In the Acts of the Apostles, we read about how Saul persecuted the Christians until Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he said (Acts 9:5). After that, Saul became Paul and traveled around the known world, preaching the faith. Jan. 26 – Sts. Timothy and Titus (1st century). Timothy was a convert of Paul’s and later became his trusted friend joining him in apostolic work. Titus was also a friend of Paul’s who served the early Church as a peacemaker and as administrator to a community on Crete.

Partners in Faith - January 2019

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Page 8 January 13, 2019

Connecting Students and Families through Faith January 13, 2018

School Newsletter

St. Agnes Catholic School 205 E 23rd, Scottsbluff, NE

Ph: 308-632-6918

Monday, January 14th Quarterly Awards - 8:15 in gym

Tuesday, January 15th Honor Roll Breakfast -

7:30 in the Learning Center Wednesday, January 16th

Mass @ 8:15 - 2nd Grade Leads Friday, January 18th

1st Semester Reading Incen ve Party

December Virtuous Students

The December Golden Rule Ceremony was held on Tuesday, Jan 8th. Over 50

golden rules were awarded to students for their good deeds and behavior in

the month of December. Cooper Dudden (3rd gr.) and Cami Linz (3rd gr.)

were recognized as the Virtuous Students of the month by Grand

Knight, Dave Wolf.

Monday, Jan 14 Pizza Green Salad w/ Dorothy Lynch Corn Apricots Helpers: Jessica Mikoloyck Elli Wolf

Tuesday, Jan 15 Chicken Nuggets Steamed Carrots French Fries Grapes Helpers: Sheree Verbeck Angela Hernandez

Wednesday, Jan 16 Pulled Pork Sandwich Green Beans Steamed Broccoli Pears Chips Helpers: Andrea Longoria Justin McDonald

Thursday, Jan 17 Fried Chicken Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Peas & Carrots Pineapple Wheat Roll Helpers: Erin Dudden Ashby Adams

Friday, Jan 18 Soft Shell Tacos w/cheese, lettuce, salsa Refried Beans Churro Apple Slices Helpers: HELPER NEEDED HELPER NEEDED

Hot Lunch Menu for January 14th - January 18th, 2019

What’s Happening at St. Agnes School………... Lunch Help Needed

As we begin the 2nd semester, please take note of whether you have assisted with serving lunch. We ask that each family

helps serve 4-5 times during the course of the year. Helpers are asked to be here

from 11:30-12:30 to assist with serving the meal and clean-up. We have a number of open dates in the coming months. Please stop by the office and sign up if you have not fulfilled your shifts. Your assistance is

both needed and greatly appreciated.

Catholic Schools Week Project Each year during Catholic Schools Week, we choose

a service project as a way to give back to a community organization that has shown support to

our school. This year’s project will support the Knights of Columbus Christmas toy drive program. We will be gathering and seeking gifts for children

in 5th-12th grades. This age group seems to be difficult to fulfill gifts due to a shortage of age appropriate items. A letter will come home

outlining the project. Please take a close look at the list and consider how your family might assist these

children as well as the Knights. Over

the years, the Knights have been one of our school’s

greatest supporters. Help us show our support for their

great works!

Car Seat Regulations As of January 1, 2019, the regulations for car seat use have changed. All children 8 years of age and

under are required to be restrained in a car seat or appropriate booster seat and ride in the back seat. This expansion of age will

affect our student population and needs to be noted. If your child is 8 or under and his/her class is taking a field trip that involves

transportation, a car seat will be required.

Classroom News………...

Second Grade Class By Lori Svitak

Happy New Year! We look forward to what the new year has in store for us! We have a new face in our class. His name is Tate McGhehey. He is our student teacher for the next six weeks. I am sure he will have a great experience with this amazing class. Looking back on the month of December it is a wonder that we got any productive work done at all. But we did. Now that I have clarified that, let’s take a look back at the fun we had before Christmas break. One of the fun events was

Polar Express Day. The students wore their pajamas, brought a stuffed animal and blanket. All this to be comfortable watching “The Polar Express” movie. Along with that, we drank hot chocolate and ate cookies.

Our class had an elf named Snowflake. After spending the night helping Santa, she came to visit our class each day. She encouraged us to be good and do random acts of kindness. She often brought us little surprises. One day she brought us crazy glasses. On Grinch Day our classroom Grinch became magical and taped Snowflake on the whiteboard, plus trashed our room. Luckily, Snowflake’s friend ‘Husker’ came from the North Pole to rescue her. Learning about perimeter and area using candy is the only way to go. Each student used either raisins, mini marshmallows, jelly beans, or red hots to fill in and

outline a paper gingerbread man. Best of all, we ate the supplies. Our STEM bin creator cards change monthly to spice up the center and give the students new items to create. During December I had a couple of very creative groups make Christmas items with the STEM supplies available. One group made a very realistic poinsettia flower and the other made a tall green tower. Happy Un-birthday to Lizbeth Cabrera-Hernandez and Giuliana Suhr.

Welcoming New Faces St. Agnes eagerly welcomes 2 new people to our wonderful school beginning the 2nd semester. Mr. Tate McGhehey will be student teaching in 2nd and 5th grades.

I was born and raised in Alliance, Nebraska. I attended St. Agnes Academy in Alliance until attending Alliance High School where I graduated in 2008. I graduated from Western Nebraska Community College with an Associates of Arts in 2018. I will be completing my degree in Elementary Education this Spring through Chadron State College. I currently live in Gering with my wife, Sarah, who I have been married to for 3 1/2 years. We have a one year old daughter, Sophie, and two dogs. I spent the last four years working at Lincoln Heights Elementary School here in Scottsbluff as a Paraeducator in a behavior program. I’m excited to have the opportunity to do my student teaching at St. Agnes and look forward to working with all the students. I love spending time with my family. I enjoy golfing, camping, spending time at the lake, and watching sports.

Sarah- Nur Islam has joined the pre-K class. Sarah and her family moved to Scottsbluff from Mississippi where she attended Lamar School. Sarah is very eager to be part of the amazing learning environment at St. Agnes and to make new friends in her new classroom.

Welcome to St. Agnes!!