Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4 pm; Closed for lunch 12-1pm

Parish Office: (402) 731-3176 MASS SCHEDULE Tuesday, Thursday: 7:00am PARISH PERSONNEL Saturday: 5:00pm

Pastor: Rev. William E. Sanderson Sunday: 7:30 am and 10 am Secretary: Carrie Kaczmarek ParishSecretary@holyghostomaha.org

TRUSTEES: John Martinez and Maintenance: Jeff Belling Jerry Koraleski

Director of Rel. Ed: Mitzi Taylor PARISH COUNCIL (402) 731-5174 President: Tony Widhalm Vice-President: Mike Philbrick Athletic Director: Chad Gann Secretary: Lacey Merica (402) 953-6950 chad74@cox.net Diane Quaiver, Heather Slizoski, Gina Childers, Mike Brewer, DEACON COUPLES Michaela Drewel Tom & Kathy Schulte: 731-3599 Paul & Jackie Eubanks: 932-8533 Al & Terri Aulner: 734-4557

December 17 & 18, 2016 The Fourth Sunday of Advent

HOLY GHOST

5 2 1 9 S . 5 3 R D S T . • O M A H A , N E

6 8 1 1 7

ST. STANISLAUS 4 002 J ST. • OM AHA , N EBR A SK A 68107

Parish Office: (402) 731-4152 Parish Hall: (402) 731-7403 Fax Number: (402) 731-4389 Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Closed for lunch 12-1 pm

FROM THE PASTOR Pastor’s Desk December 18, 2016

Thank you Holy Ghost Women’s Club for planning and hosting the children’s Advent party last Sunday. I appreciate that, even though we no longer have our school, you are providing opportunities for the children to still feel connected and involved in the life of our parish.

When Christmas falls on a Sunday we have the opportunity to hear all the prayers and readings for the Advent season. Why not take time this week to attend a daily Mass. You would obtain many graces and the experience might grow on you and inspire you to attend a daily Mass more regularly.

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE: The Mass schedule for Christmas is as follows. At Holy Ghost the vigil Mass will be Christmas Eve at 4 p.m. and Christmas morning at 7:30 and 10 a.m. At St. Stanislaus the vigil Mass will be Christmas Eve at 5 p.m. and Christmas Day at Midnight and 10 a.m.

Last Call for Penance Services & Confessions: Monday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m. Saints Peter and Paul. Tuesday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m. St. Bernadette. Thursday, Dec. 22, 11 a.m. – Noon, St. Stan’s* Friday, Dec. 23, 11 a.m. – Noon, St. Stan’s* (*If there is a funeral they will be moved to 1 p.m.) I am also available at St. Stan’s Monday, Wednesday and Friday around 7:30 a.m. or by appointment.

Daily Thoughts & Readings for the Fourth Week of Advent. SUNDAY “Look for a sign!” Isaiah 7:10-14. MONDAY “God is our Hope.” Psalm 71:5-6. TUESDAY “Nothing is impossible for God!” Luke 1:36-38. WEDNESDAY “Blessed are you who believed!” Luke: 1:39-45.

THURSDAY “God has come to help!” Luke:1:46-56. FRIDAY “The Messenger is Born!” Luke 1:57-66. SATURDAY Blessed be the Lord!” Luke 68-71.

St. Joseph’s Faith and Yours: Sometimes St. Joseph gets overlooked in the Christmas story but we know he played an important role. He believed that Mary was pregnant not because of sexual relations, but by the Holy Spirit. He believed this because of God’s grace given him in a dream. Many people would consider Joseph one of the biggest fools ever, but we recognize him as one of the greatest men of faith in history. The Lord gave him that would move much more than mountains; He gave him a super faith. Like Joseph, to receive Christ this Christmas season, we will also need the gift of faith. We might possibly need a great faith. We need the Advent gift of faith before we can receive the gift of Jesus’ Christmas coming.

Ask the Lord for a greater gift of faith. In these next few days, read, pray and study the teachings of the Church and the Bible. This will help you hear God and grow in faith. The Lord wants your faith in Him to become stronger and deeper than ever.

Please prayerfully consider remembering our parish

in your last will and testament.

Anima Christi – Soul of Christ: This is a beautiful prayer thought to have been composed by St. Ignatius of Loyola. It is a perfect reflection on receiving the gift of the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion. I have been reciting that at daily Masses and plan to start on weekend Masses January 1. It may be found on the back cover of the Missalette at St. Stanislaus and on page 231 in “Breaking Bread” at Holy Ghost.

Stewardship Reflection: December 18, 2016

The Fourth Sunday of Advent “When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” MATTHEW 1:24

Putting our complete trust in the Lord without expecting anything in return. Striving to put God first in all things and follow Him wherever He may led us. As we prepare for the birth of our Lord, pray for the strength and courage to be a model of discipleship, just as Joseph was.

Word of Life—Sunday, December 18, 2016

“Help one another: This is what Jesus teaches us and this is what I am doing, and doing with all my heart.” — Pope Francis, Homily on Holy Thursday. © 2013 Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission.

Yes, I would like to become a member of: St. Stanislaus Holy Ghost

Please circle one

Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms. Address City State Zip Phone (H) (W)

Please drop in the collection basket.

REFLECTION

Fr. Sanderson

MANY THANKS to our parishioners who donated 65 ANGEL TREE gift bags for our shut-in parishioners and one family. THANK YOU!! — THANK YOU!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

St. Stanislaus

Christmas Mass

Schedule:

Christmas Eve—

Sat., December 24th, Mass at 5:00 pm.

Christmas—

Sun., December 25th, Midnight Mass and

10:00 am Mass.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Religious Education (C.C.D.) We are

on Christmas break. Classes will resume

Wednesday, January 11th. Have a very

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ALL Church Donations for the Year 2016 must be received no later than SATURDAY, DEC. 31st TO BE INCLUDED ON YOUR CHURCH DONATION STATEMENT for income tax. Thank you and God bless you for your generosity to St. Stanislaus Church. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today, following the

8:00 am Mass, please

join us in the parish hall

for DONUT SUNDAY!!!

Hope to see you there!

LIVE THE LITURGY -

INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK

As we gather on this Fourth Sunday of

Advent our anticipation for the coming of

the Messiah heightens and intensifies.

Our desire to connect with the source of

who we are, God himself, takes on

greater fervor. We anticipate the

salvation Christ brings, which promises us

a renewed spirit and freedom. We all

long to be free. What binds us and

prevents us from embracing what God

desires to give? If we desire, we can

taste this freedom now and then possess

it fully when Christ comes!

Vespers with Cardinal Cupich

December 30 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Cardinal Blase Cupich will be the celebrant for Vespers at St. Cecilia Cathedral at 7:00 PM on Friday, December 30, the feast of the Holy Family. A dessert reception will follow in the Cathedral Cultural Center. All clergy and laity of the Archdiocese are invited.

Prayer is the ultimate

‘Wireless Connection!’

ST. STANISLAUS

COMMUNITY NEWS

PARISH PERSONNEL Pastor: Rev. William E. Sanderson Deacons: Rev. Mr. Daniel Saniuk Rev. Mr. James Staroski Secretary: Mrs. Kathy Mahoney Maintenance: Mr. Mark Dasovic

MASS SCHEDULE Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8:00 am Saturday: 5:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 am and 10:30 am Please contact the Rectory Secretary during business hours to schedule Masses for your loved ones or for your own intention. CONFESSIONS: Saturday from 4:00 pm—4:45 pm or call the rectory for an appointment. BAPTISMS & MARRIAGES Please call Rectory for appointment. ST. STANISLAUS PARISH MISSION STATEMENT: We the people of St. Stanislaus Parish, pledge to remain a cornerstone of Catholic faith in South Omaha by sharing the responsibility for implementing the vision of Jesus and for passing it on to our children and theirs.

If you are moving or have changed your phone number please remember to call the parish office and let us know so that we may update our records. Thank you!

Retrouvaille: coming on Feb. 26-28, 2017.

(pronounced Ret-ro-vi which means to “rediscover”). This is a

weekend for couples who feel bored, disillusioned, frustrated, or

angry in their marriage and are nearing separation or even

divorce. Confidential information or to register call 1-888-317-

5654 or visit online: retrouvaille.org.

This program has helped thousands of couples with troubled mar-

riages by giving them the tools to begin to rediscover and heal

their marriage. Prayerfully consider calling Retrouvaille for more

information and to register for the weekend if your marriage

needs help.

St. Gerald’s Parish Living Nativity-Sunday, December 18th at

7:30 pm at 7859 Lakeview Street in Ralston, NE. Live animals

on display outside the gym. Students will be reading the

Christmas Story and singing Christmas carols. Music, hot drinks

and treats in the gym. Freewill offering.

Mercy HS Trivia Night-Sat., Jan. 14, 2017 at 6:15 pm with

social hour and dinner followed by trivia rounds beginning 7:15

pm. Team of 8 only at a cost of $24. Must register by Dec. 23 at

http://bit.ly/mhstrivianight2016.

Let us also remember in our prayers the following that are in care centers, homebound or need healing:

The following members of our Parish, or loved ones of our Parishioners are now or recently have been in the hospital. May our Lord grant them a speedy recovery and return them to their families in perfect health:

Please also pray for our loved ones who are currently serving our Country:

HOLY GHOST NEWS

Holy Ghost Choir Practice will be held on

Monday, December 19th at 7:00 pm.

Would You Like a Guaranteed Seat

at the 4:00 pm Christmas Eve Mass??

Since the 4:00 pm Christmas Eve Mass ends up being

standing room only, here is the perfect option for a

guaranteed seat: Join the Choir as a family (couples

too), and you’ll be guaranteed the best seat in the

house! The music will be mostly Christmas carols, and a

few members of the “regular” choir will also be present

also. No pressure! Just FUN! If you or your family

would like to participate in the Christmas Eve Liturgy,

please contact Ben Baber: 402-731-2643 (home); or

email at benandmarybaber@cox.net

Please remember to turn all SCRIP orders in

by Monday, December 19th! Thanks.

Religious Education (C.C.D.) No Classes will be

held this week—we are on Christmas break!

Classes will resume Wednesday, January 11th.

Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

May the Lord grant peace and consolation to the families of Philip Pedroza and Gladys Sedlak (mother of Diane Walters). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ALL Church Donations for the Year 2016 must be received no later than SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31st TO BE INCLUDED ON YOUR 2016 CHURCH DONATION STATEMENT for income tax. Thank you and God bless you for your generosity to Holy Ghost Church! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Holy Ghost Christmas

Mass Schedule:

Christmas Eve Mass—

Saturday, December 24th, Mass at 4:00 pm.

Christmas Day Masses—

Sunday, December 25th, 7:30 am and 10:00 am.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rick Becerra Annette Beetham Judy Budka Jean Buechler Drew Callahan John Casey Joe Conrad

Patty Dworak John Farrell Grant Flott Jacob Fraser Betty Gentile Kim Hall Marian Hannan

Debra Iwanski Sophie Johnson Sally Krance Bernie Krawczyk Joyce Lacroix Mary Lampe Joanne Leutzinger

Mary Makara Dorlene Marode Darlene McKinley Janet Nicholas Margaret Nicola Marjorie Niedbaski Thelma Padilla

Marie Pallas Larry Petersen John Skocpol Shirley Stodolka Jane Swatkowski Richard Van Sant Mari Ann Wilke

Joann Winkler

Lenny Arenas V. Jacob Aulner Michael Aulner Michael J. Baker Robert Blume

Nick Burton Sean Byers Ty Campbell Dane Flott Stephen Gonifas

Tim Gouger Greg Graham Jesse Gustafson Daniel Homan Suzie Homan

Kevin Kersey Nick Lokamas Allen M. Novotny Lexi Oropeza Mike Pihlgren

Tyler Pofahl Timothy Robertson Gary Smith Becky & Zach Spurgeon Joseph M. Vickers

Jim White

Steve Belmudez (brother of Kathy Mentzer, uncle of Michael Balkus) Brent Bertrand Robert Broich Phil Busch (Brother of Norita Byrne)

Carol Cheloha Ann Fitzgerald Larry Hahn Donna Hansen Cheryl Koziel (daughter of Jackie Peroutka) George Kurmel

Cookie Lane Joyce Pace (sister of Kathy Mentzer) Patty Randone Maxine Riskowski Oliver Albert Smith Lucy Stuczynski James Sykora

Taylor Tylkowski Evelyn Vogler Danny Watkins (brother of Brenda Tylkowski)

HOLY GHOST ST. STANISLAUS

LITURGICAL ROLES

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Saturday, Dec. 24 Sunday, Dec. 25

5:00 pm Midnight 10:00 am

Paul Pelletier/Bob Swatek

Tom Depa /Maura Duffy

William Larson/M Podkovich

Lectors

Saturday, Dec. 24 Sunday, Dec. 25

5:00 pm Midnight 10:00 am

Mary Ann Staroski

Maura Duffy

Cathy Missinne

Mass Servers

Saturday, Dec. 24 Sunday, Dec. 25

5:00 pm Midnight 10:00 am

Grant & Trevor Harvat

Joe & Laura Sullivan

Victoria & Amanda Placzek

MASSES THIS WEEK Saturday, December 17, 2016 5:00 pm † Clyde R. Stillmock Sunday, December 18, 2016 8:00 am † Jean Prucha

10:30 am † Father Michael Fitzpatrick on the 45th Anniversary of his Priesthood

Monday, December 19, 2016 8:00 am † Our Endowment Donors

Wednesday, December 21, 2016 8:00 am † Florian Ciurej

Friday, December 23, 2016 † Stanley Fonfara, Anniversary

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Saturday, December 24, 2016 5:00 pm † Evelyn Galas Sunday, † December 25, 2016

12:00 am † John, Dolores and Judy Kava

10:00 am † For the People of St. Stan’s & Holy Ghost

MASSES THIS WEEK

Saturday, December 17, 2016

5:00 pm † Dominic, Helen & Cliff Swertzic

Sunday, December 18, 2016 7:30 am † The People of Holy Ghost & St. Stan’s

10:00 am † Shirley Kerkmann—Family Tuesday, December 20, 2016

7:00 am † Julia Bober—Family & Friends

Thursday, December 22, 2016

7:00 am † Judith Tomaszkiewicz-Debra Ripa

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Saturday, December 24, 2016

4:00 pm † Lois Conrad-Friends Sunday, December 25, 2016

7:30 am † Shirley Cheloha & Diane Flint—Family

10:00 am † Don Tylkowski & Ray Nowak—Family

WEEKLY COLLECTION-

ADULTS…………………………………... $ 4,425.00

PLATE…………………………………… $ 227.01

FUEL …...……..….……………………….. $ 295.00

CHRISTMAS……………………………… $ 2,163.00

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS………………... $ 125.00

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS………………… $ 125.00

RELIGIOUS PENSION FUND ….………….. $ 435.00

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.…..………... $ 735.00

WEEKLY OFFERINGS— NEW FISCAL YEAR BEGAN JULY 1, 2016

WEEKLY: $ 4,125.00 COLLECTION: $ 5,391.00 YTD NEEDS: $ 99,000.00 YTD COLLECTION: $103,233.00 OVERAGE: $ 4,233.00

LITURGICAL ROLES

Sacristan Saturday, Dec. 24 Sunday, Dec. 25

4:00 pm 7:30 am 10:00 am

Marita Grebl Kathy Ulrich Ray & Glenda Sempek

Lector Saturday, Dec. 24 Sunday, Dec. 25

4:00 pm 7:30 am 10:00 am

Patty Milobar Frank Barone Lacey Merica

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Saturday, Dec. 24

Sunday, Dec. 25

4:00 pm

7:30 am

10:00 am

G. Childers/M. Martinez/ H. Slizoski/M. Townley

R. Madej/M. Pavel/MA White

V. Byers/J. Callahan/ R. Drexel/S. Huckins

Altar Servers Saturday, Dec. 24

Sunday, Dec. 25 4:00 pm

7:30 am 10:00 am

E. Childers/I.Drewel/AJ Slizoski

J. Koraleski/D. Ray

T. Cunningham/Z. Huckins

Gift Bearer Saturday, Dec. 24 Sunday, Dec. 25

4:00 pm 7:30 am 10:00 am

Brian & Michaela Drewel

Larry & Marilyn Dyer

Teddy & Lolita Martinez

Greeter Saturday, Dec. 24 Sunday, Dec. 25

4:00 pm 7:30 am 10:00 am

Marie Savine

Diane Quaiver

Bob & Gretchen White