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February 19th, 2023

7th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Today’s Readings -

Called by the Holy Spirit, we gather together today in praise and thanksgiving to worship the Lord.  We sing “Alleluia” as an acclamation of joy to greet our Lord as he speaks to us in the Gospel.  But in just a few days we will pause this joyous exclamation.  On Wednesday, Lent will begin, and we will take our annual opportunity to focus on our sinfulness, our need for forgiveness, and the sacrificial suffering and death of our Lord.  May the joy of our faith in the risen Lord sustain us during the coming penitential season.  Question of the Week - When do I get angry and respond unkindly to provocation?  How can I overcome these triggers?

 

EPIC – Every Parishioners Involvement Counts!  Volunteers needed:

EPIC offers everyone an opportunity to volunteer and engage in our St. Mary Parish events. 

• Parish Breakfast - Sunday, March 12th after Mass.  Many hands make light work.  Sign up forms are in the Gathering Area.

• Need 3-4 people to represent St. Mary at Diocesan Welcoming/Belonging event for June 17th.

• Need 1-2 people to represent St. Mary at Diocesan Eucharistic Revival planning event.

• 2-3 Persons needed to help with Food Pantry and Serve on Board.  Contact Deacon Dan.

 

Training - Eucharistic Ministers and Homebound Eucharistic Ministers is scheduled for Sunday, March 19th, after Mass.  Sign up will continue until then.

 

St. Mary Calendar:

• Sun. Feb. 19th                     Mass – No RE Classes.

• Wed. Feb. 22nd                   Ash Wednesday Mass at 7:30 pm.  St. Andrew at Blue Grass at 5:30 pm.

• Sun. Feb. 26th                     Mass w/ Baptism.  RE Class.  Confirm. Class leads Rosary before Mass.

  • Altar Server training after Mass.  Pizza party to follow for Servers.

• Wed. Mar. 1st                     Stations of the Cross at 6pm.  Soup served by Liturgy Committee.

• Sun. Mar. 5th                      Mass w/ Confirmation by Bishop.  Reception after Mass.  NO RE Classes.

• Wed. Mar 8th                      Stations of the Cross at 6:00 pm.  Soup by Faith Formations Committee

• Sun. Mar. 12th                    Mass & RE Classes.  Mass Ministries by Grade 7.                      RE Classes.

  • Reconciliation for Grade 3 after Mass

  • Parish Breakfast after Mass

• Tue. Mar. 14th                    WDMA Lenten Services at 12:10 pm – Hosted by          St. Mary

  • Tuesday. Mar. 14th  St. Andrew Communal Penance at 6:00 pm

• Wed. Mar 15th                    Communal Penance at 6:00 pm.  Fr. Grant, Vrba, Steinle, & Miclot.

• Sun. Mar. 19th                    Mass - NO RE Classes – Spring Break.  Eucharistic Minister Training

 

Questions of Faith.  Do you have questions about our Faith?  Would you like to discuss a faith topic?  Send your questions to me and I will either print the answer in our bulletin or contact you privately if you prefer, or we can have a group discussion after Mass during Religious Education as I am sure that others have similar questions.  Send me an email and we’ll get to work on it.

 

Open Position - Director of Religious Education for K – 8th grade (DRE).  Life has been so busy for Debbie Ortiz that she has decided not to continue as our DRE next year.  She will help whoever steps up to take her place.  Please contact Deacon Dan for more details.

 

Website assistance needed!  Anyone with experience maintaining a website that wants volunteer once in a while please contact Deacon Dan or Henry Bentley.

 

2023 Iowa Catholic Youth Conference is a daylong event targeting those in Grades 6-8 and their parents.  Sunday, March 26, 2023.  10 am to 4 pm.  Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids.  Cost - $39 by March 1st, or $49 afterwards.

 

Wilton/Durant Younglife Banquet.  March 29th at 6:00 pm at the Wilton Community Center.  If you would like to host a table or have any questions, please see Suzy Bohnsack 563-357-0612.

 

 

EXCITING NEWS!! Vacation Bible School is coming to St. Mary's!  Cathletics - Training to be Champions for Christ will be for kids ages 4-11.  Mark your calendars for June 5th - 9th, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.  This will be an EPIC event in every way.  Adult and student volunteers will be needed.  Formal sign up for students and volunteers will be coming soon so check your calendars.  If you have any questions please contact Taci Lilienthal (563-343-1144, taci.lilienthal@gmail.com) or Suzy Bohnsack (563-357-0612, suzy.bohnsack@yahoo.com).  We are planning on this being the first of many years of VBS for our St. Mary's youth!

 

Our Lady of the Prairie – Retreat at 2664 145th Avenue, Wheatland, Iowa 52777.  Details and register at www.theprairieretreat.org, or email – olpretreat@gmail.com, or call 563-374-1092.

• Sat. March 4th, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.  Evangelization: living faith with joy and intentionality the other 167 hours per week.  Patrick Schmadeke.  This retreat will have you better equipped to live faith more intentionally in daily life and in your relationships.  Fee: $35 includes lunch

• Sun. March 5th.  11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.  Walking with Holy Women on the Lenten Journey Mary Pedersen, D. Min.  The Lenten Journey, journey of life, filled with challenges & hardship.  This retreat will help women gain strength and joy on the journey.  Fee: $35 includes lunch.

• Friday, March 10 | 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.  The Joy of Forgiveness Sandy Hoenig.  Forgiving is the only way to stop the pain and bring hope to the future.  Fee: $35 includes lunch

 

Heart of the Revival Newsletter - From the USCCB Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis – National Eucharistic Revival.  This newsletter is the best way for the faithful to keep connected with the Eucharistic Revival - and it provides weekly formation and inspiration which is easily shared with family members and friends.  Sign Up for the Heart of the Revival Newsletter

 

Joining St. Mary – please contact an Usher for a New Member Form or email Deacon Dan.

 

Mass Intentions for Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2023 – Sue Quinn

 

Lay Mass Ministers for Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Announcer & 1st Reading – Joe Kaufman                       2nd Reading – Jacqueline Grotzky

EOMHC – Judy Freeman & Henry Bentley                    Ushers – Joe Kaufman & Dennis Sass

Gift Bearers – Scott & Darcy Wolf        Servers – Kensington Boorn, Lucy Costello & Amelia Costello

 

Mass Intentions for Sunday, February 26, 2023 – Richard Jones

 

Lay Mass Ministers for Sunday, February 26, 2023

Announcer & 1st Reading – Renee Cooley         2nd Reading – Jessica Williams

EOMHC – Henry Bentley & Rick Janney          Ushers – Cindy Pedersen & Colleen Nichols

Gift Bearers – Matt Barber Family        
Servers – Chloe Thornton, Colin Thornton, & Jacqueline Grotzky

 

Protecting God’s Children - To report child abuse contact the Iowa Dept. of Human Services Child Abuse hotline:  800-362-2178 and if it involves clergy or church personnel also notify Alicia Owens, Victim Assistance Coordinator, 563-349-5002; vac@diodav.org or PO Box 232, Bettendorf, IA.

 

Benedictine Retreats - For more information contact Sr. Jackie Walsh, OSB at 309-283-2108 or retreats@smmsisters.org or Web: www.smmsisters.org/retreats.

• Break-a-way: Day of Prayer and Quiet: (onsite) Join Benedictine Sisters on their monthly Prayer Day with a day at Benet House. Wed. Mar. 1; 9 am.  Opening Reflection (Optional); 3:30-Closing Prayer (Optional). Retreat Leaders: Benet House Staff. Fee: $15; Bring own lunch or purchase one for $12.

• Hiding Place: Women’s 24-Hour Retreat: (onsite)  Find rest, rejuvenation, and a sense of inner wellbeing.  Dates: Fri. Mar. 3, 4:30 pm-Sat. Mar. 4, 4:30 pm. Retreat Leader: Lorene Knobbe, Spiritual Director, Retired Educator, Mother, and Grandmother.  Fee: $155 (single room, meals, and materials); $147 (double room, meals, & materials); $110 (commuter, meals, & materials).

 

 

Blessings offered – newly engagements couples, pregnancies, homes, farms, livestock, crops, and other creations of God.  Contact Deacon Dan to schedule a blessing at your home.

 

Funeral Preparation – if you would like help in preparing the Mass and Worship service for you or a loved one’s funeral, please contact Deacon Dan.  There is a great booklet available to help.

 

Prayer Chain Request - contact Colleen Nichols at 563-260-2212 or collienichols@yahoo.com

 

Parish Contacts:

Trustees:                                              Denise Timmerman      563-349-3880               denisetimmerman13@gmail.com

                                                                        Henry Bentley              563-340-3111               henrybentley1961@outlook.com

Parish Council:                         Ross DeLong               563-340-3991               rdelong76@icloud.com

Finance Council:                      Joe Kaufman                563-320-6436               kaufjmm@iowatelecom.net

Faith Formations:                     Jeremiah Costello         563-370-2065               Jeremiahecostello@gmail.com

Director, Rel. Ed.:                    Debbie Ortiz                563-607-0276               wiltonstmarydre@diodav.org

Liturgy Committee:                  Dennis Sass                              319-430-2063               dwsass51@gmail.com

Music Coordinator:                   Bev Reuter                               319-321-8524               bsreuter@netwtc.net

Funeral Dinner Coord:  Jean Semsch                 563-340-3327               fourjsem@netins.net

Welcoming                                          Renee Cooley               563-260-1715               renee.cooley@musco.com

Face Book Page:                       Kathy Williams            563-940-2844               williams2295@gmail.com

Prayer Chain:                           Colleen Nichols            563-260-2212               collienichols@yahoo.com

St. Mary Cemetery                   Scott Wolf                                563-370-3734               srwolf64@gmail.com

 

Sacraments - to schedule participation in any of these please contact Deacon Dan:

• Confession - please email Father Bud to make an appointment before or after Mass.

• Baptism – A preparation class is required for your first child.  Contact Deacon Dan.

• Marriage – contact Deacon Dan a minimum of 8 months prior to the proposed event.

• Anointing – Anyone having surgery or experiencing illness may ask for the Rite of Anointing of the Sick.  Father Bud will anoint immediately after Mass.  Contact Deacon Dan at least the day before Mass if possible.

• Funeral Preparation for you or a loved one, please contact Deacon Dan.

 

St. Mary Cemetery has plots for sale.  Contact Scott Wolf for information at 563-370-3734