St. Leo's Catholic Parish Community Newsletter — December 2020

St.

Leos’

Parish Community

MEET PARISHIONER MITCH FISHER In the Face of Crisis, Serving the Parish with a Faithful Heart

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hen in-person classes ended at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for parishioner Mitch Fisher in mid-March, he moved back home and stepped up at his spiritual home to help during the pandemic.

“One of the first things I did when I came back was to stop at St. Leo’s and meet with Fr. Don and Jodi Stauffer, Director of Children’s and Family Ministry,” Mitch says.

After they talked about ideas to keep parishioners connected with the parish and each other during quarantine, the idea was developed for Fr. Don to video a “Friday Chat Check-In” that could be posted on Facebook. Mitch helped put the idea online.

Mitch Fisher knows that his work Once in-person Masses were with the parish is his way of living in stewardship. discontinued, Mitch helped set up the Facebook Mass livestream. The weekend Masses were pre-recorded on Thursday and Friday to give Mitch time to edit and add information graphics. The Masses then were posted on Saturday night.

He also set up a YouTube channel for the parish to enable those who cannot access Facebook to watch the Masses on livestream.

Besides offering his natural talents, Mitch has been able to use material continued on page 5

Inside

DECEMBER 2020

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Christmastime Stewardship How We Can Bring His Son to the World

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December: A Time for Mercy and Tenderness

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Church Decorating Ministry Keeping Our Parish Looking Beautiful

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Focusing Our Hearts Heavenward: The Origin and Beauty of the Nativity Scene

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Profile: Greg and Mary Keslar Stewardship at the Center of Family Life

Christmastime Stewardship HOW WE CAN BRING HIS SON TO THE WORLD

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t is not uncommon to give gifts during Advent and Christmas, but it is never enough just to leave it at that. True, Jesus gave Himself to us at the first Christmas. And, as always, we should strive to imitate Him by giving of ourselves in some way as we celebrate the anniversary of His birth. But there is a way to give even more than just ourselves — by giving the gift of Christ to others. The seasons of Advent and Christmas are perfect opportunities to share the love and message of Jesus with others in a beautiful way.

Of course, giving of ourselves in imitation of Jesus is a beautiful thing. But it is just as important to remember that, as human beings, we bear the likeness of God. As Christians, Jesus Himself inhabits our very souls. As Catholics, our Lord literally dwells within us when we receive Him in the Eucharist. Based upon this logic, we do so much more than imitate Jesus when we selflessly give of ourselves to others.

Indeed, just as Mary carried Christ in her womb when she visited her cousin, Elizabeth, and just as she brought Him in her arms to Simeon as a newborn child, we can also literally bring Jesus Christ to the world.

What a profound task Our Lord has laid out for us this season! As He grew in Mary’s womb, Jesus could only go where Mary chose to take Him. Of course, He couldn’t do anything — He couldn’t even speak. Mary became His hands and feet, and even His voice. Mary could have stayed at home during her pregnancy, resting and preparing for life with a newborn, as most mothers do. But instead, the Blessed Mother helped her Son begin His mission by bringing Him to her cousin, Elizabeth. Today, in much the same way, Christ invites us to share Him with the rest of the world. He chooses to make His presence known through us. And so, as the spiritual writer Caryll Houselander beautifully stated, “We must carry Jesus in our hearts wherever He wants us to 2

go, and there are many places to which He may never go unless we take Him to them.”

How do we bring Jesus to those in our parish and community? There are many ways. We might visit with a sick parishioner over the holidays, providing fellowship and support in their time of need. We may consider serving a local soup kitchen or food bank, and doing our part to make sure that the hungry are fed. We can sing Christmas carols for our neighbors, bringing true joy and love to their homes. Perhaps we could help a tired friend clean her house, making her life a little bit easier during this busy season. Or we can share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. We might even try going to work with a cheery disposition, or donating money so that a starving child in a poor country can have something to eat. These are just a few examples of how we can practice stewardship.

We may sometimes feel as if our efforts are in vain — especially when it is hard to see the effects of our evangelization. This temptation is particularly strong when we offer our treasure as a gift to God. The positive effects of monetary gifts aren’t always as visible as gifts of time or talent. But when we give of our treasure, the love of Jesus can travel to places we could never go. While our gift may not directly affect someone in a positive way, it very well may enable someone else to do it for us. Sometimes, God doesn’t just ask us to be His hands and feet, but to enable someone else to be them, as well.

Advent and Christmas give us the opportunity to reflect on Jesus’ call to live as stewards and disciples of His Word. God has put us in a particular place, given us a certain amount of time, and asked us to perform particular tasks and selflessly share a portion of our gifts. This is all for a singular purpose — to bring His Son into the world, and make Christ’s presence just as real as when He first became man more than 2,000 years ago.

A Letter From Our Pastor

DECEMBER:

A Time for Mercy and Tenderness

Dear Parishioners,

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dvent and Christmas are upon us. Even with all of the challenges we have faced this year, this is a busy time for me, for our parish, for priests, and certainly for most of you. And, even as we continue to navigate so much uncertainty, we still look forward to traditional holiday events and to be present with our faith family for Christmas Masses.

We all know why — there is something special about the Church and our faith during these holidays. We must remember this, and we need to be grateful for it. It is a time to be the loving and welcoming people Christ calls us to be. Hospitality is an important part of being a good steward, and this is a perfect time to practice it.

For those of us who may have only come to church every once in a while, or if you’re making your way back after having been isolated due to the pandemic, you are welcome here! We want you to know that you always have a home and family here, any time you need it.

You may have heard of the term “the new evangelization.” It is something Pope Francis has emphasized, in particular through his exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. The pope’s letter, with the title that means “The Joy of

the Gospel,” has advice for all Catholics relating to how we should all view and treat each other, as sons and daughters of God and members of the Church.

The pope said, “There is a need for Christians who help show God’s mercy and tenderness toward every creature. We all know that today’s humanity is facing a deep crisis. This is why the new evangelization must necessarily use the language of mercy, which is more about gestures and attitudes than words.”

So, as we enter into the Advent season and then Christmas, we must always remember that this is a time for “mercy and tenderness.” This is a time for us to show love for everyone, to our brothers and sisters in the next pew or on the other side of the globe. This is a time to share the Good News of Emmanuel, God-with-us, with all we meet.

May you and your families have a blessed Advent and Merry Christmas!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Donald A. Buhrman Pastor

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Church DecoratingKEEPING M

he Catholic Mass experience includes the use of all five of our senses. And at St. Leo’s, the senses of sight and smell are enhanced by a group who work to make our church environment beautiful.

Mary Harb and Chris and Rhonda Riha are in charge of decorating our church. Mary takes care of the outdoor plants, while Chris and Rhonda decorate the church interior.

“It’s like if you spruce up outside your house,” Mary says. “You want the front door to be inviting and welcoming.”

Mary makes sure St. Leo’s has a big welcome sign on display, in the form of beautiful flowers, outside the doors. She also keeps them watered each day. Mary feels this is a great way for her to contribute at St. Leo’s, because she loves flower gardening, and makes for a simple way for her to give of her time and talent.

Chris and Rhonda got involved with the

decoration of the church interior about 10 years ago, because it was something they could do together after their children had all left home. Previously, they taught religious education together.

“It is our way of tithing — sometimes we supply flowers and decorations out-of-pocket,” Rhonda says. “This ministry is about sharing ourselves and getting to know others. We enjoy it.”

The group does a lot of decorating for Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter and Ordinary Time.

They also use seasonal decorations throughout the year. When it comes time to decorate for a holiday, they typically send an email to their volunteer list and advertise the decorating date in the church bulletin.

“The church decor helps remind us of the liturgical seasons,” Chris says. “When we see the decor has changed, we can prepare our hearts for a different season.”

Christmas at St. Leo’s 4

Ministry G OUR PARISH LOOKING BEAUTIFUL “It’s like when you walk into your home and it’s clean and decorated,” Rhonda adds. “It’s just like when you bring out the beauty in your home.

We try to do that for our church family in God’s house.”

Chris and Rhonda are thankful to have this opportunity to volunteer together and to model how beautiful it is to volunteer for the church with your spouse. They appreciate all the help from volunteers when it comes to decorating for the major holidays.

All are invited and welcome to help decorate, sew, lift or with any other skills they can bring to this effort. Chris and Rhonda are also willing to accept donations of decorations, decorative pots, live plants and silk flowers from weddings and other events.

Outdoor flowers at St. Leo’s

If you would like to get involved in church decorating, please call the church office at 308-382-4753.

MEET PARISHIONER MITCH FISHER and skills he has learned during his studies in advertising and public relations management at the university. He returned to campus in August and expects to graduate in May 2021.

Helping out at St. Leo’s is nothing new to Mitch. He not only has been an altar server, but he also volunteered in his high school years at Vacation Bible School, as well as at Empower Youth.

During his work with the parish, Mitch found he has been able to develop a close bond with many in the parish staff, as well as Fr. Don. “It’s a good place to call home when I come back to Grand Island,” he says.

He especially appreciates being able to work with Fr. Don as the pandemic has continued, and to grow that friendship. Mitch also has

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come to appreciate being able to serve our parish community. Now that he has been able to once again attend in-person Mass, he has also developed a deeper appreciation for the sacraments.

Mitch knows that his work with the parish is his way of living in stewardship.

“It’s kind of an important thing for me as a college student,” he says, acknowledging it is easy to get caught up in classwork and other activities.

However, he stays close to his faith at school and is involved in the Newman Center on campus.

“It’s all about finding God’s will for our lives, finding our purpose,” he says. “This is one of the ways to give back and live in stewardship that God wants us to do, as well. I’m very thankful for St. Leo’s. I’m blessed to be able to help.”

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FOCUSING OUR HEARTS HEAVENWARD:

The Origin and Beauty of the Nativity Scene W

ith all the commercialism surrounding Christmastime, it’s far too easy for us to lose sight of the true reason behind the season.

Overwhelmed by our endless to-do lists and the hustle and bustle of last-minute shopping, our focus quickly shifts away from the Christ Child’s birth. And yet, hidden amongst the holly wreaths and garlands, the Christmas Nativity remains a tangible reminder of the Incarnation, pulling us back into time for a moment as we reflect upon the incredible gift of Christ’s birth.

Interestingly, it was circumstances much like our own today which first led St. Francis of Assisi to recreate the Nativity scene nearly 800 years ago. Frustrated with the growing materialism and greed that seemed to pervade 13th century Italy, St. Francis wanted a way to visually remind people of Christ’s humble beginnings — to show them that Christmas isn’t about pomp and circumstance or material goods, but rather about unselfish love. Describing the idea to his friend Giovanni, St. Francis wrote, “I want to do something that will recall the memory of that child who was born in Bethlehem, to see with bodily eyes the inconveniences of his infancy, how he lay in the manger...”

And so St. Francis’ idea took form on 6

Christmas Eve in 1223. This original Nativity scene was a living one, even including live animals. Villagers were deeply moved by the silent display of humble beauty, and the Nativity tradition soon spread throughout Italy and surrounding Europe. It is a tradition that remains today in nearly every Christian church and in many homes. In fact, it’s hard to imagine Christmas without a Nativity scene somewhere.

Coming in various sizes and styles, each Nativity replica continues to focus our hearts on the true meaning of Christmas — to help us remember that Christmas isn’t about the amount of gifts under the tree or the festive decorations, but rather about celebrating Christ’s birth. Many families have a tradition of hiding the Infant Jesus, only placing Him in the crib on Christmas morning. This helps build anticipation during the Advent season as we anxiously await the Divine’s birth. Others go a step further, actually wrapping up the Christ Child to be opened as the very first gift of Christmas.

Yet, whatever your family’s particular traditions, we hope that the Christmas Nativity continues to draw your heart heavenward this Christmas season — to center us all on the greatest gift ever given, our Incarnate Lord.

PROFILE : GREG AND MARY KESLAR Stewardship at the Center of Family Life

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reg and Mary Keslar certainly have a special history as a couple with our parish — in fact, they came to Mass at St. Leo’s on one of their very first dates! Today, the Keslars have been married for 21 years, and St. Leo’s remains a fixture in their married life together. If you happen to attend the 8:00 a.m.

Mass on Sundays, you have likely seen Greg and Mary with their daughter, Maggie, sitting in their “regular” pew.

Both Greg and Mary have been actively involved in parish life over the years. Greg is a member of the Knights of Columbus and serves as a greeter for Mass.

“I enjoy talking to people, so greeting people puts that talent to use,” Greg says. “The Knights let me serve the community and help people.”

Mary, too, is a greeter at St. Leo’s, as well as a Eucharistic Minister. She has also found ways to use her background in finance to help with various committees. She was a member of our parish Finance Committee for 12 years and served on the Fundraising Committee for expanding the church some years ago. In addition, she is the current treasurer for the Ladies of St. Leo’s.

“God has taken care of us, so we want to give back and serve the Lord by giving of our time,

Greg and Mary Keslar with their daughter, Maggie

talents and treasure,” Mary says. “We feel it is important to make time to serve the Lord and enjoy working with others. We feel closer to the Lord and get fulfillment in the fact that we are helping our fellow parishioners to take a little off of their plate.”

The stewardship way of life is something that Greg and Mary

witnessed in both sets of their parents, and they always knew that they would pass on the family tradition of the Catholic faith to their own child. Their daughter, Maggie, 19, began her own involvement in the parish as an altar server. While a student at Grand Island Central Catholic School, Maggie volunteered with continued on back cover

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2410 S. Blaine Street Grand Island, NE 68801 (308) 382-4753 | www.saintleos.org

GREG AND MARY KESLAR various programs, taught a Religious Formation class and went on three mission trips.

For the Keslars, St. Leo’s has become more than a faith home over the years — it has become family. Amid the global pandemic, “family life” at St. Leo’s has looked a little different this past year. However, Greg and Mary believe the sense of community here will continue to strengthen well into the future.

“We feel that we are part of a family here,” Mary says. “The people of St. Leo’s are good people and willing to help others. We hope that the parish community will continue to grow in stewardship

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and help each other with their daily needs and prayer lives. We also hope we can get back to being a complete community after this COVID virus and return to worship at St. Leo’s.”

Thankful for the many blessings they have experienced by staying involved in parish life, the Keslars hope all parishioners will find a way to fully engage in this loving faith family!

“We would advise anyone to get involved, as it is a great way to serve the Lord and brings you closer to the St. Leo’s community,” Greg says. “It gives you a sense of fulfillment by serving the Lord and His community.”

“God has taken care of us, so we want to give back and serve the Lord by giving of our time, talents and treasure. We feel it is important to make time to serve the Lord and enjoy working with others. We feel closer to the Lord and get fulfillment in the fact that we are helping our fellow parishioners to take a little off of their plate.” — MARY KESLAR

LITURGY SCHEDULE Daily Mass: 9 a.m., Saturday: 5 p.m., Sunday: 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Confession: Saturday 4 - 4:30 p.m. Adoration: First Friday of the Month, 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Abide Adoration: Fourth Sunday of the Month, 7 - 8 p.m.