St. Peter Catholic Church Newsletter — June 2021

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ST. peter C ath athoo lic li c CHu r ch Monthly Newsletter

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BRINGING THE FAITH ALIVE THROUGH FELLOWSHIP AND SERVICE

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harity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism are the four guiding principles of the Knights of Columbus.

Everything that the members of Council #10510 do falls into one of these categories, and they also serve as a strong stewardship example to all of our parishioners.

In our council, Michael Creager is currently serving as the Grand Knight, and Donovan Lempka is the membership director.

Donovan joined our council more than three years ago — but the Knights organization has been a tradition in his family. Donovan’s late father, Emil, was a Knight in St. Mary, Neb. for most of his adult life. In addition, many of Donovan’s uncles and great uncles were also Knights. So, with some persuasion from a cousin, Donovan finally joined our council.

“I enjoy helping the parish and the community, as a whole,” Donovan says.

Michael had been a Knight in Brighton, Colo. since 2009 and joined our council in 2014.

“What I enjoy most are the brotherhood and fellowship,” Michael says. “I also enjoy interacting with other Knights and their families in a setting that is more re-

Handing out Tootsie Rolls at a recent collection

laxed and less formal than being at church.”

Both Donovan and Michael enjoy serving for the fundraisers that benefit our parish and community. continued on page 2

S t. pet er C atholiC Ch ur ch KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BRINGING THE FAITH ALIVE THROUGH FELLOWSHIP AND SERVICE

continued from front cover

Knights of Columbus, 2021

Giving back through the Knights has been a big blessing for both. Donovan was part of a group that helped start the Lenten Fish Fry meals, and this is one of Michael’s favorite fundraisers. It not only builds fellowship with other Knights, as Michael says, but it’s also a valuable chance to get to know others in the parish and broader community. The St. Peter Knights do their fish fry dinners a bit different, though — the menu includes parmesan-crusted cod, baked cod, and macaroni and cheese. This unique menu has proven to be a big draw!

For both Michael and Donovan, the camaraderie and friendship with other Knights is just an added benefit to this service organization.

In addition to their service in our parish community, the Knights support many organizations throughout Lincoln.

“My fellow Knights give of their time, talent, and treasure for a cause greater than themselves,” 2

Michael says. “Seeing how our fellow Knights give back to the community has helped my faith grow stronger.”

Another one of the group’s projects is the Trunk or Treat event, which takes place around Halloween. This event is hosted for the community and is not a fundraiser. In 2020, this event was even more popular because many other events were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before COVID-19, the Knights also held a bike safety rodeo.

“I enjoy the events we do that involve our families since I have two young girls,” Donovan says.

The Knights also help with the St. Peter Taste and See event, and they run a Fourth of July fireworks tent, a car show, and Tootsie Roll sale as fundraisers. Some of the main organizations the group supports are the Women’s Care Center, St. Gianna’s School, and the Villa Marie Home and School for Exceptional Children. Along with several other Knights councils, our council helped purchase an ultrasound machine for the Women’s Care Center.

The Knights also support our parish with various financial needs.

Donovan enjoys being with the other men in the Knights and appreciates that this gives him an outlet to be more involved than just going to Mass each week.

“Being involved in the Knights helps you become a better man, husband, and neighbor,” he says.

“It’s being in fraternity with likeminded guys. That helps you when you have that support.”

Michael and Donovan are grateful for the parish support of the Knights and their fundraising events. They invite any male parishioner to get involved.

The Knights of Columbus meet the first Tuesday of the month in the Bishop Vasa Hall at 7 p.m. There is a Rosary prayer at 6:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Michael Creager at creags731@yahoo.com or 402-432-3313, or Donovan Lempka at donovanlempka@gmail.com or 402-499-9294.

A Letter from Our Pastor

CULTIVATING S TEWARDSHIP Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

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n June, we celebrate Father’s Day. St. Joseph, the earthly father of our Lord Jesus Christ, may seem to be overlooked, but we do need to look at him always and especially on Father’s Day. He humbly accepted his role much in the same way that St. Mary did. He does not have much to say in the Bible, indicative

of his humility and understanding.

Yet he, like Mary, was obedient. He was selfless. He was a worker, and in his own quiet way, he was a leader — an example to all of us.

St. Joseph is, as you know, the patron saint of fathers, workers, and the universal Church. St. Joseph was the steward of the Holy Family. He was given the gifts of Mary and Jesus to protect, provide and teach. If we could all emulate Joseph in some small part each day, we would be closer to being the disciples Christ has called us to be.

Part of being a Christian means being a good steward of the Lord’s countless gifts to us. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “In the beginning, God entrusted the earth and its resources to the common stewardship of mankind to take care of them, master them by labor, and enjoy their fruits” (CCC 2402).

In southern Nebraska, we have a special sense of what it means to cultivate the earth and bring forth the fruits of the land by labor, prudent care, and common stewardship. In His public ministry, Jesus often used these images from farming and agriculture to reveal the mysteries of his Kingdom. In Luke’s Gospel, He spoke of those who, cultivating the seed of God’s Word, “bear fruit through perseverance.”

Like St. Joseph, all of us are called, in one way or another, to

cultivate and be generous stewards of our gifts. As St. Peter wrote, “According to the gift that each has received, administer it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). When we do this in faith, we grow in our great dignity of being called stewards of the Lord and we cultivate the mission of His Church together through the bond of love.

In His Mercy,

Fr. Eric Clark, Pastor

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S T. PETER’S YOUNG PAR

FIRST COMMUNI

Close to 60 parish children received the Sacrament of First Communion on April 24.

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he greatest gifts our Catholic Church has to offer come to us in the sacraments. With the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation — we are welcomed into the Church, receiving the abundant graces of God and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Just over a month ago, our parish was blessed by the celebrations of First Communion (April 24) and Confirmation (April 26). How wonderful it is to see so many of our youngest parishioners reaching these milestones in their Catholic faith!

Sister John Marion, C.K., prepared about 60 second-graders to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion this year.

“The thing about the Eucharist and First Holy

First Communicants receive the Eucharist for the first time.

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Communion is that it is such an intimate moment between Jesus Christ and us when He enters into us fully,” she says. “The children understand that far better than we do. They are so open to Jesus — they have no defenses against His love, so it’s just me guiding them to Him. It’s been really beautiful to see their openness to Him. To put it in their words, they were so excited to receive Communion and become living tabernacles of Jesus.”

First Communion preparation consists of classroom teaching on Church doctrine and the parts of the Mass, coupled with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, which focuses on the contemplation and enjoyment of God. Sr. John Marion also used many parables from the Gospels to help the students more fully understand their relationship with Christ.

In recognition of the many ways God works through the sacraments, Sr. John Marion invites all the parents of those who made their First Communion in April to remain open to the blessings that are sure to follow this special occasion.

“This is a time of such grace for the First Communicants’ families,” she says. “It’s a time of intimacy where Jesus is quietly inviting and drawing them to Himself. I would invite them to open their hearts to His grace and come back to the sacraments if they

“The thing about the Eucharist and First Holy Communion is that it is such an intimate moment between Jesus Christ and us when He enters into us fully. The children understand that far better than we do. They are so open to Jesus — they have no defenses against His love, so it’s just me guiding them to Him. It’s been really beautiful to see their openness to Him. To put it in their words, they were so excited to receive Communion and become living tabernacles of Jesus.” — Sister John Marion, C.K.

RISHIONERS RECEIVE THE SACRAMENTS OF

ON

AND

CONFIRMATION

have been away or renew their love of the sacraments Both Sr. John if they have been faithful. Their relationship with God Marion and Sr. Mary will be the most important teacher for their children.” Clare are thankful for Just as Sr. John Marion felt blessed by her work the hard work and with our second-graders, Sister Mary Clare, C.K., support of the many thoroughly enjoyed helping the 70-plus fifth-grade people who come tostudents in our school and CCD program prepare to gether to help with receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this spring. our students’ faith “Confirmation is a deepening of Baptism,” Sr. formation, includMary Clare says. “And receiving the gifts of the Holy ing CCD Director Spirit helps give us back the perspective that Adam Lynette McArdle, Bishop Conley confers the and Eve lost. It helps us know who we are before God school Principal SisSacrament of Confirmation on a St. Peter parishioner. and who God is for us. The kids have such a deep, true ter Mary Michael, excitement in receiving the sacrament, and they are al- and all of the teachways very moved by it. They have a good sense of the ers and catechists. As a parish, we offer our sincere power of the Holy Spirit being strengthened in them.” thanks to all those entrusted with our children’s forConfirmation classes at St. Peter use a beautiful new mation and extend our best wishes to the young patextbook recently put together for this purpose by our rishioners who have recently received the Sacraments diocese. The book takes the students through the basic of First Communion and Confirmation here at St. Petenets of the faith at an age-appropriate level. In addition ter — what incredible blessings you all bring to our to classroom learning, the students are asked to serve faith community! others in various ways, both inside and outside the Church. Choosing a patron saint for themselves, as well as a friend or family member to sponsor them on their Confirmation journey provides them with further support in the faith.

As Sr. Mary Clare points out, our entire parish family can be inspired by our newly confirmed students to open ourselves up to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

“It’s an honor and a resurgence of the Holy Spirit for me, too,” she says. “I tell the students that I get a lot of grace at their Confirmation, and their parents can expect to receive a lot of grace at their Confirmation, too. The amount of grace we receive depends on our desire and capacity, so it’s up to us to make sure we can Bishop James Conley officiated at our Confirmation Mass on April 26. receive the ocean instead of a trickle of grace!”

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ST. PETER STRATEGI C PL AN 2021 VISION: St. Peter Catholic Church will

MISSION:

abide in Christ and build His kingdom.

To fulfill the mission of Jesus Christ to make disciples by participating in His ministry as priest, prophet and king.

PRINCIPLES: St. Peter Parish has seven cultural norms that guide us toward what we value: 1. We exhibit Holiness by participating in the life of Christ through the sacraments and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary as our model.

2. We incorporate Beauty in our sacred liturgy and sacred space.

3. We practice Evangelization by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ through Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.

4. We pursue Truth through intellectual and spiritual formation, guided by Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium.

5. We celebrate all human Life from conception to natural death and defend the dignity of the vulnerable.

6. We cultivate Unity in our parish, greater community and universal church.

7. We are generous Stewards of our time, talent, and treasure.

DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC: St. Peter Parishioners will be

1.

2.

3.

4.

Teaching of the Apostles Fellowship Breaking of Bread Prayer

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disciples of Christ devoted to: (Acts 2:42)

STRATEG I C P L A N

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Become living stones through Christ (1 Peter 2:5).

BLOOD : DRIVES

A VALUABLE OPPORTUNIT Y TO S E L F L E S S LY S H A R E T H E G I F T O F L I F E

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e know that Christ shed His blood so we could have eternal life. Is it not fitting, then, since we are created in Christ’s image, that we give freely of our blood so another person can live? Dan Fuoco thinks so. As coordinator for our St. Peter Blood Drives, Dan fervently believes in what he calls the “most unselfish gift” of donating blood.

papers available in the church foyer.

Dan often staffs a table there to answer questions and help in the signup process.

The St. Peter Blood Drives began in 2011 when our Knights of Columbus Council began discussing possible community charitable activities. The idea for a blood drive was brought up, and Dan, being a regular donor, volunteered to chair the event.

“I said, ‘I’ve got a passion for it, so I’ll do it,’” Dan says.

The donated blood is distributed in the Lincoln/ Lancaster County area wherever it is needed.

“It’s a charitable donaA mobile unit has all the equipment needed to collect tion, an unselfish gift,” Dan blood during the blood drives held on our grounds. says. “You donate your The St. Peter Blood Drives are blood and you can save lives. You held three times each year — shortly don’t know the recipient and vice verbefore Christmas, on Easter Monday, sa. It just goes to whoever needs it, be and on the first day of the St. Pe- it a cancer patient, an accident victim, ter School year in August. The 2020 or someone recovering from surgery, Christmas date had to be canceled or a pregnant mother. Only your time due to COVID-19 restrictions, but the is the cost to donate blood.”

Easter Monday event resumed this The act of donating blood is also a year, and plans are being made for the way to live in stewardship.

August date.

“Again, it’s the unselfish gift,” The Community Blood Bank of Dan says. “It’s the giving part that is Nebraska brings its mobile collection a tangible way to help someone you vehicle to the church grounds. Al- don’t even know. Stewardship is all though walk-ins are always welcome, about your time, treasure, and talent. we can sign up for donation times on It takes only one-half hour to donate

Staff from the Community Blood Bank work with donors during a recent blood drive at St. Peter Parish. Three blood drives are held on our campus each year.

blood. The treasure is that you have that blood and the talent is probably from the staff handling the donation.

The fact is that you have blood that you are willing to share.”

Donating blood is simple — one needs to be 18 years of age and weigh at least 115 pounds. There is no upper age limit. Anyone can donate blood safely every eight weeks.

If there is an emergency in our area, Dan makes sure the word gets out so donors can report to one of the blood bank’s centers.

Dan typically has a group of volunteers to help during the drives — the blood bank provides the staff to actually collect the blood.

Anyone with questions about the blood drive may contact Dan Fuoco at 402-421-6630.

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S t. pet er C atholiC Ch ur ch 4500 Duxhall Dr. │ Lincoln, NE 68516 402-423-1239 │ www.saintpeterslincoln.com

MASS SCHEDULE:

Saturday: 4:00 p.m.

Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m.

DAILY MASS Monday-Friday: 6:30 a.m., 8:15 a.m.

Saturday: 8:15 a.m.

CONFESSION: Monday & Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.

Saturday: 3:00-4:00 p.m.

JOIN US IN WISHING

MARGARET ALDRIDGE

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Thank you Margaret for the

nine years you have spent here with us at St. Peter School as our secretary. We have been blessed by your passion and love for our school. Thank you for generously sharing your gifts with us. The difference you have made will remain long after you have left! May you enjoy the very best that life has to offer in retirement and may God bless you in ways only He can.