2/26/2023

During Lent we will have some liturgical changes which are pretty much routine. On Sundays the celebrant will come down the aisle and kneel and do the penitential rite on his knees. We will use the Kyrie eleison (instead of Lord Have Mercy). We will use Latin responses for the Sanctus (instead of Holy, Holy, Holy) and the Agnus Dei (instead of Lamb of God). Once again, I want to say that this is not an attempt to begin to use Latin all the time, but an opportunity to keep our congregation acquainted with the Latin that one might encounter in a significant number of other Catholic churches, both in our diocese and outside of it. We will also say the Apostle’s Creed instead of the longer Nicene Creed during Lent and Easter seasons.
According to our staff very few people watch the Masses when they are streamed. So we have decided that March 4/5 will be the last day for streaming of Masses or anything else. This is not an irreversible decision, but unless we hear from you that you want Masses to be streamed then the computer and the camera and wires will be taken down after next weekend. What we have up now is a makeshift solution set up during COVID. If we want streaming capabilities, we need to have a more permanent, less obtrusive setup. so let us know what you want.
Chris Stefanick is scheduled to come to speak here at our parish. The topic will be “REBOOT.” Please set aside the evening of September 13, 2023, to be present. More details will be forthcoming. If you don’t recognize the name, he is the presenter for the series “The Search” on FORMED.ORG, as well as our Lenten video, “FEARLESS.” I want to thank Jill Gockel for taking the initiative to make this happen. It promises to be a wonderful event in our parish. There is still work to be done in planning and promoting the event, so if you would like to help, please call the office. Isn’t it nice not to have the COVID restrictions anymore?
Joshua and Kim Lefeber are stepping down as leaders of the high school youth group. I want to thank them for their work, while at the same time congratulate them on the arrival of their first baby, Emerie. Taking over, at least for the time being, is Jacob Struemph. Jacob is from St. Elizabeth, MO, graduated from NWMSU in 2021 with a major in Psychology, and is already working part time in the parish as a custodian cleaning the church and parish hall. Please welcome Jacob.
This past Friday I was in Oklahoma City for the dedication of the shrine in honor of Blessed Fr. Stanley Rother. It was a wonderful celebration in a glorious setting. Fr. Rother’s body is at rest in the chapel in the back, and the main church seats 2,000 people. The shrine is just off I-35 in OKC. It was good to see those with whom I worked on the Cause for Canonization, including his family, and to view with satisfaction the fruits of our labors. It can easily take decades or centuries to see progress of a Canonization Cause, so I consider myself to be fortunate.
I look forward to seeing you in the church Monday night at 7 PM for “Healing in Christ”. May this be a memorable and blessed Lent!

Father Albert, O.S.B.