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What is a Christ Renews His Parish Retreat?
It is a time to relax, pray, and rethink priorities. It is a time to get to know others in the parish and grow as a community. It is an opportunity to examine, rediscover, and /or intensify your personal relationship with Christ. It is a weekend of reflection and sharing of spiritual and real life issues.
What a Christ Renews His Parish Retreat is not: It is not a silent retreat, yet there are periods of quiet reflection and prayer. It is not a parish organization or clique. It is not a solitary retreat, your participation makes the retreat a spiritual one for you and the other participants. You are not required to speak in front of the group, however, your participation in the group discussion is a key to the retreat.
Queen of Apostles held its first set of biannual CHRP weekends last spring. Since it is held locally at the parish facilities, the retreat is filled with dynamic people. Since men and women have their own weekend, families don’t have to worry about child care since both parents aren’t gone at the same time.

Parishioner Donna Lear attended the women’s CHRP last spring. She wasn’t sure what to expect when she first heard about it. Like so many, she had learned things about her faith as a child. Donna wanted to renew her relationship with the Lord and continue to grow in it. She also wanted to meet others from the parish and get to know them better in the faith community.
As a Eucharistic Minister since 1984, as well as helping with the RCIA program, Donna enjoys being a member of Queen of Apostles Parish. She is appreciative of the spiritual insightfulness and the acceptance of a friendly, welcoming community. She also likes the fact that the parish has lots of different ways for people to be involved.
The fall CHRP retreats will be held in October: the men’s weekend on the 20th and 21nd, and the women’s weekend on the 27th and 28th. For more information, please contact the rectory at 323-2916.
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Stewardship Update
	July 2007 Contents for this issue PRAYER IN OUR LIVES QUEEN'S STEWARDS OF THE MONTH THE BRUNGARDT FAMILY CHRIST RENEWS HIS PARISH WHAT SHOULD I DO? IDEAS FOR STEWARDS THIS MONTH STEWARDSHIP PRAYER CONTACT US
PRAYER IN OUR LIVES
Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God. - The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2559)
What an interesting way to define prayer. Of course, the second half of the definition is pretty obvious to most of us. It’s easy to remember ending our childhood bedtime prayers with “Bless Mommy and Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa and even my dumb brother....” How many among us have uttered a quick “Please God, let this plane land safely” when flying through turbulent air? We also know that every parent prays for healthy children. However, the first part of this definition seems rather esoteric at first glance, but becomes clearer with a comparison to our personal relationships with each other. Parents can easily relate to teens who spend hours talking on the phone, texting or IM-ing their friends. Young couples in love can spend hours talking and planning their future, and we smile when we see an elderly couple quietly holding hands. Prayer is our direct line to intmacy with God. Sharing our innermost aspects with Him will bring us closer to our Creator. Many often compliment their spouses on a household chore that was well done. So too do we glorify God for His Greatness at every Mass we celebrate. Just as we share our innermost thoughts with our best friend, we can share our deepest secrets with Our Lord. Many are inspired by the beauty of nature and feel close to God while watching a sunset. The monthly Taize Prayer service is also an opportunity for reflection. How can we put more prayer in our daily home life? Perhaps we can start with a simple idea suggested by the nuns of our childhood. Way back when, we were given holy water fonts to hang near our doors to remind us to pray or at least make the Sign of The Cross as we left home for the day and again when we returned. How great it would be to acknowledge God after a long day at work in addition to our “Hi, Honey, I’m home!” We know we must keep in touch with friends if we wish to remain close. Shouldn’t we also treat our association with God with the same amount of fervor? BACK TO TOP
QUEEN'S STEWARDS OF THE MONTH
THE BRUNGARDT FAMILY This month we would like to introduce you to the Brungardt Family. Lee and Jennifer, along with their children Olivia and Ian, are Kansas natives who have been in Iowa for the last five years. The family came to Council Bluffs from Indianola, Iowa, due to employment opportunities here. After visiting various local parishes, they decided to become members of Queen of Apostles. The family felt the people here were very open and welcoming. Daughter Olivia said she likes Queens because she can be a part of the Church services. She enjoyed serving as an usher during Catholic Schools Week. Jennifer loves the Tri-Parish community. She is also involved with the social justice committee at Queens. Lee is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Both Lee and Jennifer are very involved in CHRP. (See next page for more information on this program). They believe that the Holy Spirit helped initiate them to attend. They felt that the weekend helped them become more tuned in to their faith with the Church community as well as their family. Having had the CHRP experience in their previous parish, they worked very diligently to bring it to Queens when they moved here. Be sure to say hello to the Brungardts the next time you see them, and don’t be afraid to ask them about CHRP. They are very willing to share their thoughts with you. BACK TO TOP
CHRIST RENEWS HIS PARISH
What is a Christ Renews His Parish Retreat? It is a time to relax, pray, and rethink priorities. It is a time to get to know others in the parish and grow as a community. It is an opportunity to examine, rediscover, and /or intensify your personal relationship with Christ. It is a weekend of reflection and sharing of spiritual and real life issues. What a Christ Renews His Parish Retreat is not: It is not a silent retreat, yet there are periods of quiet reflection and prayer. It is not a parish organization or clique. It is not a solitary retreat, your participation makes the retreat a spiritual one for you and the other participants. You are not required to speak in front of the group, however, your participation in the group discussion is a key to the retreat. Queen of Apostles held its first set of biannual CHRP weekends last spring. Since it is held locally at the parish facilities, the retreat is filled with dynamic people. Since men and women have their own weekend, families don’t have to worry about child care since both parents aren’t gone at the same time. Parishioner Donna Lear attended the women’s CHRP last spring. She wasn’t sure what to expect when she first heard about it. Like so many, she had learned things about her faith as a child. Donna wanted to renew her relationship with the Lord and continue to grow in it. She also wanted to meet others from the parish and get to know them better in the faith community. As a Eucharistic Minister since 1984, as well as helping with the RCIA program, Donna enjoys being a member of Queen of Apostles Parish. She is appreciative of the spiritual insightfulness and the acceptance of a friendly, welcoming community. She also likes the fact that the parish has lots of different ways for people to be involved. The fall CHRP retreats will be held in October: the men’s weekend on the 20th and 21nd, and the women’s weekend on the 27th and 28th. For more information, please contact the rectory at 323-2916. BACK TO TOP
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Ideas for stewards this month
	Join Queen’s Prayer Line Attend the Taize Prayer Service on August 12 Volunteer to Help at the Parish Auction Pray with a Child Volunteer to help with Generations of Faith this Year Pray for Peace Help a Neighbor Say the Rosary while on Vacation Tell someone you’ll pray for them - and then do it E-mail Fr. Chris: reising33@yahoo.com BACK TO TOP
	STEWARDSHIP PRAYER
My church is composed of people like me. I help make it what it is. It will be friendly, if I am. Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them. It will do great work, if I work. It will make generous gifts to many causes, if I am a generous giver. It will bring other people into its worship and fellowship, if I invite and bring them. It will be a church of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith, and a church with a noble spirit, if I, who make it what it is, am filled with these same things. Therefore, with the help of God, I shall dedicate myself to the task of being all the things that I want my church to be. BACK TO TOP
	CONTACT US
Would you like to Nominate Someone for Steward of the Month? Do you have suggestions for What Should I Do? Your ideas for future issues are welcome. Contact the stewardship committee: Queensstewardship@cox.net BACK TO TOP

Stewardship Update

PRAYER IN OUR LIVES

QUEEN'S STEWARDS OF THE MONTH

CHRIST RENEWS HIS PARISH

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Ideas for stewards this month

STEWARDSHIP PRAYER

CONTACT US

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