Stewardship Update
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June 2008
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The weather is warm, the days long and everyone is looking toward vacation. Kids are getting used to no school and may be looking for something to do. We visit different Churches when out of town and welcome those who choose to celebrate with us when they visit Queens. Although summer is looked upon as a time for relaxation, the work of God should not take a back seat in our lives. As stewards, we continue our lives of hospitality, prayer, formation and service. Have you ever considered yourself a techno geek? Queens is looking for people willing to work together to promote our parish electronically. Updating and maintaining our website, www.queen-of-apostles.org, as well as coming up with new ideas such as podcasts are some of the needs. Teens and adults are welcome to establish this new service committee. If you think you may be interested, contact the rectory at 323-2916. BACK TO TOP |
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Hospitality
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 Jeannette Kaufman |
| While most of us hate to admit it, in this day and age many of us only get together with our extended families at weddings and funerals. The festiviities of weddings are planned months in advance and are sometimes quite elaborate. On the other hand, death sometimes comes unexpectedly. Even when it is anticipated, the occasion still comes with a sense of shock. Many decisions must be made in a short time. One common practice is to have a dinner after the funeral put on by members of Queens for friends and family of the deceased. Jeannette Kaufman is one of the numerous women who help with this ministry. A member of Queens since 1968, Jeannette has helped in various ways throughout the years. She has worked in the parish office, taken the Eucharist to nursing homes, and been active in the former Altar and Rosary Society as both a member and president. Although she has begun to have trouble getting around, Jeannette still is able to participate at the luncheons. She has been helping at the funeral luncheons for the past 20 years. Along with many others, Jeannette has called parishioners for salads and cakes, provided food, and helped in the set up, serving and clean up at the dinners. Various people volunteer to be callers, provide food, or serve at the actual meals. To join any of these groups, call the rectory at 323-2916. Why does Jeannette continue to serve after so many years? She notes that is is “one way for the family to get together.” She also felt the love and support of the parish when her husband passed away and is thankful that she is able to help others in their time of need. BACK TO TOP |
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Prayer
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 Winnie Sage |
| So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer. – Book of Ezra |
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You’ve just been laid off... The news from the doctor is not good.... Your child is having problems..... You feel you need to turn to a Higher Power...... Sometimes we realize that we can’t go it alone. Our lives need prayer. The Queens Prayer Line helps to magnify our individual prayers. This ministry does not require great physical strength, a large time commitment or specialized training. People need only join the calling list. Young and old alike can participate, as individuals or families. Winnie Sage has been a member of the Prayer Line for many years. She has the following to say of this very important ministry. “The prayer line ministry is made up of 30 dedicated women who prayer for the people whose name has been given to us for special prayers. The reason for prayers are many and we never ask personal information unless it is given to us. How this works so well is I get a call for a prayer request, I usually say a Hail Mary and then call my right hand Lady, Lorraine Davis. She in turn calls the next lady and on down the list it goes until all have received the request. We pray for all for one week and then we remove until we hear from someone again. Often we hear back about people’s progress and how thankful they are for the prayers. Prayer is a powerful way to talk to God and put our people in his hands with our prayer. We know that God answers our prayer in his own way and not always the way that we want. I want to thank all these ladies for the service to this ministry. Please call the prayer line number (328-0868) anytime you have a need.” BACK TO TOP |
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Formation
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 Caroline Faust, Lucy Sundrup, Ian and Olivia Brungardt are excited to be attending Queen's summer bible camp, BUILDING APOSTLES |
| Queen of Apostles parish is starting a new program for school-age kids called “Building Apostles.” It combines elements of a typical Vacation Bible School with extra teaching about fundamentals of our Catholic faith. Our first summer day camp will take place the week of July 28. Fr. Dan proposed the idea of a summer course for the purpose of keeping children connected with their faith during the summer, and also to meet concerns of some parents who feel that the holistic approach of Generations of Faith, our faith formation process, doesn’t do enough to teach children some of our basic Catholic creeds and practices. This year’s curriculum, “Assorted Saints and the Virtues of Faith, Hope and Love,” was written by Catholics for Catholic parishes to use and contains some uniquely Catholic concepts, such as our relationship in the communion of saints, and the cardinal virtues, and will feature a different saint’s story each day as the basis for all the activities such as crafts, games and even snacks! The staff is also designing age-appropriate lessons for each of these days on some basic Catholic teachings. This year, the topics covered will include Prayer, the Sacraments, the Bible, Mary and the Mass. Fr. Dan, Fr. Lazarus and seminarian Ross Parker will all be teaching and helping with the fun. The activities will run from 9:00AM to 2:00PM each day, which will include Daily Mass along with the typical vacation bible school. Children will be asked to bring a sack lunch each day and the parish will provide morning and afternoon snacks, desserts and drinks. At the midmorning snack time, the children will actually make their own snacks, tied to the themes of the day. They will also have the opportunity to make craft items and play games or participate in music and activities that also reinforce the lessons they are learning. Several people have already signed on to help with this summer school, but more are needed. If there is enough demand, babysitting might be offered for parents who would like to help, but who have babies or toddlers too young to participate in the regular activities. The day camp is open to children who will be in Kindergarten through Grade 6 this fall. Parents who want to help, or who want to register their children, should call Cathy at 323-1163. A grant was obtained from the Diocesan Educational Excellence Foundation to help get the program started. The cost for “Building Apostles” is $25 per child for the week, with a $50 maximum per family. But it is important to know that there is scholarship money available, so that everyone who wants to can attend this fun, faith-building experience. We are hoping to finish with registration soon, so that we can do some purchasing and to help us plan how to group the kids so that they get the maximum benefit from the teaching and activities. This school is designed primarily to be a part of the faith formation process at Queen of Apostles, but children from any parish in town are welcome to sign up, and several from Holy Family already have. Fr. Dan has emphasized that this is not a substitute for attendance at Generations of Faith, but is designed to round out the catechetical needs of our busy families, whether the children attend public or private school. All are welcome! BACK TO TOP |
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Service
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 Mark Sundrup |
If you happen to stop by Queens during the week, you may encounter a gentleman tending the gardens around the parish grounds. He will give you a welcoming smile, a nod of the head and then get back to work keeping things tidy. You will probably think that he is one of the original members of the parish, but you would be wrong. Tom Rice joined Queen of Apostles a mere two years ago. He had moved to Council Bluffs from Wisconsin and chose Queens as it is in his neighborhood. Never married, Tom considers the Church as his family and so spends much time here. Working in the out of doors gives Tom great enjoyment. Besides weeding and watering the plants, he lends a hand in repairs. During the spring work day this year, he was found on the rectory roof. When asked why he was risking injury when there were men half his 75 years who could have taken his place, Tom just smiled and remarked that heights have never bothered him and he was happy to be able to help out. Tom is also a deeply spiritual person. He participates in the Friday Eucharist Adoration. After Mass, you will not see him racing for the door. Instead, he remains in his pew. He uses this extra time to give his personal praise to God. A private person, Tom does not consider what he does to be extraordinary. In fact, he thinks that he doesn’t do much. Upon reflection, however, he recalls the twelfth chapter of 1st Corinthians. In it, St. Paul compares the many gifts of the members of the Church to the many parts of the body, which each do their part to make the whole. He finally admits that his service to God and our parish, while often behind the scenes, is not unimportant. So, the next time you come to Queens and take for granted that the trash has been picked up, or enjoy the flowering clemantis which are climbing the trellis built by Tom, say a prayer of thanksgiving that he has joined our parish family. BACK TO TOP |
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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 |