Stewardship Update
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August 2008
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Hospitality
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Donna Conn and her basket of goodies |
| It’s time again to celebrate the red, white and blue at this year’s Queens Auction and Dinner which will be held Saturday, September 13, beginning at 5 pm. All are welcome to enjoy the chicken dinner catered by Mortensen’s duting the silent auction. The main event follows as all settle in for the good-natured, competitive bidding of the oral auction. Who could forget last year’s detailed demonstration of the features of an electonic telescope as given by Fr. Lazarus ? This year’s featured items include tickets to the Celine Dion concert and the Notre Dame vs Stanford football game as well as the ever-popular dinner for 8 hosted by Fr. Dan and Fr. Lazarus. In addition, there are numerous theme baskets provided by parishioners. They range from the practical to the whimsical. Oohs and aahs are commonly heard as people browse the ingenious offerings of the silent auction. Recently, Donna Conn took the juices of rhubarb, strawberries, peaches and other fruits and created a basket of home-made jams along with other goodies. This is her first donation to the auction as she and husband, Don, have only been members of Queens for about two years. Last year was the first time they attended and, after having had such a great time, knew they wanted to contribute. Donna believes that to be a member of a parish means taking an active part. In addtion to her contribution to the auction, she works with engaged couples, is on the team for the October Christ Renews His Parish women’s retreat, and is active with Generations of Faith. Even if your wallet is thin right now, come for the dinner and friendship. You never know what Fr. Dan has up his sleeves when he takes the microphone with impromtu games and raffles. Tickets are available after Masses and at the rectory. If you still want to donate items, call Cathy Nielsen at 323-6871 (silent auction) or Mark and Claire Sundrup at 328-9010 (oral auction). BACK TO TOP |
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Prayer
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 Margaret Kilibarda |
| “I figured that someday I may be in their position, and I would like to think someone will do the same for me.” When she found out that the residents of Fox Run Assisted Living Center had no one to take Communion to them, Margaret Kilibarda decided to take action. With the help of the staff at Fox Run, she scheduled a Communion Service which is held on Mondays at 11 am. Margaret put the service together with the help of a nun who had a relative in residence. It consists of an opening prayer, Gospel reading, petitions, the Our Father, Holy Communion and closing prayers. In addition, she delivers copies of the weekly bulletin to each resident. Many of the participants have been faithful members of Queens for years and are quite appreciative of her ministry as well as the companionship. While Margaret enjoys this ministry, due to a prior parish commitment, she is unable to go to Fox Run on the Monday after the second Sunday of each month. This leaves a void for some of our valued fellow Catholics. Anyone interested in helping this ministry should contact Joan Berner 323-1163 |
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Formation
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 Evelyn Talbott |
In this age of relative morality, what does the Catholic Church teach? What are the hows and whys of the Mass? These are the very important topics to be covered in this year’s Generations of Faith religious program for the entire parish. It is common knowledge that parents work with their younger children at these Wednesday evening religious education classes while teenagers are given a separate group. However, it may come as a surprise to many adults that there is an adults-only study group as well. One adult parishioner, Evelyn Talbott, has attended Generations of Faith since its inception. Raising seven children as a member of Queens since 1968, she has experienced various religious ed programs beginning with the Baltimore Catechism. She also served on the city-wide religious education committee which conducted numerous adult education series. In the last few years, health problems caused Evelyn to cut back on her parish involvement, but when she heard about Generations of Faith, she figured it was “time to get faith back in front of my nose.” In addition, her husband, Mason Wagoner, decided to help cook the suppers which begins the evening for all participants. After the full group theme introduction, Evelyn often chooses to stay with the adults. The presentations and ensuing question and answer time are enlightening. However, sometimes she admits to taking part in the children’s sessions with her daughter and granddaughter. Here too, she is impressed with the maturity and concern the young people have toward God and each other. Finally, Evelyn enjoys reading the articles which are included in the take-home kits. The $10 family fee per session includes both the food for the body and soul as well as all materials. Although adult drop-ins are welcome, registering with Cathy Jayjack at 323-1163 is greatly appreciated. BACK TO TOP |
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Service
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More than 18 boxes of crayons, notebook paper, backpacks and other school supplies were collected by Queen of Apostles parishioners just before the start of the school year. The supplies help supplement the needs of local children. Half the supplies go to St. Albert, half to Council Bluffs school systems where they are given to children unable to obtain all the items on their school supply list. The school supply collection is a project of the Queen of Apostles Peace & Justice Committee. “This is the eighth year of the collection,” says Sue Donovan, head of the Peace & Justice Committee. “Claudia Quigley and Lisa Schwartz helped get it started. They’re teachers and they recognized the need.” Anne Jensen, St. Albert’s elemen tary principal, says they distribute the supplies through the classroom teachers according to need. Diane Ostrowski, Council Bluffs Schools Supervisor of Community Services says this year the supplies were given to elementary children during Back to School Night. The biggest change in school supply needs, says Donovan “... are tissues, baggies and hand sanitizers. It wasn’t on school supply lists eight years ago and now there is a need for it.” The Peace & Justice Committee is already planning a new project, extending the reach of the parish community to Kenya and the Nazareth Sisters of the Annunciation. One of these sisters, Sr. Rose Hellen, is cousin to Queen of Apostles Associate Pastor, Fr. Lazarus Kirigia. He notes, “The sisters have an urgent need to complete a house in Nairobi, Kenya. Their apostolate is in schools and hospitals, with the aged and orphans. They also do parish ministry.” More information on this will be coming to parishioners in September. Peace & Justice Committee members include Donovan, Schwartz, Quigley, Claire Sundrup, Jennifer Brumgardt, Toni Fetter, Amy Helms and Mary Ann Poole. Joan Berner, Ministry Associate, is a liaison between the committee and the parish office. BACK TO TOP |
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| “Can someone go to Heaven whithout being baptized?” “Is missing Mass on Sunday really a mortal sin?” “What are votive candles and how do we use them?” |
| Next month Fr. Dan will answer your questions about the Catholic Church and our Faith. Questions may be submitted in three ways: • call the rectory at 323-2916 • email: queenofapostles@cox.net • drop a note in the collection basket You may submit your question anonymously, if you wish. BACK TO TOP |
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Your ideas for future issues are welcome. If you would like to join the stewardship committee Contact the stewardship committee: Queensstewardship@cox.net BACK TO TOP |