St. Boniface, St. Joseph, & St. John the Baptist Parishes October 14, 2012
We are all one body, one body in Christ, and we do not stand alone. We are Christ’s body, His hands and feet. We will speak His word of life to everyone we meet.
Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
Pastor: Fr. David Fulton, PO Box 170, Fordyce-NE 402-357-3506
Emai: website:
Deacons:Marcus Potts (F) Brian Heine (F)
Clarence Jansen (M)Rod Wiebelhaus (F)
Phones:St. John Rectory357-3506St. John Fax 357-3795
St. John Hall357-2322West Cath. 357-3507East Catholic357-2146 St. Joseph Hall 357-3761
St. Boniface Prayer Line:Judy Hoesing 357-3535
St. John Prayer Line:Amy Dickes 357-3301 or
Donna Potts 357-3728
Marriage Arrangements:at least 6 months in advance
Mass Intentions:Mark “Mass Intention” and put in Sunday collection or mail to Carole Schulte, PO Box 116, Fordyce-NE 68736. Indicatewho, desired date and parish.
Confession: St. Joseph: 7:00 – 7:25 p.m. (before Mass)
St. John: Sunday 10:10-10:25 & Frist Fridays 7:15–7:30 am and by app’t.
St. Boniface: Sunday 8:00-8:25 am and Wednesday evenings 6:30-7:00 pm during schoolyear.
St. Boniface Eucharistic Adoration: Wed 5:30 –6:30 pm; Thurs 6:50 –7:50 am
First Friday Adoration: after 8:00 am Mass till 7pm at St. John the Baptist
Eucharistic Holy Hour and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Devotion:
Tues 6:45 am-7:45 am at St. John
Secretary Hours:School Year: M-F: 8:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m.
The Parish Office will now be located in the school. Please feel free to stop by the school anytime for parish business.
PASTOR’S CORNER
The Monkey Trap by Fr. MunachiWisdom 7:7-11 / Hebrews 4:12-13 / Mark 10:17-30
African hunters have a clever way of trapping monkeys. They slice a coconut in two, hollow it out, and in one half of the shell cut a hole just big enough for a monkey's hand to pass through. Then they place an orange in the other coconut half before fastening together the two halves of the coconut shell. Finally, they secure the coconut to a tree with a rope, retreat into the bush, and wait. Sooner or later, an unsuspecting monkey swings by, smells the delicious orange, and discovers its location inside the coconut. The monkey then slips its hand through the small hole, grasps the orange, and tries to pull it through the hole. Of course, the orange won't come out; it's too big for the hole. To no avail the persistent monkey continues to pull and pull, never realizing the danger it is in. While the monkey struggles with the orange, the hunters approach and capture the monkey by throwing a net over it. As long as the monkey keeps its fist wrapped around the orange, the monkey is trapped. The only way the monkey could save its life is to let go of the orange and flee.
This hunting system works because it hardly occurs to the monkey that it cannot have both the orange and its freedom. Even when the monkey sees the hunters coming to capture it, it does not let go of the orange and run away but makes more frantic effort to take the orange with it. The system works because the monkey is entrapped by its own greed. I can imagine the monkey saying its last prayers as it sees the hunters coming. The moneky prayer would go something like this: "Save me, O God; please save me. Only do not ask me to let go of the orange." This may sound funny, but fact is, many of us have learnt to say the monkey prayer. A good example is the rich young man in today's gospel whose prayer probably was: "Give me eternal life, O Lord; only do not ask me to give up my wealth."
If you are a lover of animals and you see the monkey struggling to get the orange while the hunters are closing up on it, what would you do? You would probably shout to the monkey to abandon the stupid orange and run for dear life. This is exactly what Jesus does to the rich young man. He sees the man in danger of losing his bid on eternal life on account of his attachment to wealth. So he calls on him to give up his wealth and save his life. Why did Jesus have to do this? Mark tells us that it is because "Jesus looked at him and loved him" (Mark 10:21a). The teachings and directives of Jesus often seem hard and incomprehensible but in the end they are meant for our own good. It will change the way we receive the teachings of Jesus when we realise that, hard as they may be, they are the words of someone who loves us and who knows better than we probably do at the moment what is ultimately in our interest to have or to avoid.
The rich young man is like the monkey insisting on the orange when its very life is in danger. So Jesus points out to him the only way of escape: "You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me" (Mark 10:21b). Why does the young man find this teaching a hard pill to swallow? We know that this man has been a religious, observant Jew since his youth. Religious Jews believed that wealth was a sign of God's blessing. Rich people were regarded as those God had blessed and poor people were regarded as those God had cursed. That is why when Jesus told his disciples how hard it would be for rich people to enter the kingdom of God, "they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, 'Then who can be saved?'" (verse 26). Here we see the beginnings of what we know today as the "prosperity gospel," the belief that wealth is a sign of God's approval, and poverty and hardship a sign of God's disapproval.
The gospel of Jesus challenges the prosperity gospel for, as we see in today's gospel story, poverty and God's love can go hand in hand. In fact, voluntary poverty can be a way of responding to God's love. Prosperity gospel is nothing but materialism in religious garb. Materialism is the belief that without wealth life is meaningless. The rich young man was a materialist believer. Our prayer today is that God may give us more wisdom than the monkey to flee materialism in all its forms. For "what profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit one's life?" (Mark 8:36)
Sunday Giving
St. Joseph (Oct 7): Envelopes - $145; Plate - $45; Endowment Contributions this fiscal year-to-date - $20
St. John (Oct 7):Envelopes - $1215; Plate - $57.50; Riverboat Days - $0; Endowment Contributions this fiscal year-to-date - $0; Loan @ CSB –Paid Off!
St. Boniface (Oct 7):Envelopes - $2366; Plate - $24.50; Dollar Collection - $41.50; Endowment Contributions this fiscal year-to-date - $20; Loan @ CSB –$5,670; Roof Fund to date - $5,215.
Scripture Readings
Mon:Gal 4:22-24, 26-27, 31 - 5:1; Lk 11:29-32
Tue:Gal 5:1-6; Lk 11:37-41
Wed:Gal 5: 18-25; Lk 11:42-46
Thu:2 Tm 4:10-17b; Lk 10:1-9
Fri:Eph 1:11-14; Lk 12:1-7
Sat:Eph 1:15-23; Lk 12:8-12
Adoration
St. John the Baptist
First Friday Adoration:8:30 am – 7:00 pm followed by Benediction and Closing
Eucharistic Holy Hour and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Devotions:
Tuesdays 6:45 am-7:45 am
St. Boniface Eucharistic Adoration
Wednesday: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Thursday: 6:50 am – 7:50 am
AREA EVENTS
October 14, Sunday – Life Chain – Holy Family Parish Pro-Life Committee invites you to join with thousands across our nation from 2:45 p.m. till 4:00 p.m. on Sunday October 14th as we stand in prayerful and peaceful public witness on behalf of abortion’s many victims (over 165 million babies, mothers, fathers, families). Signs provided. Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult. Location: the Wuebben’s on Hwy 12 (1 mile East of Hwy 57). For more info contact Judy Verschoor at 357-2240, or Michelle Paltz at 357-2163, or call the Parish Office at 254-3311 or 357-2465. Please plan to join us, rain or shine! Bring a chair!
October 14, Sunday – St. Agnes Catholic Church in will have their annual Soup Kitchen at the Sigel Hall. The menu includes our tasty Taverns, Hot Dogs, Chili Dogs, Chicken Noodle Soup, Chili, Potato Soup, Homemade Desserts and Pies and beverages. There will also be a raffle, bake walk, and a country store. Sigel Hall is located 10 miles North of Yankton, SD on Hwy 81 to the Lesterville Road (300th Street), then 1 mile West.
October 14, Sunday – St. Helena Catholic Order of Foresters Annual Swiss Steak Dinner - The St. Helena Catholic Order of Foresters invite you toattend their annual Swiss Steak Dinner on Sunday October 14th. Dinner will beserved from 10:30am. to 1:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Hall in St. Helena,Nebraska. Proceeds from the dinner will go towards replacing the siren in St.Helena. A raffle will be held along with the dinner. Take- out orders are welcome. Come and enjoy a great meal!
October 14, Sunday - Joyce Stevens of the Nebraska Mothers Association will be hosting an
Interfaith Service/Gathering at St. Rose of Lima Church Hall in Crofton, NE on Sunday, October 14th, at1:30pm. The American Mothers, Inc. Pledge is to support and promote positiveprograms for children and families of all faiths. Men, women, and families of alldenominations are cordially invited to enjoy an afternoon of praise, music, and fun. Desserts, beverages, and door prizes will be provided.
October 21, Sunday – Holy Trinity Fall Dinner and Bazaar, serving from 4:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. at the Monsignor Werner Activity Center. Call 402-254-6496 for take-out and in-town deliveries. Raffle, bake sale, country store, book fair, Kids Fun Run, and (new this year) – Adults 5K. Menu: broasted chicken, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, and a delicious variety of homemade salads and pies. Adults - $8.00, K-5th - $5.00, PreK-Free. Fun activities for the kids in the Holy Trinity Gym.
October 28, Sunday - Come & enjoy the Holy Family Annual Fall Breakfastat Sacred Heart Hall in Wynot. Serving from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Menu: pancakes and/or French Toast, sausage,scrambled eggs, fruit, coffee & juice. Adults $6; children 6-12, $3; preschool free. Also sausage for sale, Bake Sale and raffles for adults & children. Everyonewelcome!
November 30-December 2, 2012 - BEGINNING EXPERIENCE Weekend for widowed, divorced & separated is designed to allowpeople to work through theemotions of losing a spouse. Through this weekend many arehealed, transformed, and freed to love themselves, others & God. The next weekend isplanned for Nov. 30-Dec 2, 2012 at Broomtree Retreat Center, Irene, SD. For moreinfo or an application, please call:Sue 605-941-5867 or Lois 605-332-1138
PARISH NEWS
The Parish Center Building Project scheduled for October 14, Sundayafter St. John’s Mass has been postponed to a later date that is yet undecided. Please watch the bulletin for further updates.
Congratulations to our Confirmation Class! Those students confirmed last Sunday: (from St. Boniface) – Josh Goeden, Brittany Guenther, Hannah Kast, Eric Kleinschmit, James Kleinschmit, Lucas Kleinschmit, Brianna Loecker, Brock Mueller, Austin Proctor, Alisa Ruzicka, Rachael Schaefer, Aaron Schroeder, Elizabeth Suing, Lane Suing, Alicia Tejral, Joseph Tramp, Andrea Zavadil, Julie Zavadil, and Mariah Zavadil; From St. Joseph: Mitchel Steffen; and from St. John the Baptist: James Kaiser, Jacob Kaiser, Tyler Koch, Ethan Kramer, Brianna Lammers, Bryce Lammers, Dominic Lammers, Philomena Lammers, Taylor Lammers, Andrew Schieffer, Colton Schieffer, Emma Wiebelhaus, and Jared Wiebelhaus. Jared Fuelberth of St. Joseph Parish will also be making his Confirmation at Holy Trinity Parish.
We would liketo extend our deepest thanks and appreciation for the cards, memorials, flowers,food, visits, phone calls and kindness during the time of our loss. We would alsolike to thank Fr. Fulton, Fr. Lange & Fr. Schmidt for officiating at the visitationservice, funeral mass & burial. Thank you especially to Father Fulton for the manyvisits, prayers & blessings over both Mom & Dad ~ it meant so much! Thank you tothe choir for the beautiful music and to the Ladies Guild for the delicious lunch. We are blessed to have such a loving and caring community. It is very hard for us tolose both parents this last year. We hope that the faithfulness & dedicationremains in each & every one of your families to keep St. Boniface holding strong!! Blessings to all of you! Lorraine Tramp family
October 16, Tuesday - The Rural North Central Deanery Meeting will be atSt. Ann's with Dixon/Laurel hosting. Registration will begin at 1:00; meeting at 1:30 p.m.
November 7, Wednesday - Please join the St. John’s Ladies Guild for a Fiesta Party and Election of Officers on Nov 7th at 7:00 p.m. Food and beverages will be provided. Come enjoy a"Girl's Night Out". Door prizes will be given!
If you would like to become a Member of the St. Boniface Prayer Line and havenot signed up to be on the listing before, you may join at any time bye-mailing, texting, or calling Patty Ann Zavadil
@ (605) 660-4601, or , or (402) 357-2564. The new contact person forputting someone in need of prayers on the St. Boniface Prayer line is Betty Peitz @(402) 357-3577. Thank You to Judy Hoesing for coordinating the Prayer Line for somany years.
There is a box in the back of St. Boniface Church for donations to the Haven House in Hartington. If each family would donate one item that would be great! Items needed: Diapers (any size), paper towels, shampoo,conditioner, dish soap, deodorant, body wash, cleaning supplies (Windex,409), garbage bags, laundry soap, hand soap, gift cards for groceries, gas at local stores, underwear (women's size 6). Thank You!
Lost! Red Canon Camera at St. Boniface Parish. If found, please call DeeDee Tramp at 402-388-2448. Thank You!
The first St. Boniface Centennial Cookbooks that were published in 1982are available for sale for $15.00. Please contact Julie Arens if you would like to buy a cookbook.
There is a fuel bill to pay at Wiebelhaus Service for West Catholic bus fuel. If you would like to help out by paying part of the bill, please just stop down at the Station or contact the school at 357-3507. Your help is greatly appreciated!
October 21, - World Mission Sunday
Every year, something special happens on the next-to-last Sunday of October – the Church reflects its deepest identity – as the Church in Mission. World Mission Sunday was established by Pope Pius XI I 1926. He saw the day as a way to “foster understanding of the greatness of the missionary task, encourage zeal among the clergy and the people, and offer an opportunity to make the Society for the Propagation of the Faith ever more widely known and encourage offerings for the missions. Please find in your bulletin an envelope for the World Mission Sunday Collection to be taken up on Oct 21st.
St. Boniface Youth Choir
Choir Sings: Oct 14, Oct 21, Nov 11, Nov 18, Dec 9, Dec 16, Dec 16, Dec 23, Dec 24 (Christmas Eve Mass)
Important to be at practice as we will begin planning our Christmas Mass music!
Choir Practice: after each Sunday we sing in Sep-0ct-Nov-Dec.
First Friday Adoration
St. John the Baptist is in need of additional adorers for First Friday Adoration. Please contact Donna Potts at 357-3728 or call the parish office at 357-3506 if you’d like to participate.
St. Boniface Parish Council is seeking donations for the Fun Night's Live and Silent Auctions. Fun Night will be October 27th and the council is in the process of organizing items and donations at this time for the auctions. Please contact a Council Member if you would like to donate to the event ...any/all contribution greatly appreciated! Thank you.
St. Joseph’s Covenant Keepers A new St. Joseph’s Covenant Keepers group is forming at St. Boniface Church in Menominee. They will meet on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. For more information, please visit Dads.org or call Ryan Tramp at 388-2426.
St. Joseph’s Covenant Keepers (i.e. SJCK) is an informal international network of Christian men, under the patronage of St. Joseph, dedicated to strengthening the family. The primary thrust of St. Joseph’s Covenant Keepers is to men who are fathers of children still living at home. However, we warmly welcome Christian men of all ages, callings, and states in life: grandfathers wanting to strengthen their children and grandchildren; single men preparing for the vocation of marriage; and especially pastors serving as indispensable spiritual fathers in the family of God. Participation is open to all men who agree with, and who are willing to promote, the eight commitments of St. Joseph’s Covenant Keepers.
A New Women’s Group will begin at St. Boniface Church in Menominee and will meet the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.. For more information, call Kim Tramp at 388-2426.
SCHOOL NEWS
West Catholic 100 Club Winners for the month of October are:
$50.00 Bob & JoAnn Wiebelhaus
$25.00 Donavan Wiebelhaus
$25.00 Roman & Arlene Arens
The HyVee SmartPoints program is back and West Catholic Elementary seeks your help in winning a SmartBoard interactive whiteboard so that each classroom is equipped with one. We have won the contest the last two years and would like to make it three! This has been an amazing program for our school, since larger schools do not have an advantage over smaller schools.
You don’t have to have a student enrolled at West Catholic to participate. You can give your points to any student, and the student at the winning school who accumulates the most points will walk away with an IPad 2! The program runs from September 1st until November 30th. All you need to do is purchase $20 worth of participating products at HyVee, and a ticket will print out with your grocery receipt automatically (if it doesn’t, please ask the cashier for it – some of them are not familiar with the program). Listed below are those Proctor and Gamble products that qualify:
AlignCoverGirlHead & ShouldersOral B
AlwaysCrestHerbal EssencesPampers
AussieDawnIamsPantene
BounceDownyIvoryPepto-Bismal
BraunDreftJoyPrilosec