You will find in the pew a brochure concerning the construction of a Catholic elementary school in Grand Island. I encourage you to read it carefully and give it prayerful consideration. Perhaps you are inclined to dismiss it because you have no children or grandchildren who will be attending. Please reconsider. There is an aspect of our Catholic Faith that has been lost to our understanding, discipleship. The evidence of this loss is bore out by the miffed response to encouragements to share our Catholic faith with others. “Is this something Catholic do? Isn’t that something that non-Catholics do going door to door? Are we even supposed to do that? I don’t think I am capable of doing that!” Such are the thoughts that run through our minds. But the answer is an emphatic, YES! Catholics by their Baptism and Confirmation are commissioned and expected by our Lord to share their faith with others. Does this mean you are expected to go door to door? Yes and no. If you are thinking about going down the street, house to house, probably not. That is a special mission or calling, not for everyone. But yes, in the sense that we should be taking our faith with us through every door we pass through and always be open to witnessing to our faith as best we can. (Remember, Jesus said not to prepare ahead what you will say, it will be given to you in the moment.) So, what does this have to do with Catholic elementary education? Everything! Your support is a grand opportunity to share your Catholic faith. Each one of us has a Catholic, moral obligation to pass on the gift of our faith in Christ and increase the Father’s children by expanding the Church. Our world desperately needs a new generation of saints. I ask, is it any less meritorious to make a saint as to be one? Or do we become a saint by making saints? I am not overstating when I claim that Central Catholic of Grand Island is on track to doing exactly that, making saints. Please pray about this and consider if you could make a gift, even a small one. The Lord will bless you! Yours in Christ our Lord, Fr. Sid.

This week is Catholic Schools Week, and it will be celebrated at Central Catholic in Grand Island. As of this school year we have two students from our parish attending. The first in a very long time. They both report that they are doing well and love their new setting. By the support of the parish council, they are provided with $1000 tuition assistance. This will probably continue to be available to any future students from our parish. The last school year the tuition for 6-8 grades was $4470 and 9-12 $4945. There is also other financial aid and tuition assistance available by application. I want to put a plug in for Central Catholic. Catholic school played a huge part in my family’s journey to the Catholic faith. Seeking a better education option for the kids, we enrolled them in the local Catholic high school with no intention of becoming Catholic. It was there that I encountered a catechism and good witnesses. You know the rest of the story. I am also aware of personal affections for our school of graduation. Carol and I both graduated from the same public high school, and we have many memories and attachments. But we came to a place in life where we had to really evaluate what was happening to our children. In our situation, they were being exposed to influences that were not morally good, expressions opposed Christian views and sent the wrong message as to what proper Christian lifestyles should be. It was not an easy decision. We did experience painful rejection from our local school acquaintances. As time went by there were reasons to question our choice. But the long story proved it to be the best choice by far. Today as I write this, all 15 of our school age grandchildren are in that same school and thriving. Now I know as well as you that Catholic school have gone through very troubled times just like the Church. Many, if not most, are still in trouble. Many are barely recognizable as having any Christian influence at all. Many openly oppose Catholic moral teaching. But that is not the case with Central Catholic. It is genuinely Catholic! For the past 4 years I have served as chaplain. I have watched the administration and students. I am delighted to tell you of the spiritual growth I see progressing day to day. There is weekly all school Mass, (The kids kneel on the hard wood floor during the Eucharistic prayers! What’s that tell you?) They have an optional chapel Mass on Tuesdays. There is usually Adoration every Thursday with the opportunity for Confession. The Lord is present in the tabernacle in the chapel, open for the youth and staff to visit, which they do! There are stations of the cross in the hallways as well as icons of the saints. I can say more but I am out of space. I invite you to support our Catholic school! Yours in Christ our Lord, Fr. Sid.

Most of you are aware that at the end of October I had knee replacement. It has gone well with the exception of some related difficulties with my lower back spasms, probably caused by me walking different. I am now preparing for some more updating. You are aware that I have difficulty in hearing, and it continues to deteriorate. This Thursday, Jan. 26th, I will have installed a Cochlear implant for hearing. This involves surgically inserting a very small device to my inner ear connected to a device under my scalp. Another small device attaches magnetically to the under-scalp device. Together they transmit sound to my inner ear if all works properly. If successful, it should make a big difference in my ability to hear. Therefore, there will not be daily Mass this week as I will be traveling on Wednesday so I can be in Omaha for the surgery on Thursday. This will be done as an outpatient, but they advise me to take it easy for a few days. So, the following Sunday, Mass will be covered by a visiting priest. I know I can count on your prayers. God bless you. Yours in Christ out Lord, Fr. Sid.

In our Gospel reading for this Sunday, John the Baptist declares about Jesus, “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” That should sound very familiar because it is said in every Mass by the priest as he holds up the consecrated host before the congregation saying, “Behold the lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sin of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the lamb.” And the response is, “Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” This declaration and response are pure Holy Scripture. The first comes from today’s Gospel. The reference to the lamb’s supper comes from the end of the Book of Revelation, referring to the great banquet of the Lord and the redeemed at the end of time. The response is from the words of the Roman Centurion whose faith is commended by Jesus when he says it is unnecessary for Jesus to come to his home to heal his servant. He only needs to say it will be done and that is enough. We make the response in the Mass as we look upon the consecrated Host, held up in the hands of the priest for all to see. It is our declaration of faith in the real presence of the Lord in the form of bread. Like the Centurion, we declare our faith in the words of Jesus when he says, “This is My Body. This is My Blood.” Yours in Christ our Lord. Fr. Sid.

The last day of 2022 brought us the death of Pope Benedict, the previous holy father before Francis. Pope Benedict was of particular affection to me. He was instrumental in the official permission of the Church for me to be ordained a priest. He gave the initial approval when he was head of the Congregation of the Faith and years later, he gave the final approval when he held the office of Pope. But more than just giving the formal approval, Pope Benedict the theologian guided me into understanding the Catholic faith. He centered upon the relationship with Christ that is necessary for anyone to understand and grow in faith. The hallmark of his writings is their understandability. He used common events for illustrations and simple language to speak about deep and mysterious subjects. This simplicity speaks volumes about his humility and love for the faithful to understand. May he rest in peace! Fr. Sid

What a perfect way to start a new year by assisting at Mass. Does that sound strange? I’m sure it does. You probably expected to hear something like, “celebrating Mass.” “Assisting,” is a word traditionally used but has fallen on hard times, being replaced by “celebrating.” What is the difference. The use of celebrate came into fashion about 50 years ago along with many other verbal slight-of-the-hands that were alleged to help bring clarity and fresh understanding. However, as time has passed, they have proven to only confuse and change understandings, frequently in a negative or false manner. The word, celebrate is popularly understood in our culture as something people do on New Year’s Eve, eat, drink, socialize and make a happy ruckus. Unfortunately, that is the general attitude that using the word celebrate has brought to Mass. The whole idea of assisting has been lost. To show you the difference, if I, as a priest, go somewhere and say Mass with another priest it would be said that I am, “con-celebrating.” Everyone knows that that does not mean I went there to “pop-a-cork” with him. I am assisting him at the altar. Assisting with what? The sacrifice! And so are you. How? With your prayers and the gift of yourself, your heart. In the Preface, the dialogue between the priest and the people before the consecration, the priest says, “Lift up your hearts.” The people reply, “We lift them up to the Lord.” So, I ask you, do you lift up your heart to the Lord? People complain that they don’t get anything out of the Mass. Mass is a prayer from beginning to end. Are you engaging it with a prayerful heart, an open heart, a generous heart, a humble heart. You see, the Lord is listening to our hearts, not necessarily our lips. Our heart is that secret place within our soul that contains the full truth of who we really are. God know it but waits for the invitation to enter. In every Mass we have the opportunity to invite the Lord into our heart. That’s where He wants to be. In this we become increasingly “one flesh” with our God, the person we were created to be. So, I invite you to “assist” at Mass. Begin this new year right, prayerfully give yourself to the Lord. The Lord be with you. Fr. Sid

I want to use this opportunity to wish everyone a very blessed Christmas and New Year. Starting with Christmas and continuing every day through New Year’s day is the Octave of Christmas. In other words, every day of the Octave is considered a “Holy Day.” The same thing happens at Easter. It is an excellent time to take in an extra Mass during the week and to start a new devotion for the coming year. One of the best things you can do for your spiritual life is to have a regular devotion time each day, a time to pray and listen. If you are doing that consider adding or expanding time for learning more about your faith. This is where we come to have a better understanding of His will and to do it. This gift to your self is also a precious gift to God and to everyone around you. I think you will find the topic of Mathew Kelly’s book, Holy Moments, to be another opportunity to begin anew with the realization of the “Holy Moments” in our day to day lives. Please read the book and hand it on to someone else to read. On another topic. Thank you to all who sent or gave Carol and I gifts and cards. You are all very generous and kind. You are wonderful parishioners! Yours in Christ our Lord, Fr. Sid

So very quickly Christmas is coming, almost here. If we have prepared ourselves properly, we should be experiencing a sense of joyous anticipation. This should happen every year but more importantly it should be happening perpetually in our heart as each of us realize that we are approaching the second and final coming of Christ Jesus. If you think about it, the joy of Christmas in our lives is a mixed celebration of new life, surprise, reception, fulfillment, renewal, reunion, and peace. That is exactly the Lord’s will for our eternity. No matter how your Christmas this year turns out, good, bad, or ugly, the best is still coming! So, remember this, celebrate, and share the joy! As in previous years we will have an additional Christmas Eve Mass, 4:30 PM & 6:30 PM. I am aware that because of family gatherings the 4:30 is the most popular. But if it makes no difference to your schedule, please consider attending the 6:30 or Christmas morning Mass. The 4:30 will be full. Yours in Christ our Lord. Fr. Sid

This Sunday, the third of Advent, is traditionally known as Gaudete (GowDAYtay) Sunday. The name “Gaudete” means “rejoice” and comes from the first reading of the day. Where as the other Sundays of Advent readings have a more cautionary tone to them, warning to be ready for the Lord’s coming, this Sunday pauses to recognize the joy that should be present in our hearts at the realization that the Lord is near. This life is full of many events and experiences that cause us to focus on the troubles, trials and temptations occurring around day to day. We need to pause and redirect our attention to eternity. At all times, the Lord is near, in small hidden ways that are easy to miss, just like his first coming. He came to an obscure couple, in a stable, in a small town at night. You and I are obscure people in the world, our lives are a small town of events and, unfortunately, our hearts are little more than a manger in a stable, but he still comes. HE comes to your heart and there HE rests. So, behold the wonder and rejoice. Yours in Christ our Lord, Fr. Sid

I want to talk about our Advent penance service that will take place Wed., Dec. 7th. Please be encouraged to attend. When we participate in this Sacrament, we not only receive forgiveness of our sins, we also receive Grace from our Lord just like the other Sacraments. We will conduct it in the manner we did in the past. Once you have gone to Confession you may leave. Children and youth who attend with their parent(s) or grandparent(s) may also leave with them. Otherwise, they need to remain until the normal dismissal time of youth formation classes. There will be multiple priest available to hear confessions. I want to also remind you that besides attending to the good of your own soul you are also being a fine witness for our youth. Seeing you going to Confession helps them to realize that this is a practice that needs to continue throughout their life. So please mark this date on your calendar. It will begin at 6:45 PM. If you are late to arrive, no worries. Confessions will be heard as long as anyone is present desiring the Sacrament. Yours in Christ our Lord. Fr. Sid.