Father Korte begins his "Notes" with information regarding the "Disregard for Life Issues." He refers us to the newspaper clippings regarding the "U S Bishops vow to fight HHS Edict" and the address to hear the podcast by Archbishop Lucas - all in regard to the current status of the abortion issue.

Father includes some interesting background notes on our upcoming 40 Hours Celebration. Plus we get a look at the parish response to proposals by the Meitler Study of East Omaha Shools.

Father Korte's notes appear on Page 2 of this week's bulletin.

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In the interest of keeping the parish informed of the current status of the Meitler study, read this short letter from Fr. Korte which gives information and links on where to find more information and a list of those who have represented our school at the various major consultation meetings. Read more...

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Do you have fabric that you'd like to put to good use? We will be providing pillowcases (child/adult), baby items, blankets/quilts (child/adult), and walker/wheelchair totes to various agencies in the Omaha area and surrounding communities. We are in need of clean 100% cotton, flannel and fleece. The prints should be novelty, sports, baby, licensed (team logos, Disney, etc). We also need quilt batting (LOW loft only). Donations can be dropped off in the marked boxes in the back of both churches the weekends of February 5 and 12. Questions?? Contact Jean (402-331-7524) or Judy (402-593-9378). Join us on the 3rd Monday of the month from 6-9:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. All skill levels are welcome. You are welcome to help with charity projects or work on our own projects.

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The priests will be gone on February 6-7 for the Winter Clergy Conference in Schuyler.

12:15 services on Monday, February 6 will be a communion service.
8:15 and 12:15 services on Tuesday, February 7 will be communion services.

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People have often asked what they should do with old prayer books, holy cards, broken rosaries, old devotional items. When such items, which had a religious purpose or even were given a blessing, become useless they can be disposed of in the following ways. They can be burnt or they can be buried but not placed in a landfill. So, our KCs will oversee a disposal of religious items for our parish and our parish alone. If you have old tattered and torn bibles or prayer books, broken statues, rosaries, tarnished metals etc., you can bring them to the Lakeview site and drop them off at the parish office or school office. After we have collected things for about a month or so we will schedule a burn day. The items that need to be buried will be buried at the Lakeview site in a place which will more than likely stay undisturbed for a long time. We will let you know the date because we will have a prayer service before the disposal process begins.

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Interested in joining the new women's social group? Please come to an information meeting on Monday, February 6 at 6:30 pm in the library, 96th an Q. Share your ideas for fun and interesting socials. Contact Nancy at mnlech@cox.net with any questions.

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Thank you to all who participated in the HOPE program this year. Judy and Gene Steimle, CoChairmen of the HOPE program, give information on the total amount of money raised by our parish. Please read about these profits, and how you, too, can help with this program.

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Please join us on Friday, February 17th from 7:00 - 10:00 pm in the Nursery at 96th & Q. This night will be for working on your own projects, but you are welcome to use a variety of tools and supplies that will be provided for sharing. All levels of experience welcomed. Enter the Church using the West chapel door. You may contact Carol at 402-679-1437 or carol.browning8@gmail.com with any questions

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St Gerald UNO Hockey Night, Saturday, February 25, Pre Game Party, St Gerald School Gym, 78th and Lakeview. Doors open at 4 pm, Bus leaves at 6 pm. All tickets are in the Lower Bowl! Admission includes food, beverage and game ticket: $15.00. Call Casey at 402-677-7507 or caseyjhoffman@cox.net.

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St Gerald School and TeamMates Mentoring Program encourage YOU to join their team! Right now there are children at St Gerald School who would love to have a caring adult spend time with them during the school year. Dr Tom and Nancy Osborne founded TeamMates in 1991 in an effort to provide support and encouragement to school aged youth. TeamMates asks for 1 hour a week during the school year at our school. Scheduling is flexible and resources are available to you to use during your time with your mentee. Mentors come from all walks of life and all ages. Would YOU be interested in making a difference in the life of a child? It's easy. Go to www.teammates.org or call 1-877-531- 8326 for more information and how to apply to be a mentor. Or call the school office, 402-331-4223.

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Here is Father Korte's homily outlining lots of important information for our parishioners with even more complete details than the homily delivered at mass.

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The Friends on Q February event is a breakfast at the Justin Thyme Café, 8544 Park Drive. We meet at 10:15 A.M. (or after the 9:00 A.M. mass) on February 19. You will be ordering off the menu and be receiving separate checks. Hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please call Rosemary at (402) 933-9299.

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Attached is a scanned image of the religious education calendar dates for 2011-2012. Click the image icon next to this posting to view and/or print the calendar. When the image pops up, if it is too small to read, you may need to put your mouse over it and click to see the image in the original size.

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If you could give two disabled people a ride to 5pm Saturday Mass, please call the business office. These people live in the 97th & Mockingbird area.

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If you know of anyone who is unable to come to Mass on Sunday and they would like the Eucharist brought to them, please call 331-1955.

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The data presented in the attached PDF file does not include the specific comments made on the survey. Comments shared on the survey were gathered together, grouped according to kind, and examined by the long-range planning committee and the parish staff. The purpose of the survey was to gather input on the general feelings of the parish at large. With almost 600 surveys returned the comments were appraised in that light and were helpful in the formulation of long range goals.

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