JANUARY 10, 2021

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

Dear Friends,

First of all, as we wrap up this Christmas season, I would like to say thank you to everyone who has been so kind and generous to us priests with your cards, gifts, and goodies. As I have said before, the best part of being back in the parish is the people. Here’s to hoping for less Covid in the new year and more opportunities to get to know one another.

As I review the past six months, I believe we were able to accomplish a lot even in difficult circumstances. I’ve come to realize that while having an outward focus in our evangelization efforts still needs to be our priority, it’s not that easy to pull off. It takes time to get the right people in the right places. Besides that, each parish has its own particular needs that have to be addressed first. Also, there is still the need for greater understanding of what the relationship between the two parishes means and looks like. I have some ideas about what that looks like, so in this next quarter, I’ll begin moving forward on executing several of them.

Before I get into those goals, I want to talk about the term “family of parishes.” Formerly, I’ve been calling our grouping a “network of parishes.” While that is a better description than “cluster,” the term “family” better describes the role of each parish. As a family we are invited to work as one unit, sharing an identity together, but also keeping our separate identities. We are also called to support one another like a family. Like a family, we share in one another’s events, celebrations, and struggles. There have been several studies done on the different models of parish groupings. The studies have found that when parishes stay separate even when they share a pastor, one of the parishes will edge out the others, which is not the vision we have of our grouping at all. So, moving forward we’ll keep this term in mind to describe and continue to discern what it means to be a family of parishes.

In an effort to establish a foundation of unity for our family of parishes, I’ll be primarily focused on the following key results for the next three months.

1. Finalize the name for our family of parishes approved by both parish councils. 2. Utilize one database for both parishes. 3. Initiate bi-weekly staff meetings with the two parish staffs that includes time for prayer and planning. 4. Re-write the organizational chart. 5. Establish a Pastoral Vision Council made up of members of each parish and meet once.

Finally, I’d like to share with you a few personal calendar items in order to give you a heads up about my whereabouts in the next few months.

* January 11 - 15, I’ll be helping with the Theology III Kenrick Seminary retreat as a spiritual director. I will have access to Wi-Fi and some time in my schedule to still conduct parish business, just not in-person. The retreat is at Broomtree Retreat Center near Yankton, SD. * January 18, I will fly to St. Louis and back to give a workshop on parish evangelization at Kenrick Seminary. * February 8 - 20, I will be on my personal retreat in Arizona as well as spend a few days with family.

In Christ

Fr. Lorig

A Family of Parishes

St. JoAN ARC OF

3122 South 74th Street

Omaha, Nebraska 68124

Phone (402) 393-2005

Fax (402) 398-9438

Website www.sjaomaha.org

Email church@sjaomaha.org

Catholic Church

2 SAINT JOAN OF ARC CATHOLIC CHURCH OMAHA, NEBRASKA

Mass/Confession Times at St. Thomas More

Monday - Friday: 7:00 am

Saturdays: 8:00 am & 5:00 pm

Sundays: 8:00 am & 10:30 am

Confessions on Saturdays: 4pm-4:40 pm

PARISH PERSONNEL Pastor: Rev. Jeffrey Lorig

Cell 402-509-3909

Email: jplorig@archomaha.org

Senior Associate Pastors:

Rev. Greg Benkowski

Rectory 402-393-8918

Rev. Frank Baumert

Cell 402-677-1565

Deacon Ron & Julie Ryan

402-551-4330

Deacon Tim & Ruth Leininger

402-731-7474

Parish Business Manager

Martha N. Saettele

402-393-2005, ext. 4

Bulletin Editor: Linda Boyer

Email: bulletin@sjaomaha.org

School Principal: Kayleen Wallace

Secretary, Renae Vorland

402-393-2314, ext 3

Fax 402-393-4405

Religious Education: Jennifer Muckey

Email: jennifermuckey@gmail.com

Athletic Director: Dylan & Beth Biros

402-210-5407

Email: sjasports@yahoo.com

Prayer Assistance Line

Melinda Kenton 402-390-9470

Kim Large: prayer@sjaomaha.org

Holy Communion to Homebound

Deacon Tim 402-731-7474

Food for The Francis House

Mary Kentch 402-593-8703

Funerals: Please call the Parish Office

SACRAMENTS Baptism

Contact Fr. Lorig 3 months prior to

baptism at 402-509-3909

Marriage

Please call Fr. Lorig at least 9 months in

advance for date and instruction information.

Always verify priest and church availability

before reserving reception venue.

Penance

Saturdays, 4:00 - 4:50 pm.

Anytime by appointment

Si necesita alguna información o tiene preguntas

acerca de la iglesia por favor comuniquese con

Martha Nevárez Saettele al 402-393 2005 ext. 4

January 10, 2021 - Baptism of the Lord “And a voice came from the heavens, ‘You are my beloved Son;

with you I am well pleased.’” - MARK 1:11

Through our baptism, we too, are daughters and sons of God. We are disciples of

Jesus. As true disciples we are called to actively participate in our Catholic faith, not

just be mere bystanders. This means working in collaboration with the Holy Spirit

and discerning how we are being asked to use our gifts. Using our gifts for the ben-

efit of others and not just for our own interests and comfort.

Archbishop’s Annual Appeal We invite all those who have yet to make a gift to join their fellow parishioners in

an expression of gratitude. Every gift, no matter how

large or small, makes a difference. Our parish has a goal

of $39,385.51. Donations, as of January 4, 2021, are

$29,620.00 which is 75.2.% of our goal. Help us reach

our goal. You can donate online at archomaha.org.

Live Streamed Mass

Don’t forget, we live stream

the St. Thomas More 10:30 am

Sunday Mass. You can access it

through the St. Joan of Arc website

at www.sjaomaha.org.

St. Joan of Arc

Mass Attendance Monthly Contributions

December 2020 985 $38,971.00

November 2020 1291 $37,317.00

October 2020 1105 $30,912.00

December 2019 — $58,619.00

November 2019 — $39,054.00

October 2019 — $43,65700

Calendar of Events Sunday, January 10th, 2021

10:30 am - Live Streamed Mass from St. Thomas More

access via SJA webpage - sjaomaha.org

Liturgical Ministers January 16th, 2021 and January 17th, 2021

Lectors EMHCs

5:00 pm - John McKinstra Jean Harden

8:00 am - Janice Holzapfel Marv Schulz

10:30 am - Valerie LaCrosse Valerie LaCrosse

Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

Open Hours

Tuesdays: 9am, 10am - call Rachel, 402-658-8418

Wednesdays: 1pm - call Rachel, 402-658-8418

Saturdays: 6pm - call Deacon Tim, 402-731-7474

A Word of Thanks

Thanks to those of you, groups, Human

Needs and Ladies Guild, and individuals

who sent cards/gifts. You are always so

generous. Let’s have a happy 2021!!

- - Fr. Greg

3 JANUARY 10, 2021

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

Mass Intentions Monday, January 11, 2021 Requested by

8:30 am † Christopher Krejci (Pauly Spanke) School Mass for Christendom Academy* Tuesday, January 12, 2021

8:30 am Special Intention

SVdP Donors School Mass for SJA Kindergarten through 2nd Grade* Wednesday, January 13, 2021

8:30 am † Ronald McClellan (McClellan Family) School Mass for SJA 3rd thru 5th Grade* Thursday, January 14, 2021

8:30 am † Joyce Luebbert (Doris Luebbert)School Mass for SJA 6th thru 8th Grade*

Friday, January 15, 2021

8:30 am † Leonard Johnson (Barbara Johnson) School Mass for Christendom Academy* Saturday, January 16, 2021

5:00 pm † Theresa Holman (Barbara Johnson)

Fr. Lorig

Sunday, January 17, 2021

8:00 am SJA Parishioners

Fr. Benkowski

10:30 am † Maxine Kratky (Gary Kratky)

Fr. Baumert

*Students will use the entire section of pews to the right of center aisle.

Please remember those who are sick in our parish, and those we

have been asked to pray for: Anna Maria Leo, Jill Elston, Paul Wade, Bill Stark, Jerry Hogya, Bev Sladovnik, Shirley Bardsley, Connie Wade,

Anto Kinsley, Ken Renkenberger, Maria Menjivar, Steve Hamill, Nadine

Hansen, Bob Mercier, Maxine Kantor, Sam Marchese, Andrew Ascherl,

Eileen Annin, Grace Fascianella, Roger Pedroza, †Rose Romano

Scholarship Opportunity The Omaha Urban Council of Catholic Women Deanery is offering

a $250 scholarship to a senior Catholic girl. The winner of the

deanery scholarship will be eligible to compete for the $500

scholarship offered by the Omaha Archdiocesan Council of Cath-

olic Women. The applications for the Omaha Urban Deanery

Scholarship are due January 15, 2021, and need to be sent to

Cathy Vak, 3255 S. 77th St., Omaha, NE 68124.

A Very Sincere Thank You

for your support for our Christmas Giving Project this year. Your

generosity was overwhelming. Thank you to

those who adopted the four families from our

school that were in need of help. Thank you to

those that made monetary donations. The do-

nations allowed us to provide donations to the

school, teachers and staff, a gift card to the four

adopted families, and a donation to Operation Others/Catholic

Charities. We pray that you stay safe and healthy during this

pandemic. May God bless you in this Christmas season and in

the new year. - - Human Needs Committee

Join the SJA 500 Confraternity Today You, too, can be a 500 Club Winner and help SJA at the same

time. For a membership of $60/year, you are entered into 52

weekly drawings. Half of the money raised is

used as prize winnings; the other half is for

parish/school necessities. Applications are in

the Gathering Area. Questions? Call Jean

Nauss at 402-391-1497.

St. Joan of Arc School Highlights

GRIEVING WITH GREAT HOPE WINTER 2021 WORKSHOP

Grieving with Great Hope is a workshop/support group for those

who are mourning the loss of a loved one. This journey is firmly

grounded in our Catholic Faith and is a 6-week walk with those who

have lost a spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandchild, or a close

friend. This workshop meets January 12th, 19th, 26th, and Febru-

ary 2nd, 9th , and 16th, 2021.

These sessions are from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at St. Cecilia Cathedra.

Attendance is necessary for all sessions

and seating is limited. Please contact

Deacon Jim Tardy at 402-391-3711

or 402-551-2313, or you can email him

at jtardy@catholiccem.com.

Know Anyone Going To College in Omaha? Please share with them that there is a

place that was made just for them: the

St. John Paul II Newman Center. All

college students in Omaha are welcome

to join this community and parish, find

friends, and have fun. We also have a

safe, affordable residence hall on site.

Please visit jpiiomaha.org for more information, videos, and a virtual

tour. Call anytime 402-557-5575 to tour in person.

500 Confraternity January 10, 2021 - Kathleen Hughes

Welcome 2021!

Just like most people, the students and staff at SJA were excited to start the

New Year. We are back to in person instruction with 100% of

our students in attendance. We actually added some students

to our PK classroom, so our enrollment numbers are at 98

students. We plan to continue in person instruction, hopefully

without any disruptions.

Our second semester starts on January 14th. We have been planning Catholic

Schools Week activities for our students keeping in mind our social distancing

measures. Catholic Schools Week this year begins on Sunday, January 31st.

Stay tuned for updates and daily activities.

Kayleen Wallace

Principal

Part Time Position Open We are currently looking for a part time worker in our

cafeteria. The hours are 10:30 am to 1:00 pm. If

interested, please contact the school office at

402-393-2314 for more information.

Catholic Charities Has Openings

Catholic Charities is currently looking for a fully licensed therapist to

join its Behavioral Health team. This individual will work with

outpatient clients on a PRN basis. Visit

www.ccomaha.org/about/employment to

learn more, or contact Kelly Bolte, HR

Manager, 402-829-9220, with questions.

Other positions are available as well.

mailto:jtardy@catholiccem.com