2nd Sunday of Advent Dear Family, An update on our social hall renovation: things are moving forward with the social hall. To date, we have raised over $27,000 for the social hall upgrade. Thank you to all who have generously supported this effort. Though this doesn’t yet completely cover the costs for the first phase of our renovations (heating and AC), we have decided that it is time to start the second phase of our plan which involves putting in a new floor in the hall. This new flooring is needed because the old floor is getting pretty bad in places, and it would be great to have the new flooring for all the events we will be having in the hall later this winter and spring. We will be installing the latest type of plank flooring in the main room, the kitchen and the bathrooms. This flooring will be laid over the old flooring and will be durable, attractive and easy to clean. This is also a good time to replace the toilets in the bathrooms as the old ones will have to be removed to put the new flooring in. The floor in the entry hallway and the meeting room will not be redone as those floors are relatively new. The work will be done over the Christmas break so as to cause minimal disruption to lunch for the school children. Please pray that this work goes smoothly and well, and thank you for your continued support of our social hall which is so vital to the life of our parish community. With the arrival of Christmas comes the arrival of many guests at our liturgies that we don’t see as often: younger kids are home from college, older kids come back to the hometown with grandkids in tow to celebrate Christmas with family, and many other family and friends. It’s good to remind ourselves what a wonderful opportunity this is to show these brothers and sisters our down home hospitality. A warm smile, a handshake and a “welcome home” go a long way toward creating those bonds of community and friendship. We do this not only to welcome others into our parish family, but most importantly to show them God’s love. Most come to know the love God has for them through the love and kindness of others. Let’s invite them, let’s lead them into the warmth of Jesus’ love for them this Christmas through our kindness and hospitality. And through that, may Jesus lead them closer to Himself. A blessed and holy Advent to you.

Father Jeremy Hans Office: 402-358-3501 Fax: 402-358-3559 Parish Hall: 402-358-3443 Sacramental Emergency: St. Ludger Catholic Church 410 Bryant Ave, Creighton, NE 68729

402-358-3596

www.ludgercatholic.org

St. Ignatius Catholic Church 407 Franklin St. Brunswick, NE 68720

Christmas Poinsettia's We will be offering the option to donate a poinsettia in memory of a loved one this Christmas. The poinsettia’s will be either 8” for $25 or 6” for $18. There are white, red or a mix of red and white. If you would like to have a poinsettia in memory of someone, please call the office, or drop an envelope in the collection basket. Please remember to include the name(s) of the individual(s) you would like on the card and what color you would like. Also include who is donating the poinsettia incase we have a question.

Christmas Eve 4pm St. Ludger 6pm St. Ignatius Christmas Day Midnight St. Ludger 10am St. Ludger

Christmas Obligation: Because Christmas falls on a Monday this year, both Sunday, Dec. 24th and Monday, Dec. 25th are days of obligation. All Catholics are required to attend two Masses during that time: once for the 4th Sunday of Advent (Saturday evening or Sunday) AND once for Christmas (Sunday evening of the 24th or Midnight Monday morning, the 25th). One Mass cannot fulfill both obligations. When: Sunday, December 17th Where: Meet at the Social Hall Who: All are welcome (Elementary kids need to be accompanied by an adult) Time: 4:00pm

After caroling there will have food and hot chocolate. Locker dogs, salad, and chips will be available along with hot chocolate.

Announcements

• SantaLand ~ St. Ludger Elementary and St. Ludger YDisciple will host SantaLand on Wednesday, December 13th from 6pm-9pm. • Sunday School will be on Sunday, December 17th during 10am Mass. Sunday School will be in the school. • Mark your calendars! St. Ludger Elementary Christmas Program will be Wednesday, December 20th at 7pm. • Looking for one more server and two more ushers for 4pm Christmas Eve Mass. If you would be able to help out at this Mass, please contact the office. Thank you! • Christmas Eve 4pm Mass at St. Ludger’s. Practice for elementary/JH/HS at St. Ludger’s choir loft, Thursday, December 21st at 2pm. Those who play piano and would like to play during prelude, contact Kay Morrill. • Christmas Mass at Midnight at St. Ludger’s-Weekly practice TBA at St. Ludger’s choir loft. Contact Sarah Fanta 402.857.0072 or Angela Barnell 402.360.4774 if you’d like to participate. • Server Training will be on Wednesday, January 31st this training will be for current and new servers. • Christmas Cards~ The Knights of Columbus have their Christmas Cards in the back of church for a free will offering. • January Ministries: Please let the office know if there are dates in January that don’t work for you family by December 18th. • Changing Table ~ Does anyone have a baby changing table that they want to part with? We are looking for one to put in the cry room at the church. • Knights of Columbus meeting on Tuesday, December 12th at 8pm. Chili will be served. • Looking For a few men to help move appliances out of the social hall kitchen the afternoon/evening of Friday, December 22nd. Please call the office if your available to help. • The following times will be added to our regular confession times: 7:30 - 7:45am Sundays at St. Ignatius and 9:30 9:45am Sundays at St. Ludger. • The office will be closed Monday, December 25th through Wednesday, January 3rd. • The hall will be unavailable December 21st-December 29th and possibly January 2 & 3. • Trash bags ~ The school has trash bags on hand if your in need of any.

• Our YDisciple groups are looking for some community service work. If anyone needs help with yard work, hauling heavy boxes, or anything teenagers could help with, please contact Christa Eggers: 402-358-0092 • Christmas Obligation: Because Christmas falls on a Monday this year, both Sunday, Dec. 24th and Monday, Dec. 25th are days of obligation. All Catholics are required to attend two Masses during that time: once for the 4th Sunday of Advent (Saturday evening or Sunday) AND once for Christmas (Sunday evening of the 24th or Midnight - Monday morning, the 25th). One Mass cannot fulfill both obligations. • Other parish penance services: Sunday, December 10th - St. Peter's in Ewing 4pm, St. John the Baptist in Deloit Twp. 5:30pm, St. Theresa's in Clearwater7pm. Wednesday, Dec. 13th - St. Pat's in O'Neill 7pm. Sunday, Dec. 17th - St. Wenceslaus in Verdigre 4pm.

MASSES OFFERED Monday

December 11th

Tuesday

December 12th

No Mass Our Lady of Guadalupe

8:30am St. Ludger

Kenneth Pasel Family

Wednesday December 13th

St. Lucy

8:00am St. Ignatius

Jim Urban

Wednesday December 13th

St. Lucy

10:30am Care Center

Leo & Rose Wagner

Thursday

December 14th

St. John of the Cross

8:30am St. Ludger

Wally Korth

Friday

December 15th

Advent weekday

7:00am St. Ludger

Paul & Dorothy Naprstek

Saturday

December 16th

Third Sunday of Advent

5:30pm St. Ludger

Pitt Family

Sunday

December 17th

Third Sunday of Advent

8:00am St. Ignatius

For the People

Sunday

December 17th

Third Sunday of Advent

10:00am St. Ludger

Edward L. Wagner Family

EMHC COMMUNION TO THE SICK Shut-ins: Dorothy Hladik, William Rayer, Joe & Irene Fuchtman & Elaine McInerney CCC: Clara Tharnish, Mary Lou Fuchtman, Margaret Paesl, Jackie Block, Clara Fuchtman, Shirley Homan, Marge Huigens, Dorothy Frisch, Bob & Marlene Wilmes, Charley Brandt & Mary Lou West.

Social Hall Upgrade: Phase One: Heating and Air Conditioner Units – Installed 2 new outdoor units to heat and cool the main room. Another unit was installed to heat and cool the bathrooms, conference room and kitchen. New thermostats were installed as well. One for each side of the large room. There were also sensors installed in the bathrooms, conference room and kitchen to better control the temperature for the conference room and kitchen. The units are all installed and being used. The cost was $33,800.00. Phase Two: Flooring in Hall, Kitchen, and Bathrooms – When funds become available. Most have observed that the floor tiles are not just cracking, but many are starting to crumble. Estimated Cost: $20,057, Flooring will be laid December 26th through the 29th and possibly January 2nd and 3rd. We will also be putting in new toilets. Phase Three: Dropping the ceiling 6” and placing Sound Absorbing Ceiling Tiles and Wall Panels. Cost: $13,900.00 Parish Hall Upgrade Donations: $27,301.33