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Support groups to be offered at St. Francis

GRAND ISLAND--Support groups that will meet at Saint Francis Medical Center during August 13-19 are:

Youth attend Music Ministry Alive workshop

Elizabeth Kuskie and Dan ChasekCHADRON--Elizabeth Kuskie and Dan Chasek, parishioners of St. Patrick's Parish in Chadron recently attended the Music Ministry Alive workshop in St. Paul, Minn.

Kuskie and Chasek were among 150 young people who were chosen from the United States, Ireland and Canada to participate in the week-long event.

Participants are chosen from essays submitted on what music means to them, how they are involved in music in their faith community, and by submitting a recorded song.

The week is spent with voice and instrument lessons, breaking open the word to plan liturgy and prayer, writing and composing liturgical music as well as Christian music and preparing and sharing prayer with word and music.

Registration set for N.P. schools

NORTH PLATTE--Registration for all students attending St. Patrick Middle-Senior High or McDaid Elementary will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17, at St. Patrick High School.

It is important that all families complete the tuition contracting process in order for students to be assigned to classrooms for the start of school. Tuition contracts have been mailed to enrolled families. Parents should bring completed contracts and other sign-up sheets to registration.

Parents of new students should also make sure the school has a copy of certified birth certificates, immunization records, and transfer forms.

All children entering kindergarten or seventh grade and those participating in St. Pat's athletics must have completed physical forms. Student planners and assignment books required for students in grades 3-12 will be on sale during registration.

If unable to attend on the set days, parents should call 532-1874 to make other registration arrangements.

Elkhorn's Spicka re-elected as National CDA director

TACOMA, Wash.--Kim Spicka of Elkhorn was re-elected as a National Director for the Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA) at the organization's 50th Biennial National Convention in Tacoma held July 18-23.

As national director, Spicka is responsible for Nebraska, Colorado and Kansas. She is also membership chair for Nebraska.

When she begins her second two-year term of office on August 21, one of her priorities will be to focus on getting the message out to young Catholic women about all the Daughters can offer them, especially through College Campus and Junior Courts (the Juniors are Catholic girls age six to 18).

A Catholic Daughter for 13 years, Spicka is a member of Court Our Lady of the Rosary, 2382, St. Robert's Parish, in Omaha. She attends St. Patrick's Parish in Elkhorn.

Begun in 1903 and numbering 100,000 members, the CDA is the oldest and largest organization of Catholic women in the Americas. Catholic Daughters enjoy each other's company at meetings and work hard for their parishes and communities. They share faith, love of God and a distinctly feminine spirituality, the kind alluded to by the Holy Father earlier this year when he spoke of the necessity of "feminine genius" in today's world.

Lou Rosno of Court Queen of Peace, 2227 of Grand Island was a delegate from her court at the convention.

Behold Your Mother' set at Qwest Center

OMAHA--"Behold Your Mother," an ecumenical conference for Christian unity with an emphasis on the role of Mary in the life of all Christians, is set for Oct. 8-10 at Omaha's Qwest Center.

The Omaha-based Mother of Mercy, Queen of Peace Apostolate, is organizing the conference. Founded in 1984, it long has been active in Catholic circles, hosting cenacles, Eucharistic vigils and healing Masses. This is the first ecumenical venture, however.

Dee Kush, the apostolate's founder and president, said the idea for the conference's primary goal is to help Protestants understand Catholic devotion to Mary.

"They think we worship her, but in truth, we ask her intercession," Kush said. "She's a powerful intercessor through her son Jesus."

The conference will feature numerous speakers, some of them internationally known. The lineup includes Kenneth J. Howell, director of the John Henry Cardinal Newman Institute of Catholic Thought; Christian singer Kristin Taylor; and actress Lindsay Younce, who makes her screen debut in the October release of "Therese" based on the life of Saint Therese of Lisieux.

The cost to attend all three days of the conference is $50 for adults, $95 for married couples, $20 for youth ages 13-20 and $5 for children 2-12. Priests and religious may attend free.

All tickets can be purchased by calling (402) 289-2506 or toll-free at (888) 899-6263. Registration forms and additional information can be found at the conference Web site, www.beholdourmother.org. Tickets for adults an d couples will increase after Aug. 15. Single-day tickets are also available for $25.

Duering, Murphy receive Stephen Ministry training

Dianna Duering and Shirley Murphy, both of Grand Island, were among 355 pastors and congregation leaders at a Stephen Series Leader's Training Course held July 11-17 in Ontario, Calif.

Both attended the one-week training event hosted by the St. Louis-based Stephen Ministries organization. Participants came from across the U.S., Canada, China and the Netherlands to learn how to implement and direct Stephen Ministry, a system of Christian caregiving, in their congregations.

Murphy and Duering were trained as Stephen Leaders at the event. One of their next steps, along with Stephen Ministry leader Glenda Stittsworth, will be to recruit, select and train members of St. Mary's Cathedral and St. Leo's Church in Grand Island to be Stephen Ministers, or the ones who provide one-to-one care. They will then match each Stephen Minister with an individual in supervision and continuing education.

They are planning on starting classes in September of this year to train new Stephen Ministers.

Alliance

by Dorothy Kunzman

Wayne Brown, Dennis Girard and Chuck Frisch were selected as new members of Holy Rosary Parish Council. Outgoing members are John Becker, Carol Timmens and Mike Friesz.

A Prayer for Vocations is now being offered before all weekend Masses.

Sister Sarah-Elizabeth Manchester, pastoral minister at St. Bridget-Hemingford and at Alliance, will profess her final vows as a Sister of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity on Sunday, August 15. The Celebration of Response will be at Sacred Heart Church in Pine Ridge, S.D. Holy Rosary parishioners gathered for an annual picnic on Sunday, July 25.

Ray and Winnie Fulton recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house at the Senior Center. Randy and Laura Furrow celebrated 25 years of marriage.

Sister Elma Phillip will be 103 years old on Aug. 11. An open house in her honor will be at Marian Residence.

FIAT (youth Faith in Action Team) raised funds for a service trip by "chairing." For a fee, parishioners could have an assemblage of dilapidated folding chairs placed on a friend's (or foe's) lawn. The "victim" then paid a fee to have the chairs removed. "Chair insurance" was also available. The fund-raiser was very successful, and FIAT departed July 31 to spend time at the St. Vincent DePaul Family Shelter and other mission sites in Omaha. They were sponsored by Kyle Lierk and Krista Francis, outgoing and incoming youth ministers for the parish.

Annalicia Garza, daughter of Damian and Maria Garza, celebrated her quinceanera on July 24. Father Bryan Ernest celebrated Mass for the occasion.

Robert Hall and Kylee Mathistad were married July 10 with Father Ernest officiating. Honor attendants were Will Hall and Johtana Roehrl. The newlyweds' parents are William and Carolyn Hall and Jerry and Jerry Mathistad.

Recent baptisms include Madeline Mace Fankhauser, daughter of John Mace and Laura Fankhauser, whose sponsors are Dick and Bonnie Fankhauser and Don and Kim Tschacher; Rasine Aubrey Bolek, daughter of Adam and Kristy Bolek, whose sponsors are John Krejci and Joni Bolek; and Gabriel Lee Hulquist, son of Brian and Eileen Hulquist, whose sponsors are Luke Bourn and Karen Hulquist.

St. Paul CCW

by Geri Wardyn

Sts. Peter and Paul CCW met Aug. 2 in the gathering room of the church at 7 p.m. with 13 members present including Father Ray Kosmicki and Sister Maria del Rey Mangan.

President Barb Sack called the meeting to order. The financial end of the fiscal year report was given by Rita Borzych.

Elaine Watson reported on her daughter-in-law's (Cheryl Watson) health and recovery after a transplant at Mayo Hospital.

President Sack gave the report on the spaghetti feed given by Young Neighbors in Action. Ann Marie Circle will have an ice-cream social on the church grounds Aug. 28 after the 6:30 p.m. Mass. Father Ray reported on the lift that will be used in the school that will transport people to the basement. Cannon and Associates are drawing up plans in regard to the lift.

Jan Denner reported there has been no church council meeting in regard to the fair stand. It was reported that the food for the Bloodmobile went well.

Sts. Peter and Paul bazaar will be held Oct. 17. Plans were discussed for the bazaar. Meat will be roasted turkey and sausage. Plans are being considered to have sauerkraut and dumplings, along with a flea market or a silent auction. President Sack asked Pat Knutson to be game chairman for the bazaar.

Father Kosmicki brought up an idea to have a parish logo on aprons that could be worn during bazaars and other functions. Geri Wardyn is to check into this. Names were drawn for Prayer Partners for the month.

Father Kosmicki gave the closing prayer. Janet Goering and Sister Maria serving the lunch. Next meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m.

Gering/Christ the King Church

M.O.M.S., or Ministry of Mothers Sharing, will begin its eight-week fall session the week of Sept. 21. If there is any interest for a daytime session, Christ the King will offer it at 10 a.m. at the church. The series is for women of any age and is primarily to promote self-awareness and spiritual awakening. Space is limited. The cost is $30 per person for the book and course. For more information, contact Micki Walker or the parish office.

Sr. Lucy CDs and cassette tapes are available in the parish office.

Selections on hand are: "I Love You Jesus," "I Am Your Mother," "Pray the Rosary" and "The Lord Hears." The CDs are $15 and the tapes are $10.

"Power Up" Vacation Bible School was held July 26-30.

The religious education office is looking for teachers for the upcoming year. Anyone interested in teaching can contact the parish office.

Loup City

by Marguerite Hurt

A reception was held on July 31 at the Community Center in Loup City in honor of Arnie and Kellianne (Jernigan) Palu, who were married July 17 in Bishop, Calif. Arnie is the son of Arnold Sr. and Bunny Palu of St. Josaphat's Church.

Ray and Mary Kusek were honored for their 60th wedding anniversary with a family dinner on July 31 at the St. Josaphat parish hall. All of their eight children were able to be present. The couple was married on Sept. 6, 1944.

Lucas Obermiller, son of Tom and Sue Obermiller, was crowned king of the Sherman County Fair, 2004.

Nick Baker, son of Leroy and Kris Baker, won grand champion market steer at the fair. St. Josaphat's arranged a booth at the fair, using the theme "Living Our Faith and Sharing Our Gifts." It received a blue ribbon.

Darrel Harris of St. Josaphat's and president of the Historical Society arranged a booth at the fair titled "Milking Time." He constructed a Holstein cow and many antique articles were displayed by the members. His booth received a purple ribbon.

Jerry Wortman, a member of St. Josaphat's and president of Sherman and Howard County Bank, was chosen to join the Bankers Association Board.

Lavern and Phyllis Mroczek, who were married on June 1, 1954, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at St. Josaphat's parish hall on June 13.

Father Lou Nollette attended the National Storytelling Conference in Bellingham, Wash., from July 6-12. He also visited Nenzel relatives in Vancouver, B.C., and also in the Seattle area. He returned home July 17.

The Loup City area had a community prayer service.

Representatives from the Loup City churches participated in the service for soldiers and their families on July 2 in the Loup City Community Center.

Vivian Damratowski and Marguerite Hurt coordinated the service.

Overton

by Isabel Gruntorad

Joni Gruntorad, daughter of Dan and Tina Gruntorad, of Holy Rosary parish, was married on June 26 to Austin Thornburg, son of Margaret Kearney of Holy Rosary and Larry Thornburg of Lexington, at Immaculate Conception Church in Elm Creek. Father Mark Maresh officiated.

Phillip McDonald, son of Dan McDonald of Holy Rosary and Lynne McDonald of Lexington was married to Christina Fox, daughter of Carmen Taylor and Wally Fox, at the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington on July 17. The Rev. Caroline A. Vickey of Lexington and Father Maresh officiated.

Those on the honor roll for the second semester from the University of Nebraska at Kearney were Dana Meier, daughter of Mike and Jenny Meier, and Brady Shafer, son of Lee and Karen Shafer, all of Holy Rosary.

Tami Gruntorad, daughter of Dan and Tina Gruntorad, was on the honor roll from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Amherst

by Margaret Ellen O'Neill

New officers for the Council of Catholic Women (Altar Society) beginning in July are: Christy Nelson and Carlene Abbott, co-presidents; Renee Taubenheim, secretary; and Barbara Eckhout, treasurer.

A bridal shower was held recently for Amanda Graczyk and Anson Nielsen.

Chairing the event were Nancy Cunningham, assisted by Pat Bowie and several other ladies from St. John Capistran. Special guests were mothers of the couple, Sherry Graczyk, Miller, and Tamy Nielsen, Minden. Grandmothers attending were Maxine Vogt, Ravenna, and Ann Graczyk, Sumner. Also attending were Jennifer Graczyk, Teresa Ciemnoczolowski, Melissa Graczyk, sisters of Amanda, and Anissa Gore, Anson's sister.

A parish potluck dinner was held the last Sunday in June to honor Father Mark Maresh on his 10th ordination anniversary. A special guest was his mother, Wilma Maresh of Ord.

Baptized June 27 at St. John Capistran was Creyton Andrew Line, son of Darby and Annette Line of Miller. Sponsors were Bartley and Nikki Eckhout of Amherst.

1st Communion in Scottsbluff

The Migrant Ministry Program for Our Lady of Guadalupe Church closed on Sunday, July 18, with the celebration of First Communion. In front from left are: Jessyca Cordova, Daisy Martinez, Aleida Rodriguez and Elizabeth Mendoza. In middle from left: Orlando Rodríguez, Samantha Mendoza, Elizabeth Limon and Lorena Gonzalez. In back from left: Lino Martinez, Lizeth Gonzalez, Eduardo de la Trinidad Coronado, Jaime de la Trinidad Coronado, Jesús Felipe de la Trinidad and Father Jim Golka. (Photo courtesy Our Lady of Guadalupe)The Migrant Ministry Program for Our Lady of Guadalupe Church closed on Sunday, July 18, with the celebration of First Communion. In front from left are: Jessyca Cordova, Daisy Martinez, Aleida Rodriguez and Elizabeth Mendoza. In middle from left: Orlando Rodríguez, Samantha Mendoza, Elizabeth Limon and Lorena Gonzalez. In back from left: Lino Martinez, Lizeth Gonzalez, Eduardo de la Trinidad Coronado, Jaime de la Trinidad Coronado, Jesús Felipe de la Trinidad and Father Jim Golka. (Photo courtesy Our Lady of Guadalupe)

Creyton is baptized

Father Mark Maresh baptized Creyton Andrew Line, son of Darby and Annette Line of Miller, at St. John Capistran Church in Amherst. Pictured from left are sponsors Bartley and Nikki Eckhout, Father Maresh, Darby (holding Creyton) and Annette Line. (Photo courtesy of Annette Line)Father Mark Maresh baptized Creyton Andrew Line, son of Darby and Annette Line of Miller, at St. John Capistran Church in Amherst. Pictured from left are sponsors Bartley and Nikki Eckhout, Father Maresh, Darby (holding Creyton) and Annette Line. (Photo courtesy of Annette Line)

Supporting the troops

Vivian Damratowski, left, and Marguerite Hurt, both of St. Josaphat's Church in Loup City, were responsible for coordinating and providing publicity for a community prayer service for the troops on July 2. (Photo courtesy Sherman County Times/Wayne Blazey)Vivian Damratowski, left, and Marguerite Hurt, both of St. Josaphat's Church in Loup City, were responsible for coordinating and providing publicity for a community prayer service for the troops on July 2. (Photo courtesy Sherman County Times/Wayne Blazey)

Nebraska CDA delegates

Catholic Daughters of the Americas representing Nebraska at the organization's 50th Biennial National Convention in Tacoma, Wash., were, from left: District Deputy Lou Rosno, Grand Island; Regent Barb Keuchel, Omaha; District Deputy RoseMary Shald, Omaha; Vice Regent Jane Davis, Omaha. (Photo courtesy CDA)Catholic Daughters of the Americas representing Nebraska at the organization's 50th Biennial National Convention in Tacoma, Wash., were, from left: District Deputy Lou Rosno, Grand Island; Regent Barb Keuchel, Omaha; District Deputy RoseMary Shald, Omaha; Vice Regent Jane Davis, Omaha. (Photo courtesy CDA)

Ordination Anniversary

Father Mark Maresh celebrated his 10th anniversary as a priest with a potluck dinner at St. John Capistran Church in Amherst. He is pictured with his mother, Wilma Maresh, of Ord. (Photo by Annette Line) Father Mark Maresh celebrated his 10th anniversary as a priest with a potluck dinner at St. John Capistran Church in Amherst. He is pictured with his mother, Wilma Maresh, of Ord. (Photo by Annette Line)

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