2314 Third Avenue, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361 (308)632-2541

Mailing address: PO Box 349, Scottsbluff, NE 69363-0349 Fax: 308-632-2146 Website: www.st-agnes-church.com

Parish Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9am - Noon & 1pm - 4pm

Rev. Vincent L. Parsons

Pastor

Sr. Vera Meis, C.S.J. Pastoral Minister

Mass Schedule:

(October - May) Saturday: 4:00 pm

Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 am (June - September) Saturday 6:00 pm

Sunday: 8:00 & 10:00 am Monday, Tues, Wed, Friday 7 am

Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays one hour prior to evening Mass or by appointment (632-2541)

Sacrament of Baptism Please call the Parish Office

January 6, 2019

The Epiphany of the Lord

They opened their

treasures and

offered him gifts of gold,

frankincense and

myrrh.

-Matthew 2:11

Imagine a world without signs. It almost seems apocalyptic to even envision what life would be like without signs. Without such signs as "stop" or "one-way" driving would be chaotic, we wouldn't know when our smart phones have received a text message or voice mail, or whether we have to pull or push to enter a building. We are totally dependent upon signs to function normally every day. Signs communicate pertinent information that keeps us on the "right track." Ignoring or avoiding signs may steer us into danger or create some type of trouble. Similarly signs are necessary in our Christian Faith. Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord in which we celebrate and contemplate the three mysterious and unique signs in which Jesus communicates to us that He is Emmanuel, God is with us. First, the visitation of the Magi who followed the star to the place where Jesus was in Bethlehem. These "wise men" were not Jewish yet the light of a star led them to find faith in Jesus. In their journey to faith, the Magi recognized and ultimately came to believe that the baby Jesus was no ordinary child but the Creator of all the visible and invisible in human flesh. For that reason they offered gifts only befitting to God. Second, this feast recalls the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. After Jesus had surfaced out of the water, the voice of God the Father broke through the clouds to communicate to those present and to us that Jesus is His Beloved Son. Finally the Epiphany recalls Jesus' first miracle at the Wedding in Cana. Following the intercession of His mother, Jesus uses His power to help the wedding party "save face" by changing water into wine. Who else could do something so simple but profound but God himself? These three signs reveal that Jesus is truly God: the Word made flesh that dwells among us! Yet there are many other signs God uses to communicate to us. Unlike the signs that we see posted on the side of the road, the signs from God communicate an eternal and living mystery. Since we use our senses to function, God uses such visible signs to direct us into mystery which is invisible. Signs must always direct us into faith which enables us to see what is invisible and no less real than those things that are. The Epiphany of the Lord should remind us that God communicates to us in human way. He is trying to grab our attention and direct us to Him. Let us strive to be attentive to the signs that direct us closer to Him.

Page 2 Year B January 6, 2019

The Epiphany of the Lord

S a i n t A g n e s

C a t h o l i c C h u r c h

Today’s Readings Isaiah 60:1-6

Psalm 72 Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6

Matthew 2:1-12

Parish Administration (308) 632-2541 / (308) 632-2146 (Fax)

office@st-agnes-church.com www.st-agnes-church.com

Pastor

Rev. Vincent L. Parsons (ext. 2) pastor@st-agnes-church.com

Pastoral Minister Sr. Vera Meis (ext. 4)

srvera@st-agnes-church.com Director of Religious Education

Mrs. Terri Calvert (ext.5) dre@st-agnes-church.com Church Office Manager Theresa Trevino (ext. 3)

office@st-agnes-church.com School Head Teacher

Mrs. Julie Brown (632-6918) office@stagnesonline.org School Office Manager

Teresa Johnson (632-6918) office@stagnesonline.org

Monday, January 7, 2019 Daily Mass (7:00am) Intention: Peter C. & Becky Jo Wylie by Jeanne Wylie Communal Rosary (4:45 pm) Liturgy of the Hours (5:10pm) Tuesday, January 8, 2019 Daily Mass (7:00am) Intention: †Paul Moore by a friend Tuesday Discussion Group (8-9 am) Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Wednesday, January 9, 2019 Daily Mass (8:15am) Intention: Priests & Religious Life by Eileen Young Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Contemplative Prayer Group (6:00pm)

Thursday, January 10, 2019 Daily Mass (9:30am) at Veteran’s Home Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Friday, January 11, 2019 Daily Mass (7:00 am) Intention: Cody & Meghan Roper Family by Steve & Cathy Pollnaw Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Saturday, January 12, 2019 Weekend Mass (4:00pm) Intention: For the Parish Sunday, January 13, 2019 Weekend Mass (8:00am) Intention: †Joey Benevidez by Ray & Jurene Mulford Weekend Mass (10:30am) Intention: †David & †Jeremy Young by Eileen Young

This Week’s Schedule

Page 3 the epiphany of the lord

Finance Corner Sunday Collections

& ATW Giving

December Totals Actual $22201.52 ATW $9258.00 Budget $27000.00 Surplus (Deficit) $4459.52 Next Sunday’s 2nd collection is for

Haiti & Uganda

Important Dates To Remember In 2018

Jan. 8 St. Agnes School Resumes Jan. 8 Young at Heart meets @ noon in Garden Room

Monday: 1 Jn 3:22 — 4:6; Ps 2:7bc-8, 10-12a; Mt 4:12- 17, 23-25 Tuesday: 1 Jn 4:7-10; Ps 72:1-4, 7- 8; Mk 6:34-44 Wednesday: 1 Jn 4:11-18; Ps 72: 1-2, 10, 12-13; Mk 6:45-52 Thursday: 1 Jn 4:19 — 5:4; Ps 72:1- 2, 14, 15bc, 17; Lk 4:14- 22a Friday: 1 Jn 5:5-13; Ps 147:12-15, 19-20; Lk 5:12-16 Saturday: 1 Jn 5:14-21; Ps 149:1- 6a, 9b; Jn 3:22-30 Sunday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Is 40:1- 5, 9-11; Ps 29:1-4, 3, 9-10 or Ps 104:1b-4, 24-25, 27-30; Acts 10:34-38 or Ti 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Lk 3:15- 16, 21-22

This Week’s Readings

This Christmas,

Let’s share the love of Jesus, a blessing from above, A good deed to remind us of His never-ending love. Let’s share the love of Jesus, to people on the street,

The waitress and the mailman, every person that we meet. Let’s share the love of Jesus, the gift that never ends, And walk within His mercy, with family and friends. Let’s share the love of Jesus, across the land and sea,

For His everlasting love is the best gift there could be!

This is one of my favorite Christmas card messages. I would like to thank you with deepest gratitude, for sharing the love of Jesus with me through the gifts, hugs,

cookies, candy, all kids of fruits and nuts and Christmas treats! Love,

Server Schedule Jan 12 4pm Abigail Pieper Addison Peck Jan 13 8am Henry Blanco William Pieper 10:30am Jazmine Golden Kamden McGrew

Lector Schedule Jan 12 4pm S. Vera Meis Jan 13 8am Carol Herman 10:30am M.C. Schaff

Treasures From Our Tradition Monday of this week is Christmas Day in Russia and in much of the Orthodox world. This curious difference in schedule has a lot to do with how calendars have been developed and changed over the years. In the year 45 B.C. Julius Ceasar gave the empire his Julian Calendar, with the winter solstice on January 6. This put an end to a system in which officials called “pontiffs” were able to tweak the calendar by adding extra days in as needed. He invented two new months at that time, December and January; and in order to correct the mess the pontiffs had made, forced a year of 445 days on the empire in what he named “The Last Year of Confusion.” The new months varied in number of days according to a complex schedule, but the calendar was still off by nearly twelve minutes a year, and lost a full day every 130 years. Pope Gregory XIII reformed the calendar in 1583, but not everyone appreciated his efforts. England held out for two hundred years. The year 1700 was a leap year in England, but not in France; they were eleven days apart! George Washington was really born on February 11; when the Gregorian calendar was finally adopted in the English colonies shortly before the Revolution, he had to move his birthday to February 22. Now the calendars are thirteen days apart, which accounts for Russia’s Julian calendar Christmas. And Caesar thought he had brought confusion to an end!—James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Finding God The splendid magi, all sparkle and dash and solemnity, march right up off the pages of Matthew’s Gospel and into our churches today. Matthew alone tells us this grand and seductive story so that we might see the light and know that the child these magi visited is the fulfillment of prophecy, the king of the world that stretches to the magi’s home country and beyond, right down the ages to us. We too see and understand anew. Like the magi, our patron saints for this day, we see in the newborn child the king of the universe and light of the world. Like the magi, we find in ourselves a new faith and a new life. Like them, we return to our home by a new route. We are asked to come away from this festive season ourselves renewed and awake to the presence of God among us. We are asked to find God where God is to be found, to be attentive and surprised and ready to bow down in adoration and to offer our gifts. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Page 4 January 6, 2019

In the Church, we remember this twelfth day of Christmas as the Epiphany, the celebration of the visit of the three Magi coming to give adoration to a king that was foretold by the appearance of a star. Balaam, an Old Testament prophet, revealed:

A star shall advance from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel (Numbers 24:17)

and another prophet, Micah, wrote: But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah least among the clans of Judah, From you shall come forth for me

one who is to be ruler in Israel; Whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. (Micha 5:1)

They both predicted the Messiah’s arrival. With this Scriptural information, the Magi, probably educated in astrology and astronomy, interpreted the star’s appearance as a sign of the coming of the Christ. Therefore, the magi followed the star to investigate the coming of a new king long prophesized.

The Jews who also had anticipated the coming of a king, as promised by God, prayed for coming of the Messiah, the one who would come to save them from the oppressive Romans and return Israel to its independence as they experienced during the time of the Maccabees. The Epiphany marks the revelation that the Christ comes as the King not just for the Jews. Instead, Jesus is the King of Kings, the sovereign over all the peoples of the earth.

Imagine the amazement of the Magi when the star led them to a cave used for livestock, not a palace. There they saw, laying in a manger, the infant of a carpenter, not the son of a grand potentate who ruled great expanses of countries. This infant king did not have retinues of princes in majestic robes but lowly shepherds and sheep. The magi, assured of the meaning of the star foretelling of a mighty king, did not turn away from this most unexpected sight. Instead, they did homage the newborn king and showered him with the gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh.

These three gifts traditionally offered only to those of highest rank in the ancient world, symbolized the Magi’s beliefs about the Christ child’s identity and his future. In the time of Jesus, gold was essential to honor the coronation of a king. From ancient times, gold represented royalty because of its rarity. The resistance of gold to weathering also indicated immortality. The Magi’s gift of gold to Jesus symbolized their acknowledgment of Jesus as a king who cannot be destroyed by earthly powers. Jesus, our King, does not glory in his kingship, but instead always acts on our behalf. The magi’s gift of gold should remind each us our kingly role assumed with our baptism. We are, therefore, called to be humble kings, in service to others, to lead his people toward a life of virtue, to recognize God as our creator, and ultimately to enter heaven.

Frankincense was another precious imported commodity to Israel. The plant-derived, resin-like substance, was used s a disinfectant as well as burned as incense. Frankincense, then as now, was burnt to symbolize the hopefulness that the prayers of the people would rise to the ears of God, just the smoke from the frankincense rose to the heavens. In presenting frankincense to Jesus, the Magi recognized Jesus’ role as a priest. The frankincense reminds of our obligations in our baptismal priestly role to connect people to the Father through our prayers, sacrificing in his name, and witnessing to the glory of God.

Myrrh was, in Jesus’ time, more valuable than gold. Caravans from the brought this resin from Southern Arabia and Africa. Its ancient use was as a pain-reliever and to embalm the body. Myrrh, therefore, symbolized pain and death. As a gift from the Magi, it foretold of Jesus’ suffering and death in the redemption of our sins. A soldier attempted to offer Jesus wine mixed with myrrh to soothe his pain while he hung upon the cross. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea used myrrh prepare Jesus’ body in the tomb after his death.

Myrrh reminds us of our prophetic role as identified with our baptism promises. As prophets, we must prepare others for their inevitable death by reforming their lives from their sinful ways. We need to educate people about the salvation offered by Jesus. We need to speak out against the heresies that place material wealth over spiritual values. With our prayers and examples of belief in salvation, we can turn fear of death into one of joy with the hope of being with Jesus forever in his heavenly kingdom.

The gifts the Magi remind us that Jesus coming has changed the world forever. Jesus, our King, rules over us with love. Jesus, our Priest, continually sacrifices himself for our salvation. Jesus, our Prophet, calls us to repent from our sins. We, as his faithful followers, become his priests, prophets, and kings through our baptismal promises to act in Jesus’ name. In our actions, we offer gifts more valuable than gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We offer the gifts of faith, hope, and love to a world that needs to know that Jesus has come to save us all. “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” (Mathew 2:2)

Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families

Solemnity of the Epiphany Gospel: Matthew 2:1-5, 7-12

On the Way to Mass: If you could choose a sign to announce your birth, what would it be? On the Way Home From Mass: What gift(s) would you want to bring Jesus, Mary, and Joseph if Christ were born today? Living the Word: On this celebration of the Epiphany, gift each other with a service, experience or something else that is not a material good. The gifts of the Magi were symbolic. What could each person in the family do for others that would carry significance?

Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families

2018-2019

Find Us On

Facebook Twitter: stagnes-church

Instagram: st.agnescatholicchurch

Parish Website www.st-agnes-church.com

myParish App In the App Store on your phone

or tablet

January

Schedules

Grade School Formation Sessions

Grades Pre-K - 5th meet from 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the school building. January: 6th, 13th, 20th, & 27th

Middle School Formation Sessions

Grades 6th-8th meet Wednesday evenings from 7-8:15 p.m. in the school building. January: 2nd - No formation sessions , 9th, 16th, 23rd, & 30th

High School (CYM) Formation Sessions

CYM Youth (10th-11th) gather in catechist’s homes & CYM Youth (9th) meet in the Office Basement from 7-8:15 p.m. January: 2nd - No formation sessions , 9th, 16th, 23rd, & 30th

11th Grade CYM Youth

CYM & Confirmation Formation Sessions

Jan. 2nd - No formation

Jan. 9th- Confirmation (Garden Room)

Jan. 13th - Confirmation Retreat

Begins with 10:30 Mass

Jan. 16th - CYM (leader’s home)

Jan. 23rd - Confirmation (Garden Room)

Jan. 30th - CYM (leader’s home)

Page 5 Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

R_ligious E^u][tion Progr[m Email—dre@st-agnes-church.com Religious Education Office—308-635-1362

Meet the 2019 Confirmation Candidates

My name is Emma Herman. I’m the daughter of Try and Carol Herman and I have an older brother, Scott Herman. I am a junior at Scottsbluff High School. I participate in volleyball, basketball, tennis, and National Honor society. I am currently an altar server and I plan on participating in other church activities. My goal for confirmation is to increase my faith in the Catholic Church.

Teens Encounter Christ (TEC)

January 19-21, 2019 St. Patrick, Sidney, NE

Register at: gidiocese.org

Registration Deadline: January 10, 2019

St. Agnes Church and School

Assets and Liabili es At Fiscal Year End

Every year, some of the Church’s readings are focused on stewardship. Simply put, stewardship is how we put the faith that we profess into ac on. As Catholic stewards, we inten onally, consistently and propor onally offer our me, talent and treasure to God and His Church. This offering is a response to God for the many blessings He has graciously bestowed on us.

St. Agnes Church June 30, 2018 Cash in Bank and Savings 88,335

Notes Payable– Improvements 48,529 St. Agnes Church Founda on December 31, Stocks and Bonds 48,114 St. Agnes Altar Society June 30, 2018

Cash in Bank and Savings 10,891 Valley Chris an Neighbors in Need June 30, 2018 Cash in Bank and Savings 24,566 St. Agnes School August 31, 2018

Cash in Bank and Savings 166,608 Deferred Revenue for Upcoming School Year (159,471) St. Agnes School Founda on December 31,

Savings, Stocks and Corporate Bonds 817,349

Notes Payable - School Improvements 22,101 St. Agnes Home School Associa on August 31, 2018 Cash in Bank and Savings 37,576 St. Agnes 100 Club April 30, 2018 Cash in Bank and Savings 2,464

Revenues Received and Expenditures Paid Year ending June 30, 2018 and 2017

Revenues Received 2018

Expenditures paid 2018

2018 2017 General Church Support 481,168 466,052 Bequests-Designated Gi s 48,430 1,880 Religious Ed Fees 4,115 3,571 Interest, Miscellaneous 11,643 21,758 Apostolate Collec ons 103,867 75,729 Loan Proceeds–Church Prjt 48,529 - Loan Proceeds-School Prjct 5,071 -

TOTAL 702,823 568,990

This Stewardship Report reflects the sacrifices of prayer, service and giving that members of St. Agnes Parish have made in this past year. As your pastor, I am deeply apprecia ve of the sacrific-es you so selflessly offered. Your stewardship has been a blessing to so many and con nues to build up God’s kingdom in our midst!

2018 2017

Salaries 114,933 107,868 Personnel Costs 38,590 36,081 Purchased Services 93,673 98,045 Materials-Supplies 32,424 34,185 School Support 157,520 157,520 Diocesan Assessments 40,157 39,032 Religious Ed. Programs 23,886 30,628

Apostolate Collec ons Pd. 102,333 75,739

TOTAL 702,988 588,692

Capital Expenditure 99,472 9,594

Valley Chris an Neighbors in Need Revenues Received and Expenditures Paid Year Ending June 30, 2018 and 2017 Expenditures Paid

Revenues Received 2018 2017

Dona ons Received 36,979 34,399

Interest 33 24 TOTAL 37,012 34,423

St. Agnes Church Founda on Revenues Received and Expenditures Paid Year Ending December, 31 2017 and 2016

Expenditures Paid 2017 2016

Expenditures 282 269

St. Agnes School Founda on - 20,000

TOTAL 282 20,269

Revenues Received 2017 2016

Contribu on From Estates - -

Dona ons 4,262 1,000

Investment Earnings 6,689 3,310

Miscellaneous 755 740

TOTAL 11,706 5,050

2018 2017

Food Assistance 544 512 U li es Assistance 9,433 12,611 Transporta on Assistance 578 566 Rent Assistance 7,704 8,967 Emerg. Assist & Spec. Proj. 4,200 421 Christmas 8,395 9,176

Medical 2,181 4,119 Postage and Supplies 635 771

TOTAL 33,670 37,143

2018 2017

Food - Hospitality 1,592 1,788

Supplies & Cleaning 1,496 1,169

Dona ons - Parish 4,672 5,088

TOTAL 7,760 8,045

Expenditures Paid 2018 2017

Fundraising Ac vi es 2,109 7,387

Dona ons 800 1,590

Interest 1 1

TOTAL 2,910 8,978

Revenues Received

St. Agnes Altar Society Revenues Received and Expenditures Paid Year Ending June 30, 2018 and 2017

Revenues Received and Expenditures Paid Year ending August 31, 2018 and 2017

Revenues Received 2018

Expenditures Paid 2018

Parish Support 157,520 Registra on Fees - Tui on 257,675

Dona ons-Memorials 5,040

Other Support Groups 37,602 Interest 145

157,520 293,806

3,900

44,212

142

Premiere Event - 40,946

2018 2017

Lunch Fund 41,124 39,861

Grants - -

Insurance Proceeds - -

TOTAL 499,106 580,387

In our 64th year of providing educa on, St. Agnes School con nues to grow and thrive. As a faith-centered community, we are commi ed to developing our students in mind and spirit. Our students’ faith is enriched through weekly a endance at Mass, daily studies in religion and a focus on service to others. Updated curriculums supported by promethean boards and 60 Chromebooks allow us to provide a top-notch 21st century educa on that is sure to prepare our students for a future filled with technology. With a current enrollment of 118 students in Pre-K through 5th grade, we look forward with great an cipa on to a future of growth and change.

2018 2017

Admin & Emp Benefits 98,845 93,585 Instruc on 344,237 354,807 Opera on of Plant 30,191 26,551 Maintenance of Plant 22,191 23,833 Lunch Fund 42,695 41,987 Capital Outlay 1,855 36,358

TOTAL 540,014 577,121

St. Agnes School Founda on Revenues Received and Expenditures Paid Year Ending December 31, 2017 and 2016

St. Agnes Home School Associa on Revenues Received and Expenditures Paid Year Ending August 31, 2018 and 2017

St. Agnes 100 Club Revenues Received and Expenditures Paid Year Ending April 30, 2018 and 2017

2017 2016 Dona ons and Fund Raising 321,699 201,495

Investment Earnings 20,415 19,643

TOTAL 342,114 221,138

Revenues Received 2017 2016

Grants To And For Benefit 255,913 147,142

of St. Agnes School Trustee Fees & Adver sing 4,649 4,438

TOTAL 260,562 151,580

Expenditures Paid

2018 2017

Members Support 22,940 23,390

TOTAL 22,940 23,390

Revenues Received 2018 2017

Prizes Awarded 10,830 10,380

Supplies 92 160

Dona ons for School 13,650 12,200

TOTAL 24,572 22,740

Expenditures Paid

2018 2017

Fund Raising Ac vi es 31,041 25,895

Interest 10 8

TOTAL 31,051 25,903

Revenues Received 2018 2017

Fund Raising Expenses 7,252 8,005

Dona ons for School 20,000 20,000

TOTAL 27,252 28,005

Expenditures Paid

Page 11 January 6, 2019