Sunday, January 24th - The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
CHEERS! - A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
Cheers!
Time flies! It’s already January 24: one month ago, it was Christmas Eve. And, in less than a month, it will be Ash Wednesday, February 17. And, we are into the eleventh month of this pandemic!
The Covid-19, coronavirus, has impacted our lives in many ways: worst of all, the deaths of over 400,000 right here in the United States, resulting from over twenty-four million cases in the U.S. — with a large percentage of those suffering severely and/or spending weeks or even months in hospitals. Other side effects have been the closure of thousands of businesses, loss of jobs, — causing great financial hardships; there have been evictions from homes, closure of schools and churches and the cancellations of so many events: weddings, vacations, meetings — even funerals! Our lives have been impacted in ways that we never would have imagined a year ago!
One concern of mine was the financial health of our parish of Holy Spirit. We were on the brink of a crisis in the Fall of last year. Other churches have had to reduce their employees’ salaries by 10, 15 or even 20%; some have laid off many part-time workers; a few have ended most of their programs.
Fortunately, we have not had to take such drastic measures. Thanks to a couple who challenged us with a $20,000 matching gift program, your response was great! That was matched with a better than expected Christmas collection and “end-of-the year” donations. Thanks to your generosity we survived those last few months of 2020. I ask you to continue your generosity — as, of course, the pandemic still rages on; I have a constant worry about our finances. Please be as generous and as consistent as possible with your tithing to Holy Spirit. There are several ways to support us: in person at the office or use the kiosk in the Church lobby, put in the collection basket at a weekend Mass, regular mailed-in offerings (5830 Mesa Park Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89135), use our on-line e-tithing system (www.holyspiritlv.org; click “Give”) or even by phone (text “Assist” to 702-500-1938).
I am so grateful for your past generous support of our parish. If we all continue to do our best and our share, we will get through this.
Have a good week. God bless you.
Fr. Bill
NEWS FROM THE PARISH
The Bishop has extended the dispensation from the Obligation to Attend Mass from December 31, 2020 to January 31, 2021
Lent is Coming!
Ash Wednesday - February 17th
All of the following services will have ash distribution
7:30am Mass
12:00pm Word Service
4:30pm Word Service
6:00pm Word Service
7:30pm Mass
In addition, the following times will be set in the Church for 'walk-in' ash distribution:
9:00am - 11:00am
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Blessing of Throats
Wednesday, February 3rd 7:30am Mass
A general, all-congregation, blessing of throats will be given at this Mass. Individual blessings will not be administered this year due to Covid regulations.
New Directive for Mass
In a new directive from the Bishop, can now increase Mass attendance to 400 people per Mass. Please remember if you are attending Mass to follow all protocols to help keep everyone safe. All Masses still require registration.
When attending Mass, please make sure you/your family are 6-feet away from other people/families.
Weekly Mass signups are emailed out each week on Wednesday at 7pm. Signups can also be accessed through our website.
We are here to serve you. Please offer any other suggestions by placing a comment to this email as to what you would like to see in this bulletin.
Do you need a prayer? Would you like to pray for someone? You can reply directly to this email (which will create a private comment) or click the 'Reply' button to leave a public comment.
We are united to one another through our prayer. We are praying for you. You are not alone.
A WELL-BUILT FAITH
Mondays 7:00 - 8:00pm
This 13-week series is for the following:
1. Catechumens: those adults, NEVER BAPTIZED, who wish to join the Roman Catholic Church.
2. Candidates: those adults, ALREADY BAPTIZED in another Christian denomination, who wish to join the Roman Catholic Church.
3. Confirmandi: those adults who are CATHOLIC, but have never received First Communion and/or Confirmation.
4. Other interested adults: ANYONE who wants to deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith.
A Well-Built Faith: A Catholic’s Guide to Knowing and Sharing What We Believe (This book will be available at the sessions)
Schedule:
January 25: The Trinity
February 1st: Sin, Salvation & the Cross of Jesus
February 8th: Worship & Liturgy
February 15th: Sacraments of Initiation
Sessions continue in February and March.
These sessions will be Live Streamed. Link on our Website.
LOSS HURTS: CHILDREN'S GRIEF SUPPORT
Death, Divorce, Incarceration Deployment, Covid-19 Issues, Health Issues
DRAW IT OUT CHILDREN’S GRIEF SUPPORT
AGES 5-15 - OFFERED VIA ZOOM
- Safe and Confidential
- Decreases sense of aloneness
- Increases self-esteem
- Develops coping skills for loss
- Helps develop new life plan
For More Information, Contact: Connie Theisen kidshopeholyspirit@gmail.com 970-216-8977
Register Below
DIVORCE MINISTRY SUPPORT
This group provides support for divorced individuals, meeting every Thursday at 7pm (now via Zoom). Resources are provided which group members discuss and members share their experiences in a safe environment. The group process helps divorced individuals navigate through this difficult time and move towards healing and inner peace.
Contact: Barb Fraser 702-459-7778
FIRST FRYDAY KNIGHT
“Drive-thru” Fish Fry Friday February 5th from 5-7pm
in the Holy Spirit Parking Lot
$9.00 for deep fried fish, fries & coleslaw.
$7.00 for chicken tenders, fries & coleslaw.
Sponsored by our Knights of Columbus
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER
February 20th - 21st, 2021
Enjoy and experience the Marriage Encounter in the comfort of your own home as we continue to practice necessary protocol and still enrich marriages. Give us a call for more details, to sign up and get suggestions on how to make the virtual experience something special and enriching.
Wayne & Marcia Kessler, 702-283-3480 or 702-274-2846.
YOUR OPINION MATTERS
Who is Going to Win Super Bowl LV
Green Bay Packers
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Kansas City Chiefs
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Buffalo Bills
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Feel free to add your opinions, feedback, and suggestions in the comments section.
Last weeks (Jan.17th) Question Results: #1 Mind Reading
MOMENT OF THE WEEK
Throughout the corse of this year, we have had to find creative ways to minister to all those in our programs. This, of course, included much smaller gatherings of young people, attending virtual elements at home, and families being encouraged to work through materials together. While this was a challenge of how to do all of this, there have been many successful ways that we have achieved this. One of those ways is the 'quarterly' materials box that is provided to all of the families registered in our SOAR program. Every couple of months, families have come to the 'drive-by's' to pick up their seasonal installment of materials. These are material to be used at home with their families, as well as materials that coincide with the specific topics for each grade. This past week, the third, out of four, installments were distributed!
ANGEL TREE 2020
November 28th - December 13th
This year’s Angel Tree project will be a little different. As you are aware several things are different from prior years: We are practicing social distancing and many schools have not reopened. Many families are without jobs through no fault of their own. The agencies are at a disadvantage since they must use fewer volunteers to assist in their Christmas gift giving programs. We are limited in space for storage and the number of volunteers we can use at one time. Therefore, we are asking everyone to try something new this year…
After all the Masses on the weekend of November 21st & 22nd, volunteers will be handing out a special Angel tag as you leave Mass. Please consider taking one or two to help a child in need this Christmas. If you are unable to attend Mass and watch virtually, we have inserted an Angel tag in the bulletin that you can print, cut out and attach to your stocking. We will also leave some Angels in a basket in the gathering space of the church if you attend morning Mass during the week.
Here is what we are asking:
Please purchase a 16”-18” Christmas stocking and a Target, Walmart, Visa, etc. gift card (minimum $25). Please be sure to write the amount of your gift card somewhere on the card. You may choose the age and gender (newborn - teenagers) of your Angel just be sure to write that information on the back of the Angel. Put the gift card in the stocking and fill the rest of the stocking with little fun items you think your Angel would enjoy receiving. For many children this might be the only gift they will receive this year. After you have purchased the items and filled your stocking attach your Angel tag to the stocking and follow the directions on the back of the Angel tag. It is important that you give your stocking to one of the volunteers either on Wednesdays or on the weekend before all the Masses.
If you are unable to shop or would like us to shop for you, please put your donation (checks payable to Holy Spirit) in an envelope and label it “Angel Tree”. You can also go online to our website www.holyspiritlv.org, go to “Give On Line” and select “Angel Tree. Donations in the Poor Box will also assist with this project.
Thank you for rising to this new challenge and making this Christmas special for many deserving children. God bless you!
GOSPEL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Read the Readings from this Sunday, the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 25:4-9; 1 Corinthians 7:29-32; Mark 1:14-20
Use the following discussion/reflection questions in your families, with your spouse, your friends, or even as personal journal questions:
1. Is it easy or difficult to respond to Jesus’ call to follow Him? Why?
2. What causes you to falter when you take steps to follow Christ? What holds you back from taking a step in the first place?
3. When Jesus called Simon and Andrew, they abandoned their nets and followed Him. Would that have been easy for them? Why? What is in your net?
9 DAYS FOR LIFE
January 21st - 29th, 2021
9 Days for Life is a novena for the protection of human life. Each day’s intention is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life. You’re invited to join thousands of Catholics nationwide in prayer for the respect of human life during a special novena called 9 Days for Life. Visit 9daysforlife.com to sign up to receive daily intentions from January 21st through the 29th.
GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
Gift Shop Hours:
Open after all weekend liturgies and
Monday - Friday 8am - 12pm & 1pm - 4pm
Saturdays 8am -12pm
Saturdays 8am -12pm
OUR COMMUNITY
Below is information about Holy Spirit! Access the information by clicking on the links below. If, for any reason, you cannot find what you are looking for, please call our office 702-459-7778
OUR MINISTRIES
Below is information about some of our ministries and groups at Holy Spirit. Access this information by clicking on the links below. For additional information, please call our office 702-459-7778
WAYS TO GIVE
IN PERSON: Drop it off at the office or Use the kiosk in the lobby of the Church
AT MASS: Put it in the collection basket at the altar steps when you attend Mass
MAIL: Send it through the mail (5830 Mesa Park Drive, LV, NV 89135)
ONLINE: Use our on-line e-tithing system (www.holyspiritlv.org); click “On-line Giving”
BY PHONE: Text "Assist" to (702)500-1938
Thank you for your generosity to Your parish!
"I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but rather, I believe in order that I may understand"
St. Anselm of Canterbury