For unto us a child is born, Unto us a child is given
A precious baby sent by God, Let all creation give him praise.

• Czech Christmas carols & their history
• Traditional audience sing-a-long
• Schubert's Ave Maria
• Pastoral Symphony from Handel's Messiah

 The menu changes; recently we have had salad bar/potato bar, chili, taco bar and spaghetti luncheons.  The proceeds from these lunches go to the five agencies the parish assists. During the summer concert in the park series  hot dogs and snacks and beverages are sold in he parking lot.

• Donate holiday gifts and/or food and toiletries for families at Waypoint – (items must be delivered to Waypoint by Dec. 12).
• Consider displaying a giving tree in your workplace or organization adorned with wish list ornaments (provided by Waypoint). Contact us to receive ornaments.
• Coordinate a holiday gift, food and toiletry drive within your family, friends, church, workplace or civic group.

• Stop in at Waypoint’s Holiday Open House on Wed., Dec. 12, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. to deliver your donations, receive an optional tour of the Waypoint facilities, and enjoy carolers, holiday cookies and punch.

• SHOPPING ROOM SET-UP: Thursday, Dec. 13, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (three hour shifts) to sort items and set-up the shopping room.
• GIFT DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANCE: Friday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 15, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. (three hour shifts) to greet families served, sort donations, help mothers shop, wrap gifts, or help families to their cars.

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)

The Rite of Entry took place on Sunday, October 7. At this time candidates are welcomed into the order of Catechumen and indicate their wish to continue their journey towards Christian initiation.

Alexander Lindsay of Central City and his wife, Judith moved to Iowa from Rhode Island in january 2006 after he retired as a Civilain employee of the U.S. Navy in Newport, R.I. In September 2006 the Lindsays were overjoyed to adopt Anna Yuing Lindsay in Nanchang, China. Anna is now three years old. The Lindsays also have three adult children who live in Rhode Island and New York.

Andrea DuCharme and Jason Brandon, both of Cedar Rapids are engaged to be married in November.

2007 New Parishioners
Francis & Mary Geers
Sherril & Dorothy Ransom
Joe & Jackie Martin
Bob & Kathy Kocer
Don & Janet Stevens
James & Linda Zachar
Harold & Agnes Thomas
Hubert & Lisa Stephens
Sean & Jessie Coburn
Charles Nguyen
Kathryn Ragsdale
Marilyn Van Hoe

THANK YOU, AMY In order to accept a full-time position elsewhere, Amy VanderVaart, pastoral minister at Immaculate Conception and St. Wenceslaus has resigned her part-time position, effective August 13, 2007. Those formerly contacting Amy for pastoral reasons should now contact the parish office. In case of a pastoral emergency, please call 654-5855. We want to thank Amy for sharing her gifts with our parishes and we wish her the best in her new position.

50th Jubilee Celebrations

Sister Nina Shephard, from Spokane, was a music teacher for nine years before becoming a missionary in El Salvador in 1969. After returning to La Crosse in 1973, she was director of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration social concerns office. In 1974 Sister Nina was elected assistant to the provincial for the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration western province in Spokane. After her term was completed, she spent six years at Franciscan Communications Center in Los Angeles. From 1985-2004 Sister Nina ministered as pastoral assistant in Stockton, (4 years), Oakland, (9 years), and Oakdale, Calif., (5 years), before moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa,  where she now resides. She is currently serving as pastoral assistant at Immaculate Conception and St. Wenceslaus parishes and in ministry to the Spanish-speaking at the State Prison in Anamosa. Sister Mary Brian Kelly was born on a farm near Elma, Iowa where she attended a country school.  She graduated from Immaculate Conception Academy in Elma, Iowa in 1949. In January 1956, she entered Our Lady of Mercy Novitiate in Marion, Iowa.Sister Mary Brian Kelly graduated from Mount Mercy College and then taught school in Cedar Rapids, Oelwein, DeWitt, Clarion, Decorah and Kalispell, Montana.  She retired from teaching first grade in Decorah and then served as a pastoral assistant there for nine years.  Sister Mary Brian is now a pastoral assistant in Cedar Rapids at Immaculate Conception and St. Wenceslaus Catholic Churches and is a volunteer at Mercy Medical Center. She resides at Sacred Heart Convent.

  Receptions were held July 28 and 29 at St Wenceslaus and Immaculate Conception
 to celebrate the 50th Jubilees of Sr Nina Shephard and Sr Brian Kelly.

The staff celebrated with a luncheon August 1 prior to their staff meeting.

Polish Contingent Visits St. Wenceslaus

GOD CALLS US TO SERVICE

SUNDAY NIGHT SUPPER SERVERS— Groups from around the CR area help out by serving meals at First Presbyterian on Sundays 4-6 p.m. Our next turn is September 16. This is a great opportunity to join in the ministry to help the hungry in our area. Contact Dave Martin for more details.

Waypoint Services for Women, Children and Families has several volunteer opportunities during the summer months.  For details for each opportunity click on the links below or call the Rectory office. The opportunities are:

• Field Trip Day Assistance with Children at Waypoint Shelters (various opportunities from June – August)
• Clothes Closet Restocking (ongoing, monthly)
• Back to School Supply Donations (by August 7)
• Back to School Supply Distribution (August 7 – 10)  
   _______________________________________________

June 11-July 13

Final Program & Ice Cream Social

Friday, June 13 7:00 p.m.    Wilson Middle School

Public is welcome

Sunday Concerts- 11:30 a.m

                         May 20     Czech Plus

                        June 24     Iowa Accordion Club

                    Aug 19    Aeroroot

                    Sept 16    Party Time Band w/ Dave Franklin
                                     Czech Plus

·        All concerts are free

·        Bring your lawn chairs or blankets

·        Concession stand
            

CZECH PLUS BAND
2007 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

Authentic Czech Music in the Czech Village
All concerts on Friday nights, 7-8:30 in the Kosek Band Stand unless noted differently

FROM ARCHBISHOP JEROME HANUS

“The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, through its Committee on Migration and Refugee Services, [asked] Catholics to join in prayer during the week preceding Pentecost. The US Congress appears to be on the verge of debating possible new legislation regarding immigration. The bishops have developed five principles for comprehensive immigration reform.”  WE ACT: in support of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, 5 principles for Comprehensive Immigration Reform:

CALL NOW!  Call your U.S. Senators: to contact yours, call 202-224-3121.  Tell them to support the Catholic Bishops’ 5 principals. 

AND WE PRAY as a parish community, in unity with the Catholic Church of the United States, on this Pentecost Day, the following prayer:

THE JUSTICE PRAYER: Come, O Holy Spirit! Come, open us to the wonder, beauty, and dignity of the diversity found in each culture, in each face, and in each experience we have of the other among us. Come, fill us with generosity as we are challenged to let go and allow others to share with us the goods and beauty of earth. Come; heal the divisions that keep us from seeing the face of Christ in all men, women, and children. Come, free us to stand with and for those who must leave their own lands in order to find work, security, and welcome in a new land, one that has enough to share. Come, bring us understanding, inspiration, wisdom, and the courage needed to embrace change and stay on the journey. Come, O Holy Spirit, show us the way.

CATECHISTS APPRECIATION NIGHT
MAY 16
Thank you to all the catechists and Board of Education members!

Photos

OAKHILL JACKSON NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Our neighborhood now has its own free, interactive Web site:
click here

  Online greeting card shop specializing in Catholic and Inspirational Greetings.
 click here

CONFIRMATION
Congratulations to the class of 2007 who received the
Sacrament of Confirmation on Wednesday, May 2

Confirmation Class – 2007

RELAY FOR LIFE OF LINN COUNTY

AND THE POTENTIAL TO CURE IT 

Relay for Life of Linn County – June 15-16

Why Relay? Why should YOU come and experience Relay? 

Because cancer affects us all. 

Because each one of us can make a difference. 

  Easter Vigil
CONGRATULATIONS! It is with great joy that we welcomed Kathryn Veenstra  into the Church at the
Easter Vigil Mass through the Sacrament of Confirmation and Dayton Sumner-Formanek  received the Sacrament of Baptism

       

              more photos