Saint Gerald Catholic Church

Parish Directory Update

Thank you to all the parishioners who have picked up their parish directories. We still have over 100 families that need to pick up their directory. You can pick up your directory at the business office Monday - Friday during business hours. There is a very limited quantity of directories available for purchase at $10 each.

---

Jesus is Alive at St. Gerald Church & School!

Let's demonstrate our faith and love for Jesus in our community by walking in the 62nd Ralston Independence Day Parade on Monday, July 4th. Parade starts at 1:00 PM. Kids and adults are all invited to participate. Free t-shirts will be given to those walking in the parade. T-shirts will be distributed the day of the parade at the business office from 11:30am-12:00pm. Participants will meet in the parade line up by 12:00pm. Sign up by contacting Jean at 402-516-5846 or jmthompson59@cox.net by July 3. T-shirts are limited, so sign up early!

---

Join Us in Praying the Patriotic Rosary

Monday, July 4th at 10:00am
Outside on the northwest corner of 96th & Q
In case of rain, we will move the rosary inside St. Gerald's church.

We as a community will pray for One Nation, Under God. We will be praying for each state by name.

---

Staff Openings

Director of Music Ministry
Teresa Paal is retiring at the end of June. We want to thank Teresa for her dedicated service at St. Gerald and pray the Lord graciously bless her in retirement.

Parish & School Business Manager
Charlie Hoover has been our Business Manager for two and a half years. He originally joined our staff as part of the Evangelization & Discipleship team and moved into his present role when the previous person resigned. Charlie, with the agreement of Fr. Mark and the SLT, has discerned that it is time to step out of the Business Manager and return to Evangelization & Discipleship. We want to thank Charlie for his service in this role and also look forward to his future contributions to moving forward with our vision and mission. His transition will be dependent on back-filling our Business Manager position.

Facilities & Maintenance Support
This is a full time position as part of the Facilities & Maintenance team. The primary location will be at our school, however there may be times when needed at other St. Gerald facilities.

If interested, and would like to see a job description and how to apply, please visit: careers.archomaha.org

---

Introduction to Discipleship

What does Jesus mean when He says, "Follow Me"? Intro to Discipleship is a two part course where we dive into what it really means to follow the Savior. We will share God's plan of transformation for your life, the habits of a disciple, and how to take the next steps to grow in prayer and your relationship with Christ. If you are looking to go deeper in your faith, Intro to Discipleship is for you!

Two Interactive Sessions:
Tuesdays, July 12 & July 19, from 6-9 PM,
St. Gerald Fellowship Hall at 96th and Q.
Dinner included (free-will offering).

Please Register by July 8th below, email Jenny at jwiswell@stgerald.org, or call the parish office at 402-331-1955.
Register Now

---

Oasis Prayer Gathering

REST - WORSHIP - HEALING
If you would like to experience the freedom and joy that God intended to give you through the graces of your Baptism, then please join us at our next Oasis. We will adore the Lord, worship through song, and rest in His love through a time of reflection and healing prayer.

Sunday, July 17, 2022
3:00 - 4:30 pm
St. Gerald Church, 96th & Q

For more info visit our Oasis web page or text "OasisPrayer" to 84576

---

"Don't Mom Alone" Summer Study and Fellowship

8 Thursday nights, 7-8:15pm, running June 9 - July 28 at St. Gerald

Moms of all ages-you are invited to join us for encouragement and inspiration as we discuss the book, "Don't Mom Alone," by author Heather MacFadyn. Being a good mom isn't about doing everything perfect. To ask for help often feels like defeat. Yet when we try to do it all by our own strength, we end up depleted and lonely. This study will reveal how moms can be empowered by God, supported by others, and connected with their children. Whether you work or stay home, whether you have teenagers or babies, you'll find in this study compassionate guidance for your motherhood journey. To register, email Jenny Wiswell at jwiswell@stgerald.org or call the office at 402-331-1955. Books can be purchased through St. Gerald for $17 or through Amazon.

---

St. Gerald Parish Strategic Plan

The Pastoral Council spent the past five years researching, engaging with the Archdiocese and the Parish at-large, and formulating the St. Gerald Parish Strategic Plan. It is our hope that this Plan will help guide each Ministry, Group, and Parishioner on how to use their gifts to fulfill the Mission and Vision of St. Gerald's.
Download the Strategic Plan (pdf)
Everyone in the parish was invited to a presentation of this plan on May 5, 2022. If you missed it, you can view the video presentation of the strategic plan. For more information and presentations leading up to the strategic plan, visit our Pastoral Planning page.

---

---

Letter from Archbishop Lucas

Dear Friends in Christ, I recently participated in seven meetings across the archdiocese to kick-off our Journey of Faith pastoral planning process. I came away from these gatherings filled with hope for the future. I am grateful to the clergy and hundreds of parish leaders from each parish who participated.

At these meetings, we looked carefully at trends that shape our current reality - declining religious participation, population shifts and numbers of priests available to serve in parishes. We also grouped parishes in "families" which will work together going forward. Read more...

---

Stewardship Sign Up

You should have already received the Stewardship booklets that have been mailed to your home. There are over 80 groups and ministries at St Gerald that will give you an opportunity to encounter Jesus, become his disciple and allow God to beautifully transform your life and the life of others. Prayerfully consider the opportunity to bring fresh ideas and energy to a new ministry. Complete the signup form in the back of the booklet or online here: stgerald.org/stewardship.

---

Sobering article and a reminder that the harvest is ripe! This is a great reminder of the need for a mission oriented Church. It's time to buy in and partner with Jesus to bring home the lost sheep within our Church. https://www.christianpost.com/news/americans-continue-leaving-church-most-arent-coming-back.html
- Fr. Mark

---

Letter from Archbishop Lucas

Dear Friends in Christ,
Pope Francis announced last spring that the topic of the October 2023 Synod of Bishops will be synodality in the Church. A synod is a meeting of bishop delegates from around the world invited to discuss a topic of theological or pastoral significance, in order to offer advice or counsel to the pope. Synodality is understood by Pope Francis to mean all members of the Church (clergy, laity, religious) participating in the evangelizing mission of the Church, journeying together as a community, prayerfully listening to one another in order to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit.

In preparation for the synod, the Holy Father has asked Catholics worldwide to share their experiences of participation in the life and mission of the Church...

Read the Full Letter...

---

Archbishop's Annual Appeal

Our gifts to the 2021/22 Archbishop's Annual Appeal bear witness to God's love at work in our lives. Thank you to all those at our parish who have responded so generously to Archbishop Lucas' invitation to join him in the work of equipping disciples and living mercy. Please prayerfully consider supporting this year's Archbishop Annual Appeal.
Donate Now

---

Pray For Priestly Vocations

This year, unfortunately, we had no young men ordained to the priesthood for the archdiocese of Omaha. Please pray that more young men will hear and respond to God's call to the priesthood.

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS (by Pope St. John Paul II)
Jesus, our Good Shepherd, bless all our parishes with numerous priests, deacons, men and women in religious life, consecrated laity and missionaries, according to the needs of the entire world, which you love and wish to save. Assist our pastors and all who live a consecrated life. Guide the steps of those who have responded generously to your call and are preparing to receive Holy Orders or to profess vows. Look with love on young people and call them to follow you. Help them to understand that in you alone can they attain complete fulfillment. To this end we call on the powerful intercession of Mary, Mother and model of all vocations. We beseech you to sustain our faith that the Father will grant what you command us to ask. Amen.

---

What is a Nazareth Group?

To express your interest in joining a group or to find out more click here to go to https://www.nazarethgroups.com/.

---

Eucharistic Adoration

Would you pray about committing to 1 hour of Adoration weekly, between Wednesdays at 8 AM and Thursdays at 11:59 PM? You can go to the link below if you'd like to commit to a weekly hour of prayer before Jesus in the Eucharist.

SIGN UP FOR ADORATION

We will notify you when we have all the hours filled and are able to begin exposition for these times on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Although our Eucharistic Lord is not always exposed in the monstrance, He is in the tabernacle 24/7. You are always welcome to come pray in the chapel at 96th and Q. To find out how to get the code for the chapel doors (west doors), please contact the parish office at 402-331-1955.

---

Live Adoration Broadcasts

Here are a few adoration LIVE STREAM links to help you with continuing your hour of adoration. God will honor your love for his Eucharistic Heart.

• Live Adoration at the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Vilnius, Lithuania
• Live Adoration on EWTN Poland
• Live Adoration at Cathedral of the Good Shepherd in Singapore
• Live Adoration from Tyburn Convent
• Live Adoration at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Doral, Florida

---

Prayer for Family Formation

Prayer for Family Formation in Every Part of Our Parish
Dear Lord, you have always been faithful to us and have always guided our parish to know, love and serve you. You call us to be Disciples who actively share their faith with others. Strengthen the gifts of the Holy Spirit in each of us as we seek to help our families become the primary place of religious formation. We give you thanks for the fruit that has come from Family Formation. Bless all our efforts this coming year especially as we move the Family Formation model into our school and as we begin YDisciple among our youth. Encourage us as we move in this new direction and keep our hearts tuned to your will. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

---

Article Suggestions from Father Mark

- Our Lady of America Warned Us
- Understanding the Coronavirus
- Coronavirus Proof Your Home
- Quarantine: The Call to a Deeper Spirituality to the Desert
- Fatima and the Necessity of Suffering
- What Does the Lord Want to Teach Me During This Crisis?
- I Cried When Mass Was Cancelled
- Are Sundays a Day Off for Lent?
- How To Rescue Souls
- Discipleship vs. Volunteer
- Renewing the Priesthood Involves Spiritual Warfare

---

Vision
Encountering Jesus · Making Disciples · Transforming Lives

Mission
Led by the Holy Spirit, we are a Catholic community of faith whose primary purpose is to know Jesus, to love Him, and to serve Him in serving others. Sent to make disciples, we invite and welcome everyone to come and share our Master's joy.

---

St. Gerald Athletics

Update Your Information