Dear Parishioners,

     Today is the feast of the Assumption of Mary into heaven.  It is one of our Holy Days and this year has landed on Sunday.  Some have asked where this feast comes from since there is no mention of it in the bible.  Catholics get their teachings from two sources.  The bible is one source of revelation and the other source is Tradition.  Sacred Tradition is the unwritten word of God that the prophets and apostles received through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  So the teaching of the Assumption of Mary into heaven in not found in the bible but it was believed and taught by the apostles.  This is Tradition that is inspired and so taught.  The Church teaches that after Mary lived here on earth, she was assumed body and soul into the glory of heaven.  Mary's Assumption was defined by the Church because she was the Mother of God; she was free from all sin; her body was preserved in spotless chastity; and she shared in her Son's redemptive work in the world.  I hope this helps with your understanding of why we believe in the Assumption of Mary into Heaven.

     Our faculty and staff will be on retreat Tuesday.  Please keep them in your prayers.

     Please pick an "ornament" from our tuition assistance tree in church.  The money helps St. Philip Neri families    send their children to St. Phil's who otherwise maybe not able to do so.  I thank you for your support.

        There is a Catholic Bible Study taking place at Creighton Prep on Thursday evenings.  Registration closes today (Sunday).  It will cover the Gospel of John.  Registration fee is $60.  It takes place during the school year.  It is open to all faiths.  You can go to the website http://Seeking Truth.net for more information.  So far there are over 230 people registered.

     School registration is this week so we continue to pray for our families returning and pray for new students.

Have a great week.                                                

Fr. Craig

Church Support

Weekly Offering Budgeted                      $11,200.00

Weekly Offering (Aug. 8)                           $9,676.50

Year to Date Budget Needs                      $67,200.00    Year to Date Collections                            $54,229.54   Shortage                                      ($12,970.46)

Next weekend there will be a special collection for the       St. Peter Canisius Society of Creighton University to help promote Catholic ministries and organizations to the new Freshman class and new students.  They promote the Rosary Club, Knights of Columbus, Adoration and others. 

Dustin Hillman is in the hospital for medical rehabilitation, slowly regaining his mobility.  His medical doctors have advised Dustin to have a medical assistance dog or service dog.  They are trying to raise money for the dog.  If you would like to contribute, the internet site is http://servicedogfordustin.chipin.com/dustins-service-dog

Mass Intentions

August 16 - August 22

Blessed Sacrament Mass Schedule is as follows:

            Friday morning:  8:00 AM

            Saturday evening:  6:30 PM

            Sunday morning:    9:00 AM

    Confessions are at 8:30 AM on Sunday.

Higher education begins at St. Philip Neri School -

         Academic Excellence on A CATHOLIC FOUNDATION 

Where did the summer go???

     Thursday, August 19 - Open House/Final Registration

                                       for 2010 - 2011 School Year

     Monday, August 23  -  First Day of School!

             St. Philip Neri School Begins August 23^rd.  

                     It is not too late to enroll today. 

Thinking about Pre-Kindergarten for your little one?  Our Pre-K hours are 8 am to 11:15, with 3 year olds on Tuesday & Thursday; 4 year olds on Monday, Wednesday, & Friday.  Your child must be toilet trained.

If you have a question about the transition of Blessed Sacrament School to St Philip Neri - chances are someone else does too.  There is a website where you may find your answer:

    http://web.me.com/roblaird2/Transition/Home.html 

If you do not find the answer, you can leave your question and someone will get back to you. 

Have you ever considered giving something to assist a child to go to our School?  Now you can!  Select an ornament from our St. Philip Neri School Tuition Assistance Tree.  Drop your gift in an envelope marked SPN School Child Assistance and place it in the collection basket or drop it by or mail it to the Rectory. 

Are your children attending grades K-8 in our public schools?  Are they growing in their faith? For further faith enrichment and reception of the sacraments, register them now in St. Philip Neri Religious Education classes held Wednesday evenings 6:30 - 7:45 pm in the School, beginning September 8^th.  Call Marsha Moon at 455-2190 to enroll.

 The Week Ahead -

Sunday, August 15

Wednesday, August 18

Thursday, August 19

Saturday, August 21

Sunday, August 22

Do you have a home-based business?  Please consider making a donation of your product to the 2010 Silent Auction.  A single item or basket/bundle is appreciated.  Your gift may be combined with others or become part of a basket.  Please drop off your gift at the Rectory.  SPN thanks you for your continued support!

Take a look at the pre-order form for Neri Dollars when you are making your back to School shopping list!  Remember to use Dennis Uniform certificates for all your uniform shopping!  After a long day of shopping you will be hungry so be sure to include your favorite restaurant with your pre-order.  You can pre-order Neri Dollars after Mass on Saturday or Sunday and in most cases, have them by the    end of the week.  

Liturgical Ministers:  August 21/August 22 

Lectors: 5:00pm: Michele Kinghorn 7:30am: Dave Parks  10:30am: Rich McShane

EMHCs: 5:00pm:  Juli Bohnenkamp, Teresa Kuti, Sheila Schartz, Jacquie Dahlin, Erin Tamisiea  7:30am: Norine Hoffman, Ilene Sedlacek, Bob & Betty Jones, Sue Schartz 10:30am: Trudie Ahlstrom, Bev & Matthew Baer, Nancy Ryckman  Deacon: Fred Hendricks

Giftbearers: 5:00pm: Martello Family 7:30am: Tom Locher Family 10:30am: Jake Lindner Family

Communion to the Homebound: Bill Cheese, Norine Hoffman, Donna Sobotka, Mary Todd

Are you alive in your Faith and wanting to share it with others?  Consider being a member of our RCIA team on Thursday evenings starting in September.  To sign up, call Marsha Moon at 455-2190.

Do you have a friend, neighbor, or spouse who is interested in joining our Catholic Faith? RCIA classes will begin September 9^th.  Call Marsha Moon at 455-2190 for more details.

BBQ Today!  Ponca Hills Volunteer Fire Dept. annual BBQ Festival at the fire barn 12919 Ponca Road, Noon - ?  A family event featuring pit-roasted bbq beef, fresh sweet corn, kid's games, & fire department water fights.

Open House Today!  Sunday, August 15 from 12:30 - 2 Beautiful Custom Built Ranch 11019 N. 61 St. Walk out basement, updated kitchen, lots of storage.  For more      info: call Jim Wurgler, NP Dodge at 677-4355

Haven't gotten away this summer?  We have a great opportunity for you in August!  No cost, no baggage, no   sand in your shoes!  It's a spiritual pilgrimage to the Holy Lands, August 24 from 7- 9:30 pm or August 25 from 9:15 - 11:45 am departing from the Parish Center.  Your DVD tour guides are Raymond Arroyo and Jeff Cavins.  They will lead you on "The Path of the Messiah".  For more details, call Marsha Moon at 455- 2190.                           

Vigil for Life Procession with Archbishop Lucas  Please pray for & give public witness to our pro-life values with Archbishop George J. Lucas at the annual Pro-Life Prayer Vigil Mass & Procession on Saturday, August 28^th, 2010 at 8:00 a.m. at St. Mary Church (2302 Crawford St.) in Bellevue. The Mass will be followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & a prayerful rosary procession to the abortion facility on Mission Street under the supervision of the Bellevue Police Department. A reception will be held in the basement of St. Mary's Church afterwards.

Make plans to attend the Florence Merchant's Day Community BBQ Sunday, August 29 2-6 PM in the North Bowl Parking Lot.  Featuring JB's Fat Boy BBQ.  Eat dessert first!  St. Philip Neri is hosting the dessert table!  All money raised from the dessert table will go directly to the Church.  Music, Games, & Activities for Kids & Adults. 

THAT MAN IS YOU! MEN...Are you seeking to understand your Catholic faith and the call that God has given you as a Catholic man in the world today?  That Man Is You! will begin Thursday mornings from 6-7:30am starting September 9 in the Blessed Sacrament Parish hall.  Modeled on some of the country's leading men's programs, That Man Is You! combines Scripture, the teachings of the Church and wisdom of the saints with the best research from modern science in an interactive, multimedia format to address the pressures and challenges facing men in our modern culture. It seeks to form authentic leaders who will be capable of transforming homes and society.  Stop by a table after all Masses to meet members of the TMIY team.  You can learn more by going to the website at www.thatmanisyou.org<http://www.thatmanisyou.org>

Are you, or have you ever been, a smoker?  Are you a male over 55?  St. Philip Neri is pleased to host a Life Line Screening preventive heath event to scan for risk of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).  Life Line Screening uses hospital quality ultrasound technology to detect an enlargement or weak area in the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.  Warning signs of AAA often go unidentified and if ruptured, abdominal aortic aneurysms are 80-95% fatal.  The screening will be held on Friday, September 17^th.  Register for a Wellness Package with Heart Rhythm for $149.  All five screenings take 60 - 90 minutes to complete.  Your Health is in your Hands, so call 1-888-653-6441 for more information or to pre-register.

Mark your calendar for the SPN Festival - September 26^th ! There will be wonderful food and activities for the entire family.  Be sure to stop by the silent auction.  We have some fantastic items including Season Tickets to Creighton University Basketball!