ST. PATRICK’S /

HOLY TRINITY

MISSION STATEMENT To share the good news of Jesus

in word and deed; to gather in

prayer, worship, and the celebra-

tion of the Eucharist; to facilitate

life-long faith formation; to serve

the larger community especially

the poor and marginalized; and to

sustain parish ministry through

the stewardship of time, talent,

and treasure.

SACRAMENTS

RECONCIL IATION ST . PATRICK’S :

4:00-4:30 PM SATURDAYS

HOLY T RINITY :

7:45 AM

2ND & 4TH SUNDAYS

ALSO BY APPOINTMENT ANOINTING OF THE S ICK CALL THE OFFICE IF POSSI -

BLE WHEN HOSPITAL IZED .

BAPTISM CALL THE OFFICE DURING

PREGNANCY FOR PREPARA-

T ION CLASS .

MARRIAGE CALL THE OFFICE AT LEAST

NINE MONTHS TO ONE YEAR

AHEAD TO PLAN MARRIAGE

PREPARAT ION . W EDDING

DATE SHOULD NOT BE SET

UNTIL PREPARAT IONS HAVE

BEGUN .

ANNULMENT/

MARRIAGE VALIDAT ION CALL THE OFFICE TO LEARN

MORE ABOUT THIS PROCESS

WITH D IOCESAN T RIBUNAL IF

YOU ARE DIVORCED AND

REMARRIED OR NEVER MAR-

RIED IN THE CATHOLIC

CHURCH .

RCIA

CALL THE OFFICE IF YOU ARE

INTERESTED IN LEARNING

MORE ABOUT THE CATHOLIC

CHURCH OR THE RCIA PRO-

CESS .

MEMBERSHIP/

REGISTRATION IF YOU ARE NEW , WELCOME

TO OUR PARISH . PLEASE

REGISTER BY CALLING THE

OFFICE . IF YOU ARE MOVING

AWAY , PLEASE CONTACT THE

OFFICE TO NOTIFY US BEFORE

MOVING .

BULLET IN DEADLINE : WEDNESDAY NOON

Holy Trinity Church

208 Kilworth St N Exira, IA 50076

Office 712-563-2283

Holy Trinity Hall 712-268-5466

St. Patrick’s Church 116 E Division St

Audubon, IA 50025 Office 712-563-2283

St. Patrick’s Parish Ctr 712-563-3300

Mary, the holy mother of god

January 1, 2017 As we step in to a new year, and honor the Holy Mother of God, we are invited to follow in

the Shepherds’ footsteps. St. Luke paints a beautiful picture of those poor, hardworking

shepherds making their way to the stable cave at Bethlehem. There are three verbs that

describe the shepherds’ actions, and they can be patterns of how every Christian should

live out the message of Christmas.

First, St. Luke tells us that the shepherds ‘went in haste’ to find Christ, to seek him out in

the midst of his family, the Church, here represented by Mary and Joseph. They were ea-

ger to meet the Savior, to spend time with him, to get to know him, to receive his blessing.

That is why Jesus came to earth in the first place - so that we could more easily find him.

The history of humanity is the history of a people lost in darkness and searching for mean-

ing, forgiveness, grace, and light. Jesus is the source of all those things. He is our salva-

tion. That is the significance of the name ‘Jesus’, which means ‘God saves’. The Jews tra-

ditionally had their boy children circumcised on the eighth day after their birth. During the ceremony, the

child would also be given his name. St. Luke tells us that Joseph and Mary followed this tradition with Jesus.

Circumcision was the sign of God’s covenant with ancient Israel, and the most important thing about that

covenant was God’s promise to send a Savior. Receiving one’s name at the same time that the boy was cir-

cumcised was a symbolic way of emphasizing that the boy’s life, his very identity, was now tied up with that

promise. And performing the ceremony on the eighth day was also significant. God had created the universe

in seven days. But that creation was wrecked by original sin. The eighth day is a symbol of the redemption -

the first day of the new creation in Christ. God’s promise of blessing, our true identity, redemption and ever-

lasting life - this is what Christ comes to give us, this is why we, like the shepherds, should be eager to go

and look for Christ, to ‘make haste’ to find him each day in prayer, the Bible, and the sacraments.

Second, the shepherds ‘made known the message that had been told them’. The news the angels an-

nounced to them was too good to keep to themselves. They felt a need to share it, to tell others about the

Savior. That is always a sign of an authentic encounter with God. When we have or discover something won-

derful, we can’t hold it back, we simply have to share it. Even on a merely human level - if you find a great

golf club or book or website, you tell your friends about it. When we truly experience Christ, even just a little

bit, something similar happens. Our hearts automatically overflow with a desire to share that experience.

And if we don’t feel that desire, it probably means that our friendship with Christ needs some maintenance.

Being committed Christians doesn’t make us immune to temptation. If we are not careful, we can fall into

routine. We can come to Mass, say our prayers, keep up appearances - but underneath it all, we can be fall-

ing into spiritual mediocrity. An excellent thermometer for mediocrity is precisely this: if we feel an inner urge

to spread Christ’s Kingdom, to bring others into Christ’s friendship, to share our experience of Christ - as the

shepherds did, then we know we are spiritually healthy. But if we don’t feel that urge - it is a warning sign

that our friendship with Christ is growing cold, and that we need to ‘make haste’ to Bethlehem to take a

fresh look at our Savior.

The third verb that Mary used to describe this scene to St. Luke is a double verb. St. Luke tells us that after

the shepherds made haste to come and see Jesus, and after they told their amazing story to everyone who

would listen, they ‘returned glorifying and praising God’. When we seek Christ and share Christ, he fills our

hearts with a deep, inner joy. The shepherds were so full of this joy that they couldn’t hold it in. Materially

and economically nothing had changed but they saw God, the Savior, and they saw his Mother, our Queen.

Their encounter with the newborn Christ made them immeasurably richer on Christmas Day than they had

been the day before. And if we follow in the shepherds’ footsteps this year, actively seeking Christ in prayer,

the Bible, and the sacraments, and bringing Christ’s grace and presence to those around us, we too will ex-

perience the true joy of Christmas - all year round.

Pastor: Rev. Antony Mathew Phone: 712-304-4836 (cell)

E-mail: amathew8@sbcglobal.net

Secretary: Kathryn Yager

Bookkeeper: Linda Blomme

Dir. of Religious Education: Jennifer Mosinski

Office Hours: Tuesday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Wednesday 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Thursday 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Office E-mail: spht@iowatelecom.net

Website: www.sphtdm.org

Now would be a GREAT time to sign up for

online giving!! Just go to our website,

www.sphtdm.org, click on “DONATE” and

then click on the green online giving button

to access our online giving site. Once there,

click on Create New Account and follow the

online instructions. No more need for tithing

envelopes! It is that easy!

HOLY TRINITY’S WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Wednesday, Jan. 4: 8:30 a.m.-Mass [ For The People ]

4:15 p.m.-RE K-6th grades

6:30 p.m.-RE 7-12 grades

Sunday, Jan. 8:

EPIPHANY 8:30 a.m.– Mass [Past & Present

Altar & Rosary Society members]

9:30 a.m.-Coffee/Rolls

Happy Birthday

1st- Kathleen Hansen

Don Heller

3rd- Charlotte Fett

Nick Weihs

Jeremy Hoffman

Skyla Rasmussen

4th- Megan Irlmeier

5th- Scott Meislahn

Gary Vais

6th- Karleigh Henkle

7th- Duane Schulte

Yaris Mari Correa

All those involved in serving our country in any capacity. May they be kept free of

harm and know our prayers are with them.

Special prayers to those on our prayer chain: Cory Cornwell, Hayden Weisenborn,

John Renze, Sue Merical, Keegan Provost, Caleb Deist, Debbie Inman, Pat Strauss,

Mary Ann Lundberg, Amanda Lumpkin, Nicole O’Tool, Don Kalkhoff, Bruce Kennedy,

Diane Wagner, Darla Mullenger, McKenzie Bruch, Jeff Bowman, Richard Schlichte,

the Steckler Family, Jean Michalski and Savannah Meiners .

All those who are suffering and their families remain in our thoughts and prayers.

Please contact the office if your loved one’s condition changes.

Remember in your prayers:

Gary & Rosemary Williamson

57 Yrs. ~ January 2, 1960

Happy Anniversary

December 25, 2016 giving

St. Patrick’s Holy Trinity

Tithes 2,539.00 1,045.00

Plate 244.00 202.00

Total 2,783.00 1,247.00

St. Patrick’s Parish is short of our ADA

goal by $2,775.00. If you have not

pledged or donated toward the Annual

Diocesan Appeal, please prayerfully con-

sider making a year-end donation. If you

have misplaced your donation card,

please contact the church office for a

replacement.

ST. PATRICK’S WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Tuesday, Jan. 3: 7:30 a.m.-Mass [Bernie Klein]

8:00 a.m.-Bible Study

Wednesday, Jan. 4: 4:15 p.m.-RE K-6th grades

5:30 p.m.-Mass [Clarence & Caroline Vonnahme]

6:30 p.m.-RE 7-12 grades

7:00 p.m.-Choir practice

Thursday, Jan. 5: 7:30 a.m.-Mass [Sheryl McDonald]

Friday, Jan. 6: NO MASS

Saturday, Jan. 7: 5:00 p.m.-Mass [Mark Madsen]

Sunday, Jan. 8:

EPIPHANY 10:30 a.m.-Mass [Earl Riesberg ]

Coming soon – Family Night ! to encourage, strengthen and celebrate the gift of family.

All the parishioners of St. Patrick and Holy Trinity (adults/youth/children) are invited.

Saturday, January 21, 2017 @ 6.30 p.m.

St. Patrick Parish Center

What is the cost? – it is free, but a free-will offering to cover the cost of food is appreciated. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the event.

If you would like to help, please contact Lisa Sorensen or Janet Baumhover.

Attention

A tax deduction is awaiting you! Make a donation to

St. Patrick or Holy Trinity Catholic Church before the

31st of December 2016, and you can claim a tax

deduction when you file your tax returns.

Grades K-6th 4:15-5:30p

Junior High—High School 6:30-8:00p

A sign in sheet is next to the entrance

for all RE students.

List of upcoming Coffee & Rolls served by youth:

Feb. 5-11th graders March 5– 10th graders

BECOMING THE BEST DISCIPLE: The quote for this week that also appears on the whiteboard in the

entry of the church is:

“Receive the greatest gift of all--JESUS CHRIST!”

Take time this week to sit quietly, or perhaps as you drive to your des-

tination, to reflect on that question.

REMEMBER TO LISTEN FOR GOD’S RESPONSE.

THE HOLY EUCHARIST: The Holy Eucharist is the heart and summit of the

Church’s life...for by this sacrifice he pours out

the graces of salvation on his Body which is the

Church. Let us therefore make use of the God-

given opportunity to participate in the Holy Eucharist, and

receive Holy Communion as often as we can.

We are collecting plastic bags again to make blankets for

those in need. Please leave them in the basement.

Thank you!

We need assistance in preparing meals for our junior

and senior high students on Wednesday evenings.

**RE Classes resume January 4**

SPCW and KCs are sponsoring

SUNDAY (JAN. 29) BREAKFAST

Parish Center ~ 8:00 a - 12:00 p

Serving biscuits w/gravy and omelets.

Free will offering

Holy Trinity Altar and Rosary Society

Annual Soup Supper

Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017 Serving 4:30-7:00 in the Parish Hall

Chicken Noodle Soup, Chili, & Oyster Stew, sandwiches, pie, and

other desserts

Adults $8.00, ages 12 years and younger $3.50, pre-schoolers free

** Please be sure you’ve received the slip about your donation for the soup supper and have checked the work schedule posted on the shelf behind the rear pew on the north side. We need everyone’s help to

make this a successful fundraiser.

Thank you to everyone who helped with caroling

on Wednesday, December 21, and with the

Christmas pageants at St. Patrick and Holy Trini-

ty. We do appreciate the sacrifice and hard work

of everyone. Your sacrifice and hard work bring

bless-

ings to

our parish family. May

God bless us, our fami-

lies, and our loved ones

with His abundant

blessings.

THANK YOU PARTY FOR ALTAR SERVERS:

Our parish family is blessed with a good number of altar

servers. Father Tony wants to recognize and thank all of

them on

Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at 4:30 p.m.

in the St. Pat’s Office Building (Rectory). Consider your

personal invitation and join us for the party.

A Blessed and Happy New Year Father Antony Mathew and the staff wish

each and every member of our parish family

a Blessed and Happy New Year. May our New

Year be one that brings us closer to God and

to our own parish family; one that enables us

to praise God for His love and mercy; and

one that strengthens us to reach out to one

another in love and charity. I also take the opportunity to recog-

nize the contributions of those who make our parish family a

unique one; and our celebration of the Holy Eucharist a profound

experience for those who gather to worship and praise God. I want

to thank all those who devote so much of their time, energy and

life for the parish day after day, and thereby bring immeasurable

blessings to the parish family. Thanks to our wonderful pastoral

team: Rev. Antony Mathew, Katie Yager, Linda Blomme, Jennifer

Mosinski, Angie Petersen, Judy Bintner, Lynda Best for their com-

mitment, sacrifice, and selfless giving to our parish family. We

appreciate and express our gratitude to the Corpus Christi Pasto-

ral Council; the Finance Council, the Devotional Ministry Team

(rosary, first Friday, divine mercy Sunday); the Religious Formation

Team (Catechists/Substitutes, and Catechist Aids for children and

adults (RCIA), Scripture study groups); Liturgy Ministry Team

(sacristans, extra-ordinary ministers of the Holy Eucharist, lectors,

greeters, ushers, altar servers, and art and environment); Music

Ministry Team (cantors, organist/pianists/choir); the Outreach

Ministry Team (caring and sharing, quilting); the Social Ministry

Team (parish social gathering ministry, bereavement ministry, St.

Patrick Catholic women, altar and rosary society, knights of Co-

lumbus, maintenance ministry), and all the others, who bring

blessings one way or another. My heart is filled with joy and grati-

tude to Almighty God, who continually blesses us with His abun-

dant blessings, and to all our parishioners for blessing us by their

unwavering dedication, commitment, support, sacrifice, and finan-

cial generosity. Thank you.

Father Antony Mathew thanks every

one for the thoughtfulness, love, appre-

ciation, and prayers extended to him during the

Christmas Season through Christmas Cards, presents

and so on. I am really blessed and honored to be part

of everyone’s life through my priesthood and ministry

here at St. Patrick and Holy Trinity. May God bless

each and every one of us with His peace, joy and love.

PRAY FOR THEIR SERVICE: Several of our members and relatives of mem-

bers are currently serving in the military.

Please pray for them and their families. We

pray for their safety and when on a mission,

their quick return home to family and friends.

Mary Jo Bauer Matt Anthofer Sara Kerkhoff

Don Mosinski Marty Hupp Aaron & Deanna Kerkhoff

Robert Hjuler Chris Hjuler Casey & Taylor Kerkhoff

Mark Hjuler Craig Hjuler Zachary Kirkpatrick

Mark Otte Beck Benton Rusty Dixon

Bradley Sutter Irlmeier Madeline Bintner

*Please contact the office with names of other service men/women.

Corpus Christi Council members:

(Parish Pastoral Council)

Steve Brinkman, Chair

Judy Bintner, Secretary

Harriet Jayne

Evelyn Nelson

Roger Nelson

Joanne Greving

Gary Rasmussen

St. Patrick’s Finance Council :

Steve Schmitz, Chair

Alice Lauridsen, Secretary

Virginia Mennenoh

Dean Fett

Leonard Baumhover

Linda Kerkhoff

Holy Trinity Finance Council:

Gary Vais, Chair

Julie Christensen, Secretary

Cleo Wiskus

Ben Hansen

Perry Paulsen

HOLY TRINITY: Sunday, January 8 - 8:30 a.m.

Ushers: Jon David Bintner & Perry Paulsen Greeters: volunteers

Servers: volunteers

Music: Riann Hansen

Lectors: Deanna Bintner

Eucharist Ministers: Betty Simonsen, Dave & Deanna Bintner

Shut-ins: Betty Simonsen

Altar Society Committee (Dec./Jan.): Chairperson: Megan Wilkerson,

Jane Beckendorf, Amanda Kommes, Riann Hansen, & Cleo Wiskus

ST. PATRICK’S: Saturday, January 7– 5:00 P.M.

Ushers: Kenny Petersen, volunteer

Greeters: Ruth Ann Bock

Servers: McKenna Petersen, Brody Beane, Brayden Sporrer

Music: Jo Beane

Lectors: Linda Kerkhoff

Eucharist Ministers: Ruth Ann Bock

Sacristan: Jerry Carter

Sunday, January 8 - 10:30 a.m.

Ushers: Trever & Jason Schulz

Greeters: Trever & Jason Schulz

Servers: Grace & Joanne Greving, Luke Mosinski

Music: Kathy Johnston, Tom Mennenoh

Lectors: Rachel & Jennifer Mosinski

Eucharist Ministers: Joan Bauer

Sacristan: Scott Hansen

Shut-Ins:

Maxine Klein: Sally Kerwin (Saturday)

Ardella Schlichte: Fr. Home & Hospital

Darrell Wittrock/Joanne Greving: Terry & Pat Crosley

Question of the week: To what “strange lands” might God be

inviting me to travel in this New Year to discover Christ? What

gifts will I bring with me to offer there?

SHOW YOUR PATRIOTISM:

The Audubon Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

is looking for volunteers to help to put up and

take down our display of flags in the City Park.

These flags are in honor of our Audubon Coun-

ty veterans. We have three events during the

year when the flags are flown. It will take six

people, approximately one hour each time, to

put them up and take them down. Two VFW members will be there

with the flags and have a place to store them when taken down. If any

organizations or individuals would like to volunteer for a specific date

in 2017 please contact Craig Owen at 563

en@hotmail.com.

Dates:

UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION: Many of us have disconnected our landline or have a

new cell phone number or a new email address. Or all

three! Please contact the office with your new infor-

mation. We appreciate it.

Saint Patrick’s Catholic Women Minutes…...December 18, 2016

The meeting was called to order by President, Lora Anthofer. The opening

prayer was Mother Stewards.

The minutes and the treasurers report were read and approved. We have a

balance of $4816.11.

Correspondence: Thank you from Benediction Sisters and the Audubon

Schools snack program for donations given. Donation requests from New

Hope staff and training and Gabriel’s corner.

Old Business: We bought $77 for bar soap for Caring and Sharing Thanks-

giving baskets. The shampoo was all donated. We collected $57 for Mary’s

Meals from the quilt raffle at the cookie walk. Christmas poinsettias were

ordered and paid for. We ordered two batting rolls for the quilting ladies.

Joanne Greving motioned and Joan Bauer seconded.

New Business: January Brunch will be January 29th. We will have sign up

sheets for workers and possible food donations after Christmas. We had a

sign up sheet for meals on wheels for the month of January. Discussion on

fish fry work schedule;will be handled the same as last year. Joan mo-

tioned and Lois seconded to pay $100 due for the National Council of

Catholic Women. Joanne motioned and Joan seconded to donate $50 to

Gabriel’s Corner. Virginia motioned and Joan seconded to give Father

$150 for Christmas. Dorothy motioned and Joan seconded to keep donat-

ing to the snack program at the Audubon school.

Closing prayer. Next meeting January 15, 2017

Respectively submitted,

Linda Irlmeier