January 8, 2023

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We would like to welcome Fr Tom Bauwens to Mary Our Queen.  Fr Tom was the former Pastor of St Wenceslaus and had served previously at Mary Our Queen as an Associate in the 80s. We are fortunate to have him. He will formally introduce himself once he transitions into our Parish.

We enter into 2023.  As we look into this new year, one of the major changes we will see is Mary Our Queen and St John Vianney becoming a Family of Parishes on July the 1st.  This is in light of the Archdiocese of Omaha’s Journey of Faith planning that involves all the Parishes in our Archdiocese.  For more details, please go to http://journeyoffaith.org.  In the next few weeks, we will begin to outline the process of how Mary Our Queen and St John Vianney becomes a Family of Parishes.  This will include how our offices will be integrated into one office that serves both Parishes and how we are going to collaborate with several of the Ministries in our Parishes that serve both communities.  We have begun to collaborate on our RCIA program that started in the Fall of last year and we will initiate a new Alpha Program for our Parishes beginning on January 22nd.  We are blessed with an exceptional Parish Community and my prayer is that we
continue to grow in our faith and service together in light of our Pastoral Planning that involves St John Vianney.

We are in the midst of changing our database, communications and online giving software.  This will give us the opportunity to integrate our Church software to something which is more comprehensive instead of using multiple software applications that requires the replication of different tasks.  We will be sending communications to inform you of the process and how you are able to log into this new software with ease.  As we enter the new year, you will be hearing about our Stewardship renewal plans for our Parish.  This will not be just monetary, but it will incorporate the financial, ministry and spiritual needs of our parish and school community.

We have made some changes to the Masses that are offered at Mary Our Queen that took into effect in January.  This includes changes – to turn Monday, Wednesday and Friday 6:20am Mass to a Communion Service (There will be a 6:20am Mass offered on Tuesday and Thursday) and to remove Sunday 5pm Mass.  With Fr Tom Bauwens transitioning here at Mary Our Queen, we will take another look at how our Sacraments are celebrated.  For now, the changes made remains in place.  Any changes made will be in line of Mary Our Queen and St John Vianney becoming a Family of Parishes.

We are also in the process of filling a few roles that are needed in the Parish Office so that the needs of our Parish can be met.  At this time, we would like to welcome Kelly Guarino as our new full time Receptionist.  I have asked Rita Berthelsen to transition into a new role that involves Mary Our Queen and St John Vianney becoming a Family of Parishes. We would also like to welcome Bella, Fr Tom’s dog whom you will see in the office or around the campus.

God’s Blessings,

Fr Marc