My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This Saturday – November 1st, Fr Reiser will present the third Icon of Christ in Glory with all the Saints at the 5pm Mass at St John Vianney. November 1st is also All Saints Day. We give thanks to all our Saints who continue to be an inspiration to all of us who show us how living the light of Christ is possible in all that we do. I would like to thank Fr Reiser for all that he has done and continues to do for St John Vianney and for initiating this Icon project as a Capital Campaign for St John Vianney to help pay off the three million dollar loan that was incurred for the renovation of the Church and the building of the Narthex, Social Hall and Parish Offices in 2003. Thanks to your generosity, our current debt is down to $780,000.
This Sunday is All Soul’s Day where we remember all our beloved dead and those who have no one to pray for them. If you notice at the side wall of the Church at both St John Vianney and Mary Our Queen, there are Memorial Crosses attached to it. These Memorial Crosses represent all whom we have buried since last All Soul’s Day. The Crosses will remain on the walls and will be presented to each family on the Anniversary of the death of their loved one. The Crosses are a reminder to keep all our beloved dead in our prayers as we place them in God’s loving hands knowing of the hope of the Resurrection that He has offered to each one of us.
This weekend, we will also be lighting a candle for all our loved ones whom we have buried since last All Soul’s Day. The candles will remain lit for the rest of the week and will be presented to their families at our Annual Memorial Mass on Saturday, November 8th at 8:15am at Mary Our Queen Church. We invite you to join us in prayer as we entrust all our beloved dead in God’s loving hands. There will also be a candle lit for Msgr. Kenny and Fr Paul Schwab and for all the Founding Members of Mary Our Queen and St John Vianney Parishes.
The Nebraska Department of Education visited Mary Our Queen School on Wednesday, October 29 and recognized Mary Our Queen School as a Blue Ribbon School. The National Blue Ribbon School Program is one of the highest honors a school in the United States can receive, recognizing overall academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
The Blue Ribbon recognition underscores the collective work of faculty and staff in fostering a rigorous academic environment. Mary Our Queen was recognized in the Exemplary High Performing School category, marking it as one of the state’s top schools in overall achievement.
Blue Ribbon Schools are recognized for data-driven instruction, effective teaching methods, professional development, and strong collaboration between educators, families, and communities. The program highlights schools that serve as models of innovation and effectiveness nationwide.
I would like to thank Archbishop Michael McGovern for being present at this event along with representatives from our State legislature and Nebraska Department of Education. As Pastor, it is a tremendous privilege to be part of this honor that began 60 years ago since the founding of our School. Not only does this honor belong to the hard work and dedication of the teachers and staff of Mary Our Queen but it also belongs to all who laid the foundation to shaping our School into the wonderful School we are today. Congratulations are in order.
In last weekend’s Bulletin, we published the Financial Reports for the fiscal year of July 1st 2024 to June 30th 2025. While we are a Family of Parishes and have some shared resources, each of our Parishes is responsible for its own finances. I would like to thank you for your generosity and dedication to our Family of Parishes. Your support makes It possible for us to do the good work we do every day.
Blessed week ahead,
Fr Marc
