Register Now for the TURN Youth Conference March 25th at St. John's in Ogden All 7th-12th graders from our parish and beyond are invited! This day will be centered around "turning" your eyes to Christ through prayer, reflection, adoration, music, inspiring talks, food and fun. After the conference we'll be "turning" our wheels at Spinning Wheels Skating Rink! The conference is limited to 100 participants. Register by March 7th on the parish website. Contact Megan Ulrich dre@shboone.com with any questions.

During the last week of January we recognize Catholic education in all forms during Catholic Schools week and in particular our Sacred Heart School.

Weekend Masses at St Malachy church will be held though our heating system is under repair. Please be prepared for temperatures in the church to be in the fifties—a bit brisk. Mass will be shortened because of the cooler conditions. Please dress accordingly. Thank you for your understanding. Unfortunately, the KC's waffle breakfast on Sunday in Hansen Hall has been postponed. (If you would like breakfast, there will be breakfast offered at Sacred Heart on Sunday after the 10am Mass!)

As has been the custom in the past at St. Malachy Church, we will begin Children’s Collection during the offertory at both weekend Masses.

John testified further, I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him. I did not know him but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

All Boone County Confirmation Candidates and their sponsors are invited to attend our upcoming retreat! RSVP to Kelley Grothus or Megan Ulrich

Though it was well over twenty years ago I remember a certain fall day, leaves changing colors, winds calm, sky clear blue, the water of the Lil Sioux River gently flowing, the occasional strokes of our paddles, silence and intermittent conversation shared between two friends.

World Day of Peace was inaugurated by Pope Paul VI in 1968, to be annually recognized on the first day of each new year, together with the feast of Mary the Mother of God.

Fifty seven years ago a cartoon premiered two weeks before Christmas without much fanfare or confidence it would be viewed. A cast of children, a sarcastic dog, pitiful tree and a jazz soundtrack, the show became a beloved annual Christmas staple. Innocence, doubt, kindness, meanness, fragility, hope, and light, all mixed together as a display of our humanity approaching Christmas.

Fourteen years ago, six months into a new parish assignment, the early Christmas Eve Mass was one to remember. A predicted snowstorm swelled up on the afternoon of the 24th, high winds and an accumulation of snow.

Guadete Sunday, Latin for “rejoice.” Advent is a time of preparation and reflection, patience and anticipation. As we light the third candle—rose colored—we are reminded that God who loves us all is still in charge, and we await his coming not in fear, but in joy.

Join us for the celebration of Christmas! Click here for all our county-wide Masses.

Last Wednesday Fr. Jim Bruch turned eighty three. Residing in Manson, he is comfortable in the parish rectory and able to assist with daily Mass, Confessions and other the Sacraments when needed.

Our Boone County Catholic Community welcomes Alayna Longhorn as our new Bookkeeper for our parishes. She is from Pilot Mound, married to Scott and mother of four children.

So quickly we approach Thanksgiving Day, and the beginning of Advent on the Sunday following. With good reason the Church has set the same gospel passage each year for this Thursday:

Last week I had the privilege of con-celebrating a funeral Mass at Resurrection of our Lord Catholic Church in Pocahontas with Fr. Collison, native son of Boone. He may move a bit slower now, but still has that wry sense of humor, characteristic smile and gracious attitude.

Hey, mom & dad, mark your calendars for Saturday, Dec. 3rd as we are hosting a Parents Day Out event for all Boone County Catholic parents. This is a free event for children of all ages. Click here to get your kids registered.

To the question of eternal life and the resurrection of which Jesus was challenged by the Sadducees in this Sunday’s gospel, he replied: “They no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise.” What eternal life entails is beyond our comprehension, however certain our faith may be. We do know “we shall see him as He is.” Stepping into November, the “month of remembrance” we graciously recall the lives who have touched us in some way.

Tuesday is All Saints Day, a holy day of obligation. More than an obligatory feast day, our pause each November 1st celebrates this wild, infectious, holy community of men and women in heaven; their unique personalities, abilities, character, language, and ethnicity radiates the promise of God’s image and calling within each individual’s earthly life.