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One of my greatest responsibilities as bishop is to provide for the pastoral care of souls in the diocese. This care is more directly provided to the people of God by our priests and deacons, as an extension of my own ministry as bishop. In communion with our ministry, the lay faithful, as disciples of Jesus by virtue of their baptism, are also to put their lives at the service of the community of the Church according to their means.

This year National Catholic Schools Week 2020 will be Jan. 26-Feb. 1 with the theme “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” The theme encompasses the core products and values that can be found in Catholic schools across the country. Not only are students being taught to become future servant leaders, faith-filled disciples and enriched citizens in their communities, but educators are growing with them.

Regan Dimmitt, a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and former parishioner at St. Leo's Church in Grand Island, is focused on FOCUS. FOCUS (the Fellowship of Catholic University Students), which was founded in 1998 at Benedictine College, "invites college students into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church, inspiring and equipping them for a lifetime of Christ-centered evangelization, discipleship, and friendships in which they lead others to do the same."

With this edition of the West Nebraska Register, I wanted to take this opportunity to wish each of you and all who are dear to you, a Blessed Christmas season! May the joy of that Holy Night in Bethlehem, which filled hearts of Mary and Joseph, and the shepherds who came to see the baby Jesus lying in the manger, warm your hearts with ever greater faith, fervent hope and true love for God this Christmas!

When Ogallala resident Lori Beckius was hospitalized this past September, she said one thing that kept her going was getting back home to plan her funeral. To many people, that may sound strange, but for Beckius, it was comforting.     “I don’t want my family to have to worry about that,” she said. “That’s one of the first things I did when I got home. Funerals are hard on family.”   

RAVENNA—While they may call themselves “Sisters in the Hood” they are not siblings, nor are they religious. They do, however, harmonize very well together as if they were one or the other—maybe even better.     Led by Claudette Sekutera, retired music director from St. Mary’s Cathedral, the group of musicians resembling women from the movie “Sister Act” performed Nov. 24 at the annual Thanksgiving Community Concert at Our Lady of Lourdes in Ravenna.

This Sunday we celebrate the culmination of the liturgical year with The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. This great celebration of the Church is an annual reminder of God’s divine authority in our lives. As we wrap up another year in the history of God’s saving love for us and prepare to begin a new year of grace with the Advent season, I wanted to reflect with you on the Kingship of Christ......

St. Paul couple tells story of adoption and “Culture of Life” at Theology on Tap. When it comes to being patient, few people could argue that Ann and Matt Rief are pretty good at it. And one thing that they patiently waited for was a family of their own. In fact, the St. Paul couple waited nine years on an emotional roller coaster to make their family a reality.....

Emily Pandorf and students at St. Patricks School in North Platte help seminarian Noah Huddleston celebrate his birthday with cards and his favorite candy. St. Patrick’s school is participating in the adopt a seminarian program through the Vocations Office. (Photo courtesy Amy Lowe)

If I were to ask you to identify what stresses you most in life, what would your top three answers be? Just guessing, I would say most people would list things like their finances, their work, the health of their loved ones or their own well-being or perhaps other family issues. Furthermore, you might consider how it is that you deal with what stresses you? I suppose that might be particular to each type of stress that you experience. Some might try to avoid thinking about it, distracting themselves with other things.

Chas Canfield of Grand Island is attending KenrickGlennon Seminary in St. Louis, Mo., where he is studying Theology 1. He is the son of Charlie and Susan Canfield. He has three brothers and one sister. His favorite saints are Michael the Archangel, John the Evangelist and Augustine. He enjoys working out, playing and watching sports and movies, spending time with family and friends, exploring small towns, spike ball, golf, boating, reading, and going to old beautiful churches.

Teresa Kenney to present “Discover the Truth About Life” Nov. 9 in Aurora Teresa Kenney, a nurse practitioner with St. Paul VI Institute in Omaha will give a presentation, “Discover the Truth About Life,” Nov. 9 at the Aurora Schools Theatre and Commons in Aurora, preceding a showing of the movie ‘Unplanned.’ The event, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a chili-and-cinnamon-roll supper, is sponsored by Loving Life Coalition. Kenney will speak at 5:50 p.m. followed by the movie beginning at 6:30 p.m. A panel discussion and question and answer session with other guest speakers will follow the movie.