March 21, 2010

Catch the latest updates in our weekly bulletin and newsletter!
Patron ads are included in this new online version of the bulletin. These ads provide us our weekly bulletin and The Columban newsletter. Please support those businesses when possible. Thank you!
Recent bulletin and newsletter! (pdf)
Back issues of bulletin and newsletters (pdf)
We welcome YOU to join us!
Registration is available online, at the Parish Office and after Masses!
 Lent 2010 Calendar
Be sure to check out our Parish Lent Calendar that will give you the dates and times of all Lenten events through Easter morning Masses! There's even a special Family Calendar with suggested prayer offerings for each day! (Calendars can be saved to your desktop for easy reference!)

Praying through Lent with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Each of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit will be explored during the seven weeks of Lent. This week is the gift of Knowledge. For the week that begins with the Fifth Sunday of Lent, our focus is on the gift of Reverence.

Our Annual Fish Fry
Last Fish Fry of this Lenten Season: March 26 - from 5-8:00 P.M.
Help support our St. Columban Boosters and join us for great food and fellowship. Bring your family and friends...hope to see YOU in line! Can't stay? Be sure to check out our menu and go through our drive-thru!

Social Media and Teens - This Monday, March 22 at 7:00 PM
Mount Notre Dame High School
MND is sponsoring an important presentation for junior high students and their parents on how to keep your teens safe, connected and happy as they navigate through the challenges the internet, cell phones and social media can present. Presenting will be: Lucas Cole, a respected local and national speaker, and Rachel Hutzel, Warren County Prosecutor. Please RSVP to .

Job Board - is located near the hall rack. There is information regarding those who are seeking employment and those who are looking for employees. Please do not hesitate to add something to this board. There are many parishioners who are unemployed and seeking work and many parishioners who may know of employment opportunities. Check it out!

Anniversary Cookbooks Still Available!
The Outreach Committee would like to thank the St. Columban community for supporting the 150th Anniversary Cookbook Sale. The sales after Masses secured the committee nearly $4,500! If you missed out, don’t worry! We still have several cookbooks available, and we will sell them every Friday during Lent at the St. Columban Fish Fry. Or, stop by the Parish Office to pick up your copy!

Martha Ministry
Our worship space needs a few more good hands to help with the Martha Ministry. The Martha Ministers, a group of about 50 volunteers, clean the worship and gathering space every weekend in teams of 4 or 5 people. Each team cleans ONLY 4 SATURDAYS PER YEAR for approximately 3 hours per clean. Quite a few of the Marthas have “retired” or moved on to other opportunities so we could use YOU in
this essential church ministry. This is also an excellent service hours opportunity for teens who may want to help out 1or 2 times per year. Please contact Kelly Lipp for more information.

Catholic Ministries Appeal
Each year, thousands of people experience the Risen Lord through the programs and services supported by the Catholic Ministries Appeal. “Always and Everywhere, Give Thanks.” God calls us to share what we have to help others. Please plan to participate on Appeal Commitment Weekend, March 6-7.

St. Columban Class of 1980
Alumni from the St. Columban School Class of ‘80 wants to locate as many alumni as possible for their 30 year reunion. A get-together at the St. Columban festival the evening of June 26, 2010 is being planned. Please contact Amy (Carovillano) Carroll or find our class page on Facebook listed as: St. Columban
School Class of ‘80.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are more than happy to share the scriptures and bring the Body of Christ to those unable to attend Sunday Mass. Please call the Parish Office at 683-0105 to request this ministry either for a short term or an extended term.
Someone in the hospital? Hospitals are not allowed to notify the parish of your admittance due to the HIPPA law. Please call the Parish Office at 683-0105 when you or a loved one are admitted so members of the pastoral staff can visit.

Wanted: Experienced Grant Writer(s)
Saint Columban School is looking for volunteers to assist in the start-up of a grant-writing program. Our initial focus will be to procure educational grants in technology-related areas. If you, or someone you know, has experience in this area and would be willing to help share your talents on this important and exciting initiative, please contact Frank Haas, Education Commission Chair, .

Catholic Men’s Conference
Parish Conference Leader
We are in need of a volunteer for the upcoming Men’s Conference on March 20th at Cincinnati Music Hall. Responsibilities include being the focal point for communications for the parish and the Catholic Men’s Fellowship and organizing a group of St. Columban men to attend the conference together. Please contact the Parish Office  at 683-0105 if you are interested in this opportunity or would like any further information.

Donation Tax Letters
The Parish Office will be preparing letters with contribution totals for those who request them. In the past, we have mailed them to all parishioners and recently moved parishioners. If you would like to receive a letter with your donation amounts, please contact Lisa in the Parish Office at 683-0105, ext. 106.

St. Columban 2010 Portrait Directory
Did you have your portrait taken at a Lifetouch studio other than here at St. Columban? Please contact with the registration information from that location. Thank you!
If you would like to purchase an additional directory or if you did not have your portrait taken, LifeTouch is making them available as a PreSale for $7.00.

Nurse Volunteers Needed for Blood Pressure Screening
We would like to begin offering blood pressure screenings as a public service. The time commitment would be 30-45 minutes after Mass once a month or once every other month. If you are willing to volunteer or need more information contact Caryl Mayo or Diane McPhillips.

COME TO GUATEMALA!
Make your vacation make a difference!  See breath-taking scenery, meet amazing people, and have the experience of a lifetime—all while providing critical educational resources to children in need.  Join Cooperative for Education on a Snapshot Tour to Guatemala.  These Snapshot Tours are July 27-August 1 and August 3-8, 2010.  Space is limited so please contact Emily Kenney at 731-2595 x101, or check out www.coeduc.org/tours.htm for more information!

I Get By With a Little Help from My Friends…
Who Might Receive Care from a Stephen Minister?
Care receivers may be persons hospitalized, or persons grieving the death of a loved one, or persons separated or divorcing.  They may be persons homebound, unemployed, adjusting to the birth of a child, or experiencing difficulties. We all need a concerned, caring friend at difficult times in our lives.  A Stephen Minister can listen and care for you or someone you know who is going through a tough time. Contact Stephen Ministry  or 683-0105 ext. 120.  All conversations and e-mails are kept in strict confidence.

150th ANNIVERSARY HISTORY
Remember When…
Do you still have your first communion dress, veil, prayer book, prayer cards, etc.?  Would you be willing to loan it to our anniversary committee for a display in our history cabinet?  If you have something to contribute, please contact Chad Drinnen or the Parish Office at 683-0105.

HELPING HANDS: (Also known as H.A.N.D.S.) If you are in need of assistance with a minor home repair, please contact Don Kruse in the Parish Office at 683-0105 x 108. Should you wish to learn more about how to become active in the HANDS ministry, please contact Jim Stiegler.  

WANTED: St. Columban Stories!
If you have stories to share we’d like to hear them.  Photographs with or without stories are also welcome!  Please e-mail your stories, and/or photos along with your name and day time phone or drop them off at the Parish Office.  All photographs will be returned. St. Columban Stories from years gone by. We are in the process of collecting our Parish history. If you have a story to tell, photos to share, memorabilia to be photographed, etc., please contact Ruthy Trusler. All material(s) will be returned.  Release forms will be available for those who will give permission to use any of their stories and photographs in an upcoming anniversary book.