Modern Samaritans: Beginning Monday, Benson Baptist Church and Westwood Church will participate in the worldwide holiday program Samaritan’s Purse. The program collects shoe boxes packed with gifts for children in more than 100 countries. Participants will fill shoe boxes with school supplies, toys, necessity items, hard candy and a letter of encouragement. Packing instructions are available at www.samaritanspurse.org. Take your filled box or boxes to Benson Baptist at 6319 Maple St. or to Westwood Church at 13056 Atwood Ave.
Open Forum series: A three-part series will begin Sunday at the Open Forum at First Central Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, at 36th and Harney Streets. The 9:10 a.m. forums are free and open to the public. The focus of discussion Sunday, Nov. 22 and Dec. 6 will be: Who was Jesus of Nazareth? In the series, participants will look at what the Gospels have to say about Jesus. For more information, call 345-1533.
Angels speaker: Learning about angels will be the focus of talks scheduled at two Omaha parishes this week. “A Living Relationship with the Angels” will be preached by the Rev. Wolfgang Seitz, national director of Opus Sanctorum Angelorum (Work of the Holy Angels). He will speak at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 69th and Blondo Streets, on Monday. The evening will start with the rosary and confessions at 6:30 p.m., followed by Mass at 7 p.m. The talk will begin at 7:45 p.m. On Tuesday and Wednesday , Seitz will speak at Mary Our Queen Parish, southeast of 120th Street and West Center Road. Each session begins at 7 p.m. in the Trinity room.
Catholic Youth Conference: More than 500 high school students and their adult chaperones from the Archdiocese of Omaha will attend the National Catholic Youth Conference Nov. 19-21 in Kansas City, Mo. Archbishop George Lucas will join them. In Kansas City, an estimated 20,000 young people from around the country will gather for general sessions, workshops, reconciliation, daily liturgy, concerts and special activities.
Special Mass: St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council 10108 will host a special Mass for individuals who are physically and mentally challenged. The Mass begin at 3 p.m. Nov. 22 at the church at 118th and Pacific Streets. Refreshments will follow.
Prepare for Christmas: Columban Father T.P. Reynolds will explore the Scriptures and Catholic social teaching on the Messiah God at a pre-Christmas retreat on Dec. 5. The session will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the St. Columbans Center in Bellevue. Cost is $10 for students, $20 for adults and $30 for couples. Pre-register by calling 402-291-1920.
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