St. Wenceslaus Altar Rosary Society
ByLaws (as of June 2017)
The Altar Rosary Society was organized in Czechoslovakia and was introduced to the St. Wenceslaus Parish in 1875 by Mrs. Frank (Marie) Simodynes, daughter of John and Rosalie Cernik. The Altar Rosary Society is the oldest organization in the St. Wenceslaus Parish. Past activities of the Altar Rosary Society were rolling bandages for the Medical Missions and sewing hospital gowns and baptismal gowns.
Function of the Altar Rosary Society
The Altar Rosary Society is a very active organization and plays an integral part in providing all needs for the Holy Mass and for the Holy Altar. A recent purchase in June 2016 by the Altar Rosary Society was an Altar Crucifix.
* purchase Eucharistic hosts for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
* purchase books used at Mass -Roman Missal, Sunday Lectionary (A,B,C) and 2 Weekday Lectionaries (Year One, Year Two)
*purchase Altar cloths
*purchase corporals and purificators
*purchase Paschal candles
*purchase wine and incense
*purchase large votive candles
*purchase Holy water
*serve funeral luncheons
Tasks performed by the members of the Altar Rosary Society
*launder fingertip towels, purificators and corporals weekly
*provide care for the Altar flowers
*clean the Altar boys sacristy
*replace weekly or as needed the large votive candles by the tabernacle, the sanctuary, the statues of St. Wenceslaus, St. Joseph, & The Blessed Virgin Mary
*provide envelopes for people to donate money for their special intentions of the votive candles
*change the Altar cloths as needed
*clean and replace Holy water in the eight Holy water fouts weekly and as needed
Spiritual and supportive measures of the Altar Rosary Society
*in the event of the death of a member a rosary is said by members and The Altar Rosary Society Honor Guard is present at the funeral a Holy Rosary is placed on the casket by two members of The Honor Guard
*a Mass is offered for members of The Altar Rosary Society after their death
Specific responsibities performed by members of The Altar Rosary Society
*Member Alice Koehler takes care of all of the special intention envelopes and calls members to assist with preparing and serving at the funeral luncheons
*Member Linda Cernik cares for all of the flowers and cleans the Altar boys sacristy
*Member Rose Pecha cleans and fills all of the eight Holy Water fonts with the Blessed Holy Water from the container in the back of the church on a weekly basis . The water in plastic gallon containers is brought to the sacristy to be blessed by the priests. At Easter time the container is cleaned and refilled with newly Blessed Holy Water.
*Members Dorothy Niedfelt and Donna Brabec are in charge of the funeral luncheons
*Member Pam Nelson launders and irons the Altar linens. The Altar linens are changed as needed by members Alice Koehler and Pam Nelson
*Member Marie Konecky washes and presses the purificators and corporals weekly
* Parishioner George Toline volunteers to change all of the large votive candles weekly or as needed
Gifts and Contributions
*Votive holders for the large votive candles by the tabernacle have been purchased in memory of Al Bartek and Ed Nemecek by their families
*An Oblution cup was purchased by member Alice Koehler in memory of her husband John Koehler
*Large rosaries were donated by Frank Nemac in memory of his wife Mary Nemac and by the family of Rosalie Noha for placement on the casket during the funeral of deceaced members. Rosalie Noha recieved the rosary from the Notre Dame Academy Sisters when she graduated in 1938.
Altar Rosary Society Officers
President Marie Konecky (402) 642-5563
Treasurer Dorothy Niedfelt (402) 443-3837
Secretary Marilyn Noha (402) 443-4208
Meetings are scheduled on the first Tuesday of the months of June, October, and February. The meetings begin with group recitation of the Holy Rosary followed by a formal meeting, interesting speakers, socializing, and refreshments. The annual luncheon for all members is scheduled for June dues are $5.00 a year. New members are always welcome as they will reap the benefits of a spiritual and social organization.