Hello everybody!
As a child, this was about the time of year I would go through the Sears, JCPenney, and Service Merchandise catalogs to make a detailed list of what I wanted for Christmas. In the remaining days of this Advent Season, as we prepare for the coming of Christ, perhaps a good reflection is not what we want, but how we can be Christ to others. How can we give the gift of our attention, time, service, or efforts to brighten a day, ease a burden, or share a trial? How can we journey with and accompany those in need? How can we be a beacon of Christ’s love?
We celebrated beautifully the Second Sunday of Advent this past weekend and I am grateful for all who so diligently give of their time and effort to enhance our worship of God together. I am also grateful to all of you who make the effort to be part of our worshiping community. We are better together! It is from that source, God’s presence with us, that so much of our fellowship and service flows. Among other things this weekend, I joined with those preparing to be baptized or become Catholic for a session on the Mass, nearly 90 families joined together for our Back in Time event with St. Nick, both the Knights of Columbus and our Leprechauns (55 and over) celebrated at separate Christmas parties, and our Men’s Club was in full swing on Sunday night with basketball, cornhole, and ping pong. Fr. Quan won at ping pong! Our grief ministry also delivered nearly 80 poinsettias to parishioners who lost a loved one this past year, our collection of gifts for the Angel Tree wrapped up, and we provided 1,300 Christmas cards for Catholic Charities to distribute to long term care facilities. My friends, we are truly better together! Thank you for being part of our family.
As we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent, I would like to extend a special invitation to those who are in need of God’s healing touch. We will have a special Anointing of the Sick at all of our masses this weekend. This is a powerful moment of prayer and trust in God for our whole community. It is also a sign of God’s love for us and our love for one another. I encourage you to join us at Mass, to come in support as families and friends, for this grace filled sacrament.
God bless you and may you prepare the way for Christ’s coming as we continue the journey of Advent together.
Peace,
Fr. Jeff
Welcome Deacon Joseph and Virginia Bland
Deacon Joseph has recently retired and he and Virginia have joined St. Pats. I hope you will greet them when you have the chance and you’ll occasionally see Deacon Joe serving on the altar.
Deacon Joseph and Virginia were both raised in Marion County, KY, both had big Catholic families. Joseph and Virginia have four children, the first born in Germany while in the military, eight grandchildren and two greats. They reside in Shelby County on a 160 acre tree farm having planted 6,000 trees. To keep the Deer herd healthy and to lessen the damage done to their trees the Fish and Wildlife recommend harvesting 18-20 deer each year, which is no problem with their family hunting skills. Joseph has worked in the field of Conservation his whole life, retiring from Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement in 1994 and from the National Wild Turkey Federation recently.
Deacon Joseph has been active as a Deacon since his ordination by Archbishop Kurtz in 2012, leading RCIA, providing Pastoral Care and serving Mass. He has also been Chairman for the Clergy Appreciation Day for the last six years. Virginia has been a Lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and on Pastoral Care and Bereavement teams. Joseph and Virginia have been Coordinators for the Hunters for the Hungry Program since its conception.
Welcome to St. Pats!
Catholic Charities Card Campaign: Thank you to the volunteers and guests at the parish-wide Postcards and Popcorn event held last week. Guests at this event created over 600 Christmas cards! The Formation team and Mrs. Lindsay Mahoney, a school religion teacher and Step-by-Step Stewardship Coordinator, worked together to include all in the card-making campaign as well. Together, our St. Patrick community turned in 1300 cards. Catholic Charities will distribute these cards to long-term care facilities throughout the diocese. Everyone who participated in this event will bring joy and the light of Christ to the lives of many this Advent and Christmas season. This is evangelization at its best. THANK YOU!
Check out our website for contact info, information, updates, and bulletin
Advent Offerings
Resources
- Prayer booklets in gathering space
- Online resources HERE
- Parish subscription to FORMED.org gives access to hundreds of resources
- Dynamic Catholic Institute and Franciscan Media email daily prayer opportunities
- Hallow - Catholic web platform
Confessions: Wednesdays, December 15 and 22 at 6:30 p.m.
"The Chosen" Christmas Episode in Limited Release in Three Louisville Theatres: The Chosen, an immensely popular crowd-funded miniseries based on Jesus in the gospels has a new episode just in time for Christmas. This unique experience is titled, "Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers." This two-hour, feature length episode is about the birth of Christ through the eyes of Mary and Joseph. You'll also see an extraordinary lineup of musicians who will perform both new and classic Christmas songs from the set of The Chosen, including: Phil Wickham, For King & Country, Brandon Lake, Maverick City Music, Cain, Matt Maher, Bryan & Katie Torwalt, Jordan Feliz, We The Kingdom, The Bonner Family, Leanna Crawford, Dawson Hollow, and One Voice Children's Choir. Truly, it will be a celebration of the real reason for the Christmas season. Click HERE to watch the trailer.
This stirring and inspiring show is in limited release from December 1 to 11 and Dec. 13 ONLY! Click on these local theatres for show times: Stonybrook 20, Mall of St. Matthews Theatres, and Tinseltown at Springhurst. Order your tickets now. Some showings have already sold out. Questions? Contact Tim Grove at tgrove@stpatlou.org or (502) 719-0362.
Christmas Mass Times: No seating reservations this year!
A Gift from the Magi: Covid has left many in need of emergency assistance. Please help support our parish St. Vincent DePaul conference. Collection runs through January 6. Thanks for your generosity. It means a lot.
Ways to give:
- Place a gift in an envelope marked “For SVDP” and drop it in the weekly collection green box located in the back of the church. Make checks payable to St. Patrick SVDP Conference.
- Make a one-time or recurring online donation – go to www.stpatlou.org, scroll down and click on the “giving” box, and then scroll down and click on the “St. Vincent DePaul” box
2021 Year End Giving: Thank you for your faithfulness in praying, learning, serving, joining and giving this year. As you may have heard from the State of the Parish homily and read in the 2021 Accountability Report, there has been some incredibly good news about how your gifts of stewardship have impacted our parish ministries over the past year. As we approach year-end, we invite you into an encounter with God as it relates to your money and possessions and consider including St. Patrick in your giving plans.
There are several ways to give:
2021 Stewardship Gifts : Gifts postmarked or received in the Parish Office by December 31 will be included on your 2021 tax statements.
Christmas and Special Archdiocesan Collections:
- Retired Religious on December 11/12
- Archdiocesan Charities on December 25/26 to support the work of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Louisville
Gifts can be made via Offertory envelopes or online at stpatlou.org under Giving Menu
Stock Donations: The stock market has been strong this year. This is a great way to ease your tax burden before year-end. Gifts of stock should be handled in one of the following ways:
- Certificate in Hand
- If a Stockbroker is Holding the Certificate
*As with any financial decision, we recommend you seek advice from a qualified professional.
Planned Giving: Remembering the Church with a gift from your estate is a wonderful way to help ensure that the ministry of the Church will continue to bear fruit by the intentional sharing of things that we have accumulated during our lifetime. It is also important that everyone has a will.
For more information, contact Lynne Marshall, Director of Engagement at 244-6083.
Important Phone Numbers
Parish Office: 244-6083
School Office: 244-7083
Emergency Line for Sacramental Care: 244-6083 x 498
St. Patrick - Saint Vincent De Paul Conference: 244-6083 x 114
*Requests to the SVDP society are 100% confidential. Our conference is funded by the generosity of St. Patrick parishioners. To help: Check or cash in SVDP envelope or online.
Parish Office Hours
Monday: 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday: 7:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Praying Together
Important Mass Update: No live stream of 5:00 p.m. Mass on Monday, December 27.
Safe at Worship Guidelines
- Those who are not fully vaccinated are required to wear masks on property. This includes liturgies, events, meetings, funerals, weddings, formation and any other gathering. Masks are supported for anyone who chooses to wear them.
- Masks are required for all school functions and any programming that involves children who are unable to be vaccinated (Youth Ministry, Prep, Sunday School, etc.)
- The obligation does not apply to the following:
- Sick
- Have a serious health risk or live in a household with those at risk
- Serve as primary caregivers to those at risk
- Have serious anxiety or concerns about a large-group setting due to Covid
- Are unable to attend Mass in person
- Sanitize your hands when entering the church
- No restrictions on seating - 100% capacity
- Exchange a non-touch Sign of Peace and do not hold hands with other households during the Our Father
- Holy Communion will be distributed to the faithful under the species of bread only
- Please drop stewardship contributions in the green boxes by the doors
- High contact areas are cleaned regularly
Mass Times:
Saturday: 5:00 p.m.*
Sunday: 8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.*
Monday: 5:00 p.m.*
Tuesday - Friday: 8:00 a.m.*
*Streamed Masses
Rosary in the Chapel:
Saturday: 4:30 p.m.
Sunday: 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday for Vocations: 7:35 a.m.
Mass streaming live and archived on:
YouTube (Saint Patrick Catholic Church)
Reconciliation: 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays or by appointment at (502) 244-6083
Eucharistic Adoration: First Tuesday of each month from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Learning Together
Children’s Formation
Sunday School and Nursery: December 12 will be the last time we meet and will reopen in the new year on January 9, 2022. Please remember all adults and children in these ministries are required to wear masks regardless of their vaccination status.
Jesse Tree via Social Media: The word Advent means "coming" and refers to the coming of Jesus. Follow the Children's Formation Facebook page for a virtual Jesse Tree this Advent season to see signs, symbols and scripture telling the story of God's redemptive plan.
Dan the Donkey: Dan the Donkey is the "elf" to Children's Formation. Why a donkey? The Christmas donkey delivered Jesus so Jesus could be delivered. He didn't race and followed the direction of the master. He is not even mentioned in the Bible, yet there was a place for him in the nativity, just as there is a place for all of us in God's nativity story. Dan has returned for 2021 and will pop up in random places. Make sure to search for him in the bulletin, too.
Serving Together
Blood Drive, Sunday, December 12, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Schindler Hall:
We have a severe blood shortage! Please schedule an appointment HERE. We welcome and thank all donors.
Joining Together
Register for a table at the Men’s Club Trivia Night! Please email, call or text Paul Burke at paul.burke2@merck.com or (502) 931-3738. $200 for a table of 8. Payment will be done online only with a credit card this year. Bring extra cash for split the pot and raffles. Cash Bar. No outside liquor or beverages allowed. Proceeds benefit St. Patrick Church and School.
Youth Ministry: Details and sign-ups for events at Youth Ministry Website
Contact Information: Youth Office (502) 244-6083 ext. 102
Jonna O’Bryan at jobryan@stpatlou.org
Birgit Zepf at bzepf@stpatlou.org
Madison Whitehouse at mwhitehouse@stpatlou.org
Upcoming Events
- December 12- Jr. High Christmas PJ Party
- Service opportunities -Youth Ministry Website
It’s Time to Get into the Christmas Spirit: Jr. High will have a Christmas Pajama Game Night on December 12 at 6:30 p.m. Sign-up YM Website.
Celtic Athletic Ministry (CAM): For athletic news and sports sign-ups visit CAM Newsletter.
Giving Together
Catholic Services Appeal (CSA): Thanks to those who have made a gift. It’s not too late so let’s strive to reach our total last year of $175K! We can do it! No gift is too small or too big!
$ Goal: $133,300
To Date: $168,017
Percentage of Goal:126%
# of Families Goal: 314
To Date: 236
Percentage of Goal: 75%
Our Parish Total Last Year: $174,358
Our Parish Participation Total Last Year: 325
Gifts can be made in the following ways:
Cash, Check, Credit Card, Electronic transfer from checking, stocks and employer matching gifts, if applicable.
1. Online at stpatlou.org CSA Donate Here
2. Online at archlou.org
3. Envelopes received in the mail or at the Welcome Desk in the church gathering space
Stewardship 12-5-21
Weekly Budget
Stewardship YTD
Budget YTD
Over(Under)
$35,214
$58,100
$715,853
$709,700
$6,153
Stewardship: Thank you for sharing your gifts of time, talent and treasure. We appreciate your generosity! You can find forms and links for your 2021-22 stewardship online giving submission via our website https://stpatlou.org/stewardshiprenewal. Or return a hard copy form that is located at the Welcome Desk or call the parish office to request one via mail. *If you are currently using online giving via Pushpay and there are no changes to your stewardship gift of treasure, no action is needed. If you have questions about your stewardship gifts, ministry offerings and online giving, contact Lynne Marshall, Director of Engagement at 244-6083 or lmarshall@stpatlou.org.
Memorial Brick: We invite you to build upon our legacy at St. Patrick by participating in our beautiful Memorial Celtic Cross. You can commemorate your time here, whether it be to honor your family, a baptism, graduation, marriage, deceased family members, a favorite scripture verse, ministry, or team. Become a part of our history and leave a lasting impression on the place we love to call home! All checks are payable to the St. Patrick School Foundation and donations are tax deductible. Contact Lynne Marshall, Director of Engagement at (502) 244-6083 or lmarshall@stpatlou.org.
