Hello everybody!
One of my favorite quotes from Abraham Lincoln is, “I walk slowly, but I never walk backward.” There is great resolve and resilience in that quote. As we continue to face unprecedented challenges in our world, we move forward. Looking at the opportunities and announcements below powerfully shows that our community continues to progress in living our faith! The amazing work of our faculty and school staff, our parents and families, and our students has propelled us to begin the next phase of in person instruction, welcoming all of our students back in the building at the same time beginning on Tuesday, September 29. Our bible studies and additional adult faith programs are robust, children’s formation is creatively helping parents as the first teachers of the faith, and our youth ministry activities are on fire! Service through various groups (Women’s Circle, Knights of Columbus, Men’s Club, Scouts, Youth Ministry, Social Ministries, St. Vincent DePaul, just to name a few) is helping those in need. The Holy Spirit is alive in us at this time! Thanks be to God.
Another of my favorite quotes from Abraham Lincoln is, “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.” As division permeates our society, the Church brings unity. As we are tempted to parse, cut, and divide, God reminds us that we are all His children, loved beyond measure, and given a profound dignity. We seek after the heart of God and His wisdom. May we always desire, above all else, to be on God’s side: the side of justice and mercy, the side of goodness and peace, the side of righteousness and truth, the side of love. Jesus’s response to hate wasn’t more hate. It was to embrace the cross, forgive, and love. This is the will of the Father. May it be done on earth as it is in heaven.
If you’ll permit me a few personal notes on my own health, I’d like to share the latest update on my back. About seven weeks ago, I began having symptoms again of sciatica and lower back pain. Some of you know that I have had a fusion in my neck (four years ago) and a laminectomy in my lower back (three years ago). I have had great success with those surgeries, but after multiple x-rays, another MRI, and an epidural shot, I met again with my neurosurgeon today. Some new issues have arisen and he and I are working on the best plan to address those. I appreciate your prayers and will keep you informed as plans become more concrete or impact the life of our community.
Thank you for your prayers, faithfulness, and openness to the Holy Spirit. I am humbled and honored to serve as your pastor. Keep the hope of divine love alive in your hearts and in our world. God bless you!
Peace,
Fr. Jeff
Check out our website for contact info, information, updates, and bulletin:
Important Phone Numbers
Parish Office: 244-6083
School Office: 244-7083
Emergency Line for Sacramental Care: 244-6083 x 498
St. Patrick - Saint Vincent dePaul Conference: 244-6083 x 114
*All requests to the SVDP society are 100% confidential. Call if you or someone you know is in need.
Parish Office Hours
Monday thru Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
School Office Hours
Monday thru Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Special collection for Hurricane Laura and California Wildfires: Next weekend, October 3 and 4, through the efforts of Catholic Charities, we will collect for those affected by the hurricane and wildfires. Please make checks payable to Catholic Charities of Louisville and include the notation: 2020 Disaster Relief. Bring your checks to Mass and place them in the green Offertory boxes or mail to Catholic Charities of Louisville, 2911 S. 4th Street, Lou, KY 40208. You may also donate online. Please pray for those impacted by these tragic events.
2020 Catholic Services Appeal
We are called! Soon you will be receiving a letter from Fr. Jeff to join him in making a gift to the 2020 Catholic Services Appeal. The in- pew weekend is October 10/11. Thank you in advance for your support of this important appeal.
Goal: $133,300
Participation goal: 314 households
Archdiocesan goal: $3,900,000 (same as last year)
Faithful Citizenship
St. Patrick Issues Forums
The St. Patrick Issues Forums Team provides opportunities and resources for discussion and reflection on relevant topics as Catholic U.S. citizens. Currently, we have a Faithful Citizenship "square" on the parish website which provides the USCCB Document, "The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" parts I and II. Along with those resources are two "civil discourse" resources which may help you find ways to have respectful dialogue with family or friends. Check back periodically for new material. https://stpatlou.org/faithfulcitizenship
Catholics Care. Catholics Vote. Practice Civil Dialogue.
In their statement on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, the U.S. Catholic Bishops remind Catholics that we are called to engage in charitable, respectful and civil dialogue during election season. In a culture that is dominated by "partisan attacks, sound bites and media hype, "the Church calls for "a different kind of political engagement" (no. 14). Visit www.faithfulcitizenship.org to access resources on civil dialogue and on how our faith calls us to engage during election season and beyond.
Praying Together
Mass:
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
Mass streaming live and archived on:
YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU9INPfZLjina1jNiz8hGpg)
Reconciliation: 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. If you would like to set up a private appointment with one of our priests, please call the Parish Office (502-244-6083).
Resources on Racial Inequality and Systemic Racism
Click here to connect to an expanded list of Catholic-endorsed resources on racial inequality and systemic racism at the St. Patrick website.
Learning Together
Backroom Tour of St. Patrick Church: Follow the lead of an experienced guide team on a fascinating tour of the interior spaces of St. Patrick Church on Monday,
October 12 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Learn about the symbolism contained in the ceiling, floor, walls, windows, chapel, baptismal font, and more. See all adjacent rooms and learn about their function in the fulfillment of our sacred liturgies. Receive solid answers to questions such as these:
- Why is there wood only on the center portion of our Church’s ceiling?
- What are those unusually-shaped symbols in the Church’s floor?
- What is the origin and symbolism of the crucifix?
- What is the significance of those cross-shaped sconces on the Church’s walls?
- Why is the baptismal font shaped like it is?
- Is it true that the Church has an actual relic of our patron St. Patrick?
This tour will answer those questions and many more as you enjoy this tour of our worship space. Attendees will be required to wear masks throughout the tour, observe social distancing, and be sanitized. Tickets are limited due to social distancing requirements. To register, contact Tim Grove at 502-719-0362 or tgrove@stpatlou.org.
PRAY: THE STORY OF PATRICK PEYTON: Experience the power of faith and prayer in theaters the weekend of Oct. 9 with the true story of the man behind the famous phrase, “The Family That Prays Together Stays Together.” He was a poor Irish immigrant whose plan to become a millionaire was derailed when, through Our Lady’s intercession, he narrowly avoided death. He became a priest on a mission to promote the Rosary and all family prayer, whether through mass media in Hollywood or with huge Rosary rallies around the world. Get info on tickets and theaters at PrayTheFilm.com. Also, join the exciting new prayer movement at PrayTogetherNow.com.
Rediscover Your Catholic Faith! "The Search" Begins on Sunday, Oct. 4
Embark on this extraordinary, visually stunning, and enlightening renewal of your Catholic faith. This seven-part, HD-quality video-based series will be shown in Schindler Hall following the 5:30 p.m. Mass, Oct. 4 through Nov. 15. Contact Tim Grove at tgrove@stpatlou.org or 502-719-0362 to register. Deadline to register is noon on Friday, Oct. 2.
Children’s Formation
Kudos! Check out The Record article that highlights children’s formation efforts during Covid-19. A big shout out to Tammy Kessler, Children’s Formation Coordinator, for her creativity to keep our children and families engaged! https://therecordnewspaper.org/catechists-get-creative-during-pandemic
Sunday School: Click HERE to register for Sunday School (ages 4-Grade 1). We start on October 4.
Serving Together
Attention School Parents and Parishioners: Our parish-school is seeking adult volunteers to help with the many tasks and regulations brought on by the pandemic’s safety procedures. Your support can help us sustain this burden for the benefit of 100% in-person learning for our students. Sign up HERE and help spread the word any way you can. Thank you for your consideration/ Mr. Nathan Sturtzel, Principal and Mrs. Kristi Kaminski, PTO President and School Board Member.
Joining Together
Youth Ministry Contact Information:
Jonna O’Bryan, jobryan@stpatlou.org
Birgit Zepf, bzepf@stpatlou.org
Madison Whitehouse, mwhitehouse@stpatlou.org
Phone: (502) 244-6083, ext 102
Details for all Youth Ministry events can be found on the Website
Confirmation:
- Thursday, November 5 and Friday, November 6 at 7:00 p.m.
- Parents: Check your emails for the date your student is scheduled for their Confirmation Mass. Please return your student’s Confirmation Candidate Information forms. Deadline was September 4.
- School families: If you have not paid your Confirmation Program Fee, please Click Here for the online payment system.
- Sponsor Information Forms and Interview Questions are due September 27. Please return in the self-addressed stamped envelope provided in your information packets.
JPII Youth Room is putting on the finishing touches! Love is Brewing:
Help us stock the Coffee Bar! We have a registry with the items needed, Click HERE! Many of you have donated and delivered anonymously and we cannot express our appreciation enough for the support we have received. THANK YOU! We are ready to get back into the routine of hanging out and interacting in this new space designed with our young people in mind.
Jack-O- Lantern Spectacular Private Trolley Tour: Jr. High Youth Ministry invites our 7th and 8th grade students to join us for this Spooktacular event on October 22. Come in costume! We will meet at De Sales High School at 6:30pm. With social distancing in mind, we have limited seating on the decked-out Halloween trolleys. This event is filling us quickly. Sign up today to reserve your spot.
Dinner and Outdoor Movie Night: St. Patrick Youth Ministry would like to invite our high school students to dinner and a movie night out on the patio of JPII on Sunday, October 18. We will meet for 5:30pm Mass and head to the JPII Room for Chick-Fil-A box dinners and individual popcorn bags, as we watch a fun Halloween movie. We have a great space for social distancing so come hang out with your grade school friends. Please sign up and let us know you are attending.
Need Prayer? The Youth Ministry Team will be praying for our youth and their intentions every week. If you have a prayer request, please submit them on this anonymous Prayer Request Google Form.
SOAR HIGH - Our free Mental Sports Performance & Character-Building Program is filled for our fall sessions. We are now accepting applications for the spring session. Dr. Birgit Zepf offers her expertise as a practicing life coach and mentor. For more information please watch Soar High Video and visit our Youth Ministry Website for the application.
Giving Together
Stewardship (9-20-20) $29,274
Weekly Budget $32,500
Stewardship YTD $356,722
Budget YTD $323,500
Over(Under) $33,222
Stewardship: Thanks to those who have returned their stewardship commitments for the new fiscal year that began on July 1. We appreciate your generosity! If you have not yet returned your stewardship commitment for the upcoming fiscal year, please prayerfully discern your gifts of time, talent and treasure and return your hard copy envelope by mail or return to the parish drop box located outside of the parish office entrance. You can find the forms and links for giving on our website: https://stpatlou.org/giving.
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.
