Hello St. Patrick Parishioners,
This is your proud principal, Nathan Sturtzel, writing to you to say Happy Fall and to catch you up on some remarkable things happening in our parish school.
First, I must say that I am simply humbled to serve in my role in this community. In such a difficult year, the Catholic community of St. Pats has risen to the occasion in every way. Through resilience, innovation, and a spirit of love and compassion, we have truly been a light and a hope to many.
We are in the midst of a historical and challenging chapter in Catholic education. Sadly, more than 140 Catholic schools in the U.S. closed this year, stating specifically that the financial toll of the pandemic was too much to overcome. While we have not seen that locally, each parish in our archdiocese has dealt with hardships as it relates to enrollment, staffing, and resources. Every detail of school operations you can fathom has been affected by COVID-19. Taking temperatures, spreading out, sanitizing, and wearing a mask throughout the day are just a few measures that make each day challenging (and exhausting!).
Still, this afternoon we completed our 48th day of school serving nearly 600 students. Some days have been via remote learning and most have been at 50% or 100% capacity. All have been carried out with the safety and well-being of our community our top priority. Our students and teachers are studying God’s word, preparing for sacraments, and learning to be good stewards and to be Christlike toward one another. Our students are striving to master essential skills in Religion, Math, Reading, Language, Science, Social Studies, and other courses like Spanish, Music, and Drama. They are also being taught explicit skills on self-regulation, focus, empathy, and being a good listener, to name a few. We are extremely proud of the resilience of our faculty, staff, school families, and students.
The support and prayers our school community receives from you, our parishioners, are our greatest blessings. Be on the lookout for more information about the grand opening of our new Preschool building, as well as Open House dates for families interested in our parish school.
We Are...St. PATS!
Peace and God Bless,
Mr. Nathan Sturtzel
Principal
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.
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 page 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. Form Your Conscience.
In their statement on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, the U.S. Catholic bishops urge Catholics to form their consciences through being open to truth, studying Scripture and Church teaching, examining facts and background information, and prayerful reflection (no. 18).Visit www.faithfulcitizenship.org to learn about the steps you can take to form your conscience, watch videos and access other great resources on conscience formation for faithful citizens.
2020 Catholic Services Appeal
We are called… to do justice, love goodness, to walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8).
Watch the video HERE.
Goal: $133,300
Participation goal: 314 households
As of October 23, 2020
Dollars: $53,010
Goal: $133,300 40%
Number of Donors to Date 108
# of Donors Goal: 314 34%
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 www.stpatlou.org,click on CSA Donate Here link
2. Online at www.archlou.org
3. Envelopes received in the mail or at the Welcome Desk in the church gathering space
Your participation is important. Together, we can do this! Thank you!
Highlights
Record Blood Drive! We are pleased to announce the St. Patrick Blood Drive had 54 units of blood donated. The total exceeded the previous record high of 42 units. We are grateful for the generosity and compassion of the St. Patrick donors. A special thanks to Wayne Burd, coordinator of the Blood Drive, along with the Knights of Columbus.
Safety Notice: We had an incident of a car break-in while parked on campus during an evening activity. Doors were locked but valuables were visible. Police were notified and a report filed on stolen credit cards. Please be mindful to secure all valuables in your trunk or keep them with you while attending activities. If you see any suspicious activity on campus, please notify the police immediately.
Advent and Christmas Information: Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent on November 29, those attending the 11:00 a.m. Mass will have to reserve their seats through our online seating program. Your weekly seating for the 11:00 a.m. Sunday Masses must be in the system by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.
In the coming weeks, we will provide step-by-step instructions on reserving your seats through the bulletin, the weekly Constant Contact email, our Facebook page and website. The seating system will not go live until mid-November. Opportunities to reserve Christmas seating will take place throughout Advent before and after Masses in the gathering space.
Christmas Mass Schedule: It is our hope, at this time, to celebrate the following:
- Christmas Eve: 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m.
- Christmas Day: 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m.
Masses will be live-streamed at 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve and 12:00 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Attendance at all Christmas Masses will require reservations through the online seating program.
Time to Update your Records! Does our Church database have your family membership records correct? Have you changed your phone number? Email? Have you moved? Are all of your children still at home and are they included in your membership record? Do you want your record published in the annual Directory? Now is your opportunity to update your records for our if you have not already done so. Please contact the Parish Office to notify us of the changes at (502)244-6083. Thank you for your help!
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).
Eucharistic Adoration: First Tuesday of each month from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
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
Children’s Formation
First Reconciliation: Our 2nd graders will celebrate the sacrament of First Reconciliation on November 17, 18, and 19. Please pray for them as we continue their formation.
Carryout Crafts: A mini-Advent wreath will be featured in November. Details forthcoming.
Sunday School: If you have a 5th grade or above child who would like to volunteer in Sunday School please reach out to Tammy Kessler, Children's Formation Coordinator, tkessler@stpatlou.org. We love youth volunteers to help us with our programs.
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 6 at 7:00 p.m.
- Seating charts are located on the Confirmation Webpage
- Detailed information on Confirmation will be mailed this week
Archery Team Open House - November 4, 6-7:30 p.m., JPII Youth Room: Come check out the Archery Team. St. Patrick students in grades 4-8 and Homeschool students in grades 4-12 can Click Here to Sign Up! No experience necessary... we have the equipment and will teach you what you need to know. To learn more, come to our Open House on November 4 where you can meet the coaches and some of the current team members. If you cannot attend the open house, contact Coach Blaine at dianablaine.archery@gmail.com.
Giving Together
Stewardship (10-25-20) $36,894
Weekly Budget $33,750
Stewardship YTD $494,703
Budget YTD $491,000
Over(Under) $3,703
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.
