Hi everyone,
I am pinch hitting for Fr. Jeff today as the author of the opening article. Please keep Fr. Jeff, Fr. Steven, Fr. Oz, Fr. Tony, Fr. Quan and all the priests of the Archdiocese in your prayers while attending the Presbyteral Assembly at St. Meinrad through Thursday.
As the Director of Engagement, I would like to share some thoughts on what engagement means in the church and efforts at St. Patrick to expand, grow, and make disciples. After all, that is what we are called to do, follow Jesus! We are blessed to have a pastor, other clergy, and staff who understand the importance of engagement because we know that belonging leads to believing. Also, having a designated staff member focused on engagement helps a large parish like St. Patrick to be more intentional about welcoming new families, building relationships and providing opportunities for parishioners to discover and pursue their passions based on their strengths. In addition, our partnerships with Generis, our Beacon of Hope Capital Campaign consultants and Pushpay, our online giving provider, educate and provide us with resources, wisdom and expertise from working with some of the largest churches in the United States. Oh, and not to mention, we know that engagement in the church has changed over the past 15 months because of the pandemic so it’s always important to keep up with data and trends in the church.
According to Pushpay, here is a quick definition of church engagement: “It is simply getting people involved.” “A churchgoer becomes engaged when they move beyond a spectator mode and begin playing a part in the mission. It doesn’t necessarily mean they volunteer. What qualifies as engaging your church depends on where the mission of your church converges with discipleship.”“
Here are some principles of engagement we embrace at St. Patrick to grow disciples:
- Giving-Treasure (everything we have is a gift from God!)
- Ministry Involvement-Time and Talent (we need everyone to step up and work together)
- Measurement- Metrics (“If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it”- Peter Drucker)
- Language-Church is not a building or organization, it’s people (the people are the church and they need to think of themselves this way)
- Innovation-Embrace healthy change (if something isn’t working, willing to try new things)
- Discipleship-Create a culture where people get actively involved in the body of Christ
- Personal Investment- It’s not just about money! (Jesus tells us where our treasure is, there will our heart be also)
As we move forward, let us not get caught in the gap between attending church and being part of it. Take that next step, move out of a comfort zone and engage in a new way! And last but not least, engaged people are passionate enough about their church to invite their friends.
Have a great week!
Lynne Marshall
Director of Engagement
Highlights
Farewell to Fr. Steven this weekend: Join us for cookies after Mass this weekend as we say thank you to Fr. Steven and wish him well.
Prayer Service for Fr. Papi and the people of India, Sunday, June 13 at 12:30 p.m. Join us after 11:00 a.m. Mass in the church as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for our friend, Fr. Papi, and his people. Below is the story of how St. Patrick connected with Fr. Papi:
About 25 years ago, Fr. Papi came to Louisville to visit parishioner Pete Ninneman (RIP). Pete had contributed to an Indian priest for mission work. When that priest got too old to travel, Fr. Papi took over the mission and the priest gave him a list of names to contact when he came to America. He stayed with our founding pastor, Fr. Jack Schindler, and gave presentations at St. Patrick, some other parishes, and a few high schools. He tells the story of the parish he is serving at, and shows lots of pictures. For example, he talks about widows and orphans that get thrown out of communities when they are blamed that the husband dies. And he works with them to buy cows which allows them to feed their families and gain their respect back in the community. When people heard the stories, they offered to help.
In the early days, parishioners Chris and Barbara Meiners threw a couple parties so that Fr. Papi could meet more people and tell his stories. He had a box at the parties where people could donate and many did. He built some real friendships over the years. He has visited about 10 times over the last 25 years, generally every 2-3 years. Deacon Scott Haner always connects when he visits and he’s become a good friend. He calls about 4 times a year, usually just to check in but recently, he’s called 3-4 times in the last few weeks as the virus surge in India has really gotten to him. He certainly likes that we support his mission but more importantly, he wants to get comfort from some friends. He asked Deacon Scott what he would do and he told him we would pray.
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
*Requests to the SVDP society are 100% confidential. Call if you or someone you know is in need.
Parish Summer Office hours effective June 7 - August 13:
Monday - 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday - Thursday - 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday - 7:30 a.m. - Noon
Praying Together
Safe at Worship Guidelines
To Protect All:
- Stay at home if you have a fever or other symptoms of COVID-19.
- Masks are not required for those who have been vaccinated.
- Wash or sanitize your hands when entering the church.
- Three sections of the church are open with no distancing guidelines.
- The section to the right as you enter the church has seating in every other row, which is marked. Maintain three seats between households in this area.
- Maintain distancing when going to and from Communion in the right section.
- Exchange a non-touch Sign of Peace and do not hold hands with other households during the Our Father.
- Sing softly or do not sing, using the words on the screen to pray with the song.
- Please drop your stewardship contributions in the green boxes by the doors.
To Accommodate All:
- Streaming Masses for: daily Mass, Saturday 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 5:30 p.m..
- Confessions at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday in the Pastoral Suite or by appointment.
- Those who are sick, vulnerable and worried are dispensed from the normal Sunday obligation.
- Communion, only hosts will be distributed.
- Ministers wear masks and sanitize hands before and each time physical contact is made.
- Church and all accessed areas cleaned after each Mass.
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:
Saturdays at 4:30 p.m.
Sundays at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Mass streaming live and archived on:
YouTube (Saint Patrick Catholic Church)
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.
New Ministry Opportunity: For more information visit www.stpatlou.org/welcomehome
Learning Together
“Popsicles on the Playground” for families with infants through kindergarten aged children this Wednesday, June 9 at 9:30 a.m. Contact Susanna Means at susanna.k.means@gmail.com with questions.
Sunday School and Nursery Update: These ministries will open September 12, 2021. To learn more or pre-register, contact Tammy Kessler at tkessler@stpatlou.org.
Sacrament Preparation 2021-22: Rising 2nd graders should expect to receive information for 2021-2022 by the end of June. If it is your wish to have your child celebrate the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion, and your child has not yet received the sacrament of Baptism, contact Tammy Kessler at tkessler@stpatlou.org.
Serving Together
Sign-up now! Blood Drive, Sunday June 20 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the Celtic Center Gym: Patients and hospitals are relying on the generosity of blood donors. Your donation can help save more than one life. We encourage all donors to schedule an appointment HERE. Donors will be accepted without appointments if we have open appointment times on the schedule. Donors may complete the Rapid Pass the day of the blood drive to expedite the administrative processing time prior to your donation. The link to the Rapid Pass site is HERE. Give the gift of life!
Knights of Columbus - Lifehouse Maternity Home Charity Golf Scramble:
Registration is open for the 6th Annual Lifehouse Golf Scramble on Monday, August 30 at Polo Fields. There are 8:30 a.m.and 2:00 p.m. shotgun sessions. Sign-up HERE. The cost is $130 per golfer and includes two meals & free 18 hole round of golf (cart not included). There will be raffles and door prizes. We are looking for golfers, sponsors and donated prizes. If you can help, please contact Joe Gates at 544-9391 or mrjoegates@gmail.com. The Lifehouse Maternity Home "changing lives and saving lives" is a loving home environment for young women who want to safely deliver their babies and who need the proper support to do so. They can also stay at Lifehouse for up to four years with their children who assist them the whole way in getting the prenatal care they need and also develop parenting and life skills needed for future success in a tough world.
Joining Together
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
2021 Confirmation Dates
- Confirmation - Friday, November 19 at 7:00 pm
- Parent/Student Meeting: August 29 at 9:45 a.m.- 10:50 a.m., Schindler Hall
- Sponsor/Student Meeting: September 12 at 9:45 a.m.- 10:50 a.m., Schindler Hall
Confirmation preparation for all non-St. Patrick School 7th & 8th grade students (PREP) will begin in the fall. The formation of the sacrament begins in the student’s 7th grade year. Any 8th grade student who wishes to be confirmed in 2021 needs to fully register for PREP(Parish Religious Education Program) in the fall. If this 8th grade student did not attend PREP in their 7th grade year, they need to contact Tim Grove at 244-6083 by June 24 in order to be confirmed in 2021.
Jr. High Youth Ministry Leadership Team Training - July 18, 25 and
August 1, 8: Want to enhance your leadership skills? Join the Youth Ministry Leadership Team for these training sessions that will focus on helping you become a more effective leader by learning to take initiative, developing your critical thinking skills, learning how to motivate those around you, and helping you find ways to challenge yourself to enhance your leadership capabilities. We will put these new leadership skills to work as we begin to plan our 2021/2022 school year Youth Ministry calendar. Details on the Youth Ministry Website.
Holiday World July 21: For all incoming youth in grades 7-12. We will join the Archdiocese of Louisville’s day at the park. The cost is $80 per student and includes: theme park ticket, transportation on air-conditioned bus, water and snacks on bus, and one meal at the park. We will leave St. Patrick’s parking lot at 8:30 a.m. and return at 10:00 p.m. Limited seating on the bus so turn in your waivers and fee to reserve your spot. Reservations are taken on a first-come basis. Adult chaperones are needed.
Upcoming Events
- Malibu Jack’s - June 13
- Holiday World - July 21
- Summer Days of Service- July 19 and August 3 (more dates TBA)
Celtic Athletic Ministry (CAM) Newsletter: Check out the latest athletics news, including sign-ups for sports and other important information at CAM Newsletter.
Giving Together
Stewardship 6-6-21 $44,230
Weekly Budget $25,000
Stewardship YTD $1,530,964
Budget YTD $1,586,000
Over(Under) ($55,036)
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 you can return the hard copy form in the return envelope that was included in your renewal packets mailed the first week in March. **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 (502) 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.
