Hello everybody!
In last Sunday’s homily, Deacon Scott referenced a quote from the great philosopher Mr. Rogers for what to do in times of trial. He passed on the wisdom of his mother who said, “Look for the helpers.” I’m so honored to be part of a community of helpers at St. Pats. You are truly amazing in so many ways. From support for the St. Joe’s Picnic cake booth, food collected for the hungry, service hours given to improve our campus, assistance for those in need through St. Vincent de Paul, and preparation for baptisms, to just looking out for one another, each week I get to see the immense generosity of spirit that you offer in service to others. A heartfelt thank you!
This is reflected in one of the most unimaginable things that has happened during this pandemic. Since March 1, we have actually had 35 new families join our parish community. In the midst of the turmoil and trial, these families have intentionally decided to call St. Pats home. I offer them a sincere welcome and my prayers. We will be holding a hybrid (part in person and part online) new parishioner welcome gathering this coming Sunday. I can’t wait to see new faces, even if behind masks! It is a sign of our growth as a community, primarily in each of our relationships with Jesus Christ. Thank you for being a welcoming community that follows Jesus.
I am writing this the day after the Governor’s recommendation that schools delay in person instruction until September 28. An immense amount of effort has gone into our school plan for reopening and his recommendation felt like a body blow. We are working with Archdiocesan leadership on our response and will keep you informed as soon as any decisions are made. Our desire is to return students to the classroom in a safe and responsible manner in a way that helps each child in all dimensions of their person. I believe that our plan accomplished that, but we will also be considering the common good and realities of the pandemic. Again, we will keep you informed as soon as any decision is made.
Please know of my appreciation for you and for my continued prayers. May God continue to be with us and guide us in these times.
Peace,
Fr. Jeff
Check out our website for contact info, information, updates, and the 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 Summer Hours
Monday thru Thursday from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Friday from 9:00 a.m - Noon
School Office Summer Hours
Monday thru Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Praying Together
Saturday, August 15, we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 10:00 a.m. While this is a holy day, it is not a holy day of obligation. All are welcome to join. We will still celebrate 5:00 p.m. Mass.
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.
Highlights
New Parishioner Welcome Gathering Sunday, August 16: We are excited to welcome our new families to the next quarterly gathering on Sunday, August 16 at 9:30 a.m. in the Miles Hall meeting room. If you have questions, please contact Lynne Marshall, Director of Engagement at (502) 244-6083 or lmarshall@stpatlou.org.
Family Renewal Project: The Way of Trust 54-day Novena: All are invited to participate in this prayer initiative to unify and strengthen the Body of Christ. All who sign up will receive a short daily reflection and video recitation of the Rosary. The prayer begins on August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To learn more &/or to sign up, please visit: www.familyrenewalproject.com/thewayoftrust
Job Support Ministry offered at Epiphany: A new ministry at Epiphany called “Rethinking Employment Ministry” (R.E.M.) has emerged to offer support for those unemployed, underemployed and those seeking new opportunities. St. Patrick is collaborating with this team of (5) advisors who specialize in different fields of work to explore the possibility of offering a ministry like this here. An interested candidate first contacts the coordinator of R.E.M., and he connects the candidate with an advisor or subject-matter expert. The two meet-either virtually or in-person as is safe- to discuss the job seekers’ needs and interests. For more information, please see the article in The Record newspaper:
https://therecordnewspaper.org/new-ministry-offers-support-for-job-seekers/
Habitat for Humanity Volunteers needed: We have (3) more dates to sign-up on August 13, 22 and September 17, to help build a home for Abdulaziz and Fatima and their family. They came to the U.S. four years ago from Egypt. Sign up HERE.
A Study in Genesis (Part II): Dr. Scott Shuler will be continuing with Part II in his study on the main characters of Genesis which began last fall.This 10 week session will be held Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. at St. Patrick beginning September 14.The sessions will be audio recorded and made available in case you miss or choose to listen at home. Details on location and Covid restrictions are being worked out. A head count will be important so if you plan to attend, or want to be signed up for the audio, please contact Joe Gates at mrjoegates@gmail.com or (502) 544-9391. Sponsored by the Fishermen.
Thursday Believers New Bible Study: Join us for a 10-week study entitled “Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life”. This new study from Ascension Press takes a fresh look at Jesus--who he is, what he is really like, what he taught, and what he did for our salvation. This DVD-based study will happen from 8:00-10:00a.m. on Thursdays, beginning September 10 in Miles Meeting Room. Cost is $15/person. Please register by August 23. Contact Diana Dages at dianadages@gmail.com or (502) 419-1898 to register.
Learning Together
Gathered RCIA Process to Begin August 17; Inquire About the Catholic Faith: Have you attended Mass for years with your Catholic spouse and now feel ready to explore the teachings of the Catholic faith more fully? Has your child's attendance in the Parish Religious Education Program or St. Patrick School led you to an interest in Catholicism? Are you wondering about life’s deeper meaning and your life’s purpose? Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are invited to “come as you are.” Come and ask questions and learn about the Catholic faith. Find out if the time is right for you to enter the process that leads to the celebration of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and entry into full communion with the Catholic faith. There are no obligations. The RCIA meets from 6:45 to 8:00 p.m. Mondays beginning August 17. It will be a gathered experience but will follow "Safe at Church" protocols including the wearing of masks, social distancing, and sanitizing. For information, contact Tim Grove at 719-0362 or tgrove@stpatlou.org.
Serve as a Sponsor in the RCIA Process: Every year, men, women, and young adults come to the RCIA process wanting to establish a new or renewed relationship with God and a faith community in the Catholic tradition. Sponsors are always needed to journey with these “inquirers.” Sponsors join the RCIA process in late October and serve as spiritual companions to the inquirers, who many times seek entry into full communion with the Catholic faith through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. They serve October to April as hospitable and welcoming representatives of the parish.Training is provided. Even for sponsors, the RCIA process is a wonderful experience of renewed faith and a deepened spiritual life. Please contact Tim Grove, coordinator of the RCIA,at
719-0362 or tgrove@stpatlou.org.
Children’s Formation
Sunday School: offered to children ages 4 through Grade 1 on Sundays at
11:00 a.m. Currently, this program is scheduled to begin in October. Register for Sunday School HERE.
Sunday Nursery: offered to children ages 1 through 3. Currently, the opening of this program is unknown due to COVID-19. We hope to open the Nursery in fall 2020 and would like to establish interest from families. Register HERE if you are interested in utilizing the nursery.
Joining Together
Youth Ministry Opportunities: Details for all Youth Ministry events can be found on the Website. For additional information, contact Jonna O’Bryan at jobryan@stpatlou.org, Birgit Zepf at bzepf@stpatlou.org, Madison Whitehouse at mwhitehouse@stpatlou.org or the office at (502) 244-6083/ext.102.
Confirmation: Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. Mass
Parent/Student Confirmation Meeting Cancelled on August 16: Please refer to the Confirmation Webpage for all information. The website is updated on a regular basis. “Q and A” Zoom meeting will be held on August 25 from 7:00-8:00p.m. for any parent to drop in and ask any Confirmation questions. Watch your email for Zoom meeting details. Contact Jonna O’Bryan in the Youth Office at (502) 244-6083 ext.102 for additional information.
Need Prayer? We Are Here for You! With so much going on in our world, we all could use prayers. Do you have a prayer request? We would like to pray with you and for you. The Youth Ministry Team (Jonna O’Bryan, Madison Whitehouse and Birgit Zepf) will be praying for our youth and their intentions every week. If you have prayer requests, please submit them on this anonymous Prayer Request Google Form.
Serve Day - Saturday, August 29 from 10:00 a.m. – Noon: Join Youth Ministry for a day to serve our community. We will have a variety of service projects to complete together.
- Box of Sunshine for our Seniors in Nursing Homes
- Drive by Prayer- Prayers for our Parish Families
- “To Go” Bags for the Homeless
Sign up on the Youth Ministry Website. Due to COVID19 guidelines, adults are needed more than ever to provide these opportunities for our young people. Please consider giving of your time.
Upcoming Youth Ministry Events: Teens must sign up for all events
- Cemetery Clean Up- Saturday, September 19 - Noon to 3:00 p.m.
- Mass and S’mores- Sunday, September 20 - 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m,.
Giving Together
Stewardship (8/9/20) $47,477
Weekly Budget $23,000
Stewardship YTD $188,723
Budget YTD $157,000
Over(Under) $31,723
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.
PushpayTransition: For parishioners who have not yet transitioned from Vanco to Pushpay, we kindly ask that you migrate to the new platform now. Phone calls are also being made in conjunction with the email requests. Info can be found on our website: https://stpatlou.org/giving. If you have any questions regarding stewardship or PushPay, contact Lynne Marshall at 244-6083 ext. 115 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.
