Weekly Update January 19 to January 25, 2025

Announcements

• Historic St. Paul Parish thanks Mr. Tony Ricci and Tony’s Steaks & Seafood for their generous support of our ministries over the past 10 years. When you patronize Tony’s be sure to let them know you are a grateful parishioner of Historic Saint Paul Parish! 
• Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Greeter, or Sacristan - Do you want to learn how to be more involved in these ministries? Whether you already volunteer or are considering gifting your time and talent to Saint Paul Parish, we ask that you join our meeting directly after Mass on Saturday, February 8 (4pm Mass), or on Sunday, February 9 (10am Mass). Click here for more details.
• Guatemala Mission Trip Pre-Meeting Scheduled for January 26th after Mass. 

ReminderS/Updates

• Diocesan Annual Appeal Update: As of the first week in January, we have met 83% of our $58,100 parish goal. And most wonderfully 69% of our parishioners have participated in this year’s DAA. That is the highest participation rate of all parishes in the Fayette Deanery! As of today, our payback from the Diocese is $7,698.85. Thank you for your support and generosity.
• We are in immediate need of adult support for our Children’s Church program. Currently, we operate on a rotating schedule and need 2 more adults/family volunteers to lead the lesson once per month in order to continue the program. If you are able to help with this ministry, please contact Sr. Clara at [email protected] OR Kelly Curry at [email protected]
  
• Inclement weather policy: At Saint Paul, it is not our policy to cancel weekend (Sunday) masses. This would be a very rare occurrence. But if the weather is severe and it would be unsafe to travel to mass, please use common sense and stay home. Under these circumstances, you are dispensed from the Sunday mass obligation. During the weekdays, it is our policy that if Lexington Catholic High School is closed and deems that it is unsafe to travel, Saint Paul’s office will close, and weekday mass will be cancelled. Again, be prudent and stay home during winter storms.
  

Events

• Monthly LGBTQ+ Ministry Social: Wednesday, January 22, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM in Ave Maria
• A Discussion about our LGBTQ+ Ministry and Fortunate Families Ministry: Wednesday, February 12, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM in Ave Maria.
  

Donation and Service Opportunities

• Gift Card Donations: Support our Open Door Lunch Ministry by purchasing and donating a Kroger or Walmart gift card for our unhoused neighbors. Return them to the office or to Fr. Richard with the receipt or amount purchased written on top of card. Thank you for your generosity.

MESSAGE OF THE WEEK

Dear Parishioners and Visitors, 

“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:4)

The Holy Spirit has given each of us a gift to be shared with others. 

The following are statements from two of our parish youth concerning their call to get involved in an activity that expressed their connection with St. Paul parish, and their call to service. 

“Reflecting upon the service this past semester, the acts of service that stand out the most to me are sending cards to the sick, participation in canned food drives, and donating gifts going to underprivileged children. The cards to the sick reinforce positive words of affirmation. It’s great for them to know that there are people praying over them for their well-being. Canned food drives are essential for caring for all of God’s children. Many people in our own community are starving and we should do whatever we can to prevent it. Even if it’s as little as a few meals. Many children are so focused on eating that they don’t even have time to stop and enjoy things. I know firsthand people who are underprivileged who were on the receiving end of a toy drive. It was such a great surprise, and it meant a lot and helped boost overall morale. Acts of kindness are contagious and it’s good to spread love. Not only is service important for the person receiving the act, but it’s also fulfilling for the person serving. Service is very rewarding to both parties. We, as a community, must take all the steps possible in ensuring we protect all of God’s creations.” (from Logan) 

"I enjoyed helping with children’s mass this semester. I thought the set up was good as it was a simplified version of the readings for church. It allowed to the child to still have fun while relating games and activities back to the gospel message. I look forward to continuing to help with children’s mass when needed.” (from Anna) 

What wonderful examples of exercising one’s spiritual gifts! (More reflections will follow) 

While we have time let us continue to use our spiritual gifts to do good. 
Sr.  Clara 

From the Pastor

On Monday, January 6, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had appointed Cardinal Robert McElroy of San Diego to head the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. While some US bishops have worked against Pope Francis’s vision for the Church, Cardinal McElroy has been a staunch defender of that vision. I want to share a quote by Cardinal McElroy which I recently read in an America Media article entitled Cardinal McElory on radical inclusion for LGBT people, women, and others in the Catholic Church. Cardinal McElroy said, “We must examine the contradictions in a church of inclusion and shared belonging that have been identified by the voices of the people of God in our nation and discern in synodality a pathway for moving beyond them.” 

Cardinal McElroy is reminding us that when the Church excludes and make others feel like they don’t belong we are contradicting the very Gospel message of Jesus. We know by Jesus’s own words and actions that he calls us beyond these contradictions. With Cardinal McElroy, we the people of Saint Paul Parish, will continue to provide a strong Catholic voice affirming the human dignity of all people. We will continue to provide a place of acceptance and belonging following the example of Jesus.   

In the heart of Jesus, 
Fr. Richard   


Padre Ricardo 

Ministries Updates

Open Door Lunch Ministry

For the month of November, we gave out 594 lunches! 

Thank you to all who have volunteered and donated

If you would like to donate, we accept lunch related items such as: water, chips, cookies, soft fruit (bananas, grapes, oranges), cupped fruits, crackers, snack bars, etc. You may bring these donations to the office between 9:00 AM —4:00 PM Monday-Friday or when you come to Mass on the weekend.

The Little Mountain School

This February, Saint Paul will have 13 parishioners traveling to Guatemala to visit and assess the needs of the Little Mountain School. There are two easy ways to support the mission of the Little Mountain School: 1. Go to the Little Mountain School website (click here) and sign up to sponsor a student, and 2. For your coffee needs, purchase Guatemalan coffee here at the church. Our mission team will have an organizational meeting to prepare for our trip after mass in the church on January 26, 2025. We will be answering your questions about the upcoming mission trip.

We have raised $33,612 with our coffee sales for the Little Mountain School in Guatemala. Thanks to all who are now sponsoring a child at The Little Mountain School. Several of the children featured on our website and in the bulletin are now receiving financial support from your generosity. A sponsorship provides an opportunity for a child to receive an education. Blessings to all for your kindness and prayers. To learn more, visit guatemalaneducationaloutreach.org or view our Parish webpage (click here).

Please keep The Little Mountain School in your prayers.

HELP FEED Your Neighbors AT the CATHOLIC ACTION CENTER

St. Paul purchases and prepares a meal for 150 people on the third weekend of every month. Contact Susan Brown to help: [email protected] | 859-536-0571