Weekly Update September 15 to 21, 2024

The Historic Saint Paul Discernment and Visioning Ministry has launched its parish-wide survey! 

This is a chance to discuss how we can build community together. We will be accepting survey responses through September 28th. The survey will be available in English and Spanish and can be taken online or by paper copy. To take the survey online, please navigate to the following webpage: 2024 Parish Survey. 

Paper copies will also be provided during mass and at coffee and donuts on Sundays. We ask that you please complete the survey only once, either the online or paper version. We hope you will complete this brief survey so that we can better understand our parish’s interests and needs.

Thank you!

announcementS

• Our Discernment and Visioning Ministry has launched a parish-wide survey; it will be available until September 28th.
• Monthly LGBTQ+ Ministry Social: Wednesday, September 18th @ 6pm, Brossart House
• St. Paul's Catholic Action Center meal preparation this weekend: Contact Susan Brown to help: sumacthree@gmail.com | 859-536-0571
• Children's Church 24-25 School Year: We are seeking adult volunteers to work with our young children on a rotating basis.
  • Please contact Kelly Curry: kellymarshcurry@gmail.com

Check out upcoming events!

HELP FEED THE PEOPLE AT CATHOLIC ACTION CENTER

St. Paul purchases and prepares a meal for 150 people on the third weekend of every month. Many hands are needed this coming weekend! Contact Susan Brown to help: sumacthree@gmail.com | 859-536-0571

Open Door Lunch Ministry

During the month of August 2024, we provided 653 guests with lunches. Thank You to all who continue to supply and volunteer to make this possible. Blessings to all. 

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.

From the Pastor

On Friday, I flew to Lafayette, Louisiana to preach a mission appeal this weekend at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lebeau, Louisiana. The proceeds from these missions appeals assist our diocese in its mission efforts especially in Appalachia. Immaculate Conception is a small rural African American parish in the Diocese of Lafayette. The parish is served by the religious community of the Josephites. Their mission states: 

St. Joseph’s Society of the Sacred Heart (Josephites) is an interracial, intercultural community of priests and brothers who work to advance the teachings of the Church in the African American community. The Society is the only community of men in the American Catholic Church that is engaged exclusively in this particular ministry. 

Thank you to Father Danny Taylor and Father Francisco Alfaro for celebrating mass this weekend in my absence and thank you for your prayers for the success of my mission appeal in Louisiana. 

In the heart of Jesus, 
Fr. Richard

MESSAGE OF THE WEEK

Dear Parishioners and Visitors, 

What is Jesus asking of us when He says we must “lose our life to find it”? Is Jesus challenging us to be His consistent followers, letting His words and example permeate every moment of our lives? 

A Christ-follower (Christian) heeds the call of Jesus to take on the work of cultivating a culture in which each person-beginning with ourself-is valued as a child created in the image of God. Being Christian means challenging our need for approval from the world around us to that of following our master teacher, Jesus. His only desire is that our words and actions be grounded in truth, mercy, justice and compassionate love. 

Would teenagers feel the need to carry a gun if they were living in a culture of Christ-like love where everyday someone would tell them they are “wonderfully made”? 

Losing our life means consistently sorting out our “needs” from our “wants.” Are we so preoccupied with our material possessions that we have no time for the neighbor in need? “Losing” some of our possessions may give us time to make that phone call, or a visit, to someone in need of hope and comfort. 

Embracing the challenges that come with aging by accepting each physical limitation as an opportunity for spiritual growth-uniting oneself with the suffering of Jesus and with all of humanity. 

A Christian culture is one that reflects the advice given to us by St. Teresa of Calcutta: 

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”

While we have time let us do good. 
Sr. Clara