Weekly Update September 8 to 14, 2024

announcementS

• Bible Study with Dcn. Steve Hester: Tuesday, September 10th @ 6pm, Brossart House
• "Fortunate Families" (LGBTQ+ Families Group): Tuesday, September 10th @ 6pm, Ave Maria Building
• Laudato Si Action Plan Listening Session: Wednesday, September 11th @ 6pm, Ave Maria Bldg.
• Our Discernment and Visioning Ministry is launching a parish-wide survey the weekend of September 14th-15th.
• Monthly LGBTQ+ Ministry Social: Wednesday, September 18th @ 6pm, Brossart House
• 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
• Fr. Danny Taylor will be celebrating Mass September 14 & 15, as Fr. Richard travels to Lebeau, Louisiana for the weekend.

Check out upcoming events!

YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS!!! 

The Historic Saint Paul Discernment and Visioning Ministry is launching a parish-wide survey the weekend of September 14th-15th. 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, the survey link will be accessible by a code in our bulletin, on our website, and sent out by email. 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.

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

Before our first parish mission trip to the Little Mountain School in Guatemala last February, to prepare I visited the school’s website (guatemalaeducationaloutreach.org). By this time our parish had been selling the Guatemalan coffee for a few years to help support the school. In visiting the website, I was happy to learn of the opportunity to sponsor students. Immediately, I decided to sponsor a student. There are three levels of sponsorship: Basic Support of $30/month for tuition; Intermediate Support of $60/month for tuition and food; and Full Support of $100/month for tuition, food and school administrative costs. When I started going through the list of students who need support, I couldn’t decide on one, so I decided to support two students at the Intermediate level of $60 a month for each. The process was incredibly easy, I selected my two students and gave my payment information and now each month the support for my students comes out of my bank account. 

Now I want to tell you about my two students. I call them the Sebastia ns as they both have the first name Sebastia n. Sebastia n Enrique is eight years old and is in the second grade. His favorite color, like me, is red and his hobby is playing (typical second grader). His favorite subject is math, and he wants to be a chef when he grows up. Sebastia n de Jesu s is 10 years old and is in the fourth grade. His favorite color is black, and his hobby is playing fu tbol (soccer). His favorite subject is math, and he wants to be a police office when he grows up. I was incredibly blessed to meet both Sebastia ns when I visited Guatemala in February. As with everywhere in the world an education can provide endless possibilities for the future. Therefore, I have made a commitment to continue their support through high school. 

In the heart of Jesus, 
Fr. Richard

MESSAGE OF THE WEEK

Dear parishioners and friends, 

After Labor Day, it seems that we are on a sprint toward the holidays. We look forward to special times if our family and friends are still with us. Some of us aren’t so keen on the happiness part of the holidays because of loss or broken relationships. 

We never know who is sitting next to us at church or who might be visiting us for the first time walking out the doors of our church. We never know what that person is going through; looks can be deceiving. 

During these months when the days get shorter and the nights longer, maybe we can be just a tad more sensitive to others as Fr. Richard encouraged us during last weekends homily. Long nights and darkness can be very lonely; maybe we can be for others in ways that the Holy Spirit allows us to imagine deep in our hearts. 

Compounded by an ugly election season, these months can be very tough. Let’s not add to the burden others are caring. May God give us the grace to find ways to love as God loves, and to be as present and gentle as we can to one another. 

Please pray for me. 
JR