Catholic Connection Newsletter

Beginning & Belonging

August 2023

Memorial of Saint John Mary Vianney, Priest

By Very Rev. Martin A. Linebach, KHS

On July 1st of this year, I became the Vicar for Vocations. The role assigned to me by Archbishop Fabre is a full-time position in the Archdiocese. I believe the Archbishop making the ministry of Vicar for Vocations a full-time responsibility gives insight into the importance for him of priestly life and ministry both now and in the years ahead. And I write this article on the Memorial (Feast) of Saint John Vianney. He is the patron saint of priests for the Church universal. If you are not familiar with his life and ministry, I encourage you to learn about him. He is another example of the Lord “choosing the weak and making them strong” as He did for most of us who are priests.

For the past year, I served as Interim Director of Vocations while continuing to serve as the Vicar General of the Archdiocese and Rector of the Cathedral of the Assumption. I quickly grew to cherish the role of Director of Vocations and to grow in affection for our seminarians and the young men discerning a call to holy priesthood. I pray earnestly that I will – by the grace of God – serve you well by serving them well.

The past year there were eleven seminarians in various stages of education and formation in seminaries where our young men are enrolled. I am happy to report that in the upcoming year the number will increase to seventeen. Those who have said “yes” to continue in seminary or to enter seminary for the first time deserve a huge gesture of gratitude from all of us. I am most grateful. As I have shared with them, they are truly being shaped and formed by a missionary spirit. I think especially of our newest seminarians who will in a few short weeks enter the doors of a house of prayer and study – taking leave of their natural environment into...Read More

Sharing & Preserving Our Rich History

Fr. Clyde Crews, retired Professor of Theology at Bellarmine University and Archdiocesan Historian Emeritus, and Tim Tomes, Archdiocesan Archivist, join host Dr. Brian Reynolds, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, to discuss the Archdiocese of Louisville’s rich history and new initiatives to preserve that history through the work of the Archives.

New episodes of What's New in ArchLou will be available on the first Tuesday of each month in both video and audio only here.

A Beginning For All

By Sarah Weatherwax

It is the time of year when students of all ages go back to school. For some, it is merely the beginning of another school year - supply purchasing, backpack filling, haircuts, and new shoes. For others, it is the beginning of something brand new.

Some students are beginning their first years of preschool or kindergarten. Others are transitioning to middle school or high school. Some students are graduated adults beginning college for the first time. And for many of the students and families in our program at Community Catholic Center, some are beginning their first days of Catholic school.

At Community Catholic Center, we work with Portland and West End families to remove as many barriers as possible, so students can attend Catholic schools in Louisville. We also work within our program to foster a sense of community among our families and a sense of belonging at their Catholic schools. This can help make their beginning a little easier.

Administration and school faculty are wonderful conduits for this sense of belonging. Parents and peers at schools help students and families feel part of a community. Sports, after school activities, and school events are places where school communities gather and connect to develop relationships and community. Additionally, Community Catholic Center provides our own community gatherings, after school educational support, academic testing, and social emotional services like counseling and workshops.

Even so, beginnings can be scary. Fortunately, education in Catholic schools provides a welcoming, service-oriented community that is ready to welcome everyone with open arms. It is always our hope that as CCC students and families begin their school year, they find a sense of belonging within Catholic schools that will stay with them throughout their school years and beyond. By periodically reminding ourselves of the uncertainty of beginnings, we can all be a part of the process of welcoming those within our community who are new and just beginning their journeys.

To learn more about Community Catholic Center and the way we support Portland and West End families through Louisville Catholic school education, visit our website.

Sarah Weatherwax is the Executive Director of the Community Catholic Center.

Archbishop's Tweets

Follow @ArchbishopFabre on Twitter for more of his tweets.

August 7

@ArchbishopFabre:

“Looking up to heaven, [Jesus] said the blessing and gave the loaves to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds” (cf. Mt 14:13–21). Then and now, Jesus feeds our hungry hearts.

Upcoming Events

9/17/23 Noon

Wedding Anniversary Mass for couples celebrating 30/40/50/60+ years

(See link for registration)

9/26/23 12:15 p.m.

Red Mass

9/26/23 3:00 p.m.

Catholic Charities Faith Fair

Resources & Recommendations

This month, we're highlighting some helpful and timely resources for Catholics throughout the Archdiocese. We encourage you to check out the resources below.

Archbishop Shelton Fabre’s Daily Twitter

Archbishop Shelton is tweeting a daily reflection. Follow him at @ArchbishopFabre.

Save the Dates

Anniversary Mass for Couples Celebrating 30, 40, 50, and 60+ Years, September 17, 2023: Archbishop Shelton will preside at a Mass for couples who are celebrating wedding anniversaries of 30, 40, 50, and 60+ years. The Mass will be held at noon at the Cathedral of the Assumption. Please RSVP with your parish by Friday, September 1. This event is sponsored by the Office of Family and Life Ministries.

Red Mass, Tuesday, September 26, 2023: Please join the legal and judicial communities for the annual Red Mass, which invokes God’s blessing and guidance on all those in the legal community, including attorneys, judges, paralegals, and clerks. Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre will celebrate this Mass at 12:15 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Assumption, 433 S. Fifth Street, 40202. People of all faiths who serve in the legal profession are invited to attend.

Catholic Charities Faith Fair, Tuesday, September 26, 2023: Catholic Charities of Louisville’s Faith Fair is an event designed to engage diocesan staff, parish staffs, and parishioners in the work of Catholic Charities by giving them powerful tools to help faith communities grow. Representatives of each program of the agency will be present to explain their programs, demonstrate how members of the community may participate, and share who benefits from these social service ministries of the Archdiocese. The goal is for parishes and community members to leave with a better understanding of Catholic Charities’ programs as well as specific ways they can get involved with Catholic Charities. This also will provide an opportunity to meet Catholic Charities of Louisville’s leadership and have some fun along the way! This event will take place from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and will be held at the Saffin Center at Holy Family Parish, 3938 Poplar Level Road, Louisville, 40213.

Prayer Vigil for the Synod, Saturday, September 30, 2023: In solidarity with prayer vigils to be held in Rome on September 30, Archbishop Shelton will preside at a local prayer service for the opening of the Synod of Bishops. This Synod, known as the Synod on Synodality, will be held in two sessions from October 4-29, 2023, and in October 2024. The local prayer service will be held at approximately 6 p.m. after the 5 p.m. Mass at Holy Spirit Church, 3345 Lexington Road, Louisville, 40206.

Mass for Healthcare Professionals on Sunday, October 15, 2023: Archbishop Shelton will preside at a Mass for Healthcare Professionals, traditionally known as the White Mass because of the white coats that physicians wear. Invoking the blessing of St. Luke, the patron saints of physicians, the Mass gathers doctors, dentists, nurses, psychologists, respiratory and physical therapists and all who work in healthcare to ask God’s blessing upon those who serve in this profession. Healthcare professionals are asked to wear their uniforms to Mass. This Mass will be held at Noon at the Cathedral of the Assumption, 433 South Fifth Street, Louisville, 40202. People of all faiths who work in the healthcare field are invited to attend.

Catholic Charities Opportunities

In the next two months, the Migration and Refugee Department (MRS) of Catholic Charities of Louisville expects 142 refugees to arrive. This represents about 25 families that need the items listed below. The average family (6 members) requires about $3500 in donations to fully stock and furnish their home. If Catholic Charities does not have the donations to cover this cost, these items come out of the family’s initial budget which is very limited and designed to cover family expenses for three months - food, cell phone, rent, utilities, etc.

Needs include:

Bedding/Linens

Twin Sheets
Twin Comforters/Quilts
(New) Bed Pillows
Bath Towels

Hygiene

Mops
Brooms
Kitchen Trash Cans and Bags
Toilet Brushes
Shampoo
Dish Soap
Diapers (all sizes)
Baby Wipes

Furniture

Dressers
Coffee Tables
Side Tables
Dining Tables and Chairs
Cribs and Crib Mattresses

Catholic Charities welcomes school and parish drives. If you would like to host one, please contact Peyton Rhea (prhea@archlou.org) to get on the calendar. Individuals also may donate through the Amazon Wishlist here or by contacting Catholic Charities at donations@cclou.org to make arrangements to drop items off.

Connect with us

The Catholic Connection is provided by: