Receiving Christ Through the Eucharist
August 2019
Why I Attend the Red Mass
By Donald J. Kelly

Once a year, the Archdiocese of Louisville celebrates a Red Mass to invoke divine guidance and blessings on persons of all faiths who serve in the legal community. The intent of the Mass is to seek guidance and wisdom from the Holy Spirit to strengthen the minds and hearts of all who seek justice, truth, and wisdom in the courtroom and in lawyer’s offices. Everyone associated with the legal profession, regardless of religious affiliation, is welcomed and encouraged to attend.

This year’s Red Mass will be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, 12:15 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Assumption. The Mass provides a special opportunity to join with other men and women serving in the legal profession, judiciary, and public life in asking for God’s guidance and understanding in all we do and for those we serve. It is an opportunity to pause from our hectic schedules and reflect on our role in society and to ask God for His continued blessings on each of us and for justice in our community.

While very rewarding for me personally, the practice of law can at times be spiritually challenging. At various moments in our daily interactions, we are all exposed to the weaknesses and failings of humanity. Despite all the legal system does for society to uphold justice, truth, and fairness, it is rightfully subject to strict scrutiny and criticism. Not everyone in need of justice always sees the legal system at its best. And, at times, each of us need encouragement and strengthening. Since we are each called to act and serve with honesty, integrity, and humility, I frequently ask for God’s blessings, strength, and guidance in my practice and relationships with others. When my legal abilities (and sensibilities) are tested, I try to slow down, say a prayer, and ask the Holy Spirit for enlightenment. To this day, a framed print hanging above my computer given to me 30 years ago by a client provides inspiration: “Justice, only justice shall thou pursue.” Deuteronomy 16:20.

The Red Mass provides a yearly opportunity to reflect on our individual calling in the profession and our collective responsibility to seek justice for all. It is a chance to pause, reset our minds and hearts, and allow God to lead our thoughts. For me, I find great solace and hope in seeing so many others in the legal profession asking for the Holy Spirit to guide our actions. It is spiritually rewarding and emotionally uplifting.

I hope you will join the celebration.

 Donald J. Kelly is a partner with Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs LLP and a parishioner of Holy Trinity Parish in Louisville.
Eucharist
We are the Body of Christ. This is revealed in scripture and made present in a new way in the Eucharist. Coming together as a community to receive the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist affirms our belief in the real presence of Jesus Christ, both in the consecrated bread and wine and in each of us who receives it. During the Eucharistic prayer, the priest asks the Holy Spirit to transform the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. By receiving this sacrament, we too are transformed. We are not only united to Christ, but also to one another in our shared belief. This part of the Mass is the time of utmost unity. That is why we stand together in the communion procession, sing together, and each receive what was consecrated on the one altar. 
This video is fourth in a new series,  Work of the People: The Catholic Mass . For more information about this series on the role of the assembly in the Mass, go here . Resources on this page also include suggestions for how parishes can use the resource.
God's Stability in Times of Transition
This article originally appeared in  Impacts: A Blog of the Office of Mission Advancement .
By Maggie Blakeslee

This year my family has gone through some major transitions. In March, I began working as the new Coordinator for Annual Giving for the Archdiocese of Louisville. It has turned out to be a great opportunity for my family but also a bit of an adjustment! However, the largest change comes next week when my smart, curious, (almost) 5 year old daughter will begin her first year of Pre-K in a Catholic school! It’s so hard to imagine that 8lb 7oz baby going to school—with her backpack and school supplies list (and tuition payments), but this mom is trying to keep it together.

My situation is nothing unique—thousands of parents throughout the Archdiocese are sending their children to school for the first time, a new school, or just transitioning back into a "school schedule." Thousands of people are in transitional periods as well, with jobs, family situations, or moves. These transitions are difficult, and often overwhelming. But I have learned that times of transition— where one thing is ending and the next has not yet begun— afford us a unique opportunity to grow closer to God.

Finding God in our lives is not a new concept. We are all taught at a young age to find those instances of God working in our daily lives. When I was working as a youth minister, I constantly asked my students where they found God in a retreat talk, book they were reading, or in their day-to-day, and they could always deliver a great answer. However, these periods of "waiting," or "in between" where life seems to overwhelm you but stands still all at once, make it sometimes difficult to see God.

These times of transition are best handled when we turn to prayer. By taking a break during these trying moments to slow down and pray, we take the time to open our ears to God’s reassuring voice and rest our souls in God’s hands. Even in these times of stress and transition, we are never alone.

For myself, going to Mass with my family also helps maintain stability during those moments when life seems to change rapidly. In that one hour a week, we are constant, we are stable, and we are together in the loving embrace of God who assures us that He is always with us.

I invite everyone who is struggling with transition to go to Mass, receive Christ through the Eucharist, and let Him fill you up with His love.

Maggie Blakeslee is Coordinator for Annual Giving for the Archdiocese of Louisville.
ArchLouKY Tweets
Follow @ArchLouKY on Twitter for more of our tweets.

August 9
@ArchLouKY:
Innovation Awards being presented at the opening school Mass for teachers.

July 31
@ArchLouKY:
Blessed feast day to St. Ignatius Church on the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola!

July 11
@ArchLouKY:
Blessed feast day to St. Benedict Church in Lebanon Junction & the Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand, IN.
Upcoming Events
8/22/2019 10:00 a.m.
(See link for registration)

8/24/19 10:00 a.m.

8/29/19 & 9/5/19 7:00 p.m.
(See link for registration)

9/4/19 12:15 p.m.

9/5/19 4:30 p.m.

9/9/19 7:00 p.m.
(See link for registration)

9/15/19 9:30 a.m.
(See link for cost/registration)
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.

Instagram Ate My Daughter and My Son Won’t Stop Playing Fortnite
Attend this parent education session at Mercy Academy (5801 Fegenbush Lane, Louisville) on Tuesday, September 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to learn what you need to know to improve the odds for your children. This two-hour session will cover:

  • What kids are doing online and on their smartphones with social media.
  • How do I respond when my child experiences disappointment.
  • What can I do to improve the odds for my child.
  • How can evidence-based guidelines for best practices in parenting empower me.

The presenter is Dr. Leonard Sax, MD, Ph.D., who draws upon 26 years of clinical experience as well as visits to more than 400 schools in the past 17 years to share his recommendations with fellow parents. Dr. Sax is the author of four books, including the New York Times bestseller, The Collapse of Parenting.

This presentation is sponsored by the Office of Catholic Schools, the Office of Faith Formation, and the Office of Youth and Young Adults and is made possible by your donations to the Catholic Services Appeal.

Conversations with Archbishop Kurtz
While Archbishop is away for cancer treatment, we will be sharing the Best of Conversations with Archbishop Kurtz , by pulling together compelling segments from the past organized around topical themes. September’s topic is Catholic social teaching and will feature a discussion of the seven principles of Catholic social teaching and the Church’s teaching about racism and immigration.

Conversations airs on the Faith Channel (Spectrum channels 19 and digital channel 279) on Tues. at 7 p.m., Wed. at 10 a.m., Fri. at 7 p.m., and Sat. at 4 p.m. It is on radio stations WLCR 1040 AM, Breadbox Media, and WLHN 95.3 FM in Meade County. In addition, Conversations can be downloaded for no charge through iTunes. Conversations also is available on Bardstown Cable Channel 19 (BRTV) at 7 p.m. on the first two Monday nights of the month and on Bardstown’s PLG TV on Tuesday afternoons at 4 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Conversations is online at www.archlou.org/conversations .
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