Archbishop Kurtz on Faith & Science |
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See Archbishop Joseph Kurtz's homily on the relationship between faith and science from the first Gold Mass in the Archdiocese of Louisville. |
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Catholic Family Traditions for Thanksgiving |
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By Art Turner
Thanksgiving Day will be here before you know it. This national holiday about gratitude aligns family, food, parades, and all-day football. But other than the blessing of the food before the meal, what else could a Catholic family do to further incorporate the faith into this annual celebration? I have a few proposals.
First, consider going to Mass. The word “Eucharist” means “thanksgiving,” so it is an easy way to help children and their parents connect our sacred liturgy with the holiday. Many parishes have a vigil celebration on Wednesday evening, making it easier for a family to worship and celebrate the holiday. Parents also can help their children understand that the Lord freely gives of Himself to us in the Eucharist, and we at our Thanksgiving celebration can express our gratitude to our Lord for all that he has given to us. The two meals could be seen as reciprocal expressions of thanksgiving.
Second, think about how this sense of gratitude is expressed during the family celebration. Many families have incorporated the practice of having all members at the Thanksgiving table state what they are grateful for just prior to eating the meal. Parents introducing this for the first time could model for their children a simple opening line like “I’m thankful to God for…” Other families have adopted the practice of having members write in permanent marker what they are grateful for on a tablecloth that is used year after year. This is another way of recording the family history, especially if names and ages are included.
Finally, think about incorporating an act of service into your Thanksgiving routine. Many years ago, my wife was very active with “Meals on Wheels,” a senior nutrition program that provides meals for homebound elderly. It was important to her to include Thanksgiving Day as one of her service days so that the family could participate. It was a meaningful experience for many reasons: the discussions in the van after each visit, the concern the children expressed for each person they met, and connecting the service we were doing with the family meal that would come later that day. Doing an act of service together expresses gratitude and connects the love for neighbor with the love for the God who makes it all possible.
Art Turner is the Director of the Office of Faith Formation for the Archdiocese of Louisville.
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The Impact of Youth Ministry |
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Hear from local students and a youth minister about the impact youth ministry has in the lives of young people in our community and the impact your donations have in making this ministry possible. |
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To learn more about the Catholic Services Appeal or to make a gift, click here. |
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November 1
@ArchbishopKurtz:
In 1995, I wrote a reflection on “The Roots of My Vocation and the Influence of My Sister, Rose.” I invite you to read it today as we celebrate All Saints Day:
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Follow @ArchLouKY on Twitter for more of our tweets.
November 8
@ArchLouKY:
We appreciate the faithful throughout the Archdiocese sharing their prayers with us and praying for each other. You can join this prayer community at: archlou.org/faithful-in-prayer
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Resources & Recommendations |
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This month, we're highlighting some helpful and timely resources for Catholics throughout the Archdiocese. We encourage you to check out the resources below.
Black Catholic History Month
November is Black Catholic History Month. See notable events in Black Catholic U.S. history here. On November 25, the Office of Multicultural Ministry will publish in The Record a special insert entitled “Black Catholic Cultural Gifts Enrich the Church.”
The Office of Multicultural Ministry also will incorporate the observance of this month at its opening Mass at the African American Catholic Day of Reflection on Saturday, December 11. The Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. at St. Martin de Porres Church, 3112 West Broadway. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m.
The Office of Multicultural Ministry will offer a class called “Introduction to African American Catholic History in the U.S.,” from 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, November 13 at the Catholic Enrichment Center, 3146 W. Broadway. The cost is $10 per person.
COVID-19 safety guidelines, including wearing a mask, will be followed at both events. For more information about these events or to register for the class on November 13, call the office at 471-2146.
Catholic Charities of Louisville Reaches Out to Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities for Christmas
You can bring smiles to the faces and hearts of residents in long-term care facilities this Christmas. Simply donate your leftover or new Christmas cards to Catholic Charities by December 5. You may write notes in them, or we will. The staff of Catholic Charities will distribute these cards to nearly 10,000 residents in 15 counties. To donate, check to see if your parish has a donation box or email Moira at [email protected].
Common Table, the culinary arts training program of Catholic Charities, is making available gift cards for soup subscriptions. Anyone can purchase a gift card for one six-week subscription to Common Table’s soup and bread series. These subscriptions offset the cost of tuition for students in Common Table's culinary arts job training program, which reduces poverty in our community through job training. Gift cards can be purchased here. Information also can be found at this web page about Catholic Charities of Louisville’s Christmas gift drive for families, which is taking place now through December 12.
Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord
The Archdiocese invited parishioners from throughout our 24 counties to reflect on their experience of the Sunday Mass and the meaning of the Eucharist in their lives. This effort resulted in four brief (2-3 minute) spots:
Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord: Invitation – People from throughout the Archdiocese of Louisville share reflections on their experiences of COVID-19 Mass restrictions and the importance of the Mass in their lives and conclude with personal invitations for viewers to join them in-person for Mass. Watch here.
Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord: Obligation Of Love – People from throughout the Archdiocese offer reflections on various obligations of love in their lives as a way to help viewers understand that the obligation to attend Mass is not a burden but rather an opportunity to deepen our love of Christ and others. Watch here.
Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord: Grow – People from throughout the Archdiocese share testimonies on the meaning of the Eucharist in their lives and their deep appreciation for the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Watch here.
Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord: Encounter – The video is a sensory experience of the sights, sounds, and images of our Catholic worship and identity. The sensory elements remind viewers that the Catholic Church can offer peace, comfort, and calm during this time of uncertainty and challenge. Watch here.
Year of Saint Joseph
With the Apostolic Letter “Patris corde” (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis marked the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. The Holy Father has proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” from December 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021. As we continue to observe this “Year of Saint Joseph,” please see resources for its observances at parishes, school, work, and in the home here.
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