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MESSAGE FROM FR. JEFF
Hello everybody!
Last weekend, we kicked off our annual Catholic Services Appeal, and I want to thank everyone who has already made a commitment to this year's appeal. Our theme, One Body in Christ, Moving Forward in Faith, reminds us that we belong to a Church much larger than our own parish community. Through the CSA, we join with Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Louisville to support ministries that no single parish could accomplish on its own.
As I mentioned at Mass this weekend, one of the things I especially want to encourage this year is participation. Our parish goals are $180,600 and 451 participating households. Last year we reached over $254k and 475 households. Both are important, but I hope every family at St. Patrick will prayerfully consider being part of this effort.
Stewardship begins with recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God. The question we should ask is not simply, "How much can I afford to give?" but "What is God asking me to give?" The answer will be different for each of us, depending on our circumstances, but everyone has something to offer. My hope is that every family will take some time to pray about that question and then make a commitment. When we all participate, each according to our means, we accomplish something together that none of us could do alone.
We will share updates on our progress in the weeks ahead, especially the number of participating households. I am grateful for the generosity that has always characterized St. Patrick, and I look forward to seeing how we respond together this year. You may make a pledge or donation here. Thanks!
This weekend, our Knights of Columbus will be holding a membership drive after all Masses. The Knights do tremendous work in support of our parish and the wider community, and I am grateful for their service. If you are a man in our parish who has considered becoming a Knight, or would simply like to learn more about what they do, I encourage you to stop by their table in the Gathering Space. It may be your next best step in Serving Together.
Finally, it is good to have Fr. Tony back with us after his recent travels. At the same time, Fr. Evrard returned back to Burundi following the death of his grandmother. He presided at her Funeral Mass, which was his first funeral as a priest. I can only imagine how meaningful, and how difficult, that experience was for him and his family.
Please keep Fr. Evrard and his family in your prayers as they commend his grandmother to God's eternal love. We look forward to welcoming him home later this week and having our parish clergy together again.
May God hold you and all those whom you love in the palm of his hand! And as we observe Respect Life Month, may we all pray for life be honored and cherished in every single person from conception to a natural death.
Peace,
Fr. Jeff
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