Sacred Silence

Starting with the season of Advent, we will be having a time of silence after communion. This will start after the last person has received communion. The General Instructions on the Roman Missal state that people may remain standing at communion until the last person has received. At that time, people may kneel or be seated. 

We are given this time of silence for private prayer, praise and thanks to God in our hearts. Having just received Jesus, we are in awe that the eternal Son should become one of us to save us and share himself with us in this most intimate of ways. “When you have received Holy Communion, close your bodily eyes so that you may open the eyes of your soul. Then look upon Jesus in the center of your heart.” (St. Teresa of Avila)

To facilitate this time of silence, please plan to be seated when the Communion Ministers walk over to the Purification table.

Christmas Mass Intentions

If you would like to offer up in prayer an intention at the Christmas Masses this year, envelopes are due by Sunday, December 10th.

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Friday, December 8th

Patronal Feast Day of the United States of America

Masses will be at 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. (Holy Day of Obligation)

School Children will go to Mass at 9:45 a.m.

The dogma that Mary was kept free from original sin from the first moment of her conception was officially declared by Pope Pius IX in 1854. It had been celebrated in the Eastern Church as early as the eighth century and then spread to the West. The Immaculate Conception is a singular grace, given to Mary to enable her to say “yes” to God. No stain of original sin touches her who is to become the Ark of the Covenant, the Temple in which God comes to dwell. We look to Mary for an example of the life of discipleship, open to God’s word and obedient to God’s will.

Family Friendly Adoration

Saturday, December 9th at 9:30 a.m.

Families and individuals of all ages are welcome! This holy hour will take place in the church and will include the rosary, prayers and time for reflection. We will have donuts, juice and coffee immediately following.

Blessing of the Child in the Womb

The Catholic Church has a Rite of Blessing for unborn children. This rite serves to publicly affirm the precious gift of human life and to embrace parents and families as they prepare to welcome the birth of a child. Fr. Dave will conduct the Rite for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb in the Adoration Chapel right after all the Masses on December 9th & 10th. All expectant mothers and their families are encouraged to participate. For more information please contact Laura Sullivan at lsullivan@stalbert.org.

Bambinelli Sunday

St. John Paul II began a tradition early on in his papacy where he invited the children of Rome to bring their little statue of the baby Jesus that would be placed in their Nativity set at home. John Paul II blessed the figurines of those present and told them to pray before their manger scene with their family at home in a spirit of prayer. Children can also wrap their Bambinelli in paper, place it under their Christmas tree, and open it as the first gift on Christmas morning. All children and teens are invited to bring their baby Jesus to Mass on December 9th & 10th for this special blessing and tradition.

Holiday Office Schedule 

Advent is a busy time, with staff working extra hours to prepare for the celebration of The Nativity of the Lord. The parish office will be closed for the Christmas holiday beginning Monday, December 25th through Monday, January 1st so parish staff can spend time with their families. Call 425-3940 ext. 106 for sacramental emergencies.

St. Albert the Great School and school office will be closed Monday, December 19th through Tuesday, January 2nd.

Baptism

Congratulations to the following families who were baptized on December 3rd! Everett Leland & Lena Katherine, children of Thomas & Nicole Carver; Levi Joseph, son of Frank & Laura Durso; Savannah Lynn, daughter of Joshua & Natalie Greer; Xavier Gregory, son of Josh & Jessica O'Bryan; Claire Elaine, daughter of Blake & Kary Scinta; Caroline Marie, Avery Catherine, Lila Grace, children of Evan & Lauren Rhea. 

Our next Baptism will be held on Sunday, January 21st at 10:30am Mass, with the Parent Preparation class on Thursday, January 18th from 6:30-8:00pm in church. If you are interested in having your child baptized, please contact Sr. Sarah Yungwirth at 425-3940 ext. 109 or syungwirth@stalbert.org.

Children's Ministy

PREP will NOT meet for class on Sunday, December 24th and Sunday, December 31st.

 
There will be NO Children's Liturgy on Sunday, December 24th and Sunday, December 31st.

Adult Christian Enrichment

Sessions on ZOOM Thursdays 7:00 - 8:30 pm OR Fridays 10:00 - 11:30 am

CLASS RESUMES JANUARY 2024!  

• Jan 4 -5: The 1963 Constitution on Sacred Liturgy (vision yet to be fully realized)

• Jan 11-12:  Papal Document: “Laudato deum” 

• Jan 18 -19:  Lautato deum response

• Jan 25 -26:  Importance of Papal documents  

The Environmental Concerns Committee 

Hi! I’m Environmental Ernie, the newest member of the St. Albert Environmental Concerns Committee. 

Have you bought new string lights for the holidays, and don’t know what to do with the tangled-up old strings you have? 

After bringing your family holiday cheer your Christmas lights deserve better than the dump! Holiday light strings contain materials which sit in a landfill for years, but can be recycled into construction materials, car batteries, electronics, jewelry, and more. 

We will be collecting old and/or broken Christmas light strings on the weekends of December 9th /10th and 16th /17th . We will also collect them on the weekends of January 6th /7th and 13th /14th. No need to remove the bulbs. Just look for the marked boxes in the entry way to church. We’ll take it from there and ensure that those old lights get recycled. Thanks! 

Saint Vincent de Paul

In today’s Gospel John the Baptist urges us to “Prepare the way of the Lord.” We are called to help prepare the way of the Lord by making the real meaning of Christmas come alive in our own hearts, in our family and to reach out to those in need.

Is there a family you know who needs assistance? Please call the Society of St. Vincent de Paul so that together we can help the suffering and poor to celebrate Christmas.

Seasonal Flower Ministry

Thank you to everyone who brightened the day for one of our ill, homebound or bereaved!

Markey's Group

The next gathering of Markey’s Group will take place on Tuesday, December, 12th at 11:30am at Selena's at Willow Lake Tavern, 10609 La Grange Rd. (Note: we are meeting for lunch) Markey’s Group is composed of individuals who have experienced the death of a spouse. We gather monthly for good food and lively conversation. There is no need to make a reservation.

NAMI Family Support Group

The group provides a safe space for family and friends of people with mental health conditions to receive knowledge, encouragement and support. The next meeting will be held on Sunday, December 17th at 7:00pm (PLC). Please share with friends and family outside the parish. Contact gllm3112@gmail.com or blair.mcbride.ky@gmail.com.

We thank you for your generous support of the parish­ — through your prayers at Mass, volunteering with a ministry and making a regular contribution to the weekly collection. Keep doing what you’re doing! 

No gift to the Lord is too small. That’s true whether through volunteering your time or monetary giving! 

Online Giving 

Please visit our Online Giving Portal at www.stalbert.org/giving to easily make donations to your St. Albert Community. 

It Makes Giving Easy

eGiving makes it simple for you to give exactly how and when you want. You can make a one-time donation or set up recurring gifts right from your computer, tablet or phone.

It’s Safe and Secure

You never need to worry about your donation making it into our account. Gifts made via eGiving are directly sent to our church’s bank account. Our payment solutions provider ensures your personal information remains secure. 

Cash & Check

Gifts of Treasure are always accepted via cash and check. You can place your gifts into the collection basket at Mass, drop them off at the Parish Office, or mail them to St. Albert the Great at 1395 Girard Drive, Louisville, KY 40222. All checks dated through December 31, 2023 will be applied to your 2023 tax statement.