PARISH POST

our mission: TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO LOVE, SERVE, AND KNOW GOD AND ONE ANOTHER.

November 23 - 29, 2023

O LORD our GOD, who supplies us with countless blessings, lift up our hearts in gratitude and thanksgiving. Help us to remember the gifts we seldom notice, the abundance we take for granted, the rich possibilities you provide. For our daily bread, for water that is pure, for houses to live in and friends to enjoy, we give you humble thanks. For beauty and fruitfulness, for healing and hope, for the comfort of your presence, we lift our voices in joyful praise now and always. Amen.

WORSHIP

The daily Mass on Thanksgiving will be at 9:00am. 

Sundays of Advent

DECEMBER 3RD, 10TH, 17TH, 24TH

“Advent has a two-fold character, for it is a time of preparation for the Solemnities of Christmas, in which the First Coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered, and likewise a time when, by remembrance of this, minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. For these two reasons Advent is a period of devout and expectant delight.” (Universal Norms for the Liturgical Year)

Advent Schedule

Eucharistic Adoration:

Eucharistic Adoration takes place every Wednesday from 1p.m.- 4 p.m. in the church.

Come spend some quiet time before our Lord to grow closer to him. Things to do during Adoration: sit quietly and just be in the presence of God, pray the rosary, meditate using Holy Scripture, read some Advent reflections.


Confessions

“Part of waiting for the Lord’s coming includes being ready. Sin and injustice weaken our readiness. They rob us of joy. Advent seeks to restore this joy by our acts of repentance. Part of our preparation is the honest acknowledgment of all that is unloving, unfaithful, and unjust in our lives.” (Companion to the Calendar, LTP publ.)

Saturday, December 9th, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.

Thursday, December 14th, 6:30p.m.


Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Friday, December 8th

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.


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.


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.


Gaudete Sunday – December 17th

The third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete, or “rejoicing” Sunday. It is called this because of the first Latin word of the entrance antiphon (a sentence or two most often from the scriptures that can be sung at the beginning of Mass). The antiphon for the third Sunday of Advent is Philippians 4:4-3 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed the Lord is near.” The altars may be decorated with flowers and the priest may wear rose colored vestments instead of purple. We also light the rose colored candle in the Advent wreath signifying the anticipated joy of the birth of Christ.


4th Sunday of Advent – December 23rd & 24th

The fourth Sunday of Advent falls on Christmas Eve this year. 

The Mass schedule will be as follows:

Saturday, December 23rd, 5:00pm

Sunday, December 24th, 10:30am

* there will be NO 8:00am Mass on Sunday morning

Live Streaming Teams

We are in need of more people to help with our Livestreaming which takes place at the 5:00p.m. Saturday evening Mass. Please contact Laura Sullivan, lsullivan@stalbert.org if interested.

Holiday Schedules

Holiday Office Schedule 

The parish office will be closed for Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday November 23rd and Friday November 24th. The school office will be closed the week of Thanksgiving November 20-24th. Happy Thankgiving!

Holiday Schedule for Weekly Bulletin and Parish Post

It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is just around the corner! With shortened weeks and office closures we have to make special arrangements for the printing and delivery of the bulletin. If you need to include your message in the Weekly Bulletin and Parish Post please make note of the following deadlines:

Announcements for the weekends of: 

December 16-17 & 23-25 must be received by Sunday, December 10.

Dec 30-Jan 1 & January 6-7 must be received by Sunday, December 17.

*Email blasts will not be sent for individual announcements that miss the deadlines.

CATHOLIC SERVICE APPEAL

Do This in Memory of Me

Thank you for your generous donations! Currently we have raised $102,849 or 75% towards our goal through the support of 187 households. Please consider a making donation to the CSA. Whether responding to human needs, promoting vocations, providing ministry training, evangelizing, or assisting parishes, archdiocesan ministries and services reach beyond the ability of our parish or any other parish to do this work alone. Make sure to list your parish as St. Albert the Great (044) !

LIFELONG FORMATION & EDUCATION

Baptism

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.

PREP

PREP will NOT meet on Sunday, November 26th.  Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday with your families!  We will resume classes on December 3rd.

SOCIAL CONCERNS

The Christmas Giving Tree

Please visit the Social Concerns Christmas Giving Trees in the back of church. The trees are filled with over 490 ornaments representing six different organizations:

The Giving Tree works much the same as an angel tree. The ornaments indicate information about the recipient and gift suggestions. Please take an ornament or a few ornaments off the trees. Some ornaments have multiple gift suggestions. It is not required to get all items listed on the ornament. Please follow the directions on the back of the ornament for returning the gift. All gifts should be returned by noon on Sunday, December 3.

In addition to the ornaments on the tree, an Amazon wish list has been set up with a few items for Central State and St. John Day Center. When purchasing from the wish list, please select Linda Blackman's Gift Registry Address to ship the items directly to our Giving Tree committee or you may have them delivered to your home and then bring to the church gathering space by December 3 at noon. Please complete wish list shopping by December 1. 

The St. Albert Giving Tree Wish List can be found at:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1VVPCY83M32UL?ref_=wl_share

SORTING ASSISTANCE: The Social Concerns committee could use your assistance in helping sort the gifts returned for the Giving Tree. Sorting will occur following the 10:30am Mass on Sunday 11/26 and the 10:30am Mass on Sunday 12/3. To sign up to help with sorting, please use the Sign Up Genius or text Linda Blackman at 502-974-5371 with your name and the date you can assist. 

Thank you for your generosity. If you have any questions, please contact Linda Blackman at givingtree@stalbert.org or 502-974-5371.

PASTORAL CARE

Pastoral Care Seasonal Flower Ministry

Weekend of December 2nd & 3rd

Let our parishioners know you care by bringing a flower to one of our ill, homebound or bereaved. Just choose a flower with name and card attached provided by your Pastoral Care Team and deliver. It’s that easy!

Thanks for spreading the love!

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.

COMMUNITY

Men's Fellowship

Looking for brotherhood and a strong sense of community? The St. Albert Men's Fellowship is just for you! The idea for the fellowship came about in 2022, when several parishioners began to get together informally to share ideas, opportunities and to sharpen one another in different ways. Over the year, the group has grown, and we're excited to formalize our gatherings at St. Albert, inviting all our parish brothers to come meet other like-minded men interested in forming strong friendships, deepening their faith, and participating in service. "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 17:17 

Join the Fellowship on Thursday, November 30th at 7:30pm in the Cafeteria for pizza, drinks, and some NFL (Seahawks vs. Cowboys) on the TV! The group will be providing an update on initial plans & brainstorming ideas to get involved in parish life. 

If interested in attending, please click the link to fill out the form https://share.hsforms.com/1UGo6tc_4TNCgtkg4NjwcVgpyaxe and tell us more about yourself. If you have any questions, please contact Nick Norcia at NLNorcia@gmail.com.

St. Al's Aces Christmas Luncheon

Friday, December 8th   |  10:45-1:30pm
Big Spring Country Club

Seasons Eatings! Come to eat, drink and be merry with us at our annual Christmas Luncheon. The magic of Christmas never ends when you’re in the company of your beloved friends.

Santa’s Elves have been busy and Santa is checking his list to make sure you mail back your reservations before December 4 to:  Pat 0’Bryant, 8610 Glenfield Way, Louisville, KY 40241.  In the spirit of the season, we’ll accept the usual late reservations. 

IF YOU NEED A RIDE TO THE EVENT, PLEASE CONTACT ROBERT ENGLERT AT 641-2036.  We want everyone to come and share fun and fellowship, good food, cash bar, SWEET HARMONY SINGERS, drawings and lots of presents.

Sprouts

Sunday, December 10th   |  11:30am

Sprouts will host brunch with St. Nicholas on Sunday, December 10th following 10:30am Mass in Visitation Hall! RSVP at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C4FA9AD2B0-46244661-brunch 

Sprouts Ministry is dedicated to “Growing Disciples” by connecting families with young children Preschool through age 7 through dynamic and fun-filled activities.

GAP Volleyball

Our Friday Night Adult Volleyball League has started. We have 12 teams again this year that will play every Friday Night through February. Games start at 6:00pm and go to 10:30pm. Come watch some good, competitive volleyball, have a drink and socialize with your fellow parish and school families.

SCHOOL

Safe Environment Training

The Archdiocese of Louisville is committed to ensuring that children and youth who worship, study or participate in church-sponsored activities can do so in the safest and most secure setting possible. In an effort to fulfill this commitment, all employees or volunteers who have contact with children or youth (18 and under) for ANY length of time are required to participate in one of the 2-hour Safe Environment Training Workshops. No registration is necessary. Sign-in sheets will be available at the workshops.

Upcoming classes:

11/27/23, 6:30 p.m., St. Margaret Mary, 7813 Shelbyville Road, Hospitality Room

The Archdiocese is now requiring a refresher course for anyone that has a certificate of completion over five years. To take the online refresher course go to https://louisville.cmgconnect.org/ and create a new account. You can access a completion certificate after you finish the training.

TITHES & OFFERINGS 

WEEK ENDING November 19:

Cash & Check: $

Online Giving: $

Total Rcvd as of November 20th for FY 2023-24: $

Needed Budget as of November 20th for FY 2023-24: $

Total Over/Under Budget: $

Numbers are not available due to the holiday schedule.

Thank you to all who have blessed St. Albert the Great with gifts of treasure! It is through your generosity that our parish is able to meet our financial obligations and continue God's work of supporting and serving our community and those in need.

HOW CAN I GIVE TO ST. ALBERT?

Please call 425-3940 with any questions about giving.  

STOCK DONATIONS

Another way you can give to the Parish is through gifts of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Please contact lbrunner@stalbert.org for more information about this type of donation.

St. Albert the Great, Pray for Us.