St Albert Pictorial Directory

Feb. 13-15; Feb. 17-19; Feb. 27-March 1, 2025

A pictorial directory is a powerful tool in our church to help each of us know each other better. Our last directory is now out-dated and it is time for a new one. We want everyone to get a new picture made so that our new directory will be complete. IT WON’T BE COMPLETE WITHOUT YOU! Your participation will help the church and yourself. Every member or family photographed for the directory will receive a copy of the directory and an 8x10 portrait at no cost. Sign up for your session here! Photo dates are: Feb. 13-15; Feb. 17-19; Feb. 27 - March 1, 2025. You will have a professional photography session, see your proofs, and have the opportunity to purchase extra portraits for family and friends. 

Purple Mass

Monday, February 3rd | 7:00PM

A Community wide “Purple Mass” for those who have lost a loved one to Substance Abuse or Overdose will be held on Monday, February 3rd at 7:00 p.m. at St. Albert the Great. Archbishop Shelton Fabre will be the Celebrant. All faiths are welcome! Join us for a night of peace and healing.

St. Blasé 

Monday, February 3 | After 8:30am Mass

We will have the blessing of throats after the 8:30 a.m. Mass on February 3rd. Legend has it that St. Blasé saved the life of a boy who was choking on a fish bone. He is considered the patron saint of all who have disease of the throat.

Why are the Christmas decorations still up in church?

This year we are keeping most of the Christmas decorations up in Church until Sunday February 2nd. On that day, we will celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, when the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph presented their firstborn Son in the Temple in accordance with the law. February 2nd is 40 days after Christmas and in many households and countries, the Santa decorations have been put away, but the sacred images and lights of the season remain through this day.

We have recently begun the Jubilee Year of Hope. Leaving some of the Christmas décor out helps to remind us of the great faith we have in Jesus our Savior who was born into this world with the explicit goal of redeeming us. As verse 6 from the hymn, Immaculate Mary reminds us “Your child is the Savior, all hope lies in him: He gives us new life and redeems us from sin.”

Baptism 

Does your child need the Sacrament of Baptism?  Our upcoming Baptism Services are scheduled for Sunday, April 27th at noon, with Parent Preparation Class on Tuesday, April 8th at 6:30pm in church. Contact Sr. Sarah Yungwirth at 425-3940 or syungwirth@stalbert.org.

Environmental Concerns Committee

Holiday Recycling Results

I hope the holidays were good for you and your family! Thank you to everyone who helped the earth this Christmas season by recycling, both at home and here at St. Albert. 

• We collected 12 big leaf bags (2/3rds full) of Christmas lights and various other cords (2 more than last year). 

• We also collected 84 pieces of Styrofoam, in various sizes and shapes. 

Every little bit helps to not only put resources back into circulation, but also to prevent those resources from being lost in a landfill. I hope everyone will continue to keep our home, the earth, in mind as we enter into 2025 and do all you can to preserve and protect our endangered environment. Remember, you do make a difference, please make it a positive one! Thanks. 

For more recycling tips go to the St. Albert Environmental Concerns Website at https://sites.google.com/stalbert.org/enviro-ernie-news/home

Saint Vincent de Paul 

In the Gospel this weekend, at the wedding feast in Cana, Jesus reveals himself to his disciples and they began to believe in him. Everyday, God also gives us signs of his love and so we also can respond in faith and trust.

Your gift to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul becomes a sign of God’s love to those who are suffering and you give them reason to believe and to trust.

The St. Vincent de Paul Conference at St. Albert is seeking someone to assist us with the taxfiling process. Specifically, we are looking for an individual with experience e-filing the 990EZ, the tax document required for our size nonprofit. We would like to find someone and start this process as soon as possible. Interested individuals can contact LuAnn West at lwysewest@outlook.com or 920-539-2209. If you don’t have this experience but know ofsomeone with that expertise you can give us the contact information for that individual, and we will happily make the contact. We would appreciate any assistance.

Loaves & Fishes

February 1st & 2nd

Our next Loaves & Fishes Collection will benefit the Schuhmann Center. Canned foods: Meats, poultry, tuna, soups, stews, chili, fruits, vegetables, beans. Dried goods: pancake mix, tea bags, rice, packaged pasta, granola, cereal, granola bars, packaged crackers. In addition to non-perishable food items they are always in need of personal care items, paper towels & toilet paper, and cleaning supplies.

Red Cross Blood Drive

Sunday, February 2nd 

8:00am - 12:30PM in the PLC

You have the power to save a life in your hands and "pay forward" your gratitude for good health! 

The Social Concerns Team and the St. Albert school children are sponsoring our quarterly Red Cross blood drive in the Parish Life Complex on Sunday, February 2nd from 8:00am until 12:30pm. Appointments are recommended but not required. For appointments, please call Mary Jo Bird at (502) 552-2093 or email kybirdsnest@aol.com. Appointments can also be made directly with the Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS or online at www.Redcrossblood.org. Donors who register are also encouraged to fill out the “Rapid Pass” online within 24 hours of their donation to expedite the donation process.

St. John Center

Freezing Cold Nights Ahead! 

The St. John Center for Homeless Men is in desperate need of knit caps, gloves, hand warmers, white socks, underwear boxers (M L XL) and blankets. Used items in clean/good condition are accepted. Thank you for your continued support!

Markey's Group

The next gathering of Markey’s Group will take place on Tuesday, January, 21st at 11:30am at Cunningham's, 6301 River Rd, Prospect (Note: we are meeting for lunch) 

Markey’s Group invites anyone who has experienced the loss of a spouse to join us for socializing and the enjoyment of a good meal. If you have been unable to attend in the evening but are available during the day, this would be a great time to check us out. If you plan to attend the lunch on November 19th, please contact Mike Ahrens at (502) 836-7847 by Noon on Monday January 20th to reserve a spot.

Nourish for Caregivers

Virtually every one of us will care for a loved one at some time in our life. Though rewarding, it’s not always easy. Nourish for Caregivers is for anyone juggling the challenges of everyday life, health, career and caring for an aging parent, spouse or grandparent, in town or at a distance. Nourish provides caregivers a faith perspective, as well as practical and emotional supports, useful tools, and shared experience. Discover the blessings that come from caring for another. Be nourished.

This group will meet on the second Wednesday of the month from 7 – 8:00 p.m. If you want to join in person we will be at St. Margaret Mary in the Spirituality Center. If you are unable to join in person, you can participate by Zoom. Please register by emailing Denise Ruiz at druiz@stmm.org, to receive the Zoom link or call at 690-2834 for more information.

Walking Through Grief

Walking Through Grief is a ten-week support group for people grieving the death of someone close.  The series offers hope and help while providing information and practical tools to those navigating the grief journey.

Hybrid: In-Person & Zoom

Date & Time: January 26 – March 30

Sundays 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. (you are invited to attend noon Mass beforehand)

Location: St. Margaret Mary, Sacred Heart Spirituality Center

Free and open to everyone!

Contact:  Denise Ruiz at 426-1588 ext. 126 or druiz@stmm.org

DivorceCare

DivorceCare is a weekly seminar/support group that helps divorced or separated people heal from the hurt.  It provides a warm, caring, and confidential environment in which participants can learn practical information and gain hope for the future. 

 Date & Time: January 28 – April 29, Tuesdays 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Location: St. Margaret Mary, Spirituality Center & Zoom

Donation:  Free and encouraged to purchase workbook from www. DivorceCare.org

Contact:  Denise Ruiz, 426-1588 ext. 126 or druiz@stmm.org

Viking Gala 2025: Gold & Glam

Presented by Fun Masters!

The Viking Gala is now SOLD OUT! But there are still ways to get involved and help!

Win a Trip for Two to Costa Rica!

The 2025 Gala Trip Raffle presented by Kaiman & Crahan is a 5-day trip for two to Costa Rica including airfare! There are less than 350 raffle tickets available at VikingGala.org! Tickets are $50 each and only 400 will be sold! Spread the word to your friends and family! The winner will be drawn at the Gala, and you do not need to be present to win! Charitable Gaming License #0407

2025 Fund a Need Project

This year’s Gala Fund A Need is presented by Stealth Field Hockey! The project is installing security laminate to doors and priority windows (as determined by law enforcement professionals) both outside and inside our school and church. The laminate is designed to prevent unwelcome entry. It helps keep glass firmly in its frame, delaying intruders and allowing time for police to reach the campus. Learn more and donate online to this effort at VikingGala.org.

Seeking Matching Gift Sponsors

We are seeking matching sponsors for the Fund a Need project. If you are passionate about this project and would like more information, please email gala@stalbert.org or call Julie Kruer at 502-544-4970. 

We Need Event-Day Volunteers!

It takes many hands to create a fun and successful fundraising event for 500 guests! Please consider signing up for a volunteer shift on the day of the event. Must be comfortable using an iPad/iPhone. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0449A8AA2DA1F49-53920915-2025#/ 

It’s not too late to donate bourbon and auction items! Donate bourbon to the Pet Station Country Club Bourbon Pull by emailing gala@stalbert.org or donate fabulous items to our auctions. Email questions to Julie Kruer and Allison Gotting at gala@stalbert.org!

Safe Environment Training Dates

All volunteers who have contact with youth (18 and under) and vulnerable adults for ANY length of time are required to complete an Archdiocesan approved background check and attend an IN PERSON training provided through the Archdiocese.

January 21, 2025, 6:30pm @ St. Agnes, Parish Center

January 27, 2025, 6:30pm @ St. Margaret Mary, Hospitality Room

Gasper River Camp

Looking for a fun and adventurous camp for your child this summer?

Gasper River is a summer camp and retreat center located in Bowling Green, KY that seeks to engage young people in their faith by providing challenging activities, building faith, communities, and teaching the tools of evangelization, so they can share their faith when they return home. All camps combine adventure activities, small group discussions, prayer experiences, and sacraments for a fun and faith-centered experience.

We will have a representative here from Gasper River at all Masses the weekend of Feb 8th/9th to tell us more about this amazing opportunity for the youth in our parish and school.  Come on out and learn more about Gasper!