St Albert Pictorial Directory

Feb. 13-15; Feb. 17-19; Feb. 27-March 1, 2025
Sign Up Now! Dates & Times are filling quickly!

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. 

Parish Survey Results

Dear Parishioners of St. Albert, 

As you know, we will be celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the completion of the church in October 2025. This milestone is an opportunity to evaluate whether improvements or repairs are needed to keep our worship space looking its best and functioning properly. In December, I commissioned a parish survey to determine the priorities of the congregation in this matter. The results of the pew refinishing, skylight windows, and baptismal font survey questions are below. To see the results of all of the questions, including the demographic answers, use the link provided in the Parish Post.

Also included in the survey, was a section for comments. Two themes repeatedly expressed, were moving the Crucifix to a central location behind the altar and improving acoustics. We will continue to keep the parish informed as we explore ideas to address these suggestions. 

I am extremely grateful to you for contributing your valuable time, your honest information, and your thoughtful suggestions. I want to assure you that your input is being put to good use as we strive to best care for our beautiful church, the center of our faith community.

In Christ,
Fr. Chris Lubecke

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.

Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

The Weekend of February 1st & 2nd – Bring Candles!

Next Sunday is the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. It is a day to celebrate a joyful event told in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke. When Jesus was 40 days old, Mary and Joseph brought him to the Temple in Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. In the Temple Jesus was recognized by Anna and Simeon, two elderly people of great holiness. They were filled with joy. Simeon took Jesus in his arms and spoke a beautiful prayer. He called Jesus “a light to the nations.” The light of Jesus’ presence in the world has been celebrated on this day for many centuries. The feast is also called “Candlemas” – the traditional day for blessing of candles. It is a feast of lights – a reminder that we can carry the light of Christ to every corner of the world.

All are welcome to bring candles from home to be blessed next weekend, February 1st & 2nd. This is a good opportunity to think about creating a prayer corner in your home and including a blessed candle. We will also have prayer candles available at church.

In addition to our regular weekend Masses, we will have an evening Mass on February 2nd at 5 p.m. This will be a candlelit Mass and will include a procession with candles.

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.

Men's Retreat with Fr. Schultz

DeSales High School will host its seventh annual men’s retreat “Encountering Christ in the Eucharist,” from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 8th. Fr. Schultz will lead the retreat. It will include small group discussions, an opportunity for confession and Mass. All men in the community are invited. The retreat is free. To register, contact Lori Dobson at 883-2436.

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.

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! 

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!

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 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!