PARISH POST

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

November 13-19, 2025

PARISH NEWS

Via Muddica

Essays on the Sacred, the Scriptural, and the Sacramental by Flynn Mudd

Discover the fascinating life of St. Albert the Great, a brilliant Dominican friar who bridged the worlds of faith and science, championing the use of reason and observation as pathways to understanding God’s truth. This essay, written by Flynn Mudd, our Director of Religious Education, reveals how Albert’s legacy as a scholar, teacher, and saint shows that learning itself can be a form of prayer—uniting science, philosophy, and faith in the pursuit of divine wisdom.

Read Essay on St Albert the Great

“Science can purify religion from error and superstition; religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes.” - St. Albert the Great

While St. Thomas Aquinas might be the most famous Saint from the Dominican Order (AKA Order of Preachers), there is one who closely rivals his work and contribution to the Catholic Church: this is none other than our beloved patron, St. Albert the Great.

Born around 1200 in the town of Laurien in the modern state of Bavaria, Germany, Albert grew up in a noble and rich family. Having received an excellent education at the University of Padua in Italy, St. Albert the Great gave up the promising riches and successes he could have had, trading it all for the habit of the Dominican Friar. This newly established order focused heavily on preaching the word of God, studying and teaching the Catholic Faith, and combating heresies that were becoming more prevalent in Europe.

At this time in history, religious orders that followed the mendicant lifestyle (those who own no property and live in poverty) were just on the horizon, and were looked upon with great suspicion and even trepidation. Albert’s family was no exception to this but inevitably relented to Albert’s determination to join the order.

Having been received into the order, Albert continued his education at the Universities of Regensburg, Cologne, and eventually at Paris. At the time, The University of Paris was quite prestigious, the equivalent to the modern day Harvard or Oxford. It was in these places that he studied the subjects of philosophy, theology, logic, natural philosophy, and metaphysics (a branch of philosophy that deals primarily with first principles of things). It was at Paris that Albert had the pleasure of teaching St. Thomas Aquinas, who because of Albert wrote many essays and treatises on Philosophy and Theology. Aquinas’ work on Philosophy and Theology can be attributed to what he had learned from Albert, particularly using the Greek philosophy of Aristotle to inform and provide ways to teach and explain the Catholic faith. Thomas Aquinas’ most famous work, Summa Theologiae (Summary of Theology), was written for Thomas’ own students as a quasi-journal and study guide on the principles of Aristotelian Philosophy and how those truths are compatible with the Catholic Faith in the light of reason. The Summa, and Thomas’ other works, could not have been written without the guidance of his friend and mentor Albert, who was the first in history to publish commentaries on all of the works of Aristotle they had at the time.

Albert was not only known for his encyclopedic knowledge on the subjects of Philosophy and Theology, but also for his knowledge and passion for the studies of the natural sciences. With the combination of love of faith and knowledge in all things for the glory of God, Albert was asked by his superiors to establish a house of studies for the order based on the University of Paris in 1248. It was during the subsequent years of the establishment of this school that Albert wrote treaties and essays regarding the subject of botany, mineralogy, astronomy, and chemistry. In regards to these fields of study, he advocated for direct observation and hands-on experimentation, a radical idea at the time. With his continued writing and teaching, Albert’s reputation for his love of God, the Dominican Order, and propagation of knowledge for the good of salvation and society would spread far and wide across Europe.

Among his many achievements, Albert was elected Superior Provincial of the Dominican Order, making him the leader of his province. He returned to Paris for a brief stint to defend the mendicant orders, promoting their existence in the life of the Church and in higher learning. He eventually becomes Bishop of Regensburg. He refused to travel by carriage and insisted on walking by foot, following the tradition of St. Dominic.

After his time as bishop was complete, Albert returned to Cologne to teach again. He died peacefully in his sleep on November 15th, 1280.

With all the many successes that Albert had accomplished his principal one was to be with the God who loved him. Albert gave himself to his Lord primarily by using his intellectual gifts for the fostering and educating the minds of his pupils in order to know the Lord better so as to enter into a deeper relationship with Him. For Albert, to learn, study, and teach became a prayer of praise and glorifying the one who is the Father of reason, faith, and the sciences. St. Albert is one who saw that these three subjects are not only harmonious with each other, but crucially, prove that God does indeed exist.

St. Albert the Great, pray for us!

In Christ,

Flynn Mudd

Project Runway Sanctuary Style! Help Us Update Our Vestments

Just how old are the vestments our priests and deacon wearing? Let’s put it this way — when they were new iPhones, YouTube, Facebook, Lululemon, Uber and Coldplay didn’t exist. What was in style? BlackBerry, Blockbuster, MySpace, Velour Tracksuits, & Justin Timberlake!

Our Mission & Goal:
After 25 years of faithful service, our vestments have seen better days — and a lot of incense! It’s time for a wardrobe refresh worthy of the celebration of the Mass.

This Giving Tuesday, help us raise $22,000 through #iGiveCatholic to outfit our priests and deacon with new vestments that reflect the reverence and beauty of our worship. Our goal is to purchase silk chasubles and dalmatics in green, white, red and purple with matching burse and veil. (Extra funds raised will go to matching altar cloth frontals, rose vestments, funeral vestments and altar server robes)

Because even in the sanctuary… God deserves the best look on the runway!

2025 Catholic Services Appeal: Giving Hope to All

To date, we have raised $95,798 — that’s 65% of our parish goal! Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to this year’s Catholic Services Appeal. Your generosity helps support more than 100 ministries, services, and programs throughout the Archdiocese of Louisville. Let’s keep the momentum going and reach our goal together! Every gift—large or small—makes a lasting impact. For information on the work of the Archdiocese of Louisville, visit www.ArchLou.org/CSA.

CSA Online Giving

WORSHIP

There will be no confessions heard on 10/15 after the 8:30 a.m. Mass. The Archdiocese will have the Gold Mass at St. Albert at 10a.m.

Thanksgiving Mass & Office Schedule

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

Office Hours: The parish office will be closed for Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, November 27th and Friday, November 28th. The school office will be closed the week of Thanksgiving, November 24-28th.

Feast of St. Albert the Great

Join us as we celebrate our parish patron, St. Albert the Great, a renowned scholar, teacher, and patron saint of scientists. His life reminds us that faith and reason work together to reveal the wonder of God’s creation.

We will celebrate his feast day at all weekend Masses on November 15–16. Hospitality will be offered after every Mass—please stop by for donuts and coffee, enjoy fellowship, and help us honor the legacy of St. Albert in our parish community.

St. Albert the Great, pray for us!

Campaign for Human Development Collection

On November 22-23, our parish will take up a collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. More than 37 million people in the United States live in poverty. This collection supports programs that empower people to identify and address the obstacles they face in bringing permanent and positive change to their communities. In addition, 25% of the donations stay here in the Archdiocese of Louisville to fund anti-poverty programs throughout our 24 counties. Learn more about the Catholic Campaign for Human Development at www.usccb.org/cchd.

FAITH FORMATION & EDUCATION

Join Us for the Men’s and Women’s Welcome Retreats!

Experience a weekend of faith, friendship, and renewal at St. Albert the Great.

Men’s Welcome Retreat: January 24–25, 2026
Women’s Welcome Retreat: February 28–March 1, 2026

Each retreat is designed specifically for men or women to connect, reflect, and grow in their faith alongside fellow parishioners. These weekends are a wonderful opportunity to step away from the busyness of life, spend time in prayer and reflection, and connect more deeply with others in our parish community. Both retreats are free and will take place on the St. Albert the Great campus.

To share your interest in attending, please complete the interest form.

Men's Retreat Interest Form

Women's Retreat Interest Form

Consecration to the Guardian Angels Program

Have you ever wondered about your Guardian Angel and the role he plays in your life? Our Guardian Angels play a vital role in assisting us to heaven and strengthening our relationship with God.

St. Albert the Great is pleased to offer a Consecration to the Guardian Angels Program. This year-long program will meet once a month to help deepen your awareness of your Guardian Angel’s presence.

An information session will be held on Thursday, November 20, from 10:30–11:30 AM in the St. Joseph Room. All who are interested are invited to attend and learn more. Holy Guardian Angels, pray for us!

St. Albert Book Club

December 4th | 10:00AM | SHC

The next meeting of the St Albert Book Club book will be on Thursday, December 4th at 10:00am in the Sacred Heart Center. We will be reading In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden. There is no cost to join and no pre-registration is required. Just read the book and show up!

Catholic Fundamentals Class

“Whether new to the Church or Catholic all your life, there’s always more to learn!”

Join us for Catholic Fundamentals—an engaging overview of what we believe and why we believe it. This formation series is perfect for newcomers and lifelong Catholics alike—especially if you’ve ever wondered, “Why do we do that?” or “Where does that belief come from?” No registration required—just come, learn, and deepen your understanding of the faith! We will meet every other week at 10:30a.m. & 6:30p.m. in the Parish Life Center.

Upcoming Topics

Nov 24th: Incarnation
Dec 15th: Life of Christ

PASTORAL CARE

Markey's Group

November 18th | 12:00pm | Joe's Older Than Dirt

The next gathering of Markey’s Group will take place on Tuesday, November 18th at 12:00pm. We will meet for LUNCH at Joe's Older Than Dirt located at 8131 New LaGrange Rd.

Markey’s Group provides an opportunity for those who have experienced the death of a spouse to meet socially for an outing of fun, conversation, and dining. New members are always welcome. If you plan to attend the lunch, call or text Rosemary Walsburger at (502) 552-7249 by Noon on Monday, November 17th. This will allow us to inform the restaurant of our anticipated number of spaces needed and insure timely seating.

SOCIAL CONCERNS

Check out the Social Concerns website for all the current information and happenings!
https://sites.google.com/stalbert.org/st-albert-social-concerns/home

Thanksgiving Baskets

Last Call!!!!

Loaves & Fishes is collecting food and cash donations for the annual EACM Thanksgiving Basket collection. Food donations should be dropped off by noon on Sunday, November 16th. In addition, we are collecting cash or $25 Kroger gift cards after Mass so families may purchase ham or turkey. With your generosity, we hope to provide 100 Thanksgiving baskets to families in our community who could use a little extra blessing this holiday season.

Food items Needed:

Instant Mashed Potatoes
Box stuffing
Canned Green Beans
Canned Corn
Canned Fruit
Cranberries
Cake & Frosting
Packaged or Canned Gravy (no jars please!)
Tea/Lemonade (boxed or powder only)

Red Cross Blood Drive

Sunday, November 16th | 8:00am - 1:00PM 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, November 16th from 8:00am until 1:00pm. 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. Vincent de Paul

SVDP Client Story: Single Dad with Diabetes

We provided rent assistance for a widower (his wife died 1 ½ years ago) with a 7-year-old son. The father is diabetic and has an insulin pump and monitor to manage his illness. About a month and half before our contact, the he had become violently ill vomiting so forcefully he ruptured his esophagus. In the ER he needed to be intubated and vented. When staff checked his vitals his glucose level was 1000! His pump and monitor were malfunctioning. As a result, he spent 45 days in the hospital. His parents cared for his son while he was in the hospital but his loss of income during that time put him badly behind on rent.

On November 29th & 30th, we will take up a collection for our St. Albert the Great SVDP Conference. Your generous support of our parish St. Vincent de Paul Society makes a direct and meaningful difference, as 100% of donations go straight to helping individuals and families in need and allow us to continue this vital ministry of compassion and hope.

Help the Homeless at St John Center & Sheehan Landing

Volunteers are needed at St John Center/ Day Center 7 Days Week 365 Days A Year!

Serve Coffee
Hand Out Towels Soap etc... for Hot Showers
Answer Phone, Sign In
Mail Room

Flexible And Fulfilling, Inside Comfort. Contact Gary Lange of St Albert for details 502 551-3413 text / call with message

PARISH LIFE

Scouting for Food

Every year Scouts from all over the country participate in this project to feed the hungry. This year on Saturday, November 15th, St. Albert the Great BSA Scouts will be collecting bags of food from our North Lyndon & Graymoor-Devondale community. So, if you see our Scouts walking around your neighborhood drive slowly and support them as they fight food insecurity in our local community!

TITHES & OFFERINGS

WEEK ENDING November 9:

Cash & Check: $20,835.00

Online Giving: $24,562.83

Total Rcvd as of November 10th for FY 2025-26: $681,965.03

Needed Budget as of November 10th for FY 2025-26: $619,544.40

Total Over/Under Budget: $62,420.63

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?

Use Online Giving (scan the featured QR code, visit www.stalbert.org, or download the Give+App--available free in Apple and Android app stores).
Text 877-254-4667 your gift amount and follow the prompts. Click here for more information about Text-to-Give.
Mail gifts of treasure to the Parish Office. Our mailing address is 1395 Girard Drive, Louisville, KY 40222.
Drop off donations to the Parish Office or leave securely in the black security mailbox located on the brick wall to the immediate left of the Parish Office entrance doors.
Planned Giving: Visit https://stalbert.org/giving for more information.

Please call 425-3940 with any questions about giving.

STOCK DONATIONS

Another way you can give to the Parish this Christmas is through gifts of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. For more information about this type of donation please contact Larry Brunner at the parish office (lbrunner@stalbert.org).

Stock Donation Form

St. Albert the Great, Pray for Us.

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