Outreach-Service-Evangelization News
Rice Bowl Collection at Holy Thursday Liturgy
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. As we walk with Jesus, we remember the countless women, children, and men who carry heavy crosses even today: crosses of hunger, of vulnerability to climate change, or of a lack of resources. How—like Simon of Cyrene—can you help to carry the crosses of our sisters and brothers in our local community and around the world?
One way is to make a donation to the annual Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl campaign.
Remember to bring your CRS Rice Bowl (cash or check) to our 6pm Holy Thursday liturgy at St. Leonard.
Baskets will be at the front of the altar for all to bring forward their offering of alms to the poor and show our solidarity with our brothers and sisters—both here at home and around the world.
Watch this video to learn how local dioceses use 25% of the annual Rice Bowl collection to serve our nearby neighbors.
CLOUT Nehemiah Assembly Outcomes
The final numbers are still being tallied, but hundreds of concerned citizens of Louisville showed up last Monday night at Male High School to advocate for justice for all people in our city. Here's a summary of some of the successes from the evening:
Commitments from local leaders to make the "aging in place" Freedom Villages open to all elderly regardless of income
Agreement by the mayor to move forward with the gun violence reduction alliance recommendations for research and response to the gap analysis
Commitment to expand the 911 call referral to mental health professionals when policing is not needed
And a statement acknowledging the harm done to citizens by the Louisville Metro Police Department and an historic apology by both the mayor and interim chief of police. See the full statement in the video that is linked in the attached news article.
The one disappointment of the evening was the absence of the JCPS Superintendent. Dr. Marty Pollio had committed to attend, but at the last minute cancelled. CLOUT will continue to work with JCPS to ensure that all students have access to high quality reading and literacy programs.
Sewing with Spirit
When we started our St. Frances of Rome/St. Leonard ministry of sewing bibs and burp cloths for Little Way Pregnancy Center and Lifehouse in early November last year, we decided to shoot for the moon and make 500 of each by June 30. With a group of about 18 enthusiastic sewists from both parishes, we have already distributed 562 burp cloths, 511 bibs, 10 baby sleepers and 22 carry bags, requiring over 90 yards of fabric. We have members who meet on Tuesday evenings to sew as a group and several members who sew at home. All materials are provided.
What’s next for this group? We will continue sewing baby items but have started making memory quilts for Nazareth Home. See the photos for samples of our results. Join us in supporting two very worthwhile causes while sharing your talent or developing a new one. We would love to have you and can teach you to sew! Call the Parish Office for more info.
Quote from the Little Way Team: “The bibs and cloths you’ve made with such love and care are a gift for our mothers and babies and help our mission to show God’s love to our families in a tangible way.”
Meals for Our UCHM Neighbors
Label for March 2023 UCHM Meals
An ambitious group of volunteers gathers each month to prepare and package delectable home-cooked meals for our neighbors who are served by United Crescent Hill Ministries. Parishioners donate select ingredients needed to prepare the dinners, such as cheese, green beans, tomato sauce, etc. Once cooked and cooled, the dinners are frozen and delivered to UCHM for distribution. Over 500 meals have been delivered since the ministry began in June last year!
As the number of people needing assistance from UCHM grows, including people experiencing homelessness and those who have recently migrated to Louisville, this ministry helps meet that need. Watch the newsletter/bulletin for future opportunities to help!
DEADLINE: April 3 for next Soup Subscriptions
We need at least ten subscriptions to maintain our status as a soup pick up site. Please make sure you sign up for the next soup subscription before April 3.
UCHM Needs This Week
Do you remember the spring and summer of 2020 when it was difficult to find toilet paper on the grocery store shelves? How did you feel when your family was down to its last few rolls of TP?
Stores have plenty of toilet paper in stock now, but some families don't have the financial resources to buy it. You can help by bringing in a package or two this weekend to donate to United Crescent Hill Ministries. Let's make sure our neighbors have all of the things they need to live a dignified life.
St. Vincent de Paul Inspiration
The Gospel today challenges us to see and believe the signs of grace in our lives: joy, peace, forgiveness, mercy, and kindness.
Your generous gifts help the Society of St. Vincent de Paul bring the love and mercy of Jesus to those who feel abandoned and without hope. Thank You!
Contact Us
Saint Frances of Rome
(502) 896-8401
Office open to the public by appointment from 9am to 1pm, Monday through Friday.
Saint Leonard
(502) 897-2595
Office open to the public by appointment from 9am to 1pm Monday through Thursday and 9am to noon on Friday.