by Fr. Bernard Timothy, O.P.

There is a saying that every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. The Gospel reading this Sunday (Mt 21:28-32) speaks to us of this reality. A saint, quite simply, is someone who does the Father’s will; someone who has conformed his or her will to the will of the Father. A saintly life is a life of union with the Father.  A sinner, on the other hand, is someone who does his own will, rejecting and ignoring the will of the Father, and hardening his heart.

Getting to sainthood is a lifelong process and the goal of each one of us. It is a process that starts with our response to the Father’s invitation: “Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.” God has a mission for everyone to “work in the vineyard.”  Our answer will set us either on the path to sainthood or to the life of a sinner. If we say “yes”, then we are on the right path. If we say “no”…well, that is essentially the same word that Lucifer and the fallen angels said to God: “I will not serve!”

As the Gospel tells us though, this is only the beginning, as the two sons in the story end up doing completely the opposite of what they initially say. It tells us of our tendency to be inconsistent in what we say and do. Sometimes we say no to God’s invitation, but we end up doing it, and sometimes we say yes, but never actually do it. As important as our initial response is to God for setting us on the right course, it is still not enough. Our “yes” to God carries with it the responsibility of carrying out the work.

For most of us, the story of our lives is like the story of the two sons who waver between yes and no. But God understands that our inconsistencies are part of the process to holiness. He knows that it takes some time before we can get our act together and get it right. This is why he is patient with us. We do not become a saint in a day nor do we become hardened in our sins in one day. Holiness is a gradual process that involves a lot of correction and repentance; thus, every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.

Sunday, October 1
10:15 am Adult Faith Formation

Monday,  October 2
after 12pm Mass Marian Movement of Priests

Tuesday, October 3
7:00 pm Bible Study - Acts

Wednesday,  October 4
12:30 pm  Adoration until  7 pm
7:00 pm Young Adults

Thursday, October 5
10:00 am Bible Study - Acts

Friday, October 6
after 12 pm Mass First Friday Devotions

Saturday,  October 7
11:00 am  Holy Hour
4:15 pm Parish Anniversary Mass (Dinner follows, RSVP )
 
 

October
7  Parish Anniversary
18  “Violence in the Bible” with Fr. Alobaidi
19  Preaching in the Park
28  Belles & Beaus Trip to St. Catherine/ Springfield
29  All Saints Children’s Party
31  All Hallows’ Eve Prayer Service 

Security Reminder
Please keep a close eye on your personal belongings. If you notice any suspicious activity, please do not hesitate to report it to our police officer or one of the priests.

Sunday Adult Faith Formation
Sundays, 10:15 - 10:45 am
These sessions will run concurrently with youth sacrament classes. Family prayer, End of Life Topics, and the Beatitudes will be topics between now and December 10.

Parish Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, October 7; Mass at 4:15 pm, dinner to follow
RSVP to the office ASAP!

Rosary Sunday is October 8
The Rosary Altar Society will distribute blessed roses after Masses next Sunday.  The roses are blessed to give thanks to God, and to show devotion to the blessed Virgin Mary and her Rosary. These roses are blessed to be a source of pleasant fragrance, a lift to our spirits, and for the healing of the sick.

Church Cleaning
Thursday, October 12 after noon Mass
Volunteers are welcome every second Thursday.

“Violence in the Bible”
Wednesday, October 18 at 7 pm in O’Brien Hall
with Scripture scholar Fr. Joseph Alobaidi, OP
All are welcome to this talk sponsored by the Young Adult Group.

Preaching in the Park
Thursday, October 19; 5:30 pm (Rain date: Nov. 2)
Fr. Bartholomew will read the entire Gospel of Mark in Central Park. Meet at the stage. 

Belles & Beaus Bus Trip
Saturday, October 28; Depart at 12 pm, Return by 8 pm
Cost: $60 including transportation and dinner
Trip includes: tour of Dominican Sisters’ Motherhouse at St. Catherine, and Mass and turkey supper/festival at St. Rose in Springfield. All are welcome! Sign up by delivering or mailing a check payable to St. Louis Bertrand Church to the Parish Office.  Please put "BUS TRIP" on the outside of the envelope and on the memo line of the check, and include names and a contact telephone numbers for those attending. For more information, contact Deacon Bill Klump at 634-5559.

All Saints Party for Children
Sunday, October 29 after 9 & 10:30 am Masses
Please mark your calendar for this fun event. Children may wear their saint costumes to Mass.

All Hallows’ Eve Prayer Service
Tuesday, October 31; 7 pm
This service will include night prayer, the litany of the saints, readings from the works of saints about the Eucharist, and a homily. A reception will follow in O’Brien Hall.  All parishioners are invited to this event  sponsored by the Young Adult Group.

Knights of Columbus Coat Drive
now through November 5th
Please place new or very nice used coats of any size in the barrel in the church vestibule.  The coats will be distributed through Sitio Clothing Ministry.

Pray with Our Lady!
To host the statue and pray for vocations, please email cgraney@stlb.org, go to: www.stlb.org/traveling-madonna, or call Christina at 583-4448 x247.

Parish Council
You can contact the Parish Council at any time by emailing: ParishCouncil@stlb.org.

Visits to the Homebound
If you or a parishioner you know needs a visit from a priest, please call the parish office.  Providing the sacraments is what the friars do!

 

It is a holy and pious thought to pray for the dead.

Sunday,  October 1  26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
4:15 pm  Phillip Schuwey †
7:00 am  Richard Pluta †
9:00 am    Tiena Haag
10:30 am   Dominican Laity, Queen of Peace Chapter
12:00 pm  People of St. Louis Bertrand Parish
5:15 pm    Lindsay & Daniel Duncan & Family

Monday,  October 2
7:00 am   Martin Theo Dengler
12:00 noon Michael & Jacie Brengman

Tuesday,  October 3
7:00 am  Frank Worthy, Jr. †
12:00 noon John E. Zinner Sr. †

Wednesday,  October 4
7:00 am   Stuart Fink †
12:00 noon Bruce Koprucki †

Thursday,  October 5
7:00 am   William Locke Edwards
12:00 noon Mary & Bernie Cushing

Friday,  October 6
7:00 am   Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Francis & Family
12:00 noon George & Margie Hoferkamp †

Saturday,  October 7
7:00 am   Lisa Spratt
12:00 noon Mary Ann Gahafer †

Sunday,  October 8
4:15 pm   Karen Thompson †
7:00 am   People of St. Louis Bertrand Parish
9:00 am   Tony & Kathy George
10:30 am  Lammers Children
12:00 noon  Linda Money †
5:15 pm Lida Hawkins †

Contributions for the week of September 24, 2023
Collections & Online Giving  $24,514.83
Mission Doctor Association    $  6,792.00
Poor Box  $ 463.50

If you would like to Donate Online, go to: https://stlb.org/ and click on “Donate.”

Emergency Aid Center
Please put rolls of toilet paper in the bin at the back of church for the needy of our community.
Please remember St. Louis Bertrand Church and the Dominican Fathers in your will. 

Prayer & Devotion

Angelic Warfare Confraternity
Second Thursday of the Month at 7 pm
The Angelic Warfare Confraternity unites Christians to pray for one another in the struggle for chastity. If you are interested in enrolling in the Confraternity, contact: bcalvano@stlb.org
 
Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction
Wednesdays 12:30pm - 7 pm
Saturdays 11 am
Confessions are heard on Wednesdays from 6-7 pm and on Saturdays from 11 am - 12 pm.

Family Holy Hour
Last Thursday of the Month at 6pm
More information about this Holy Hour and the Holy Family Institute can be found on the parish website under Parish Life/Ministries and Organizations. Any questions can be sent to HFIstlb@Gmail.com.

First Friday Devotion
following 12 pm Mass
Prayers will be offered to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Marian Movement of Priests
Mondays after noon Mass in church
The Marian Movement is a worldwide group that prays for and with priests. Fellowship follows the prayer every second Monday of the month in O’Brien Hall.  Please bring your own lunch.

Traveling Madonna
Families host the statue and pray for vocations to priesthood, diaconate, and the consecrated life from our parish. Go to www.stlb.org/traveling-madonna or call Christina to sign up. 

Veneration of the Relic of St. Bernadette
following 12 pm Mass on Saturdays.

Faith Formation

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Ages 3-6
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd provides religious education for young children in the Montessori tradition.  For more information, contact Katie Reed: kreed@stlb.org

Parish Library
Adults Preparing to Join the Catholic Church
For information, please contact Fr. Calvano: bcalvano@stlb.org.

Open Sundays after 9 and 10:30 am Masses
The library contains books and videos for adults and children, and more. Browse online at  https://www.stlb.org/library.

Sunday Adult Faith Formation
Sundays; 10:15 - 10:45 am
These sessions will be held on the same Sundays as youth sacrament classes.

Groups

Belles & Beaus (St. Louis Bertrand Seniors)
Last Tuesdays, after Noon Mass; O'Brien Hall
The Belles & Beaus meet for noon Mass, then lunch. Please make your reservation before 3pm on the Friday before. For more information, contact Deacon Bill Klump at 634-5559.

Bible Study
Tuesday Evenings 7 - 8:30 pm beginning Sept. 12 or Thursday Mornings 10 am - 12 pm beginning Sept. 14
Acts: The Spread of the Kingdom by Jeff Cavins.

Book Club
Last Thursdays, at 7 pm; Parish Library
The Book Club discusses books that support growth of the life in Christ.  See announcements for the next book.

Dominican Laity, Queen of Peace Chapter
First Sundays, 11:30 am; Heritage Room 
The Dominican Laity, Queen of Peace Chapter is a group of professed ladies and gentlemen who are called to prayer, study, community, and apostolate as children of St. Dominic.

Dominican Laity, St. Louis Bertrand Chapter
Fourth Sundays, 11:30 am; Heritage Room
The Dominican Laity, St. Louis Bertrand Chapter is a group of professed ladies who are called to prayer, study, community, and apostolate as daughters of St. Dominic.

Knights of Columbus
Third Sundays, 10 am; O’Brien Hall
Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men's organization, dedicated to the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism.  For more information, contact Mike Sliter at 744-2187.

Rosary Altar Society
Third Sundays, 10 am; Heritage Room
The Rosary Altar Society invites ladies to join to help us improve the parish through various service projects.  For more information, contact Barbara Klump at 634-5559.

St. Louis Bertrand Men’s Group
4th Saturdays, 7:30 - 9 am; Heritage Room
Come say morning prayers and discuss the Summa Theologica with other men. For more information email Fr. Bernard: btimothy@stlb.org.
 
Young Adults
First and Third Wednesdays, 7pm; Frassati Room
Young Adults are men and women aged 18-39  who meet for fun, prayer, and education.  For more information contact Katie Reed: kreed@stlb.org.

Youth Groups

Sodality of the Most Holy Rosary
Third Sunday after the 9am Mass
This sodality for girls aged  7 - 18 years who have received First Holy Communion, prepares participants to be enrolled in the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary. This group promotes devotion to Our Lady and social activities for girls. For more information please contact Katie at kreed@stlb.org.

7th & 8th Grade and High School Youth Groups
Second and Fourth Wednesdays, 6:30 - 8 pm
Parish Center
A new session begins on September 13! For more information please contact kreed@stlb.org, or 583-4448 x244.

Charity

St. Louis Bertrand Emergency Aid Center
Open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; 1-2 pm
Charitable assistance is provided to parishioners and members of the local community. 

Walking with Moms and Families in Need
This charitable group provides social, emotional, spiritual, and material help to families in need. Please email Barbara at stlbhelpers@stlb.org for more information. 

Respect Life Update: Please pray for an end to abortion.  For our parish’s pro-life effort, please see “Walking with Moms and Families in Need”.

Mass for Medical Professionals with Archbishop Fabre
Sunday, October 15; 12 pm
Cathedral of the Assumption (433 S. Fifth St)
This is a Catholic liturgy, but Archbishop Fabre extends a warm invitation to persons of all faiths who serve in the healthcare field.  Invoking the blessing of St. Luke, the patron saint of physicians, this event gathers all who work in healthcare to ask for God’s blessing. Medical professionals are asked to wear their uniforms to the Mass.  

Prepare Your Heart – National Eucharistic Congress
July 17-21, 2024
Discounted registration until November 1, 2023: $299
Next July, nearly 80,000 Catholics from the United States will gather in Indianapolis. We will ask Him to revive our hearts, our Church, and our world, launching us into a new chapter of missionary faith.  You are invited and encouraged to participate.  This event is appropriate for all audiences, including youth, families, and individuals. For more information on the Congress see eucharisticcongress.org. To receive the discounted registration price, contact “Tink” Guthrie at tguthrie@archlou.org or 502-585-3291, ext. 1118.

Maranatha Retreat for the Ill and their Caregivers
November 4; 9 am to 6 pm
Nazareth Retreat Center (40 West Dr Nazareth, KY )
This retreat uses the teachings of St. Ignatius to reignite the sense of purpose and renew hope for the ill and those who care for them.  Attendance is free, but preregistration is required and space is limited. To register, contact Denise Bouchard in the Family and Life Ministries Office at 636-0296 or dbouchard@archlou.org.

2023 Catholic Services Appeal - Bringing Christ to Others
Goal: $69,800 Participation Goal: 181 households
Gifts to the Catholic Services Appeal invest in the future of our Church by promoting vocations and lay ministry development. This year the Archdiocese is supporting 17 seminarians in their formation for the priesthood. For more on the work of the Archdiocese of Louisville or to make a gift online, visit www.ArchLou.org/CSA.