Love God and Neighbor; Don't Ignore Them

by Fr. Martin Martiny, O.P.
 
When writing a homily or an essay, it is often the case that nothing seems to fit, to make good sense. Last week the Gospel of Luke had Christ saying, “And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently… I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” Was Christ recommending dishonesty? Not possible under love God, love neighbor.
In approaching the Mass readings for the following days, it struck me that every bit of the Scripture St. Paul calls inspired by God is infallible guidance for the descendants of the fallen Adam and Eve - the Psalms, Proverbs, stories of heroes who stumble and fall and then come back to embrace God’s will. Sadly, we find those like Judas, who fail to return. These societies, the one Jesus addressed in his parable and our own, are brought into existence by imperfect and sinful people for whom the perfect society is impossible. The American Constitution, for example, was drafted by men who feared giving too much power to imperfect leaders who could be tempted to abuse their citizens. They were leery of a democracy turning into a totalitarian tyranny while pursuing the perfect society. Recognizing our human frailty, they sought to restrain our passions with right reason.
Christ recognized the society of the Romans in Palestine to be a diverse community where certain corruptions were considered practical realities. These often-harsh solutions enabled survival and even thriving for some. Sadly, they could be predatory for the weak, poor, disabled… Christ’s character of the master recognized the shrewdness of his agent in maneuvering for his survival in a harsh environment. Christ was not complimenting dishonesty. He pointed-out the necessity of letting go of the things of this world to live in fullness the loving of God and neighbor.
This week’s parable of Lazarus and the rich man goes to the heart of the demand to love God and love neighbor. The rich man did no evil to Lazarus. He was completely preoccupied with satisfying his every human passion at any expense. To him, Lazarus did not exist as a real person. Pope John Paul II noted that to deny a person his dignity, indeed, existence, is worse than hatred. To hate is to recognize the person is worthy of the energy it takes to hate someone.
God’s mercy is available to both Lazarus and the rich man. The rich Israelite man would have known the many passages of the Old Testament calling for one to love the poorest of one’s neighbors. The pleasures of the world blinded him to his opportunity to love God by loving his neighbor. He failed to hate the distractions of this life and now it was just too late.
 

Monday, September 26
12:30 pm   Marian Movement of Priests
7:00 pm   Theology for the Laity: Faith & Science 
      
Tuesday, September 27
12:30 pm  Belles & Beaus Meeting
7:00 pm  Bible Study

Wednesday, September 28
12:30 pm   Adoration until 7pm
6:00 pm    Confessions until 7 pm

Thursday, September 29
10:00 am  Bible Study
6:00 pm  Family Holy Hour - CANCELLED
7:00 pm  Book Club

Saturday, October 1
11:00 am Holy Hour 
 

St. Thomas Aquinas and the BIG 3 of Faith & Science
Mondays, Sept. 26 at 7 pm in O’Brien Hall
Discussions on the things that everyone wants to know about the Church and science, with the Angelic Doctor and a lesser Vatican astronomer. 

Belles & Beaus (Seniors Group)
September 27th after 12 pm Mass
Please call to make your lunch reservation: 583-4448. 

40 Days for Life
Wednesday, September 28  -  Sunday, November 7
Join us for 40 days of fasting and prayer to end abortion. The campaign this fall will be held at various churches throughout the archdiocese rather than the abortion clinic.  St. Louis Bertrand will cover the following Wednesdays: September 28,  October 5, October 12, October 19, October 26 and November 2.  Sign-up sheets will be in the back of the church to volunteer to pray for one hour at church, or contact Mary Kenney at maryakenney1@gmail.com or call or text (502)599-3401.
 
St. Louis Bertrand Book Club
Last Thursdays at 7 pm in the Parish Library
Sept. 29 - Remainder of The Long Loneliness by Dorothy Day.
Oct. 27 -  Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary: Unveiling the Mother of the Messiah by Brant Pitre.

Parish Anniversary Celebration
October 8, 2022; Mass at 4:15 pm, dinner to follow
RSVP to the office by September 30th.

Memorial Mass Commemorating Children Who Have Died 
Saturday, October 15; 9:30 am
This Mass is for parents, grandparents, family members and friends of those who have lost a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, early infant death, illness, suicide, accident, or any other reason.  Through prayer and community support, we seek God’s healing embrace and ask for God to relieve the burden of grief for those who are suffering. Resources and information on forming a support group will be available at a reception following the Mass. 
  
Sodality of the Most Holy Rosary
starting Sunday, October 16th after the 9am Mass
This sodality is for girls 7 -18 years old who have received First Holy Communion.  Monthly meetings for preparation to be enrolled in the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary will happen on the 3rd Sunday of the Month.  To sign your daughter up or for more information please contact Katie at kreed@stlb.org.

Parish Men’s Retreat with Fr. Bernard Timothy, O.P.
Thursday, October 20 - Sunday, October 23
Flaget Retreat Center
Please register through the office by Monday, October 10th.

Belles & Beaus (St. Louis Bertrand Seniors) Bus Trip to Springfield, KY
Saturday, October 22: 1:15 - 8 pm
We will visit St. Dominic Church, then continue to St. Rose for Mass at 4 pm, followed by the annual Turkey Supper.  Cost is $55 per person, including transportation and dinner.  For reservations, please mail or deliver your check to the Parish Office.  Make your check payable to St. Louis Bertrand Church and write "BUS TRIP" on the envelope and the memo line. Space is limited, so make your reservations as soon as possible.  For more information, contact Deacon Bill Klump at 634-5559.

Theology of the Body for Adults
Saturday, October 29; 8am - 4pm
A life-changing one day course for those over 18 ears old in a married, single, or religious vocation. The $15 per person fee covers course books, a light breakfast, and lunch.  Please register by October 21st at https://www.stlb.org/theology-of-the-body or call the parish office at 583-4448.

Parish Choir Volunteers Needed
St. Louis Bertrand Church is starting a parish choir to sing hymns during the 9am Mass on Sundays. If you’re interested, please send an email to Chris Mueller, at cmueller@stlb.org for more details. 

Traveling Madonna Volunteers Needed
To host the statue and pray for vocations, please email cgraney@stlb.org or 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 

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

Sunday,  September 25 Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
4:15 pm    Wesley & Anna Dry
7:00 am    People of St. Louis Bertrand Parish
9:00 am    Frank Messina
10:30 am   Dominican Laity St. Louis Bertrand Chapter
12:00 noon  Pfc. Lawrence J. Zinner, USMC †
5:15 pm    Karen & Jeff Steinrock

Monday,  September 26
7:00 am  Steven Graves
12:00 noon Richard L. Mazzoli †

Tuesday,  September 27
7:00 am William Engelland †
12:00 noon Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Francis

Wednesday,  September 28
7:00 am   Dorothy Rizzo †
12:00 noon Special Intention of Gary VanHorn

Thursday,  September 29 SS. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael
7:00 am   Phyllis Beierle †
12:00 noon Thomas B. Bradshaw †

Friday,  September 30
7:00 am   Tulia Manjarres & Family
12:00 noon Bob & Paula Lowry

Saturday,  October 1 Our Lady, Patroness of Nigeria
7:00 am   Tom Moylan †
12:00 noon John E. Zinner Sr. †

Sunday,  October 2
4:15 pm   Richard Pluta †
7:00 am   Gage & Dippolito Families
9:00 am    People of St. Louis Bertrand Parish
10:30 am   Dominican Laity, Queen of Peace Chapter
12:00 noon Michael & Jacie Brengman
5:15 pm   Sheri Kern

The sanctuary lamp burning in front of the Tabernacle this week is for Len Frederick.
The sanctuary lamp burning in the Priory Chapel this week is for Joyce Warner.
Please pray for the following members and friends of the parish who need healing:  Pat Ackerman, Fr. Emmanuel Bertrand, O.P, Joseph Besendorf, Christina & Patricia Borders, Buddy & Joan Bouchard, Linda Breeden, Gladys Brown, Pat Conway, Vernon David, Harold Dawson, Nancy Deane, Eleanor Ennis, Judy Evans, Frances Flaherty, Len Frederick, Dee Giftus, Denis Greenwell, Tanya Gregory, Joyce Hill, Deacon Bill Klump, Fr. Sam Matarazzo, OP,  Audie Meffort, Frances Melton, Margie Montgomery, Marianna Morales, Terry Nall, Jean Neef, Harvey Plaschke, David Ralph, Barbara Rice, Gene Thompson, Nick Tse, Bettye Vaught, Joyce A. Warner, Chris Westerfeld, Debbie Wibbels, Patrick Woods, Carol Worth, Rachael Yunis.

Please pray for our men and women serving in the armed forces:
Army: Daniel K. Bourke, Matthew Cannon, Jake Frankrone, James McWhorter, Kevin Meany, Michael Mullaney, Alex Newsom, Juan “Johnny” Quiroz, Adam Renn, Gregory M. Smith, Dan Tabacchi, Joseph Larry Thomas, Jim Wolkensperg
Marine Corps: Matthew Bersot, Casey Carraro, Frank Kyle Christian, Aaron M. Grieshop, Chris Kenney, Wesley Peralta, Joseph Recktenwald, Elijah Rock, James Roszyk, Grant Schirmer, Stephen Wolf, Cody Wright
Navy: John Chapman, Mitchell M. Givens, Fr. Ed Gorman, OP, Michael Karas
Air Force: Jeff Dillman, David Douglas, Joshua Ford, Craig McGreal, Eric May, T.J. May, Kristie Miller, Michael Richards
Air National Guard: Vincenzo LaFronza, Robert Paul Yaden
Army National Guard: Vincent Olson, John Rock

Please call the office at 583-4448 or email Christina at: cgraney@stlb.org. to add or remove folks from the list. 
 

Contributions for the week of September 18, 2022
Collections & Online Giving  $23,930.91
Catholic Higher Education   $  1,866.50
Poor Box  $     368.00

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

Kroger Community Rewards
If you shop at Kroger, please support St. Louis Bertrand! https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards.

Emergency Aid Center
Please put tubes of toothpaste in the bin at the back of church for the needy of our community. Thanks!

Please remember St. Louis Bertrand Church in your will. 

Respect Life Update: Vote Yes for Life on Constitutional Amendment #2 on November 8th. The amendment says, “To protect human life, nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion.” Please pray for an end to all abortion, forever!

Speaker Series: "Raising Saints in the Digital Age"
with Mary Hasson, J.D.
Friday, September 30; 7 pm
Immaculata Classical Academy (440 Zorn Avenue)
A reception will follow the lecture. All are welcome!
 
Moon Over the Mount
Saturday, October 1; 6 - 10 pm
Mt. St. Francis Retreat Center
101 St Anthony Drive, Mt St Francis, Indiana
Enjoy a hot dinner, a lecture and discussion, and star-gazing.  To register, or for more information, see: https://mountsaintfrancis.org/moon-over-the-mount

Institute for Senior Adults
Tuesday, October 4, 2022; 10 am – 2 pm
Catholic Enrichment Center  (3146 West Broadway)
Gary Montgomery, motivational speaker, communication coach, communication and leadership trainer, retired TV sportscaster/director, parish religious education teacher, and community activist, will speak. The $10 per person fee includes lunch. RSVP by Thursday, September 29. For more information, please call the Catholic Enrichment Center at (502)776-0262.

Anniversary Masses - Save the Dates!
The Anniversary Mass for couples celebrating 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years married will take place at noon at the Cathedral of the Assumption on Sunday, November 20, 2022. The Anniversary Mass for couples celebrating 30, 40, 50 and 60+ years married will take place at noon at the Cathedral of the Assumption on Sunday, December 18, 2022. Registration information coming soon.

St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged - Help Wanted!
The Little Sisters are hiring for the following positions: RN, LPN, CAN, housekeepers.  Please apply in person Monday - Friday 9am - 4 pm at 15 Audubon Plaza Dr.

Ministry for the Chronically Ill and their Caregivers
November 12, 2022; 9am - 6 pm
Flaget Center (1935 Lewiston Dr)
The Maranatha Retreat is a day-long event for the ill and those who care for them. Attendance is free, but preregistration is required. For more information or to register, contact Denise Puckett at (502) 636-0296 or by email at dpuckett@archlou.org.

White Mass for Healthcare Professionals
Sunday, October 16; 5:30 pm
Cathedral of the Assumption (433 South Fifth St)
Archbishop Shelton Fabre invites healthcare professionals to the annual Mass for medical professionals.  Invoking St. Luke, the patron saint of physicians, this event gathers all who work in healthcare to ask God’s blessing upon those who serve in this profession. Medical professionals are asked to wear their uniforms to the Mass. This Mass is a Catholic liturgy but a warm invitation is extended to persons of all faiths who serve in the health-care field.  This event will be live-streamed on youtube.