Generational Gifts of Faith and Means

Fr. Pier Giorgio Dengler, O.P.
 
On December 6th, we celebrate St. Nicholas – wonderworker, bishop, defender of the faith, generous protector and provider for children.  How did he do all this? By loving union with the Father, and attentiveness to practical necessities that enable earthly parents to receive and hand on this spiritual truth.

Growing up in the early 300s, his well-off parents died when he was still young, leaving him orphaned as he was coming of age.  He had already received his Christian Faith from them though, and he looked therefore to God as Father, and lived all the more as His faithful and devoted son.  Nicholas vowed to use the worldly goods and property that came to him from his earthly parents in acts of charity that would continue their work of uniting more sons and daughters to their Heavenly Father.

Consider three stories in his life: In one gruesome account, he was traveling through a country suffering from a long and severe famine.  It was so severe that one villager butchered some children for food.  St. Nicholas's prayer restored the children to life, and his intervention as bishop procured grain to provide the village with the sustenance they needed to survive.  In a less sensational but similar episode, St. Nicholas learned that a man in his own home town had fallen upon such hard times that he would be forced to give his daughters, one by one, into a life of prostitution, since he could not afford to conduct them to honorable suitors and marriages. The saint secretly threw a pouch of gold through the man's window to provide the needed dowry as each daughter came of age.  In each case, the saint confronted situations which pitted generations against each other.  Those with more power (the fathers/parents) turned against their children, leading them to sacrifice their humanity so as to sustain the worldly needs of the adults.  St. Nicholas generously intervened with both worldly resources and spiritual support that freed and enabled fathers to properly provide for and parent their children. 

In a third, even more relatable encounter, St. Nicholas confronted a brother bishop, Arius, at the Council of Nicaea.  The bishops had gathered to strengthen each other by clarifying the Faith.  Arius held heretical views that taught that Jesus was not God but a creature – however great – who was less than God.  St. Nicholas recognized this as wrongly denying the divinity of Jesus and the great dignity that God conferred upon us through His Son; it diminished the fullness of the salvation that He won for us.  Arius not only held to this false belief but even sought to pass it on to his spiritual “children.” This so appalled St. Nicholas that he physically assaulted Arius in an attempt to bring him to his senses.
  
St. Nicholas recognized that only the divinity of Jesus could restore the Communion of life and Grace that God the Father always desired His children to share in.  Nicholas knew that in order to communicate the great dignity that is ours as humans (and especially as Christians adopted into God's family), we need to receive the truth about Jesus and His Divine relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit.  Though his physical brawl with Arius ultimately set a bad precedent for establishing the truth of our Faith, it follows from St. Nicholas's understanding that our physical and spiritual lives are connected, and both need to be addressed for us to be free and flourish.  It also showed the deep concern he had for metaphorical children.  Mature Christians must hand them over something good and life-giving.  In our own efforts to help our children flourish, let us connect them surely to our Heavenly Father by handing on a pure Faith, and providing the various physical means to this – especially when it comes to the practical essentials for a life of virtue. What will it take to help get our children to Mass regularly?  Our generosity with our time and resources (as well as our prayers) can make a difference.
 

Sunday, December 4
after 9 & 10:30am Masses   K of C Pancake Breakfast
Monday, December 5
12:30 pm Marian Movement of Priests
Tuesday, December 6
2:00 pm   St. Nick Monastic Afternoon
Wednesday, December 7
12:30 pm  Adoration until 4:45 pm
Thursday, December 8
after 12 pm  Mass  RAS Church Cleaning
after 5:15 pm Mass  Youth Group Marian Procession
Saturday, December 10
11:00 am  Holy Hour

Christmas Food Baskets and Gifts
Please bring gifts and food in by Monday, December 5th. Thank you for your generosity!

Monastic Afternoon in Honor of St. Nicholas
Tuesday, December 6; 2 pm
Parish Center, 1st Floor Kitchen
Breviary and Brewery (No experience needed.) Materials provided.  Bring empty glass beer bottles with swing tops or that use caps. No screw tops, please.

Youth Group
Thursday, December 8 after 5:15pm Mass
There will be a youth-led procession around the church in honor of Our Lady after 5:15 pm Mass.  An Advent activity will follow in O’Brien Hall.  Please contact Katie for more information: kreed@stlb.org.

Christmas Flowers Deadline
Friday, December 16
If you would like the names of your loved ones to appear in the Christmas bulletin, please submit your list to the parish office no later than noon.

Advent Lessons and Carols
Saturday, December 17; 7 - 8:30 pm
A potluck supper will be held in O’Brien Hall between 4:15 pm Mass and this service. Come prepare your heart for the coming of Christ!

Christmas Candles Available
After Sunday Masses December 17-18
These candles will be lit in memory of loved ones starting on Christmas Eve. A $5 donation per candle will be appreciated.

Christmas Caroling and Potluck
Friday, December 30; 5:30 -  8 pm
O’Brien Hall
Christmas fun for the whole family, but don’t sing with your mouth full!

Traveling Madonna Volunteers Needed
We need volunteers starting January 15th! 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.

St. Louis Bertrand Book Club
The book club will not meet in December owing to the Christmas holidays. The book to be discussed on January 26 is Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen.

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

Congratulations Lucky Winner!
Karen Minton won the RAS gift card  raffle.  Thanks to all who participated in any way. ORG0000780

Weekly Parish Updates
Sign up for updates at www.stlb.org/flocknote. 

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

Sunday,  December 4  Second Sunday of Advent
4:15 pm    Gary VanHorn
7:00 am    Holy Souls in Purgatory †
9:00 am    Eva Grace George
10:30 am   Dominican Laity, Queen of Peace Chapter
12:00 noon  Holy Name Society
5:15 pm    People of St. Louis Bertrand Parish

Monday,  December 5
7:00 am  Kenny Vowels †
12:00 noon  John Miller †

Tuesday,  December 6  St. Nicholas
7:00 am   Christopher Lane †
12:00 noon  Catherine Johnson †

Wednesday,  December 7  St. Ambrose
7:00 am   Dominican Friars
12:00 noon Theresa Alvey †
5:15 pm  Pajel Family

Thursday,  December 8  Immaculate Conception of Mary
7:00 am   John Norton
12:00 noon Dr. John M. Karibo †
5:15 pm  Bob Yaden

Friday,  December 9
7:00 am   Holy Name Society
12:00 noon Stephen Kinny †

Saturday,  December 10  
7:00 am   Dominican Friars
12:00 noon Sisters of Mercy †

Sunday,  December 11 Third Sunday of Advent
4:15 pm   People of St. Louis Bertrand Parish
7:00 am   Ric & Rosie Gillespie Family
9:00 am    Holy Souls †
10:30 am   Ange & Pete Popovich
12:00 noon Pajel & Agoo Families †
5:15 pm   Christopher Lane †

The sanctuary lamp burning in front of the Tabernacle this week is for Michael Thomas †.
The sanctuary lamp burning in the Priory Chapel this week is for Donald Rushing †.

Please pray for the following members and friends of the parish who need healing:  Fr. Emmanuel Bertrand, O.P, Joseph Besendorf, Beth Biegert, Christina & Patricia Borders, Buddy & Joan Bouchard, Linda Breeden, Eliza Brian, Gladys Brown, Vernon David, Bill Dawson, Nancy Deane, Mary Sue Draus, Zerion Edwards, Brooke Egan, Eleanor Ennis, Judy Evans, Frances Flaherty, Len Frederick, Dee Giftus, Justin Goldner, Pam Govier, Denis Greenwell, Tanya Gregory, Jadyn Hemmer, Joyce Hill, Chris Hutchinson, Ruby Hyde, Gill Judd, Dcn. Henry Allen Koellner, Cathleen Koprucki, James Koprucki, Ron & Bonnie Lane, Richard Martinez, Sharon Meador, Audie Meffort, Frances Melton, Haley Millet, Margie Montgomery, Marianna Morales, Jean Neef, Rita Nickle, Percival Pajel, Mary Anne Pajel-Sio, Harvey Plaschke, Barbara Rice, Gene Thompson, Nick Tse, Richard Wolf, Bettye Vaught, Joyce A. Warner, Chris Westerfeld, Debbie Wibbels, Patrick Woods, Carol Worth, Matthew Wright, Gilbert Zinner.

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 weeks of Nov. 20 & Nov. 27, 2022:
Collections & Online Giving    $22,203.34     $20,815.38
Poor Box                                    $     471.50     $   545.50
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.

Christmas Food Baskets and Angel Tree Gifts due by December 5th.  Thank you for your generosity! 

Please remember St. Louis Bertrand Church in your will.

Prayer & Devotion

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 0--9
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd provides religious education for young children in the Montessori tradition.  For more information, contact Leslie Genuis: lesliem0101@gmail.com.

Parish Library
Sundays 10am - 12 pm
The library contains books and videos for adults and children, and more. Browse online at  https://www.stlb.org/library, and come visit!

Adults Preparing to Join the Catholic Church
For information, please contact Katie: kreed@stlb.org

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 Aug. 30 or Thursday Mornings 10 am - 12 pm beginning Sept. 1
Matthew: The King and His 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.

Young Adults
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 Thursdays, 6:30 - 8 pm
Parish Center
For more information please contact kreed@stlb.org, or 583-4448 x244.
 

Respect Life Update: Please pray for an end to all abortion, forever!

9th Annual Louisville Catholic Sports Hall of Fame
Award and Induction Ceremony
Tuesday, December 6, 2022; 7:30 pm
Louisville Marriott East (1903 Embassy Square Blvd)
The following people will be honored: The Angel Montano, Sr. Family, John King, Sr., Alan Donhoff, Ashley Flaker, Denny Nash, and Leo Tierney. A heavy appetizer bar is included with the ticket price. Please email 2022hoftickets@gmail.com for tickets.
 
Catholic High School Placement Test
Saturday, December 10; 9 am to 12:30 pm
The test is free, but students should bring two #2 pencils. Information about the location of Catholic high schools at www.louisvillecatholicschools.com. If inclement weather cancels the test, it will be rescheduled for December 17. For more information, call or email the high school you plan to attend.

Louisville Young Catholics – Distilled Doctrine
Monday, December 12 at 7 pm
21st in Germantown (1481 S Shelby St)
for young adults ages 21 to 40
Join Louisville Young Catholics for a special Advent fun night with Catholic trivia.  We are collecting hygiene items at the event for those in need. For more information, please visit: louisvilleyoungcatholics.org.

Anniversary Masses with Archbishop Fabre
Cathedral of the Assumption, 12:00 pm
Sunday December 18, 2022 - for Couples Celebrating 30, 40, 50, 60 + years married (RSVP by Dec. 5)
Sign up by contacting the parish office at 583-4448. Couples will receive a special certificate at the event.

Special Disciples of Jesus Mass
Sunday, December 18 at 3pm
St. Margaret Mary Church (7813 Shelbyville Rd )
All are welcome!  We hope your family will join us for the  Special Disciples of Jesus Mass.  The Mass will be shorter and geared towards special needs children. A Christmas Party sponsored by the K of C will immediately follow. For more information, please contact Tara Mattingly at 502-690-2851 or tmattingly@stmm.org.

Pro-Life Advertisement Deadline
Thursday, January 12
Participate in this campaign by going to rtllou.org/2023ad and submitting your name. Names 12 will appear in the January 19 edition of The Record. Thank you!

Marriage Help
Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi) has helped tens of thousands of couples at all stages of disillusionment or misery in their marriage. This program can help you too. For confidential information about or to register for the February program beginning on February 17-19, call 502-479-3329; email: 3012@helpourmarriage.org; or go to helpourmarriage.org.