Catholic Connection Newsletter

Do This in Memory of Me

September 2023

Catholic Services Appeal Video 2023

The theme of the 2023 Catholic Services Appeal is “Do This in Memory of Me.” These words of Jesus, spoken at each celebration of the Eucharist, resonate in the heart of every Catholic. Strengthened by the Eucharist, Jesus invites us to remember Him as we go forth into the world and respond as His disciples to all that we encounter. The annual Catholic Services Appeal gives us an opportunity to do this by living out our archdiocesan mission statement: to proclaim and live the good news of Jesus Christ.

Thankfully, the Lord doesn’t ask us to do it alone. Instead, He invites us to do our part as we work together as an Archdiocese to provide the ministries and services that no person or parish can provide alone.

Gifts to the 2023 Catholic Services Appeal support our 110 parishes, our schools, our priests, our deacons, our lay ministers, and our growing number of seminarians. Watch for your CSA mailing to arrive in early October.

Click on the video below to view Archbishop Shelton’s message about the 2023 Catholic Services Appeal.

To donate or learn more about the Catholic Services Appeal click here.

The Red Mass

By R. Kenyon Meyer

After the great fire of 1666 that destroyed London, a famous architect was commissioned to rebuild St Paul’s Cathedral. One day, the architect observed three bricklayers at work. The architect asked each bricklayer, “What are you doing?” The first bricklayer replied, “I’m a bricklayer. I’m working hard laying bricks to feed my family.” The second bricklayer responded, “I’m a builder. I’m building a wall.” But the third brick layer replied, “I’m a cathedral builder. I’m building a great cathedral to the Almighty.”

On Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at 12:15 p.m. all who work in the legal profession, regardless of religious affiliation, are invited to the annual Red Mass at the Cathedral of the Assumption. This celebration serves as an important annual reminder of the great blessing that we in the legal profession have to use our gifts to build a great cathedral – or as we say in the Catholic tradition, to reflect the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is alive and at work in our world. We in the legal profession have unique opportunities (and responsibilities) to assist the Holy Spirit’s work in the world. The calling of those in the legal profession is not easy. We choose this life despite stress and precious time away from our families. When we fully invest in our vocations, we are cognizant that we make these sacrifices for something greater than ourselves.

Every human interaction we have and every mundane task we perform are opportunities to build the cathedral. When we treat those in need with respect and dignity, we build the cathedral. When we treat difficult and unpleasant people not as they treat us but as we would like to be treated, we build the cathedral. When we use our talents to end conflict, we build the cathedral.

This means that everything we do is important. Every “hello” to a person in the office, every email to opposing counsel, every oral presentation to an unsympathetic judge, every time we decline a request to represent someone, and every time we communicate to a client that we have failed to achieve the result they hoped are occasions we are called to manifest the presence of the Holy Spirit. Even in the moments we like least in our professional lives, we have an obligation to build the cathedral.

I fail miserably every day to do this. This is why I need reminders like the Red Mass. Because no matter how many times we fail, every day presents new opportunities. And when we are at our best, we in the legal profession, more than any other profession, live and reflect Matthew’s beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit…, they who hunger and thirst for righteousness…, the merciful…, the clean of heart…, the peacemakers…, they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness… Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

R. Kenyon Meyer is the managing partner of Dinsmore’s Louisville office and a member of St. Raphael Parish.

The Social and Emotional Health of Students

Martine Siegel, Director of Counseling Services for the Archdiocese, and Emily Lindon, School Counselor for St. Patrick School, join host Dr. Brian Reynolds, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, to discuss the mental health challenges facing children and youth, how Catholic schools are addressing the social and emotional health of students, and how Catholic schools help parents deal with these issues.

New episodes of What's New in ArchLou will be available on the first Tuesday of each month in both video and audio only here.

Archbishop's Tweets

Follow @ArchbishopFabre on Twitter for more of his tweets.

September 12

@ArchbishopFabre:

“Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, by the Lord God Most High, above all women on the earth; for he has so exalted your name that your praise shall be undying on our lips” (Antiphon for The Most Holy Name of Mary). To say Mary’s name is to utter a word of hope and joy.

Upcoming Events

9/17/23 Noon

Wedding Anniversary Mass for couples celebrating 30/40/50/60+ years

9/26/23 12:15 p.m.

Red Mass

9/26/23 3:00 p.m.

Catholic Charities Faith Fair

9/30/23 After 5 p.m. Mass

Prayer Vigil for the Synod

Resources & Recommendations

This month, we're highlighting some helpful and timely resources for Catholics throughout the Archdiocese. We encourage you to check out the resources below.

Archbishop Shelton Fabre’s Daily Twitter

Archbishop Shelton is tweeting a daily reflection. Follow him at @ArchbishopFabre.

Eucharistic Revival

The Eucharistic Revival has now entered its second year – the parish year. The National Eucharistic Revival is providing free digital or low-cost print resources to help integrate parishes into the Revival – these include banners, posters, prayer cards, bulletin inserts, and postcards all with the official Revival branding. These resources are available in English and Spanish:

Digital Resources (free)

Physical Print Resources (provided at cost)

For questions, please contact the Office of Worship, worship@archlou.org.

Prepare Your Heart – National Eucharistic Congress

Next July, nearly 80,000 Catholics from all over the United States will gather in Indianapolis for a transformative encounter with Jesus. Together, we will ask Him to revive our hearts, our Church, and our world, launching us into a new chapter of missionary faith. This wonderful opportunity will take place from July 17-21, 2024, and you are invited and encouraged to participate. This event will feature compelling programming geared to various audiences, including youth, families, and individuals. More information on the Congress can be found here.

The Archdiocese has received a discount for tickets to this event, reducing the price from $375 to $299 per person. To access this code, email or call archdiocesan Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Richard “Tink” Guthrie at tguthrie@archlou.org or 502-585-3291, ext. 1118. Registration does not include the cost of transportation, housing, or food. More information about hotels and housing can be found here.

Because space and accommodations are limited, you are encouraged to register as soon as you can! The discounted ticket price will be available until November 1.

Save the Dates

Red Mass, Tuesday, September 26, 2023: Please join the legal and judicial communities for the annual Red Mass, which invokes God’s blessing and guidance on all those in the legal community, including attorneys, judges, paralegals, and clerks. Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre will celebrate this Mass at 12:15 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Assumption, 433 S. Fifth Street, Louisville, 40202. People of all faiths who serve in the legal profession are invited to attend.

Catholic Charities Faith Fair, Tuesday, September 26, 2023: Catholic Charities of Louisville’s Faith Fair is an event designed to engage diocesan staff, parish staffs, and parishioners in the work of Catholic Charities by giving them powerful tools to help faith communities grow. Representatives of each program of the agency will be present to explain their programs, demonstrate how members of the community may participate, and share who benefits from these social service ministries of the Archdiocese. The goal is for parishes and community members to leave with a better understanding of Catholic Charities’ programs as well as specific ways they can get involved with Catholic Charities. This also will provide an opportunity to meet Catholic Charities of Louisville’s leadership and have some fun along the way! This event will take place from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and will be held at the Saffin Center at Holy Family Parish, 3938 Poplar Level Road, Louisville, 40213.

Prayer Vigil for the Synod, Saturday, September 30, 2023: In solidarity with prayer vigils to be held in Rome on September 30, Archbishop Shelton will preside at a local prayer service for the opening of the Synod of Bishops. This Synod, known as the Synod on Synodality, will be held in two sessions from October 4-29, 2023, and in October 2024. The local prayer service will be held at approximately 6 p.m. after the 5 p.m. Mass at Holy Spirit Church, 3345 Lexington Road, Louisville, 40206.

Mass for Healthcare Professionals on Sunday, October 15, 2023: Archbishop Shelton will preside at a Mass for Healthcare Professionals. Invoking the blessing of St. Luke, the patron saints of physicians, the Mass gathers doctors, dentists, nurses, psychologists, respiratory and physical therapists and all who work in healthcare to ask God’s blessing upon those who serve in this profession. Healthcare professionals are asked to wear their uniforms to Mass. This Mass will be held at Noon at the Cathedral of the Assumption, 433 South Fifth Street, Louisville, 40202. People of all faiths who work in the healthcare field are invited to attend.

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