Inspired by the Holy Father |
|
A Message from Archbishop Shelton |
|
Greetings in the Lord! In my message for Christmas and New Years, published in the December 22 issue of The Record, I offered some reflections on the opportunities we have as we conclude the old year and begin a new one. In this same article, I wrote: “In Jesus Christ, the Father has given to us a new opportunity to live the reality of his love by healing through Jesus Christ the woundedness and division our sin has caused in our relationship with the Father.”
We are keenly aware of the divisiveness that is characteristic of contemporary social media. The paradox is that modern instruments of social communication such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and similar platforms, which have enormous power to bring us together as members of God’s family, too often are used to vilify those who are perceived to be different and to divide us all into factions.
To counteract the “woundedness and division” we see on these social media sites, Pope Francis posts daily messages of encouragement and hope based on Sacred Scripture and the lives of the saints. His messages always inspire me, and I’m sure that the majority of people who follow our Holy Father on Twitter and other platforms receive many blessings from his reflections on God’s Word.
Last year, on the First Sunday of Advent (November 27), I began to post daily messages on my Twitter account. Most of the time, I simply quote a passage from one of the Scripture readings for that day’s liturgy and then offer a brief commentary. These messages are intended to help heal our woundedness and division by reflecting on the healing and hope that comes to us through Jesus Christ, the Word of God Incarnate.
As we once again embark upon a new year, and the opportunities it provides to proclaim the Good News of our salvation in Christ, I invite you to follow me on my Twitter account, @ArchbishopFabre. Let us together entrust our journey through 2023 to Jesus Christ, pledging to do our best to remain faithful to him every day of the new year and always. A blessed and Happy New Year to all!
|
|
A Visit with Pope Francis |
|
On the January 2023 episode of the What's New in ArchLou podcast, we offer you an opportunity to hear Mercy junior Destiny Morris and Ballard High School senior Tania Vergara-Gongora discuss their leadership with the National Youth Advisory Council, their visit with Pope Francis, and their thoughts about the Church and youth ministry.
|
|
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. |
|
Learn More About Pope Francis’ Encyclical,
On Care for Our Common Home
|
|
By Fr. Jim Flynn
When Pope Francis made public his letter (encyclical) On Care For Our Common Home on June 18, 2015, he adopted the beautiful words of his papal namesake, Francis of Assisi, as his own, writing that “our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us” (Para. 1).
Quickly though, Pope Francis notes that “this sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her,” and that she “groans in travail” (Romans 8:22) even though “we ourselves are dust of the earth, made up of her elements, breathe her air and receive…life and refreshment from her waters (Para. 2).”
Pope Francis had high hopes that his encyclical would launch a sincere conversion among Earth’s human inhabitants to a profound “care for our common home,” an expression he repeatedly uses in reference to Earth.
It certainly behooves us in the Archdiocese of Louisville to read his timely and challenging encyclical.
To this end, a series of presentations is being offered to read, understand, and put into practice the words of Francis’ remarkable encyclical.
A series of four monthly sessions in 2023 will facilitate that effort. They will be held on the last Tuesdays of the months of January, February, March, and April (7:00-8:30 p.m. EST). Before each gathering, participants will be asked to read two chapters for a Zoom discussion on those Tuesdays. The encyclical has a total of six chapters.
The final session on Tuesday April 25, 2023, will dig in and discuss ways to put Pope Francis’ words into practice, following his “Laudato Si’ Action Platform” for all communities, parishes, and families.
Archbishop Shelton Fabre offered his endorsement of this project: “I would like to encourage people of this Archdiocese to become familiar with Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’ – On Care For Our Common Home. You may do so by signing up for the presentations and discussions noted here in January, February, March, and April.”
To learn more and to register for the sessions, go here. This webpage also provides ways to promote the discussions in your parish or community.
At the end of this encyclical, Pope Francis offers this prayer to our God: “Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to realize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey toward your infinite light” (Para. 246).
Fr. Jim Flynn is a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville.
|
|
 |
November 21
@ArchbishopFabre:
I join with Catholics around the world in grieving the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Read my full statement at: www.archlou.org
|
|
|
|
2/3/23 Show begins at 7:00 p.m., Reception begins at 6:00 p.m.
(See link for more information)
2/9/23 9:30 a.m.
(See link for cost/registration)
|
|
|
|
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
Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent, Archbishop Shelton is tweeting a daily reflection. Follow him on Twitter at @ArchbishopFabre.
Days of Human Dignity
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
The Office of Multicultural Ministry will hold its 37th Annual Community-Wide Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Saturday, January 14, 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Assumption (433 South Fifth Street, Louisville, Ky. 40202). Archbishop Shelton Fabre will preside, and the Cathedral will live stream this service of prayer and praise through its YouTube Channel. Search for Cathedral of the Assumption, Louisville, Ky. on YouTube. This event is an implementation of the archdiocesan strategic plan and is made possible by the Catholic Services Appeal.
Mass for Life
The annual archdiocesan Mass for Life will be held on Saturday, January 14, 6:30 p.m. at St. Gabriel Parish (5505 Bardstown Road, Louisville, Ky. 40291). Archbishop Shelton Fabre will preside.
Local Mass and Walk for Life
The local Mass and Walk for Life, observed in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the Roe versus Wade decision (January 22, 2023), will be held on Friday, January 20 beginning at 4:30 p.m. All youth groups, school groups, scout units, sports teams, families, and individuals are invited to join in solidarity with the National March for Life in Washington, D.C. Participants will gather at the Cathedral of the Assumption (433 South Fifth Street, Louisville, Ky. 40202) at 4:30 and then proceed on a 1.5-mile prayer walk through Louisville followed by Eucharistic Adoration and a Mass at the Cathedral. The Very Rev. Martin Linebach, Vicar-General and rector of the Cathedral, will preside at these liturgies.
Catholic Schools Week
The annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week is January 29 to February 4, 2023. During this week, our 48 Catholic schools celebrate their long legacy of excellence in faith formation and academics. This is a great opportunity to support and celebrate Catholic schools as alumni, parishioners, parents, or grandparents. Go here for information about archdiocesan Catholic schools or contact your local Catholic school to find how you can help continue this tradition of excellence.
Rouler Tickets On Sale Now
Catholic Charities of Louisville’s annual fundraiser, the Rouler, will be held on Tuesday, February 21 at the Mellwood Art Center from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets are on sale here. This events features New Orleans food, an open bar, gaming, a silent auction, raffle, live music, and Bingo.
Priest Variety Show
Tickets for the Priest Variety Show are now sold out! We have been overwhelmed by the interest in this show around our Archdiocese. For those who would still like to see the show, but weren’t able to get tickets, we are excited to share that the event will be live streamed on the Archdiocese of Louisville Facebook page here at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 3. We look forward to sharing the many talents of our priests with all of you.
|
|
The Catholic Connection is provided by: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
