Number 94, December 2015
Inside this Issue....
w Sympathies
w New Members
w Baptisms
w Passionist Charism
w Christmas Concert
w 2016 RCIA
w Scout Spaghetti Dinner
w Mindfulness & Parenting
w Parish Calendar
The St. Agnes
Catholic Community
Belltower
From Our Pastor...
Fr. David Colhour, C.P.
Nine months ago on the fourth Sunday of Lent, the Gospel was
about a man named Simon, who invited Jesus to his house but
never really welcomed him. The man, however, did have a significant amount of judgment in his heart for a woman in his
house who was quite emotional at Jesus’ feet. The emotion
came from her experience of the mercy of God. Thus Pope
Francis in his homily that day spoke about this mercy and his personal desires to allow
God’s mercy to transform us.
Dear brothers and sisters, I have often thought about how the Church might
make clear its mission of being a witness to mercy. It is journey that begins
with a spiritual conversion. For this reason, I have decided to call an
extraordinary Jubilee that is to have the mercy of God at its center. It shall
be a Holy Year of Mercy. We want to live this Year in the light of the Lord’s
words: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (cf. Lk 6:36)”
Less than four weeks later, Pope Francis signed the Bull of Indiction initiating the Jubilee
of Mercy which began earlier this month on December 8th. The twenty-eight page
document is the most formal writing style a pontiff uses to communicate to the world
church, and since the middle ages has been categorized as a Papal Bull. Specifically this
document is entitled “The Face of Mercy” (Misericordiae Vultus). It opens with these
words, “Jesus is the face of the Father’s mercy”.
Pope Francis develops three predominant themes in this teaching. First, he elaborates
the theological understanding of God’s mercy, explaining the role of mercy in the life of
people and of the Church, who are both the beneficiaries and the witnesses to God’s mercy
in the world. “The mercy of God is not an abstract idea, but a concrete reality through
which he reveals his love as that of a father or a mother, moved to the very depths out
of love for their child,” In another place, “Mercy is the very foundation of the Church’s
life. The Church’s very credibility is seen in how she shows merciful and compassionate
love.”
Second, the Pope offers practical ways to live well the Holy Year. He suggests ideas such
as: go on pilgrimage as an “impetus to conversion”; do not judge or condemn but forgive
and give, avoiding gossip, envy and jealousy; have a heart open to the fringes of society
and bring consolation, mercy and solidarity to people who live in precarious situations;
take up the corporal and spiritual acts of mercy with joy; and observe the “24 Hours for
the Lord” initiative, which encourages prayer and the sacrament of reconciliation, in
St. Agnes is a Catholic Community served by the Passionists, embracing Jesus’
love and suffering for all through worship, service, formation and education.
every diocese during Lent. Events for the Year of Mercy for our diocese will be promoted in The Record.
A third theme, which may be the most challenging for some is the call towards justice and conversion. He asks members
of criminal organizations and those involved in corruption to change their lives and to embrace God’s mercy. I suspect
it is quite easy to judgmentally point fingers and say, “Those people must change”. I think it is more difficult to extend
God’s mercy and forgiveness toward those who have hurt you or your loved ones. Yet isn’t this the challenge for us?
Even more when we seem to be daily bombarded with the reality of viciousness, violence, terrorism, discrimination
and typecasting. Yet these attitudes lead toward closed-mindedness and alienation, which fuels peoples’ fear and anger.
How appropriate it is that our Spiritual Father invites us to confront the evils of this world by the power of faith.
Jubilee years stem from a tradition in Leviticus dating over a thousand years before Christ. It was given by God to assure all people had means to support themselves by restoring powers which had become out of balance. It was a time
of remission and universal pardon. Leviticus 25 says that every fiftieth year all leased or mortgaged lands were to be
returned to their original owners. All slaves and bonded laborers were to be freed. Debts would be forgiven. It was to
be a time of immense joy. Did this work out in practice? No one is sure of this. It certainly would have disrupted the
banking and land transactions. It was based on the principle that all of God’s people are God’s slaves. No one else can
own them because God already does. No one can permanently own land because it is God’s land. Thus Israelites, could
not own other Israelites. Even if someone couldn’t pay their debts and had to sell themselves into a situation of slavery,
they couldn’t do so permanently. No one could use the land that God had given them to exploit a fellow Israelite.
The concept of the Jubilee year entered our Catholic tradition in the year 1300. In the wake of much suffering from war
and plagues, many people came to Rome to repent at the tombs of Sts. Peter and Paul. In response, Pope Boniface VII
proclaimed a “Year of forgiveness of all sins”. Since the fifteenth century, the Jubilee years have been honored by the
Bishop of Rome every 25 years. The last Jubilee year was called by St. John Paul only fifteen years ago as our world
entered the new millennium. Now, ten years before the next Jubilee year is scheduled to happen, Pope Francis has announced this to be an extraordinary Jubilee year.
Francis articulated his desire to move the Church from a tendency to lean toward condemnation toward a more biblical
theme of Jesus’ presence in the world. Francis writes, “The mercy of God is not an abstract idea, but a concrete reality
through which he reveals his love as that of a father or a mother, moved to the very depths out of love for their child.”
Luke reminds us that if you love only those who love you, what merit is there in that? (Lk 6:32) The Jubilee year is about
extending God’s mercy to those who need to receive it. This means we need to move beyond our comfort circles and
be willing to cross religious boundaries, and our own judgmental circles. Francis specifically names people of Jewish
and Islamic faith traditions. I do believe that anyone who attempts the challenge of this year to live in the abundant
mercy of God will find themselves stretched beyond where they feel most comfortable. And I know that a person can
only accept this challenge to the degree they are truly willing to trust God.
To read more about this holy special year I would invite you to start at the website from the United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops: http://www.migrate.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/jubileeof-mercy/
St. Agnes Belltower
We extend our sympathy to:
The family of Cathleen Ward
The family of Pat Voor
The family of Katie Milliner
Sherri Thomas on the death of her Father, Meinrad Herl
Vince Feldkamp & Tom DeSpain on the death of Vince’s Mother & Tom’s Aunt, Ruth DeSpain Feldkamp
Glenn Fautz on the death of his Father, Vincent Paul Fautz
Jerry Hettinger on the death of his Mother, Augusta Hettinger
Bernadette Hagan on the death of her Nephew, John Williams
Tom Kaelin, Larry Bisig, Leah Leasure, Mary Phil Bisig & Charles Bisig, Jr. on the death of their Uncle,
Jimmy Yunker
The family of Miriam Hixenbaugh
Steve Ford on the death of his Father, Jim Ford and his Uncle, Hal Ford
Sabina Clan & Freida Schuwey on the death of their Brother, Fr. Emil Schuwey, C.PP.S.
Margaret Anderson on the death of her Mother-in-law, Mary Leigh Anderson
Jim Dailey on the death of his Mother, Lilly Dailey
The Passionist Community on the death of Fr. Philip Schaefer, C.P.
Louis Bauer & Mary Cox on the death of their Brother, Ray Bauer
Maria Schweichler on the death of her Father, Richard Schweichler
The family of Marie “Meme” Williams
Art Kopp on the death of his Wife, Catherine Kopp
A Warm Welcome to the following families:
Robert & Martha Mazur, Abigale & Henry
Ms. Rachel Graham
Mrs. Eleise Passafiume
Waleed & Jeannette Bahouth, Julien & Miles
Ms. Juliet Lonth
Caleb & Sarah Reddick & Thomas
David & Lauren Thomas & Finley
Adam Bisig & Lauren O’Connor
Andrew & Sarah Peace & Caroline
Blake & Lyna Rutherford & Mila
Rob Greenwell & Christy Castle-Greenwell & Elliott
Diana Tidal & Jeffrey Hayes
Anna Hitron & Dr. Homas Johnston & Alice
Alex Cecil & Elizabeth Harlamert
TJ Miller & Renee Netherton
Thomas & Lisa Heiser, Megan Thurmond, Jackson & Hilary Heiser
Leslie & Kory Legel & Caroline
Alex & Michelle Bozich
Carl & Sarah Conaway, Wyatt & Georgia
Miranda & Derrick Dones, Miles & Marley
Nathan & Laura Durbin, Anthony & Lily
Ben Lamar and Alexandra Eckert
Jay Reeves & Julia Senn-Reeves, Anderson & David
Phil & Harriet Thomas
Dan &Jessica Malloy, Grant & Caroline
St. Agnes Belltower
We Present Our Newly Baptized Babies:
Joshua Xavier, son of Daniel & Jessica Moman Able
Ryan Catherine, daughter of Jamie & Julia Hattemer McKiernan
Caroline Helen, daughter of Daniel & Jessica Cusick Malloy
Andrew Frederick, son of Michael & Sara Ruby Shaughnessy
May Isabel, daughter of Andrew & Janira Cunningham
Matthew David, son of Christopher & Elizabeth Kaelin Totten
Lucy Patricia, daughter of Patrick & Jeanette Bisig Schmidt
Cora Ann, daughter of William & Erin Hall Rasinen
Millie Frances, daughter of Adam & Courtney Shewmaker
John Benjamin, son of Benjamin & Whitney Turner Gries
Todd Edwin, son of Tim & Genevieve Riebel Montgomery
Eleanor Mills, daughter of Michael & Aundrea Mattingly George
Esley Marie, daughter of Jacob & Jamie Allen Embry
Mary Veronica Bradley, daughter of William Trinkle & Michele Trinkle
McKenzie Sophia, daughter of Michael & Amber Koenig
Annalise Margaret, daughter of William & Elizabeth Walker
Congratulations to the proud and happy parents!!!
Passionist Charism
By: Patrice Wickerham
Charism is defined as any good gift or grace that flows from God to build
up the church. The Passionist Charism is flourishing on the holy ground
of St. Agnes Church. I feel it when I walk past the headstones of the
deceased priests in the side yard, hear a sermon from Fr. David, or see
the processional cross being carried down the aisle with the Passionist
symbol on it.
The Passionist community has been a very important and influential part of my life. I was
fourteen months old when my uncle was ordained a Passionist priest. Father Michael Joseph
Stengel, CP, also known as “Unc” taught me about daily prayer, weekly mass, having a sense
of humor, and to always keep the Passion of Jesus Christ in my heart and mind every day.
When my husband Ken proposed 37 years ago I knew I wanted to get married at St. Agnes.
Its beauty and serenity made it the perfect place for Ken and me to commit our love to each
other. While we didn’t belong to St. Agnes parish when our kids were young, we did spend
special holidays there celebrating with my parents and my sister and her family. Ken and I
decided to join St. Agnes parish a few years ago because we were drawn back to the Passionist
community. Our passion was re-sparked when Unc retired here to the Louisville monastery. I
have wonderful memories of him there and I treasure the time we spent together.
More recently, Ken and I enjoyed our time volunteering and spending time with the priests that
live at Sacred Heart Monastery. It’s an opportunity to be involved as a parishioner and give
back to the community of these retired priests who have worked spreading the news of our
Lord’s Passion. We are so fortunate at St. Agnes to have the Passionists as part of our lives and
to have the monastery next door. Please pray for these leaders who have guided us spiritually
and continue to nurture and love the St. Agnes community. Let’s not ever take for granted this
great gift of the Passionists, and know that these men are an extension of our parish home.
St. Agnes Belltower
Saint Agnes Christmas
Concert
Sunday, December, 20,
2015 at 7:00 pm
Our gift to you!
At Christmas time we enjoy our traditions. We have rituals we’ve done for years, some passed
down for generations. We enjoy repeating these events. Some of my family’s traditions are making
homemade cookies and treats to give as gifts, setting up our collection of Christmas cookie jars
around the kitchen, and preparing the food ahead of time so we can enjoy our Christmas Day without
having to cook. No doubt each of you has your own Christmas traditions that mean a lot to you and
your family.
We have a tradition at Saint Agnes to present a Christmas Concert each year, the Sunday before
Christmas. In these days of political correctness, it’s hard to find a Christmas Concert that hasn’t
been rebranded as a “Winter Celebration,” where many of our beloved Christmas carols are no longer
sung. This will be our 13th Christmas Concert, and we’re proud to sing about the birth of Jesus,
featuring the carols you know and love!
Our annual Christmas Concert is an hour of beautiful music for Christmas including some favorites
like O Holy Night, Carol of the Bells, Jingle Bells, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, I’ll Be
Home for Christmas, and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Most of the concert is performed with
piano or sung a capella, where you’ll hear classics like What Child is This and Do You Hear What I
Hear. A few selections will feature our newly renovated gallery organ, like O Come, All Ye Faithful,
Silent Night, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, Joy to the World and The Hallelujah Chorus from
Handel’s Messiah!
We hope you will accept our gift to you, and make it one of your family’s traditions. Invite your
friends and share in our celebration of Christ’s birth.
Admission is free!
Geoffrey Vickery
Organist/Choir Director
St. Agnes Belltower
RCIA – 2016
Please keep these members of RCIA in your prayers over the coming months leading up to Easter. We have included their
names/addresses so that you may drop them a card from time to time also. Thank you.
NATALIE DENARDO 3 Hallsdale Dr 40220
ALEX ECKERT and BEN LAMAR 317 Hillcrest Ave 40206
DAWN GEIGER Saint Agnes 1920 Newburg Rd 40205
VANESSA HAULK 1806 Tyler Ln 40205
BRYCEN HOWARD 7413 Steeplecrest Circle 40222
LAUREN HUSER 124 Anniversary Hall, Bellarmine University 40205 (school) or 26 Senator Way, Carmel, IN 46032
AARON LOWE 8104 R Watterson Trail 40299
GENEVIEVE MONTGOMERY 1828 Shady Lane 40205
KRIS MOWERY 2524 Woodbourne Ave 40205
LORI and RAVI RAFFERTY 2114 Lakeside 40205
WILL RISINGER 419 Finzer #407
BRAD and SUSAN SIMMONS 4516 Dannywood Rd 40220
SARAH WILLIAMS 3220 Eagle Pass 40213
DREW WAGONER Saint Agnes Church 1920 Newburg Rd 40205
MARCUS WOODS 125 Pennsylvania Ave 40206
Saint Agnes
Boy Scout
TROOP 4
Invites you and your family to our
54th ANNUAL
SPAGHETTI DINNER
ALL YOU CAN EAT!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2016
4:30 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M.
Saint Agnes School
1800 Newburg Road
Adults - $8.00
Senior Citizens - $6.00
Children (K-8) - $6.00
ST. AGNES EAGLE SCOUTS EAT FREE!!!
BUY YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE FROM ANY TROOP 4 BOY SCOUT OR YOU MAY BUY
YOUR TICKETS AT THE DOOR THE NIGHT OF THE DINNER
COME AND EXPERIENCE GOOD FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP WHILE SUPPORTING OUR
TROOP
The Troop needs help with the Dessert Table and Cake Wheel.
If you are able to donate a cake or dessert please bring it to the
Cafeteria anytime on Saturday after 9:00 a.m.
St. Agnes Belltower
Mindfulness and Parenting
In today’s world, our children face many challenges: bullying, obesity, and social media, not to mention
poverty, crime, and racial/ethnic discrimination. In recent years, there has been research and clinical
experience regarding mindfulness and compassionate practices that will support Catholic parents in meeting
these 21st century challenges.
According to holistic physician and mindfulness teacher Amy Saltzman, mindfulness is “paying attention
on purpose with kindness and curiosity, and then choosing one’s behavior.” Mindfulness can be a means
to support parents in coping with everyday stressors and worries, such as balancing work and home
responsibilities, bills, child tantrums, burn-out, and conflicts in relationships. These practices and skills can
benefit all family members. Scientific research on mindfulness with children reveals increased orientation
to attention and decreased anxiety, each supporting the capacity for learning. Mindfulness practices teach
children kindness, compassion, and empathy along with skills for being less reactive – therefore enabling
the ability to make wise choices in their behavior.
Mindful parenting can be understood as paying attention to your child and your parenting intentionally, here
and now and without judgment. Parents who learn mindfulness with their children notice a strengthening
in their relationships with one another and a sense of family calm. With regular practice, mindfulness can
help parents become more aware of internal and external “noise,” respond to events with less reactivity,
better manage their own stress, and become positive role models for their children. Skill-building comes in
the quiet moments, through breathing and through noticing thoughts and feelings without self-judgement.
Bringing attention to the moment and to the breath helps reorient the mind to the present, allowing space
for quiet and discernment in making choices with purposeful intention. Parents learn to become more selfcompassionate, which increases their sense of effectiveness in parenting.
In our Catholic tradition, mindfulness also provides a meditative practice for parents and children that
can incorporate self-reflection and traditional prayer, including quiet, contemplative prayer from the heart.
Meditative prayer opens us to a deeper relationship with God, and it reinforces values and the fruits of the
Holy Spirit, such as love, peace, joy, kindness, gratitude, patience, and self-control. While stress is a part
of life in our ever-changing world, mindfulness can help faithful parents find grace, hope, and sometimes a
bit of humor amidst the chaos.
If you are interested in learning more about Mindfulness and Parenting, a series of four classes will
be offered at the Earth and Spirit Center. The classes are being held January 13, February 3, March
23 and May 4 from 6:30-8:00 PM each class. For more information please contact Elizabeth SennAlvey at (502) 452-2749 (502) 452-2749.
Patricia McIntyre Salem, a graduate of Saint Mary’s College Notre Dame IN, and The University of Louisville,
is a licensed therapist and counselor at Saint Agnes School where she has taught classes on Mindfulness
from a Christian perspective with children in grades K-8 over the last three years.
St. Agnes Belltower
Saint Agnes Parish Community
1920 Newburg Road
Louisville, KY 40205-1424
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Louisville, KY
Permit No. 926
Mark Your Calendars
12/19 St. VDP Christmas basket delivery - 8:30 AM
12/20 Christmas Concert - 7 PM in Church
12/24 Christmas Eve Masses - 5:30 PM, 8 PM, & 10:30 PM
12/25 Christmas Day Masses - 9 AM & 11:30 AM
12/31 New Years Eve - No Liturgy
1/1 New Years Day Masses - 7 AM & 10 AM
1/8 Confirmation - 7 PM at Cathedral
1/9 Trivia Night - 7 PM in Gym
1/17 Father/Daughter Dance - 7 PM in Parish Center
1/30 Parish Appreciation Chili Supper - 6 PM in Parish Center
2/6 Boy Scout Spaghetti Dinner - 4:30 PM in Parish Center
2/10 Ash Wednesday Masses - 7 AM, 10 AM, Vespers at 7 PM
St. Agnes Belltower