Sister Visitor Center, an arm of Catholic Charities, is an emergency assistance program that provides help to the less fortunate. Daily necessities that cannot be purchased with food stamps are most needed. These include detergent, paper products, body soap, shampoo and toothpaste. The collection at SMM occurs the first weekend of each month. In the past, you may have noticed baskets are at church entrances. The next “first weekend” coming up is August 1/2 for your donations. No item is too small. Members of our parish seniors group pick up and deliver the collection to SVC. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Join us the first Saturday each month in the Church at 8:35 a.m. for Rosary Devotion. Our next date is August 1st, so come join us! The Five First Saturdays devotion is one of the principal points of the Fatima message. It centers on the urgent need for mankind to offer reparation and expiate for the many injuries that the Immaculate Heart of Mary suffers from the hands of both impious and indifferent men.
On the First Saturday during 5 Consecutive Months, the Devotion consists of Going to Confession, Receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion, Saying five decades of the Rosary, and Meditating for 15 min. on the mysteries of the Rosary. All this offered in REPARATION for the sins of blasphemy and ingratitude committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Since 1955, the Archdiocese of Louisville has contributed millions of dollars to the Crusade for Children. This community-wide effort changes the lives of children with special needs, and many families in the Archdiocese have benefited directly from the Crusade as have our schools, which receive grants to assist students with diverse learning needs. THIS WEEKEND, August 1/2, parishes will collect donations for this year’s Crusade for Children, which will conduct its community-wide collection Aug. 8/9. Those who wish to donate may bring contributions to Mass or to the parish office. If giving by check, please make your check payable to the parish and put the word “Crusade” in the memo line. Thank you for your generosity.

CRUSADE FOR CHILDREN GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
Giving to the Crusade has never been easier! You can continue the traditional method of giving by check at our parish collection at Masses THIS WEEKEND. Make the check payable to the parish and put the word “Crusade” on the memo line and bring your check to Mass. Or you can give virtually in a variety of easy ways:

I wanted to update everyone with the news that Byron Heil, our parish Director of Worship, decided after nearly 19 years here at St. Margaret Mary, to retire as of June 30th this year. He is of an age that he can retire and enjoy being a grandfather.

With all the limitations we have experienced with our in-person worship since the middle of March, it has been difficult to offer the parish as a whole a way to express our gratitude and appreciation. We were able a couple of weeks ago to schedule a lunch time with the parish staff. It was followed by an opportunity for the Choir and Ensemble and Worship Committee members to drop by and to offer their congratulations and thanks.
His presence and gifts are already greatly missed. He was our leader in planning our liturgical celebrations, guiding the Worship Committee, and leading our Adult Choir and the Ensemble Group. He also met over the years with hundreds and hundreds of grieving families to plan funeral liturgies and engaged couples to plan their wedding liturgy. He was the “go-to” person whenever there was a need for our worship space, especially in ordering supplies we needed to celebrate Mass. He was a kind and gentle presence when others were struggling with concerns in planning.
Speaking for all of us, we offer our gratitude and indebtedness to him for being a good and faithful servant and a job well done during his 19 years of ministry here at St. Margaret Mary.

Hello everyone!
I hope you all are doing great. I would like to inform you of my departure very soon to leave for the seminary. I want to express my gratitude for our community life in the past weeks. It has been time of joy, fraternity, hope, and love. It is also a great time for me to live, to learn, and to experience the priestly life, parish activities, and ministry challenges. I thank you, Father Bill Hammer for guiding and teaching me how to become a good shepherd. I thank you, Father Jon Erdman for your great example of sacrifice and zealousness. I thank you, the Deacons and the parish staff for inspiring me to recognize joy and responsibility in serving God and the Church. I thank you, everyone in Saint Margaret Mary for giving me openness, love, and hospitality as well as helping me realize that I am a member of this parish. I always keep you all in my prayers. Please continue to pray for my vocation, especially to have a good preparation to receive the diaconate as scheduled on November 28, 2020, and to finish my last year in the seminary.
God bless you!
In Christ, Quan Nguyen

Habitat for Humanity of Metro Louisville is holding an open enrollment for its homeowner program from August 6 – August 29, 2020. To learn more, visit the Habitat website here. During this time, applications are only given out and accepted back on Thursdays/Fridays, 10 am – 4 pm or Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm at 1621 Columbia Street, Louisville, KY 40203. If you completed the “Expression of Interest” form, an application will be mailed to the address you provided. If you did not complete an “Expression of Interest” form, beginning on August 6, please come to 1621 Columbia Street, Louisville to pick up an application. When picking up or turning in an application, please park in the marked spots and call the number listed on the sign. Remain in your car and a staff member will come to you to assist. Habitat staff will be wearing a mask, and you are asked to wear a mask as well. The last day to pick up an application is August 22 at 2:00 p.m. Completed applications must be turned in with all supporting documentation by August 29 at 2 p.m. For more info, contact Benita Freeman at 502-805-1402 / bfreeman@louisvillehabitat.org.

ALL VOLUNTEERS, SCHOOL PARENTS & COACHES
The Archdiocese of Louisville is committed to ensuring that children and youth who worship, study or participate in church-sponsored activities can do so in the safest and most secure setting possible. In an effort to fulfill this commitment, all employees/volunteers who have contact with children or youth (18/under) for ANY length of time are required to participate in one of the Safe Environment Training Workshops and have a background check. Trainings have resumed in compliance with local, state & federal government regulations with a limit of 50 people per training (MASKS ARE REQUIRED).
*FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE SCHEDULE LISTING, VISIT www.archlou.org/safe. To see if you attended the workshop or to find out if your background check is current, please call the Parish Office at 426-1588. 

– August 3 @ 6:30 p.m. | St. Albert (limited to 50) | 1395 Girard Drive, 40222 – School Cafeteria
– August 11 @ 6:30 p.m. | Incarnation (limited to 50) | 2229 Lower Hunters Trace, 40216 – Gym
– August 17 @ 6:30 p.m. | St. Gabriel (limited to 50) | 5505 Bardstown Road, 40291 – Gym

St. Margaret Mary is supporting The Way of Trust — an archdiocesan-wide prayer initiative presented by Family Renewal Project, a local Catholic apostolate. St. Margaret Mary parishioners are encouraged to participate as a way to unify and strengthen the Body of Christ. All who sign up will receive a short daily reflection and video recitation of the Rosary. The prayer initiative begins on August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven. In this time of tumult, let us unite with one another in our parish and beyond by turning with Trust through Mary to Our Lord in prayer! We hope you and your family will join us. To learn more and/or sign up, click here. To view the flyer, click here.

On August 15/16, we will take up the Peter’s Pence Collection, which provides Pope Francis with the funds he needs to carry out his charitable works around the world. The proceeds benefit our brothers and sisters on the margins of society, including victims of war, oppression, and natural disasters. Take this opportunity to join with Pope Francis and be a witness of charity to our suffering brothers and sisters. For more information, click here.

All CDC regulations are in place, and we are ready to send our Church volunteers to build our 9th Habitat House. It was framed by workers from Whittenberg Construction Co. in May-June. We are grateful they sent their people to Habitat instead of home! Again our build is in the Lake Louisvilla area off Westport Rd. Our group is now the Catholic Quintet, instead of Quartet. St. Bernadette joined Epiphany, St. Albert, SMM & St. Patrick will build our Partner Family’s home. Building this summer will be fun, rewarding, and a little challenging. Temperatures will be taken, Masks will be worn, Distancing will be observed, Hand washing stations are IN, Bring own lunch & bottled water, Work 8:00-3:30pm, & HAVE FUN!

Each Church will work 1 day in July, August & September with 6 volunteers, plus regular Habitat workers to instruct & assist us. Only 4 days total, so sign up early online here or call Dick/Brenda Gardner at 502-228-0504, Enjoy being a part of this wonderful project!

DivorceCare is a weekly seminar / support group that helps divorced or separated people heal from the hurt. It provides a warm, caring, & a confidential environment in which participants can learn practical info and gain hope for the future.

WEEKLY: Wednesdays, 7-8 pm | Now – Aug. 12
UPCOMING DATES: Tuesdays, August 25 – November 17 @ 7:00 p.m.
DONATION: Free – Join Anytime!
REGISTER: Contact Denise or click here
QUESTIONS: Denise Ruiz, 426-1588 ext. 126 or druiz@stmm.org

Women’s Ministry Book Club

Please join us for any or all of our upcoming book discussions. We meet the 3rd Thursday of the month in the Spirituality Center at 7:00 p.m. Questions, please contact Jennifer Barker at 502-314-9080 or Amy Craft at 513-519-1816.
*Aug. 20 – The Boy Who Met Jesus by Immaculee Ilibagiza
Sept. 17 – MOVIE: Mother Teresa
Oct. 15 – Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
Nov. 19 – Not God’s Type by Holly Ordway

*Amazon Review of The Boy Who Met Jesus
It’s the greatest story never told: that of a boy who met Jesus and dared to ask Him all the questions that have consumed mankind since the dawn of time. His name was Segatashya. He was a shepherd born into a penniless and illiterate pagan family in the most remote region of Rwanda. He never attended school, never saw a bible, and never set foot in a church. Then one summer day in 1982 while the 15-year-old was resting beneath a tree, Jesus Christ paid him a visit. Jesus asked the startled young man if he’d be willing to go on a mission to remind mankind how to live a life that leads to heaven. Segatashya accepted the assignment on one condition: that Jesus answer all his questions-and all the questions of those he met on his travels-about faith, religion, the purpose of life, and the nature of heaven and hell. Jesus agreed to the boy’s terms, and Segatashya set off on what would become one of the most miraculous journeys in modern history. Although he was often accused of being a charlatan and beaten as a result, Segatashya’s innocent heart and powerful spiritual wisdom quickly won over even the most cynical of critics. Soon, this teenage boy who had never learned to read or write was discussing theology with leading biblical scholars and advising pastors and priests of all denominations. He became so famous in Rwanda that the Catholic Church investigated his story. The doctors and psychiatrists who examined Segatashya all agreed that they were witnessing a miracle. His words and simple truths converted thousands of hearts and souls wherever he went. Before his death during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, Segatashya continued his travels and conversations with Jesus for eight years, asking Him what we all want to know: Why were we created? Why must we suffer? Why do bad things happen to good people? When will the world end? Is there life after death? How do we get to Heaven? The answers to these and many other momentous, life-changing questions are revealed in this riveting book, which is the first full account of Segatashya’s remarkable life story. Written with grace, passion, and loving humor by Immaculée Ilibagiza, Segatashya’s close friend and a survivor of the Rwandan holocaust herself, this truly inspirational work is certain to move you in profound ways. No matter what your faith or religious beliefs, Segatashya’s words will bring you comfort and joy, and prepare your heart for this life… and for life everlasting.

This past May 24th marked the 40th anniversary of Fr. Bill’s ordination. Earlier in the year, the parish staff and his family planned to celebrate with a special Mass at 2:00 pm and a light reception. Things changed and the celebration had to be postponed!! On September 1st, Fr. Bill will also be celebrating another big milestone. He turns 65 yrs old. We would like to celebrate his two big milestones (40th anniversary and 65 yrs of age) with you on the weekend of August 29/30. We invite you to join with him in offering prayers of thanksgiving for all the blessings we have experienced from his service over the 40 years (and 3 months) of priesthood and 65 years of his life. Many of you have already shared your congratulations with him, but the staff and his family would still like to celebrate with you. We will have a special Mass offered on August 30th at 2:00 in the afternoon open to anyone, but Fr. Bill plans to celebrate and preach at all the Masses throughout the weekend (8/29-30) except the Sunday night 5:00 PM Mass. (He has plans with his family at that time.)  We are still working out the details of whether we might be able to offer some bottled water and pre-packaged snacks following the Masses. Please join with us at any of the Masses that weekend in-person or virtually in prayer. He has expressed his gratitude in so many ways for the nearly 5 years of those 40 years he has served with us here. 

Be sure you are subscribed to our emails and like us on Facebook to get the most up to date information. You may also check our website for updates, and links to online masses and donations.
The Parish Office is trying to limit the amount of face to face contact so we ask that you please wear a mask when stopping by. We also have labeled boxes in the breezeway between the two sets of double doors for you to drop off anything you need to turn into the Parish Office. We do check these throughout the day. Or please feel free to use the night drop located before the main Parish building entrance on the right.
We have been opening up the church everyday usually by 8:00 a.m. for personal visits during the daytime, which is an opportunity for personal prayer or even personal devotions. We are continuing to live-stream our weekday daily Masses at NOON and also our Saturday evening 5:00 p.m. Mass.