Join us the first Saturday each month in the Church at 7:50 a.m. for Rosary Devotion. Our next date is February 6th, 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 minutes 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.
Women’s Book Club
Join us virtually this month on Thursday, February 18 at 7:00 PM to select our books for 2021. It is always an interesting mix of books when we get recommendations from multiple people! We will share the books we’ve each read during quarantine and decide on the book club titles for 2021. If you plan to join the Zoom call or are unable to attend but have a book suggestion, please contact Jennifer Barker, jenniferDbarker@yahoo.com or 502-314-9080.
FEBRUARY COLLECTIONS
Stuffed Animal Collection
My name is Linda DeGrella. For a couple of years now, I have been collecting gently used and new stuffed animals. I dress them up and donate them to several charitable organizations both in Louisville and Shelbyville. Since the Covid pandemic, my resources have dried up and I myself have not visited the thrift stores as usual. I wash the animals thoroughly and dress them in newborn or 3-6 month clothes, making alterations to the clothes as needed. I would like to continue this mission and hope that my St. Margaret Mary family can help me out. I need new or gently used stuffed animals that have four free-hanging limbs (like we do), approximately 14-20 inches tall. I also could use some newborn or 3-6 month clothes and hats/ scarves for both boys and girls. This collection will be held at ALL Masses February 6/7
Black & Indian Mission Collection
At all Masses February 20/21, we will take up the annual Black and Indian Mission Collection. This Collection exists to help diocesan communities preach the Gospel of Jesus among the African American, Native American, and Alaskan Native people of God. Your donations help fund parish-based catechetical programs, support teacher and catechist professional development, encourage vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and create diocesan structures, such as our own archdiocesan Office of Multicultural Ministry, that support ministry and evangelization in these diverse cultural communities. Please be generous.
ASH WEDNESDAY & LENTEN OFFERINGS
Lenten Events & Offerings
Click below to find our rundown of Lenten Offerings and detailed information on those offerings and other events. It includes information about our Fish Fry’s, Eucharistic Adoration, Lenten themed Studies, a Retreat, Holy Week and more!
Mass Times: 8:15 AM, 12-Noon and 7:00 PM ** Please bring in your Old Blessed Palms to Church by Sunday, February 14th for Ash Wednesday Ashes. You can place them in the basket in the back of Church.
ASH WEDNESDAY NOTICE FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE
In accordance with instructions from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, there will be some changes to the distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday this year amid the coronavirus pandemic.
At the appropriate time in the liturgy, the priest will bless the ashes and then, aloud to the whole assembly, say the words indicated in the Missal: “Repent and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” This is said only once and not individually to each person. Ashes will then be distributed to the faithful in the form of sprinkling on the top of the head. This method avoids direct skin contact between persons. While most Americans are more familiar with the placing of ashes on the forehead in the shape of a cross, the sprinkling of ashes is very common in Catholic cultures around the world.
The ministers and the faithful wear masks throughout this rite of distribution of ashes. While waiting in line, social distancing protocols (similar to those in place for distribution of Holy Communion) should be observed. The Church considers the blessed ashes to be a “sacramental” – a tangible sign that inspires reverence as we enter into the holy and penitential season of Lent. While this is an important sign of our faith, it is by no means a requirement. Those who feel uncomfortable may simply choose not to receive ashes this year.
The School Advisory Council (SAC) is currently accepting nominations for new members. New members will be elected by school families. The primary purpose of the SAC shall be to give guidance and advice to the Pastor and Principal. The SAC will consider the interest of all parents, students, and faculty. The term for a SAC member is three years.
Nominations will be accepted through Thursday, February 18th
If you are interested or have questions regarding this stewardship opportunity, please contact Abigail Costello or Ann Showalter. For more information, nomination forms were sent home in the Friday Folders on January 29 to the youngest or only child in each family.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Safe Environment Training
ALL Volunteers, School Parents & Coaches
The Archdiocese of Louisville is committed to ensuring that children & youth who worship, study or participate in church-sponsored activities can do so in the safest & most secure setting possible. In an effort to fulfill this commitment, all employees/volunteers in 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. All trainings are come/first served. No advance registration is necessary. In accordance with Gov. Beshear’s latest executive order, all trainings moving forward have been limited to 25 persons in attendance, until otherwise noted. *No one under the age of 16 will be admitted to the training, this includes infants. MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR ENTRY INTO THE TRAINING.
*Click here for the most up to date schedule changes and information. 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.
Schedule of Workshops
Feb. 8 – 6:30 p.m. – Incarnation (limited to 25), 2229 Lower Hunters Trace, 40216 – Gym Feb. 16 – 6:30 p.m. – St. Albert (limited to 25), 1395 Girard Dr, 40222 – Parish Life Center
New Payment Processor
St. Margaret Mary has moved to a new payment processor as of January 1, 2021 for parishioners using automatic withdrawal from their checking or savings for their donations. As always, our goal of securely processing your generous gifts to the parish is our utmost importance. After an extensive evaluation, we chose LPi and their WeShare online giving platform to help. LPi works with more than 2,500 Catholic churches around the country, and 20 churches in the Archdiocese of Louisville. WeShare gives you more flexibility on donation dates, frequency options, and the ability to manage your own account securely online. WeShare helps the parish staff create more efficiencies, and offers additional security for your financial information. If you are a current automatic giver, you have nothing to do. If you would like to start using online giving, manage your account online, make an increase to your donation, or opt-out, please notify Susan White in the parish office at giving@stmm.org. We will be starting to grant parishioners online access in February after migrating everyone over to the new site. For questions/concerns, please call the parish office at 426-1588 or email giving@stmm.org.
Stewardship Cards
Click here for a printable Card to mail or drop off to the Parish Office.
The Parish has currently received a total of 838 Stewardship Cards. Thanks to everyone who turned in a Stewardship Intention Card! Cards are still being accepted. Additional cards are available in the Parish Office or online if you need one.
“The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.”Mark 1:22
Listening to the authority of Jesus’ teachings helps us not be confused by the perceived ‘wisdom’ of the world. The world focuses only on self, while the authority of Jesus teaches a steward is to think of others rather than oneself.
Snow Inclement Weather Policy
With winter’s arrival this is a good time to publish our inclement weather policy. It is our policy here at St. Margaret Mary that whenever our school is cancelled due to inclement weather, then all activities on the campus are also cancelled. This includes all evening events and programs. Masses will not be cancelled because our priest lives on our grounds. We would hope, however, that if travel is dangerous and hazardous, you use your best judgment in deciding if you should try to get here. Updated information about closings & cancellations can be found on our website or by calling the Parish Office.
Email Listing for the Recently Deceased
We are currently working on creating an email list for those who would like to receive emails about those in our parish community who pass away along with their funeral arrangements and other information. These emails will be sent as soon as we get permission from the family to notify our community. If you’d like to be on this list, please click here to update your email preferences and check “Repose of the Souls“.
Stay Up to Date with Us
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.
Submit your contributions ONLINE. This is a safe & secure way to continue your pledge and support for SMM. You’re still welcome to mail in, give at Mass, or drop off your donation to the Parish Office/in the locked night drop outside the main entrance to the Parish building. *Current automatic withdrawals are continuing as scheduled. We encourage parishioners to sign up for the automatic service as this way benefits SMM the most with minimal fees. The form for that is available online as well.
Parish Office Hours
The Parish Office is back open 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Most employees are working on site, however some are still occasionally working from home for precautionary measures. If you need to speak to a staff member, call us at 426-1588. Or click here for a list of our employees and their emails. We remain at your service.
Women’s Book Club
Lenten Events & Offerings
School Advisory Council (SAC) Nominations
Safe Environment Training
Stewardship Cards
Snow Inclement Weather Policy
