Our Lady of LourdesKNOW l LOVE l SERVE l GROW

Parish Newsletter

SPRING 2020

LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR

Recommit to follow Jesus during crisisDear friends,

“God of everlasting mercy!” These words greet the ears of our hearts in the Collect or Open-ing Prayer on the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday. It was just a few days ago when we were asked during the Easter celebration: Do you believe? A recommitment to faithfully follow Jesus each and every moment of our lives.

What do our lives look like today? How have they changed in just a matter of days or weeks? The constant – go, go, go – has all but stopped. Street traffic is lighter. Crowds have disappeared from schools, places of business, sporting events and houses of worship. The parish is eerily quiet.

Yet at 10:00 a.m., we ring the church bells. At night, the original rectory pays homage to lives lost with a green light in the window. In

this time of crisis, outreach is done by email, texting and the old-fash-ioned way – phone calls.

Remember the commercial - you old timers: Paper or Plastic (lol). Paper takes on new meaning and emphasis. Weddings are being re-scheduled and funerals replaced by “small” grave side services.

Let us pray for each other espe-cially the sick, homebound, those in hospitals, nursing homes, first responders and all health care pro-viders. Let us remember those who lack the basic necessities of life.

For all who have died, Eternal

Rest grant to them, O Lord.Continue to be smart. Stay home,

stay healthy, wash your hands often and say your prayers more often.

Show mercy to our neighbor as mercy has been shown to us.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Scott J. Wimsett, Pastsor

Our Mission is...

To KNOWLOVEand

SERVEGod.

LOVEand

SERVE our

neighbors.

GROWintentional disciples.

Our Lady of Lourdes 508 Breckenridge Lane Louisville, KY 40207 n 502-896-0241 www.ourlourdes.org Office Hours: By Appointment Only

Follow us on Social Media

Our Lady of Lourdes, a Roman

Catholic Church in St. Matthews, Kentucky, was

established in 1950.

Twitter: @OurLourdes

Facebook: OUR LADY OF LOURDES, LOU KY OurLadyofLourdes YouthMinistry

Instagram: ourlourdeskyolollouisvilleym (YouthMinistry)

SPIRITUALITY

Virtual opportunities for all ages

The Men’s Group is meeting virtually on Thurs-day mornings for fellowship & Sunday Gospel reflections. They welcome new additions!

With the change in our current times, some of our formation ministries have adapted to include some meetups virtually. This includes adult bible study and youth ministry. See the info below for details:

Adult Bible Study- Tuesday mornings All are invited to join us on Tuesday morn-ings for Zoom video-conference virtual bible study sessions from 10-11 a.m. We will be following Bishop Robert Barron’s classroom lessons. If interested, please contact Doug Wolz at dougw@ourlourdes.org or call 896-0241 and leave a message.

The weekly topics will be as follows: April 28: Church Leadership May 5: Death on the Cross May 12: Church’s Attitude toward

Non-Christians May 19: The Values and Behaviors of

Church Members

Men’s Group - Thursday morningsAll men are invited to join us for a Zoom

video-conference discussion about the up-coming week’s Gospel. We meet at 7-7:50 a.m. If interested in attending, please contact Doug Wolz at dougw@ourlourdes.org or leave a message at 896-0241.

Youth Group - Sunday EveningsProjectYM is every Sunday at 8 p.m. Each

broadcast is an hour long and includes games, music, and a teaching from one of the top Catholic youth ministry speakers in the country. Teens will be able to watch the live

stream from any device – and be part of the biggest Catholic youth nights ever! The link is projectym.com/watch. Questions? Contact Bill Ash at billa@ourlourdes.org or leave a message at 896-0241.

YouTube Channel: @olol youtube

LIVE-STREAMING MASS SUNDAYS

10 AM

Full mass available afterwards: Parish YouTube Channel: @olol youtube

Streamed LIVE on Facebook@ OUR LADY OF LOURDES, LOU KY

Since we can have no public gatherings at this time, and in order to safely follow social dis-tancing guidelines, all sacramental celebrations are temporarily sus-pended. As soon as restrictions are lifted and we are able to meet per-sonally again, we will resume. This will be a time of great joy for all of us, and you will be notified when this happens!

Community celebrations such as baptism and First Communion will be rescheduled as soon as it is feasible to do so.

In the meantime, please use the beautiful prayer below for an act of Spiritual Communion:

Baptisms, FirstCommunion postponed

My Jesus,I believe that You are present

in the Most Holy Sacrament.I love You above all things, and I

desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment

receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually

into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite

myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

The parish leadership would like to thank our parishio-ners for your continued sup-port of our parish’s many min-istries. Even during this COVID-19 crisis, we are receiving financial gifts through weekly/monthly offering envelopes or through eGiving and Faith Direct. These donations are critical to keep the work of our church going!

You may mail gifts directly to the Parish Office or drop off on our front porch mailbox. There are staff members at-tending to this need everyday. Please be assured that it will get processed and deposited in a timely manner.

Currently 30% of our parish-ioners donate through Faith

Direct. Faith Direct is a con-venient and secure electronic giving (eGiving) program that

will enable you to continue giv-ing to Our Lady of Lourdes from your home.

Through Faith Direct you can make all of your contributions

to Our Lady of Lourdes auto-matically from your checking account or savings account. This is a great way to simplify your giving – and it’s the most cost-effective, environmental-ly-friendly way for us to receive your gifts.

To signup, visit: https://membership.faithdirect.net/KY747 or call Faith Direct’s toll-free number, 866-507-8757, to speak with someone directly.

Thank you so much for sup-porting our parish!

FINANCIAL GIVING

Support the parish from home through Faith Direct

STEWARDSHIP IN ACTION

The first class of First Communicants from Our Lady of Lourdes in 1951. Pictured with Monsignor Gerst and Sister Willeta.

THROWBACK SNAPSHOT

SHARE YOUR THROWBACK PICS WITH US!EMAIL TO BETHF@OURLOURDES.ORG

RIGHT: Beautiful signs of God’s creation have sprouted on the OLOL campus.

BOTTOM: 3rd grader Paden Wissing watches a math lesson from his teacher, Ms. Gerstle, during Non-Tradi-tional Learning Days.

#BEARCATSTRONG DURING COVID-19 CRISIS

The PTO surprised 8th graders on April 15 with yard signs celebrating their upcoming graduation - espe-cially during this difficult time.

TOP:The parish has connected with parishioners through video messages from Fr. Scott and has just begun live-streaming Sunday mass.

ABOVE: Third grade teachers Mrs. Motiff and Mrs. Smith posted a sign from their classroom for their students. School families have been completing Non-Traditional Learning Days at-home since March 16.

GET TO KNOW...

FAMILY MEMBERS: Ted & Sharon Elsesser (son David is 31)

OCCUPATION: Sharon retired from Norton Healthcare, Nursing management; Ted retired teacher, Sacred Heart Academy

NUMBER OF YEARS AT OLOL: 28

MASS WE NORMALLY ATTEND: 9:30

ONE INTERESTING THING ABOUT OUR-SELVES: We have been in every state except Ted has not been to Maine. One of our recent vacation memories was swim-ming in the Blue Lagoon and viewing the Northern Lights in Iceland. We once drove a TV 800 miles to throw it away!

YOU MAY HAVE SEEN US VOLUNTEERING: Sharon: Parish Council, Adult Choir, For-mation Committee; Ted: Sacristan, Land-scape, RCIA, Communion at Hospital

FAVORITE THING ABOUT OLOL: Communi-ty, liturgies and warmth of the church.

HOPE & DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE OUR CHURCH: Sharon: The fulfillment of our stewardship prayer; Ted: That we strive to be our best and build toward the King-dom.

Ted & Sharon Elsesser

May has always been a month in our church devoted to Mary, our Blessed Mother. We’d like to start a new trend during this quar-antine month in honor of our Our Lady - especially since our parish is named in her honor.

In mid-March, Pope Francis offered a prayer to Mary. The Pope wanted to entrust the city of Rome, all of Italy, and “the entire world to the protec-tion of the Mother of God, as a sign of salvation and hope” during the ongoing coronavi-rus emergency.

An English-language trans-lation of the Pope’s prayer is shared below in the blue box. We encourage you to say this

prayer often or pray the rosary in your home.

Also, see the coloring sheet on the next page - print, color and hang this in the window or door of your home. Or if you have another favorite im-age of Mary, feel free to hang that. Then while walking in the neighorhood, look for these images of our Blessed Mother.

This is similar to the “rain-bow hunts” that have been popular in many neighbor-hoods. We can find comfort in coming together in this spiri-tual way.

We’d love to see pics of your Mary image in your window. Share them with us by email-ing: bethf@ourlourdes.org

MARIAN DEVOTION

Honor Mary by posting image & Pope blessing

Pope Francis’ Prayer to Mary during Pandemic

O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.

We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick.At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain,

with steadfast faith.You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need.

We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee,

joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.Help us, Mother of Divine Love to conform ourselves to the

Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us:He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our

sorrows to bring us,through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.

We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God.

Do not despise our pleas– we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger,

O glorious and blessed Virgin.

Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for Us!

Beginning in late January 2020, the Strategic Planning Committee conducted input sessions with 155 parishioners. More than 500 parishioners were invited at random to attend these sessions. The participants verbalized in a small-group setting one strength, one opportunity, and one future desire of the parish. Sessions lasted 55 minutes and were facilitated by Fr. Scott and parish staff members Doug Wolz and Beth Freeman. Below is a summary of the results:

STRENGTHSLiturgyMinistries/OutreachBlue Ribbon SchoolCommunity

OPPORTUNITIESYoung Adult MinistryAging FacilityInclusive Engagement across age groups/More VolunteersTechnology/SecurityKeeping connection with families whose children graduate from 8th grade

FUTUREMulti-Purpose Building for Bereavement, Conferences & Lectures, Group Meetings, School Programs, Youth Ministry and moreCreate Preschool SpaceVibrant OutreachBrand school and parish

DID YOU KNOW?

THANK YOUOn the weekend of Feb. 1/2 a “Parish Pulse” survey was conducted at all masses. This survey was also emailed to all parishoners for input. THANK YOU to the 692 parishioners who completed a survey - your responses help us understand the current “pulse” of the parish! The detailed results of the “Parish Pulse” survey are included on the next page.

WHAT’S TO COME...Phase 2 of the Stragetic Plan is now underway. This will include establishing subcommittees for each of our pillars of focus: Communication, Education, Facilities, Outreach, Stewardship & Worship. The subcommittees will design and document priorities, activities and measures for each of their areas. In the Fall of 2020, the full document and goals of the entire Strategic Plan will be shared with the parish at-large.

If you have suggestions or input about the future of the parish, we welcome feedback anytime by emailing Beth Freeman at bethf@ourlourdes.org or call 966-7216.

OUR LADY OF LOURDES STRATEGIC PLAN

Our Lady of LourdesFebruary 2020 Pulse Survey

DemographicsAll Surveys 4:30 7:30 9:30 11:30 Vistor Electronic

AGE: AGE: AGE: AGE: AGE: AGE: AGE:65+ 40% 65+ 53% 65+ 55% 65+ 52% 65+ 29% 65+ 75% 35-44 24%55-64 21% 55-64 29% 55-64 28% 55-64 19% 35-44 23% 55-64 25% 45-54 23%35-44 16% 35-44 8% 45-54 9% 35-44 12% Under 18 21% Under 18 0% 65+ 22%45-54 13% 45-54 4% 35-44 4% 45-54 9% 55-64 13% 18-25 0% 55-64 18%Under 18 5% Under 18 3% 26-34 3% Under 18 4% 45-54 12% 26-34 0% 26-34 9%26-34 4% 26-34 2% Under 18 0% 26-34 3% 18-25 2% 35-44 0% 18-25 2%18-25 1% 18-25 1% 18-25 0% 18-25 1% 26-34 1% 45-54 0% Under 18 2%

All SurveysCompleted Surveys: Count

Electronic 31% 2179:30 23% 1594:30 16% 11211:30 16% 1107:30 13% 89Visitor 1% 5Total 100% 692

Why I attend Mass at Our Lady of LourdesAll Surveys 4:30 7:30 9:30 11:30 Vistor Electronic

# Responses 692 112 89 159 110 5 217% of Total 100% 16% 13% 23% 16% 1% 31%

Welcome Welcome Welcome Welcome Welcome Mass Times Welcome Liturgy Mass Times Mass Times Liturgy School Liturgy Liturgy Leadership Liturgy Liturgy Leadership Liturgy Leadership School Mass Times Leadership Spiritual Spiritual Location Location Opportunities Location Location Leadership Geo Leadership School Spiritual Geo Spiritual Geo Location Geo Welcome Leadership Spiritual Geo Location Mass Times Opportunities Geo Location School Opportunities Opportunities School Mass Times Spiritual Mass Times Opportunities School Mission Opportunities Spiritual Opportunities Best Friends Best Friends Best Friends School Best Friends Best Friends Best Friends Geo Mission Mission Best Friends Mission Mission Mission Mission

TOP

5 TOP 5

Take-a-Ways: 1) 65+ had highest survey participation rate, at 40% or 272 of 692, 2) Electronic surveys had the highest participation with 217 surveys completed primarily by younger "school age" families, 24% by 35-44 age group and 23% by 45-54 age group, 3) 9:30 mass had highest overall participation of hardcopy surveys with 159 surveys completed, 4) 7:30 mass is older and less connected to Parish/School, 4) 11:30 is the "school family" mass with higher number with school children and the second highest survey participants were 35-44 age group, 5) feeling "Welcome" was the overall highest response of why they are a parishioner at OLOL

Our Lady of LourdesFebruary 2020 Pulse Survey

Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree

Strongly Agree Total

Weighted Average

9 20 89 336 218 6721.3% 3.0% 13.2% 50.0% 32.4% 100%

6 25 145 299 178 6530.9% 3.8% 22.2% 45.8% 27.3% 100%

8 8 28 229 412 6851.2% 1.2% 4.1% 33.4% 60.1% 100%

5 11 67 261 318 6620.8% 1.7% 10.1% 39.4% 48.0% 100%

6 11 111 358 198 6840.9% 1.6% 16.2% 52.3% 28.9% 100%

55 141 146 190 124 6568.4% 21.5% 22.3% 29.0% 18.9% 100%

I have the opportunity to share my gifts of time, talent, expertise and wisdom here at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish:

4.3

When I listen to the Gospel message shared at mass, it translates into action in my life:

4.1

In the last 6 months, I have personally invited someone to attend mass, events, functions and/or celebrations here at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish:

3.3

Parish leaders do an excellent job of communicating with me in regards to activities and events:

4.1

Parish leaders do an excellent job of communicating with me in regards to volunteer activities:

3.9

I am warmly greeted when I celebrate liturgy here at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish:

4.5

PARISH PULSE SURVEY RESULTSOur Lady of LourdesFebruary 2020 Pulse Survey

DemographicsAll Surveys 4:30 7:30 9:30 11:30 Vistor Electronic

AGE: AGE: AGE: AGE: AGE: AGE: AGE:65+ 40% 65+ 53% 65+ 55% 65+ 52% 65+ 29% 65+ 75% 35-44 24%55-64 21% 55-64 29% 55-64 28% 55-64 19% 35-44 23% 55-64 25% 45-54 23%35-44 16% 35-44 8% 45-54 9% 35-44 12% Under 18 21% Under 18 0% 65+ 22%45-54 13% 45-54 4% 35-44 4% 45-54 9% 55-64 13% 18-25 0% 55-64 18%Under 18 5% Under 18 3% 26-34 3% Under 18 4% 45-54 12% 26-34 0% 26-34 9%26-34 4% 26-34 2% Under 18 0% 26-34 3% 18-25 2% 35-44 0% 18-25 2%18-25 1% 18-25 1% 18-25 0% 18-25 1% 26-34 1% 45-54 0% Under 18 2%

All SurveysCompleted Surveys: Count

Electronic 31% 2179:30 23% 1594:30 16% 11211:30 16% 1107:30 13% 89Visitor 1% 5Total 100% 692

Why I attend Mass at Our Lady of LourdesAll Surveys 4:30 7:30 9:30 11:30 Vistor Electronic

# Responses 692 112 89 159 110 5 217% of Total 100% 16% 13% 23% 16% 1% 31%

Welcome Welcome Welcome Welcome Welcome Mass Times Welcome Liturgy Mass Times Mass Times Liturgy School Liturgy Liturgy Leadership Liturgy Liturgy Leadership Liturgy Leadership School Mass Times Leadership Spiritual Spiritual Location Location Opportunities Location Location Leadership Geo Leadership School Spiritual Geo Spiritual Geo Location Geo Welcome Leadership Spiritual Geo Location Mass Times Opportunities Geo Location School Opportunities Opportunities School Mass Times Spiritual Mass Times Opportunities School Mission Opportunities Spiritual Opportunities Best Friends Best Friends Best Friends School Best Friends Best Friends Best Friends Geo Mission Mission Best Friends Mission Mission Mission Mission

TOP

5 TOP 5

Take-a-Ways: 1) 65+ had highest survey participation rate, at 40% or 272 of 692, 2) Electronic surveys had the highest participation with 217 surveys completed primarily by younger "school age" families, 24% by 35-44 age group and 23% by 45-54 age group, 3) 9:30 mass had highest overall participation of hardcopy surveys with 159 surveys completed, 4) 7:30 mass is older and less connected to Parish/School, 4) 11:30 is the "school family" mass with higher number with school children and the second highest survey participants were 35-44 age group, 5) feeling "Welcome" was the overall highest response of why they are a parishioner at OLOL