Archdiocesan News

Deacon David J. Carr, who will be ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville on May 26, discerned his vocation while standing guard as a security policeman for the Air Force in the Marshall Islands. It’s an unlikely scenario … Continue reading →

Trinity High School will be honored tonight by Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light (KIPL) for efforts to conserve energy and reduce waste around its campus in St. Matthews. Assumption High School was honored last year by that same organization, which … Continue reading →

While homeschooling isn’t common around the Archdiocese of Louisville, there are committed and faith-filled families in the archdiocese that do educate their children at home. And they want to share the benefits of homeschooling with other families during the Kentucky … Continue reading →

Deacon Christopher Rhodes, 34, a former Army infantry officer, began to consider the priesthood shortly after he joined the Catholic Church in 2002. But it wasn’t until he was stationed in Korea that he seriously felt called to the priesthood. … Continue reading →

When school ends for the summer break in less than a month, some 50,000 children in Jefferson County who rely on free or reduced-price lunches will lose the benefit of those reliable meals. Charities that help to feed some of … Continue reading →

The recently ended session of the Kentucky General Assembly left the Catholic Conference of Kentucky feeling far less than satisfied. In a May 7 interview, the conference’s executive director, Father Patrick Delahanty, used a single word to describe his reaction … Continue reading →

Sisters honor three young women who laid the foundation for their international community The Sisters of Loretto honored their founders, planned for the future, renewed their vows and took action to aid immigrants during a five-day bicentennial celebration held April … Continue reading →

Last year, the event raised $63,000 — all of which went back to the St. Joseph Home for the Aged “And we’re off,” bellowed Steve Hale, one of the announcers at the Little Sisters of the Poor’s 20th annual Turtle … Continue reading →

Bethlehem High School teacher Chris Cassady and Our Lady of Lourdes parishioner Wayne Cassady make pilgrimage to Cuba to see the pope Wayne Cassady and his son Chris recently took part in a pilgrimage to see Pope Benedict XVI during … Continue reading →

Three seminarians who are nearing the end of their studies for the priesthood will be ordained to the diaconate on April 28 at St. Barnabas Church, 3042 Hikes Lane. The ordination of Nicholas J. Brown, Steven D. Henriksen and Christopher … Continue reading →

The Holy Name Band gathered before a handful of listeners April 23 at the St. Joseph Home for the Aged and played about an hour and a half of music that filled the halls with marches and waltzes, swing tunes … Continue reading →

New blessing for unborn child originated with Archbishop Kurtz when he was bishop of Knoxville Catholic churches in the United States will be able to celebrate a special new blessing — which originated with Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz — for … Continue reading →

HENRYVILLE, Ind. — Pages from Genesis, Ezekiel, Job and Ezra were unearthed from tornado-ravaged ground last week by teenage volunteers from St. Paul, Incarnation and Epiphany churches. The teens spent their entire spring break aiding people whose lives were turned … Continue reading →

SPRINGFIELD, Ky. — More than a dozen students at St. Catharine College near Springfield, Ky., formed Kentucky’s first chapter of Dominican Young Adults USA last fall. The group’s mission is simple: To grow spiritually and to reach out to others. … Continue reading →

Catholics of all ages who have experienced TEC are invited to April 28 gathering at Flaget Center The Archdiocese of Louisville will launch a new program in August that aims to help older teens and college-age adults to grow in … Continue reading →

VATICAN CITY — Light 
and darkness, truth and lies, hope and despair are in a constant battle in the world, but with his death and resurrection Jesus conquered sin and death for all time, Pope Benedict XVI said on Easter. … Continue reading →

If prayer lies at the heart of worship, music — at least for some — is the pulse that invigorates it. Pope Pius XII wrote about sacred music in his 1955 encyclical, Musicae Sacrae, “It should make the liturgical prayers … Continue reading →

Benedictine Father Boniface Hardin, who died March 24 at an Indianapolis nursing home, had a profound impact on the Archdiocese of Louisville — 
especially the local African American Catholic community. The native of Bardstown, Ky., was 78 years old. Father … Continue reading →

This Sunday, we celebrate Easter, the holiest day of the year when we announce with great joy: He who suffered painfully and innocently for our salvation is not dead but alive. ALLELUIA! And as followers of Jesus Christ, we rise … Continue reading →

There were more than 400 men in Our Lady of Lourdes Church on the morning of March 31, but they were as still as statues, as soundless as if the hall were empty. Standing before them, Deacon Greg Hall of … Continue reading →

The pastor of St. Aloysius Church in Shepherdsville, Ky., told parishioners and school families last weekend that the parish school, founded in 1957, will close at the end of this academic year. “As the costs of supporting the ministry of … Continue reading →

Students from Holy Cross College in Massachusetts have been making service trips to the state for decades For more than three decades, students from The College of Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., have been visiting and working in the southern … Continue reading →

Some of the brightest young minds in the Archdiocese of Louisville were on display March 24 at the Catholic Enrichment Center’s first Community Science Fair. Fifty-five students from grades five to eight in six local schools — St. Nicholas Academy, … Continue reading →

Single Catholic women 18-40 are invited to visit religious from eight nearby communities Women who are interested in religious life — even if they’re just curious — will have a chance to visit women religious from eight nearby communities during a … Continue reading →

Shively Area Ministries, sponsored by local churches, aids struggling families In an area of Louisville where the poverty rate reached 18 percent in 2010, Shively Area Ministries has expanded its food pantry to serve a growing number of people in … Continue reading →

Twenty voices and a lively piano accompaniment delighted a local retirement community Monday night with traditional Irish airs in four-part harmony. The Care Singers, a group of adult singers led by former music minister Kelly Cobb, visit nursing homes throughout … Continue reading →

A pilot program started at St. Margaret Mary, Holy Trinity and St. Albert the Great schools aims to change the way children 10 years old and younger learn and play tennis. The program — called “10 and Under Tennis” — … Continue reading →

Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, St. Gabriel, St. X have done hands-on work to aid relief efforts Catholics around the Archdiocese of Louisville — spared the devastating effects of the March 2 tornadoes — have turned to helping people affected … Continue reading →

In an era when quilting circles, bridge clubs and other ladies’ societies are largely thought of as things of the past, the Ladies Sewing Society of St. Joseph Children’s Home is still going strong. The sewing group — founded in … Continue reading →

Bellarmine physical therapy students treat patients at the CEC twice a week Each semester, more than a dozen physical therapy doctoral program students from Bellarmine University visit the Catholic Enrichment Center (CEC) twice a week. There, free of charge, they … Continue reading →

The Catholic Church in the United States is “in for tough times” if vocations to the priesthood and religious life don’t increase significantly in the coming years, a speaker told priests, lay people and religious men and women who gathered … Continue reading →

More than 600 individuals attending the 25th annual African American Catholic Leadership Awards Banquet March 3 heard Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory call them to proclaim the message of Christ to the entire world. The banquet, sponsored by the Archdiocese of … Continue reading →

For the first time in its history, the judiciary committee of the Kentucky Senate has held a hearing on a bill that would replace the death penalty with a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. The hearing occurred … Continue reading →

Individuals preparing to enter the Catholic Church were recognized during the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion ceremonies held at St. Patrick Church Feb. 25 and at the Cathedral of the Assumption Feb. 26. Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz told … Continue reading →

Ken McKiernan looks every bit the part of an Irishman. Though his hair is now gray, the 78-year-old retired artist and advertising agency owner comes equipped with a ubiquitous smile, a quick-and-ready wit and the gift of story-telling that’s as … Continue reading →

SPRINGFIELD, Ky. — Parishioners of St. Rose Church here filled the church to capacity last Saturday to see the newly renovated sanctuary rededicated by Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz. The archbishop opened the celebratory Mass by congratulating the parish on “its … Continue reading →

Mary Jane Spaulding, a veteran teacher at St. Dominic School in Springfield, Ky., educates children in the tradition of the Dominican Sisters who once taught at the school, her alma mater. The last of the Dominican Sisters of Peace (then … Continue reading →

The center hopes to open this summer but still needs additional funding and supplies St. Mary’s Center, a day training center for intellectually challenged adults, plans to open its new facility at 14207 Aiken Road in Middletown this summer. But … Continue reading →

Thanks to the school board at St. Agnes School, Catholic Charities and a host of other people, Pragati Ghimire, a seven-year old refugee from Nepal, is attending St. Agnes School at no cost to her family. Pragati, along with her … Continue reading →

Sally Lynch, known as “Aunt Sally” to students at John Paul II Academy on Goldsmith Lane, has volunteered in Catholic schools for more than 30 years. She’s best known for her upbeat outlook — she has a seemingly irrepressible smile — … Continue reading →

ROME — Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan of New York said Feb. 13 that President Barack Obama’s revision to the contraceptive mandate in the health reform law did nothing to change the U.S. bishops’ opposition to what they regard as an … Continue reading →

Nearly 200 St. Xavier High School students give blood every year during the school’s annual blood drive. But a few dozen students have decided that they can do more. In fact, they can donate blood every 56 days if they … Continue reading →

Last year’s Salute to Catholic School Alumni raised more than $355,000 — which was a record for the 22-year-old event. But Richard A. Lechleiter, chairman of the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF), says last year’s significant fund-raising total represents a record … Continue reading →

After losing federal funding to aid victims of human trafficking, Catholic Charities of Louisville and other agencies that help victims are backing a bipartisan anti-trafficking bill introduced last week in the Kentucky House of Representatives. “We have been shocked and … Continue reading →

Participants have the opportunity to discuss key bills and issues with legislators FRANKFORT, Ky. — More than 125 Catholics from around the Commonwealth of Kentucky gathered at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort Feb. 6 to discuss current legislative issues. … Continue reading →

Administrators, teachers and students from schools around the Archdiocese of Louisville gathered at Holy Trinity Church on Jan. 31 for the annual Catholic Schools Week liturgy. The theme of this year’s Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 29 to Feb. 4, is … Continue reading →

Twice Blessed Bargains, a thrift shop at St. Thomas More Church, is not only serving the needs of residents of the South End of Louisville but providing the parish with extra income as well. The store started out in one … Continue reading →

School in Lhomond has been supported by outreach from St. Edward parish, others In the weeks since the second anniversary of Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake, national and local media have produced story after story detailing the rebuilding effort and noting … Continue reading →

Parishes plan to hold sign-ups for small groups this weekend and next The next six-week season of Why Catholic? will start the week of Feb. 20. And most parishes taking part in the faith formation process are holding sign-ups this … Continue reading →

Phyllis Elbert Dries, a teacher at St. Patrick School, has been awarded the National Catholic Educational Association’s (NCEA) Distinguished Teacher Award for 2012. The third-grade teacher has spent more than a quarter of a century educating and nurturing students in … Continue reading →

About 700 people filled the pews of St. Martin of Tours Church in downtown Louisville Sunday to pray for an end to abortion and other practices that threaten the dignity of human life. The annual Pro-life Memorial Mass usually draws … Continue reading →

Cooking course focuses on healthier options while still being affordable Tanya Beauchamp — Chef T, as she’s known around the Catholic Enrichment Center — says cooking healthy food is more than a job. For her, it’s a way of life. … Continue reading →

The way Capuchin Franciscan Friar Robert Marva of Cleveland, Ohio, sees it, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream for our nation was based on courage and the dreams shared by Jesus Christ. Speaking at the 27th annual Dr. Martin Luther … Continue reading →

St. Margaret Mary School eighth-grader Rebekah Klawitter and her schoolmate, fourth-grader Nell Rydzewski, won first-place awards in the Serra Club’s new vocation awareness essay contest. The club, whose mission is to promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life, sponsored … Continue reading →

The high school junior is a spokesperson for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Sean Caffee, a junior at Trinity High School, is a survivor — a cancer survivor. Now the 17-year-old volunteers his time as a spokesperson for the Leukemia … Continue reading →

Maria Della Bella asked her parents to buy a headstone for an indigent man for her Christmas gift As families around the United States gathered around Christmas trees to unwrap new toys and gadgets on Christmas morning, the Della Bella … Continue reading →

Event has been about a year in planning and is expected to draw about 500 There have been men’s conferences in the Archdiocese of Louisville in the past, but nothing like the one that will unfold on March 31. The … Continue reading →

More than 800 mourners called to imitate the faith of retired archbishop The people of the Archdiocese of Louisville were called to imitate the faith of Archbishop Emeritus Thomas C. Kelly during his Mass of Christian Burial held Dec. 20 … Continue reading →

Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly left friends, coworkers, brother bishops and priests countless memories of both his leadership and his friendship following his death on Dec. 14. He is remembered by people who served with him as a simple and humble … Continue reading →

Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly, who led the Archdiocese of Louisville from 1982 until his retirement in 2007, died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Dec. 14 at his home on the campus of Holy Trinity Church. He was … Continue reading →

For scores of people throughout the Archdiocese of Louisville, the holiday season is anything but the most wonderful time of the year. For many it is a forlorn period of loneliness and reflection, a time spent recalling the pain of … Continue reading →

Bellarmine University’s campus minister, Dr. Melanie-Prejean Sullivan, has been recognized by the national Catholic Campus Ministry Association for a college-level course she developed on the subject of discernment. Sullivan wrote the curriculum several years ago to help students learn to … Continue reading →

After several years of anxious anticipation, parishioners at St. Peter the Apostle Church gathered Dec. 2 to dedicate their new church building. St. Peter the Apostle Church, 5431 Johnsontown Road, was formed in 2008 from the combination of Our Lady … Continue reading →

The Archdiocese of Louisville’s Office of Multicultural Ministry received a $60,000 grant last week from The St. Jude Foundation, a local charity started by George Merrifield and his wife June to help struggling families. The grant, announced during a ceremony … Continue reading →

NAZARETH, Ky. — The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth opened their year-long bicentennial celebration Dec. 3 with a narrative chronicling their history in Nelson County and around the world. Sister Mary Elizabeth Miller, president of the congregation, told the crowd … Continue reading →

Presentation Academy, the oldest continuously operating high school in Louisville, celebrated its 180th anniversary last week with a program that paid homage to the school’s founders, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. The Nov. 21 event also served to honor … Continue reading →

Charity expands to St. Gabriel and expects to raise $90,000 for Christmas gifts Hundreds of children and adults are expected to spend $40,000 to $50,000 Dec. 4 at a local Target store — and it’s not a repeat of last … Continue reading →

Few problems reported as parishioners country-wide begin using the new missal WASHINGTON — Years of planning went into it, followed by catechesis over the past several months via workshops, classroom and video presentations, diocesan communiques, bishops’ pastoral letters, parish bulletin … Continue reading →

More than 400 young Catholics from the Archdiocese of Louisville and their chaperones gathered with about 23,000 others in Indianapolis last week to learn about their faith from church leaders and from one another. Among the church leaders who attended … Continue reading →

The Archdiocese of Louisville and its priests, deacons and women religious have a new resource available to them when they need guidance, care and spiritual support. It’s the Saint Luke Center in Lyndon, a ministry of Silver Spring, Maryland’s Saint … Continue reading →

Catholic Charismatic Renewal, a movement in the church devoted to the Holy Spirit, began in 1967 after students and professors at Duquesne University experienced what they described as a movement of the Holy Spirit. The movement rapidly spread across the … Continue reading →

The days are getting shorter and the wind has more of an edge to it now that Thanksgiving awaits and winter lies just over the horizon. For most people, these days are a time for putting up the storm windows … Continue reading →

Workshop helps American Sign Language interpreters learn concepts, language in the new missal In less than two weeks, Catholics around the United States will begin using the new translation of the Roman Missal. As the mainstream Catholic community learns the … Continue reading →

Bellarmine University has agreed to become a corporate sponsor of Nativity Academy at St. Boniface, a move that provides not only financial help for the school but also access to other educational resources. The agreement was announced at a luncheon … Continue reading →

“Golden Door” clinic is part of Sister Visitor Center’s expanded array of services A new clinic — called the Golden Door — has opened at the Sister Visitor Center to provide free medical care to struggling families. It’s open on … Continue reading →

Joseph Medley, 87, went from being a combat medic in World War II to leading Scouts at home Seems like it was just moments ago that Joseph Lamarr Medley was a young boy in Meade County, Ky., helping his family … Continue reading →

Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, Cal., called on people of all faiths to work collectively to take better care of creation during the Festival of Faiths Interfaith Prayer Breakfast Nov. 7 at the Henry Clay building. Bishop Blaire, who serves … Continue reading →

Sister Visitor Center has been through some changes in the last year or so. But one thing remains the same: a concern for people in need. Step into the center at 22nd Street and West Market, and you’ll be greeted … Continue reading →

The Kharels came to the U.S. in 2009 after living in refugee camps for 19 years Last Friday Chandra Kharel and her family realized a classic American dream — home ownership. While this is a significant feat for any family, … Continue reading →

The thrift store at St. Joseph Children’s Home has a new look, a new location, new hours and a new manager. The makeover began in April when the children’s home, at 2823 Frankfort Avenue, hired Margaret Thomas to manage the … Continue reading →

St. Mary Academy’s first agricultural fair gives students up-close look at growing food. Students at St. Mary Academy had the chance to learn more about the agricultural industry and food production at the school’s first agricultural fair held on Oct. … Continue reading →

Services to victims of human trafficking in Kentucky are facing an uncertain future with the expiration of two federal grants that funded anti-trafficking efforts in the state. The grants from the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office … Continue reading →

The Catholic Family Center offers discounted student testing rates. Because of funding from the Catholic Services Appeal (CSA), the Catholic Family Center — which includes the Archdiocese of Louisville’s counseling office — is able to offer a variety of testing … Continue reading →

The Archdiocese of Louisville Vocation Office is hoping to encourage dozens of young men and women — ages 17 to 30 — to consider a religious vocation this fall. And the office plans to invite these young people to attend … Continue reading →

Ceremony on Oct. 16 marks latest additions to center near The Cathedral of the Assumption Phase II of the Archdiocese of Louisville History Center is a remarkable amalgamation of antiquity and technology. The center, which was re-dedicated Oct. 16 at … Continue reading →

“Sacred Air: Breath of Life,” the theme of this year’s Festival of Faiths, will be explored in a variety of programs on the Nov. 2 to 7 roster, including presentations on health, justice, concern for creation and ecology. The theme … Continue reading →

Historic parish in St. Mary, Ky., will hold celebration Oct. 16 By Marnie McAllister, Record Assistant Editor ST. MARY, Ky. — St. Charles Church sits on a hill surrounded by a rambling parish cemetery in the Marion County countryside near … Continue reading →

By Marnie McAllister, Record Assistant Editor A few hundred faithful gathered to pray the luminous mysteries of the rosary Sunday, Oct. 9, during the 60th annual Living Rosary held at Assumption High School’s gym. They prayed specifically for religious vocations … Continue reading →

By Jessica Able, Record Staff Writer Dominic Ehrler met his wife, Mary Catherine, on his milk delivery route in 1943. Bremer Ehrler, married for 70 years, first met his wife Elizabeth “Bess” when her family were guests of his parents. … Continue reading →

The new church will have 35,281 square feet of worship, office and gathering space Jessica Able, Record Staff Writer More than 300 parishioners, community leaders and Archdiocese of Louisville officials gathered Sept. 29 to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new … Continue reading →

Archbishop Kurtz helps parish celebrate its anniversary with Mass and reception Marnie McAllister, Record Assistant Editor Parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi Church — including some who’ve been members there for more than 70 years — celebrated the parish’s 125th … Continue reading →

Archdiocese, agencies and workers agree to take better care of the environment Marnie McAllister, Record Assistant Editor At the Passionist Earth and Spirit Center Oct. 2, Father J. Mark Spalding, vicar general of the archdiocese, and Anne Walter blessed with … Continue reading →

Marnie McAllister, Record Assistant Editor Third-grade teacher holds students to a high standard, but accommodates their learning needs, too Paula Do has a reputation among St. Francis of Assisi School students for being strict. The third-grade teacher readily admits her … Continue reading →

Glenn Rutherford, Record Editor Open house to be held Sept. 25 following this year’s $200,000 renovation project For the past quarter-century, visitors to the St. John Center for homeless men have noticed not just that the former church seems always … Continue reading →

Jessica Able, Record Staff Writer While a priest may retire from his administrative or pastoral duties, he never retires from the priesthood. Father Gerald Timmel is still as active as he was before his retirement in 1999. Through his involvement … Continue reading →