Conversion stories, whether they be of canonized saints or fellow Christians currently sharing this earthly pilgrimage with us, are as diverse as the nations and backgrounds God calls us from: the only common denominator is Grace working in our lives. Last year we invited a deacon to tell his story of how Grace worked in some ironic ways to draw him from atheism into ordained ministry. Next month we’re hearing Martin Cothran’s story. The Lexington Herald-Leader called him “a master of the 30-second sound bite” as he comments in the media on local and national issues. Whatever the state of the Presidential race a month from now, I’m sure he will have something to say about it! He lives with his family in Danville and teaches Latin, Logic, and Rhetoric at Highlands Latin School.

But to find out where he came from… you’ll have to come to Saint’s February 7th

We’re taking a little change of pace this time around for LYC so we can have a whole night to enjoy getting to know each other a little better while challenging ourselves to a bit o’ Catholic trivia! Saints has a great menu of pizza, sandwiches, salads, and some good brews on tap, so bring a friend or two and we’ll get some teams together and battle it out.

Facebook event posting here if you wish to RSVP, invite Mark Zuckerberg, the Pope, etc. Or email us louisvilleyoungcatholics@yahoo.com

Pope Paul VI’s Encyclical “Humanae Vitae” marked the beginning of widespread dissent among clergy and laypeople from what we like to call “official” Church teaching (thus distancing our Catholic identity from any craziness we might prefer to ignore). It’s safe to say most practicing Catholics who believe the sacraments, attend Mass on Sunday and Holy Days, go to Confession, and all that external stuff, find this little Pill too tough to swallow. Yet despite  social and media pressure, and the remnant of Catholics who actually believe and practice this crazy teaching, it hasn’t changed. In fact, it hasn’t changed in 2,000 years (the Pill was far from the first contraception, but it was the first effective contraception). Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body shed more light on many controversial issues like this one, and people like Christopher West and Fr. Thomas Loya have helped spread awareness and understanding about JPII’s philosophy.

Thus, Louisville’s own Jenny Hutchinson will join us next Tuesday to tackle this topic, answer your questions, and engage some great discussion! And you’ve got a few links up there to get educated over the weekend

Although Christmas is soon approaching, remember Advent is about being ready for the Second Coming of Christ as much as preparing for Jesus at the nativity scene. So save some of your Christmas spirit for the full twelve days of the Christmas Season… we Catholics can party all the way through Epiphany!

In Christ,
Jason

Following up on last year’s “Catholicism 101″ Q&A session, this year we’re inviting Deacon Greg Gitschier of St. Patrick parish to tackle your tough questions, doubts, and ponderings on the Catholic faith! This is a fun chance to invite friends — especially non-Catholics — since it’ll be an engaging, interactive format and, of course, there are no dumb questions

A little about Deacon Greg: He served nearly thirty years with the Jefferson County Police and as a Senior Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service. He’s taught law enforcement and terrorism at numerous universities and protected many world leaders during their visits on American soil, including Pope John Paul II, which inspired him to pursue service in the Church as a permanent deacon. He was ordained in 2010 and in addition to St. Patrick’s, he serves as a chaplain for the Louisville Police Department, bodyguard to Mayor Greg Fischer, and as Executive Director of Indian Summer Children’s Cancer Camp. He’s also a 4th Degree in the Knights of Columbus (i.e. the guys who dress up for ceremonies) and husband of 17 years with three children.

In other words, don’t worry about intimidating this guy! Looking forward to a fun and educational night! As always, feel free to come a little early to enjoy Saints’ killer pizza and socialize afterwards!

Hope this month’s LYC update finds you doing well! Whether you’re a regular or never been to LYC before, maybe looking for a place to get connected with young adult Catholics in the area, next Tuesday at Saints SkyBar is a great place to start!

Maybe you’ve never thought about what it means to call yourself “Catholic.” The word is usually defined as “universal.” It means more than being raised in Catholic schools or going to Mass. There is a holistic completeness about Catholicism in which everything fits together to make a whole that reveals a beauty in both simplicity and complexity. Personally, I think this beauty is seen no more clearly than in the Church’s defense of human life from conception to natural death. Since October is Pro-Life Month, we’re having Sharon Schuhmann, Coordinatior of Pro-Life Ministries for the Archdiocese, at Saints to talk about a range of Respect Life issues. Whether the issue is abortion or capital punishment, the Gospel is worthless if it doesn’t challenge us, and our politics must be challenged as much as any part of our lives.

Sharon will also help us find practical things we can do right now, right here in Louisville to promote human dignity. Don’t be afraid to bring some tought questions and an open mind! Drop a line at louisvilleyoungcatholics@yahoo.com if you have any questions about this topic or anything in general regarding the young adult Catholic community in Louisville!

Tuesday, September 13th @ 7PM Saints SkyBar
131 Breckenridge Ln, St Matthews

How is your prayer life? On again-off again? Somewhat there, but find that deeper longer for more? No time to pray? Or plenty of times when you could pray, but do other things instead?

This month we look forward to hanging with Franciscan friar Paul Schloemer, Vocations Director for the Conventual Franciscan’s Province of Our Lady of Consolation, as he speaks on how to pray: different forms of prayer in the Church, finding a way to pray that works for our lives, and — of course — answer our burning questions! Prayer may sound like a simple enough subject, but I imagine the more you think about it in your own life, the more challenges and untapped potential deeper growth and intimacy with God you’ll find.

You may remember friar Paul from last year when he drew a considerable crowd expounding on the question of women’s priesthood. He’s an easygoing and approachable personality who loves sharing the story of his personal conversion, love for St. Francis, speaks Spanish and German, and delights in some good ol’ 80s rock.

Tuesday, August 9th @ 7PM Saints SkyBar 131 Breckenridge Ln, St Matthews.

Debbie Mefford, a prison minister of five years, will tell the story of how God spoke through the likes of Johnny Cash and Queen to lead her into this ministry. Due to the fact that prisoners are — by definition — isolated from society, ministry to them is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when we consider how to serve God and the Church. Yet prisoners play many roles in the story of salvation, especially in the Gospel and New Testament. Not only were Jesus and St. Paul prisoners, but in the act of condemning Jesus to death, King Herod released a known criminal named Barabbas and Jesus personally pardoned the “good thief” who hung on a cross next to him. Tradition knows him as St. Dismas.

Come hear Debbie’s story and take something away to help in your own discernment of how God may want to use your gifts to love our neighbors, especially those who are easily ignored.

Bring a cooler (beer is allowed) and/or a side dish to share. We’ll have meat on the grill and Epiphany has plenty of room for volleyball, basketball, Ultimate, cornhole, etc. There’s also plenty of shade! Sunday is projected to be sunny and in the 90s, so you might need it