Wende Aubrey

“Give Hope to All” Homily for October 11th/12th

The 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Naaman is overwhelmed with gratitude for healing. Paul celebrates that not only is the good news of Jesus’ resurrection incapable of being silenced, but Jesus, even at times despite us, is incapable of being unfaithful. And Jesus praises the one out of ten who gives thanks to God through action saying, “your faith has saved you.” Such is our scriptural setting for St. Francis Xavier’s Catholic Services Appeal: (1) gratitude, (2) Jesus’ faithfulness, and (3) action taken on our part.

Our Archdiocese consists of 110 parishes just like our own connected in a common mission, under a common shepherd, sharing a common discipleship in Jesus Christ. I recognize as worthy CSA’s success at helping the 110 provide spiritual formation and training throughout central Kentucky; for helping the 110 connect with Catholics and our neighbors through the Record, radio, and television programs; and helping the 110 with healing broken marriages, broken families, and broken lives through our Tribunal and Catholic Charities loving outreach.

I believe CSA is worthy… no question. My question is whether I am worthy?

Let me tell you a story about a leadership training experience I once had. I once went on a Leadership Louisville retreat where we all participated in a simulated society exercise. It was a game of sorts.

We were randomly divided into four groups: green, blue, red, and yellow bandanas were given out. (I got a green one.) We were then sent to rooms corresponding to the color of your bandana. As I recall the main rule was that people could not freely roam from room to room, but instead “hall passes” were needed and rationed. Yet, we each had a responsibility to interact with the other groups for the purpose of generating “wealth.”

The green room was nice. We had a long table at which we could all sit to enjoy the catered lunch, sodas, bottled water, chocolates and desserts. We received several hall passes and had some nice resources from which to generate commodities.

As we enjoyed our lunch, we calmly discussed how to best proceed in negotiating with the other 3 rooms for trade. We did not realize the other rooms were not equipped like ours!

The blue and yellow rooms had a little something for lunch but nothing as nice as ours. And the red room had nothing. No food, no water, no furniture or even paper to write on. They didn’t even have a hall pass to leave their room!

What is most interesting to me as I look back on the experience is how my green room reacted upon eventually learning the reality of the other rooms.

Some in the group basically said, “Too bad, so sad, hate to be you,” and just wanted to enjoy our elaborate lunch and build up our defenses. Others wanted to debate and discuss options looking at every angle so as to reach out to the others but not lose our advantage.

Just a few of us took the initiative to use our few hall passes to take some of our bounty to the red room people, because even though it was just a game, they were really hungry and thirsty, and as we discovered, angry!

Why do I share with you this experience?

I sought out the priesthood as a young man 32 years ago because I wanted to help people. I heard Jesus calling me to this and I responded. I thought becoming a priest would put me into the “thick of it,” so to speak, and in many ways it has.

But the mantle of priestly leadership also comes with a price. For example, in my responsibility for the community my time is consumed with many needs, meetings and projects, and I do not find myself able to do other things for people as often as I would wish.

At times it feels like I’m back in the green room unable to get out to those I want to help. All too often I find myself having to tell someone “no” when asked for some assistance. And I find myself worried that these limitations are preventing me from being the disciple Jesus wants me to be. (Maybe you know this feeling too.)

Alone I cannot be the disciple I believe Jesus calls me to be. Alone I am not enough. But then I read something that Pope Francis once preached that gives me hope. Pope Francis said, “Let us always remember this: only when we are able to share do we become truly rich, everything that is shared is multiplied.

Alone I cannot become the disciple I want to be, but I am not alone. I am now a part of you, and we are a part of the 110. Through CSA what I share is multiplied and the care for others that CSA provides becomes a part of my care for those others.

CSA expands my service for Jesus and helps me fulfill my calling to faithfully love as Jesus loves. For this I am grateful, that through our collective effort I can share in Jesus’ faithfulness. It simply takes the act of my contributing some of my income to the mission. I am grateful for the opportunity.

As I pray over my own donation, scripture bounces around in my head that influences my discernment. “The measure with which you measure will be measured back to you.”  “To the one given much, much is expected.” “Do unto others as you would have done to you.” “Whatever you do for the least of my brothers you do for me.”

But the saying that really brought me to my decision came not from scripture, but from something Owensboro’s Bishop Bill Medley once preached. He said, “Don’t give until it hurts. Give until it feels good.”

Our parish goal this year’s “Give Hope To All” campaign is $29,200 with 105 households participating. Given my gratitude to Jesus for the blessings in my life, which include being assigned here as your pastor, and out of my desire to partner with the 110 in the work of discipleship, it feels good to me to give $500 towards our goal.

Please join me in reaching our goal. May God multiply our collective generosity and bless us deeply as “we give hope to all.”

MY OWN CHURCH Now Available

St. Francis Xavier is now using a new system, called My Own Church, for updating your family
information! Visit louisville.parishsoftfamilysuite.com through the link below to create your account.

Once approved, you will receive an email indicating that your account is open and ready for you to review. You will have the ability to update all your family information, including names,
addresses, phone numbers, emails, and even a family photo. You can also choose to keep some information private and available only to church administrators.

Support Little Way

In honor of Respect Life Month, we will be hosting the annual Baby Bottle Boomerang to support the life-saving work of Little Way Pregnancy Center.

For over 40 years, Little Way has served the women and families in this community – offering free medical services, love, and support for those facing unexpected pregnancies, parenting classes, baby closet items, and support groups for single mothers and fathers, as well as help for those in need of healing from a past abortion.

Empty baby bottles are located in the Gathering Space. Pease return your bottles filled with donations by the weekend of October 25/26th.

All proceeds will benefit the life-saving work of Little Way. Thank you for your support.

Young Adult Mass and Catholic Networking Fair – Oct 8th

The Young Catholic Professionals Louisville Chapter, in partnership with the Office of Youth and Young Adults, is hosting a Young Adult Mass and Community Networking Fair on Tuesday, October 8, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Assumption (433 S. Fifth Street). Archbishop Shelton Fabre will preside at the Mass, which begins at 6:00 p.m. The networking fair will immediately follow in the cathedral undercroft.

Trunk or Treat and Chili Supper

Join us on Saturday, October 25th after the 5PM Mass for a Chili Supper in the Xavier Center and Trunk or Treat in the parking lot. RSVP or sign up to donate a dessert HERE. If you are a parent of a 6th, 7th, or 8th grade CFF student, or would like to help with preparing and/or serving chili, you can sign up a for a shirt through Sign-Up Genius.

VOLUNTEER INSTRUCTIONS – Parents/Children who have volunteered, meet Wende Aubrey and Lisa Pence in the Xavier Center at the start of your shift for instructions.

PARKING INSTRUCTIONS- Trunk or Treat will begin shortly after the 5PM Mass. Arrive EARLY and park your car in the designated area behind the RE building BEFORE Mass. The High School Youth Group will direct the traffic flow in the parking lot. If you are looking for trunk decorating ideas click HERE.

IF you are NOT providing a Trunk or Treats, park on the Stringer Lane side, HWY 44 side , or by the Xavier Center. You WILL NOT be able to drive through the parking lot or behind the RE building as this is where the Trunk or Treat will occur.

Holy Family Free Health Fair, Sunday Sept 28th

The Community Health Ministry at Holy Family invites you to attend a free community event on Sept 28, 2025, at Holy Family Saffin Center (3938 Poplar Level Rd. 40213) from 11am-3pm. Over 65 exhibitors are scheduled to attend. Health screenings, Education, Community resources. Flu/Covid Vaccines by Walgreens, Medication Disposal, Norton Healthcare, Baptist Health, U of L Health, Gun Safety, Distractive Driver Simulations, Free Chair Massages, Narcan, Free Refreshments, Giveaways, Door Prizes and so much more. Collecting Non-perishable food items and new or lightly used shoes for Waterstep. All ages are welcome. Mammograms & Women Exams provided by Norton Wellness mobile clinic. (Call 502-899-6842 to schedule mammograms).

Catholic Women’s Conference – November 8th

The SFX Women’s Retreat Ministry invites women 16 years and older to participate in the Catholic Women’s Conference sponsored by the Archdiocese of Louisville. The conference/retreat will take place from 8:30AM – 2:30PM on November 8, 2025 at Holy Trinity Parish in St. Matthews. This is a wonderful way to spend time with women from our own parish as well as the surrounding faith community.

With a theme of “Wonderfully Made”, this conference offers Mass, Adoration, Confession, Speakers, Vendors, and more! The cost is $50 per person and includes lunch. Registration is open now!

Learn more or register on-line HERE.

Monday Morning Bible Study Starts Sept 22nd

Please join us for a 6-week bible study on finding Faith, Hope and Love in the Bible. Group will meet on Mondays @ 9:00 am in the Xavier Center double meeting room beginning September 22, 2025. Books may be purchased at www.litpress.org   A limited number of books will be available for $11 from the parish office. Please contact Sharon Mann to RSVP (sharonfaithhopelove@gmail.com).

Seeking Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Our St. Francis Xavier Church is in need of additional Eucharistic Ministers. If you have heard the calling to serve your church community in this capacity, please plan to attend one of the upcoming training opportunities presented by the Archdiocese of Louisville.

  • Monday, September 15, St. Paul, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
  •  Monday, October 13, St. Michael, Fairfield, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
  •  Tuesday, October 21, St. Leonard, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
  •  Wednesday, November 5, 2025, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
  •  Wednesday, November 19, 2025, All Saints, Taylorsville 6:30-8:30 p.m.

You can register for a session on-line with the Archdiocese through the link below.