On August 16-17, the Archdiocese takes up the Peter’s Pence Collection, which supports the Universal Church and the work of the Holy See, including helping Pope Leo XIV with the funds he needs to carry out his charitable works around the world. The proceeds benefit our brothers and sisters on the margins of society, including victims of war, oppression, and natural disasters. Take this opportunity to join with Pope Leo and serve as a witness of charity. For more information, visit https://www.obolodisanpietro.va/en.html.
“Expect Greatness” Homily for July 19th/20th
The 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time
What do you expect to get from being here today? Do you have any expectations this morning? This is an important question because our expectations focus our attention. What we expect to see strongly influences what we are able to see.
Abraham expected a blessing from God. Kept his eyes peeled for it. He’d been through a long journey following the promises of God. His expectation grew out of that journey. So, Abraham was watching for angels. Abraham expected a blessing which made him attentive. It gave him the eyes to see God when God came close.
What we expect to see strongly influences what we are able to see. Expect the worse and you will find it. Expect the best and it will find you.
Back in 2003 when I created Notre Dame Academy at Saint Lawrence with Fr Tom Gentile and Fr Don Ryan many of us expected Notre Dame to succeed. We expected its success. Therefore, we had eyes attentive to advocacy, teamwork, service. Trust was the anchor of our expectation, trust in God and trust in one another. We chose to have this expectation of success.
The advantage of this expectation? Our attention was rooted in hope. Living out of this hope then colored everything else we saw. Shaped our souls.
There were others around us that expected Notre Dame to fail. They expected failure. Whereas we had eyes to see advocacy, they saw conspiracy. Where we saw teamwork, they saw selfishness. Where we saw service, they saw manipulation and deceit. Where trust was the anchor of our expectation, doubt anchored theirs.
There was an advantage to their expectation. Their attention was not rooted in hope (they said it was rooted in reality.) So, they could never be disappointed, only surprised. Yet cynicism within does have an effect on people. Like our hope-filled expectation, their doubt-filled expectation colored all they saw and shaped their souls.
We have a choice in our expectations and these expectations focus our attention, shape our souls. So, what are you expecting of God today?
Martha could not see what Mary saw, could not seek what Mary sought: a blessing from our God drawn close. Instead, she got advice: “Martha, Martha, your attentions are focused on many things. One thing only is important, and Mary has chosen it. You choose it too.”
What we expect strongly influences what we are able to see. What do you expect from God today?
Martha comes around in the end. She takes Jesus’ advice. Watching for Jesus, expecting a miracle, Martha runs out to meet him as he comes to raise Lazarus. Jesus says to her “I am the resurrection and the life whoever believes in me even if he dies will live and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Martha responds, “Yes Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”
This same Jesus who draws close to us today. May our hope be rewarded.
Marriage Anniversary Mass with Archbishop Shelton
All sacramentally married couples are invited to an Anniversary Mass with Archbishop Shelton on Sunday, September 13th at 10 AM at St. Michael the Archangel Church.
Couples married fifty years or more who attend will receive their certificate of recognition personally from Archbishop Shelton. ALL sacramentally married couples who wish to celebrate are encouraged to register and be recognized at the event, even if they are unable to attend in person.
Register by contacting the parish office with your names, years married, date of marriage and your mailing address. The deadline for registering is Wednesday, Sept 3rd, so please contact the office by Tuesday, September 2nd.

Shampoo Donations Needed by July 27th
Community Ministries is participating in the Back to School Backpack program again this year. Their goal is to provide these much-needed resources to over 200 children in the area. Our parish has been asked to support with shampoo donations. Bottles can be placed in the bins in the church gathering space up until July 27th. If you are looking for a bargain, $1.25 bottles can be found at Dollar Tree here in Mt. Washington, but any full-sized bottles are appreciated.
SFX 14th Annual Golf Scramble – September 14th
Save the Date!
The SFX 14th Annual Golf Scramble will be held on Sunday, September 14th. The location is still being finalized. Watch the bulletin and check back here for updates as they become available.
If you are interested in helping plan or work this event, please reach out to wende.aubrey@sfxmw.com or call the office.
Margaritas with Mary

Can’t scan the QR code? Click HERE instead.
Red Cross Blood Drive July 13th
The Red Cross will be on campus, Sunday, July 13th from 8:00AM to 1:00PM. Reserve your spot through the Red Cross Mobile App, click here to go to their web site and search by zip code (40047), or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
A Personal Message from Fr. Dale
Since I was a kid (like Pope Leo; circa 1955), I was taught to express gratitude in the moment. Delaying is not in my vocabulary, so I wish to take this opportunity to thank each one of you for all the words of encouragement, well wishes and generous gifts as I retire from my responsibilities as a priest-pastor. It seems that I have been saying ‘adios’ for months but now are the moments that I must make transition in my ministry as priest. Like most people, I have never retired before so I know that it will be a learning experience with new opportunities to ‘give back’ yet rest and enjoy whatever comes my way. I hope to take some “picker” trips and eventually finish unboxing all my hobbies of vinyl, books and ephemeral.
Please pray for me as I will you daily. Father Jeff is a very blest priest to be pastor of such a wonderful community as SFX!
Much peace and joy!

Vacation Bible School 2025

Unable to scan the QR code? Click here to visit the registration website:
Flaget Day for Young Men, June 25th
Young men entering freshman year of high school through freshman year of college are invited to a 1-day event sponsored by the Archdiocese of Louisville and led by the seminarians. The day is filled with dynamic talks, small group discussion, prayer experiences, and plenty of fun.
Grow in your relationship with the Lord.
Click HERE to register.

Dress casual, food and snacks will be provided.
Contact Todd Popson at tpopson@archlou.org or call/text (502) 727-7774 with any questions.
Norms of Posture and the Communion Rite
Starting the weekend of June 28th & 29th, we will begin following the Norms of Posture during the Communion Rite as described in the following letter from Archbishop Shelton.

SummerFest June 7, 2025 – Schedule of Events
Saturday, June 7th 2025 | ||
Start Time | End Time | |
9:00 AM | 9:30 PM | Super Raffle Tickets On Sale |
9:00 AM | 8:00 PM | Volleyball Tourney in Field |
9:00 AM | 10:00 PM | Inflateables Open (wristbands for purchase) |
9:00 AM | 2:00 PM | Concessions Open to Workers and Players |
11:00 AM | 2:00 PM | Flava Dave Grilling for Workers/Players |
3:00 PM | 3:45 PM | Saturday Mass |
4:00 PM | 7:00 PM | Fish Dinner in Xavier Center |
4:00 PM | 10:00 PM | Concessions Open to All |
4:00 PM | 10:00 PM | Ice Cream Truck Open |
4:00 PM | 10:00 PM | Booths Open |
4:00 PM | 7:00 PM | All That Band on Stage |
7:00 PM | 10:00 PM | Crabgrass Conspiracy on Stage |
10:00 PM | 10:00 PM | Super Raffle Drawing |
Booths | |
Showdown Poker | Super Raffle |
Lucky Number | Split the Pot |
Quilt Raffle | Cake Wheel |
Gift Cards | Ring Toss |
Duck Pond | Plinko |
Pop-A-Shot | Face Painting |

Please Consider Donating Any of the following items to help make this year’s Summerfest another great success!
- Gift Cards of any Amount (Bring to the Parish Office or drop in the Collection Basket at any mass)
- 2 Liter Soft Drinks (Bring to the Office or place in the bins in the Gathering Space)
- Cakes, pies, brownies, cookies, etc… (Bring to the RE Building June 6th or 7th)
$20K SUPER RAFFLE
The Super Raffle has ended. Thank you for your support!

Crusade For Children Collection May 24th/25th
There will be a special collection at each mass the weekend of May 24th/25th for the WHAS Crusade for Children. An on-line donation option is available, but it must be completed by May 26th to be counted towards the SFX total contribution when announced by WHAS. Click on this web site link to donate: WHAS Crusade for Children
If giving on-line, be sure to credit SFX under the Catholic parish option to be added into our collection total. You can do this answering “No” when asked if crediting a fire department, and then scrolling down to choose St. Francis Xavier Mount Washington.

Thank you in advance for your support of this worthy cause!
Patricia French Scholarship Winner – 2025
Congratulations to Sarah Bischoff for being awarded the Patricia French Honorary Scholarship.
This scholarship was established and awarded for the first time in 2017 with an objective to honor Patricia K. French by recognizing and financially supporting a deserving member of the St. Francis Xavier Community with tuition assistance for college or vocational school. To qualify, students must be SFX parishioners in their senior year of high school, demonstrate a solid work ethic, and be a service-oriented person of high Christian moral values.
This year’s field of applicants were all deemed by the judges to be highly qualified and their decision was a difficult one, but Sarah Kate’s involvement at St. Francis Xavier and her plans for the future, lifted her to the top. The daughter of Ronnie and Jaime Booker, Sarah impressed the judges with her can-do attitude and self awareness. With plans to attend Murray State University, majoring in Agricultural Education, Sarah hopes to find a church community that offers the same small town parish atmosphere that she enjoys at SFX. She intends to continue answering Christ’s call to love and serve through music ministry wherever her journey takes her.
SFX Volleyball Classic
The SFX Volleyball Classic will return again this year at Summerfest! Registration is now open, click the link below to download the form.
