True Love

Love is not merely a warm feeling of attraction or admiration for another person. Jesus Christ told us during the Last Supper what true love is, and then put that message into body language the following afternoon on the Cross. “Greater love has no man than this,” he said, “that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Love is not merely “wishing” another the best, but a willingness to choose to give of oneself – even to the point of sacrificing one’s own interests, desires and life – for someone else. This is the type of love that will lead to genuine fulfillment and happiness, because this is the type of love that will help us become the real image of God.

From "Becoming a Real Man of God", by Fr. Roger J. Landry. The complete text can be found at http://www.kofc.org/un/eb/en/resources/cis/CIS322.pdf

Giving Back in Iraq

Soccer Coaches,

If any of you or, your kids have old soccer gear that you would like to donate, we have found, what I believe to be, a terrific option!

Lori Gries's (Ft. Thomas resident and St. Catherine parishoner) brother in law is stationed in Iraq is championing a personal / non-political campaign to reach out to the children there via soccer.

If you are interested in participating / it couldn't be simpler - Just throw your old gear into a bag and drop it off at my place at 624 S. Ft. Thomas Ave. Ft. Thomas, Ky. 41075 between now and Christmas or; call me if you need a pick up. Your items will be mailed to Iraq between Christmas and January 1st.

Please include: Cleats, jerseys, shorts, socks, shin guards, soccer balls, pumps, etc. Items should be in good working/usable condition.

Pass it on!
Bill Lorenz
859-250-8645
bill.lorenz@fmr.com
You were not put on this Earth to be average. Great things are in your heart. Don't just open your heart; tear it open and let it pour into the world. Dare to be great!

St. Therese School in the news

The Enquirer ran a story this morning about St. Therese School's support of Molly McCord's efforts to build libraries in Honduras. Click here to read the article. Excerpt:

"St. Therese is participating in this project as a service learning," Boruske said. "The fourth grade and seventh grade are using the Enquirer's Folk Tales column as a springboard for this project. Our priest, Father (Clarence) Heitzman, gave the students $1,000 from the students' weekly contribution to church. The students are looking through Molly's list of books and choosing which books they would like to buy. They are then going to write a note to go along with each book. Finally, Molly's dad will come back to school to receive the books sometime before Christmas."

It's great to see our students "embrace the Gospel" as the school's Mission Statement says. If you'd like to send one or more books to support this cause, just click here to view the Wish List on Amazon.com.

Help Build a Library in Honduras

When Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves, He doesn't just mean the person across the street. He also means people around the world. Our community is presented with a wonderful opportunity to embrace this Gospel message.

Molly McCord, a graduate of NCC and UK, is currently serving in the Peace Corps in Honduras. She is trying to build several libraries there, and needs our help. She says in an email:

They are really incredible kids and deserve all the good things that life has to offer. It`s so sad the poverty that they live in and just will never get to experience a lot of these things...but we can give them a jump-start with books, which will open the door for them by improving their reading skills, writing skills, overall education, expand their imaginations....

Donating is easy. Molly has set up a Wish List of Spanish-language books on Amazon.com. Just click on this link to view the list, select which books you would like to donate, and follow the prompts. You can practice Stewardship without even getting out of your chair!

We're not all called to serve in Honduras. Molly felt the call, and thankfully answered it. However, we are all called to love our neighbor. Perhaps this is one way you can show that love. And please remember to keep Molly and her work in your prayers.