Dear Faithful and Friends of the Assumption,

Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

On February 2nd, the Church celebrates the Great Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple - which is in our more common terms, His 40 day blessing.

When each of us was brought to the Church for this blessing, it was so that we might be “introduced” to the Lord.  It is our 1st  act of offering in obedience to the Lord.  Does it make sense that Jesus would need to be presented to the Lord? Is He not the Lord Himself?

This is the great irony of how we understand what is happening around us.  We perceive, thus we believe.  We use our human senses to draw conclusions that are not based on truth but based on our perception.  This is why so many say that perception is more important than reality - which may be true in marketing, but not in the Faith.

Returning to His 40 day blessing - what is really occurring? We know that if the Temple is holy it is because the Lord is present.  Jesus is not sanctified by going to the Temple, it is the Temple that is sanctified by Him, specifically, Simeon who is waiting for His arrival - for it was revealed to Simeon 3 centuries earlier that he would not die until he put his eyes upon the Savior.

Therefore, to the unknowing, it looks as though Christ is being presented to Simeon, when in fact, Simeon is being presented to Christ; it looks as though Christ is presented to be sanctified by the Temple when it is He who is sanctifying the Temple by His presence.

Let us not be like those who think they understand because their eyes have “seen,” when in fact their eyes don’t have the ability to comprehend.  Let us present ourselves that He may be presented to us.

In His Service,

Fr. Jon

"Souper Bowl of Caring"

February 12, 2023

$5 Adults   $3 Kids

All you can eat!!!

 Join us for Soup!

 Funds raised will aid the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC)

Sponsored by the  Assumption Youth.

Sunday, February 12, at 6PM.  Bring a dish and an appetite for fun and fellowship!!!

Hosted by Jim and Dana Vaselopuls!!!

"Bristol Bar & Grill"

300 N. Hurtstbourne Pkwy, Louisville

  12 Noon on Tuesday, February 20

Come and enjoy great fellowship with others you have flexibility during the daytime hours

RSVP to Nancy Anas at

(502) 645-2307 by 2-18-24

Are you already Kroger shopper?
Your current shopping could be benefitting the Assumption!

Kroger Community Rewards® makes fund-raising easy...all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Plus Card!

______________________________________________________

TO USE THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM:

· Go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com and register your Kroger Plus Card (if you are already registered, click “Sign In” instead of “Create an Account.”)

· Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions

· You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.

· Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.

· Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number. If you use your phone number at the register instead of a card, call 800-576-4377, select option 4 to get your Kroger Plus card number.

· Update or confirm your information.

· Enter “Assumption” or our NPO number of AT066 and select us from the list and click on confirm.

· If enrollment is complete, you will see Assumption’s name on the right side of your information page.

· That’s it!!! Use your registered Kroger Plus card or phone number at the register and our parish benefits!!!

By registering online, coupons can be electronically attached to your Plus Card. Not only do you help the Church, but you save money. Talk to everyone you know about registering to benefit our parish!!!

Philoptochos Charities

St. Bernadette Diaper Bank Ministry: February 1-29

Philoptochos is collecting diapers for children and seniors for the St. Bernadette Diaper Bank Ministry. The Diaper Bank distributes the donated diapers to community agencies (not individuals) throughout the city that assist low-income and homeless families. It distributes approximately 45,000 diapers a month to over 30 community agencies, such as Eastern Community Ministries, South Louisville Ministries, St. Vincent de Paul, KY Refugee Ministries etc.

Mary Makris, who passed away in late January, suggested the St Bernadette Diaper Bank Ministry to the Philoptochos, so we dedicate this drive to her. If you’d like to do something in her memory, please consider donating.

We will be collecting at church and in the hall:

• All sizes of kid diapers EXCEPT newborn
• Pull-ups for toddlers
• Baby wipes
• Adult diapers
• They even take open packages.

Alternatively, you can make a monetary donation to: St. Bernadette Diaper Bank (not Philoptochos) and give or mail to Hadley Dimitropoulos at: 6021 Sweetbay Dr., Crestwood, KY 40014.

KY Refugee Ministries

Thank you to all that supported our drive for winter coats and winter accessories for KY Refugee Ministries. We collected 29 coats and multiple bags of winter accessories.

Phyllo dough for sale

Philoptochos has a few phyllo dough packages left over from our Christmas bake sale and they are going fast! It is high quality fresh phyllo and only $5/package. By purchasing some phyllo you support our philanthropic mission. If interested, please reach out to Evanthia at espeliotis@bellarmine.edu.  

Blessings in a Backpack – year-round

This academic year we are feeding 156 kids at Chenoweth Elementary (in conjunction with Broadway Baptist). Without food in their backpacks on Friday afternoon they will go hungry over the weekend.

How can you help?

• When you do your grocery shopping, add a few extra items to your cart. Bring to church as often as you are able. There is no minimum amount. Even a couple of items on a regular basis helps. Most needed: foods with protein, but please no nuts.
  Nutritious items: ramen noodles, hearty canned soups, canned meats, canned ravioli, mac and cheese, oatmeal packets, protein bars, individual fruit cups or small drinks containing vitamin C.
• You can make a financial donation to “Philoptochos” by writing a check with memo “Blessings in a Backpack.” 
  • $25 to feed a child for one month
  • $100 for four months
  • $200 for the rest of the school year
  • Please give/mail check to Hadley Dimitropoulos, 6021 Sweetbay Dr, Crestwood, KY 40014.

Our next Philoptochos meeting: Sunday November 5 after church to discuss the Philoptochos-Daughters Christmas bake sale.