From the Pastor’s Desk If God is number one in our lives, then, in

planning our budget, He should be given the

My Dear People: first part of what we earn. Catholic Charities
supports the twelve Catholic Centers of
Thank you for your most generous pledges Concern which distribute money for rent,
to the parish and to Catholic Charities. The utilities and prescription drugs to the needy.
American Bishops recommend 5% to the The centers also administer the food gifts to
parish and 5% to be given to God in so many those in need. When we give to Catholic
other ways such as Catholic education, Charities, we support future priests who are
United Way, Red Cross and special in the seminary today. We support programs
collections. We highly recommend a good for the mentally retarded, the elderly, and the
part of that other 5% be given to Catholic office of religious education which helps each
Charities. This is money given to God, parish with its Parish School of Religion. We
administered by the Bishop, with only 3% also support Campus Ministers for some
going to administration, while other sixteen colleges and universities, the Black
organized charities use about 10% to 12% of ministry, the Hispanic ministry and Catholic
the money for administration. Family Services (adoption services, foster
care for children and assistance for unwed
Everything we have is His; we are only mothers).
stewards of the things we think belong to us.
We owe Him that first tenth of what we earn Being a member of Catholic Charities means
as He requests in the Scriptures. If we do we love our neighbor in so many different
this, He promises a great reward. If you gave ways. Our neighbor has been defined as the
God the first part of what you earned last person in need!
year, it was your best investment, since
everyone was affected by the market This coming week, you will receive a pledge
meltdown. I still say if we give God His fair card in the mail. Pray over it. Everyone
share He is never outdone in generosity. should sign a card. If you are not pledging,
One way or another we are blessed. If not simply write on it your disposition. Look
financially at the moment ( the market is forward to this pledge to God. Bring the
coming back) then health-wise, or in another pledge card to Mass next Sunday. We will
way. Personally, I am so accustomed to put them all in a basket and place this
God’s blessings, I would be afraid not to offering at the foot of the altar in gratitude to
tithe. I could not readjust my life to live God for all He has done for us, and as part of
without His blessings. the tithe we owe Him.

When I taught at McGill in Mobile from ’57 to On behalf of the good Lord, I thank you a
’60, I taught the students God’s plan to million times for your extreme generosity to
support His Church. One year the students the parish and to other works of charity,
wrote a short essay on the subject; and to especially Catholic Charities.
this day I remember one of the most
quotable quotes on the subject. This student With prayers and blessings,
wrote: “HOW CAN WE DARE GIVE GOD Father Muller
THE LEFTOVERS?” He does not do that to
us. He has given us His Son and the
promise of happiness for all eternity. He
certainly does not give us the “leftovers”!
How can anyone dare to give God the
leftovers?
 MASS INTENTIONS

Monday, September 21 Benny D’Amico

Harriet Dugas
Frank LaRussa, Sr.
Tuesday, September 22 Rev. Ted Hill High school youth group meets Sunday nights
Timothy Klopack from 7:00 p.m. until 8:45 p.m. We start in the
Elizabeth DuBuys Parish Hall for dinner and then move to the FLC
Wednesday, September 23 Special Intention youth rooms for teaching, prayer, discussion and
Warren Vilott fun. All high school youth are welcome.
Pete Giangrosso
Thursday, September 24 Randolph LaBlanc
Cecelia Stephens
Sunday morning PSR class for high school
Mary Egan students meets in the FLC youth rooms from
Friday, September 25 Donors to the OLS School 10:00 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. Remember to bring
Foundation your journal.
Anita Noto
Mary Lightcap High School Bible study meets Wednesday
Saturday, September 26 Special Intention nights from 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. in the FLC.
Meehan Family Come to learn and pray with the scriptures.
Don Cecil Smith Middle School youth group will meet this Monday
Sunday, Septembe 27 People of the Parish
night from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in the youth
Special Int. of Fran Hines
Donald Taccone
room. All middle school students are invited.
Snacks will be provided.
_______________________________________

PRAY FOR VOCATIONS OLS Adult Education: Fortify Faith Series-

God calls people at different times and in various
Join us this Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in the Parish
ways. You’re never too old or too late to give your
life to God. Generosity is his hallmark. For the Hall. Our speaker will be Tommy James and his
unemployed, may they experience the generosity of topic will be “Jesus Christ in the Economy.” Next
God through others. Sunday, September 27, our speaker will be Amy
Welborn and her topic will be “The Word.”
_______________________________________
Chapel of our Savior
The Chapel needs permanent Committed PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION is in great
need of someone to direct traffic after PSR
Adorers for:
classes. We need a few people who can commit
Sunday at 11:00 a.m. (to share hour)
to being here on most Sundays from 11:00 –
Our goal is to have at least 2 people on each
11:30 a.m. to help keep the children safe as they
hour. These are the hours needed, but do select
are picked up in carpool. Please email the PSR
an hour that best fits your schedule. Please call
office at [email protected] or call 871-
Ida Wilker at 879-7040 or Mary Claire Brouillette
1431 if you are able to help.
at 871-2909. “Restoration, sanctification,
_______________________________________
transformation, reparation and salvation are the
graces being poured out graciously upon us with
each Holy Hour we make.” (except from Letters
Please join us on Tuesday,
to a Brother Priest)
October 6, at 11:00 a.m. in
the Parish Hall. There will
be Mass, followed by lunch
and bingo.
Red Cross Blood Drive will be held on ATTENTION SENIORS: St. Francis Xavier
Sunday, October 4 in the Parish Hall from 8:00 Parish will hold its monthly activity for Catholic
a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Please donate on that day; Senior Adults of the Birmingham area on
we are hoping for 50-60 pints. Breakfast will be Thursday, September 24. The day will begin with
provided for the donors and their families. a Mass of Annointing in the main church at 11:00
_______________________________________ a.m. followed by a luncheon and bingo and
concluding at 2:00 p.m. Call for reservations no
Volunteers are needed to help in the kitchen on later than noon on Wednesday, September 23.
Monday nights for the RCIA class. If you are Call 871-1153.
available please call Gayle Busby at 941-0202 _______________________________________
_______________________________________
Attention all OLS artists and craftsmen:
THE SERRA MISSIONARIES OF Our 6th Annual Art Show will be held on Sunday,
BIRMINGHAM AND THE KNIGHTS OF November 1, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
COLUMBUS OF THE BIRMINGHAM Please call Fran Robertson at 822-1142 or 871-
DIOCESE are sponsoring the 13th Annual 8857 for more information or to reserve your
CLERGY AND RELIGIOUS APPRECIATION space.
DINNER on Friday, September 25, 2009, at 6:00 ____________________________________
p.m. in the Our Lady of the Valley Catholic
Church Social Hall. Cost is $15.00 per person. September Bridge Winners
All lay people of the Diocese are invited to attend 1st Place-Jack Weldon
and express thanks and support for all Priests, 2nd Place-Bill Kelly
consecrated Women and Men, and Deacons of 3rd Place-Dorothy Barnes
the Diocese. During the current Year of the Special Prize-Doris Madden
Priests, this special dinner is a great tribute to all _______________________________________
of our Priests. Reservations are required before
5 p.m. on Monday, September 21. For Important:
reservations, please call Margaret Tolliver, If you need to leave a message for Fr. Muller,
treasurer of Serra Missionaries, telephone: 205- please call the church office. It will be received
956-7048, or e-mail: [email protected]. better than leaving a message on his cell phone.
You will be able to pay at the door on the evening Sometimes he does not get the message until
of the dinner. three or four hours after the person has called.
_______________________________________ _______________________________________

INTRODUCTION TO CENTERING PRAYER

WORKSHOP—Saturday, October 3, 2009
Do you need some quiet in your life? Would you
like a deeper prayer life? Come join us for an
Introduction to Centering Prayer workshop at
Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, 858 Kent Dairy
Road in Alabaster. The doors open at 9:00 a.m.
the workshop begins at 9:30 a.m. and concludes
at 2:30 p.m. the cost is $30 which includes
lunch. This workshop specifically teaches how to
do Centering Prayer. If you would like to register, Fun Filled
contact Jenny Avritt at 205-664-3042 (h) or cell High School Youth Group Fall
205-999-1001 or email @ [email protected].
Registration ends September 30. For more Retreat.
information about Centering Prayer go to Friday, October 9 to Sunday,
www.contemplativeoutreach.org or contact Diane
Tschache, 205-991-6964 or October 11.
[email protected]. Forms available in the vestibule.