From the Pastor’s Desk
The parish needs to send their teenagers on
My Dear People:
A congressman once said that each letter he
receives represents 1000 active voters. Yes,
we vote for our leaders but we don’t usually
take the time to tell our congressmen how we
want them to vote. I thank and commend our
parish for writing 680 letters to our
congressmen in the Parish Hall last Sunday.
Many people took the stationery and fact
sheet home with them to write on the
abortion issue, The Freedom of Choice Act
and the embryonic stem cell research issues.
Each letter is a “vote” to our president and
congressmen on how we want them to vote
on issues that are important to us.
Our new Minister of Youth, CHELSEA
PIPER, introduced herself at all Masses.
Now we need our people to introduce
themselves to her. The search committee
chose someone from out of town because of
her excellent qualifications. With her not
being from the parish, we need to give her
the great welcome that reflects our faith. By
“we” I mean especially the high school youth
of our parish and their parents.
Chelsea will teach the P.S.R. high school
classes on Sunday and then the same class
on Wednesday night. She will also supervise
the Junior High Sunday night program. Her
philosophy is to keep to the syllabus so that
all of the Catholic faith is eventually covered
but part of her presentation is to answer
questions and listen to the youth to see what
they would like to have taught to them in
addition to that which is structured. She tells
me repeatedly that she wants to present a
program whereby the youth will enjoy and
want to attend. Her own experience was that
her parents did not “make her come” after
Confirmation, but she wanted to come to the
youth programs because she longed for a
direction in life and her parish program was
interesting and meaningful.
It takes time to build a great youth ministry.
Wednesday and on Sunday nights for the
Junior High meetings and to the service
program during the summer. Chelsea attends
daily Mass and has a great sense of direction
in her life.
We need role models whether we admit it or
not. When I was in high school, I had a great
role model (besides my wonderful parents).
He was a religious brother of the Sacred
Heart, Brother Warren. What he taught me
by example and words still influences my life.
Parents and youth, we need to offer our time
and effort to develop this youth ministry at
OLS. Come to the meeting in good numbers
and tell us what we can do for you. When
Chelsea gets to know you she will visit the
schools for your activities. She needs to
know you personally. Come and introduce
yourselves.
From personal experience, I am so
convinced of the power of prayer. We ask
prayers for the 85 children who will receive
the sacrament of Reconciliation this coming
Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in a joint service with
the Parish School of Religion and OLS
School. These are the Catholic leaders of
tomorrow. First Reconciliation is an important
moment for them and fundamental to their
Catholic faith. Pray for the children of our
parish. As a faith community we are forever
praying for one another, which we should do.
This is an appeal to pray for our children that
their first confession is a positive experience
and is a stepping stone of getting closer to
God and His way of life.
With prayers and blessings,
Father Muller
 January 18th the speaker is Marc Ayers and his
topic is The History of the New Testament and
the DaVinci Code.
January 25th the speaker is Kent Graeve and his
topic will be A Scriptural Guide for Life.
February 1st the speaker is Jane Sweeney and
her topic will be our Diocesan Hispanic Ministry.
High school youth-Come meet the new youth
February 8th the speaker is Frances Smith and
director, Chelsea Piper, on Wednesday evenings
her topic will be The History of the Church in the
at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Room of the Family Life
South.
Center, or on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m.
____________________________________

First Reconciliation for all

second graders in the parish
will take place on Thursday,
January 22nd, at 7:00 p.m. in
MASS INTENTIONS the church. Parents, please
Monday, Jan. 19 Special Intention have your child in church by
Joseph S. Pilato
6:45 p.m... Nursery for younger
Tuesday, Jan. 20 George Stephens
Frederica Fullerton Williams children is provided. Please
Wednesday, Jan. 21 Barry Pugh call 871-1431 for reservations
Marie Scandurra by Tuesday, January 20.
Thursday, Jan. 22 Donors to OLS School There will be a parent meeting for PSR parents
Foundation whose children are preparing for First
Alfonzo Anthony Troncalli
Communion, with last names ending in A-K
Friday, Jan 23 Special Int. of Jude & Claudia
Tombrello next Sunday, January 25th, at 10:00 a.m. in the
Charles Woods PSR office.
Saturday, Jan. 24 Special Int. of Claudia Tombrello
Mimi Norwood
Sunday, Jan. 25 People of the Parish
Additional Donations to the Christmas
Celeste O’Donnell Flowers in memory of:
Larry Sprayberry Kitty Verciglio
Norman Verciglio Mary Zaden
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School Faye Rouss
cordially invites you to our OPEN HOUSE for
prospective students and their families to be held
Sunday, January 25th, between 2:00 p.m. and Schedule for Lectors, Altar
4:00 p.m. Join us any time during these hours, Servers and Extraordinary
meet our teachers and staff, tour our school and Ministers of Holy Communion-
discover our faith-enriched community for The new schedule for the period from
learning. Applications will be available in the March 7th through June will soon be
school foyer and on the school website at prepared. If you do not have an email address
olsschool.com. Applications do not roll over from please call Kent Graeve at 423-0092 if you want
year to year. If you were on a waiting list for to make changes in the times you serve or to
2008, you must re-apply for 2009. Please call “block out” weekends you will not be in town. If
879-3237 for more information. you have an email address please access the
schedule program via the web as recently
instructed in the communication sent to you.
ADULT EDUCATION Please communicate any changes via email or
telephone prior to February 1st
Upcoming speakers and topics for Sunday
morning Adult Education in the Parish Hall at
10:00 a.m.:
 A Blood Drive will be held next
Sunday, January 25th, from 8:00
a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in the Parish
Hall. Breakfast will be provided for
the donors and their family.
PRAY FOR VOCATIONS
Through your baptism you are God’s servant and a
light to others. With whom will you share your light?
Consider a vocation to the consecrated life or
priesthood. (Isaiah 49:3, 5-6) Please pray for those
who desire to share their light of faith and serve the
Church. This ad is sponsored by the Serra Club.
OLS Singles would like to invite everyone
interested in learning more about the Declaration
of Nullity commonly known as annulments. Join
us on Thursday, January 22nd, from 7:00 p.m.
until 8:30 p.m. in Room 102 of the Family Life
Center. This is open to everyone to learn more
about the Declaration of Nullity, whether you are
a divorced Catholic, know a divorced Catholic or
just want to learn more about what the Church
teaches about annulments. For more information
contact David Asbach at 383-5634 or
daa280@aol.com or Anne Marie Verchot at 482-
8627 or verchot@bellsouth.net
The Chapel needs permanent Committed
Adorers for:
Monday Morning at Midnight - 1:00 AM (To
Share Hour)
Thursday at 4:00 PM (To Share Hour)
Friday Morning at Midnight
Our goal is to have at least 2 people on each
hour. Please call Ida Wilker at 933-2281 or Mary
Claire Brouillette at 871-2909.
"O King of glory, though you hide your beauty,
yet the eye of my soul rends the veil. I see the
angelic choirs giving you honor without easing."-
St. Mary Faustina Kowalska
Singles-Valentine Party on Thursday, February
5th, at the home of Grace Troncalli. Food, music,
fellowship and fun all provided. Directions, valet
parking, and transportation will be provided. For
more information contact Grace Troncalli at 323-
3000.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Training
St. Luke's will host a new Level 1 training
program for CGS. It begins January 26th, and will
meet every Monday from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
(Jan. - May and Sept. – Dec). CGS is a Catholic
Montessori approach to the religious formation of
children. Children work in a specially prepared
space called an Atrium. OLS has a Level 1(3 yrs
- Kindergarten) and Level 2 (First - Third Grade)
Atrium serving both the school and PSR. If you
are interested in learning more about CGS,
please call Jeannie Hoffman at 262-1442 for
details on the class and how you can get
involved with this children's ministry.
Catholic Center of Concern
During Thanksgiving and
Christmas we had a
tremendous response to our
program of contributing food
and supplies to those in need.
In recent weeks contributions
placed in the shopping carts in
the vestibule of the church have fallen off
dramatically. There are many in our community
who continue to need our assistance. Please
continue with your generosity as we strive as a
parish community to be God’s instrument in the
Birmingham area. Giving to Catholic Center of
Concern is an act of charity which will be
remembered for all eternity.
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER
WEEKEND
“The two disciples heard what he said and
followed Jesus.” Do we have the faith to follow
Jesus and listen to His words about marriage?
The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter
Weekends are February 27-March 1 in
Huntsville, AL; March 27-29 in Nashville, TN;
June 5-7 in Cullman, AL; August 21-23 in
Huntsville, AL; October 2-4 in Nashville, TN; and
November 6-8 in Cullman, AL. Early registration
saves your place on the Weekend. For more
information visit our website at:
wwmealabama.org or
call (800) 540-WWME or (256) 430-0982