Dear Parishioners of our Beloved Assumption,

As we progress in life, our perceptions of the time and events that have passed often change. At different points of our lives the importance of various factors is altered by the context in which we find ourselves. For example, as one approaches death, the focus of life is on missed opportunities to be with family and grow one’s faith. No one ever says as they are dying, “I just wish I had gotten a bigger boat.” It’s always, “I wish I had spent more time with my spouse and children” or “I wish I had understood the importance of my faith and given it to my children.”

In like manner, the perception of time changes. As we age, the days become longer as the years fly by. Many days I can’t remember if I’d eaten because lunch feels as though it was days ago—yet I blink and Pascha is here again. For those that would say time is a constant—a minute is a minute is a minute—I would say that is technically correct, but the perception of a minute can be very different depending on which side of the bathroom door you are on when it is occupied.

Another phenomenon of our perception is how we view the “good old days” and the “defining moments” of our lives. For most of us, the “good old days” didn’t feel so good when we where in them. We didn’t realize that the struggles of raising children and the hardship of getting a first home or adjusting to a move would someday be the events that would become our fondest memories—the days that we couldn’t wait to complete have become the eras that we would love to return to and live again. Just as defining moments are only truly understood in the “rear view mirror.”

This leads me to the point of my message. We today, as a community, are in the midst of a defining moment. This moment will define our community for decades to come. I know that many of our members would respond that they already know this—but do we? We are not only building a new building to accommodate the past and potential future growth of our community—we are actively growing now. So many babies being born, so many Orthodox families moving to Louisville and making the AGOC their home, and so many from other faiths searching for the truth and coming to Orthodoxy. In 10 years, we will look back and see this time as a monumental moment in our history.

For those working hard to make this happen, especially on the Parish Council, it doesn’t feel like a moment but more like an “eternity.” They are doing so much that only a few witness. They are being supported by a portion of our parish—but so many haven't yet embodied the vision of our future. I am grateful to those who have led and those who have followed with the fullness of their ability.

I know that only a few will actually read this message and even fewer will be excited by the moment in which we find ourselves. I also know that many would respond that this is not a new message, but most of those individuals won’t even read this. But for those who see and understand, I invite you to continue on this journey and rejoice that we are on the threshold of explosive growth. Join me as beacons of the faith and apostolic warriors!

In His Service,

Fr. Jon 

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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!!!