By JESSICA ABLE
Record Staff Writer
Father Manuel Williams, a Resurrection- ist priest from the Diocese of Mobile, Ala., said African American Catholics are now, as much as ever, in need of a dream. On the national day honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Father Wil- liams offered an unfiltered view of the cur- rent challenges plaguing our nation, com- munities and even the Catholic Church during his homily at the 35th annual Arch- diocesan Wide Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Jan. 20 at the Cathedral of the Assumption. "We need to speak words of challenge. It doesn't mean we need to condemn people. ... but we have to speak words of truth coupled
By MARNIE McALLISTER
Record Editor
After more than six decades of Catholic Education, St. Leon- ard School informed families Jan. 17 that it will close at the end of the 2019-2020 school year. St. Leonard, 440 Zorn Av- enue, has 120 students in pre- school through eighth grade and its lower grades have classes with as few as five chil- dren. Faced with declining enroll- ment and funding challenges for several years, the school de- veloped a plan two years ago to offer a new educational model based on individualized learn-
Leaders share next steps for families and allay concerns about tuition assistance
Record File Photo by Jessica Able
Caitlin Ousley, a middle school science teacher at St. Leonard School, lis- tened as students worked together on the school's award-winning "20% Time Project," April 19, 2018. With low enrollment and financial challenges, St. Leonard informed families Jan. 17 that it will close at the end of the school year.
See ST. LEONARD, Page 8
Priest issues challenge at MLK celebration
St. Leonard School announces plan to close
Supreme Court hears key cases
PAGE 2
The U.S. Supreme Court began hearing oral arguments related to scholarship tax credits Jan. 22 and will also hear cases related to abortion and contraception.
Mardi Gras party to benefit charity
PAGE 3
Catholic Charities of Louisville is planning a fund-raising event on Mardi Gras, Feb. 25, to benefit its mission.
Event to look at Catholic young adults PAGE 3
The Archdiocesan Leadership Institute will offer "Going Going Gone - Now What" to examine the dynamics of young adults leaving the church.
Bishops call for service to mothers
PAGE 4
The U.S. bishops announced Jan. 22 an initiative to encourage all Catholics to serve mothers in need.
Panel discussion examines reparations
PAGE 9
As part of the Martin Luther King Day celebration, the Office of Multicultural Ministry hosted a panel discussion on reparations that included Martina Kunnecke, above.
The resurgence of racism is a reality and 'people of faith' must speak out, says priest
See CATHOLICS, Page 9
Record Photo by Jessica Able
Resurrectionist Father Manuel Williams of the Diocese of Mobile, Ala., delivered the homily at the 35th annual Archdiocesan Community Wide Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Jan. 20 at the Cathedral of the Assumption. Father Williams urged Catholics to "live the values of Jesus and proclaim the dream even in (challenging) times like this." By RUBY THOMAS
Record Staff Writer
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz called on hundreds gathered for the annual Memorial Mass for the Sanctity of Life to be wit- nesses and to testify for life. The liturgy, celebrated at St. Martin of Tours Church, 639 S. Shelby St., Jan. 19 drew about 400 people, including families with young children. Archbishop Kurtz thanked his listeners for their prayers during his months-long cancer treatment that began last sum- mer. His doctors have declared him free of cancer, he said. The archbishop began his homily by drawing on the Gos- pel reading from the book of John and the prophecies of John the Baptist. "Wouldn't you have loved to meet John the Baptist? He was someone who didn't mince words. He testified," said Arch- bishop Kurtz. "John the Baptist gave testimony to the presence
Annual Memorial Mass for life draws about 400 people to St. Martin
Archbishop asks people to 'testify' for life
See TESTIFY, Page 6
Record Photo by Ruby Thomas
A family, including four young children, brought up the gifts during the annual Memorial Mass for the Sanctity of Life at St. Martin of Tours Church Jan. 19.
Around the Archdiocese Commentary Bulletin Board Classifieds VOL. 142, NO. 3 CIRCULATION 59,312 LOUISVILLE, KY JANUARY 23, 2020 50 CENTS
THE RECORD
S E R V I N G T H E C A T H O L I C C O M M U N I T Y I N C E N T R A L K E N T U C K Y F O R 1 4 1 Y E A R S
theRecordnewspaper.org
Gifts and pledges to the 2019 Catholic Services Appeal were $3,623,294 as of Jan. 21. The total represents 93 percent of this year's campaign goal. 8 4, 5 7 9, 10
Next Page