Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Happy Gaudete Sunday - Rejoice!
As we wear rose colored vestments and light the rose candle on the advent wreath today, we celebrate Gaudete Sunday which means rejoice - we are halfway to Christmas!  Also, as we rejoice the church’s liturgical law allows for the organ to be played (moderately) today so as to prepare us for the final stretch of penance and expectation before Christmas.  How appropriate that we have our new organ now installed and ready to go.  At the 4:30 Mass this weekend we will bless the organ so that it can then be played liturgically.  I am looking forward to hearing it not only today but for Christmas when we can pull out all the stops!  Thank you again to Heidi and her committee and especially the generous parishioners who made this financially possible. 

“Heart of the Shepherd” Pledge Weekend
Speaking of great news, we have finished the Heart of the Shepherd Campaign pledging phase.  The totals so far are in. In my homily I threw out some possible numbers we might make on pledge weekend, but as has been the case throughout this campaign I was wrong.  You all exceeded what I thought.  Just this past weekend, you pledged another $60,000!!! This is on top of the already $200,000 pledged, which was in excess of our original goal of $165,000.  This helps our seminarians and priests and means that $185,000 is coming back to the parish for our renovation projects. I am speechless. You are all so great - what a great Christmas gift for the parish.  I will continue to keep you updated moving forward. Wow …. Just wow!

Confessions Schedule for Advent
In addition to our regular parish confession schedule, our parish cluster will host confession nights.  These three nights will have all the priests from the cluster at one parish to hear confessions. The schedule is Tuesdays from 5-6pm on the following dates:
December 14 @ St. Francis de Sales
December 21 @ Queen of Heaven
If it has been a while since you have been to confession, take courage!  Just go! If you are unable to make these times or are concerned about health, please call me and we can make arrangements for me to come to you.

“Rorate Caeli” Mass
We will have a “Rorate Caeli” Mass on Saturday morning December 11. This is the traditional Mass in honor of our Lady, lit by candlelight in the early morning.  We have celebrated this the past couple of years and it is quite beautiful.  The symbolism echoes what was said above regarding “Ad orientem” with this Mass starting before the sun rises with only candles lighting the sanctuary.  By the time Mass is finishing the sun has begun to enlighten the church space showing forth how our Lady brings the Son, Christ, into the world.  The Mass will begin at 7am.

Christmas Mass Schedule
This year Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, which makes things interesting.  Christmas Eve is a Friday thus the regular 4pm Confessions and 5:30 Mass are canceled.  Masses will be:
Christmas Vigil (Ordinary Form) at 4pm on December 24.
Midnight Mass (Extraorindary Form)
Christmas Day (Ordinary Form) at 10am

As per instruction from the diocese, there will NOT be Saturday evening confessions or evening Mass on December 25.

Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr