Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
We are almost there!
The celebration of Christ’s Nativity is very soon.  I am hoping our Advent preparation has been fruitful.  All four candles on the Advent wreath are burning, trees are up, stockings hung, cookies baked and gifts wrapped.  Even so, we recall always that we are preparing for the coming of the Messiah.  “Messiah” or “Christ” means anointed one.  Anointed for what? For Mission.  What is the Mission? To save our souls from death and sin.  Christmas is about how we need a Savior.  Due to our sin we deserve damnation, yet God’s love pours out in order to reclaim His wayward children and offer us salvation.  This profound mystery of our Faith - the Incarnation - is so fundamental to our lives.  It should color everything we do and say and even think! 
 
Christmas Day and Holy Day Schedule
Since Christmas falls on a Tuesday please note the Holy Day schedule on the front of the bulletin.  There will not be a 7am Mass that Tuesday, nor will there be Eucharistic Adoration.  The same is true for the following week, January 1. 
 
Final Ad Orientem Mass this season
This will be the last weekend of the season for the “Ad orientem” option at Mass.  I will not explain it again here, (if you want to know more check our website).  Thank you to all who participated in the listening session about it last week.  I am of course always open to comments and thoughtful reflections on how we celebrate Mass here at St. Paul.  Thank you to everyone who took this opportunity to encounter the Lord at Mass in a new way.  I hope it was spiritually fruitful.  Thank you especially to those who perhaps struggled with this option or found it uncomfortable.  Your perseverance is a testament to your great faith.  I pray, even if difficult, this time was a way for God to help all of us grow in grace. 
 
Thank you!
Thank you to all our volunteers who helped decorate the Narthex and the Church. It is always wonderful and inspiring to see folks pitch in and make a lot of work much lighter.  It takes a lot of time to plan, prepare, schedule, cooperate, and actually do the work!  Beauty is part of being Catholic.  We are blessed to have parishioners with beautiful hearts that seek to serve and bring that beauty to others through their lives.  Thank you to all for your financial generosity this year and during this season especially. 
 
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr