From the Pastor

Dear Friends in Christ,

Advent

This weekend we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, or “rejoice” Sunday. We rejoice because the birth of Christ is coming near. Be sure to continue to prepare your hearts well! We have numerous ways available to strengthen your faith before

Christmas.

There is an easily identifiable spot on the website entitled “Advent” (very clever) which will give you all the information you need on…Advent! Next week there is a “Living Nativity” with live animals on Dec. 18th, Breakfast Omelet Bar on the 19th, and Solemn Vespers with candlelight adoration in the evening on the 19th as well. Please mark your calendars. Christmas It’s hard to believe that Christmas is only a few weeks away. I encourage all of you to check the website for the Christmas Mass schedule and events following. Please note there will be no Mass on Christmas evening, Saturday, Dec. 25th (the following day is a Sunday, the feast of the Holy Family). It is a very holy time of the year when we can continue to celebrate the gift of the birth of Christ.

Christmas Collection

The Christmas Collection is the most important collection of the year. Last year you gave over $100,000 to the collection! It would be great to collect that much again this year. There is no assessment to the Archdiocese for this collection. You can drop your Christmas collection in the basket on any Sunday or at the Rectory Office at anytime. Please be sure to clearly indicate it is for Christmas. You can also donate on-line through Faith Direct: saintjohnneumann.org/support May God bless you all for your generosity! You are in my prayers.

In Christ,

Msgr. Robert Panke