A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR
A Blessed Advent to All Dear Parishioners,
A
blessed Advent to you and yours! As we begin a new liturgical year, we have yet another opportunity to grow deeper in our faith in Christ during this Advent season. As we continue to live a stewardship way of life, I’m so pleased we’re featuring several wonderful ministries in this month’s newsletter. Enclosed you’ll see an update to our building project and another new statue coming to our parish. The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on December 12 each year. I encourage you to look up the story of Guadalupe and see a beautiful example of evangelization. Because of her, millions came to the Catholic faith. Beloved in Mexico and increasingly around the world, a new Our Lady of Guadalupe statue is coming to our parish! Funded entirely by parishioners, this new statue will match the others in the church and will be a great source of devotion to all who come. The current statue will be returned to the old St. Francis Xavier Church for use by the students of St. John Catholic Student Center when they move in next year. I’m
so grateful to all who gave to this project and helped make it happen. Speaking of giving, the Giving Tree is an annual tradition in Stillwater where we provide for families in need ahead of Christmas. COVID-19 is switching it up a bit and this year we’re doing gift cards only. These gift cards will be put to great use by these families to buy Christmas presents for their kids. I’m grateful to parishioner Kathleen Bays for organizing it and to the Salvation Army for their efforts as well. It’s not going to be a normal December, but it will be a good one. Plan to join us for Mass through Advent and on either December 24 or 25 for the Solemnity of the Nativity, also known as Christmas. God bless you! In Christ,
Rev. Brian O’Brien Pastor, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
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