Advent is a time when we can remember that life is charged with meaning and purpose, journeying towards a future of hope. 

The cure to this boredom, according to Pope Benedict XVI, is to live with hope, looking forward to our final union with God. He explained in an Advent homily in 2009 how waiting can become “unbearable” when we do not live with meaning:

“There are many different ways of waiting. If time is not filled by a present endowed with meaning, expectation risks becoming unbearable; if one expects something but at a given moment there is nothing, in other words if the present remains empty, every instant that passes appears extremely long and waiting becomes too heavy a burden because the future remains completely uncertain.” 

“On the other hand, when time is endowed with meaning and at every instant we perceive something specific and worthwhile, it is then that the joy of expectation makes the present more precious. Dear brothers and sisters, let us experience intensely the present in which we already receive the gifts of the Lord, let us live it focused on the future, a future charged with hope. In this manner Christian Advent becomes an opportunity to reawaken within ourselves the true meaning of waiting, returning to the heart of our faith which is the mystery of Christ, the Messiah who was expected for long centuries and was born in poverty, in Bethlehem.”

Next Friday, December 8th, is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and a Holy Day of Obligation. Our Mass times for that day will be 8:45 am & 6:30 pm. Be sure to join us!

In response to parents’ requests, we have decided to change the remaining three rehearsals to Sunday mornings at 8:30am – 9:15am (Dec 3,10, & 17). We ask you to please come at 8:30 sharp, as we will have lots of fun songs to learn and not many rehearsals in which to learn them! Also, remember to meet at 3pm sharp on Sunday Dec 24. Please remember that ALL are welcome, from grades 2-12, whether home-schooled or in public schools of the area or attending Presentation parish or not. With any questions please contact Donna at 408-406-6240 or at dstoering@gmail.com.

It’s time! All those who love singing (or playing) Christmas carols, come participate in the parish choir which will be singing for Christmas Eve Mass on December 24 (and the Carols concert beforehand) and on Christmas Day morning Mass on December 25. All those ages 14-94 who can read music are warmly invited to come join us! We only have FOUR rehearsals so hope you can make all of them if possible: only three Wednesday nights (November 29, December 6 and Dec 13) from 6:30–8:15pm and one Thursday night (December 21) from 6:30–8:30pm. Questions? Contact our Director of Music, Donna Stoering via text msg (408 406 6240) or dstoering@gmail.com or just come on Nov 29 @ 6:30!

Advent Days of Prayer provide you with an opportunity to enter into a time of holy prayer, reflection, and action. Give yourself the gift of some reflective time during this holy Advent season. Participants need only bring any reading material that they would like to have with them. Lunch will be provided by the Retreat Center. There will be input by the presenter, a guided prayer experience, and ample free time for personal prayer and reflection. There will be an opportunity for Confession, as well as Stations of the Cross and the Liturgy of the Day. These day retreats are not sequential; one may attend all of these days or the day that best fits into one’s schedule. The three dates for these retreat days will be November 29 , December 6, and December 13, from 9:00am - 2:30pm. For more information and to register, visit the link below.

Come to Pacem in Terris for a transformative Advent retreat. Allow God’s love to heal, nourish and transform your life. Find rest in body, mind and spirit in this hermitage sanctuary. No schedules or daily distractions. Pacem in Terris offers guests an environment of silence to pray and enter into an intimate union with God. Open year-round. Gift certificates available. Contact: 763.444.6408.

On Saturday, December 2, from 8:00am-1:00pm in Kenney Hall, Presentation of Mary and the American Red Cross are hosting a blood drive. Please join our mission and schedule an appointment today at www.redcrossblood.org or all Barb Swanson at 651-395 -0453. Appointments only. No walk-ins.

Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to join us on Wednesday, December 20 from 7-8pm in the Church for an inspiring candlelit service to prepare our hearts for the birth of the Christ Child. This simple and beautiful service, in which readings from sacred scripture alternate with sung meditations, illuminates a season of joyful expectation. This service will feature Donna Stoering, renowned concert pianist and our parish music director; concert violist, Erin Nolan; tenor Chidi Ohammah; and our Choir and lectors. A light reception will follow in the church Narthex. With questions, contact mail@presentationofmary.org.

The Giving Tree is a Presentation of Mary ministry designed to help make Christmas special for those in need. We are honored to be able to offer this assistance again this year. Gift suggestions are hung on our giving tree at the Kennard Street Entrance, along with instructions on how to return your gifts to the parish. With any questions about the Giving Tree, please contact Kay Mottaz at 651-842-6022 or kmottaz@presentationofmary.org.

The Respect Life Committee is sponsoring a baby drive for Options for Women East Life Care Center. From December 2 through January 7, we will collect baby items for moms in need and their infants newborn to size 2T. We prefer that all donations be new, but we do accept gently-used clothing. Items can be placed in the creche in the Kennard Street entrance. You may also call the office if you need to drop items off outside of church times.

Come and find your perfect Christmas tree. The St. Pascal’s Men’s Club is entering their 54th year selling Premium Christmas trees at reasonable prices. No Charlie Brown trees can be found on our lot. A wide selection of Christmas trees are available (Fraser, Canaan, and Balsam firs, Scotch and White pines). We’re located at the intersection of White Bear Avenue and Third Street in St. Paul. We open on Black Friday Nov 24, 2023. Hours are: Mon-Fri 4pm–8pm, and Sat-Sun 9am–8pm. Our trees go fast. Bring the whole family!

Thank You Presentation of Mary Parishioners for your generous gifts of clothing and personal items to your Veterans. The containers were overflowing just like in years past! If you would ever like to see how your support is used, Every Third Saturday (5402 43rd Ave S (near the VA center) 952 356 5116) is open 9-4 Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ask for a free cup of coffee from Jessi. God Bless all of the parishioners at Presentation of Mary! - Tom Kramer, ETS

1st Place: Joe Wisniewski and Carl Madsen, 3610

2nd Place: Rita Casura and Nancy Willy, 3190

3rd Place: Rose McDonough and Kathy Mosner, 2810

Join us for our Kindergarten & Preschool information night to learn about the great programming and curriculum that Presentation of Mary School & Discovery Center has to offer families! Preschool & Kindergarten Info Night: Thursday, December 7th at 6:30pm. Register below!

The official Presentation of Mary Spirit Wear store has launched a Holiday Sale that runs through December 8, 2023! Spirit wear makes for great holiday gifts for the entire family, including customizable designs for Mom, Dad, Grandparents, and more! This sale features limited time savings of 20% sitewide! Orders over $75 will receive free shipping, and those below that will ship for just $5!

The boys' basketball season has begun! Check out the schedule here for the days to come cheer on our Panthers: https://stpaulcaa.org/basketball-boys.

Our Christmas Tree Lighting this year will be Sunday, December 3rd at 6:30 pm. Join us on Kennard Street in front of school to light our Christmas tree and then head into Kenney Hall for cookies, hot cocoa, and a visit from St. Nick!

The date for the Presentation School Christmas Concert has been changed to Friday, December15th at 6:30pm in the church. All are welcome to come hear our wonderful students perform!

Great Scott! The 2024 Presentation of Mary Catholic School Gala is coming back to Presentation on Saturday, April 13, 2024! We need you to take action now, so you don’t get left behind! 

April may feel a long way off, but the planning and preparations for our Panther Pride Gala are well underway already! Please make sure you've read all of the information on the Gala web page to understand all the ways you can Raise Your Hand to ensure the success of our biggest fundraiser! Donate a theme basket, wine, beer, or spirits, become a sponsor, get a Gala t-shirt, or even join the planning committee! If you have any questions, contact the school office at 651-777-5877.

Do you know someone in need of prayers? Contact Kay at the Parish Office at 651-842-6022 so they can be added to our Prayer Line.

You can also contact her if you are interested in joining the Prayer Line!

Protection of Youth: All employees, and volunteers who interact with minors, are required to complete and maintain safe environment credentials (E3) through the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. To ensure successful completion of these requirements or if you have any questions regarding our safe environment practices or would like more information on what is needed to volunteer, please contact our Safe Environment Coordinator: Kay Mottaz @ 651-842-6022 or email kmottaz@presentationofmary.org.

To learn more about reporting suspected abuse, please also visit: www.safe-environment.archspm.org/report-abuse/Report.