True Love!

St. Paul the Apostle

Parish

www.stpauljoliet.com

815-725-1527

Greetings!

Our time of preparation draws to a close. As the Solemnity of the Nativity nears, there is always much to do and many demands on our time. In the midst of the busyness, stay true to the call of Advent. The Scriptures invite us to remember God's fulfillment of promises made long ago by the prophets. During the next week I encourage you to read and reflect on chapters 1 and 2 of Luke's account of the Gospel. Ponder the work of the Holy SPirit in the story of Jesus' birth: Mary's openness to the annunciation, the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, the humble birth, the adoration of the shepherds, the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple, and much more. Like Mary, ponder these miraculous events deeply in your heart.

WE DO HAVE A FEW OPENINGS FOR 5:00pm

CHRISTMAS EVE MASS. PLEASE CALL THE PARISH OFFICE TO RESERVE THESE SPOTS FOR

YOUR FAMILY

IF YOU ARE ATTENDING 3:00 OR 5:00 MASS ON CHRISTMAS EVE PLEASE READ BELOW

3:00 and 5:00

Christmas Eve Mass Procedures

There will be 2 points of entry for Christmas Eve mass at the 3:00 and 5:00 masses. We will use the Canopy door and the door north of the Parish Ministry Center located by the gratto, please use either parking lot. Upon entry you will be met by a greeter and be given your seat assignment and asked to sanitize your hands. The usher will then show you to your seat, once you are seated we do ask that you remain in place until mass is over. Because of the amount of people that will be in attendance we will be dismissing 1 section at a time. You will be able to use any door throughout the church to exit from, just please remember to keep your social distance from anyone outside your household. We ask that you exit immediately once dismissed and do not congregate in the church, we need to sanitize and be ready for the next mass.

And last but not least, we ask for your patience with us and the volunteers giving their time to be sure that everything is done correctly and according to our plan submitted to the Diocese. There have been many people putting much thought and time into making sure things run as smoothly as possible. We will do all we can to be sure you and your family are safe while worshipping together for the beautiful birth of our Saviour. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to

O Jesus, eternal Priest,

keep your priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart,

where none may touch them.

Keep unstained their anointed hands,

which daily touch Your Sacred Body.

Keep unsullied their lips,

daily purpled with your Precious Blood.

Keep pure and unearthly their hearts,

sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood.

Let Your holy love surround them and

shield them from the world's contagion.

Bless their labors with abundant fruit and

may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here and in heaven their beautiful and

everlasting crown. Amen.

Congratulations to Fr. Mark Cote on the Installation as Pastor of St. Paul’s. We are so blessed to have a wonderful Pastor to lead us. We welcomed Bishop Hicks

to celebrate Mass with us

a very special morning, indeed!

May God bless you, Fr. Mark!

Religious Education Video

Advent Week 4

Grades 5th through 8th

Grades 1st through 4th

Catholic Kids Media - The Messiah! Advent 4C

Please continue to pray for our parishioners that are in need of prayers at this time

If there is someone you would like to add to the prayer list please

contact the Parish Office at 815-725-1527 or email parishsec@stpauljoliet.com

Pope Francis Tweet

of the Week

To pray is to light a candle in the darkness. Prayer rouses us from the tepidness of a purely horizontal existence, lift our gaze to higher things, makes us attuned to the Lord, allows God to be close to us: it frees

us from our solitude and

gives us hope.

Song of the Week

O Holy Night

Mass Sign Up

Please click the link below to register for mass. Be sure to select the time that you wish to attend. You will receive a confirmation email upon registering

to confirm your spot.

https://stpaultheapostlejoliet.eventbrite.comm

Click here to go to

the Parish's new

YouTube channel for Mass, Announcements and More...

iwillserve@stpauljoliet.com