NATIVITY OF THE LORD

Take a moment to contemplate the symbols of the season. The crèche tells us the Gospel stories: first from Luke, which details the human birth in a lowly stable and the angels' message to shepherds; and later from Matthew, which describes the arrival of Magi who signify that God's salvation extends to all. The angels stand as heralds of the good news, an emblem for each of us on this solemn feast of our own duty to spread the message that Christ is born. The tree stands as a symbol of life, its green branches unfading even in the winter cold, just as God's life remains in us even though our human form should die. The wreath made of evergreens reminds us that God is one, without beginning or end. The candles recall the birth of him who is forever the Light of the world. Today, we celebrate the fact that God came to earth as a beautiful, innocent infant who rejects no one. We rejoice this day in the birth of Christ! And tonight, we remember that Jesus Christ came into this world quietly, humbly, and gracefully, an example of how we should live our lives.

Christmas and New Year Mass Schedule

Yo Christmas Eve Thursday, December 24th Shrine opens at 4: 00PM Christmas Music - 4:30-5:00 PM Christmas Eve Mass: 5:00 PM  Christmas Day Friday, December 25th 8:45 AM Prelude (Music)  9: 00 AM Mass The Shrine closes at 11:00 AM  New Year’s Eve Thursday, December 31st Mass: 4:00 PM.  New Year’s Day Friday, January 1st  The Shrine will be CLOSED  HAPPY NEW YEAR! RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED! There is a limit of 50 participants per mass. CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR RESERATIONS.

2020 END OF YEAR GIVING

Preserve our Legacy and Advance our Mission The Shrine invites you to participate in our End of the Year Giving campaign. Your generosity is the foundation that keeps the Shrine alive and will carry Mother Cabrini’s beautiful mission into the future. Your gift makes the following possible:  Weekend Mass and Weekly Private Prayer  Tours and Hospitality (In Groups of 10 or less)  One on One Spiritual Guidance and Direction with Sr. Bridget or Msgr. Hynes  Mother Cabrini Educational and Formational Webinars 2020-2021  2021 Community Outreach Programs  Support of the worldwide Missions of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus We are fortunate to have received a $17,000 matching gift made through the generosity of the Ada Schupp Foundation. Any gift made to this campaign will be matched to their gift. We are grateful for your support at any level that is comfortable for you.   We remain forever grateful for your support! Please click here to read our 2020 Year End Giving Letter. Please click here to donate to our 2020 Year End Giving Campaign. You may also mail a check to: The National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini 2520 N Lakeview Avenue Chicago, IL 60614

"DREAMING OF A SINGLE HUMAN FAMILY" WEBINAR SERIES ON IMMIGRATION

SAVE THE DATE! WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021 9:00 am MST 10:00 am CST 11:00 am EST “Themes from the Life and Spirituality of Mother Cabrini. Patroness of Immigrants” Sponsored by: The National Shrine of St. Frances X. Cabrini, Chicago, IL in collaboration with The Cabrini Retreat Center, Des Plaines, IL Presenters: Nicholas Rademacher, PhD Dr. Rademacher is professor and chair of Religious Studies at Cabrini University. His teaching and scholarship focus on historical and contemporary expressions of Catholicism in the United States. Dr. Rademacher earned his PhD at the Catholic University of America. A published author of journals and books, he serves as Vice President of the American Catholic Historical Society and recently completed service on the historical commission for cause for canonization of Fr. William Atkinson, OSA. Michelle Sherman, MA Michelle Sherman is the Campus Minister for Retreats at Villanova University. A former Cabrini Mission Corps missioner at Mother Cabrini H.S. in NYC, she is honored to contribute to this important Cabrini series. She holds a BA in Humanistic Studies from St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN; a MA in Theology and Certification in Lay Ministry from Villanova University; and Certification in Spiritual Direction from the Cranaleith Spiritual Center. Stay tuned for more information on upcoming Webinars.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR RECTOR MSGR. RICHARD HYNES

Stay awake is an Advent season mantra – Stay awake. Recently a friend recommended a small treatise: Interior Freedom by Fr. Jacques Phillip. A fascinating read indeed! As I discussed my new ‘read’ with a visitor to the Shrine, he mentioned that Interior Freedom was his wife’s favorite. I knew I was on the right reading path!   Excuse these three lengthy quotes: Holiness through freedom will never come to us unless we begin by accepting, welcoming and consenting to all the external events that confront us. Now, this is not hard in the case of what we perceive as good, pleasing and positive. But it is hard when any kind of setback or suffering is involved. This is a delicate subject, because it is not a matter of desiring challenges nor a matter of becoming passive and learning to endure everything without any reaction whatsoever. But whatever projects we have and however well we plan them, many times situations are beyond our control and involve a whole host of events contrary to our expectations, hopes, and desires occur, and we must accept it. We should not limit ourselves to accepting things grudgingly, but should truly consent to them-not to endure them, but in a sense 'choose' them (even if in fact we have no choice, and that's what most annoys us). Choosing here means making a free act by which we not only resign ourselves but also embrace the situation. That isn't easy, especially in the case of really painful trials, but it is the right approach, and we should follow as much as possible in faith and hope. If we have enough faith in God to believe him capable of drawing good out of whatever befalls us, he will do so. … This is an absolutely fundamental truth: God can draw good out of everything, both from the good and the bad, the positive and the negative.  Advent preludes Christ’s birth; and Christ’s birth centers upon Mary saying to Angel Gabriel – Let it be done to me according to your word. All is grace St. Theresé writes, and not everything is pleasant. We expect God to work in our lives, in each situation. We stay awake to the actual grace not-so-apparent; stay awake remains our Advent mantra

Prayer for Hope and Strength from our Executive Director Sister Bridget Zanin, MSC

God in our human weakness, give us strength.  Touch our inner soul and remind us that with you all things are possible.  When our energy is wilting and our motivations are trivial, we need your love to get back on track and to find hope and meaning in our life for a better future. When we are tempted to surrender to what is the easy way, help us to grasp on to your strong hand and find strength to say yes to your Holy will, knowing that through you we will find meaning in our life!  Help us to have faith in in your word, “Be not afraid, I AM with you!” Assist us to grow each day in your knowledge and reverence, serving you and walking every day in your light.  As we await the Birth of Our Savior during this Advent, help us to prepare a permanent dwelling place in our hearts and in our homes. Amen!.

MASS TIMES Saturday - 4:00 p.m. Sunday - 10:00 a.m. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED! CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION PRIVATE PRAYER Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED! CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION The Shrine Gift Shop Hours: WWEDNESDAY: 11 A.M. - 2 P.M. SATURDAY: 12 P.M. - 5 P.M.

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