Normally, as we enter the month of December, I start looking ahead, in terms of liturgies to our Advent Reconciliation Service (this year on December 19) and our Christmas Masses (which will be a challenge for priests and congregations this year since the Fourth Sunday of Advent is Christmas Eve).  This, however, is no normal December, since we will be hosting the "First Mass" of Nelson Rubio, our adopted seminarian, on Sunday, December 17 at 10:00 a.m.  I hope many of you will choose to come to this Mass and will sign-up to join us for the reception for Nelson after Mass in the Lower Hall.  Cards and gifts for Father Nelson will be accepted before and after Mass.  We are expecting people from outside our parish to join us, including at least 60 from a parish in Wisconsin where Nelson has been ministering to as a Deacon.

I want to also encourage you to come to Nelson's Ordination Mass at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock on Saturday, December 16, at 10:00 a.m.  If you have never been to an Ordination Mass, I can testify that it is a moving liturgy with many priests in attendance to pray for, lay hands on, and embrace Nelson upon his Ordination to the priesthood.  We will consider renting a bus to take parishioners over to the ordination if there is enough interest and a need to do so (and if we can get a bus).  Please sign-up if you are willing to drive some people over to the Ordination with you.  The sign-up sheets are in the narthex.

We have supported Nelson over these last few years and it's almost time for us to come together to celebrate his priesthood and continue our prayerful support as he becomes an associate paster in parishes in North Little Rock and Marche.  With all this taking place on Gaudette Sunday weekend with its theme of "REJOICING," we have a special reason to gather and rejoice, the Ordination and/or First Mass of Nelson Rubio.  PLEASE make plans to come!