We encourage everyone attending a Christmas Eve Service at St Mary to be considerate of the neighbors when parking. Please don’t block anyone’s driveway or block any sightline by parking near corners. If parking is a concern, please consider our Christmas Eve Masses at Holy Cross Academy. The Christmas Mass Schedule is posted below.
Confessions
Monday December 23 at 6:30pm-7:30pm
Christmas Eve at St Mary:
4pm in English
6:30pm in Spanish
8:30pm in English
12midnight in English
Christmas Eve at Holy Cross Academy (250 Stafford Lakes Pkwy Fredericksburg VA 22406)
4th Sunday of Advent. Three days to Christmas, so panic time for procrastinators.
Years ago I read a rather descriptive account of childbirth in the context of contemplating our Christmas celebrations. Huh? Well the mother writing the article described despite the unglamorous nature of childbirth. Yet she gladly embraced that out of this mess came the greatest blessings in her life: the precious lives of her children. Maybe we aren’t as prepared as we would like, gifts unwrapped, house needs cleaning, baking to do and whatever other items are on your panic inducing to-do list. But in the midst of this ‘mess’ we celebrate the coming of our Lord. So this year I’ll offer to God: my panicked last minute shopping, or my anxiety over not being ready… knowing that he can bring good from all things! I can hear Jesus saying, “Ready or not, here I come!”
Honestly, I think this is a little bit of why I love family life. It is a little wild, unpredictable, and even chaotic. However this is where and how Our Lord comes to meet us. So this week when you are tempted to stress, think of the Holy Family traveling by donkey to Bethlehem without an Airbnb reservation. Honor Him, and He will fill your lives with blessings, undeserved and unexpected.
Where/when will you go to Christmas Mass? Thanks to the many families who have shuffled their Christmas plans to help the celebration be calm! The 4pm Masses will be packed (HCA a little less packed) and doors will be locked until 3pm, so do not arrive early and expect to be able to hold an entire pew with five winter jackets. We will likely even have to turn folks away from the 4pm Mass at the church, as the fire marshal has occupancy codes that apply and are observed. There is always room at the 6:30 PM Mass @ HCA, and the Masses Christmas morning are my favorite b/c there are plenty of seats!
We encourage everyone attending a Christmas Eve Service at St Mary to be considerate of the neighbors when parking. Please don’t block anyone’s driveway or block any sightline by parking near corners. If parking is a concern, please consider our Christmas Eve Masses at Holy Cross Academy. The Christmas Mass Schedule is posted below.
Christmas Eve at St Mary:
4pm in English
6:30pm in Spanish
8:30pm in English
12midnight in English
Christmas Eve at Holy Cross Academy (250 Stafford Lakes Pkwy Fredericksburg VA 22406)
