The Cornerstone
Christmas 2021
  “For today in the City of David,
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord!”
—Gospel of St. Luke

Christmas greetings to you! We especially hope that you will join us at our Christmas Masses at Saint Patrick and Holy Cross. We hope that you will find our Christmas celebrations meaningful and a worthy thanksgiving to the Father for the gift of Jesus, the Christ and Savior of the world!  

During these times, we implicitly know that we and our world are in need of a savior. No matter where we might find ourselves in life; in joy or sorrow, in burden or freedom, the Lord Jesus promises to be near to each of us to bring us healing and hope. He promises us abundant life now and eternal life to come. That is why we give thanks to God for the Savior’s birth on Christmas day and throughout the Christmas Season.

Our parishes welcome you on Christmas and throughout the year as we open our lives to the grace of God, so we may follow Jesus in a life of faith, hope, and love. At Christmas, God sent His Son to bring all of us new life. May we now open our hearts to His blessing. And may you enjoy the warmth of this season of peace with those you love.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Fr. David Mulholland
Pastor
Christmas falls on a Saturday this year and it partially overlaps our regular weekend Mass schedule. Therefore we have two Mass obligations to fulfill— Christmas and Sunday. To fulfill your Mass obligations this weekend, choose one from each column.

Come early to enjoy carols!

Holy Cross Catholic Church
4:30 pm before the 5 pm Mass

St. Patrick Catholic Church
8:30 pm before the 9 pm Mass
Nativity of the Lord
Christmas Eve | December 24, 2021
ST. ANDREW CHRISTMAS NOVENA
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment
in which the Son of God
was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary,
at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold.

In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee,
O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my
desires through the merits of Our Savior
Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen

The St. Andrew Christmas novena is prayed 15 times a day starting on the feast of St. Andrew on November 30 through Christmas Eve.
Let all that you do be done in love. 
—1 Corinthians 16:14—
In keeping with the state-wide mandate, masks are required at Mass regardless of vaccination status to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19. A section for social distance seating is available.

The obligation to attend Mass does not bind in impossible or gravely difficult situations. If you are ill or immunocompromised, stay home and join us on the livestream from St. Patrick Catholic Church on our parish YouTube Channel.

Holiday Office Schedule
Parish Offices are closed December 23-24, December 27, and December 31.

How to Reach Us
We are experiencing trouble with our phone system. To contact us, send an email to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 253-383-2783. Messages are checked regularly and will be routed to the appropriate staff person. If you need the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, call 253-383-2783, extension 4102 and leave a message.

Statement on COVID-19 Vaccines
By the instruction of the Holy See and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the use of all current COVID-19 vaccines during this pandemic is morally acceptable. It is not only important for one’s personal health, but it is also our responsibility to care for the common good of the broader community, and getting a vaccine is one way to do so. Everyone age 5+ is eligible to receive the vaccine. Do so knowing that it is morally acceptable to receive whichever vaccine is being offered.