December 12th, is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The feast in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe goes back to the 16th century when a poor Indian Juan Diego was on his way to attend Mass in honor of Our Lady. Juan Diego was walking by a hill called Tepeyac when he heard beautiful music like the warbling of birds. A radiant cloud appeared, and within it stood an Indian maiden dressed like an Aztec princess. The Lady spoke to him in his own language and sent him to the bishop of Mexico. The bishop was to build a chapel in the place where the Lady appeared. Eventually the bishop told Juan to have the Lady give him a sign. About this same time Juan's uncle became seriously ill. This led poor Juan to try to avoid the Lady. Nevertheless, the Lady found Juan, assured him that his uncle would recover, and provided roses for Juan Diego to carry to the bishop in his cape or tilma.

On December 12, when Juan Diego opened his tilma in the bishop's presence, the roses fell to the ground, and the bishop sank to his knees. On the tilma where the roses had been appeared an image of Mary exactly as she had appeared at the hill of Tepeyac.

Please remember that our Advent Confessions this year will take place on Thursday, December 14th from 5:00 until 8:00 pm. There will be no Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on that day.

God Bless,
Fr. Gregg

The following is our Parish Christmas and New Year’s Day schedule:

Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24th

4:00 pm – Children’s Vigil Mass English
6:00 pm – Vigil Mass English 8:30 pm – Polish Carols (Kolędy)
9:00 pm – Polish Shepherd’s Mass (Pasterka) 11:30 pm – English Carols 12:00 am – English Midnight Mass

Christmas Day, Monday, December 25th

7:00 am – Polish Mass
9:00 am – English Mass
11:00 am – English Mass (Filipino Choir)
1:00 pm – Polish Mass

New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1st

9:00 am – English Mass
11:00 am – English Mass
1:00 pm - Polish Mass