The Basilica of Saint John

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We have entered into a New Year of grace in the Lord Jesus Christ.  The beautiful Christmas Season continues through the Baptism of the Lord on January 09 and then we will be back in Ordinary Time.  My thanks to everyone who made our Christmas celebrations so special, in particular the singers and musicians and those serving and decorating the Basilica.  My sincere thanks as well for your generous response to my Christmas appeal.

During this winter season please be cautious about the spread of germs.  There presently is no mandate in the church for wearing masks.  Bishop Joensen still recommends using masks and you may still find them at the entrances of the Basilica.  There are also bottles of hand sanitizer around the entrances.  There has been no major outbreak of the virus or the flu in the parish.  Just remember to stay home if you feel sick in any way and remember to wash your hands frequently.

We have some major repair projects coming up in the new year:  New sidewalks in front of the Basilica and on 19th Street, tuckpointing, a new heating system for the church and hall and we also want to look at improving the sound system.  We have been working to build up the Building Fund to help cover these projects.  I thank all those who contributed extra to the Building Fund during these days.

The Capital Campaign for the diocese will be launched in the new year.  We are in the first phase of parishes that will be starting.  Our goal has been set at $740,000.00.  If we make that we will get about $150,000.00 back for the parish.  There will be more on this as the time gets closer and the details are worked out.  We are scheduled to begin after Easter.

If you receive an E-Mail or text from me or from Bishop Joensen, or from any priest, requesting money or gift cards, please DO NOT RESPOND.   WE WOULD NEVER ASK YOU FOR FINANCIAL HELP IN THIS WAY.  Just delete it and try to block the person.  This has been happening to a lot of priests and to Bishop Joensen as well in recent days.

I will be away for part of this month for my post-Christmas break.  Father Gross and Msgr. Beeson will be covering for me. 

Let us go forward, trusting Divine Providence in all things.  Let us use our time wisely and give sufficient time for prayer.   This is a good time to examine your spiritual lives and your relationship with the Lord.  Again, my sincere thanks for your generosity and all you do for the parish.

Devotedly yours in the Lord,
(The Very Reverend) Aquinas M. Nichols
Pastor