My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Advent is a season that makes demands on our attentiveness. It is time for us to pay greater attention to our spiritual lives and in the ways in which God beckons us. Let us use these weeks of preparation wisely so that our hearts may be open to receiving the Lord.
December 8th, the Solemnity of Mary’s Immaculate Conception, is a holyday of obligation. There will be two Masses, 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m. The parish office will be closed.
Since Christmas Eve falls on Sunday this year, there are two obligations to fulfill. You must attend one of the final Advent Masses for Sunday. You are also required to attend one of the Christmas Masses since it is a holyday of obligation. Please plan ahead now, so that these obligations will be covered. The evening Mass on Saturday the 23rd and the two morning Masses on Sunday the 24th cover the Sunday obligation. The 4:00 p.m. Mass on Sunday the 24th, the Midnight Mass and the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Christmas day cover the obligation for the holyday.
May this holy season be one of great joy and spiritual graces for all of you so that we may celebrate the Lord’s Nativity with great joy and solemnity.
May the Lord continue to bless you all!
Devotedly in the Lord,
(The Very Reverend) Aquinas M. Nichols
Pastor
The Ignite! Campaign raises up the dignity and image of God of everyone in our Diocese. As one body of Christ, it gives each of us the opportunity to invest in our priests, women religious, deacons, mothers, fathers, teachers, catechists, and children, who are the foundation upon which the Church and greater community are built. Click HERE to learn more.
Your gift to the Annual Diocesan Appeal (ADA) ensures the Church's mission of serving the people of God in southwest Iowa can continue. The ADA allows us to prepare disciples for the domestic church, invite and welcome people into communion, cultivate a culture of servant leadership and draw young people into a deeper communion. To give or pledge go here: https://www.dmdiocese.org/giving/annual-diocesan-appeal
***Be sure to select Des Moines, Basilica of St. John ADA in the parish drop down to ensure your money goes towards The Basilica's goal.