My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

By now you will have received my annual Christmas Appeal. It is very important this year that we make some sacrifice to the parish for the sake of its financial stability. This has been a hard year for all of us, and the parish is no exception. We are presently nearly $100,000.00 behind our budget needs. Please consider prayerfully whatever extra you can contribute at this time. There are many things that we have to provide for. Luckily, we have had money in our Building Fund to take care of some necessary improvements.

The front stairs of the Basilica are now in need of repair. When we have a final bid, we will submit it to the diocese for the Bishop’s approval before work begins. We do not know yet what the cost will be. We will continue to build up the Building Fund in the meantime, and we have to pay off last year’s ADA as well. It stands at $25,000.00 more to go at this point. There are also the schools to consider. I thank you for your generosity ahead of time and ask the Lord to reward you! He cannot be outdone in generosity!

Bishop Joensen has ordered a MASK MANDATE for all parishes in the Des Moines diocese. Everyone is required to wear a mask while in the Basilica and the vestibule for Mass and any other function in the Basilica. I know that there are many different opinions regarding this, but I ask that you please obey the wishes of the Bishop out of a spirit of obedience. We are all subject to his authority. Also, all social functions are to be cancelled at least through 02 February 2021. Therefore, there will be no Pastor’s Open House this year or any other social function. We will add an extra Christmas Mass at 6:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The full Christmas schedule will be in the bulletin for this week. There will be the possibility for an overflow in the Mulvihill Hall.

Please be cautious and stay well. The parish staff and volunteers are doing all that is possible in the way of sanitizing. Take seriously the restrictions that have been placed upon us for our good and the good of others, such as frequently washing hands, using hand sanitizer, using masks and social distancing, and STAYING HOME IF YOU FEEL ILL IN ANY WAY OR MIGHT BE MORE VULNERABLE. Let us continue to pray for the day when we will be able to once again gather normally around the altar of the Lord and return to normal parish life.

Let us go forward, trusting Divine Providence in all things.

Devotedly yours in the Lord,

(The Very Reverend) Aquinas M. Nichols

Pastor