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Lynn McConnell has resigned from her position in Human Resources at Nativity of Our Lord, effective August 7, and Nick Erickson has been hired in the role of Accounting Specialist, replacing Joyce Kotta, and began work on the parish staff on Monday, August 25.

In response to the liturgical listening sessions last fall, we will introduce some changes to the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass, beginning on Sunday, September 21 to make it more family-friendly. We also plan to bring back Communion under both species (the Body and Blood of Christ).

We have decided to move forward with our plan to complete the stained glass window project in our beloved, historic church, replacing the clear glass with new, beautiful stained glass windows. We are also asking for feedback on the project, which you can submit here our website.

Our new parish Picture Directory is almost complete! The production process has taken longer than we would have preferred, but we are hoping the shipment will arrive in the next month or so. Thank you to all who have contributed to this extensive and important project, and for your patience as we approach the finish line.

Nativity of Our Lord has purchased a limited number of volumes of the Archdiocese's 175th Anniversary coffee table book, "In Everything, Give Thanks," as well as its graphic novel counterpart, "Catholics in the Northland." They are now both available for sale on a first-come, first-served basis to reserve here on our website or at the parish office.

After careful planning, and in consultation with the Nativity School Advisory Council and members of our search committee, we’ve made the decision to move to a new leadership model proven effective for schools of Nativity’s size and complexity.

Introduced in the Synod Year 2 Implementation Plan, the Archdiocesan Passport Adventure is an opportunity to experience more broadly the beauty of church architecture and liturgical expressions beyond parish boundaries.

It was with great joy that I learned of the white smoke billowing out of the chimney in Vatican City and it is with great joy that we can now celebrate together what it heralded: not only a new Sovereign Pontiff but our first Pope from the United States, from the American midwest and the south side of Chicago, Illinois!

We’re now looking to hire for two full-time positions in the parish office: Director of Mission and Accounting Specialist. If you’re interested in joining our team, click here to review the job descriptions and reach out to Beth Giese, Parish Administrator, to apply.

Continuing the impact of the four regional pilgrimages last year, the new St. Katherine Drexel route this year covers Indianapolis through the midwest, south, and west towards San Diego and Los Angeles. Frances Webber, one of our parishioners who attended the National Eucharistic Congress last July, will accompany our Eucharistic Lord across the country this year.

On behalf of the Nativity of Our Lord parish community, I wish to offer Christ’s blessings and a heartfelt congratulations to Joyce Kotta on her retirement. Click here for more, including a message from Joyce herself.

Fr. John Paul and I echo Archbishop Bernard Hebda’s sadness at the Holy Father’s passing. He was a man of profound joy, faith, hope, love, and simplicity in life and in death. I invite you to please join me in prayer for the repose of his soul.

He is risen! Alleluia! Indeed, we have now completed another round of the *preparing* part of our mission, and now can enjoy the great Easter *celebration.*

Fr. Tollefson has appointed Beth Giese to the role of Parish Administrator. Beth has served as Director of Advancement for the past two years, and will now manage all aspects of the administration of the parish, excluding spiritual and pastoral ministries.

Fr. Erickson offers a vision for returning to 24/7 Perpetual Adoration in this ongoing Eucharistic Revival, as well as an invitation for each of us to commit to an hour.

Hello Nativity Parishioners! I am a third-year seminarian at St. Paul Seminary, and I have been living at Nativity of Our Lord as my January assignment, in order to get an inside look at the life of a parish priest.

Our Parish Business Administrator Laura Barr has departed from her leadership role at Nativity. We greatly appreciate her many years of service.

There’s rich irony in the pastor of a church called Nativity missing Christmas liturgies in his first year on the job. But as a believing Catholic Christian, I’m inclined to look for God’s hand moving amidst the seemingly random occurrences in our lives.

Through prayerful discernment, the Lord revealed to our Director of Discipleship, Mahalia Marcelin, that he has new plans for her, and she has decided to resign from her role here at Nativity of Our Lord, effective December 31.

We would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to all of you for helping us celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Nativity County Fair!