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We are pleased to welcome back our School students to our daily Masses this week, with a new policy that will provide a higher level of security. In particular, we will restrict entrances during our Wednesday and Friday morning Masses when our School children are present.

I wish to offer a word of my deepest gratitude to all members of our parish community, including parents and children, teachers and staff, parishioners and community members for making the first week of school a great success, particularly in light of the tragedy at Annunciation.

Fr. Tollefson extends an invitation to a prayer vigil this evening at 7pm in the church, and pledges a renewed commitment to safety on our campus and of support for our community.

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 completed our search process a few weeks ago and determined that Nativity would be best served by delaying the hiring process for a period of six months to a year so that we can better define the scope of the position with the Discipleship team.

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.

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.

***UPDATE: Priority registration deadline is Memorial Day (Monday, May 26)*** Our pastor, Fr. Rolf Tollefson, invites you to follow the footsteps of St. Paul on a 9-Night Greek Islands Cruise tour, plus four nights in Athens from October 21 - November 4, 2025.

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!

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.

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.

I am very pleased to announce that two religious sisters from the order of the Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus will be coming to work in our School and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, beginning this fall.

Having surpassed nine months with you now, let me tell you what a great grace it is to be serving Christ with you here at Nativity of Our Lord, and offer an update on the implementation of the One Nativity 2035 strategic planning as it relates to our mission.

Fr. Bill Duffert will lead Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Bloomington beginning July 1, and Fr. John Paul Erickson will take over as Parochial Vicar (Associate Pastor) on July 20.

Videos are being viewed in small group meetings and are now also available for anyone else who wants to learn about prayer — whether they're brand new to an intentional prayer life, or seasoned vets.