First Sunday of Advent

News and Notes:  I encourage all SMG parishioners to participate in the current Increased Offertory Appeal by joining me in increasing their Offertory commitment as much as they can, and returning their Commitment Envelopes this weekend in the collection basket, or as soon as possible by mail.  Don’t forget the “God of this City” tour stop at St. Maria Goretti Church this Monday, December 1 at 7PM.  This event will consist of Eucharistic Adoration, praise and worship music, the preaching of Father Matthew Williams and ample opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Next Saturday, December 6, Breakfast with Santa and St. Nicholas will take place in SMG Church Hall from 10AM to 12 Noon; later on, we will light the crèche outside of Our Lady of the Assumption Church following the 4PM Mass.  The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary falls on Monday, December 8.  It is a Holy Day of Obligation with Masses at 7AM (SMG); 9AM and 7PM (OLA).  There is no vigil Mass for the Immaculate Conception this year because all Masses on Sunday, December 7 are for the Second Sunday of Advent (even the 5PM Mass at SMG).  The annual Christmas Benefit Concert for OLA School featuring Jim Dennis will take place on Sunday, December 14 at 2:00PM in OLA Church.  On Monday, December 22, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available at both churches from 6:30-7:30PM.  The Christmas Mass schedule for our Collaborative will be as follows: