ST. THOMAS AQUINAS ~ ELKHART LAKE, WI

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS PARISH Dear Parishioners:

Amazing . . . even in the midst of a pandemic Advent just kind of sneaks up on us! This coming week is the last week of the Church Year, and next Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent! Of course, Christmas isn’t too far behind.

I suspect that the warnings we’ve been seeing and hearing about how to celebrate – and, just as importantly, NOT celebrate – Thanksgiving next Thursday will only grow in frequency and intensity as our focus shifts toward Christmas, especially if there is a measurable spike in the number of infections in the first two weeks of December. Many family traditions may need to be drastically modified if not totally shelved out of an abundance of caution: gathering for a family meal, visiting grandparents, holding open houses, caroling, . . . it’s probably going to be a rather subdued holiday.

With this in mind, I want to address the topic of Christmas Masses. I’ve heard some of my colleagues speculate that many Catholics who would ordinarily attend Mass on Christmas will tend to stay away this year because of COVID. While those whose age, pre-existing conditions or compromised auto-immune system make them especially vulnerable to the virus probably should opt to stay at home, I’m not so sure that many of you will take that course. So, at both STA and SJB we are having four Masses for your convenience: two on Christmas Eve and two on Christmas Day. At STA, the Christmas Eve Masses will be at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.; the Christmas Day Masses will be like Sunday: 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. At SJB, the Christmas Eve Masses will be at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., while Christmas Day Masses will be as on Sunday, at 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

At both Churches, social distancing will be observed. This means that unlike in years past, we cannot allow people to stand in the back of Church or in the doorways; once it appears that we have seated the number of people we can accommo-date without compromising social distancing we will have to close the doors. THIS IS LIKELY TO BE AN ISSUE AT BOTH CHURCHES FOR THE EARLY MASS ON CHRISTMAS EVE. (At SJB, where pre-registration for Masses is re-quired, the 3:00 p.m. Mass was nearly filled within twenty-four hours. STA does not pre- register people for its Masses, but I’m pretty sure that, if it did, it would yield a similar result.)

So, here’s my thought: since this year’s Christmas routine is probably going to be anything but routine, please consider coming to Mass on Christmas Day, especially if that hasn’t been your practice in recent years. I know that for myself, as celebrant, Christmas Day Mass is qualitatively different from Christmas Eve Mass – not necessarily better or worse, just different. Perhaps it would strike you in a similar way.

Oh, in both Churches at any of the Masses, the proper wearing of face masks is expected. Father Phil

Saturday, November 21st, 5:30pm: Lector: Konrad Kaczkowski & Communion Distribute: Lynn Meerstein Sunday, November 22nd, 8am: Lector: Mary Jo Jetzer & Communion Distribute: Al Zemlicka

Sunday, November 22nd, 10:00am: Lector: Ann Buechel Haack & Communion Distribute: Bev Verhulst Wednesday, November 25th, 6:30pm: Lector: Mary Jo Jetzer & Communion Distribute: Bev Verhulst

Saturday, November 28th, 5:30pm: Lector: Kevin White & Communion Distribute: Don Meerstein Sunday, November 29th, 8am: Lector: Ron Nielsen & Communion Distribute: Diane Slabe Sunday, November 29th, 10:00am: Lector: Red Platz & Communion Distribute: Red Platz

Lectors: Please pick up your 2021 lector book in the Chapel, thank you!

STEWARDSHIP November 12 - November 18, 2020

Stewardship Env. Loose Bldg & Mnt. Env. All Saints Env. 5th Sunday $2,288.75 $234.35 $112.00 $50.00 $20.00 THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!

MASS SCHEDULE

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe November 22, 2020

Saturday, November 21: 5:30pm † Joannie Mueller 5:30pm † Nick & Margaret Sippel Sunday, November 22: 8:00am For the People of STA & SJB 10:00am For Faith Formation Families Wednesday, November 25: 8:00am For Abused Children 8:30-9:30am ADORATION 6:30pm For the Gift of Life Friday, November 27: 8:00am For Pope Francis Saturday, November 28: 5:30pm Those Impacted by Covid Sunday, November 29: 8:00am Living & Deceased Members of Margaret & Robert OReilly 10:00am † Deceased Members of the Piper Family

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THANKSGIVING MASS ON WEDNESDAY AT 6:30PM!

ADVENT NEWS Our Pastoral Council

approved mailing

Advent materials to

our families that are

72 years and above.

So please watch the mail for an

envelope of reading materials

and a letter from Father to get

you excited about Advent! If

you would like an envelope

mailed to you, please let us know

(876.2457 or email). The same

information is available at the

parking lot and main entrances!

At Stthomasaquinasel.org

Go to formed.org/signup. Choose "I belong to a parish', enter the parish's zip code (53020), and select: (St Thomas Aquinas and St John the Baptist). Register with your name and email address. Check that email account for a link to begin!

Next Weekends 5th Sunday Collection will support:

GLENBEULAH FIRE DEPT.

ANDD

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!