1621 University Avenue N.E., Minneapolis, MN 55413 

CONTINUING OUR TRADITION - Dec. 14,2003

Goal - $1,500,000.00

Total paid to date (pledge payments and additional gifts)            $1,043,725.70
Pledge payments still outstanding                                                $ 371,518.30
Gifts still needed (in addition to pledges)                                     $ 84.756.00
                                                                                                   $1,500,000.00

We are grateful for your gifts and memorials. Thank you to all who continue to make regular pledge payments. All gifts are welcome as we work towards our goal.

The yellow envelope in your packet can be used for gifts and/or pledge payments. Thank you!

Offertory Collection
December 14, 2003.........................$6,253.44

OPLATKI - With the breaking and sharing of Oplatki with each other on Christmas Eve, we wish each other good health and happiness during the Christmas Season and throughout the New Year. Oplatki is available:

               Convent (back door) evenings.
               Church sacristy after Mass.
               Rectory (Parish Office - side door)
                   Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
THE PERPETUAL ADORATION CHAPEL will close on Wednesday, December 24th at 3:00 p.m. and reopen after the 6:45 a.m. Mass on Friday, December 26th.
                                        PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC
                                             ADORATION NEWS


Rejoice in the LORD always, again I say rejoice! The LORD is near! We are looking forward to the birth of JESUS CHRIST. Let us spend time with HIM in the Adoration Chapel. We can actually adore HIM like the shepherds did; we can kneel before HIM like the Magi. JESUS is awaiting our visits to the chapel.

The Chapel is located in the convent of Holy Cross. Open hours: Friday 8:00 a.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. and Saturday 12:00 noon. For more information call 763-788- 4729 or 612-781-4806. Thank you.
HELP IS NEEDED TO DELIVER FLOWERS to the sick and shut-in of the parish on Friday, De. 26 beginning at 9:00 a.m. If you can help please meet in the Church.

PARISH CALENDAR

Today, December 21
Decorate Jesse Tree at the 10:00 a.m. Mass.
Library open after 10:00 a.m. Mass.
Decorate the Church for Christmas after 6:30 p.m. Mass.
Monday December 22
Confessions after 6:45 AM Mass & 5:30-6:30 PM.
Christmas Eve Children's Mass rehearsal at 6:30 p.m. in Church.
Tuesday, December 23
Confessions after 6:45 a.m. Mass.
Wednesday, December 24 Christmas Eve
Children's "Happy Birthday Jesus" Mass at 4:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Mass at 12:00 midnight.
Church Doors open at 11:00 p.m.
Kolendy (Christmas Carols begin at 11:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 26 Christmas Day
Mass at:   8:00 a.m.
               10:00 a.m.
               11:30 a.m. (Polish).
               No 6:30 p.m. Mass on Christmas Day
Friday, December 26
Parish Office closed.
Delivery of Flowers to the sick and shut-ins. Meet in Church at 9:00 a.m.
Mass and Devotions in Polish 7:00 p.m. in Church.
Saturday, December 27
Parish Office closed.
No Polish School.
Sunday, December 28
Library open after the 10:00 a.m. Mass.

PLEASE KEEP SAVING ALUMINUM CANS - The money raised from recycling the aluminum will go towards the "Continuing Our Tradition" Campaign. Bags of aluminum cans can be put in the containers by the doors of the church or by the garages behind the rectory.

THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
When the Christmas spirit springs to life
in the Human heart each year,
the world becomes, for a little time,
a haven of love and cheer.

The poor in body are clothed and fed,
and the lonely know once more
the warmth of hearing a welcome knock
on a too-long silent door.

For these few days we remember well
that all humankind is kin,
bound by the love of the Babe who was found
no room in that long-ago inn.

                                          Virginia Blanck Moore