Join our Family of Five Parishes for a season of hope and anticipation as we await and then celebrate the birth of our Lord. Advent can be such a beautiful, prayerful season that can help us slow down and focus on Jesus. Looking for ideas? A few recommended by our staff:
For adults:
Advent Reflections from Bishop Barron
Busted Halo Advent Calendar
Best Advent Ever with Matthew Kelly
Advent Made Simple
Advent Wreath Reflections
The Catholic Herald’s Guide to Advent
For families and kids:
Advent Wreath
Holy Heroes Advent Adventure
Jesse Tree
Below you will find prayer, service, and community opportunities in our Family of Five Parishes during the Advent and Christmas Season.
Christmas Masses
The Christmas Mass schedule will be published on the Mass Times page.
Little Blue Books
We ordered a limited amount of Little Blue Advent books that are in the back of all of our churches. These books offer a 6-minute reflection for each day of Advent. If there are none left, check out littlebooks.org. You can order individual books for $5.00 each, purchase it as an e-book, or subscribe to the app.
Advent Giving Tree
The Advent Giving Trees of the Cathedral, Old St. Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence, Ss. Peter & Paul, and Three Holy Women will be supporting the ministries of Eastside Senior Services, Women’s Care Center, and St. Vincent de Paul. You can find their Wish Lists on the attached flyer. After purchasing your gift, please cut off and tape a “tag” from the flyer onto your UNWRAPPED gift and return it to the collection box near the Advent Giving Tree at any mass by December 14-15.
St. Anne Society Christmas Fair & Bake Sale – December 7-8
The St. Anne Society continues the tradition of our annual Christmas Fair and Bake Sale. Come enjoy a festive time with your parish community! Mark your calendars and plan to attend on December 7 and 8 after all Masses in the Parish Center. There will be the usual wonderful baked goodies, and opportunities to win a raffle gift just in time for Christmas. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Long at 414-485-5145 or elizabethlong417@gmail.com.
Aly Aleigha Concert – December 7
Popular Catholic musician Aly Aleigha is coming to St. Hedwig Church on Saturday, December 7, from 7:00-9:00 pm, as part of her “Face to Face” tour. Join us for a FREE concert of engaging music, Eucharistic Adoration, and a powerful Advent message. Aly has been publicly endorsed by Fr. Mike Schmitz and Ascension Presents and has helped thousands grow closer to our Lord through prayer and worship. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Contact Nino Rebholz at nrebholz@ffpmke.org for more information.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration – December 11-12
Join us in celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Cathedral! Wednesday, December 11 – 11:00 pm Traditional dances, rosary in Spanish and Mañanitas (songs honoring Mary); Thursday, December 12 – 6:30 pm Traditional native dances, 7:00 pm Bilingual Mass, 8:00 pm Potluck celebration in the Cathedral Atrium. We hope to see you there!
Holiday Plant Delivery – December 14
“Love Came Down at Christmas” The story of Christmas is all about love, and how Jesus came down from the heavens above. We deliver holiday plants to parishioners who are homebound or living in healthcare facilities. If you are interested, please join us on Saturday, December 14 to help deliver 200 plants and visit with parishioners who continue to be a vital part of our parish community. Masks will be provided so we can continue to keep everyone healthy.
Many volunteers are needed! We are asking volunteers to also bring the Eucharist with the plants to our parishioners. If you have never done this before, do not fear! A short formational training will be done before you depart for your visits. Pyx cases and prayer cards will also be provided for you.
On Saturday, December 14, all volunteers will meet at 8:30 am in the Old St. Mary Parish Center (835 N Milwaukee St). Please feel free to use the parking lot.
To volunteer and/or verify that a nursing home or homebound parishioner is on the delivery list, please contact Terri Balash at 414-469-6173 or tbalash@ffpmke.org.
Milwaukee Sings at Christmas – December 15
The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Choir is partnering with Sacra Nova Chorale to present “Milwaukee Sings at Christmas,” with music that will warm your heart this holiday season. Featured in the concert is the Cathedral organ, brass, and timpani, alongside strings from special guest artists, Milwaukee Musaik, together led under the direction of Joseph Smaldino. For more information, and to secure tickets, please visit www.sacranovachorale.com.
Advent Adoration – December 17
Open to all and family friendly!
Ss. Peter & Paul Church (2490 N Cramer St)
Exposition – 6:00 pm
Benediction – 6:50 pm
Hospitality – 7:00 pm
Fervorino by Fr. Joseph (English) and Fr. Carlos (Spanish)
Family Ministry staff will be available to support families. Questions? Contact Brianna Moreland at bmoreland@ffpmke.org.
Catholic East Elementary Christmas Celebration – December 18
Join us for the Catholic East Elementary Christmas Celebration on Wednesday, December 18, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm in the Ss. Peter & Paul Campus Gym (2461 N Murray Ave). This festive evening will include games for all ages, caroling to lift our spirits, holiday treats and hot cocoa. We are excited to gather as a community to celebrate this special time of year. As we prepare for the event, we kindly ask for your support through donations of holiday treats to share during the festivities. Your generosity will help make this celebration even more joyful for our students and families. All parishioners and their family members are invited, and we truly hope to see many of you there! If you have any questions, please email principal Joseph Woodlin at jwoodlin@catholiceast.org.
Advent Reconciliation – December 21
Besides our regularly scheduled times for the sacrament, priests will be available all morning on Saturday, December 21 from 8:00 am until 12 noon at Old St. Mary Church (844 N Broadway). Let’s all go to confession, receive absolution, and, with a fresh forgiven outlook, celebrate a new way of being in the world!
Mass Greeting and Gift-Giving – December 24-25
If you are willing to help hand out a special gift and greet those coming to Mass at one of our parishes on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, please reach out to Trevor Beach at tbeach@ffpmke.org or 414-238-2702. Help is needed for the following Masses: 4:00 pm at the Cathedral, Midnight at St. Hedwig, 8:30 am at Holy Rosary, 10:30 am at St. Rita.
Nativity Play – January 4
All K3-8th grade actors are warmly invited to take part in the Family of Five Parishes’ Children’s Nativity Play! Activities, prayers, songs, narration (English and Spanish), and onstage speaking roles (English)
January 4, 2025 at Three Holy Women-St. Rita Church
2:00 pm Rehearsal
3:00 pm Crafts/Snack Break
4:00 pm Performance
Sign up by December 16 to participate at https://tinyurl.com/ffpnativityplay2024. All parishioners are invited to attend the performance. Questions? Contact Katy Benway at kbenway@ffpmke.org.
