SPC School will dismiss for Christmas break on Friday, December 19. We wish all students a strong finish to the semester and extend a warm welcome home to our college students.

Our 8th graders will spend the afternoon preparing spiritually for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please keep them in your prayers as they deepen their relationship with Christ.

Please join us for our next book meeting where we will discuss The Sympathizer, by Viet Thanh Nguyen. All are welcome

I am delighted to rejoin St. Paul of the Cross, the parish and school that shaped my childhood and remained the standard by which I measured every church throughout my life. Returning in 2024 felt like coming home, and I am grateful to once again be part of this faith community I have always loved.

We will have a Family Mass this Sunday, December 14th, at 10:30 a.m. in the Holy Family Chapel. All are welcome.

A couple weeks ago I gave a homily, “Church History Part III: The Church in America.” I’d like to repeat some of that here, for the Catholic Church in America embodies the line from Isaiah in our first reading this weekend: “a shoot shall sprout from the stump.” Catholicism in America was a shoot that has become a blossom.

Join fellow young adults for a faith-filled day of prayer, great speakers, and more at St. Paul of the Cross. Light breakfast & lunch included.

Join us for the Fun, Faith & Music class in the Kinane Center!

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24 – CHRISTMAS EVE 3:00 p.m. — UC — Fr. Britto 3:00 p.m. — Gym — Fr. James 5:00 p.m. — UC — Fr. James THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25 - CHRISTMAS 12:00am Midnight Mass — UC (Fr. James) 7:30am — UC (Fr. Britto) 9:00am — UC (Fr. Britto) 10:30am — UC (Fr. James) 12:00pm — UC (Fr. James)

If you’re a former member of the St. Paul of the Cross Children’s Choir, you’re cordially invited to sing with the children’s choir on Wednesday, December 24 at the 3:00 p.m. Christmas Mass in the Upper Church.

Next weekend, we will take up our Retirement Fund for Religious annual second collection which benefits some 25,000 elder sisters, brothers, and religious order priests nationwide.

This year, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception will be held on Monday, December 9, as December 8 falls on a Sunday.

Members of the New Parishioner Welcome Ministry will be available on Sunday, October 5, 2025 from 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM at the Parish Life Center to register new parishioners, answer any questions and distribute welcome packets.

Those of you who know me know that my typical response to a question or problem someone will pose is “Have you prayed about that? Have you asked Jesus?” Often the answer I receive from the person is, “Yes,” to which my retort is, “And what did Jesus say?” The reply: “I don’t know.” When I ask for elaboration, what I get is: “I didn’t/don’t hear Jesus say anything.”

Students entering 6th, 7th, or 8th grade for the 2025–2026 school year and interested in joining our Altar Server Ministry are invited to attend our next training session on Monday, December 8.

This Christmas, our Social Service Ministry invites you to help bring joy to the families we serve. Through your generosity, each member of a household will receive a $50 Walmart gift card—a gift that allows parents, children, and grandparents alike to choose something special for themselves.

The rectory will be closed from Wednesday, November 26 at noon through Friday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

SPC School will be closed for the entire week of Thanksgiving. There will be no classes from Monday, November 25 through Friday, November 29. We wish all our students, families, and staff a safe, restful, and blessed Thanksgiving break!

As we celebrate this day of gratitude, we give thanks for you—our parish family. Your faith, generosity, and kindness make St. Paul of the Cross a true spiritual home.

The other day I overheard during our school’s morning drop-off the song “I just can’t wait to be king” from The Lion King. I think we all whistle that tune subconsciously, and justifiably so. For when we are baptized, we are baptized into Christ’s kingship. This is why the newly baptized is anointed on the head with the Sacred Chrism, resembling a coronation.