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Nativity of Our Lord has purchased a limited number of volumes of the Archdiocese's 175th Anniversary coffee table book, "In Everything, Give Thanks," as well as its graphic novel counterpart, "Catholics in the Northland." They are now both available for sale on a first-come, first-served basis to reserve here on our website or at the parish office.

Students entering grades 1-6 (morning program) and 7-12 (evening program) in the fall are invited to this Catholic summer camp right here on campus. Volunteers are needed for snacks and mealtime. Finally, please pray for our Totus Tuus missionaries, volunteers, and participants!

Now, 50 days after Easter Sunday, we mark the close of the Easter season with the remarkable solemnity of Pentecost. Click here for reflections on how we can welcome the descent of the Holy Spirit into our homes and families and communities by meaningfully celebrating this feast.

[My husband] John and I, along with the 23 University of St. Thomas Catholic Studies students spending the semester with us in Rome, were blessed to be in the square of St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday, May 8 to see the white smoke and to greet our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV.

Each parish is sending their pastor and two lay delegates to the 2025 Archdiocesan Synod Assembly; Theme updates for Years 3-4; Invitation to pray Holy Spirit Novena culminating on Pentecost (June 7).

After careful planning, and in consultation with the Nativity School Advisory Council and members of our search committee, we’ve made the decision to move to a new leadership model proven effective for schools of Nativity’s size and complexity.

Introduced in the Synod Year 2 Implementation Plan, the Archdiocesan Passport Adventure is an opportunity to experience more broadly the beauty of church architecture and liturgical expressions beyond parish boundaries.

***UPDATE: Priority registration deadline is Memorial Day (Monday, May 26)*** Our pastor, Fr. Rolf Tollefson, invites you to follow the footsteps of St. Paul on a 9-Night Greek Islands Cruise tour, plus four nights in Athens from October 21 - November 4, 2025.

It was with great joy that I learned of the white smoke billowing out of the chimney in Vatican City and it is with great joy that we can now celebrate together what it heralded: not only a new Sovereign Pontiff but our first Pope from the United States, from the American midwest and the south side of Chicago, Illinois!

We’re now looking to hire for two full-time positions in the parish office: Director of Mission and Accounting Specialist. If you’re interested in joining our team, click here to review the job descriptions and reach out to Beth Giese, Parish Administrator, to apply.

Continuing the impact of the four regional pilgrimages last year, the new St. Katherine Drexel route this year covers Indianapolis through the midwest, south, and west towards San Diego and Los Angeles. Frances Webber, one of our parishioners who attended the National Eucharistic Congress last July, will accompany our Eucharistic Lord across the country this year.

We are still celebrating Easter, and we can continue to focus on making Sundays especially celebratory in our homes. Click here for reflections on continuing to live Easter and to celebrate this beautiful month traditionally dedicated to Mary, our Mother.

On behalf of the Nativity of Our Lord parish community, I wish to offer Christ’s blessings and a heartfelt congratulations to Joyce Kotta on her retirement. Click here for more, including a message from Joyce herself.

UPDATE: Grief Support Group meetings have been cancelled through May 13.

Fr. John Paul and I echo Archbishop Bernard Hebda’s sadness at the Holy Father’s passing. He was a man of profound joy, faith, hope, love, and simplicity in life and in death. I invite you to please join me in prayer for the repose of his soul.

We Catholics celebrate Easter with enthusiasm, and we celebrate all the way to Pentecost. Today is Divine Mercy Sunday, a special feast within this season during which we claim our inheritance of joy. Click here for suggestions about living this Easter season with prayer, feasting, and blessed action.

He is risen! Alleluia! Indeed, we have now completed another round of the *preparing* part of our mission, and now can enjoy the great Easter *celebration.*

Palm Sunday is a favorite feast for children, who both love and learn from active experiences. Click here for suggestions about living Palm Sunday through the Triduum with children at home.

We are at the Fifth Sunday of our Lenten season. How can we help each other to remain steadfast in our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving? This is a time for patience and forgiveness. Click here for ideas for this last full week of Lent.

Fr. Tollefson has appointed Beth Giese to the role of Parish Administrator. Beth has served as Director of Advancement for the past two years, and will now manage all aspects of the administration of the parish, excluding spiritual and pastoral ministries.