Christmas Mass Schedule

12-11-2020Letters From Fr. BrianRev. Brian F. Manning

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Mary's,

In this letter I am publishing for the first time our Christmas Eve and Morning Schedule of Services. This year all of us aware that this Christmas and the accompanying holidays are different from the past. In so many ways we will mourn the loss of Christmases past, especially those that we hold closer in our hearts and the one we wish we could have this year. We also know that some folks also mourn a special person who has gone before us. This year all of us are invited by the Child of the Christmas Crib to welcome that special Light which He brings into our world and to share that with others as best as we can. Our celebrations may be different this year, but our faith can be as strong and our hearts can be touched by the beauty of this Season of Light.

I am certain many of you have begun asking yourselves “How will I (we) celebrate this Christmas spiritually and religiously? What If I am unable to be in the church at Mass because of COVID concerns and limitations.” Inside and outside our church building are Christmas Cribs which display the traditional scene at Bethlehem with the Christ Child in the Crib. I am now inviting you to choose one of the three ways which our Parish will offer to be able to offer your heart to the Christ Child in the Crib:

  1. You may choose to come to Mass and receive Communion at the Crib in front of the Christ Child in the front of the Church.
  2. You may choose to come to the Outdoor Crib and receive Communion in front of the Christ Child. You need just to walk up, receive and leave.
  3. You may choose to watch one of our Masses on live-stream (best accessible at www.stmarysfranklin.org and make a spiritual communion. All Masses will be live-streamed.

Christmas Eve & Day Schedule

Christmas Eve MassCommunion Only Outside at Crib
1:00pm Mass Main church & down (on screen)1:00-2:15pm
3:00pm Mass Main church & down (on screen)3:00-4:30pm
6:00pm Mass Main church & down (on screen)6:00-7:30pm

*CHURCH CLOSES AFTER 6:00pm MASS
*NO MIDNIGHT MASS

Christmas Day MassCommunion Only Outside at Crib
7:30am Mass Main church & down (on screen)7:30-9:00am
10:30am Mass Main church & down (on screen)10:30am-12:00pm

*UPSTAIRS CHURCH IS OPEN FOR VISITS FROM 12:00-6:00pm CHRISTMAS DAY

This extensive listing of Masses and Communion Service is mean to help you with to acknowledge your faith in the Birth of Jesus Christ this Christmas Day. Bear in mind that Cardinal Sean continues the Dispensation from Mass attendance for everyone and also advises those who are elderly or vulnerable to be very slow to decide to return to Mass. People of all ages and health need to make a prudent decision about church going this Christmas and not let the emotions of Christmas overtake your judgment. Please keep the perspective that this is just one Christmas out of many for everyone. The Lord already knows your heart.

This letter is meant to focus only on the Christmas Schedule. Next week, I will continue to write of other matters. Please realize that the rest of the Christmas Season Schedule will be published shortly. This schedule is to help folks who start this weekend to decide about Christmas Eve or Morning church to have the information that they need to make their plans.

God bless,
Fr. Brian

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