ST. ALEXIUS - OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS - ST. PAUL’S
CHRIS RIZER
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to dive into a deeper study of Catholicism. “I first joined the Alpha Ministry because Fr. Greg recommended it after I made a thorough confession last November — the first confession I had made in about 18 years,” he says. “During Alpha, everyone is given free food and drinks as we sit at tables and talk. Then we watch a video or two which highlight religious teachings, and then we break into groups to talk about those videos.” Looking back, Chris is grateful for the Alpha Ministry meetings he attended, and how they nurtured his relationship with his brothers and sisters in Christ. “I enjoyed talking about the videos, mostly since it was an environment where people weren’t judging or casting any stones,” he says. “The videos gave us food for thought, and our conversations helped me understand what other people thought about the topics. At Alpha, I learned how forgiving the Lord is and how anyone can be welcome. Someone there actually said
the bigger the sinner, the warmer the welcome. I took that away from the meetings and felt welcome.” Chris now regularly attends Mass or watches it online due to COVID-19. He is also beginning to appreciate the Rosary, along with the graces that flow from it. “I appreciate the readings and homilies given during the Mass,” Chris says. “They get me thinking. I also join in on the Rosary before Mass, but it is still new to me, and I’m looking forward to learning how to pray it the right way. Actually, I knew how to pray the Rosary when I was young, but I obviously didn’t pray it enough because I don’t remember which prayers are supposed to be said, and how many times.” With the help of prayer and the sacraments, Chris is looking forward to making use of the valuable graces God has been sending his way. “I hope to be a better person and to live with a foundation for morality,” Chris says.
2020 Advent and Christmas Mass Schedule First Saturday Devotions Dec. 5 at OLA 7:45 a.m. — Confessions 8 a.m. — Adoration 8:30 a.m. — Rosary 9 a.m. — Mass Holy Day of Obligation on Tuesday, Dec. 8 (Immaculate Conception) Mass Times Mon., Dec. 7 (Vigil) 7:30 p.m. — St. Alexius 7:30 p.m. — St. Peter/Paul Elrosa
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Tues., Dec. 8 7 a.m. — St. Francis De Sales 8:30 a.m. — St. Paul’s Noon — OLA and St. Donatus 5:15 p.m. — St. Paul’s
Advent Reconciliation Services Dec. 6 — St. Alexius, 1 p.m. Dec. 13 — Our Lady of the Angels, 4 p.m. Dec. 20 — St. Paul’s, Sauk Centre, 4 p.m. Christmas Eve — Dec. 24 4 p.m. — Our Lady of the Angels 4 p.m. — St. Paul’s 7:30 p.m. — St. Alexius 8 p.m. — St. Paul’s Christmas Morning — Dec. 25 7 a.m. — Our Lady of the Angels 8 a.m. — St. Paul’s 8:30 a.m. — St. Alexius 10 a.m. — St. Paul’s 10:30 a.m. — Our Lady of the Angels
