One of the real happy dilemma's every year at Christmas for every Catholic Church is how to fit them all in. Many, and I mean many, more folks will be visiting Mass to welcome the birth of the newborn King. Yes, lots of these folks do not go to Mass regularly, but they will be with us this week so we should both make room and make everyone feel welcome!!!
Now the size of the Church makes a difference. At my previously assigned parish, where you could squeeze up to 650 into the church we only saw the need for 4 Masses: two vigils on Christmas Eve, no, we did not have a Midnight Mass, and then two Masses on Christmas morning.
Fast forward to this year and I am back at St. Jane's. Any way you push and squeeze, the most we will get into that older church is about 400. Also, we have to accommodate the Catholics who worship at our mission Church up in Bush. So our Mass schedule is as follows: 3 vigil Masses, one in Bush at 4 PM and two in Abita at 4 PM and 6 PM! And then yes, we have a Midnight Mass. So before Christmas Day even dawns, we will have celebrated 4 Masses. Then come Christmas morn we have 8 AM and 10 AM and a noon Mass in the Extraordinary Form. That totals 7 Masses! And if that is not enough, our robust Hispanic community will join other Hispanic communities for afternoon Mass at the local Teresian Center.
A couple of points. Our midnight Mass will be at midnight. I'm reading where several surrounding parishes are promoting a midnight Mass but it's not at midnight??? Starting times range from 9:30 to 11. Different! And as always, if you find yourself a visitor after many, many weeks, months and even years, give us another try! We would love for you to come back often, worship God and draw closer to Him.
Hope to see you at one of our Christmas liturgies!!!
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