Join our Family of Five Parishes for a season of hope and anticipation as we await and then celebrate the birth of our Lord. Advent can be such a beautiful, prayerful season that can help us slow down and focus on Jesus. Looking for ideas? A few recommended by our staff:
For adults:
Advent Reflections from Bishop Barron
Busted Halo Advent Calendar
Best Advent Ever with Matthew Kelly
Advent Made Simple
Advent Wreath Reflections
The Catholic Herald’s Guide to Advent
For families and kids:
Advent Wreath
Holy Heroes Advent Adventure
Jesse Tree
Below you will find prayer, service, and community opportunities in our Family of Five Parishes during the Advent and Christmas Season.
Christmas Masses
The Christmas Mass schedule will be published on the Mass Times page.
Little Blue Books
We ordered a limited amount of Little Blue Advent books that are in the back of all of our churches. These books offer a 6-minute reflection for each day of Advent. If there are none left, check out littlebooks.org. You can order individual books for $5.00 each, purchase it as an e-book, or subscribe to the app.
Advent Giving Tree
The Advent Giving Trees of the Cathedral, Old St. Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence, Ss. Peter & Paul, and Three Holy Women will be supporting the ministries of Eastside Senior Services, Women’s Care Center, and St. Vincent de Paul. You can find their Wish Lists on the attached flyer. After purchasing your gift, please cut off and tape a “tag” from the flyer onto your UNWRAPPED gift and return it to the collection box near the Advent Giving Tree at any mass by December 13-14.
Advent Adoration – December 5
Open to all and family friendly!
Dinner – 6:00 pm
Adoration – 6:45 pm
Adoration, confession, and prayerful music throughout
Family Ministry staff will be available to support families.
RSVP at tinyurl.com/AdventDinnerAdoration26
Questions? Contact Mamie Riyeff at mriyeff@ffpmke.org.
Old St. Mary Christmas Fair & Bake Sale – December 6-7
The St. Anne Society of Old St. Mary continues the tradition of the annual Christmas Fair and Bake Sale. Come enjoy a festive time with your parish community! Mark your calendars and plan to attend on December 6 and 7 in the Old St. Mary Parish Center after all Masses, which are Saturday at 4:30 pm and Sunday at 7:15, 9:00, and 11:30 am. There will be the usual wonderful baked goodies, and opportunities to win a raffle gift just in time for Christmas. For more information, please contact Jan Hetzel at 414-828-8013 or janhetz@gmail.com.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration – December 11-12
Join us in celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Cathedral!
Thursday, December 11
Vespers: 7:30 pm
Hospitality: 8:00 pm
Rosary: 9:15 pm
Reenactment of Apparitions of Our Lady: 9:45 pm
Concert to Our Lady: 10:30 pm
Aztec Dance “El Tepeyac”: 11:20 pm
Mass: 12:00 am (Midnight)
Friday, December 12
Aztec Dance “El Tepeyac”: 6:30 pm
Mass: 7:00 pm
Dinner: 8:00 pm
We hope to see you there!
Holiday Plant Delivery – December 13
“Love Came Down at Christmas” The story of Christmas is all about love, and how Jesus came down from the heavens above. We deliver holiday plants to parishioners who are homebound or living in healthcare facilities. If you are interested, please join us on Saturday, December 13 to help deliver 180 plants and visit with parishioners who continue to be a vital part of our parish community. Masks will be provided so we can continue to keep everyone healthy.
Many volunteers are needed! We are asking volunteers to also bring the Eucharist with the plants to our parishioners. If you have never done this before, do not fear! A short formational training will be done before you depart for your visits. Pyx cases and prayer cards will also be provided for you.
On Saturday, December 13, all volunteers will meet at 8:30 am in the Old St. Mary Parish Center (835 N Milwaukee St). Please feel free to use the parking lot.
To volunteer and/or verify that a nursing home or homebound parishioner is on the delivery list, please contact Terri Balash at 414-469-6173 or tbalash@ffpmke.org.
Milwaukee Sings at Christmas – December 14
Join us December 14, 4:00 pm at the Cathedral for an afternoon of cherished carols and glorious music, all woven together with a powerful religious message of hope, love, and salvation that comes at Christmas. A free will offering will be accepted. Please contact Joseph Smaldino with questions at jsmaldino@ffpmke.org.
Nativity Play – January 3
All K3-8th grade actors are warmly invited to take part in the Family of Five Parishes’ Children’s Nativity Play! Activities, prayers, songs, narration (English and Spanish), and onstage speaking roles (English)
January 3, 2026 at Three Holy Women-St. Rita Church
2:00 pm Rehearsal
3:00 pm Crafts/Snack Break
4:00 pm Performance
Sign up by December 15 to participate at https://tinyurl.com/ffpnativityplay2024. All parishioners are invited to attend the performance. Questions? Contact Katy Benway at kbenway@ffpmke.org.
