Hi friend! I'm so very glad that you're thinking about coming to Mass for Christmas! At a time of year when the world seems to focus just a little but more on joy, peace, family, and tradition, there's truly no where better to go than to Mass. I don't know why you haven't been to Mass for a while. Maybe it's because you've been hurt by the Church. Maybe it's because you don't agree with what the Church teaches. Or maybe it's because you've just been busy. But there's a reason

"Baptism now saves you" is one of the phrases we hear in the rite of Baptism. But why would this be? Isn't it unfair of God to make Baptism a necessity when some people will never even hear about Jesus, let alone know that they should be Baptized? There are so many verses throughout the New Testament that make it clear that Salvation and Baptism go hand in hand. Mark 16:16: "The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned

So, what's up with all the Catholics celebrating a month early? This isn't the January 1 New Year- it's the Church's liturgical New Year, starting with Advent. Some of us are even having parties. It's a pretty great time! (I promise we're not crazy!) The Church celebrates different moments in the life of Christ and the life of His Church all throughout the year. Reading Scripture each day in the readings that are used for Mass, we are brought through the life of Christ. This