As we prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas we want to be ready to accept his love and be able to do whatever he asks of us. In order to do so, the Church encourages the parish community to come together to hear the Word of God, to pray and to sing in a formal liturgy called the Rite of Penance (Penance Service). Gathered together we recognize our individual sinfulness and the harm it does to the whole community, and so, pray for one another as well as for ourselves. With song, prayer and scripture we ready ourselves for the opportunity for private confession and absolution. Please join us for the Advent Communal Penance Service on Thursday, December 12, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Patrick Church in Kent.

The Rosary is prayed each Saturday at 4:15 p.m. in the church. Please join members of the Knights of Columbus as they lead the Rosary on Saturday, December 14. Participants are asked to please gather in the pews near Mary’s altar.

This year’s PSR Christmas Pageant “The Story of Christmas” is on Sunday, December 15, at 10:30 a.m. in the church. Everyone in attendance is invited to join us for a holiday cookie party afterward in Hughes Hall. Please bring a dozen cookies to share.

To remember a loved one at Christmas you may wish to make a donation to the Christmas Flower Fund in any amount. Please use the special Christmas Flower envelope included in your contribution envelope packet (or a plain envelope). Be sure to PRINT the names of those you wish memorialize and indicate whether your contribution is “in memory of” (deceased) or “in honor of” (living). Online givers should enter the names in the “Other Comments” section of their ParishSOFT online giving donation page. We ask that your intentions be turned in by Monday, December 16. These donations not only help provide our beautiful environment but also assist with church environment expenses throughout the year.

The Feast of the Nativity is a most joyous one that celebrates the incredible reality that the Second Person of the Trinity was born of a Virgin. The mood is summed up by Luke 2:14, "Glory to God in the highest: and on earth peace to men of good will." Our December 24 Vigil Masses are 5:00 p.m. at St. Joseph and 10:00 p.m. at St. Ambrose. For Christmas Day, December 25, there will be a 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Ambrose in Garrettsville and 11:00 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph in Mantua.

If you know of anyone who could use a gift of homemade cookies for the holidays, we invite you to share their name for this special  parish activity. Please submit them on the Narthex sign-up sheet by Sunday, December 8. Or you may contact Sr. Joyce or Jane Kennedy through the Parish Office (330-274-2253).

Our new fundraiser that follows the Ohio 3-Digit Lottery evening drawing was so successful that we're doing it again in 2020! Tickets are $5.00 each, good for the entire month, and you may purchase the same number for the entire year. Winning tickets are worth $50.00 (payouts mailed weekly). Proceeds help with our church improvements.

The Sisterhood of St. Joseph is “kicking off” winter with a fun and easy fundraiser to support a member of our community to help raise money for a service dog to help her with everyday tasks. To participate in this fundraiser, bring in your gently worn, used, and new shoes for our first ever shoe drive by December 28. There is a collection box located in the school building entrance for you to drop off your donations. All donated shoes will be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network. Questions? Please contact Luci Curtin (330-626-2672).

Join the Sisterhood of St Joseph for a buffet dinner, open bar, champagne toast at midnight, dancing to C.C. DJ Karaoke, and a chance to win $1,000. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and dinner begins at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $75.00 per couple.