Veteran’s Day is next Tuesday, November 11.  Please remember to thank a Veteran, especially those special ones in your lives.  Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

A seminar with Ms. Amy Tadlock, a Church/Canon lawyer, will take place on Monday, November 10, 6:30-8:00pm in the Parish Hall.  This talk is for anyone who is interested in learning about the Annulment or Convalidation (or “marriage blessing”) process.   Parishioners may invite their family and friends who are interested, even if they are not parishioners.   Please reach out to Dcn. Kevin with questions.  The Mary and Martha group will provide refreshments for this event.

This weekend is the Hospitality Weekend for November, where we will have a light meal after the 5:00pm Saturday Mass and traditional Coffee Sunday after the Sunday 10:30am Mass.  We hope to see you there.

This coming weekend (November 8-9) is “Leadership Weekend” for the “Lord, Renew Your Church” Capital Campaign. You should have received information about the Campaign either through the mail or at last weekend’s Reception for the campaign. If you have not already pledged, you may place your pledge card in the locked box located by the thermometer in the back of the church this weekend.

As Veteran’s Day approaches on November 11, we would like to honor the veterans and military members of St. Gregory’s parish with a special event.  All parishioners who are veterans and their immediate families are invited to a breakfast on Saturday, November 8th and 9:30am in the parish hall to thank them for their service and sacrifice for our country.  Anyone who is interested in helping with this event, please contact Liz (liz@stgregorynb.org).

Don’t miss this annual November tradition coming up on Friday, November 14, in the Parish Hall.  Taco dinner begins at 6:00pm and BINGO begins at 7:00pm.  

We are pleased to announce that St. Gregory’s has reached our goal for the 2025 Catholic Services Appeal.  Now that we have met our goal of $14,580, the parish will receive a small rebate of any money collected for this cause over 100% of that goal.  In a year of many asks, we thank you for your generosity to this cause.

Friday Fun Night:
The Friday Fun Night for grades 6-8 will be Friday, November 7, 6-9:30pm at Thunderblades Roller Rink in Princeton.  The cost is $8 for admission, $4.50 for skate rental.  Transportation to and from St. Gregory’s will be provided.  Meet at St. Gregory’s at 6:00pm, and we will return around 9:30pm.   Please have kids eat dinner before they arrive.  There is a snack bar available (menu & prices on the website), so you can send extra money, but our main goal will be to skate as much as possible.  Please RSVP to Liz Long for transportation planning (liz@stgregorynb.org).  Permission slips available in the narthex, office entrance, or here.  (https://www.thunderblades.com/, 31516 125^th St, Princeton, MN, 763-631-7655)

Mission Trip Informational Meeting:
There will be an informational meeting for the 2026 Youth Mission Trip on Sunday, November 9 after 10:30am Mass in the Saint Rafka classroom.  Students that are currently in Grades 8-12 are eligible to go on the Mission Trip.  The Mission Trip is a great way to help others in need, grow in your Catholic faith and meet new friends.  Please contact Mr. Vince Hendren with any questions (vince@stgregorynb.org).

Practices started last week for Preschool through 3rd grade kids who are participating in the youth nativity play.  If your child is interested, please contact Liz Long now.   Practices are on Sundays at noon.   The performance, which is open to all, is planned for Sunday, December 14 at 3:00pm.

The next gathering will be Sunday, November 16, 6:00-7:30pm in the Romero House.  Signed permission slips are required for all who attend.  Bring a friend.

As we continue our “Reclaiming Sundays” initiative for the year, we turn to the theme of “Beauty and Prayer.” Near the beginning of the month (November 2nd is All Souls Day), visit a gravesite (especially of a family member). If you are connected to the deceased, make the grave neat and bring flowers (if permitted by the cemetery). Pray for the repose of the soul of the deceased person. Pass on family stories about this person to your children.

Visit a gravesite (especially of a family member)

Eternal Rest:  We all have very real questions about death. What happens when we die? What does Scripture teach about death? How do we prepare for the life to come? Explore the mystery of death, dying, and everlasting life through Eternal Rest, a new offering of the Augustine Institute.  

For all those crafty crafters out there – it’s time to get creative!  Donations of crafted and baked items should have prices attached and dropped off by Thursday, December 4.  Raffle tickets will be available soon.  Get your tickets for a chance to win one of three gorgeous handmade items.  Pictures of the items will be available soon.  

St. Gregory’s will once again be a collection site for new unwrapped gifts for kids in need in Chisago County.  The bin will be in the narthex November 12 through December 15.   This program serves kids from birth through 18 years, but the biggest need is for items for teenagers.  They are also looking for volunteers for various roles and days December 14-20.  Reach out to Charee (chareelynn@hotmail.com, 651-238-6453) to learn more about volunteer opportunities.   

                If you are a family in need this season, you may apply for this program at https://anonymoussantamn.com/apply.  Applications are due Friday, December 5.  Eligible families must live within Chisago County or the Forest Lake school district and have children up to age 18 (or over 18 if still enrolled in high school).

Archbishop Bernard Hebda invites you to Vatican Unveiled, the largest collection of papal artifacts outside of Rime, at the Mall of America.  Visit archspm.org/vaticanunveiled/ to learn more!  There is a link to be notified when pre-sale tickets are available for purchase.