Guest Blog Post: As the Lenten season comes to an end, Christians worldwide prepare to celebrate one of the most sacred events of our faith: Easter. Beyond the colorful decorations and joyful gatherings, Easter holds unequaled significance as a time to reflect on and celebrate our central Christian belief. At the heart of Easter lies […]
Lent, a sacred season in the liturgical calendar, spans 40 days filled with reflection and preparation leading up to Easter. This solemn period mirrors the biblical account of Jesus’ fasting in the wilderness, inviting believers to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth through a more significant and sustained engagement in their […]
Small groups in the parish are opportunities for parishioners to come together to strengthen their faith through discussion, scripture study, and shared prayer. Within the complexity of a church community, small groups emerge as essential experiences that bring parishioners into closer connections and deeper fellowship. In fact, we’ve found them to be a game changer […]
As holidays go, New Year’s feels quite relaxed around Nativity. Our staff takes a well-deserved rest following the rush to Christmas, and most families are enjoying down time before school and work pick up again. The church is not closed of course (we offer the regular Mass schedule), but our celebrations are more subdued. During […]
For most parishes, the holiday season is a busy one filled with lots of fun and faith filled events and traditions. It is definitely a beloved and beautiful time of year. But it is also a season of opportunity that can easily be missed amid the rush of these final days of the year. Consider […]
As we approach Thanksgiving many parishes undertake their annual stewardship campaign, to invite giving to the parish in the coming year. It’s a good time of year to do it, ahead of the holidays, but close enough to the new year. And it has to be done, as even the most disciplined and dedicated givers can become […]
Recently we had a fun weekend here at Nativity as we announced our return to the Maryland State Fair for Christmas Eve, for the first time since 2019. If you don’t know the back story on “Christmas at the Cow Palace” (as we say around here), check it out in Rebuilt. Bottom line, we go off […]
Next to Christmas itself, Fall is absolutely my favorite season of the year. The days get cooler, the nights get longer (which I love) and here in Maryland the foliage delights with its annual colorful display (no where more impressive than right here on our church campus). But for us churchpeople it is also the season of […]
Fall is the perfect time for the Church to welcome back parishioners otherwise occupied during the summer months. It is the time to expect visitors and newcomers to give your church a try. Likewise, it is also one of the most effective times to invite your unchurched friends and family to church (the other two […]
The National Eucharistic Revival being sponsored by the USCCB enters its second phase this summer, styled the “Year of Parish Renewal.” This can be an important opportunity for parishes looking to finally move on from our collective COVID setback, or reignite energy and enthusiasm in the face of ever creeping malaise and missional drift. A quick look […]
