Many of you have asked over the past months how Mother of Mercy Parish in Mobile, Alabama is doing. Last year, they were our Lenten Almsgiving project, and thanks to your extraordinary generosity, we raised a record amount of support—funds that have made a significant impact on the parish.

Join us for a Serving Our Seniors (SOS) Fellowship Luncheon as we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day and reflect on the greatest gift of all—Christ’s love for us. Friday, February 13 | 10:30 AMHoly Family Chapel(St. Paul of the Cross Church—downstairs)

Thursday, January 29 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul of the Cross Hosted by SPC Candlelight Rosary & Crux Teen Ministry All ages welcome!

Due to the MLK Day Holiday on Monday, January 19, there will be no 6:25 a.m. Mass or 8:00 a.m. Confessions. We will still have the 8:30 a.m. Mass. Enjoy the day off from school and work.

Dear Parishioners, Someone recently shared with me an article on obituaries based on a study posted in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Researchers from Michigan State University, Boston College, and Arizona State University inserted into an AI processor 38 million obituaries published between 1998 and 2024. There were several observations from the data. I won’t note all of them, just one: world events influenced obituaries. For example, after September 1

Beginning in February 2026, our sharing parish will transition from St. Benedict the African in Chicago to Our Mother of Mercy in Mobile, Alabama. Please see Fr. James’ January 18 letter for more information.

Enjoy a relaxed evening of food, fellowship, and faith-filled conversation with Fr. James Wallace, Fr. Victor Ingalls, and Fr. Pat Arensberg. Hear inspiring stories and reflections. Appetizers provided and cash bar available.

Jesus asks his cousin John the Baptist to do something that doesn’t make sense in John’s eyes: baptize Jesus. Baptism was a sign of someone acknowledging their need for repentance, and repentance implies sin and imperfection. Jesus, of course, was perfect with no sin, hence he had no need to repent and no need to be baptized. John resists at first. “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” he says. Jesus responds: “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for

The CRUX Retreat is a powerful overnight experience designed to help teens grow in faith, friendship, and confidence in who they are as sons and daughters of God.

Thanks to SPC Parishioners for your support of Pack 24’s Popcorn sale and Troop 24’s Wreath Sale. We’ve had another successful year because of your support. Thanks again.

THAT MAN IS YOU (TMIY) brings men together to grow as leaders in our families and communities.

Saint Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, our second reading today on this Feast of the Epiphany, says this: “The mystery was made known to me by revelation” (Ephesians 3:3).

We are looking for volunteers to welcome new parishioners to St. Paul of the Cross Church. New Parishioner registration by volunteers is held typically on the first Sunday of each month at the Parish Life Center. Help us demonstrate the spirit of our vibrant parish. Please call Maria Mehl at 847.823.0930 for more information.

The season of Advent, the sense of anticipation and preparation for the coming arrival of the Christ child took on another dimension this year in my family.

Boys and girls ages 9–14 are invited to compete in this annual Free Throw Championship. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m., followed by warm-ups, competition, and an awards ceremony. Questions? Contact Dan Joyce at (773) 320-1157.

Please note: there will be no 6:25 a.m. daily Mass and no 8:00 a.m. daily Confessions on Wednesday, December 24th and Friday, December 26th. There will be the 8:30 a.m. daily Mass both of those days.

Not too long ago I read a beautiful reflection on St. Joseph by a Carmelite sister. She compared Joseph to a pine cone.

Our 4th event for young adults is back by popular demand. Tuesday, January 13 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Our 8th graders are coming to the close of their Catechesis lessons. This year, they have written saint papers, participated in a retreat, and completed many hours of service.

I love the fact that Saint Matthew includes in his Gospel this scene of John the Baptist doubting whether Jesus was indeed the Messiah.