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After careful planning, and in consultation with the Nativity School Advisory Council and members of our search committee, we’ve made the decision to move to a new leadership model proven effective for schools of Nativity’s size and complexity.

It was with great joy that I learned of the white smoke billowing out of the chimney in Vatican City and it is with great joy that we can now celebrate together what it heralded: not only a new Sovereign Pontiff but our first Pope from the United States, from the American midwest and the south side of Chicago, Illinois!

On behalf of the Nativity of Our Lord parish community, I wish to offer Christ’s blessings and a heartfelt congratulations to Joyce Kotta on her retirement. Click here for more, including a message from Joyce herself.

Fr. John Paul and I echo Archbishop Bernard Hebda’s sadness at the Holy Father’s passing. He was a man of profound joy, faith, hope, love, and simplicity in life and in death. I invite you to please join me in prayer for the repose of his soul.

He is risen! Alleluia! Indeed, we have now completed another round of the *preparing* part of our mission, and now can enjoy the great Easter *celebration.*

Fr. Tollefson has appointed Beth Giese to the role of Parish Administrator. Beth has served as Director of Advancement for the past two years, and will now manage all aspects of the administration of the parish, excluding spiritual and pastoral ministries.

Fr. Erickson offers a vision for returning to 24/7 Perpetual Adoration in this ongoing Eucharistic Revival, as well as an invitation for each of us to commit to an hour.

Through prayerful discernment, the Lord revealed to our Director of Discipleship, Mahalia Marcelin, that he has new plans for her, and she has decided to resign from her role here at Nativity of Our Lord, effective December 31.

Fr. Erickson, aka "The Newbie," tells the tale of his run-in with our not-so-straightforward Adoration schedule, and offers an invitation and a challenge to return to Perpetual Adoration: 24/7.

Fraudulent emails appearing to come from "Fr. Rolf Tollefson" are again being delivered to parishioner email inboxes, with the intent to confuse and manipulate.

I am very pleased to announce that two religious sisters from the order of the Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus will be coming to work in our School and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, beginning this fall.

I could not be more excited to serve you as your next Associate Pastor, under the leadership of Fr. Rolf Tollefson, a priest I have admired and enjoyed for nearly two decades.

Youth ministry is a passion of mine and I am so blessed to have been given the opportunity to volunteer over the last several years. This summer, I will join the parish staff as the new Assistant Director of Faith Formation - Small Group and Youth Ministry.

It became clear that God’s plan for me was here at Nativity as Parish Secretary and Volunteer Coordinator. I look forward to getting to know everyone better, and to using my talents to give back to the parish that has already given me so much.

I am the new Assistant Director of Discipleship - Faith Formation and am so excited to be a part of Nativity of Our Lord. I look forward to meeting you!

Having surpassed nine months with you now, let me tell you what a great grace it is to be serving Christ with you here at Nativity of Our Lord, and offer an update on the implementation of the One Nativity 2035 strategic planning as it relates to our mission.

Fr. Bill Duffert will lead Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Bloomington beginning July 1, and Fr. John Paul Erickson will take over as Parochial Vicar (Associate Pastor) on July 20.

Thank you for your prayers for our priests as they had to sit out the Christmas liturgies last weekend due to illness. They are both on the mend and should be back in action this weekend.

The solemn feast of the Nativity of Our Lord is upon us, my very first as pastor of Nativity of Our Lord. As our Advent longing turns to Christmas joy, may God bless you and your families ever more abundantly.

While retaining her responsibilities in Faith Formation, the scope of her role will expand to include hospitality as well as further outreach and evangelization-forward opportunities.