Dear Parishioners of Stella Maris Pastorate,

For today in the City of David, a Savior has been born to you, who is Christ the Lord. As we celebrate the Christmas Masses and gather with family and friends to celebrate the joyous occasion of Christmas, my heart is filled with gratitude for you, the wonderful community of Stella Maris. During this sacred season, we are reminded of the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, the hope, love, and salvation of the whole world.

This Christmas, let us take a moment to reflect on the profound blessings in our lives and extend our compassion and kindness to those who may be in need. May our hearts be open to sharing the gifts of joy and peace with all whom we encounter.

I am deeply thankful for your unwavering faith and support. On behalf of Fr. Bill, Fr. Mark, and Deacon Jeff, know of our love and prayers for you and your families, as we take your names and intentions to the Lord’s Altar. May the love of Christ fill your homes and hearts this Christmas and throughout the New Year.

Wishing you all a blessed and Merry Christmas!

Fr. Chad Droessler

Congratulations & God's Blessings to

Sebastian Lennon, baptized on Dec. 8
Archer Petrasko, baptized on Dec. 15

Gianna Spigner, baptized on Dec. 22

Stella Maris Outreach Choir spreading joy!

Our Prayers & Sympathy
to the family and friends of:

† Bernice Anderson

† Marilyn Klotzbach
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

Holy Day of Obligation - Mass times:
Dec. 31 - 4pm at SP
Jan 1 - 9am at CTK & 10:30am at IHM

The pastorate office will be open until noon on Dec. 30 & 31 and closed Jan 1.

New Year's Eve: 6am - 12pm & no Adoration on New Year's Day

Sign up to adore the Lord

Thank You from CTK SVdP!
CTK SVdP Conference thanks the generous members of Stella Maris Pastorate for over 1,500 pounds of food donated to the Nov. food pantry drive! Your donations help serve many families before Thanksgiving. Also, thank you for your support making the Little Drummer Gift Card project more successful than last year. The gift cards were given to families so they could buy Christmas gifts. God Bless you for helping our neighbors in need.

Stella Maris Care Team
Our Care Team started about 6 months ago and we have had great success so far in matching up many of our parishioners. We are offering more volunteer training dates at the start of January on the 2nd and 7th. For a rewarding opportunity to serve others, please prayerfully consider joining the Stella Maris Care Team. Care Team volunteers make social visits to parishioners who are isolated in their homes. If this type of compassion in action is calling you, email Marnie or call 608-440-9441.

2025 VBS
Save the dates! Vacation Bible School for children in 4K-6th grade will be the week of June 23-27 at IHM.

Benefit Dinner & Dance
Our annual Benefit Dinner & Dance is Feb. 14 from 5:30pm-11pm at Barnwood Events WI in Madison.

Luke House - December
The churches within our pastorate prepare and serve meals at the Luke House. Food donations and volunteers to serve the food are needed. CTK Dec 30

Jubilee Year Mass
Join for the Jubilee Year Mass celebrated by Bishop Hying this Sunday, Dec. 29 at 2pm at IHM. This special liturgy will include a procession, the solemn greeting of the faithful at the doors of the church, veneration of the Jubilee Cross which will be on display at IHM for the year, and Mass for the Feast of the Holy Family. Read Bishop Hying's Jubilee pastoral letter here.

Adult Bible Study
Epic: The Early Church: A Study of the first 500 Years of the Catholic Church. Beginning Jan.13 for 10 Monday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm at CTK. Details & register here by Jan 3.

Prayer Shawl Ministry
St. Patrick Prayer Shawl Ministry’s monthly meeting will be Jan. 8 at 9am in the parish center. New members are welcome. Questions: contact Gail, 608.219.2072. The CTK prayer shawl meeting is Jan. 8 at 1:30pm.

Pancake Breakfast
The KC Council 7775 is having an all you can eat pancake breakfast on Jan. 12 from 8 to 11am. at St Patrick. The proceeds of the breakfast will be given to the Cottage Gove Food Pantry.

LBH - Save the Dates!
Summer 2025 will be the eighth consecutive year that all three churches in our pastorate have taken groups of middle and high schoolers on Love Begins Here mission trips. Registration opens Jan. 17. Details here.

Retrouvaille
Does your marriage need a refresh or a rescue? Find help through Retrouvaille, (ret-tro-vi), where husbands and wives are helped to re-discover each other. In Retrouvaille, couples discover they are not alone. There is hope and grace. Madison’s upcoming Retrouvaille program is Jan. 31 – Feb. 2 at the Green Lake Conference Center, call (920) 369-8836.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter
WWME has all the tools you need for a great marriage. Sign up to attend the upcoming Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experience Feb. 14-16 in Brookfield, WI.
visit alifetimeoflove.org.

Stella Maris Iconography Workshop 
Master Iconographer Drazen Dupor of Madison WI, will guide participants through a step-by-step process of painting St. Nicholas. Feb. 21-23 at CTK Hall, no experience required. Details here.