Eighth graders at Holy Cross Elementary School in Covington need your help with their shoe drive.  Partnered with Funds2Orgs, a company which hosts shoe drive fundraisers, the eighth graders hope to send 2500 pairs of shoes to those in need across the world. Sadly, there are people in less fortunate countries who have no shoes. Often children in a family share one pair of shoes. If you can, please donate more than one pair of shoes. 
    
All types of shoes and sizes of new and gently used shoes are welcome—sneakers, sandals, dress shoes, boots, cleats and more! Shoes can be dropped off on Monday through Friday, from 7 am-3:30 pm at the following locations: Holy Cross Elementary School (3615 Church St., Covington) and High School, HC Learning Academy and Holy Cross Church.

This fundraiser runs through Tuesday, Dec. 2. Let’s make a difference, one step at a time!

Save the date for our parish Christmas party! It will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7, immediately following the 11:30 am Mass in the undercroft. Details will be forthcoming. We hope to see you there!

Northern Kentucky’s Online Day of Catholic Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2—a one-day celebration of faith and generosity to support our parishes, schools and ministries. Your gift will strengthen our shared mission to build the Kingdom of God in the Diocese of Covington.

To donate on Tuesday, Dec. 2. please go to givecatholicnky.org. Be a part of this united act of love and donate!

Just a reminder: Please return the baby bottles as soon as possible. A representative from Care Net will be picking them up soon. Thank you for your support for this worthy cause.

Holy Cross High School cheerleaders and coaches are sponsoring a Polar Express fun(d)raiser on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 6–9 pm, in the Finn Center/Holy Cross Gym
Corner of 36th and Church Streets in Latonia.

• Ages 4+ (must be potty trained)
• $25 per child/$50 family maximum.
• Wear pajamas, bring a blanket and pillow to enjoy the movie, snack, crafts, and games.

To register, go to the school website www.hchscov.com and click on the advertising flyer or contact Karen Bunton at karen.bunton@hchscov.com. 

Parents, if you have a school-aged child who is seeking First Reconciliation and/or First Communion, we would love to hear from you! You must be a registered parishioner for your child to participate. To register your child/children for the classes, please call the parish office at 859-291-2288 or email mkelly@mogcov.org. Preparation will begin in January.
    
If your child/children have not been baptized, we can help with that, too. Please call or send us an email.

Do you know a parishioner who is confined to home or a nursing home and would like to receive the Eucharist? We can make a visit! For more information: Call or email Mary Ann Kelly at 859-291-2288 or mkelly@mogcov.org.

We invite you to place yourself in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament every Tuesday morning from 11-11:45 am. This is a tremendous opportunity to deepen your relationship with the Lord. Try it and see how it changes your life. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is also available.

If praying with others and for others is something that interests you, the newly formed Mother of God Prayer Team invites you to join us.
   
This is a very simple way to get involved without leaving your home! Each week, Mary Ann Kelly, pastoral assistant, will email a list of prayer intentions, including the Remember in Prayer list in our bulletin, and you can pray as your life allows.
   
If you are interested in joining, please email Mary Ann at mkelly@mogcov.org or call her in the office at 859-291-2288, ext. 16.

Bishop John Iffert invites you and your family and friends to attend the fourth annual Bambinelli and Christmas Tree Blessing on Saturday, Dec. 13, 5:30-7 pm, at St. Mary’s Park, Diocesan Curia.
    
See the blessing and lighting of the Diocesan Christmas tree, listen to a live school choir, enjoy homemade cookies and hot cocoa, and hear the Bambinelli story. Bring the Baby Jesus figure from your home Nativity to receive a special blessing from Bishop Iffert and be part of a Catholic Advent tradition!

The missals have arrived and will be available for purchase before and after each Mass on Sunday. Missals are $4. It is very helpful if you have the exact amount for your purchase. Thank you. If you have questions, call Andrea Lonneman 859-835-7087.

On Wednesday, Dec. 3, Embracing All God's Children will host a special Mass at St. Joseph Church Cold Spring, KY, at 7 pm, for LGBTQ+ individuals, their loved ones and families. After Mass, a reception will be held in Kelley Hall. Due to Christmas, no regular meeting in December.

Please consider having a Mass offered for your loved ones, either living or deceased. The offering for a Mass intention is $10. To schedule a Mass, call the parish office at 859-291-2288.

Available on FORMED—Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession. This series explores the grace and healing offered in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and shows how this sacrament of mercy reveals the depth and bounty of God's love.

It's easy to sign up for FORMED! Go to formed.org/signup; Search for your parish by zip code/postal code. Click on your parish. Register with your name and email address. Then check that email account for a link to begin using FORMED.
                       
Get FORMED! Get watching!

AL-Anon holds their Wednesday noon meetings at Mother of God Church. Enter through the courtyard and go down the steps to the undercroft of the church. Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families and friends of alcoholics and addicted ones.

Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL) meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, from 6:30 to 8 pm, at Catholic Charities. It provides continuing education and support, at no charge, for parents with a son, daughter or spouse suffering from addiction to alcohol or drugs. No cost. Just come.
   
Catholic Charities, 3629 Church Street, Latonia, KY
For more information call Client Care at 859-581-8974.

We are blessed by dedicated volunteers at Mother of God. Thank you for staying current on your VIRTUS training and bulletins. Just by doing this small act, you help create a healthy environment and make things run more smoothly on a daily basis.
   
Anyone needing information on becoming VIRTUS trained, please contact Mary Ann Kelly at mkelly@mogcov.org. We would love to have you as a volunteer!

St. Pius X Church is hosting a women's retreat, entitled "The JOY in Discovering Who I Am," on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the church. We encourage women of all ages, including teens, to come. Registration is from 7:30-8 am, followed by the retreat from 8 am-3 pm. This is a day of spiritual renewal and reflection, that includes:

• Mass
• Confession
• Eucharistic Adoration 
• 3 inspiring talks
• 2 delicious meals

To register, email bentjenr@gmail.com or text 859-801-6813. The cost is $40 (cash or check payable to St. Pius on the day of the retreat).