Follow the Star: Christmas at Saint Charles

Baking, baking, baking...the kitchen angels are busy, and yes, there will be cinnamon rolls!

The bins are coming out of storage. The baking has begun. Follow the Star is only 7 weeks away!

This sweet little character was left at Mass in the last week or so. The embroidery on it says "Quinn," and it came from Grandma and Grandpa Hart. Quinn or Quinn's family can find it at the front desk at St. Charles Center.

Garage Sale today and tomorrow!
Hot deal...American Girl
doll clothing!!!

Only six months away from the 2024 edition of Follow the Star. Mark your calendars for Dec. 7 and 8!

This sweet little monkey must have come for Christmas Mass and never went home with his family. We're hoping they come back and take him home. He's sitting next to the Maria de Matteis statue in the chapel foyer.

Here are the winners of this weekend's drawings!
Gerard Dorsten won the Christmas sign.
Virg Bertke won the greenery cross.
If you are Gerard or Virg, or know Gerard or Virg, remind them that their prizes can be picked up at the St. Charles front office, just inside the front doors, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. December 18-22...that's this week!
Merry Christmas!

What a wonderful day we had here yesterday celebrating Follow the Star: Christmas at Saint Charles. One of our most popular moments was Milk and Cookies with Saint Nicholas. After all the stories had been told, the questions answered, pictures taken, cookies and milk devoured, and more than 200 children had found "gold" coins in their shoes, a few helpers got a chance to take a picture with the dear Bishop.

What a wonderful day! Thanks to all who came. Today is time for Advent prayer. Stations of the Nativity at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Festival of Lessons and Carols at 4.
Here's a couple of pictures from the day...our wonderful St Nicholas with a few helpers, and Fr. Mark Hoying with the live nativity folk from local parish youth groups.

TODAY IS THE DAY! COME FOLLOW THE STAR!!

Only two days away! Follow the Star! If you plan to be here for Cookies and Milk with Saint Nicholas, keep in mind that his presentation starts at 1:30 in the Gaspar Room. Hope to see you there!

The Festival of Trees is getting ready. The first tree was decorated last Friday! Local parish youth ministries have decorated 10 trees in the hallway to the Gaspar Room. Choose your favorite trees and drop your donations in the box by the tree...groups will keep your donations to use for their ministries to the youth in their parish.

It's beginning to look...

Things are kicking into high gear...less than two weeks to Follow the Star!

We have an autumn pine forest in the hallway to the Gaspar Room. It will become our Festival of Trees decorated by local parish youth!
Happy November!

Check out the schedule for Follow the Star 2023! Mark your calendar and join us...

The decorating has begun...at least the part where all manner of beauty starts to appear from storage. Oh, and some of the decorating angels have returned. Don't forget to mark Dec. 16 on your calendar. That's the day when there will be cookies and milk with St. Nicholas, hayrides around the property (weather permitting), the Live Nativity, and more. Dec. 17 will be a more reflective day with opportunities to pray the Stations of the Nativity and participate in Lessons and Carols. Watch this space for a complete schedule!

Wow! All those Christmas in July sales are pretty much over, but here at Saint Charles, we're deep into planning the 2023 edition of Follow the Star!
Be sure to mark Saturday, December 16 on your calendar! Beginning at noon, we'll have Cookies and Milk with Saint Nicholas, hayrides around the lakes, electric trains with Brother Tim, carolers in the hall, Mass at 4 p.m., and the live nativity until 8 p.m.
Then, on Sunday, December 17, we'll have a day of reflection and prayer from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with CPPS community members leading the Stations of the Nativity during the afternoon, and Advent Vespers to close the day
Watch this page for more details as we prepare for another great "Follow the Star: Christmas at Saint Charles."