All families with children are invited to attend an Advent Prayer Service with Bishop John C. Nienstedt on Sunday, December 8, 2002.

There will be two services that day with the first being at 2:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, Sleepy Eye followed by a 5:30 p.m. Prayer Service at Holy Redeemer Church, Marshall. The Advent Prayer Service is designed to bring out the true meaning of Christmas centered on the birth of Jesus.

Families are encouraged to bring the baby Jesus figure from their home nativity set. The figure will be blessed by Bishop Nienstedt individually as families come forward in procession. There will be a blessing on families as they prepare for Jesus’ birth in our hearts.

A "swaddling clothes" collection (blankets, sleepers, layette items, etc.) will be taken for babies in need and given to either the Diocese of New Ulm Mission Parish in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala, Birthright, or Human Services.