We would be honored to have you and your children join us for Mass to celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord this year! We are asking the children in our Faith Formation program to volunteer for a part in our Live Nativity on Christmas Eve before the start of 9 PM Mass at St. William. We need 8 to 10 children to portray Mary, Joseph, and shepherds, and approach the altar dressed in costumes just prior to the start of Mass. There are no speaking roles to memorize. You may, however, sing along as the choir sings Silent Night as you walk to the altar if you wish! IF YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THE CHRISTMAS EVE PROGRAM, please bring your child to the St. William Church Commons (main building) on Wednesday, December 19 at 6:00pm for costume fitting and rehearsal! We will need all participants to arrive at Church on Christmas Eve by 8:00pm. Our program will start at 8:30pm and Mass will start at 9:00pm. There will be no time to costume fittings or rehearsal on Christmas Eve, so it is imperative that you come on Wednesday! We are looking forward to having your child participate in our program! If you have any questions please feel free to call Dawn Whidden at 828-361-5810 or Theresa Gaffney at 770-653-0803. Thank you! The St. William Catholic Church CFF Teachers

Ladies, January the Ladies Guild will not be meeting in order for all of us to recover from the busy holiday season. Please get your ideas together for our next meeting, February 19th, on how we can make a difference in our Parish and our community.

Bulletin Prayer Lists will be purged on December 31st. The Bulletin prayer list contains the names of Parishioners and immediate family members in need of prayers, and the e-alert system is for friends and extended family members as well as Parishioners. Prayers of the Faithful read during Mass are for the most critically ill members of our Parish family and will remain in the Prayers for one month unless you notify the office. If you wish your family member to be remembered in prayer, please contact the office.

Mass in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe will begin at 5PM in Spanish at IHM on Wednesday, December 12th. This will be followed by a home cooked meal prepared by the members of the Mexican community. All are welcome to this feast! Thank you for praying with the members of our Mexican community.

The Angel Tree is up and waiting for you to pick out your special angel. Gifts must be placed under the tree no later than December 16th. Gifts will be distributed on December 17th. For some recipients, this will be the only gift they will receive. Remember, there is a $25.00 gift limit. If you have any questions, please contact Carole Johnson at 837-3316. Please be sure to enter your name by the number of the angel you are taking so we can keep track of our angels. Thank you.

The final drop off for the Marine Corp. Toys for Tots Program is December 10th. Their Toy Box is sitting in the Commons, and your unwrapped new gifts are much appreciated. One of the best ways to make sure these Cherokee County children are remembered is through a check made out to “Toys for Tots”. You can give the check to Bob Schmitt or to Gail Maloof at the church office. Please put your donation in an envelope clearly marked “Toys for Tots” in the weekend collection basket. Your continued generosity is a hallmark of your Christian Love.

A two-part performance will be presented by the Cherokee County Women's Community Choir and a men's barbershop chorus at Little Brasstown Baptist Church at 7 PM on Sunday, December 2nd and again at St. William at 7 PM on Sunday, December 9th. Prelude starts at 6:45 PM. There is no charge to attend this celebration of our Savior's birth.

The IHM Community Choir will perform a Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 15th at 1:30 in the Sanctuary. The choir will perform the cantata "Come to Bethlehem" with orchestra. In addition, there will be special guest musicians performing your holiday favorites. All are welcome!

The Annual Ladies Guild Christmas Luncheon is at Haney's Restaurant in Peachtree. The cost is $15 for a lunch, drink, dessert, tax and tip. There is a signup sheet on the bulletin board in the Commons to make your luncheon selection. All ladies of the Parish are invited to attend this fun event. For more information, please contact Sandy Hoffer at 828-644-0729.

The Men's Club is treating us to a fabulous brunch prepared by the Brunch Master Chef, Don Stillwagon. Join fellow parishioners after the 11 AM Mass as we kick off the holiday season. A free-will offering would be appreciated.

Little Blue Books are available on the table in the Commons in front of the sacristy. Please be sure to pick up your copy. This is an excellent companion for your Christmas journey.

The weekend of December 8/9 there will be a second collection for the elderly Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priest, many of whom have served in our Parishes, schools, and hospitals - and often for little to no pay. Please consider your gift for those who have served us faithfully over the years.

Offertory envelopes for 2019 will no longer be mailed quarterly. Annual envelope boxes will be shipped to the office at the end of this month, and will be available for pick up during the month of December. The parish office will follow up with parishioners regarding envelope boxes that are not picked up by the end of December.