Christmas is a major cultural and religious event in our society. In Roman Catholic congregations, Christmas is a major spiritual event that is marked by worship service known as Mass.

Each of the three Catholic churches in the Natchez area have scheduled a number of Masses.

Assumption Catholic Church at 10 Morgantown Road has scheduled a vigil Mass at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and a Christmas Day Mass at 8 a.m. The vigil Mass on Christmas Eve will be preceded by carol singing 5:30 to 6 p.m., and the music for the Mass will be directed by Richard Butler and Assumption singers.

The Rev. George Ajuruchi, pastor of Holy Family congregation in Natchez and St. Anne Church in Fayette announced there will be a midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at Holy Family Church and an 8 a.m. Mass on Christmas Day. There will be an 11 a.m. Mass at St. Anne Church in Fayette on Christmas Day and a 1 p.m. Mass is scheduled at St. John the Baptist Church in Cranfield.

St. Mary Basilica has scheduled two Christmas Eve Masses, one focused on families and children at 4 p.m., and one at 9 p.m. (formerly scheduled at midnight). On Christmas morning there will be a 10 a.m. Mass. The service at 4 p.m. will include the traditional Christmas scripture readings and the dramatization of the Christmas story by members of the children’s Sunday school.”

A festival of carols beginning at 8:30 p.m. will precede the 9 p.m. vigil Mass. The carols and the music program will be led by Clifton Burrell, organist, and the St. Mary Basilica choir. A 10 a.m. Mass is scheduled for Christmas Day at St. Mary Basilica.

We welcome people of all faiths to attend and join us as we celebrate the anniversary of Jesus’ first coming.

The Rev. David O’Connor

Pastor of St. Mary Basilica and Assumption congregations