November 26, 2025 
Christmas wafer (oplatek) is will be available at the entrance of St. Paul Church or on the altar rail starting Dec. 6.
Oplatek is an unleavened wafer made from wheat flour and water, similar to unconsecrated Communion wafers. It is usually rectangular and embossed with Christmas-related religious images such as the nativity scene. The sharing of the oplatek is a central European Christian Christmas tradition celebrated worldwide by people from Poland, Lithuania, and Slovakia.
The Christmas wafer serves as the centerpiece of a Christmas Eve tradition that sees family members and friends gathering for the meal, break off a small piece of the opłatek wafer, and share theirs with others present, along with a blessing. It symbolizes unity, forgiveness, solidarity, and the breaking of the fast in anticipation of the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
