Holy Cross to Celebrate the Holiday Advent Season

WORCESTER, Mass. – The College chaplains and the College choir will present the 31st annual Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols on Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel. Join Chaplain Kim McElaney for an evening of seasonal music with the choir and holiday scripture readings by members of the College community. The religious service is based on one celebrated every year at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England.

Other events include:

Blessing of the Advent Wreath November 29, 10 p.m., St. Joseph Memorial Chapel Join Rev. Greg Lynch, S.J., who will preside and preach, as the Advent wreath that hangs from the chapel’s ceiling is blessed and lit. The event is free and open to the public.

Advent Mass in American Sign Language Dec. 1, 7 p.m., McCooey Chapel Rev. Joseph Bruce, S.J., will preside and preach during this Mass which is free and open to the public.

Advent Reconciliation Service Dec. 7, 8:30 p.m., Lower Chapel Gathering/ Baptismal Space. Chaplain Marybeth Kearns- Barrett, will preside and preach during this service of scripture, prayer, song and the opportunity to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation (penance, confession) with one of eight Jesuit priests.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception The Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation is the patronal feast of the Catholic Church in the U.S. Masses for the Advent holy day will be celebrated at 8 a.m. (McCooey Chapel), 12:05 p.m. (Mary Chapel), and 10 p.m. (Mary Chapel).

Advent Holiday/ Community Mass Dec. 13, 8:30 p.m., St. Joseph Memorial Chapel. The last Sunday Mass of the fall semester will be celebrated by Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J., president.  It will replace the regular 7 and 10 p.m. Sunday Masses. A reception will follow in the Lower Chapel Gathering/ Baptismal Space.