Holy Cross to Hold Christmas Tree Lighting, Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols on Dec. 9

The College of the Holy Cross will present two cherished Christmas traditions on Dec. 9.

The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, sponsored by the Purple Key Society, will take place on O’Kane Porch at 5 p.m., and will include musical performances by several student groups. Rev. Charles Dunn, S.J., vice president emeritus and assistant director of planned giving at the College, will light the tree. Cookies, hot chocolate, and cider will be served. Santa will be available for photos and mingling with the crowd.

The lighting will be followed by the 33rd annual Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols at 8 p.m. in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel. Presented by the Chaplains’ Office and the College Choir, the celebration will include seasonal music by 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.

Both events are free and open to the public.

Other events taking place during Advent season include:

Blessing of the Advent Wreath Nov. 28, 7 p.m., Mary Chapel Join Rev. Greg Lynch, S.J., who will preside and preach, for Mass on the First Sunday of Advent, including the blessing of the Advent wreath. The event is free and open to the public.

Advent Reflection and Midday Prayer Dec. 1, 12:05 PM, Lower Chapel Gathering/Baptismal Space Rev. James Palmigiano, O.C.S.O., a monk of St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Mass., will lead a brief service of prayer, psalmody, song, and reflection on the season of Advent. A light lunch will follow.

December Lights Dec. 6, 12:05-12:50 p.m., Hogan Suite A Three members of the Holy Cross community will offer brief personal reflections on the traditions of light that occur in December: Advent/Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. A light lunch will be served.

Advent Reconciliation Service Dec. 6, 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 five 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. 12, 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.

By Dan DeConinck ’13