Holy Cross to Celebrate the Holiday Season with Tree Lighting and Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols

The College of the Holy Cross will host two treasured Christmas traditions this December.

The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, sponsored by the Purple Key Society, will take place on Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m. on the O’Kane porch and will feature holiday musical performances by several student groups and the boys choir from Nativity School of Worcester. Rev. James Hayes, S.J., associate chaplain for Mission, will light the tree and give a blessing to all. The event would not be complete without a special appearance by Santa who will mingle with the crowd and pose for holiday photos. Seasonal refreshments including cookies, hot chocolate, and cider will be served.

On Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. the annual Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols will take place in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel. Presented by the chaplains’ office, the College Choir and the Holy Cross Chamber Singers, the celebration will include seasonal music 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.

Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols will be streamed live over the web from St. Joseph Memorial Chapel. Bookmark the online location http://www.holycross.edu/live/ and be sure to tune in at 8 p.m. EST on Dec. 11.

Both events are free and open to the public.

Other events taking place during Advent season include:

Blessing of the Advent Wreath Nov. 30, 7 p.m., Mary Chapel Rev. John Savard, S.J., rector of the Jesuit Community, will preside and preach, for Mass on the First Sunday of Advent, including the blessing of the Advent wreath.

Second Sunday of Advent Services will be held on Dec. 6, 4:30 p.m. Mass (Mary Chapel), Dec. 7, 11:30 a.m. Mass (St. Joseph Memorial Chapel), 4:30 p.m. Service ( Mary Chapel, Inter-Denominational), 7 p.m. Mass (Mary Chapel),  9 p.m. Mass (Mary Chapel).

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 on Monday, Dec. 8 at 8 a.m. (Mary Chapel), 12:05 p.m. (Mary Chapel), and 9 p.m. (Mary Chapel).

Advent Reconciliation Service Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m., Mary Chapel  Gathering/Baptismal Space Normand Gouin, assistant chaplain and director of liturgy and music, 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.

Advent/Holiday Community Mass Dec. 14, 7 p.m., St. Joseph Memorial Chapel The last Sunday Mass of the fall semester will be celebrated by Rev. Philip Boroughs, S.J., president. A reception will follow in the Lower Chapel Gathering/Baptismal Space.