College Chaplains Announce Plans to Celebrate the Start of Advent

The College Chaplains and the College Choir of the College of the Holy Cross will sponsor the 29th annual Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols on Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel, along with a number of other events to celebrate the start of Advent.

Take a study break and join in this Holy Cross holiday tradition featuring music by the College Choir and readings by various members of the faculty, administration, staff and student body.

The College Choir and the Office of the College Chaplains have presented the Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols since December 1978. The religious service is based on one celebrated each year at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England.

Other events include:

Advent Toy Collection: Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society, and the Chaplain’s Office will collect Christmas toys for needy children in Worcester at all chapel services the weekend of December 1-2. Bring a new, unwrapped, nonviolent toy to Mass on the following dates and times:

Saturday, Dec. 1: 4:30 p.m. (Mary Chapel) Sunday, Dec. 2: 11:30 a.m. (St. Joseph Chapel), 4:30 p.m. (McCooey Chapel) Inter-Denominational Service of Praise and Worship, 7 p.m. (Mary Chapel), 10 p.m. (St. Joseph Chapel)

Advent Reconciliation Service: Celebrate God’s unconditional forgiveness in preparation for Christmas at this service of scripture, prayer, reflection and song on Monday, Dec. 3 at 8:30 p.m. in Lower Chapel Gathering/Baptismal Space. Marty Kelly, assistant chaplain, will preside and preach.  Rev. William Campbell, S.J., associate chaplain; Rev. James Hayes, S.J., associate chaplain; Rev. Anthony Kuzniewski, S.J., professor of history; Rev. James Miracky, S.J., assistant professor of English; Rev. Jim Moran, S.J., international visiting Jesuit fellow; Rev. Toussaint Murhula, S.J., visiting Jesuit; Rev. Joseph Pomeroy, S.J., technical services engineer; Rev. William Stempsey, S.J., associate professor of philosophy; Rev. Edward Vodoklys, S.J., senior lecturer of classics; will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception: This Roman Catholic holyday of obligation, which is the patronal feast of the Catholic Church in the U.S, falls nine months before the celebration of the birth of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The feast is celebrated on Saturday, Dec. 8 this year.  Mass will be celebrated on campus Friday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Mary Chapel. Rev. Charles J. Dunn, S.J., will preside and preach.

Advent/Holiday Community Mass: Join Rev. Michael McFarland, S.J., for the last weekend Mass of the fall semester on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 8:30 p.m. in St. Joseph Chapel. (It will replace the usual Sunday 7 and 10 p.m. Masses this weekend.  Music will be led by the Chapel Choir and Contemporary Ensemble. A holiday reception will follow the Mass.  (The Saturday 4:30 p.m. Mass, Sunday 11:30 a.m. Mass, and Sunday 4:30 p.m. Inter-Denominational Service of Praise and Worship will be celebrated as usual this weekend.)