The College of the Holy Cross will celebrate the Christmas season with both new and long-established College traditions this year.
On That Day: An Advent Calendar from Holy Cross
On Nov. 27, the first Sunday of Advent, an electronic version of the traditional Advent Calendar, titled “On That Day: An Advent Calendar from Holy Cross,” will be made available for the Holy Cross community on the College’s website. The calendar, which comes from the Office of the Vice President for Mission, Rev. William R. Campbell, S.J., ’87, will allow viewers to open a “window” each day to find an inspirational text, image, or audial presentation throughout the four weeks of Advent, leading up to the celebration of Christmas Day. Be sure to bookmark “On That Day: An Advent Calendar from Holy Cross.”
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, sponsored by the Purple Key Society, will take place on Monday, Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. on the O’Kane porch and will feature holiday musical performances by the Holy Cross Chamber Singers, the Goodtime Marching Band, Fools on the Hill and the boys choir from Nativity School of Worcester. Seasonal refreshments including cookies, hot chocolate and coffee will be served.
Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols
On Thursday, Dec. 8 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 and tune in at 8 p.m. EST on Dec. 8. Both events are free and open to the public.
Other events taking place during Advent season include:
Second Sunday of Advent
Services will be held on Dec. 3, 4:30 p.m. Mass (Mary Chapel), Dec. 4, 11:30 a.m. Mass (St. Joseph Memorial Chapel), 4:30 p.m. Service (McCooey Chapel), 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 Thursday, Dec. 8 at 8 a.m. (Mary Chapel) and 12:05 p.m. (Mary Chapel).
Advent Reconciliation Service
Dec. 6, 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. 11, 7 p.m., Mary Chapel
The last Sunday Mass of the fall semester will be celebrated by Rev. William Campbell, S.J., vice president for mission.
