From Christmas pageants and choir concerts to Advent series discussions, parishes in the Diocese’s four counties have all you need to get prepared for Christmas and the Advent season.
Brick parish to hold Advent series discussion
Visitation Parish, Brick, will hold an Advent series “Be Born Among Us” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 13, and 20 at 730 Lynnwood Ave. Father Joseph Jakub, parish pastor, will lead a small group discussion.
For information, call 732-477-7059.
Candlelight evening for women in Mount Holly
Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly, will hold an “Advent by Candlelight” evening for women to become renewed and refreshed before the Christmas rush. The event begins at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 in the parish auditorium at 260 High Street and is sponsored by the Columbiettes and Santa Marie Auxiliary 1179.
The evening will include an elegant atmosphere, lit only by candlelight. Guests will be served refreshments and invited by guest speakers to reflect on Advent in preparation for Christmas.
Participants can attend as an attendee or host a table of guests. The table hostess can invite up to seven female friends and will be responsible for setting the table, and provides the refreshments for her guests as well as her own table settings, including linens, china, silverware and Advent wreath with candles in the center.
Cost to host a table is $20. Registration cost includes coffee, tea, water and reflection material for the evening. Once registered the table hostess will receive details via email.
For information or a registration form, contact the Columbiettes at Columbiettes1179@gmai.com or visit parishofsacredheart.org, click Advent by Candlelight for registration form.
Toms River parishes coming together for Christmas pageant
The Holy Innocents Society and St. Justin Parish, Toms River, will present their annual Christmas pageant together with the parish Children’s Choir at 10:15 a.m. Dec. 9 at 975 Fisher Blvd., Toms River.
All parishioners from Cohort 24 – Toms River parishes St. Joseph, St. Luke and St. Maximilian Kolbe – are welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served. Santa will attend.
Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the St Vincent de Paul Society Food Bank in lieu of an admission price.
For information, call Walter or Pat at 732-255-6216.
Breakfast with Santa and Blessing of Baby Jesus in Holmdel parish
St. Catharine Parish Pre-School, Holmdel, will have a Breakfast with Santa and Blessing of Baby Jesus Dec. 9 from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. in the Father Scheg Center, 108 Middletown Rd.
Participants are welcome to bring a figurine of the Infant Jesus to be blessed. Participants should bring cameras/cell phones for photso with Santa.
Cost is $5 per person. To make a reservation, contact Denise Kline at 732-933-0013.
Handel’s Messiah to be performed in Rumson church
On Dec. 10 at 3 p.m., the sanctuary in Holy Cross Church, Rumson, will be filled with the sounds of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah, Part One.”
The classical piece, including the famous “Hallelujah Chorus,” will be presented by the parish choir and several professional soloists accompanied by a chamber orchestra. Due to its immense popularity, the event is now the third annual to be held in the Rumson church.
The parish welcomes all to experience the music that celebrates anticipation and joy of the birth of the Jesus, as all Christians do during the Advent and Christmas seasons.
The concert is free and open to the public; a free will offering is appreciated. Holy Cross Church is located at 30 Ward Ave.
Cinnaminson parish to hold ‘Festival of Lessons and Carols’
St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Cinnaminson, will present its annual “Festival of Lessons and Carols” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 in the church at 2500 Branch Pike. This ecumenical service proclaims the story of the birth of Christ through readings, prayers, and a diverse repertoire of sacred music in a variety of styles.
Admission is free. For information, contact Cameron Stringham at cameron.stringham@gmail.com.
Regional chorus to hold winter concerts in Cherry Hill parishes
The Greater South Jersey Chorus will hold a winter concert titled “Season of Light” at 8 p.m. Dec. 16 in Christ Our Light Catholic Church, 402 Kings Highway North, Cherry Hill, and 3 p.m. Dec. 17 in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill, 401 Kings Hwy. North.
The concert will include Italian composer Ottorino Respighi’s “Lauda per la Natività del Signore” (Laud to the Nativity), a composition with colorful harmonies, delicate singing, and beautiful woodwind and piano orchestration.
The chorus will also showcase the radiant harmonies of American contemporary composer Kenneth Lampl’s “Jerusalem” as well as celebratory Christmas and Chanukah favorites.
A modern flare will be part of the show as well, as Broadway musicians’ arrangements will be included.
Tickets may be purchased at the door or on the chorus website at greatersouthjerseychorus.org. Admission is $20. Discounts are offered to groups of 15 or more with advance purchase.
‘The Celtic Christmas Celebration’ comes to Monmouth Beach
Precious Blood Parish, Monmouth Beach, will host “The Celtic Christmas Celebration” with Sean Hennessy and his Black Water band at 7 p.m. Dec. 30 in the parish center, 72 Riverdale Ave. Refreshments will be available.
Tickets are $20. All proceeds to benefit Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Laserre, Haiti. For information, call 732-222-4756.
Lawrenceville youth choir to present Christmas concert
The youth choir of St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, will present its annual Christmas concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 17 in the church, 1253 Lawrence Road.
For information, call the parish at 609-882-6491.
Choir concert planned in New Egypt parish
Assumption Parish, New Egypt, will hold its choir concert 3 p.m. Dec. 17 in the church located at 28 Monmouth Road.
Following the concert, refreshments will be available. For information, call the parish at 609-758-2153.
Charismatic Renewal to gather for New Year’s Eve Mass
The Diocese of Trenton Catholic Charismatic Renewal will hold the New Year’s Eve Festival of Praise with a Charismatic Mass from 9 p.m. to midnight Dec. 31 in St. Mary Church, 19 Cherry Tree Farm Road, Middletown.
The Mass will consist of praise and worship, Adoration, teaching and witness.
For information, call the parish at 732-671-0071.