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The sights, sounds, and spirit of the season will come alive as Ģ��ֱ�� invites the community to campus for its annual “Merry & Bright” Christmas celebration, a joyful tradition that culminates in the Christmas Tree Lighting on December 2 and includes a festive outdoor atmosphere, seasonal music, indoor craft fair, as well as spiritual events, concerts, an unwrapped new toy drive, a donation drive to support local veterans, and a Letters to Santa initiative happening throughout the season. Specific dates and times are listed for each event.

FESTIVE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

The festivities are centrally located on Ģ��ֱ��’s campus, with events in the Liguori Center at Regina Hall, the Liberal Arts Center Rotunda, and the Memorial Gardens at the center of campus. All events are open to the public and will include a Christmas Holiday Market on Wednesday, December 2 from 12 to 6 p.m. in the Liguori Center, Regina Hall, featuring 26 vendors and offering handmade gifts and treats for holiday shoppers.

The highlight of the season is the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, December 2, in the Rotunda of the Liberal Arts Center, where Ģ��ֱ��’s Chamber Singers will fill the air with festive carols.

Public viewing hours for the tree are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-7 p.m., starting during the tree lighting event and continuing through December 22.

The celebration continues from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Memorial Garden, with lights, music, and family fun for all ages. Families can stroll through a beautifully illuminated Memorial Garden, warm up around crackling firepits, and enjoy hot cocoa, hot cider, and cookies while carolers perform classic holiday favorites. Children will delight in meeting Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the Liguori Center, just across the street from the Memorial Garden. Visitors are encouraged to stop by Ģ��ֱ��’s life-size Nativity under the Memorial Arch, a cherished tradition symbolizing the true meaning of Christmas.

The Christmas spirit shines far beyond this single day of activities.

On December 1 at Noon, the student-run radio station, VMFM 91.7, becomes “Christmas 91.7,” sharing the sounds of the season 24/7 through New Year’s Day as a joyful, commercial-free gift to the community from Ģ��ֱ��. Those outside of the station’s local broadcast range can or through the Tune-in app. 

Christmas-themed concerts scheduled both on campus and in the community include:

• December 6, 7:30 PM: Ģ��ֱ�� Chamber Singers Concert, Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual Life;
• December 7, 6:30 PM: The String Project’s annual holiday gala concert, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts;
• December 12, 6 PM: Ģ��ֱ�� Chamber Singers will collaborate with brass players from the Northeast Pennsylvania Philharmonic at the Cooperage Project in Honesdale, PA, presenting a program of carols and other seasonal music.
• December 13, 5 PM: Ģ��ֱ�� Chamber Singers will collaborate with brass players from the Northeast Pennsylvania Philharmonic at the Beaumont Inn, Dallas, PA, presenting a program of carols and other seasonal music.

COMMUNITY DONATION DRIVES

Ģ��ֱ��’s Office of Community Service and Social Justice is conducting a drive for new, unwrapped toys from November 17-December 15, to benefit children and teens served by Friends of the Poor/Catherine McAuley Center and Catholic Social Services. All toy donations must be valued at $25 and under and will be part of the annual “Gifts for Kids Holiday Gift Giveaway” at St. Mary’s Center. Drop-off locations for new, unwrapped toys are available on campus at the Swartz Center for Spiritual Life and in the Nazareth Student Center (near the fireplace). During the Craft Fair/Tree Lighting event on December 2, unwrapped toy donations may also be brought to designated drop-off areas at the Liberal Arts Center and in the Liguori Center.

The Ģ��ֱ�� Office of Military and Veteran Services and the Hearts for Heroes Club is donating gently used clothes and other items to help local veterans. The donation drive is running now through Friday, December 11. The donation drive will help support local veterans at St. Francis Commons, a local veterans’ housing and social services facility. Items needed include long johns, warm shirts, sweaters, blankets, shaving supplies, and shower supplies. Donations can be dropped off at the Liberal Arts Center, Room 101, located in the vestibule of the Rotunda.

SPIRITUAL EVENTS:

All campus and community members are welcome to attend the following events:

• Sunday, December 6, 4:30 p.m., Marian Chapel: A Candlelight Mass including a “Blessing of the Brains” for students prior to finals week.
• Tuesday, December 8, 12 p.m., Marian Chapel: Mass commemorating the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the feast day of the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
• Wednesday, December 9, 8-9:30 p.m. Swartz Center, Room B: An Advent Mini-Retreat is planned for students to de-stress from exams/final projects.
• Wednesday, December 16, 12 p.m., Swartz Center, Room A: Bring Your Own Lunch and an Advent Reflection.

STUDENT-SPONSORED INITIATIVE

The Ģ��ֱ�� Student Government Association is sponsoring a “Letters from Santa” project. Letters for any child may be requested, and there is no cost, but requests must be received by December 4. Complete the request form at: .