Despite The Pandemic, Advent And Christmas Celebrations Are Joyfully Planned

Although COVID-19 means that plans are tentative, there are plans, nonetheless, to celebrate Christmas joyfully and prayerfully at St. Peter Church. Advent will have a different tone, as well, but it will remain a time to prepare ourselves for our celebration of Christ’s birth.

Fr. Leo is tentatively planning Christmas Eve Masses at 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m., and 10 p.m. On Christmas Day, there will be Masses at 8 and 10 a.m. Special signups for these Masses will be available a couple weeks before Christmas. See the bulletin, social media, or email for more details.

“We will make every attempt to have sign-ins for seating,” Fr. Leo says. “But the 4 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve is the most crowded.”

In preparation for Christmas, Fr. Leo will offer the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Advent. It will be offered on the following days: Nov. 30, Dec. 2, 4, 9, 11, 14, 16 from 6-7 p.m.; Dec. 5, 12, 19 from 7:30 a.m.-7:50 a.m., and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

“Especially in light of Advent as a penitential season, I hope to offer the opportunity for First Confession to our second-graders,” Fr. Leo says. “I’d hope parents will bring their children to church and receive that sacrament together.”

The Giving Wreath tags will be available Nov. 26. Tags will be placed out on tables listing requested gifts and parishioners will be able to bring in their gifts to the narthex.

Taking part in the Giving Wreath is one great way that parishioners can live in stewardship.

“I’d hope it is reflective of Christmas, giving to those most in need,” Fr. Leo says. “That is what Christmas is all about, and certainly part of stewardship. It is St. Peter’s gift to the community.”

A major part of our Christmas celebration is the 6 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass tailored to children. Although we will not be having it this year, Kim Strieker, a parent volunteer, has organized the children’s roles in the past.

“I took over the role from the person before me when her children grew older and graduated from the parish school,” she says. “My children enjoyed participating in the program. I’m really just the organizer — the kids are the stars.”

During the 6 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass, there are opportunities for the school children to participate.

“We do a small program ahead of Mass, and ask our school children and our PSR students to participate,” Kim says. “We traditionally read the Nativity story from the Gospel and the children do a simple reenactment. We have candle carriers to light the way, shepherds, angels and, of course, the Holy Family. One of our older children normally is assigned as the lector. Our children’s handbell choir plays, led by Sara Reeder, and Jubilation, our children’s choir, led by Monica Scholz, sings.”

A call also goes out for student volunteers to assist with other roles during Mass. These may include serving, bringing up the offertory gifts, reading the first and second readings and petitions, and sometimes ushering.

“The children do a great job, and seem to enjoy being a part of this celebration,” Kim says. “It’s a nice way to remind them of the meaning of Christmas on a night when their thoughts may be elsewhere.”

Pandemic, or no, the church will be beautifully decorated for the season. Fr. Leo will be overseeing the decorating, which always includes two large trees in the church and one in the narthex. Five or six trees will adorn the rectory.

Because the plans for Advent and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are subject to change, parishioners are advised to check upcoming bulletins and the parish website at www.cospq.org.

This tree is one of at least six that Fr. Leo places in the rectory during the Christmas season.

The traditional creche will be part of our Christmas celebration again this year.

The traditional creche will be part of our Christmas celebration again this year.