Tree lighting and holiday festivities
The annual tree lighting ceremony will take place following the 5 p.m. Advent Mass in the Byron Complex Nov. 27 this holiday season.
Rev. Rick Malloy, S.J., vice president for University Ministries, said the tree lighting ceremony is a long standing tradition here at The University and that the event usually draws more than 1,500 University students.
“The time of Advent is a season to slow down and know God’s love and concern for us,” Rev. Malloy said. “The lit tree in the December evenings on campus helps us remember that finals are just tests. We are involved in something deeper and more permanent, the coming of Jesus, born again in our hearts and minds.”
After the Mass, people will proceed to the Dionne Green where the tree is blessed and lit and the assembly will sing Christmas carols, Rev. Malloy said.
“Christmas is much more than the mall and the presents. It is the reason we hope for salvation from death. Christmas is the recognition that God is with us and God is for us,” Rev. Malloy said.
“Advent’s four weeks help us to prepare for the celebration of Christmas, which should not end on the 25th but go right through to the week of the new year,” he said.
Habitat for Humanity and USPB: Novelty and Variety will be teaming up to bring Christmas on the Commons to The University following the tree lighting ceremony.
Kerry Madden, the University’s vice president of Habitat for Humanity, said there will be a ton of great activities going on after the Christmas tree lighting.
“We are working with USPB in the gingerbread house decorating contest,” Madden said. “There will be a small entrance fee for individuals to enter and that money will be going to Habitat for Humanity Lackawanna.”
Habitat for Humanity will also sell Gertude Hawk chocolate at the event to raise money for their annual spring break trip, Madden said.
In addition to the gingerbread houses and chocolate sales, there will also be Christmas cookies and a hot chocolate “bar.”
Pictures near the Christmas tree will also be offered and there will be holiday crafts, Michael Baumhardt, assistant director of the center for student engagement said.
By Colleen Day
Staff Writer
Rev. Rick Malloy, S.J., vice president for University Ministries, said the tree lighting ceremony is a long standing tradition here at The University and that the event usually draws more than 1,500 University students.
“The time of Advent is a season to slow down and know God’s love and concern for us,” Rev. Malloy said. “The lit tree in the December evenings on campus helps us remember that finals are just tests. We are involved in something deeper and more permanent, the coming of Jesus, born again in our hearts and minds.”
After the Mass, people will proceed to the Dionne Green where the tree is blessed and lit and the assembly will sing Christmas carols, Rev. Malloy said.
“Christmas is much more than the mall and the presents. It is the reason we hope for salvation from death. Christmas is the recognition that God is with us and God is for us,” Rev. Malloy said.
“Advent’s four weeks help us to prepare for the celebration of Christmas, which should not end on the 25th but go right through to the week of the new year,” he said.
Habitat for Humanity and USPB: Novelty and Variety will be teaming up to bring Christmas on the Commons to The University following the tree lighting ceremony.
Kerry Madden, the University’s vice president of Habitat for Humanity, said there will be a ton of great activities going on after the Christmas tree lighting.
“We are working with USPB in the gingerbread house decorating contest,” Madden said. “There will be a small entrance fee for individuals to enter and that money will be going to Habitat for Humanity Lackawanna.”
Habitat for Humanity will also sell Gertude Hawk chocolate at the event to raise money for their annual spring break trip, Madden said.
In addition to the gingerbread houses and chocolate sales, there will also be Christmas cookies and a hot chocolate “bar.”
Pictures near the Christmas tree will also be offered and there will be holiday crafts, Michael Baumhardt, assistant director of the center for student engagement said.
By Colleen Day
Staff Writer
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