Parishes, schools, and other faith centers in the Diocese of Allentown are offering a variety of ways for the faithful to gather to observe Advent and prepare for Christmas – including Vespers, concerts, pageants, retreats, reflections, services, and children’s events.
Sunday, Dec. 1 – Pancake Breakfast, story time and pictures with Santa Claus, Knights of Columbus Panther Valley Council 17300, St. Joseph, Summit Hill, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $6 per person; bring one unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots, one breakfast will be half price; 5-under free.
Sunday, Dec. 1 – “Sing We Noel,” Christmas concert, choirs of the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown, 2 p.m., preludes begin 1:40 p.m., free will offering to benefit choir needs.
Sunday, Dec. 1 – “The Bells of St. Mary’s,” Movie Club, St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, 3 p.m., doors open 2:30 p.m., film, snacks, soda, fellowship, all free, all are welcome.
Sunday, Dec. 1 – Vespers, Holy Guardian Angels, Reading, 4 p.m., Evening Prayer, music provided by choir to reflect on the beautiful Word of God and prepare minds and hearts to encounter Jesus in a renewed way at Christmas, http://www.hgaparish.com.
Sunday, Dec. 1 – Christmas Concert by Lehigh Valley Pops Orchestra, St. Anne, Bethlehem, Community Center, 2 p.m., doors open 1 p.m., refreshments.
Monday, Dec. 2 – “Mary, Mother of Expectant Hope,” preparing for Christmas, facilitator Bishop Alfred Schlert, White House Chapel at Monocacy Manor, Bethlehem, 6:30-8:30 p.m., freewill offering, register 610-867-8890.
Tuesday, Dec. 3 – “Simply Prayer: Advent,” morning of reflection, facilitator Sister Marie Therese Sheerwood, O.S.F., St. Francis Center at Monocacy Manor, Bethlehem, 10 a.m.-noon, free will offering, register http://www.SchoolSistersOsf.org/upcoming-events, 610-867-8890, LMartin@SchoolSistersOsf.org.
Tuesdays, Dec. 3, 10, 17 – “The Saints of Christmas,” Advent program presented by Father Alexander Brown, St. Anne, Bethlehem, rectory meeting room, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 4 – Day of Mercy, for Advent renewal, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Hellertown, homilist Monsignor Myron Grabowsky, 8 a.m. Mass through 6:30 p.m. Liturgy of Healing, confessions available.
Wednesdays, Dec. 4, 11,18; Thursdays, Dec. 5, 12, 19 – “Rejoice! An Advent Pilgrimage into the Heart of Jesus,” Advent series, Holy Guardian Angels, Reading, rectory basement meeting room, Wednesdays 6:30 p.m., Thursdays 9 a.m.; daily reflections, prayer, opportunities for journaling; weekly video reflections.
Fridays, Dec. 6, 13, 20 – Christmas Caroling, Fridays in Advent, leave from Holy Ghost, Bethlehem, 6 p.m., except First Friday after 7 p.m. Mass.
Saturday, Dec. 7 – Bach and Handel Chorale Jim Thorpe Christmas Concert, St. Joseph, Jim Thorpe, 2 p.m., tickets $20 per person, children 10-under free, advance tickets 570-325-4794 or at door.
Saturday, Dec. 7 – Men’s and Women’s Advent Events, St. Catharine of Siena, Reading, social hall; Men’s Breakfast, 9-11 a.m., matyas@gmail.com; Women’s Dinner 5:30-8 p.m., Bhoujii@comcast.net, 610-698-1168; RSVP by Dec. 2; both include food, fellowship, guest speaker, adoration, confession, free-will offering or bring a canned good for the local food pantry.
Sunday, Dec. 8 (Second Sunday) – Breakfast, with Santa Claus this month, Knights of Columbus, St. Columbkill, Boyertown, 8:30 a.m.-noon, adults $10, kids $5, children under 3 free, feature blueberry pancakes.
Sunday, Dec. 8 – Christmas Concert, St. Benedict, Mohnton, 2 p.m.; featuring Adult Choir, Children’s Choir, Youth Ensemble and Contemporary Group, with vocal and instrumental duets and solos; free will offering to benefit St. Vincent de Paul Society and Music Ministry.
Sunday, Dec. 8 – “All Things in Her Heart: Musical Meditations on the Joyful Mysteries,” Advent Evening of Scripture and Song, led by parish choir, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall, 5 p.m., prelude music 4:30 p.m., free will offering.
Sunday, Dec. 8 – Advent Candlelight Celebration in Spoken Word and Song, Assumption BVM, Northampton, 3 p.m.; as we journey to Bethlehem, join us in celebrating the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love of Advent.
Sunday, Dec. 8 – Christmas Concert, Precious Blood Convent, Reading, 3 p.m., free will offering, with basket raffle, baked goods.
Thursday, Dec. 12 – Advent Penance Service, St. Anne, Bethlehem, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 12 – Christmas Program, St. Elizabeth Regional School, Whitehall, in church, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 13-Saturday, Dec. 14 – Advent Holy Hour and Christmas Concert with Irish Tenor Mark Forrest, Holy Guardian Angels, Reading; Friday, evening of prayer, 7 p.m., free; Saturday concert 7 p.m., ticketed event, preorder adult $20, child 12-under $10, at door $25; https://www.hgaparish.com/post/advent-holy-hour-christmas-concert-with-mark-forrest.
Saturday, Dec. 14 – “Christ Be Our Light,” bilingual Advent morning of reflection, Our Lady of Mercy, Easton, social hall, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 14 – Women’s Advent Retreat; Bishop’s Commission for Women invites all women of the Diocese for peaceful morning of community, prayer, and reflection; St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; keynote speaker Father John Frink, find hope through prayer in honor of Jubilee Year of Hope; Mass celebrated by Bishop Alfred Schlert; continental breakfast; registration until Tuesday, Nov. 26, https://bit.ly/4dYDuR0; questions maryannguman@gmail.com or 610-295-8523.
Sunday, Dec. 14 – Advent Day of Prayer, Mariawald Renewal Center, Reading, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with Sister Nancy Iampietro, $40, register before Dec. 10, 610-777-0135, mariawaldcenter@gmail.com.
Saturday, Dec. 14-Sunday, Dec. 15 – Cookie Walk, St. Columbkill, Boyertown; Saturday 3-4 p.m., 5-6:30 p.m.; Sunday 9-10 a.m., 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; walk-through cookie sale fundraiser.
Sunday, Dec. 15 – Breakfast with Santa, St. Anne, Bethlehem, 8 a.m.-noon, hosted by Knights of Columbus, kids 10-over $10, kids 5-9 $5, under 5 free, free picture with Santa.
Sunday, Dec. 15 – Princeton Singers Advent Concert, St. Anne, Bethlehem, 4 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 15 – Advent Vespers, St. Anthony, Easton, 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 15 – “A Rose in Winter,” presented by Princeton Singers, St. Anne, Bethlehem, 4 p.m., songs of the season to warm the heart and ring in the joys of Christmas, donation, 610-865-4837.
Sunday, Dec. 15 – Children’s Christmas Pageant, St. Joseph the Worker, Frackville, 6 p.m., free, questions 570-874-0610 ext. 4.
Sunday, Dec. 15 – Christmas Vespers Service, Berks Catholic High School, at Sacred Heart, West Reading, 3 p.m., http://www.berkscatholic.org.
Sunday, Dec. 15 – “Celebrating the O Antiphons: An Ancient Advent Tradition,” White House Chapel at Monocacy Manor, Bethlehem, 3-4 p.m., no registration necessary, freewill offerings accepted, questions lmartin@schoolsistersosf.org or 610-867-8890.
Monday, Dec. 16 – Advent Stations, St. Joseph, Summit Hill, 6 p.m.; prayed like Lenten Stations but take us through the Birth and Nativity.
Tuesday, Dec. 17 – Christmas Band Concert, Berks Catholic High School, Franco-Post Auditorium, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 18 – PREP Christmas Caroling, St. Columbkill, Boyertown, 5:15-6:30 p.m., in church 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 21 – “Longest Night Prayer Service,” Holy Guardian Angels, Reading, 7 p.m., Prayer Service of Consolation for those grieving during the Advent and Christmas season.
Sunday, Dec. 22 – Parish Advent Confessions, St. Columbkill, Boyertown, 7 p.m.
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