Religious Education Christmas Program

Tuesday, December 18, 2007, 6:00 p.m.
A Service of Seven Lessons and Carols

Catechists, Aides and Parents,

In lieu of a Nativity Pageant in the school gym, we will have a service of Lessons and Carols in the church, Tuesday, December 18th, at 6:00 p.m. The first service of Lessons and Carols was held on Christmas Eve in 1918 in England. The service is a sequence of readings from Sacred Scripture interspersed with the singing of traditional Christmas carols that foretell Jesus’ birth. The service will include a Nativity scene in the form of a tableaux vivant.

The service is family oriented and will be followed by a reception with light refreshments in the parish hall with a surprise visit from St. Nicholas – you might want to bring a camera.

Please note the following:

• There will be no Tuesday, 4:15 p.m. class on December 18th and there are no religious education classes Wednesday, December 19th.
• All students and their families from both sessions - Tuesday and Wednesday - are encouraged to attend.
• Upper Grades: The seven readers and characters for the tableaux will be chosen from volunteer students from grades 5 through grade 8. Costumes for those participating in the tableaux are provided. Students have had the opportunity to sign up November 27th and 28th. Students in grades 5 through 8 who are not readers or characters will go directly into the church with their families. Characters in the tableaux must assemble in the Thomas More meeting room not later than 5:15 p.m.
• Lower Grades: Students in grades 1 thru 4 are encouraged to dress as either angels or shepherds. Families must furnish their own costumes, which can be very simple. All angels and shepherds will assemble in the parish hall no later than 5:30 p.m. and process into the church and sit in the transepts. Before the closing carol the little shepherds and the little angels will be escorted to the foot of the altar to join the tableaux characters. During the final hymn they will process out and go directly to the parish hall where they will meet up with their parents or a designated adult. Please note: While students in Pre-K and kindergarten are encouraged to wear costumes they are asked to sit with their family.
• All families are asked to bring a plate of cookies to share to the parish hall prior to the service. Please join us!

May God Bless You!

Cathy Plummer
Director of Religious Education