St. Mary Kicks Off Christmas Season with Tree Lighting

St. Mary held its own version of a Rockefeller Square Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday, November 26th outside the school. Roughly 500 people attended the mini festival, which included a tree lighting ceremony, live student nativity scene, choir performances, food trucks, and madrigal singers from Lincoln-Way East High School.

St. Mary Christmas Tree Lighting
Fr. Dindo oversees the lighting of the St. Mary Christmas Tree as a crowd of families looks on.

Also in attendance were Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and their elves, who all posed for photos with ecstatic children. Outside, a children’s train cruised around the parking lot ready to pick up its excited passengers.

Santa and Mrs. Claus
Santa and Mrs. Claus posed for pictures at the St. Mary Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Children could also drop off their letters to Santa in a dedicated mailbox.

Families were able to warm up with some hot cocoa and cookies as they listened to the St. Mary Children’s Choir and Lincoln-Way East Madrigal singers. They could also decorate and take home their very own Advent wreath, just in time for the season. Finally, the event provided an opportunity for attendees to donate coats, hats, mittens, scarves, and gloves to those in need.

Children's Train
A Children’s Train gave rides around the St. Mary parking lot to excited kiddos.

The family-focused event was organized by St. Mary School and the Religious Education Department. “We hope that the St. Mary Tree Lighting Ceremony brought a sense of community for our parish families,” says Tami Brongiel, Director of Religious Education at St. Mary Mokena. 

“I would like to thank Fr. Dindo and Fr. Sam, the St. Mary School PTC, the Religious Education Board events coordinator, Sacred Music, CCW, Christian Service, teens for volunteering and St. Mary Parish families for all coming together to celebrate the beginning of Advent as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus,” she adds.

Fr. Dindo and Santa
Fr. Dindo poses with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and an elf during the St. Mary Tree Lighting festivities.

The St. Mary School Christmas Tree lights can now be admired every night through the Christmas season.

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