The Christmas Pageant at St. John and St. Mary—it all began in 1987 with about a dozen kids and a few parents, a couple of guitars, carols by the choir, two little lambs and some shepherds’ crooks made in parish workshops. On Christmas Eve, we all watched and listened as our kids became the first to proclaim the Good News of Christmas. Over the years, there have been more kids and more beautiful music, but one thing has remained the same—at the first Mass of Christmas (Christmas Eve at 4 PM), we watch and listen as our kids become the first to proclaim the Good News of Christmas.
There could be no better reason for the Christmas Pageant. And yet, there is another reason, which is equally as good. On the days before Christmas, where can we find our kids? In church! What better place to prepare for Christmas!!!
Preparing for the Christmas Pageant
· FIRST AND SECOND GRADERS are our Pageant Kids. No sign up; just show up for rehearsals.
· Boys are Shepherds; costume is an Arab-like headpiece (white cloth and dark headband), SUPPLIED BY PARENTS
· Girls are Angels; costume is a garland halo, which the church will provide on Christmas Eve; each girl carries a battery operated candle, SUPPLIED BY PARENTS. Nothing more, except that each girl will wear her special Christmas dress.
· Mary and Joseph: we will draw the names of two SECOND GRADERS. Calls will be made to see if the kids are willing and able (sometimes, they can’t or just don’t want to). Will keep calling until we get Mary and Joseph. Costumes: the church has the costumes.
· Costumes do NOT come to rehearsals; come with your costume on CHRISTMAS EVE only.
Christmas Pageant Rehearsals for First & Second Graders
(All Rehearsals in Upper Church)
· Wednesday, December 22, 4:00 to 4:45 PM
· Thursday, December 23, 4:00 to 4:45 PM
Music for the Christmas Pageant--Choirs & Youth Ensemble
The Christmas Pageant at St. John and St. Mary would not be the celebration that it is without the beautiful voices and music of our kids. This has always been true and is especially true this year.
Ken Corneille, our Music Director, has formed two children’s choirs: the Regular Children’s Choir (Grades 1-5), which has been rehearsing and performing all year, and a Special Children’s Christmas Choir (Grades 3-8) which is open to all students in those grades who would like to sing for the Christmas Pageant Mass at 4 PM on Christmas Eve. Ken has also formed a Youth Ensemble of Instrumentalists (Grades 5-8).
Rehearsal Schedule for Choirs & Youth Ensemble
(All Rehearsals in Upper Church)
- Special Children’s Christmas Choir (Grades 3-8): Monday, 12/20, 4:00 - 4:45 PM
- Youth Ensemble of Instrumentalists (Grades 5-8): Tuesday, 12/21, 3:45 -4:30 PM
- Regular Children’s Choir (Grades 1-5): Tuesday, 12/21, 5:00 PM
Choirs & Youth Ensemble Join Pageant Kids for Christmas Pageant Rehearsals
BOTH CHOIRS & THE YOUTH ENSEMBLE WILL REHEARSE WITH THE PAGEANT KIDS AT THE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT REHEARSALS:
· Wednesday, 12/22, 4:00 – 4:45 PM
· Thursday, 12/23, 4:00 – 4:45 PM
Christmas Eve
· Upper church OPENS at 3:00 PM. Church and Parish Office Closed until then.
· Choirs & Youth Ensemble should arrive at 3:00 PM sharp.
· Pageant Kids should arrive no later than 3:15 PM.
· Pageant Girls: report to Community Room A.
· Pageant Boys: report to Skelly Hall.
· Music begins at approximately 3:25 PM
· Pageant begins at approximately 3:45 PM (***After Pageant, parents come to sanctuary to bring kids back to their families for Mass)
· Mass begins at 4:00 PM
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