Buon Natale – the rich Christmas traditions of Italy By Helen Breen Italians celebrate Christmas for a full month from the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 through the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. Although some regional differences exist, the month basically is devoted to religious observances and spending time with family and friends. While food is an essential focus of the season, other traditions include: The crèche The presepe or crib, depicting the stable scene surrounding the birth of Christ, is essential to the observance of Christmas. Its origins date back to St. Francis of Assisi, who in 1223 wished to create a “natural…
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Festive (Not) Ugly Sweaters coat drive to benefit needy children this winter
By Tara Vocino People got festive last Wednesday at Volare by wearing (Not) Ugly Christmas Sweaters at Coats for Kids, where guests donated toys and winter accessories to needy children. “I was volunteering at Youth in Action four years ago, and saw that there was one child who didn’t have a winter coat, but that’s one too many,” said event co-organizer Mike DiGangi, who was wearing a Nutcracker sweater. DiGangi asked the school department if there were more needy children – there were – and that’s how the third annual coat drive was initiated. He organized the drive with Ward 4 City Councillor Patrick Keefe and Matthew Parlante, who were…
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Christmas Lights
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Santa Claus makes his annual visit to Pine Banks
Santa Claus made his 69th visit to his Pine Banks Office this past weekend. Hundreds of families came to meet him, drop off their Christmas lists, enjoy the festive lights and have a cup of hot chocolate and some cookies. Santa’s visit is a long standing tradition hosted by Pine Banks Park and Ward 5 Councillor Barbara Murphy. (Photos by Paul Hammersley)
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St. Maria Goretti Christmas Party
LYNNFIELD – Saint Maria Goretti Parish hosted its annual Christmas party on Saturday, December 1, as a kick-off to the Advent season. Twinkling lights, gossamer sheers, clinking wine glasses, and the aroma of a fine meal greeted guests in a holiday feast for the senses.
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Breakfast with Santa at St. Maria Goretti Church
LYNNFIELD – As busy as he is this time of year, Santa once again made sure he found time to stop off at St. Maria Goretti (SMG) Parish. SMG’s traditional “Breakfast with Santa” event started off with Deacon Mark Ruiz gathering the children to tell them about the Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men or Three Kings, who brought the first Christmas gifts to the baby Jesus. Then the kids were treated to a breakfast of Dunkin’ Donuts doughnuts and hot chocolate, courtesy of parishioner Maryann Coletta. Orla, a Golden Retriever certified therapy dog, was also on hand to calm any anxiety over meeting the “big guy from…
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Bambinelli Sunday celebrated at OLA and SMG
Bambinelli Sunday celebrated at OLA and SMG LYNNFIELD – On Sunday, December 16, both St. Maria Goretti Parish (SMG) and Our Lady of the Assumption (OLA) Parish celebrated “Bambinelli Sunday.” This tradition was begun by Pope St. John Paul II and is celebrated on the Third Sunday of Advent, also called Gaudete (“Rejoice”) Sunday. He invited people to come to St. Peter’s Square in Rome and bring their “bambinelli” or Baby Jesus figurines from their home crèches and nativity scenes. Then, he would bless them and people would take them home and wrap them. This becomes the first present to be opened on Christmas day to remind the whole family…
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Santa Claus makes his annual visit to Pine Banks
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Santa Brunch at Marina at the Wharf Restaurant
Santa Claus made his annual visit to the Marina at the Wharf Restaurant Sunday Brunch this past weekend, delighting young and old alike during the holiday season. The restaurant owners, the Molle family, host St. Nick every year to a packed house for photos and special treats for the entire family.
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Santa Brunch at Marina at the Wharf Restaurant
