The Advent season is always one to excite. There is much anticipation as students look towards break, the Cheverus Community showcases their cheer, Christmas music fills the halls, and everyone’s spirits are high approaching Christmas. Fun festivities culminate the week, sending students off one last time before the New Year. This year was no different, with the annual Advent festivities in full swing, even long before break.
Beginning in early December, the annual Christmas Fair marked its return with a 6-hour event showcasing local vendors. Tables filled the Keegan Gym, selling a plethora of items ranging from baked goods, art, jewelry, and much more. Students volunteered throughout the fair serving many roles, including manning a children’s area of the event. The event also featured a concessions table, serving lots of delicious options to attendees. The proceeds of the concessions went to help the Campus Ministry Office’s retreat efforts, as well as the Purple and Gold Booster Club. The Campus Ministry Office is rebooting their immersion trips this spring - regular programming from before the Pandemic.
The Cheverus Band and Choir also got in the holiday spirit with their Christmas concerts. The Night of the 6th as well as the following school day, students, faculty, and parents were treated to a festive Christmas concert. The concert featured the likes of Santa Claus is Back in Town, Carol of the Bells, Silver Bells, O’ Holy Night, This Christmas, and a Christmas sing-along to top it off.
This year, the start of break was pushed back a few days to after the weekend, but that didn’t stop the Christmas fun from arriving. Monday the nineteenth saw a festive ugly sweater day, with students from all classes showing off their best ugly sweaters, while simultaneously competing for the “spirit stick.” In the end, the Freshman Class came out on top, taking the stick from Seniors, who had held it since the Fall Pep Rally.
Students encountered a mix of fun and serious classes, with the Monday and Tuesday schedules having been switched to those of a Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Some classes enjoyed more fun-filled, laid-back send-offs to the Holiday Break, while some were greeted by lessons or end-of-unit tests.
Tuesday Brought a fitting end to the season, with the school welcoming Bishop Deeley to celebrate Advent Mass. It was the first time since 2019 that the Bishop was on campus, celebrating with students, something only the Senior Class had experienced before. Mass was facilitated by an X-Order schedule, which also included time for a visit from Santa, as well as a delicious assortment of cookies for Students, Faculty, and Alumni to enjoy.
This Advent Season was one to remember, and certainly a return to normal that all students welcomed.