December Activities: Merry Christmas from the St. Michael's Church Preservation Society:

St. Michael’s Church Preservation Society (SMCPS) Events for the 2016 Christmas Season The St. Michael’s Church Preservation Society wishes you the very best this Christmas Season. We invite you to remember Christmas by attending three special events this month: an Anniversary Celebration of opening of the St. Michael’s Church in 1904, the Second Art Lecture by Dr. John Calabrese, and a special early Christmas Eve Mass at St. Mikes. We at the SMCPS believe this year has been very good. We grow more confident every day that St. Michael’s Church will be around for many years. In conversations with the Pastor of the Parish of St. Monica, Fr. Jon Thomas, we speak of St. Michael’s Church and its campus as an important part of the future of St. Monica Parish. Dante Hall is used regularly as a Theater for Stockton College, the Old Convent houses the offices for Catholic Charities, and the School Yard is the best parking facility of any Church on the Island and is now the site of the annual Wedding of the Sea Festival. In addition Quaremba Hall, is the best equipped kitchen and the most used event Hall in the Parish. St. Mikes also has a Rectory and many classrooms that we hope to someday utilize to better serve the neighborhood. Best of all our Church- St. Mikes- is the best place I know to engage and communicate with our Creator! With your support we will remain committed to Preservation of St. Michael’s Church in the Parish of St. Monica for the next century. Please remember to acknowledge the gift of St. Michael’s Church by attending Mass, participating in SMCPS activities, and helping the Parish of St. Monica this Christmas and throughout 2017. Merry Christmas, Robert Venafro EVENTS The ART/ ARCHITECTURE of St. NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINE CATHOLIC CHURCH DECEMBER 18 AT 1:30 pm: The SMCPS invites you to the second presentation by Dr. John Calabrese on the Art and Architecture of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church- A National Historic Landmark Church. This presentation sponsored by the SMCPS will highlight the importance of Catholic Inspired Art and Architecture that is part of the rich traditions and history of the City’s Churches. This lecture follows last year’s successful lecture highlighting the century old Renaissance Art within St. Michael’s Church. See attached announcement. 104th ANNIVERSARY OF ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH DECEMBER 23 OPENNING AT NOON: Come to visit this historic site and celebrate the 104th Anniversary of the opening of St. Michael’s Church. Relive December 1912 when Fr. Quaremba and a handful of Italian immigrants pulled together resources to build a Church that has endured for over a century. As then, St. Michael’s will be specially decorated for Christmas and will be open for private prayer, visits, and tours upon request. The Rosary will be recited by the Mary Help of Christians Sodality beginning at 12:30 pm. CHRISTMAS EVE MASS DECEMBER 24 AT 4:15 pm: The Mass of the Nativity of the Lord at St. Michael’s Church. This is the earliest Mass on the island and perfect for families. ************************** Also remember that St. Michael’s Church is not closed. Special feast day Masses are celebrated monthly. Anyone in the community or outside the area can schedule a Funeral or Wedding Service at St. Michael’s Church by contacting Fr. Jon Thomas the Pastor at St. Monica’s Parish Office at 609-345-1878. If you wish to tour Historic St. Michael’s Church please schedule a free tour through the Parish Office or by contacting Richard Negro, the local coordinator of the St. Michael’s Church Preservation Society at 609-347-3340 or at maririch1@msn.com.