For the third Christmas season in a row, parish and school communities came together for a special festival to celebrate Advent amidst trees, wreaths and songs – plus hot cocoa and cookies.
The annual Festival of Trees and Wreaths, organized by Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Galloway, included activities that spanned across the two parish worship sites – Assumption Church, Galloway, and Saint Nicholas Church, Egg Harbor City – on Dec. 13 and 14.
“As a Catholic community, an event like this brings together our parish, schoolchildren and families united as one large unit, and connects us locally with our surrounding communities,” said Donna Marie Berchtold, the parish director of music and one of the festival’s organizers. “We share the evangelization efforts of many across our parish, along with our pastor, [showing] that we are here to embrace the hearts of many people.”
This year’s festival also featured a number of musical performances – including selections presented by the Assumption Regional Catholic School piano program, instrumental program and choir. There were also performances from members of the choir from Saint Vincent de Paul Regional School, Mays Landing, and the Saint Nicholas Aurora Carolers – also directed by Berchtold.
“This is an event for people of all generations and cultures,” said Berchtold, “one where we are all united in the love of Jesus.”
Jannette Pereda Lumley, who serves as conductor, pianist and co-director of the children’s choir at Saint Vincent de Paul Regional School, said they were happy to join this year’s festival for the first time.
The children’s and adult choirs also purchased wreaths to be on display during the festival, and members of the children’s choir were on hand to sing Christmas carols as they greeted attendees.
“Our students are truly passionate about singing for God,” said Lumley. “However, there is something extraordinary that transforms them during this Advent season. Waiting expectantly for our savior, singing about it and being able to bring the Good News through song is even more special.”
Like Berchtold, Lumley shared her enthusiasm around the sense of community involved.
“This is also a perfect time for fellowship, and to give to the community at the same time,” said Lumley. “We pray [everyone enjoyed] the festival and that our songs [were] a pleasing aroma to the Lord.”
The festival came about following a long-standing Assumption Church tradition of displaying trees outside to honor the memory of parishioners’ loved ones who had passed away. To expand the festival’s reach, parishioners looked for ways to involve both parish worship sites, as well as offer an indoor option.
“Saint Nicholas Church seats 300 people but has no room for indoor trees, and the newer Assumption Church in Galloway can hold several trees inside,” she said. “We researched and found that the idea of displaying wreaths would be perfect for the smaller church.”
This year’s theme, selected by their pastor, Father Gerard Marable, was “Titles of Mary” – and trees and wreaths featured various names for the Blessed Mother.
A special award was given for the tree and wreath with the most votes from attendees, and participants this year had the chance to enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, visits from Saint Nicholas, an activity center for children and giving trees.
Additionally, organizers created special memorial trees at each church, bearing ornaments honoring the names of parishioners who have died in the past year. The ornaments were given to their families to display in their homes following the festival.
“As we prepared for the celebration, it [was] wonderful to talk to those who were decorating as they shared their inspiration for their artistic displays,” Berchtold said. “These stories are filled with the love of the Holy Family and guided through the Holy Spirit.”
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