When the cafeteria starts to look a lot like winter, one can assume Christmas on the Hill does not lie far ahead. The entire evening of Christmas on the Hill is something to look forward to, especially for those who are attending for the final time. These students get the spotlight during the Christmas on the Hill mass.
The mass, according to Cindy Boland, director of campus ministry, is a tradition, highlights the seniors, but its main purpose is to act as a Christmas celebration for the entire Seton Hill University (SHU) community. Boland says the mass has a general structure, but is modified with help from the seniors, to provide a memorable, meaningful, last experience for them.
By Lori Rupert,
Senior Staff Writer
When the cafeteria starts to look a lot like winter, one can assume Christmas on the Hill does not lie far ahead. The entire evening of Christmas on the Hill is something to look forward to, especially for those who are attending for the final time. These students get the spotlight during the Christmas on the Hill mass.
The mass, according to Cindy Boland, director of campus ministry, is a tradition, highlights the seniors, but its main purpose is to act as a Christmas celebration for the entire Seton Hill University (SHU) community. Boland says the mass has a general structure, but is modified with help from the seniors, to provide a memorable, meaningful, last experience for them.
According to Boland, the only thing that is final right now is that the seniors will enter by candlelight, as they have always done. Of course there will also be songs, a homily, and the communion meditation, among other things; but the specifics of these things have yet to be decided.
Although unable to tell of the preparations, Boland wanted to stress the fact that: “I want to hit home the idea that it [Christmas on the Hill] is a community event that has significance for everyone. The seniors do take a special role because it is their last one and it has held such memories for them.”
“[Christmas on the Hill mass] is an important component that is part of a festive evening,” said Rev. Stephen Honeygosky, chaplain and assistant professor of English.
According to Honeygosky, the involvements of the mass cannot yet be specified although he presumes he will preach the mass. To Honeygosky, the mass is a time of advent worship, belief in God, and of bringing people together with the Christmas holiday in mind.
Jimmy Pirlo, senior and president of the Seton Hill (Student) Government Association (SHGA), also believes in the coming together of the Seton Hill community. Pirlo said, “As a senior, who has gone to Christmas on the Hill every year, I think it is important to carry on the tradition, and it’s important for us to come together as a community.”
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