Holiday tradition continues with tree lighting ceremonies
November 25, 2019
A holiday tradition continues at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University with the annual tree lighting ceremonies Dec. 2-3.
Saint John’s kicks things off with its tree lighting ceremony beginning at 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2 at the Great Hall.
Father Robert Koopmann, OSB, president emeritus of SJU, will be performing Christmas carols on the piano and lead a sing-along. A short video on the tree will also be shown, before Saint John’s Preparatory School seventh-grader Brett Penk will flip the switch to light the approximately 18,000 bulbs on the tree.
Father Nick Kleespie, OSB, will offer a closing blessing for the Christmas season. Refreshments will be served.
Saint Ben’s will hold its tree lighting ceremony, “So Let Your Light Shine!” beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3 on the CSB mall in front of Clemens Library.
The CSB Women’s Choir, under the direction of Susan Vollbrecht, will begin the ceremony with festive carols, and CSB Student Senate President Kistacia Thompson will welcome the crowd.
Two CSB students will then give the blessing – senior Molly Kluever in English, and senior Michelle Martinez in Spanish. Following the blessings, Thompson and CSB President Mary Dana Hinton will light the tree.
Hot apple cider, hot chocolate and cookies will be served on the mall, with the Joint Events Council holding a Hot Cocoa Bar in the lobby of Clemens Library.