Christmas at SB

Ongoing Christmas Initiatives

Christmas Luminaries
Parish-wide event

Sunday, December 15 - pickup from 11am - 1pm at school; advance ordering is recommended.

Warming our hearts and brightening the way, the Christmas Luminaries are a service project coordinated by the St. Barnabas 8th-grade students, families, and staff. Candles are displayed throughout the parish on Christmas Eve, lighting the path home after Christmas Eve mass. Contact - Mrs. McGowan at [email protected]. Learn more.

ORDER for House $25

ORDER for Block $250

Staff Stocking Stuffer
School-wide event
Monday, December 9 - final day to contribute.
Each year, through the generous contributions of our school families, our staff is awarded a Christmas bonus. This gift means the world to our hardworking staff and is used by many to help purchase gifts for their own family, groceries for a special Christmas meal, or to offset some of the general monthly bills. If you can, please consider showing your appreciation to our staff through the annual Christmas Stocking Stuffer. Contribute in MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT. Contact - Rachel Groth at [email protected] Learn more.

Parish Red Tag
Parish-wide event

Sunday, December 15 - final day to contribute.

Through the Red Tag Program, St. Barnabas Parish has contributed thousands of Christmas gifts to disadvantaged children for decades by partnering with Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army. Last year we contributed 1,700 gifts! We invite all families to take part in this heartfelt parish program. Pick a tag up in the back of the church, or contribute online through GIVE CENTRAL. Contact - Nancy Harvey at [email protected] Learn more.

Men's Club Wreaths
Parish-wide event

December 6 & 7 and 14 & 15 - pick-up after mass.

St. Barnabas Men's Club Christmas Wreath Sale benefitting the Kevin G. Barron Scholarship Fund. The pre-order sale has now closed, but a limited quantity will be available for purchase after mass during the first two weeks of December. Contact - Pat Wirtz at [email protected]

Spirit Wear Sale
School-wide event

Sunday, December 15 - 11am - 1pm in Main Hall.

Spirit wear makes the perfect gift for Buckeye fans! The FSA's BUCKEYE SHOP is open for business. Stop by the 12-15 Pop Up Shop to pick up gear, browse and shop for additional items, and visit with Santa. Contact - Meg Kreiter at [email protected]

December Events & Activities

Advent Wreath Workshop
Parish-wide event

Sunday, December 1, 11am, in the Church Hall

Gather for a family-friendly Advent wreath-building workshop immediately following the 10am mass. All supplies will be provided to create a wreath to be enjoyed in your home this Advent season. Advance registration is encouraged as spots are limited. SIGN UP HERE. Learn more

Saturday, November 30 Volunteer for event set-up on Saturday from 3pm - 5pm. Help out with decorating tables, cutting greens, and setting up the supply stations. We are also looking for donations of cookies and hot chocolate. Email Patrick McGowan if you're available to contribute time or share treats. Contact - Mr. McGowan at [email protected]

Sacrament of First Reconciliation
2nd Grade students + families

Tuesday, December 3, 6:30pm at Church

Our 2nd graders will make their Sacrament of First Reconciliation. Please keep the students in your prayers on this special evening. Contact - Mr. McGowan at [email protected] Learn more

Santa's Secret Shop
School-wide event

Wednesday, December 4 & Thursday, December 5, student-only during the school day.

Thursday, December 5, 3pm - 4pm in Church Hall open to families.

New this year, the FSA is hosting Santa's Secret Shop. Students will have the opportunity to visit the shop with their homeroom. Modestly priced items will be available for students. Browse the holidaytreasures site. Contact - Patricia Wirtz at [email protected] Learn more

8th Grade Prayer Service
8th-grade students + parents (additional family welcomed)

Friday, December 6, 2pm at Church

Opportunity for reflection and prayer before the Saturday morning High School Entrance Exam. Contact - Ms. Sadowski at [email protected] Learn more

8th Grade Skating Party
8th-grade students + parent volunteers

Saturday, December 7, 3pm - 5pm at Tinley Park Roller Rink

Rolling into High School! 8th-grade students will gather for a party to celebrate the completion of their HSPT exams. Remember to RSVP by December 2. Contact - Rachel Groth at [email protected] Learn more

Progressive Mixer
Parish-wide event

Saturday, December 7, 6pm, beginning at the Gym

The 18th Annual Men's Club event benefits the Staff "Stocking Stuffer" Christmas bonus. Tickets are $80 per person, and advance tickets are required. Purchase tickets in GIVE CENTRAL. Contact - Patrick Doig at [email protected] Learn more

Sacrament of First Reconciliation
3rd - 8th grade, student-only event

Monday, December 9, during the school day

Our 3rd - 8th grade students will have the opportunity to grow closer to God this Advent season with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Contact - Mr. McGowan at [email protected]

Senior Friends Luncheon
8th grade students + parishioners and grandparents

Wednesday, December 11, 12:30pm at the Gym

Senior parishioners and grandparents & special seniors are invited to a Christmas lunch hosted by our 8th-grade students. Contact - Maureen Gainer Reilly at [email protected] Learn more.

Christmas Pageant
School-wide event, families welcome

Friday, December 13 at 1:45pm at Church

Student-led telling of the Nativity story. 1st-grade students serve as angels and shepherds, 5th-grade students serve as the choir, and 7th-grade students are the actors. All families are welcome to attend this moving retelling of the First Christmas. Contact - Ms. Sadowski at [email protected] Learn more.

Christmas Dress Down
School-wide event

December 16 - December 20
Students are welcome in full dress down for the week. All attire should be school-appropriate and in keeping with the chosen theme for the day. Thank you to our dedicated Student Council for organizing our Christmas dress-downs! Contact - Ms. Sadowski at [email protected]

Monday, Dec 16 - Merry Monday Morning: Christmas or winter pajamas
Tuesday, Dec 17 - Candy Cane Lane: Grades K, 2, 4, 6, 8 wear red, Grades PK, 1, 3, 5, 7 wear white
Wednesday, Dec 18 - Christmas Characters: Christmas character from a movie, book, song, etc.
Thursday, Dec 19 - Crazy Christmas: Be festive with Christmas accessories and attire.
Friday, Dec 20 - Classy Christmas: Celebrate the season (and our Christmas assembly) in your Christmas best.

Christmas Around the World
School-wide event, families welcome

Tuesday, December 17 at 10am in the Church Hall

After 8:45am school mass, the School Culture Club will host Christmas Around the World. Students and families are invited to see the wonders of Christmas as shared by Culture Club. Contact - Sr. Schell at [email protected]

Preschool Pageant
School-wide event

Thursday, December 19, 10am (school performance) and 6:30pm (family & friends performance) at Church

A heartfelt retelling of the Christmas story by our preschool students. All preschool students dismiss from school at 10:50am and will return for the evening performance. Seating Note: The school day performance has limited seating for adults. Evening performance has ample seating and viewing. Contact - Ms. Sadowski at [email protected] Learn more.

Christmas Band Concert
School-wide event, families welcome

Thursday, December 19, 7:30 pm at the Gym

All are invited to join in this beautiful Christmas concert. Our school band will perform alongside students from St. Christopher, St. Cletus, and St. Francis Xavier. Please note the slight time adjustment to 7:30pm start to accommodate the Preschool Pageant. Contact - Mr. Phil Enns at [email protected]

Christmas Carol Assembly
Student-only event, during the school day

Friday, December 20

Our annual tradition to kick-off Christmas break. Student Council leads the show as each grade performs a Christmas carol. Contact - Ms. Sadowski at [email protected]

Christmas Break Begins
Friday, December 20, 11:50am (11:40am for Preschool).

Christmas break begins with a half-day dismissal; After Care is not available. Our Main Office will be closed during break. We look forward to welcoming the students back on Tuesday, January 7

Christmas Mass Schedule
Parish-wide

Please join in Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Mass at St. Barnabas Church as we prayerfully rejoin in Christ's birth.

Contact - Father Donovan at [email protected]

Christmas Eve Mass, Tuesday, December 24, at 4pm, with Children's Choir musical prelude beginning at 3:30pm
Christmas Eve Mass, Tuesday, December 24, at 10:30pm, with musical prelude beginning at 10pm
Christmas Day Mass, Wednesday, December 25, at 10am, with musical prelude beginning at 9:45am