Festival of Lessons & Carols at Chesterton Academy
WARWICK — Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope invites you to come celebrate the anticipation of Our Lord’s incarnation! Join us to hear the Chesterton student choir sing The Festival of Lessons & Carols on Thursday, December 11, 6:00 - 7:30pm in the St. Francis Chapel. This beautiful and festive tradition began in the 19th century. Through scripture readings (or “lessons”), hymns, carols, and prayers, the Festival tells the story of the Fall, the Messianic promise, the Incarnation, and the Great Commission. Register at: https://www.chestertonri.org/
St. John Baptist Bazaar
PAWTUCKET — St. John Baptist Church, 69 Quincy Ave. (Bullock St. entrance), will hold its annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature jewelry, plants, Christmas decorations, food, a bake sale, themed raffle baskets, a money raffle, handmade scarves and hats and more.
The Catholic High School Placement Test
RHODE ISLAND — The Catholic High School Placement Test is scheduled for December 6. It’s an opportunity to explore the outstanding Catholic schools in our community. 8th grade students are encouraged to take this test at their 1st choice school. Contact the school(s) you are interested in directly for testing details; High Schools contact information at https://catholicschools.org/find-a-catholic-school/.
St. Augustin & St. Mary Christmas Extravaganza
NEWPORT — Sister parishes St. Mary’s and St. Augustin’s will host their 3rd Annual Christmas Extravaganza in St. Augustin’s Church hall (the church basement), at the corner of Carroll Ave. & Harrison Ave., on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will feature breakfast with Santa, kids’ activities, craft & gift vendors, baked goods, raffles, and a silent auction. For more information, visit www.StMaryNewportRI.org or call 401-847-0475.
Family Advent Celebration
NORTH EASTON, Mass. — The Family Advent Celebration will be held at The Father Peyton Center, 518 Washington St., on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a visit from St. Nicholas, an activity for children, cookie decorating, pizza lunch, hot cocoa, and a Christmas carol family sing-along. The event is free, and donations are welcome. Guests can come for whatever part of the day fits their schedule. Registration is not required but appreciated at: www.hcfm.info/family-advent. For more information, contact mission@HCFM.org or 508-238-4095.
Advent Lessons and Carols
PROVIDENCE — The annual service of Advent Lessons and Carols will be held in St. Dominic Chapel at Providence College, 1 Cunningham Square, on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 4 to 5:15 p.m. Music will be provided by the Providence College Chorus and Liturgical Choir, and Providence College President Father Kenneth Sicard, O.P., will preside. A light reception of hot chocolate and cookies will follow the service.
Christmas Concert at St. Mary of the Bay
WARREN — The Bristol County Chorus will present its 44th annual Christmas Concert, “Home for the Holidays,” at its new home, St. Mary of the Bay Church, 645 Main St., on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m. The concert is accompanied by a professional chamber orchestra and will be conducted by Director of Music Nicholas Rocha, featuring contemporary and traditional Christmas music for young and old, including “Carols of Joy and Hope,” “Thou Who Wast Rich, Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” and more. Tickets are available at the door and in advance at the George Hail Library in Warren, at Paper Packaging and Panache in Bristol, and online through www.brownpapertickets.com. For additional information, visit
West Bay Chorale Concert
WARWICK — The West Bay Chorale will present their winter concert, “All is Calm,” a celebration of traditional carols and music for Advent and Christmas, at St. Kevin Church, 333 Sandy Lane, on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. The chorale is directed by Eric W. Van Dervort and accompanied by John Boutcher, and will be joined by guest performers Tony Grelle, Amanda Santo, Brenda Young, Sharon Hope, and Catherine White. The Chorale will be collecting non-perishable food items to support the St. Vincent DePaul food pantry. For further information including ticket cost, contact 401-751-1525, see West Bay Chorale on Facebook, or email info@westbaychorale.org.
The Lafayette Band Concert
NORTH KINGSTOWN — The Lafayette Band invites you to come enjoy traditional and popular Christmas music led by Music Director, Chuck Johnson and featuring vocalist Richard Johnson in Driscoll Hall at St. Francis de Sales Church, 381 School St., on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 7:15 p.m. Admission is free and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit www.lafayettebandri.org or www.facebook.com/LafayetteBand.RI for more information.
Cathedral Advent Day of Recollection
PROVIDENCE — The Cathedral Advent Day of Recollection is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13, beginning at 10:30 a.m. and concluding with the 5 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. This special Advent Retreat Day will include Reflections (Sacred Scripture), Adoration, Recitation of the Holy Rosary, Confessions, and Solemn Vespers (Evening prayer), and the 5 p.m. Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R. The day features speakers Bishop Lewandowski and Sister Elizabeth Castro, H.M.S.P. Advance registration is required by calling 401-331-2434.
Christmas Bingo Night
EAST PROVIDENCE — Sacred Heart Church will hold its annual Christmas Bingo at the church hall, 118 Taunton Ave., on Saturday, Dec. 13; doors open at 6 p.m., and games begin at 6:30 p.m. The evening will feature 21 games of bingo, including 20 regular games with chances to win $50 gift cards from local businesses; the Grand Prize Game offers a 50-inch flat screen TV. Admission cost includes a 3-card strip for all regular games. Food will be available for purchase, including caçoila (pulled pork), chouriço and peppers, meatball subs, and malassadas. For more information, contact Father Peri at 401-434-0326 Ext. 3.
Sweet Spirit of Christmas
BRISTOL — The 17th Annual Sweet Spirit of Christmas, sponsored by the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church Rosary/Altar Society, will be held in the Monsignor Lolio Parish Center on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 14, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Festive trays of homemade assorted cookies and delicious holiday candies will be for sale, as will quarts of delicious homemade pasta sauce. Tickets will be for sale for the annual Christmas Raffle, with the top prize of $1,000, which will be drawn on Dec. 14. The event will feature holiday baskets, jewelry and more.
St. Thomas the Apostle Church Musical Event
WARREN — The St. Thomas the Apostle Church will have its last musical event of the year in the church hall, 500 Metacom Ave., on Friday, Dec. 13, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Gary James Farias will perform Christmas music along with his regular selections. A small admission fee at the door includes coffee, tea, and pastry. The kitchen will sell meatball, chicken salad, and chourico and pepper sandwiches, as well as favas and chourico, pizza, and soft drinks. Guests may also bring their own food and beverages. There will be an opportunity to purchase raffle and 50/50 split the pot tickets, and participate in a silent auction.
Christmas Lights & Bites
ATTLEBORO, MA — Calling all young adults in their 20s and 30s to come and join us for our December Frassati Night! Whether married, single, priest, or religious, we want to see you! Join us Saturday, December 13 beginning at 7 p.m. for this New-England staple -- Christmas lights at La Salette Shrine, 947 Park St, Attleboro. Afterwards, we’ll head to a local restaurant for some late night bites and good company. Find all the information at https://www.evangelizeri.org/events/christmas-lights-bites. Questions? Text or call Lucien Plante at 401-525-6679.
The Christmas Gift Production
NORTH KINGSTOWN — St. Francis de Sales Church, 381 School St., invites the community to a fun-filled musical performance, featuring several children of St. Francis de Sales parish. The event will be held in Driscoll Hall on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 1:15 p.m. This special one-hour Christmas production is for children and adults of all ages.
Christmas Concert
WOONSOCKET — St. Joseph’s Church will host a free Christmas concert featuring the Choir, Sunday Quartet, and the Providence Youth Guitar Ensemble. The concert will be held at 1200 Mendon Rd., on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, at 3 p.m. For more information, visit
Breakfast with Santa at St. Barnabas
PORTSMOUTH — Bring the kids and join St. Barnabas Parish for a morning filled with joy and wonder. Enjoy a delicious breakfast and get your free photo with Santa at 1697 East Main Rd., on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Tickets must be purchased in advance and will be available after all Masses on December 6 & 7, or in the parish office. For more information, call 401-683-1343.
Advent Recital
WARREN — St. Mary of the Bay Parish, 645 Main St., will host an Advent Recital on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. Join flutist Maria Mandico and internationally-acclaimed artists for a special Advent recital with a unique blend of voices, woodwinds, and strings for a brand new, mid-winter chamber experience. Tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, contact the parish at 401-245-7000 or stmary02885@gmail.com.
St. Margaret Church Annual Christmas Concert, Live Nativity
RUMFORD — St. Margaret Church will hold its annual Christmas Concert and Live Nativity in the church, 1098 Pawtucket Ave., on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. Under the musical direction of Ron Procopio, this year’s concert will feature the children’s choir, senior choir, and solo performances. No tickets are required, but there will be a freewill collection, with all proceeds benefiting the Good Neighbors Food Pantry.
Volunteer Opportunity
RHODE ISLAND — The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program relies on volunteer preparers to offer free tax returns for income-qualified individuals and families at non-profit organizations throughout Rhode Island. Volunteers typically serve four or five hours a week from late January through mid-April, and two types of preparer education are available: a sequential self-training program and an eight-hour course over two Saturday mornings in early January. Prior tax experience is not necessary; VITA saves eligible taxpayers millions of dollars a year, is an enjoyable and interesting way to put Catholic faith into practice and is an excellent resume-builder and a gratifying way for parents and high school students to spend time together. For more information, please email Connie Speidel at rivitatraining@gmail.com.
