Item Photo By OWEN O’ROURKE
The team of volunteers decorating St. Pius V Church in Lynn. From left, Father John Healy, Dave Tortolini, Jean Howard, Danielle Donachie and Deborah Berrier.
By MICHELE DURGIN
LYNN — Lynn is a city of such diversity and that is so evident when one takes a look at the many churches and various faiths and denominations preparing for the Christmas miracle later this week.
Two of the Catholic parishes, Sacred Heart, on Boston Street and St. Mary’s, on South Common Street, have created a collaborative, with Father Brian Flynn as pastor. The collaborative has posted both its Christmas Eve and Christmas Day schedule on lynncatholic.org, which includes a 4 p.m. Mass at both churches tonight and an 11 p.m. Mass at Sacred Heart only.
Friday, there will be a 9 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s and a 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart.
St. Pius V Parish, 215 Maple Street, also a Catholic Church,is preparing 4 p.m. mass in both the upper and lower church and a 7 p.m. upstairs tonight. There will be 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses Friday.
“We are very excited about the events we have scheduled to celebrate the birth of Our Lord, Jesus,” said Father John Healey of St.Pius. “It is wonderful to have the members of the parish come together and celebrate as a family.”
Holy Family Church on 26 Bessom Street is holding a 4 p.m. Mass Thursday and a 10 a.m. Friday.
St. Stephen’s Memorial Episcopal Church, 74 South Common Street, is hosting several events and services in honor of Christmas. Thursday, they will be starting things off with a family service/ Christmas pageant at 4 p.m., followed by a 10:30 p.m. Christmas Candlelight Communion service; and a 10 a.m. service Friday. Assistant pastor, Rev. Sarah Gulden said, “We’re excited to be celebrating this season of light in a time of darkness in the world.
“We are happy to prepare for a New Year filled with joy and hope,” she said.
The First Lutheran Church, 200 Broadway will be holding a 4.p.m. service today and also an 11 p.m. Holy Eucharist by Candlelight Service. A midnight service is scheduled as well.
St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church, 54 South Common Street, will be holding Vespers beginning at 4 p.m. today . The choir is scheduled to be singing at this service. St. George’s will also be celebrating Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. Friday.
East Baptist Church,300 Western Ave, is preparing for a meditation service tonight beginning at 6 p.m., and Pastor Kevin Adams said the theme is simple: “Peace on Earth and goodwill towards men.”
A complete listing of days and times of Christmas services being held in the area can be found at Churchfinder.com.
