Lots Of Christmas Activities on Tap in Bellingham

By KEN HAMWEY, 

Bulletin Staff Writer

The Christmas season has arrived and that creates activity at the municipal level in Bellingham,  from the Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Town Common to Santa Clause’s three-day Bellingham Lions ride through town, assisted by Police and Fire Departments. The Bellingham Police Department holds a toy drive, and the town’s four churches also have events leading up to the Christmas holiday. See below.

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Several years after the Town Common was dedicated in 1992, its Board of Trustees started the tree-lighting ceremony, which has always been a well-attended event, including Santa Clause.

The Parks Department decorated poles, lanterns, lawn ornaments and the gazebo, where a large Christmas tree was placed, ahead of the November 30th ceremony. Retiring Town Clerk Larry Sposato was honored as the individual to light this year’s tree.

The program included Christmas Carols by school choirs and the well-known Oliver Brothers (Joe and Robbie). Santa Clause arrived in a fire engine to a special seat in the gazebo, where he handed out candy canes to the children. Hot chocolate was available for all.

For the first time in the event’s history, Mrs. Clause was in attendance, accompanied by an elf.

“It’s a wonderful event,’’ Sposato said. “It brings the community together and gets people into the holiday spirit. I’m pleased that the Town Common is the place where the Christmas season gets underway.’’

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The Bellingham Lions have helped Santa visit the town’s neighborhoods for more than 35 years. 

“We’ve been doing our best to let people know when we’re arriving by putting the routes in The Bellingham Bulletin and on our Facebook page,‘’ said Elena Rosemere, the Lions Club president. “While we can no longer visit every street in town, we do our best to cover every neighborhood area. 

“We also want residents to know that we take donations during the rides for the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. Every year, we’re able to donate between $800-$1500 to the food pantry from our ride. Buckets on the sleigh enable residents to donate. The Lions also donate to the food pantry, exclusive of the Santa ride.’’ 

Rosemere also noted that the Lions’ Senior Luncheon is scheduled for the Senior Center on Saturday, Dec. 7, at noon. The Lions will be serving a full turkey dinner to about 100 senior citizens, who can sign up at the senior center. The luncheon has been an annual event for more than 20 years. 

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The police have linked a giving tree to their toy drive this year. Here’s how that works:

Police will post information on their Facebook page that will inform participants, who must be Bellingham residents, how to proceed. Residents can also call the station, providing their name and phone number. The giving tree is only for children aged 15 and under.

Tags will be placed on the tree and will reveal a child’s age and gender and the top three gift requests. Members of the community will come to the station by December 11th, take a tag, and buy a gift. When gifts are brought to the station (no later than December 16th, please), they will be distributed on Dec. 20.

The toy drive, which involves two cruisers, was held on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at Walmart. These gifts are “stuffed’’ into the cruisers, returned to the station, and become presents associated with the giving tree.

The officers who’ve devoted time for this event, include Nicole Sandell and Scott Provost (School Resource Officers) and Lieutenant Steven Daigle.

“The reward for us is seeing firsthand the positive influences, interactions and contributions we are doing for our Bellingham Community,’’ Sandell said. 

Children are also welcome to join Bellingham Police for the annual Munchkins with Santa event at 10 a.m. on December 7th. The event will include a free professional picture with Santa from Heather Best Photography and munchkins for kids, courtesy of our local Dunkin’.

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The Bellingham Bible Baptist Church will present a Christmas Cantata on Sunday, Dec. 22, at 11 a.m. The program, which will feature soft Christmas music and Christmas carols, will precede a spiritual message by Rev. Michael Carrier, the church’s pastor. 

“Although we’ve had a Christmas Eve service for the last two years, we decided to leave that night for our church members to enjoy time with their family and friends,’’ Rev. Carrier noted.

The church will also conduct a toys-for-children program that will have 150 toys available for three age groups — up to age 3; 4-6 years old; and 7-12 years old. Fifty toys in each of the three categories will be presented (25 to girls and 25 to boys).

“Families can contact the church by email ([email protected]),’’ Rev. Carrier said. “The toys will arrive at the church in mid-December and be distributed on a staggered basis.

A variety of events have been planned at St. Brendan Church.

• A Novena (nine days of prayer) is scheduled from Nov. 30 to Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. with different priests officiating each evening. 

• A Christmas pageant re-enacting the Christmas story conducted by children is scheduled for Dec. 15 during the 10:30 a.m. Mass. 

• The church also will provide a giving tree where families can help other families in need. Tags will be on the tree for participants to take. Gifts can be brought to the church a week before Christmas, and they will be distributed several days before Christmas.

• Midnight Mass will be conducted on Christmas Eve with music beginning at 11:30 p.m.

The Bellingham First Baptist Church is planning a Christmas Cantata on Dec. 21 at 6 p.m., with Christmas music and hymns and refreshments after the program. A Christmas Eve service also is scheduled at that time.

“In a time of anxiety and stress, we’re praying that God would do a mighty work through the Christmas season to bring families and country back together again,’’ said Pastor Baron Rodrigues. 

The schedule of Masses at St. Blaise Church for Advent, Christmas and New Years includes:

During Advent, Nov. 30, Dec 1; Dec. 7 and 8; Dec. 14 and 15; and Dec. 21 and 22, weekend Masses are Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. 

• Dec. 24, Christmas Eve Mass, 4 p.m. Children’s Pageant will be during the Mass.

• Dec. 24, Christmas Eve Mass – 10 p.m. (choir/concert at 9:30 p.m.

• Dec. 25, Christmas Day Mass – 10 a.m.

• Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 28 and 29, Feast of the Holy Family, Saturday at 4 p.m. and  Sunday 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.

• Jan. 1 – Feast of Mary, the Mother of God, Mass at 10 a.m.

The church will also provide a giving tree where families can help other families. Last year 150 children received gifts, but this year the need is expected to be closer to 200. Drop-off of gifts is Monday, Dec. 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church. Giving trees with tags specifying gift ideas will be located at St Blaise Church and the Bellingham branch of Dean Bank (411 Pulaski Blvd.) until Dec. 7.

Sue Durkin, the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry Director, is grateful to church parishioners, community members, community organizations, Bellingham Public Schools students and staff, and businesses for their continued support. For any questions, email Durkin at [email protected].