Cardinal Cupich was the main celebrant during Midnight Mass at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior streets, on Christmas Eve.
Giving trees a part of Christmas charity at parishes Fifty years ago, Margaret Hilliard, a parishioner at St. Gilbert Parish in Grayslake, read about giving trees in a magazine and thought it would be a good thing for her church to try.
Pope marks 800th anniversary of Nativity scene, asks prayers for Holy Land Away in a cave near Greccio, Italy, St. Francis of Assisi had the first Nativity scene — a live one — staged for the faithful on Christmas Eve in 1223. A 15th-century fresco now decorating the cave inspired the Nativity scene erected in St. Peter’s Square for the 800th anniversary celebrations.
COVID-19 doesn’t stop Catholic Charities toy drive at basilica For over 20 years, the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Queen of All Saints Basilica Parish, 6280 N. Sauganash Ave., has held its “Shared Christmas” program to collect toys, clothing and sundries during Advent for clients of Catholic Charities and other organizations in Chicago. The group would put tags on giving trees in the church with specific names and needs for parishioners to take home and purchase items to donate.