A Very Merry Catholic University Christmas: Music, Festivities Mark the Season

The Catholic University of America presented its annual Christmas Concert for Charity on Friday, December 5, in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

The concert featured performances by students and faculty from the Benjamin T. Rome School of Performing Arts. This year’s beneficiary was Holy Family Church, the only Catholic parish in Gaza. Father Humam Khzouz, who has long served the parish and the wider Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in various capacities, was a special guest. 

The Chamber Choir made its Christmas Concert debut under the direction of Peter Kadeli, head of sacred music and director of choral activities. The program also featured student conducting, the University Chorus, the professional Repertory Chorus, and original music by Music Professor Andrew Simpson.

EWTN will air the concert during the Christmas season on the following dates: 

• December 17 at 3 p.m. ET
• December 20 at 10 p.m. ET
• December 21 at 1:30 p.m. ET
• December 24 at 4 p.m. ET
• January 1 at 3 p.m. ET

The festive spirit began on campus with the traditional Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Edward J. Pryzbala University Center, which got everyone in a holiday mood before the concert. University Chaplain Father Aquinas Guillbeau, OP, opened the event with prayer, followed by student choirs singing carols, and then President Kilpatrick shared his hopes for the holiday season before he turned on the lights.