Christmas Events at the University of Saint Francis

Members of the community are invited to participate in a variety of events during the Christmas season at the University of Saint Francis:

Living Nativity
Sunday, December 2 at 6 p.m.

In 1223 Francis of Assisi led a group of villagers from the Italian village of Greccio in celebrating the Lord’s birth by re-enacting the first Christmas. Thus began the tradition

of the Christmas crèche. As Advent begins, the staff and students of the university present a Living Nativity as a witness to the powerful presence of God’s love incarnate in

the world. The character of Saint Francis will narrate the Christmas story and those gathered around will sing “Silent Night.” The Living Nativity will be staged at the small

amphitheater next to the Pope John Paul II Center on the shore of Mirror Lake. Parking is available off Leesburg Road. A petting zoo with the animals for the Living Nativity will be available for children from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Living Nativity site. No charge for admission.

Lighting of the Lake
Sunday, December 2 at 6 p.m.

Vigil lights will encircle the segment of Mirror Lake closest to Spring Street for a shining symbol of Christmas for the Fort Wayne community. You may dedicate one or more

luminaries at $10 per luminary to a loved one, in memory of someone special, in recognition of a special occasion, or just to wish a student good luck with final exams. Call 260-434-3275 to order luminaries. No charge for admission.

Christmas in the Castle
Saturday, December 1, from 3 to 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 2, from noon to 6 p.m.
Saturday, December 8, from 3 to 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 9, from noon to 6 p.m.

First floor areas of the historic Bass Mansion have been decorated for Christmas by local floral designers from Aesthetic Plants, Armstrong Flowers, Flower Nook, Gassafy Wholesale Florist, Moring’s Flowers and Gifts, Nisco Christmas Paradise, Posey Shoppe Florist, Saxton’s Nursery, and Young’s Greenhouse and Flower Shop. The mansion is located near Mirror Lake on the Spring Street side of campus. Admission: $5 per person, $10 maximum per family.

Breakfast with Saint Nicholas—Family Event
Saturday, December 1. Check in at 8:30 a.m. Breakfast at 9 a.m. in North Campus Foyer area (formerly Abundant Life Tabernacle).

Enjoy a morning of food and fun activities with family and friends while learning about the life and legacy of Saint Nicholas; then tour the first floor of Bass Mansion decorated for Christmas. Admission: $8.50 per adult and $4.50 per child. For reservations call

260-434-3276 by November 27. Space is limited. 

Contemporary American Craft Exhibit
Saturday, December 1, 2007 through Sunday, January 20, 2008. Gallery hours are:
Monday though Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sundays 1 to 5 p.m.

For the seventh year, the School of Creative Arts presents the exhibit and sale of crafts in six media: fiber, ceramics, wood, metal, glass, and stone by more than 70 professional artists from across the United States. The exhibit is located in the Weatherhead Gallery in the Mimi and Ian Rolland Center for Visual Art and Communication off Leesburg Road.

No charge for admission. For additional information visit this website: http://www.sf.edu/art/.

Star of Bethlehem 2007 at the Schouweiler Planetarium
Saturday, December 1 at 3 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 2 at 3 and 7:45 p.m.
Friday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 8 at 3 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 9 at 5 p.m.
Friday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 15 at 3 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 16 at 5 p.m.

Join us under the Mideastern sky of 3 B.C. and follow the star of the Wise Men. During the live portion of the show, planetarium staff will guide you to the wonders of this winter’s Fort Wayne night sky. The Schouweiler Planetarium is located in Achatz Hall of Science, on the Leesburg Road side of the USF campus. Admission: adults $4, senior citizens and under 18 $3; $14 maximum per family.

Choral Music Concert
Sunday, December 2 at 7 p.m.

A concert featuring the University Singers and the Jazz Ensemble will highlight traditional carols as well as classical and modern arrangements of Christmas music by a variety of composers and arrangers. The concert is at the North Campus Auditorium (formerly Abundant Life Tabernacle). No charge for admission.

Fair Trade Alternative Shopping Bazaar
Sunday, December 2, from 3 to 6 p.m.

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) present high-quality, fairly traded handicrafts from disadvantaged producers all over the world at the Fair Trade Alternative Shopping Bazaar in the Commons at the Pope John Paul II Center. What does it mean to say that these items are fairly traded? It means that the people who produce them earn a fair price, get access to credit and training, and maintain long-term relationships with organizations rooted in the principles of human dignity and economic justice.

The University of Saint Francis, founded in 1890, is a comprehensive university in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, offering undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 2,100 students from a broad geographic region.