CHRISTMAS EVE 2020

~ A Jesuit Apostolate in New York City since 1847 ~ THE CHURCH OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER West 16TH ST. between 5th and 6th Avenues 55 West 15th St. wheelchair accessible 212-627-2100

PRELUDE MUSIC

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear Text by Edmund H. Sears Music by Richard S. Willis

Arranged for the XAVIER PLAYERS by John Uehlein

Maria Brinkmann and Joel Dabu, soloists The 2020 Virtual Recording Choir of the Church of St. Francis Xavier Joel Dabu, producer and videographer Jerry Steichan, Geri Lisanti-Levi, electric bass and Anthony Cuscina, trap set John Uehlein, conductor

Please stand

Please sit

Break Forth O Beauteous, Heav’nly Light by J.S.Bach (1685-1750) from the Christmas Oratorio

The 2020 Pandemic Christmas Choir Jacqueline C. Perez, conductor

Mary Did You Know text by Mark Lowry music by Buddy Greene

Ladd Boris, soloist John Uehlein, guitar Luz Marina Diaz, dancer

In Dulce Jubilo arranged by Sharon Elery Rogers 14th c. German

The Xavier Campanologists John Uehlein, conductor

The Three Kings by Peter Cornelius

Joel Dabu, soloist The 2020 Pandemic Christmas Choir John Uehlein, conductor

Please stand

Good Christian Friends, Rejoice Arr. by John Uehlein

The Campanologists

1. Good Christian Friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; O give heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today! Ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now. Christ is born Today! Christ is born today!

2. Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; Now you hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this! He has opened heaven’s door, and we are blest for evermore. Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!

3. Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; Now you need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all to gain his everlasting hall. Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!

I Saw Three Ships Arr. by John Uehlein traditional English Carol Verses 4 & 5 by John Uehlein

I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas day, on Christmas day, I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three, on Christmas day, on Christmas day, And what was in those ships all three on Christmas day in the morning?

Our Savior Christ and his Lady on Christmas day, on Christmas day, Our Savior Christ and his Lady on Christmas day in the morning.

And what then did those three ships say on Christmas day, on Christmas day, And what then did those three ships say on Christmas day in the morning?

Faith, hope, and charity have come on Christmas day, on Christmas day, Seen in the face of God’s own Son, on Christmas day in the morning!

Please sit Ecce Novum Latin text Ecce Novum appears in Piae Cantiones (1582) Music by Ola Gjeilo

The Virtual Recording Choir of St. Francis Xavier (at home) The 2020 Xavier Pandemic Christmas Choir (in the church) Xavier Players John Uehlein, conductor Jerry Steichen, pianist Luz Marina Diaz and Elizabeth Mills, dancers

Behold! A new joy! Behold! A new wonder! A Virgin, who knew not a man, bears a son. She knew not a man, but as the pear-tree bears the pear, the flourishing papyrus brings the lily from the soil. See how nature changes her laws: a pure virgin bears the son of God.

Carol of the Light By David Barton

The Virtual Recording Choir of the Church of St. Francis Xavier Joel Dabu, producer and videographer John Uehlein, conductor and pianist

In a world which seems so dark; In a world which seems so lost; May the light of Christ this Christmas be a beacon, be a light. May the light of Christ be a beacon, May the beacon light your way, May the light send you forth, May it journey at your side, May the love of the Christ child be your guide. In the cold of the night, in the warmth of the day, In the stillness of a newborn child; When we can’t comprehend, why our wars never end: May the peace of Christ enfold you this year.

May the love of Christ flow among you, May it hold the weak and strong; May that love never cease, May it offer signs of peace; May the love of the Christ-child hold you strong. In the cold of the night, in the warmth of the day, In the stillness of a newborn child; When we can’t comprehend why our wars never end: May the peace of Christ enfold you this year.

Gloria in excelsis Deo from The Twelfth Night Mass by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

The Virtual Recording Choir of St. Francis Xavier (at home) The 2020 Xavier Pandemic Christmas Choir (in the church) Xavier Players John Uehlein, conductor Jerry Steichen, pianist CHRISTMAS MASS IN THE NIGHT

X SOLEMN PROCLAMATION OF THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST Maria Brinkmann Musical setting by John Uehlein

Hymn in Procession: (please stand) Adeste Fideles by John Francis Wade, 1711-86; trans. by Frederick Oakeley

Vs. 1: Adeste fideles, laeti triumphantes: Venite, venite in Bethlehem; Natum videte, Regem angelorum. Venite adoremus, Dominum.

Vs. 2: O Come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him, born the King of Angels:

Refrain: O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Vs. 3: Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing all ye citizens of heaven above; Glory to God in the highest: REF:

Opening Prayer

L ITURGY OF THE W ORD

Reading I: Isaiah 9:1-6

Reading II: Titus 2:11-14

Gospel Acclamation: Prepare the Way of the Lord TAIZÉ

Glory to God, God on high. Peace to all people of good will.

The Holy Gospel according to Luke: Luke 2:1-14

Homily:

Prayers of the Faithful: -c7xccgxxhxxjxc•xcckxxyxccxTxxxx Hear our prayer, hear our prayer.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

O Holy Night Music by Adolphe Adam; Text by Placide Cappeau

Lynda Stewart-Kennedy, soprano

Communion Music:

Prayer of Spiritual Communion attributed to St. Alphonsus Liguori

My Jesus, I believe you are really here in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you more than anything in the world, And I hunger to feed on your flesh. But since I cannot receive Communion at this moment, Feed my soul at least spiritually. I unite myself to you now as I do when I actually receive you. Never let me drift away from you.

Communion Meditation: Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1848; Music: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1787-1863

Silent Night, Holy Night, All is calm, all is bright ‘Round yon Virgin Mother and Child, Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent Night, Holy Night, Shepherds quake at the sight; Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia; Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born!

Silent Night, Holy Night, Son of God, love’s pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

CONCLUDING RITES

Pledge for Racial Justice:

Final Prayer and Blessing:

Hymn of Sending Forth: Joy to the World! Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748, based on Ps 98; Music: G. F. Handel, 1685-1759

Joy to the world! The Lord is come: Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room, and heav’n and nature sing…

Joy to the world! The Savior reigns: Let us our songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains, Repeat the sounding joy,…

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness, And wonders of His love,…

Postlude: What Child is This GREENSLEAVES

Arranged for the Xavier Players by John Uehlein

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK all of you who have contributed so generously with flowers and contributions ~ in so many different ways… IN THANKSGIVING FOR ALL THOSE AT OUR LITURGIES WHO . . . preside at our prayer . . . welcome God’s people . . . proclaim God’s Word . . . lead & inspire us in song . . . prepare our liturgies & worship space . . minister the Holy Eucharist to us, and for all who pray and celebrate with us this holy season. Merry Christmas! Presider: Rev. John Mulreany, SJ Cantors: Maria Brinkmann and Joel Dabu All copyrighted music reproduced with permission of One License/Copyright A-700530 rights reserved. Music Reprint license #944 GIA Publications, Inc., OCP Publications, WLP Publications, under AL10090301,All rights reserved. CCLI Church Copyright License Number 11540125

The Music Ministry of St. Francis Xavier Parish ~ A Jesuit Apostolate in New York City ~

John Uehlein, Director of Music Ministries Jacqueline C. Perez, Assistant Director of Music Ministries

The 2020 Virtual Recording Choir of St. Francis Xavier Joel Dabu, producer and videographer

Alan Ahles, Ladd Boris, Maria Brinkmann, Cara Caponi, Frank Cappucci, Linda Cartalano, Bob Choiniere, Marianne Clinton, Joel Dabu, Pierina Davidson, Mike Douris, Kathryn Fisher, Genevieve Flagello, Julie Flynn, Barry Gilman, Maggie Greene, Susan Guercio, Kathleen Hannon, Ann Harris-Jacobs, Elizabeth Hodur, Marti Holmes, Jim Hurley, Dee Kittany, Manny Lopez Jr., Sidney Marquez Boquiren, Dugan McGinley, Mark McManus, Martha Mendez, Kate Mendis, Jacqueline C. Perez, HaQueyn Pham, Cristelle Sens-Castet, Boreta Singleton, Lynda Stewart-Kennedy, Kim Thompson, Traci Tournoux, Gary Trout, Kevin Tuerff, John Uehlein, Caitlin Wright, Anna Zhukovskaya

Jerry Steichen, Guest Organist

The 2020 Xavier Pandemic Christmas Choir

Ladd Boris, Joel Dabu, Maggie Greene, Dee Kittany, Darren Lougée, Dugan McGinley, Jacqueline C. Perez, Rob Skolits, John Uehlein, Anna Zhukovskaya

The 2020 Xavier Xavier Players Christmas Ensemble

Diane Lisanti, ; Geri Lisanti-Levi, violin; Yuko Naito-Gotay, violin; Yuki Handa, violin; Paul Levi, cello; Suzanne Saturday,

The Campanologists of the Xavier Bell Choir

Orlando Adiao; Roseann Bonadia, Frank Cappucci, Brian Hotaling, Glenn O'Brien, Joanne O'Neill, Adel O'Regan, Cat Rode, John Uehlein

Mission Statement

The church of St. Francis Xavier, a Roman Catholic parish in the Jesuit tradition, strives to be a prophetic, welcoming community, and an inclusive witness to the presence of Christ Jesus in our midst. Mindful of our utter reliance on God, and need for God’s grace, we rejoice together in our celebration of the sacraments and proclamation of the Gospel.

As a people of hope, we commit ourselves through prayerful and creative discernment to respond to God in our time by: Being a respectful community Where seekers and their questions are welcomed, Where injustice is challenged, Where the poor, the alienated and the marginalized find a home, And where people are refreshed, reconciled and renewed.

In Gratitude to the Parish Staff of St. Francis Xavier for material and spiritual support in the creation of this program

Ken Boller, SJ ~ Pastor John Mulreany, SJ ~ Associate Pastor Cassandra Agredo ~ Executive Director of The Mission Robert Choiniere ~ Wedding Co-ordinator and Adult Faith Formation Stephanie Fuentes ~ Assistant to the Pastor Luz Marina Diaz ~ Director of Religious Education Jacqueline C. Perez ~ Assistant Director of Music Ministry Damely Tineo ~ Director of Business Gregory Timmes ~ Assistant to the Director of Business John Uehlein ~ Director of Music Ministry

Wishing All of you participating in our in-church and virtual congregations

A Very Blessed and Merry Christmas

And all health and prosperity in the New Year!