Cardinal O'Hara plans Greccio, concert, dinner

Cardinal O’Hara High School Press Release

Cardinal O’Hara High School will present its annual pre-Christmas three-part celebration on Dec. 11 at the school, 39 O’Hara Road, Town of Tonawanda.

The evening will begin with a spaghetti dinner and basket raffle fundraiser in the student dining room from 4-6:15 p.m. hosted by the music department and home school association.

At 6:30 p.m., Greccio, one of Cardinal O’Hara’s longest-running traditions, will begin in the school courtyard. Freshman students in costume will perform the tableau in three scenes: the annunciation, the birth of Jesus and the visit of the magi. The pageant, begun by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223, depicts the events surrounding the birth of Jesus.

The school’s chorus, singing Christmas carols, will accompany the pageant, narrated by freshmen.

St. Francis of Assisi, who loved to dramatize the Gospel, set up the first Christmas crib on Mt. Greccio, building a stable in a cave behind the village church. St. Francis led the people of Greccio in procession with their various farm animals to the grotto where the saint made the Christmas liturgy a dramatic celebration.

Cardinal O’Hara, a Franciscan-based school, has continued this legacy since 1965.

Immediately following the Greccio reenactment, the school’s dance ensemble, concert band, wind ensemble, freshman chorus, song corps and a cappella singers will conclude the evening with their annual concerts of holiday favorites in the performing arts center.

Colin Sperrazza, head of the music department, said all former chorus members are invited to join the chorus in its final presentation, “Carol of the Bells.”

“Many of our former chorus members return for this, making it a tradition of its own,
 he said.

The Greccio and concerts are free and open to the public.

Tickets for the dinner are $10 presale or $12 at door. They may be purchased at the O’Hara main office; or call 716-695-2600; or contact Renee Orr at 695-2600, ext. 312, or [email protected].