2025 Advent and Christmas at the Gonzaga Campus: the program with all the initiatives

To the entire Gonzaga Campus community

(students, families, teachers,

non-teaching and volunteer staff,

instructors, families and athletes of the sports club,

alumni, associations and Ignatian groups)

Subject: 2025 Advent and Christmas at the Gonzaga Campus: the program with all the initiatives

Advent is about to begin, a time of waiting, of silence, and of slowly growing light. A time that invites us to pause, to look more deeply, to prepare ourselves to welcome the One who comes to bring hope to the wounded places of history.

A time that reaches us when the world seems lost amid conflicts, divisions, and uncertainties.

But it is precisely on this night that light becomes most necessary. It is precisely now that we want to continue to preserve and sustain hope .

The hope we see shining in children's eyes, which we must always grant the right to exist and which we must never betray. The hope that blossoms in the dreams of young people, who seek new paths, who choose dialogue over violence, who still believe in good, even when evil makes the loudest noise.

In particular, in recent weeks, we have turned our gaze to the Holy Land . During the meeting we held as a school community on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank , we heard powerful and moving words. We were told that one of the most significant signs we can offer in this time is not to abandon the children and young people who are growing up and studying in those wounded lands : to continue to believe in them, to support them, to express with concrete gestures that we feel close to them, that we accompany them, that we do not forget them.

We want to walk alongside them with the language we know: that of education, care, and shared humanity.

This is our mission. We believe in education as a path to peace.

We believe in school as a place where a better world is built day after day, where we learn justice, coexistence, freedom, and dignity.

For this reason, as an educational community, this Advent we want to do our part, to the extent we can . A gesture, a solidarity campaign, a message, a network of support and prayer: what matters is not remaining indifferent , not looking away.

Throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons, an exhibition entitled "HeART of Gaza" will be held. The Campus will display drawings by children living in Gaza, documenting their experiences and giving voice to their experiences. The project, promoted by Palestinian activist Mohammed Timraz , has been hosted in several Italian and international cities. The exhibition aims to highlight the tragedy of war as seen through the eyes of innocent children, promoting reflection on the suffering of populations affected by conflict.

These children drew their house; in fact: "One of the first things children draw is the house... It's an image onto which they project how they feel. The house is the place where they live, and therefore they identify it with life itself. The house is the space of relationships, and therefore it itself becomes the symbol of the relationships that exist within the house."

In these children's drawings, however, the home is often wounded, destroyed, scarred by war. These are images that touch the heart and question us about the kind of "home"—of world, of relationships, of community—that we adults are building. Even as adults, we could continue to draw our own home, thinking of it as an image of our lives: is it a house with a smoking chimney, a sign that there is life within? Or is it a house where doors and windows have no openings or handles, as if to say we do not want any foreign presences within our confines?

This exhibition is our Advent sign .

We don't want to leave them alone. We want to walk with them, believing in the power of education , the power of solidarity, the prophecy of peace.

We continue to stubbornly believe in the possibility of building a more humane world , and for this reason we want to support the hope that, despite everything, continues to live in their eyes and in their plans.

A wonderful initiative will also be launched in the coming days: a large-scale prayer chain for peace involving schools around the world, from diverse cultures and religions. The initiative, promoted by FIDAE , will see us actively participating in a simple yet meaningful gesture, so that—as Christmas teaches us—justice and peace may come.

During this Advent season, we would like children—ours and those of Gaza—to help us rediscover the meaning of Christmas. The plays, shows, concerts, solidarity dinners, collections, and moments of prayer and reflection will not just be "dates" on the calendar, but opportunities to cherish hope and educate ourselves for peace. Children will help us experience the joy of Christmas; it is always through them, especially at Christmas, that we can be surprised and learn a new way of living in the world in love and peace.

We are therefore pleased to present to you, as the campus management, together with the Jesuit community and the pastoral team, the program of various initiatives , which will then be enriched with further practical information through further communications.

SOLIDARITY EVENTS AND INITIATIVES

As an Ignatian school, our solidarity is often focused on providing our youngest children with the opportunity to access quality education. Therefore, the fundraising for the concert and solidarity dinner, funded through ticket sales, will be donated in part to the "Education Fund" and in part to support the future of Palestinian children and youth, also initiating twinning programs between our school and several schools in those territories. In January, we will attempt to host a group of about fifteen Palestinian children. We ask for your availability to host them now. Please feel free to contact me at direttore@gonzagapalermo.it

Christmas Concert (open to the entire community)

Wednesday, December 10, 7:00 PM – Church of the Gesù at Casa Professa

As every year, on Wednesday 10 December, at 7:00 pm, at the Church of the Gesù in Casa Professa, the entire Campus community (students, families, teachers, alumni, friends and relatives) is invited to participate in the Christmas Concert .

This year, through the melodies and reflections of our children, we would like to emphasize "peace" so as not to forget all the wars, even the lesser-known ones, that afflict humanity and continue to hold the Palestinian people in our hearts.

From December 1st it will be possible to purchase concert tickets at the symbolic cost of €10:

· from Monday to Friday, at the main reception or in the communications office;

· at the entrance to the Church of Casa Professa, on the evening of the concert.

Admission is free for our students, teaching and non-teaching staff.

Students participating in the choir will meet at 6:00 PM at Casa Professa, wearing their uniform. Further information will be provided by the music teachers.

Christmas Solidarity Dinner (open to the entire community)

Thursday, December 18, 8:00 PM – Campus Canteen

On Thursday, December 18th, at 8:00 pm, we will all meet for the Christmas Solidarity Dinner .

To organize the dinner, all class representatives are invited to attend the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 3rd, at 6:30 pm, in the Pandolfo Hall (3rd floor of the Italian school building).

Starting Monday, December 1st, you can purchase tickets at the concierge desk and make a contribution toward purchasing and/or preparing dinner items.

During dinner it will be possible to visit the HeART of Gaza exhibition.

SPIRITUAL MEETINGS AND RETREATS

Preparing for Christmas invites us to rediscover moments of reflection and prayer. Specific moments have been planned for the various members of the educational community and the entire Ignatian Family.

In particular:

Lectio Divina to prepare for Christmas

For the whole community

On Tuesdays, December 2, 9, and 16, from 7:00 PM, Fr. Roberto del Riccio SJ, superior of the Jesuit community, will lead Lectio Divina in the St. Joseph Chapel.

Theme: “The Fragility of Love. The Mystery of Christmas.”

Throughout the school and in all the buildings there will be moments of preparation for the mystery of Christmas (the offering of the flower to the Immaculate Conception which will take place in the chapel of San Giuseppe:

• December 4th and 5th: Kindergarten;

• from December 1st to 3rd: Primary School;

and, in addition, moments of confession and prayer.

Spiritual exercises for teachers

There is also an important opportunity available for teachers who wish to do so.

The Spiritual Exercises for Teachers are intended to help us experience the Advent season not as a rush to "do many things," but as a time to pause and become aware of what God does for us.

We propose, for the Advent season (from 2nd to 16th December), a journey that includes:

• a moment of prayer and common reflection;

• a personal meeting with the spiritual guide;

• a daily time of personal prayer.

For information: p. Claudiu Miklos – miklos.claudiujani@gonzagapalermo.it

Ignatian Family Group Retreats

The Ignatian family groups also invite us to stop and reflect:

• "Families on the Move" Group Retreat

  November 23 – San Giuseppe chapel on the Gonzaga Campus.

• Retreat for the group of practitioners of the Spiritual Exercises in Ordinary Life (EVO)

  November 30 – Gonzaga Campus classrooms.

• Retreat of the "Parents Who Pray" prayer group

  December 7 – San Giuseppe chapel on the Gonzaga Campus.

Christmas Masses for students and teachers

In the last week of school before the holidays we will also have the opportunity to celebrate with all the schools and campuses some celebration times. In particular:

• Monday, December 15, 11:00 a.m. – San Giuseppe Chapel

  IV and V Primary – Grade 5–6 Primary School

• Tuesday, December 16, 10:00 a.m. – San Giuseppe Chapel

  I, II, III Middle School – M1, M2, M3 Middle School

• Wednesday, December 17, 8:00 a.m. – San Giuseppe Chapel

  Two-year high school program – M4–M5

• Thursday, December 18, 8:00 a.m. – San Giuseppe Chapel

  Three-year high school program – D1–D2

  
  

CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCES – SHOWS – PERFORMANCES

Below are the dates for the Christmas shows and performances, a truly wonderful time to see Christmas and the world through the eyes of children. Further logistical information will be communicated by the educational coordinators of each sector.

Childhood – Christmas Plays

Friday, December 12th

· 10:00–11:00 a.m., in class: Spring (Butterflies)

Monday, December 15th

· 09:00–10:00, in the auditorium: 3 A (Coccinelle)

· 10:15–11:15 a.m., in the auditorium: 3 B (Leoncini)

Thursday, December 18

· 9:15–10:15 a.m., in the auditorium: 1 A (Passerotti) and 1 B (Riccetti)

· 10:30–11:30 am, in the auditorium: 2 A (Teddy Bears) and 2 B (Bunnies)

Friday, December 19th

· 10:30 a.m.: Classroom party (nursery section)

Pre-School – Christmas Show

Wednesday, December 10 – auditorium

· 9.30am: Pre-Kindergarten

· 10:00: Kindergarten

· 10:30: Transition

Primary School – Christmas Show

First and second grade – Friday, December 19, in the auditorium

· 9:30–10:30 am: 1 A and 2 B

· 11:00–12:00: 1 B and 2 A

Primary School – Christmas Show

Thursday, December 11

· 9:30 am: G1

· 10:00 am: G2

· 10:30 am: G3

Wednesday, December 17

· 9:30 am: G4

· 10:00 am: G5

· 10:30 am: G6

High schools

Show in Latin “Consistam et consulam tibi”

· Friday, December 19, 9:00 a.m., San Giuseppe Chapel – for high school students.

· Friday, December 19, 12:30 pm, San Giuseppe Chapel – for teaching and non-teaching staff.

EARLY DISMISSAL ON DECEMBER 19 AND SUSPENSION OF EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Friday, December 19, 2025 – Early Releases

And now we come to the last day of school! As per our school calendar, the Italian School and the International School Palermo will be suspended from December 22, 2025, to January 6, 2026 .

Activities will resume regularly for everyone on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 .

On Friday, December 19th, the last day of classes before the Christmas holidays, students will be dismissed early as follows:

· Nursery and Preschool: 12:30 pm

· Primary school: 12:00 pm

· Middle school: 12:30 pm

· High schools: 11:40 a.m.

· Pre-School: 12.30pm

· Primary School: 12.30pm

· Middle (M1–M2–M3): 11.40 am

· High School (M4–M5–D1–D2): 11.40 am

On Friday, December 19th, lunch will be guaranteed only to children in Nursery, Infant, and Pre-School.

EXCHANGE OF GREETINGS WITH ALL THE STAFF

Friday, December 19, 2025 – St. Joseph's Chapel and Campus Canteen

On Friday 19 December, at 12:30 pm, all the teaching and non-teaching staff of the Campus (School – International School – Sports Centre) will meet in the San Giuseppe chapel to experience a time of spiritual reflection in preparation for Christmas .

At 1pm all the staff will move to the canteen to share the usual Christmas lunch and exchange greetings .

We invite everyone to organize themselves to be present and punctual.

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS IN THE CHAPEL OF ST. JOSEPH

During Advent, Mass will continue in the Chapel of St. Joseph at the usual time of 11:00 a.m. Everyone is invited to participate during this special time. Christmas celebrations, in particular, are a wonderful time to gather together.

• Wednesday, December 24, 2025 – Christmas Eve

11:00 PM – Christmas Eve

• Thursday, December 25, 2025 – Christmas

11:00 am – Holy Mass

• Sunday, December 28, 2025 – Holy Family

11:00 am – Holy Mass

• Wednesday, December 31, 2025 – Thanksgiving Mass with Te Deum

6:30 PM – Holy Mass

• Thursday, January 1, 2026 – Mary, Mother of God

11:00 am – Holy Mass

• Tuesday, January 6, 2026 – Epiphany

11:00 am – Holy Mass

Note: From Monday, December 22, 2025, to January 6, 2026, weekday Masses at 7:15 a.m. will be suspended. They will resume on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

As you can see, there are many opportunities that we offer ourselves in this time to prepare our hearts for

receive the gift of Christmas: each person chooses those that they consider most useful for their own path of life

student, parent, teacher, non-teacher, volunteer, instructor or entertainer.

We look forward to seeing you and, on behalf of the entire Board of Directors and the community of Jesuit Fathers,

We sincerely wish you a good start to Advent and a journey of hope and peace.

Kind regards

P. Vitangelo Carlo Maria Denora SJ

General Manager Gonzaga Campus

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