19th Annual Celebration of Light illuminates the holiday season in Brooklyn

Let there be light. This year marks the 19^th annual Celebration of Light, a month long series of tree-lightings held at 31 churches around Brooklyn, presented by Maimonides Medical Center.

On November 13, the hospital held a kick-off event for the glittering celebration at which representatives of the parishes were given donations to help fund the expenses for the lightings as well as decorations. State Senator Marty Golden, President and CEO of Maimonides Pamela Brier and Reverend Monsignor David Cassato spoke at the event, which included a slideshow of past lightings.

“It started at Visitation Monastery 19 years ago. And then it spread out,” said Brian Long of Long and Delosa Construction, one of the founding fathers of the celebration. “It kept growing and growing, and now it’s at 31 parishes. Maimonides has been the sponsor and very helpful with putting together the construction.”

Since 1995, Long explained, Brooklynites have been enthusiastic in spreading holiday cheer across the borough. “I think a lot of people look forward to it,” he said. “It sends the important message that these churches are open for business. It gives a sense of pride in our parish.”

It takes a large group of people to continue the tradition, Long stressed. “Pamela Brier and Dominick Stanzione [COO of Maimonides] have been tremendous. Douglas Jablon [vice president of patient relations & volunteer services, and special assistant to the president at Maimonides] has been on board right from the beginning,” he noted.

And while each of the parishes displays a tree, a few churches stand out according to the founder. “Some parishes do it bigger than others,” Long remarked. “St. Athanasius has a big tree. Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Anselm’s Church, St. Finbar’s Church, St. Patrick’s Church go all out,” said Long.

The first tree lighting is Saturday, November 30 at 6 p.m. at St. Gregory the Great Church. This year marks the inclusion of St. Bernard’s Church and Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church.

“Next year will be our 20^th anniversary. It’s a great tradition. We could all use a little light in our lives,” Long said.

Saturday, November 30

St. Gregory the Great Church, 224 Brooklyn Avenue, at 6 p.m.

Sunday, December 1

Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, 2530 Church Avenue, at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, December 3

Good Shepherd Church, 1950 Batchelder Street, at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 5

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fourth and Ovington Avenues, at 10 a.m.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 526 59th Street, at 6 p.m.

Saturday, December 7

Our Lady of Angels Church, 7320 Fourth Avenue, at 5:30 p.m.

St. Anselm Church, 356 82nd Street, at 6 p.m.

St. Mary Mother of Jesus Church, 2326 84th Street, at 6 p.m.

Holy Innocents Church, 279 E 17th Street, at 6 p.m.

Regina Pacis Church, 1258 65th Street, at 6 p.m.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 7201 15th Avenue, at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 8

St. Mark’s Church, 2609 East 19th Street, at 4 p.m.

St. Brendan Church, 1525 East 12th Street, at 5 p.m.

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 8401 Ridge Boulevard, at 6:30 p.m.

Salam Arabic Lutheran Church, 414 80th Street, at 7 p.m.

Saturday, December 14

St. Bernard’s Church, 2055 E 69th Street, at 5 p.m.

St. Patrick’s Church, 9511 Fourth Avenue, at 6 p.m.

St. Athanasius Church, 2154 61st Street, at 6:30 p.m.

St. Finbar Church, 138 Bay 20th Street, at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 15

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 2805 Fort Hamilton Parkway, at 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 18

St. Bernadette Church, 8201 13th Avenue, at 7:30 p.m.

St. Ephrem Church, 929 Bay Ridge Parkway, at 8 p.m.

Tuesday, December 24

Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, 108 Carroll Street, at 4:30 p.m.

Tree lightings are planned but not yet scheduled at St. Cecilia’s Church, 84 Herbert Street; Visitation Academy, 8902 Ridge Boulevard; St. Andrew the Apostle, 6713 Ridge Boulevard; Holy Name Church, 245 Prospect Park West; St. Agatha’s Church, 702 48th Street; Fort Hamilton Army Base Chapel, 101st Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway; St. Catharine of Alexandria Church, 1119 41^st Street; and Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 414 80th Street.