Sorority news

The Preceptor Alpha Upsilon and Xi Delta Omega chapters of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority met Nov. 20 at Chantilly's Restaurant, Barnesville. The meeting included a celebration of The "Order of the Rose," which was conferred on Donna Gerber in appreciation of her 15 years of membership. Gerber received a special pin and a yellow rose, the symbol of Beta Sigma Phi.The next preceptor chapter meeting will be held Dec. 11 and will include the Secret Sister Christmas party. The party will begin at 7 p.m. at the home of Wanda Keefer. Members are reminded to meet at the regular car pool spot at 6:30 p.m. and to bring a body product they use regularly.Plans are also under way for a chapter social, including family and spouses, to be held in December at Schick's Cafe in Tamaqua.Santa paradeSanta and Mrs. Claus will arrive in Tamaqua on Friday, escorted by their four-wheeled "reindeer" and elves. Due to the bridge construction on East Broad Street, Santa's trip to Depot Square Park will see a change in the parade route. This year, Santa will travel from St. Jerome's parking lot and head east to Berwick Street, beginning at 6 p.m.The jolly couple will then make their way to Depot Square Park and magically illuminate the thousands of lights decorating the park.From there, the party will move to the Tamaqua Community Arts Center, 125 Pine St., where Santa and the Mrs. will visit with children of all ages. Photos will be allowed, so bring your camera.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 a.m. traditional service this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. A contemporary service will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Tamaqua YMCA, including nursery and primary church. Sunday school classes will meet at 9:15 a.m., at the church.Activities for next week will include: Tuesday, prayer time at 8:30 a.m.; Wednesday, Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m., GriefShare meets at 7 p.m., praise practice will be held at 8 p.m.; Thursday, Christmas caroling to shut ins begins at 1 p.m.; Saturday, men's group music practice at 9 a.m., women's group music practice at 10 a.m.SS. Peter and PaulThe Youth Choir of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church will rehearse from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday. The adult choir rehearses from 7-8 p.m. on Wednesdays.The Holy Name Society will meet Thursday at 8 p.m., The meeting will be preceded by a Mass at 7:30 p.m.The annual choir and Ladies Auxiliary Christmas party will be held at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 15 at Basile's Italian restaurant, Hometown. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 570-668-1150. Deadline for reservations will be Dec. 4.First Friday will be observed this week with confessions heard at 7:30 a.m., followed by Mass and devotions at 8 a.m. Communion calls will begin at 9 a.m., with the exception of parishioners in the Tamaqua ABC Hi Rise, Majestic House complex, Coaldale and Hometown. Communion calls will be made to those areas on Thursday morning.Dec. 7 will be a Fatima Saturday. Confessions will be heard at 7:30 a.m., followed by a Recitation of the rosary and Devotions before the 8 a.m. Mass.