November 15, 2019
Festival of Lights Set for Dec. 6 in the North Hills
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 15, 2019 – La Roche University, the Sisters of Divine Providence and Providence Heights Alpha School will host their annual Festival of Lights holiday event on Friday, Dec. 6.
Sponsored by McCandless Crossing, Festival of Lights will run from 3 to 9 p.m. at La Roche and the neighboring Sisters of Divine Providence campus, including Providence Heights Alpha School. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public.
“Festival of Lights is a community tradition that provides an entertaining, family-friendly atmosphere to celebrate the holiday season,” said Colleen Ruefle, La Roche’s vice president for student life and dean of students. “We are fortunate to have our neighbor McCandless Crossing sponsor the festivities for the fourth year in a row.”
Festival of Lights will begin with a craft show and conclude with a fireworks display over the La Roche campus. The evening will feature activities for children, a bounce house, a visit from Santa Claus, food trucks, live ice sculpting and carriage rides. Performing arts majors from La Roche will present “The Nutcracker” in Providence Heights Auditorium, and there will be a holiday musical presentation in the Mother of Divine Providence Chapel featuring ensembles from the PYCO School of Music, Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra, and the La Roche University Interfaith Choir.
From 5 to 8 p.m. the La Roche Student Government Association will accept donations for the Cans for Cocoa food drive at the Kerr Fitness & Sports Center. Guests may donate canned goods or other nonperishable food items and receive a 12-ounce cup of cocoa for their generosity.
About La Roche University: A private liberal arts university in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers 66 undergraduate programs of study, six master’s degrees and one doctoral degree, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, and health and medical sciences as well as interior design and graphic design. This residential university provides a vibrant campus community for more than 1,400 men and women enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.
About the Sisters of Divine Providence: Founded in Finthen, Germany, in 1851, the Sisters of Divine Providence is an international congregation of three provinces (Germany, United States-Caribbean, Korea) and one mission (Peru) with approximately 400 vowed members and 1,000 Associates. The Sisters are women of varied and diverse backgrounds and talents, united in their deep trust in a Provident God who loves and cares for all creation. The Congregation has expanded its ministries to meet the needs of the times in education, campus ministry, health care, pastoral care, social work, peace and justice concerns, as well as serving the poor and homeless and those who are seeking asylum.
About Providence Heights Alpha School: Providence Heights Alpha School is a private, independent, Catholic, coeducational school for grades pre-K-8, founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence and located on their historic 40-acre campus in Allison Park. Since 1926, Alpha School has educated children to be independent thinkers, imaginative problem solvers and caring, compassionate individuals.
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